BP Fossella champions Staten Island’s health with $1.3 million investment in advanced medical technology at SIUH

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A crucial moment came during Northwell’s Staten Island University Hospital 143rd Charity Ball when guests, gathered at the Hilton Garden Inn, learned of Borough President Vito Fossella’s significant contribution: A $1.3 million investment in lifesaving medical equipment.
It means advancing cardiac surgery, radiology, sleep medicine, and critical care for residents of Staten Island.
The borough president’s commitment builds on earlier support from Councilmembers Kamillah Hanks and David Carr, whose funding helped secure SIUH’s new cardiac bypass system.
Together, the initiatives ensure that Staten Islanders have access to the same caliber of technology and innovation available at the nation’s top hospitals, without ever having to leave home, hospital administrators said.
“We are giving our residents one more reason to stay on Staten Island for quality health care,” said Fossella. “Dr. Brahim Ardolic and now Meagan Sills, and their entire team, are laser focused to improve the services, especially cardiac services, across the board. We are proud to partner with them to make things better for all of us.”
The new technologies will elevate the precision, safety, and quality of care across multiple specialties.
Heart disease remains one of Staten Island’s most pressing health challenges, with cardiovascular mortality rates among the highest in New York City — approximately 232 deaths per 100,000 residents each year.
Hospitalizations for coronary heart disease are also above the state average, highlighting the urgent need for continued investment in advanced cardiac care.
By allowing clinicians to detect complications early and guide interventions faster, it strengthens the hospital’s capacity to deliver high-acuity, lifesaving care.
To protect the hospital’s clinical teams, a new radiation shield introduces a new standard of safety in interventional radiology and cardiac catheterization.
Long-term radiation exposure from fluoroscopic procedures can increase the risk of cataracts, orthopedic injuries, and even certain cancers among medical staff.
The system significantly reduces exposure, allowing for safer procedures and improved outcomes for both patients and providers.
Meanwhile, a sleep system machine will transform SIUH’s sleep medicine program, replacing outdated wired systems with a wireless, patient-friendly platform.
Sleep disorders like sleep apnea affect an estimated 15 to 20 percent of adults and are often linked to serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.
The new system enhances diagnostic accuracy and patient comfort, helping clinicians identify and treat these hidden yet dangerous disorders before they escalate into chronic health issues.
“Heart disease and related conditions continue to take a disproportionate toll on Staten Island,” said Dr. Joseph Basile, vice president and deputy hospital president at SIUH. “These new systems allow our physicians to work with greater precision and safety, improving outcomes for patients who rely on us for the most complex, lifesaving procedures.”
Meagan Sills, president of SIUH, said the investment reflects a shared vision for the borough’s health future.
“Borough President Vito Fossella’s partnership ensures Staten Islanders receive the best tools and technology in modern medicine, right here where they live,” said Sills. “From cardiac surgery to sleep medicine, these advancements strengthen our ability to deliver care that is not only lifesaving, but life changing.”