NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Distributes Turkeys and Shares Holiday Meals with Patients to Celebrate Thanksgiving
Local elected officials and staff donated and distributed 82 turkeys, as well as dozens of holiday meals, as part of the hospital’s long tradition of giving, healing, and community
Nov 28, 2025
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue celebrated Thanksgiving this year with a series of heartfelt events and acts of generosity that reflect the institution’s longstanding commitment to caring for patients, families, and the broader community. In partnership with New York State Assembly Member Harvey Epstein, New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, and the National Supermarket Association, Bellevue Hospital distributed 82 Thanksgiving turkeys to patients and families. This annual effort underscores the importance of giving, especially at a time when food insecurity continues to affect many New Yorkers. The donation represents the strength of Bellevue’s community partnerships and the shared belief that everyone deserves a meaningful holiday meal.
“Thanksgiving isn’t just a holiday here at Bellevue,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Chief Executive Officer Eric Wei, MD, MBA. “It’s a reflection of who we are. Every day, throughout every corner of our hospital, our staff carry forward a legacy of caring and healing. They show up for our patients, for their families, and for one another with resilience, generosity, and heart.”
“Food insecurity is far too common in our community, and no one can thrive when their basic needs aren’t met,” said New York State Assembly Member Harvey Epstein. “As the federal government continues to pull back from food security efforts, I’m proud to partner with Bellevue Hospital on this year’s Turkey Drive to support the health and safety of New York families during the holiday season. Bellevue Hospital, the oldest public hospital in the nation and a world-class institution, serves tens of thousands of low-income New Yorkers across our district and beyond. I’m grateful for their partnership and their unwavering commitment to our community.”
“This Thanksgiving when so many New Yorkers are struggling with the cost of living, I am proud to work with NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, Assembly Member Harvey Epstein, and our partners Hispanic Federation and CCA Metro, to provide dozens of turkeys for Bellevue patients so they can have a healthy holiday with their families,” said New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez. “I am grateful for the partnership of NYC Health + Hospitals, in serving our community, and I look forward to continuing to work with them to make healthcare more accessible.”
Beyond the turkey distribution, staff across the hospital stepped up in additional ways. In Ambulatory Care, team members collected non-perishable food items for patients receiving treatment in the Cancer Center, ensuring they had access to nutritious essentials during the holiday season.
The Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Department hosted its Thanksgiving celebration for inpatients and their families, which has been held annually since the 1990s. Patients on the unit contribute to the celebration, coming together to cooking, prepare, and decorate for the luncheon. The patients are at Bellevue Hospital for intensive rehabilitation to work on their functional recovery from strokes, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, prolonged hospital stay from complex medical issues, and spinal cord injuries.
“We recognize that being in the hospital during the holidays can be difficult for patients and their loved ones,” said Raechel Flaherty, MS, OTR/L, BCPR, Supervisor of Occupational Therapy, Inpatient Rehabilitation at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “We are grateful for the individuals on their recovery journey, whose determination inspires us daily. We give thanks for the families, friends, and supporters who have been beside them with patience and love. And we extend our deepest appreciation to our entire rehabilitation staff whose compassion and commitment make Bellevue Rehabilitation a truly special place.”
These initiatives continue Bellevue Hospital’s long tradition of giving and sharing, a principle deeply rooted in the hospital’s 289-year history. The hospital remains dedicated to serving its community with compassion and ensuring that all patients, regardless of circumstance, feel supported, valued, and seen during the holiday season.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Bellevue Public Relations, 212-562-4516
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NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue is America’s oldest public hospital, established in 1736. Affiliated with the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, the 851-bed hospital is a major referral center for highly complex cases, with 6,000 employees including highly skilled, interdisciplinary clinical staff. The hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center and annually it sees about 103,000 emergency room visits, and more than 520,000 outpatient visits. Clinical centers of excellence include: Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care; Cardiovascular Services; Bariatric Surgery; Designated Regional Perinatal Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Children’s Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program; and Cancer Services. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/bellevue and follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter).
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlusHealth—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 46,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.