Montefiore Takes Over Former Sound Shore Medical Center

Montefiore Health System officially took over the former Sound Shore Health System facilities Wednesday.

Hospital officials made the announcement at a press conference at the New Rochelle facility.

"The Mount Vernon hospital and the New Rochelle hospital are now on their way to becoming vital institutions offering the finest health care to these communities," said Steven Safyer, M.D., president and CEO at Montefiore Health System.

The facilities are now officially called Montefiore New Rochelle, Montefiore Mount Vernon and Schaffer Extended Care Center.

The purchase has been working its way through bankruptcy court and was finally completed.

Safyer said the hospital system prides itself on being a health-care delivery system.

He said the goal is to keep people well and not wait for them to be ill.

Among those speaking at the press conference was Rep. Eliot Engel, D-Bronx, in whose congressional district the health system is sited.

He said the takeover of the hospitals were good for all involved.

"This is a win-win for everybody," Engel said, "for the people of the are and a win for Montefiore, which keeps on being a leader in the field."

New Rochelle Councilman Ivar Hyden, D-District 4, welcomed Montefiore to the city.

"We look forward to working with you in the future," he said, "in offering quality, world-class health care to the entire Sound Shore region."

Sayfer acknowledged that many physicians left the Sound Shore Health System because of uncertainty that the organization would continue to exist.

He said Montefiore has invited all physicians previously affiliated with SSHS to apply for an appointment to practice at the New Rochelle and Mount Vernon hospitals.

In addition to the new campuses inNew Rochelle and Mount Vernon, Montefiore operates nine health facilities in Westchester County providing primary and specialty care including cardiology, neruology and women's health.