Sunset Park
Hats and pounds off to Donald Stankalis. The borough son shed more than 250 pounds thanks to hard work, determination, and the talented docs at the NYU Lutheran Weight Loss Surgery Institute.
By 2012 our pal Donald had had it — at 440 pounds, his only exercise was changing the channel with his remote from his couch-potato position. But after bariatric surgery and learning how to eat right, he is running 5Ks and half marathons. At a recent bariatric seminar Donald shared his story and said, “The surgery is a tool,” adding, “It’s really how you use it to your benefit — and now, I am 190 pounds.”
Medical director Dr. Olga Filipova explained: “We want to help you change your life, help you live healthier, happier and longer for you and your loved ones. We don’t take care of pounds; we take care of human beings.” Standing O agrees.
The “O” says, “Donald, you look maavelous. Stay strong, stay fit, stay motivated.”
NYU Lutheran’s Weight Loss Surgery Institute [150 55th St. between First and Second avenues in Sunset Park, (718) 630–7000].
Bay Ridge
Move over those tassels
It’s that time of the year again, the pomp, the circumstance of Graduation Day. Standing O salutes the following Xaverian High School seniors who have been accepted to Cornell University: Suet Cho, Oliver Sarzynski, Ritvik Taneja, Joseph Martorana, and Harrison Jamin.
With the hard work of the past four years at Xaverian behind them, these super-smart seniors have done good. Along with fellow classmates of 2015, they will walk the walk, accept that little piece of paper on June 6 at the school’s 55th commencement exercises, and the mortarboards will sail.
Taneja is looking forward to attending Cornell as a McMullen Scholar, which is a scholarship reserved for students with potential for exceptional success at Cornell and in the field of engineering. “I am proud to say that I can move on to college knowing that Xaverian has prepared me for my future,” he said.
Standing O says, “Congratulations to all the seniors and good luck in your college years.”
Xaverian High School [7100 Shore Rd. at 71st Street in Bay Ridge, (718) 836–7100].
Queens
Cheering Queens?
How can this be? You ask. This little O is Brooklyn’s Biggest Booster, but never let it be said that Standing O is not an equal opportunity booster. So here goes — congratulations, welcome, and bienvenue to Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology. This new Dix Hills-Deer Park location is number 17 for the radiology practice, which is the largest private practice on Long Island, (which is just the other end of Brooklyn. So there).
On April 28, the doors opened and the ribbon was snipped on the new location that boasts MRI, CT, X-ray, Ultrasound, and get this — the first 3.0 Tesla Wide-bore magnet in the area. The practice provides easy access to the most advanced radiological services in the industry.
According to chief executive officer Dr. Steven L. Mendelsohn, the state-of-the-art equipment “results in 90 percent of the studies being read within one hour.” He added, “I am excited to add this new facility and staff to the Zwanger-Pesiri organization, where the goal is to provide easily accessible, superior, outpatient imaging to all of Long Island.”
Now if they can only open one in Brooklyn, this little Standing O could give them a big whoop-dee-doo with ribbons and balloons and everything.
Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology [2087 Deer Park Ave. in Queens, (631) 225–7200].
Fort Greene
Save the date
World Martial Arts Center is hosting a rare Hapkido Black Belt exhibition and graduation ceremony on May 16 at 1 pm at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights. Selected students will be putting on a high-level demonstration and receiving their black belts. Four senior black belts will be promoted to the prestigious rank of Master. This is the culmination of many years of intensive training, and is a very special occasion, with the last graduation being held in 2009.
World Martial Arts Center [540 Atlantic Ave. and Third Avenue in Fort Greene, (718) 855–9898]. Tickets $25.
