Will Soundview be resuscitated by new group?

The Soundview Healthcare Network is currently in negotiations with another community health center to take over control of the clinic.

Soundview spokeswoman Rachel Fasciani would not name the center, but said it was in the best interest of patients if an outside health care center completely took over operations. It is unclear whether current Soundview staff would remain at the center if the new group takes over. Ms. Fasciani said that is being discussed. 

This might be the light at the end of the tunnel for the suffering health care network, which operates two facilities in the Bronx that serves an estimated 20,000 patients a year.

On May 18, the state Department of Health sent the Soundview Healthcare Network a letter asking it to begin a closeout plan and to turn over its operating certificate.

In response, Alejandro Espada, senior vice president of Soundview and son of the recently convicted Soundview CEO and founder former state Sen. Pedro Espada, held a press conference in front of the Soundview’s main location on White Plains Road.

“Let’s be clear. This is a continuation of the DOH’s attempt to link Senator Espada’s trial to the fate of this clinic,” Mr. Espada said, adding that his father currently has nothing to do with the operations of the facility.

As of press time, the facility was still partially open. Only doctors with their own medical malpractice insurance continued to see patients because the center stopped paying its malpractice insurance weeks ago. 

“The outcome of his verdict has no bearing upon how Soundview operates. To imply otherwise is irresponsible, misleading and outrageous,” he read from a prepared statement.

Soundview voluntarily closed its doors in early May. When the state Department of Health received a complaint on May 1 that Soundview lacked adequate supplies and insurance it immediately began conducting a survey to determine the complaint’s accuracy, according to DOH spokesman Peter Constantakes.

On May 18, Mr. Espada said DOH officials were still on site.

Soundview filed a suit in January accusing the Health Resources and Services Administration of discriminating against Soundview because of its connection with its founder and CEO, who was found guilty on May 14 of stealing $448,000 from Soundview.

Van Cortlandt Village resident Ezra Glaser is representing Soundview in court.

He did not have kind words for the DOH.

“They want this facility to die and they want the people getting the services to die,” Mr. Glaser said after the press conference.

DOH officials did not comment by press time. 

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