Gems
September 2021
Exceptional Lives Here.
Golf & Tennis Classic Raises Funds to Expand ED and Trauma Center Learn more on pages 2 and 3
Highlights from the Garnet Health Foundation Golf & Tennis Classic On September 27, Garnet Health Foundation held its annual Healey Brothers Golf & Tennis Classic, raising over $245K to benefit the Every Minute Counts Campaign, which will fund the expansion and renovation of the Emergency Department and Trauma Center at Garnet Health Medical Center. The event hosted 275 golfers at three golf locations – West Hills Country Club, Otterkill Country Club and the Golf Club at Mansion Ridge. Special thanks to all sponsors, participants and volunteers. To learn more about Garnet Health Foundation and ways to donate, visit garnethealth.org/giving.
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On the cover from left to right: Jason Giordano, Garnet Health Foundation Treasurer and 2021 Golf and Tennis Classic Event Chairman; Darrigan DeMattos, Garnet Health Foundation Donor Relations Manager; and Scott Kendrick, Garnet Health Foundation Vice Chairman.
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COVID-19 Safety Reminder: Protect Yourself and Others Garnet Health continues to tighten infectionprevention regulations, resuming past COVID-19 practices and developing new protocols to keep everyone as safe as possible. Garnet Health requires visitors to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Exceptions to this practice will be made for support persons of Obstetric patients, parents of Pediatric patients, End-of-Life patients and patients with special needs/requiring a support person. Individuals accompanying a patient or wishing to visit a patient will be asked to show proof of vaccination at the time they present identification for their visitor’s pass. All forms of vaccination proof including New
York State Wallet will be considered. Please visit our website for the latest visitor guidelines at garnethealth.org/visitation. As a reminder, masks are required by all staff in both clinical and non-clinical settings. You must wear a mask when you enter any Garnet Heath building. You cannot travel unmasked to your department and then don a mask. Please keep your inner circle outside of work small and remember that the new variant of COVID-19 spreads more easily and rapidly. Remember to mask, social distance and practice hand hygiene often.
• Please don’t come to work if you’re feeling sick. Contact your manager immediately and call the Occupational Health Staff Medical Evaluation line at 333-2066. • A s a reminder, masks are required by all staff in both clinical and non-clinical settings when entering all Garnet Health facilities and must be worn properly, fully covering your nose, mouth and chin. • A ll staff working in clinical areas with direct patient contact must wear approved Garnet Health-issued eye protection at all times when within six feet of another person. • Maintain social distancing. Thank you for doing your part to slow the spread! 4
Look Who’s Leading Affonso ‘Fonso’ Bennett-Williams has joined the Garnet Health Foundation as an Operations Manager. In this role, Fonso is responsible for the daily operations of the Foundation team. He supports the Foundation’s board meetings, facilitates finance requests and supports fundraising efforts through the use of the Raiser’s Edge® database. This includes the identification, tracking and acknowledgment of prospects and donations. Fonso previously worked at Parkinson’s UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, King’s College London and Aviva PLC in London, England, where he was an Executive Assistant. He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Manchester Metropolitan University in England and Buffalo State College in New York. Fonso can be reached at awilliams1@garnethealth.org.
Christine Mackay, MSN, RN, CMSRN, has been promoted to Nursing Director of Emergency Services at Garnet Health Medical Center. In this role, Christine oversees the Access Center, Children’s Emergency Department and Main Emergency Department. Christine has been employed with the organization since 2003 and has held various roles as a Clinical Nurse and as a Nurse Leader. Most recently, Christine served as Nurse Manager for the Emergency Department. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and a Master’s Degree in Nursing Leadership. She is Board-certified in Medical/ Surgical Nursing and is a certified trainer in Preventing and Managing Crisis Situations. She can be reached at cmackay@garnethealth.org
Eileen Scollan has been promoted to Professional Practice Manager for Garnet Health Doctors. In her new role, Eileen oversees educational and competency requirements for Garnet Health Doctors’ support staff. Eileen began her career in a small hospital in Brooklyn working on a telemetry unit. She has worked as a staff nurse and rotating charge nurse in a Trauma ICU as well as a Medical ICU where she was a member of the Rapid Response Team, Stroke Team and Heart Team. Prior to joining Garnet Health Doctors, Eileen was a Clinical Coordinator for the pre-op Post Anesthesia Care Unit, Endoscopy and Pre-Surgical Testing at Crystal Run Healthcare’s Ambulatory Surgery Center. Eileen joined Garnet Health Doctors in May of 2020 as the Clinical Manager for Specialties. She obtained her Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Catholic Medical Center School of Nursing and her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Utica College. Eileen can be reached at escollan@garnethealth.org.
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Quality and Patient-Safety Corner
Good Catch Awards Mean Great Care Garnet Health Medical Center’s Cristina Cruz, Billing Specialist, Tracy Dentico, Pharmacy Technician, Denise Rose, Registered Nurse, and Laura Rotundo, Registered Echocardiographer, received Good Catch Awards for their proactive patient care. A Good Catch occurs when corrective action and/or timely intervention prevents an incident or medical error.
Cristina Cruz
Tracy Dentico
Denise Rose
Laura Rotundo
To make a Good Catch Award nomination, visit the Intranet homepage and click the Good Catch section under “Feedback.” For information on quality and patient safety, contact Vice President, Quality/Patient Safety Officer Mary Ellen Crittenden at mcrittenden@garnethealth.org. 6
Buzzing with the Best
Ann Marie Neville
Congratulations to Ann Marie Neville, Garnet Health Medical Center’s July 2021 Employee of the Month (also known as our BEE Award). Ann Marie was responsible for staffing the vaccination clinic (which ran for six months) at our Middletown Campus. This required daily focus, dedication, communication, organization and late-night emails. Staffing the clinic meant rounding up RNs, physicians, leaders and support staff to handle the more than 30,000 vaccines we provided to community members. BEE stands for Being Exceptional Every day. Ann Marie, you are exceptional every day!
Amy Russell-Parliman
Congratulations to Amy Russell-Parliman, Supervisor, Diagnostic Imaging, Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills’ July 2021 Employee of the Month! Amy was honored for using her compassion to assist patients and coworkers and for going the extra mile to make others happy. Thank you, Amy, for being a role model and going above and beyond to provide exceptional experiences!
To nominate an employee, physician, volunteer, team or department, visit the Intranet homepage, scroll down and click on the BEE Award icon. 7
Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills Receives Stroke Gold Plus Award Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills has received the 2021 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring that stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills earned the award by meeting specific quality-achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. To learn more about stroke treatment at Garnet Health, visit garnethealth.org/stroke.
American Cancer Society Honors Garnet Health Medical Center In recognition of 25 years of support, the American Cancer Society honored Garnet Health Medical Center for its participation in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (MSABC) Walk and Real Men Wear Pink kick-off at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets! Our Garnet Health team received a plaque from the American Cancer Society for 25 years of participation, as well as a certificate from Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, presented by Orange County Health Commissioner Dr. Irina Gelman. For more information on cancer care, visit garnethealth.org/cancer.
Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk Woodbury Common Premium Outlets Sunday, October 17, 2021 7:30 a.m.
From left to right: Garnet Health Service/Product Line Senior Administrator of Oncology Regina Toomey Bueno; Manager of Navigation Services and Lung Cancer Navigator Jayne O’Malley; Head and Neck and Gastrointestinal Cancer Navigator Sara Sargente; Breast Cancer Navigator Paula Pope; Manager of the Ray W. Moody. M.D. Breast Center Michele Worden; and Clinical Trials and Community Outreach Manager Jessica Gerlach.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 8
Please encourage the women in your life to get screened. Early detection saves lives!
Bhargav A. Vyas Joins the Garnet Health Board of Directors We welcome Bhargav A. Vyas as the newest member of the Garnet Health Board of Directors. Bhargav is an Assistant Superintendent for Compliance and Information Systems for the Monroe-Woodbury Central School District. He provides leadership for the continued development of an innovative, robust and secure informationtechnology environment throughout the school district and has been an educational technology leader for over 20 years. Bhargav’s expertise in the field of network infrastructure, cyber security, district leadership and supporting students and staff has been showcased through his progressive career. Bhargav A. Vyas
Prior to joining Monroe-Woodbury Central School District, Bhargav was a director of technology for Orange-Ulster BOCES, supporting network infrastructure for 25 school districts. He recently completed his doctorate in educational leadership at Fordham University. He holds Master of Science Degrees in Educational Leadership and Administration, Education, Computer Engineering, Environmental Engineering and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering.
Dr. Irvelyne Camille Promoted to Medical Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology Dr. Irvelyne Camille has been promoted to Medical Director of OBGYN Services for Garnet Health Doctors. In this new role, Dr. Camille has oversight of Garnet Health Doctors’ Obstetrics and Gynecology physicians as well as midwives. Dr. Camille has been practicing obstetrics and gynecology for over 15 years and had been with Garnet Health Doctors since 2019. She earned her medical degree from New York Medical College and completed her Residency at New York Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. Dr. Camille can be reached at icamille@garnethealth.org. Dr. Irvelyne Camille
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Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills
Announces 3D Mammography Technology Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills Mammographer Carol Ferguson with the new 3D mammography technology.
Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills now offers 3D tomosynthesis technology, also known as 3D mammography. The entire purchase of the 3D tomosynthesis equipment was made possible through funding raised at Garnet Health Foundation - Catskills’ Annual Golf Tournament. “With this technology we are not only able to detect breast cancers that aren’t found by traditional imaging, we are able to detect them earlier,” said Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills’ Director of Diagnostic Imaging Donna DeStefano. “3D tomosynthesis is used in conjunction with 2D digital mammography. This technology is proven to be up to
Thank You! Thank you to the Monticello and Woodridge Kiwanis Clubs for their very generous donation to Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills. They donated baby supplies including diapers, clothing and bath products for mothers in need who deliver at our Harris Campus. Caption: From left to right: Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services Suzanne Lange Ahmed; Monticello Kiwanis Club President Marvin Rappaport; Sheila Lashinsky; Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills Director of Obstetrics & Nursing Process Management Toni Duncan; Kiwanis Club Members Sue Kasofsky and Patrick Smith; and Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills Obstetrical Department Registered Nurse Katie Parckys. 10
40% more accurate in detecting breast cancers, which can lead to earlier diagnosis.” 3D mammography is recommended for all women over the age of 40 who are in good health, especially those who have been previously identified as having dense breast tissue, have a family history of breast cancer or who may be at a higher risk for developing the disease. Also, women who have breast-related symptoms may benefit from 3D mammography after evaluation from their doctor. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please encourage your family and friends to get screened. To learn more, visit garnethealth.org/women.
Care for Yourself
So You Can Care for Others As we continue on with determination to fight COVID-19, Garnet Health Doctors’ Director of Wellness Anjana Poonthota MD, MPH, FAAP, offers the following daily tips for staying optimistic. Ask yourselves this question: “Is my glass half-empty or half-full?” The answer may reflect your outlook and attitude towards several aspects of your life. It significantly influences our mental and physical well-being. It promotes a healthy lifestyle and helps us adapt well to stressful situations. Anjana Poonthota MD, MPH, FAAP
It’s easy to be optimistic when everything is positive. But when we are surrounded by negativity, it can be very hard. It is important to focus on staying positive, especially during stressful times. Here are a few tips on how to practice optimism:
• Don’t start your day by watching the news. • Write a few affirmations and be grateful. Focus on all the happy things in your life. • Don’t forget to smile and wish your colleagues and people at work a good day. • Focus on your strengths and tell yourselves, “I can do it!” • Detach from negative thoughts – replace each with a positive thought. • Practice meditation and deep breathing exercises during breaks. • Erase the past and don’t worry about the unknown. Take one day at a time. • Eat healthy and get a good night’s sleep. A good night’s sleep recharges our brains. • Books are our best friends. Pick up a fun book and read a few pages before bedtime.
Patient Testimonial Patient Lisa Enright shared a letter about her experience before, during and after same-day surgery at Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills.
“Just a note to thank your wonderful nursing team. I had same-day surgery. From my pre-call with Sara, day of surgery with Sara and recovery with Melissa, I was well cared for. Their communication was excellent and it kept my anxiety down. They are not just wonderful nurses but kind women.” Lisa Enright 11
Save the Date Diabetes Champions Course Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning October 6, 2021 This four-part course is open to RNs, NPs, RDs, RDNs, RPhs, PAs and ACSM-CEPs interested in becoming a champion for people with diabetes and acting as a unit or department diabetes resource. For more information, contact lporcaro@garnethealth.org.
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Employee Harvest Fest Celebration October 11 – Garnet Health Medical Center
Celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Garnet Health Medical Center’s Middletown campus, the re-designation of Magnet, the retirement of executive team members Scott Batulis, Dr. Jim Oxley and Gene Bernieri and all the great work our staff has done during the past year.
Watch out for upcoming celebrations for Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills!
Organ Donor Enrollment Day is Thursday, October 7, 2021 For more information or to register, visit donatelife.ny.gov/ref/LiveOnNYDD10.
Gems Newsletter Produced by Garnet Health Marketing & Corporate Communications. For more information, contact Lauren Kropf-Zuckerman at lzuckerman@garnethealth.org or call 333-2363. 12
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