The Society of The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Honors SNCH CEO Richard J. Murphy

OCEANSIDE, N.Y. - March 16, 2016 - PRLog -- South Nassau Communities Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer Richard J. Murphy was presented The Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick On Long Island 2016 'Favorite Son' Award during the society's 32^nd Emerald Ball and Banquet held Friday, March 4 at the Garden City Hotel.

"Rich Murphy is a proven leader in the health care field, a family man, a proud Long Islander and Irishman," said John Powers, Esq., the Society's President.  "We welcome him as this year's 'Favorite Son' and are grateful that he agreed to help the Friendly Sons raise funds so we can continue to support the many charities that we have assisted for decades. Giving back to our community and helping those less fortunate is a proud tradition of our organization and of our faith."

Recipients of the Favorite Son Award are chosen for their exemplary life, reflecting the continuing mission and purpose of the Society. Recipients have shown outstanding achievement in their professions and industry through strong work ethic, leadership, and good nature and have made ongoing contributions to the history of the Irish on Long Island.

"I am humbled by this award and pleased to assist with the noble mission of the Society," said Mr. Murphy, a resident of Mt. Sinai.  "Our mission at South Nassau is to help all patients who come through our doors. The Society also helps those who need a hand up, so it is my pleasure to be associated with the good works they do on Long Island."

About 200 guests attended the Society's Emerald Ball on Friday night at the Garden City Hotel, including leaders from the business, political and legal communities from across Long Island.

Sen. Charles E. Schumer said in a commendation letter that under Mr. Murphy's leadership, South Nassau has become "a valuable health care resource for all in the community. Mr. Murphy's dedication to the improvement of medical facilities and commitment to ensure that his patients receive excellent care is an exemplary community service."

Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano lauded the Society's leadership and Mr. Murphy for "their generous acts of public service."

Town of Hempstead Supervisor Anthony J. Santino also praised the Society and its 'Favorite Son."

"Under the leadership of Mr. Murphy, South Nassau has become one of the finest health care facilities in the nation," Santino stated. "As Supervisor of America's largest township, I can personally attest to the commitment and dedication of Mr. Murphy has to his patients and staff."

Assemblyman Brian Curran praised the Friendly Sons for its tradition of "charity, faith, respect and memory." And he saluted Murphy for his "inspired leadership and continued growth of the hospital.

"Thanks to Richard's work, South Nassau continues to be a destination for those seeking quality healthcare in a caring environment," Curran stated in a commendation letter.

Mr. Murphy has been president and CEO of South Nassau since August of 2012.  Mr. Murphy has led an effort to continuously improve the quality of care at the 455-bed hospital, which is the only Level II Trauma Center on the South Shore of Nassau County, and to expand services. He has spearheaded South Nassau's October 2014 acquisition of the former Long Beach Medical Center (LBMC), which was shuttered after SuperStorm Sandy hit and is leading efforts to establish a new healthcare delivery system designed around the needs of the residents of Long Beach and surrounding communities.  Under Mr. Murphy's direction, South Nassau has:

• restored emergency medical services on the barrier island with the Aug. 2015 opening of South Nassau's Emergency Department (ED) at Long Beach, Long Island's first off-campus, emergency department, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and receives ambulances via the 9-1-1 system;

• partnered with the City of Long Beach to augment the City's existing ambulance fleet by providing secondary backup for 9-1-1- ambulance calls (Under the partnership, South Nassau ambulances stationed at the ED respond when needed as backup for 9-1-1 calls) and announced plans for a $40 million Medical Arts Pavilion in Long Beach as the permanent home of the free-standing Emergency Department in Long Beach;

• re-opened the Family Medicine Center at Long Beach (located at 761 Franklin Blvd.) in May of 2014  as an extension of South Nassau's Family Medicine Center located on Merrick Rd. in Oceanside to provide  residents with quality, compassionate family medicine;

• commissioned a community needs assessment to help determine what services are needed on the barrier island in the years ahead

• introduced plans to construct a $130 million, four-story, 58,000 square foot addition to the Southwest corner of the hospital in Oceanside that will feature a new, medically advanced critical care patient unit with up to 24 additional beds; double the size of the Emergency Services Department and modernize and expand its operating rooms.

During Mr. Murphy's tenure, South Nassau has won a series of major awards for quality and performance, including an 'A' rating for patient safety by The Leapfrog Group; Joint Commission Top Performer on Key Quality Measures for three consecutive years, and American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer Outstanding Achievement Award.