Meet the Interns Who Spent Their Summer With QCC

COVER STORY

needs of the community best.”

While there are many priorities Chambers Lewis has set for her hospital, tackling the coronavirus pandemic that is seeing a resurgence remains at the top of the list.

After more than a year of hardearned experience, however, she is convinced that her team is more than up to the task of doing so.

“This community was hit very, very hard and the team here had to learn and adapt in a time where there was no vaccine,” Chambers Lewis said. “We didn’t know where this was going, how contagious it was and the treatment has evolved so much.

“The team feels much more prepared and I think that’s what’s changed,” she added of potentially facing a second wave of COVID. “Even if something changes again, we know how to pivot. We won’t get caught off guard.”

Chambers Lewis said prioritizing the mental wellbeing of staff members is also a priority for her team.

“We have to prioritize and make sure that we are taking care of our team members,” she said. “We are going to get a better outcome and it is going to be better for them.”

COVID is still a top priority at the moment, but Chambers Lewis stresses that there are still other health issues that residents need to prioritize and encourages people avoid using the pandemic as an excuse to not tackle other needs.

“I worry about advanced illness and advanced diseases not being diagnosed, not being addressed,” she said. “We want to make sure that people know there are still things to take care of other than COVID.”

Chambers Lewis can often be seen roaming the halls of her new hospital, saying hello to patients and getting to know her staff members. She can also be spot-

Lorraine Chambers Lewis speaks with a staff member. She said the mental well-being of the staff is a top priority for her.

ted at various local events around the area.

“In Queens, I think it’s really important to be a part of the community, for people to see you,” she said. “I would like to learn more about this part of Queens. I think there’s always an opportunity to learn more, so I may ask a lot of questions sometimes and hopefully folks will see value in that.”

EXPERT ADVICE DO MY CHILD’S FLAT FEET NEED TREATMENT?

BY DR. FRED DE LUCIA

Many parents question whether or not they should do something about their child’s flat feet. Whether by something they read, opinions of friends or family, or even in discussions with their pediatrician, many parents often face these concerns. The answer is, it depends.

Like many conditions, there are multiple variables that affect how the condition affects the individual person and influence or guide the best treatment approach. Generally speaking, children in their infant and toddler years do not require any treatment since much of their foot and ankle is undergoing development, and can appear “flat” in many cases, which can very well improve as they grow.

As they grow and are more active with walking, more normal development may be noticed during their toddler and early childhood years. In situations where there is excessive tripping or falling, consultation with a specialist is the best course of action to determine where the problem is stemming from, which at times can be rooted somewhere else than the foot or ankle.

As the child approaches preadolescence (9-12 years of age), we often see parents bringing in their children who are complaining of pain when walking or standing for long periods of time.

This is usually because children in this age group are becoming more physically active, more physically developed and, in many of cases, the increased stress and weight on the developing flat foot becomes more noticeable to the patient. We often hear the child complaining of pain on the bottom of the foot or in the outer part of their ankles. Some children may even state that they feel that their feet are “weak” when trying to engage in physical activities for long periods of time.

If left untreated, the child may be less likely to engage in physical activity and may also develop obesity as a result of a reluctance towards exercise. Later in life, untreated severe flat foot deformities may also result in progressive osteoarthritis of various foot and ankle joints, as well as tears and degeneration of tendons and ligaments.

In a large number of cases, flat feet may be mild or moderate with no symptoms or minimal symptoms to the patient. In other cases, severe flat feet may be both painful and dysfunctional in walking.

The findings are various, to say the least, and treatment is aimed at both the severity of the deformity and the characteristics of the reported symptoms.

Upon initial presentation in the office, the foot and ankle specialist will first evaluate your child walking and running for short distances, as well as standing in one place. This is to get an idea of the type of flat foot and presence of various factors influencing it. Additionally, weight bearing x-rays should be taken to asses the structural architecture of the foot and ankle bones in various points of view. As found with adult patients that have flat feet, there are often other associated problems such as tendon disease, ligament tears or joint degeneration as a result of many years of walking on a structurally pathologic foot, however this is generally not observed in the pediatric flat foot patient. Therefore in most, but not all, cases, an MRI is rarely required.

For most patients, mild to moderate flat feet can be treated effectively with custom foot inserts, however in more severe cases surgery is often recommended.

Ultimately, the goal is to ensure the child has pain-free and functional use of their lower limbs, engage happily in physical activity and avoid long-term soft tissue or joint damage as a result of an untreated flat foot.

While the prospect of surgery is very frightening or concerning to any parent, the reality is that children respond extremely well to these procedures, heal quickly, and have an extremely low incidence of postoperative complications,

They also have an easier time dealing with surgery, as they have few responsibilities at younger ages and can more easily tolerate a period of recuperation compared to adults who have careers or children of their own.

Procedures selected to correct painful flat foot deformities in the pediatric patient are often considerably less complicated and less invasive than those performed on adult patients.

If you notice that your child has outward pointing feet, has a collapse of their arch, or is complaining of pain or “tiredness” when standing or walking, the best course of action is to get evaluated by a foot and ankle surgeon.

The typical statements of “they will grow out of it” or “there’s nothing you can do about it” are both outdated and untrue.

Dr. Fred De Lucia of Foot and Ankle Surgeons of New York can be reached at (866) FAASNY1 or faasny.com.

LIVE MUSIC RETURNS TO FOREST HILLS

CONTINUES REVIVAL OF CITY’S MOST UNIQUE LIVE VENUE

BY EVAN TRIANTAFILIDIS

Live music returned to Forest Hills Stadium for the first time since 2019, giving thousands of concert-goers in Queens a reason to celebrate and a brief return to normal.

The historic outdoor venue officially reopened in July when Brandi Carlile took the stage before 8,000 fans, kicking off the stadium’s summer concert series on a high note.

The 14,000-seat capacity venue, located at the West Side Tennis Club, will soon be hosting additional live performances, after a season of concerts were lost due to the pandemic.

As part of New York City’s “Homecoming Week,” the stadium hosted a free concert on August 20 featuring funk legend George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars, along with other legends in the hip-hop world.

Mario DiPreta, CEO of the West Side Tennis Club (WSTC), says the reopening of the unique venue comes at a time when fans need it most. After hosting a successful first live show back, DiPreta recalled what it was like to welcome live music fans back for the first time in over a year.

“It was amazing to make sure that we could actually do a concert again and get back to some sort of normalcy,” said DiPreta. “The energy was amazing, the crowd was singing to the music. It’s one of the most amazing venues and unique too, there’s not one like it in the world.”

Built in 1923, the outdoor concert venue sits on 13 acres owned by the private tennis club, which played host to the US Open until 1977. It’s where Arthur Ashe became the first African-American to win a Grand Slam tournament in 1968, and it’s where Billie Jean King played while she campaigned for equal prize money and opportunities for women in tennis.

The stadium also hosted legendary musical acts in the 1960’s and 1970’s, including Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and Simon and Garfunkel. In 1968, The Beatles were flown into the stadium by helicopter before performing in front of a sold-out crowd.

“It’s where legends walked the grounds, from tennis to music,” DiPreta added.

But following the US Open’s departure to Flushing Meadows in 1978, the structure began to decay and deteriorate, eventually leading to a denial of landmark status by the Landmarks Preservation Commission in 2011.

WSTC even weighed the option of having the stadium replaced with luxury condominiums before voting the idea down. The stadium was in need of rehabilitation if it was ever going to host live concerts again.

That’s when promoter Mike Lubo made a cold call to the WSTC pro shop, seeking an alternative site for a band to play a gig. Lubo, who grew up on Long Island, was aware of the legendary performances and artists who took the stage at Forest Hills Stadium decades ago.

“In one of the great turn of events, the stadium was not landmarked, which enabled us to come in and do the stuff we did,” said Lubo, now the lead promoter for the venue. “The day after the first phone call, I came out here with a structural engineer.”

Lubo recalls the engineer describing the site as “feeling like a war zone”, and Lubo likened the place to, “a dumping ground for three decades.”

But a commitment was made by Lubo and his team to keep the “bones” of the stadium — built upon first-generation U.S. Steel and poured concrete — and to focus on leading the venue into the 21st century.

After holding their inaugural concert in 2013 with Mumford & Sons, gradual improvements were made to the site’s amenities and safety, including new seats, new aisles and a new world-class stage.

“Our happiest moment was when we finally put real bathrooms out here,” said Lubo.

Now there is a commitment to upgrade the stadium following each concert season. From just one single show in 2013, to well over a dozen just a few years later, the revival of a historic venue is well under way.

But that was all put on pause last March. Live entertainment came to a halt, along with the venue’s expected 2020 concert season. It would be another 16 months before fans flocked to Forest Hills Stadium once again.

“We were probably the first major industry to fully shut down,” said Lubo. “It’s been a long run of scheduling and rescheduling. Our first priority is that the bands, the crew and the fans are safe.”

When COVID-related restrictions were lifted for New Yorkers in June, it allowed for the venue to host live shows once again. Under current guidelines, shows do not require proof of vaccination. Tickets for shows are available at foresthillsstadium.com.

Lubo said it was an emotional return for some when the stadium hosted fans again for the first time in over a year.

“Music and communal gathering is such a big part of what it means to be human,” said Lubo. “I think people really have been missing that in their life.”

QUEENS CHAMBER NEWS & EVENTS QCC HELPS GROUP WELCOME NEW LEADERSHIP

The Flushing Chinese Business Association (FCBA) held a ceremony on Monday at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel in Flushing to celebrate the swearing in of their new Board of Directors and the organization’s 28th president, Dr. Yaoming Wang.

“I understand that we are in a tough time,” said Dr. Wang, who is a pediatrician. “Even though we’ve made a lot of progress, we’re still in a pandemic. I am confident with the leadership in this room, we will move past the pandemic and make Flushing stronger.”

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz did the swearing in as state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Borough President Donovan Richards, State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Councilman Peter Koo and Queens Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Tom Grech looked on.

“Thanks to the advocacy of Peter Tu, the Queens Chamber of Commerce has enjoyed a strong relationship with the Flushing Chinese Business Association for the past six years,” said Grech. “Queens is the most diverse community in America, and immigrants continue to find opportunity here because of the great work organizations like the FCBA do.”

Queens Chamber President & CEO Thomas Grech with Councilman Peter Koo at the event.

INTERN PROFILES

DOREEN WU

What school did or do you attend? What is your major and career

goals? I will be attending Binghamton University in the fall. I aspire to work in the healthcare industry, however, I am open to exploring other opportunities.

What is the best piece of advice

you’ve ever been given? Keep your head up and don’t dwell on the past.

What advice would you give a student who wants to explore an internship wit the Chamber?

Come in with an open mind and be willing to step out of your comfort zone. Ask questions!

Favorite Music or Movie Genre: I enjoy listening to pop and watching horror movies.

What excited you most about serving as an intern with Queens

Chamber? I am extremely honored to be here at the Queens Chamber talking to small businesses and embracing the diversity in Queens.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish before the end of

2021? I aspire to improve my cooking skills.

As we are becoming fully vaccinated, what is on your to-do list that you have missed over the

past year? Definitely catch up with friends and go sightseeing.

ISABELLA COLLINS

What school did or do you attend? What is your major and career

goals? Currently, I’m a rising senior at Wellesley High School, and at the moment I am aiming to pursue a career in advertising.

What is the best piece of advice

you’ve ever been given? Four percent of the people you meet aren’t going to like you.

What advice would you give a student who wants to explore an internship wit the Chamber?

Always take down note of your tasks so you can get them done efficiently.

Favorite Music or Movie Genre:

My favorite music genre is probably pop. I don’t have a favorite artist, really. My favorite movie genres are rom-com, drama, and sometimes thrillers.

What excited you most about serving as an intern with Queens

Chamber? I’m excited to get the experience of working in an office and being able to cooperate in a group setting.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish before the end of

2021? I hope to pick up knitting sometime this year. I always pick it up at one point or another and then drop it because it’s difficult, but this time around, I hope to make a habit out of it.

As we are becoming fully vaccinated, what is on your to-do list that you have missed over the past year? I miss going on out-of-state road trips with my family, but now that things are opening up, I’m hoping we can do them more often.

KATELYN THOMPSON

What school did or do you attend? What is your major and

career goals? I attend SUNY Cortland as a rising sophomore. My major is Communication Studies, and I have the career goal of being a broadcast journalist or speech pathologist.

What is the best piece of advice

you’ve ever been given? Be yourself because life is more enjoyable when you are not putting up a front. When you are authentic to yourself, you are living your life for yourself instead of a way that someone else wants you to lead it. Happiness is easy when you remain true to you because the people in your life love you for who you are and the experiences you have are by your design.

What advice would you give a student who wants to explore an

internship wit the Chamber? I would tell them to put themselves out there and apply even if they do not believe they are the most qualified for the role. You miss every opportunity that you do not take, and the worst that could happen is you receive a rejection email.

Favorite Music or Movie Genre:

My favorite music genre is pop music and, more specifically, boy bands both new and old.

What excited you most about serving as an intern with Queens

Chamber? I am most excited about the opportunity to engage small businesses with all the resources the city has to offer them. Giving them the power of knowing what is available to them for free can elevate their business, whether it be courses, certifications, or a grant.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish before

the end of 2021? I hope to pick up knitting sometime this year. I always pick it up at one point or another and then drop it because it’s difficult, but this time around, I hope to make a habit out of it.

As we are becoming fully vaccinated, what is on your to-do list that you have missed over the past

year? I will be going to so many concerts because live music is something I have missed the most this past year. It is such a fun experience being able to meet new people with a common interest as you and dancing and singing to your heart’s content.

STAFF PROFILE KARL BRILLANT

How long have you been at the

Chamber? I’ve worked for the Queens Chamber for about a month.

Previous Job: Working at my alma mater, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, as a USSC tutorial coordinator helping students get resources across campus.

What is the best piece of advice

you’ve ever been given? I think the best piece of advice that I’ve ever gotten was that simplicity, patience, and compassion are your three greatest treasures. Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being. Patient with both friends and enemies, you accord with the way things are. Compassionate toward yourself, you reconcile all beings in the world.

What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join our

team? I would tell any candidate would be to always ask questions because there is always something to learn.

Favorite Music or Movie Genre:

My favorite movie genre is crime, a la Goodfellas, or comedy.

What do you think will be the most inspiring part of your job?

Really understanding the impact we have in shaping a community. I firmly believe people are only as strong as the networks they share and the communities they foster. It’s amazing that the Queens Chamber is able to take an active role in promoting and strengthening communities.

What is one thing you hope to

accomplish by the end of 2021? I hope to take a boxing class.

As we are becoming fully vaccinated, what is on your to-do list that you have missed over the past year? I miss the freedom of being able to go to concerts and travel freely without concern. I also really miss little pop-ups around the city.

CEO’S MESSAGE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

reception at UBS Arena with the New York Islanders. Over the course of four hours, our guests will enjoy an exciting evening spent with this amazing hockey team in advance of its 2021–22 season.

Fall is in the air, and the Queens Chamber has all the services and resources you’ll need to carry you through the end of 2021 and prepare you for the new year ahead. Visit queenschamber.org for more details and to register to attend our events.

I never grow tired of saying how much I love my job. It’s because of you I have the unique opportunity to advocate and stand for the business community of Queens.

As 9/11 approaches, take time to reflect and gives thanks. We will never forget. Queens STRONG!

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