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Heartbeat The Magazine of St. Francis Hospital The Heart Center®
A New Era at St. Francis The Hospital will be opening the doors to a transformed facility
Plus:
• U.S. News Ranks St. Francis Among the Best • Heart Stents 101 • New Help for Sinusitis Sufferers
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From the
President
In this Issue
A New Chapter Welcome to Heartbeat, the magazine of St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center. As some of you may note, we are taking our name from a newsletter the Hospital published some years ago. Today, we have decided to give Heartbeat a new look to signal exciting changes at the Hospital. We are proud of the fact that in the past year the tradition of excellence at St. Francis Hospital has been recognized in so many quarters. In our own backyard, readers of Long Island Business News named us the best hospital on Long Island; in the metropolitan area, New York Magazine ranked us the best hospital for cardiac care on Long Island; and U.S. News & World Report ranked St. Francis one of the best hospitals in America for heart and heart surgery, digestive disorders, geriatrics, and ear, nose and throat disorders. In addition, St. Francis earned the prestigious Magnet designation for excellence in nursing services, an honor achieved by only 5 percent of the nation’s hospitals. And most recently, we were rated one of the best companies to work for in New York State by the Society for Human Resource Management. Perhaps most important is how our patients and their families rate the care they receive at our Hospital. St. Francis has consistently earned near-perfect patient satisfaction ratings on the authoritative Press Ganey survey. In fact, 99 percent of our patients say they would recommend the Hospital to a family member or friend. All this good news comes at a time when the Hospital is about to begin a new chapter in its history. Our patient care building, the DeMatteis Pavilion, will open this summer, expanding our clinical space by 40 percent. After 15 years of operating at over 100 percent of capacity, St. Francis will not only be positioned to meet the increased demand for its care and services, but it will have a state-of-the-art facility to house our first-class cardiac and non-cardiac programs. So look for Heartbeat to bring you news and information about all of the recent developments and trends at St. Francis Hospital and the broader world of medicine and health.
From the President 2 In the News U.S. News Ranking 3 The Mysterious Human Heart 3 St. Francis Late Breaking News 3 Doctors Save 19-Month-Old Haitian Orphan 4 St. Francis Voted Best Hospital 4 Harold Fernandez, M.D., Hailed as Superhero 4
Features Making Sense of Stents 5 Richard A. Shlofmitz, M.D., answers important questions about stents Cover Story
A New Era at St. Francis 6 page 5
The Hospital will be opening the doors to a transformed facility
Beyond the Heart 9 St. Francis Hospital’s Expanding Strengths in Non-Cardiac Care
Bypassing Heart Surgery 10 page 6
St. Francis is investigating a minimally invasive device to repair a leaky heart valve
Giving Back More than a Donor 12 Campaigning for Excellence 12 Then a Patient, Now a Volunteer 13 Planned Giving 13 page 10
Vital Signs Sinusitis Suffers Breathe Easier 14 St. Francis Launches Redesigned Website 14 Exploring Robotic Heart Surgery 14 Stroke Center Off to Strong Start 15 Healing Therapy for Heart Failure 15 Staff News 15
Best wishes,
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 © 2008. 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
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In the News U.S. News & World Report Ranks St. Francis as One of the Nation’s Best Hospitals
St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best hospitals in the nation in the magazine’s prestigious annual
Joseph Levine, M.D., Appears on PBS Series “The Mysterious Human Heart” Joseph Levine, M.D., Chief of Electrophysiology at St. Francis Hospital, appeared in the national broadcast of The Mysterious Human Heart, aired on PBS.The arrhythmia expert was featured in episode two, The Spark of Life, which focused on the electrical mechanisms that keep a heart beating regularly and efficiently, and what happens when this most essential rhythm of life goes awry. Three of Dr. Levine’s patients, the Oill brothers, were highlighted in the segment. Christopher, Matthew and Kevin (below) have all been diagnosed with a disorder of the heart’s electrical system known as long QT syndrome.The genetic predisposition causes fast, irregular heartbeats that may lead to fainting or, in some cases, cardiac arrest and possible sudden death.Through careful monitoring by Dr. Levine, using the latest technology at St. Francis Hospital’s Arrhythmia Center, the boys are able to lead active lives.
ranking of medical institutions. In addition to being honored for its leadership in cardiac care, the Hospital was also ranked among the top hospitals in the nation for digestive disorders, geriatrics, and ear, nose and throat disorders. According to U.S. News, its annual assessment is intended to “help patients find the best hospital when the need is great” understanding that “when confronted with a difficult or complex condition, selecting a hospital with a solid record could be nothing less than lifesaving.” “This honor confirms our position as a leading heart center and highlights our expanding strengths in non-cardiac care,” said Alan D. Guerci, M.D., President and CEO of St. Francis Hospital.
Back in action: Matthew, Kevin and Christopher Oill with their mother, Lynn.
St. Francis Late Breaking News Is Your Heart Not Nifty at Fifty?
Of more than 5,400 hospitals that were
A landmark St. Francis study shows that hearts begin shrinking and blood pressure goes up
surveyed, St. Francis was one of only 173
at the mid-century mark. Visit www.stfrancisheartcenter.com and go to Latest News to learn
medical centers to be honored. Its top
more about this study.
national ranking in four specialties was
A Great Place to Work
more than all other hospitals on Long Island combined.
St. Francis Hospital is selected one of the best places to work in New York State. Go to to Latest News at www.stfrancisheartcenter.com for more on this special recognition.
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In the News St. Francis Doctors Save 19Month-Old Haitian Orphan A baby with a potentially fatal heart condition who was left abandoned on the steps of a church in (From l. to r.) Sean Levchuck, M.D., Elizabeth White, R.N., Baby Patricia, and Lionel Barrau, M.D. Haiti has been give a new lease on life thanks to two St. Francis physicians.The little girl, known only as Patricia because she has no last name, received the best holiday gift she could get after being discovered by one of our doctors and receiving a state-of-the-art procedure from the other. “This is what I live for, to help children like Patricia,” said Sean Levchuck, M.D., Director of Pediatric Cardiology. Using a balloon catheter inserted through the child’s leg Dr. Levchuck was able to treat Patricia’s faulty heart valve, just days before Christmas, giving her new hope for the New Year. Lionel Barrau, M.D., Chief of Nephrology, initially found the child in a Haitian orphanage during a trip to his homeland.After examining her, he realized that Patricia suffered from pulmonary valve stenosis, an abnormality that impedes the flow of blood to the lungs. With help from the Mercy and Sharing Foundation, a Colorado-based organization that operates two orphanages in Haiti for terminally ill children, and the Nicholas J. Vizza Memorial Fund for Pediatrics, Patricia was able to get medical care here. The story received widespread media coverage with hopes that Patricia would be adopted. For more information, call (970) 925-1492 or log on to www.HaitiChildren.com.
Did You Know?
When it comes to cardiac specialties, St. Francis has more doctors on New York Magazine’s “Best Doctors” list than any other hospital on Long Island. St. Francis is also the top ranked hospital for cardiac care on Long Island, according to the magazine’s “Best Hospitals” issue. The list was the result of a survey that polled over 30,000 New York area physicians.
Harold Fernandez, M.D., Hailed as Hispanic Super Hero by Discovery en Espanol St. Francis Voted Best Hospital on Long Island St. Francis Hospital was rated Best Hospital in the “2007 Best of Long Island Business” survey in Long Island Business News. Readers were asked to cast their votes in dozens of different categories, and St. Francis ranked No. 1 among all hospitals on Long Island.
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The amazing immigration story of Harold Fernandez, M.D., a cardiac surgeon at St. Francis Hospital, has captured nationwide media attention not only on networks such as CNN and Univision, but also Discovery en Espanol. The channel was so impressed by the doctor’s story of being smuggled from Columbia as a boy to becoming a Harvard-educated M.D., it chose him as the model for one of four cartoon super heroes to provide inspiration for young people during Hispanic Heritage Month.
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Q&A Making Sense of Stents Richard A. Shlofmitz, M.D., answers six important questions about stents
Cardiac stents are one of the most important advances in the treatment of heart disease. First introduced in the 1980s, today more than 2 million stents are placed in patients annually to open blockages in their coronary arteries. Recently, there has been discussion in the news about the effectiveness of stents, particularly the latest models called drug-eluting stents. To shed light on these questions and to explain how stents work, we turned to Richard A. Shlofmitz, M.D., Chief of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at St. Francis Hospital. Consistently named one of the New York Magazine’s “Best Doctors,” here’s what the renowned physician told us about stents. Richard A. Shlofmitz, M.D.
Heartbeat: What is a stent? Dr. Shlofmitz: A stent is a small, thin metal cylinder that looks like a spring on a pen. Its purpose is to assist in opening a blocked artery. If there’s a blockage, sometimes it can be treated with medication, but if medication is not safe to treat the patient and will increase their chances of having a heart attack, the artery needs to be opened. A patient has two options. We can perform a coronary artery bypass operation or an angioplasty with a stent. This is a procedure where, with the patient awake, you go in through a small opening in an artery and thread a small catheter up into the heart and open the blocked artery. Years ago, we used a balloon to open the artery, but it wasn’t successful. With the advent of stents, we can open blocked arteries with long-term success. Heartbeat: What’s the difference between a bare-metal stent and a drug-coated stent? Dr. Shlofmitz: Bare-metal stents can cause scar tissue to build up, which is called restenosis. When you use a bare-metal stent, the restenosis rate could be as high as 40 percent, meaning that four out of 10 people would have a blockage return in six months. Researchers found that scar tissue was forming from a cell called a fibroblast. New stents were developed that contained medications that prevented the growth of fibroblasts. When we started using these stents, called drug-eluting or drug-coated stents, the restenosis rate went from 40 percent to under 5 percent. Now, we’re primarily using drug-coated stents because the chance of the blockage returning is very small. Heartbeat: Then who is still getting bare-metal stents? Dr. Shlofmitz: There are certain instances where people need bare-metal stents. Patients who get drug-coated stents need to take Plavix, a blood thinner, for a longer period of time than those who have bare-metal stents. So if a patient was going to have surgery and needed to stop the use of a blood thinner in a short period of time, you might use a bare-metal stent. However, in most cases, the drug-coated stent is the best treatment for a
blocked artery for somebody who needs to have angioplasty. Heartbeat: Drug-coated stents have been in the news a lot lately. What’s behind the debate? Dr. Shlofmitz: There is little debate among doctors, and a lot of confusion in press accounts. In the past two years, there were several studies that called into question the safety and effectiveness of drug-coated stents. These studies received a great deal of media attention. However, recently the limitations of those studies have become apparent, and newer more powerful studies have been released that confirm what most practicing cardiologists know — that drug-coated stents are extremely safe and effective. Heartbeat: So patients shouldn’t worry about drug-coated stents at all? Dr. Shlofmitz: Drug-coated stents have revolutionized the treatment in coronary artery disease. Not only do they decrease the restenosis rate, but the need for open-heart surgery has dropped dramatically. Before, I wouldn’t have inserted a stent in a patient who had a long blockage in a small vessel because with a bare-metal stent, I would have known that the patient would have a 60 to 70 percent chance of the blockage returning. For that patient, I would have recommended surgery. But now with drug-coated stents, the blockage doesn’t come back. Plus, with an angioplasty and stent placement, you’re usually home the next day as opposed to the higher risks and longer recovery time of open-heart surgery. Heartbeat: What’s the future of stents? Dr. Shlofmitz: Scientists are in the process of developing a special stent for patients who have bifurcating lesions, which is a blockage in both branches of the artery. Those patients usually don’t do well with stents, and we sometimes have to send them for surgery. And then there are dissolvable stents. Because patients with drug-coated stents need to take Plavix, a stent that gradually dissolves over time would allow patients to stop taking blood thinners. There is one thing you can count on, if there is an exciting new development in technology or treatment in the coming years, you'll find it at St. Francis. Spring 2008
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Sparks flying: The new state-of-the-art DeMatteis Pavilion will have 184 patient beds.
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Cover Story
A New Era at St. Francis St. Francis Hospital will be opening the doors to a transformed facility
Drive up to 100 Port Washington Boulevard today, and the signs of change are everywhere. With six months to go on a three-year, $190 million expansion project, St. Francis Hospital is taking on a new look. Workers are putting the finishing touches on the interior spaces of the new facilities and preparing them for the delivery and installation of the latest medical and surgical technology. Teams of physicians and nurses are making final occupancy plans and are deciding on the deployment of resources. Soon the empty hallways and rooms will be alive with activity, where patients will receive life-saving treatments and the future of cardiovascular medicine and a range of other specialties will be shaped.
T
oday, however, one of the first things you are likely to notice is the parking. The first part of the expansion project, a convenient new multilevel underground parking garage with direct elevator access inside the Hospital lobby, has been
completed and is in active use. The main entrance to the Hospital is completely revamped, as are the entrance grounds and plaza. The venerable statue of St. Francis once again presides in a prominent position over the fountain. Perhaps the most architecturally dramatic feature of the building project, the two-story glass-enclosed atrium lobby of the ambulatory surgery center, is nearly complete. The Nancy and Fred DeMatteis Pavilion, a new 158,000 square-foot patient care building, is completed on the exterior, while work on patient rooms, new operating suites, and other interior spaces is moving at an accelerated pace.
Keeping Pace with Demand The expansion project addresses what has been a central fact of life at St. Francis Hospital for nearly two decades: keeping pace with the increased demand for the Hospital’s services. “Success brings its challenges. We have been operating at over 100 percent of capacity for over 15 years, and we have felt the squeeze,” says Alan D. Guerci, M.D., President and CEO of the Hospital. “This project gives us the opportunity to ‘right-size’ our facilities - which means more comfort for our patients and the ability to position ourselves for future growth.” In addition to the new DeMatteis Pavilion, which is the cornerstone of the project, the Hospital’s other construction plans feature the expansion of the Emergency Department, cardiac catheterization lab facilities, and the non-cardiac surgical center (see Expansion Project Highlights, page 8). “St. Francis Hospital is a well-known leader in cardiac care, but it also has outstanding non-cardiac programs, many of them nationally recognized,” says Akram Boutros, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. “With 14 new operating rooms and other facilities, this ‘best-kept
The largest construction project in the Hospital’s history is over 85% complete and is scheduled to open in July 2008.
secret’ will not be so secret anymore.” These superb programs include vascular, urological, gastroenterological, ear, nose and throat, and orthopedic surgery. The Hospital is also exploring the expansion of its oncology services.
Leading-Edge Technology In addition to employing the latest in diagnostic imaging equipment, the new DeMatteis Pavilion will have leading-edge technology to make the work of the medical and nursing staff easier and patients Spring 2008
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Building the Hospital of the Future continued
Expansion Project Highlights • An expanded Emergency Department, with a triage center, separate entrances for trauma cases and ambulatory patients, two trauma rooms, 22 beds in semi-private examination rooms, an imaging suite with a dedicated 64-slice CT scanner, an isolation treatment area, seven fast-track beds, and an expanded reception area—imaging suite completed; remainder to be completed in 2009 • Expanded cardiac catheterization lab facilities (increasing from five to seven laboratories), with adjacent and adequately-sized reception, staging, and recovery rooms, and the latest digital imaging systems—the remaining areas will be completed in 2008 • A new patient care building that will house two medical/surgical floors and one 40-bed intensive care center, with a total of approximately 184 patient beds in semi-private and private rooms designed for superior comfort. This will contribute to an increase in the Hospital’s licensed bed capacity from 279 to 356—to be completed in 2008
• The expansion of the non-cardiac surgical center, which will double in size with a total of 14 operating suites featuring state-of-the-art lighting, operating tables, and ceiling-mounted equipment panels. These new operating rooms are designed for maximal use of space during procedures and minimal turnaround time between procedures, and will accommodate new technology, such as a robotic surgical system for minimally invasive surgery—to be completed in 2008
Alan D. Guerci, M.D., President and CEO, with Capital Campaign Co-Chairs Peter C. Quick and Christopher S. Pascucci. The campaign has raised over $53 million in support of the building project.
more comfortable. The following are just a few examples: • St. Francis will be one of only a few hospitals to employ wireless cardiac monitoring throughout its new building. If a patient walks to a waiting room or to the cafeteria, he or she will be monitored wirelessly at all times. • Each patient room will have a new nurse’s call system in place. Unlike a pull-cord or button that rings at the nurse’s station, this new voice communications technology allows patients to speak immediately and directly to the nurse who is assigned to them. • The new operating rooms will feature a state-of-the-art video integration system employing touch screen technology on a hanging flat panel display system. Even as surgeons are operating, the hightech system allows them to immediately pull up x-rays, scans, lab results, and other relevant diagnostic data at the touch of a finger. • A new building management system – a computerized network that functions as a kind of brain and nervous system – will use approximately 1,000 monitoring points throughout the new building to control functions such as heating and cooling. When the sun rises on one side of the building and the temperature rises, the system compensates automatically. If the patient in Room 257 is too hot, an
•
A new, underground five-level garage, which will result in a net increase of 315 parking spaces. Its design will enable patients, visitors, and staff to enter the hospital from the garage via elevators that open onto the main lobby and outpatient lobby—completed
adjustment can be made immediately.
•
An expanded Casey Pavilion entrance and lobby—completed
will also be exploring applications to heart surgery.
• A dramatic two-story outpatient atrium lobby as the setting for registration and patient discharge for ambulatory surgery and imaging services, which will also serve as a connector between the Casey Pavilion and the new patient care building—to be completed in 2008
ogy, St. Francis Hospital will be ushering in a new era in
• The new building will also be the home of the da Vinci robotic surgical system. Robotic surgery dramatically reduces both the trauma of surgery and recovery time. Currently used to treat prostate cancer, surgeons With significantly more space and the latest technolits history and reaffirming its commitment to meeting the healthcare needs of the community. And it is all coming soon. The opening ceremony for the DeMatteis Pavilion is scheduled for July and the facility should be in full operation in the fall.
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Beyond the Heart St. Francis Hospital’s Expanding Strengths in Non-Cardiac Care Last summer, U.S. News & World Report recognized St. Francis Hospital not only for its outstanding cardiac care, but for its non-cardiac care as well. The hospital was ranked among the top 50 hospitals in the nation for digestive disorders, geriatrics, and ear, nose and throat (ENT) disorders. These three specialty services have proven to be the pillars of St. Francis’s excellent general medical and surgical care, and will continue to be a significant part of the hospital’s future. “St. Francis has a fundamental process of excellence,” says Jack Soterakis, M.D., Vice President of Medical Affairs at the Hospital. “Even though 75 percent of our cases are cardiac, that expertise is carried over to the care we provide to patients with a non-cardiac primary diagnosis. No matter what the specialty, our bar is high. We consider the whole patient—and not only the heart.” Here’s a look at St. Francis Hospital’s geriatrics, digestive and ENT specialties: Geriatrics St. Francis Hospital was recognized for geriatrics by U.S. News despite the fact that it does not have a formal department. That’s because 55 percent of the hospital’s patients are elderly and would be defined as belonging to a geriatric population. Many doctors on staff are specially trained to treat these patients. “Several of the physicians in the Department of Medicine are certified geriatricians,” explains Dr. Soterakis. “Most of our internists have a larger elderly population, and even though they are not certified in geriatric medicine, they are more than capable and qualified to take care of these patients.” The hospital assures that all of its physicians on staff are credentialed and execute the best practices for their patients. Plus, the hospital is adept at treating acute health conditions, which are common problems in the geriatric community. “We excel in geriatrics because our doctors understand and provide the quality measures that have been established for the care of our patients. We continually monitor our performance for improvement so that we may meet and exceed our expectations,” adds Dr. Soterakis
Digestive Disorders The physicians in the Division of Gastroenterology at St. Francis Hospital have the skill and expertise to diagnose and treat all forms of gastrointestinal illnesses and employ essential state of the art technologies to diagnose and treat the most difficult of digestive disorders. The department is headed by Anthony J. Celifarco, M.D. “I am honored to lead this department at such an exciting time in our hospital’s history,” says Dr. Celifarco. “Although well known for its cardiac care, it is the support from the many medical subspecialties that is vital to the success of our institution, and the department of gastroenterology has always been at the forefront of diagnosis and treatment.” In addition to consultative services, the department provides all forms of endoscopic and nonendoscopic studies on an in-patient or out-patient basis. Procedures offered include colonoscopy, not only for routine colon cancer screening, but also to help diagnose causes of bleeding, diarrhea or constipation. Upper endoscopy is utilized to evaluate causes of abdominal pain, bleeding, weight loss and difficulties swallowing. The division also performs endoscopic dilation, stent placement for obstructive lesions, and enteroscopy to help visualize and treat potential disorders of the small intestine. One of the latest technologies, Capsule Endoscopy, can take images of the entire small bowel to find obscure causes of gastrointestinal bleeding, and help find evidence of undiagnosed disorders such as Crohn’s disease. Recently, the Division of Gastroenterology acquired state-of-theart, high-definition endoscopic equipment. “Acquiring this equipment further demonstrates our department’s commitment to remain at the forefront of gastrointestinal endoscopy,” says Dr. Celifarco.
Ear-Nose-Throat Led by Philip W. Perlman, M.D., FACS, the ENT Division prides itself on being at the forefront of technological innovation, which includes offering minimally invasive sinus surgery to its patients. “I am very proud of the ranking given to our ENT department at St Francis Hospital,” says Dr. Perlman. “The otolaryngologists on staff continue to strive to meet the excellence in medical and surgical care that is exhibited throughout St. Francis Hospital. Our physicians are leaders in our community and beyond. We utilize up-to-theminute, state-of-the-art equipment for a variety of ENT procedures to better care for our patients.” These procedures include BrainLAB ENT for sinus surgery and balloon sinuplasty. BrainLAB is an image-guided endoscopic procedure, which in most cases is performed entirely through the nostrils, leaving no external scars, while balloon sinuplasty involves a small, flexible balloon catheter placed through a nostril into the blocked sinus passageway. The balloon is then inflated to gently restructure and open the sinus passageway, restoring normal sinus drainage and function with minimal tissue damage. Other procedures routinely performed include: microscopic middle ear surgery, laryngoscopy, surgery for sleep apnea, and routine pediatric tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy. Looking forward, Dr. Soterakis says that as the hospital expands, so will many of its programs, including ENT. “Our ENT specialty focuses primarily on outpatient procedures and that will continue. As we expand our operating rooms, additional time will be given to those ENT surgeons who can fully use our facility.” These and other developments paint a bright future for expanding general medical and surgical specialties at St. Francis, and ultimately for the patients who turn to the Hospital for this expertise.
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Bypassing Heart Surgery St. Francis is investigating a minimally invasive device to repair a leaky heart valve
Retired MTA subway motorman, Roy Tucker, remembers not being able to walk without being out of breath. Due to a leaky mitral valve, he couldn’t lie down and had to sleep sitting up. But now, thanks to an experimental procedure being performed at St. Francis Hospital by Andrew Berke, M.D., the former train operator is back on track. Through the use of a minimally invasive device called the MitraClip, Tucker was able to avoid open-heart surgery.
“I feel 200% better and can finally get a good night’s rest,”said Tucker about how the procedure has improved his quality of life.
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The MitraClip (left) made by Evalve, Inc. is inserted through the skin by a catheter to bring the leaflets of a leaky mitral valve together and help it close properly. Right, below, Roy Tucker with Andrew Berke, M.D.
S
t. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center, is the only hospital on Long Island treating patients in a clinical study of this new investigational device. It is designed to treat mitral regurgi-
tation (MR)—the most common type of heart valve insufficiency—by using a cardiac catheterization technique. The Hospital is one of 34 medical centers in North America evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the percutaneous (through the skin) procedure as part of a prospective, randomized, controlled study in patients with moderate to severe or severe MR, as compared to open surgical repair or replacement. The procedure uses the MitraClip™ device (made by Evalve, Inc., Menlo Park, CA) to bring the leaflets (the “swinging doors”) of the valve together, helping it to close properly. Interventional cardiologists in the cardiac catheterization laboratory use general anesthesia to perform it. In addition to improving blood flow through the heart, the procedure may also relieve symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath that often affect patients with significant MR. An estimated 4 million people nationwide suffer from significant MR. In these patients, blood leaks backward through the mitral valve with each heartbeat, causing the heart to work harder to circulate oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.
The Search for New Treatments There are no medications that specifically treat or cure MR, though
and an increased risk of sudden death. Improved treatment options,
some patients receive drugs to manage the symptoms. Both the
such as the MitraClip device, can reduce the potential for developing
American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology
CHF and may improve the quality of life for patients currently suffering
recommend open-heart surgery to repair or replace the mitral valve for
from CHF.
patients who suffer from moderate to severe or severe MR. However, only 20 percent of these patients, or approximately 50,000, undergo surgery each year. If left untreated, valve insufficiency can lead to atrial fibrillation, heart muscle dysfunction, symptoms of congestive heart failure (CHF),
For more information about mitral regurgitation or to find out if you may qualify to participate in the EVEREST II study, call toll free 1-877-MY-MR-FIX, 877-696-7349 or visit www.mitralregurgitation.org.
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Campaigning for Excellence
Giving Back Meet Diane Graf
St. Francis Hospital is in the middle of an ambitious capital campaign to fund the Master Facilities Plan (MFP), the largest expansion and renovation project in the Hospital’s history (see article on page 6).The MFP will add 40 percent more clinical space to the Hospital and ensure that St. Francis remains a leader in healthcare, while achieving its vision of high quality patient care.
More than a Donor Diane Graf’s life is filled with many things: A large and loving family, choir rehearsals, a foundation honoring her late husband, Peter J. Haller, and St. Francis Hospital. For 23 years, Diane has called St. Francis her second home. She was first introduced to the hospital in 1984 after her husband was admitted for heart problems, and had to undergo a valve replacement surgery. For the next 16 years, Pete, a suc-
Highlights:
cessful international insurance businessman, was in and out of St. Francis for a number of different treatments. He also joined the DeMatteis Center’s exercise club, made contributions to the hospital and built strong relationships with St. Francis staff members while Diane worked in the pastoral care department. In March 2000, Pete lost a battle with lung
“I can’t say enough about this place and the people. Well, the place is the people. It really is.”
cancer, five months after he and Diane retired from their jobs. They had been married for 40 years. Diane and her family pulled through that difficult time and decided to keep Pete’s memory alive. He had always been philanthropic, so along with her three daughters, Diane decided to create the Peter J. Haller Foundation, with the goal of continuing to give in her husband’s name. “When we would say our prayers at dinnertime, we’d always conclude it with a prayer for the hungry and the homeless,” Diane recalls. “Pete was very concerned about that, so establishing this foundation allowed us to follow up on the things that were important to him when he was alive.”
• Goal: $70 million by 2011 • Progress: As of February 20, 2008, the total amount of donations stands at $53,276,358 • A galvanized community: St. Francis has received 171 gifts from former, current and honorary board members; friends, grateful patients, foundations, corporations, and major gift committee members, as well as St. Francis Hospital’s own physicians, staff and volunteers
One of the places that mattered to him was St. Francis Hospital. “My husband had a love for the hospital and the people who work there,” Diane says. “We found the nursing staff to be
• Significant support:The Hospital
absolutely wonderful. Pete thought that the nurses must go through an intensive interviewing
received 79 major gifts of $100,000 and above
process before they’re hired, because the attitude at the hospital was so different from anywhere else.” Diane, now married to George Graf, and her family continue to give back to the hospital. They have donated a significant amount of money to St. Francis over the years, including funds that Pete had given to the hospital when he was alive and a $125,000 gift to the emergency room by the foundation in 2004. Diane also gives back to the hospital by volunteering. After she retired from the pastoral care department in 1999, she stayed on as a volunteer. She currently sells chances and helps out with the seasonal campaigns. She and George also sing with the Franciscan Sisters at Christmas and Easter. When asked to describe St. Francis in three words, Diane chooses “professional, caring, and warm” without any hesitation. “I can’t say enough about this place and the people. Well, the place is the people. It really is.”
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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.
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Giving Back Meet Bill Johnson
Then a Patient, Now a Volunteer Over 80 years ago,
And Bill would continue to come back to St. Francis on an off for the
when the North Shore was large-
next several years for arrhythmia problems, a ventricular tachycardia
ly farms, St. Francis Hospital
diagnosis and to eventually have a defibrillator implanted. But it was-
began as a summer camp for city
n’t until one of those hospital stays in 1997, and a conversation with
children. By the 1950s it had
a volunteer who brought him a newspaper, that Bill took special
grown into a hospital for chil-
notice of the care he was receiving at the same hospital that treated
dren with rheumatic fever and
him as a child.
other heart problems.
“I received the best care at St. Francis. The nurses and doctors treat-
Bill Johnson was one of those
ed me as if I was the president of the United States!” Bill, a married
children. At age 12, the Brooklyn
father of two, remembers. “I saw how devoted the staff was to their
native found himself recovering
patients and I liked it.”
in a St. Francis Hospital bed after having four angiograms within a two-
Now, 10 years and 10,000 hours later, it’s Bill, who as a St. Francis vol-
week time span. He’d always had heart problems as a child, and had
unteer, is devoted to the patients. Every Monday, Wednesday and
suffered from a heart murmur and rheumatic fever at age 3.
Thursday you can find him in the emergency department giving a help-
His parents sent him to St. Francis after a doctor recommended the hospital. Fortunately, Bill was given the OK by St. Francis physicians to
ing hand to the busy nurses, doctors and staff members. Bill finally retired from Pepsi in 2004 after juggling his time at work
play sports after his heart murmur had been downgraded to minor. He
and St. Francis. Now he can fully devote his time to the hospital, and
went on to have a normal life, playing 13 years of football, including col-
golf, his other favorite pastime. Also, Bill hasn’t had any heart problems
lege and then semi-pro with the Brooklyn Knights.
since having an ablation at the hospital eight years ago. He’s healthy
However, at age 44, Bill, who owned a Pepsi Cola distributing business, began to get winded at work. He saw a cardiologist in Brooklyn
and thankful for his time at St. Francis. “I don’t see myself getting tired of St. Francis,” he explains. “Being
who told him that he had a leaky valve and suggested that Bill go to a
friends with the staff and the patients, and knowing that I can help to
local hospital. But Bill had other plans. He went back to St. Francis.
make someone’s life easier is what brings me back each day.”
Planned Giving Q&A Nancy K.Munson is the new chair of the Sr.Jean M. Pignone Legacy Society at St.Francis Hospital,an organization that enables benefactors to arrange legacy gifts for the Hospital.The Huntington,NewYork,attorney has strong ties to St.Francis,but perhaps her deepest connection is to the very founding of the Hospital: her cousin is the late Carlos Munson,the steamship magnate who,in 1926,donated the land that St.Francis Hospital is built upon. We recently caught up with Nancy Munson to discuss her new role and why she gives back to St.Francis every chance she can get. Heartbeat: How did you become involved with St. Francis? Nancy Munson: My great-aunt and my brother received wonderful care at St. Francis, so I wanted to do something more to give new life to our cousin’s ideas. My dad and I gave quite a bit of money for a while and then after he died I gave more.That’s how I eventually got involved in the society.
with Nancy Munson
HB:You could have donated to any other organization. Is it because of your family history that you chose to include St. Francis in your will? NM: Yes, that’s one of the reasons, and the fact that the Hospital is so outstanding across the board. Last year, I broke my arm and came to St. Francis.They did a terrific job and got me back into shape. HB:What is so unique about St. Francis? NM: Whether it’s the parking lot attendant or a surgeon, everyone is so friendly. When I give to a charity, I like to know what they are doing with the money.At St. Francis I can see what my money is being used for–whether it’s the discovery of new treatments for heart disease, or the hiring of staff who are the best in their field. I have been to many hospitals, and the best one all around is St. Francis. For more information about the Sr. Jean M. Pignone Legacy Society, call (516) 705-6655.
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Vital Signs Sinusitis Sufferers Breathe Easier A new, minimally invasive procedure brings relief for sinus pain
Tracy Naviasky has been suffering from sinusitis since she was 7 years old. She was on antibiotics every three weeks, missed school and had chronic headaches.After discussing treatment options with Philip Perlman M.D., Chief of Otolaryngology at St. Francis Hospital,Tracy decided on a new, minimally invasive technology called balloon sinuplasty. Now, the college freshman from Roslyn is free from headaches caused by her sinus disease. Philip Perlman, M.D., with Tracy Naviasky. “My headache went away that very same day,’’ said Tracy. “I realized this is what it feels like to finally be able to breathe and not suffer from pain.” Sinus surgeons have performed many balloon sinuplasties at St. Francis, the first hospital in Nassau County to use this new technology. It relies on a small, flexible balloon catheter, which is placed through a nostril into the blocked sinus passageway.The balloon is then inflated to gently restructure and open the sinus passageway, restoring normal sinus drainage and function with minimal tissue damage. Dr. Perlman stresses that balloon sinuplasty is not a cure-all for everyone suffering from sinusitis, but can be used as an alternative or in addition to already well established endoscopic sinus surgery. The catheter-based technology is designed to navigate through the tortuous sinus anatomy, particularly the frontal and sphenoid sinuses, which are the most difficult to reach. “What took us an hour to gain access to these sinuses can now be done in considerable less time,” said Dr. Perlman. “The recuperation is minimal with very little discomfort for patients.” According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, about 37 million people in the U.S. suffer from sinusitis each year. Common symptoms may include: facial pain, pressure or congestion; nasal obstruction or blockage; discolored nasal or post-nasal discharge; loss of smell; headache and fatigue. Dr. Perlman says not all sinusitis sufferers are candidates for the new technology and whether they qualify should be decided by a sinus surgeon familiar with this technique. As for Tracy, who has aspirations of being a veterinarian, she's looking forward to not getting sick and missing classes when she begins college. Her mother Jill can’t say enough about the benefits of balloon sinuplasty, “I’m thrilled. She’s not upset, miserable or in pain. It’s made her come alive.”
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St. Francis Hospital Launches Completely Redesigned Website St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center has launched a new and improved website aimed at providing the most up-to-date information to patients, their families and the general public about all of the services provided by the region's leader in heart care. The new site, which can be found at www.stfrancisheartcenter.com, not only has a fresh, smart look, but also offers in-depth information about departments and services, a Find-a-Doctor application, an interactive Community Calendar and a new online job application tool for staff and the public.
Exploring Robotic Heart Surgery First deployed two years ago for treating prostate cancer, today St. Francis Hospital surgeons are also using robotic technology to explore cardiac surgical applications. Smaller cardiac procedures have already been performed in preparation for more advanced procedures. St. Francis is a leader on Long Island for robotic prostate surgery. Using the da Vinci® Robotic Surgical System, surgeons perform complex surgery through small incisions. The procedure offers significant benefits over open surgery, including less blood loss, less post-operative pain, faster recoveries and less scarring. Last spring, cardiac surgeons Newell Robinson, M.D., and Harold Fernandez, M.D., who both specialize in da Vinci procedures, took a team of St. Francis physicians to Cincinnati to train them on robotic mitral valve repair surgery. The team will be working with the surgeons from Cincinnati, who will join them for their first series of mitral valve procedures. For more information about robotic surgery, call 1-888-HEARTNY.
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Staff News Staff Appointments Marvin Tenenbaum, M.D., an infectious diseases specialist, has been appointed Director of Medicine at St. Francis Hospital. Prior to accepting this new position, Dr. Tenenbaum was Chief of Infectious Diseases at the Hospital for 13 years.
St. Francis Hospital's Stroke Center team, led by Paul Wright, M.D. (middle, first row), celebrates one year of service.
Stroke Center Off to a Strong Start It has been a year since the designation of St. Francis Hospital’s new Stroke Center and the busy center has made a highly successful start.The Center opened with the goal of providing early aggressive treatment for neurological patients who show signs of having a stroke. Rather than having patients in various units throughout the hospital, they are in a centralized location and receive care from highly skilled physicians, nurses, physician’s assistants and speech and physical therapists. “Hospitals with designated stroke centers have been able to show increased survival rates and decreased length of stay for patients,” says Paul Wright, M.D., Director of the Center. “Overall, having a stroke center with nurses and doctors who are well trained in recognizing and treating neurological disorders gives patients a chance to have an improved outcome.” The results so far have been very promising. In fact, one prominent healthcare ratings company has ranked St. Francis in the top tier of hospitals in the nation for treating stroke. The Stroke Center’s coordinator, Nancy Kostel-Donlon, R.N., is proud to be a part of the stroke team. “It’s very rewarding,” she says. “Our staff is professional and has rapidly followed stroke code protocols with the understanding that ‘Time is Brain.’ The dramatic positive effects of their actions have challenged them to do it even better the next time.”
Did You Know? St. Francis is the only hospital in Nassau County to hold the coveted Magnet Award for nursing excellence. The Hospital is one of the top 5 percent of hospitals nationwide to receive the recognition, which is considered the gold standard for nursing care.
Robotic Surgery . . . offers new hope for prostate patients. Call our physician referral line at (516) 562-6199.
Anthony J. Celifarco, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.G., A.G.A.F., has been named Chief of Gastroenterology at St. Francis Hospital. Dr. Celifarco has been affiliated with Gastrointestinal Associates of Long Island for almost two decades and is a member of several St. Francis Hospital committees. Akram Boutros, M.D., St. Francis Hospital’s EVP and Chief Administrative Officer, has been named President of the American Heart Association's Long Island chapter. Dr. Boutros will assist in fundraising, overseeing committees and reporting on recent medical updates.
Upcoming Events May 16, 2008—Akram Boutros, M.D., will be honored at the American Heart Association Gala for raising money for a children's heart initiative. Jack Soterakis, M.D., VP of Medical Affairs at St. Francis, will Co-Chair the event.
Healing Therapy for Heart Failure Since April 2006, St. Francis Hospital has been offering a new treatment for patients with heart disease who are living with angina or chest pain. The new therapy, called Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP), promises to significantly improve patients’ quality of life. EECP works by increasing blood and oxygen supply to the heart and decreasing the amount of work the heart has to do to pump blood to the rest of the body. St. Francis Hospital is the only hospital in Nassau County to offer the treatment, which is non-invasive and does not require a hospital stay. There is Patricia Hendershot, R.N., of the Congestive Heart Failure no recovery period and the procedure allows Program at St. Francis with patient Anthony Accurso. patients to return to their regular routine immediately after receiving treatment. “Patients leave with more stamina, their shortness of breath decreased, and the ability to tolerate steps and walk farther,” explains Justine Lachmann, M.D., Director of the Congestive Heart Failure Program. Treatments are usually given for one hour each day, five days per week, for a total of 35 hours. For more information call (516) 620-2090. Spring 2008
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2008 MarkYourCalendar St. Francis Hospital Events for 2008
May 1
The Guild of St. Francis Hospital Spring Luncheon and Fashion Show Americana Manhasset will be sponsoring this popular annual event.
June 2 St. Francis Hospital’s 34th Annual Golf Classic at Meadow Brook Club, The Creek and Nassau Country Club Men, women and foursomes are welcome. Golf reservations will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
November 22 The Challenge Gala at Rexcorp Plaza in Uniondale Fine dining, dancing and entertainment will be featured at this annual fundraising event for St. Francis Hospital. For more information or tickets, call (516) 705-6659. St. Francis Hospital The Heart Center ÂŽ 100 Port Washington Boulevard Roslyn, New York 11576 www.stfrancisheartcenter.com
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