National Guard Honors WMCHealth for Antibody Testing

VALHALLA, N.Y. (June 16, 2020) – National Guard Troop Bravo Company Joint Task Force
Two recognized more than 50 Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth)
workforce members in a special, surprise ceremony for their dedication and skill in developing
and directing a temporary COVID-19 antibody testing operation at the Westchester County
Center.

WMCHealth has collected more than 16,000 COVID-19 antibody test specimens in its
network-wide program with all specimens processed by Westchester Medical Center’s boardcertified clinical and anatomic laboratory services, which is located at the hospital.
WMCHealth continues to offer COVID-19 antibody and diagnostic testing to the general public
at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, and at other locations around the region, and now
offers convenient online appointment scheduling via WMCHealth.org/Testing.

Community members requesting an appointment online will be contacted by a WMCHealth representative within 72 hours, and scheduled at one of several convenient locations in the Hudson Valley, including Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla.

Members of the public can also schedule COVID-19 antibody and diagnostic appointments by
calling 914.202.4530 Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. WMCHealth representatives
will screen callers and assist with the scheduling of appointments.

Two Types of Testing – Why is Each Important?

A diagnostic test shows if an individual has an active COVID-19 infection, and is intended for
individuals preparing for a surgical procedure, as well as for those with symptoms or who may
have been exposed to someone with symptoms or confirmed infection.

An antibody test does not take the place of testing for active COVID-19 infection. It is important
for members of the public to consider an antibody test as results can play an important role in
the fight against COVID-19. Antibody test results help identify individuals who have been
infected by, and then developed antibodies to the coronavirus. Additionally, while the presence
of antibodies does not confirm current or future immunity, it allows an individual who tests
positive for antibodies to donate convalescent plasma, a resource that can help others as they
are treated for COVID-19. WMCHealth member hospitals, including Westchester Medical
Center, are supplying convalescent plasma, as appropriate, as part of COVID-19 treatment
regimens.

For more information about antibody (serology) testing, please visit the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention or Food and Drug Administration website.

About Westchester Medical Center Health Network
The Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) is a 1,700-bed healthcare
system headquartered in Valhalla, New York, with 10 hospitals on eight campuses spanning
6,200 square miles of the Hudson Valley. WMCHealth employs more than 12,000 people and
has nearly 3,000 attending physicians. From Level 1, Level 2 and Pediatric Trauma Centers, the
region’s only acute care children’s hospital, an academic medical center, several community
hospitals, dozens of specialized institutes and centers, skilled nursing, assisted living facilities,
homecare services and one of the largest mental health systems in New York State, today
WMCHealth is the pre-eminent provider of integrated healthcare in the Hudson Valley. For more
information about WMCHealth, visit WMCHealth.org.
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Media representatives interested in B-roll and photography from the National Guard’s
recognition ceremony as well as interviews with clinical experts and visuals around
testing for COVID-19 infection, or antibody testing, can contact us at any ti