PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Andrew Stern, Manhattan Resident, on MSK Pavilion Project
2:08:34
·
110 sec
Andrew Stern, a Manhattan resident, testified in support of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's (MSK) proposed Pavilion project. He shared a personal story about his grandmother's successful cancer treatment at MSK and emphasized the importance of expanding the hospital's capacity to help more patients.
- Highlighted the economic benefits of the project, including job creation and support for local businesses
- Stressed the trade-off between building height and the number of patient beds, urging approval of the full 28 operating rooms and 206 beds
- Asked the committee to consider how many patients might not receive treatment if the building size is reduced
Andrew Stern
2:08:34
Hi.
2:08:35
My name is Andrew Stern.
2:08:36
Thank you to Chair Riley in Decancha Lumbermenton for me here today.
2:08:41
I live in Manhattan.
2:08:42
There are a lot of good reasons to support this project.
2:08:45
We could talk about the jobs that we'll provide during construction and once operational for nurses, doctors, technicians, maintenance workers, and administrators, or we could talk about how those employees will eat at local restaurants and support local businesses.
2:08:58
But this project is personal for me, and that's why I want to focus on the patients today.
2:09:03
A few years ago, my grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
2:09:07
The 1st few weeks were hard, knowing the typical prognosis, We thought that that was going to be it.
2:09:12
But she was treated at MSK, and thanks to the work of so many incredible professionals, they were able to make significant progress.
2:09:19
She's still not done with her treatments, but she's a fighter, and that she's going to make it.
2:09:24
The treatment she received saved her life, and I think as many New Yorkers as possible, should be able to access the same quality treatment at MSK.
2:09:31
And just for a few years from now, she might have been treated at the new Pavilion.
2:09:35
It will be entirely dedicated to patient treatment.
2:09:37
That was 206 beds.
2:09:39
It represents an opportunity for thousands of additional New Yorkers to benefit from this incredible quality of care.
2:09:45
As for concerns about height, I want to emphasize the very real trade offs between every foot of height and the number of beds.
2:09:52
It is so important that we allow as many patients as possible to be treated at MSK.
2:09:57
If MSK had not had the capacity to treat my grandmother, I don't know if she would still be here.
2:10:01
I don't want anyone in the solar situation to be turned away because they don't have enough beds.
2:10:07
With numerous buildings nearby taller than 500 feet, I asked the committee to please approve this building with the full 28 operating rooms and 206 beds planned.
2:10:15
If the building size will be cut, I would ask him to please consider how many patients might not receive treatment.
2:10:21
For every bed that goes unbelt.
2:10:23
Thank you so much for your time.