Nassau County Deputy Presiding Officer Roger Corbin (D-Westbury), joined by Nassau County Health & Social Service Committee Chairman Jeffrey Toback (D-Oceanside), Vice Chairman Legislator Dave Denenberg (D-Merrick) and committee member Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (Woodbury) have announced the Majority Legislators' recommendations for appointments to the Nassau Health Care Corporation's Board of Directors. The five recommendations will replace board members whose terms have expired.

"We have selected highly qualified and caring individuals who can bring a high level of competence and professionalism to the board," said Corbin. "Replacing vacancies on the board in a timely manner will move the problem-laden hospital towards a more solvent and stable future."

The candidates are:

•Anthony Guistino of Bayville, an attorney with a practice in Garden City and former president of the Civil Service Employees Association, Nassau Local 830 CSEA. This appointment is the Majority Leader's appointment, and must then go to the Governor's office for approval and does not require legislative approval. Guistino replaces Rita Wallace.

•RoseMarie C. Guercia, MD, MPA of Huntington served on the County Executive's Task Force at Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) from 2002-2003. She currently serves on the A. Holly Patterson Advisory Committee, EOC of Nassau County, Health Services Advisory Committee and the Nassau County Minority Health Task Force.

•Leonard Benedict, MD, MPH of Dix Hills who, from 2004-2005, oversaw NUMC's OB-GYN Department at the Elmont Health Center. He currently has a private practice.

•Bradley Gerstman of Roslyn, president of the Lynbrook-based Quest Service Group, LLC and an attorney who formerly ran a private law office in New York City. He is also a national best-selling author with a history of public service and co-founder and board member of the Lisa Beth Gerstman Foundation, which enables children with physical disabilities to experience summer camp in integrated camp settings.

•Jay L.T. Breakstone of Bellmore, an attorney with a practice in Bellmore, is a former Bellmore Board of Education trustee and former adjunct professor with CW Post College, Long Island University and Five Towns College.

According to Corbin, the recommendations, with the exception of Guistino's, will go before the legislature's committees on June 5 and are expected to pass through the full legislature for approval on June 19. If approved by the majority of the legislature's members, the new appointees will begin serving their terms immediately.