The 240 bed Special Care Center and 90 bed Highbridge Woodycrest Center are providing quality long term health care to geriatric and disabled residents. Both are integral parts of the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center Health Care System. At the Special Care Center, a full range of programs, including medical, nursing, dental, psychological, and substance abuse services are offered. It also features physical, speech, and occupational therapies; social services; activities programs; on-site radiology; a pharmacy; and even a beauty salon. Comparable long term care services are also available at the Highbridge Woodycrest Center. The Special Care Center was among the first in the nation to have dedicated AIDS units within a traditional long term care setting.       Octavio C. Marin, Vice President, Long Term Care/Support & Ambulatory Care Services (center), with his management staff (LtoR): Olive Brown-Williams, RN, PhD, Director, Nursing; Maria Collura, Manager, Human Resources; Peter Kennedy, Executive Director, Special Care Center; and Dr. Sumir Sahgal, Assistant Medical Director.     “The Special Care Center and Highbridge Woodycrest Center have truly become a home away from home for their residents, and that is the reason why we continue to be successful.” OCTAVIO C. MARIN, VICE PRESIDENT, LONG TERM CARE/SUPPORT & AMBULATORY CARE SERVICES     As a result of a major modernization project, nursing stations and resident floors were further upgraded and a state-of-the-art computer system (linking the Special Care Center to the hospital) was implemented. Lobby and security desk areas were expanded and a new meditation chapel was added. “Our modernization is especially appealing and user friendly; part of our overall mission of always being a special and caring place,” stated Barbara Lowe, RN, MPH, Board Chairman, Special Care Center. A key to the success of the Special Care and Highbridge Woodycrest Centers is the staff. “We consistently make every possible effort to cater to the needs of our residents and their families,” stated, Octavio C. Marin, Vice President, Long Term Care/Support & Ambulatory Care Services. “Each floor of the Special Care Centeris assigned its own physician, thereby providing additional opportunities to fully understand a resident’s medical history,” added Dr. Robert D. Walsh, Medical Director, Special Care Center. The strong ties between the Special Care Center and Bronx-Lebanon create a continuum of care, with each resident’s personal physician supervising their care through various levels of illness. A staff of registered and licensed practical nurses, patient care technicians, and certified nursing assistants, under the direction of Olive Brown-Williams, RN, PhD (at the Special Care Center) and Denise Rosemond, RN (at the Highbridge Woodycrest Center) are also providing quality care to patients on a daily basis.     Octavio C. Marin, Vice President, Long Term Care/Support & Ambulatory Care Services, with Special Care Center Resident. Alan Okafor, RN, conferring with Special Care Center Resident. Cindy Macalinao, Occupational Therapist, assisting Special Care Center Resident in exercise routine. Jyoti Drall, Rehabilitation Director, assisting Special Care Center Resident in strengthening exercise. Their wide-ranging responsibilities include direct care, providing patient/family education, and being a patient advocate, as well as directing unit resources, and effectively communicating with physicians and support staff. The unit based leadership model is designed to support clinical nursing staff and foster ongoing development of nurses by empowering them to change policy and practice using evidence and clinical experience. Eleanor Lopez, Activities Therapist, with Special Care Center Resident. Audrey Murphy, RN, checking on Special Care Center Resident. Vanesta Sebastian-Shoy, Certified Nursing Assistant, observing Special Care Center Resident in Rehabilitation area. Dr. Sumir Sahgal, Assistant Medical Director, observing patient in rehabilitation area.