Community leaders, elected officials, and medical professionals gathered Sunday to celebrate the opening of a new Coney Island healthcare facility on Stilwell Avenue, which offers primary care and internal medicine service, along with psychiatric therapy.
“The opening of [Interborough Developmental and Consultation Center] Coney Island marks a big step for Coney Island as well as New York’s Health Care System,” said Dr. Stephen Gersten, the new healthcare facility’s top executive. The eight-story complex, located between Mermaid and Neptune avenues, aims to centralize healthcare for Coney Islanders, who formerly had to travel to a variety of facilities across Brooklyn for their medical needs.
“All services are very siloed across Brooklyn,” said Melissa Black, an employee at Maimonides Medical Center who attended the celebration. “This [facility] is really at the forefront of putting all services under one roof.”
The new Coney Island medical center’s opening on June 23 featured a ribbon-cutting, tours of the complex, and fun giveaways for kids, like icees, cotton candy, and balloons.
“I’m really happy that the facility has multiple services,” said Dr. Irina Shammay, MD, a Bensonhurst resident and physical therapist who attended the celebration with her two children and a group of friends. ““This clinic is very convenient,” Dr. Shammy added. “It’s like an outpatient hospital.”
In addition to IDCC Coney Island’s mental health services, the complex includes doctors in gastroenterology, cardiology, pain management, physical therapy, and substance abuse, according to Dr. Shammay, who works at the group’s Bensonhurst location.
“Coney Island is known for its fun activities during the summer,” Dr. Shammay said. “Hopefully, it’ll become known for its healthcare, too.”
