Dear Members of the PAGNY Community:
On Friday, January 27, an Executive Order was signed that suspended travel into the United States for nationals from certain designated countries, specifically Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. This suspension in travel is already in place. Many in the PAGNY community are alarmed, and we want you to know that the PAGNY Board of Directors and Management fully support our colleagues affected by this order. Foremost among our concerns are their welfare, and their ability to confidently carry on the care of our patients and participate fully in PAGNY and our affiliated NYC Health + Hospitals facilities’ activities.
PAGNY Department of Human Resources (phone: 646-714-2109; e-mail: info@pagny.org)welcomes questions and concerns that our members may have regarding the order’s implications and the unfolding legal challenges. In the meantime, we advise our members of the risk they would be taking should they choose to travel outside the United States while the order remains in effect.
PAGNY leadership is committed to fully support those members whose legal status has been thrown into question by changes in government policy. PAGNY Management will not share with federal officials information about immigrants in our community absent a subpoena or similar legal order, and will comply with the privacy protections granted our employees by federal and state law.
As to our patients, many of whom are impacted by this federal order, let’s allay their fears and uncertainty by making sure they know they are being cared for by professionals who are committed to their health and well-being.
Bijan Safai, MD, DSc
President, Board of Directors
Luis R. Marcos, MD
Chief Executive Officer