For Convenience, Quality and the Intangible Brooklyn Vibe
Sandy and Louise Mattingly
After living most of their lives in Manhattan, Sandy and Louise Mattingly moved to Brooklyn in 2005. It was for all the usual reasons — the kids had moved there, and they wanted in on the then burgeoning Brooklyn “vibe.” But, one thing they didn’t change was their healthcare. That remained Manhattan-centric even though their home was a block from TBHC.
Ms. Mattingly, a recently retired teacher, was the first to take a second look at her neighbor. “I would walk past TBHC on DeKalb to get a subway into Manhattan for my mammograms and bone density checks,” she remembers. “Finally, I thought, ‘What am I doing? Why am I schlepping into the city instead of trying the place that is literally steps from my front door?’”
What she found encouraged her: Excellent medical care, a committed, caring staff, and, of course, convenience. “Then TBHC renovated the breast imaging suite, and the facilities were even nicer. The results were fast. The patient portal made it convenient,” she adds.
His wife’s experience piqued Mr. Mattingly’s curiosity. At that time, his Manhattan doctors were forming a concierge practice that was not practical for him. “Louise told me, ‘You should give TBHC a shot,’” he recalls. “For me, it started with convenience and grew from there. It’s an intimate environment, almost small-town. I’ve been seen by heads of departments as a patient. Their manner is amazing. Friendly, professional. They spend time with patients. And it’s a one-stop shop if you have other needs beyond your primary care,” says the retired attorney and realtor.
During the pandemic, the Mattinglys’ commitment grew deeper. “I remember riding a Citibike by the hospital and appreciating all the heroics going on inside,” says Mr. Mattingly. Every night, 7 pm sharp, the Mattinglys were at their window clapping their hands, banging pots and pans, and shouting out their appreciation for all those on the front lines, knowing that their healthcare team was in earshot.
A recent move took them about 10 blocks away from TBHC to a new development on the edge of Downtown Brooklyn, but it has done nothing to disrupt their relationship with their community hospital. “TBHC is in Fort Greene, one of the most diverse neighborhoods in New York City. Interactions and shared life experiences are greater here than anywhere I’ve lived, and I was born in Manhattan,” Mr. Mattingly says. “TBHC is not stratified healthcare, it’s real and it’s a representation of the incredible community it serves. I enjoy sitting in the waiting room and seeing Brooklyn in the house.”