Times Square vendor Duane Jackson has been swamped with praise since he alerted police Saturday about the suspicious SUV. And Monday the kudos came from the top: President Barack Obama telephoned the Westchester resident to commend him for his vigilance and for quickly alerting mounted NYPD Officer Wayne Rhatigan of Holbrook.

A White House official said Obama also "plans to call Officer Rhatigan to extend his thanks personally."

"The president conveyed his appreciation for the first responders and Officer Rhatigan to Mayor Bloomberg in a phone call Sunday and Mayor Bloomberg said he'd extend those thanks over dinner."

President and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center Thomas Stokes explains the problems caused by the aging infrastructure within the hospital. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.  Credit: Newsday/Kendall Rodriguez

Inside look at NUMC's aging infrastructure President and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center Thomas Stokes explains the problems caused by the aging infrastructure within the hospital. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.

President and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center Thomas Stokes explains the problems caused by the aging infrastructure within the hospital. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.  Credit: Newsday/Kendall Rodriguez

Inside look at NUMC's aging infrastructure President and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center Thomas Stokes explains the problems caused by the aging infrastructure within the hospital. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.

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