Mercy Hospital of Buffalo
Connections
News and announcements for associates, patients, and their families. Winter 2019-20
It’s That Special Mercy Touch!
Pictured above are PERT members: (l.-r.) Matt Rebmann, PA-C; Hannah Gawlak, PA-C; Todd Roland, PA-C; Megan Donnelly, PA-C; Dr. Vladimir Sabayev, PCCM, MD; and Bob Gibson, ACNP-BC.
In our ongoing commitment to high quality care, Mercy Hospital has developed a Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Response Team or PERT for short – the only one of its kind in Western New York – to more effectively recognize, treat and improve outcomes for patients who develop a PE. The multidisciplinary team, made up of cardiac, pulmonary, vascular, interventional radiology, imaging, pharmacy, nursing and emergency medicine specialists, offers a more coordinated, evidence-based approach to diagnosing and treating PE. Following national best practices, this team concept results in more expedient lifesaving care. “PERT members are available 24/7 to evaluate the patient, develop a consensus response, and initiate treatment within one hour,” says Robert Gibson, NP, advanced practice critical care education coordinator at Mercy Hospital, who coordinates the PERT team. “This saves valuable time by avoiding fragmented care and possibly conflicting opinions from different specialists.” “We are proud to be a regional leader in PE care thanks to the dedication of our staff,” said Mercy Hospital President Eddie Bratko.
Scott Bieler and members of his Mercy “Dream Team” gather at the Autumn Ball: (l.-r.) Jay Drenning, PTA; Dawn Lewis; Andrea Brockman, OT; Bieler; Kathy Lasher; Dr. Jeffrey Lewis; Emily Madeja, PT; Deborah Ruggiero, RA; and Marita Turingan, NA.
West Herr’s Bieler Expresses Thanks To Mercy Scott Bieler, President and CEO of West Herr Automotive Group, is one grateful patient. After recovering from an accident earlier this year, he decided that he wanted to “give back” to the hospital and his healthcare team as a way of saying thanks for the outstanding care he received. Bieler started off by donating a new Ford Edge car to the Mercy Hospital Foundation for a raffle to raise funds for a new Emergency Department (ED) renovation project. The winner was drawn at this year’s Autumn Ball, the hospital’s annual fundraising event held on November 1. Two weeks later, Bieler stopped back at Mercy to present a $30,000 check to the winner, Guy Agostinelli, who chose the cash value of the prize. During the presentation, Agostinelli, who is also a Catholic Health supporter, gave back a donation to the Foundation and hospital officials used the opportunity to announce the ED project to the community. The ED project, estimated at $500,000, will modify existing space to accommodate a new provider-in-triage model of care that is being adopted by hospitals across the country to improve the efficiency of care and reduce patient wait time. Plans call for the creation of new private patient triage rooms, additional private patient treatment areas, including two dedicated pediatric emergency beds, and other improvements to enhance patient comfort, privacy and convenience. Construction is expected to begin pending final approval by the state. During the ceremony, Bieler and Kathy Lasher joined other committed donors as they offered another contribution to the project through the Scott Bieler Foundation. In his remarks, Bieler expressed his gratitude to the entire staff at Mercy Hospital who he described as “fantastic”, and referred to the therapists, nurses and physicians who cared for him in the Medical Rehab Unit as his “Dream Team.”
Sweet Mercy! People In The News
Congratulations to Jessica Mondoux, Perioperative Nurse Manager, who received the Joseph D. McDonald Healthcare Leaders $5,000 Graduate Scholarship. Holding her daughter Ava, she is surrounded by her co-workers, Catholic Health President & CEO Mark Sullivan, Mercy President Eddie Bratko and VP of Nursing Shari McDonald.
Jiantao Xiao, MD, recently joined the cardiothoracic surgery team at the Catholic Health Heart Center. Board certified in Surgery, he completed his fellowship in Dr. Jiantao Xiao Cardiothoracic Surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, and completed his surgical residency at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine. Recognized for his accomplishments in research, he was awarded and completed postdoctoral research fellowships at Emory University in Atlanta, GA and Harvard Medical School. Mary Ann Murphy, RN, MS, IBCLC, was named a 2019 Catherine McAuley Distinguished Alumna by Mount Mercy Academy. Starting off as a dietary Mary Ann Murphy aide at Mercy in 1979, she transitioned to her nursing career in 1984 and climbed her way to Director of Maternal/Child Services, a position she has held since 1998. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Nursing from the University at Buffalo. Dina Szymanski, who currently serves as a radiology clerk at the Mercy Comprehensive Care Center, was recently honored by The General Pulaski Association as one of Dina Szymanski the Unsung Women Heroes of Polonia. With over 34 years of service to Catholic Health, she previously worked as a medical transcriptionist at Mercy Hospital.
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Stroke Center Nationally Recognized for Quality Our Mercy Hospital Comprehensive Stroke Center has been the recipient of the American Heart Association’s (AHA) highest level of recognition—the Get with The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award and Target: Honor Roll Elite Plus—for seven consecutive years!
Pictured above, Mercy Stroke Center team members accepted the AHA Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award and Target: Honor Roll Elite Plus for the seventh consecutive year.
The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized guidelines.
“This award demonstrates our commitment to being a top hospital in the nation for stroke care,” said Mercy Hospital President Eddie Bratko.
Congratulations to our DAISY Award Winners Mercy Hospital presented its 2nd Quarter DAISY Awards to Michelle O’Hara (CVICU), Stacey McDonald (L&D), and Tammy Kowalik (Maternal Child). Michelle O’Hara, holding flowers, is DAISY Award winner. The DAISY Award, which recognizes nearly 2,500 hospitals across the extraordinary compassionate world participate in the program. nurses, was established by the DAISY Foundation in memory of J. Nomination forms can be found in Patrick Barnes who died at age 33 the lobby, surgical waiting room, of an auto-immune disease. Today, nurse stations and cafeteria.
Family BirthPlace Nursing Team Honored
Congratulations to the nursing staff of the Mother Baby and Labor and Delivery Units for being presented the Hospital Bereavement Nursing Team Award by the Western New York Perinatal Bereavement Network (WNYPBN). The award recognizes the team’s outstanding dedication to bereaved families in our Western New York community. Mercy Hospital’s perinatal bereavement program is led by a group of engaged staff volunteers who are passionate and commited to supporting bereaved parents in the most difficult circumstances.
Eddie Bratko Named Mercy Hospital President Eddie Bratko was named President of Mercy Hospital last August. He previously served as the Chief Operating Officer since 2015. Eddie joined Mercy Hospital in 2010 as Director of Finance. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Financial Economics and an advanced certificate in International Economics from the University at Buffalo. He completed a leadership program from the University of New Hampshire and an internship at Yale University School of Medicine.
Former Mercy Hospital President & CEO C.J. Urlaub took on a new role within Catholic Health as the Senior Vice President Eddie Bratko of Strategic Partnerships, Integration, and Care Delivery for Niagara County and President of Mount St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston, NY.
“Merci” To The Supporters of Annual Autumn Ball “A Night in Paris” was the theme as the Mercy Hospital Foundation held its 11th Annual Autumn Ball on November 1 at the Atrium at Rich’s. Over $200,000 was raised at the event which also featured a Ford Edge Car Physician Champion Honoree Dr. Thomas Raab, center, Raffle made possible receives a standing ovation during the Autumn Ball. through the generosity of the Scott Bieler BSN; Education Nurse of DistincFoundation in association with tion Debra Manzella, RN, BA, West Herr Auto Group. MSN; Staff Nurse of the Year Julie Ponce, RN; Physician Champion Chairing the event were Laura Thomas A. Raab, MD; and ComBickert and Sharon Prise Azurin of munity Partner Richard A. Serra. the Mercy Foundation Board. HonProceeds will support the ongoorees were: Mercy Hospital Nurse ing OR Modernization Project and of Distinction Julie LaManna, RN, upcoming ER renovations.
EMS “Superheroes” Honored at Awards Dinner Mercy Hospital recognized thirtyone local emergency medical services (EMS) providers, many of whom volunteer as paramedics in their communities, at its 2nd Annual EMS Awards Dinner held in November at Michael’s Banquet Facility in Hamburg. Over 100 people gathered for the event to honor these “superheroes” for the life-saving efforts they provide on a daily basis.
Catholic Health President & CEO Mark Sullivan congratulates honoree Krissy Kittleson during the EMS awards dinner.
EMS agencies recognized include: American Medical Response (AMR) Ambulance Buffalo; Elma Fire Department; Jamison Road
Fire Department; Mercy Flight EMS; Eden Emergency Squad; Twin City Ambulance; and Gowanda EMS- “EMS Agency of the Year”.
Sweet Mercy! People In The News
Chris Anderson, RN, center, was recently honored for her dedicated work to the Mentor program, a joint labor-management initiative. Jeff Lelonek, RN, (ICU) was presented “Mentor of Distinction.” They are joined by, l.-r., Mercy President Eddie Bratko; Dr. Timothy Gabryel; CNO Shari McDonald; Joan Vetter; Jennifer Sawulek, and Jean Wood.
Mercy Hospital welcomes Edmund Wyzykowski who was recently named Business Advisor in Financial Services. He previously served as a Research Analyst at Edmund Wyzykowski Independent Health. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Accounting Information Systems and an MBA from Canisius College. Rick Sroka, was recently named Mercy Hospital’s Pharmacy Operations Manager. Rick served at Catholic Health from 2007 to 2016, moving from a Pharmacy Tech at St. Joseph Rick Sroka Hospital to a Pharmacy Buyer at Kenmore Mercy, and then to a Senior Operations Specialist at Mercy. For the past three years, he worked for Becton Dickenson (BD) Pyxis. He holds a degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University at Buffalo. Congratulations to Andrea Helminiak who was recently promoted to Operations Manager for Mercy’s Environmental Services Department (EVS). She previously served as Andrea Helminiak Supervisor in EVS, a position she has held since 2017. Andrea started working at Mercy in 2008 at the Subway Restaurant. In 2014, she was hired by the hospital as a housekeeper in EVS, and two years later became the department’s administrative assistant.
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Mercy at Work
Mercy Hospital’s Maternal Child Unit held their annual Holiday Baked Goods Sale in December and raised over $1,700 for this year’s beneficiary—Mercy’s Perinatal Bereavement Program. Pictured from left are Chris Anderson, RN; Debbie Ziemianski, RN; Elaine Keegan, Nurse Manager of L&D; and Debbie Stamer, OR technician. According to Elaine, the added basket raffle this year was a huge hit!
“Milk Caravan” Promotes Donated Breast Milk Mercy Hospital partnered with the New York State Milk Bank to co-host a Milk Caravan event—a motorcycle ride led by the Women on Wheels motorcycle group that traveled across the state to deliver pasteurized donor human milk to babies in need. Held in September, the purpose of the ride was State Senator Tim Kennedy, seated on motorcycle, is surrounded by officials from the hospital and the NYS to raise awareness of the importance of human milk Milk Bank at the “Milk Caravan” news conference. for babies who require it for cy Hospital as the motorcyclists medical reasons or whose parents gathered for a pit stop. Senator cannot provide it on their own. A Tim Kennedy provided remarks to news conference was held at Mershow his support of the cause.
On The Road To Better Health at the DMV Mercy Hospital and Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns teamed up for the second year in a row to offer free blood pressure and stroke prevention screenings at select auto bureaus across Erie County throughout October. Congratulations and best wishes to Dr. Michael Rade, on his recent retirement. On staff at Mercy for over 39 years, Dr. Rade previously served as the Associate Chair of Surgery. He is pictured above with Ellen Simson and Nancy Krawczyk.
More than 400 people turned out this year to participate in the carotid artery screening— an ultrasound test that can detect blockages in the two large blood vessels in the neck that supply blood to the brain. Maria Dee, Mercy Operations Coordinator, and
Pictured above at the new Southgate Plaza Auto Bureau screening are: (l.-r.) Maria Bucholz; Clerk Mickey Kearns; Phil Haberstro; Susan Nappo and Maria Dee.
Susan Nappo, Director of Vascular Services, coordinated and led the screenings for Catholic Health.
Mission Corner A special Veterans Day Mass was held at Mercy Hospital to honor our veterans. Pictured above, Father Joseph Thien Nguyen blesses veterans Michael Thornsberry, David De Lorenzo, and Yvonne Schoepflin who currently work at Catholic Health.
Nurse Assistant Keith Beicke is honored with the LOVE Award.
The 7th Annual Scrub Run held on September 11 honored first responders with Buffalo’s Singing Cops kicking off the race. Pictured above are Allpro Parking President Rick Serra with staff Modesto Figueroa and Brian Dusenberry.
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Celebrating our honorees are: (l.-r.) Christina Tobin; President Eddie Bratko; Jennifer Macey; Sharon Kozlowski; Lexie Fuqua; Johanna Breier; Karen Mack; and John Kalinowski.
Seven Mercy Hospital associates were recently honored with 2nd Quarter LOVE Awards that recognize staff who Live Our Values Effectively in the work they do each day for our patients. The honorees are often nominated by their fellow co-workers or by grateful patients and their loved ones.
Congratulations are extended to our LOVE Award winners: Keith Beicke (Nurse Assistant, Float Pool); Jennifer Coviello (Nurse Assistant, 7 West); Johnna Breier, RN (5 West); Jennifer Macey, RN (ICU); Sharon Kozlowski (Sterile Processing); Lexie Fuqua, RN (OR); and Karen Mack (HIM).