Community Board 11 outlines spring health fair, shares screening resources after presenter no-show

Community Board 11’s Health & Social Services Committee met at 7:05 p.m. on Jan. 13, 2026, and confirmed a quorum. Chair Sandra Unger opened the meeting and said the board was waiting for the evening’s scheduled presenter but would address other items while they waited. "This is the meeting of the health and, social services committee," Unger said when calling the meeting to order.

Members spent much of the meeting discussing planning for the board’s annual health fair. Unger said she had offered potential dates in April and May and that the board preferred a Saturday; members suggested possible venues including Holy Rosary Church, Bronx House and the Kings Harbour meeting room and noted parking and accessibility as factors.

A planned presentation by a Jacobi hospital representative on fall prevention was moved to February after the presenter did not appear. Attendees checked phone contacts and heard a voicemail identifying the caller as "doctor Thomas Carter, Innovative Community's liaison." Unger said she had left a message and asked the presenter to confirm whether he could attend at a future meeting.

A Morris Park representative shared a flyer announcing a free mammogram bus provided by the American Italian Cancer Foundation and hosted by New York City Parks on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Bronx River Parkway; the board read telephone numbers for scheduling: (718) 430-1830 and (718) 430-1825. Unger also noted that a planned visit from the Bronx Cancer Center had been canceled for the evening and that the center would follow up to reschedule. Committee members mentioned that prostate screening options would be available during the same outreach.

The board briefly touched on a "Just Home" supportive housing proposal that may have been routed away from a Jacobi site and into City Council review; members described the item as controversial and said the City Council would decide whether to reject or advance the proposal. The meeting also included a short exchange about the nurses' strike and persistent staffing shortages at some hospitals. One attendee observed that shortages in ICU staffing remained unresolved and urged broader resource-sharing.

Before adjourning, a committee member warned about a heavy influenza season and urged vaccination, good hand hygiene and masking where appropriate. Unger adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m. and said presenters would wait at the office for approximately 30 minutes.

What’s next: The board will follow up on the Jacobi fall-prevention presentation date, confirm health fair venue and date with prospective partners, and share contact details for the Jan. 21 mammogram bus via its Facebook page and meeting notes.