Wheelchair Charities Inc. Donates 65 New Computers With Special Features for Disabled Residents of Coler-Goldwater
Feb 15, 2012
Hank Carter, Chairman and Founder of
WCI; Lynda Curtis, HHC Senior Vice President,
and Alan Aviles,HHC President
HHC President Alan Aviles and Lynda
Curtis, HHC Senior VP observe a
Coler-Goldwater patient using
one of the new computers.
Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility, a 2,016-bed specialty hospital and rehabilitation care nursing facility of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, today received a donation from Wheelchairs Charities Inc. (WCI) of 65 new Dell computers specially designed with the latest in assistive technology that helps make life easier for people with disabilities. The computers feature voice recognition, zoom-text, and a pointer device to facilitate use by quadriplegic individuals. The donation was presented at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Coler-Goldwater computer lab for residents by Hank Carter, Chairman and Founder of WCI, a long-time philanthropic supporter who over the last 40 years has raised $20 million dollars worth of equipment for patients and residents of Coler-Goldwater, including more than 1,000 state-of-the-art computers. Mr. Carter was joined by NBA All-Star Speedy Claxton; recording artist Maino; WBLS radio personalities Marley Marl, Hal Jackson and Debbie Jackson; HHC President Alan D. Aviles; Lynda D. Curtis, HHC Senior Vice President; and Robert Hughes, Coler-Goldwater Executive Director.
“The 65 computers donated today by Wheelchair Charities, under the guiding hand of Hank Carter, will open whole new vistas of communication to even our most severely disabled patients. The technology will enable conversations that might never have taken place, enriching the therapeutic work of our staff and the lives of our patients and their families,” said Lynda Curtis, Senior Vice President of the HHC North Manhattan Network that includes Bellevue and Coler-Goldwater. “The gift continues a forty year tradition of giving by Wheelchair Charities to Coler-Goldwater — over 1,000 computers and millions and millions of dollars to help us sustain our mission. Words cannot fully express our gratitude for this remarkable partnership.”
“For nearly four decades, God’s grace has given me the guidance and inspiration to carry out His mission on behalf of Coler-Goldwater thanks to the generosity of our supporters. With God’s help, nothing is impossible,” said Henry (Hank) Carter.
“We are forever grateful to Hank Carter and Wheelchair Charities for their on-going compassionate support and generous contributions. For close to 40 years, Hank has enabled our patients and residents to reach their fullest potential and live a much improved quality of life. Hank Carter’s selfless nature and humility are powers of example to us all,” said Robert Hughes, Executive Director, Coler-Goldwater.
Contact : Ian Michaels (HHC) (212) 788-3339
About Wheelchair Charities, Inc.
The history of this charity dates back to the early 70’s when violence filled many areas of New York City. Hank Carter’s friend was hit by a stray bullet during a shoot-out on a city street and left paralyzed from the chest down. While visiting his friend at Coler-Goldwater, Carter connected with the special needs of the residents there and organized the first fundraiser in 1973, marking the beginning of Wheelchair Charities Inc.
About Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility
Coler-Goldwater is 2,016-bed specialty hospital and rehabilitation care nursing facility located on Roosevelt Island. Goldwater Hospital opened in 1939 and was the first public hospital in the United States for chronic diseases. Coler Hospital opened in 1952 and served a similar population. Coler and Goldwater merged in 1996. Coler-Goldwater is a leading comprehensive specialty care hospital and nursing facility dedicated to providing quality medical, sub- acute, rehabilitative and traditional nursing home care. Coler –Goldwater is committed to serving New York City and the surrounding communities, while setting an example as a national leader in long- term and sub- acute care with centers of excellence in areas as: geriatrics, rehabilitation and ventilator dependence. Coler-Goldwater is the proud recipient of the 2006 Hobart Jackson Award for Cultural Diversity. For more information visit www.nychhc.org/coler.
About HHC
The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) is a $6.7 billion integrated healthcare delivery system with its own 420,000 member health plan, MetroPlusHealth, and is the largest municipal healthcare organization in the country. HHC serves 1.4 million New Yorkers every year and more than 475,000 are uninsured. HHC provides medical, mental health and substance abuse services through its 11 acute care hospitals, four skilled nursing facilities, six large diagnostic and treatment centers and more than 70 community based clinics. HHC Health and Home Care also provides in-home services for New Yorkers. HHC was the 2008 recipient of the National Quality Forum and The Joint Commission’s John M. Eisenberg Award for Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality. For more information, visit www.nychhc.org/hhc or find us on facebook.com/NYCHealthSystem or twitter.com/NYCHealthSystem.