For Immediate Release
Contact: Alex Catsoulis Alex@JusticeSpeaks.us

South Brooklyn Health Doctors Rally to Address Critical Underinvestment and Staffing Shortages Endangering New Yorkers' Health and Safety

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Brooklyn, New York — In the midst of a record-breaking heat wave, attending physicians at South Brooklyn Health—an essential medical center in one of the area's healthcare deserts—gathered today alongside elected officials, healthcare workers, and allies to highlight the severe staffing shortages jeopardizing patient care and safety across NYC Health and Hospitals (H+H) facilities.

Represented by Doctors Council SEIU, more than 2,800 physicians have been working without a contract since last summer. They are currently engaged in challenging negotiations with H+H and other affiliated institutions across New York City, including NYU, Mount Sinai, and Physician Affiliate Group of New York (PAGNY). These physicians are calling on H+H and its affiliates to immediately address staffing deficits to ensure safe, efficient healthcare for all New Yorkers.

“I believe every New Yorker has the right to high-quality healthcare," said Dr. Kaninghat Prasanth, a NICU physician at South Brooklyn Health and member of Doctors Council SEIU. "If we ask ourselves honestly whether we're achieving that, the answer is sadly no. Chronic underfunding and staff shortages have plagued our safety net hospitals, endangering the lives of our most vulnerable residents. We're at a breaking point—this crisis is unsustainable and has escalated into a healthcare emergency affecting all New Yorkers."

Physicians voiced concerns about the impact of insufficient staffing on patient care, noting issues such as inconsistent care due to changing schedules, emergency catch-ups, increased patient wait times, and the lack of support staff during evenings and weekends.

"We have seen a significant loss of full-time general OB/GYNs during my 20+ year tenure," said Dr. Aycan Turkmen, an OB/GYN at South Brooklyn Health and member of Doctors Council SEIU. "Our department is severely understaffed, leading to long waits for appointments even as the number of deliveries at our hospital has surged since the pandemic. Recruiting, retaining, and respecting doctors is essential to preparing the next generation of physicians and ensuring our patients receive the quality care they deserve."

The attending physicians and their supporters are urging H+H to negotiate a fair and competitive contract that prioritizes the well-being of healthcare workers. They argue that investing in the healthcare workforce is critical to providing high-quality care for all New Yorkers, regardless of their circumstances.

“The people who entrusted us with noble jobs seem unwilling to acknowledge the reality we face everyday,” emphasized Dr. Alla Bogorodovsky, Hospitalist at South Brooklyn Health and member of Doctors Council SEIU.

This event follows recent rallies on June 14 at Jacobi Medical Center and June 18 at Elmhurst Hospital, where doctors spoke out about the detrimental effects of these shortages on patient care and safety.

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