A Day in the Life of Philanthropy
Published 2014
Affiliate of Mohawk Valley Health System
(Left to right) F. Eugene Romano and Albert Mazloom look through the new CT Scanner they were instrumental in purchasing for the Radiation Oncology Department in The Regional Cancer Center at FSLH.
Dear Friends, Philanthropy makes a difference each and every day at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare (FSLH). You see it in new renovations throughout the hospital and in the state of the art equipment our medical team relies on to provide excellent care. It’s part of our conversations and plans about growth and the future of healthcare in our community. a tremendous opportunity to build upon an already solid foundation of healthcare in our area. This affiliation is a significant and important step for our community and helps to ensure our continued success of providing for the families of the Mohawk Valley well into the future. Changes in healthcare happen every day. As with any change, we depend on outstanding leadership, which helps us provide exceptional care. From the MVHS and FSLH Foundation Boards of Directors, to our medical staff and hospital administration, we are grateful we have such wonderful stewards of our organization. Thanks to their support, insight and commitment, the FSLH Foundation is ready and eager to meet our community’s future needs. We hope you will enjoy reading this publication. It’s a reminder of how critical and instrumental your support is to our organization. Thank you for your generosity today and every day!
Sincerely,
Scott H. Perra, FACHE President/CEO Mohawk Valley Health System
Luke Lewis President Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors
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As you read through our publication, you will see that 2013 was a phenomenal year for our Foundation. We were able to accomplish a great deal and make a big impact. We’d like to thank you for your continued support for our healthcare system. We understand the loyalty that patients, residents and families have for their hospital of choice. Your gifts will continue to support the hospital or service you designate. Your partnership is very important to us and helps create an exceptional, high-quality system for our region. We officially announced that FSLH and St. Elizabeth Medical Center affiliated under the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS). MVHS is governed by a single board of directors and operates under a single management team. The affiliation is important because it’s a challenging time for healthcare with less reimbursement and more demands placed on our hospital. However, it’s also an exciting time that provides
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Steve, Carrie, Audrey and Jack McMurray with the rocker they donated to the Nursery.
Bringing
Peace of Mind to New Parents:
Our Parenting Rooms A DAY I N T H E L I F E O F P H I L A N T H R O P Y
“Everything was going okay,” Steve McMurray says about the birth of his daughter, Audrey, by emergency cesarean at FSLH a week before she was due. Then, Audrey gave her first cry and “something sounded a little off.” Neonatologist Dr. Mapatunage Siriwardena pulled Steve aside. “He said, ‘we have a problem,’” Steve says. “It was like a huge punch in the stomach.”
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Lenore and Joe Steet admire one of the renovated parenting rooms they helped fund. Audrey had a pneumothorax. Carrie, Audrey’s mom, explains it like this: “When the baby is ready to be born, they secrete fluid from their lungs so that they can get ready to breathe air, and because she was taken out quickly, she didn’t secrete what she needed to secrete, so her right lung collapsed.” Sometimes babies can fix the problem on their
own or sometimes a tube needs to be inserted to help them breathe. Either way, Audrey would need to stay in the hospital longer than most newborns. “And like every mother,” Carrie says, “I wasn’t leaving without my baby.” Over the next 24 hours, Audrey was able to fix the pneumothorax herself, but she remained in the hospital for observation because she developed jaundice. Thanks to the availability of parenting rooms at the Nursery, Carrie was able to stay with her.
The two parenting rooms are next to the Level II Special Care Nursery in The Birthplace at FSLH. One allows parents to stay overnight with their newborns who may need to remain at the Nursery for an extended period of time because of jaundice, blood sugar or other issues. It is also used as a teaching room in which adoptive parents can spend their first nights with their newborn baby. The second room is a day room used for breastfeeding moms, for lactation coaching or as a private area for families, away from the everyday bustle of the hospital. “The rooms give parents peace of mind because most don’t want to leave their babies,” says Julie Wells, MSN, RN, nurse manager for Maternal Child Services. “And so at least they can have the option of staying here.” Thanks to the recent generosity of the Steet and McCarthy families, the two rooms are newly renovated. Both rooms now look less like hospital rooms and more like rooms one would find in a family home or hotel. When Joe Steet — who’s been involved with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at FSLH from its very beginning — heard about the need to update the rooms, he felt it was a perfect philanthropic fit. His daughter was born premature and he and his wife spent a large amount of time in a Syracuse hospital waiting for her to come home. “I had a sister who lived in Syracuse at the time so it was easy for us to stay with her,” he says. “But what about the people who don’t have a sister living in Utica and they’re coming from wherever?” He and his wife noticed many parents from different areas doing long stays while they were in Syracuse, “and we felt for them. We didn’t have any issues or other problems … but other people weren’t as lucky and I thought, I would like to be able to help them.”
Midge McCarthy (left) and Mary Malone McCarthy are pictured by the bed they donated to one of the parenting rooms.
They were right there with us. They made an immediate connection and they wanted to help.” Carrie and Steve finally got to bring baby Audrey home, healthy and happy, to meet her big brother, Jack, after nearly a week at FSLH. The parenting rooms, Carrie says, played a huge role in not only Audrey’s recovery, but her own. “You’re trying so hard to get well yourself and sometimes, being in a hospital, that’s hard to do because you’re reminded of why you’re there,
especially for the baby … So the fact that you can almost escape and be somewhat normal is really important…” “Those two rooms are certainly worth their weight in gold,” Steve agrees. “If you’re staying in a parenting room it’s usually because something didn’t go according to plan … So much of it is out of your control, at least that part is in your control. The rooms help you feel just a little bit better about it all.”
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For Mary Malone McCarthy, a FSLH Foundation board member, helping to refurbish the rooms was a perfect match with her family’s values and a fitting way to honor her father’s legacy of commitment to supporting his community. McCarthy’s father passed away two years ago, shortly before moving into a new home. Unable to use the newly purchased furniture, McCarthy donated some pieces for the parenting rooms. “My father was always right there with us during the arrival of our children,” she says. “So he had a lot of special memories from that time and I know he would be thrilled that he did something to help another family, whether they’re caring for a child who’s not quite ready to go home or for a family that’s about to adopt a child. I think that he would be very, very touched to know that his gifts will have an impact for many years to come.” That impact, says FSLH Foundation Executive Director Eileen Pronobis, CFRE, will be felt by all who pass through the Nursery. “We listen to the needs of the clinical staff — they’re the voice of patients for us. And updating the parenting rooms was a very clear need that we heard.” Pronobis and her staff then brought that need to the McCarthys and the Steets. “They’re moms and dads. And as we told the story, each one of them could visualize what it would mean to them if this type of room were available if their child or grandchild needed it.
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Gary and Lisa Philipson at Herb Philipson’s in the New Hartford Shopping Center.
A Grateful Patient Pays It Forward A DAY I N T H E L I F E O F P H I L A N T H R O P Y
Gary Philipson is a grateful patient. His story and the people at FSLH who influenced it have inspired him and his family to pay it forward and make a difference in the lives of future patients.
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His unlikely journey began in December 2012, Gary had what he thought was a touch of the flu. The fit-and-trim Gary was in his mid-50s, had stable blood pressure and the low cholesterol numbers befitting a man who has spent a lifetime enjoying the great outdoors. “I thought I was just sick,” said Gary. “Everyone kept telling me there was a flu bug going around that caused this bad headache, so that’s what I assumed was wrong.” In early January, a normal workday not unlike any other, he was sitting at his desk when, as he tells it, “I felt like someone had drawn a line down the center of my body.” Suddenly, he went limp, collapsing onto the floor of his office. He had just suffered a stroke that leveled a devastating blow to the right side of his body. He was rushed to FSLH, the area’s only designated Primary Stroke Center, where he was immediately assessed by the Emergency Department staff. Once all “stroke alert” team members completed their evaluations, the team decided to treat Gary with tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), the most effective treatment available to the nearly 800 stroke patients FSLH treats each year. To be effective, patients must receive t-PA within three hours of a stroke and FSLH’s goal is to administer it within one hour from the time a patient pulls up to the hospital. Gary had it in 31 minutes — a hospital record. The quick action of the many exceptional staff Gary encountered in the Emergency Department was a big first step toward recovery, but Gary still had a long way to go. Little did he know at the time how many Caring Hearts he would encounter during his time at FSLH. He spent the next five days in the Critical Care Unit then moved to AC 3, FSLH’s Stroke Unit, under the care of Scott Brehaut, MD, medical director of the Stroke Program at FSLH.
Once he was well enough to leave AC 3, he entered the Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit unable to lift his right leg, move his fingers or raise his right arm. He couldn’t walk or even swallow. The simplest tasks — snapping a finger or giving thumbs up — were now virtually impossible to perform. “A good friend told us that my best chance for recovery would not be a rehab facility in a large city but at a local rehab center in my own community. Why? Because of the personal care and commitment that local hospitals offer … and the critical support of your family and friends, who could come by and say ‘hello’ and offer encouragement on a regular basis.” This constant encouragement, coupled with FSLH’s dedicated staff, kept Gary mentally focused on the big-picture: returning to his life. Within three weeks, Gary was finally able to manage his activities of daily living by himself with little assistance from his wife, Lisa. Physically, he began walking without a walker, even climbing 10 stairs. This rapid improvement underscores the commitment and quality of Gary’s care. Occupational Therapist Coral Hunt was particularly influential. “Coral was excellent, really excellent,” said Gary, recalling his time spent under her care. “She had a great demeanor. I felt like she and all of the other therapists put forth 110 percent every time they worked with me.” “The staff at Faxton St. Luke’s were wonderful,” recalls Lisa. “They attended to his needs, made him comfortable and most importantly, made Gary feel like a person not just a patient.” Eight weeks after enduring a life-altering stroke that robbed him of his ability to walk, talk and even eat, Gary walked down the “red carpet” to the applause of his therapists, “graduating” from
Kristine McIlwain, PT, DPT, instructs Gary Philipson on walking techniques and balance strategies to return to home safely.
to celebrate the great care they received and make a difference for future patients. It also allows them to share their amazing stories and we’re most proud of that.” And Gary’s story is as remarkable as it is humbling. “Prior to this experience our family’s only connection to Faxton St. Luke’s had been the maternity ward, where Lisa delivered our three children,” Gary recalls. “But during an eight month period I was a patient in the emergency room, in the critical care unit, on the stroke floor, in the inpatient rehabilitation unit and finally back as a patient in the outpatient rehabilitation unit. During that time I experienced nothing but the best of care, comfort and compassion from everyone I met. I know that without the support of my doctors, nurses and therapists, not to mention my wonderful family, I would not be walking, able to take a sip of water or speak in front of a group. I would not be able to thank everyone and pay it forward.” Gary says he is lucky to be here today. “As I continue on my journey to 100 percent recovery, I am a grateful patient and we are a grateful family. I’m just a regular guy who had something bad happen to him. Luckily, I was in the right place at the right time when it happened … it’s the support of the doctors, therapists and nurses at FSLH that’s inspirational,” he says.
“People give back for a number of reasons. We wanted to (Photo Caption) Dara lesope cido decira pib naye ilen rut nudo pemer, nireler gepen lie sogoto esi ce ona. Ti ya show ouresiappreciation those who cared for me by norina si ilutes yeh sarelo bienira, imiev lineri emeyire. ‘paying it forward’ to help others.” — Gary Philipson
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the Inpatient Rehabilitation Program. His inpatient rehab experience had been so positive, Gary returned to FSLH’s Regional Rehabilitation Center to continue in the Outpatient Rehabilitation Program. A bond had been formed between Gary, his family and the staff, and in the months following his discharge, the family returned to visit those who were so instrumental in his recovery. They were inspired to find a way to honor these truly outstanding caregivers. “People give back for a number of reasons,” said Gary. “Some feel passionate about a cause or have a loved one that has been affected by a particular disease. We wanted to show our appreciation to those who cared for me by ‘paying it forward’ to help others.” The Philipsons chose to give back through the Caring Heart Program, creating a fund to enable the staff to identify and enhance the capabilities of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Center’s gym for future patients. “We often hear stories like Gary’s,” said Eileen Pronobis, CFRE, executive director of the FSLH Foundation. “Patients and families want to acknowledge the individuals who really made a difference in their recovery. The Caring Heart Program gives our community the opportunity
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Albert Mazloom (left) and F. Eugene Romano stand in front of the new CT Scanner they were instrumental in purchasing for the Radiation Oncology Department in The Regional Cancer Center at FSLH.
Our Community:
A Story of Technology, Generosity and Hope
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F. Eugene Romano, founder of Pacemaker Steel, has a strong science background. He was once a pre-med major at Hamilton College, later changing to business. “I loved any kind of biology,� he said. So when representatives from FSLH approached him about helping to support the purchase of a new, high-tech computed tomography (CT) scanner for the Radiation Oncology Department, he quickly grasped what the technology could do and how it could make a difference in the way cancer was being treated.
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He understood long before, however, how cancer affects families. “The first one was my mother,” he said. “She was born in 1902 and died in 1959. Breast cancer.” He paused. “I only had one sibling in my life, my sister. She was born in 1930. Died in 1989. She had lung cancer.” He paused again. “And then my wife, Jeanne, born in 1927, died in 1994. And she died of lung cancer.” Romano knows, unfortunately, that his story isn’t unique. “I don’t know of a family anywhere in the United States and possibly the world that isn’t touched by cancer. I feel that it’s a privilege to be asked to get involved with trying to help the situation.”
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An Essential Technology
In 2013, the Radiation Oncology Department provided 10,421 radiation treatments to patients in our community. Those treatments, as well as the diagnosis of some cancers, are made with the help of a CT scanner. And although FSLH has always remained at the forefront of technology when it comes to radiation oncology equipment, that technology was evolving yet again. Paul Abbass, RT(T), MS, CMD, DABR, chief medical physicist/radiation safety officer, and Gilbert Lawrence, MD, radiation oncologist, were eager to stay one step ahead. “Essentially, the CT scan gives us the ability to look inside the body,” Dr. Lawrence explained. “The best example is like taking a loaf of bread and slicing it up and when you look at the slices, you can know what is going on inside the bread.” Everything is customized to each individual patient. A new CT scanner would allow doctors to see pictures of the human body “sliced” to one-eighth of an inch, a much smaller margin that allows doctors to spare more healthy tissue when planning treatment. The scanning could be done much more quickly.
(Left to right) Paul Abbass, RT(T), MS, CMD, DABR, chief medical physicist, Albert Mazloom, F. Eugene Romano and Gilbert Lawrence, MD, radiation oncologist.
And the new scanner could map out any tumor movement — a critical advantage during treatment, since a tumor can move one to two centimeters at any given moment simply by a patient breathing. “I don’t want to give the impression that we haven’t been treating people correctly. All we’ve had to do in the past is build in a little bit bigger margin,” Abbass said. But now that more people are being successfully treated for cancer and living longer, higher precision is essential and possible. “That’s why the newest version of the CT becomes so critical — because having this advanced imaging technology gives us the sub-millimeter accuracy that makes our treatment … more accurate, decreasing the doses of radiation that are going to healthy organs around the tumor.” The need for the new CT scanner was evident. The price tag for the CT scanner and room renovation, though, was steep: $615,000.
The Power of Community
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Abbass and Lawrence introduced the need for the scanner to Eileen Pronobis, CFRE, executive director of the FSLH Foundation. “Our role is to be the catalyst,” Pronobis said. “We bring people together. We’re the behind-the-scenes folks.” She would work with Abbass and Lawrence to fund the project. Fundraising began with the Stomp Out Cancer Telethon, which took place in the newly renovated Cancer Center lobby. Sam Berardino, financial advisor for Morgan Stanley and Foundation board member, became the Foundation champion after hearing the presentation at a board meeting. “Faxton St. Luke’s has always been important to me, my family and the community,” Berardino said. He has a history with the hospital.
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He had recently been a patient there due to a bad skiing accident, his father was a cancer patient 22 years ago, his mother was a resident at St. Luke’s Home and his brother is a pharmacist at the St. Luke’s campus. He agreed to be a champion for the CT scanner project. Meanwhile, Romano said he heard about the project from his friend Albert Mazloom, a man he says is unmatched in generosity. “I’ve never seen a guy work harder at raising money,” he said. Romano was immediately interested. “My father told me right up until his deathbed, ‘we have a lot to be thankful for; be generous,’” he said. “I’ve tried to do that.” Berardino hosted a dinner at his home to introduce and educate interested donors about the CT scanner. He, Abbass and Lawrence spoke passionately about the need. Potential donors asked questions. The conversation went on so eagerly and for so long, they almost forgot about dinner. “That night, to be a part of it all,” Abbass said, shaking his head, “it was probably one of the most visionary evenings I had been a part of in my years with FSLH.” The dinner ended with each person making a commitment; Romano went on to become a significant donor for the Radiation Oncology Department. Together with the gifts from the Stomp Out Cancer Telethon, the CT scanner project was fully funded.
The Impact
The Radiation Oncology Department began using the new CT scanner in early 2014. “It brings us to the forefront of the field … it’s at the cutting edge of what’s going on in the field of radiation therapy,” Abbass said. Dr. Lawrence is pleased with the scanner’s performance. “Things are more well-defined, the slices are thinner, the scan is done at a much more rapid speed, which means if a patient is uncomfortable or in pain, the whole process takes a shorter amount of time. All of that makes us feel really good.” People, he said, are receiving the best radiation oncology care right here at home. Romano wants the impact of the new equipment to reach even beyond treatment. He supported the project not just to help provide the best healthcare to the community, but to also provide hope — that by showing that he believes in technology’s ability to treat, and eventually cure, cancer, that others may dare to believe, too. “I think this will make people confident that something can be done,” he said. “Patients will be more confident that they can be cured or they can live another decade or two. I hope it will give them hope and a somewhat cheerier outlook on their future. I also hope it bolsters their courage and the feeling that they’re in good hands and that God will be with them.”
Paul Abbass, RT(T), MS, CMD, DABR, chief medical physicist/radiation safety officer.
“That’s why the newest version of the CT becomes so critical — because having this advanced imaging technology gives us the sub-millimeter accuracy that makes our treatment … more accurate, decreasing the doses of radiation that are going to healthy organs around the tumor.” — Paul Abbass, RT(T), MS, CMD, DABR, chief medical physicist/radiation safety officer
St. Luke’s Home Residents Learn “It’s Never 2 Late”
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For residents at St. Luke’s Home, flying to Hawaii or playing in an orchestra are both possible with just a tap of the screen thanks to the It’s Never 2 Late adaptive computer system. It’s Never 2 Late incorporates a mobile 70” monitor with full television functionality and a state of the art touchscreen interface. A mini-computer with the It’s Never 2 Late interface delivers residentcentered experiences designed to engage users with interactive games, puzzles, health and wellness tools, music, films and lifelong learning opportunities. The technology supports physical, occupational and speech therapy efforts by promoting cognitive stimulation and physical engagement among residents. The first time Ginger Oliver, PT, DPT, saw the system in action, she knew it had the potential to support resident care and activity to an unprecedented degree. The physical and occupational therapy manager at the Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services brought the vendor to St. Luke’s Home for a demonstration and the staff immediately fell in love with the computer system. The timing was perfect — planning for
the annual St. Luke’s Home Wine Tasting and Auction had just begun and the event committee was inspired to help purchase this unique interactive technology. “The passion the St. Luke’s Home team had for this project was contagious,” said Eileen Pronobis, CFRE, executive director of the FSLH Foundation. “The planning committee could easily see how this would benefit residents’ rehabilitation, but more importantly how it would add an exciting new dynamic to their quality of life.” Julie Giangolini was quick to recognize how the new software would benefit her brother, Tony DeSantis, a resident at St. Luke’s Home who had suffered a severe brain injury. She eagerly pledged her family’s support to help make the program a reality for Tony and the other residents at St. Luke’s Home. “Julie was so excited about It’s Never 2 Late,” recalls Oliver. “She wanted to give back
in honor of the care we provide Tony and do something that would bring joy to all of our residents.” It didn’t take long for Tony and the other residents to embrace It’s Never 2 Late and the exciting opportunities it offers. For Tony, who had worked with US Airways, he was able to return to the open skies using a flight simulator and joystick controls. Another resident was able to walk through the streets of his hometown and see the home he grew up in using Google Earth. Whether it’s flying oversees or just playing a game of solitaire, It’s Never 2 Late is designed to promote residents’ therapeutic goals. “We had a resident who had difficulty standing for long periods of time,” said Oliver. “She enjoyed playing solitaire so we encouraged her to stand while she played on the large screen. She was so engaged that 20 minutes had passed before she realized the time, helping to improve her balance and increase her tolerance for standing.”
Eric Kahl, PT, DPT, a physical therapist at St. Luke’s Home, and resident Gladys Spencer using the It’s Never 2 Late system.
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Rebecca A. Deeley, MD, a neonatologist in the Level II Special Care Nursery, looks in on Kyzyere Harvey.
Women’s Giving Circle A DAY I N T H E L I F E O F P H I L A N T H R O P Y
The FSLH Women’s Giving Circle (WGC) is a powerful group of committed community members, armed with the desire to make a difference. This impactful group was established in 2013 by Mary Malone McCarthy, founder and CEO of M3 Placement and Partnership in New Hartford, New York, and Eileen Pronobis, CFRE, executive director of the FSLH Foundation.
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While a patient in the Level II Special Care Nursery, Kyzyere Harvey spent more than two weeks in the incubator donated by the WGC. Its mission is to impact the community by creating a substantial pool of funds to effectively invest in projects and unique services that will build and strengthen the care provided at FSLH. “I read about Women’s Giving Circles in other communities and thought it would be a terrific program to introduce to our community
for FSLH,” says McCarthy. “Our members reflect the diversity of our community and represent the grateful patients, residents, physicians, hospital staff and friends of FSLH, including business and community partners. We want our collective membership to make a sustainable impact on health care at FSLH, with members playing an active role in helping to determine where contributions will have the most positive impact.” In the WGC’s inaugural year, the group decided to purchase an infant incubator for The Birthplace. The Birthplace offers the area’s only
Level II Special Care Nursery where smaller and sicker babies receive treatment close to home and their families. The incubator provides the latest technology to take care of newborns. It offers many benefits over its older counterparts including an easy-to-see, multi-functional, color display and admittance panels on both sides which enable the clinician to operate the incubator from either side. The incubator also provides a space for the infant that is 10 times quieter than previous incubators helping to reduce stress on the baby.
Women’s Giving Circle Members (June 2014) Krista Babinec Paula Balch Diane Baldwin Esther Bankert, PhD Dawn Bard, MD Cynthia C. Brandreth Susan Callahan Jolene Casatelli Cathy Clarke Joan W. Compson Jodie Decosty Amelia R. DeMetri Alicia DeTraglia, MD Melissa Drejza Jennifer Edmunds Mary McLean Evans Bonnie Fenner Cara Fenstemacher Carol J. Fox Ann Gale
Kim George Elizabeth Gilroy Karen B. Griffith, DO Jane M. Gwise Suzanne P. Harrington Judy Hummel Michele Hummel Michelle Johnston, MD Blair N. Jones Carol Jubenville Camille T. Kahler, Esq. Theresa Kalil-Lennon Mary Kaye Gillian M. King Kathy Kline Marcia Knapp Tatyana Knight Martha Kodsy Patricia Lane, MD Constance Leist
Linda Leogrande Lisa M. Lester, DDS Pascale A. Lewis Merritt S. Locke, Esq. Ann Lowery Carol Mandour Susan Matt Kristen Matteson Christine S. McCarthy Mary Malone McCarthy Ursula McCarthy Cynthia McLean Mary McReynolds Pamela Meehan Barbara Meelan Anne Milograno Cathy M. Newell Kristy Nole Janice Owens Kelly Parsons
Kathleen Perra Bunny Putnam Linda E. Romano, Esq. Tracy Rueckert Regina Rybka-Lagattuta Deanna Sammon Karen Sammon Christine Savicki Mary Sexton-Combs Nancy Ann Shaheen, MD Carla M. Shepherd Barbara Sumner Elizabeth Tantillo Dawn W. Timm Eve M. Van De Wal Maureen Walsh, DVM Janet Wilson Marolyn P. Wilson Cynthia Shaw Wirene
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead
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These state of the art functions and features promote better care and healing for the newborn. “The incubator greatly enhances our ability to take care of babies born in The Birthplace who require greater medical attention following their birth,” said Rebecca A. Deeley, MD, neonatologist in the Level II Special Care Nursery. “We are so grateful to the Women’s Giving Circle for this donation and for their continued efforts to enhance patient care as well as the quality of life in our community.” Throughout the year, WGC members receive information on potential projects, vote on the project they believe the group should invest in and then celebrate the success and impact the project has on the patients, residents and staff at FSLH. The group meets three times a year — in the spring, fall and winter. Getting everyone together helps keep the momentum going. “Our goals are simple,” notes McCarthy. “We want to grow our membership and continue to make a difference in our community and for the patients and residents of FSLH. The possibilities of what this great group of women can do are endless!” Membership in the WGC is open throughout the year. Women looking to give back to their community while having a say in where their donations are used are encouraged to join. “It’s an incredible group of women from all walks of life,” states McCarthy. “We learn about the needs of the hospital, strategize on how best to invest our dollars and have a lot of fun throughout the process. These women care deeply about helping others. We welcome everyone to join us and be a part of giving back to our community.” For more information on how you can join the WGC, contact Michele Adams, annual giving director for the FSLH Foundation, at 315.624.5606 or madams@mvnhealth.com.
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Home Away From Home
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As the sun begins to fade and shadows start to grow on the St. Luke’s Campus of FSLH, many people head home to unwind from a busy day. For some physicians, though, their workday is not over. As evening sets in, they head to the Medical Staff Lounge to get caught up on the paperwork and patient care duties that have been adding up throughout the day. Through NBT Bank’s philanthropy, our medical staff is able to complete their work in a newly renovated lounge. “When we heard that Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s Medical Staff Lounge was in need of renovations, we welcomed the opportunity to support this project,” said John Buffa, regional president for NBT Bank. “Although the lounge is a space that most employees, patients and visitors at the campus may never see, we were honored to play a part in creating a warm, inviting atmosphere for our area physicians who play such a vital role in keeping our community healthy. It was a small way for us to show our appreciation for all they do on a daily basis.” Located in the main corridor at the St. Luke’s campus, the Medical Staff Lounge is
frequently visited by the more than 450 physicians who work at the campus. Whether they need to access their mail, use a computer to research a disease or treatment, rest in between surgeries, grab a cup of coffee or meet with fellow doctors, the lounge is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and offers a moment of respite to those who have dedicated their lives to caring for our patients. “It was important that a team of doctors were involved in the renovation planning so the changes made would meet their needs,” said John Sperling, MD, president of the medical staff for FSLH. “Doctors have hectic schedules and work at all times of the day and night. It is nice to be able to offer them a comfortable area to catch up on work and maybe even put their feet up for a minute or two before moving on to their next case.” Renovations to the Medical Staff Lounge included new hardwood floors; comfortable, modern furniture; an updated work area;
a new television; soothing artwork; soft table lighting; and a renovated kitchen area. “In keeping with the mission of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare, we continually strive to identify and meet the needs of the communities we serve,” said Michael Trevisani, MD, MBA, CPE, FASCRS, FACHE, vice president/chief medical officer for FSLH. “We are very grateful to NBT Bank for making a generous donation that improves amenities for our physicians. Healthcare organizations throughout the nation are dealing with tough financial times so we are fortunate that we were able to make these renovations to show our appreciation for those that care for our community.” As dusk settles in and the moon lights the evening sky, the soft murmur of the late night news and the aroma of a fresh pot of coffee drift under the doorway from the Medical Staff Lounge. Our medical team is still busy caring for those who need them most and the day is made a little easier thanks to NBT Bank.
Tracey Hansel, MD, Andrew Faber, MD, and Goutham Malempati, MD, enjoy the updated Medical Staff Lounge. (Lower left) NBT Bank representatives and members of the FSLH Medical Staff cut the ribbon to the renovated Medical Staff Lounge. Pictured left to right: Richard Callahan, NBT Bank; John Sperling, MD; Scott H. Perra, FACHE, president/CEO of MVHS; Michael Wade, NBT Bank; John Buffa, NBT Bank; Lingappa S. Amernath, MD; Waleed Albert, MD; Gilbert Lawrence, MD; and Kenneth David Ortega, DO.
A Business Partnership FSLH Foundation’s Business Partnership Program builds philanthropic partnerships with local corporations and foundations. This partnership allows FSLH to grow and enhance programs and services, and is a great way to let your customers and employees know that your business seeks to help improve the quality of health care in our community. Each year more than 25 organizations participate in the FSLH Business Partnership Program. The Foundation receives financial commitments we know we can count on and donors can participate in annual Foundation programs and events. Our Foundation team can help design a program that meets your philanthropic and marketing goals, while providing your business with recognition and visibility. “At GPO Federal Credit Union, we recognize the impact that Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare has on our community, offering quality care to our employees and our loved ones, and providing employment to our friends and neighbors. GPO has and will continue to be a proud Foundation business partner, as well as a proud financial partner to FSLH employees. Both GPO and FSLH live by the core philosophy of ‘people helping people,’ so just as FSLH is there for us in our time of need, we’re happy to be there to support them … whether it be helping at the Foundation Golf Open, funding the remodel of a waiting room or serving hospital
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staff from our on-site branch and ATMs, GPO will continue to support FSLH for years to come.”
Nicholas Mayhew President/CEO GPO Federal Credit Union
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Nicholas Mayhew, president/CEO, with the GPO Federal Credit Union Team.
1676 Sunset Avenue Utica, NY 13502
315.624.5600 | www.faxtonstlukes.com/foundation