Volume 3
WHAT’Snew
Number 14
July 11, 2014
Pennsylvania Hospital
H o p e R i n g s E t e rn a l for Patients at the
Abramson Cancer Center Pennsylvania Hospital In 1733, the English poet Alexander Pope penned the famous line, “Hope springs eternal in the human breast,” in “An Essay on Man, Epistle I.” Over three and a half centuries later, Pope’s words still resonate with profound meaning. No matter the circumstances, humankind continues to have the capacity to hope for the best — to believe that, despite how bad things are, `` Quintine Burgess, is shown here in front of the Hope Bell on the Inpatient Oncology Unit of PAH.
“ She demonstrated a strong sense of faith and hope — a story of a single mother who had so many obstacles to overcome while going through her treatment,” said Ball.
Inside Hope Rings Eternal continued...................................2 The Patient Experience.............3 Regina Linehan 2014 Hubschman Award Recipient........................3 What’s Happening.....................4 Join the 2014 Penn Medicine Heart Walk Team.......................4
there is still the potential for them to get better. Receiving a diagnosis of cancer is one of the most difficult experiences anyone can face. Yet cancer patients, caregivers, clinicians, and scientists all around the world continue to fight every day in the war against cancer. Together they fight to keep hope alive and ensure there is always the potential for “things to get better.” Last month, Bonita Ball, MSN, RN, the nurse manager of the inpatient oncology unit at Pennsylvania Hospital (PAH), was making her usual daily rounds. That’s when she met 37-year-old Quintine Burgess, who was finishing her last day of treatment after six longs months of chemotherapy. Burgess smiled widely as she said the following words to Ball: “I’m finally finished.” Burgess then proceeded to tell Ball of her journey since she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. “She demonstrated a strong sense of faith and hope — a story of a single mother who had so many obstacles to overcome while going through her treatment,” said Ball.
During their conversation, Burgess admitted to Ball, “I made it to this day and I just wish I could ring the bell.” Then she sadly remarked, “I was told you don’t have a bell for me to ring.” That was all Ball needed to hear. She immediately called a staff huddle and together they immediately got to work to give Burgess the closure and hope she needed. Determined, Ball and staff started making inquires and investigated until, surprisingly, they actually located a dinner bell in the hospital. Bearing bright balloons, the bell, and a festively decorated cake, the staff gathered in Burgess’ room on her last day of treatment as she was preparing to go home with her teenage daughter. Together the staff read aloud a poem Ball wrote especially for Burgess. “The rest is hard to place in words,” said Ball. “Just recalling that day fills my eye
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The Patient Ex p e r i e n c e The following letter of gratitude was sent to PAH Executive Director, R. Michael Buckley, MD: I am writing to you regarding expressing my gratitude for the special care that was given to my wife at Pennsylvania Hospital… `` Karnell is shown here with her youngest son ringing the new Infusion Department’s Hope Bell.
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H o p e R i n g s E t e rn a l
for Patients at the
Abramson Cancer Center Pennsylvania Hospital with tears of joy, hope, and the feeling of gratitude for life. The tears that were shed in that room by everyone, along with the big hugs of thanks, will never be forgotten. In all my years of nursing, I have to stay this is one of my highest moments that I will never, ever forget. It realized then that nursing is a calling and not just a profession”. Ball also learned something else important that day: that what some may consider a “little thing” can be a really “big thing” to a patient. “As a nurse it reminds me of when I first learned CPR. We were taught to ‘look, listen and feel’ when assessing a patient for responsiveness,” said Ball. “Quintine taught me something I will always cherish. She was saying, ‘Look at me, I’m more than just a cancer patient. Listen to what I’m saying to know what is really important to me and feel what I am experiencing.’” Ball took the lesson to heart. She and her staff wanted to be able to give all their patients the chance to ring a bell and celebrate
All of the hospital personnel were very helpful, friendly and professional. The post-op care that she received in room 767 was incredible; well beyond “good routine care.” I am compelled to point out Linda Palween, RN. My wife arrived in her room just prior to the 7 p.m. shift change. Linda arrived with the shift change and she instantly projected confidence, compassion and comfort. She “took charge”…and was in the room constantly caring for my wife — a patient with “10 out of 10” pain, headache, nausea and vomiting. Her care surely prevented what could have been a nightmare. Being a physician myself, I have over 50 years of experience with post-op surgical care. Linda, without question, is the best nurse I have ever seen and it was my privilege to observe her in action that night. She deserves special recognition. Again, thank you and the entire hospital staff.
the major milestone of completing their therapy in their individual fight against cancer. On June 6, Burgess was invited to come back to the inpatient oncology unit at PAH for the dedication of a Hope Bell. The new Hope Bell is mounted above a brass plate inscribed with the poem Ball created for Burgess. The first patient to christen the new Hope Bell, Burgess rang it robustly, smiling away as staff and guests applauded and cheered. In the few weeks after the inpatient unit Hope Bell dedication, Ball and Angel McCullough, MSN, MBA, clinical director, Nursing, collaborated with colleagues to bring more Hope Bells to PAH. On June 18, a second Hope Bell dedication was held in the new Infusion Department of the Abramson Cancer Center at Pennsylvania Hospital. Kim Karnell — a breast cancer survivor of nine years who received her treatment at ACC PAH — was the guest of honor to help dedicate the Hope Bell along with other ACC PAH patients and cancer center staff. The Joan Karnell Supportive Care Program (JKSCP) of the ACC PAH is named in memory of Kim’s mother — Joan Karnell — an ovarian cancer patient who also received her care at Pennsylvania Hospital. Kim, a resident of Bridgewater, NJ, actively raises funds for the ACC PAH. She and her family, who have been supportive of cancer care at PAH for years, have deep bonds with the cancer center staff and strong ties with PAH: “Four of the five people in my immediate family have had cancer and were all treated at Pennsylvania Hospital,” said Karnell.
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Regina Linehan 2014 Hubschman Award Recipient
`` Regina Linehan, shown here with Mrs. and Mr. Hubschman and Dr. Michael Buckley at the Award Ceremony held in the Great Court on June 11.
“This award is truly special. It honors an individual who represents the all-around ‘best of the best’ of our hospital,” said R. Michael Buckley, MD, executive director, PAH. “State-of-the-art technology and modern facilities are great things to have and sure — they absolutely do contribute to the success of a hospital. But make no mistake about it. It is the people — incredibly talented, compassionate and caring staff like Jean — who truly make Pennsylvania Hospital the best place for a patient to be a patient.” The Director of the Diabetes Education Center at PAH for 24 years, Jean has over 40 years experience as a nurse educator in community and hospital setting. Under her leadership, the Diabetes Education Center has achieved and maintained American Diabetes Associated recognition since 1990. Jean also: collaborates with PAH staff in the creation of new programs and services to meet the expanding needs of our diabetic population; presents current trends in diabetes management to new nursing employees, nursing students, and professional and community groups; supervises interns from over thirteen local, national and international colleges, universities and hospitals; and teaches diabetes management skills to outpatients in groups and individual sessions.
C on g ratulations to the 2014 Lynn and Emil Hubschman Award recipient, Regina “Jean” Linehan, RN, MS, CDE, director of the Diabetes Education Center at PAH. The Hubschman Award annually recognizes an individual who exemplifies the Pennsylvania Hospital tradition of combining compassion and caring with an outstanding performance of responsibilities.
The best way to describe Jean and what she means to PAH is to share some of the comments her colleagues included in their nomination forms: i Jean is one of the most compassionate people I know. She is always encouraging her patients in a non-judgmental, nonthreatening way and is a wonderful patient advocate. She is also great in her support of other professionals. She always takes the time to understand the situation and offers help in all ways possible. i Jean is a true friend, mentor, and colleague. The Hubschman award is given to the person who best exemplifies compassion, sincerity, initiative, dedication and perseverance which Jean represents and so much more. i Jean has a passion for elevating the level of knowledge and skills of young health professional and gives them opportunities. She truly represents the idea of “paying it forward” in her professional and personal endeavors. It is a privilege to be able to work alongside Jean and I continue to learn from her daily.
i Jean has become a role model and support for all clinicians. She has built strong relationships with others and, as a result, has succeeded in bringing amazing resources to the population she serves. Jean’s influence reaches beyond Pennsylvania Hospital. Referring clinicians from other institutions also speak highly of the excellent support and care she has provided over the years. i Jean is a tireless promoter of the cause of helping individuals who are disenfranchised and underserved in the city of Philadelphia. Her humble disposition and untiring efforts on behalf of others continues to amaze and inspire…
Mrs. Lynn Hubschman, who served as the Director of Social Work Services at PAH for 14 years, promoted high standards of professionalism while fostering and encouraging an exceptional attitude of caring that is the hallmark of PAH. Thanks to the continued generosity of the Hubschman’s, PAH has been able to maintain the tradition of promoting professional excellence and high standards of compassionate care by annually recognizing an employee or staff member who exemplifies what the award represents.
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WHAT’S H a p p ening
Y our resource f or events and happenings throughout PA H and P enn M edicine
For complete events listing, please visit What’s New on the Inside Penn Medicine web site at: http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside
July July 28
Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan
July 29
PAH Nursing Budget Conference
August 10
Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week with the Phillies
Join the
2014 Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. Approximately 600,000 people die of heart disease annually; that’s one in every four deaths! Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S., affecting about 800,000 Americans each year. Join the fight against heart disease and stroke and walk with Penn Medicine colleagues, the American Heart Association, and more at the 16th American Heart Association’s Philadelphia Heart Walk. The 2014 Annual Heart Walk is Saturday, November 8, at Citizens Bank Park. This year, the Penn Medicine challenge is to raise $160,000 and recruit more employees, patients, friends and families to walk than ever before. By participating in the Heart Walk, you will help fund groundbreaking research to develop new therapies and better treatment options for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Penn Medicine is a major recipient of these funds and is awarded more research
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Penn Medicine Heart Walk Team dollars than any other hospital or health system in the region. To become a team captain or register as a walker, please visit http://bit.ly/1m8wjsd, or contact Cara Feldman, Business Development director for the American Heart Association, at 215-575-5241 or cara.feldman@heart.org. If you have any questions contact PAH Heart Walk Team Leaders, John Wierzbowski, manager, Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and Mary Hammond, clinical research coordinator, Cath Lab.
Approximately
600,000 people die of heart disease annually
WHAT’Snew EDITORIAL STAFF Editorial Staff Olivia Fermano
Sally EditorSapega and Photographer Director of Internal Communications Pamela Furches Design Olivia Fermano Graphic Design Editor and Photographer Barry Ogburn Pamela Furches Design Photography Graphic Design
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Barry SusanOgburn E. Phillips Photography Senior Vice President, Public Affairs Holly Auer
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Susan E. Phillips Senior Vice President, Public Affairs Sally Sapega Director of Internal Communications Contact Contact What’snew What’snew at: at: Department Department of of Communications Communications Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Hospital Hospital Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA PA 19106 19106 phone: phone: 215.829.6799 215.829.6799 email: email: olivia.fermano@uphs.upenn.edu olivia.fermano@uphs.upenn.edu WHAT’Snew WHAT’Snew isis published published biweekly biweekly for for PAH PAH employees. employees. Access Access WHAT’Snew WHAT’Snew online online at at http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside/whats-new/. http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside/whats-new/.