WTC Wellness Hosts Grand Opening For New Commack Clinic

COMMACK, NY - The Stony Brook WTC Wellness Program recently opened a new location in Commack for first responders to the 9/11 World Trade Center disaster.

The new clinic opened on 500 Commack Road in April. However, the grand opening celebration was held on Nov. 28.

The new clinic offers more clinical space as well as access to specialists within the building.

Between the new location and the existing Mineola location, the program serves nearly 10,000 patients for 9/11 related conditions including cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and pulmonary conditions, as well as health monitoring.

The grand opening ceremony honored K. Melodie Guerrera, WTC Wellness Program’s Deputy Director, who retired after 16 years of service.

Patient Carol Paukner, a police officer who retired after injuries sustained on 9/11, described Guerrera as “wonderful. She’s always been just a phone call away. She’ll be missed.”

Regarding her post-retirement plans, Guerrera said her first priority will be to recuperate from recent surgery. She and her husband Al plan to travel the country via motor home, and after that, “then we’ll settle in.”

Recently the WTC Wellness Program received a five-year federal grant of more than $60 million from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

The grand opening ceremony also served as an unveiling of framed photographs, to hang in the WTC Health Program’s waiting room, of those who have been strong supporters of the program.

In addition to a portrait of Guerrera, the photo subjects included: former presiding officer of the Suffolk County Legislature William J. Lindsay; former president of the Nassau-Suffolk Building and Construction Trades Council Jack Kennedy; Stony Brook Medicine’s David Parkinson, MD; and first responder, patient and healthcare advocate John Feal.

Check out a video from the ceremony below: