JULY 2023

Since its inception in 1866, at the height of a historic wave of immigration, The Floating Hospital has been on the cutting edge of providing patients with essential medicines as fast as they could be invented—aspirin, penicillin and vaccines. Now, nearly 16 decades later, the organization has come full circle in a newly funded effort to provide vaccines for the hundreds of migrant children arriving in another historic influx to New York City.  

As is the case with all other 49 states, New York requires schoolchildren to be inoculated against measles, mumps, rubella, polio; highly contagious viruses such as Covid-19, influenza and chickenpox, and other transmissible diseases. And for the newly arrived, most of whom are coming from Central and South America—at least 50% without vaccines or vaccination records, estimated by the city health commissioner—that means no shots, no school. 

Volunteers have played an important role in The Floating Hospital’s history, beginning in the summer of 1875—just nine years after its founding—aboard the Emma Abbott, our first ship clinic. That summer, 14 volunteer physicians provided medical aid to 22,820 children and their parents, who eagerly boarded the ship not only for nourishment and entertainment, but for relief from their overcrowded city tenements.  

Ever since, volunteers have brought invaluable resources, enthusiasm, expertise and community connections to The Floating Hospital. They’ve helped us amplify our impact and have significantly contributed to the well-being of the families we serve—whether they were musicians, puppeteers and magicians who entertained passengers while they waited to see a provider, or college students helping a robust staff of 70+ doctors, nurses, social workers and occupational therapists. The days were long and the work—serving nearly 1,500 passengers daily—was exhausting. Volunteers were essential. 

Gearing up for Camp Rise Up

August 27-September 1, 2023: As we get ready to say goodbye to summer, Camp Rise Up campers will say hello to a week of outdoor recreation, self-care and making new friends in a beautiful rural environment. The Floating Hospital’s Camp Rise Up, now in its fifth year, is free to families living in homeless shelters, domestic violence safe houses and other temporary housing. During an exhilarating, activity-packed week, campers stretch their minds and their bodies: canoeing, hiking, zip-lining and s’mores are on the agenda, along with interactive classroom lessons, workshops and outdoor games designed to foster personal strength, self-esteem and help them stay in school. 63% of this year’s estimated 80 campers are alumni, a data point we are proud of (and encouraged by). 

Entertainment and education for the waiting room

Studies have demonstrated the success of the patient waiting room as a learning environment—an interactive model that The Floating Hospital’s staff of certified health educators uses to relay information and engage patients. We’re happy to announce that we’ve entered into an agreement with Foundry360, a content publisher, that will produce videos on health and wellness topics uniquely customized for our patient population. Foundry360 is a division of DotDash Meredith, America’s largest digital and print publisher, with a monthly audience of nearly 200 million and a notable roster of titles (Better Homes & Gardens, Health, Very Well Health, Parents, People, Real Simple and The Spruce are a few). 

A swell Summer Benefit Gala 

Friends, supporters and staff gathered at the elegant Metropolitan Club, for a sparkling evening of music, scrumptious food and raising funds to support our vital “more than healthcare” services. Emmy-award winning investigative reporter Monica Morales of PIX-11 served as the enthusiastic emcee for the second year in a row. Guest speakers KiAnna Wilson and José Miranda, two young Hospital staff members who got their start with us as Camp Rise Up campers, inspired us all. Dapper auctioneer Lucas Hunt kept track of the paddle raise pledges as they flowed in (the scene was exciting and inspiring). The Duke Ellington Legacy Band, featuring Edward Ellington III, provided an elegant soundtrack perfectly suited to our Jazz Age theme. 

We thank our sponsors, paddle raise participants, donors, board members, gala committee, staff and attendees whose support keeps our mission of care and relief for deserving New York City families. 

See the film that debuted at the benefit

President Sean T. Granahan celebrates 20 years with The Floating Hospital

On June 6, we marked a celebratory milestone for the Hospital: 20 years since Sean T. Granahan, Esq. came aboard as General Counsel. Roughly a year after that appointment, and at a moment of crisis for the organization, Granahan was made Floating Hospital president (while retaining the title of General Counsel). The ensuing two decades under his leadership saw a refocus on primary care for families, our historic “more than healthcare” programs like Camp Rise Up and Life Skills and an expansion of the Floating Hospital’s free transportation network, the Good Health Shuttle. If the past two decades are any indication, great things lie ahead for our patients.

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