Contact:
Jennifer Berman
Office of Communications & Public Affairs
212-404-3555
Email: Jennifer.Berman@nyumc.org

NYU Medical Center Partners with GHI and ESPN to Bring Al Leiter to Visit and Read to Hospitalized Children

New York, NY, April 26, 2006 — NYU Medical Center and Group Health Incorporated (GHI) teamed up today with 1050 ESPN Radio to bring two-time All Star Al Leiter to read to children at NYU Medical Center’s Acute Care Pediatric Unit. Mr. Leiter read the classic baseball poem “Casey at the Bat” by Ernest Lawrence Thayer.

After the reading, Leiter autographed baseball items for each child in attendance. He then made personal bedside visits to other children and gave them autographed items. Throughout the visit he gave personal attention and time to each child and their family. The excitement throughout the unit permeated and lasted for well after the visit was over.

“The excitement really began to build the night before the visit, when the kids and their families were told who would be visiting the next day. Some of the kids started to share their own stories about their favorite teams, favorite players," said Ingrid Olsen-Gallagher, Senior Child Life Specialist, at NYU Medical Center.

Leiter and his wife, Lori founded the Leiter’s Landing Foundation in 1999 as a means of raising funds for and awareness of children’s education, health, social, and community service issues. Immediately following his first visit to Rusk in May of 2000, Leiter generously contributed to Rusk Rehabilitation Center with the dedication of Leiter’s Landing. He provided Rusk children with a designated area, outfitted with the latest equipment, toys, and games where children interact with their peers and participate in therapeutic and recreational activities; the Leiter’s Landing Foundation is a dramatic addition to the Rusk program.

The only acute inpatient pediatric rehabilitation service in New York City, the Rusk Institute’s Pediatric Rehabilitation program employs unique occupational therapy, education, and recreation programs to dramatically improve each child’s self confidence and ability to function independently.

Frank J. Branchini, CEO of GHI, noted: “We are so pleased to be able to arrange for these extraordinary children to meet Mr. Leiter. Al Leiter is not only a baseball legend but played for both of our home teams, the Yankees and the Mets.” GHI has been committed for many years to hosting events that make special memories for children who are ill or in need.

Group Health Incorporated (GHI) is a statewide health insurer serving New Yorkers since 1937. GHI and its wholly-owned subsidiary, GHI HMO, provide health insurance and administrative services to more than 2.6 million people. GHI offers customers a variety of PPO, EPO, HMO, as well as prescription drug, dental, and vision plans. Throughout its history GHI has pioneered many of the programs that are now standard in the health insurance field. For additional information about GHI, please visit www.ghi.com.

1050 ESPN Radio is a 50,000-watt ESPN-owned and operated radio station that serves the greater New York, New Jersey and Connecticut markets. It is New York’s only all sports radio station and home to New York’s only sports talk show in the morning, Mike & Mike in the Morning. 1050 ESPN Radio serves as the flagship station for the New York Jets, New York Knicks, and New York Rangers.

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