New Standard 2010-11

fall 2010

The Employee Publication of North Shore-LIJ Health System

State Approves New Southside Cardiac Surgery Program BAY SHORE — The New York State Department of Health (DOH) recently approved the North Shore-LIJ Health System’s request to extend its open-heart surgery program to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, bringing one of New York’s most renowned cardiothoracic surgery programs to Suffolk County’s south shore.

Alan Hartman, MD, chair of cardiothoracic surgery at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) and LIJ Medical Center, will be the on-site clinical leader of the North Shore-LIJ cardiac surgery program at Southside, along with well known and experienced cardiac surgeons Michael Graver, MD, and Robert Kalimi, MD, as well as their team of anesthesiologists and cardiac perfusionists. Dr. Hartman and his surgical team are among the best in the state for valve and valve/coronary artery bypass surgery, with risk-adjusted mortality rates

among New York’s lowest – an achievement that has earned the state DOH’s coveted double-star ranking for outcomes significantly better than the statewide average.

“Extending our existing cardiac surgery program to Southside provides enormous benefits from both a quality and convenience perspective,” said Michael Dowling, president and chief executive officer of the North ShoreLIJ Health System (www.northshorelij.com).

“Suffolk residents will now have access to a local program headed by an individual with an unparalleled record of outcomes that consistently rank as one of the state’s best.”

In making the request to the state to extend North Shore-LIJ’s cardiothoracic program to Southside, North Shore-LIJ officials pointed to North Shore-LIJ’s existing volume and referral patterns from Suffolk Countybased cardiologists. “Of the 1,990 cardiac surgeries performed last year at North Shore

Veteran Nurse Has the Right Stuff VALLEY STREAM — Franklin Hospital’s

University Hospital and LIJ Medical Center, 593 or nearly 30 percent involved Suffolk continued on page 35

I N S I D E : 3rd Avenue Festival page 6

Deborah Scott, RN, has distinguished herself as an inspirational figure — both at the hospital and to countless servicemen and women whose lives she has touched over the decades.

This veteran nurse joined the Emergency Department (ED) at Franklin in 1981 as a licensed professional nurse and continued her education while working fulltime shifts, allowing her to achieve an MSN in emergency nursing disaster management.

She joined the ED staff in 1986, because, as she said, “The environment is stimulating and I enjoy the direct interaction with our patients. This place became my home.”

Ms. Scott’s work was so appreciated by continued on page 32

Alan Hartman, MD, front, will head the new cardiac surgery team at Southside Hospital, with Michael Graver, MD, center, and Robert Kalimi, MD.

A Leg Up from Year Up page 16

A Shot in the Arm page 25 Ms. Scott aboard an aeromedical unit during a recent deployment.

Mission to Peru page 34

National Quality Healthcare Award Winner 2010

The Zucker Hillside Hospital Breaks Ground on New Inpatient Pavilion GLEN OAKS — The Zucker Hillside Hospital recently broke ground on a 130,000-square-foot, $125 million inpatient pavilion. Constructed with the generous support of Donald and Barbara Zucker, the new two-story building will consolidate outdated living quarters dispersed across the psychiatric facility’s campus — thus significantly improving the coordination of services and treatment along the continuum of care.

The new pavilion will house 115 inpatient beds — 57 for geriatric patients, 37 for general adults and 21 for adolescents — increasing capacity by 13 beds to 221. This modern, patient-centered facility will be surrounded by a tranquil and sprawling environment that preserves the unique history of The Zucker Hillside Hospital campus.

The new building’s two-story design will feature units radiating from a central rotunda that will include spaces for gatherings among patients, families and clinical teams. The inpatient pavilion will have space designated to meet the specific needs of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and memory and mood disorders. It also will feature classrooms for school-age patients; secure outdoor areas for relaxation, family visits and exercise; and group and individual counseling rooms.

“Behavioral health disorders affect nearly half of the population during the course of a lifetime and account for more disability and missed days of work than any other illness,” said Michael Dowling, North Shore-LIJ Health System president and CEO. “Updating the facilities at Zucker Hillside enables us to meet the needs of this often-overlooked patient

population and gain recognition as the premier center for behavioral healthcare in the New York metropolitan area.”

“Psychiatric illness and addiction cause heartache and alter lives. Their devastating impact scars families for generations,” said John Kane, MD, vice president of Among those breaking ground on The Zucker Hillside Hospital's new $125 million behavioral health inpatient pavilion were, from left: Bruce Feig, executive deputy commissioner of the state Office of Mental Health; Joseph Schulman, Zucker Hillside's executive services for the director; North Shore-LIJ Chairman Richard Goldstein; John Kane, MD, chair of North Shore-LIJ psychiatry at Zucker Hillside; donors Donald and Barbara Zucker; and North Health System and Shore-LIJ President and CEO Michael Dowling. chairman of psychiaprocess. As psychiatry has evolved, the hostry at Zucker Hillside. “This new pavilion pital has led treatment: The facility has been will help us treat these disorders to change at the forefront of psychotherapy and psythat, healing families and returning people chopharmacology, inpatient specialty services to society’s mainstream.” and outpatient treatment — and continues to play a historic role in establishing modern Innovation and Compassion psychiatric remedies.

Named one of the nation’s top 20 psyIn 1999, Mr. and Ms. Zucker emerged as chiatric facilities this year by US News & advocates for the facility. In recognition of World Report, Zucker Hillside has been a their ongoing support, the hospital complex leader in healing individuals with mental illwas renamed The Zucker Hillside Hospital. ness for more than 80 years.Founded as Their insight and generosity not only allowed Hastings Hillside Hospital in 1927 by neurolthe building of the most recent addition, but ogist Israel Strauss, MD, the private hospital also the construction of the 89,000-squareprovided the first formal therapeutic commufoot, $33.3 million Ambulatory Care nity — a modality specializing in the use of Pavilion, which opened in 2004. meaningful tasks like gardening that assist — Maria Conforti patients as they work through the recovery

Message from the President Going Against the Grain to Meet Community Needs The recent groundbreaking for a new psychiatric inpatient pavilion at The Zucker Hillside Hospital (see story above) and the extension of North Shore University Hospital’s (NSUH) and LIJ Medical Center’s cardiac surgery program to Southside Hospital (see page 1) are two great examples of what distinguishes the North Shore-LIJ Health System from others across the country.

With most large health systems, community hospitals serve as “feeders” to tertiary hospitals. At North Shore-LIJ, our community hospitals are full-service facilities, each with their own emergency departments, in which we have invested generously to meet the health needs of local residents.

Our decision to establish a cardiac surgery program at Southside Hospital by drawing on the clinical resources and expertise of NSUH and LIJ is an investment that goes against the grain of conventional thinking in the healthcare industry. Why did we do it? Because the community needed it. Currently, Stony Brook University 2

Hospital has the only cardiac surgery program in Suffolk County, forcing most residents of western Suffolk to drive to Nassau County or Manhattan to undergo heart surgery. In fact, 30 percent of cardiac surgery patients last year at NSUH and LIJ were Suffolk residents.

Community need is also at the heart of why we’re investing $122 million to build a 115-bed inpatient pavilion at Zucker Hillside Hospital. Because of low insurance reimbursements for mental health, many hospitals and health systems nationwide have abandoned their behavioral health programs, opting instead to focus on moreprofitable services. Here at North Shore-LIJ, we’ve maintained our commitment to those living with behavioral disorders.

The significance of the Zucker Hillside reconstruction (we built and opened a new outpatient facility for our psychiatric patients in 2004) can be more easily understand when you look at the devastation of mental illness and the toll it takes

on our patients and the people who love them.

Zucker Hillside and researchers like Michael Dowling our chairman of psychiatry, John Kane, MD, are known nationally and internationally for their pioneering work in the diagnosis, treatment and research of mental illness. The hospital is one of only eight locations in the nation designated by the National Institute of Mental Health as a Clinical Research Center for the Study of Schizophrenia.

Yet, the cramped, aging buildings that house our inpatient beds are a discredit to the expertise of our staff, who have achieved incredible success in spite of the conditions in which they work. Thanks to the generosity of donors Donald and Barbara Zucker, and numerous others, we are renewing our commitment to meeting the needs of some of the most fragile and vulnerable members of our society.

In the

A Day in the

SPOTLIGHT

LIFE OF...

North Shore-LIJ Studios Every year, technology reaches new heights. With smart phones, BlackBerrys, video-chat, social networking and more, the world is constantly linked — including within North Shore-LIJ Health System, where videoconferencing advancements have led to new heights of connectedness. For instance, North Shore-LIJ physicians used videoconferencing to evaluate the effects of altitude on the flow of oxygen through a patient’s bloodstream.

and surgeons utilize videoconferencing within operating rooms. The technology has also been used to administer continuing medical education programs and training courses.

Recently, North Shore-LIJ Studios has extended the reach of videoconferencing through Webcasting. North Shore-LIJ is one of the few health systems in the world to seamlessly combine teleconferencing and Webcasting. Doing so allows videoconferences

Carolyn Capurro Per Diem Nurse, The Zucker Hillside Hospital

What attracted you to become a nurse?

When I was 17 years old, I worked as a nurse’s aide at [what was then called] North Shore Hospital.

Everything about the job and the hospital was extremely interesting to me.

The head nurse that I worked for was tremendously inspiring. She made me want to follow in her footsteps and become a nurse.

What do you do now?

I am 70 now and I officially retired three years ago. However, I still do occasional per diem work at The Zucker Hillside Hospital. I work in the Adolescent Pavilion where I give out medications and hang out with the kids.

Every hospital and major facility with the health system is equipped for teleconferencing.

“It’s the future of healthcare communications,” said Dennis Skahill, director of North Shore-LIJ Studios. “There are going to be many more learning opportunities in a more convenient and timely fashion.”

In 1994, Huntington Hospital and North Shore University Hospital were among the first hospitals to use teleconferencing. Since then, the innovation has rapidly flourished. “We started off doing four to five conferences a week,” Mr. Skahill said. “Since then, that number has skyrocketed to about 15 to 20 conferences per week.” Currently, there are about 35 highly active videoconferencing systems within the health system; there is at least one at every hospital and all other major facilities.

Videoconferencing can be used for everything from didactic lectures to direct patient care. Physicians use videoconferencing to collectively decide how to best treat patients by presenting case studies to other physicians,

to be captured, archived and made available as Webcasts to be accessed by anyone — either live or on demand. Employees can access Webcasts through HealthPort, the health system’s intranet.

“With this new advancement, we can record conferences so people who couldn’t attend them can watch them online and ondemand,” Mr. Skahill explained. “This way we have the ability to make all of our videoconferences available to all of our employees, at any level, at all times.” This eliminates the cost, time and effort of traveling to meetings. This groundbreaking technology has allowed North Shore-LIJ physicians to meet with doctors from Israel, Egypt and other locations around the globe.

For more information on videoconferencing or to schedule a conference, contact Mr. Skahill at 516-465-8820.

— Lara Weiss

100th Stop-Smoking Class: No More Ifs, Ands or Butts GREAT NECK — The North Shore-LIJ Center for Tobacco Control (CTC) recently offered its 100th smoking-cessation class. A commemorative raffle for North Shore-LIJ employees who enrolled in the program offered such prizes as gift cards and a gift certificate for car detailing to remove the tobacco smell and yellow stains caused by smoking in the car.

More than 5,000 people have participated in the CTC program since it began helping community members and North Shore-LIJ employees quit tobacco more than 10 years ago. The CTC offers free sixweek class sessions plus follow up and support classes year round. To kick the habit, call 516-466-1980.

How has your work at the health system evolved?

In total, I’d say I worked for the health system for about 18 years. I did my training at Lenox Hill Hospital and then began working as an RN in psychiatry at Zucker Hillside. After that, I worked at a few other institutions, but I ultimately ended up back at LIJ Medical Center.

What are your thoughts and feelings on the growth of the health system, including the merger with Lenox Hill?

It’s exciting. It feels like I ended where I started. Even though I never actually worked as an RN at Lenox Hill, it was a huge part of my life and has always held a special place in my heart. I was so pleased to hear that they were going to become a part of the North Shore-LIJ Health System.

How would you describe your best experience as a nurse?

My best experiences are those when I feel like I truly made a difference in helping my patients and their families.

Patients will come in very sick. But, when their condition clears up, they come into a place where they can function again, and that’s when you know you’ve made a difference. It takes a very long time, but when you get there, it’s very satisfying.

— Lara Weiss

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Around the SYSTEM LIJ, Cohen Celebrate Year-Long Elimination of Central-Line Infections are placed correctly, physicians and surgical tive effort, orchestrated by the National NEW HYDE PARK — Units in two hospiphysician assistants use ultrasound guidance Association of Children’s Hospitals and tals on the LIJ Medical Center campus and adhere to strict protocols for insertion,” Related Institutions, to eliminate pediatric recently achieved zero central-line infection said Dr. Barrera. The LIJ team implemented catheter-associated bloodstream infections rates for a year: LIJ Hospital had no centralother key steps to prevent central-line infec(CA-BSI), said Peter Silver, MD, chief of critiline infections in its surgical intensive care tions, including proper line maintenance cal care medicine at Cohen Children’s unit (SICU) and the Cohen Children’s and continuous surveillance.

Medical Center. CA-BSI are thought by many Medical Center (CCMC) of New York went “Nurses monitor lines daily and each healthcare professionals to be an unavoidable more than a year without a central-line time we need to use the central line, we consequence of central-line catheter inserinfection in its Pediatric Intensive Care Unit thoroughly clean the catheter port for at tion — a process in which infections can be (PICU). This is a rare achievement, and to least 20 seconds [known as ‘scrub the hub’], managed but never fully eliminated. have it happen twice on one campus is which further reduces a chance of infec“When we started our project to elimiremarkable; very few hospitals in the nation tion,” said Dr. Barrera. “Staff members also nate CA-BSI, our infection rate was 4.7 can make the same claim. inspect central lines twice a day. And as infections per 1,000 central-line days, and Central-line infections are one of the soon as a line is no longer needed, we we were experiencing a central-line infecmost serious complications that can occur remove it. The longer a line is left in, the tion every 28 days,” Dr. Silver said. “Our in hospitals. For adults, this bloodstream higher the risk of infection.” goal was to reduce our infection rate by 50 infection is introduced through large intrapercent, and double the venous (IV) catheters that time interval between deliver their nutrition, medicainfections.” tions and/or fluids in critical Efforts to reduce the care units. incidence of CA-BSI in “This milestone for LIJ adult patients have been could only be made possible successful mostly by with enormous teamwork and improving insertion techinterdisciplinary collaboration niques, but “pediatric CAamong our medical staff memBSI is completely different,” bers,” said Chantal Weinhold, Dr. Silver explained. “In executive director of LIJ. children, insertion of the “Thanks to the efforts of our central line is the cause of highly committed staff, the SCU only 10 percent of infecand hospital are made safer tions. The remaining 90 every day for our patients.” percent is attributable to From July 25, 2009 until maintenance procedures.”

July 25, 2010, LIJ’s SICU staff The key to combating admitted nearly 750 patients for the infection in children was a total of more than 3,300 centralto focus on those mainteline days — the total number of nance procedures. These days that SICU patients had the improvements included a IV catheter inserted.

Administrators and clinicians at Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York celebrated lengthy scrub of the catheter “Using evidenced-based 365 days without a central line infection in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. port with a special cleansing strategies, a daily process and Adding to the success at LIJ, Dr. Barrera solution for each entry into the catheter to collaboration among the critical care team — said that a designated nursing IV team, supeither administer a medication or sample surgical residents, physician assistants, nurses ported by the surgical continuum of care of blood; very frequent changes of the catheter and an intensivist — we eliminated centralphysician assistants, follows patients with tubing; and a new protocol for changing the line infections in the SICU and decreased central lines who are transferred to other catheter dressing. Additionally, the necessity them throughout the hospital,” said Rafael areas of the hospital to monitor lines daily of the catheter itself became a topic for disBarrera, MD, director the hospital’s SICU. and maintain them to further prevent infeccussion on daily rounds, and an open converBefore LIJ started the infection prevention. As a result, central-line infection rates sation between the team of nurses and physition initiative, the central-line infection rate in LIJ’s noncritical care areas have also cians caring for the patient became a must at was 1.26 per 1,000 central-line days. decreased dramatically. the first warning sign of a brewing infection.

According to the Institute for Healthcare The results speak for themselves: From Improvement, there are approximately 5.3 Infection Rejection Perfection July 7, 2009 to July 7, 2010 CCMC had central-line-associated bloodstream infecCCMC is the only children’s hospital in zero infections for 2,574 central-line days. tions per 1,000 central-line days in intenNew York to achieve a year without centralThe national average is 2.9 infections per sive care units nationwide. While LIJ’s cenline infections. Hospital and PICU staff cele1,000 central-line days. tral-line infection rate was lower than the brated what they called “infection rejection The hospital’s infection-control efforts national average, catheter-related bloodperfection” on July 7, which marked a full have already saved the lives of children and stream infections are a serious concern for year without an infection. During that time, have avoided significant costs to the healthpatients and hospitals. the PICU treated 1,647 patients, said Arthur care system.

To prevent central-line infections, LIJ’s — Betty Olt, Brian Mulligan Klein, MD, the hospital’s executive director SICU critical care team used a checklist for and chief of staff. the safest and most sterile way to insert IV The achievement is part of a collaboracatheters. “To ensure that all central lines 4

Hospice Care Network Benefits from Two Acts of Generosity Heart-Imaging System Gets Patients Back into Circulation

GE Healthcare

The Hospice Care Network (HCN), part of North Shore-LIJ Health System, has been providing compassionate care to patients with lifelimiting illnesses and their families since 1988. Now, two foundations with a longstanding commitment to improving the lives of local residents have pledged major philanthropic support to help HCN expand the reach of its vital services.

The Fay J. Lindner Foundation, an advocate for social welfare and a supporter of North Shore-LIJ (including HCN) for many years, recently made a significant gift to HCN’s Bereavement Program. The program provides counseling, education, social activities and other important resources for adults of any age and children as young as four years old following the death of a loved one. In honor of the foundation’s generosity, the program has been renamed the Fay J. Lindner Foundation Hope and Healing Center for Family and Children’s Bereavement.

HCN also recently received a substantial gift from the Miracle Foundation. Originally introduced to HCN by the North Shore-LIJ Health System Foundation, the primary mission of the Miracle Foundation is to make a positive difference in the lives of cancer patients and find a cure for this far-reaching disease. The foundation’s support will enable HCN to fill a need in the community by establishing the Miracle Foundation Palliative Care Center, allowing for more effective intervention in the lives of patients and their families immediately following the diagnosis of a serious illness.

To learn more about how to support North Shore-LIJ’s many hospitals, facilities and programs, visit northshorelij.com/ foundation.

Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center can deliver a fast, comfortable cardiac stress test close to home. The hospital recently installed the Discovery™ NM 530c nuclear cardiology imaging system; the GE Healthcare unit reduces scanning time to as little as three minutes per scan. Furthermore, its arm and leg supports help to make your exam comfortable while its breakthrough Alcyone technology allows it to acquire better images to help your doctor diagnose your condition. LIJ joins North Shore University Hospital in being one of the few locations in the country to have this latest innovation in nuclear medicine.

Huntington Hospital and Plainview Hospital have received 2009-2010 Best in Value Awards as part of the Hospital Value Index created by Press Ganey’s Data Advantage. The Hospital Value Index analyzes more than 4,500 general acutecare hospitals to offer a comprehensive, evidence-based picture of a hospital’s value, and recognizes the top 25 percent of hospitals, based on measurements of quality, affordability, efficiency, patient satisfaction and reputation.

The national average of overall core measurements resulting in improved clinical outcomes for patients was 88 percent; Plainview Hospital scored 97 percent. “This award is a valuable acknowledgment for Plainview,” said Michael Fener, executive director of Plainview and Syosset hospitals.

“The extensive basis on which we were selected shows the community where we excel in patient care, and indicates to us where we can still improve.”

“This award recognizes Huntington Hospital’s achievements in three critical areas – operational efficiency, clinical quality, and patient satisfaction,” said Huntington president and CEO Kevin Lawlor. “Based on data from a variety of objective sources, the Best in Value Award provides us with confirmation that our staff at every level is committed to doing the right things at the right time for our patients.”

As Value-Based Purchasing initiatives, account other important measures that help which financially reward hospitals based on paint a more complete picture of the areas in values of care, become a pillar in national which our hospital excels.” healthcare reimbursement, this quality based, As previously reported, Southside objective benchmarking of core medical Hospital in Bay Shore and Staten Island capabilities identifies which hospitals provide University Hospital also recently received the best value of care to patients. recognition from Press Ganey.

“Since patients often shop around for the best in quality care, the award helps us to stand out as a reliable source for core medical treatment and ensures that we continually make strides in providing the best in quality care to our patients,” said Mr. Fener.

Michael Grosso, Huntington’s senior vice president of medical affairs, concurred.

Smokey the Bear recently visited Plainview and Syosset hospitals during “Patient safety and qual- weekly patient safety rounds, which promote safety measures among all ity of care will always be employees. From left: Eric Becker, director of security at Plainview and our foremost objectives, Syosset hospitals, member and previous chief of the East Meadow Fire Department and instructor at Nassau County Fire Service Academy; John but these standards are Boyle, safety officer at Plainview and Syosset hospitals and captain of the no longer the only indiBrentwood Fire Department; Ed Morgan (as Smokey), Plainview’s sergeant of cators of an exceptional security; Michael Fener, executive director of Plainview and Syosset hospitals, healthcare provider,” he member and previous captain of the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department; said. “The Hospital and Kevin McPartland, safety officer at Plainview and Syosset hospitals and member of the Stewart Manor Fire Department.

Value Index takes into

Courtesy of Plainview Hospital

Plainview, Huntington Score Best in Value

They’re Bears for Safety

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Around the SYSTEM Urgent Care Center, Outpatient Center Open in Queens St. John’s Hospital. The HEAL NY grant was offered because of the 2009 closures of St. John’s and Mary Immaculate hospitals in Queens. The grant is designed for funding additional access to unscheduled acute and urgent care services for the community.

“The volume in our Emergency Department has increased by 36 percent,” explained Geralyn Randazzo, RN, Forest Hills Hospital’s executive director. “Despite having already opened a fast track and a holding area, additional space is required.”

“There is a real need for an urgi center in this neighborhood,” said Andrew Sama, MD, chair of emergency medicine at North Shore-LIJ Health System. “People with mild to moderate illnesses that are acute in onset will be able to get an immediate resolution, as opposed to Claudia Salazar, EMT, left, of Lenox Hill Hospital, gave an ambulance tour to waiting for an appointyoung community members at the recent Manhattan Chamber of Commerce's ment with their doctor,” annual Third Avenue Festival. Lenox Hill physicians, staff members and he said, adding that the volunteers provided a wealth of health information at the event. More than 400 visitors received screening for hypertension; got body mass index new urgent care center determinations; learned about the detection, prevention, and treatment of offers more services prostate cancer; and completed health assessment surveys. Children got than a doctor’s office, safety tips from members of the Safe Kids Coalition and boarded an ambusuch as wound care, lance to learn what to do in an emergency.

fracture care, lab testing and extended hours.

“We chose this location for several reasons, including access and space considerations. We are also doing our best to staff the urgi center with highly qualified staff members who speak other languages, to help better serve the community,” Dr. Sama added.

ED Nurse Saves Life at Department Store

Extreme ED Makeover — A Press Ganey Presentation

REGO PARK — Queens residents experienc-

A. Silverman

ing a non-life threatening emergency now have an alternative to visiting an emergency department. Thanks to a $5.3 million HEAL NY grant (Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law of New York State) a new, state-of-the-art 6,700-square-foot urgent care center opened in October at 95-25 Queens Blvd. in Rego Park, near the site of the old

Lenox Helps Celebrate 3rd Avenue Festival

A. Geoghegan

CARLE PLACE — A shout for help from outside a Macy’s dressing room recently helped save a life at Roosevelt Field Mall. Helen Yeaman, RN, a nurse in Franklin Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED), immediately

Helen Yeaman, RN, saved a Macy’s shopper from bleeding to death.

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responded and saved a woman from bleeding to death.

Ms. Yeaman jumped into action, realizing that the woman was losing a lot of blood due to a rupture where intravenous therapy had been removed earlier that day. Her 35 years of nursing experience came into play as she instructed those around her to elevate the woman’s limbs while she applied a pressure dressing with a belt and shirts from a nearby clothes rack. “Everyone around us was in shock,” said Ms. Yeaman. “But I was taught in emergency situations to make eye contact with specific people for help.” It worked.

The woman fainted and came to, so Ms. Yeaman kept her talking and focused until the police and emergency medical services arrived. Since the ordeal, the woman has made a full recovery.

“I’m just so thankful that I was there and able to help, and that there was a positive outcome,” said Ms. Yeaman. “What I learned in the ED, working side by side with amazing colleagues and educators, helped me to help her through.”

Clinic Operations Also on the Move In addition to the urgent care center, a Forest Hills Hospital outpatient center, currently located adjacent to the hospital’s Emergency Department, will also shift to the larger building in Rego Park. “We have been looking for a location to move to since the hospital closures in Queens occurred. Not only will there be plenty of parking available, but the new location is also easily accessible by public transportation,” Ms. Randazzo said.

The move will allow for expansion of the Forest Hills Emergency Department and for future planned expansion.

Current outpatient center staff will relocate to the new space, which will ease the process for patients. Additionally, each outpatient center patient will receive a personal letter that includes all of the information necessary for a smooth transition. “We are working very hard to respond to the health care needs of our community,” explained Ms. Randazzo. “By expanding our reach in the outpatient venues, we can do this more effectively and prepare for further growth.”

— Liz Seegert

GLEN COVE — John D’Angelo, MD, Glen

Cove Hospital’s chairman of emergency medicine, Doreen O’Grady, RN, the hospital’s nurse director of the Emergency Department (ED), and Dennis Connors, the facility’s executive director, will present a workshop about successfully improving ED processes and patient satisfaction at the November Press Ganey National Client Conference in Orlando, FL. Press Ganey Associates, the healthcare industry’s leading independent vendor of satisfaction and improvement services, expects to draw 2,000 attendees from across the healthcare sector to the event.

The Glen Cove Hospital team’s presentation, “Extreme Emergency Department Makeover,” will focus on how they improved processes, work-flow efficiencies, and patient and staff satisfaction after expectations were not initially realized following the 2003 opening of a state-of-the-art Emergency Department. The workshop will outline the initiatives implemented and how they improved quality, efficiency, financial performance and patient satisfaction.

and alert by his second day in the hospital.

“You don’t get to see miracles. You might hear about them…but to all of us here, actually witnessing this miracle is really special. It kind of puts things in perspective about what’s important in life — family and the people you love,” she said.

James Kenny, MD, associate chairman of emergency medicine at the South Campus, who lives adjacent to the Helbig family, rushed over when he heard commotion. Andrew Aswaad, an emergency medical technician who lives a few doors down, also hurried to the scene.

“Everything happened so fast, but within three minutes an ambulance was here. The sirens were like the sound of the cavalry coming,” said Dr. Kenny. "The lesson you can learn here is the importance of CPR [cardiopulmonary resuscitation] training and safeguarding your pool.”

Ms. Helbig, 32, and her husband, Robert, 33, praised The cardiac team at LIJ Medical Center recently celebrated the opening of their first-responders and newest cardiac catheterization laboratory. The new lab features a compact their neighbors for ceiling-mounted system that allows flexible positioning around the patient saving their son’s life. and enables physicians to see four-dimensional heart images during a cardiac They had further catheterization, the procedure to locate and open blockages in the heart.

STATEN ISLAND — Dana Helbig’s smile illuminated the hallways of Staten Island University Hospital’s South Campus recently — with much good reason.

"It’s amazing. And you know what? It’s really a miracle that my son is here with us," said Ms. Helbig moments before her son, 16-month-old Robert, was discharged from the Pediatric Unit after a three-week stay. “It is truly amazing. He’s stronger than I will ever know, and this is proof to everyone.”

The Helbigs never lost faith in the strength of their son after a July 2nd pool accident — especially since he was awake

LIJ Opens New Cardiac Cath Lab

Staten Island Advance

Staten Island Tot’s Care Rallies Community

Dana Helbig and the miracle boy, Robert.

words of praise for the efforts of S.P. Chan, MD, director of SIUH’s pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and the entire hospital staff.

Over the three weeks little Robert was at SIUH, the family received immense support from family and the community. The hospital room became a second home as Ms. Helbig, who never left his side, slept on a pull-out recliner and decorated the room with memorabilia of Robert’s favorite cartoon, Thomas the Tank Engine. Next to his crib was a nightstand of prayer cards, letters and mementos from Staten Islanders. “Everyone here has been like family to me,” said Ms. Helbig. “I can’t walk down the hall without someone asking me how Robert is. It’s very kind of everyone.”

After six to eight weeks of physical, speech and occupational therapy, Robert will finally go home. Doctors expect him to make a full recovery.

— Timothy Vassilakos

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Nursing MISSION Institute for Nursing Learning Programs

Glen Cove Nurse Named Diabetes Educator of the Year

Learn new skills or polish old ones at conferences and continuing education courses offered by North Shore-LIJ Health System’s Institute for Nursing.

GLEN COVE — Margaret Diliberto, RN, an inpatient diabetes nurse clinician and certified diabetes educator at Glen Cove Hospital, was recently named Diabetes Educator of the Year by the Metropolitan New York Association of Diabetes Educators (MNYADE). The organization honored her at its annual dinner at the Milleridge Inn in Jericho.

MNYADE, a chapter of the American Association of Diabetes Educators, recognized Ms. Diliberto for her expertise, professionalism and creativity in helping individuals with diabetes learn how to manage their disease effectively.

Ms. Diliberto has been involved in diabetes care management for most of her nursing career. She serves as the hospital’s inpatient diabetes nurse clinician and nurse educator, where she educates patients and families on self-management skills for diabetes and coordinates a monthly community heart/diabetes support group. She also coordinates the hospital’s task force certification for inpatient management of diabetes and serves on the North Shore-LIJ diabetes task force. Ms. Diliberto is the program coordinator of a multidisciplinary task force

November 3, 4 Oncological Nursing Society Chemo/Biotherapy Course 420 Lakeville Road, Lake Success November 10 Diabetes Conference Swan Club, Glenwood Landing November 11 Nursing Research 101 420 Lakeville Road, Lake Success November 18 Neonatal Nursing Conference North Hills Country Club, Manhasset December 10 Med/Surg Nursing Conference North Hills Country Club, Manhasset January 12, 13 Oncological Nursing Society Chemo/Biotherapy Course Southside Hospital February 8, 10 Oncological Nursing Society Chemo/Biotherapy Course Huntington Hospital March 9 Evidence-Based Practice North Shore University Hospital March 9, 10 Oncological Nursing Society Chemo/Biotherapy Course 420 Lakeville Road, Lake Success 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.

that helped Glen Cove Hospital receive certification in 2009 for advanced inpatient diabetes management by The Joint Commission — the first hospital in New York State and only the eighth nationwide to receive this distinction.

Meg Diliberto, RN, right, accepts the Diabetes Educator of the Year Award from Hildegarde Payne, RN, president of the Metropolitan New York Association of Diabetes Educators at the group's annual meeting.

Parenting Series Helps New Moms Navigate the First Six Months The series concludes with a resource fair HUNTINGTON — Huntington Hospital featuring exercise specialists from the YJCC, maternal/child nurses are collaborating with nutritionists and massage therapists from the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center Huntington Hospital, information on par(YJCC) to offer an educational/ support proenting classes, and distribution of a resource gram to help new mothers successfully navidirectory created as part of the gate the first six months of grant. When the series contheir newborn’s life, and to cludes, a professionally led identify and reach out to PPD support group will be those at risk for postpartum established. depression (PPD). The proj“Few people are preect has been funded in part pared to deal with the debiliby the Sommer Hochberg tating depression that affects Fund of UJA Federation of up to 13 percent of new New York. mothers,” said Susan The program will feaGoldman, RN, MSN, materture four classes, each with nal/child clinical nurse spea distinct focus. Topics cialist. “Despite the prevainclude baby’s growth and lence of PPD, there is a lack development in the first six of free or low-cost resources months of life, realistic to help new mothers identify expectations and recognizSusan Goldman, RN, MSN and address the issue.” ing postpartum depression.

Erratum Last issue’s story on open-heart pediatric surgeries performed in Guyana incorrectly identified Sheel Vatsia, MD’s affiliation. Dr. Vatsia is affiliated with North Shore University Hospital.

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more nursing mission on page 24

Physicians ROUNDS Comrades in Arms NEW HYDE PARK — The only husband-

and-wife team of colorectal surgeons in the United States (and possibly the world) perform 99 percent of their surgeries at LIJ Medical Center. They are Brooklyn-born Marc Sher, MD, and Brazilian-born Cristina Sardinha, MD, of Progressive Surgical Care, PLLC, in New Hyde Park. Their uncommon personal and professional relationship benefits their patients as well as the North Shore-LIJ Health System.

The doctors met at the Cleveland Clinic in Florida in 1995, when she was doing a research fellowship and he a clinical fellowship in colorectal surgery. Dr. Sardinha’s inspiration was Angelita Habr-Gama, MD, also of Brazil, a colorectal specialist of world renown. Dr. Sher graduated from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, a center known for the treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Colorectal specialists there took Dr. Sher under their wings and laid the groundwork for his specialized training in all colorectal diseases. Dr. Sher’s devotion to the specialty and his surgical achievements were recently recognized with his election as president of the New York Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

Having completed medical school and a surgical residency in Brazil, Dr. Sardinha intended to return to her native country to practice surgery when her fellowship ended. “But then I fell in love,” she said.

The couple were married in 1997; while Dr. Sher moved ahead to begin practicing surgery, Dr. Sardinha spent another six years qualifying to practice in the United States, including a five-year surgical residency at LIJ and another fellowship in colorectal surgery in Florida at the Cleveland Clinic, a year when they lived apart.

At last, in 2004, she joined her husband’s practice — with a great deal of trep-

idation. “I wanted to be an equal partner, not the doctor’s wife,” she said.

He wanted her to be an equal partner, too, of course, but while he was confident in her abilities, as the founder of the practice he felt an obligation to treat her like any other new partner who would have to earn his respect. And of course she did: “Mutual respect is the key to our happiness,” Dr. Sardinha said.

prefer a female surgeon.

Having trained initially in a poorer country, Dr. Sardinha has some unique skills that her husband and her colleagues at LIJ have come to admire. She stitches masterfully while stapling is becoming standard procedure, and she generally ties off tiny vessels rather than using a vessel-sealing device. “Americans love gadgets,” said Dr. Sher, “but the so-called Shared Expertise old-fashioned ways are Today their colorecjust as satisfactory and tal surgery practice is much more cost-effecamong the busiest in the tive — and what if the Marc Sher, MD, and Cristina Sardinha, MD. region. Patients have the gadget breaks?” considerable benefit of While fistula might the doctors’ interest in and collaboration on not be the topic at the dinner table for most all of their cases. Often they operate togethof us, the doctors love what they do and er to treat conditions ranging from simple bring their work home every night. If a case hemorrhoids to diverticulitis and colon cancalls him out at night, she is awake when cer. They are experts in laparoscopy; one of he comes home, asking, “What did you them may hold the laparoscopic camera and find?” On a recent trip to England, they visdirect while the other gently dissects ited historic St. Mark’s hospital in London, through holes less than a dime in size to founded in 1835 and originally named The achieve some of the most remarkable results Infirmary for the Relief of the Poor Afflicted in colorectal surgery today. Their shared with Fistula and Other Diseases of the specialty is the treatment of what are called Rectum. Not everyone’s idea of a tourist complex fistula (abnormal passageways, in destination, but Dr. Sardinha recalled, this case from the colon, rectum or anus), “That was a wonderful day!” three in particular: recto-urethral, enteroTheir son, Lucas, who is five and has atmospheric and peri-anal. These are been hearing his parents talk shop day unpleasant, embarrassing conditions from and night since infancy, says he, too, is which their patients may have suffered for going to be a doctor when he grows up — years, and they are grateful for the doctors’ “an eye doctor.”

— Thea Welch warm, concerned “family” approach. Dr. Sardinha also treats women with recto-vaginal fistula, often caused by childbirth, who

Specialized Rounds Encourage Compassionate Care As a successful healthcare lawyer, Kenneth Schwartz dealt with healthcare policy, government regulations and contracts.

But it was not until he was diagnosed with lung cancer at 40 years old that he began to learn about patient care.

During his 10-month illness, he and his family most appreciated the personal relationships they formed with caregivers and how small acts of kindness encouraged him. This inspired Mr. Schwartz to create the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center in 1995, shortly before he passed away. The center promotes compassionate care and the strengthening of the patient/caregiver relationship.

Schwartz Center Rounds allow healthcare professionals from all areas and specialties to assemble for a facilitated discussion about challenging emotional and social issues that arise in patient care. LIJ Medical Center began conducting Schwartz Center Rounds in 2008; they have since continued at the Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York with support from the Schwartz Center and UJA-Federation. Rounds topics are based on real cases suggested by staff and are presented in a safe, confidential manner.

Subjects have included: caring for a dying child; making peace with a difficult patient or family member; and sorting out conflicts

between medical advice and patients’ religious obligations.

Lynda Cooper, administrative director of geriatric and palliative medicine at LIJ Medical Center and North Shore University Hospital, facilitates the rounds and Lawrence Wolfe, MD, serves as the physician leader. Schwartz Rounds will be held December 13. To attend, call Ms. Cooper at 516-562-4349. To learn how to organize Schwartz Center Rounds at your facility, call Marjorie Stanzler, senior director of programs, at 617-726-0914 or visit TheSchwarzCenter.org.

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Physicians ROUNDS New Fine Needle Aspiration Clinic Gives Patients Quick Test Results LAKE SUCCESS — If you or your physi-

cian feel a lump or lesion on your neck, scalp, breast or any other area, you may be referred for a minimally invasive procedure known as a fine needle aspiration (FNA), a procedure that extracts cells from the lesion for microscopic examination. The test helps to differentiate between a benign or cancerous lump or if someone has an inflammatory condition.

Knowing that getting such a diagnostic test may be stressful, the North ShoreLIJ Health System has opened its first outpatient Fine Needle Aspiration Clinic at 1991 Marcus Avenue, Suite M113, in Lake Success. The new facility offers patients immediate test results and a high level of care, with board-certified cytopathologists (pathology specialists who study and diagnose disease at the cellular level). They perform the procedure, interpret first impressions of samples, and explain preliminary results to patients and family members — all within approximately one hour. The clinic is equipped with hi-tech microscopes and an ultrasound machine, which cytopathologists sometimes use to locate a lump and guide the needle to its precise location.

FNA is a fast, accurate, scar-free, painless and safe method of sampling almost any superficial (just under the skin) lump that can be felt or seen by ultrasound, which can help to avoid surgical biopsy or unnecessary surgery. FNA collects cells or fluids from any body site for diagnostic purposes. A tiny needle is used, smaller than the size of one used to draw blood, and anesthesia is not usually necessary. At the clinic, physicians who are specialists in cytopathology perform the FNA

Officials from North Shore-LIJ and its Fine Needle Aspiration Clinic recently celebrated its opening. From left: Tawfiqul Bhuiya, MD, vice-chair, anatomic pathology; Chiara Sugrue, director of clinical operations, cytopathology; Lawrence Smith, MD, North Shore-LIJ’s chief medical officer and dean of the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ Medical School; James Crawford, MD, PhD, senior vice president of laboratory services and chair of pathology and laboratory medicine; Patricia Wasserman, MD, senior director, cytopathology; and Robert Stallone, vice president of laboratory services. Inset: At the clinic, pathologists examine samples under the microscope and explain preliminary results to patients within an hour.

procedure and immediately evaluate the sample under a microscope. Safe for all ages, FNA is an outpatient procedure requiring no patient preparation and allows people to resume normal activity immediately.

“The FNA provides safe, rapid, minimally invasive technology that renders enormous relevant and significant information for patients and their physicians,” said Patricia Wasserman, MD, senior director of cytopathology at North Shore-LIJ Laboratories. "The ability to perform a pro-

Dr. Sgaglione Appointed Chairman of Orthopedic Surgery Nicholas Sgaglione, MD, has been appointed chairman of orthopedic surgery at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) and Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center. He succeeds Stanley Asnis, MD, who has served as chairman of the combined Department of Orthopedic Surgery for three years, after serving as North Shore University Hospital’s chairman since 2000.

Dr. Sgaglione has been associate chairman of orthopedic surgery at LIJ since 2007. He is also chief of sports medicine at NSUH, and director of the orthopedic surgery residency program at NSUH and LIJ. An associate clinical professor of orthopedic surgery at the Hofstra North Shore- Nicholas Sgaglione, MD LIJ School of Medicine, he is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, as well as a diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and the National Board of Medical Examiners.

After earning his medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, he completed his orthopedic surgery residency at The Hospital for Special Surgery, and served as a fellow in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery at The Southern California Orthopaedic Institute and Southern California Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Group in Van Nuys, CA. 10

cedure and provide a diagnosis in one visit is beneficial to both patients and doctors.

Research shows that when the physician touching, feeling, viewing the lesion, and performing the FNA is the same physician making the final diagnosis, there is a significant improvement in the accuracy of the interpretation of results.”

Dr. Wasserman noted that pathologists are highly skilled in interpreting and performing the FNA procedure, and well suited to educate patients and physicians about its findings. After preliminary results are discussed with patients, referring physicians are called to determine the next course of action. “The FNA clinic setting can often ease a patient’s anxiety, especially if we are able to determine a lump is benign right up front,” she said. For referring physicians, the FNA clinic offers a way to provide appropriate, responsive, timely care for patients.

Another essential benefit of the Fine Needle Aspiration Clinic is that cytopathologists can determine if enough samples of cells were extracted for examination. If not, additional cells will be extracted immediately, avoiding a second patient visit and delays in diagnosis and treatment. For every procedure and for diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic assessment, further advanced molecular testing from samples are also performed at North Shore-LIJ Laboratories.

Dr. Wasserman, along with her colleagues, Nora Morgenstern, MD, and Ilan Reder, MD, lead the FNA Clinic. To schedule an appointment, call 516-442-2838.

— Betty Olt

FDA Commends LIJ for “Promoting Patient Safety with Medical Devices” NEW HYDE PARK — Dedication to the

safety of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) by David Slotwiner, MD, associate director of electrophysiology at LIJ Medical Center, has culminated in a potentially life-saving “manufacturer action” by Medtronic, Inc. A certificate of commendation received earlier this year from Jeffrey Shuren, MD, director of the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health, recognizes LIJ for its reporting on the Secura ICD. But the story begins about four years ago, when electrophysiologists at LIJ began to see a problem with Medtronic’s Fidelis lead (wire).

An ICD is implanted in a patient whose cardiac electrical system is at risk of “short-circuiting.” When the ICD senses a very rapid rhythm that may lead to cardiac arrest, it delivers a shock that resets the heart’s electrical activity.

“Worldwide, the Fidelis lead was implanted in more patients that any other system,” Dr. Slotwiner said. “We implanted hundreds. Then we began to see cases where the wire to the heart’s right lower chamber, which senses electrical activity, had fractured, delivering not just one but a storm of shocks. The cases numbered less than 10, but for the individual patients it was devastating.” (Today the number of patients at LIJ with failure of their Fidelis lead stands at 40.)

There clearly was a problem with the device. This was brought to Medtronic’s attention not just by Dr. Slotwiner and his colleagues, but also by electrophysiologists across the country. Medtronic’s response: The lead was fine, but the device was

improperly implanted.

Nonetheless, LIJ and other high-volume institutions stopped implanting it. Because removing it was deemed risky by the FDA, electrophysiologists replaced just the leads if the wires failed. Finally, Medtronic acknowledged a “trend to suggest” that the lead might fail and asked the FDA to recall the device. With the recall came the official recommendation that LIJ notify patients.

“We sent a letter to our patients with the Fidelis lead — about 750 — detailing the risk of failure and asking them to come in for an evaluation,” said Dr. Slotwiner.

“Many were anxious about the possibility of

Dr. Slotwiner, left, and Dr. Goldner in the electrophysiology lab at LIJ.

failure and required a good deal of assurance that the risk was very slight.”

A special advisor to the Center for Devices and Radiological Health who serves on panels assessing new products or product problems, Dr. Slotwiner saw that the slow action was caused by a lack of central-

ized, impartial data collection. Medtronic had the data, but it could not be relied upon to assess it objectively. “The Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990 requires hospitals to report a device failure to the FDA, but compliance has been poor,” Dr. Slotwiner said. In 2002, the FDA created MedSun to work with hospitals to help them comply with the aim of collecting all data on a particular device.

Dr. Slotwiner persuaded LIJ to sign on with HeartNet, the MedSun subnetwork that focuses on devices implanted in electrophysiology labs. “The fear was that the paperwork would divert staff from caring for patients,” said Dr. Slotwiner, “but that hasn’t been so.” Linda Israeli, RN, took on the job of filling out the forms, having them reviewed by an administrator and submitting them. In 2009, 19 reports were sent in.

One of those reports, filed by Bruce Goldner, MD, director of electro-physiology, concerned Medtronic’s Secura. Implanted in the heart of one of his patients, the Secura stopped working altogether — a failure that could have resulted in death.

HeartNet had collected reports from other labs that corroborated Dr. Goldner’s, and when presented with the data, Medtronic altered its manufacturing process to eliminate what it described as a software issue and engineered a software fix that could be uploaded to correct the problem for patients with the device.

“All of us at the Electrophysiology Lab are very gratified to have been commended by the FDA for our reporting on the Secura,” said Dr. Slotwiner. “We must commend LIJ’s administrators for signing on with HeartNet.” — Thea Welch

Cohen Welcomes New Appointments NEW HYDE PARK — Cohen Children’s

Medical Center (CCMC) of New York recently welcomed Robert Matthew Bernstein, MD, as chief of orthopedics.

General surgeon José Prince, MD, and orthopedic surgeon Selina Poon, MD, have also joined the faculty.

Most recently director of pediatric orthopedics at Cedars-Sinai Orthopedic Center, Dr. Bernstein earned his MD from the University of Southern California. He then moved on to Boston to complete his orthopedic residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and fellowships in pediatric orthopedics at Children’s Hospital and spine surgery at Beth Israel Hospital. Dr. Bernstein is a frequent lecturer and author, and serves on the review panels of The Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics and

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. He is board-certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Dr. Prince has served on medical journal editorial boards and published extensively for peer-reviewed literature and textRobert Bernstein, MD Jose Prince, MD Selina Poon, MD books as well as posters and pleted her residency in orthopedic surgery abstracts. He earned his medical degree from at the Baylor College of Medicine in Yale University. After completing a research Houston, then served as a pediatric orthofellowship at the Howard Hughes Medical pedic surgery fellow at Columbia University.

Institute, Dr. Prince served at the Prior to her medical career, Dr. Poon earned University of Pittsburgh, as resident, fellow an MPH in health systems management and and post-doctoral research fellow. an MS in business taxation.

After earning her MD from Tulane University in New Orleans, Dr. Poon com11

Physicians ROUNDS From the Bedside to the Kitchen Hill Department of Medicine, to teach the “state of the science” in diet, nutrition and policy research. Topics include: m latest findings about diet and nutrition; m choosing healthier carbohydrates; m mindfulness and exercise for weight management and healthy lifestyles; and m nutrition assessment and motivational interviewing: How to listen and encourage change.

The kitchen session, held at the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) and led by ICE chef/instructors, teaches residents how to use simple techniques from Mediterranean, Asian and Latin cuisines. Participants learn basic culinary tips and techniques and gain an appreciation for culinary diversity while cooking flavorful food — on a resident’s budget.

“While physicians may not have the time nor focus to develop comprehensive dietary meal plans for patients, understanding appropriate caloric intake, benefits of healthier food preparation, and serving sizes among other issues, are vital,” said Bradley Flansbaum, DO, chief of Hospitalist Services and course instructor. “Proper nutrition education can increase physicians’ effectiveness in helping to reduce the high and growing incidence of nutrition-related death An Institute of Culinary Education instructor demonstrated healthy cooking techniques for Lenox Hill residents. and disease in this country.”

B. Flansbaum, MD

NEW YORK — A select group of Lenox Hill Hospital physicians-in-training are trading their hospital scrubs for chefs’ toques as part of an innovative program to provide them with the skills they need to model healthy cooking and eating behaviors. “The course provides doctors with firsthand knowledge on how to advise their patients on the benefits of healthy eating,” said Robert Graham, MD, associate program director in the Department of Medicine and course instructor.

The program, entitled “Collaborating, Cooking and Caring: A Teambuilding Prescription for Residents,” includes six lectures, developed and presented by the Lenox

Lenox Hill Names Dr. Sosa Urology Chairman Lenox Hill Hospital has named R. Ernest Sosa, MD, chairman of urology. Dr. Sosa joined Lenox Hill Hospital in 2002 as an attending urologist and became acting chairman in 2009.

He previously served at New York Hospital as vice chairman of urology.

He has served as director of the laparoscopy course for the American Urological Association’s (AUA) Office of Education since 1999 and is on the faculty of the association, teaching urologists to employ ultrasound in their practices. He is the current president-elect of AUA’s New York section.

Dr. Sosa, whose specialties include endo-urology and minimally invasive surgery for stone disease and renal and adrenal diseases, has written more than 100 peerreviewed articles, books, chapters and reviews. He received his medical degree from Cornell University and completed his internship in general surgery, residency in urology, and fellowship in renal physiology at New York Hospital.

Continuing Medical Education Sharpen your skills through continuing medical education (CME) conferences offered by North Shore-LIJ Health System’s award-winning Office of Continuing Medical Education. Upcoming CME meetings include: Nov. 3

Current Topics in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology: What Practitioners Need to Know Nov 5-6 Neurology and Neurosurgery Update 2010: Current Therapies for Disorders of the Brain and Spine Nov. 13-14 Regional Anesthesia Conference Dec. 3 Cartilage Preservation and Repair Dec. 4 Thoracic Surgery Conference Feb. 16 Fourth Annual Gertie Marx Memorial Lecture Mar. 4 Radiosurgery Conference

NSUH Long Island Marriott, Uniondale Bioskills Education Center Feinstein Institute for Medical Research (FIMR) NSUH NSUH FIMR

Infection-control training is available online any time at NorthShoreLIJ.edu/ict.

Conference information is updated weekly. Get updated conference information at NorthShoreLIJ.edu/cme or 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.

12

Honors, Awards and Appointments JOHN AMES, MD, physician-in-chief of radiation medicine at Southside Hospital, recently became one of only 41 doctors nationwide to receive an Outstanding Physician Award from the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer.

JEREMY BOAL, MD, medical director at LIJ Medical Center, was the guest of honor at the Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation New York chapter’s recent annual dinner gala. The foundation, which provides funding for medical projects and for the training of physicians from India, honored Dr. Boal for excelling in healthcare, community service, entrepreneurship and philanthropy.

SEYMOUR KATZ, MD, gastroenterologist at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH), and STUART WEINERMAN, MD, chief of endocrinology at NSUH and LIJ Medical Center, recently collaborated on

Seymour Katz, MD

Stuart Weinerman, MD

“Osteoporosis and Gastrointestinal Disease” for Gastroenterology & Hepatology. Dr. Katz also cowrote “Isolated Gastrocnemium Mysitis Related to Crohn’s Disease” for the publication.

Elsevier-Academic Press has just published the fifth edition of PHILIP

LANZKOWSKY, MD’s Manual of Pediatric

Hematology and Oncology. Dr. Lanzkowsky, executive director emeritus of Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, noted that this is the first book published under the aegis of the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine. In use worldwide since 1980, the publication is the standard textbook on pediatric hematology-oncology and has been translated into many languages.

JOSEPH MILANO, MD, has been named director of palliative medicine at Huntington Hospital. Dr. Milano joins Huntington from NSUH, where he completed fellowship training in palliative medicine; he previously completed his internship and residency at Flushing Hospital. In this new position, he heads a multidisciplinary team that includes physicians, nurses, social workers, and specialists in wound care as well as rehabilitation.

Describing palliative medicine as a “throwback to the way medicine used to be practiced,” Dr. Milano said, “Our goal is to offer comfort care and to make sure that the patient’s suffering is minimized at every stage of illness. We also help to make patients and their families aware of their options.”

MARY RAUSCH, MD, has joined the North Shore-LIJ Center for Human Reproduction, specializing in polycystic ovary syndrome and ectopic pregnancy. A graduate of Brown and Columbia Universities, Dr. Rausch completed

her ob/gyn residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. Following her residency, Dr. Rausch went on to receive her fellowship in reproductive endocrinology/ infertility at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Rausch sees patients at the center’s Manhasset, Huntington and Forest Hills locations.

BERNARD ROSOF, MD, advisor to North Shore-LIJ on healthcare policy and quality, will receive the 2011 Founders’ Award from the American College of Medical Quality at the organization’s national conference in February, where he will make a special presentation at the event. Now chairman of Huntington Hospital’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Rosof is former senior vice president for corporate relations and health affairs at North ShoreLIJ. Prior to that, he was senior vice president of medical affairs at Huntington.

MICHAEL SETZEN, MD, communitybased otolaryngologist at NSUH, has been appointed president-elect of the American Rhinologic Society. Also, Dr. Setzen received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the organization’s recent annual meeting. While there and at Oto Expo, he served as moderator for the American Rhinologic Society Breakfast Symposium. In October, Dr. Setzen will present “Balloon Technology in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery — 2010” at the American Hospital of Paris’ Best of Paris 2010 Ear/Nose/Throat Congress.

Later that month, he will serve as visiting professor of otolaryngology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Hearing and Speech Colleagues Receive Editor’s Award Lynn Spivak, PhD, director of LIJ Medical Center’s Hearing and Speech Center, will receive the American Journal of Audiology’s 2009 Editor’s Award for “Newborn Hearing Screening Follow-Up: Factors Affecting Hearing Aid Fitting by Six Months of Age” at the November annual convention of the American Speech-

Language-Hearing Association. Co-authors were the center’s Heidi Sokol, AuD, audiology coordinator; Stella Gershkovich, AuD, audiologist; and Charles Auerbach, PhD. The team analyzed six years of data from system hospitals and discovered that a high return rate for follow-up does not ensure hearing aid fitting by six months of age.

Infants with unilateral hearing loss are at particular risk of being lost to follow-up, the study showed.

Lynn Spivak, PhD

more physicians rounds on page 23 13

Under the MICROSCOPE Feinstein Designated Prestigious Center on Parkinson’s Disease MANHASSET — The National Institute of

Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) has endowed The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research as a Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence in Parkinson’s Disease Research. The federal initiative to select research institutes dedicated to the study of Parkinson’s and create a Center of Excellence was started to advance cutting-edge research on this movement disorder, which affects at least 500,000 in the US, according to NINDS estimates. The addition of two new centers — the Feinstein Institute and Emory University in Atlanta — adds new dimensions to the nine other centers that have been selected since the program began in 1997. The NINDS grants will provide a fiveyear investment totaling more than $16 million for both research institutes.

David Eidelberg, MD, a pioneer in brain imaging in Parkinson’s, directs the Feinstein Institute’s Susan and Leonard Feinstein Center for Neurosciences. Dr. Eidelberg and his colleagues have spent decades using imaging to capture the diseased brain. The images have allowed them to identify discrete large-scale networks damaged in the disease process. By developing a noninvasive method to measure the activity of abnormal networks in brain images from living patients, Dr. Eidelberg’s approach has led to new insights into the natural history of Parkinson’s disease and its treatment.

MANHASSET — The Thomas Hartman

David Eidelberg, MD

“This award recognizes the significant contribution made over the years in the use of advanced functional imaging technology to further the understanding of Parkinson’s disease,” said Dr. Eidelberg. “As part of the Udall Center, scientists at the Feinstein Institute will continue to utilize novel imaging techniques and computational approaches to better understand the impact of treatment on brain organization. This knowledge will create the basis for more effective therapies for patients with this debilitating neurological disorder.”

As part of the mission of the Udall Centers, the investigators at the 11 institutions will share their expertise in an effort to speed the development of new treatments to stop, slow or prevent Parkinson’s disease.

The Udall Centers are named in honor of US Rep. Morris K. Udall (D-Ariz.), who died in 1998 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

— Jamie Talan

Understanding the Normal Function of a Gene Linked to Schizophrenia groups around the world to identify an association between particular a gene that plays a role in schizoforms of ZNF804A and risk for schizphrenia has ignited a flame under ophrenia, and the gene's role in many investigators who are trying schizophrenia has now been replicatto figure out what the gene does ed in more than 10,000 samples. and how it might trigger the severe However, the frequency of this particmental disorder. Now, scientists at ular form of ZNF804A in the general The Feinstein Institute for Medical population is around 57 percent, and Research have the first hints of it only increases risk for schizophrehow the previously obscure Todd Lencz, PhD nia one percent to 1.2 percent. So, gene — called ZNF804A — most people who carry this form of the gene influences cognition in people without will not develop schizophrenia, but may have schizophrenia and how the genetic fingervery subtle differences in brain structure and print shapes the neuroanatomy of the human function compared to individuals with the brain. Such research may ultimately lead to non-risk form of ZNF804A. ideas about how schizophrenia develops.

Todd Lencz, PhD, worked with his colZNF804A is a gene that scientists know leagues at The Zucker Hillside Hospital to very little about. However, new technologies design a study to determine what the brain that scan the genome led several research GLEN OAKS — The discovery of

continued on page 16 14

The Feinstein Signs Agreement with Hartman Foundation Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has teamed up with The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in a shared goal of understanding Parkinson’s disease.

Monsignor Thomas Hartman – known as Father Tom throughout the New York area — was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disorder in 2001.

The two organizations announced an affiliation agreement at a recent symposium that celebrated some of the recent Hartman Foundation grant recipients, including David Eidelberg, MD, head of the

Fr. Thomas Hartman, center, with Kevin Tracey, MD, left, president of The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, and Parkinson's researcher David Eidelberg, MD, celebrated the new affiliation between the Feinstein and Hartman Foundation.

Feinstein’s Susan and Leonard Feinstein Center for Neurosciences and a leading Parkinson’s researcher. Dr. Eidelberg is also chief scientific advisor to the Hartman Foundation. The foundation awards $1 million annually to Parkinson’s researchers to identify new insights into disease mechanisms and treatment.

In addition, Andrew Feigin, MD, a scientist at the Feinstein Institute, received a grant from the foundation to study mechanisms of cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease. The Eidelberg laboratory has shown that the brains of Parkinson’s patients activate abnormal brain circuits — one that mediates the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s and another underlying cognitive impairment in more advanced patients.

Merinoff Symposium Highlights a Common Killer MANHASSET — Intensive-care healthcare

professionals are well-acquainted with a deadly condition known as sepsis, which is triggered by the body’s runaway immune response to an otherwise common infection.

Each year, more than 200,000 patients in the US succumb to it, but all too few consumers know anything about it. Public awareness of the problem may soon change as a result of a two-day international symposium held at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research.

With an eye toward helping to better define and diagnose sepsis and begin treatment early enough to prevent complications, the Feinstein hosted the Merinoff Symposium, bringing together more than 150 scientists, physicians and other sepsis experts from 18 different countries. Feinstein researchers and clinicians from the North Shore-LIJ Health System are partnering on a major initiative to reduce the incidence of sepsis and prevent this rogue immune response before it is too late. About 30 percent of people with sepsis die and the majority of survivors are left with life-long medical problems.

Among other outcomes, scientists at the Merinoff Symposium reached consensus on the following definition of sepsis, which will help enhance public awareness of the condition and strengthen efforts to educate clinicians on how to prevent it and identify it in its early stages: “Sepsis is the life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to infection or injury becomes damaging to itself. Sepsis leads to multiple organ failure, shock and death, especially if not recognized early and treated promptly. Despite advances in modern medicine — including antibiotics and intensive care — sepsis remains the primary cause of death from infection.”

The scientific consensus is important because it provides a definition well-accepted by the public that will promote better understanding of the seriousness of the condition.

The Merinoff Symposium may serve as a springboard to launch a broad, concerted effort to reduce sepsis in much the same way that other public awareness campaigns have helped lower the incidence of heart disease and cancer.

“Sepsis is a medical emergency and identifying diagnostic tools that can help health professionals diagnose sepsis will be a lifesaving change in healthcare,” said Kevin Tracey, MD, president of the Feinstein Institute. He said that untold numbers of people fighting all sorts of medical problems can die of sepsis and that their death certifi-

cate will not even mention sepsis as a cause sepsis following infection or sterile injury. of death. Therefore, he said that the numbers The conference also served as a global call to are much lower than the true incidence. action to recognize sepsis as a medical emerWorld-renowned researchers and physigency that can be treated and managed by cians at the Merinoff Symposium said that rapid and aggressive administration of fluid, readily available interventions such as fluids resuscitation and IV antibiotics. and antibiotics can go a long way toward — Jamie Talan preventing severe sepsis. “But people need to understand what sepsis is and when they should begin these life-saving interventions,” said Dr. Tracey.

The two-day Merinoff Symposium generated consensus around the definition of sepsis and a concerted effort to address it globally as a medical emergency. The goal of the meeting was to allow the global sepsis community to “speak in one voice,” said Dr. Tracey.

Kevin Tracey, MD, president of The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, addressed the audience while a digital clock to the side For the general public, creticked off the number of sepsis deaths per day. ating consensus around a common definition of sepsis will allow caregivers, philanthropists, law and policy makers, and industrialists to describe sepsis and what can be done to manage and treat it. For the medical community, the hope is that establishing a “molecular” definition of sepsis will help caregivers and patients to better understand that host-derived molecules and foreign products of infection converge on molecular At a news conference, sepsis survivor Jackie Wang and her husband, mechanisms that activate Tom, talk with Mark Rosen, MD, right, a pulmonologist at North innate immunity to produce Shore-LIJ who helped save her life, and Kevin Tracey, MD, left, president of the Feinstein. clinical signs and symptoms of

BioGene Bank Experiences Rapid Growth The BioGene Bank — which launched last year at several North Shore-LIJ Health System sites—has grown rapidly and enrolled more than 2,000 participants.

The BioGene Bank is a research collection of DNA that is linked to clinical information, but not to the participant’s name or other personal information.

Participants donate an extra blood sample for DNA while they are having a routine blood draw.

Participants

are required to speak with a clinician about the BioGene Bank and sign a research consent form prior to donating the extra tube of blood.

The “bank” stores DNA linked to electronic medical records in order to answer a variety of research questions. The goal is to enroll 30,000 people who receive care at a North Shore-LIJ site.

Farisha Baksh, a clinical research assistant and phlebotomist at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, has visited offices throughout the health system to explain the program and recruit patients.

To learn more about the BioGene Bank, please visit BioGenebank.org.

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Under the MICROSCOPE The Body’s Housekeeping System MANHASSET — Scientists at The Feinstein

Institute for Medical Research have identified a piece of an important housekeeping protein (called the proteasome) that appears to have suffered oxidative damage in patients in the throes of heart failure. This is the first time that scientists have discovered an injured proteasome. It is not known whether the damaged protein is involved in the cause of the heart failure or a result of it. It is also not known whether it is damaged in other diseases.

The proteasome is a protein that cleans up debris in all cells of the body. This system plays vital roles in maintaining cellular integrity and function. Drs. Aaron Ciechanover, Avram Hershko, and Irwin Rose first described this system in 1979.

Seventeen years later, in 2004, they won the Nobel Prize in chemistry for identifying the ubiquitin-mediated degradation of proteins. The ubiquitin proteasome system consists of two main components: ubiquitin, which joins with and tags proteins requiring degradation, and the proteasome, which is a very large barrel-shaped structure that actually cuts the unwanted proteins into smaller fragments known as peptides. Proteasomes are key players of the

immune system. They also degrade many highly reactive proteins that play roles in normal cell growth and division and in cellular communication.

The ubiquitin proteasome system oversees protein quality control. Investigators are now considering the possibility that damage to this system could be catastrophic to the balance of the body. And there is evidence that damage to the proteasome is involved with stroke, heart attack, heart failure and possibly Alzheimer’s disease. Several published studies show diminished capacity of the ubiquitin proteasome system to clear proteins as a result of these diseases. No one could figure out why the ubiquitin proteasome system becomes dysfunctional in these diseases.

However, two recent studies may have shed light on malfunctioning proteasomes, at least in the heart. Cardiovascular researcher Saul Powell, PhD, and his colleagues at The Feinstein, in collaboration with Aldrin Gomes, PhD, of the University of California/Davis, have identified a part of the proteasome that is oxidized during heart ischemia. During ischemia, when heart tis-

Understanding the Normal Function of a Gene Linked to Schizophrenia from page 14

looks like in normal people who carry the risk-associated form of the gene, compared to those who have the form that is not associated with schizophrenia. Dr. Lencz and his colleagues brought 39 healthy people into the laboratory and scanned their brains.

Eighteen of the study volunteers had two copies of this risk gene and 21 had one or two copies of the non-risk form of the gene.

(Each of us has two copies of each gene, with one derived from the father and one from the mother.)

What became clear on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan was that people with two copies of the gene had larger volumes of white matter and smaller volumes of gray matter in regions of the brain that comprise the so-called default network compared to those without two copies of this form of the gene. This default network is a collection of regions that are turned on during the resting state and is thought to be an indication of the normal baseline functioning of the human brain. There is growing evidence that 16

people with schizophrenia have defects in this default network.

In another experiment, the researchers tested 169 individuals who were stratified into groups with no copies of the risk gene, those with one, and those with two. They were asked to perform a visual task, a computerized version of “connect the dots” to measure the functioning of the default network. The scientists found that those with two copies performed much worse than those with one copy and even slower on the test than those with no copies of the risk gene. Dr. Lencz said that this finding suggests that the neuroanatomy of the brain in those with two copies is different and that this gene may play a critical role in brain connectivity.

The study was published online late this summer in Neuropsychopharmacology.

— Jamie Talan

sue is deprived of oxygen, changes occur within the heart cell that foster production of free radicals when oxygen is allowed to re-enter the heart. In previous studies, Dr. Powell and several other investigators have shown that heart proteins can be damaged by these highly reactive free radicals. Since the proteasome itself is composed of many different proteins, the investigators reasoned that these housekeeping components should also be vulnerable to attack by free radicals.

They found that the damaged protein plays a crucial role in the ability of the proteasome to degrade proteins that have been tagged with ubiquitin. The findings were published in Circulation Research. In another study published recently in Circulation, Dr. Powell and his group, in collaboration with Sharlene Day, MD, of the University of Michigan, identified the same proteasome protein as being damaged in tissue isolated from failing human hearts — thus strengthening the theory that the finding may have clinical importance in heart disease. Given that the same proteasome protein has been found to be damaged in two distinct cardiac diseases, Dr. Powell suspects that this type of oxidative damage may be common to the ubiquitin proteasome system dysfunction associated with other disease states and may represent a possible target to intervene to preserve function.

— Jamie Talan

Stern CECR Renovates Patient Units, Expands Rehab Gym gardens. The rehab gym, conveniently locatThe Stern CECR is specially suited to ed near the new patient units, was renovattreat short-term, sub-acute rehab patients for Extended Care and Rehabilitation (CECR) ed and increased in size to 3,500 square feet because of “the unique complement of the recently renovated two patient care units, from 2,200 square feet. facility’s professional staff,” Ms. McClusky totaling 58 beds on the second floor, and said. She added that the expanded its rehabilitation gym at CECR has a full-time meda cost of $2.7 million. The Stern ical staff, including eight CECR upgraded the facility to geriatric medicine fellows, meet the growing needs of advanced nurse practitionpatients of all ages who need ers and more than 50 fullrehab in the areas of orthopedics, time physical, occupationcardiology, neurology and comal, speech and recreational plex medical conditions. therapists. As a result of The refurbished units, the renovation and expanknown as 2NE and 2SE, have 14 sion, the CECR hired 70 private and 22 semi-private new staff members includpatient rooms. Upgrades include: ing registered nurses, high-tech, specialty beds physicians, licensed practidesigned to reduce pressure cal nurses, certified nursulcers that are also equipped with ing assistants, physical alarms to prevent patient falls; therapists, occupational attractive wood bedside tables; therapists, registered dietiupdated visitor seating; new tians, social workers and bathroom lights and fixtures; other support staff. newly painted earth-tone-colored At a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony, North Shore-LIJ staff celebrated the opening of a new patient unit at the Stern CECR. Seven years ago, walls; and corridors enhanced with North Shore University colorful abstract artwork, adding to Last year, US News and World Report Hospital converted 2NE and 2SE to acute the homelike environment. Unit 2NE ranked the 249-bed Stern CECR as one of care hospital medical/surgical units for use opened in late summer and the other unit is America’s best nursing homes and among the primarily by older patients. Since the hospislated to open in January. top 12 percent of the nation’s 16,000 skilled tal no longer required the space, in 2009, Each unit’s nursing station was nursing facilities. “Due to national recognithe Stern CECR got permission to restore redesigned with mahogany-look furniture tion for its outstanding rehabilitation servicthe units’ residential healthcare facility beds and floors and configured with a renovated es, the Stern CECR has become a destination to accommodate the increase in the number day room behind it. The day rooms, fursite for rehab patients from ages 19 to 90,” of rehab patients. nished with tables, chairs and an updated said Maureen McClusky, executive director of For more information, contact the Stern kitchenette, are used by patients to visit the CECR. “The newly refurbished patient CECR at (516) 562-8000. with family members or a place to share a — Betty Olt units and rehab gym will enhance our care meal. The day rooms take advantage of natand service for our patients.” ural sunlight and overlook greenery and MANHASSET — The Stern Family Center

Ovarian Cancer Documentary Features North Shore-LIJ Physician MANHASSET — More than 15,000 women

this year will be struck down by ovarian cancer, a silent killer and the most fatal of gynecologic cancers. To raise awareness of this devastating disease, Long Island’s Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) affiliate, WLIWChannel 21, debuted the exclusive metropolitan New York premiere of The Whisper: The Silent Crisis of Ovarian Cancer in late September. The half-hour documentary will roll out to PBS affiliates across the country over the next year.

Among the nationally renowned ovarian cancer experts featured in the documentary was John Lovecchio, MD, chief of gynecologic oncology at North Shore-LIJ Health System and a leader of the North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute, who offers insight on ways to combat this deadly form of cancer. He was also credited as the technical advisor for the documentary.

“Taking part in this program was a labor of love and concern for my patients,” said Dr. Lovecchio, who is based at North Shore University Hospital. “I wanted to make sure that women are getting the right

wife Sonia to ovarian cancer sevinformation and are aware of eral years ago, and wished to the signs and symptoms of honor her memory with an initiaovarian cancer. They must be tive that raises awareness among alert to their own bodies and women of the warning signs of recognize that abdominal ovarian cancer — and by doing bloating, abdominal pain, so, reduces the number of pelvic pain, urinary sympwomen lost to it. toms, difficulty in eating, and “Women should seek the feeling full quickly may not be advice of experts trained in this the norm.” field and not think that they are The statistics about ovaribeing alarmists. Other medical an cancer are staggering: experts and patients interviewed Nearly three out of every four in this documentary are all seekwomen with the disease will John Lovecchio, MD ing the same outcome: to make die because of it. While every woman aware of her own body and to chances of survival can improve if it is encourage every woman to seek help if she detected early and confined to the ovaries, feels that something is not quite right,” said only about 25 percent of cases are found at Dr. Lovecchio, who was interviewed for the this stage. Victims of the disease include documentary along with experts from the President Obama’s mother Ann Soetoro, University of Washington, Cedars-Sinai Coretta Scott King and comedian Gilda Medical Center in Los Angeles, and MD Radner.

Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

The documentary was made possible by a generous grant from the Sonia L. Totino — Elaine Wohl Foundation and the Rocco Totino family.

Mr. Totino, a New York resident, lost his 17

Students Get a Leg Up from Help Desk

North Shore-LIJ & VillageCare to Open Urgent Care Center in Lower Manhattan

In addition to the 24/7 support that North Shore-LIJ Health System’s Information Services (IS) Help Desk staff members provide to employees, their service also extends to community programs.

Last year, the IS Department began working with Year-Up, a nonprofit that assists more than 1,000 students each year. Year-Up provides young adults with skills, experience and support to guide them toward economic self-sufficiency by placing them in a oneyear training program that includes handson skill development, college credits and internships at local companies.

NEW YORK — The North Shore-LIJ Health System and VillageCare have reached a clinical affiliation agreement to deliver a range of new healthcare services in Lower Manhattan, including a proposal to open and operate a 24-hour urgent care center.

The urgent care center is expected to open this fall pending approval by the state.

The urgicenter will be located at 121A W. 20th Street, in a two-story building where VillageCare operates a primary care center on weekdays and Saturdays.

“We are extremely pleased that North Shore-LIJ has reached an agreement with VillageCare to provide an urgent care center in the community that was served by St. Vincent's hospital,” said State Health Commissioner Richard Daines, MD. “The state Health Department fully expects to approve this project quickly so that residents will have access to these services.

We look forward to working with North Shore-LIJ to make this come to fruition as quickly as possible.”

Deploying its physicians and nurses, North Shore-LIJ would occupy about 5,000 square feet of the 10,000-square-foot building for an urgicenter that would be open to community residents around the clock, including weekends and holidays.

“Rather than locate the urgent care center in temporary space at St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center, we are pleased to partner with VillageCare to provide a long-term home for the facility eight blocks away,” said Michael Dowling, president and chief executive officer of the North Shore-LIJ Health System. “At the same time, we will continue to pursue other opportunities to meet the emergency health needs of community residents in other neighborhoods in the St. Vincent’s catchment area. We greatly appreciate the help and support we’ve received from the state Department of Health, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and other elected officials from throughout the city who have worked cooperatively with us during the past several months.”

“As a long-standing provider of care in this community, VillageCare has traditionally sought to identify needs and to create new and innovative responses to fill gaps in services,” said Emma DeVito, president and chief executive officer of VillageCare. “The closing of St. Vincent’s is a major loss to the downtown community, and VillageCare welcomes this opportunity to collaborate with North Shore-LIJ and bring these important, needed urgent care services to the community.”

The state approved a $9.4 million grant last spring to establish an urgicenter in the St. Vincent’s catchment area. The new urgicenter will provide community residents with all of the healthcare services promised

by North Shore-LIJ in its original proposal to the state Department of Health. In fact, it will allow for greater continuity of care

Israela Stevens, Sunrise Clinical Manager analyst, with Robert Lee, intern.

During the first six months of the program, Year-Up students master skills in desktop support/information technology help desk or investment operations, with equal emphasis on developing such professional skills as effective communication, leadership and teamwork. The second half of the program is dedicated to an internship, which is where the IS Help Desk enters the picture.

Since partnering with Year-Up, the IS Help Desk has mentored three interns. By working side-by-side with the analysts who support us every day, the interns soon become a member of the team who can assist North Shore-LIJ users with creating and terminating system accounts, password resets and other support tasks.

One internship resulted in permanent placement with the IS Help Desk; that individual has since been promoted within the team. The IS Help Desk looks forward to continuing the Year-Up relationship and cultivating professional skills in young adults.

18

because of the relationship with VillageCare.

As part of the new agreement, North Shore-LIJ will work closely with VillageCare to enhance the existing primary care services at the 20th Street location, adding outpatient pediatric care, imaging services and subspecialty care as needed, such as ear, nose and throat, urology, cardiology and neurology.

The new arrangement will be especially beneficial for urgicare patients, who will have access to ongoing, follow-up care provided by VillageCare at the same location. In addition, patients will be referred for a range of other services that VillageCare provides in nearby locations, including adult day healthcare, day treatment, shortstay rehabilitation and palliative care.

“The urgicenter would be open around the clock.”

In keeping with the goals of health reform, North Shore-LIJ and VillageCare will also develop programs to promote wellness in surrounding communities and prevent chronic diseases like diabetes that are affected by lifestyle choices such as smoking, poor eating habits and physical inactivity.

“This new agreement between North Shore-LIJ and VillageCare will provide 24hour urgent healthcare to residents of the West Side of Manhattan,” said NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn. “As I have said all along, the West Side still needs a full-service emergency department and hospital, but this is a good intermediary step that was facilitated by our office and the local elected officials.

I want to thank the governor and the state Department of Health for seeking an urgent care center provider to help to fill the healthcare need gap. North Shore-LIJ should be congratulated for their tireless work in searching for space and making this urgent care center become a reality. I hope that the state Department of Health will rapidly approve this project, so that all downtown residents will have access to these services.”

Renovations to the space at the 20th Street location will begin as soon as the proposal receives state approval, said Mark Solazzo, executive vice president and chief operating officer at North Shore-LIJ. “While the restructuring officers at St. Vincent’s and North Shore-LIJ representatives worked diligently on the original proposal to locate the urgent care center in the hospital’s former Emergency Department, we were unable to reach an agreement,” Mr. Solazzo said.

“However, we’re confident that the partnership with VillageCare will enable us to expand and strengthen care for residents of both Chelsea and Greenwich Village.”

— Terry Lynam

North Shore University Hospital Purchases St. Vincent’s Home Health MANHASSET — North Shore University

Hospital (NSUH) has reached an agreement to purchase assets of the St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center Certified Home Health Agency (CHHA), subject to the approval of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The transaction results in an eightcounty CHHA license for North Shore University Hospital that includes the five boroughs of New York City, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester. Prior to the acquisition, the North Shore-LIJ Home Care Network was licensed for Nassau, Suffolk and Queens counties.

The purchase includes $17 million in cash and assumption of certain obligations of the CHHA. “The ability to provide post-acute services such as home care in counties where we have hospitals is strategically important as we continue to bundle and integrate chronic disease across the continuum of care,” said Michael Dowling, North Shore-LIJ president and chief executive officer. “Many patients do best in their home environment. With this new acquisition we’re expanding our ability to reach the number of patients who can receive clinical services in the comfort of their own homes.”

Once approved by the bankruptcy court, for us and for the community from both a the CHHA will become part of the North quality and access to care perspective.”

— Brian Mulligan Shore-LIJ Health System’s Home Care Network, which provides more than 800,000 home health visits annually and addresses such short-term health issues as recovery from surgery to longer-term chronic care management of conditions like congestive heart failure, stroke, diabetes and other illnesses.

“When you look at providing service to a community, you consider how to best meet a need with quality care,” said Mark Solazzo, executive vice president and chief Nearly 400 runners and walkers braved the heat to trek more than three miles operating officer for the through Plainview’s neighborhoods recently as part of the Seventh Annual health system. “We Heart and Sole 5K Run/Walk. Hosted by Plainview and Syosset hospitals, this year’s event honored Dorit Ben-Moha, MD, whose Regain My Life health and know that providing fitness program helps community members concerned with weight issues quality home health build more healthful lifestyles. Among the supporters was Judy Jacobs, center, care is essential in our Nassau County legislator and director of community affairs for North Shore-LIJ area. We believe this Health System, who congratulated participants Joan Ackerman, 68, and Bert purchase makes sense Jablon, 81, who placed first in their age groups for the race.

Heart and Sole

North Shore-LIJ Pounds the Pavement for the US Army On October 24, staff members from North Shore-LIJ Health System made their debut in the Army 10-Miler Race in Washington DC. The group joined thousands of runners in an event designed to support Army morale, welfare and recreation programs.

Led by team running captain Randy Howard, former lieutenant colonel and current director of military and veteran services for the health system, 43 North Shore-LIJ employees competed for seven slots on the Health System Harriers team to champion our armed forces. Even with limited slots available, “the incredibly high levels of camaraderie and motivation among those competing were very motivating and inspiring,” said Mr. Howard.

LA Fitness in Lake Success provided a six-week training program to ensure contestants met the endurance requirements of the race. Funded by North Shore-LIJ’s Office of Military and Veterans’ Liaison Services, which ensures that health system services meet the needs of the military and veteran communities, the Health System Harriers were eager to leave their footprints on the streets of our nation’s capitol to support Army soldiers and families. While the training might initially have been grueling, the group is more than up to the challenge.

Team member Joan Germana, MD, from Cohen Children’s Medical Center summed it

Front, from left: Sergio Valdes-Ferrer, Randy Howard, Joan Germana, MD, and Drew Newman. Rear, from left: Asha Jacob, Julia Cleere and Amy Lisojo. The team placed eighth out of 116 in the Open Mixed category.

up best: “The three keys to success are persistence, perseverance and perspiration.”

The seven finalists chosen to run alongside running captain Mr. Howard include: Luisa Benitez from Corporate Reimbursement, Marty Castro from the Orzac Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation, Julia Cleere from Corporate Planning, Sergio Valdes-Ferrer from The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Dr. Germana, Amy

Lisojo from Staten Island University Hospital and Michael Snak from North Shore University Hospital.

To support the Health System Harriers or other military and veteran programs, mail a check payable to the North Shore-LIJ Health System Foundation at 125 Community Dr., Great Neck, NY 11021 or click on NorthShoreLIJ.com/foundation.

— Lisa D’Ambruoso 19

Nurses Put Safety First When Car Crashes Into Building LAKE SUCCESS — Moments after Gary

Giangola, MD, chief of vascular surgery for North Shore University Hospital and LIJ Medical Center, left his office to attend a graduation ceremony in June, a car careened through the wall of his office at 1999 Marcus Avenue in Lake Success—an office he occupied for just four days.

Staff members quickly mobilized to ensure no one was injured in the crash.

They helped the driver in the vehicle and notified the medical staff on the floor below to bring a mid-treatment hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) patient out of the chamber.

Staff members went out of their way to look out for the physical and emotional well-being of all involved: especially Jean Shelton, RN, surgery director of ambulatory patient care services, and Diane Gioia, RN, surgery nurse manager for the outpatient practice. After the building was secured by county inspectors, the two nurses stayed well into the evening to take extra precau-

tions. They called the local medical propane gas representative to examine the oxygen lines feeding the HBOT chambers, who found particulate sediment from the crash that needed to be removed.

“The superb professionalism and judgment of these two nurses, as well as their quick thinking and innate ability to put others’ safety before their own, is commendable,” said Dennis Dowling, regional executive director of Physician Ambulatory Network Services. “We are all proud and congratulate and thank them for their leader-

ship in difficult circumstances.”

Due to the leadership of Ms. Shelton and Ms. Gioia, all involved were safe. As for Dr. Giangola, he was thankful to be so fortunate: “I am glad not only because my life was spared, but because I am in the company of such good people.”

— Kristen Longo

Diane Gioia, RN, front left, and Jean Shelton, RN, front right, accepted an award alongside their colleagues for their professionalism and valor in ensuring everyone’s safety when a car crashed into their office building.

Medical Scholars Program Launches for High School Students The Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine has launched a new program to prepare high school students for healthcare careers that includes hands-on training, rigorous academic classes on a range of medical issues and mentorship from physicians and other clinicians.

The Medical Scholars Pipeline Program began in July with 22 high school juniors from Uniondale, Hempstead and Queens who spent four weeks immersed in the clinical, social and political issues facing the healthcare industry. The summer program included lectures on topics ranging from the ethics of medical research to the politics of healthcare reform, introductions to clinical specialties, SAT prep, exercises to develop leadership and team-building skills and training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Similar to the medical school, students rotate through programs held at Hofstra and at various health system facilities, including

the Patient Safety Institute, hospitals and The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research.

The program is a five-year experience designed to supply a steady stream of physicians and medical professionals who reflect the cultural, racial, ethnic and economic

Peggy Delaney, RN, educator at the Patient Safety Institute, preps a student to learn mouth-tomouth resuscitation.

Soldier Ride Southside Hospital employees and others from North Shore-LIJ Health System recently helped raise funds and awareness for combat-injured members of the military at the Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride. From left, Patricia Farrell, RN, director of cardiac patient care services at Long Island Jewish Medical Center; Winnie Mack, RN, executive director at Southside; Anthony Pellicone, Southside’s director of Safety and Emergency Services; and Eddie Fraser, Southside’s manager of community relations, were among the participants and well-wishers at the cycling event through the Town of Babylon. Additional staff members volunteered to distribute refreshments. Mr. Fraser, captain of the Southside team, ranked second on the Soldier Ride Web site for raising more than $2,000.

20

diversity of the region.

Students participate in the month-long summer session each year, beginning with their junior year of high school through their junior year in college. The program also includes activities during the school year.

Beyond that, each student is assigned a mentor who is a senior clinician at North ShoreLIJ. A new class of rising juniors will be chosen to begin the program every year.

Among this year’s inaugural class of medical scholars is Philippe Rameau, a 16year-old from Uniondale whose love of science found focus during a lecture on nephrology, a subspecialty of internal medicine that deals with the function and diseases of the kidney.

“I didn't even know what nephrology was until I got into this program,” he said.

“With diabetes and kidney disease being so prevalent in the US, it’s an area where I’d like to help.”

Meanwhile, classmate Britney Nathan has always wanted to be an obstetrician/ gynecologist. Her experience with the medical scholars program confirmed her ambitions and stoked her confidence.

“I am more sure of myself,” said Britney, who is also 16. “I'm more confident that I can do this, that I understand what it takes.”

In June, the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine won the necessary state accreditation to begin recruiting its first class of 40 students, and opened its new building, a 47,000-square-foot, state-of-theart facility. It is New York State’s first new allopathic medical school since 1963. The School of Medicine began accepting applications July 1 and the initial class will begin studies next summer.

— Karla Schuster

Executive Appointments Jennifer Mieres, MD, has States. In 1995, he was instrumental in Patient Safety Institute in Lake Success, been appointed North Shoreestablishing the Lenox Hill Heart and which will be a key training ground for LIJ Health System’s chief diverVascular Institute and later was appointed medical students. He also serves as the sity and inclusion officer and executive director of Manhattan Eye, Ear course sponsor administrator of the medical director of the Center and Throat Hospital. Mr. Rosenthal reports New York State Department of Health for Learning and Innovation to Mark Solazzo, North Shore-LIJ’s chief emergency medical technician and (CLI). In this role, Dr. Mieres operating officer and also works closely with paramedic certification programs. provides strategic vision and regional executive director, Deborah As assistant dean of the Health leadership on diversity and Tascone, RN, and Maureen White, RN, the Sciences Libraries at the School of inclusion activities for the health system’s senior vice president and Medicine, Ms. Rand works collaboraJennifer Mieres, MD health system’s 15 hospitals chief nurse executive. tively with Hofstra and North Shoreand other facilities, as well as the Hofstra Anthony Antonacci, MD, has been LIJ staff to design and implement library North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine. She named Lenox Hill’s medical director. He services and digital collections at the medalso serves as North Shore-LIJ’s liaison for most recently served as senior vice president ical school. She also participates on several diversity initiatives to membership organizafor clinical affairs and chief medical planning teams, integrating library systems tions, government entities and other healthofficer/chief quality officer at Christ Hospital and the scientific literature into the medical care organizations. in Jersey City. A board-certified school curriculum and information In her role as medical director for CLI, surgeon, Dr. Antonacci has technology platforms. Ms. Rand Dr. Mieres is responsible for developing proextensive experience in healthserved as director of the LIJ Health grams in diversity, cultural competency and care management, including Sciences Library since 1987. She was healthcare literacy for North Shore-LIJ’s management of medical affairs, recently the principal investigator of a physicians, nurses and allied healthcare proquality and safety programs; three-year National Library of fessionals. She will also develop an allied oversight of regulatory compliMedicine (NLM)/National Institutes of healthcare community-based task force in ance processes, clinical and Health grant supporting creation of a partnership with the North Shore-LIJ Health business operational planning; unified Electronic Medical Information System to identify, support and provide and leadership of a multi-site Library (EMIL) for the health system.

Anthony Antonacci, MD medical center surgical departmentoring for under-represented, culturally The EMIL site provides centralized diverse members of the community who are ment. He received his medical access to electronic journals, textinterested in pursuing healthcare careers. degree from Georgetown University and books, databases and library services for all Dr. Mieres was recruited from the New completed his residency at The New York North Shore-LIJ staff and facilities. Ms. York University Langone Medical Center, Hospital-Cornell Medical College. He was Rand was also the principal investigator on where she served as director of nuclear caralso a research fellow in immunobiology at an earlier NLM grant, which provided traindiology, a position she held previously at Memorial-Sloan Kettering Institute, and in ing and enhanced access to the Internet at North Shore University Hospital. Dr. Mieres laparoscopic surgery at Yale University the LIJ campus. will continue her clinical activities on the School of Medicine. He holds a master’s Lenox Hill Executive Update North Shore-LIJ faculty. degree in healthcare management from the After 37 years at Lenox Hill Hospital, Harvard School of Public Health.

Alan Cooper, PhD, vice president of Gladys George recently announced her Dr. Antonacci succeeds Marc Napp, MD, CLI, and Debra Rand, director of the Health retirement; she served as president and CEO who is transferring to North Shore Sciences Library at LIJ Medical Center, are for the past 20 years.

University Hospital, where he will work joining the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of “In the history of Lenox with the hospital’s executive director and Medicine as assistant deans. While Dr. Hill, few have conmedical director on a range of significant Cooper will remain in his current position at tributed as much as clinical affairs issues. He brings extensive North Shore-LIJ, he is taking on additional Gladys to the hospital expertise in clinical quality, patient safety responsibilities as and the communities it and performance improvement to this new the health system serves throughout the position, as well as enormous passion. He prepares for the first metropolitan area. She joined Lenox Hill in 2004 as vice president class of medical stuhas been an extraordiof medical affairs, dents in August nary supporter of this after serving in a 2011. Ms. Rand has Gladys George new relationship, and similar capacity at joined the medical her guidance and assistance over the past Hudson Valley school full time. several months have been invaluable,” said Hospital Center in As assistant Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Cortlandt Manor, dean for knowledge Alan Cooper, PhD North Shore-LIJ Health System NY. He was previmanagement, Dr. Philip Rosenthal has been appointed ously a general surCooper is serving Lenox Hill’s executive director, responsible geon at Danbury on several design for executing day-to-day operations. With Hospital in teams tasked with Marc Napp, MD Lenox Hill since 1980, Mr. Rosenthal most Connecticut. the development of recently served as chief As Lenox Hill Hospital’s new chief the medical school administrative officer. financial officer (CFO), Michael Breslin’s curriculum. He also He first served as assisresponsibilities include financial reporting, co-chaired the tant administrator of patient financial services, accounts payable, school’s Assessment Lenox Hill’s Nicholas payroll, financial planning and decision and Evaluation Institute of Sports support. He came to Lenox Hill in 2005 Educational Debra Rand Medicine and Athletic from Ernst & Young, where he was a partner Program SubcomTrauma, the first hospifor four years. He has vast experience in all mittee. His responsibilities include the develtal-based center for the aspects of healthcare finances, including opment and implementation of the health study of sports medifinancial reporting, internal controls, taxsystem’s learning and change management Philip Rosenthal cine in the United strategies, as well as oversight of CLI and its continued on page 35 21

Three New Medical Group Locations Open This fall, North Shore-LIJ Health System opened three new ambulatory care offices — two in Queens and one in Nassau County — that provide disease-focused outpatient specialty services, advanced medical imaging/testing and convenient access to high-quality physicians.

In Queens, the two North Shore-LIJ Medical Group offices are located in Flushing and Whitestone, meeting the diverse cultural and medical needs of local residents. The Nassau location is in Garden City.

Each new North Shore-LIJ Medical Group location is anchored by internal medicine and cardiology programs and other specialty care services. The new initiative is a continuation of the health system’s

already impressive roster of inpatient and outpatient services throughout Long Island and New York City. All three facilities opened within weeks of each other in September and October.

“The opening of these new outpatient facilities is in keeping with our strategy of locating clinical services in convenient locations in the communities where our patients live and work, rather than in our hospitals,” said Michael Dowling, president and chief executive officer of the health system.

“We’re confident that both physicians and patients will view these new North ShoreLIJ Medical Group locations as vital healthcare resources for their communities.”

Mark Solazzo, executive vice president

North Shore-LIJ Medical Group at Flushing Queens Crossing, 136-17 39th Avenue, Suite CF-E, Flushing, NY 11354 12,000-square-foot office covering the specialties of internal medicine, cardiology, thoracic surgery, urology and human reproduction.

Phone: 718-559-3600 North Shore-LIJ Medical Group at Whitestone 150-55 14th Avenue, Whitestone, NY 6,000-square-foot office covering the specialties of internal medicine, cardiology and pulmonary medicine.

Phone: 718-559-3300 North Shore-LIJ Medical Group at Garden City 1001 Franklin Avenue, 1st Floor, Garden City, NY 6,000-square-foot office covering the specialties of internal medicine and cardiology.

Phone: 516-240- 8700

and chief operating officer at North ShoreLIJ, noted that the clinical services being provided at the three locations are designed to meet the specific health needs of area residents, with the overarching goal of providing a superior patient experience. “Providing a superior patient experience means understanding the specific needs of each community,” he said. “Queens is the most ethnically diverse area in the nation. Our responsiveness to patient, physician and community needs is paramount to delivering the best quality care.”

In addition to providing comfort, convenience and quality under one roof, the new sites complement North Shore-LIJ Health System’s existing inpatient programs and services in Queens and are staffed by multilingual clinicians representative of their community.

Community input was helpful in opening all of the new locations. In Whitestone, an area that serves a large Greek-American population, North Shore-LIJ administrators and physicians reached out to the community through Greek Orthodox churches and local businesses and are also partnering with local organizations to best meet the growing health needs of the community through educational programs and health screenings. In Flushing, the health system reached out to Asian-American community leaders; it took a similar approach in planning the Garden City site.

“Whether it’s in Nassau, Queens, Staten Island or Manhattan, our goal is to offer greater access to care, meet the specific health needs of all residents of the community and replicate the high level of quality found in our hospitals to those receiving care in an outpatient setting,” said Mr. Solazzo.

— Brian Mulligan

North Shore-LIJ Partners with DEA in Drug “Take Back” North Shore-LIJ Health System hospitals recently collected nearly 240 pounds of drugs when it partnered with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other government, community, public health and law enforcement organizations in a nationwide prescription drug “take-back” initiative to prevent pill abuse and theft.

In conjunction with the DEA, North Shore-LIJ facilities collected potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted medication in late September. The free, anonymous service helped more than 100 people dispose of drugs in a safe way. Hospitals destroyed all collected medication.

The breakdown per facility was: Cohen Children’s Medical Center took back 16.27 pounds from six people; Forest Hills, 4.72 22

pounds from three people; Franklin, 20.41 pounds from 11 people; Glen Cove, 27.65 pounds from 13 people; Huntington, 2.87 pounds from three people; Lenox Hills Hospital, 8.86 pounds from 12 people; Plainview, 64.2 pounds from 26 people; Southside, 26.41 pounds from nine people; Staten Island — North, 13.71 pounds from nine people; Staten Island — South, 10 pounds from four people; and Syosset, 43.52 pounds from nine people.

Physicians ROUNDS from page 13

2 Specialists Come to Smith Institute Chad Baxter, MD, and Farzeen Firoozi, MD, have been appointed as the directors of the Center for Pelvic Health and Reconstructive Surgery at the Smith Institute for Urology. Drs. Baxter and Firoozi are among the few area physicians with accredited, formal fellowship training in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery by both the American Board of Urology and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Their clinical interests include urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, complex reconstruction of the lower urinary tract, and management of complications of vaginal and lower urinary tract surgery.

Dr. Baxter comes to the Smith Institute following completion of a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery at the University of California/Los Angeles, where he managed complex lower urinary tract dysfunction and Chad Baxter, MD performed reconstructive laparoscopic, transvaginal, and robotic surgery. He completed his internship in general surgery, residency in urology, and served as chief urology resident at the Penn State University/Hershey Medical Center.

Dr. Firoozi, who also specializes in laparoscopic and robotic surgery for pelvic floor reconstruction, completed his urology residency at Albany Medical Center. He served as a fellow and clinical instructor at the Cleveland Clinic, with specialization in male and female voiding dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapse, Farzeen Firoozi, MD incontinence, overactive bladder and neuro-urology. Dr. Firoozi has pioneered, innovated and published new methods for the treatment of combined pelvic organ prolapse, in addition to performing the first-reported transvesical laparo-endoscopic single site surgery (LESS) for the management of vaginal mesh complications.

Michael Dowling Among Most Powerful Healthcare Leaders chief operating officer. Before joining GREAT NECK — North Shore-LIJ Health North Shore-LIJ in 1995, he served in New System President and Chief Executive York State government for 12 years, Officer Michael Dowling ranked 51st in including seven years as state director of Modern Healthcare magazine’s annual listing health, education and human services and of the nation’s “100 Most Powerful People in deputy secretary to the governor. He was Healthcare.” Mr. Dowling was the topalso commissioner of the New York State ranked hospital executive in the New York Department of Social Services. area and moved up 10 slots from his 61st ranking last year.

Topping Modern Healthcare’s “most powerful” list were: President Obama; Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary, Health and Human Services (HHS); Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives; US Senator Max Baucus, D-Montana, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee; and Sister Carol Keehan, president and CEO, Catholic Health Organization.

Mr. Dowling has Latest Gift from George and Billie Ross been North ShoreLIJ’s president and Supports Healthier Newborns CEO since January Most people know George Ross, right, as Donald Trump’s attorney. What 2002, after having they may not know is that Mr. Ross and his wife, Billie, are also compassionserved as the health ate supporters of the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center (CCMC) of New York. Mr. Ross recently presented Dennis Davidson, MD, left, system’s executive chief of neonatology at CCMC and director of neonatal services for the North vice president and Shore-LIJ Health System, with the Rosses’ most recent gift. Mr. and Ms. Ross’s generosity will support a state-of-the-art Neonatal Stabilization Unit and more life-saving projects within CCMC’s Division of Neonatal Medicine.

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.

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

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.

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Bone Marrow Donor and Recipient Meet for the First Time WESTBURY — When Jonathan Franco,

30, received a diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), he knew everything would change. He just didn’t know it would be for the better.

Due to his MDS (formerly known as pre-leukemia), “Jonathan’s bone marrow produced bad blood cells,” said his oncologist, Ruthee-Lu Bayer, MD, chief of North Shore University Hospital’s Don Monti Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit. A bone-marrow transplant was his only hope for a normal life, and Dr. Bayer’s team searched for a long time to find him a match.

After a two-year battle with the disease, the Woodside resident was the happy recipient of a bone marrow donation from Chicago’s Diana Delgado, 39. His wife, Leydi, was then in her fifth month of pregnancy.

Soon after the bone-marrow transplant, the Francos’ son was born. They named him Jonathan Maximus. “We named him after

Nursing MISSION

me, because Jonathan means ‘beloved of God,’ said Mr. Franco. “Maximum means ‘the greatest’ and to us, given my health, our son is truly the greatest miracle.”

Ms. Delgado’s selfless act not only led to Mr. Franco’s welcoming a new son into the world, but also a recent face-toface donor/recipient meeting.

The occasion was the Eighth Annual Celebration of Life Dinner, supported by the Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation. The Crest Hollow Bone marrow recipient Jonathan Franco with bone marrow donor Country Club event is a highDiana Delgado. light for bone marrow donors and recipients, family members, myeloblastic leukemia. His parents, Tita and healthcare professionals and supporters.

Joseph Monti, immediately committed to In June 1972, 16-year-old Don Monti founding an organization in his memory. died at North Shore University Hospital of They established the Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation at the hospital, and raised and contributed tens of millions of dollars over the years toward cancer research, education, fellowship and patient care.

Today, the program is under the stewardship of Caroline Monti Saladino, whose parents began this vital work so many years ago. As she watched Mr. Franco and Mrs. Delgado embrace and chat quietly, Mrs. Saladino remarked that she strongly felt the presence of her mother and father. interpersonal relationships and attendance.

Mr. Franco summed up the spirit of the The following winners received $1,000 reunion in just a few words: “We have the and personalized certificates. Their names same bone marrow. She is going to be like a were also added to a public honor roll. sister to me.

We are always going to stay in Marie Brennan, RN, BSN, oncology contact.

Now I can be a father to my son. nurse manager, Huntington Hospital This is great.”

Barbara Derbabian, RN, Franklin

RNs’ Service Excellence Recognized Thirteen North Shore-LIJ Health System nurses who epitomize outstanding service excellence have received recognition from the Roy Zuckerberg family. Mr. Zuckerberg is an executive committee member of the health system’s board of trustees.

Every year, he and his family honor nurses who meet or exceed expectations in all performance evaluation criteria and exceed expectations in quality of work, attitude,

Hospital Eileen Dwyer, RN, LIJ Hospital Patricia Magalee, RN, North Shore Univeristy Hospital Linda Minucci, RN, Staten Island University Hosptial (SIUH) South Site Mary Muscarello, RN, Glen Cove Hospital Annelie Pelaez, RN, Plainview Hospital Barbara Pfaff, RN, SIUH North Site Michael Piccio, RN, Forest Hills Hospital Nadege Sanon-Marseille, RN, The Zucker Hillside Hospital Nicole Taormina RN, Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York During a recent visit to the Cohen Children's Medical Center of New June Teehan, RN, Syosset York's Department of General Pediatrics, New York State Hospital Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel, center, promoted early literacy by Judith Werner, RN, reading aloud to young New Yorkers. The reading was part of Reach Southside Hospital Out and Read of Greater New York’s Second Annual Early Literacy

Reach Out and Read

Awareness Week. "Nurturing a child's love for reading begins at home," said Assemblywoman Schimel. “Reading opens your child's imagination and lets you cuddle while you're doing it. We ask parents to take this important step and help foster a generation of lifelong readers.”

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— Michelle Pinto

Dr. Markowitz Joins State WIB Governor Patterson recently appointed Walter Markowitz, EdD, director of strategic planning and program development for North Shore-LIJ Health System, to the New York State Workforce Investment Board (WIB) for Walter Markowitz, EdD three years.

Dr. Markowitz has been a member of the Oyster Bay Consortium WIB since 2003 and of the Suffolk County WIB since 1999; both were appointments by the respective county executive. The boards operate under the auspices of the Workforce Investment Act.

Arm Your Arm — With a Flu Vaccine North Shore-LIJ Health System’s Employee Flu Prevention Campaign is well under way, arming employees with the knowledge, education and a free flu vaccine to prevent an outbreak of this potentially life-threatening virus.

“As healthcare providers, it is essential to go to any lengths necessary to ensure we are well and to protect the lives of our patients,” said President and CEO Michael Dowling. “Part of our mission to deliver the highest quality of care for patients means protecting ourselves from the flu. The single best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year.”

As in years past, all employees are offered a free flu vaccine as part of Flu Prevention Week, which takes place in October. New for this year are flu vaccines by appointment for employees who wish to receive a free flu vaccine at their

convenience. All on-site Employee Health Services (EHS) offices will take appointments to administer flu vaccines to employees throughout the season.

New Name for Medical School

Hospital Chef Dishes Up Award-Winning Cuisine GLEN COVE — The next time you hear

M. Kiley

someone grumble about the quality of “hospital food,” let them know they’ll eat their words after they sample the awardwinning, innovative cuisine of Glen Cove Hospital’s assistant director of nutrition and food service, Lyndon Espiritu.

More than 300 of his peers selected Mr. Espiritu at Premier’s annual Foodservice Forum, held in conjunction with its 2010 Annual Breakthroughs Conference and Exhibition, which drew more than 3,500 hospitals, healthcare systems and supplier attendees to Washington, DC, this past summer.

Premier is an alliance of more than 2,300 hospitals across the country.

Mr. Espiritu was among five finalists whose award-nominated dishes were prepared for the conference’s annual banquet.

Attendees voted during the meal for their favorite entrée and selected his Peruvian pork tenderloin with avocado chili sauce as the winner.

Mr. Espiritu credits his success to watching his mother cook for her five children. Of Filipino descent, Mr. Espiritu recalls the details involved in creating his favorite dish, Chicken Adobo. It was his mother’s nurturing enthusiasm that led him to join her in the kitchen and start cooking at a very young age.

Glen Cove’s master chef conjures up recipes in his head from random visions, mental images and scents. In fact, Mr. Espiritu cooked up his winning recipe after sampling a similar dish made with

In addition to getting vaccinated, there are other simple, routine steps to prevent the flu. It is important to wash your hands thoroughly and often to prevent the spread of germs and help boost your immune system. Experts say to make sure you are getting adequate sleep, managing your stress and eating nutritious food.

Most importantly, if you feel flu symptoms, stay home — do not infect others, especially our patients.

For more information about flu prevention and to make an online pledge to help prevent the flu, please visit: www.VivoHealth.com/flu. To schedule an appointment for a free flu vaccine, contact your EHS office.

For a complete listing of offices with hours and locations, visit HealthPort.

chicken. “I liked the idea of an avocado chile sauce, but I decided to go with pork tenderloin, which is the tenderest part of pork,” he said. “I chose that meat because you can’t go wrong with it; it will stay moist and succulent.

The sauce just adds to the flavor.”

Serving as living proof that it’s fun to cook with someone you love, Mr. Espiritu works closely with his wife, Patricia Balducci-Espiritu, a Lyndon Espiritu registered dietitian at Glen Cove Hospital.

This talented culinary couple reworked the pork recipe 10 times, going through painstaking computer analyses, to ensure that the final product met strict dietary/health considerations while remaining delicious.

Patients at Glen Cove Hospital benefit from the culinary team’s creativity by enjoying such dishes as surf and turf, shrimp scampi, lamb chops, and minted fresh fruit.

“We are proud that our kitchen runs smoothly, our patients are eating healthy, nutritious meals — and the feedback is positive,” he said.

After winning the Premier award, a beaming Mr. Espiritu said, “It is an honor to be recognized by Premier and my peers.

I love cooking and I am thrilled to be able to provide tasteful, healthy meals to patients and staff at Glen Cove to help improve the quality of life in our community.”

See the award-winning recipe at http://bit.ly/atik6q.

— Betty Olt

HEMPSTEAD — In a move that reflects the

50/50 partnership between Hofstra University and the North Shore-LIJ Health System, the name of the new medical school has been changed to the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, rather than the Hofstra School of Medicine In Partnership With North Shore-LIJ. For more information, log on to https://medicine.Hofstra.edu.

Journal Features Perioperative Work The Annals of Surgery recently published “A Validated Value-Based Model to Improve Hospital-Wide Perioperative Outcomes,” whose cowriters included Garry Ritter, PA, supervising physician assistant in LIJ Medical Center’s Surgery Department; Rafael Barrera, MD, surgical intensivist at LIJ; Marcella De Geronimo, PhD, vice president of informatics for North Shore-LIJ; and Karen Nelson, RN, vice president of clinical excellence and quality for the health system. The piece was also presented at the 130th Annual Meeting of American Surgical Association.

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Not Your Ordinary Lithotripsy Patient (STU) staff members at North Shore University Hospital treat approximately 500 patients a year with a Dornier HM3 lithotripter machine, which employs highenergy shock waves traveling through a tub of water to pulverize kidney stones. But they recently helped a patient of an unusual kind: the Laerdal Sim Man. The Sim Man is an important part of North Shore-LIJ’s Patient Safety Institute’s arsenal, which employs high-fidelity simulation equipment and scenarios to train clinical staff members without risk to patients. Learning through simulation allows staff members to practice their response to crisis situations. A typical simulation session includes a debriefing process, wherein participants discuss their performance and identify opportunities to improve teamwork and communication.

This summer, the STU hosted an in-situ simulation session to allow staff to experience an emergency with a patient in the lithotripter tub. With the Patient Safety

Institute’s Sim Man serving as a patient and perioperative assistants. “Hopefully, these experiencing a cardiac emergency, the staff team members will never have to deal with a practiced removing the patient from the tub cardiac emergency in the lithotripter tub. But to a stretcher for resuscitation. Now the if they do, this simulation has prepared them STU team can anticipate a patient’s needs in to handle the emergency.” uncommon emergencies during lithotripsy like stroke and cardiac arrest.

“One of the great benefits of simulation is that it brings teams with varied backgrounds together to practice dealing with uncommon situations,” said Barbara DeVoe, director of the Patient Safety Institute. The STU, for example, is staffed by registered nurses, physicians, radiology technologists The Laerdal Sim Man in the lithotripter tub.

R. Kerner

LAKE SUCCESS — Stone Treatment Unit

That Others May Live: Air Guard Partners with PSI LAKE SUCCESS — They are called upon

when the worst has happened: to care for military personnel wounded in battle; for maritime search-and-rescue operations; to earthquakes, hurricanes and floods. They stand at the ready to defend our country.

They are the 103rd Rescue Squadron, 106th Rescue Wing of the New York Air National Guard. Members of the 103rd have been using the North Shore-LIJ Health System’s Patient Safety Institute (PSI) to prepare for deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The 103rd is stationed at Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach and consists of 10 combat rescue officers, two survival specialists, a flight surgeon and 24 para-rescuemen, also known as “PJs.” PJs primarily

serve as personnel recovery specialists with emergency medical capabilities in humanitarian and combat environments. Members of the 103rd are currently deployed in both theatres of war. The squadron also has domestic search-and-rescue responsibilities.

It deployed in support of hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike, and on 9/11.

The unit is perhaps most famous for its role in the maritime search and rescue depicted in The Perfect Storm. The PJ motto is “That Others May Live.”

The 103rd Rescue Squadron partnered with the PSI this summer to provide the airmen with high-fidelity learning experiences.

“The Patient Safety Institute helps fill a training need to remain facile in advanced cardiac life support and pediatric advanced

life support algorithms and some of the practical skills associated with these competencies,” said Major Stephen Rush, MD, the 103rd’s flight surgeon. Under Dr. Rush’s guidance, members of the squadron have been participating in simulations targeted to caring for patients with medical emergencies such as heart attacks, asthma and cardiac arrhythmias.

“The feedback from the simulations has been excellent,” said Barbara DeVoe, director of the PSI. The partnership has allowed the squadron to experience situations that have, until recently, been infrequent. But since the PJs are beginning to see more patients with medical emergencies, they are expanding their training to meet new challenges, that others may live.

P. Smith

Education Initiative Confronts Diabetes

An airman evaluates the patient’s cardiac monitor and identifies life-threatening rhythm.

The incidence of diabetes is mushrooming, and North Shore-LIJ Health System is tackling the problem with education. Earlier this year, a group of certified diabetes educators (CDEs) — Marie Frazzita, Julia Schulman, Margaret Dilberto and Margaret Pellizzari, led by Donna Jornsay — assembled to organize diabetes initiatives throughout the system, one of which was a Diabetes Nurse Champion Program to educate more North Shore-LIJ nurses and other healthcare professionals. This summer, the new program’s success was evident when 14 nurses graduated from the 12-CEU course.

An upcoming CEU opportunity includes the Systemwide Diabetes

Professional Education Symposium on November 10 at the Swan Club in Glenwood Landing. Call the Institute for Nursing at 718-470-3890 for more information.

Working together, North Shore-LIJ’s CDEs are making significant strides, said Ms. Jornsay. Besides the educational initiatives listed above, the group developed a diabetes patient education brochure and a policy for insulin-pump use. “With almost half of LIJ Medical Center’s hospitalized patients having a diabetes diagnosis, we must pool our resources so we can help our patients achieve a healthy lifestyle and control their condition,” she said.

— Robert Kerner

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LASIK...

SEEING IS BELIEVING LASIK surgery offers the power to dramatically improve the way you view the world. We encourage you to discover the future in laser vision correction at the North Shore-LIJ LASIK Center.

Carolyn Y. Shih MD, MBA, MPH Conveniently located at 600 Northern Blvd., Great Neck

*North Shore-LIJ Health System employees and their families are eligible for a discount.

Call our LASIK Coordinator, Victoria Leo, at (516) 465-8450 for more details and to schedule your FREE evaluation today!

13064-4-10

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Allied NATION When we introduced our new “Allied Nation” column in the last issue of The New Standard, we inadvertently did not reference some of the licensed clinical professionals and support staff who are considered allied health professionals, such as those in dietary, laboratory, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, radiology, respiratory and speech language pathology positions.

In fact, allied health professionals account for up to 60 percent of the total healthcare workforce. While the fields mentioned above are not an all-inclusive list, they provide insight into the range of responsibilities these clinical professionals fulfill in healthcare settings every day.

Employees within these professions and clinical areas have a wide range of knowledge, skill and education levels. All of them contribute significantly to North Shore-LIJ Health System’s expertise. In large part, our patients’ overall experiences and outcomes are linked to the care they receive from allied health professionals.

Eight Surgical Technologists Graduate

Surgical technologists are an integral presence in the operating room, assisting the surgical team with essential support functions. Under the direction of registered nurses, they process surgical instrumentation, prepare and maintain sterile fields and anticipate the needs of surgeons during surgical procedures. Clinical rotations for technologists within North Shore-LIJ Health System include general gynecology, neurology, orthopedics, otolaryngology, urology, and vascular and plastic surgery.

In 2009, the health system’s Center for Learning and Innovation (CLI) started an 18month surgical technologist (also known as operating room technologist or ORT) program to educate attendees in the basics of human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, sterile technique, instrumentation, patient care and safety and surgical procedures. “As health system employees, they were already aware of our mission and goals,” said Kathleen Gallo, RN, PhD, chief learning officer for North Shore-LIJ. “Also, they were taught by our own personnel, who provided them with direct experience and a working knowledge of our hospital procedures and protocols. As a result, these essential surgical staff members immediately excelled in our operating rooms.”

A mixture of lecture, demonRear from left, CLI's Mike Sheehan and Ignacio Lopez and, fourth stration and hands-on clinical trainfrom left/rear, Michael Dowling, North Shore-LIJ president and ing prepared graduates of the proCEO, recently congratulated ORT graduates. They included, standing from left, Shauna Brooks, Michelle Marciano and gram for their professional occupaAnthony Levy and, seated from left, Omar Cruz, Pauline Cox tions as OR technologists. “Unlike and Joycelyn Lestrade. students who train at local institu-

tions, we spent the last six months of the program doing clinical rotations every day instead of just once a week,” said Michelle Marciano, ORT, one of eight students who graduated from CLI’s pilot program in June.

Daily interactions allowed the trainees to build relationships with LIJ Medical Center staff and surgeons before graduation.

“It felt like we had already spent half a year as full-time technicians,” Ms. Marciano said.

North Shore-LIJ currently employs about 80 surgical technologists and ORTs. Technologists work a variety of shifts, five days a week, making sure that the operating room is completely prepared for procedures — priming the proper instruments and medications for each specific surgeon and patient. “I feel like I’m more of a part of the team now. There is more direct, hands-on work with the patients and it makes me happy knowing that I’m there for them and helping them,” said Pauline Cox, ORT, another recent graduate of the surgical technologist program who used to work as a perioperative assistant.

North Shore-LIJ funded the tuition of all qualifying full-time employees. Five of the graduates — Shauna Brooks, ORT, Pauline Cox, ORT, Omar Cruz, ORT, Stephen Francis, ORT, and Michelle Marciano, ORT — were placed in operating rooms at LIJ. According to Katherine Damp, RN, perioperative nurse educator at LIJ, the program was a success.

The process fostered awareness of learning as a team member and mutual support among the staff in the operating room, ensuring the best possible care for surgical patients.

— Kristen Longo

To suggest a story for a future Allied Nation column, contact Alex Hellinger at Ahellinger@nshs.edu or 516-256-6169.

Compliance CORNER

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Learning FOR LIFE Simulator Brings Endovascular Learning to Life Simantha®, the endovascular simulator, is the newest addition to the array of highfidelity patient simulators at the North Shore-LIJ Health System Center for Learning and Innovation’s Patient Safety Institute (PSI).

The recent expansion of the Center for Learning and Innovation (now a 45,000square-foot facility) incorporated the construction of a simulated cardiac catheterization lab and the purchase of Simantha. The Simantha purchase was the first of its kind for a simulation lab in the United States.

Since its inception in 2005, the PSI has utilized full-scale, high-fidelity patient simulators to teach healthcare professionals and students how to diagnose and manage clinical situations without risk to actual patients.

Much like the other simulators in use at PSI since the beginning, Simantha immerses learners into the clinical environment to encounter real-time and realistic interventional situations.

Specialized features of this simulator include the pharmacologic model and the accessory simulation tools.

The pharmacologic model allows students to administer medication and have that medication affect the mannequin’s lab values, blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, level of consciousness and other physiological parameters. The accessory

in-depth, on-site educasimulation tool provides tion at PSI this summer. the student with the PSI staff members learned same tools used within about functions of the an actual cardiac simulator and procedures catheterization lab. These that can be performed tools, such as stents and such as neuro-coiling and guide wires, increase the renal catheterization. PSI realism of the experience educators were also given and satisfy the demand an inside look as to how for user interaction, replieach integral part of cating the experience of Simantha affects the manan interventional suite. nequin’s performance so “The technology is they can be self-sufficient amazing. It allows you to during educational sessions. insert femoral catheters Programs using the and navigate to all the Robert Kerner, RN, EMT-P, left, and Ronald Ulrich, EMT, right, inspect the endovascular simulator coronary arteries,” said health system’s new Simantha began this fall at the Peggy Delaney, RN, MSN, endovascular simulator. North Shore-LIJ Patient Safety Institute and nurse educator at the is the only organization that owns and will be taught in conjuncPSI. “You can place stents maintains its own Simantha unit. tion with several clinical and balloon the coronary departments throughout the health system. arteries all on the simulator, and the patient Learn more at the Center for Learning and reacts to everything you do.”

Innovation’s Web site, “We are proud to be the first health sysNorthShoreLIJ.com/cli. tem in the country to own Simantha,” said Alan Cooper, PhD, vice president of the Center — Katherine Roth for Learning and Innovation. “We look forward to partnering with other health care organizations and industry to fully utilize the simulator’s capabilities.”

The manufacturer of Simantha, Medical Simulation Corporation, conducted

ORIGINS

DOH Selects Ms. McClusky

The New York State Department of Health’s Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators has accepted Maureen McClusky as a member, effective 2011. Ms. McClusky is the executive director of The Stern Family Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation on the campus of North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset.

Studios Win Gold EMPix Awards

In 1968, 60 Minutes began broadcasting on CBS TV; Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey premiered; and the Apollo 8 successfully orbited the moon with Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders aboard. Closer to home in Bay Shore, junior volunteers got coaching in care for Southside Hospital’s youngest patients.

30

North Shore-LIJ Studios recently won two Gold EMPix Awards from the American Pixel Academy. The organization honored the Hope Lives Here at the Feinstein Institute and Corporate Compliance Gifts Scenarios videos. The studio produced the first work for the 2009 summer concert and the second piece for the 2010 employee compliance training.

the one thing we’ll never test is your patience.

FULL-SERVICE MEDICAL LABORATORIES STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES • FASTER SERVICE When you need a laboratory test, nothing is more frustrating than using a facility that doesn’t accept your insurance, doesn’t perform the test you need, or doesn’t have convenient hours.

Through

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throughout Long Island and Queens we perform the full range of tests, from the simplest to the most specialized. Plus, all major insurance plans are accepted including Oxford, United and Aetna.

North Shore-LIJ Laboratories. The tests you need.

The flexibility you want. The standard you expect.

Ask your physician about us or visit one of our patient centers. To find a location near you, call 516.719.1100 or visit northshorelij.com/labs.

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Net

Green

NEWS HealthPort Updates Enhance Usability The HeathPort team continues to enhance the North Shore-LIJ Health System intranet information and services. Here is a quick update on some of recent numbers and highlighted features: Stats o Looking to advertise? More than 50,000 events have been downloaded so far this year. Take advantage of the online employee communications platform by emailing event news to HealthPortWebmaster@nshs.edu. o About 70 percent of North Shore-LIJ employees use HealthPort. That number is expected to continue to increase with the rollout of Employee Self Service. o This year, we averaged a record 1.4 million downloaded files per month.

Usability testing o The HeathPort team recently conducted usability testing to help determine how to increase the intranet’s value to employees. The testing went well and prompted considerable feedback. Stay tuned for some of the changes that may take place as a result of the testing.

And remember, your opinion counts: Feel free to send any questions, comments or suggestions to HealthPortWebmaster@nshs.edu.

HealthPort blog o The new HealthPort blog keeps users in the know to make everyone’s jobs easier. It spotlights new features as well as some established features that may be under the radar. User comments are encouraged.

More than 50,000 events have been downloaded from HealthPort in 2010.

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SOLUTIONS The New Standard Turns Over a Green Leaf You may have noticed something different about this issue of The New Standard: This is the first issue to be published on recycled paper.

Why is it important to print North ShoreLIJ Health System’s employee publication on recycled paper? Because making paper from recycled sources uses between 30 and 50 percent less energy than making paper from trees and creates 95 percent less pollution.

Furthermore, every ton of paper that is recycled saves: q 17 mature trees; q 7,000 gallons of water; q 380 gallons of oil; q three cubic yards of landfill space; and q enough energy to heat your home for six months.

Imagine how much of North Shore-LIJ’s waste is paper, and it quickly becomes apparent how this adds up to the loss of thousands of trees every year — just from our health system.

Approximately 33 percent of all material in landfills is paper, according to the United States Environmental Protection

Agency. Diverting paper from landfills is important because space in our landfills is disappearing. Furthermore, when paper decomposes in a landfill, it produces methane gas — a major contributor to global warming. In fact, methane is considered to be 27 times as powerful a greenhouse gas as carbon dioxide.

The recycling of paper is nothing new; in fact, it’s how it all began. Until the mid 1800’s, paper was made exclusively from recycled rags and clothing. Later, wood products were used to improve the quality of the paper produced. Today, recycled paper quality rivals that of paper made from trees.

So when you bring your recycling bin full of paper to the curb, think of the good work that you are doing to help sustain the environment. When you are done reading this edition of The New Standard, please recycle it. We can use it for the next issue.

— Neil Rosen

Email your ideas to increase health system sustainability to green@nshs.edu.

Veteran Nurse Has the Right Stuff from page 1

hospital administration that she now serves as nurse manager of the ED. Things became even more stimulating for this single mother of two when, also in 1986, she joined the Air Force Reserves, which requires working one weekend a month and a two-week block of annual training. For 24 years, Ms. Scott served as a medical reservist flight nurse in the 514th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron.

Ms. Scott’s ED training prepared her for the stress of medical evacuation flights— helping wounded military personnel out of the theater of battle to a medical facility.

“There are so many things to consider in medical evacuations on an airplane,” she said, “such as changes in altitude, vibrations, change in barometric pressure — these can all be distressing factors to a wounded person.”

Ms. Scott worked her way up the military ladder, serving as a captain, major and lieutenant colonel. She has served in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom for 2003 to 2005 and in Operation Enduring Freedom this past year.

Most recently, Ms. Scott was honored during a moving ceremony at the Emergency Department she loves so well. During a recent deployment, Ms. Scott sent the hospital a flag that flew with her. Franklin administrators decided to mount the flag and create a Wall of Heroes in the department. Along with the flag, Ms. Scott also provided the display with several photographs taken during her flights, including one of her with the flag in her medical airplane.

Joseph Manopella, Franklin’s executive director, said that Ms. Scott inspires every member of the staff. Alluding to her modesty and courage, Mr. Manopella said, “We are blessed to have you as part of this health system.”

For her part, Ms. Scott continually thanks the administration and staff of Franklin Hospital for their ongoing love and support during her many deployments. “They wrote letters, sent care packages and showed concern for my children,” she said. As she approaches 30 years of service to the hospital, Ms. Scott said, “These people are my extended family and Franklin is my second home.”

— Michelle Pinto

Women’s

Life

CORNER

SAVER

Educating and Strengthening the Community An important facet of the mission of the Katz Institute for Women’s Health is community outreach. So Neeta Shah, MD, vice president of women’s services, recently took advantage of several forums to share her expertise about women’s health and wellness, encouraging audiences to take simple steps toward better health. “We offer these programs with the hope that participants walk away with new information. Knowledge is power, and it is important to share it with our community members,” she said. m Dr. Shah led a panel of North ShoreLIJ physicians at the Second Annual Joint Women’s Health Symposium with the Suffolk County Bar Association in Hauppauge. m In collaborative community outreach

efforts, she presented “It’s Your Time...Take Charge of Your Health,” a program that emphasizes making better health choices, with Judy Jacobs, Nassau County legislator and the health system’s director of community relations, at the Syosset Library and with Judi Bosworth, Nassau County legislator, at the Manhasset Library. m For RNs at a recent nursing research conference at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Dr. Shah conveyed the importance of wellness practices to prevent disease — for both themselves and their patients.

To request a group presentation by Dr. Shah, email the Katz Institute for Women’s Health at WomensHealth@nshs.edu.

For Your BENEFIT HR Goes Green with Online Appraisals As the roll-out of Employee Self Service continues, North Shore-LIJ forges ahead with its mission to offer “anytime, anywhere” access to personal information. With that comes new functionality that will soon be available for performance appraisals as part of the 2010 performance management process.

Building on the current performance management process to ensure all employees receive a performance appraisal and connect with their managers about goals and performance plans, this year’s new feature, known as online employee acknowledgement, will allow employees to log in to their performance appraisal and “sign” or acknowledge it with an electronic signature.

This feature helps to eliminate paper waste and fully automates the process.

“The new acknowledgement functionality enables employees to increase personal ownership of their performance outcomes and further engage in their career development,” said Barbara Felker, vice president of

the Corporate Human Resources Department.

“We want to provide a more efficient performance management process between managers and employees and this new tool helps us to accomplish just that, while helping the organization to go green,” she said.

How It Works Following the performance appraisal meeting with managers, employees will log in to Taleo (the online application where appraisals are stored), review their appraisal, provide comments and sign/acknowledge their performance appraisal. In addition to making the process green, the electronic signature empowers employees to take action while transforming their performance. To learn more about the annual performance management process, check the “Human Resources” section on HealthPort for frequently asked questions, performance and coaching tools and e-learning modules for both managers and employees.

Help Us to Help You! Interested in making a difference and ensuring that quality care is always available to you and your loved ones? The North Shore-LIJ Health System Foundation's new and improved Web site provides a quick, easy and secure way to make a donation in support of our many hospitals, centers and programs. Just visit NorthShoreLIJ.com/foundation and click the “Giving” tab.

Your community will thank you!

Blood Drives Nov. 3 Nov. 4 Nov. 11 Nov. 19

Glen Cove Hospital SIUH — South SIUH — North SIUH — Pouch

Dec. 2 Dec. 2 Dec. 3 Dec. 6 Dec. 7 Dec. 7 Dec. 7 Dec. 9 Dec. 9 Dec. 13 Dec. 13 Dec. 14 Dec. 15 Dec. 16 Dec. 22 Dec. 29

North Shore University Hospital SIUH — North North Shore University Hospital Franklin Hospital LIJ Medical Center North Shore-LIJ Laboratories Regional Claims Recovery Service Plainview Hospital Syosset Hospital Dolan Family Health Center Huntington Hospital Zucker Hillside Hospital Stern CECR LIJ Medical Center SIUH — South SIUH — North

Jan. 5 Jan. 6

Somerset Gardens Senior Living Physicians’ Ambulatory Network Services Southside Hospital Franklin Hospital Materials Management Administration — Westbury Southside Hospital Center for Emergency Medical Services The Feinstein

Jan. 11 Jan. 12 Jan. 18 Jan. 18 Jan. 19 Jan. 20 Jan. 21 Feb. 2 Feb. 4 Feb. 9 Feb. 9 Feb. 10 Feb. 10 Feb. 24 Feb. 25

LIJ Treatment Center, Far Rockaway Admin. Offices, Great Neck North Shore University Hospital Center for Advanced Medicine North Shore University Hospital Plainview Hospital North Shore-LIJ Laboratories Forest Hills Hospital

Transplant Center Hosts Dinner North Shore University Hospital’s Transplant Center recently hosted the Third Annual Donor/Recipient Recognition Dinner to honor kidney donors and recipients since the first living donor transplant on October 15, 2007.

During the past three years, a team of surgeons has performed nearly 100 transplants. Nurses, OR staff, anesthesiologists, social workers, dietitians and many others help make these life-saving miracles happen.

One highlight will be the sharing of the transplant experience through heartwarming, original letters read aloud to the attendees.

33

Mission POSSIBLE Team Screens Peruvian Women for Cervical Cancer INCCA recently began a scholarship to start a school of cytotechnology in Cusco. The first Peruvian student began studying with this scholarship this year.

Ionesco, MD, Maria Navarro, MD, Patricia Wasserman, MD, and Chiara Sugrue, awoke to hundreds of women waiting in line for their services outside the women’s health clinic in Cusco, Peru. Many of these women were waiting to be seen by a doctor for their first time. “In one day, we saw 200 women,” Dr. Wasserman said, “These women didn’t know what kind of care they needed; they just knew they needed to be checked out.”

The four volunteers from the North Shore-LIJ Health System, along with other medical residents, pathologists and cytotechnologists, were part of a week-long mission to Peru organized by the International Cervical Cancer Foundation, (INCCA), a nonprofit dedicated to preventing cervical cancer in disadvantaged populations worldwide.

The volunteers screened Pap tests, organized histology and cytology labs, performed Pap smears and breast exams and educated patients. “Pap tests began in the US and Europe in the 1950s. Since then, mortality from cervical disease has declined by 75 percent. But in underdeveloped nations, where Pap tests cannot be conducted due to lack of funding, the incidence of cervical cancer is very high,” said Ms. Sugrue.

In addition to helping patients, Dr. Wasserman worked with a Peruvian student to educate her in basic cytomorphology.

Waiting for Help “When we arrived, there were 2,000 Pap tests waiting for evaluation. Between all of us, we got to examine all of them — many of which had been sitting there since April,” Dr. Navarro said. He added that the microscopes the team received to work with were very primitive and the chairs were uncomfortable. “We had to stack phone books and towels to reach the microscopes.”

The group observed a significantly higher rate of cervical cancer in Peru than the US. “I had mixed feelings. Yes, I was helping, but on the other hand there is so much more to be done,” Ms. Sugrue said.

INCCA constantly seeks physicians, medical students, residents and volunteers to assist at the Cusco clinic.

“We used our intellectual skills in order to help. We didn’t need a lot of money to help a lot of

people and make a huge difference in Peru,” Dr. Ionesco said.

For more information on INCCA and how you can help, visit www.TheINCCA.org.

— Lara Weiss

P. Wasserman, MD

CUSCO, PERU — At 8 a.m., Marina

Many of the Peruvian patients had never been seen by a doctor before.

Following the January earthquake in Haiti, Louis Auguste, MD, a surgical oncologist at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and president of the New York Chapter of the Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad (AMHE), was one of the first volunteers on the ground. He spent a week at the largest city hospital in Port-au-Prince.

Early this summer, Dr. Auguste spent another week in Haiti — this time at Justinien University Hospital of CapHaitien. AMHE colleagues Marie-France Conde, MD, pediatrician; Julius Garvey, MD, cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon; and James Satterfield, MD, general surgeon, accompanied Dr. Auguste to support the education of the residents and attending staff at Justinien.

The team conducted daily morning rounds with the medical staff and intensive educational sessions each afternoon on surgery and in pediatrics. The surgeons also scrubbed with the residents on several challenging cases.

The mission also included the gift of significant medical and surgical supplies, including a portable vascular Doppler unit, 34

L. Auguste, MD

Haiti Mission 2.0

Dr. Satterfield, left, instructed surgical residents with Dr. Garvey in attendance.

vascular and thoracic surgery tools, medication — particularly antibiotics — and many more nuts-and-bolts necessities. Cash donations for supply transportation, patient tests, and financial assistance to local staff helped make the mission possible.

Several earthquake victims were seen at different stages of recovery. Since the New York team witnessed many female patients in their 30’s with advanced arterial disease

and non-healing diabetic ulcers, they gave residents extensive instruction on managing diabetic ulcers and other serious complications from the disease.

In Justinien’s Pediatric Division, numerous children experienced inflammation of the spinal cord or brain; the AMHE team also witnessed many patients with dehydration and shock caused by infectious gastroenteritis.

“A public-education program would go a long way not only to encourage the parents to bring the children to the hospital earlier, but also in reducing risky practices responsible for the high incidence of these illnesses,” Dr. Auguste said.

Haiti’s medical and surgical supplies were largely depleted by massive utilization following the earthquake, said Dr. Auguste. To help recovery efforts, go to AMHENY.org, contact Dr. Auguste at ljaugustemd@gmail.com or mail contributions to: AMHE New York Chapter P.O. Box 7055 Hicksville, NY 11801.

— Maria Conforti

New Host Debuts on Medical Update’s 8th Season Minute. In these New York media outlets, he covered many stories on the North Shore-LIJ Health System.

A long-time Long Island resident, Dr. Rosen received his MD from Emory University, where he completed his residency training in internal medicine. A board-certified practitioner specializing in eating disorders, Dr. Rosen’s strong interest in mental health recently led him to participate in the psychiatry residency program at Stony Brook University. courtesy of M. Rosen, MD

North Shore-LIJ’s award-winning TV series, Medical Update, recently began its eighth season with a new host, a new look, and a new format with even more hot medical topics packed into every half-hour program.

With the retirement of Dr. Frank Field, an iconic TV health and science reporter and Medical Update’s host since its 2003 premiere, this new season welcomes Mike Rosen, MD, a familiar face to New York TV news viewers.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to give viewers the latest information on the most important medical topics, and do it in more detail than can usually be delivered on TV,” said Dr. Rosen.

Dr. Rosen has been a medical journalist since 1994 and most recently appeared in the New York area as correspondent (and managing editor) for the Daily HealthFeed, a syndicated nightly medical news report on 50 local affiliates nationwide, and as medical reporter for WPIX-Channel 11. He has been the senior medical correspondent for WCBS-Channel 2 in New York, and also appeared on the CBS overnight network news program, Up to the

Coming Attractions During the upcoming season North Shore-LIJ medical experts will delve into a range of timely topics including the recent study on possible cancer clusters on Long Island, new research on autoimmune diseases, stroke intervention, new drug treatments for Hepatitis C, cyberbullying, diabetes prevention, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other life-enhancing information.

Watch new episodes of Medical Update

on Saturdays at 11 a.m. This season's 13week program slate (with 13 repeat programs) is broadcast on WLNY-TV, which can be accessed on Channel 10 on Long Island Cablevision and Verizon FiOs TV, and on Channel 25 on Time Warner Cable in Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn and The Bronx. The program is also available to satellite television subscribers via DirecTV and Dish TV. For more information and to view archived programs online, go to NorthShoreLIJ.com/NSLIJ/News and scroll down to Medical Update TV. — Elaine Wohl

State Gives Preliminary Approval for Southside Cardiac Surgery Program

Executive Appointments

from page one

from page 21

residents,” Dr. Hartman said. “Those percentages are going up. We have a significant number of cardiology groups and solo practitioners in Suffolk who refer their Suffolk patients to us at North Shore University Hospital and LIJ Medical Center. Expansion of the program enables us to meet the needs of patients closer to the communities where they live.”

In addition to the surgeons, Dr. Hartman’s Southside cardiac team includes Steve Bello, PA, director of the program, Steven Herling, MD, chief of cardiac anesthesia and Karl Bocchieri, chief of perfusion. Administrative oversight will be carried out by Donna Moravick, NP, the North Shore-LIJ Health System’s vice president of cardiac services.

The addition of a cardiac surgery program is a natural progression for Southside, which has been expanding its roster of cardiac services over the past decade and has been performing elective angioplasty since 2006. Southside was the first community hospital in New York State to receive DOH approval to perform percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or elective angioplasty.

As of 2009, it had performed 570 interventions and 1,725 diagnostic catheterizations, making it the third-largest combined program in Suffolk County.

Winifred Mack, RN, executive director of Southside Hospital, said the extension of North Shore-LIJ’s cardiac surgery program continues the long-standing commitment of the health system to the communities served by Southside.

“At a time when many hospitals have closed programs or shut their doors, the North Shore-LIJ Health System continues to invest in programs and the communities it serves,” she said. “The health system has already made a significant investment in Southside and will continue that with additional expansion over the next several years.”

She said adding a cardiac surgery program to Southside is part of a four-year investment of more than $300 million that the North Shore-LIJ Health System is making to transform Southside into a tertiary hospital.

The extension of North Shore-LIJ’s cardiac program to Southside is supported by local community leaders and elected officials.

“Since the early 1970s, Southside continues to be the major provider of primary care to underserved populations,” said Rev. Roderick A. Pearson, president of the Islip Town Branch of the NAACP. “Having a full complement of cardiac services, including cardiac intervention and now open heart surgery, close to our community and medical home will eliminate many of the barriers we currently face.”

“Southside Hospital has served our respective communities for almost 100 years and has provided medical care to our community of diverse and at times low income and underserved patients,” added State Assemblyman Philip Ramos of Brentwood.

“We endorse the addition of a cardiac surgery program to complement the other excellent cardiac services Southside currently provides.”

— Brian Mulligan

exempt financing, feasibility studies, cost reporting, mergers and acquisition due diligence, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement and tax matters. Mr. Breslin works closely with Michael Breslin Robert Shapiro, the North Shore-LIJ Health System’s senior vice president and CFO. Just named the hospital’s chief nurse executive Phyllis Yezzo, RN, has been with Lenox Hill since 2001, first as assistant vice president of quality and patient safety and since 2006 as vice president of nursing and chief nursing officer. She is responsible for all nursing care in clinical and nonclinical areas at Lenox Hill and its 63rd Street campus.

She served previously at Saint Agnes Hospital and Phyllis Yezzo, RN Children’s Rehabilitation Center Campus of Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, most recently as the chief nursing and operating officer. She works in conjunction with Maureen White, RN, the health system’s chief nurse executive.

35

NON PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID NSLIJHS

125 Community Drive Great Neck, NY 11021

fall 2010

The Employee Publication of North Shore-LIJ Health System

Autumn brings a new season to take charge of your health. Even Maxwell, our Facebook mascot, finds things to be thankful for this time of year!

Click the Facebook icon on NorthShoreLIJ.com to become a fan and follow Maxwell’s adventures.

13369-10-10

The Ritz-Carlton Ritz-Carlton o ® is rrenowned enowned the w world o orld o over ver as ha having aving the ffinest inest in luxur luxuryy accommodations modations and services. brand has arrived Island’s Coastt with a kkey benefit. ser vices. Now Now this legendary legendar y br and ha as arriv ed on Long Isla and’s Gold Coas eyy benef fit.

Editor in Chief Terry Lynam

Managing Editor Maria Conforti

Contributors Sofia Agoritsas Serena Ahne Ivy Algazy Alexandra Brovey Allison Bunin Lisa D’Ambruoso Marisa Fedele Theresa Jacobellis Kristen Longo Brian Mulligan Betty Olt Barbara Osborn Michelle Pinto Christian Preston Neil Rosen Karla Schuster Liz Seegert Ann Silverman Jamie Talan Timothy Vassilakos Denise Weiner Lara Weiss Elaine Wohl

Photography North Shore-LIJ Studios, except as noted

Art Direction James Kostolni

PRE- R E L E ASE

OPPORTUN IT IE S

B RO K E RS

W E L C O ME

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Resid dences, North Hills are not owned, developed or sold by The Ritz-Carlton lton Hotel Company Company,, L.L.C. An affi affiliate iliate of RXR Realty LLC uses The Ritz-Carlton Ritz-Caarlton marks under license from Thee Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Company, L.L.C. C. This is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy to residents in sstates tates where registration requirements have not been fulfilled. Obtain the he Property Report required by Federal Fedeeral law and read it before signing anything g. No Federal agency has judged the th he merits or value, if any, any, of this property. p property . MHBR No. 4096. An RXR Realty development. anything.

EQUAL OPPO OPPORTUNITY RTUNITY TUNITY

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North Shore-LIJ Health System 125 Community Drive Great Neck, NY 11021 (516) 465-2600 NewStandard@nshs.edu