Widely Attended Event Celebrates Unity and Community Partnership
(L to R) Jewish Inclusion Group Co-Chair FNP Mira Inoyatov, CNO Dr Abigail Baboolal, Jewish Inclusion Group Planner LMSW Ilana Rachnaev, AW Nily Rozic, CEO Mr. Neil Moore, Jewish Inclusion Group Co-Chair Dr. Jacobi Ramiz Rafailov, PsyD, Chief Experience Officer Dr. David Weisman, CM Jim Gennaro, AM David Weprin, Dr. Dave Holson, and Chabad Rabbi Mendy Hecht.
Jewish Inclusion
By Diana Rachnaev
Queens, NY — NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens hosted its first-ever community Hanukkah lighting and gathering at Queens Hospital Center, bringing together hospital leadership, frontline workers, community partners, faith leaders, elected officials, and members of the community in a shared moment of connection. Rooted in the spirit of the Festival of Lights, the event emphasized unity, and the enduring strength of community during complex times.
As part of NYC Health + Hospitals, the nation’s largest municipal health care delivery system, Queens Hospital Center serves a uniquely diverse patient population across the borough. The public health system is dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care to all New Yorkers — regardless of immigration status or ability to pay — and operates an integrated network of hospitals, community-based health centers, long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, home care services, correctional health services, and its health plan, MetroPlus. Systemwide, more than 45,000 health care professionals serve over one million patients annually across more than 70 locations citywide.
“We were proud to host Queens Hospital’s first Hanukkah celebration — a powerful reminder that our strength comes from the diversity of our community. To the Jewish community, including members of our hospital family: you are seen, valued, and your culture enriches everything we do. In a moment when standing together matters deeply, this observance reaffirmed our commitment to inclusion, dignity, and hope for all,” said Neil J. Moore, CEO, NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens.
Mira Inoyatov, Dr Abigail Baboolal, Ilana Rachnaev, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, CEO Mr. Neil Moore, Dr. Jacobi Ramiz Rafailov, Dr. David Weisman, CM Jim Gennaro, Assemblyman David Weprin, Dr. Dave Holson, and Rabbi Mendy Hecht.
The standing-room only program opened with welcoming remarks from Mira Inoyatov and Ramiz Rafailov, Co-Chairs of the Jewish Inclusion Group, who spoke to the importance of creating spaces within public healthcare that are inclusive, respectful, and reflective of the diverse communities served.
Members of the Queens Hospital Center executive leadership team also offered greetings, including Mr. Moore, COO Marzya Sdrewski, CNO Dr. Baboolal, CMO Dr. Holson, CQO Dr. Fleischman, and Chief Experience Officer Dr. Weisman, reaffirming the hospital’s commitment to care and partnership across all communities.
The gathering included remarks from elected leaders including State Senator John Liu, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, Assemblymember David Weprin, and Council Member James Gennaro.
Assemblywoman Rozic said, “in these times of surging antisemitism and Jewish hate, it is even more important to strengthen and support relationships between public institutions and the communities they serve. By hosting a Hanukkah celebration, Queens Hospital Center demonstrates its shared commitment to safety and belonging for all.”
Dr. Issac Sachmechi, MD, Director of the Diabetes Center of Excellence at Queens Hospital Center, addressed the role of community-centered healthcare and the impact that collaboration and trust have on patient outcomes and overall well-being.
A central and symbolic moment of the program was the menorah lighting and Hanukkah reflections led by Rabbi Mendy Hecht, who spoke to the enduring themes of light over darkness, perseverance, and the responsibility to bring compassion and understanding into shared civic spaces.
During the event, Queens Hospital Center presented a recognition plaque honoring local leadership, acknowledging the collective efforts to build community safety.
Closing reflections were offered by Ilana Rachnaev, LMSW, alongside Oksana Abramova, RN, who noted that gatherings reflect a commitment to dialogue, relationship-building, and ensuring that public healthcare institutions remain welcoming, responsive, and grounded in shared humanity.