Resolution honoring Carol A. Gomes, MS, FACHE, CPHQ, Chief Executive Officer for Stony Brook University Hospital, with the University Medal for exemplary leadership and service

WHEREAS, the staff and faculty of Stony Brook Medicine have responded with incredible heroism, innovation, creativity and teamwork under the dedicated expertise, unyielding perseverance and compassionate leadership of Carol A. Gomes, MS, FACHE, CPHQ, Chief Executive Officer, Stony Brook University Hospital, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and 

WHEREAS, Under Carol’s guidance, Stony Brook University Hospital developed a surge plan to double capacity from 624 to 1,248 beds and opened 300 additional beds, including 180 additional ICU beds, by converting existing patient-care units, its Ambulatory Care Pavilion and other hospital space into dedicated COVID-19 units; and 

WHEREAS, Stony Brook University Hospital established a fully staffed field ER to manage the surge in patient volumes and treat thousands of patients with symptoms of coronavirus in a safe location away from the main Hospital Emergency Department; and 

WHEREAS, Stony Brook University Hospital proactively created an Oxygen Tank Farm before the height of the pandemic to provide for the anticipated oxygen needs of its COVID-19 patients, which reached levels three times higher than prior to the pandemic; and 

WHEREAS, Stony Brook University Hospital used creative solutions, including producing gowns in-house, to ensure that staff was adequately equipped with Personal Protective Equipment, including more than 18.3 million gloves, 1.7 million gowns, 2.4 million masks, and more than 220,000 N-95 respirators; and 

WHEREAS, Stony Brook University Hospital was one of the first facilities in the nation to reprocess N95 respirators with Battelle Laboratories, with more than 12,000 respirators successfully reprocessed for future use if needed; and

WHEREAS, Stony Brook University Hospital successfully collaborated with Stony Brook University to find innovative solutions for pressing needs, such as manufacturing hand sanitizer, ventilator parts, and 3-D face shields; and

WHEREAS, Stony Brook University Hospital created innovative “My Story” information boards about patients, many of whom were intubated and unable to speak, for staff to know more about each patient’s personal story and enhance meaningful interactions with them during their hospitalizations; and

WHEREAS, Stony Brook University Hospital helped address the mental health issues of its staff by opening a respite lounge, which faculty and staff have used more than 21,000 times to take breaks from the stresses and challenges of their work during the course of the pandemic; and 

WHEREAS, Stony Brook University Hospital collaborated with SUNY Upstate Medical University to provide additional nursing staff to help care for patients during the height of the pandemic; and 

WHEREAS, Carol Gomes’ steady can-do spirit helped Stony Brook University Hospital to serve as the backbone of the overall response to COVID-19 across Suffolk County; and 

WHEREAS, Carol Gomes is the kind of leader who inspires greatness in others, motivates the team to tackle the almost impossible, and always has the greater good at front of mind; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE STONY BROOK COUNCIL, THAT: 

The Stony Brook Council unanimously agrees to bestow upon Carol A. Gomes, MS, FACHE, CPHQ, Chief Executive Officer of Stony Brook University Hospital, the Stony Brook Council University Medal in tribute and in gratitude for her leadership and public service. Carol has served the common good, and is hereby recognized for her exceptional achievements on behalf of Stony Brook University, Stony Brook Medicine and our patients, faculty and staff, and furthermore, 

The Stony Brook Council authorizes chair, Kevin Law, to transmit this resolution to the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York. 

February 8, 2021