Peninsula Counseling Center, Inc., one of the largest, licensed, non-profit mental health centers in Nassau County, and North Shore LIJ, the largest health care system on Long Island, today announced an affiliation agreement intended to improve access to clinical mental health services for Long Islanders.

Under the terms of the agreement, both organizations will remain independent but will work together to advance mental health care to communities in Nassau County.

“This important relationship will provide Peninsula Counseling Center with access to valuable resources of North Shore-LIJ and Zucker Hillside Hospital,” said Herb Ruben, Executive Director, Peninsula Counseling Center. “Over the past 95 years, PCC has established a strong foundation in Southwest Nassau and a reputation for providing outstanding mental health care. We’re looking forward to further improving access to clinical services and enhancing PCC’s visibility through North Shore-LIJ.”

“We look forward to strengthening our working relationship with Peninsula Counseling Center, a recognized leader on Long Island in providing high-quality behavioral health services to diverse populations in Nassau County,” said Michael Dowling, North Shore-LIJ’s president and chief executive officer. “Through the new affiliation agreement, North Shore-LIJ and Zucker Hillside Hospital will collaborate with Peninsula on initiatives to improve the delivery of care in outpatient mental health programs as well as provide quality management consulting and staff development.”

Peninsula Counseling Center and the North Shore-LIJ Health System recently celebrated their new affiliation at a reception at The Zucker Hillside Hospital. Seated, l to r: Michael Dowling, president and chief executive officer, North Shore-LIJ; Herb Ruben, executive director, Peninsula Counseling Center; and Bruce Katz, Peninsula’s board president. Standing: Mark Solazzo, chief operating officer, North Shore-LIJ; and Chantal Weinhold, executive director, The Zucker Hillside Hospital.

About North Shore-LIJ Health System
The nation's third largest, non-profit, secular healthcare system, the North Shore-LIJ Health System cares for people of all ages throughout Long Island, Queens and Staten Island – a service area encompassing more than five million people. The health system includes 15 hospitals, 14 long-term care facilities, a medical research institute, four trauma centers, five home health agencies and dozens of out-patient centers. North Shore-LIJ facilities house more than 9,000 beds, and are staffed by over 8,000 physicians, 11,000 nurses and a total workforce of more than 38,000 -- the largest employer on Long Island and the ninth largest in New York City. North Shore-LIJ’s Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, NY is a 223-behavioral health facility known for its pioneering work in the diagnosis, treatment and research of mental illness.

CONTACTS:
Peninsula Counseling Center
Jeff Campanelli/Joan Cear
G.S. Schwartz & Co.
212-725-4500

North Shore-LIJ
Betty Olt
516-465-2645