Murray Brings Health Expertise to Board

BY BENJAMIN FANG

When Melinda Murray was invited to join the Queens Chamber’s Board of Directors, she only took 20 minutes to think about it before accepting the offer.

“I wasn’t going to let that opportunity go by,” she said.

Murray has been a member of the chamber for the past year, taking an active role in the Health and Wellness Committee. She said the committee opened her eyes to the various health needs of Queens.

She said she’s proud and honored to have been asked to join the board, which she believes is a “prestigious group of trendsetters, business owners and like-minded people.”

“It’s a tremendous opportunity to jump in, roll up my sleeves and take it to the next level to provide services and opportunities throughout Queens,” Murray said.

In 2010, Murray founded the Dominic A. Murray 21 Memorial Foundation following the tragic death of her son Dominic, a seemingly healthy 17-year-old basketball player.

Dominic collapsed and died on the basketball court at Farmingdale State College, despite having received medical clearance to play college sports. He suffered from a congenital heart defect that went undetected.

“No child should die playing the sport they love,” she said.

After losing her only child, Murray created the foundation, which trains the public in CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators (AED). It is also advocating to change laws related to AED and the screening of student-athletes. Murray said the foundation also provides free and affordable heart screenings.

By joining the Queens Chamber board, Murray said the organization can help bring that type of knowledge and information to businesses across the borough. She believes that the chamber’s Health and Wellness Committee is also in alignment with the goals of the foundation.

“We want to equip and build up these businesses to make sure they are safe,” she said. “I think I can bring something to the table that can continue the growth of the Queens Chamber.”