Our story began in 1997
The Village Preservation Society of East Hampton conducted a quality of life survey
In 1997, there was only one medical office building in East Hampton which was destined to become a funeral home. The survey identified the lack of available, quality medical care as one of the most serious issues facing the community.
This prompted Jerome J. DeCosse, Jr., MD, PhD, and John R. (Jack) Kennedy to take action.
Co-Founder Jerome J. DeCosse, MD, PhD, 1928-2001
Co-Founder John R Kennedy, 1930-2010
Along with other Village Preservation Society members, Larry Munson, Robert Loughead, Henry L. Murray, and Andrew Goldstein, they formed a group to study the issue and termed the project the “East Hampton Healthcare Initiative.”
“Dr. Jerome J. DeCosse was truly the visionary in this project.”
Our timeline
1998
The group was incorporated as
East Hampton Healthcare Foundation (EHHF)
EHHF recruited trustees, established an organizational structure and conducted a feasibility study
1999
Began fundraising, purchased land at 200 Pantigo Place, and hired architect Frank Hollenbeck
EHHF Medical Committee established goals and standards
2000
Secured East Hampton building permits
Peter Jay Sharp Foundation made a $500K challenge grant
June
East Hampton Healthcare Center
Groundbreaking Ceremony held
The Groundbreaking Ceremony for the East Hampton Healthcare Center
Victor Canseco of Sandpebble Builders began construction
2001
2 days of Symposiums:
18 speakers from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health covered a broad range of medical topics including
Public Health in the Rural Community
Recruited physicians and completed the challenge grant
Construction on the Healthcare Center continued
2002
February
EHHF opened the
East Hampton Healthcare Center
Within 6 months, it was 95% leased
June
Dedication Ceremony
EHHF Chairman, Henry L. Murray at the Dedication Ceremony of the East Hampton Healthcare Center, June 2002
Opened the Pharmacy, Lab + Radiology departments
Launched a benefits counseling program
2003
Launched inclusive care for the uninsured, preventive healthcare programs and free Health Fairs
Recruited additional physicians and expanded the volunteer group
2004
Hundreds of residents visited the Center for healthcare services
Symposium:
Preventive Healthcare: A Community Collaboration
From left, EHHF Trustee Thomas J. Fahey, Jr., MD; Mary O’Sullivan, MD, and William M. Manger, MD
2005
EHHF funded a new
Bonac on Board to Wellness program
for East Hampton Middle School
East Hampton Middle School 5K Walk/Run
Symposium:
Child and Adolescent Mental Health
2006
Installed digital mammography, x-ray and bone density equipment linked to Southampton Hospital
Left, Karen Rodriguez, Southampton Hospital Mammography Technician at East Hampton Healthcare Center
Completed health needs assessment survey
Symposium:
Cardiovascular Prevention, Diagnosis and Disease Management
2007
East Hampton Healthcare Center Health Fair attendees
All children entitled to access the Center’s Pediatric Primary Care program
Launched
Town-wide free defibrillator program
2008
East Hampton Urgent Care opening ceremony
Local Urgent Care built to be a daytime alternative to Southampton Hospital Emergency Room
Left to right: Dr. Darin Wiggins; EHHF Trustee William Pickens, Chief Administrative Officer of SBSH Robert Chaloner; EHHF Chairman Henry Murray; NYS Assemblyman Fred Thiele; EHHF President Dr. Gerard Turino; EH Village Mayor Paul Rickenbach; NYS Senator Kenneth LaValle; EHHF Trustee John R. Kennedy; EHHF Trustee Bruce Collins; EH Town Supv. William McGintee; EHHF Trustees Stanley Friedman, Barbara Borsack and Sheila F. Decosse
2009
Global recession and economic downturn
creates financial stress for many residents of the Town
EHHF met the need for support for medical services and emergency prescriptions
2010
Symposium:
The Curse of the Aching Heart: A Cardiac Case Study in Three Scenes
Left to right: EHHF Trustee Michael J. Wolk, MD; EHHF Chairman Henry L. Murray and SBSH Medical Director Frederic Weinbaum, MD
George Dempsey, MD, AAFP, began managing operations of East Hampton Urgent Care
2011
Symposium:
Tick Talk (Tick-Borne Illness)
George Dempsey, MD, AAFP, Family Medicine, and specialist in tick-borne illnesses
Reviewed and updated Town-wide Defibrillator (AED) Program
2012
Initiated a new program is to enhance access to mental health services for children and adolescents
EHHF Healthcare Creativity GRANT INITIATIVE
was launched
East Hampton Healthcare Center TEN year anniversary celebration
at East Hampton Point
Assemblyman Fred Thiele with Special Honoree, EHHF Chairman Henry L. Murray
From left to right, Robert Chaloner, President of Southampton Hospital; EHHF President Dr. Gerard M. Turino; EHHF Chairman Henry L. Murray and EHHF Trustee Dr. David Paton
2013
Provided Town residents with free benefits counseling and enrollment in Affordable Care Act insurance
EHHF collaborated with the Town Emergency Preparedness Task Force and underwrote a brochure for Town-wide distribution
Symposium:
Rethink Aging
At the Symposium held at EH Village Emergency Services Building, left to right: EHHF Executive Director Sheila Rogers; licensed massage therapist and yoga instructor, Patia Cunningham; Erik Peterson, Peterson Physical Therapy; Registered Dietician Ann Silver and EHHF Trustee Linda B. James
2014
Meeting House Lane Medical Practice, under Southampton Hospital, assumed operation of East Hampton Urgent Care
Symposium:
Advances in Cardiology
AED program expanded
AED Awareness Month proclamation in East Hampton Town Hall (below)
Left to right: EHHF Chairman Henry L. Murray; donor Joe Kazickas; EH Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell; EHHF Executive Director Sheila Rogers; East Hampton Village Ambulance Association Asst. Chief Ann Grabowski; EMT Paul Mangano and Harbormaster Ed Michels
2015
EHHF helped fund a pilot program developed by Gail Schonfeld, MD, providing access to on-going mental health treatment for youngsters and families
2016
EHHF fundraising support is initiated for Southampton Hospital Foundation’s planned construction of the
Stony Brook Medicine east hampton off-campus Emergency Department
Symposium:
The Revolution in Cancer Treatment
2017
EHHF Board of Trustees announces its support of Southampton Hospital Foundation in its plan to build the Stony Brook Medicine East Hampton Off-Campus Emergency Department on property adjacent to East Hampton Healthcare Center
2018
EHHF TWENTY year anniversary!
The Lab + Radiology Department was renovated by SBSH and EHHF
symposium:
the Future of Healthcare
2019
Plans finalized by Southampton Hospital Foundation to build the new Stony Brook Medicine East Hampton Off-Campus Emergency Department
EHHF and East End Pediatrics present
Partnership in Parenting series
at Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center
2020-2021
Covid-19 pandemic
EHHF worked to keep Healthcare Center patients and staff safe
EHHF partnered with Town and Hudson River Healthcare to offer Covid testing services and vaccination programs and provided funding for uninsured residents
TRUSTEES
Chairman Henry L. Murray and President Gerard Turino, MD, stepped down to Emeritus positions
Effective January 1, 2022, Gerald H. Cromack, II, named Chairman Elect and Peter Odell, MD, named President Elect
2022
Stony Brook Medicine East Hampton Off-Campus Emergency Department
Plans included installing solar panels on the roof
Groundbreaking Ceremony and Donor Appreciation Event held (below)
Spring 2022: A ceremonial groundbreaking and donor appreciation event for the Stony Brook Medicine Satellite Emergency Department was hosted by the Southampton Hospital Association, Southampton Hospital Foundation, and East Hampton Healthcare Foundation
Special Event
to honor the outgoing EHHF Chairman Henry L. Murray and President Gerard M. Turino, MD
Outgoing EHHF Chairman Henry L. Murray (left) and President Gerard M. Turino, MD
Outgoing EHHF Chairman Henry L. Murray speaking at the Special Event, with Chairman Elect Gerald H. Cromack, II
Outgoing EHHF Chairman Henry L. Murray at the Special Event with his well-deserved Superman cape, one of his gifts of appreciation
Recruited 6 new Board Trustees
Gabby Miller receiving her award
EHHF co-sponsored Express Newsgroup Healthcare Series
George Dempsey, MD, AAFP, named “Healthcare Innovator” for his contributions to improving healthcare in the community
Recruited 3 new Board Trustees and a bilingual Administrative Assistant
2024
Free community Health Fairs held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, East Hampton
Ophthalmology Symposium
is scheduled for November 2, 2024
A bilingual insurance enroller from Healthfirst added to current roster