A Com pass i onate Team Ap p r oach to Cance r Care PAGE 14
SPRING 2013
Aspiring
Leaders Program Developing future leaders for the continued success of FSLH PAGE 4
Hospitals Pursue Affiliation Agreement PAGE 13
Cente Rehab r for and C ilitation on Care S tinuing Open ervices s at FS LH PAGE 11
A Message From the CEO
Vice President of Communications and Marketing
To be recognized nationally for our
Debra Altdoerffer Communications Specialists
Aspiring Leaders Program is a tribute to
Erin Gigliotti Caitlin McCann
our entire organization.
Graphic Designer
Justin Palmer Webmaster
Stephanie Barone Web Content Specialist
Jacquie Klotzbach
As you will read in this edition of Healthcare Happenings, it’s a team effort. The talented and committed individuals who graduate from the program are the future of healthcare and they inspire us. Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare is proud of our certification in the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System Standard. This certification is recognized by businesses around the world as a benchmark for continual quality improvement. The designation enhances our goals of safety and quality ensuring that we have the right processes in place to provide the best possible care for our patients and their family. In this issue we also provide an update on our work with St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Our Board of Directors signed a Memorandum of Understanding to pursue an affiliation agreement and our organizations are now working through the legal and financial due diligence. Earlier this year we celebrated the opening of our new Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services. This new complex provides a tremendous advantage to our patients and our community as we can more easily coordinate and personalize the care of our patients who are in the hospital and need additional support when they go home. And you will read the extraordinary patient letter from Laura Ruberto. She has allowed us to share with you her incredible journey. She’s a brave, young woman and her experience demonstrates the compassion and dedication that our employees and medical staff provide every day. The letter reinforces what we say at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare, “It’s the people. It’s the care.”
Healthcare Happenings is a publication of the Communications and Marketing Department of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare. This publication is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. It has not been designed to replace a physician’s medical assessment and medical judgment. Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your health. Send correspondence regarding address changes to: Communications and Marketing Department Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare 1676 Sunset Avenue Utica, NY 13502-5475 If you do not wish to receive this publication or have questions, please contact Debra Altdoerffer at 315.624.5716 or e-mail at daltdoer@mvnhealth.com. Check us out at www.faxtonstlukes.com
Our Mission: To provide the highest quality health care in our region.
Scott H. Perra, FACHE President/CEO
2
H ealthca r e H appenings M aga z ine
Cover photo: Juan Gonzalez, manager of Hospitality at FSLH.
4 Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services Opens at FSLH
18
13
Hospitals Pursue Affiliation Agreement
19
14
A Compassionate Team Approach to Cancer Care
11
At The Regional Cancer Center, patients are never alone
FSLH Receives Quality Management Accreditation
Accreditation earned a year ahead of schedule
This multi-million dollar expansion to St. Luke’s Home provides coordinated care for the community
Boards of Directors sign Memorandum of Understanding
FEATURE Aspiring Leaders Program Developing future leaders for the continued success of FSLH
Honor a Caring Heart
Recognize those who provide exceptional care
In Every Issue
20 Medical Staff Announcements 22 Patient Letter
feature
Aspiring Leaders Program
Developing future leaders for the continued success of FSLH. B y D e b r a A l t d o e r ffe r a n d E r i n G i g l i o t t i
W
Walking in to Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare (FSLH) on his first day of work in 2008, Juan Gonzalez never imagined that five years later, he would be managing a staff of 30. Juan began his career as an Environmental Services technician and quickly advanced to become manager of Hospitality. Looking back, Juan credits FSLH’s Aspiring Leaders Program for much of his success. In its sixth year, the Aspiring Leaders Program has graduated 74 participants from five classes, with approximately 30 percent of those employees being promoted to positions with greater responsibilities. The course curriculum includes business management and the healthcare profession; from communication models, cultural diversity and information technology to strategic planning, human resource management, financial management and performance improvement.
4
H ealthca r e H appenings M aga z ine
(Left to right) Aspiring Leaders graduates Juan Gonzalez, Barbara Kantor and Linda McCurdy.
H ealthca r e H appenings M aga z ine
5
Juan Gonzalez (center) with Environmental Services team members (left to right) Cinia Biles, Edward Marshall and Sunny Oum.
6
H ealthca r e H appenings M aga z ine
When FSLH established its 2015 vision, “to be the premier healthcare system in Upstate New York known for clinical excellence through exceptional employees, medical staff, volunteers, RelationshipBased Care and financial strength,” hospital leadership believed identifying and grooming future leaders to be a critical component for success. Through the support of the Keith A. Fenstemacher Center for Continuous Learning, the Aspiring Leaders Program was developed to give employees with management potential the skills and knowledge necessary to become leaders within the organization. “Developing future leaders is important for the continued success of FSLH because it expands our leadership ‘bench
strength’,” said Paul Rubsamen, director of Organizational Development and FSLH’s chief learning officer. “Located in Central New York, we don’t have the advantage of an abundance of young people moving to the area, so it becomes even more important that we’re able to grow our own leaders, which we feel the Aspiring Leaders Program helps to do.” Paul, along with Colette Wilk, MSN, RN, director of Clinical Education, are the two instructors for the program. Class is held once a month and each class features a guest speaker that gives an overview of their area of expertise. From finance and strategic planning to human resources and hospital technology, participants are given a compre-
hensive overview of FSLH’s healthcare environment. And the success of Aspiring Leaders participants isn’t just measured by a position promotion — many graduates have taken on projects that have improved our organization and the community. One team developed a widely used video about proper hand washing procedures that supports the organization’s infection prevention initiatives. Another developed a community outreach program where FSLH employees give presentations on health-related topics in local school systems and a patient video was produced last year that serves as an educational tool for newly admitted patients and their families.
Juan Gonzalez In just five short years at FSLH, Juan has been promoted four times. It was in 2011, the year he was enrolled in Aspiring Leaders, that he made his biggest jump from being a senior technician in Environmental Services to manager of Hospitality.
Juan credits his success to the great example his managers (Jordan Little, Kathy Styf and Tim Teachout) set for him and his coworkers on a daily basis — as well as to what he learned in Aspiring Leaders. “Aspiring Leaders gave me a great base of information to work from,” said Juan. “From communicating effectively, human relations, critical thinking to public speaking, I use 98 percent of what I learned at Aspiring Leaders every single day. The program also gave me the confidence I needed to be a manager and believe in myself.” Juan’s supervisor, Jordan Little, always knew Juan had what it took to be a great manager. “Juan was already an informal leader in our department before his promotion — staff would just naturally come to him if they needed guidance on something,” said Jordan, general manager of Hospitality Services for Sodexo. “Aspiring Leaders gave Juan the tools necessary to make the very difficult jump from a peer leader to the formal leadership position he is in now. Juan is truly an amazing and
“Aspiring Leaders is a great program and I encourage all employees with leadership aspirations to discuss career development with their supervisor to see if the program is right for them.” — Patricia Roach, MS, RN, NEA-BC,
senior vice president and chief nursing officer
Barbara Kantor, RN, BSN, (center) works closely with Linda Agen, RN, charge nurse, and Chuck Williams, BSHA, director of Perioperative Operations, to ensure patients have a positive surgical experience.
H ealthca r e H appenings M aga z ine
7
Linda McCurdy, manager of the Service Response Center and Transport Services, discusses a patient transfer with co-worker Patrick Dowling, also an Aspiring Leaders graduate.
genuine person and continues to become a great leader every day.” “If I could get a message across to my coworkers and the staff I manage, it would be that they should strive to do great things, even if it makes them a little uncomfortable,” said Juan. “I have five wonderful children at home, and to become a manager, I had to switch to a later shift. It was hard at first, but my family and I make it work because I truly enjoy my job and working with the people I do. So many employees at FSLH have great potential, they just have to believe in themselves and realize that great accomplishments are within their reach.”
Barbara Kantor, RN, BSN Barb’s journey at FSLH began in 2004 as a care attendant. In 2005 she graduated with her nursing degree and became 8
H ealthca r e H appenings M aga z ine
a registered nurse (RN) on the first floor. Barb spent the next five years as a RN in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) at the Faxton Campus and it was during 2011, when she was participating in the Aspiring Leaders Program, that she hit the ground running in a management position. Barb was named nurse manager of the Operating Room (OR)/PACU at the Faxton Campus. Just five months later, Barb became the clinical nurse manager of the OR/PACU at both the Faxton and St. Luke’s Campuses, and in January of this year, expanded her role to clinical nurse manager of Interventional Radiology in addition to her OR/PACU responsibilities. Barb also earned her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from SUNYIT Utica/Rome this past December.
“When you become a manager, you are put right in the middle of everything and Barb greatly benefitted from the broader view of the hospital and system operations that Aspiring Leaders gave her,” said Patricia Roach, MS, RN, NEA-BC, senior vice president and chief nursing officer. “It is a great program and I encourage all employees with leadership aspirations to discuss career development with their supervisor to see if the Aspiring Leaders Program is right for them.”
Linda McCurdy
“Aspiring Leaders helps you understand FSLH as a whole,” said Barb. “There really is no other opportunity out there where you are able to learn about all of the different pieces of the puzzle that make our organization work. Aspiring Leaders took me to the next level and helped me create a network of support that I didn’t have before.” Barb works closely with Chuck Williams, BSHA, director of Perioperative Operations, to make sure patients have a positive surgical experience at FSLH. “Aspiring Leaders enhanced Barb’s confidence and gave her the tools she needs to manage staff,” said Chuck. “If there is something she doesn’t know, she now has the clinical and non-clinical connections to help her find the information she needs.”
Linda’s first job title at FSLH was diet aide. She worked the tray line in the St. Luke’s kitchen. Rarely did she deliver a patient food tray to a floor or interact with patients, their families or members of the healthcare team. She was literally “behind the scenes” supporting the needs of our patients. A lot has changed since the early ’90s when she began her career. In her current position as manager of the Service Response Center (SRC) and Transport Services, she and her team have a significant impact on how the healthcare system operates. “My first job had little interaction with other employees or the hospital family,” said Linda. “Even though I took on additional responsibilities within the Nutrition Services Department, it didn’t require the managerial and communication skills I use today. It was the valuable training that I received in the Aspiring Leaders Program that gave me the confidence to do more and be more involved in the organization.” After her start in the early ’90s, Linda left the organization for a different line of work. “When I came back in 2003, the organization was different,” she noted. “There was a very positive change in the culture. Now there is more teamwork, a sense of community and people support one another. It’s a place where you can grow and thrive as an employee.” Upon her return she was tapped to oversee the new and growing SRC. Just dial 624-5700 to reach SRC where operators accept requests and dispatch support from Environmental, Nutrition, Laundry, Patient Transport, Courier Services and more.
Pioneer Employer Hospital Initiative Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare was selected to participate in the Pioneer Employer Hospital Initiative, a national study of facilities that help frontline workers develop careers in healthcare. FSLH’s Aspiring Leaders Program was featured for our efforts in promoting the next generation of best practices in workforce management. The study identified 11 hospitals from across the country that are considered “Pioneer Employers” — employers that strategically invest in their own workers to benefit their customers and organizations. They go beyond typical ideas about “great places to work,” and demonstrate how organizations can strategically align the interests of employees and management to create better results for both parties. The full report can be viewed online at faxtonstlukes.com/apstudy.
The operators at the center often go above and beyond what is required of them, helping to solve issues or concerns that are not part of their general responsibilities. It’s a busy service. In 2012 the SRC handled more than 79,000 calls from employees and patients and the Transport team completed nearly 80,000 tasks, both patient and non-patient moves. “Aspiring Leaders gave me more confidence to work with my team and better tools to support them,” said Linda. “It helped me develop public speaking skills and taught me the value of networking. One of the books we read in the program was by Dale Carnegie — ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People.’ It was a tremendous resource and helped me begin
a practice of continuous learning. The program has helped me grow as a leader and a person. I am so grateful for that.”
Building Confidence for FSLH Employees Sixteen employees are accepted into the program each year. Those interested must submit an application and a letter of recommendation from their supervisor, as well as complete two interviews. The first year, the Aspiring Leaders Program had about 60 applicants and each subsequent year the program has seen about twice as many applications as they’ve had seats available. “My favorite part of being involved in the Aspiring Leaders Program is seeing
Aspiring Leader Graduates Robin Abbass Linda Agen Christie Alex-Hart Brianna Amendolare Anthony Blackmon Thomas Brown Kim Bywater Joeline Carey Dorothy Casale Ryan Casatelli Jennifer Cook Sue Cornelius Michael Delahunt Ed Dlugolecki Heidi Dooley Patrick Dowling John Edwards Jennifer Enjem Kimberly Fazekas Debora Feola Scott Fiesthumel Jason Fox Jason Frank
10
Katherine Freeman Stacy Gadway John Gaetano Erin Gigliotti Pamela Givens Juan Gonzalez Kyle Graves Teri Hagen Kandis Harter Donna Marie Johnson Barbara Kantor Amanda Klein Kelley Klockowski Kim Lee Cathy Leonard Linda McCurdy Kristine McIlwain Eric McKinstry Tara Millson Susan Minsaas Mary Beth Murphy-Parkhurst Katharine Olsen-Gogol Danielle Owen
H ealthca r e H appenings M aga z ine
staff at FSLH grow and become more knowledgeable about the entire organization,” said Colette, co-instructor of the program. “The information provided in Aspiring Leaders and the chance to work directly with our Senior Leadership Team helps staff to understand how our organization works, the roles of our leaders and the skills necessary to be successful. It is very rewarding to see staff learn and work toward their personal and professional goals.” “I love working with the Aspiring Leaders,” states Paul. “They are eager to learn and it’s wonderful watching the light bulbs go off as they make a greater connection to what leading in our organization is all about.” n
Aspiring Leaders Class of 2013 Karen Paige Jerry Plows Brenda Powers Beth Ray Earlena Rood Joseph Sageer Eugene Salmon Maria Santa Maria Nicole Santiago Joseph Scarafile Suzanne Simmons Stephanie Smith Danyel Sommer-Everson Carly Sperati Michael Thompson Thomas Thorngren Steven Van Duren Ann Welch Barbara White Dulcia White Mary Wing-Marshall
Donna Bridge Jordan Burdick Tamara Casella Deborah Casler Rebecca Delahunt Tessa Greene Tammy Hart Cynthia Kearns Crystal Maxam Shaun Miller Anita Moller Kim Morse Hanifah Najeeullah Audrieanna Raciti Gabrielle Wilkie Kelly Zinicola
growth
(Left) Patient room on the new Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit. (Above) Occupational Therapist Coral Hunt, OTR/L, works with a patient on the new Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit.
Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services Opens at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare This multi-million dollar expansion to St. Luke’s Home provides coordinated inpatient rehabilitation, long-term and continuing care services for the community. B y J ac q u i e K l o t z b ach
In November 2011, members of the Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare family, local government officials and project organizers broke ground on new construction and renovation at St. Luke’s Home. Fast forward 15 months to January 2013 and the community is celebrating the opening of a beautiful, multi-service complex named the Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services. This large, 175,000 square foot center, located on the St. Luke’s Campus of FSLH, houses services that include inpatient rehabilitation, Adult Day Health Care, renal dialysis, Home Care Services and long-term care.
HEAL Grant Makes FSLH’s Vision A Reality In 2010, FSLH applied for and was awarded a $31.3 million grant from the New York State Department of Health and the Dormitory Authority. The funding was provided through Phase 20 of the Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law of New York State (HEAL NY) and the Federal-State Reform Partnership (F-SHRP) to improve long-term care services and consolidate community-based alternatives to traditional nursing home care for area residents. FSLH envisioned a complex that would serve as the hub of long-term and
continuing care services for the system. The consolidated entity would more effectively serve their mutual patient populations and encourage coordinated care throughout a patient’s healthcare journey. “This complex is the culmination of our organization’s incredible efforts to consolidate services in a way that best meets the needs our community,” said Scott H. Perra, FACHE, president/CEO of FSLH. “Having all of the services in one building allows us to better coordinate our patients’ care from the acute care setting to their home environment. I applaud our teams for having the vision and determination to support our patients every step of H ealthca r e H appenings M aga z ine
11
the way through their health care journey. This truly is a comprehensive approach to care.”
Coordinated Care Between Services Following a hospital stay, patients may need some form of continuing care as they work toward recovery and return to their regular lifestyle. For those requiring inpatient rehabilitation, the Center offers both acute and subacute rehabilitation programs. Each program varies in intensity and duration, but share the goal of helping patients regain their independence. FSLH’s Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit (IRU) joins the 40-bed Subacute Rehabilitation Unit already located at St. Luke’s Home. Previously located at the Faxton Campus, the new IRU has 24 rooms, including 10 private rooms, as well as a transitional living center, private dining room and rehabilitation gym. Once patients return home, Home Care Services are available to provide equipment and services that promote safe and independent living. FSLH’s Home Care Services includes the Visiting Nurse Association of Utica and Oneida County, Senior Network Health and Mohawk Valley Home Care. The services also benefit from new resources made available through the grant, such as additional TeleHealth monitors and equipment for field clinicians. “We often hear the term ‘continuum of care’ which refers to our goal of providing support during each phase of treatment, from inpatient to outpatient,” notes Kimberly Ellis, RN, BPS, LNHA, executive director of Home Care Services. “Now our teams better coordinate the
New reception desk at the Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services.
care of patients making the transition from the acute care setting to home.” As part of the consolidation of services, St. Luke’s Home downsized from 242 long-term care beds to 202, and renovated their long-term and subacute rehabilitation gyms to better support residents’ rehabilitation needs. They also added an open air gazebo for residents and their families to use. “This project is a welcome addition to the St. Luke’s Home Campus,” said Lisa Volk, RN, BPS, LNHA, executive director of St. Luke’s Home. “We are able to bring the St. Luke’s Home Adult Day Health Care Program on site and increase its number of registrants to 50. This community-based, long-term care program provides medical, therapeutic and recreational services in a beautiful, spacious, state of the art environment.” The Regional Dialysis Center at FSLH is also opening a new eight station outpatient dialysis unit at the Center. This is a convenience for the many St. Luke’s Home residents and inpatient rehabilitation patients who require dialysis treatments each week. The unit will be FSLH’s seventh outpatient unit in the Mohawk Valley. n
“Having all of the services in one building allows us to better coordinate our patients’ care from the acute care setting to their home environment. I applaud our teams for having the vision and determination to support our patients every step of the way through their health care journey. This truly is a comprehensive approach to care.” – Scott H. Perra, FACHE, President/CEO of FSLH 12
H ealthca r e H appenings M aga z ine
Expanded TeleHealth Program Part of the HEAL grant provisions allowed the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) of Utica and Oneida County to expand their TeleHealth Program to include 96 satellite monitors. The monitors are left with patients in their homes to collect vital signs and other important health information. The data is transmitted to VNA where caregivers note changes in patients’ health statuses and adjust care plans accordingly. Linking patients to VNA from their home provides timely health status feedback and helps the nursing team work with a larger number of patients than if they had to do individual home visits. Using TeleHealth, VNA can better assess which patients are most in need of care and allocate resources quickly by scheduling an appointment when their health status changes. “We’ve found that TeleHealth monitoring encourages increased participation with treatment plans, medication routines and lifestyle changes because patients are using pre-programmed questions as reminders to guide their daily actions,” said Ellis. “The daily monitoring also provides our patients and their families with greater peace of mind.”
community
Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center Pursue Affiliation Agreement
More than a year ago the Boards of Directors for both FSLH and St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC) passed a resolution to begin discussions on the feasibility and benefits of an affiliation or undertaking other transactions that would more closely link the two hospitals. In December 2012 the boards signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), an official first step toward a potential full affiliation agreement. “This is an important first step for our organizations and for the community,” noted Norman I. Siegel, chairman of the board for SEMC. “Our respective boards have worked diligently during the past year to determine an appropriate model of care for the hospitals. The model we are pursuing maintains the Catholicity of SEMC, allows for more linkages between the two organizations and provides opportunities to use our limited resources to serve the greater good of our patients, residents and community.” Hospitals, particularly in New York State, are struggling with changes in reimbursement, unfunded mandates and an increasingly challenging regulatory environment. The financial challenges for healthcare delivery are significant and many healthcare organizations throughout New York State are finding ways to partner with institutions that were once perceived as competitors. “The model we are proposing allows for a ‘parent’ organization to oversee both hospitals and will be governed by a single Board of Directors,” said Richard C. Tantillo, chairman of FSLH’s Board of Directors. “The new board would be comprised of an equal number of members from the FSLH board and the SEMC board. One CEO will oversee the management team for both organizations. Additionally, each hospital will maintain a separate board, which will have significant overlap of members with the parent board.” While the MOU begins to describe the general outline of a joint agreement, the actual affiliation will only occur after a
number of steps have taken place. The first step has begun with the financial and legal due diligence by both organizations. Additional hurdles include approval by third parties such as the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). “To date, the Sisters of St. Francis have been fully involved in our discussions and endorse the MOU and the opportunity to explore an affiliation,” remarked Richard Ketcham, president/CEO of SEMC. “This model allows for SEMC to remain a Catholic hospital and gives us the opportunity to develop comprehensive models of care for the community without duplicating valuable resources.” “We are working toward a final approval process by the end of 2013, but there are a number of pieces to the puzzle and they all need to fit before we can proceed with a true affiliation,” said Scott H. Perra, FACHE, president/CEO of FSLH. “This is a very positive step for our community. The affiliation model provides a strong backbone on which we can further develop a comprehensive plan of care for our community, always supporting clinical excellence with solid fiscal management.” Consolidation and joint partnerships are not new for the organizations. Faxton Hospital and St. Luke’s Memorial consolidated their services in 2000. Both SEMC and FSLH jointly sponsor the Mohawk Valley Heart Institute and have a collaborative agreement for the Central New York Diabetes Education Program. The two organizations employ nearly 4,800 employees and have combined operating budgets of more than $554 million. n H ealthca r e H appenings M aga z ine
13
service
A Compassionate Team Approach to Cancer Care At The Regional Cancer Center patients are never alone. By Erin Gigliotti
14
H ealthca r e H appenings M aga z ine
The moment Jodi Deep was diagnosed with breast cancer, her head began to fill with hundreds of questions. She was scared, nervous and didn’t know where to turn or what to do first. The day her friend told her about Suzy Burns and the Breast Care Center is the day she knew she would make it through. From the moment Suzy picked up the phone, Jodi realized she was in wonderful hands and would be okay.
Jodi was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2011. She had a bilateral mastectomy, eight chemotherapy treatments and 33 radiation treatments. It is never an easy road for those diagnosed with cancer, but for Jodi and her family, the challenges were made easier and the road was more comforting knowing they were not alone.
“The best thing I ever did for myself was call Suzy Burns,” said Jodi. “Suzy had an immediate calming effect and I felt so comfortable asking her all of the questions I had that didn’t necessarily pertain to my surgeon or oncologist. She was accessible, compassionate and completely genuine. After talking to Suzy for just a few minutes she convinced me that I could get through this. She gave me all of the tools and confidence I needed to move forward.” “Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s team approach to cancer care helps take the wonder and worry away,” said Jodi. “From Dr. Nancy Shaheen, the radiologist who read my results, to Suzy Burns and the radiation treatment team, I felt completely cared for. The Regional Cancer Center truly is a one stop shop. From diagnosis, through treatment, to the After Breast Cancer Support Group, I had support the entire time that continues even to this day.”
“FSLH’s team approach to cancer care helps take the wonder and worry away,” said Jodi Deep, breast cancer survivor. “The Regional Cancer Center truly is a one stop shop. From diagnosis, through treatment, to the After Breast Cancer Support Group, I had support the entire time that continues even to this day.” H ealthca r e H appenings M aga z ine
15
“Each and every day, I am privileged to serve my patients and hope that in some way I make a difference.” – Suzy Burns, RN, CBPN-IC, nurse navigator As a registered nurse and nurse navigator at the Breast Care Center, Suzy Burns is specially trained to coordinate the clinical, educational and supportive needs of patients facing a possible breast cancer diagnosis or who are newly diagnosed. Suzy is part of a team whose goal is to provide coordinated care so patients and their families can focus on getting well instead of the often overwhelming details of managing their diagnosis and treatment.
“What an honor it is – every day – to work with such an extraordinary team of healthcare professionals, providing care to the women in our community.” – Debra Walz, RN, MS, WHNP-BC, AOCNP, STAR/C, board certified Women’s Health nurse practitioner and board certified Oncology nurse practitioner Debra’s education and clinical experience ensure that breast care at FSLH is of the highest quality, managed efficiently and with relationships of trust established between patients and their providers. Along with other members of the Breast Care Team, Debra helps patients along the breast cancer continuum of care. Working collaboratively with surgeons, Debra guides women through their treatment options, educates patients and their families about their diagnosis, provides one-on-one support, and continues to monitor patients upon completion of treatment.
16
H ealthca r e H appenings M aga z ine
“Every day I am inspired by the women I care for; they make my job truly gratifying.” – Alicia DeTraglia, MD, medical oncologist Dr. DeTraglia is a board certified medical oncologist who treats all forms of cancer. She provides anti-hormonal, antibody and chemotherapy to women with breast cancer, addresses survivorship issues such as bone health and nutrition, as well as other physical and emotional side effects of cancer treatment.
“Everyone deserves the highest level of care. For me it’s providing patients with the same level of expertise, professionalism and compassion that I expect when I am the patient.” – Nancy Shaheen, MD, radiologist with Radiology Associates of New Hartford Dr. Shaheen is a board certified radiologist specializing in breast imaging at FSLH’s Imaging Center. With a fellowship in Women’s Imaging from Yale University, she has been helping women in the Mohawk Valley for more than 15 years. As a woman, she knows firsthand that treating patients with kindness and respect is as much a part of the healing process as the treatments ultimately prescribed. Whether she is using the latest digital imaging technology for ultrasounds, PET scans, MRIs or mammograms, Dr. Shaheen does her best to support her colleagues and patients so a timely diagnosis is delivered in a compassionate manner. n
The Regional Cancer Center Services: • Breast Care Center • Cancer Conference • Clinical Trials • Inpatient Oncology • Integrative Medicine • Nurse Navigators • Oncology Support Groups • Outpatient Infusion/Medical Oncology
• Palliative Care Consultative Service • Radiation Oncology • Tri-County Quits Smoking Cessation Program • Tumor Registry For more information, visit www.faxtonstlukes.com or call the Cancer Center at 315.624.5764. H ealthca r e H appenings M aga z ine
17
FSLH’s Rewards and Recognition Team hands out travel mugs for employees to celebrate ISO 9001:2008 designation.
quality
Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare Receives Quality Management Accreditation Accreditation earned a year ahead of schedule. By Caitlin McCann
Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare is accredited by Det Norske Veritas’s (DNV) National Integrated Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations (NIAHOSM) and has now been certified to the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System Standard. In 2010 FSLH partnered with DNV as their accrediting organization. Hospitals must be accredited by a Medicareapproved program in order to be reimbursed for the care provided to patients covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Becoming ISO certified is an additional component of the DNV accreditation. ISO 9001:2008 is recognized by businesses around the world as the benchmark for continual quality improvement. Innovative hospitals embrace ISO 9001:2008 as a way to identify and focus on the most successful approaches to patient care and as a method to standardize the important aspects of operating a healthcare organization. “This is more than an accreditation program, it’s a catalyst for our ongoing commitment to patient safety and clinical 18
H ealthca r e H appenings M aga z ine
quality,” said Scott H. Perra, FACHE, president/CEO of FSLH. “ISO 9001 standards help us to improve our care processes. By consistently following the processes we have in place we are able to provide the best possible care that supports positive outcomes for our patients.” “Other certification programs provide certain criteria that are required for participation,” said Roger McReynolds, vice president of Performance Excellence at FSLH. “However, hospitals can meet criteria and never improve. ISO 9001 has the element of continual quality improvement which is what makes this standard so unique and effective. All processes are monitored and once the processes meet the standard, we have to keep getting better. Making improvements never stops.” “We achieved this designation a year earlier than required and we are proud of that,” said Perra. “It’s a proactive care model and business tool that supports clinical excellence and quality care. It also supports our mission: to
provide the highest quality health care in our region.”
Why Accreditation Matters to Healthcare Consumers Accreditation directly affects the quality of hospital care. While undergoing the accreditation review, a hospital makes critical decisions about processes such as how diseases are treated, medication is stored, nursing staff is allocated and how billing and reimbursement are conducted. Accreditation impacts the way in which a hospital operates. “Through the ISO 9001 Quality Management System, significant emphasis is placed on proper documentation of all processes within the hospital,” said McReynolds. “Proper documentation helps to ensure that when the most effective way of performing a process is found, the course of action is not just in the minds of the employees performing the tasks daily; it is documented for future employees and future review.” n
Dr. John Sperling (left) presents Caring Heart awards to (left to right) Michelle Parker, RN, Dr. Christopher Max, Melissa Racioppa and Dr. Scott Beattie.
foundation
Honor a Caring Heart
FSLH’s Caring Heart Program recognizes those who provide exceptional care. Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare is proud of our extraordinary employees and medical staff who go above and beyond for our patients and their loved ones every day. Whether it be a kind word, a heartfelt smile, a lifesaving surgery, or even just taking the time to listen, our patients and their families are at the center of everything we do. The Caring Heart Program provides grateful patients and their loved ones the opportunity to recognize an employee or provider who made their experience at FSLH special. Making a gift in honor of a special caregiver not only celebrates the impact they have made on your life, but it allows you to make a difference in the lives of others. Your gift supports our efforts to provide the highest quality health care in our region. Recently, Drs. Scott Beattie, Christopher Max and Alicia DeTraglia received a Caring Heart from Laura Ruberto, a grateful patient. She wrote, “While I recognize that
your facility generates thousands of stories of personal tragedy and triumph each year, I think my remarkable experience lends perspective to how incredibly your staff responded. I am pleased to make a gift of thanks for the care I received during this memorable time.” We invite you to make a gift in honor of a special person whose care, expertise and compassion have made a difference in your life or the life of someone you love. Share your story about the impact this person has made in your life. Each Caring Heart recipient will receive your expression of appreciation and a Caring Heart pin that will be worn to commemorate your generosity. For more information on the Caring Heart Program or to make a donation, please contact the FSLH Foundation at 315.624.5600 or visit our website at www. faxtonstlukes.com/foundation/chp. n
We invite you to honor a special physician, nurse or staff member whose kindness, knowledge and care have made a difference in your life or the life of someone you love.
H ealthca r e H appenings M aga z ine
19
medical staff announcements
January Aisha Hill, MD, has joined the Bariatric Surgery Program at FSLH. She is affiliated with Dr. William A. Graber’s bariatric practice in New Hartford, New York. Dr. Hill earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, Louisiana, and her Doctor of Medicine from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in Lubbock, Texas. She completed an internship and residency in Surgery at SUNY Buffalo in Buffalo, New York, and a fellowship in Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia. Dr. Hill is board certified in Surgery and is a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons. 20
H ealthca r e H appenings M aga z ine
FSLH is the number one ranked bariatric hospital in New York State for 2011 and 2012, and is among the top five percent of hospitals in the nation for its bariatric surgery program with a 5-star rating by HealthGrades. Dr. Hill is accepting new patients and can be reached in the office of Dr. William A. Graber, located at 1724 Burrstone Road, New Hartford, at 315.624.4740. Kenneth K. Kim, MD, has joined FSLH’s Adirondack Community Physicians (ACP) Orthopedic Group. Dr. Kim was in private practice for more than 30 years in Utica, New York, prior to joining ACP. Dr. Kim earned his Doctor of Medicine from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine in Buffalo, New York. He completed an in-
ternship at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown, New York, a residency in Pediatrics at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York, a residency in Surgery at Dartmouth Medical Center in Hanover, New Hampshire, and a residency and chief residency in Orthopedics at the University of Connecticut in Hartford, Connecticut. Dr. Kim completed fellowships in Hand Surgery in Hartford, Connecticut, and Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Kim was a Major for the United States Army in Orthopedics at Letterman Hospital in San Francisco, California. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the Medical Society of the State of New York. Dr. Kim is accepting new patients and can be reached at the ACP Orthopedic Group Medical Office, located at 1903 Sunset Avenue, Utica, at 315.624.8150.
Kevin C. McCormick, DO, has joined FSLH’s ACP Washington Mills Medical Office. Dr. McCormick previously worked as a primary care provider in Internal Medicine and as a hospitalist. He was in private practice for a number of years and served as a staff internist for the United States Air Force Hospital at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York. Dr. McCormick earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Wilkes College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and his Doctor of Osteopathy from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri. He completed an internship at Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and a residency in Internal Medicine at Kennedy Memorial Hospital/ University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-University Medical Center in Stratford, New Jersey. Dr. McCormick is certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians. He is a captain in the United States Navy Medical Corps, and was deployed overseas from 2008 to 2009 to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany. Dr. McCormick can be reached at the ACP Washington Mills Medical Office, located at 3946 Oneida Street, New Hartford, at 315.624.8300. The following nurse practitioners have joined the ACP Medical Group. Brenda Marie Carney, MS, RN, FNP-C, is a family nurse practitioner at the ACP Boonville Medical Office. Prior to joining ACP, Carney worked as a family nurse practitioner for the Utica Community Health Center and TeamHealth, Northeast Division, both in Utica, New York. She has also worked as a registered nurse for St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica,
New York, Four Winds Hospital in Saratoga Springs, New York, and FSLH. Carney earned her Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, New York, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner Master of Science from SUNYIT Utica/ Rome in Marcy, New York. Carney is accepting new patients and can be reached at the ACP Boonville Medical Office, located at 13460 State Route 12, Boonville, at 315.942.4391. Melissa A. Collver, MS, RN, FNP-BC, is a family nurse practitioner at the ACP North Utica Medical Office. Collver previously worked for ACP as a registered nurse. Prior to joining ACP, Collver held registered nursing positions at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica, New York, and Presbyterian Nursing Home in New Hartford, New York. Collver earned her Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from St. Elizabeth College of Nursing in Utica, New York, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner Master of Science from SUNYIT Utica/ Rome in Marcy, New York. Collver can be reached at the ACP North Utica Medical Office, located at 35 Riverside Drive, Utica, at 315.624.8400. Eric K. Ofori, MD, and Jessica L. Wilbert, RN, MS, FNP-BC, have joined the practice of Kidney and Hypertension Consultants with Emile Wassel, MD, and Yekaterina A. Kashtanova, MD. Dr. Ofori worked as a hospitalist for Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, New Jersey, prior to joining Kidney and Hypertension Consultants at FSLH. Dr. Ofori earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from City College in New York, New York, and his Doctor of Medicine from the State University
of New York Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. He completed an internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and a fellowship in Nephrology at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Ofori is board certified in Internal Medicine and is a member of the American Society of Nephrology, American College of Physicians, Renal Physicians Association and American Medical Association. Dr. Ofori is accepting new patients and can be reached at the Kidney and Hypertension Consultants Office, located at the Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Avenue, fourth floor, Utica, at 315.624.8100. Jessica Wilbert, RN, MS, FNP-BC, is a nurse practitioner with Kidney and Hypertension Consultants at FSLH and also serves as a nursing instructor at St. Elizabeth College of Nursing in Utica, New York. Prior to joining FSLH, she was a family nurse practitioner in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Mercy Hospital and SURGXL in Buffalo, New York. Wilbert earned her Associate of Science in Nursing from St. Elizabeth College of Nursing, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SUNYIT Utica/Rome in Marcy, New York, and her Family Nurse Practitioner Master of Science from the University at Buffalo in Buffalo, New York. She is currently pursuing her Post-Master Certificate in Nursing Education from SUNYIT Utica/Rome. Wilbert is accepting new patients and can be reached at the Kidney and Hypertension Consultants Office.
H ealthca r e H appenings M aga z ine
21
patient letter
Dear Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare, I have been intending all year to write to share my experience with Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in 2012. When I recently received your Caring Heart Program mailing I knew this was the perfect opportunity to do so. In January 2012, I was admitted to The Birthplace to give birth to our second child. Our son was born a short while later, and we were elated to welcome a healthy, beautiful baby boy into our lives. Many members of the Maternity staff remembered me from the birth of our first child, a daughter, born in June 2007. With her, I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia at 33 weeks and was admitted to St. Luke’s where I spent the rest of my pregnancy on bed rest until she was born at 35 weeks. While she had a low birth weight she was otherwise healthy, and stayed in the Special Care Nursery for two weeks. The Maternity and Nursery staff was incredibly 22
H ealthca r e H appenings M aga z ine
kind and supportive as we endured that very scary experience. Needless to say, the staff was as happy as we were that the birth of our son did not involve any crisis. Then, I woke in my hospital room a few days later, having difficulty breathing. I paged the nurses’ station and alerted them to my condition. Coincidentally, my obstetrician, Scott Beattie, MD, was at the desk and rushed to my room. Moments later the Rapid Response team was paged; soon after I had a CAT scan and x-rays. Dr. Beattie very somberly informed my fiancé and me that while a final diagnosis was not in, my illness was very serious and I would be speaking to an oncologist soon. A short while later I met Alicia DeTraglia, MD, who told us my illness was presenting like lymphoma. Christopher Max, MD, performed an emergency biopsy the following day (Dr. Beattie insisted he assist Dr. Max
in the procedure), which confirmed the lymphoma diagnosis. A cancer diagnosis is always shocking and tragic. Learning you have cancer two days after giving birth to a baby is absolutely devastating. Each and every Maternity nurse who came to visit me offered comfort, strength, prayer (with my permission) and support. I was overwhelmed by the kindness and genuine compassion. In addition to the various doctors who were assigned to my care, other hospital staff members were eager to help in any way they could. I was very passionate about nursing the baby and sadly, would have to stop. The lactation consultants showed so much sympathy for my situation and helped me through that very difficult time. Child Life Specialist Melissa Racioppa introduced herself to me and offered invaluable advice about how to talk to our 4-year-old daughter about my illness. She lent me books, listened to my concerns and answered my questions. I owe her a great deal of gratitude as she gave me the confidence and strength to have that difficult but necessary conversation with my daughter. As Melissa predicted, my daughter was quite resilient and understanding, which gave me great comfort. As the week progressed, more tests followed. Dr. DeTraglia performed a bone marrow biopsy while I was still in my Maternity bed. The following day I was sent to the Faxton Campus for a PET scan, and when I returned to St. Luke’s, I was discharged as a Maternity patient and admitted as an Oncology patient. That was without a doubt the most emotionally depleting experience: moving from the happiest floor in the hospital to the bleakest. Even as a patient in Oncology, the Maternity staff continued to give me amazing support. Nurses would visit when they could, bringing cards and flowers and words of encouragement. My son remained a patient in the Nursery for as long as I was admitted to the hospital, and I would spend time on the Maternity Unit with him when I could. When I couldn’t be with him, the Nursery nurses absolutely
doted on him. After just giving birth all a mother wants to do is care for her baby; when she can’t do that, it can be traumatic for both the mother and baby. I can’t describe to you how comforting it was to know our newborn baby was so well cared for when I was enduring tests and treatments and just generally trying to absorb the news. Dr. DeTraglia provided daily comfort. She knew exactly how much information I needed and wanted to know about my condition and the treatments that would follow. She confidently predicted that I would tolerate chemotherapy very well and may not even lose my hair. I had my first chemotherapy treatment four days after my son was born, and tolerated it quite well. After the staff was confident that I didn’t have a bad reaction to the chemotherapy, I was discharged from the hospital in the end of January. As happy as I was to be home, I began the daunting and uncertain task of caring for a newborn while undergoing strong chemotherapy. Fortunately, I continued to tolerate chemo well and my son was an incredibly content baby, dropping his first nightly feeding at four weeks old and sleeping through the night at eight weeks. I returned to work after my eight-week maternity leave. With the assistance of family and friends, we were able to get through the next six months of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation. We even sold our house and moved into a new home in the midst of my treatments. (And as Dr. DeTraglia predicted, I didn’t lose my hair.) At one point I asked Dr. DeTraglia if we should cancel our contracts to sell and buy the houses because it might be too much for us. I remember her exact words: “When you get a diagnosis like you have, you don’t change your life for it; you make it fit into your life.” That advice gave me the strength and resilience I needed to get through the rest of my treatments. When I look back on the year, there is no denying there is a certain amount of sadness I associate with my stay at the hospital. Nonetheless, I can honestly
say the overwhelming memory of that experience is of the compassion shown by your staff. It truly overshadows the painful experience, and still gives me great comfort to this day. While the entire Maternity and Nursery staff deserves recognition for their efforts, I would like to name two very special members who went above and beyond to help me through my ordeal: Maternity nurse Lisa Orsino, RN, provided amazing support and strength when I needed it most. She remained by my side throughout some of my most difficult experiences. Lisa held my hand during my bone marrow biopsy, which I consider one of the most horrific experiences I have ever endured. I will never forget she was there for me at that time; as much pain as I was in, I can still hear her voice telling me over and over how strong I am and how much she admired me. Lisa made herself available to me as a professional, as a human and as a woman, knew just when to offer which aspect, and gave it selflessly. She asked if I would please keep in touch after I was discharged so she would know how I was doing. I was happy to do so, and have been letting her know from time to time of my progress. I can tell that Lisa is a strong force in the Maternity Department, but does so with quiet and humble grace. Nursery nurse Michelle Parker, RN, gave such wonderful care to our son! I was heartbroken when I was moved to Oncology and separated from him. Most devastating were the 24 hours that followed my PET scan because I couldn’t go near the baby. Michelle dressed him up in the cutest clothes she could find in
the Nursery, took pictures of him, printed them and created a poster with hearts and flowers that said, “Hi Mommy, I love you!” She came to visit me and hung the picture on the wall at the foot of my bed so I could see what he looked like that day, and assured me that she and all the nurses were cuddling him and giving him so much love while I couldn’t be there. It literally brings tears to my eyes as I write this to think about what a remarkable gesture that was. I hadn’t smiled all day long, and suddenly I couldn’t stop smiling. Michelle’s sunny disposition absolutely lights up a room as soon as she enters it, and the love she has for her job is apparent. I am pleased to make a donation to the Caring Heart Program as a gift of thanks for the care I received during this memorable time. I give this gift in honor of your Maternity and Nursery Departments, but particularly for Lisa and Michelle. They are truly stand-outs in an outstanding field. While I recognize that your facility generates thousands of stories of personal tragedy and triumph each year, I think my remarkable experience lends perspective to how incredibly your staff responded, and I thank you for indulging me to share my story with you. I am so pleased to share that I met with Dr. DeTraglia last week, who gave us the wonderful news that I had a clean PET scan. Thanks to your facility, I enjoyed a very happy holiday with my family.
“Each and every Maternity nurse who came to visit me offered comfort, strength, prayer (with my permission) and support.”
Laura S. Ruberto New Hartford, New York
H ealthca r e H appenings M aga z ine
23
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Utica, NY Permit No. 60
PO Box 479 Utica, NY 13503
Surgeons for the Total Joint Program at FSLH are Kenneth Ortega, MD, Madana Vallem, MD and John Sullivan, MD.