To the editor:

I am a physician living in Pelham for over 18 years, and I am writing this letter in support of Maura Curtin and Kristen Burke in the upcoming election for Pelham Town Council.

As a cardiologist, I have had the opportunity to take care of sick patients and not only save lives but livelihoods. By the time a patient arrives in the emergency room, half of his or her fate may already be determined. Our colleagues in the emergency department initially evaluate patients with heart attacks and strokes. One of our sayings is, “Time is brain, time is heart.” In other words, the faster someone can arrive in the ER, the better chance the patient’s heart or brain function isn’t permanently damaged.

We can then bring patients to the cardiac catheterization lab and open heart arteries and place stents in a matter of minutes, minimizing permanent scarring. Neurologists and ER physicians can give intravenous “clot-buster” medicines for stroke patients to make their paralyzed limbs immediately functional again. However, many times it is too late, and the patient’s heart is damaged, increasing the risk for fatal heart rhythms, or pump failure (congestive heart failure). A late presentation of a stroke victim can cause permanent disability such as paralysis and aphasia (inability to speak).

Many of you may not know that Pelham has been operating without a dedicated ambulance service. We relied on an outside company to provide service to our town, with sometimes devastating delays and consequences.

When this issue was raised, Pelham Town Councilwoman Maura Curtin went into action. She mobilized community support and awareness of this issue and proposed a dedicated emergency medical service for Pelham. She was able to secure $450,000 in grants from state Sen. Nathalia Fernandez and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin to purchase a brand new ambulance for Pelham. The town council also secured an interim agreement with Westchester County for an ambulance stationed close by in Mount Vernon.

Pelham residents will benefit greatly from this new service, with reduced wait times and faster transport to local hospitals for life-saving care. It will undoubtedly provide a greater chance that your loved one will be able to lead a normal life, rather than suffer the consequences of delayed medical care.

Maura Curtin and Kristen Burke exemplify effective leadership in our community. I wholeheartedly endorse their reelection to the Pelham Town Council. I urge all residents to cast their votes on Nov. 7 and encourage your neighbors and friends to do the same.

Dr. Sanjay Naik

64 Witherbee Ave.