n io 12 at 8uc p Ed k p ee W
A publication for Christiana Care Health System physicians and employees
March 12, 2009 VO L U M E 2 0 , N U M B E R 5
Published every two weeks by Christiana Care Health System External Affairs P.O. Box 1668 Wilmington, DE 19899-1668 www.christianacare.org
Christiana Care’s CyberKnife® team now treats some prostate cancer cases
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atients with less advanced forms of prostate cancer can now receive treatment at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center at Christiana Care with the CyberKnife® Robotic Radiosurgery System. CyberKnife—the most advanced, noninvasive technology in the world—targets cancers with pinpoint accuracy and minimal radiation side effects. The first prostate cancer patient in Delaware to receive care with the CyberKnife, treated in early March, is the first of four scheduled for treatment through April.
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Clinical News Medical students get one-on-one mentoring
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Delaware Association of Family Physicians Scientific Meeting 6 Reserve seats now for annual Trauma Symposium 7 Education Week Schedule of Events General News $1 million goal for nursing, allied health scholarships
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The Helen F. Graham Cancer Center is one of only 28 cancer centers in the United States offering the treatment and participating in the ReCKord CyberKnife Registry, a nationwide database that tracks diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.
One of only three in the Delaware Valley, the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center uses the CyberKnife as a non-invasive alternative for the treatment of both cancerous and non-cancerous tumors anywhere in the body, including lung, brain, spine, liver, pancreas and kidney. To date, more than 220 patients have received CyberKnife treatment at Christiana Care. “As a National Cancer Institute-selected cancer center, we participate in cancer clinical trials and strive to offer the best technologies under the best conditions,” says Nicholas J. Petrelli, M.D., Bank of America endowed medical director. c o nt inue d o n n e x t p a ge
From left: Adam Raben, M.D., Karen Karchner, RN, OCN, Larry
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Simpson, Ph.D., and Carole Robinson, RTT, attend Laurence Wright, first prostate cancer patient to be treated here with
Ple a s e r e c ycle F o cu s
CyberKnife.
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“Patients do not need to leave the state to receive the most advanced treatments for prostate cancer.” Treatment based on multidisciplinary approach “Patients must undergo thorough planning and evaluation to determine if CyberKnife is the best treatment option – and it may not be the best option,” says Adam Raben, M.D., a former chief resident and faculty member in the Radiation Oncology Department at Memorial Sloan-Kettering and now director of Clinical Research for Radiation Oncology. Prostate cancer is one of his primary clinical areas of interest. The choice for CyberKnife treatment is subject to the same multidisciplinary approach we use to determine the best option for treatment, he says.
For men under 65 with prostate cancer, surgery is still the gold standard. However, many patients explore nonsurgical strategies. “CyberKnife appears to be a promising alternative to either external beam radiation or permanent seed implantation to treat prostate cancer,” says Dr. Raben. Surgery, seed implantation and external beam radiation—all offered at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center—deliver excellent results for early stage patients. CyberKnife, although promising, has a shorter track record of only two to four years. Those treated with CyberKnife will be followed closely to assess cure rates and side effects.
Requires only five treatments CyberKnife offers advantages over the other treatments. Patients require only five treatments rather than a course of treatment lasting seven to eight weeks in standard therapy. “This technology increases the number of radiation beam angles dramatically, almost five-fold, over linear beam radiation treatment,” says Dr. Raben. “Plus, with CyberKnife, there is no need for anesthesia and patients have no recovery time.” The ReCKord CyberKnife Registry is an international, multiyear electronic database sponsored by CyberKnife System developer, Accuray Inc. All patient data is completely de-identified. Information entered in the database includes diagnosis, goals of treatment, number of treatments given and follow-up information.
For a consult or information about any of the radiation oncologists at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, including (from left, below) Christopher Koprowski, M.D., Viroon Donavanik, M.D., Michael F. Dzeda, M.D., Adam Raben, M.D., Sunjay A. Shah, M.D., Michael Sorensen, M.D., or Jon F. Strasser, M.D., please call 302-623-4800 or toll-free 800-546-7181.
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Clinical News Fourth-year medical students present findings of detailed studies program lays groundwork for residencies here At the culmination of a year-long mentoring program, 13 fourthyear medical students presented challenging cases from their Christiana Care rotation in Internal Medicine at the American College of Physicians’ Delaware chapter annual meeting in February.
Emily Mika, a student at St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine, with Allen Friedland, M.D., and Neeta Milasincic, M.D., won Grand Prize for presenting “SAPHO syndrome: An Atypical Presentation.”
“The program offers students an opportunity to work one-on-one with an attending physician as they complete their final year of medical school,” says Allen Friedland, M.D., FACP, FAAP, program director of Christiana Care’s MedicinePediatrics Residency Program. “It is a unique opportunity,” says Internal Medicine Residency Program Director Brian Aboff, M.D., FACP. “Most residents don’t even do this.”
Returned at their own expense The students, hailing from seven different medical schools, worked one-on-one with a physician mentor from Christiana Care last year and returned to Delaware to present at their own expense from as far away as Ohio and New York. They researched the medical literature about a patient’s illness and wrote an abstract summarizing their findings, then developed posters describing their findings and diagnoses and gave oral presentations before an audience of internists and other primary care doctors at the University of Delaware. The presentations were “very professional,” says Neeta Milasincic, M.D., who directs the fourth-year student clerkship program at Christiana Care. “The students were well-versed on their cases.” Mentors donated many hours While some of the mentors are on Christiana Care’s in-house medical staff, many are attending physicians in private practice who teach residents but might not interact much with medical students. c o nt inue d o n n e x t p a ge
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M e ntor, c o nt inue d
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Each mentor donated many hours from their busy schedules to work with the students, something mentors like Anand Panwalker, M.D., enjoyed. “It’s a thrill to teach young people and get them enthused,” says Dr. Panwalker, an infectious disease specialist from Newark and president-elect of the Christiana Care Medical-Dental Staff.
In addition to giving medical students the chance to work closely with a practicing physician, the program, which was held for the first time last year, also offers them a rare opportunity to delve into the medical literature about a particular disease and learn how to present their findings.
Dr. Panwalker mentored secondplace winner Heather Ragozine, a student at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. Ragozine’s presentation, “When Weight Loss is Your Only Clue,” was about a patient who was diagnosed with lung cancer and actinomycosis, a relatively rare infection of the lung.
Among the prize winners at the American College of Physicians competition on Feb. 21 were: Grand prize: Emily Mika, a student at St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine, for “SAPHO syndrome: An Atypical Presentation.” She was mentored by Shakaib Qureshi, M.D. First place: Carol Annino, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, for “Mental Status Changes in a 46-year-old Hypertensive Male – Ischemia versus Demyelination.” Her mentor was Wesley Emmons III, M.D. Second place: Heather Ragozine, Jefferson Medical College, for “When Weight Loss is Your Only Clue.” Her mentor was Anand Panwalker, M.D. Second place: Jennifer Hurd, Jefferson Medical College, for “Differential Diagnosis of Limbic Encephalitis.” Her mentor was Stephanie Lee, M.D.
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“Another purpose of the program is to encourage the students to pursue a career in internal medicine, hopefully through a residency program at Christiana Care,” Dr. Friedland says. “We definitely plan to do it again this year.” In addition, “They’ll be able to put this on their resume and it will help them advance their careers,” says Virginia Collier, M.D., FACP, the Hugh R. Sharp Jr. Chair of Medicine at Christiana Care. Christiana Care offers a wide range of residency programs, including internal medicine and combined residencies in internal medicinepediatrics and internal medicineemergency medicine.
Patient Safety and Joint Commission Hotline The Patient Safety and Joint Commission Hotline is a quick and easy way to report safety concerns that are not routinely reported through Safety First Learning Reports. All staff and physicians may use the hotline to: n
Communicate a near miss or a ‘’good catch.’’
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Report a potential safety issue that may not be associated with an individual patient but is of concern to you.
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Seek clarification on a regulatory question.
Calls can be placed at any time (24/7). Callers may leave their names or choose to remain anonymous. The call should describe the safety concern and department or area affected. If you are calling from outside of the hospitals, please call 302-623-SAFE (7233). To report a safety concern from within Wilmington or Christiana hospitals, call SAFE (7233). All calls are logged into an established database and referred to the appropriate department or individual who can address and/or resolve the issue(s). Thank you for improving patient safety.
p u b l i s h i ng , p r e s e nt a t i o n s , A P P OI N T M E N T S , a w a r d s The following Christiana Care nurses, physicians and staff have earned recognition for professional achievement.
Publishing Michael G. Benninghoff, D.O., et al., published “Granular Cell Tumor of Trachea” in the Journal of Bronchology & Interventional Pulmonology, Volume 16(1) January 2009. Michael G. Benninghoff, D.O., et al., published “Pneumothorax” in eMedicine, February 10, 2009. Khanh-Ha Nguyen, M.D., wrote a winning essay for the Junior Fellows’ essay contest: “The Day I Made a Difference.” The contest is run by the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology and will be published in the May 2009 issue of the journal and online.
Presenting The following presentations are from the Society of Critical Care Medicine 38th Annual Congress, February 2009 in Nashville, Tenn.: Research Presentations n Jaime Giraldo, M.D.; Mark Cipolle, M.D., Ph.D., FCCM; James Reed, Ph.D; Gerard Fulda,
M.D., FCCM; and Glen Tinkoff, M.D., presented “The affect of end-stage renal disease on traumatic brain injury. An analysis using the National Trauma Data Bank.” n Kevin Geffe, D.O.; Mark Cipolle, M.D., Ph.D.; Cynthia Hoon, RN; Teresa Hills, NP; Gerard
Fulda, M.D.; and Glen Tinkoff, M.D., presented “Long-term outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.” Oral Presentations n Mark Cipolle, M.D., Ph.D., FCCM, presented “Does minimally elevated INR need to be
corrected for invasive surgical procedures?” n Gerard Fulda, M.D., FCCM, presented “The use of prothrombin complex concentrates
in correcting coagulopathy” and “The year in review for surgery.” At the 12th Annual Nurses Improving Care for Health System Elders (NICHE) Leadership Conference in Orlando: n Denise Lyons, MSN, GCNS, BC, presented “NICHE Building Block I: Gero Staff Development
(Education, Competency, Certification).” n Patricia M. Curtin, M.D., FACP, CMD, presented “Maintaining the ACE Unit: Interdisciplinary Teams, Protocols, and Quality Improvement Outcomes on the ACE Unit.” n Denise Lyons, MSN, GCNS, BC, and Patricia Curtin, M.D., FACP, CMD, presented “Implementation of a Constipation Protocol.”
Awards Virginia U. Collier, M.D., received the 2009 Laureate Award from the Delaware Chapter of the American College of Physicians at the chapter’s annual dinner in February.
Submissions to Publishing, Presentations, Appointments and Awards are welcome. Nurses should e-mail submissions to Carol Boettler at cboettler@christianacare.org. Resident physicians and attending physicians should e-mail their submissions to Jo Ann Umbel at jumbel@ christianacare.org and staff to Corp Comm-Focus Editor.
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Therapeutic Notes Anticoagulation Reversal Guideline Revisions Christiana Care Health System has developed numerous guidelines to help assist practitioners in patient care. One of these guidelines focuses on reversal of warfarin in patients with bleeding or at high risk of bleeding, such as supratherapeutic international normalized ratio (INR). These guidelines recently have been revised and updated. Revisions of these guidelines include, but are not limited to: n Updates from the June 2008 CHEST guidelines on
anticoagulation therapy. n Guidelines for reversal of unfractionated heparin. n Guidelines for reversal of low-molecular weight heparins. n Reminder to prescribers that order set MD5460 is available
for managing head-trauma patients on warfarin therapy. Key points to remember regarding the usage of these guidelines: n They are to be used as a guide to assist prescribers;
patient specific clinical indications might warrant deviation from them. n The recommendations are for the adult population only.
These guidelines can be accessed from any of the Christiana Care portals. For example, Go to Physician Portal g Select “Clinical” in top banner g Select Clinical Resources Page” g Select “Search CMGs/CPGs “ on right g Select “Anticoagulation Reversal” under either the Heart & Vascular, Medical or Surgery/ Trauma. These guidelines were developed as part of a multidisciplinary process that included the Anticoagulation Team as well as members from the Department of Emergency Medicine and the sections of Hematology, Cardiology and Internal Medicine. The guidelines have been reviewed and approved by the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and the Medical Executive Committee.
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Register now for the DAFP Scientific Meeting April 18 The Delaware Chapter of the American Association of Family Physicians, the DAFP, annual Scientific Assembly is at Arsht Hall Conference Center, Wilmington Campus, University of Delaware, 2600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilmington, Del. CME is available and registration includes breakfast and lunch. Registration and a continental breakfast open at 7:45 a.m. Here’s a short version of the agenda: 8:15 a.m. – Welcome 8:30 a.m. – “The Ethel F. Platt Lecture: The patient-centered medical home in the information age” by Lori Heim, M.D. 9:30 a.m. – “Type 2 diabetes” by Neil Brooks, M.D. 11 a.m. – “The Top 10 articles in pediatric infectious disease” by Stephen C. Eppes, M.D. 12:15 p.m. – “Lunch & lecture: STI screening and treatment in women: Current guidelines” by David W. Hack, M.D. 1:15 p.m. – Resident presentations: 1) “Management of dyslipidemia” by Nelson J. Chen, M.D., Neasha Merritt, M.D., and Chukwudi E.
Nwodo, M.D.; 2) “Primary pulmonary hypertension” by Erin Kavanaugh, M.D., and Linsey O’Donnell, D.O. 6:30 p.m. – Annual dinner and installation of officers will be at Arsht Hall Conference Center To register, contact DAFP at delfamdoc@comcast.net.
Deadlines loom for May 1 Delaware Trauma Symposium Christiana Care LifeNet is accepting abstract submissions for moderated poster sessions at the 2009 Annual Delaware Trauma Symposium on Friday, May 1, from
7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel, Dover. Submissions must be postmarked by March 31. The annual symposium, which usually sells out all seats, provides up-to-date information on issues and trends related to managing trauma patients. Early registration deadline is April 1; requests received after April 1 will cost an extra $15. For registration and poster session abstracts forms and mailing information, go to the Trauma Department’s home page on the portal, click on Upcoming Events and open and print the brochure and registration form.
About 450 attended the 2008 Annual Delaware Trauma Symposium.
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Excitement builds for Celebrate Education and Research Week vvv
cademic Affairs and System Learning are pleased to announce Annual Education and Research Celebration Week Monday, March 30 through Thursday, April 2. Setting aside this week to celebrate education and research helps Christiana Care create a sense of community among educators and researchers as a learning organization; provides opportunities to recognize our accomplishments in both education and research throughout the past year; and gives us more learning and growth opportunities for our educators. We have a full and rich week of events planned to celebrate the past year’s education and research accomplishments at Christiana Care, including an exhibit of nationally recognized awards received by Christiana Care education teams; guest speakers who are leaders in the field of education; an education workshop; and a reception to wrap up the week and honor those who contribute so much to the development of our employees. Please mark your calendars now so you can network with colleagues, honor our educators and learn about how we’re transforming research and education. Check below for details. Certain events require registration – please use the Education Center to register for events marked “Registration Required.”
AAMC President Darrell Kirch, M.D., to present at Health & Society Lecture Series Christiana Care President and CEO Bob Laskowski, M.D.’s Health and Society Lecture Series continues with distinguished physician, educator and neuroscientist Darrell G. Kirch, M.D., president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Dr. Kirch’s presentation, “Can We Believe in Health Care Change?” begins at 8 a.m. on Thursday, April 2, at the John H. Ammon Medical Education Center.
Dr. Kirch is a noted authority on organization and management of academic medical centers and a prolific writer on academic medicine and health care delivery. Before becoming AAMC president in 2006, he was senior vice president for health affairs, dean of the college of medicine, and CEO of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center at Pennsylvania State University. He held similar academic and clinical leadership positions at the Medical College of Georgia from 1994 to 2000.
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As a psychiatrist and neuroscientist, his research interests include development of clinical treatments for severe neuropsychiatric disorders. In 1993, he received the U.S. Public Health Service Outstanding Service Medal for his contributions as acting scientific director of the National institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Md. Among his many professional associations, Dr. Kirch is a National Board of Medical Examiners member-at-large and a board member of Research!America.
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Sorrel King, noted patient advocate, to speak April 3 Sorrel King, nationally recognized founder of the Josie King Foundation, will lecture on April 3 at Christiana Hospital in the Women’s and Children’s Services wing, rooms 1926, 1927 and 1932, from 9:30-11 a.m.
n Discuss adverse events that could be
prevented by effective communication between patients, families and providers. Register via the Education Center on the iNet. For information about nursing continuing education contact hours, call Christine Carrico, RN, MSN, CPHQ at 733-4968. vvv
HBOT wound-care pioneer Robert A. Warriner III, M.D. Robert A. Warriner III, M.D., a worldfamous speaker in the field of wound care and hyperbaric medicine, delivers Surgical Grand Rounds on March 25 from 7-8 a.m. at the Ammon Medical Education Center.
Ms. King will present “A Mother’s Journey – Family Centered improvements to Patient Safety” a story based on her personal experience of losing a daughter as a result of medical errors, and what she has done about it. King’s presentation offers valuable insights to help people: n Recognize characteristics of an
effective patient-family partnership. n Facilitate effective communication
among patients and providers.
Pictured Left: Darrell Kirch, M.D.; Above: Sorrel King; Right: Robert A. Warriner III, M.D.
Dr. Warriner is the founder and emeritus medical director of the Southeast Texas Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine at Conroe Regional Medical Center in suburban north Houston, Texas and chief medical officer for Diversified Clinical Services at Woodlands, Texas. His lecture provides current information on the evidence of the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in other disease beyond radiation processes across the disciplines.
oncology, infectious disease, internal medicine, family practice, trauma, emergency medicine, nursing and other disciplines won’t want to missing hearing Dr. Warriner. vvv
Nurses’ research-based poster produces positive change in ICU Two nurses from Wilmington Hospital’s ICU who were concerned about bath basins as a source of infection found a way to share their concerns: the Nurses’ Week Poster Contest. A 2002 survey by the Nursing Research Education Committee found that nurses had a positive attitude toward nursing research, but they were not confident in their ability to properly critique it, which is a fundamental skill necessary for nurses to engage in evidence-based practice. Survey data helped the Nursing Research Education Committee plan appropriate educational programs to close this gap. The program culminates in a voluntary Nurses’ Week Poster Contest with three independent judges. First-prize winners get a membership to the American Nurses Association/ Delaware State Nurses Association.
Specialists in plastic surgery, general surgery, vascular medicine and surgery, orthopedics,
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Education Week at Christiana Care this year promises an impressive roster of programming celebrating education and research. Here’s a look at what this spectacular week has to offer.
Celebration Schedule of Events All events are in the John H. Ammon Medical Education Center unless otherwise indicated. Register through Education Center – under Education Week. All week
Poster Display – Vote for the best poster
Rooms 1-3
How To Build a Highly Efficient Learning Organization | Lunch & Learn Webinar Session – Josh Bersin, CEO, Bersin & Associates. Registration required. Please bring your own lunch. Dessert provided.
Room 14
Monday, March 30 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, March 31 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Educator’s Workshop: Navigating the Learning Curve – Topic: Best Methods to Design Education and Measure Effectiveness. Mike Wagner, Chief Teaching Officer, The Advisory Board. Registration required.
Auditorium
1-2 p.m.
Creating an Educator’s Forum – Social networking, sharing lessons learned across the system. Registration required.
2-3 p.m.
Trends in the Learning Industry – John Ambrose, Senior VP, Strategy, Corporate Development and Emerging Business.
Auditorium
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Education Expo – Various Vendors/Partners Displays & Information.
Cafeteria, Christiana Hospital
1-2 p.m.
Learning Organization Dynamics – A Comparative Look – Dr. Michael Grossman, Coordinator of Nursing Leadership Education. Registration required.
Room 14
5-7:30 p.m.
Exploring Careers in Health Care – Christiana Care, UDel, DT&CC, Delaware State, and more – Educational/career information.
Auditorium
8-9:30 a.m.
Medical Grand Rounds: Can We Believe in Health Care Change?” – Darrel G. Kirch, M.D., President & CEO – AAMC
Auditorium
5-8 p.m.
Education Week Reception – Special recognition event for Nursing and medical, allied health professional and research educators.
Auditorium
Auditorium
Wednesday, April 1
Thursday, April 2
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Second prize is a workshop day at the Annual Research Conference; third prize is an item of Christiana Care recognition clothing. The nurses who created a poster about research related to bath-basin infections plan to conduct a similar study in their own unit, with the intent of reducing infection among the hospital’s ICU patients. The team’s mentor, Dannette Mitchell, was last year’s second-prize winner; she started the unit-based journal club at which the team first questioned the cleanliness of bath basins. vvv
Prevention was key to lowering risk of VTE During 2006, Christiana’s venous thromboembolis (VTE) risk factor assessment was at an unacceptable rate of 2.3 percent, substantially higher than the average national rate of 1.1 percent. As a result, Christiana Care created an interdisciplinary team to educate doctors and nurses about new guidelines designed to improve the hospital system’s percentage. The system-wide effort to reduce the incidence of VTE (which includes deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus) focuses on prevention. Patients having surgery lasting longer than 30 minutes must be assessed for VTE risk; if they meet established criteria, mechanical prophylaxis measures will be applied prior to surgery.
A deep vein thrombosis plan of care will be initiated on surgical patients with a risk factor score of 2 or higher. After surgery, the risk factor assessment will be reviewed and documented every 24 hours. Cross-departmental training has taken place throughout the Christiana and Wilmington hospital campuses and shown positive results. By 2008, the deep vein thrombosis rate was 0.4 percent, while the pulmonary embolus rate was 0 percent. vvv
Continuous Performance Improvement class improves itself The Continuous Performance improvement class at Christiana Care conducted some performance improvement of its own recently. In 2008, a redesigned curriculum reflected the learning needs and feedback of prior class participants, who lead or are members of performance improvement teams. From May 2008 to February 2009, 68 students completed the course. At the end of the threesession program, learners were able to: n Identify improvement opportunities
that will affect patients and/or staff. n Apply the Plan Do Check Act model
of improvement. n Use appropriate tools to gather
and analyze data to measure the effectiveness of solution.
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Build lasting bonds as a nurse mentor Newly hired RNs face a daunting task: Learn a new hospital system and its employees quickly, yet always provide high-quality care to patients. A mentor during this time can be invaluable. Mentoring is a relationship of trust and respect. It consists of ongoing learning and mutual sharing as the mentor takes an active role in the professional development of the learner. Christiana Care is revitalizing and formalizing its RN mentoring program to define the criteria and expectations of mentors and learners. Nurse mentor criteria include having a minimum of one year RN experience at Christiana Care, exhibiting its core values, being flexible and reliable, being a respected team member and a key contributor, and having been a preceptor of students and/or newly hired nurses within the past two years. If you meet these criteria, complete the application found on the Orientation Web site under Nurse Mentors, Mentorship Program RN Application. This application will be forwarded to your staff development specialist and nurse manager endorsement. Fourhour workshops are being planned at both the Christiana and Wilmington campuses; check the Education Center under “Conferences, Seminars, Special Courses” for dates in April, May and June. vvv
n Describe ways to sustain
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Employees go to school at work
a new class of 16 SAW and 23 ECHO students embarked on their own journeys.
Christiana Care’s Career Development program has long helped employees chart their career paths. Yet, until the fall of 2007, service and entry-level employees had no opportunity to take classes that would develop the critical business skills they need to grow.
This spring, Christiana Care is offering a SAW Prep program, an eight-week course to enhance reading skills for those who want to qualify for this fall’s program.
Since then, Catalyst Learning has strengthened the program with a 16-module School at Work (SAW) unit and an eight-module Expanding your Career and Health Care Opportunities (ECHO) unit. In each module, students take advantage of distance and online learning technologies. For two hours, students interact in a classroom with coaches and each other as information is presented via a DVD. For the next two hours, online materials reinforce what has been learned in the classroom and enhance students’ PC skills. Career counselors are available to help students research potential careers and advanced educational needs. At the end of the inaugural 33-week SAW program in 2008, five students graduated – and four of those said they planned to take classes at a local college in the fall. Eleven students graduated from the ECHO program. Last month,
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Parenting education helps families focus on the newborn Parents and expectant parents walking through the doors at Christiana Care are met not just with smiles, but with a full range of educational opportunities designed to ease the transition into parenthood. Parent Education offerings begin well before the baby is delivered and extend far beyond the expectant mother. Early Pregnancy Class helps new moms and families adjust to pregnancy and prepare for parenthood. Expectant parents then can choose from Labor Series, Relaxation and Breathing, Newborn, Breastfeeding, Postpartum and Family and Friends CPR classes, as well as a Spanish Labor series at Westside Health. Adolescent patients take part in daily age-appropriate education.
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Family members can prepare for a newborn with a Sibling or a Grandparents class. In concert with Healthy Beginnings, Parent Education offers individualized classes to patients who are receiving care from the Wilmington OB/Gyn office. After delivery and before they’re discharged, breastfeeding moms can contact Christiana Care for hands-on, bedside help, and parents can take advantage of free car-seat education. After discharge, parents have access to: n A breastfeeding hotline. n Lactation consultations. n Mother-baby classes (age-appropriate
activities and maternal support). n Coping skills consultations.
Christiana Care continues to evaluate this research-based education and plans to include online access for discharged patients.
General News Junior Board sets sight on $1 million for scholarships Medicine Ball takes hiatus, but education commitment goes on This year, the Junior Board of Christiana Care Health System is taking a break from its traditional Medicine Ball. However, nurses and allied health professionals never take a break from their work of caring for others. Christiana Care and DelTech jointly operate six training programs for allied health professionals, including Nuclear Medicine Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography,
That’s why the Junior Board is transforming the ball into a special “Non-Event” this year in its ongoing effort to raise money to provide scholarships and continuing education for nursing and allied health professionals at Christiana Care.
Histotechnology, Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology and Respiratory Care Technology. In 2008, 73 students graduated from the programs.
Aiming for $1 million mark “The Medicine Balls have raised a record amount of money,” says Anne McCarren, vice president of external affairs and public relations.
“To date, we’ve raised $949,635 and we’re working really hard to get over that $1 million mark.” Despite the economic downturn, the board is committed to providing scholarships. Eliminating the cost of the event will maximize each donor’s gift. “Regardless of how big or small a donation, it is truly appreciated,” McCarren says. “Every dollar counts.” Helping those who help our neighbors “The scholarship program is a great example of the way Christiana Care is knit into the fabric of the community,” says Sean Ellsworth, director, recruiting c o nt inue d o n n e x t p a ge
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UPCOMING EVENTS Christiana Care and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) present “Power To End Stroke,” a lunch and learn session, on Tuesday, April 14 at 11:30 a.m. in the Ammon Center Auditorium, also telecast to the Wilmington Hospital Conference Center. Attendees learn how to become Stroke Ambassadors in their community. Presenters include Timothy J. Gardner, M.D., president of the American Heart Association and the medical director of the Christiana Care Center for Heart and Vascular Health, plus members of the AHA/ASA leadership team. Registration is requested and is available on the Education Center. Lunch will be provided. A free comprehensive weight-loss surgery seminar takes place monthly at the John H. Ammon Medical Education Center. Participants can meet a bariatric surgeon and members of Christiana Care’s Weight Management Center staff to have questions answered and learn more about the Weight Management Program. Next seminars are: n Tuesday, n Tuesday,
March 17, 6:30-8 p.m. April 21, 6:30-8 p.m.
Contact the Weight Management Center at 302-661-3475. League play for the Christiana Care-sponsored coed soccer team starts March 24. This is a coed soccer league. Men 30 and older and women 18 and older are invited to join. Games are once a week in the evening at Banning Park. Contact Tep Kang at tkang@christianacare.org or 733-6333. Social Work Department-sponsored vendor fair featuring representatives from transportation companies and medical equipment companies, hospices, home health care and private duty caregiver agencies, nursing and assisted living facilities will be there to provide information and answer questions at Wilmington Hospital Conference Center, noon-2 p.m., March 20 and March 25. Contact Debbie Kling at 428-2149 for Wilmington Hospital. The Ninth Annual Think First 5K-Run/Walk to support Christiana Care Trauma Program injury prevention efforts will be April 16 at 6:30 p.m. The race starts and finishes near the Emergency Department on Christiana Hospital campus. Register online in advance at www.races2run.com on race day starting at 5:40 p.m. The 13th Annual Diabetes Update, at the John H. Ammon Medical Education Center, is Saturday, May 2, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. This is a full day of educational activity for health care professionals, providing an update on the management of diabetes. The advance registration fee is $70 ($35 for students; residents registered in advance attend free). Tickets at the door are $90, $50 for students. Please make checks payable to Christiana Care and mail to Cheryl Klecko, Physician Relations, Christiana Hospital, Suite 2177, 4755 Ogletown-Stanton Road, Newark, DE 19718. For information, call 302-733-1961 or e-mail cklecko@christianacare.org. An Evening in Monte Carlo, a fundraiser for the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, will be Friday, May 15, 7 p.m. to midnight at Longwood Gardens. The event supports acquisition of an FACS cell sorter in the Center for Translational Research opening in the new building this spring. The sorter helps isolate malignant cells from colon, breast, lung, prostate and other cancers. For information, call 302-337-3209 or e-mail jgoldston@christianacare.org.
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services, Human Resources. “The Junior Board is assisting people who want to help their neighbors.” When Patty Buckley, RN, was studying nursing at DelTech, two of her three children also were in college, including her daughter Danielle, a nursing student at the University of Delaware. To make ends meet, Buckley worked a job while going to school and taking care of her family. She says the scholarship enabled her to devote her full attention to her clinical studies and graduate in 2008 – the same year as her daughter. “Today, we are both very happy with our positions at Christiana,” she says. “I am forever grateful for the scholarship that made a tough road a lot easier.” Financial support lessens worries Michelle Ness, RN, says the scholarship provided her with both financial resources and the guarantee of a job when she graduated from Cecil Community College. “I didn’t need to worry about my education becoming an economic drain on my family budget,” she says. “To go through school with the confidence of knowing that I would have a position at the end gave me peace of mind and the freedom to concentrate on the tasks at hand.”
Employee Handbook update covers social media networking At times, Christiana Care employees may be interested in participating in Internet conversations through such media as social networking or blogging. Reviewing the Standards of Conduct, Communications Section of the employee handbook will help you understand how Christiana Care policies apply to these newer technologies for communication, so you can participate
with confidence on social media platforms. Find the policy on the portal, http://hr/quicklinks/ StandardsofConduct.asp. In short, remember to conduct all of your personal affairs, including blogging or social networking, in a manner that does not negatively reflect on Christiana Care. Questions or clarification regarding this policy are to be directed to Employee Relations at 733-1121.
Breast Center swings on a star with gift Swingin’ With a Star Executive Committee members recently presented Emily Penman, M.D. (center), medical director, Breast Center, with a generous gift of $35,000 for the Breast Center Special Needs Fund. Attending the presentation were (from left) Ells Edward, Betsy Rawls, Janet Davis and Carolyn Burger, all from Swingin with a Star, and Darcy Burbage, RN, MSN, AOCN, clinical nurse specialist and Kim Strickler, administrative assistant, of the Breast Center.
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Preschoolers learn to feel secure in a dental office Preschool children from Wilmington Friends School visited the outpatient dental clinic at Wilmington Hospital Health Center March 6 to learn about dental health and hygiene. According to Mrs. Laskowski, since their fieldtrip ended the children have been having great fun “playing dentist� at school. (Above, from left, top row) Wilmington Friends preschool Teacher Kathy Laskowski (wife of Christiana Care President and CEO Bob Laskowski, M.D.), Ed Granite, D.M.D., chair of the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery & Hospital Dentistry, and Associate Teacher Tracy McMillan. (Below) Dental Assistant Kelly A. Kidd introduces two happy little girls to their new toothbrushes.
External Affairs P.O. Box 1668 Wilmington, DE 19899 www.christianacare.org
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