Volume 8 Number 10 | OCTOBER 2013 Volume 8 Number 9 | SEPTEMBER 2013

ALBANY MED

known for our expertise. Saving Dollars, chosen for our care. Saving Lives Today / pg. 6 BRA Day: Closing the Loop on Breast Cancer

Albany Med plastic surgeons, who offer more types of Dr. Roth, Richard Agag, MD, Ashit Patel, MD, SGAP, IGAP and PAP) are available depending on a of reconstruction procedures than those at any Kristen Rezak, MD, and Oluwaseun Adetayo, MD. patient’s preference and eligibility. other facility in the region, are working to heighten awareness of reconstructive options available to Albany Med performs all available reconstructive “Our slogan for BRA Day is ‘Closing the Loop on women with breast cancer. procedures, including saline and silicone breast Breast Cancer,’” Dr. Roth said. “We’ve done a great implants, free flap reconstruction and nipple/areola job of raising awareness of the disease. Now we hope With studies showing that the vast majority of tattooing and reconstruction. to expand the scope to help ensure that all women women do not know all of the alternatives available facing cancer know the wide array of reconstructive following mastectomies, Albany Med is holding its Free flaps represent the state of the art in breast options available to them.” first Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day — BRA reconstruction. This includes the DIEP flap reconstruction, which uses tissue from a patient’s Day — to connect physicians with the public and Wednesday lower abdomen, but can also include tissue help spread the word that women have many options October 16, 2013 when it comes to reconstruction. from the buttocks or inner thighs. This newly reconstructed breast will have a natural shape 4-7 p.m. at “There are so many options now, each with advantages and feel similar to a real breast. Hilton Garden Inn and disadvantages. We want patients to be fully Albany Medical Center informed so they, along with their physician, can Making Strides Against make the best choice for their health and well- Breast Cancer/ pg. 8 To learn more about the procedures being,” said Malcolm Roth, MD, who launched offered by Albany Med’s breast BRA Day as a national event last year when he was reconstruction team visit serving as the president of the American Society of www.amc.edu/reconstruction. Plastic Surgeons. Drs. Agag and Rezak, fellowship- trained microsurgeons, are The local BRA Day event will take place from the only surgeons in the 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Hilton Garden Inn region offering this type of Albany Medical Center. There will be networking reconstruction. Several opportunities with former patients, and information different types of free flap about the reconstruction and cosmetic services reconstruction procedures available from Albany Med’s plastic surgery team (including DIEP, TUG,

‘Ambassadors’ Guiding People Through Albany Med

Patient Visitor Guide David Mead’s job is Over the past several years, in preparation for part greeter, part concierge and part escort for relocating services in the new Patient Pavilion, the thousands of people who visit Albany Med Albany Med worked with an interior design firm every month. to implement more visual “wayfinding” systems with enhanced signage, color identifiers, textiles, Mostly, his job is to make visitors, patients and lighting and other means to make it easier for their families feel as comfortable as possible. people to remember elevator lobbies and major directional decision points. “People may come in here anxious about their health or a loved one’s situation. The last thing Mead’s day, which can include escorting patients, they need to worry about is finding their way,” handing out maps or just saying “hello,” starts in said Mead, a retired state Department of Health the pre-dawn hours. On a recent day as his shift employee who works part-time. is ending, he spots a group by a second-floor Patient Pavilion elevator who appears unsure. The patient guides are just part of the support Patient visitor guides such as David Mead help people navigate Albany Med. system. Digital navigation touch screens and color- “All set with where you’re going?” Mead asks. coded maps also help visitors and employees locate services that may have moved to other locations. But “The guides are our ambassadors,” said Charles Clute, This time the group nods they’re OK. Mead waves patient care specialists say there is no substitute for the director of Patient Relations. “They set the tone for them goodbye. Everyone is smiling. human touch. visitors from the time they enter the door.” Retired NYC Firefighter Right to be Alarmed

Robert Walsh has no regrets about going to the hospital that night during a Fourth of July weekend. And the Ulster County man is certainly grateful he ended up at Albany Medical Center.

“I felt like I was a special person, the respect and the care I received,” he said.

When Walsh, a retired New York City firefighter who now lives in the heart of the Catskills, felt chest pains that holiday weekend in Kathy Prairie, RN, nurse manager, talks with Dr. Gary Bernardini in 2012, he knew something wasn’t right. the new neuro ICU. The rooms are equipped with some of the latest monitoring technology, including five rooms that are hard-wired for “I’ve normally been on the other side of the coin and have been continuous EEG monitoring (pictured back left). stubborn,” the now-74-year-old said. “But the feeling in my chest felt different. For the one time in my life I gave in.” Enhanced Neuro Intensive Care Unit Opens in Patient Pavilion

Albany Medical Center opened its new Technology in the new unit includes expanded neuro intensive care unit, the sophisticated devices to monitor intracranial most advanced of its kind in the region, for pressure, brain tissue oxygen and blood flow patient use in the new Patient Pavilion. in the brain, and five rooms are hard-wired for continuous EEG brainwave monitoring. The 15-bed neuro ICU provides a comprehensive approach to caring for “The expanded and newly-equipped patients with severe neurologic injuries or state-of-the-art neuro ICU will enable us conditions who require round-the-clock to better care for patients with life- Robert Walsh critical care. It is the only such unit in threatening neurological emergencies the region staffed by physicians including such as ruptured brain aneurysms, strokes, After going to a local hospital, Walsh was airlifted to Albany a neurointensivist, stroke neurologists, traumatic brain injury and hemorrhages,” Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with pericarditis, a neurosurgeons and critical care specialists, said Alan Boulos, MD, chair of swelling of the sac that surrounds the heart. While at Albany Med as well as specially trained nurses. It neurosurgery at Albany Med. “Albany Med he suffered from an arrhythmia that was treated with a pacemaker comes equipped with the most advanced has always been fortunate to have a number implanted by Henry Tan, MD. neurological monitoring equipment. of physician specialists to treat these specific disorders in a timely and effective way. “In a situation like that many patients try to ignore or downplay “Neurologically injured patients treated in a Now, we have improved our ability to their symptoms—and that’s a mistake,” Dr. Tan said. “Thankfully dedicated, specialized neuro intensive care care for these patients immediately after for Mr. Walsh, he did listen to his body. Had he delayed coming to unit such as that at Albany Medical Center surgery or treatment, resulting in improved the hospital, who knows what would have been.” have better survival rates, spend less time in outcomes and shorter lengths of stay.” the hospital, and are more often discharged More than a year later, Walsh is again puttering around his to rehab or home rather than to a nursing Albany Med also has a specialized property in Oliverea. He still raves about Albany Med, from the home,” said Gary Bernardini, MD, PhD, vascular ICU, as well as surgical, medical comfort of having the Hilton Garden Inn Albany Medical Center professor of neurology and neurosurgery and neonatal ICUs and the region’s only across the street for his wife, and director of Stroke and Neurocritical pediatric ICU. The previous neuro ICU, Phyllis, to the attentiveness of For more information on Albany Care at Albany Med. “In fact, comparisons located in the hospital’s patient tower, the hospital staff. Med’s cardiac care programs, made between treatment of these patients in was equipped to care for five patients. go to www.amc.edu/heart. dedicated neuro ICUs versus general ICUs “The quality of the medical show significant improvements in all three care I got was superb,” Walsh of these domains.” said. “I have nothing but good things to say about my stay.”

On the Web Albany Med The Medical Center’s website now features a page dedicated solely to video content. The page on the Move www.amc.edu/video highlights events and developments at Albany Med. Albany Med-produced videos are also The move to the Patient Pavilion featured on the Medical Center’s YouTube channel. concludes this month as the Children’s Hospital Neonatal ICU moves to Floor 4 in mid-October.

Department New Location Projected Date Children’s Hospital Floor 4 Mid-October Neonatal ICU

2 | Albany Med Today | october 2013 Vascular Cases to be Highlighted

Vascular cases from Albany Medical Center will Med than any other institution appear on the big screen in Las Vegas during an in the world. international conference to share with providers the expertise and techniques used at Albany Med’s Highlighted cases were recorded Institute for Vascular Health & Disease. throughout this year (with patients’ permission) and range from Vascular surgeons at Albany Med “We frequently present our cases because there is minimally invasive endovascular to are internationally renowned. great interest in the procedures we use to improve open surgical repair for preventing patient care here at the Medical Center,” said Manish limb loss, stroke, aortic aneurysm Mehta, MD, a professor of surgery at Albany rupture and death. roundtable presentations hosted by the Center for Medical College and director of endovascular services Vascular Awareness in collaboration with The Vascular for The Vascular Group. Dr. Mehta is a member of Also at the conference, the top international vascular Group. Improving vascular health starts from public the steering committee of the 11th Annual Vascular fellow in a competition series will be awarded two weeks and health care provider education, which today is InterVentional Advances (VIVA) conference, slated of “hands-on” vascular and endovascular training at among the group’s most important initiatives, Dr. for Las Vegas in October. the Albany Vascular International Academy, a training Mehta said. program that has been in place at Albany Med for one The vascular surgeons at Albany Med are one of the year bringing vascular surgeons from many countries to “Millions of Americans suffer from vascular disease. largest providers of vascular health care internationally train with the Medical Center’s vascular surgeons. Most don’t know they have it,” Dr. Mehta said. and are renowned for their expertise in surgical as well as “We want to put patients in the driver’s seat so endovascular procedures. They perform more of certain Meanwhile, vascular experts will gather in Albany they can better understand and manage their own types of vascular surgeries and interventions at Albany twice this fall as well, in October and November, for vascular health.

Training to Identify and Treat Addictions

Despite the prevalence of addiction and its significant impact on health, many health care workers are not trained in spotting, treating or anticipating addiction in their patients. Albany Medical College has been working for the past 10 years to change that.

The College will present the 10th Annual Addiction Medicine Weekend Nov. 1-2 under the guidance of Stanley D. Glick, PhD, MD, director of the Center for Neuropharmacology and Neuroscience and a world-renowned expert on researching new drugs to treat addiction. Assistance with Ethical

“Over the years we’ve educated 500- 700 physicians and other caregivers Issues a Call Away regarding addiction medicine, Because of Albany Medical College’s and facilitating understanding.” which has not been tended to as role as a leader in ethics education, much as it should have been in the patients, families and staff have an Common dilemmas can include: Capital Region,” Dr. Glick said. exceptional support system in place • Who is the most appropriate “Most didn’t know what to do if to help during difficult times. person to make decisions for confronted with a patient suffering the patient? from an addictive disorder. We Dr. Stanley D. Glick The Ethics Consultation Service • How should risks and benefits try to take the mystique out of it, (ECS) at Albany Med is part of the of a treatment or medication explaining that this is a chronic and College’s respected Alden March be weighed? For more information, go to www.amc.edu/ neglected disease.” Bioethics Institute (AMBI). ECS • How should quality of life Academic/CME/documents/2013_ ethicists are on call 24 hours a day, be evaluated? AddictMedbrochure.pdf, or contact Dr. Glick at In addition to Dr. Glick, the year-round. Consults can occur right • How to deal with (family) 518-262-5303 or [email protected]. conference is organized by Isabelle at the bedside, and anyone can ask disagreement about different Maisonneuve, PhD, of Albany for help from the service. treatment options. Medical College and led by ECS strives to be collaborative, Dr. Steven Kipnis, MD, medical director of the New York State Office of Alcoholism “The service is made up of specially Thompson said. Consultants do not and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS). trained and qualified medical ethical function as “referees” or “police,” but consultants who provide support The program focuses on treating patients who are addicted not just to alcohol rather act in an advisory capacity. when an ethical dilemma cannot be and drugs, but who also suffer from “behavioral addictions” such as gambling, overcome,” said Dan Thompson, “We offer recommendations that Dr. Glick said. MD, a clinical ethics consultant not only respect the unique needs, Other topics covered this year will include HIV and the addicted patient, and professor of surgery and values and interests of the patient, bariatric surgery and addiction, tobacco use, sex addiction and legal issues related anesthesiology in the Department of but also reflect the practical realities to addiction. Surgery and Critical Care Medicine. and achievable options in each “This can include answering circumstance,” said ethics consultant Lecturers scheduled to present include: Abdul Brula, MD, assistant professor questions, supporting decision- Jane Jankowski, LMSW, an AMBI of psychiatry, Albany Medical College; Deborah Egel, RN, CARN, Esq., nurse making, helping mediate conflicts assistant professor. attorney, NYS OASAS; Petros Levounis, MD, chair, Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School; Jennifer McNeely, MD, assistant professor, ECS consultation is free. Call 518-262-3125 and ask for the ethicist on call. NYU School of Medicine; and Charles Morgan, MD, medical director, John L. For more information, go to www.amc.edu/EthicsConsult Norris Addiction Treatment Center, Rochester, NY. Albany Med Today | october 2013 | 3 Neurosurgeon to Lead Research In Brain Tumor Fight

Julie Pilitsis, MD, PhD, associate professor of surgery the advancement of the treatment of brain tumors,” in the Division of Neurosurgery at Albany Medical Dr. Pilitsis said. “Our research has the potential to College, will serve as co-principal investigator on a $3 identify ways to use technology to provide safer million grant from the National Institutes of Health and more accurate treatment and may even result in (NIH) to develop an MRI-guided robotic system that another treatment option for patients with metastatic could offer safer, more accurate treatment options for brain cancer, and perhaps eventually, other cancers. patients with brain tumors. At the end of the grant period, we hope to be ready to conduct patient trials.” Dr. Pilitsis, working with a team of engineers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, Co-investigators on the project are Matthew Gounis, Dr. Julie Pilitsis Mass., will be testing an MRI-compatible robotic PhD, associate professor and co-director of the system that delivers a high-intensity focused procedure,” Dr. Pilitsis said. “Because the robot and Advanced MR Imaging Center at UMass Medical ultrasound ablation therapy device through a dime- device can move while images are being taken, we will School, and Everette Burdette, PhD, president and sized opening in the cranium. The device can heat and be able to safely and efficiently eliminate the cancerous CEO of Acoustic MedSystems, the developer of the erode away cancerous tissue while leaving surrounding tissue without affecting other areas.” MRI-compatible ablation device and software. normal tissue unaffected, potentially offering a significant improvement over current treatments. A neurosurgeon specializing in deep brain stimulation The robot will be guided by live MRI images using and with extensive experience in stereotactic surgery, a novel robotic manipulator developed by principal www.amc.edu/PR/PressRelease Presently, patients Dr. Pilitsis will serve as lead clinical advisor for the /10_03_13_W.html investigator Gregory Fischer, PhD, assistant professor with brain tumors are research. She began working with Dr. Fischer and his of mechanical engineering and robotics engineering treated with either team on the development of a prototype robot when at WPI and director of WPI’s Automation and stereotactic radiation surgery, which may take multiple she served as director of functional neurosurgery at Interventional Medicine Laboratory. Reinhold treatments and often takes time to work, or traditional the UMass Memorial Medical Center, where she still Ludwig, PhD, professor of electrical and computer brain surgery, which is highly invasive and can lead to serves as adjunct faculty. engineering at WPI, will develop specially designed other complications. MRI coils for the research project. Dr. Pilitsis, a 1998 graduate of Albany Medical “Real-time imaging is important because it enables the College, is the only neurosurgeon in the clinician to identify the precise location of the tumor “This award is significant because it enables a region with subspecialty fellowship training in and surrounding structures that may shift during the multi-institutional collaboration to take place for functional neurosurgery. Albany Med Welcomes Slate of New Doctors

Oluwaseun Adetayo, director of Family Medical Group for St. Peter’s Kristen Rezak, MD, MD, a plastic surgeon Health Partners and served as a hospitalist at Ellis joined the Division of who specializes in treating Hospital. He is seeing adults and children at the Plastic and Reconstructive children and adults, joined Latham Internal Medicine and Pediatric Group. A Surgery and was appointed the Division of Plastic and graduate of Aga Khan University Medical College assistant professor of surgery. Reconstructive Surgery and in Pakistan, Dr. Dhanani completed his residency With extensive training was appointed assistant at West Virginia University Hospitals. He has in both reconstructive professor of surgery. Dr. practiced in the Capital Region since 2007. and cosmetic procedures, Oluwaseun Adetayo, MD Kristen Rezak, MD Adetayo specializes in Dr. Rezak performs all correcting craniofacial anomalies such as cleft lip Allen Gerber, MD, an expert types of plastic surgery, and has a special interest and palate in children and adults, nasal and ear in the treatment of multiple in aesthetic surgery and microsurgical free flap reshaping, scar revision and scar enhancement. sclerosis (MS), joined the breast reconstruction following breast cancer. Dr. She completed fellowship training in craniofacial Department of Neurology Rezak completed a fellowship in post-bariatric and pediatric plastic surgery at the University of and was appointed assistant body contouring surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Pittsburgh Medical Center’s School of Medicine professor of neurology. Dr. Medical Center through Harvard Medical School and a residency at Loma Linda University’s School Gerber previously was a and a fellowship in microvascular reconstructive of Medicine. partner at the Mid-Hudson surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Allen Gerber, MD Medical Group, where he Center. She concluded her training at Cleveland Amit Chopra, MD, joined specialized in MS and movement disorders. He also Clinic Florida in Weston, Fla. the Division of Pulmonary was affiliated with St. Francis Hospital and Vassar and Critical Care Medicine Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie. Hassan Shawa, MD, and was appointed assistant joined the Division of professor of medicine. Luke A. Pluto, MD, a Endocrinology and was Dr. Chopra completed specialist in sleep disorders, appointed assistant professor fellowship training in joined the Division of of medicine. Dr. Shawa treats pulmonary and critical care all endocrine disorders, with Amit Chopra, MD Pulmonary and Critical Care medicine and a residency in Medicine and was appointed a special interest in benign internal medicine at Montefiore Medical Center/ and cancerous tumors of the assistant professor of Hassan Shawa, MD Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx. medicine. Board-certified in thyroid, parathyroid, pituitary He earned his medical degrees in medicine and internal medicine, pulmonary and adrenal glands. He has expertise in treating Luke A. Pluto, MD surgery at Maulana Azad Medical College in New disease, critical care medicine hormonal imbalances and gland dysfunction caused Delhi, India. and sleep medicine, Dr. Pluto completed his by radiation and certain drugs. He completed residency at St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago and a fellowships at Baylor College of Medicine and the Rahim Dhanani, MD, joined fellowship at Loyola University Medical Center. University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center. the Internal Medicine and He earned his medical degree from the University Pediatrics Group and was of Aleppo Medical School in Syria. appointed assistant professor To contact an Albany Med physician of medicine. Dr. Dhanani go to www.amc.edu and click was most recently medical on the Find a Doctor icon.

Rahim Dhanani, MD

4 | Albany Med Today | october 2013 Albany Med Merits Dr. Miller Honored for Dedication to Patients with Heart Failure Dr. Judson Named President of National Sarcoidosis Society Surgical colleagues honored cardiothoracic surgeon Stuart Miller, Marc A. Judson, MD, chief MD, for leading Albany Med’s LVAD of the Division of Pulmonary (left ventricular assist device) program, and Critical Care Medicine, which has improved the quality of life has been named the initial for many patients with weakened hearts president of the American by providing them with an implanted Association of Sarcoidosis heart pump to help circulate blood. and Other Granulomatous Diseases. Dr. Judson is a “Dr. Miller is credited for spearheading world-renowned expert in every facet of the implementation sarcoidosis, the growth of of our LVAD program, from the Dr. Marc A. Judson inflammatory cells in different education and coordination of staff parts of the body. to the equipment acquisition and Dr. Stuart Miller, left, is congratulated by Dr. Edward Bennett training — and he has enjoyed it every for his work in implementing Albany Med’s LVAD program. Dr. Qualia Named Physician of the step of the way,” Edward Bennett, Year by Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation MD, chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, said in presenting the award. “It’s been The Upstate Northeastern New York Chapter of the Crohn’s quite an undertaking, and the level of & Colitis Foundation of America has named Cary Qualia, commitment and clinical expertise with which used device of its kind in the world. An LVAD MD, as its Physician of the Year. Dr. Qualia, a pediatric he has handled the program is evident in is not an artificial heart, nor is it a heart gastroenterologist, will be honored as part of the CCFA its success.” replacement. Rather, an LVAD attaches to Gala in November. Previous winners in recent years from the heart and is designed to assist — or take Albany Med have included John Balint, MD, Richard Dr. Miller said credit for the success of the over — the pumping function of the patient’s MacDermott, MD, Catherine Bartholomew, MD, Ed LVAD program extends to a host of others. left ventricle, the main pumping chamber of Lee, MD, and Brian Valerian, MD. the heart. “This program could not be possible without Dr. Robert Langer, 2005 Albany the contributions of many. I particularly need Prize Recipient, Honored Again to acknowledge the contributions made by For more information on Dr. Miller and the LVAD our dedicated nursing staff, and especially my program, go to www.amc.edu/Patient/services/ Robert S. Langer, ScD, a professor at the Massachusetts medical colleague, Dr. Mark Tallman (MD) of Surgery/cardiac_surgery/lvad/index.cfm Institute of Technology and the 2005 recipient of the Capital Cardiology Associates.” Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research, received the Julio Palmaz Award for Innovation Albany Med was the first hospital in Since late 2011, 11 patients have had LVADs in Healthcare and the Biosciences. Northeastern New York to implant the device implanted at Albany Med, while another six which has rapidly become the most widely are receiving ongoing care here.

Residents Receive National Award for Developing Farmers Market to Address Childhood Obesity

Two Albany Medical College pediatric physician “Despite community efforts, a lack of high-quality, residents will receive a national child advocacy award local farmers markets is an obstacle to accessing for an innovative program they developed to address healthy foods that can help address childhood obesity childhood obesity. in our area,” Dr. Malhotra said. “CHOPPED helps get children better access to fruits and vegetables as well Sonal Malhotra, MD, and Jenny Torre, MD, as education on a healthy lifestyle.” established a farmers market in Albany’s South End to provide locally grown produce and information In addition to locally grown produce, CHOPPED about healthy food choices to urban families. They will provides free information on creating a healthy diet, be honored in October with the American Academy food preparation, exercise and youth empowerment. of Pediatrics (AAP) Anne E. Dyson Child Advocacy Award, which celebrates the outstanding efforts of “Getting recognized like this is such an honor,” Dr. pediatricians-in-training working in their communities Torre said. “We hope that this project will inspire to improve the health of children. other medical residents and medical students to create healthy lifestyle projects in the community.” The physicians designed the program, called CHOPPED (Childhood Obesity Prevention Located at the corner of Morton Avenue and Clinton Program), in partnership with local community-based Street in Albany, the farmers market is open every organizations A Village and Grand Street Community Saturday, 2-6 p.m. from July through October, Arts as well as local farmers and area residents. The weather permitting. project was part of Albany Med’s Child Advocacy Resident Education (CARE) initiative. CARE is a Vouchers to reduce the cost of the produce are volunteer organization led by Albany Med Pediatric available thanks to grants from community Hospitalist Sara Horstmann, MD, that encourages organizations. Food stamps are also accepted. medical residents to get involved in the community. Drs. Jenny Torre and Sonal Malhotra.

Albany Med Today | october 2013 | 5 You could not ask for better weather, food or co-workers than found at Albany Med’s Albany Med Employee Picnic 2013 Employee Picnic, held on a glorious Thursday in the final days of summer.

Knicks and Knacks and Giving Back

Have you visited the Albany Med Thrift Shop as a Kelly Morrone, manager of volunteer services, said donor or a shopper? Located off the main hallway dedicated annual expenditures include contributions in the A building, it’s a room filled with clothing for patience assistance, Project Learn, recreational and shoes, hand bags and books, and an array of therapy and even a hospitality cart. knick-knacks. And those growth charts given to families of The shop, run by the Albany Med Auxiliary, is a place newborns? Thank the thrift shop. where employees, patients and visitors can bring in or buy items to benefit Albany Med. “They have also donated money to numerous one- time requests, from remodeled waiting areas and “We get a lot of great stuff,” volunteer Jane Mosher Christmas tree decorations to magazine subscriptions said. “The variety surprises us.” Jane Mosher (right) points out a 1965 Times Union article on the and reading glasses for patients,” Morrone said. Auxiliary Thrift Shop to its co-chair, Theresa Elefante. “The proceeds go to the Auxiliary and, in turn, the Medical Center,” explained Theresa Elefante, the The shop opened in 1957 in the basement of the shop’s co-chair along with Darlene Clark, and one of Medical Center and has moved several times Auxiliary Thrift Shop the 15 volunteers at the store. before settling into its current location not far Hours: Monday–Friday from the Pillars Entrance. It accepts clean items 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. • Room A-154 The shop takes in roughly $33,000 a year, with about in good condition, with the exception of toys and $2,000 in donated items going directly to patients. stuffed animals.

Albany Med Saves Saving Dollars, Saving Lives

Albany Medical Center is calling upon its greatest “Albany Med Saves is a call to action to address rising asset to identify ways to reduce costs while continually expenses across all of health care that impact Albany improving quality patient care: Its employees. Med as well,” said Bernadette Pedlow, senior vice president for Hospital Business Services and hospital The new campaign, Albany Med Saves, empowers chief operating officer. “The money we save can be put All employees are being asked to learn more and employees to become more involved in an ongoing back into the care we provide. get involved while urging colleagues to do the effort to identify areas the Medical Center can reduce same. Visit Albany Med Saves via the Intranet, or “We need everyone to be involved.” costs and still improve quality. email [email protected] for more information. Areas to be examined include: finding savings Employee-identified savings in the past four years through pricing, standardization and usage; improving have already netted Albany Med $15.1 million. financial performance; bringing together clinical and of the services and care we provide every day,” said To cite several examples, in the past two years supply chain staff to work as teams, and creating a Rudy Santoli, vice president of materiel management. employee-generated ideas saved Albany Med close to culture open to change and new ideas. “Employees of any level or location who deal with the a combined $2 million by securing better pricing for vast and intricate workings of the Hospital, College or spine surgery implants, IV medicine administered in “We have to address the increasing cost and unknown Center are the best ones to identify the means Albany the Infusion Center and cardiac rhythm devices. future of health care, while maintaining the quality Med can achieve common-sense savings.” 6 | Albany Med Today | october 2013 I am currently a patient on M5. Just wanted to say the nursing and all staff here are beyond awesome. I have not ALBANY MED met one person who hasn’t been friendly, Words cannot explain how helpful, compassionate wonderful this nurse is. Janis or skillful! … Me and my wife Mary would like Koshgarian ... was our son’s to thank all of the great Doctors, nurse and pretty much became — via Facebook Nurses, and Medical staff that took part of our family. I am not sure care of our newborn son … I truly we would have gotten through it believe he would not be around if all without her! We were sent an it were not for you guys and your ANGEL to help us through and great care. her name is Janis! We love you! (Carl Touhey) was a great person to AMC and the local — via Facebook — via Facebook community everywhere. Mr. Touhey will be missed! @AlbanyMed No. 1,000! So heartwarming to see that the Albany Med Employee — via Facebook — via Twitter, after becoming the 1,000th Picnic is alive and well! follower of Albany Medical Center Looks like every single person who participated had a great time! Thanks Join the conversation: www.facebook.com/ Applied to the dream job @ so much for capturing and AlbanyMedicalCenter,@AlbanyMed, and AlbanyMed !! #WishMeLuck posting these happy photos! youtube.com/albanymedicalcenter — via Twitter — via Facebook

A Flash of Hope

Kylie Mingrone gives mom Samantha Maxwell a kiss as the two pose during a photo session in the Albany Medical College Alumni Lounge. They sat for Flashes of Hope (www.flashesofhope. org), a national nonprofit organization that creates free portraits of children fighting cancer and raises money for pediatric cancer research.

For Parents, Safe Infant Graphic Novelist Empowers Kids with Sleeping: Know Your ABCs Hero Character An Albany County Safe Sleeping Task Force held a recent news Shira Frimer, author of “NISTAR,” the story of a young conference at Albany Med’s Patient Pavilion with an important cancer-surviving doctor who searches for a mystical message for parents of infants: “Know your ABCs: Alone on their stone to help him save the life of a child with cancer, Backs in a Crib.” David Clark, MD, chair of the Department shared her story with patients at the Melodies Center for of Pediatrics, appeared with Albany County Executive Daniel P. Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders. Frimer wrote McCoy (right) and other regional and state medical and childcare the 104-page graphic novel 13 years after losing her experts to recognize Baby Safety Month and proclaim Safe Sleep husband to cancer. She visited Albany Med as part of Day in an effort to prevent infant deaths due to unsafe sleeping. Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September.

Vol. 8, No. 10 ALBANY MEDICAL CENTER OFFICERS October 2013 James J. Barba, JD George T. Hickman John DePaola Noel Hogan Bernadette Pedlow President and Chief Executive Vice President Executive Associate Dean and Senior Vice President and Senior Vice President for Hospital Executive Officer and Chief Information Officer Chief Operating Officer, Chief Compliance Officer Business Services and Hospital Albany Med Today Albany Medical College Chief Operating Officer is published monthly Kim Fine Gary J. Kochem Kevin M. leyden by the Department of Executive Vice President Executive Vice President Louis Filhour, RN Senior Vice President for Mary Ellen Plass, RN Policy, Planning and and Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Operating Officer Senior Vice President for Business Development and Senior Vice President and Clinical Quality Strategic Partnerships Chief Nursing Officer Communications at Albany Steven M. Frisch, MD Vincent Verdile, MD Medical Center. Comments Dennis P. McKenna, MD Henry Pohl, MD and story suggestions can be Executive Vice President of Dean and Executive Catherine Halakan IDS and Hospital Systems Vice President for Senior Vice President for Senior Vice President for Vice Dean for directed to Mark McGuire, General Director Health Affairs Human Resources Medical Affairs and Academic Administration Manager of Publications, Medical Director at (518) 262-3421 or William C. Hasselbarth Kenneth Colloton Lee R. Hessberg Ferdinand Venditti, MD [email protected]. Executive Vice President Senior Vice President, Senior Vice President and Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs and Chief Financial Officer Center for Innovation General Counsel

Albany Med Today | october 2013 | 7 Albany Medical Center Foundation 43 New Scotland Avenue (Mail Code 119) Albany, New York 12208 (518) 262-3322 Fax (518) 262-4769 Email: [email protected] www.amc.edu

Change Service Requested

Community Matters … at Albany Med Making Strides Together Against Breast Cancer Sign up now

Barbara Smith, RN, and Theresa Weinman share a chemotherapy or a mastectomy. “If we didn’t have “Early detection is critical,” stressed Smith, who passion for spreading the word about early detection this technology, my mammogram next year most with Weinman, is co-captaining Team Albany Med of breast cancer. likely would have showed a much larger tumor that for “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer,” the would have not had such a good outcome,” she said. American Cancer Society’s annual walk — the largest Smith knows first-hand. Not only does she see in the region — to highlight the importance of early dozens of breast cancer patients a month as a certified Weinman, an administrative coordinator in the detection and raise research funds. It will be held breast navigator at the Breast Care Center, but last Department of Family and Community Medicine Sunday, Oct. 20 in Washington Park in Albany. January she was diagnosed with the disease. at Albany Medical College, lost her best friend to breast cancer, watched a close family member pull With the commitment of Smith and Weinman, Her diagnosis came out of the blue. Because she through it, supported another co-worker through Albany Med will walk together as one big team, has dense breast tissue, Smith had tomosynthesis. chemotherapy and radiation, and has had several proudly wearing their Team Albany Med T-shirts. Albany Med was the first in the region to have scares herself. this very advanced technology, and Smith was on “We’re working to build our largest team ever,” the team that advocated for this powerful three- “For me, it seems there is no escaping it. Fortunately, Weinman said. “After all, Albany Med has a great dimensional imaging. we have an exceptional resource — the Breast Care story to tell. I and many others can attest to that.” Center on the South Clinical Campus,” she said. To support or walk in Making Strides, visit http:// “Once, within 10 minutes of receiving word I needed main.acsevents.org/goto/AlbanyMedicalCenter a lumpectomy, I was surrounded by an amazing team. They provided exceptional care. I was reeling, but I had information before I could even think to ask for “Little did I realize that nine months after Albany it. They answered my questions and encouraged more. Med put this lifesaving technology to work, it would save my life,” she explained. “At my annual “And when they saw how worried I was, they screening mammogram, I had ‘tomo,’ which squeezed me in so I wouldn’t have to wait eight days showed an abnormality that didn’t show up on for the results of my biopsy.” my mammogram.” Fortunately, those results were negative, but

A biopsy revealed it was stage 1 invasive breast with the high incidence of breast cancer in her Theresa Weinman, Dr. Kate Wagner, her daughter cancer. She had a lumpectomy and radiation, but family, Weinman has an MRI and mammogram Elizabeth and Dr. Ann Rutter at the 2012 cancer walk. because it was detected early, she didn’t have to have scheduled annually.

save the dates Melodies of Christmas Tickets On Sale Soon

December 12–15 It’s become one There is no surcharge added to the ticket price, Dancing in the Woods of the holiday which means a savings of at least $3 per ticket. seasons “can’t-miss” events. The 2013 Melodies of December 6 The 30th Annual Christmas performances will run from Thursday, Tickets can also be purchased by employees and Dancing in the Woods Dec. 12 to Sunday, Dec. 15 at Proctors Theatre in the public after the presale beginning in early gala to benefit the Melodies Center for Childhood Schenectady. The show will feature the Empire State November by calling the Proctors Theatre box office Cancer and Blood Disorders will be held Dec. 6 Youth Orchestra and Chorale as well as a variety of at (518) 346-6204 or by visiting www.proctors.org. at CSNE Kiernan Plaza in Albany. Details to other musicians and performers. come. Check the events page on www.amc.edu/ Purchasing a ticket to the Melodies of Christmas foundation. The annual employee ticket presale will be held helps enable the Melodies Center for Childhood Wednesday, Oct. 23 to Friday, Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. Cancer and Blood Disorders at the Children’s to 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person, with select Hospital at Albany Med to provide the best and balcony seating for the Thursday Dec. 12 and Friday most compassionate pediatric cancer care to the Dec. 13 performances at $15 per person. young patients of our community.