PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Andrew Kung, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Memorial Sloan Kettering, on MSK Pavilion Project
2:15:54
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141 sec
Dr. Andrew Kung, Chair of Pediatrics at Memorial Sloan Kettering, testified in support of the MSK Pavilion project, emphasizing its importance for pediatric cancer care and addressing safety concerns during construction.
- Highlighted MSK as the largest pediatric cancer program in the nation, seeing 50% more new patients than St. Jude's
- Stressed the need for new facilities to deliver sophisticated, cutting-edge treatments
- Expressed confidence in the safety measures and mitigation plans for the construction project
- Shared both professional and personal conviction about the project's safety, mentioning his role as a father
Andrew Kung
2:15:54
Good afternoon.
2:15:55
My name is Andrew Conga.
2:15:56
I have the privilege of being the chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Memorial Sloan Kettering.
2:16:02
I very much appreciated chair Riley's question about the youngest patients at MSK because they are are charged.
2:16:10
And this is being September, this is childhood cancer awareness month.
2:16:16
And I think it's sailing to bring up two points.
2:16:19
Cancer though rare in children is still the leading cause of death in children today.
2:16:26
And the second point is that MSK is actually the largest pediatric cancer program in the nation We see 50% more new patients than Saint Jude does.
2:16:37
We have the privilege at MSK of caring for over a 150 children with cancer every single day in our York facility.
2:16:48
We pride ourselves with having the broadest number of treatment options for anyone who comes across New York City or the greater New York area to seek our care.
2:16:59
But increasingly, the sophistication of cutting edge medicine is just challenging to deliver in a aging infrastructure.
2:17:09
And so the need for the new pavilion is critical for a commitment to these youngest and most vulnerable patients.
2:17:16
Now in addition to developing treatments for patients, one of the chief responsibilities I have as a chair is to ensure the safety and the well-being of the children and the families entrusted to our care.
2:17:31
And based on the plans and the discussions about the mitigation and abatement measures that go above the minimum, I have no concerns whatsoever about our patients continuing to come through the neighborhood to seek care in our hospital.
2:17:49
I would add that this confidence and the safety is not just a professional opinion, but also a personal conviction.
2:17:57
The proud father of a three year old.
Julie Menin
2:17:59
I'm just starting to wrap it up, please.
2:18:01
Thank you.
Jaclyn Scarinci
2:18:02
I wanna
Jason Kwah
2:18:02
So it's coming.
Andrew Kung
2:18:03
On a very personal level, thank you today.
2:18:05
Counselwoman Minh and for your continued vigilance on behalf of those of us that live work and see patients in the operating side.
