Garnet Health Gems - November 2022

Halloween Is Always a Treat at Garnet Health

Quality Corner

The 2023 Quality and Patient Safety Awards Are Coming—Theme Ideas Wanted!

The annual Quality and Patient Safety Awards are back after a COVID-19 hiatus. Garnet Health recognizes healthcare teams across the system for their accomplishments in improving patient quality and safety outcomes. Nomination submission forms will be provided in early 2023. Winners will be announced at an invitation-only themed award ceremony for healthcare teams that have conducted a performance-improvement initiative with demonstrable outcomes in patient care.

We want to hear your ideas for the 2023 theme! The theme for our last awards ceremony (held in 2019) was Game of Thrones. Suggestions received to date are London’s High Society Bridgerton, Disney’s Encanto, Superheroes, Magical/Mystical and Met Gala themes.

If you would like to submit an idea, please email mcrittenden@garnethealth.org . In the meantime, dust off those DMAIC templates and get started on a good project!

A big thank-you to everyone who showed off their Halloween spirit!

Garnet Health Gives Back to Our Community

This Thanksgiving,150 families in Orange and Sullivan counties were fed through the incredible generosity of our Garnet Health family. A huge thank-you to each employee who donated in some way. Your donation made a big impact on local families in need this holiday.

Addressing food security has become a top priority for Garnet Health. According to recent data, food insecurity rates in the communities we serve range between 9.8% and 11.5%. Additionally, the percentage of children eligible for free or reduced lunches ranges from 46% to 56%.

The Harris Campus raised enough for 12 $150 gift cards and provided three food baskets. Donations benefited families through the United Way and Homeless Federation as well as a few of our own employees. Special thanks to Jodi Goodman for organizing the initiative on the Harris Campus!

In conjunction with the Diehl Us In 4H Club from Callicoon, the Callicoon Campus raised enough to fund two food baskets, which were donated to families through Sullivan West High School. Thank you to Maureen Donnelly for leading the effort at the Callicoon Campus!

The Middletown Campus raised enough for 79 $150 gift cards and 54 food baskets. Donations benefited families through Cornell Cooperative Extension: Relatives as Parents Program, Cornerstone Family Healthcare, Women and Children’s Shelter, Honor, Middletown School District, Mid-Hudson Migrant Education Outreach Program, Orange County Department of Social Services & Access Preventative and Warwick Area Migrant Committee, as well as a few of our own employees. Sincere thanks to Colleen Gonzales for her leadership on the Middletown Campus.

On the cover, front row, L to R: Colleen Gonzales, Chris Costello, Maggie Jean-Francois and Nick Heintzmann. Back row, L to R: Ann DiAgostino, Maureen Roche, Reverend Nicole Hanley, April Alvarado, Anne Yang and Peggy Ludlow.

Harris Campus prepares Thanksgiving meal donations for pickup by local agencies.

L to R: Maureen Donnelly, RN; Kerry Gladstone, RN; Megan Eggleton, PT; Beth Doyle, RN; Megan Wessman, PT; and Kim Wall, RN.

L to R: Rev. Nicole Henley who blessed the offerings before they were distributed.

Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills: William Roser, Security Manager

Bill has done a tremendous job keeping his team together during a very difficult year. Despite major staffing shortages and increasing violence in some of the patient population, he has kept the team’s morale high by leading by example and always putting the needs of others and the organization first. Since becoming a manager in September, Bill has worked a 12 to 16-hour shift a total of eight times.

Bill truly looks out for his team and the safety of everyone in the hospital. He displays professionalism in every encounter, whether it is with patients, visitors or employees. He treats every member of his team with fairness and respect. Bill’s commitment to the Sullivan County community continues even when he is out of the office, as he serves as a chief in the local fire department.

Thank you, Bill, for all you do for Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills and our community! We are fortunate to have you in our family!

Garnet Health Medical Center: Sara Sargente, Patient Navigator, Oncology

Sara Sargente, RN, OCN, is a compassionate, dedicated RN who consistently delivers exemplary care. She goes above and beyond every day to make sure her patients are well cared for and is a huge advocate for them. She is a role model for all nurses and caregivers.

Recently, a patient of Sara’s had a J-tube inserted. Unfortunately, no one was able to help this patient obtain the supplies needed for feeding at home, and the patient was losing weight quickly, which was a concern. The patient needed special at-home supplies, and Sara took it upon herself to help. She called multiple agencies and spent hours trying to obtain what was needed. She ultimately succeeded, demonstrating that she will never give up when it comes to a patient’s needs.

Thank you, Sara, for all you do. Your nomination states, “She truly makes a difference every day.” We agree! Congratulations!

The Employee of the Month program is also known as the Being Exceptional Every day (BEE) Award—and Being Exceptional Every day takes dedication, loyalty and commitment. To nominate an employee, physician, volunteer or team/department, visit the intranet page, scroll down and click on the BEE Award icon.

Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills Honors Tanya Perez, RN, with Daisy Award

Tanya Perez is an outstanding nurse who works hard every day delivering exceptional patient care. She recently demonstrated clinical expertise, exemplary dedication, a calm demeanor and all-around professionalism through a very challenging acute-care patient case.

Tanya was instrumental in recognizing there was a new and very serious clinical issue with her patient. Her astute clinical assessment and ability to intervene swiftly to successfully reverse the patient’s condition and stabilize them was amazing to witness. Her lifesaving measures went above and beyond that day. Tanya is one of our best nurses and is a role model for exemplary patient care.

Tanya, thank you for all you do every day to care for our patients! You are a rock star! Congratulations!

Garnet Health Celebrates Our October 2022 Employees of the Month

Daisy Nomination Special Shoutout

L to R: Kelsey Rourke, who received a Daisy nomination, is pictured with Michelle Alexis and Sarah Blanton, who received five nominations each

Mary Kay Mooney, RN, was nominated for a Daisy Award.

Angelika Harrison, LPN, was nominated for a Daisy Award.

Congratulations to the following GHMC-C Nurses for Receiving Daisy Nominations!

Michelle Alexis

Matt Berger

Sarah Blanton

Nancy Doherty

Beth Doyle

Maya Duquette

Sylvia Galligan

Colleen Chudik Grishaber

Kathy Hahn

Quinn Hofer

Marlene Josephs

Erika Marrero

Mary Kay Mooney

Myriame Osias-Louis

Jania Sevilla Brenton Smith Dawn Twomey Danielle Viola Sue Vorstadt

Jackie Warring

Andrea Whitehead

Garnet Health Medical Center Celebrates MORE Certified Nurses!

We are thrilled to announce that six OB nurses have received certifications! Congratulations to Shaylyn Wood, Carol Nivens, Katelynn Hannan, Julia Paccio and Edilyne Delima for receiving their certification in Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM). Sandra Jimenez received two certifications: Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB) and Inpatient Antepartum Nursing (RNC-IAP).

Nurses who hold a certification in Electronic Fetal Monitoring, Inpatient Antepartum Nursing and Inpatient Obstetric Nursing have made the commitment to lifelong learning, patient advocacy and professional practice, and have specialty knowledge.

L to R: Carol Nivens, Julia Paccio and Katelynn Hannan.

Edilyne Delima, in the middle with her colleagues.

L to

For more information on becoming board certified, please contact Ashley Miller at amiller1@garnethealth.org.

R: Nicole Sewell, Lisa Konopko, Sandra Jimenez, Shaylyn Wood, Deb Beakes and Ashley Miller.

GARNET HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER

Healthgrades awards reflect our dedication to delivering high-quality care and industry-leading outcomes. They also distinguish Garnet Health Medical Center as one of the nation’s leading hospitals for specialty care. A sincere thank-you and congratulations to all who’ve been instrumental in achieving these impressive honors year after year!

Recipient of the Healthgrades Bariatric Surgery Excellence Award™

Seven Years in a Row (2017 – 2023)

Recognized by Healthgrades for Superior Performance in Bariatric Surgery

Seven Years in a Row (2017 – 2023)

Recognized Among the Top 5% of Hospitals for Bariatric Surgery for 2023

Among the Top 10% of Hospitals Evaluated for Bariatric Surgery

Seven Years in a Row (2017 – 2023)

Five-Star Recipient for Overall Bariatric Surgery Nine Years in a Row (2015 – 2023)

Five-Star Recipient for Hip Fracture Treatment in 2023

Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Stroke

Five Years in a Row (2019 – 2023)

Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Sepsis

Five Years in a Row (2019 – 2023)

Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Pulmonary Embolism

Three Years in a Row (2021 – 2023)

Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Respiratory Failure

Five Years in a Row (2019 – 2023)

WINS HEALTHGRADES AWARDS

Wellness Word of the Month SPIRITUAL

/ˈspiriCH(o͞o)əl/ adjective: relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things

“Spirituality is simply a way of life, pure and original as given by the most high. Spirituality is a network linking us to the most high, the universe and each other.” — Haile Selassie

Spirituality is a broad concept of a belief that there is something greater than us, a higher power that connects all beings to each other and the universe. It is not a single path, belief system or religion. Spiritual wellness can help you lead a more peaceful, calm and centered life. There is no one way to practice spirituality, but here are some tips to get you started:

• Practice the art of living in the “now.” Focus on today. Don’t worry about the past or the future.

• Strive for peace of mind—let go of negative thoughts and focus on positive energy.

• Stop overthinking and don’t speculate about the unknown. Take one day at a time!

• It’s the time of giving—try to help someone in need.

• Reach out to someone in need of a friend. But don’t expect anything in return. It will only cause pain if you don’t get what you expected from them.

• Practice meditation. Take breaks throughout the day and meditate.

• After a hectic, stressful day, you deserve to treat yourself to at least an hour of “me” time. Do something that appeases your soul.

• Music, journaling and walking outdoors are all good ways to cleanse your mind.

• Don’t forget to plan a fun time with friends, to celebrate the holidays.

• Find a workout routine you love. It could be at your home or at the gym, or it could be a group activity outdoors with friends. Regular exercise helps you generate “feel good” hormones and keeps you happy.

Anjana Poonthota, MD, MPH, FAAP, is Medical Director, Garnet Health Women’s and Children’s Services Program and Pediatrics, and Director of Wellness, Garnet Health. She is enthusiastic about sharing tips about our health and wellness.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion — December Recognition Days

Garnet Health is committed to being an inclusive organization that supports growth and innovation by providing an environment where employees, patients and visitors feel they belong. We also recognize that having more diverse backgrounds among our staff and providers contributes to better patient care. Please help share in acknowledging the following national and/or worldwide recognitions.

DEC 2

DEC 1

Rosa Parks Day:

A day that promotes civil rights and equal rights for all, in honor of Rosa Parks, the brave civil rights activist.

DEC 3

International Day of Persons with Disabilities:

The spirit of the day is to ensure that all people in the world have equal opportunities for work, play, health and success— no matter their disability.

DEC 18

Hanukkah:

Also called the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah’s eight days of festivities celebrate the rededication of the second Jewish temple in Jerusalem.

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery:

On this day in 1949, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others. This day is dedicated to ending modern forms of slavery, such as sexual exploitation and human trafficking, and the most heinous kinds of child labor.

DEC 10

Human Rights Day:

A remembrance of the day the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. It has inspired countries and people alike to start treating every person with the right to life, liberty, property and the pursuit of happiness.

DEC 16-24

Las Posadas:

A religious festival traditionally held in Mexico and parts of Latin America. An important part of the Christmas festivities, Las Posadas is nine nights of celebration. Before each gathering, guests form a procession to mark Mary and Joseph’s search for an inn on the night of Jesus’ birth.

DEC 26

Kwanzaa

DEC 25

Christmas Christians celebrate this day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion.

An African American and Pan-African sevenday cultural holiday that celebrates family and community, dedicated to reflection and recommitment to the seven principles: Faith, Unity, Self-Determination, Creativity, Purpose, Cooperative Economics and Responsibility.

Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills

Grateful for the Support of Its Community

Meals Cooked with Love from the Neversink General Store

On October 28, Jerry Dunlavey, Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills chief operating officer, traveled to the Neversink General Store in Neversink, New York, and met with Chef Jaime Stankevicius and his team to express our deep appreciation and gratitude for the generous support they have shown our staff over the last three years.

Chef Jaime and his team delivered hot homemade meals daily to the entire hospital staff for several months during the height of the pandemic. More recently, they have been preparing and making a monthly delivery to our nurses on 5 East. This monthly gift was made possible by a patient’s family, who wished to recognize the care and kindness the 5 East nurses displayed during their family member’s stay with us. We are truly fortunate to have such caring friends and neighbors helping us to provide exceptional healthcare services.

Handmade Quilts Comfort Cancer Patients

The Oncology and Infusion Center at GHMC-C recently received 32 beautiful, colorful handmade quilts to comfort patients through their cancer journey. We are truly grateful to Barbara, Judy, Pat and Mrs. Mary for sharing their talents with us. Each quilt will provide warmth and will put a smile our patients’ faces!

L to R: Tammy

On November 18, 2022, GHMC-C was presented with a check for $85,000 for funds raised at the 2022 Hearta-Thon, held in February. The 2022 Heart-a-Thon Committee members were on hand to help Jerry Dunlavey, Garnet Health Medical Center –Catskills chief operating officer, accept the check on behalf of the hospital. The donation will be used to purchase an echocardiography system, which provides imaging optimization of the heart’s function and reduces exam time.

To make a donation in support of Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills, please visit garnethealth.org/giving/foundation-catskills.

LaGattuta, RN; Mary O’Shea-Siegel, RN, OCN; Wendy Keesler, LPN; and Katherine Menges, RN, OCN.

L to R: Gary Siegel; Jodi Goodman, Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills patient experience director; Jerry Dunlavey, Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills chief operating officer; Dawn Ciorciari, general manager, Bold Gold Media Group; Lori Orestano-James; and Les Kristt.

Garnet Health Honors Our Veterans

Garnet Health Honors Our Veterans

Garnet Health Medical Center Gift Shop Hosts Local Author Book Signing

Garnet Health Medical Center Gift Shop recently hosted Jennifer Selby, former Garnet Health nurse practitioner turned children’s book author. Jennifer, who was born and raised in Newburgh, joined us on November 11 to promote and sign her book, Good Night Twinkle Toes. The book was published in July 2022 and is available for purchase on Amazon.

Jennifer will return to the Gift Shop on December 30, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m., with illustrator and longtime friend Daniel Maisonet, also from Newburgh.

Gems Newsletter

Produced by Garnet Health Marketing & Corporate Communications. For more information, email mmanheim@garnethealth.org or call (845) 333-2391.