Lenox Health Greenwich Village

Let’s Clear Up the Confusion! 

 By Joy Pape, FNP-C, CDCES

It was 2014 when Lenox Health Greenwich Village (LHGV), in that white building at 30 7th Avenue on 13th Street, opened its doors. There was a lot of skepticism, confusion and misunderstanding about it then, much of which remains to this day. 

Since it’s been 10 years and I’ve been hearing good things about LHGV, I reached out to Tracy Feiertag, MS, DHA, Deputy Executive Drector, to learn more about the now.

Let’s start with names and terminology. For example, I have always thought the name was Lenox Hill Greenwich Village or Northwell Health’s Greenwich Village. And I thought it was an Emergency Department only.

Joy: Do I have the correct names and facility type?
Tracy: It is certainly an elaborate name. In fact, I hear many people call it “Lenox Hill Greenwich Village” but the official name is “Lenox Health Greenwich Village.” This name represents our mission to provide top-notch health services to the Greenwich Village community and also signifies our relationship to the 160-year legacy of Lenox Hill Hospital on the Upper East Side. 

What is the difference between emergency departments and emergency rooms?
This is just a variance in jargon and represents no significant difference. The term “Emergency Department” is a more modern way to represent what people previously knew as the “Emergency Room.” However, it exemplifies the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration necessary for full functionality. For example, a high functioning emergency department, like the one at LHGV, requires physicians, nurses, advanced clinical practitioners, pharmacists, lab techs, X-ray techs and other ancillary providers to work closely together to provide a comprehensive evaluation of medical issues in order to deliver high-quality assessments and treatments.  

What are “urgent care” facilities?
Urgent care centers should be used for lower acuity illnesses that will most likely not result in the need for a hospital admission. There are many urgent cares in downtown Manhattan where patients can go to receive care for flu-like symptoms, minor injuries, and other ailments that would normally prompt a visit to your primary care provider. An urgent care center provides a very convenient option if you are unable to get an immediate appointment with your primary care provider. 

What are the differences between emergency facilities and urgent care facilities?
Emergency departments act as assessment centers for health concerns that are more severe than what urgent care facilities are equipped to handle. The resources and staffing at an urgent care are much more limited compared to what is available in an emergency department. An emergency department also receives some patients via emergency medical services or ambulances, whereas an urgent care only serves walk-in patients. If you believe you may be suffering from a serious condition – like a heart attack or a stroke – it is best to go to an emergency department where you can receive a superior level of care from professionals who are specifically trained in critical care. 

Is there a difference between the cost of going to an emergency center or an urgent care facility?
There is a significant difference in cost that patients will see on their bills and invoices to their insurance company. There are a few reasons for this, but the primary reason is that emergency departments offer specialized staff, equipment and resources for the most critical medical issues. Usually, the clinical training of emergency department doctors and nurses is at a much higher level, and the equipment required for critical care is more advanced, and thus, more expensive, than what you would find in an urgent care. 

Is there anything else you want the community to know about LHGV?
What I really want the community to know about Lenox Health Greenwich Village is that we are much more than just an emergency department. Many people are not aware that this building also houses an ambulatory surgery center, an outpatient imaging center and a variety of physician offices.