THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY CORRECTION OFFICERS BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION PARTNERS WITH WESTCHESTER MEDICAL CENTER'S HEART AND VASCULAR INSTITUTE TO HELP CORRECTION OFFICERS REDUCE THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE

VALHALLA, NY (November 9, 2026) - Everyday Correction Officers play a critical role in keeping our communities safe, while experiencing enormous stress in the performance of their duties. That is why the Westchester County Correction Officers Benevolent Association (WCOBA) is announcing a new partnership with Westchester Medical Center Health and Vascular Institute to offer comprehensive heart disease screening exams for all active & retired Westchester County COBA members.

Through this collaboration, Westchester COBA members will have access to personalized health and wellness resources designed to help them achieve healthier lifestyles and to reduce their risk of chronic disease. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to caring for the essential first responders, who risk their lives and dedicate their careers to public safety. The partnership with WCOBA is modeled after the successful collaboration between WMCHealth and other public safety organizations, including the New York State Troopers PBA Surgeons Group and the Amtrak Police, to name a few

Westchester County COBA President Steven Torsiello said, "Supervising some of the most violent individuals in our society twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, inevitably heightens the stress levels of Correction Officers and, over time, often leads to serious physical and mental health issues. Correction Officers face an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), heart attacks, and hypertension compared to the general population and many other high-risk professions. Recognizing this crisis, our union set out to provide our members with the resources and services offered through WMCHealth to uncover any potential cardiovascular conditions that could potentially be fatal. In just the last six months, approximately 60 of our members have taken advantage of screening exams and diagnostic testing services provided through WMCHealth, and we hope to increase that number moving forward. On behalf of our entire Executive Board, I want to thank the entire WMCHealth team for their dedication and commitment to improving the health of our members and to help save lives."

Angelica Poniros, Director of Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Services at Westchester Medical Center, said the goal of the program is to offer cardiovascular disease screenings to uncover potential heart conditions that might result in heart attacks and strokes.

"Keeping our first responders safe is a priority for us at Westchester Medical Center. When these brave men and women are engaged in high-adrenaline situations, we want them to do so with confidence in their health. Our mission here at WMCHealth is to screen officers and first responders for potential risk factors that could lead to arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, or even strokes. Our primary mission is to ensure anyone coming through our program is educated about cardiovascular disease prevention and healthy lifestyles to know how to prevent heart disease in the future," said Poniros.

Westchester County Correction Officer Joseph Ruggeri, who has served the Department of Corrections for over twenty years, is one of the officers who has already taken advantage of Westchester COBA's partnership with WMC's Heart Health Program and has had lifesaving results.

Correction Officer Ruggeri said, "Given my family history of heart disease, getting screened was the right decision. My 90-minute appointment included an exam, lab work, a calcium score, and an in-depth conversation with Dominica Potenza. I left feeling reassured and expected results in about a week. Instead, Dominica called that evening with concerns: my calcium score was the second worst she had ever seen. Her response within hours showed genuine care and professionalism. I returned for additional testing, and the team developed a preventive care plan. The entire process has been stress-free, and the Westchester Medical Center staff exceeded my expectations. I am deeply grateful to Domenica and the WMC team for their diligence, and to my union for making members' health and safety a priority."

Dominica Potenza, DNP, and Clinical Manager of Heart & Vascular Institute noted that officers would undergo complete and comprehensive screening exams, diagnostic imaging testing, and follow-up care, including ECG and bloodwork. The officers would also have access to consultations with dietitians, smoking cessation, sleep studies, and other healthy lifestyle programs.

"We at WMCHealth Heart & Vascular Institute are committed to the health and well-being of our community's law enforcement and correction officers," said Dominica Potenza. "Through our comprehensive cardiovascular screenings, we aim to detect health risks and promote healthy lifestyles. Our goal is to ensure that every officer can perform their duties with confidence, knowing they have the support of our dedicated medical team here at WMCHealth."

About Westchester County COBA: Westchester County COBA is the union that represents the dedicated correction officers who serve on the front lines, maintaining safety and security in the Westchester County Correctional Facility in Valhalla. With approximately 1,400 active and retired members, WCOBA is committed to enhancing and improving the salary and benefits of its members, while also ensuring the safest working conditions and protecting the general welfare of the membership. The union accomplishes these goals through its advocacy for fair contracts and lobbying for legislation at the county and state levels.

About WMCHealth: At the WMCHealth Heart and Vascular Institute, we are at the forefront of cardiology care, utilizing the latest innovations and technologies to provide exceptional treatment. Our commitment to heart disease prevention drives us to collaborate with various organizations to develop impactful programs like our Cardiovascular Health Promotion and Disease Prevention initiative. We invite you to join us in our mission to promote heart health and prevent cardiovascular disease.

Whether you are a patient, caregiver, or community partner, your involvement can make a significant difference. For more information on our services or to schedule an appointment, community members, please call 914.909.6922.

About Westchester Medical Center Health Network: The Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) is a 1,700-bed healthcare system headquartered in Valhalla, New York, with nine hospitals on seven campuses spanning 6,200 square miles of the Hudson Valley. WMCHealth employs more than 12,000 people and has nearly 3,000 physicians attending. The Network has Level | (adult and pediatric), Level |I and Level III trauma centers, the region's only acute care children's hospital, an academic medical center, several community hospitals, dozens of specialized institutes and centers, Comprehensive and Primary Stroke Centers, skilled nursing facilities, home-care services and one of the largest mental health systems in New York State. Today, WMCHealth is the pre-eminent provider of integrated health care in the Hudson Valley. For more information about WMCHealth, visit WMCHealth.org or follow WMCHealth on Facebook.com/WMCHealth or Instagram.com/WMCHealth.