Heartbeat The Magazine of St. Francis Hospital The Heart Center®
Fall 2009
Surgery without Scars Revolutionary “bellybutton surgery” offers fast recoveries and no visible signs of the procedure
Plus:
• U.S. News Ranks St. Francis Among the Best—Again • New Advances in Cardiac Research • The Nation’s First Wireless Pacemaker
From the
President
In this Issue
In Pursuit of Excellence
From the President 2
At St. Francis Hospital, our mission focuses not only on the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and a range of other specialties, but also on cardiac research, education and prevention. While we take great pride in the quality of care that we provide our patients, we make important investments in programs and services designed to keep people out of the hospital altogether.
In the News
In this issue, our renowned cardiac imaging expert and Director of Research, Nathaniel Reichek, M.D., reports on the status of several exciting research projects at St. Francis. These studies promise to shed new light on the nature of heart disease and ultimately may lead to improved preventive measures and treatments. We also include highlights of our upcoming community health programs that will be offered at our DeMatteis Center, one of the largest free-standing facilities in the region dedicated to cardiac research and education. At the same time as we maintain our focus on prevention, for those who require acute care, St. Francis is also pioneering new diagnostic tools and treatments. In this issue you will learn about new developments in heart surgery, the latest generation of “wireless” pacemakers, and an innovative new technique in abdominal surgery called singleincision laparoscopic surgery. Otherwise know as “bellybutton surgery,” this procedure reduces recovery times and leaves no visible scars on the patient. I am also pleased to report that St. Francis Hospital continues to garner important awards and accolades. Most recently we were recognized as one of the best hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report, AARP The Magazine and Consumer Reports. These honors are a tribute to the hard work and dedication of our superb physicians and staff.
Nation’s First Wireless Pacemaker Implanted at St. Francis 3 U.S. News & World Report Honors St. Francis Again 3 St. Francis Ranked One of Top Hospitals by Consumer Reports 4 Daily News Prostate Screening at St. Francis 4 Making a Difference: Sean Levchuck, M.D. 4 Heart Healthy Grilling with Dr. Shlofmitz 5 Mark Hoornstra, M.D., on ER’s finale 5
Features New Advances in Cardiac Research 6 Nathaniel Reichek, M.D., discusses the latest research developments at St. Francis Cover Story
Surgery without Scars 8 Gary Gecelter, M.D., explains how a minimally invasive procedure through the bellybutton can provide faster recoveries and cosmetic benefits page 6
AARP The Magazine ranks St. Francis one of the best hospitals in the U.S.
Giving Back page 8
A Garden for Healing 12 The Young and the Helpful 12 Meet Isabelle Whelan 13 Nancy Munson: A Tribute 13 Campaigning for Excellence Update 14
Vital Signs
page 10
St. Francis Offers Cool New Way of Saving Lives 14 Mission of Mercy 15 Spinal Cord Stimulators for Treating Chronic Pain 16 Carotid Stenting: Soon to become a Mainstay 16
St. Francis Photo Album 17 Late Breaking News Reaching Out to the Community 18 A Perspective on Swine Flu 18 First Cardiac PET/CT Program Opens 19
Staff News 19
Heartbeat
is published by St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center®. Questions or comments can be directed to St. Francis Hospital, Office of Development and Public Affairs, 100 Port Washington Blvd., Roslyn, New York 11576. Copyright © 2009. All Rights Reserved. St. Francis Hospital is a member of Catholic Health Services of Long Island, the healthcare ministry of the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
Alan D. Guerci, M.D. President and CEO
Heartbeat Fall 2009
As people live longer, the need for aortic valve surgery is growing
St. Francis Receives Top Marks from AARP 11
Best wishes,
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Heart Surgery’s Experienced Hand 10
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St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center ®
In the News St. Francis Cardiologist Implants Nation’s First Wireless Pacemaker New high-tech device allows patients to be monitored 24-7 through central station
Imagine being able to know that your pacemaker’s battery is running low from a wireless monitor at your bedside. Now, thanks to a new FDA-approved device, patients won’t have to visit their doctor’s office to have their batteries checked; instead, they will be getting a call from their doctor who is connected to a central monitoring station. Steven Greenberg, M.D., a leading cardiologist at St. Francis Hospital’s worldrenowned Arrhythmia and Pacemaker Center was the first physician in the U.S. to implant the AccentTM RF pacemaker, the high-tech device manufactured by St. Jude Medical, Inc. Its remote monitoring capabilities allow doctors to more efficiently follow patients, while patients enjoy the convenience of care from home. “Wireless communication is used everywhere today. Now, Dr. Steven Greenberg unveils the nation’s first wireless pacemaker that allows it can help us provide roundpatients such as Carol Kasyjanski to be constantly monitored from home. the-clock care for our patients through a secure notification system that can be programmed to meet a patient’s specific needs,” says Dr. Greenberg. “Rather than checking on a device a few times a year, daily alerts allow me to know about important changes in my patient’s condition or device functions so I can act more quickly in addressing any issues.” The automatic alerts are designed to notify a physician when a rapid atrial rate, atrial tachycardia or atrial fibrillation exceeds the programmed value of the pacemaker or occurs over an extended period of time. The devices can be programmed to notify a patient of such episodes, as well as device and lead-related issues, through a two-tone audible alert. In addition, the patient’s clinic can be informed through the home monitoring system. Carol Kasyjanski, an account clerk for the City of Glen Cove, was the first person to receive the device. “It helps me rest easier knowing that if there are any sudden changes in my condition the wireless monitor on my night table will let me and my doctor know,” says Carol who finds the monitor very simple to use. “I am considering bringing it with me on my next vacation.” There are about 3 million people worldwide with pacemakers and 600,000 more are implanted each year. Cardiac pacemakers are used to treat bradycardia, which is a heart rate that is too slow. These devices monitor the heart and provide electrical stimulation when the heart beats too slowly for a patient’s specific physiological needs.
U.S. News & World Report Honors St. Francis Hospital, Again For the third year in a row, St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center® has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best hospitals in the nation and the only hospital on Long Island to be ranked in more than one of the magazine’s 12 adult medical and surgical specialty categories. The magazine’s prestigious annual ranking of medical institutions honored St. Francis once again as a leader in heart and heart surgery, digestive disorders and geriatrics. “It is gratifying to be ranked consistently among the very best medical institutions in the nation, not only for our cardiac specialty but for our growing non-cardiac programs,” said Alan D. Guerci, M.D., President and CEO. “I want to thank our physicians, nurses, and staff for their tireless pursuit of excellence in all of the care that we provide. This honor is a testament to their hard work, skill and dedication.” According to U.S. News, “this is Year 20 for America’s Best Hospitals, a tool for patients who need medical sophistication that most facilities simply cannot offer.” It says unlike other rankings and reports, “we do not grade hospitals on routine procedures…we look instead on how they do in complex and demanding situations.” Of the 4,861 hospitals surveyed in 16 different specialties, St. Francis Hospital was one of only 174 medical centers to be honored. The ranking in heart care places St. Francis among the top five medical centers in New York State. St. Francis was also one of only 17 hospitals in the state to be ranked in any specialty rating overall.
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In the News Consumer Reports Ranks St. Francis One of the Top Hospitals in the New York City Metro Area for Patient Satisfaction St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center® has been ranked among the best hospitals in the metropolitan area for patient satisfaction by Consumer Reports. The Hospital took the top rank on Long Island and was surpassed by only one New York City Hospital – the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. The recent rankings by the major consumer magazine come on the heels of similar top ratings by U.S. News & World Report and AARP The Magazine.
The Consumer Reports findings are based on federal surveys of more than a million patients in over 3,400 hospitals nationwide. Hospitals were evaluated on eight measures of patient satisfaction, including communication with physicians and nurses, staff attentiveness and whether the patient would recommend the Hospital to family and friends. “These latest rankings reflect what our patients have been saying all along about how they would rate their hospital stay at St. Francis – first in its class,” says Alan D. Guerci, M.D., President and CEO. “We take great pride in these results and it is yet another tribute to our entire staff.” Subscribers can look up their local hospital to see how it measured up as well as the types of experience patients reported having there at www.consumerreportshealth.org. The website also provides tips to consumers on what to look for in a hospital and how to avoid complications during their hospital stay.
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Daily News Prostate Screening at St. Francis Marks Another Successful Year For the second year in a row, St.Francis Hospital participated in a Daily News program to help raise awareness about early screening for prostate cancer. The Hospital offered two screening sites for the public – Dr. Felix Badillo one at the main campus in Roslyn and the other at the DeMatteis Center in Greenvale – providing more than 200 free screenings to the public. Felix Badillo, M.D., Chief of Urology, was one of the featured experts in a series of articles that began on Father’s Day and ran throughout the week. His patient, Robert Spina, highlighted the need for early testing. Spina, who is the Marketing Manager and Physician Liaison for the DeMatteis Center and an avid Daily News reader, decided to be tested during his lunch hour the first year the program began at St. Francis.Tests showed he had elevated PSA levels and he immediately went to see Dr. Badillo, who performs more robotic prostate surgeries than any doctor on Long Island. Now, more than a year later, Bob, a father of three and grandfather-to-be, is cancerfree. He says he feels great and considers himself a “poster boy” for getting out the message that “a simple test can save your life.” He says, “If it wasn’t for the screening program, I might not have seen my son’s wedding in June or the birth of my other son’s baby this fall.”
News 12 Spotlights St. Francis Pediatric Cardiologist Director of Pediatric Cardiology, Sean Levchuck, M.D., was featured on a News 12’s “Making a Difference” segment for donating his time to repair children’s damaged hearts. The physician was credited for believing in the concept of “paying forward” in his mission to help children from around the world receive lifesaving surgery. Dr. Levchuck has helped hundreds of youngsters through the Gift of Life program, most recently 2-year-old Vladislav Yakimov, a Russian boy who was born with a hole in his heart. But now, the child, like many others who have received Dr. Levchuck’s care, has a new lease on life.
Heart Healthy Barbeque He is known for his medical expertise in the Cath Lab, but Richard Shlofmitz, M.D., Director of Cardiology, displayed his culinary talents on the PIX Morning News by unveiling some heart healthy recipes for a barbeque. The doctor introduced his Double H turkey burger which stands for “Heart Healthy” and a curried cauliflower salad designed to cut your appetite before you chow down. Dr. Shlofmitz says he learned about cooking from his father, who operated a catering business, and since then, like medicine, it has been a lifelong passion. His message to barbeque fans: “Bon Appetit – without the cholesterol!”
Double H Burger (Heart Healthy) 1 pound ground turkey meat 3 tablespoons Madras hot curry 2 yellow onions Kosher salt and coarse black pepper 1/2 cup white mushrooms 1/4 cup olive oil
Dr. Shlofmitz cooks up healthy fare on Channel 11’s morning newscast. He reprised his demonstration for TV 55 News in early September.
2 Portuguese rolls Romaine lettuce leaves Scallions (1 stalk) Mango chutney (to taste) 2 eggs 1/2 cup bread crumbs
1. Separate 2 whites and one yolk and combine with bread crumbs, turkey meat, salt, pepper and Madras curry. Form rectangular patty with ! inch perimeter edges. 2. Sauté chopped onions and mushrooms in oil until brown. 3. Fill bottom turkey patty with onions and mushrooms and cover with additional flat patty. 4. Grill 5 minutes on each side. 5. Sprinkle oil on whole scallions and romaine and grill until char marks are present then remove. 6. Place burger, sliced scallion and romaine on burger and the Portuguese roll and top with chutney.
ER’s Impact on Emergency Medicine When ER, the popular, long-running NBC hospital drama, ended its 15-year run earlier this year, Mark Hoornstra, M.D., the Director of the Emergency Department at St. Francis, was one of many viewers who were sad to see it go. Several media outlets asked Dr. Hoornstra to give his spin on the so-called end of an “ERa” and as a fan, he was glad to share his perspective. Dr. Hoornstra was interviewed on the NPR program “On Point” about ER’s impact on the practice of emergency medicine. He was joined by Lisa Sanders, New York Times Magazine medical columnist and technical consultant for
the TV program, House. Dr. Hoornstra also appeared in a Newsday television column and wrote an Op-ed for the paper about why emergency physicians were mourning the loss. The doctor said, “ER has done more to educate Americans about emergency medical care and treatment than any other television show, and probably even more than magazines, newspapers and other media combined.” Our ER chief also noted that once the show took to the airwaves, “applications to emergency department residencies dramatically increased, allowing those programs to choose from the best medical school graduates.”
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Q&A New Advances in Cardiac Research Nathaniel Reichek, M.D., discusses the latest research developments at St. Francis.
F
or Nathaniel Reichek, M.D., Director of Research and Cardiac Imaging at St. Francis Hospital, these are exciting times. He and his research colleagues have entered a promising and productive period in their search to understand the nature of heart disease. Recently, they launched the first cardiac PET/CT program on Long Island, even as they continue work on important research studies and clinical trials in cardiac MRI, cardiac CT and 3-D echocardiography. Dr. Reichek, who is also a Professor of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, recently filled us in on new developments. Nathanial Reichek, M.D., Director of Research and Cardiac Imaging
Heartbeat: The Cardiac PET/CT program at St. Francis is officially up and running. Can you tell us about it? Dr. Reichek: Our program is one of only two such programs in the New York metropolitan area, serving a population of about 6 million people here on Long Island and in Queens and Brooklyn. We are also beginning to receive referrals from Manhattan. Our new PET scanner uses radioisotopes for imaging patients who have impaired blood supply to the heart. Using this imaging method, we can assess the viability of the heart muscle and determine whether a patient is likely to benefit from bypass surgery or angioplasty and stenting. PET/CT is also helpful for patients who are overweight, women whose symptoms have been difficult to diagnose, and patients who have had inconclusive noninvasive studies. Very few centers have scanners as advanced as ours in the nation. When it was installed the only others were at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Johns Hopkins. Heartbeat: St. Francis is collaborating with Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory on a promising research study. What is the status of the project? Dr. Reichek: We are very excited about this study. Dr. Jie (Jane) Cao, Clinical Director of CT and MRI and Bill Schapiro, our chief technician, are leading the research here at St. Francis. They began studying a transgenic mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy, a serious disease in which the heart muscle becomes weakened and doesn’t work properly. Cardiomyopathy in mice produces the same kind of heart failure
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and sudden death that humans may experience, so the team is using a very powerful magnet to perform cardiac MRI imaging to investigate the condition. A mouse’s heart beats 500 times a minute, which makes it challenging to image but with the right approach you can get really beautiful pictures. This is a long-term project, but hopefully the research will ultimately translate to improved treatment of cardiomyopathy in humans. This is a great collaboration. Brookhaven has the technology, the Stony Brook team created and has studied the mouse model with other methods and our team has the cardiac imaging expertise using MRI to permit optimal imaging and image interpretation. Heartbeat: The Research Department has also been working with Dr. Richard Shlofmitz, Director of Cardiology. Dr. Reichek: Yes, we have been assisting Dr. Shlofmitz with an expansion of research in other areas of cardiology besides the imaging program. This is mainly clinical trials. Dr. Shlofmitz is doing a number of studies on new stents. In particular, he is interested in looking at an area that has been a subject of controversy: the anti-clotting drug treatments that stent patients receive and how long they need to be continued. He has just begun a new research project that he originated called STOP (Safe Termination of Plavix) that focuses on the duration of anti-platelet therapy in stent patients. I believe it has great potential. He expects to complete it within the next year and a half.
3-D echo stress testing is the subject of research at St. Francis Hospital.
Heartbeat: You are also planning some new research on coronary blockages with Dr. Shlofmitz. Dr. Reichek: We are looking at a very novel way of potentially improving outcomes in patients undergoing stent treatment. It has been known for some time that people who have angina pains before having a heart attack tend to have less damage to their hearts than people who don’t have angina pains beforehand. It’s been experimentally proven that a temporary blockage of an artery before permanent blockage results in a smaller heart attack. It turns out that it may not have to be a coronary artery that is temporarily blocked – it can be an artery in the arm or leg, which somehow has remote effects of improving the circulation in the heart. Heartbeat: How can this benefit patients at St. Francis? Dr. Reichek: A paper published in Circulation in February of this year reported a randomized trial in which half the patients received three short interruptions of blood flow in an arm by blowing up a blood pressure cuff, keeping it pumped up for five minutes and then letting it down, just before having a stent implanted. The others had the cuff put on, but not blown up. It turns out that the patients who had the cuff blown up repeatedly did better, not only with fewer symptoms and ECG changes during the stenting, but during the six months after the stenting. This is really very interesting. So we are going to see if we can replicate these results. If we can, then this could be a very inexpensive and very simple way to benefit our patients.
Heartbeat: This has definitely been a busy year for you and the Research Department. Any other exciting news? Dr. Reichek: Dr. Cao has also developed a very interesting approach to looking at the function of the arteries of the lungs. Using a new MRI technique, she has been able to show that blood flow in the lungs of smokers does not respond normally to stimuli that should increase blood flow. Even if the smokers seem perfectly normal and don’t have lung disease and their hearts seem to be working fine – just the fact that they’re smokers alters the way the arteries in the lungs are working. She is also looking at this effect in patients with heart failure. Dr. Aasha Gopal, Director of Advanced Echo Technology, is continuing to pursue her work in 3-D echocardiography. She has recently been pursuing research on 3-D echo stress testing. We have also added 3-D echo in the operating rooms for our cardiac surgeons. Now we can do 3-D echo via the transesophageal approach during heart valve surgery to evaluate the valve that is going to be repaired or replaced and see how well a valve repair is working. These 3-D images provide the surgeons life-like pictures that help them to decide exactly what needs to be done to repair a valve. Dr. Newell Robinson, Director of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, has been particularly interested in this technology and has found it very helpful. It is another great example of how, at St. Francis, research, technology, and clinical expertise work hand-in-hand for the benefit of our patients.
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“It’s amazing – in three weeks I was back at the gym. Two weeks later, I was doing full sit-ups.” –Jackie Chall, Bellybutton Surgery Patient
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Cover Story
Surgery without Scars An innovative minimally invasive technique, made possible in new state-of-the-art ORs, brings new benefits to patients.
The bellybutton provides a natural orifice for scar-free surgery.
W
hen Jackie Chall first learned that she had to have her gallbladder removed, she thought she would be scarred for life. But after undergoing a new procedure at St. Francis Hospital, the physically fit 28-year-old who works for a New York City law firm, was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. She emerged scar-free, thanks to a minimally invasive, single incision laparoscopic procedure known as bellybutton surgery. “It’s amazing – in three weeks I was back at the gym. Two weeks
lifestyle. She originally was told her symptoms were from acid reflux, but
later, I was doing full sit-ups,” says Jackie. “By spring I was at the
after undergoing testing with Dr. Gecelter, she found out her gallbladder
beach in my favorite bikini. My fiancé looked at me and said ‘I can’t
was to blame. The self-described “foodie” says she initially thought
believe you had surgery.’”
about postponing the surgery, because she was afraid she couldn’t eat
Gary Gecelter, M.D., began performing the revolutionary new surgery – a St. Francis first – after becoming Director of Surgery. Since then, he and
her favorite dishes. But after getting assurances from Dr. Gecelter, Jackie decided to give bellybutton surgery a try.
his partner, Eugene Rubach, M.D., have performed the procedure on dozens of patients.
Fast Recoveries “I would definitely recommend it to other patients, and for Dr. Gecelter to
High Definition Imaging
do it,” says Jackie. “After suffering from gallstone attacks for three years, I
The St. Francis surgeons use a highly dexterous, hand-controlled laparo-
finally feel back to normal, but
scopic device to perform the procedure. It contains several ultra-thin flexi-
even better.”
ble tubes that carry a small camera and tiny cutting and clutching instru-
Says Dr. Gecelter, “The goal of
ments through a single, " inch incision hidden in the base of the
this procedure is to provide
patient’s bellybutton. The camera provides a high-definition image of the
patients with minimal incisions
surgical area so surgeons can get a precise picture, resulting in minimal
and quick recovery times with
damage to surrounding tissue. This innovative technology is not only
no visible reminders of the
being used for gallbladder surgery, but for colectomies and appendec-
surgery.” He credits this medical
tomies as well.
innovation with helping
“After healing, the incision is not visible and offers the most cosmeti-
surgeons perform complex sur-
cally ideal way of performing these procedures,” says Dr. Gecelter, who
geries with the best outcomes.
works closely with his patients on exploring the latest options that are available to them. Jackie Chall credits the surgery for helping her keep her active, healthy
Gary Gecelter, M.D., has brought bellybutton surgery to St. Francis.
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Heart Surgery’s
Experienced
Hand
As people live longer, the need for aortic valve surgery is growing Cardiothoracic surgeon, James Taylor, M.D.
What do comedian Robin Williams, former First Lady Barbara Bush, and former New York City Mayor Ed Koch all have in common?
I
n the past year, all three have had aortic valve replacement sur-
Clear Benefits, Demonstrated Success
gery, an increasingly common form of heart surgery. What is aortic
Dr. Taylor confirms that aortic valve surgery is on the rise and has been a
valve surgery and why are more people having this procedure?
growing share of his and most other heart surgeons’ caseload for the past
We recently spoke with James Taylor, M.D., a cardiothoracic surgeon at
10 years. The reasons are straightforward: “People are living longer,” says
St. Francis Hospital who was recently appointed Director of Thoracic Aortic
Dr. Taylor, and many tend to be in better physical condition in their later
Surgery. Dr. Taylor has been at St. Francis since 1991 and is one of the most
years. In previous decades, he says, “elderly patients were not usually
experienced heart surgeons in the United States. He was recently named
offered heart surgery as an option” because of the anticipated risks.
one of the Best Doctors in the metropolitan area by New York Magazine.
“Today we have demonstrated success in operating on older patients, with
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clear benefits for both enhancing and prolonging life.” Valve surgery is the most common form
AARP The Magazine Ranks St. Francis One of the Best Hospitals in the U.S.
of aortic surgery; other forms of aortic surgery can include the repair of aortic aneurysms, a dangerous weakening in the wall of the blood vessel. Aortic valve surgery is done alone and in combination with other procedures such as coronary artery bypass surgery. The aorta is the largest blood vessel, carrying oxygenated blood to all parts of the body. The aortic valve connects the aorta to the left ventricle or pumping chamber of the heart, and it helps to maintain the forward flow of blood out of the heart and into the body. While congenital abnormalities can necessitate valve replacement surgery, the most common reason for surgery is aortic stenosis, a condition where the valve becomes thick and narrowed as people age. This thickening and narrowing of the valve reduces the efficiency of the heart’s pumping action and affects the amount of oxygenated blood supplied to the body. Symptoms can range from shortness of breath and chest discomfort to fatigue, dizziness, or palpitations. Although many of Dr. Taylor’s patients are in their 80s, he also sees patients in their 50s and 60s. It is not unheard of for a teenager to need the surgery to correct a congenital abnormality of the valve. Aortic valve problems are usually confirmed with a simple test, an echocardiogram that assesses heart function. A Focus on Improving Quality of Life The most common treatment option is open-heart surgery to replace the damaged valve with a mechanical valve or a biological one made from human or animal tissue. Younger patients are more likely to get a mechanical valve because they last longer, although they require the patient to be on blood thinners for the rest of their lives to reduce the risk of clots. Patients with biological valves commonly take blood thinners for three months at most, but biological valves do not last as long as mechanical valves. Dr. Taylor says that a typical patient will be 60 to 70 percent recovered in six weeks, with full recovery in 10 to 12 weeks, although he cautions that it can be 8 to 12 months before a patient can feel 100 percent recovered. Now that the success and safety of aortic valve surgery have been proven, heart surgeons like Dr. Taylor are focusing on improving patients’ quality of life, specifically on improving recovery times and patient comfort. As is happening in other surgical specialties, heart surgeons are exploring new minimally invasive techniques to treat patients, often aided by hightech tools. For example, Newell Robinson, M.D., the Director of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at St. Francis Hospital, and his colleague, heart surgeon Harold Fernandez, M.D., are exploring the use of the da Vinci robotic surgical system for minimally invasive mitral valve surgery. Dr. Taylor and Dr. Fernandez are also pioneering a new minimally invasive technique for replacing damaged aortas. The heart surgeons work as a team with vascular surgeons and perform the procedure through small incisions without having to stop the patient’s heart and placing him or her on a heart-lung machine. According to Dr. Taylor, this is the wave of the future. And it is happening today at St. Francis. “What’s unique about St. Francis is the way the physicians, the nurses, the administration and staff all work together as a team,” says Dr. Taylor. “What’s exciting for me is that we are all
St. Francis Hospital was the only hospital on Long Island and one of only four hospitals in the New York metro area to be rated as one of the nation’s best hospitals in a report published in the May/June issue of AARP The Magazine. The publication bills itself as the world’s largest-circulation magazine with more than 34 million readers and the definitive voice for Americans aged 50 and older. The new study was conducted for AARP by Consumers’ Checkbook, a nonprofit research organization. The three other hospitals in the region that were recognized in the report are New YorkPresbyterian/Columbia, New YorkPresbyterian/Weill Cornell and NYU Langone Medical Center. “This latest recognition is yet another affirmation of the outstanding medical care patients can expect at St. Francis and the world-class excellence of our staff,” said Alan D. Guerci, M.D., President and CEO. “We are pleased to be acknowledged in a magazine that millions of Americans rely on for important information.” The nonprofit watchdog group ranked hospitals based on five measures. St. Francis surpassed its regional counterparts on three of those measures: patient satisfaction, proper tests and procedures, and rate of complications. An interactive map of the top hospitals can be found on the AARP magazine’s website (www.aarpmagazine.org/health).
driven by the desire to achieve the best possible outcomes for our patients.” St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center ®
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Heartbeat
Giving Back Meet the Catells
A Garden for Healing great work that St. Francis was doing in the field,” says Bob. The couple started off supporting the annual gala at St. Francis. But then after hearing that the Hospital was about to embark on construction of a new patient care pavilion, the couple decided to become even more involved. “We felt it would be appropriate and helpful if we played a bigger role in the construction and I spoke to Dr. Guerci about it,” Bob remembers. “So we came out to the campus for a visit and were so impressed with what was going on with the new wing that we just had to be a part of it.” Bob admits that he and Joan tend to be more of a behind-the-scenes couple. “We usually try to do things quietly. But my wife is a gardener, so when St. Francis suggested a garden, it just connected for us.” Another reason why the garden is so important to the Catells is that it will serve as a place where family “We are very proud to be part of the SFH family.” members can have a little peace and quiet while their loved one is in the Hospital. “It seemed like the appropriate place for us Robert Catell, retired chairman of National Grid, U.S., and forto be associated with,” Joan says.
mer CEO and Chairman of KeySpan, has always been passionate about
The garden is scheduled to be completed in the fall. But in the mean-
medicine and research. So it only seemed fitting for him and his wife, Joan, to begin contributing to a hospital. Fortunately, the Catells chose St.
time, the Catells are enjoying the new scenery on campus. They are very
Francis, and they have been contributing to the Hospital since 1998. In
impressed with the DeMatteis Pavilion and the other renovations. “The
fact, St. Francis is naming a garden, located between the new DeMatteis
Hospital is beautiful,” Joan says. Bob agrees. “Obviously, when you come to a hospital it can be stress-
Pavilion and the original hospital entrance, after the couple. The Catells’ relationship with St. Francis started after Joan’s mother
ful. You either come for yourself or for your loved one, but I think St.
had surgery at the Hospital over 15 years ago. That’s when the couple
Francis is trying to make it very patient friendly. Also, the Hospital has a
became familiar with St. Francis and its reputation in the community.
great reputation. It’s known as a heart center, but they do so many other
“I was also friendly with a number of people who served on the board
things too. It’s definitely one of the finest medical institutions anywhere.
and who spoke very highly of the Hospital, so I got to know all the
We are very proud to be a part of the SFH family.”
The Young and the Helpful Earlier this spring, the Young Hearts for St. Francis Hospital was established to
young members of the community to gather, get to know each other, and dis-
bring together an active group of women and men in the community with youth
cuss how they can make a difference at St. Francis.
and health in mind. Designed for socializing and networking, the organization also tries to keep
Y O U N G
members connected to all of the latest develop-
YH
f o r S t. F r a n c i s H o s p i t a l
ments in healthcare at St. Francis. On April 30, 2009, the Young Hearts held its first event, a dessert and cocktail reception at the DeMatteis Center in Greenvale. It was a great opportunity for
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HEARTS
Upcoming events, such as hospital tours, wine and cheese receptions and basic CPR classes, will help to promote a social environment while support-
ing the efforts of the Hospital. For more information on the Young Hearts or to participate on a planning committee, call (516) 330-5592 or e-mail younghearts@chsli.org.
Giving Back
Meet Isabelle Whelan
Volunteering at St. Francis Is Her Midweek Mission Wednesdays are never filled with woe for Isabelle Whelan. They’re a day of grace. The veteran volunteer recently celebrated 35 years of volunteering her services at St. Francis Hospital, logging in more than 5,000 hours. Mrs. Whelan, the wife of retired St. Francis Chief of General Surgery Joseph Whelan, M.D., said she first decided to volunteer, based on her husband’s schedule. “He was a doctor and the doctors he knew at that time used to play golf every Wednesday, so I decided to find a productive use for my time,” said Whelan.
she gets a lot physically and mentally from volunteering. “It keeps me
A Tribute: Nancy Munson 1936 – 2009
going,” says Whelan. “I’ve had such a good life, and just want to give
The St. Francis Hospital family mourns the loss of Nancy Munson,
something back.”
founding Chair of the Sr. Jean M. Pignone Legacy Society, following a
Since then she’s been volunteering in the Hospital’s Emergency Room every Wednesday. She says she only takes time off in the summer, “when the candy stripers come in.” The mother of two and grandmother of three from Manhasset says
Whelan says she does a little bit of everything in the ER – getting pillows and blankets for
tragic accident in May. Nancy’s connection with St. Francis extends as far back as the
patients, and chatting with
institution itself. In the 1920s, a relative donated to the Sisters of
them while trying to keep
the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary the property that would eventu-
them calm. “The nurses
ally become the Hospital’s main campus on Port Washington
are so busy, so I try to
Boulevard.
help out the best way I can,” says Whelan. The energetic volunteer
She is remembered as a dear friend who touched the lives of many with her generosity and thoughtfulness. Throughout her lifetime, Nancy befriended neighbors, colleagues and others in the
says giving to others helps
community, indulging them with as much concern and kindness as
her keep a bright outlook
she did her own parents, brother, and his family.
on life. “I can’t afford to
There is no question that Nancy lived what she preached. For
feel down, because I’m
decades she had her own significant planned gifts for St. Francis in
trying to keep others up,”
her estate. Because of this tragedy, her deep generosity will be real-
says Whelan, who was
ized and suitably memorialized by the Hospital.
honored at this year’s Volunteer Luncheon. Isabelle Whelan credits her husband Dr. Joseph Whelan with motivating her to be a volunteer.
Arlene and John McGrotty, also generous members of the Sr. Jean M. Pignone Legacy Society, will carry on for Nancy as co-chairs of the Society. Arlene and John’s enthusiasm will surely inspire other friends to make giving back to St. Francis a priority.
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Campaigning for Excellence
Vital Signs St. Francis Offers Cool New Way of Saving Lives
Now more than ever, St. Francis Hospital is fortunate to have the support of friends who recognize just how important it is to continue investing in the latest technology and upgrading clinical facilities, despite the challenging economic times. Reaching the $59 million mark in August was an especially meaningful milestone of The Capital Campaign for St. Francis Hospital. The generosity of many grateful patients and other members of the community continues to drive the success of a Master Facilities Plan that is transforming St. Francis Hospital with:
St. Francis was one of the first hospitals on Long Island to adopt a new cooling technique that can revive unconscious patients who have suffered cardiac arrest and restore their normal brain activity. The lifesaving concept, called therapeutic hypothermia, lowers a patient’s body temperature 8 degrees below normal. It relies on a special suit containing cooling water that wraps around a person’s legs, arms and chest. The goal is to reduce loss of oxygen to the brain by lowering the body’s metabolism for 24 hours, thereby protecting it and other vital organs. Statistics show that as many as one in five patients may benefit significantly by using this relatively new technique that is designed to help reduce trauma to the brain following a cardiac arrest. “Since we are the only specialty-designated heart center in New York State, St. Francis treats one of the highest volumes of cardiac arrests in the region,” said Jack Soterakis, M.D., V.P. of Medical Affairs.
• a renovated Emergency Department, which will double in size
by mid-2011 • a new staging and recovery unit for cardiac catheterization patients, and the addition of a seventh cardiac catheterization lab • renovated semi-private and private rooms in The Heart Center which will be on par with those in the new Nancy & Frederick DeMatteis Pavilion, completed in Phase I of the project • upgrades to the cardiothoracic operating rooms that will provide high-definition capabilities comparable to the 14 new ORs that opened last summer in the DeMatteis Pavilion As the campaign moves toward a goal Raised: $59 million Remaining: $11 million of $70 million to com206 Total Gifts plete these Phase II 103 Major Gifts ($100,000+) projects, additional Naming Opportunities Reserved Recently naming opportunities Privacy Glass in the Emergency Department have become available. PET/CT Suite Patient Room in the Emergency Department The Brick Campaign, Central Nursing Station which provides giving Patient Room in The Heart Center opportunities in the form of inscribed commemorative bricks that will line pathways in front of the hospital, also continues with the first set of bricks to be installed in September.
Goal:
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Director of Emergency Medicine Mark Hoornstra, M.D. (third from right), demonstrates cool new cardiac therapy with his highly trained ER team.
“Having access to this new technique will help us further improve our patients’ recovery rates.” “I am very excited that, after years of limited options for these patients, we now have a new therapy with a proven benefit,” said Mark Hoornstra, M.D., Director of the Emergency Department at St. Francis.
The Women’s Center of St. Francis Hospital... where setting up a test is quick and convenient and you usually receive same-day results. For more information, call: (516) 629-2400.
Mission of Mercy
I
n February 2009, Vinni Jayam, M.D., an electrophysiologist in the Arrhythmia Center at St. Francis Hospital, took a seven-day trip to India to operate and implant pacemakers and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices for people who otherwise did not have access to and were not able to afford the procedures. With the support of Catholic Health Services of Long Island, St. Francis Hospital and St. Jude Medical, Dr. Jayam was able to care for several patients in two different hospitals, Yashoda Hospital in Hyderabad and Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) in Tirupati, both in South India. “We performed several pacemaker implantations on patients who were at risk of imminent death and had neither the knowledge to understand nor the resources to mitigate their plight,” says Dr. Jayam. He performed the first CRT implantations at both hospitals in addition to training several physicians in the area and conducting electrophysiology workshops and lectures. All of this was done without charging the patients or hospitals anything. While there, several Indian and American media outlets covered his mission of mercy, and people from neighboring cities traveled to Hyderabad and Tirupati for consultations. “I came from a small city in India and had the good fortune of coming to this country to pursue a career at one of the best institutions in the world, Johns Hopkins University. I knew it was time for
me to give back. So going to India was about giving back to the place and the people who made me what I am today,” he says. “The endeavor was physically and technically challenging. But seeing the light in the eyes of those patients whose lives were changed was immensely gratifying.” Dr. Jayam sees his recent trip as just a beginning. He plans on going back to India very soon and was delighted to recently receive an invitation from Antigua for the same type of charity work. He says that if it weren’t for the support of CHS and his St. Francis Arrhythmia Center colleagues Joseph Levine, M.D., David Hoch, M.D., Stuart Schechter, M.D., and Steven Greenberg, M.D., the mission to India would not have been possible. “I think it’s important for physicians to give back,” says Dr. Jayam. “We as doctors come to the profession with the idea of helping others and serving the needy. Service is the best way of honoring our profession. That is one reason why I am personally gratified about the entire experience.”
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Vital Signs Spinal Cord Stimulators for Treating Chronic Pain
Dr. Daniel Sajewski (above), Director of the Hospital’s Pain Management Program, recommended that Kevin Boris (left), receive spinal stimulation therapy from Dr. Patrick Annello–much to Kevin’s relief.
For the past 6 years, Kevin Boris of Sea Cliff had lived with constant pain in the right side of his chest. “It felt like I was having a massive heart attack, but no one was able to figure out the source of the pain,” says the computer engineer who had to quit his job because of the debilitating condition. But now, after undergoing numerous tests procedures, including MRIs, CT Scans, spinal taps, nerve blocks and epidurals, Kevin finally has relief – thanks to an implanted spinal cord stimulator that has offered him an alternative to taking prescription pain killers around the clock. “I was starting to get liver and kidney damage from all the medications I was taking, but this has given me back my life,” says Kevin who was unable to take a deep breath and suffered two collapsed lungs before deciding to undergo the procedure. Patrick Annello, M.D., a board certified anesthesiologist with expertise in using the device, recently offered it for the first time at St. Francis, and Kevin, a patient of Daniel Sajewski, M.D., Director of the Hospital’s Pain Management Program, willingly volunteered. “We are always looking to evaluate and adopt state-of-the-art pain management techniques, and this technology is especially promising,” says Dr. Sajewski, who thought his patient would be an ideal candidate. “As soon as we put in the trial lead, his pain disappeared,” says Dr. Annello. A spinal cord stimulator, also known as a dorsal column stimulator, is implanted below the skin with a lead that connects to the spinal column. An electric impulse generated by the device produces a tingling sensation that alters the brain’s perception of pain. The patient controls the impulses through a remote controlled hand-held device. When he or she feels pain, relief is just a finger tip away. Dr. Annello has been working with Lawrence Durban, M.D., a leading St. Francis cardiothoracic surgeon
Carotid Stenting Could Be One Step Closer to Becoming the Mainstay for Treating Carotid Artery Blockages Although carotid stenting was approved by the FDA for use in high surgical risk patients in 2004, carotid stenting could ultimately became the primary treatment for carotid artery disease based on the soon-tobe released findings of two nationwide studies in which St. Francis Hospital has been a participant. The Act 1 and Crest Trials are looking into whether the minimally invasive procedure may be a good alternative to surgery for low risk patients as well. George Petrossian, M.D., Director of Interventional Cardiology at St. Francis and the Hospital’s expert in carotid stenting, expects the findings to reflect what he has believed for some time – that carotid stenting is a reasonable option for most patients with carotid artery blockages. “It’s taken a long time to get to this point,” says Dr. Petrossian, who has treated 300 patients with carotid stents since 2005, with a nearly perfect success rate. “I believe stenting is as good or better than surgery for patients with carotid artery disease.” Under the current FDA guidelines, carotid stents can be used for patients who are at high risk of complications from surgery, such as patients who have had previous carotid surgery or a total blockage in one of their two carotid arteries. Other risk factors include a medical history of cardiomyopathy, heart failure and pulmonary problems. Dr. Petrossian says stenting, a catheter-based procedure, avoids the risk of patients having to undergo general anesthesia. It also reduces the risk of scarring and permanent damage to the facial nerves. The results of both nationwide studies are expected to be released within a year.
who is an expert in implanting devices such as pacemakers. A trial lead is tested and monitored for a few days so the patient can evaluate the therapeutic effects. Once a satisfactory level is reached, the patient undergoes surgery under local anesthesia to have the device implanted. Though spinal stimulation therapy has been available since the sixties, Dr. Annello, who completed his clinical training at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, The Hospital for Special Surgery and New York PresbyterianCornell, says the most significant advances have been made in the last ten years. “Our hope is to bring this latest technology to patients as a non-pharmacological way of treating pain,” says Dr. Annello. In addition to treating chronic back and chest pain, the doctor says it can also be used to treat pain associated with angina and peripheral vascular disease. Kevin Boris can attest to the benefits. “Dr. Annello saved my life,” he says. “I got to the point where my body was starting to reject the medications. I was unable to drive because of the side effects of all of painkillers I was taking. But now I feel wonderful. I can start living my life again.”
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St. Francis cardiologist, George Petrossian, M.D., is considered a leading expert in carotid stenting and has successfully performed the procedure on hundreds of patients.
St. Francis Photo Album
The Lucky 13 Friday, February 13th turned out to be a lucky day for 13 fortunate heart patients. They were reunited with the 13 doctors who saved them at a pre-Valentine’s Day “Beat the Odds Brunch” at St. Francis Hospital. The event was designed to raise awareness about cardiac disease during Heart Month.
His Saving Grace After developing
A Heartfelt Reunion More than three decades after receiving lifesaving, open-heart surgery at St. Francis at the age of 12, Gift of Life patient Robinah Nakabuye of Uganda is reunited with two of her favorite physicians – Filippo Balboni, M.D. (r.), the Pediatric Cardiologist who originally diagnosed her condition, and Steven Greenberg, M.D., her current cardiologist.
rheumatic fever at the age of 7, Charles Greiner was in and out of several hospitals, without much improvement. But in 1955, at the age of 12, he was admitted to St. Francis, where his health improved dramatically thanks to the doctors, nuns and nurses who treated him. Today, at 67, Charles, a construction cost analyst, is happy and very healthy. “St. Francis saved my life. Beyond their extraordinary medical care, they provided warm, loving care, day after day,” Charles says. “Not for one moment in the 11 months that I was there did I feel unloved or unimportant in any way. How many places could provide that?”
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St. Francis Late Breaking News A Perspective on the Flu Outbreak Two St. Francis physicians have been tapped for their insight on the recent swine flu outbreak. Chief of Infectious Diseases Alan Bulbin, M.D., appeared on FOX TV’s public affairs program “Street Talk” focusing on back-to-school precautions. In addition, Associate Medical Director
Reaching Out to Others When They Need It Most Louise Spadaro, M.D. (right), Director of the Cardiac Outreach Program, and her dedicated team launch the maiden voyage of the Hospital’s new outreach van. The mobile unit will be going to underserved communities once a week to give uninsured patients much needed cardiac, blood pressure and diabetic screenings.
Upcoming Community Health Events at the DeMatteis Center in Greenvale Special Program
Date/Time
Call for More Information
Free Prostate Screening
Wed., September 23 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
(516) 629-2038
Annual Women’s Wellness Seminar
Thurs., October 1 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
(516) 629-2038
Louis Acompora Day for AED Training
Thurs., October 29 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
(516) 629-2036
Coping with Chronic Pulmonary Illness
Mon., November 2 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
(516) 629-2040
Diabetes: Stepping Toward Control
Fri., November 20 (516) 629-2045 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
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and infectious diseases expert Marvin Tenenbaum, M.D, was featured by The New York Times in an Alan Bulbin, M.D. article about the media impact on the outbreak. “It’s a fine line between educating the public and frightening them,” Dr. Tenenbaum Marvin Tenenbaum, M.D. told the Times earlier this year at the beginning of the outbreak. It felt like a case of déjà vu for Dr. Tenenbaum, who was in the U.S. Public Health Service during an earlier epidemic that began in 1976 after a group of soldiers stationed at Fort Dix, N.J. became sick with a strain of influenza that infects pigs. Dr. Tenenbaum told Crain’s Health Pulse that he initially had reservations about a crash program to develop a vaccine to protect the public against the current flu. The doctor, who was put in charge of a regional vaccination program in Connecticut during the Fort Dix outbreak, said researchers did not have sufficient time to fully assess the safety of the vaccine and some patients who were vaccinated became paralyzed with Guillain-Barre syndrome. As it turned out, what researchers first thought was a pandemic never developed into a health threat.
Staff News St. Francis Introduces First Cardiac PET/CT Program on Long Island
Staff Appointments
Doctors at St. Francis have a new high-tech device to assess whether a person should have bypass surgery. The Hospital is now offering a 64-slice multi-detector PET (positron emission tomography) CT scanner, a nuclear medicine technology that relies on radioisotopes to detect if a person has impaired blood supply to the heart. “Because some patients’ hearts are weak, we are not sure if they should have bypass surgery,” says Nathaniel Reichek, M.D., Director of Research. “PET testing can show how much heart muscle can potentially benefit from bypass surgery and help determine whether it is worth taking the risk of heart surgery.” The only Hospital-based program of its kind on Long Island relies on a nationally recognized team of physicians who have years of experience in diagnosing patients using the PET modality. “I was excited to join the St. Francis team because of the prospect of bringing this new technology to the patients here,” says Andrew Van Tosh, M.D., FACC, Clinical Director of Nuclear Cardiology. “It will be a tremendous benefit to all of the communities we serve.” Patients who can benefit from PET also include people preparing for bariatric surgery, diabetic patients, and female patients whose symptoms have been difficult to diagnose. PET Provides Even More Benefits In addition, the state-of-art scanner is being using to evaluate the extent of cancers. By injecting patients with radioactive glucose, doctors can get a clear picture of metabolic activity in the body and to determine the stage of the cancer. Plus, PET can be used in detecting forms of dementia to see if a person has Alzheimer’s disease. Because there is a change in the metabolic pattern of the brain that is typical of Alzheimer’s, the PET is able to detect the abnormality in metabolic activity. “This is very valuable in the early stages, when you’re not sure if the patient really has the disease. Now this can help you decide if it is in fact Alzheimer’s,” says Kenneth Goodman, M.D., Director of Radiology. “And if you can begin treatment at an early stage, then it’s a huge benefit.”
Anthony Pellicano, has been appointed Vice President for Human Resources for St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn and Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre. Mr. Pellicano was formerly Vice President of Human Resources at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, NJ, where his accomplishments ranged from developing a leadership academy to implementing a Human Resources information system. Marvin Tenenbaum, M.D., has been appointed Associate Medical Director at St. Francis Hospital. He will continue to serve as Director of Medicine. In light of his expanded responsibilities at St. Francis Hospital, he has retired from his clinical practice in infectious disease. Dr. Tenenbaum previously served as Chief of Infectious Diseases at the Hospital for 13 years. Richard Johnson, M.D., has been named Chief of Neurosurgery at St. Francis Hospital. Dr. Johnson has been on staff in the division of Neurosurgery since 2005. He is the former Chief of Neurosurgery at the St. Vincent's Catholic Medical Center of Brooklyn/Queens and St. Johns Queens Hospital. He has a general neurosurgical practice and is fellowship trained in minimally invasive spinal procedures as well as spinal reconstruction and instrumentation.
Diagnostic Imaging at St. Francis St. Francis Hospital has all of the major state-ofthe-art diagnostic imaging modalities for both cardiac and noncardiac screening. We also have unparalleled expertise in interpreting the results. Whether it is CT, PET, MRI, echocardiography, or breast imaging, you can find it at St. Francis. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (516) 705-6627. Nathaniel Reichek, M.D. (center), with the cardiac research team and the new PET/CT scanner. St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center ®
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St. Francis Hospital The Heart Center 速
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100 Port Washington Boulevard Roslyn, New York 11576 www.stfrancisheartcenter.com
2009 MarkYourCalendar
St. Francis Hospital Events for 2009
October 6
Fall Recognition Luncheon at the Milleridge Inn in Jericho Join the Guild of St. Francis in honoring Rita Castagna.
November 21
The Challenge Gala at RXR Plaza in Uniondale Fine dining and dancing will be featured at this annual fundraising event for St. Francis Hospital.
For more information or tickets, call (516) 705-6655