IN 2023, DR. ANNA VAN TUYL AND A TEAM OF PASSIONATE CAREGIVERS IN STATEN ISLAND UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL’S EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT LAUNCHED A PROGRAM TO GUIDE PATIENTS ALONG THEIR CARE JOURNEY. TODAY, AMID MASSIVE EXPANSION AND DEEPENING TIES TO THE BOROUGH, DR. VAN TUYL REFLECTS ON THE PROGRAM’S GROWTH, HER PASSION FOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AND HER VISION FOR A MORE CONNECTED FUTURE OF CARE

BY AMANDA McCOY PHOTOS BY AMESSE PHOTOGRAPHY

In the early 2000s, fresh out of residency, Anna Van Tuyl, MD, joined the staff of the Emergency Department at Staten Island University Hospital, where she was immediately struck by the hospital’s deep sense of community. It was still early in her career, but the young physician knew she had found her professional home.

“There’s a true sense of family,” reflected Dr. Van Tuyl, a board-certified emergency medicine physician. “Doctors don’t just pass through the ED; they work here for years. I was born and bred just over the bridge in Coney Island, and I loved the connection to the community here. A lot of the people I work with are native Staten Islanders, and there’s a palpable sense of pride.”

This sense of continuity and community has been the through-line of Dr. Van Tuyl’s career. Over the last two decades, she’s risen steadily from frontline physician to department administrator, currently serving as the Interim Chair of the Emergency Department, overseeing both the North and Prince’s Bay campuses. (“In leadership, you’re not just reaching one patient,” she said of her transition to administration. “You’re reaching all of them.”)

SIUH is a large tertiary care center (the North campus Emergency Department sees more than 100,000 patients every year alone), and Dr. Van Tuyl has always taken her role and responsibility as a forward-facing representative of the hospital seriously. This connection extends beyond the hospital walls. SIUH physicians and staff are actively involved in community outreach, working with local schools on firearm safety and hosting an educational series in junior high classrooms. The SIUH Emergency Department has a pipeline program with local colleges to encourage Staten Islanders to pursue careers in healthcare.

It was this outward-looking mindset that gave birth to the CareBridge program. For years, ED physicians were concerned about patients being discharged with follow-up instructions that were difficult to navigate. A patient with chest pain, for example, might be stable enough to go home after their evaluation, but unable to navigate the maze of insurance requirements, language barriers, or appointment scheduling needed to see a cardiologist.

“Physicians felt uneasy sending patients home with follow-up instructions and no safety net,” said Dr. Van Tuyl, who has been with the CareBridge program since day one. “Some patients were confused about what to do next after leaving the ER. We wanted to offer them a line of support.”

CareBridge began in the Emergency Department with two coordinators, who connected with patients shortly after they were discharged to help them navigate their next steps. “We took into account several factors when making the necessary appointments, including where they lived on the island, preferred language, and day/time preference,” said Dr. Van Tuyl. “It was a win-win: the physicians felt better about discharging patients who needed follow-up care, and the patients had guidance and assistance along their journey.”

First launched in 2023, the program has grown tremendously over the past three years. “We started to take on more initiatives,” continued Dr. Van Tuyl. “We expanded to include follow-up with over 40 different specialties, and began offering the service to hospital employees as well. For example, if an SIUH employee in the cafeteria needed to see an endocrinolo gist, we could directly schedule the appointment for them.”

Dr. Van Tuyl credits her colleagues for much of the program’s success. “Our CareBridge coordinators are incredible,” she said. “They’re not just schedulers they’re advocates. They’re constantly coming up with new ideas for ways to serve our patients better.”

This enthusiasm has fueled the program’s steady expansion. Today, the CareBridge team consists of seven coordinators and covers each of the approximate 40 specialties across both SIUH campuses. But there’s still growth on the horizon. As Staten Island’s health needs continue to evolve, CareBridge is positioning itself as a critical connector between hospital and community. The goal, Dr. Van Tuyl said, is to keep building trust and awareness. Community engagement is central to the program’s identity. SIUH already has a robust presence at community events, and the CareBridge team is passionate about getting into different neighborhoods to connect with their Staten Island neighbors.

“The next phase is about increasing visibility,” she explained. “We want every Staten Islander to know that these valuable resources are available to them. Our team is out there in the community, participating in fundraisers, events, holiday toy drives, and more. All of our coordinators are deeply invested in the program’s growth, constantly generating fresh ideas for ways to reach more people. It’s an exciting time. I’ve been with the program since the beginning, and it’s been so rewarding to see how it’s evolved and grown.”

Staten Island University Hospital To book an appointment, call 718.226.8484 to book with one of SIUH’s navigators / siuh.northwell.edu