06/12/2026
A historic day for healthcare on the North Fork. ❤️
Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital recently celebrated its designation as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, community celebration and presentation of the annual Krystal Clear Award.
"This designation was driven by one goal, to improve outcomes and save lives here on the North Fork," said Paul J. Connor, III, Chief Administrative Officer. "Time is brain."
William Wertheim, MD, MBA, Executive Vice President of Stony Brook Medicine, emphasized the significance of the achievement, noting that "every minute matters" in stroke care and that this designation ensures patients can receive rapid evaluation and treatment close to home.
Edward J. Boyd, Esq., President of the North Fork Volunteer Rescue Squad Association and Chair of REMSCO, echoed that message, reminding attendees that "time is not something a stroke victim has to spare."
Guests also heard from stroke survivor Juan Ibanez, who shared his firsthand experience at SBELIH. "Everyone remained calm and professional, which helped keep me calm too," he said. "The medical professionals at Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital are some of the finest healthcare professionals I could have ever hoped for."
Additional remarks were shared by Suffolk County Legislator Greg Doroski, Southold Town Board Members Anne Smith and Jill Doherty, and Z. Micah Kaplan, MD, Associate Director of the Eastern Long Island Hospital Foundation, all of whom recognized the importance of bringing advanced stroke care closer to home.
The event also included the presentation of the 2026 Krystal Clear Award to Nancy Williams, PT, DPT, CCI, GCS, Director of Physical Therapy, in recognition of her exceptional clinical insight and swift action in patient care.
Guests and staff had the opportunity to tour the Stony Brook Medicine Mobile Stroke Unit, gaining a firsthand look at the advanced technology and specialized care that help bring rapid stroke assessment and treatment directly to patients when every second counts.
The celebration concluded with the unveiling of SBELIH's Primary Stroke Center designation sign and an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, commemorating a milestone years in the making and a significant advancement in healthcare for the North Fork and Shelter Island communities.