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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline JULY 31, 2026 | The Indian Eye 18

Nyc Health + Hospitals/Kings County

Strengthen Support For Survivors Of Domestic

And Gender-Based Violence

OUR BUREAU

Brooklyn, NY
YC Health + Hospitals/Kings
County celebrated Kings
NCARES with an inaugural
ceremony, recognizing the hospital’s
survivor-centered program that has
expanded access to trauma-informed
follow-up care and support services
for survivors of domestic and gen-
der-based violence since its launch
earlier this year.
Kings CARES was established
to ensure survivors of gender-based
violence are able to receive coordi-
nated, compassionate care beyond
their initial medical treatment. In
its first six months of operation, the
Kings CARES clinic has seen near-
ly 50 patients. Through partnerships
with healthcare providers, advocacy Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, Dr. Priyanka Datta, Dr. Keesandra Agenor, NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County CEO Sheldon McLeod
organizations, and community agen-
cies, the program connects survivors who share a commitment to improv- the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic Kings CARES Outpatient Practice,”
with follow-up medical care, coun- ing access to survivor-centered care. and Gender-Based Violence, Dis- said Elias Youssef, MD, Chief of
seling, specialty referrals, and other The event underscored the impor- trict Attorney’s Offices, law enforce- Emergency Medicine at NYC Health
essential resources. These integrated tance of strong collaboration in creat- ment agencies, healthcare partners, + Hospitals/Kings County. “Togeth-
services are designed to support their ing a coordinated network of support and community organizations. By er, these groundbreaking initiatives
recovery and well-being at all stages for survivors. The event featured re- integrating medical care, forensic will continue to provide unparal-
of their recuperation. marks from Brooklyn District Attor- documentation, and connection to leled, trauma-informed care for vic-
Beyond clinical services, Kings ney Eric Gonzalez, representatives supportive services, Kings CARES tims of violence and abuse.”
CARES provides on-site social ser- from the Mayor’s Office, and leaders improves access to comprehensive, “Kings CARES demonstrates
vices to help survivors navigate the from NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings trauma-informed care and reduces our commitment to providing coor-
challenges that may follow an expe- County, who emphasized the im- the burden on survivors to navigate dinated, patient-centered care that
rience of domestic or gender-based portance of ensuring survivors have multiple systems on their own.” extends beyond the hospital walls,”
violence. Through coordination with access to comprehensive care and “It has been a long time coming, said Sheldon McLeod, Chief Execu-
Family Justice Centers across all resources. The continued growth of we finally have a safe, dedicated space tive Officer at NYC Health + Hos-
five boroughs, survivors receive as- Kings CARES reflects the leadership where survivors of sexual assault, do- pitals/Kings County. “Together with
sistance with safety planning, advo- and dedication of Dr. Priyanka Datta, mestic violence, and gender-based vi- our community partners, we are ex-
cacy, and connections to additional Dr. Keesandra Agenor, and Dr. Elias olence can be seen, heard, and know panding access to the services survi-
community resources. The program Youssef, whose commitment helped that Kings cares,” said Keesandra K. vors need to heal and thrive.”
also assists eligible patients with in- bring the program to life and expand Agenor, MD, Medical Director of “Survivors of intimate partner
surance enrollment and coverage access to compassionate, trauma-in- Brooklyn Sexual Assault Response violence require holistic support that
navigation to help reduce barriers to formed support for survivors. Teams at NYC Health + Hospitals. extends beyond traditional medical
accessing needed services. “Kings CARES was established “The Kings CARES Practice is a true care to also includes follow ups, safe-
Kings CARES reflects NYC to address a critical gap in services testament to what our medical com- ty planning, community resources
Health + Hospitals/Kings County’s for survivors of violence by provid- munity can accomplish when we treat and more,” said Brooklyn District
ongoing efforts to address the com- ing specialized medical and foren- survivors of trauma beyond their pre- Attorney Eric Gonzalez. “Kings
plex needs of survivors by providing sic follow-up care in an outpatient senting injury, and keep the patient CARES’ survivor-centered and trau-
comprehensive support that extends setting,” said Priyanka Datta, MD, at the center of the care we provide ma-informed approach is exactly the
beyond the initial point of care and Medical Director of Kings CARES from the sliding doors of the emer- model that allows for full recovery
meets the needs of every individual. and Director of the Clinical Forensic gency room and beyond.” and long-term well bring for victims,
The ceremony celebrated the Medicine Fellowship at NYC Health “Kings County Hospital contin- which is also the focus of my office’s
partnerships that have made Kings + Hospitals/Kings County. “What ues to demonstrate its commitment Gender Based Violence Division. We
CARES possible, bringing together distinguishes the practice is its co- to patient-centered care through the are proud to partner with this pro-
healthcare leaders, community part- ordinated, multidisciplinary model, establishment of the Clinical Foren- gram and look forward to continue
ners, advocates, and elected officials developed in close partnership with sics Medicine Fellowship and the collaborating on this essential work.”

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