New Standard Summer 2010 by Hillel Dlugacz

summer 2010

See wards n Preside ts A e section insid

The Employee Publication of North Shore-LIJ Health System

New School to Change Medicine on Long Island and Beyond HEMPSTEAD — Hofstra University’s and North Shore-LIJ Health System’s School of Medicine is officially open for business — becoming the first new allopathic medical school in New York State since 1963. The medical school has received preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), as well as final approval of its education program from the New York State Education Department’s Division of Professional Education. The approvals have allowed the medical school to begin to recruit its first class of 40 students, who will begin studies next summer. “Having our own medical school will transform both North Shore-LIJ

The New York Jets’ former training facility has been transformed into the new medical school.

and Hofstra University, elevating us to an unprecedented level of prominence,” said Michael Dowling, the health system’s president and CEO. “It will put the health system on par with some of the nation’s most prestigious healthcare organizations.” The school’s curriculum will change the face of medical education in this country by putting students in patient-care settings from Day One, including the ambulances operated by North Shore-LIJ’s Center for Emergency Medical Services. The health system’s Patient Safety Institute, The Feinstein continued on page 30

Urgent Care Centers to Open in Manhattan, Queens and LI NEW YORK CITY — To help ease the

impact of the April closing of St. Vincent’s Hospital in lower Manhattan, North ShoreLIJ Health System is planning to open a new urgent care center in Greenwich Village later this year. The new urgicenter is one of three that North Shore-LIJ plans to open in the coming months. The others will be in Rego Park and Bethpage. The urgicenter in lower Manhattan presents the greatest challenge, considering the community outcry that occurred following the closing of St. Vincent’s after 160 years. “The urgent care center will not replace the hospital by any means, but it will fill a vital need for thousands of people with less-severe injuries and illnesses,” said Mark Solazzo, executive vice president and chief operating officer at North Shore-LIJ. Mr. Solazzo has been spearheading the effort with officials from Lenox Hill Hospital.

Governor Paterson awarded a $9.4 million state grant to establish the center. The urgicenter will provide 24/7 community-based access for patients with mild to moderate illnesses or injuries, providing them with a more timely alternative to emergency department care. Immediate Outpatient Care “The goal is to treat patients who need immediate care and can’t wait to schedule an office visit with their physician,” said Robert Femia, MD, chairman of emergency medicine at Lenox Hill. The urgicenter will offer primary care, pediatric care and X-ray and ultrasound services — all on an outpatient basis. The facility will include exam, treatment and minor procedure rooms, an area for diagnostic testing, non-clinical office space and a waiting room. It will be staffed by Lenox Hill’s board-certified emergency physicians and RNs certified in emergency nursing. continued on page 30

I N S I D E : Alzheimer’s Education 8

A Passage to India 18

New Health System Chairman 19 Presidents Awards center section

National Quality Healthcare Award Winner 2010

North Shore is State’s Best for Open-Heart Surgery, Angioplasty MANHASSET — A new state Department of

Health (DOH) report shows that North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) had New York State’s best outcomes for patients undergoing surgeries to repair or replace heart valves and for those in need of surgeries for both valve and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. A separate DOH report showed that for the second consecutive year, NSUH had significantly better outcomes for patients undergoing emergency angioplasty, the procedure to clear blocked arteries and improve blood flow. NSUH was one of three hospitals in the state and the only one on Long Island to receive a double-star ranking for angioplasty performed on high-risk patients. The DOH’s open-heart surgery and angioplasty reports encompass data from 2005 to 2007. Besides the hospital’s top ranking, two NSUH surgeons — Alan Hartman, MD, chairman of cardiothoracic surgery at North Shore and Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center, and Rick Esposito, MD, associate chair of cardiothoracic surgery at NSUH — had riskadjusted mortality rates that were among the lowest in the state for CABG, earning them the DOH’s coveted double-star rating for outcomes significantly better than the statewide average. That distinction was also earned by LIJ Medical Center surgeon Robert Palazzo, MD, who had zero mortality for his 258 car-

Rick Esposito, MD

Lawrence Ong, MD

diac bypass surgery patients during the threeyear period covered by the DOH report. For angioplasty, the report reviews riskadjusted outcomes for 53 hospitals and approximately 350 cardiologists who perform the procedure. NSUH cardiologist Lawrence Ong, MD, had the state’s best outcomes for all types of angioplasty during that time frame and had zero mortality among his 793 patients. “Cardiac services provided throughout North Shore-LIJ Health System continue to demonstrate excellence,” said Stanley Katz, MD, senior vice president of cardiovascular services for North Shore-LIJ Health System. "It’s important for the public to have access to this type of statistical medical information so they can make informed decisions about their healthcare providers and lifesaving procedures.”

Robert Palazzo, MD

Alan Hartman, MD

Sepsis: A Matter of Life and Death The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research has been breaking ground in sepsis research for years. This fall, the institute will assemble world leaders in sepsis, federal regulators and organizations drawn into the sepsis battle to brainstorm over the latest science and put a face to this condition. The Merinoff Symposium 2010: Sepsis will feature presentations from the best minds in the field September 29 through October 1 at the Feinstein’s Goldman Conference Center. Seating is limited; to request an invitation, email Christopher Czura, PhD, at cczura@nshs.edu.

— Brian Mulligan

Message from the President Vision 2020 With the recent approval of our School of Medicine, the addition of Lenox Hill as our first Manhattan hospital and our acceptance earlier this year of the National Quality Forum Award, North Shore-LIJ Health System is going through a period of transformation unlike any in our history. In addition to the milestones noted above, within the past year alone we: q Broke ground on a new $120 million pavilion that will distinguish the Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York as a world-class children’s hospital. q Launched the nation’s largest electronic health records initiative — a $400 million investment that will transform the delivery of care in the New York area. q Began construction on the Katz Women’s Hospital at North Shore University Hospital and made amazing progress on the Katz Women’s Hospital and Zuckerberg Pavilion at Long Island Jewish Medical Center — a total investment of more than $300 million. q Opened one of the largest patient simulation centers in the nation at our Center for Learning and Innovation. 2

q Invested $39 million in Staten Island University Hospital's new state-of-the-art Emergency Department and $20 million in expanding Southside Hospital's cardiac services and capabilities. This progress continues in September when we break ground on a new $90 million inpatient pavilion at The Zucker Hillside Hospital, and host an international conference on sepsis — the Merinoff Symposium — that will attract hundreds of scientists to The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research. For everything we have accomplished during the health system’s 13-year history, we need to develop the framework for what we want to be in the year 2020. We laid the foundation of a healthcare system that has achieved extraordinary things. But are we as good as we can be in terms of the quality of care we deliver? To be a great healthcare organization, we must deliver superior performance every day, continually transform and innovate, and never be held hostage to precedent or the old way of doing things. Great organizations have a strong, positive impact on the people they serve and invest in their workforce, because

organizations are all about people, values and behaviors. Great healthcare organizations Michael Dowling never lose sight of their core mission — in our case, improving the health of the more than seven million people who live in our communities. The years ahead will present challenges, particularly during this era of healthcare reform when hospital performance will be scrutinized like never before and our government funding will continue to decline. We will be challenged in new ways to be entrepreneurial and innovative and to base every decision on what’s right for our patients. Every patient should be regarded as a VIP who consistently receives high-quality, coordinated care. Electronic health records and other technologies offer us the opportunity to significantly enhance care, but we must never forget the human factor. You’ll be hearing more in the months ahead about what I call “Vision 2020” — our roadmap for the next 10 years.

In the

A Day in the

SPOTLIGHT

LIFE OF...

Ambulatory Center

Neil Rosen, Project Director

EAST MEADOW — One of Long Island’s

most-utilized, comprehensive rehabilitation centers recently underwent rehab itself. North Shore-LIJ Health System’s East Meadow Ambulatory Center at 801 Merrick Avenue now boasts 15 exam rooms for orthopedists, neurologists, physiatrists and other specialists plus a renovated therapy gym for the 300-plus patients it serves daily. “The renovated Ambulatory Center offers an ideal environment for patients to receive care for musculoskeletal disorders,” said Nina DePaola, PT, executive director of North Shore-LIJ’s orthopedic and rehabilitation services. “This one location offers full service from physician evaluations to imaging and diagnostics, rehabilitation and after-care wellness.” Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center’s Frank DiMaio, MD, Steven Rokito, MD, and Mark Drakos, MD, help patients at the East Meadow Center who need joint replacement, sports medicine and foot/ankle care, respectively, while Karen Blitz, DO, specializes in neurorehabilitation and multiple sclerosis. Physical and occupational therapists at STARS (Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Services), located at the same facility, provide patients with evidencedbased treatment and individualized therapy. The healthcare team coordinates care so patients are assured of optimal reduction of pain and inflammation, regained mobility and strength, and a return to the highest possible functioning level. The reconstruction optimizes the center’s 15,000 square feet and maximizes patient flow by reconfiguring physician suites and

Facilities Services, North Shore-LIJ Health System

How does your day start? My day starts at a 7 a.m. meeting with project management staff. We discuss current and future projects and put our heads together to see if we can do anything to make those projects more sustainable.

Patient David Kaplowitz, seated, confers with physical therapist Sal DiMatteo, PT, left, Frank DiMaio, MD, center, and Brian Krebs, PT, DPT, right.

the gym area; reworked staff workspace improves communication and efficiency. “Our technological upgrades include diagnostic imaging equipment and a user-friendly phone system,” said Donald Simmons, assistant director of rehabilitation and orthopedic services, adding that new electronic medical records improve capability and allow staff to spend more time with patients. LIJ Medical Center offers additional orthopedic locations in Great Neck, while STARS facilities are also located in Roslyn Heights, Manhasset and Forest Hills. For information call 516-465-8611. — Elaine Wohl

Tribute Caps 49-Year Career Laundry and Linen Services staff members recently joined well-wishers from throughout North Shore University Hospital to express their appreciation of director Larry Wade, rear/center in white lab coat, at his surprise retirement party. Colleagues offered words of love, praise and respect for their friend, and for so many, a mentor. “I consider everyone I've worked with at North Shore to be my family — from the members of the hospital's administration to all of the people I have enjoyed working with in my department over the last 49 years. It's difficult to say goodbye," said Mr. Wade. After a few rounds of golf, Mr. Wade plans to spend more time at the hospital as a volunteer.

“If you plan green from the beginning, there is little cost increase up front, and it pays itself back tenfold. . .” What are some of your responsibilities? I am here to build safe, sustainable environments, which involves building to save energy, providing indoor environmental qualities (like ventilation and access to daylight), making the building accessible by public transportation, choosing materials with a lot of recycled content that is manufactured within 500 miles and minimizing the amount of waste materials that go to landfills by recycling or reusing. What is the biggest obstacle you face each day? Dealing with the misperception that going green costs more money. If you plan green from the beginning, there is little cost increase up front, and it pays itself back tenfold over the life of the building. What are your goals for North Shore-LIJ green initiatives? In healthcare, as in no other industry, we have the ability to reduce our impact on the planet and make people healthier at the same time. We need to make it our culture to create environments that accomplish that. I want to help repair some environmental harm by making the structures we build and renovate as sustainable as possible. If our industry can do it, others can too, and we can help them realize that. What do you consider to be a successful day? I want to be able to leave behind a place that is cleaner and more efficient. A good day is one in which we’ve left our environment in better shape than it started. — Kristen Longo 3

Around the SYSTEM Prominent Organizations Honor Three Hospitals mendations for at least 24 months. Time lost after the onset of stroke is brain lost for patients. The institutions’ quick and efficient treatment help minimize damage to stroke patients’ brains.

Franklin Welcomes New Associate Chief of Orthopedics

Hospital (SIUH). “Most people don’t look forward to chemotherapy,” said Kerry Gillespie, director of SIUH’s Center for Complementary Medicine. But the patients in this program look forward to the yoga therapy they take during chemotherapy infusions More than 140 orthopedic patients and their guests put on their dancing every Thursday. “It takes shoes at the recent Rehab Reunion Party held at the North Ritz Club in Syosset. The group celebrated their new active lifestyle made possible by their minds off the joint-replacement surgery performed by Eugene Krauss, MD, chairman of chemo and offers other orthopedics at Glen Cove Hospital, and Ayal Segal, MD. Patients also benefits,” Ms. Gillespie thanked rehabilitation specialists of the Glen Cove Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation and the Marquis Nursing and Rehabilitation facility in Glen said in a recent article Cove, sponsors of the dinner dance. Celebrants included, from left: Judy that appeared on Jacobs, Nassau County legislator; Hon. Frank Gulotta, Jr., Nassau County ABCNews.com. Supreme Court Justice; Dr. Krauss and his wife, Carmel; Dr. Segal; and Marie A growing body of Marzano, RN, manager of Glen Cove’s Total Joint Replacement Program. medical literature suggests the practice of director of medical oncology at SIUH. Ms. yoga poses, called asanas, can benefit mulRoth couldn’t be more pleased. “My son is a tiple health conditions. Study results fitness expert and personal trainer, so I’ve released this spring indicate that yoga posialways understood the value of yoga and tively affects cancer patients’ sleep quality, exercise,” she said. fatigue levels and overall quality of life. — Arleen Ryback “While working with ABCNews.com, we learned that our yoga therapy is a unique program,” said Frank Forte, MD,

IPRO Honors Forest Hills Furthermore, Forest Hills Hospital was honored for delivering highquality patient-centered care by IPRO, a federally designated quality improvement association. The IPRO Quality

Grateful Patients Celebrate New Moves

Franklin Hospital

VALLEY STREAM — Franklin Hospital has named Gus Katsigiorgis, DO, as associate chief of orthopedics, specializing in sports medicine, orthopedic surgery and joint replacement. He joins Norman Sveilic, DO, chief of orthopedics, in leading the Gus Katsigiorgis, DO department. Dr. Katsigiorgis also has privileges at North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center. He received his osteopathic degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of the New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury and is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery. “Dr. Katsigiorgis thoroughly understands the goals and needs of the Franklin orthopedic team,” said Alex Hellinger, the hospital’s associate executive director. “He will help expand and improve the department, and continue to enhance its reputation as a leading source of state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary orthopedic care.”

Benefit Management Honor Roll

Chemo Goes to Yoga doing a yoga pose, taking deep breaths to release tension and encourage relaxation. But she wasn’t in a fitness center or yoga studio. Ms. Roth and her certified yoga therapist, Christy Parlatore, were practicing yoga in the Florina Rusi Marke Chemotherapy Treatment Room at the North Site of Staten Island University

B. Higgins

STATEN ISLAND — Mindy Roth was

Award honored the team led by Geraldine Kilanowski, RN, and Anne Morgan, RN, for commitment and adherence to national patient safety goals for medication administration and nursing compliance. The award was presented at IPRO’s annual membership meeting in early June.

The American Stroke Association has honored Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center, Forest Hills Hospital and Huntington Hospital for their high treatment standards for stroke patients. Huntington Hospital received the Gold Plus Performance Achievement Award for 24 months of 75 percent or higher adherence on quality measures plus at least 24 months of 85 percent or higher adherence on all measures. The organization gave LIJ and Forest Hills Gold Performance Achievement Awards for ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted standards and recom-

Christy Parlatore, right, certified yoga therapist, assists patient Mindy Roth in SIUH’s Florina Rusi Marke Chemotherapy Treatment Room.

Business Insurance magazine recently placed Joseph Molloy, North Shore-LIJ Health System’s corporate director of benefits, on the Benefit Management Honor Roll. Mr. Molloy accepted the honor at the 2010 Benefit Manager of the Year Forum this summer in New Joseph Molloy York City.

Stern CECR Reaches the Pinnacle MANHASSET — The Healthcare

Association of New York State (HANYS) has recognized the Stern Family Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation (CECR) for significantly reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections. The CECR received the 2010 Pinnacle Award for Quality and Patient Safety at HANYS’ recent annual conference in Bolton Landing, NY.

A New Era Begins Steven and Alexandra Cohen, center, recently participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for a $120 million pavilion at the Cohen Children's Medical Center (CCMC) of New York, which was renamed in their honor in recognition of a $50 million gift from the Cohen Foundation. Joining them were, from left: Saul Katz, former chairman of North Shore-LIJ Health System; Arthur Klein, MD, the health system’s senior vice president of children’s services and CCMC’s executive director and chief of staff; and Michael Dowling, North Shore-LIJ's president and CEO.

NORC Supporters’ Walk This spring, Nassau County Legislator Judy Jacobs, North Shore-LIJ’s director of community relations, joined Plainview and Old Bethpage residents in a walk to support naturally occurring retirement communities (NORC). NORCs provide services to make staying in the home both feasible and enjoyable for senior citizens. Front, from left: Sue Tregermam, assistant executive director, Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center (JCC); Rebecca Alesia, Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman; Ruth Soffrin, advisory board member, Plainview/Old Bethpage Neighborhood NORCs; Ms. Jacobs; Paul Soffrin, advisory board member, Plainview/Old Bethpage Neighborhood NORCs; Dale Chaikin MS, RN, director of adult services for North Shore-LIJ ’s Home Care Network; and Joyce Ashkenazy, executive director, Mid-Island YJCC. Rear, from left: David Rosner, development director, Mid-Island YJCC; Elissa and Jake Friedman, and Mel Breshin, Plainview/Old Bethpage residents; Mark Meltzer, project director, Plainview-Old Bethpage Neighborhood NORCs; and Carol Frank, advisory board member, Plainview-Old Bethpage Neighborhood NORCs.

Of more than 130 nominated projects, the CECR’s initiative to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections — a common healthcare-acquired bacterial infection — was judged among the best in the state. The CECR created a multi-disciplinary task force and implemented a facility-wide plan to address the problem. The effort resulted in a 75 percent reduction in CECR’s number of catheter-associated urinary tract infections from 2006 to 2009. “I applaud the diligence of our entire medical, nursing, quality and infection control staff in reducing and preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and improving the quality and safety of the care that we deliver to patients,” said Maureen McClusky, executive director of the Stern CECR. “As a result of the initiative, we also decreased patients’ length of stay, reduced the cost of treatment and increased the efficiency of our nursing staff.” To reduce facility-acquired urinary tract infections, the project included: q revising policy and procedures; q creating a standard of practice to remove catheters within 24 hours; educating interdisciplinary staff; q adhering to strict infection control q protocols; and q continuously assessing long-term catheter use.

Southside, Staten Island Score Press Ganey Awards Staten Island University Hospital and Southside Hospital each recently received Press Ganey’s Hospital Value Index Award. The Value Index analyzes more than 4,500 general acute-care hospitals to offer a comprehensive picture of a hospital’s value. “This is important recognition for our

hospitals,” said Winnie Mack, RN, executive director at Southside. “Rankings and awards are additional tools consumers can use when making their healthcare decisions. The Value Index is a valuable resource because it uses objective, verifiable and quantitative data that is consistent and com-

plete across the entire country, ensuring objective measurement.” The Hospital Value Index Award recognizes the top 25 percent of hospitals, as ranked by the Hospital Value Index, by measuring a hospital’s success in quality, affordability, efficiency and patient satisfaction. 5

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13064-4-10

Under the MICROSCOPE The Subway Series to Fight Lupus MANHASSET — Lisa Marcus lives in

Brooklyn, and under ordinary circumstances it’s very unlikely that she would have befriended Marion Benjamin of the Bronx. But the 48-year-old Park Slope blues singer/songwriter met the 57-year-old retired traffic officer because of their shared medical history. They have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease that has changed the trajectory of their lives and has brought them to The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research with the same vision: To get better. Diagnosed in the 1980s, Ms. Benjamin saw her mother die of the disease and has two siblings with lupus. SLE is three times more common in women and African Americans are at even higher risk; no one is quite sure why. Ms. Marcus had no family history but she developed her first symptoms three years ago. Fellowship Found The two patients bonded as soon as they met last fall. Ms. Benjamin said she feels as if she is looking at herself three decades ago when she was diagnosed with lupus. She spent almost a decade at home because the lesions that erupted on her skin were so painful and sunlight hurt her eyes. Ms. Marcus, who was diagnosed in 2007, has

been so exhausted by constant fevers that she too has stayed in her apartment most of the time. Ms. Benjamin is playing mentor, encouraging Ms. Marcus to turn to things that make her happy, like her music. And Ms. Marcus is finally listening. She recently began picking up her guitar and singing again. “This is where my life changed,” said Ms. Benjamin, who has been involved in two research studies at The Feinstein’s General Clinical Research Center, which is part of the institute’s Center for Autoimmune Diseases and Musculoskeletal Disorders. Cynthia Aranow, MD, and Meggan Mackay, MD, codirectors of the Clinical Research Unit, which is part of

“This is where my life changed.” the Feinstein’s Center for Autoimmune Diseases, suggested that Ms. Benjamin and Ms. Marcus would hit it off. They did. Now, they talk on the phone almost daily. Ms. Marcus said she is beginning to make the best of her tiring days. She, too, participates in clinical treatment studies at The Feinstein.

Ms. Benjamin said that she finally got her symptoms under control and continues to benefit from monthly visits to the Feinstein to help track her symptoms and the course of her disease. “I have been doing so well that they now want to figure out why,” she said. Ms. Marcus felt better when she spent a year on a study drug, but the trial ended and her exhaustion has returned. She said she is plagued by fevers and every day a new set of rashes appears. The Feinstein doctors are searching for an effective treatment for her symptoms. Active Participants The two friends have participated in the design and active enrollment of subjects into studies of new therapeutic agents that may be useful for treating SLE and other autoimmune diseases. Their monthly blood samples go to lupus laboratories at the Feinstein where scientists correlate biologic markers in blood or urine samples with clinical information about the patients. This information allows researchers to study abnormalities in the immune system, discover how they contribute to autoimmune disease and identify targets for the development of new therapies. These types of studies can also include genetic testing to help understand why some individcontinued on page 30

North Shore-LIJ Awards Three Endowed Professorships; Elmezzi Presents Honorary PhDs MANHASSET — North Shore-LIJ

Health System recently awarded three endowed professorships in the School of Medicine that North Shore-LIJ is developing with Hofstra University. The professorships have substantial endowments — funded by trustees of North Shore-LIJ and other donors — that support research, education and patient-care programs the recipients are involved in. They are: q Vincent Bonagura, MD, chief of allergy and immunology at the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, named the Jack Hausman From left, front: William Paul, MD, Masanobu Kawakami, MD, and Jules Professor of Pediatrics; Hirsch, MD. From left, rear: Kevin Tracey, MD, David Battinelli, MD, Michael q Peter Davies, PhD, scientific Dowling, Bettie Steinberg, PhD, and Lawrence Smith, MD. director of the Litwin-Zucker Center for Research on at North Shore-LIJ Health System, named Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory the Arlene and Arthur Levine Professor of Disorders of The Feinstein Institute for Ophthalmology. Medical Research, named the Leonard The awards were presented recently during Litwin and Donald Zucker Professor of the annual convocation ceremony at the Elmezzi Geriatric Psychiatry; and Graduate School of Molecular Medicine, a PhD q Ira Udell, MD, chairman of ophthalmology program that trains physicians for careers in

medical research at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research. This year, two physician/scientists completed their course of research and study: Kiyokazu Koga, MD, who studies cardiovascular risk factors, and Chris Tang, MD, who studies brain networks that become progressively abnormal in Parkinson’s disease. In addition, the Elmezzi Graduate School presented honorary degrees to three outstanding scientists who have worked tirelessly to answer questions in many areas of medicine: q William Paul, MD, chief of the Laboratory of Immunology at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease; q Masanobu Kawakami, MD, director of the Saitama Medical Center, Japan; and q Jules Hirsch, MD, professor emeritus and physician-in-chief emeritus at Rockefeller University in New York. — Jamie Talan

Nursing MISSION Glen Cove Spearheads Alzheimer’s Education GLEN COVE — Recognizing that a hospital stay for patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease can provoke anxiety and confusion, Glen Cove Hospital recently collaborated with the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) to train Geriatric Unit nurses and other caregivers to enhance patient care. “We are proud to become the first hospital in the country with the largest number of staff members to complete specialized training in dementia care developed by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America,” Dennis Connors, executive director of Glen Cove Hospital, said at a recent ceremony honoring nurses and patient care associates qualified by the Dementia Care Professionals of America (DCPA), a branch of the AFA. “This is a great achievement, and I commend our dedicated nurses and caregivers for their vision and commitment to providing sensitive, quality care for patients with dementia.”

Unit, known as 2 South, completed coursework and training through the DCPA, which offers membership, training and education to all healthcare professionals. Staff members who successfully completed DCPA's training earned qualification as AFA dementia care providers and specialists. Patient care associates had eight hours of coursework, while registered nurses completed 16 hours of training. The impetus for training staff through

— Betty Olt

Nurse Certification

Elaine Evangelou-Soto, RN, left, nurse manager for patient care services, presents Joan Clifford, NP, right, with a pin to signify completion of the AFA's dementia care training program.

Alzheimer’s on the Rise According to the AFA, DCPA addresses an escalating problem in the United States: As many as 4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, and more than 16 million are expected to be affected by it within 40 years. Yet, healthcare professionals’ knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and treatment options, and their capabilities related to cognitive stimulation therapies, communication skills and practical issues, often fall short of what is required to properly care for patients and assist their family members. “We applaud Glen Cove Hospital for recognizing the importance of creating the proper environment for hospitalized individuals with dementia, and going the extra mile to provide its geriatric staff with dementia-specific training,” said Eric Hall, president and chief executive officer of the AFA. “By having the most AFA-qualified dementia care providers and specialists of any hospital in the nation, Glen Cove has set a precedent. We challenge other hospitals to follow suit and bring to their communities the optimal care and compassion that individuals with dementia and their families deserve.” Twenty-seven nurses and 18 patient care associates of Glen Cove’s Geriatric 8

AFA experts, the unit’s patient rooms were painted in a soothing pastel pink and softer lighting was installed. “Besides enhancing our clinical skills, the changes made in the overall environment have helped staff members to provide the care that Alzheimer’s patients require.” Established in 2004, DCPA has trained more than 4,000 dementia care professionals nationwide, including home health aides, certified nursing assistants, social workers, nurses and physicians. Its training program is based on the Dementia Education and Training Program, the official statewide training program authorized in Alabama. For more information, visit www.careprofessionals.org.

DCPA began about three years ago, when the program was recommended to Glen Cove Hospital by the Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center in East Hills, which is recognized for its senior programs and services for individuals with dementia and families needing support, as well as patient advocacy. Specialized Skills Often, elderly patients admitted to a hospital have a secondary diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease; these patients are generally admitted with a primary diagnosis of pneumonia, congestive heart failure or an infection, said Elaine Evangelou Soto, RN, nurse manager of Glen Cove’s Geriatric Unit, who spearheaded the dementia training at the hospital. “Caring for patients with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia requires a certain skill set,” she added. “It requires a clear understanding of the disease process and its symptoms, so caregivers can communicate effectively and provide the appropriate treatment. “We’ve also implemented some changes to the Geriatric Unit to be more comforting to patients with Alzheimer’s,” said Ms. Evangelou Soto. For example, after consulting with

All staff RNs in the Cohen Children’s Medical Center (CCMC) of New York’s Medical/Surgical Unit have achieved professional certification. Thirty-two nurses passed the Pediatric Nursing Credentialing Board exam, qualifying them for the RN-CPN designation. This milestone increases the compliment of certified RN staff to more than 45 percent throughout the hospital, and places CCMC in the top quartile nationally. The new RN-CPNs are: Leela Abraham Sue Bailey Aderet Block Carly Cohen Chelise Cameron Colleen Creegan Camille Cipriano Debbie Danese Diane Diver Diane Donati Gail Duenges Laura Dunac Katie Fredericks Beth Figgiani Nancy Flinn Tania Lestage Jane Mcmahon Gaelle Moise Kristen Ocuto Sara Panella Pat Paalo-Ross Laura Pulis Amy Romero Sharon Sachs Colleen Saville Lynn Sinner Margaret Tantillo Kathy Zampieron

Lenox Hill Hospital Nurses Contribute to Humanitarian Relief Effort in Haiti NEW YORK — Fifteen

Lenox Hill Hospital nurses traveled to Haiti recently to offer medical assistance and support to the victims of the devastating earthquake that struck the country earlier this year. The 15 staff members, who set up a mobile clinic amid the rubble, worked 13-hour shifts and treated 3,465 people within four days. The traumas ranged from displaced fractures and burns to hypertension and posttraumatic stress syndrome. In addition, most patients were treated for skin rash — a consequence of the lack of sanitary water. The volunteers also donated food, water, medicine, clothes and tents to Haitian locals through the support of corporate sponsors and various Roman Catholic charities. The supplies were essential, since many who became homeless after the natural disaster were forced to sleep outside in cardboard boxes. The team also brought 750 crutches, which were collected by Lynbrook High School students, as well as coloring books and crayons for children, which were provided by the Scarsdale Girl Scouts.

The trip was organized by Dionne Riley, assistant director of nursing at Lenox Hill Hospital, with support from Haitian American Care, Inc. (HACI), a nonprofit that Ms. Riley discovered through her church. Word about the impending volunteer mission spread quickly throughout the hospital, and many employees were eager to participate. In fact, to celebrate National Nurses Week, held the second week of May, all Lenox Hill Hospital nurses sacrificed their annual breakfast and the gift they usually receive from the hospital in order to donate that money to HACI. Motivation for participating in the relief effort was different for each nurse, but very close to the heart for several of them. Elsie Barthelemy, Yveline Calixle, Guerline Marcelin and Linda Danda all originally come from Haiti and many volunteers have family members still living there. Ms. Danda, who came to the US as a child, lost a cousin and uncle during the earthquake and felt she had a responsibility to help the survivors. “These are my people, my family, and it was my obligation to go,” she said.

“Many who became homeless ... were forced to sleep outside in cardboard boxes.”

— Barbara Osborn

Huntington Honors Nurse’s Wisdom in the Workplace She retired as an assistant nurse manager in 1996, but continues to work two overnight recently received Huntington Hospital’s inaushifts each week as a nursing supervisor. gural Wisdom in the Workplace Award, an “Doris is respected as a beloved honor recognizing the contributions of seacoworker and leader — an honor soned nurses who continue to reserved for select nurses who share their knowledge and will always be revered as a ‘nurse’s expertise with their colleagues. nurse’ for their steadfast collegialMs. Martinson began her ity and the superb care they procareer as an LPN in 1957. She vided to countless patients,” read joined Huntington Hospital in one of two letters nominating Ms. 1980 and worked the night Martinson for the award. shift while attending school “Huntington Hospital has full-time during the day to always been a place that I could become a registered nurse. depend on,” Ms. Martinson said. She polished her clinical “I gain satisfaction and comfort skills in Huntington’s Intensive as I share my nursing knowledge Care Unit for several years with others and in return learn before joining the Emergency something new.” Department, which she calls Doris Martinson, RN her “home away from home.” J. Barlowe

HUNTINGTON — Doris Martinson, RN,

Institute for Nursing Learning Programs Learn in a collegial setting during conferences and continuing education courses offered by North Shore-LIJ Health System’s Institute for Nursing. Upcoming classes include: Aug.11-12 Oncological Nursing Society Chemo/Biotherapy Course 420 Lakeville Road, Lake Success Sept. 15 Nursing Education Conference North Hills Country Club, Manhasset Sept. 24 Oncology Nursing Conference Swan Club, Glenwood Landing Oct. 6 Cardiac Nursing Conference Swan Club, Glenwood Landing Oct. 6-7 Oncological Nursing Society Chemo/Biotherapy Course Southside Hospital, Bay Shore Oct. 13 Evidence-Based Practice North Shore University Hospital Oct. 15 Pediatric Nursing Conference North Hills Country Club, Manhasset Oct. 30 Perioperative Nursing Conference North Hills Country Club, Manhasset Nov. 3-4 Oncological Nursing Society Chemo/Biotherapy Course 420 Lakeville Road, Lake Success Nov. 10 Diabetes Conference Swan Club, Glenwood Landing Nov. 11 Nursing Research 101 420 Lakeville Road, Lake Success Nov. 18 Neonatal Nursing Conference North Hills Country Club, Manhasset North Shore-LIJ Health System is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the New York State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Conferences and programs are added regularly. For more information, please call the Institute for Nursing at 718-470-3890 or visit NorthShoreLIJ.com 9

Physicians ROUNDS Independent Analysis Supports Chiari Institute’s Treatment Approach ied” by a multidisciplinary team of neuroNorth Shore-LIJ was especially interestsurgeons, neurologists and nurse practitioned in Dr. Ausman’s assessment of the Chiari ers to select the appropriate medical or surInstitute’s process for evaluating and selectgical therapy for their problems. ing patients, considering the allegations by •The patients’ cases and records are some plaintiffs and their lawyer that patients evaluated at weekly multidisciplinary meetwere pressured to have surgery. After ings, and treatment decisions are made observing that only 30 percent of the “according to strict protocols and criteria established by the Chiari Institute.” •Less than 30 percent of patients evaluated at the Chiari Institute undergo surgery, so there is no valid argument that TCI attracts patients in order to generate income. •More than 80 percent of Chiari Institute patients improve after treatment. •The Chiari Institute’s retired director, Thomas Milhorat, MD, who currently is continuing his research at North Shore-LIJ’s Feinstein Arthur Beil, MD, second from left, recently greeted Robert Replogle, Institute for Medical MD, center, professor of surgery at the University of Chicago’s School Research, has published of Medicine, when he presented “The Origins of the Culture of more Chiari-related research Surgery” for the first Arthur R. Beil Lecture at North Shore University studies than any neurosurHospital (NSUH). The Department of Surgery and Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery will present the lecture annually geon in the world. to honor Dr. Beil, former chairman of surgery at North Shore. Also on •TCI used published literhand were, from left, Gene Coppa, senior vice president of North ature and its own research to Shore-LIJ surgical services, Rick Esposito, MD, associate chairman of improve patient outcomes — cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at NSUH, and Alan Hartman, MD, an approach called “evidencechairman of thoracic surgery at North Shore. based medicine” that is the basis for many medical advances over the years. patients who came to the Chiari Institute •The Chiari Institute relies on “established were operated on, Dr. Ausman wrote, “In treatments used by others around the world.” my opinion, this is an outstanding example of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary [medical] approach … combined with translational research information to achieve the best possible decisions and care for patients. It is a model for other areas in medicine.” Regarding surgical outcomes, Dr. Ausman wrote that more than “80 percent of the patients are improved after treatment…. One cannot reasonably expect that a treatment of any medical condition has a 100 percent good outcome, particularly the Chiari malformation family of disorders in which the diagnosis and treatment course are so complex and variable. It is remarkable that 50 percent of those patients seen at [the Chiari Institute], who have failed previous therapy, are improved after treatment there.” In conclusion, Dr. Ausman wrote that TCI “has a high volume of experience in treating Chiari malformations, excellent results, low complication rates and interdisNorth Shore-LIJ Health System recently opened the Robert S. Waldbaum Center, a satellite office of the Arthur Smith Institute for Urology. The center is named for Robert Waldbaum, MD, North Shore University Hospital’s ciplinary care, all consistent with that (NSUH) chairman emeritus of urology who has practiced in Manhasset for nearly 40 years. Sharing space with expected from a world-class medical center. the health system’s transplant center, the new facility is located at 1554 Northern Blvd. in Manhasset. With This center is a model for the care and treatcolleagues, friends and family members looking on, Dr. Waldbaum cut the ribbon on the new center, with his ment.... It is the finest center of its kind in wife, Ruth Waldbaum, MD. Sharing in the celebration were, from left: Susan Somerville, RN, NSUH’s the world treating Chiari deformities.” executive director; Lawrence Smith, MD, North Shore-LIJ’s chief medical officer; Louis Kavoussi, MD, chairman MANHASSET — Last year, considerable

scrutiny was focused on North Shore-LIJ Health System’s Chiari Institute. Most of it was fueled by lawsuits initiated by an attorney representing patients — many of whom had undergone previous surgeries at other hospitals — who claimed they did not benefit from surgeries performed at North Shore University Hospital. The health system voluntarily hired an independent, nationally recognized expert — James Ausman, MD, professor of neurosurgery at UCLA and former chairman of neurosurgery at the Henry Ford Hospital and University of Illinois in Chicago — to evaluate the Chiari program and its surgical practices. Among other tasks, North Shore-LIJ asked Dr. Ausman to assess the propriety of “occult tethered cord” surgeries performed on some Chiari patients, the criteria used by the Chiari Institute (TCI) to select patients for surgery and whether the indications that the Chiari team relied on to determine whether to perform surgeries were reasonable and consistently applied. Based on the findings, North Shore-LIJ Health System reaffirms its support of the Chiari Institute and its plans to continue and expand the program following the existing model. Dr. Ausman’s key findings included: •TCI is the largest center in the world devoted solely to studying and treating Chiari malformations, which are structural defects in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance. •Patients who come to the Chiari Institute are “extensively screened and stud-

New Annual Lecture

Smith Institute for Urology Opens New Center

of urology for the health system; and Saul Katz, North Shore-LIJ’s former chairman. 10

— Terry Lynam

Advances in Radiation Medicine

In Memoriam

In a healthcare organization as large and complex as North Shore-LIJ, it is vital to use technology that promotes streamlined, system-wide clinical information sharing. The Department of Radiation Medicine has collaborated with the Information Services Department to establish an electronic radiation oncology information system at North Shore University Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Glen Cove Hospital and Southside Hospital. The radiation oncology information system encompasses two applications: q MOSAIQ electronic medical records allow the sharing of patient information across hospitals and facilitate scheduling, documentation, chart rounding and quality assurance.

Sandra Kaplan, MD Pediatrician, child psychiatrist and forensic psychiatrist Sandra Kaplan, MD, of the combined Department of Psychiatry at North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center, recently passed away. Her 33-year tenure included 25 years as director of child and adolescent psychiatry and vice chairperson. Most recently, Dr. Kaplan served as director of trauma psychiatry, caring for comSandra Kaplan, MD bat veterans and family members of 9/11 victims. A nationally-recognized, award-winning pioneer, leader and research contributor in family violence and trauma treatment and prevention, Dr. Kaplan was program director for a unique child abuse treatment program with the Nassau County Department of Social Services. As a spokesperson for a local initiative of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (part of the US Department of Health and Human Service's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), Dr. Kaplan was an important voice in the national dialog advocating for vulnerable children.

q The Pinnacle treatment-planning tool helps centralize a large staff and can develop and check treatment plans for all patients, regardless of location. MOSAIQ and Pinnacle allow paperless operation. All clinical charting, including faxes and consultation letters, is stored electronically. Electronic correspondence for referring physicians saves printing and postage, and a quicker turnaround reduces the wait for results, diagnoses and treatment; housing clinical information in a main depository promotes consistency and quality of care.

Meeting of the Minds Lawrence Smith, MD, right, chief medical officer of North Shore-LIJ Health System, recently greeted Alastair Buchan, left, dean of medicine at Oxford University, at a joint meeting of the Osler Society and the Oxford University Medical Alumni Association. The guest speaker at the Waldorf-Astoria event was Michael Bliss, MD, center, noted for his biographies of medical pioneers William Osler and Harvey Cushing.

Diagnostic Imaging Center Renamed to Honor Mitchell A. Goldman, MD for his engaging personality and kind North Shore-LIJ Health System has nature. His career at North Shore-LIJ dates renamed its Diagnostic Imaging Center in back to 1976, when he joined the NSUH Lake Success as a tribute to the late Mitchell Radiology Department. Goldman, MD, former chairman of radiology at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) and Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center. The facility was renamed the Mitchell A. Goldman, MD, Diagnostic Imaging Center in appreciation for his many contributions to the health system over the past 34 years. Dr. Goldman, who passed away February 16 after a long illness, served as chairman of radiology for the past 12 years. He was a giftAt a ceremony to dedicate the Mitchell A. Goldman, MD, Diagnostic Imaging ed radiologist, specializCenter were, from left: Dennis Dowling, North Shore-LIJ's regional executive ing in ultrasound, and a director for physician and ambulatory network services; Barbara Goldman, beloved physician and Dr. Goldman's wife; Michael Dowling, president and CEO of North Shore-LIJ; clinical leader known Laura Chasin, Dr. Goldman's sister, and his father, Leo Goldman.

Lucien Nochomovitz, MD Following a prolonged illness, Lucien Nochomovitz, MD, died this spring. A member of North Shore-LIJ Health System’s departments of pathology and laboratory medicine and vice chair of anatomic pathology at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) from 2003 to 2009, Lucien Nochomovitz, MD Dr. Nochomovitz was a highly accomplished surgical pathologist, distinguishing himself in uropathology and gastrointestinal pathology. In his years with the health system, Dr. Nochomovitz was the "go to" pathologist for patient care at NSUH, serving as the senior authority for pathology faculty and medical staff alike, said James Crawford, MD, PhD, North Shore-LIJ’s chairman of pathology and laboratory medicine. “Most importantly, Lucien was a wonderful, caring physician and friend,” he said. “He will be sorely missed.” 11

Physicians ROUNDS New York Magazine Lists 98 “Best Docs” from North Shore-LIJ GREAT NECK — A record total of nearly

100 physicians affiliated with North ShoreLIJ Health System were listed in New York magazine’s recent 13th edition of its annual “New York’s Best Doctors” issue. Of the 98 North Shore-LIJ physicians listed in the magazine and online, 42 were selected from Lenox Hill Hospital, the newest addition to North Shore-LIJ Health System. The cumulative total represents the largest number of North Shore-LIJ physicians selected by the magazine since it began publishing its “Best Doctors” edition. Of all the hospitals and health systems in the New York metropolitan area, only Mt. Sinai Medical Center had more representation than North Shore-LIJ. The list is compiled based on peerreview surveys conducted by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., a New York-based research and information company. This year’s final list included 1,119 physicians with 66 different specialties from all five boroughs and surrounding areas. Below is the breakdown of the 98 North Shore-LIJ physicians by hospital affiliation. Forest Hills Hospital: Clifford Gervitz, MD Lenox Hill Hospital: Michael Aronoff, MD Sherrell Aston, MD Daniel Baker, MD Fabien Bitan, MD Kevin Cahill, MD Lauren Cassell, MD Howard Cohen, MD Allen Collins, MD Jack Dodick, MD David Edelstein, MD Phillip Felig, MD Richard Gibralter, MD Richard Green, MD Gady Har-El, MD Eliott Hershman, MD Herbert Hochman, MD Jordan Josephson, MD Arnold Komisar, MD Alan Matarasso, MD Jeffrey Matos, MD

Barton Nisonson, MD Stephen Obstbaum, MD Stuart Orsher, MD Gerald Pitman, MD David Posner, MD Elizabeth Poynor, MD Salvatore Presti, MD Mario Romagnoli, MD Robert Rosen, MD Gary Roubin, MD Stephen Scharf, MD Mark Schiffer, MD William Schwartz, MD Norman Scott, MD John Siebert, MD Jonathan Silver, MD Michael Starr, MD Nicolas Tabbal, MD Stanley Turecki, MD Francisca Velcek, MD Lon Weiner, MD Bruce Yaffe, MD Long Island Jewish Medical Center: Maurice Cerulli, MD David Dines, MD L Michael Graver, MD Harly Greenberg, MD Leonard Kahn, MD Louis Kavoussi, MD Alex Keller, MD Mark Rosen, MD Ira Udell, MD Michael Ziegelbaum, MD North Shore University Hospital: Steven Allen, MD Richard Furie, MD Victor Klein, MD Roger Kula, MD Lyle Leipziger, MD John Lovecchio, MD Sharon Markovics, MD Michael Nimaroff, MD Michael Setzen, MD Marc Sicklick, MD Staten Island University Hospital: Neil Cohen, MD Jordan Glaser, MD Mark Jarrett, MD

Morton Kleiner, MD Jeffrey Lessing, MD James Malpeso, MD Theodore Maniatis, MD Joseph McGinn, MD Souhel Najjar, MD Philip Roth, MD, PhD Donna Seminara, MD Mark Sherman, MD Thomas Vazzana, MD Jeffrey Weinberg, MD Theodore Strange, MD Cohen Children’s Medical Center: Andrew Adesman, MD Martha Arden, MD Martin Bialer, MD, PhD Fredrick Bierman, MD Vincent Bonagura, MD Dennis Carey, MD Rubin Cooper, MD Stephen Dolgin, MD Martin Fisher, MD Carmel Foley, MD Beth Gottlieb, MD Eric Gould, MD Jeremiah Levine, MD Jeffrey Lipton, MD, PhD James Markowitz, MD Joseph Maytal, MD Lorry Rubin, MD Phyllis Speiser, MD Howard Trachtman, MD The Zucker-Hillside Hospital: Victor Fornari, MD

Scholarly Efforts Honored Interns, residents and fellows from North Shore University Hospital’s Department of Medicine recently received recognition for their commitment to scientific and scholarly pursuit with Lawrence Scherr, MD, Scholarly Activity Awards. Dr. Scherr, left, North Shore-LIJ Health System's recently retired academic dean and historian emeritus, presented the awards along with Amgad Makaryus, MD, second from left, director of cardiac computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) and head of the Scherr Awards Program Committee, and Alessandro Bellucci, MD, extreme right, interim chair of medicine at NSUH. Scherr Award recipients were, from left: Anne Madhurima, MD, Priyal Amin, DO, John Catanzaro, MD, John Makaryus, MD, and Jana Cohen, MD.

NEW HYDE PARK — In a promising development for cancer patients in the New York metropolitan area, Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center’s Department of Radiation Medicine has acquired an innovative new system called TrueBeam that offers a radically different approach to treating cancer with image-guided radiotherapy. The TrueBeam system, produced by Varian Medical Systems, was engineered to deliver more powerful cancer treatments with pinpoint accuracy and precision. It uniquely integrates new imaging and motion management technologies within a sophisticated new architecture that makes it possible to deliver treatments more quickly while monitoring and compensating for tumor motion. The technology opens the door to new possibilities for the treatment of lung, breast, prostate, head, neck and other cancers that are treatable with radiotherapy. The system is now operational at LIJ. “TrueBeam is a real game-changer that enables us to treat even the most challenging cases with unprecedented speed and precision,” said Louis Potters, MD, chairman of radiation medicine at LIJ Medical Center and North Shore University Hospital. “With a broad spectrum of new capabilities, TrueBeam breaks the mold in just about every dimension, making it possible for us to offer faster, more targeted treatments to tumors even as they move and change over time.”

Treatment Time Reduced With dose delivery rates that are 40 to 140 percent higher than earlier generations of linear accelerator technology, the TrueBeam system can complete a treatment commensurately faster. This makes it possible to offer greater patient comfort by shortening treatments and to improve precision by leaving less time for tumor motion during dose delivery. “Intelligent” automation further speeds treatments with an up to fivefold reduction in the number of steps needed for image guidance and dose delivery. Simple treatments that once took 15 minutes or more can be completed in less than two minutes, once the patient is in position. “These are significant reductions in treatment time,” said Dr. Potters. “Patients will spend a whole lot less time lying still, immobilized on a hard surface.”

Enhanced Quality and Precision Being an early adopter of this technology requires rigorous quality assurance testing. The North Shore-LIJ Department of Radiation Medicine is putting this machine “through its paces” to ensure a smooth integration of treatment planning and delivery with the greatest of accuracy, Dr. Potters said. “This tool offers us capabilities never before considered,” he said, “but along with that potential comes the responsiThe TrueBeam’s precision is measured in increments of less than a bility to prove the clinical millimeter. The system measures more than 100,000 data points every 10 seconds as a treatment progresses. benefits of this technology.” The precision of the Faster Imaging at Lower Doses TrueBeam system is measured in increments TrueBeam imaging technology can of less than a millimeter. This accuracy is produce the three-dimensional images made possible by the system’s sophisticated used to fine-tune tumor targeting in 60 architecture, which synchronizes imaging, percent less time. Additional functionality patient positioning, motion management, makes it possible to create images using beam shaping and dose delivery, performing 25 percent less X-ray doses. “Imaging is an accuracy checks every 10 milliseconds essential part of modern-day, targeted throughout the entire treatment. More than radiotherapy,” explained Dr. Potters. “This 100,000 data points are measured every 10 unit allows us to choose an imaging mode seconds as a treatment progresses, ensuring that minimizes the amount of X-rays needthat the system maintains a “true isocenter,” ed to generate an image — and that’s good or focal point of treatment. for our patients.” For lung and other tumors subject to TrueBeam can be used for radiotherapy respiratory motion, TrueBeam offers gated treatments, including image-guided radioRapidArc radiotherapy, which makes it possitherapy and radiosurgery (IGRT and IGRS), ble to monitor patient breathing and comintensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), pensate for tumor motion, while quickly RapidArc radiotherapy and gated RapidArc. delivering the appropriate dose during a con“With TrueBeam, we can select the optitinuous rotation around the patient. “During mal treatment for every type of cancer,” said the last decade, lung cancer became the leadDr. Potters. “This is a breakthrough that lets ing cause of cancer death for both men and us bring a wider spectrum of advanced women in the United States,” said Dr. Potters. radiotherapy treatment options to many “With TrueBeam, we can treat a moving lung more patients. It represents a quantum leap tumor as if it were standing still. We expect in our ability to help people fight cancer.” this to make a meaningful difference for lung cancer patients in the area.”

Varian

North Shore-LIJ Introduces New Cancer-Fighting Technology

In Good Taste The Stony Brook and Syosset chapters of Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC) recently hosted a tasting event at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Farmingdale. The inaugural occasion attracted more than 125 survivors and guests, including representatives from North Shore-LIJ Health System. From left are: Edward Gabalski, MD, otolaryngologist; Douglas Frank, MD, head of otolaryngology for North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) and Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center; Nancy Leupold, Dennis Staropoli, Mary Ann Caputo and Chris Lantier of SPOHNC; David Schwartz, MD, vice chair of radiation oncology for North Shore-LIJ; and Josephine Rini, MD, radiologist at NSUH and LIJ.

Physicians ROUNDS Lawrence Scherr, MD Retires After 43 Years with Health System After 43 years, Lawrence Scherr, MD, has retired from North Shore-LIJ Health System. Most recently the Betsey Cushing Whitney academic dean emeritus and historian, Dr. Scherr made an indelible mark as an exceptional administrator, clinician and educator. “Those looking for a model of a dedicated hard-working physician, a master clinician and educator should look to Dr. Lawrence Scherr. He has left a legacy of leadership and service of the highest standard,” said Lawrence Smith, MD, North Shore-LIJ Health System’s executive vice president and chief medical officer, and dean of the School of Medicine that North Shore-LIJ is developing with Hofstra University. “His clinical expertise and dedication to medical education have contributed to North Shore University Hospital’s reputation for excellence as well as the health system’s reputation as a destination for training new physicians.”

chairing the NSUH Ethics Committee. Recognizing the need to serve veterans and law enforcement officers, he worked with Rear Admiral Robert A. Rosen to establish the Rosen Family Wellness Center in 2007. Dr. Scherr remained a senior advisor to the center, which serves more than 1,600 individuals afflicted with work- and combat-related illnesses. Roles in the Medical Community Dr. Scherr held many academic appointments throughout his career. He is the Betsey Cushing Whitney Professor Emeritus of Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, and professor of medicine, New York University School of Medicine. Dr. Scherr also served on the Board of Overseers of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. In line with his interests in internal medicine and education, Dr. Scherr was actively involved and held leadership positions in many medical organizations on the state and national level. He is a master and former chairman of the New York State Board of Regents; president emeritus of the American College of Physicians; a past officer of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Medical Specialties; chairman of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education; and the chairman of Residency Review Committee in Internal Medicine. Dr. Scherr served on the New York State Health Commissioner’s Task Force on Health Reform as well as the

Courtesy of the David Taylor Archives

There at the Beginning Dr. Scherr played a major role during North Shore University Hospital’s (NSUH) formative years, as it evolved from a community hospital into the renowned tertiary facility it is today. From 1967 to 2001, he served as the David J. Greene chairman of medicine there. Dr. Scherr built and expanded the department’s programs and services, implemented initiatives to improve quality of care and developed strong departmental leadership. In addition, his guidance during the merger that created North Shore-

LIJ Health System helped transition the departments of medicine at NSUH and Long Island Jewish Medical Center into one operating unit. Serving in a number of other positions at North Shore-LIJ, Dr. Scherr was chairman of the Medical Advisory Group (the health system’s medical executive committee) from 1991 to 2000. In 1998, he served as chief medical officer and chief academic officer. He was later named executive vice president for medical and academic affairs. Beginning in 2000, Dr. Scherr served as senior vice president, community health and public policy. In this role, he oversaw North Shore-LIJ’s community education programs. Dr. Scherr worked with department staff to centralize these programs, making health information available to nearby communities and serving residents’ needs. Dr. Scherr played key roles in several major initiatives, including the health system’s affiliation with Cornell University Medical College. In addition, he played a key role in creating North Shore-LIJ’s research facility, now The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research. In recent years, Dr. Scherr devoted himself to preparing a history of the health system, addressing improved access to healthcare and health outcomes, and

Left: Dr. Scherr at a pediatric clinic with Helen Mellor, North Shore Hospital trustee, and Jack Gallagher, North Shore Hospital president and CEO. Above: Dr. Scherr instructing residents, circa 1970.

Association of American Medical Colleges’ Committee on Health Care Reform. In addition, Dr. Scherr was chairman of the New York State Board for Medicine and the New York State Council on Graduate Medical Education. He served with President Clinton’s White House Review Group on healthcare reform as well as numerous other national committees concerning ethics, health policy, medical practice and strategic planning for healthcare, graduate medical education, physician manpower and efficacy of clinical practice.

Dr. Scherr has held many academic and leadership positions. Dr. Scherr received numerous accolades for his many accomplishments and long service to NSUH and the health system. The Lawrence Scherr, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Professor of Medicine Chair was created in 2007 through the benevolence of Dr. Scherr’s longtime friends, patients and colleagues. This professorship honors 40 years

Dr. Scherr has encouraged scientific inquiry through his annual Scholarly Activity Awards.

of dedicated service to NSUH and the health system. Also, the Department of Medicine dedicated its Annual Academic and Scholarly Awards Competition to Dr. Scherr in recognition of his contributions. In 2000, Dr. Scherr became a member of North Shore-LIJ’s Board of Trustees. He and his wife, Peggy, have been generous supporters of the health system, demonstrating their belief in and commitment to the organization’s growth and success. Their support has made possible critical improvements and priorities at North Shore-LIJ’s hospitals. “Dr. Scherr’s strong leadership, medical expertise and dedication to North Shore-LIJ have been incomparable,” said Michael Dowling, North Shore-LIJ’s president and chief executive officer. “His loyalty, unique administrative talents and clinical skills are legendary. The health system would not be the organization it is today without Dr. Scherr’s extraordinary contributions over the years. We are all in his debt.” — Irene Peake

North Shore University Hospital Participates in Highly Effective Hepatitis C Trial MANHASSET — For more than 20 years,

Andrew Mongiardo lived with the sometimes fatal disease called hepatitis C, which affects over 3.9 million Americans and 170 million people worldwide. Over the past two decades he participated in many clinical trials, not knowing what the outcome would be, always trying to maintain a positive attitude. Recently, he was offered an opportunity to take part in yet another new clinical trial — and it changed his life. “This was the most difficult clinical trial by far, as it took a toll on me physically, mentally and emotionally,” said Mr. Mongiardo, a Long Island resident. “It was a very rough therapy, with many side-effects lasting for a year. After waiting six months for the results, it was worth all of the pain and suffering, as I was told that my viral count was so low that it was undetected and I was virtually cured, a word I thought I would never hear. I am now hepatitis C-free.” North Shore University Hospital was one of only 53 hospitals worldwide invited to take part in a clinical trial study designed to treat patients with hepatitis C, genotype 1 (the type of hepatitis most prevalent in the United States) who had failed previous treatments. “These two studies of triple drug therapies, recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, have recently been shown to be more effective in obtaining a

sustained viral response. These medications were pegylated interferon, ribavirin and a new agent called a protease inhibitor,” said David Bernstein, MD, chief of the Digestive Disease Institute at North Shore University Hospital and LIJ Medical Center, and principal investigator of the study. The currently accepted two-drug (dual) therapy, a combination of weekly alpha interferon injections and twice-daily oral ribavirin, has so many difficult side-effects that many people drop out of the therapy that lasts from 24 to 48 weeks, depending upon the patient’s type of hepatitis C. The overall sustained viral response rates for people who failed initial treatments and are retreated with the same regimen are less than 15 percent and the side effects are considerable, including flu-like symptoms, anemia and depression. “The new three-drug regimen was well tolerated by patients,” said Dr. Bernstein. “This combination led to a greater than 50 percent sustained viral response rate in previous non-responders like Mr. Mongiardo — a dramatic improvement over the previous response rates of around 10 to 15 percent with the previous therapies.” Many patients show no obvious symptoms or warning signs of the disease. Hepatitis C, one of five known hepatitis viruses that affect humans, and the one with the highest rates of progression to

chronic disease, can cause scarring of the liver, cirrhosis and liver cancer. It is transmitted by blood, and patients may have contracted the disease from blood or blood product transfusions they received prior to 1992 when there was no reliable, standard prescreening of blood, or from injected or intranasal recreational drug use. The new therapies are targeted for approval in the United States by the end of 2011. Dr Bernstein emphasizes that administering these therapies, when approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), will require significant experience on the part of physicians and their staffs. Until then, he recommends that people with hepatitis C practice a liver-safe way of life by avoiding alcohol and marijuana, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising. Patients with cirrhosis need to be screened every six months for liver cancer. Mr. Mongiardo credits North Shore’s Liver Support Group, Dr. Bernstein, the department’s nurses and staff and the American Liver Foundation for helping him and others get through the ordeal. ”Without their constant encouragement and care, I may not have had the perseverance to continue with the trial which proved to be so critically important to my life. I still go to my support group, hoping to encourage others.” — Elaine Wohl 15

Physicians ROUNDS Honors, Awards and Appointments JAMES CRAWFORD, MD, PhD, chairman

of pathology and laboratory medicine and senior vice president for laboratory services for North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, recently received the 2010 F.K. Mostofi Distinguished Service Award at the 99th United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology conference in Washington, DC. The organization honored Dr. Crawford for his outstanding service to the International Academy of Pathology and its US-Canadian Division. MAJIDA GAFFAR, MD, recently joined North Shore-LIJ’s Department of Ophthalmology. Dr. Gaffar received her medical degree from the State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center. She subsequently completed her residency at Downstate and then was a pediatric ophthalmology fellow at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. Dr. Gaffar specializes in comprehensive pediatric ophthalmology including strabismus, cataract and other lens abnormalities, ptosis and other eyelid abnormalities, amblyopia (lazy eye), retinopathy of prematurity cranial nerve palsies, orbital and ocular tumors, pediatric retinal disorders and childhood glaucoma. ANDREW JACONO, MD, head of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH), presented several lectures at the 10th International Symposium of Facial Plastic Surgery of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery held recently in Hollywood, FL. His topics included “Customized Graduated Approach to Face Lifting,” “Optimizing Lip Rejuvenation,” “Transtemporal Midface Lifting Combined with Transconjunctival Scar Release for Post-Blepharoplasty Ectropion” and “Effect of Perioperative Hyperbaric Oxygen on Bruising in Face Lifts.” SEYMOUR KATZ, MD, gastroenterologist at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH), recently contributed a chapter to Ulcerative 16

Colitis: The Complete Guide to Medical Management. Also, Inflammatory Bowel Disease published “Teduglutide, a Novel Mucosally Active Analog of Glucagon-Like Peptide-2 for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Crohn’s Disease,” which Dr. Katz cowrote. Furthermore, Dr. Katz was recently an invited speaker at Keio University in Tokyo and served as the keynote speaker at the Japan/America Inflammatory Bowel Disease Conference in Osaka. DAVID LANGER, MD, has been appointed director of cerebrovascular research at the health system’s Harvey Cushing Institutes of Neuroscience and associate professor of neurosurgery for Hofstra University’s and North Shore-LIJ’s School of Medicine. His areas of expertise include new technologies like laser-assisted cerebral bypass surgery. Dr. Langer earned his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania, where he also completed his neurosurgical training. Upon completion of his residency, Dr. Langer served as a neurovascular fellow at Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan and its Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery. While a visiting attending at Academisch Zeikenhuis Utrecht in the Netherlands, Dr. Langer studied laser-assisted cerebral bypass surgery before bringing the technique to the United States. He also recently completed a neurointerventional fellowship at the State University of New York at Buffalo, one of only three open vascular neurosurgeons to have done so mid-career. JEFFREY LIPTON, MD, PhD, director, pediatric hematology/oncology and stem cell transplantation at Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York (CCMC), was recently recognized by the St. Baldrick’s Foundation as an Outstanding Volunteer for 2010. Dr. Lipton played a key role in setting up the St. Baldrick’s funding program, the largest of any private grant-making foundation for pediatric cancer research.

AMGAD MAKARYUS, MD, director of echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging at NSUH, cowrote “Quantitative Three-Dimensional Wall Motion Analysis Predicts Ischemic Region Size and Location” in the Annals of Biomedical Engineering and “Sudden Cardiac Death in a 20-Year-Old Male Swimmer” in the Southern Medical Journal. JACQUELINE MOLINE, MD, chair of population health, recently received the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine’s Kehoe Award of Merit. Dr. Moline’s research into the effects of heavy metal toxicity and her work within the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program has led to the detection of multiple myeloma in a number of World Trade Center responders. MICHAEL OPPENHEIM, MD, vice president and chief medical information officer for North Shore-LIJ Health System, recently won a 2010 AMDIS Award from the Association of Medical Directors of Information Systems, for excellence in applied medical informatics. He was one of nine winners chosen from 63 applicants. SHAHEDA QURAISHI, MD,

was honored this spring at New York’s City Hall with a proclamation for her service to the community as a BangladeshiAmerican. TULIKA RANJAN, MD, has joined North Shore-LIJ’s Harvey Cushing Brain Tumor Institute. Board certified in neurology, she specializes in astrocytomas, brainstem gliomas, benign and malignant brain tumors, ependymomas, glioblastoma multiforme, meningiomas, medulloblastoma, metastatic brain tumors, oligodendrogliomas and schwannomas. After receiving her MD from Sri Krishna

Medical College in India, Dr. Ranjan was an internal medicine intern and neurology resident at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey and a neurooncology fellow at Memorial SloanKettering Cancer Center. DAVID ROSENTHAL, DO, an allergist/ immunologist enrolled in the Elmezzi Graduate School for Molecular Medicine, has received a one-year fellowship award from the Clinical Immunology Society. The $30,000 award goes to an individual in the third or fourth year of a immunodeficiencyfocused fellowship program. NEETA SHAH, MD, vice president of women’s health services, was invited to participate in the “Evolve Existing Services for Women into a ‘Total Care,’ Wellness and Prevention Model” panel at the World Congress Leadership Summit on the

Business of Women’s Health in June. Furthermore, she recently received the Making a Difference for Women Award from Soroptimist International of Nassau County at the organization’s recent annual gala in Westbury. PHYLLIS SPEISER, MD, chief of pediatric endocrinology at CCMC, has received the H. Jack Baskin, MD, Endocrine Teaching Award from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American College of Endocrinology. ANNE STEINER, MD, recently joined the North Shore-LIJ Department of Ophthalmology. Dr. Steiner earned her medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. After completing her residency within North Shore-LIJ, Dr. Steiner was a corneal and external disease fellow at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. She specializes in corneal and

external diseases that affect vision. Some of the major therapies she provides include: penetrating keratoplasty, Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty, phacoemulsification (sutureless cataract surgery), anterior segment reconstruction (including sutured intraocular lenses) and LASIK. She also treats uncommong ocular surface disorders. ROBERT WALDBAUM, MD, vice president of physician relations for the health system and chairman emeritus of urology at North Shore University Hospital, recently joined the American Urological Association Foundation’s Development Council as vice chair. Furthermore, the Michael S. Zarin Rounds in Radiation Medicine and Urology have been renamed the Robert Waldbaum, MD, Rounds in honor of Dr. Waldbaum. Mr. Zarin, a North Shore-LIJ supporter, recommended the change.

State Grant Helps HIV/Hep C Patients MANHASSET — North Shore University

Hospital’s Center for AIDS Research and Treatment (CART) has received $132,000 from the New York State Department of Health to reduce the impact hepatitis C has on HIV-positive patients. Hepatitis C is an infectious virus that causes inflammation of the liver. Of the estimated 240,000 New Yorkers infected with hepatitis C, a third are co-infected with HIV. The New York State grant will help improve the quality of care and treatment of such patients. “These funds will enable us to further our research in the HIV field and continue to offer some of the best HIV services in New York State,” said Joseph McGowan, MD, head of CART. This latest grant is one of many awarded CART in 2010. This year, funding for HIV services at CART has totaled nearly $800,000, including a $280,000 grant from the Ryan White Foundation.

Celebrating Partnership Members of North Shore-LIJ Health System and the Queens-Long Island Medical Group (QLIMG) recently held a reception to honor their long-standing partnership and mutual goal of providing the highest quality care to patients in our region. The event, held at the Smith Institute for Urology, part of North Shore-LIJ’s Center for Advanced Medicine in Lake Success, reaffirmed each group’s commitment to extend their nearly 20-year relationship. From left: Howard Gold, senior vice president, managed care and business development, North Shore-LIJ; Michael Dowling, president and chief executive officer, North Shore-LIJ; Lawrence Smith, MD, chief medical officer, North Shore-LIJ, and dean of Hofstra University’s and North Shore-LIJ’s Medical School; Carlos Hleap, MD, president, QLIMG; Reza Sabet, MD, former president, QLIMG; Suman Reejsinghani, MD, former president, QLIMG; and Nicholas Vogiatzis, MD, former president, QLIMG. 17

Two Slices of the Big Apple The Public Relations Society of America/New York recently gave North Shore-LIJ Health System two Big Apple Awards for excellence in public relations and communications: North Shore-LIJ beat 51 other finalists for the Best Use of Research, Measurement and Evaluation Award and the "It's About Choices" 2010 open-enrollment promotion won for best internal communications campaign. Allison Bunin, the health system’s corporate director of employee communications, who developed the campaign, accepted the award on behalf of the benefits open enrollment team. The awards are New York State’s most prominent recognition for public relations and communications. North ShoreLIJ was the only health system to receive Big Apple Awards. Other honorees included FedEx, Medco, Bank of America, 1-800-Flowers.com and Volkswagen.

Continuing Medical Education North Shore-LIJ Health System’s award-winning Department of Professional and Public Health Education will offer numerous learning opportunities this fall, including: Sept. 8

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Spotlight on Lymphocytes.The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research (call 516-562-1137 to register) Sept. 24 and 25 Emergency Medicine Oral Board Review Course LaGuardia Airport Marriott Sept. 30-Oct. 1 Merinoff Symposium 2010: Sepsis. The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research Oct. 13-15 5th Annual Emergency Medicine Written Board Review. Crowne Plaza LaGuardia Oct. 17 Endoscopic Transnasal Treatment of Pituitary and Skull Based Surgery for Non-Surgeons. Bioskills Education Center Oct. 23 The Sam Stein Memorial Conference: Multidisciplinary Treatment of Sleep Apnea. North Shore University Hospital Oct. 30 Management of the Cardiac Patient. North Shore University Hospital Nov. 3 Current Topics in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology: What Practitioners Need to Know. North Shore University Hospital Nov. 13-14 Regional Anesthesia Conference. Bioskills Education Center Online infection-control training is available any time at NorthShoreLIJ.edu/ict. Conference information is updated weekly. Get updated conference information at NorthShoreLIJ.edu/cme or call 516-465-3CME (516-465-3263). North Shore-LIJ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Buzz About North Shore-LIJ Public Relations North Shore-LIJ Health System’s Public Relations Department often fields inquiries from news reporters. Recently, the team itself made news when it received several awards. North Shore-LIJ’s Facebook and Twitter campaign garnered a Buzz-Worthy Award from the Fair Media Council at the organization’s recent annual Folio Luncheon. Maxwell the bird, the social media campaign’s mascot, was not at the gathering, but was chirping about his win afterward. The Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals recently honored Vitality, the magazine that covers North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center, with a Platinum Hermes Creative Award. The Hermes Awards is an international competition judging the content and design of communications

Practice Makes Perfect vehicles. Furthermore, Kids First, the Cohen Children’s Medical Center newsletter, recently won a Gold Healthcare Advertising Award from Healthcare Marketing Report for its creativity, quality, message effectiveness, consumer appeal, graphic design and overall impact.

Pediatric critical care nurses Jacqueline Colombraro, RN, left, and Ronit Schwartz, NP, of the Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York, insert a breathing tube and check airways on a computerized infant mannequin during a simulated medical emergency and demonstration at the recent opening of North Shore-LIJ's newly expanded Patient Safety Institute in Lake Success. Encompassing more than 20,000 square feet, the institute — one of the largest medical simulation centers in the country — helps doctors, nurses and other clinicians learn how to avoid medical errors without harm to real patients.

A Passage to India A. Todd Schaeffer, MD, associate chair of otolaryngology/communications disorders at North Shore University Hospital, was recently invited to perform three minimally invasive sinus surgeries at an international nasal and sinus conference at the Royal Pearl Hospital in the Indian city of Trischy. More than 200 sinus surgeons from Asia, Africa and the Middle East watched the procedures live via teleconference. The procedures included balloon sinuplasty to unblock sinuses; removal of a sinus polyp and bilateral chonanal atresia repair; and drainage of an infection inside the sinuses. The bilateral chonanal atresia repair involved removal of the complete bony wall in the back of both nostrils, which prevented nasal breathing and drainage. Dr. Schaeffer, shown here with his surgical team, said the latter procedure is extremely rare — with fewer than five cases reported in medical literature. 18

Richard Goldstein Elected Chairman of North Shore-LIJ Health System GREAT NECK — North Shore-LIJ Health System has elected Richard Goldstein as chairman. Mr. Goldstein was formally named to the post at the annual meeting of North Shore-LIJ’s Board of Trustees. He succeeds Saul Katz, who concluded four years as chairman after previously serving as the health system’s first chairman from 1997 to 2000. Mr. Goldstein, an attorney, joined the Board of Trustees in 1995, after serving for three years as an associate trustee. He has served as the board’s vice chairman for the past four years. “I am honored to serve as North ShoreLIJ Health System’s fourth chairman,” said Mr. Goldstein. “It’s an enormous challenge that brings with it enormous responsibilities, but I know I have the benefit of being able

Mr. Goldstein is chairman and chief executive officer of AEP Capital LLC, a specialized investment/merchant banking firm located in New York. He is also a senior managing director of Alpine Equity Partners LP. “We are thrilled to have Richard Goldstein as chairman of the board,” said Michael Richard Goldstein Dowling, president and chief executive officer of North Shore-LIJ Health System. “He has been an instrumental member of the board and its Executive Committee for many years, serving most recently as chairman of the Government and Legal Affairs Committee. I know that his expertise and commitment will be invaluable during the years ahead as we move forward with New York State’s first allopathic medical school in more than 35 years and other exciting new initiatives that are enhancing North Shore-LIJ’s national reputation for delivering high-quality healthcare.”

Mr. Goldstein has served as the board’s vice chairman for the past four years. to rely on the knowledge and experience of my predecessors, most notably Saul Katz, who leaves an incredible legacy of unparalleled leadership, energy, dedication and devotion to our health system.”

— Terry Lynam

Executive Appointments services. The position was preDeborah Johnson-Schiff, RN, viously held by Elizabeth recently joined North Shore-LIJ Sellman, who is now associate Health System’s Physicians’ executive director of home care Ambulatory Network Services as at Long Island Jewish (LIJ) vice president of strategy and busiMedical Center. ness development. Ms. JohnsonIn partnership with hosSchiff comes from Winthrop pital leadership, Raj Narayan, University Hospital, where she MD, chair of neurosurgery, and served for more than 20 years in Ron Kanner, MD, chair of neupositions of increasing responsibilirology, Ms. Zilka Roth oversees ty in nursing and administration. Deborah Johnson-Schiff, RN the growth and maturation of While there, she led the women the neuroscience service line. and children’s service lines, the Additionally, she oversees dayprimary care and nephrology/dialyto-day operational and finansis networks, patient safety and cial management of the North quality management, physician acquisition and integration, marShore University Hospital and keting, public affairs, home care, LIJ Medical Center departthe referral channel development ments of neurology and neurowellness programs, radiology and surgery. emergency medicine. Ms. Zilka Roth was previAnnette Zilka Roth has been ously administrator for the appointed vice president of the departments of anesthesiology, Harvey Cushing Institutes of endoscopy, neurology, neuroAnnette Zilka Roth Neuroscience. In this role she surgery, orthopedic reports to Dennis Dowling, regional surgery/podiatry, perioperative executive director of North Shore-LIJ Health services and rehabilitation medicine at St. System for physician and ambulatory network Vincent’s Hospital in Manhattan.

See, Be Seen — or Drive Away MANHASSET — Mark your calendar for

three favorite North Shore University Hospital’s Auxiliary promotions: m This year’s raffle offers great prizes, like

a 2010 Honda Civic VP four-door sedan (donated by P.S. Honda, in Manhasset), $1,000 or $500. Purchase tickets ($5 each, three for $10 or 10 for $25) through August 26 in the Monti Lobby on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Katz Women's Hospital at North Shore University Hospital. m Submit your photographic artwork for a

chance at prominent display in the main hall through the 2010 Auxiliary photo contest. Information and entry forms are available from the Volunteer/ Auxiliary Office in 1 Tower near the hospital entrance. The contest ends September 24. m Tee off Monday, October 4, for the

32nd Annual Golf Tournament at the Creek in Locust Valley. Proceeds will benefit the Katz Women's Hospital at North Shore University Hospital. Space is limited — reserve your spot soon. Call the Volunteer/Auxiliary Office at 516-562-4947 for information.

Ad Campaign Racks ‘Em Up North Shore-LIJ Health System’s “Hope Lives Here” advertising campaign recently won five Healthcare Advertising Awards, including Best of Show for a TV campaign; gold awards for television series and radio single ad; bronze for radio series; and merit for newspaper single ad. The campaign also won gold, silver and bronze Aster Awards for a radio series, TV single ad and newspaper ad, respectively.

New Patient Safety Rounds Increase Excellence in Care Ensuring the highest level of safety for each patient is part of North Shore-LIJ Health System’s mission of providing exceptional care. That’s why the health system has instituted patient safety rounds, a new program that helps leadership and direct caregivers collaborate to establish a culture of safety throughout North Shore-LIJ and promote best practices in the healthcare environment. The rounds utilize a team approach and new processes to continually make strides in patient safety “Safety is paramount in healthcare. Standardizing and promoting best practices to reduce variations in care at all levels is essential,” said Kenneth Abrams, MD, senior vice president of clinical operations at North Shore-LIJ. “We want to demonstrate our commitment to safety for patients, families and staff and to have these standard safety measures become second nature for all North Shore-LIJ employees.” As part of the program, hospital and facility managers and senior leadership meet

Fire safety was recently the topic of patient safety rounds at Glen Cove Hospital.

each Friday to focus on one patient-safety topic. Subjects might include medication safety, patient falls, fire safety or hand hygiene to prevent infection. Managers review the specific implementation steps necessary, then communicate the information to staff. After meeting to discuss a new topic, managers from all areas (not just clinical

domains) and senior leadership conduct team rounds throughout the hospital. The rounds ensure that staff members understand and are implementing the previous week’s safety focus. The rounds also allow staff to provide feedback directly to managers so managers know how to better help staff perform their work at the highest possible level of safety. If fall prevention is the safety focus of the week, for example, staff members can discuss with management any issues that may hinder their ability to best achieve the safety goal (e.g., perhaps housekeeping staff is scheduled to clean at the same time that nurses help patients walk in the hallways). Many important improvements that staff members have suggested have already been addressed and implemented. By their communication, management can make changes to ensure the safest environment possible for patients. — Betty Olt

Charitable Gift Rates Are Up North Shore-LIJ Health System charitable gift annuity rates are increasing. If you are 55plus, you can receive a fixed income for the rest of your life. By making a gift of $10,000 or more you will receive a steady income, part of which is tax-free. The amount of the gift that remains is used to benefit North Shore-LIJ. For example, if you are 72 years old and donate $10,000 cash, you can lock into a fixed rate of 6.5 percent and receive $650 of guaranteed annual income, $440 of which is tax-free for about 14 years. You would also be eligible to claim a charitable income tax deduction of about $3,560. SAMPLE RATES as of July 1, 2010* One-life rates Age %Rate 55 5.5 60 5.7 65 6.0 70 6.3 75 6.9 80 7.7 90 10 *Rates may change.

Honored for Outreach Adela Langley Kahn, outreach worker at North Shore University Hospital, was the guest of honor at the Hispanic Community of Great Neck’s recent annual dinner. A longtime community activist, Ms. Kahn has helped the poor and underserved in the Port Washington/Great Neck area access healthcare since beginning her career at the hospital in 1998.

For more information and a no-obligation personalized illustration of benefits, contact Alexandra Brovey, senior director of gift planning, at 516-465-2610 or abrovey@nshs.edu.

Many Players, One Goal North Shore-LIJ Health System’s 2009 Annual Report, Many Players, One Goal, celebrates the health system’s commitment to enhancing the patient experience via quality and teamwork. This year's report features the National Quality Forum Healthcare Award on its cover. Inside you'll find statistical information, highlights from 2009 and a photo essay on the various teams working together to provide the very best patient experience. The annual report can be accessed by employees via Healthport and was distributed at the annual meeting in June. 20

Two-life rates Ages %Rate 55/55 5.1 60/60 5.4 65/65 5.6 70/70 5.9 75/75 6.2 80/80 6.8 90/90 8

Erratum Our last issue included an article about the treatment of Justin Olivares’s blocked airway. The story credited the incorrect facility for the diagnosis. Staff members at Huntington Hospital’s Women's Health Center spotted the unborn boy’s condition.

Latest Gift from Roy Zuckerberg Inspires LIJ Pavilion Name NEW HYDE PARK — It’s fitting that the new pavilion being constructed in front of Long Island Jewsih (LIJ) Medical Center will bear Roy Zuckerberg’s name. After all, Mr. Zuckerberg is a longstanding trustee of the hospital and has been instrumental in steering LIJ — and the entire North Shore-LIJ Health System — down the path of success.

“Once completed in 2012, the pavilion will serve as the new face of LIJ.” The Zuckerberg Pavilion at LIJ is made possible by the latest gift from Mr. Zuckerberg, who has been providing support to the health system, its hospitals and programs for more than 30 years. Once

completed in 2012, the pavilion will serve as the new face of LIJ, reminding patients and family members that they’re entering a state-ofthe-art facility and putting their health in the most capable hands. The pavilion Roy Zuckerberg will add more than 57,000 square feet to the hospital, including a 7,300-square-foot lobby, a two-story interfaith chapel and meditation room and 60 medical/surgical beds. As chairman of the Board of Trustees at LIJ during the 1990s, Mr. Zuckerberg helped to negotiate the successful merger of LIJ with the North Shore Health System. He later chaired North Shore-LIJ’s Board of Trustees from 2000 to 2004 and today remains an active member of the health system’s Executive Committee. Mr. Zuckerberg, who also serves on several boards outside of the health system, is currently a senior director with the Goldman Sachs Group and was formerly vice

— Marisa Fedele

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons Star at Benefit

For Your BENEFIT New Employee Benefit Battles Childhood Obesity Nearly one in three children in the United States is overweight or obese, and childhood obesity rates have tripled over the past 30 years. The number of affected children is expected to grow. North ShoreLIJ Health System is offering employees a new benefit to help combat this national epidemic and create healthier lifestyles, through a partnership with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The benefit, which is expected to be available starting in January to all employees, is offered to dependent children diagnosed as overweight or obese by a primary care provider. Under the new program, North Shore-LIJ will cover — at no charge to the employee — four follow-up visits with a primary care provider specifically for obesity and four visits with a registered dietitian per year. North Shore-LIJ expects to roll out this benefit in the near future. “This new benefit and our partnership

chairman of the firm. “Roy Zuckerberg has made enormous contributions to the health system as evidenced by his leadership, dedication and passion for doing what’s right,” said Michael Dowling, president and chief executive officer of North Shore-LIJ. “His stewardship as chairman during a key period in the system’s evolution was just extraordinary, and I have personally learned and benefited from his counsel. His recent gift is further testament to his commitment and his confidence in the system’s future.” North Shore-LIJ remains deeply grateful to Mr. Zuckerberg for his many contributions over the years as a guiding force and a friend to all. To learn more or make a gift to LIJ Medical Center, visit http://support.north shorelij.com/LIJ.

with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation represent a landmark decision in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity,” said Joe Molloy, corporate director of benefits. “This is the first time children and families have had access to these types of medical benefits. As the first health system to sign-up with the Alliance, we’re thrilled to be able to offer this to our employees and their dependents,” he said. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation is a partnership between the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation. Information about the benefit and more details about qualifications will be available on HealthPort in the Human Resources Department section, and posted on the employee benefits blog at nslijbenefits. blogspot.com. Contact the Human Resources Service Center with questions at: 516-734-7000. — Allison Bunin

“Oh, what a night” it was in mid-July at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park in Oyster Bay. That’s when vocalist Frankie Valli and a new generation of Four Seasons brought the crowd to its feet with such classics as “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Sherry” and, of course, “December 1963 (Oh, What a Night).” The North Shore-LIJ Health System’s fifth annual benefit concert, attended by more than 950 people, raised a record-setting $1.1 million for The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research. Lawrence Gottesman, owner and president of Hicksville-based Lawrence Scott Events and a generous supporter of North Shore-LIJ, provided décor, drinks and dinner to round out the memorable evening.

Community Leadership Award The Center for the Women of New York recently honored Rosemary Kelly, North Shore-LIJ’s director of government relations, for her community service. Ms. Kelly accepted the Community Leadership Award from Ann Juliano Jawin, chairwoman of the center’s board, at A Celebration of Women in Leadership, the organization’s 23rd Annual Luncheon. 21

The Best Course for Troubled Veterans: Treatment, Not Jail NEW YORK CITY — Sol Wachtler had a

grim statistic to share with his audience: “After the Vietnam conflict, over 200,000 veterans went to prison.” He added, “We’re determined to see that this doesn’t happen again.” Judge Wachtler, former chief judge of the New York State Court of Appeals, spoke during a panel discussion, where speakers detailed efforts to steer nonviolent veteran offenders away from imprisonment and instead offer them support services and mental health treatment. One such program drew a good deal of attention: the Veterans Program, a groundbreaking North Shore-LIJ Health System initiative developed by Judge Wachtler, a lifetime North Shore-LIJ trustee. The Veterans Program is a collaboration between North Shore-LIJ’s Law and Psychiatry Institute, the New York State courts, the Brooklyn, Queens and Nassau district attorneys’ offices and the US Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) New York Harbor Health Care, Bronx and Northport VA medical centers. It is the first in the state — and the largest in the nation — to standardize an approach to providing services and treatment to veterans involved with the criminal justice system, to prevent veterans who land in court or jail for minor offenses from getting into deeper trouble with the law. At a time when many veterans are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression — at least 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan war

veterans nationwide (300,000 men and women) have been diagnosed with those illnesses — there is an urgent need to steer them toward treatment rather than jail time. Overcoming Obstacles for Treatment During the panel discussion, held at Hunter College’s School of Social Work and sponsored by the Veterans Mental Health Coalition of New York City, several people involved in the Veterans Program — including Brooklyn District Attorney Charles

“The Veterans Program offers peer counseling to guide troubled former soldiers into treatment programs.” Hynes, First Assistant DA Anne Swern and veterans outreach specialists from the VA’s medical centers — spoke in detail about their work. They noted that a frequent challenge they face is convincing veterans to seek treatment; too many fail to do so, either from embarrassment (they may worry about looking “weak” in front of their comrades) or fear that they will lose their benefits. One way to counter this is through outreach from other veterans; the Veterans Program offers peer counseling to guide troubled former soldiers into treatment programs. Another strategy is to contact veterans who have been arrested for misdemeanors such as subway fare-jumping. “We want to use the arrest as the opportunity to get them the

services they need,” said Ms. Swern. Judge Wachtler and District Attorney Hynes, both of whom are veterans, spoke movingly of their desire to avoid repeating the tragedy of the Vietnam era. “What this country did to [Vietnam veterans],” said the district attorney, “was an absolute disgrace — especially the criminal justice system.” The Veterans Program is one of a number of innovative programs run by North Shore-LIJ’s Office of Military and Veterans’ Liaison Services (OMVLS), whose director, Army Lt. Col. (Ret.) Randy Howard, moderated the Hunter event. Other OMVLS initiatives include a treatment program for Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans suffering from PTSD and/or traumatic brain injury and programs to help returning service members find employment in the health system. District Attorney Hynes and the other speakers touted the Veterans Program as a model that can — and should — be replicated across the country. “If you’re in a county other than Brooklyn, Queens or Nassau, you have a moral imperative to demand from your district attorney why such services aren’t in place,” said Mr. Hynes. “I believe that the day will come when we have district attorneys across the country committed to the proposition that no one who served our country will ever be criminalized again.” — Philip Berroll

Davis Vision Gives $300,000 to Ophthalmology Department North Shore-LIJ Health System’s Ophthalmology Department recently received a $300,000 gift from Davis Vision for the purchase of ophthalmology equip-

ment, including a $150,000 cataract surgery simulator used to teach residents. The gift is part of a $2 million donation Davis Vision pledged to North Shore-LIJ in 1997. The company’s support has aided further development of department programs and services and the building of a state-of-the-art Eye Surgery Center at Syosset Hospital. “The donation from Davis Vision has been invaluable to our Ophthalmology Department by helping us invest in the most up-to-date facilities, equipment and treatments available,” said Samuel Packer, MD, ophthalmology chairman emeritus. “Their Davis Vision representatives presented $300,000 to North Shore-LIJ. From assistance has also allowed left: Vincent Deramo, MD, chief of ophthalmology, Syosset Hospital; Ira Udell, MD, chairman of ophthalmology for North Shore-LIJ; Steve Holden, us to perform specialized president of Davis Vision; Samuel Packer, MD, ophthalmology chairman ocular surgeries available in emeritus; Daniel Levy, DO, assistant vice president, professional affairs, few other hospitals across Davis Vision; and Michael Fener, executive director of Plainview and the country.” Syosset hospitals.

CEMS Honor Guard Visits Albany The honor guard from North Shore-LIJ’s Center for Emergency Medical Services (CEMS) recently traveled to Albany to participate in the 2010 New York State EMS Memorial Service. Honor guard members collaborated with the New York City Fire Department/EMS Pipe and Drum Corps. This was the second year that the New York State Bureau of EMS invited the group to participate in the service — a unique distinction, said Brian Washburn, EMT-P, paramedic supervisor at CEMS. Pictured, from left: Mr. Washburn and Michael Ozer, EMT, with ceremonial participants Lois Rabbit, EMT; Bernard Robinson, paramedic; Michael Sinnott, paramedic; Brian Landesman, paramedic; and Anthony Guido, EMT.

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Transitions Clients with Traumatic Brain Injuries Celebrate Life MANHASSET — Jeremy Riddle, 32, was a firefighter working out of Engine Company 332 in East New York when he fell down a stairwell and suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in December 2009. As a result of his injuries, Mr. Riddle (who has no memory of the accident) came to Transitions® of Long Island in January for physical therapy to help achieve balance, occupational therapy to help him relearn the basic activities of daily life and speech and language therapy. Transitions, at 1554 Northern Boulevard in Manhasset is a comprehensive neuro-rehabilitation facility. Mr. Riddle and other Transitions clients recently organized a prom to celebrate their ongoing recovery. Dressed in a tuxedo and playing his guitar, he performed a medley of his favorite songs, including the Beatles’ “Imagine” and Don McLean’s “American Pie.” Theresa Manfre was injured in November 2007, also as a result of a fall. Prior to her

accident, Ms. Manfre, a wife and mother, was an award-winning teacher and writer (as well as an avid fan of Harley-Davidson motorcycles). She came to Transitions this February, and has also been improving her motor and cognitive skills. Ms. Manfre originated the evening’s theme “Spring Garden of Light” because she views her journey at Transitions as a new beginning. “We need to rebuild our self-confidence,” she said. “Our will determines our success.... We are determined to get through this together. This is my calling in my new life,” she said while accepting flowers from her fellow prom-goers. The event gave

Cancer Survivors Go for the Gold sented Dr. Rai with a one-of-a-kind LAKE SUCCESS — More than 2,800 Lalique sculpture. cancer survivors and loved ones recently Also on the program were two cancer celebrated Cancer Survivors’ Day. Scott survivors who spoke about their battles Hamilton keynoted North Shore University with the disease. Jennifer Wing of Mineola Hospital’s and Long Island Jewish (LIJ) spoke about fighting and overcoming Medical Center’s fourth combined event at Hodgkin’s lymphoma during pregnancy the Monter Cancer Center in Lake Success. and Elizabeth Nardone of East Norwich The Olympic gold medal figure skater, shared her journey of overcoming breast Olympics commentator, best-selling author, cancer for the third time. Furthermore, Emmy Award nominee and testicular cancer cancer survivor Jan Senecal was honored survivor was a highlight at the event, which for her compassion and volunteerism for included music, dancing, toasts and fun more than 20 years. under one of the biggest tents ever constructed in the New York City area. Mr. Hamilton told the gathering about winning his very public battle with testicular cancer, and how, only a few years later, he overcame a benign brain tumor. After fighting and recovering from the tumor, he resumed skating, speaking and overcoming obstacles. His motto? “The only disability in life is a bad attitude.” Kanti Rai, MD, chief of hematology/ oncology at LIJ, received special recognition at the event. A world-class medical researcher of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Dr. Rai was honored not only for his many important scientific contributions but also for his great compassion and care for patients. Michael Dowling, president and chief execuOn Cancer Survivors’ Day, Richard Goldstein, North Shore-LIJ’s new tive office of North Shorechairman of the board, presented Scott Hamilton, left, Olympic gold LIJ Health System, premedalist and cancer survivor, with a personalized lab coat.

Transitions clients an opportunity to demonstrate how much they’ve achieved on their journey, said Jean Elbaum, PhD, Transitions’ clinical director. “It’s really a chance to highlight people’s progress and recovery; it helps clients build their self-confidence following an injury, and gives hope and inspiration,” she said. — Michelle Pinto Theresa Manfre and Jeremy Riddle were the driving forces behind Transitions of Long Island’s recent prom. While Ms. Manfre took care of logistics and organizational details, Mr. Riddle served as the entertainment “committee" and played his guitar to the delight of 50 attendees.

PSI Offers Advanced Trauma Life Support Course LAKE SUCCESS — The recent expansion of

North Shore-LIJ Health System's Patient Safety Institute (PSI) has allowed medicine and surgical residents to train in emergency advanced trauma life support. The two-day course is required for all surgical and emergency medicine residents within the combined Department of Surgery at North Shore University Hospital and LIJ Medical Center. Part of the health system’s Center for Learning and Innovation, PSI provides a state-of-the-art learning facility for healthcare professionals. PSI creates training scenarios with computerized, anatomically accurate mannequins that look and feel real. Using a computer, instructors in separate control rooms manipulate the mannequins to replicate any medical scenario, such as a stroke, heart attack, small pox or traumatic injuries. “From the control room, we observe how the resident is performing and can control how the mannequin responds. If the resident is performing well, we make the ‘patient’ better. If the resident is not performing well, we will make the ‘patient’ sicker,” said Matthew Bank, MD, the director of trauma at North Shore University Hospital. “This technology is extremely realistic and it is better preparing our residents to treat real trauma patients and react in a timely manner.” Dr. Bank collaborated with Barbara DeVoe, DNP, director of clinical education programs at the at Center for Learning and Innovation, to create the new program. The course is adaptable to all clinical levels and health professions. PSI plans to offer it several times a year; call 516-562-2993 for information on future courses. 25

Lenox Hill Hospital archive

ORIGINS

Health and Wellness Meet the Mets After cofounding the German Dispensary six years earlier, Ernst Krackowitzer, MD, right, served as a special inspector of hospitals and as consulting surgeon to the Union Army during the American Civil War in 1863. The German Dispensary was renamed Lenox Hill Hospital in 1918, toward the end of World War I.

Next time you attend a Mets home game at Citi Field, check out the Health and Wellness Information Center, located on field level in the right-field corner. The first of its kind in Major League Baseball, the 400-square-foot center, called the Health Information Team or HIT, is staffed by healthcare professionals from North Shore-LIJ Health System who can answer questions about such health-related topics as sports safety, exercise, heart health and nutrition. One section, anticipating the opening of the Katz Women’s Hospital at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset in 2011 and at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park in 2012, offers an educational set-up that addresses the unique needs of women and the healthcare referral needs of their families. The program is the brainchild of Mets co-owner Saul Katz, chairman of the board of North Shore-LIJ Health System from 2006 to this summer and previously from 1997 to 2000.

Employees Get to the Heart of the Matter MANHASSET — North Shore-LIJ

Health System was recently recognized as the Outstanding Training Center for 2009-10 by the American Heart Association (AHA) for providing emergency cardiac care training to over 14,000 staff and community members each year. The AHA recently presented its regional New York City and Long Island annual recognition and awards program at North Shore University Hospital. Three North Shore-LIJ staff members received awards in the cardiopulmonary resuscitation/ automated external defibrillation category. The AHA honored Rosemarie Ennis, director of public health education, and Catherine Blotiau, basic life support regional trainer, for acting Top, from left: Ellen Carroll, RN, LIJ’s Emergency Care Institute; Margaret Delaney, RN, Patient Safety Institute and AHA quickly to save a colleague’s life national faculty for pediatric advanced life support; Joan Clifford, RN, Glen Cove Hospital; Karen Rosen-Junge, RN, Glen at a meeting last fall, reviving Cove; and Catherine Blotiau, Department of Public Health Education. Bottom, from left: Sr. Linda Vdorick, RN, LIJ Medical him from sudden cardiac death. Center; Maria Cotty, RN, [facility]; Christine Glaser, RN, Plainview and Syosset hospitals; Hattie Norman Robertson, RN, Ellen Carroll, coordinator of basic PhD, Plainview and Syosset hospitals; Rosemarie Ennis, EMT, director of public health education and director of the AHA Training Center; Sheryl Epstein, RN, Glen Cove Hospital; Karen Langer, RN, director of education/staff development at Glen life support, advanced cardiovasCove; and Michael Melcer, PhD, US Merchant Marine Academy. cular life support and pediatric advanced life support programs at Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Many attending the ceremony were remembered him with enormous fondness. Medical Center, received an award for savfriends and colleagues of the late George Known as the man behind the scenes, Mr. ing a man who went into cardiac arrest at Berry, a physician assistant at the Cohen Berry passed away in April. His dedication a Las Vegas convention last June. Children’s Medical Center of New York, and inspired all those who knew him. 26

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Net

Allied

NEWS

NATION Although doctors and nurses account for about 40 percent of the total healthcare workforce in the United States, allied health professionals are a growing force in hospitals and other healthcare settings. For instance, the North Shore-LIJ Health System employs more than 2,100 allied health professionals. Who are they? They are emergency medical technicians, paramedics, sign-language interpreters, child life specialists, research assistants, and other technicians and technologists who fulfill key roles in a wide range of diagnostic, therapeutic and direct-patient care areas, including anesthesia, radiology, phlebotomy, radiation medicine, imaging, echocardiography, electroencephalography, emergency medicine, hemodialysis, interventional radiology, infant care, laboratory medicine, labor and delivery, nuclear medicine, operating rooms and surgery, pharmacy, ophthalmology, telemetry, sonography, ultrasound and occupational, physical, radiation, respiratory and recreational therapy. To recognize the breadth and importance of these critical healthcare providers, we are introducing a new column that will explore the ways in which allied healthcare professionals help North Shore-LIJ meet its goals of providing the most advanced care in the safest possible setting.

Electronic ID Ensures Transfusion Patients’ Safety A new system is helping to accurately identify patients and minimize the risk of error from manual data entry in Franklin Hospital’s Transfusion Department. The computerized system, one of the first of its kind implemented in the New York area, uses scanners to match patients’ wristband barcodes to those on individual blood units. Franklin is piloting the project in close conjunction with the North Shore-LIJ Laboratories. When blood bank lab technologists prepare a unit of blood for transfusion, they print a transfusion record that verifies the specifics of that blood unit and the recipient’s blood compatibility and health information. Upon receipt at the hospital, the unit nurse scans the barcode affixed to the transfusion record and on the recipient patient’s wristband. If the barcodes do not match, the computer denies access to proceed and signals the unit RN to contact the blood bank to trace the discrepancy. Once barcodes match, pre-transfusion identification proceeds. The unit nurse

verbally and visually identifies transfusion patients and their wristbands and a second nurse approves the information. Upon electronic authorization by the first nurse, both RNs scan their employee ID card barcodes, linking them to the patient and transfusion event in the shared computer system. The system ensures that the time, date, location and patient information are tracked on every transfusion; all this information must be stored in order for the transfusion to begin. “The barcoding system is a huge stride in patient safety,” said Ilya Shigol, laboratory supervisor at Franklin. “We are reducing the risk that a patient could receive the wrong blood and using electronic capabilities to keep detailed patient records that allow swift, accurate care.” Mr. Shigol developed the bedside barcoding program at Franklin with staff members of North Shore-LIJ Laboratories, including Wayne Woodbury, senior project manager, and Hammad Rana, analyst. — Kristen Longo

EMR Order Sets Review Page Goes Live A new HealthPort page gives clinicians a forum to submit comments about the proposed inpatient order sets to be adopted throughout North Shore-LIJ Health System. Accessible via HealthPort’s “What’s New” section, the EMR Order Sets Review page allows caregivers to participate in developing order sets and to share the process itself with other staff members via announcements, a meeting calendar and a discussion board. These EMR (electronic medical record) order sets, which have been developed by caregiver teams from throughout North Shore-LIJ, are critical to best-practice and evidence-based treatment guidelines that will eventually be part of the inpatient/acute care electronic health record, said Lawrence Smith, MD, chief medical officer of the health system. The teams leveraged the knowledge of national health experts, evidence-based order sets from ZynxHealth and the expertise of our own clinical professionals. Through the cooperative work of these interdisciplinary groups, the health system can advance clinical practice and provide safe, effective, patient-centered care. “I encourage all clinicians to visit the new page, provide feedback on the order sets and utilize the online features,” said Dr. Smith. He added that special arrangements for access to the page allow Staten Island University Hospital and Huntington Hospital caregivers to participate in the process.

Making Strides for Women’s Healthcare Crowds converged on Jones Beach State Park recently — but not for a leisurely day of sunbathing. Instead, these 4,000 community members donned sneakers and traversed the boardwalk as participants in Every Woman Matters: A Walk for Women and Their Families, which benefited North Shore-LIJ Health System’s new Katz Institute for Women’s Health and Katz Women’s Hospital. On a day so filled with inspiration, one of the most rousing sights was the sea of white hats bearing the Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate logo. Inspired by the enthusiasm of Prudential President and CEO Dottie Herman, hundreds of New York-area Prudential employees formed an impressive three dozen walk teams and raised significant

Life SAVER Blood Drives Sept. 7 Sept. 8 Sept. 8 Sept. 9 Sept. 9 Sept. 10 Sept. 13 Sept. 13 Sept. 14 Sept. 15 Sept. 16 Sept. 21 Sept. 23 Sept. 23 Sept. 27 Sept. 29 Oct. 1 Oct. 6 Oct. 8 Oct. 13 Oct. 13 Oct. 14 Oct. 19 Oct. 19 Oct. 22 Oct. 25 Oct. 26 Oct. 26

Regional Claims Recovery Service North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) SIUH South Site NSUH Plainview Hospital Center for Emergency Medical Services Dolan Family Health Center Huntington Hospital Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center SIUH North Site The Zucker Hillside Hospital North Shore-LIJ Laboratories Syosset Hospital LIJ Medical Center The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research Center for Advanced Medicine Admin Offices, Great Neck SIUH North Site Southside Hospital Franklin Hospital SIUH South Site Physicians’ Ambulatory Network Services Corporate Offices, Westbury SIUH Pouch Corporate Human Resources Materials Management SIUH North Site Southside Hospital

Nov. 3 Glen Cove Hospital Nov. 4 SIUH South Site Nov. 11 SIUH North Site

funds in a variety of ways — from holding a wine tasting event with an admission fee to distributing information at tables set up outside of stores. “Several years ago I was contacted by Saul Katz, who shared his vision for the first women’s hospital in New York State as a way to ensure that all women have access to the care they deserve,” said Ms. Herman. “From that moment on I have been involved in the whole process, because I feel this is one of the most important things I can do in my lifeFrom left, Michael Dowling, president and CEO of North Shore-LIJ; time.” After learning of the Iris Katz, associate trustee; Dottie Herman, president and CEO of health system’s plans to hold Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate and title sponsor of the Every a walk for this cause so close Woman Matters Walk; Saul Katz, former North Shore-LIJ chairman; to her heart, Ms. Herman and Neeta Shah, MD, the health system’s vice president of women's made a generous gift from health services, opened the walk. Prudential to become the Woman Matters Walk to celebrate women’s event’s title sponsor. health and wellness and to support a cause The event raised more than $500,000 that promises to transform women’s healthfor the Katz Institute for Women’s Health care forever,” said Arthur Sanders, who coand Katz Women’s Hospital, thanks to chaired the walk with fellow CIC members dozens of corporate and individual sponTeresa Breen and Cheryl Vanek. “It was sors, thousands of people who walked or incredibly rewarding to be out there on the supported other walkers and the dedicaboardwalk and see so many families bondtion of the Commerce and Industry ing as they walked in honor or memory of Council (CIC), a group of business profesthe women they love.” sionals and philanthropists who co-hosted To lend your support or learn more, the walk with North Shore-LIJ. go to support.NorthShoreLIJ.com/women. “CIC got involved with the Every

Women’s CORNER

Good Walking America Representatives from North Shore-LIJ Health System made a splash on Good Morning America recently. Invited as part of a VIP audience, the group promoted the Every Woman Matters: A Walk for Women and Their Families on the show. During filming breaks, anchors George Stephanopoulos and Robin Roberts welcomed the employees and volunteers. 29

Medical Update to Enter Season 8 Medical Update, North Shore-LIJ Health System’s award-winning weekly TV series, will return for its eighth season on Saturday, October 9. Thirteen new programs will feature health system physicians and scientists in lively discussions about cutting-edge medical treatments, patient interviews, hot topics, research and discoveries. See Medical Update on Saturdays at 11 a.m. on WLNY-TV on Channel 10 on Cablevision and Verizon FiOS, and Channel 55 on Time Warner Cable in New York City, plus DirecTV and DishTV. See reruns at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday on Verizon FiOS Channel 1, and at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and 3 p.m. Friday on Great Neck Public Access TV (Channel 20 on Cablevision and Channel 37 on Verizon FiOS) and any time at NorthShoreLIJ.com.

“A” for Effort Thanks to three emergency medical technicians (EMTs) from North Shore-LIJ's Center for Emergency Medical Services, Amityville High School senior Anthony Abizdad, center, was able to attend his graduation ceremony — despite a severe head injury that impedes his mobility and breathing. EMTs Oneita Hooper and Karl Ryan, at the head of the stretcher, and Gary Stark, at the foot, picked up the Massapequa teen at home and escorted him to the high school in an ambulance along with the specialized equipment he needs.

The Subway Series to Fight Lupus from page 7

New School to Change Medicine on Long Island and Beyond from page 1

Institute for Medical Research and hospitals will all serve as training sites, ensuring students will graduate as highly prepared young doctors five years from now. The School of Medicine’s academic home was formerly the headquarters of the

New York Jets football training facility. Previously known as Weeb Ewbank Hall, the building has been converted into a stateof-the-art facility with a large lecture hall that can hold more than 100 students.

uals are at higher risk for developing autoimmune disease than others. Ms. Marcus first contacted the Feinstein Institute when she learned about a study of lupus and Vitamin D. But then she got involved with another clinical trial. And now she returns every month for a medical exam. There are many abnormalities involved in lupus, and identifying what can be safely targeted with treatments will be key in treating the disease. — Jamie Talan

Urgent Care Centers to Open in Manhattan, Queens and LI from page 1

Though not staffed or equipped to deliver trauma care or treat those suffering from heart attacks, stroke or other serious illnesses, the urgicenter will be equipped with ambulances from North Shore-LIJ’s Center for Emergency Medical Services to transport patients to area hospitals, including Lenox Hill. The urgicenter could receive approximately 25,000 annual visits, helping to ease the demand on other nearby hospital emergency departments. “We anticipate that most patients will be able to be rapidly treated and released,” said Dr. Femia. “For the small percentage of patients who need hospital care, we will have the capabilities to quickly identi30

fy, stabilize and transport them by ambulance to an appropriate facility.” Upon finalization of a lease and approval of the urgicenter by bankruptcy court, Mr. Solazzo said, the health system can begin renovating space within the former St. Vincent’s Emergency Department. If all goes as planned, the urgicenter will be ready to open soon after Labor Day, he added. “Once we’re operational, we’re confident that Greenwich Village residents will quickly recognize that the urgicenter is an important resource that fills a vital community need,” Mr. Solazzo said. North Shore-LIJ also received $8.2 million in state funding to open urgicenters this

fall at 4300 Hempstead Turnpike in Bethpage and 2595 Queens Boulevard in Rego Park. The Rego Park center, the site of a clinic operated by St. John’s Hospital Queens before its 2009 closure, will occupy 6,675 square feet and be renovated at a cost of about $3.5 million. It will include eight exam rooms, two treatment areas and facilities for imaging and blood work. The Bethpage urgent care center, the former home of the health system’s autism and pain management programs, will occupy 5,470 square feet of space that is being renovated at a cost of $2.8 million. — Lara Weiss

Mission POSSIBLE Doctors Give Surgery and Smiles to Colombian Children Andrew Jacono, MD, recently spent eight days in Colombia to perform reconstructive surgery on children with facial birth defects. Dr. Jacono, the chief/section head of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at North Shore University Hospital,

worked with a team of 30 healthcare professionals that included surgeons, pediatricians, anesthesiologist and others. The pro bono reconstructive surgeries performed by Dr. Jacono and his colleagues changed the lives of more than 70 children with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. The volunteer organization Healing the Children coordinated the mission; the non-

Left: Dr. Jacono with a patient and fellow clinician prior to surgery. Right: Before and after the team’s work in Colombia.

profit arranges medical care for children who lack medical and financial resources or health insurance. Oral facial clefts, such as cleft lips and cleft palates, are birth defects in which the tissues of the mouth or lip do not form properly during fetal development. In the United States alone, one in every 1,000 children is born with clefts — making it one of the most common major birth defects today. Treatable with reconstructive surgery, unattended oral facial clefts can cause difficulty breathing and eating, recurring ear infections, potential hearing loss and speech defects. “There’s no reason why these children can’t lead normal lives,” said Dr. Jacono. “It’s just a matter of getting them access to proper medical care. That’s why a trip like this is so important. It gives these children a chance for a normal, healthy life — a chance they might otherwise miss.”

Surgeon Performs First Pediatric Open-Heart Surgery in Guyana GREAT NECK — Sheel Vatsia, MD, a cardiac surgeon from the Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, performed the first pediatric open-heart surgery in Guyana recently as part of a medical aid mission to the poor South American nation. During his week-long visit, Dr. Vatsia performed the life-saving surgery on eight children varying in age from one to 11. The children presented with a variety of heart defects that, left untreated, would typically result in death during the first five to 12 years of life. “All the children we treated desperately needed surgery,” Dr. Vatsia explained. “Many needed these operations months or even years ago. It is good that we got to them when we did.” One of those children, Shakiel Griffith, was born with ventricular septal defect (a hole between the left and right chambers of the heart). When Shakiel was an infant, his fingers would turn blue. Plagued by constant breathing problems as he grew older, the boy contorted his body to relieve the tension in his chest. Since undergoing surgery, he is pain-free and his breathing problems are mere memories. “Our team made a huge difference in the lives of those eight children,” Dr. Vatsia said, crediting the 14-member surgical team from the United States that operated on cases designated by the Guyana government as ‘most severe.’ However, he was quick to add that there are thousands more who need surgical intervention in a country that lacks a single pediatric cardiac surgeon. “The goal is to have trained specialists and the proper facilities within Guyana itself.”

A poor nation with a population of of nations to create a regional hub of trained 770,000 spread over 83,000 square miles specialists so physicians from within (Long Island has 7.4 million people over Caribbean and South American nations 1,400 square miles), Guyana has substandard could serve their own population. hospital care and extremely limited capability “This medical mission was important to for major medical surgical procedures due to the children we treated and it made a huge a low number of trained specialists. These difference in their lives and the lives of their conditions are heartbreaking and frustrating families,” Dr. Vatsia said. “But it is a Bandfor Dr. Vatsia, and Aid for a very he hopes to help serious situation. change them: “It’s Ultimately, the impossible not to goal must be to feel for the chiltrain local surdren and individgeons, nurses ual circumand anesthesiolostances, especially gists so that conas a parent ditions like the myself. But to ones facing these really make a difchildren can be ference, the goal treated more should be to have promptly and individualized effectively.” training for local Dr. Vatsia clinicians — said the next step surgical, nursing, in that process is Dr. Vatsia joined a 14-member surgical team to change the lives of eight children in Guyana. The South American country anesthesia — so further coordinacurrently has no pediatric heart surgeons. the country tion with doesn’t need to Guyanese and rely on special missions to treat sick children.” Caribbean government officials and physiHe said that the medical team — which cians to systematically train individuals there included North Shore University Hospital as well as in specialized centers worldwide. nurse Maureen Fitzpatrick and representa“They can then invest in a local institution to tives from Mount Sinai, Montefiore and accommodate the appropriately trained perMaimonides Medical Centers in New York, sonnel. All this does of course, require signifiplus Texas Children’s and Miami Children’s cant funding and resources. We hope to be Hospital — is looking to do just that. One able to go down and jump-start this process.” idea is to work with individual governments — Brian Mulligan and the medical community from a variety 31

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