INSIDE 2015 President’s Awards

NewVolume 2, 2015 StandardAn employee publication of the North Shore-LIJ Health System

NEW NAME, NEW ERA pg. 4 LIJ Nurses Achieve Magnet Status pg. 27 Fostering Creativity with New Ventures pgs. 6-9

“Thank you for calling” pg. 15 what’s INSIDE Volume 2, 2015

New Name, New Era Editor in Chief Terry Lynam 4The North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System is changing its name to Northwell Health. A rebranding process Director of Editorial Services will launch in January to tout the new identity, designed to boost Maria Conforti regional and national recognition. Contributors Ashley Baker James Cuniglio The Real Inside Story Tony Davenport 14Pathology specialists on the autopsy services team solve Brian Donnelly questions for loved ones, researchers and litigants. Susan Kreimer Jenn Krusch Sally Ann Lake Brian Mulligan Emily Ng Diane O’Donnell LIJ's Magnet Status Margarita Oksenkrug Betty Olt 27High marks for high-quality care, patient and nurse Barbara Osborn satisfaction, deep professional expertise and more helped LIJ Irene Peake Medical Center earn Magnet designation by the American Nurses Michelle Pinto Credentialing Center. Michelle Pipia-Stiles Christian Preston Julie Robinson-Tingue Spencer Rumsey Bouyant with Gratitude Arleen Ryback First responders rushed a Great Neck college student to 67 April Sirianni North Shore University Hospital’s Emergency Department. But first, Adrienne Stoller they had to free her from the 5,000-pound tree that pinned her down. Christina Verni Mark Vincent Kathleen Waton Alexandra Zendrian Special Section Photography, Illustrations North Shore-LIJ Studios, 2015 North Shore-LIJ President’s Awards except as noted The 2015 President’s Award winners and nominees personify the health system’s mission, vision, culture and values. See pages 45 to 50. Graphic Design Gina Reduzzi/Reduzzi Design

Comments/Suggestions? Contact: On the Cover Public Relations Department Selina Poon, MD, used a ground-breaking treatment to improve 125 Community Drive Great Neck, NY 11021 Jordan Jennings’s infantile scoliosis. See story on page 71. 516-465-2600

2 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 aMESSAGEfrom thePRESIDENT

New Name, New Era What’s in a name? In today’s business world, it means everything. If consumers can’t remember your name or how to access your services, they'll go elsewhere.

Even though the health care field has been slow in adapting to the consumer-centric approach, the level of competition among providers, especially here in the New York area, has never been more intense.

The need to be highly visible and clearly understood within and beyond metropolitan Michael Dowling New York requires strong brand recognition, which is why the health system Board of Trustees voted unanimously to change our name to Northwell Health, beginning in January. The names of the health system's hospitals will remain the same.

North Shore University Hospital and LIJ Medical Center are the market leaders on Long Island and Queens, yet the health system name is not as well known as we would like among consumers elsewhere, despite our vast presence throughout the region.

That’s all about to change. Beginning early next year, we will launch the most aggressive advertising and marketing campaign in our history.

We have been relatively silent in promoting the health system in recent years, in anticipation that we would change our name. We looked at 600-plus names over the past several years. We narrowed the choices down and our legal team reviewed 15 for serious consideration before making a final recommendation to our board.

Well, all of us should be thrilled that the wait is finally over.

With community roots that date back more than a century at hospitals such as Staten Island University Hospital, Lenox Hill Hospital and Southside Hospital, our health system came together in the 1990s out of a need and mission to provide the highest level of care possible for the millions of people who live and work in the New York region.

Our mission remains the same, yet we are a far different organization than we were two decades ago. As outlined in the story on page 4, we have become a vast clinical, research and education enterprise, matched by few others in the US and none in the New York area.

The Northwell Health name recognizes our evolution as an organization that is changing the future of health care. It allows us to expand our story of innovation and healing, and it will help us become better known for our forward-thinking, transformative approach to the business of health care. Northwell Health is also a testament to our mission, reflecting our efforts to promote wellness and guide consumers toward better health.

It’s going to be an exciting few years as we begin this new chapter in our illustrious history. Thank you in advance for your help in building support for the new name among your family members, friends and neighbors.

You are our ambassadors. Together, we can continue to do great things. The New Standard 3 North Shore-LIJ to Change Name to Northwell Health By Terry Lynam

GREAT NECK — In a historic and an expanding geographic scope, enabling Ramon Soto, the health system’s chief unanimous vote on September 10, the greater access to high-quality care for the marketing and communications officer. North Shore-LIJ Board of Trustees voted millions of people who live and work in “Leveraging the new Northwell Health to change the organization’s name to the New York region. name, we will build strong recognition Northwell Health. The new name will be the regionally and nationally, with the goal “Being highly visible and clearly centerpiece of a multi-year internal and of elevating our reputation among both understood within and beyond the external rebranding process to build consumers and medical professionals.” New York metropolitan area requires name recognition and distinguish the The names of the health system’s strong brand recognition,” said Michael organization in a cluttered health care hospitals will remain intact, in recognition Dowling, the 21-hospital network's market. As a first step, the health system of their rich and unique community- president and chief executive officer. will begin introducing the new brand based histories, including: North Shore “The Northwell Health name is a to its more than 61,000 employees, University Hospital, Long Island Jewish reflection of our past and a beacon of 10,000+ affiliated physicians and other Medical Center, Staten Island University our future. It’s unique, simple and internal audiences this fall, followed by a Hospital, Lenox Hill Hospital, Southside approachable, and better defines who we comprehensive marketing campaign that Hospital, Huntington Hospital, Phelps are and where we are going.” will launch in January 2016. Memorial Hospital and Northern The new name is intended to highlight “We have a powerful story to tell Westchester Hospital. the system’s growing focus on wellness and and we believe our new name is the ideal “While we have considered many health, its emphasis on innovation and platform to deliver that message,” said different ideas over the years, our

4 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Board of Trustees has selected a new name that signals a clear vision for the Historical Highlights future of health: Northwell Health,” said Mark Claster, chair of the Board of Since North Shore University and Glen Cove hospitals merged in 1992 to create Trustees. “All those associated with this the North Shore Health System, which merged with LIJ Medical Center in 1997 to form organization are clearly proud of our the North Shore-LIJ Health System, the organization has evolved into a vast clinical, heritage. Yet, our trustees recognized the need for a name that did not confine us educational and research enterprise. It has grown to become the largest private employer geographically, reflects our emergence in New York State and the 14th-largest health system in the nation, with annual revenues as a regional health care provider with a of nearly $8 billion. Among its milestones over the past two decades are: coverage area that extends beyond Long Island, and better defines us as the health u the 1999 establishment of a biomedical research arm, now known as The Feinstein care leader we are." Institute for Medical Research, which includes more than 1,500 scientists, The health system’s current name investigators and other employees ; stems from the 1997 merger of the North Shore Health System and Long u the 2010 expansion into Manhattan with the addition of Lenox Hill Hospital and the Island Jewish Medical Center. At that 2014 opening of Manhattan’s first freestanding emergency center, Lenox Health time, the name accurately represented Greenwich Village; the scope of work and geographical focus of the organization. u the 2010 founding of New York State’s first allopathic medical school in 40 years – Beyond its hospitals, the health system the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, which graduated its first class in has grown into a significant community May of this year; resource that also offers a full continuum of care through a broad network of skilled u the 2013 creation of the health system’s own health insurance company, nursing facilities, rehabilitation programs, CareConnect; home care, hospice services, urgent u the 2014 addition of two Westchester County hospitals, Phelps Memorial Hospital care, primary care and specialty services throughout the metropolitan area, as Center in Sleepy Hollow and Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco; well as access to more than 2,100 clinical u the August 2015 strategic affiliation with Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn research trials that have enrolled over (see page 25); 15,000 participants. “We are very proud of our origins u the September 2015 addition of Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead in eastern and deeply grateful for the extraordinary Long Island (see page 24); support we receive from the communities we serve. We look forward to their u the September 2015 launch of the School of Graduate Nursing and Physician continued engagement as we move Assistant Studies at Hofstra University (see page 21); confidently into the future,” said Mr. Dowling. “We have been on an incredible u a major ambulatory expansion that now includes about 450 outpatient physician journey over the past two decades, driven practices throughout the metropolitan area; by the dedication of our many employees and generous donors. Our name change u the largest ambulance transport system on the East Coast and the New York area’s and the opportunity to reintroduce first hospital-based, helicopter emergency medical service; and ourselves to consumers are exciting milestones that position us for even u strategic alliances with such internationally renowned institutions as the Cleveland greater success in the years to come.” Clinic, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden.

The New Standard 5 INNOVATION at WORK

$100,000 Grant to Help Develop New C. diff Treatment

ROSLYN — The gastrointestinal tract’s microbiome is a colony of trillions of different “friendly bacteria” that fight dangerous infections like Clostridium difficile (C. diff). However, overuse of antibiotics can destroy the microbiome, creating an opportunity for a C. diff infection. Symbiotic Health, Inc., recently received $100,000 to help develop bacterial therapeutics to treat C. diff. Accelerate Long Island and the Long Island Emerging Technologies Fund (LIETF) each invested $50,000 in the biotechnology startup, which Bruce Hirsch, MD, infectious disease specialist at North Shore University Hospital, cofounded in 2013 with Gerard Honig, PhD, From left: Drs. Hirsch and Honig with Symbiotic Health’s new capsule treatment for C. diff. a former research fellow at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and Symbiotic Health’s current CEO. “This investment gives a tremendous opportunity to develop The C. diff bacterium causes diarrhea and more serious a new treatment for an urgent health threat,” said Dr. Hirsch. intestinal conditions, and requires prolonged use of antibiotics. The infusion of funds will help Symbiotic Health to finalize As one of the nation’s most prevalent hospital-acquired development of the oral capsule therapy and perform a clinical infections, Clostridium difficile causes about 500,000 infections and outcomes study within North Shore-LIJ. Larry Miller, MD, the 30,000 deaths in the US every year. Current pharmaceutical health system’s chief of gastroenterology, and other clinicians and therapies give no relief to more than 20 percent of patients with researchers from North Shore-LIJ and the Hofstra North Shore- C. diff. As a result, they suffer with chronic diarrhea for months LIJ School of Medicine are advisors on the project. or even years; poor outcomes; and impaired quality of life. Symbiotic Health also seeks other collaborators to use its patient-friendly, scalable approach to deliver the benefits of Solution, Encapsulated fecal-derived microbiome transplantation. By working with the The Symbiotic Health team has developed a proprietary oral startup, health care facilities can rapidly improve patient care and capsule that restores balance to “friendly bacteria” in the gut and reduce the human and financial burden associated with C. diff. doesn’t require patients to undergo a fecal transplant. Accelerate Long Island provided a $50,000 grant from its

6 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Lenox Health Greenwich Village

MANHATTAN — The Lenox Hill Healthplex has a new name – Lenox Health Greenwich Village – and with it, a host of new services on tap for 2016. Housed in the historic National Maritime Union Building, Lenox Health Greenwich Village first opened its doors in July 2014, and is anchored by Manhattan’s first free-standing Emergency Center. As of September 1, the $500,000 Seed Fund, Emergency Center has already provided care to more than 33,000 patients, with patient satisfaction scores in the which was established by a 96th percentile nationwide and the 99th percentile for the New York region. The facility also offers a new North grant from New York State Shore-LIJ Laboratories patient service center, open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Empire State Development New construction on the upper floors is the second phase of the $150 million-plus Lenox Health Greenwich awarded by the Long Village project. The space will include: Island Regional Economic ON THE 4TH FLOOR, an ambulatory surgery center with four operating rooms and two procedural areas for Development Council. Jove an array of surgical and pain-management interventions. In this joint venture, physician partners will have an Equity Partners from LIETF ownership stake in the center’s success. also invested $50,000 in ON THE 5TH FLOOR, an imaging suite that will offer X-Ray, magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI), computed Symbiotic Health. tomography (CT), ultrasound, stereotactic and mammography services and pediatric imaging. Following this ON THE 6TH FLOOR, physicians’ offices with 14 exam rooms plus conference and meeting spaces. Design of the development, Symbiotic meeting space will focus on honoring the history of this unique building. Community groups will have access to this Health will move its area for their own use, and one conference room can also serve as an emergency management command center. operations back to Long Island from the Harlem Biospace Incubator. The company has two full-time employees and expects to add more this year. Symbiotic Health will continue to develop next- generation therapeutics, using select lab-grown bacteria to treat C. diff and other infections.

At Lenox Health Greenwich Village, from left: Alex Hellinger, the center’s executive director, and Michael Dowling, president and CEO of the health system.

The New Standard 7 INNOVATION at WORK

ith an increasing emphasis on value, a shift from inpatient to outpatient care, Wand changes in reimbursement structures requiring providers to take on more risk, hospitals have a growing need to reduce readmissions and deliver better care at lower cost. Leaders of the North Shore-LIJ Health System are thinking creatively when it comes to accomplishing these goals. Drawing expertise from five key areas across the health system — clinical, research, administrative, information technology (IT) and commercialization — the newly launched Center for Health IT Innovation is working to take pioneering IT ideas and make them a reality. Whether it’s a new tool, mobile app or entire technology system, North Shore-LIJ now has the infrastructure to integrate and implement health IT solutions for administrative and clinical challenges. From conception to commercialization, including funding, development, piloting, scaling and implementation, the Center for Health IT Innovation manages the entire process. The new entity is part of North Shore Ventures, the health system’s corporate venturing arm. It was established in 2013 to identify and foster ground-breaking ideas that can engage patients and enhance the growth of North Shore-LIJ enterprises. The Center for Health IT Innovation officially opened its doors in June, though the team had already been working on some new health IT projects prior to Bringing New the formal launch. The Lenox Hill NS app is one of the first ideas developed by the Center for Health IT Innovation. Ideas to Life Lenox Hill Hospital’s David Langer, MD, director By Christina Verni of neurosurgery, and Kenneth Court, director of neurosurgery IT, came up with the concept (see opposite page for more details). A new company called Cirrus Health GoHealth clinics, this approach also enables service recovery will commercialize the app as it develops. and reporting/dashboards. A pilot at Lenox Hill’s Emergency After beta-testing this spring, a Lenox Hill NS app pilot Department (ED) is testing how real-time feedback can affect study began with about 100 patients in Lenox Hill Hospital’s improvements to the ED fast-track well in advance of quarterly Division of Neurosurgery. Once the two-month trial winds up, Press Ganey data. the development team will refine the product. Then the Center Successful pilots for the Lenox Hill NS app and other for Health IT Innovation will roll out the Lenox Hill NS app to projects can open up the potential of expanding use through other Lenox Hill service lines whose patients are at the highest contracts with third-party payers. risk of readmission: orthopedics, cardiovascular and oncology. The commercialization of such tools not only can provide a Full-scale deployment to the health system of Lenox Hill revenue stream for North Shore-LIJ, said Tom Thornton, senior NS app is expected in about two years. The exciting last step in vice president of North Shore Ventures. the process will be to commercialize the product outside of the He added, “The overall infrastructure and innovative health system. environment will enhance our position to compete for large Another project is evaluating different technologies to provide health IT innovation funding opportunities from federal real-time, texting-based patient feedback on two simple queries: agencies focused on improving care quality. That, in turn, will “likelihood to recommend” and “comments.” Already in use at benefit our patients.”

8 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Care Tool Streamlines Complex Services

GREAT NECK — The new Care Tool from North Shore-LIJ needs within health system facilities. Care Solutions helps maintain the health of high-risk, New Furthermore, Care Tool lets the team monitor not only the York State Health Home Medicaid enrollees. number and types of patient/caregiver interactions, but also Care Solutions oversees the health system’s care management their quality and content. Moreover, it indicates the urgency of strategy and operations, said Kristofer Smith, MD, Care interventions that are most likely to affect good outcomes, such as Solutions’ vice president and medical director. appointments with primary care physicians, connection to family As Nassau, Suffolk and Queens counties’ designated lead and group support. This helps the team prioritize and use Health Health Home since 2012, Care Solutions serves more than 2,700 Home resources to the best advantage. Medicaid recipients with complex needs. The Health Home model includes a clinical resource specialist, a social worker and a Everyday Effectiveness nurse care manager for every member. “I love the Care Tool,” said Jennifer Baltusis, Health Home Care Tool’s proprietary system helps this team coordinate outreach coordinator at Care Solutions. “It’s intuitive and makes care and services with a range of providers and community so much sense. One of the best things about it is being able to organizations to ensure enrollees can access all the services they make changes to patient and provider information in real time. It’s need to stay healthy and avoid preventable hospitalizations. North extremely helpful that we can work with Care Tool in the field.” Shore-LIJ’s technical teams worked with Care Solutions to base the The initiative has already resulted in productivity gains, Dr. tool on the InterSystems HealthShare health informatics platform. Anantraman said. He added: “Prior to rollout, care managers had to be trained on multiple electronic health records [EHRs] Shared Workflow to manually locate and integrate patient data. Now, they have By automating routine data-gathering and creating a shared all the information in one place, prepopulated for them on one workflow, Care Tool helps users from call centers to clinicians screen. Information they enter in Care Tool is available to the to manage the complexity of delivering services across the entire care team.” continuum of care. “One of the keys to managing high-risk patients is an interdisciplinary approach. Care Tool gives all care Lenox Hill NS App team members an electronic environment to collaborate MANHATTAN — Lenox Hill Hospital neurosurgery patients are trying a new post-discharge and coordinate efforts to help tool that helps them understand their diagnosis and treatment and aid their healing. patients meet their health Produced by Lenox Hill Hospital’s Division of Neurosurgery and North Shore-LIJ and wellness goals,” said Ventures, the Lenox Hill NS app is in advanced beta testing. The HIPAA-compliant, Vishwanath Anantraman, web-based platform is an e-book that incorporates text, document files (PDF, Microsoft MD, chief information Word) and highly customized multimedia, such as a review of diagnostic scans and architect of North Shore-LIJ audio/video created at bedside to explain complex information. An email invitation lets and leader of the Care Tool patients sign up and create a secure login. development project. Furthermore, Apple iOS users can download the Lenox Hill NS app to view their The tool enables real- discharge instructions. The app also provides “Click to Call,” emails of care team members and a link to Lenox Hill’s time medical decision- Division of Neurosurgery Web page. Other mobile platforms and more mobile functionality, such as patient-to- making to aid in needs hospital text and video communication, plus future markets for the app, are in development by Cirrus Health. assessment, workflow support Preliminary neurosurgical patients have enrolled for a randomized study that examines the patient experience and quality metrics for with Lenox Hill NS, patient engagement in their own discharge process, medication compliance, follow-up adherence, continuous improvement. 30-day hospital readmission rates and emergency department visits, and provider experience. Initial results have For example, Health Home been promising and the study is structured to provide ample material for publication in peer-reviewed journals. staff members receive alerts Lenox Hill Hospital’s Neurosurgery Division won a 2015 President’s Award for Innovation for creating as members are admitted the app. See the President’s Awards section to learn more. for emergency or outpatient

The New Standard 9 advanced illness initiatives Let’s CHAT About Advance Care Planning By Betty Olt

or many people, the process of advance care planning advance care planning or documentation. Community members — discussing, deciding on medical treatment directives, can also take advantage of a free, one-on-one legal consultation Fappointing a decision-maker, and reviewing plans — can be by appointment through the Gitenstein Institute for Health Law complex and daunting. and Policy at Hofstra Law. Working with doctors, participants can A health care proxy is a common document that lets you also file documents with their primary care physicians. appoint someone you trust (a proxy or agent) to make health “Through CHAT, we want to encourage individuals and care decisions if you become unable to do so. People often delay families to have these important discussions,” said Maria this task until they are sick or get older. Sometimes, they avoid Carney, MD, chief of geriatric and palliative medicine at North it all together. However, New York State’s Department of Health Shore-LIJ. “We equip participants with tools to make informed recommends that everyone over 18 appoint a health care agent. decisions about their health care in case they become unable to Without healthcare proxies, spouses (or next of kin, if speak for themselves.” unmarried) can make decisions on the behalf of hospitalized Many people think advance care planning refers to end-of-life adults who can’t make decisions for themselves. However, care, but that’s not the entire picture, Dr. Carney said. “Advance problems often arise when there is no spouse or more than one care planning is about how we want to live — to get out of the child involved. Appointing a health care agent ahead of time lets hospital as soon as possible, to get home and live comfortably as you choose who you want to be your voice and make your health long as possible. Health care is increasingly complex. It’s important care decisions according to your own wishes or best interests. to identify someone to help with decision-making.” The Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury hosted one Program Jumpstarts Hard Discussions of the first CHAT presentations, attracting about 100 attendees. CHAT (Conversations: Health and Treatments) is a new “The center’s members were receptive to discussing advance program that jumpstarts important and emotional discussions care planning that was aligned with Islamic beliefs,” said Steven about guarding individuals’ health care interests. The free Walerstein, MD, associate chief medical officer and senior vice forums on advanced health care planning are a joint effort of president of medical affairs at North Shore-LIJ. “For example, the North Shore-LIJ Health System and the Gitenstein Institute it is acceptable to support someone during the natural dying for Health Law and Policy at Hofstra University’s Maurice A. process and in line with palliative care if someone chooses that,” Deane School of Law. he said. Experts from both organizations — physicians, lawyers and Mohammed Ghouri, a 57-year-old businessman from Syosset public health professionals — are giving presentations to diverse who attended the Islamic Center’s event, said, “I valued the CHAT groups in the metropolitan New York area to encourage attendees presentation and I believe it is essential for everyone’s life.” Mr. to discuss with loved ones their health and the care they want. Ghouri said the forum motivated him to discuss advanced care The forums also help attendees make sense of advance directives planning with his wife and two children, ages 20 and 11. “We (written documents) such as health care proxies, living wills and decided to sign health care proxies and other documents that we Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatments (MOLST) forms. will discuss and sign with our attorney.” Reaching more than 500 people this spring and summer, CHAT For more information about the CHAT project, email representatives conduct follow-up sessions for questions about [email protected] or call 516-463-7015.

10 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Improving Care, Lowering Medical Costs for the Frail Elderly By Betty Olt

GREAT NECK — The US Patients in House Calls program provides a 24/7 in- Centers for Medicare and can expect a high level of person clinical response for Medicaid Services (CMS) Responsive, care, similar to that provided patients as needed. recently recognized the in a doctor’s office. They Through the North Shore-LIJ House high-intensity care have access to home-based demonstration project, Calls Program for successful for better outcomes. ultrasounds, radiology, North Shore-LIJ’s House participation in a national EKG, sleep studies, lab Calls program treats 200 demonstration project work, physical, occupational patients; the project serves to provide home-based “Illness doesn’t stick to and speech therapy, as 8,400 seniors nationally. primary care to chronically a 9-to-5 schedule, so North well as intravenous fluids Independence at Home just ill, vulnerable seniors. In Shore-LIJ House Calls has and prescriptions refills. completed its third and final addition to improving patient medical staff available around Clinicians are available for year, but legislation is pending outcomes, House Calls the clock to assist elderly urgent, same-day visits on in Congress to extend the reduced costs, earning the patients during emergencies,” weekdays, and are available project another two years. health system $542,232 in said Kristofer Smith, MD, nights and weekends to The health system will incentives. vice president and medical answer clinical questions reinvest its CMS incentives House Calls was one of 17 director of North Shore- from patients and caregivers into Independence at Home participants in Independence LIJ’s Care Solutions, which or to arrange urgent services. to expand services to more at Home, a CMS project oversees the health system’s In addition, North Shore- patients in need, Dr. Smith established as part of the care management organization LIJ’s community paramedic said. Affordable Care Act and and operations. “We know our recently approved for another older, chronically ill patients two years. The incentive- want to remain comfortably based payment model showed at home, but need services in What “Independence at a savings of more that $25 place to prevent unnecessary million in the first year. emergency department visits However, only nine of the 17 or hospitalizations,” he added. Home” Means for Patients participants received incentive “Lessons from the payments of a total of $11.7 Independence at Home North Shore-LIJ’s House Calls’ quality performance in the first year of million for reducing Medicare project show that providing a the CMS Independence at Home project was better than average, achieving costs and meeting quality high-intensity model that can five of six CMS-designated quality measures. On average, enrolled Medicare goals for the first year of the respond to patients when they beneficiaries in Independence at Home practices have: demonstration. need care, can also improve o fewer hospital readmissions within 30 days; CMS reported that quality and reduce unwanted o follow-up provider contact within 48 hours of a hospital admission, Independence at Home health care services and hospital discharge, or emergency department visit; participants saved an average expenses,” Dr. Smith said. o their medications identified by their provider within 48 hours of of $3,070 per beneficiary. “This can only be done with a hospital discharge; House Calls more than competent and compassionate o their preferences documented by their provider; and doubled the savings in the cost team of clinicians and staff o lower use of inpatient hospital and emergency department services of care for each beneficiary to focused on understanding for conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, $6,388. patient and family goals.” pneumonia and urinary tract infection.

The New Standard 11 Device Reduces AFib Patients' Stroke Risk By Betty Olt

MANHASSET — There’s a new Cardiologists use a catheter alternative to prevent stroke to guide the device, which is in people with an atrial compressed to about the size of fibrillation (AFib). Three a quarter, through a leg vein up patients recently became the to the heart for deployment. The first on Long Island to receive Watchman expands and attaches the Watchman heart implant to the LAA, closing off the area at North Shore University to prevent possible blood clots Hospital (NSUH). from entering the blood stream Atrial fibrillation and causing a stroke. affects the upper chambers The one-time, minimally of the heart and causes an invasive procedure takes

irregular heartbeat. The Courtesy of Boston Scientific about an hour under general condition can lead to blood When it expands and attaches to the LAA, the Watchman closes off the area to prevent anesthesia. Afterward, patients clots, stroke, heart failure potential blood clots from entering the blood stream and causing a stroke. typically stay in the hospital and other heart-related for 24 hours. complications. AFib affects about 2.7 million in medications like warfarin) are the most common the US, says the American Heart Association. Its treatment to reduce stroke risk for people with More Freedom, real danger is the increased risk for stroke: AFib AFib. They are highly effective, says the Journal No Medication Side Effects patients’ stroke risk is at a five-fold increase. of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis, but can pose Twenty-four hours after her own Watchman “When the top chamber of the heart beats significant bleeding risks. implant, Ms. Calderon said, “I feel great.” too quickly, blood doesn’t flow well and it can For example, Charline Calderon, 63, Accompanied by her husband of 45 years, pool in an area of the heart known as the left atrial of Jamaica, Queens, was diagnosed with Hector, and their three grandchildren, she said appendage [LAA]. This is the most common spot AFib several years ago, but couldn’t tolerate that with the device, “I will have more freedom — where clots form, and they can travel to the brain anticoagulants. They caused gastrointestinal no routine blood tests at the clinic, I can eat and cause a stroke,” said Apoor Patel, MD, director bleeding and resulted in three hospitalizations more green vegetables.” And most importantly, of complex ablations in the NSUH Department of for her in the last year. “It’s a lot easier, knowing that my risk for stroke Electrophysiology. Dr. Patel and his colleague, Ms. Calderon was the first to receive the is very low.” Stuart Beldner, MD, NSUH’s associate director Watchman implant at NSUH. “Blood thinner medications are the of electrophysiology, recently performed the Made by Boston Scientific, Inc., and mainstay of therapy for preventing stroke Watchman implant for three patients. approved in more than 70 countries, the for patients with afib,” Dr. Patel said. “The Anticoagulants (“blood thinning” Watchman looks like a tiny mesh parachute. Watchman gives an alternative to those who can’t tolerate anticoagulants. This breakthrough device can benefit a lot of AFib patients.” “This advanced technology is truly life- changing for our patients in protecting against stroke,” said Dr. Beldner. “It is unusual to have a device that can replace medications. This is the future of stroke prevention and AFib.” The Calderons, who both recently retired, enjoy driving their camper and spending time with their family. In recent years, they have visited the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore and Las Vegas, as well as local campgrounds in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. “Being off the blood thinners, I’m looking forward to being Charline and Hector more relaxed on the road with my family.” Calderone. See video bit.ly/afibFIX

12 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 MANHASSET — A $3 million gift from lifetime trustee Sandra Atlas Bass to the North Shore-LIJ Health System will help to create the new Sandra Atlas Bass Center for Liver Diseases. The new center will open in mid-2016 on the campus of North Shore University Hospital (NSUH), next to the hospital’s Division of Infectious Disease A philanthropic partner of North Shore-LIJ for 25 rendering Architect's years, Ms. Bass has touched Sandra Atlas Bass the lives of thousands of patients. Her legacy is tangible throughout the health system, including Cohen Children’s Medical Center, The Feinstein $3M Gift to Establish Institute for Medical Research and LIJ Medical Center, plus the NSUH campus that bears Liver Disease Center her name. “The latest gift from Sandra Atlas Bass to create and name the Center for debilitating. Many of the educational push to combat from Ms. Bass will allow us to Liver Diseases at North Shore disorders — such as Hepatitis liver disease. David Bernstein, have a direct and meaningful University Hospital fits the B, Hepatitis C, fatty liver, MD, has been appointed impact on our patients with strategic plan for the future of hereditary liver diseases, director of the Center for liver disease. I cannot thank the hospital,” said Alessandro autoimmune liver diseases, Liver Diseases, as well as her enough for her support.” Bellucci, MD, the hospital’s liver cancer and cirrhosis — chief of the new Division of The Sandra Atlas Bass executive director. “It will remain poorly understood. Hepatology. Center for Liver Diseases play an important role in our will offer patients a separate growth and ability to manage entrance and parking lot for the challenges associated with Many liver disorders remain poorly understood, easier access, plus the added an increasing number of conveniences of blood- patients suffering from hepatic and those afflicted often misunderstand the drawing and testing services. disease. We are extremely significance of their symptoms. The facility will house 18 grateful to Sandy and all of the exam rooms, two treatment donors who have supported rooms and a multimedia this important initiative.” Often, those afflicted do not “The new Sandra Atlas educational center. The gut realize their symptoms are Bass Center for Liver Diseases renovation will also create A Growing Need part of a larger problem. will incorporate clinical, new space to accommodate While liver disease The North Shore-LIJ research and educational researchers’ and clinicians’ affects people of all ages, Department of Medicine facilities, and will be the conferences and educational it is most prevalent among recently established a Division only one of its kind on Long forums for doctoral mature adults, with symptoms of Hepatology to facilitate the Island,” said Dr. Bernstein. candidates, fellows, residents ranging from mild to clinical care, research and “The generous donation and medical students.

The New Standard 13 in theSPOTLIGHT

Autopsy Services By Alexandra Zendrian

It’s one of our oldest medical procedures. Over the centuries, its operating attire as surgeons, since a postmortem exam is essentially a techniques have modified and its applications have expanded into medical surgical procedure. anatomy and education, medico-legal inquiry and beyond. Now, it is For suspicious, unusual or violent deaths, a local Medical Examiner’s integral to public health, medical education and quality health care. Office or coroner usually performs an autopsy. But a relative or other In addition to fulfilling these purposes, an autopsy also gives legally authorized person can request the procedure for a loved one who a decedent a final opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to has died of natural causes. society, said Alex Kent Williamson, MD, chief of the North Shore-LIJ Health Like other medical procedures, an autopsy requires a valid consent. System’s autopsy services. The person giving consent can specify certain restrictions, but Dr. “An autopsy lets someone engage in the education of tomorrow’s Williamson advises that “a limited autopsy gives limited answers.” The physicians,” Dr. Williamson said. “Findings from the procedure may help to procedure can follow organ donation, does not delay funeral arrangements advance understanding of diseases like cancer or Alzheimer disease.” more than 48 hours, and never prevents an open-casket wake. Dr. Williamson leads 12 other doctors with practice and research interests across the spectrum of pathology specialties. They perform about 225 autopsies annually for decedents of all ages, most at LIJ Reinstating an Avenue of Insight Medical Center and some at North Shore University Hospital. Each site’s Autopsies follow less than one in 10 US hospital deaths today — a autopsy suite is adjacent to the morgue. It resembles an operating room, steep decline from nearly half of hospital deaths in the 1940s. with similar tables, lights and instruments. Pathologists wear the same The decline is due to many causes, said Dr. Williamson, citing as a large factor the common mistaken belief that modern medicine makes the procedure unnecessary. Yet while various technologies and testing methods have improved over the past decades, discrepancies still arise, he said, adding: “An autopsy remains the only way to know for sure what diseases and co-existing conditions were present in someone who has died.” Furthermore, medical schools rarely give their students exposure to the procedure. When the students go on to practice medicine, this deficit may leave them uncomfortable or unsure about how to request permission for an autopsy on their patient, Dr. Williamson said. As an associate professor of pathology at Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, he is countering this trend by working to ensure at least one autopsy in each student’s curriculum. Even after performing nearly 700 postmortem examinations, Dr. Williamson remains excited and feels privileged to be the last physician to care for a patient. “I take this responsibility very seriously,” he said. “It’s a humbling experience.”

At LIJ, from left: Roberto Carreras, autopsy assistant, and Dr. Williamson.

14 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 A DAYin theLIFE

Lisa Duque Director, Enterprise Telecommunications, North Shore-LIJ Health System By Tony Davenport

Many New Standard readers may interact with Lisa Duque every day without even knowing it. The on-hold voice throughout hospitals, facilities, laboratories, offices and more, she is the Ms. Moviefone of the North Shore-LIJ Health System.

Q: Other than being the “voice of North Shore-LIJ,” what is your position and history in the health system? A: I am the director of enterprise telecommunications. I started with North Shore University Hospital’s nursing education team 22 years ago and moved to the Quality Management Department the next year. When we relocated, the building needed someone to assist with the landlines, so I volunteered. Eventually, my landline responsibilities expanded to include mobile services. We have more than 6,000 North Shore-LIJ-owned mobile devices.

Q: How DID it wind up being your voice on all those messages? A: As a landline specialist, I was doing a phone system installation, which included a new voicemail system. No one wanted to do the recordings, so to move the process along, I volunteered, despite never having done it before. Eventually, my boss said there should be one voice for all North Shore-LIJ Health System recordings. I had no idea this would escalate into more than 2,300 announcements.

Q: Do employees recognize your voice when dealing with you while you’re doing your “day job”? A: On occasion, people will ask me if that’s my voice when they call North Shore-LIJ Health System. I have to do the occasional after-hours A Daughter’s Gratitude recordings and my kids always tell me, “Do it in your real voice.” It may look otherwise now, but Rory Rosegarten, right, was “broken” when Sometimes, I’ll run into someone who tells me they think of me each time he first came to Transitions of Long Island. A stroke had seriously impaired they call their physician’s office. That always makes me smile. Mr. Rosegarten's communications abilities, weakened his right side and The most common reaction is disbelief. Even people who have known me caused double vision. His daughter Danielle, left, witnessed the journey of for years question that it’s really me. recovery and how daunting it sometimes was. Impressed by the care and compassion that aided her father’s recovery, Ms. Rosegarten wanted to pay it forward, so she spearheaded a grassroots fundraising project to support Q: What is the funniest question or reaction you have heard? Transitions of Long Island’s specialized neuro-rehabilition programs. “We A: I was in my doctor’s office and he introduced me to his staff as the were completely surprised to learn of the fundraiser,” said Jean Elbaum, MD, voice on the recordings and asked me to “do the voice” for them. director of Transitions. Dr. Elbaum added that the money Ms. Rosegarten The most embarrassing was at the last leadership retreat in May, when I raised would help to purchase equipment on the Transitions “wish list” that was with a friend of a friend and they kept introducing me as “the voice will help other patients as they recover from brain injury. of North Shore-LIJ.”

The New Standard 15 around the system

Balancing Excellence with Empathy By Brian Mulligan

NEW HYDE PARK — Sometimes, the truth hurts. LIJ maintains a database of letters, emails and praise from Despite LIJ Medical Center’s good clinical outcomes, patients and patient families, Dr. Barden said. Staff members most discharged patients in 2009 and 2010 said they would who provide outstanding hospitality attend a “Breakfast with the not recommend the hospital to a friend or family member. LIJ Stars” with their supervisors and LIJ leadership. ranked between the 8th and 11th percentiles nationally in Press The emphasis on hospitality has been important in turning Ganey patient surveys’ “Likelihood to Recommend” category. In LIJ’s scores around. Most recently, the hospital’s Press Ganey 2011, LIJ dropped to the 6th percentile. ranking was in the 68th percentile, a major upturn. Administrators saw that change was needed. If LIJ continued “Next to the outcome, the most important thing — what in the same manner, it risked losing patients and significant keeps people coming back to LIJ when they need care — is how reimbursements through HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer we treat patients and family,” Dr. Barden said. “Excellent care is Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems), the US essential. But excellent, compassionate care is frequently what Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ incentive program. distinguishes us for the patient and family. It’s what sets us apart.” The analysis of the problem was pretty straightforward, said Agnes Barden, RN, DNP, North Shore-LIJ’s assistant vice president of patient and customer experience. “We weren’t consistently engaged with each other, or the patient and their family members,” she said. “We needed a cultural transformation of the patient experience.” The health system’s chief experience officer, Sven Gierlinger, agreed that change was essential. “We are in competition for the customers’ attention and satisfaction and there is a need to meet their expectations. That requires us to provide patients with improved access, response times and a new provider-patient relationship,” he said. “That means we need to reinvent ourselves and offer new delivery mechanisms, staff education and communication tools to meet those expectations.” Led by Chantal Weinhold, senior vice president and executive director of North Shore-LIJ’s central region, LIJ collaborated with an organization called Hospitality Quotient to make that critical cultural turnaround. All 5,000 LIJ staff members were required to participate in health care hospitality-specific training in 2012 and again in 2014. “We emphasized hospitality, teamwork and creating a better environment for the patient and family experience, rather than focus on survey scores,” Dr. Barden explained. Augmenting this training is a recognition program that includes a Hospitality Observation Team, a group of staff members who observe colleagues throughout the hospital. The team anonymously rewards employees for exceptional patient experience and follows up on anything that needs improvement. LIJ made a critical cultural transformation that emphasized hospitality, teamwork and creating a better environment for patients and families.

16 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 SLEEPY HOLLOW — Patients are managing chronic health conditions and reducing preventable rehospitalization with the Phelps Memorial Hospital Center’s Telehealth Program. Exacerbations due to congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or diabetes cause up to 20 percent of hospital readmissions within 30 days of discharge. Telehealth helps patients prevent avoidable rehospitalizations and supports their ability to age in place safely, responsibly and independently. Phelps is the only hospital in Westchester Telehealth helps Karen Giordano to offer this service, in feel in control of her health. collaboration with the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) of Hudson Valley. Equipment installed in a Patients Maintain Health patient’s home captures and wirelessly transmits vital signs (including blood pressure, at Home with Telehealth pulse oximetry and weight) By Mary Sernatinger to the VNA’s Telehealth Department for review and assessment. In the case of an abnormal result, a telehealth nurse support so they can be more independent,” says Judith Sapione, contacts the patient to determine the cause and follows up with RN, clinical quality manager for Phelps Medical Associates, the the primary care provider, if necessary. For example, if the hospital’s primary and specialty care medical group, who oversees nurse finds that the patient has not been taking medication as the program. “Patients really feel like they’re in control of their prescribed or is eating food prohibited by a medical condition, health. Especially for those who are very frail, or have multiple the nurse can educate the patient instantly. chronic conditions, it’s a real support and comfort knowing that they’re being monitored so closely.” Staying Connected Telehealth helps patients know when a health condition Karen Giordano of Elmsford has high blood pressure warrants a visit to the primary care physician, and makes it and finds the telehealth system easy to use. “I would highly less likely they will wait until a condition worsens to the point recommend it,” she said. “By looking at my numbers [vital signs] that would require a trip to the Emergency Department, Ms. every day, it keeps me aware of my health and I become an active Sapione said. “Patients have already experienced the benefits of participant in my own health.” Telehealth. Several required intervention, and their care was Ms. Giordano checks in weekly via a video chat with Anne managed in a timely way — giving them better outcomes.” Cusack, RN. “Anne also calls me immediately if one of my Participants in the six-month pilot program are patients numbers is not what it is supposed to be,” said Ms. Giordano. “I of Phelps Medical Associates physicians. Telehealth services are don’t get out much, so I love talking on the video chat.” being offered free of charge to participants, thanks to a generous “Telehealth helps patients self-manage their chronic or donation from the William Olson Memorial Fund. newly diagnosed conditions, and gives them extra clinical

The New Standard 17 around the system

Noninvasive Treatment for Kidney Stones

GLEN COVE — Sometimes people don’t know they have kidney stones until they’re sidelined by sudden, severe pain on one side of the back or abdomen. Other symptoms include nausea and vomiting and blood in the urine. “If the pain is incapacitating, patients visit the Emergency Department to get imaging tests for a diagnosis,” said Eric Hochberg, MD, chief of urology at Glen Cove Hospital. Glen Cove Hospital recently began to offer extracorporeal shock- wave lithotripsy (ESWL), a noninvasive treatment that breaks up kidney stones by targeting them with focused sound waves. Kidney stones can “range in size from a grain of sand to a small pea to a walnut,” Dr. Hochberg said. Larger stones can lodge in the ureter (the small tube that connects the kidney to the bladder), blocking urine and causing severe pain. Most small kidney stones eventually pass naturally, but the process can take weeks, cause significant discomfort and require prescription medication. “Prompt medical attention for kidney stones is necessary, but lithotripsy is not always used in emergencies. The treatment can be elective and scheduled, too,” said Dr. Hochberg. Most of the time, one outpatient ESWL treatment removes all stones. Patients can return to normal activity as soon as the next day.

A Sunny, Airy Hematology/Oncology Space

HUNTINGTON —The refreshed Hematology/Oncology Unit at players or computer access via the two patient/family lounges. An Huntington Hospital is making a big difference for staff members, outdoor veranda offers tables, chairs and umbrellas, plus planters patients and their loved ones. New windows and revamped lighting filled with blooming flowers. give the space a sunny, airy feel. New floors and beautifully tiled A larger infusion room makes the space more amenable, and bathrooms enhance completely renovated patient rooms, with new the chemotherapy bays offer comfortable new infusion chairs, equipment including the nurse-call system. Sleep chairs let family individual TVs, new windows and floors, and staff who focus on members stay overnight comfortably. Special flooring material in making each visit as pleasing as possible. the hall abates sound, helping to enhance a calmer environment. The makeover was possible thanks to funding from the Patients and visitors can unwind quietly or, if they prefer, Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation, the Friends of TJ enjoy some diversion via upgraded flat-screen monitors and DVD Foundation, and proceeds from events sponsored by supporters.

18 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Impressive US News Rankings for Cohen Children’s

NEW HYDE PARK — Cohen Children’s Medical Center’s “Sometimes things are more of a secret locally than they are national reputation for excellence received another boost when nationally,” said Charles Schleien, MD, chair of pediatrics at US News & World Report ranked it in the top 50 nationwide in nine the hospital. “We want to let people know this is how our peer of 10 pediatric specialties. The 2015-16 survey by US News marked institutions feel about us and let that these great services are in the ninth straight year that the hospital has been ranked in the their midst.” top 50 in multiple categories. Cohen Children’s previous US News rankings rose since 2014, including its top 10 spot for pediatric urology (#7), plus neurology and neurosurgery (#23), neonatology (#30), pulmonology (#38) and gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery (#44). Furthermore, four of the hospital’s medical services ranked for the first time this year: diabetes and endocrinology (#26), cancer (#42), nephrology (#47) and orthopedics (#50). US News bases its rankings on hospital reputations, medical outcomes and care-related indicators, such as patient volume, nurse staffing and availability of specialized programs. “Our clinical outcomes are among the best in the country,” said Kevin McGeachy, executive director of the medical center. “Knowing that their child is going to get great care should give families comfort that they’ve come to the right place. They know that we have everything under one roof that we need to care for their child.” See the “Best Children’s Hospitals” edition at bit.ly/ccmc1 and watch a video report at bit.ly/ccmc1VID.

Banu Aygun, MD, pediatric hematologist, with one of her patients.

The New Standard 19 around the system New Groups Help Patients Live with Chronic Disease

VALLEY STREAM — Franklin Hospital community members with chronic lung disease or diabetes can learn more about their ailments and how to best manage them by participating in new support groups. Monthly American Lung Association Better Breathers Club caters to those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Patients learn not only how to relieve symptoms, but also how to prevent them, said Laura Gazzara, director of respiratory therapy at the hospital. Each meeting hosts a different Franklin Hospital clinical expert, who covers not only chronic lung disease but how to live with it, too. “By knowing the differences in their medications, when to use them effectively and how to best clear their airways, people with COPD can enjoy a better quality of life with fewer hospitalizations,” said Ms. Gazzara, who helped to establish the Franklin chapter of the club. Each monthly diabetes support group focuses on a different aspect of the disease. Participants also enjoy the networking and sharing their experiences with others. “An important aspect of diabetes management is how people handle it at home and in their daily lives,” said meeting leader Laura Prince, certified diabetes educator and chief clinical dietitian at the hospital. Jennifer Cohen Staten Island Royalty Jamie Lynn Macchia, Miss Staten Island 2014 and daughter of electrician Tony Macchia from the Staten Island University (SIUH) South Site, recently crowned her 2015 successor, Kaitlyn Cohen, the daughter of SIUH’s Eric Cohen, trauma manager, and Jen Cohen, emergency medicine residency coordinator. Ms. 2015 Walk for Health Macchia champions pediatric cancer treatment and The North Shore-LIJ Walk for Health recently attracted more than 5,000 people to the Jones Beach research. She was the first woman to take the Miss Boardwalk. More than simply a 5K walk, the event was a festival of music, activities and learning. Staten Island crown twice, in 2014 and 2013. As Miss Community members and health system employees joined more than 200 teams to raise a record- New York State 2015, Ms. Macchia will compete in setting $322,000 in support of Cohen Children’s Medical Center and The Katz Institute for Women’s this year’s Miss America pageant. Ms. Cohen is a Health. “This event is meaningful to me and my family,” one participant said. “My children have been first-time pageant competitor whose platform is involved in this event every year since they were born.” saving teen lives by not texting while driving.

20 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Celebration of Life Craig Abitz, center, and his family recently met Bianca Polay, right, the woman who saved his life during the 13th Annual Celebration of Life Dinner. Ms. Polay, a 29-year- old medical student from Germany, donated her bone marrow to help the 51-year-old Merrick resident overcome acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a rare form of blood cancer. North Shore University Hospital’s Don Monti Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplantation Program sponsors the Celebration of Life Dinner every year at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. Lewis Christie, 74, also a Merrick resident, and Russ Silverstein, a 46-year-old financial executive from North Carolina, were also honored guests at the event. Mr. Silverstein’s bone marrow donation was crucial in turning around Mr. Christie’s AML diagnosis. “What could be better than meeting someone like that, who is so altruistic?” Mr. Christie said. See the bone marrow recipients and donors at bit.ly/bmtu2015. State Approves NP Programs at New Grad School By Betty Olt

HEMPSTEAD — The New York State Department of Education has approved the new Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies for its license- qualifying nurse practitioner (NP) programs. Beginning this September with an inaugural class of 30 students, the school offers a three-year, part-time Master of Science program in family nursing or adult gerontology acute care. The new school will also house existing dual-degree and graduate physician assistant (PA) programs. New York State also recently approved Hofstra’s new graduate program in occupational therapy, which the university will house in the School of Health Professions and Human Services. according to US News and World Report. The American The new graduate school builds on the holistic approach Academy of Nurse Practitioners reports that the number of pioneered by the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, NPs in the US has doubled over the last decade, from 106,000 whose educational model focuses on treating people, rather than in 2004 to 205,000 in 2014. Citing the impact of health illnesses, and emphasizes community-based care. care legislation, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics expects an “This is a unique opportunity to redesign both medical and increased emphasis on preventive care and an aging population, nursing education in an inter-professional education curriculum projecting the number of jobs in advanced nursing roles, that is different than any other in the New York area,” said including NPs, will increase 31 percent by 2022. Kathleen Gallo, RN, PhD, dean of the new graduate school and “As our population continues to age and as more people become Hofstra’s School of Health Professions and Human Services. insured as part of the Affordable Care Act, NPs and PAs will be NP and PA rank among the top 10 best jobs in 2015, crucial in meeting the growing demand for care,” said Dr. Gallo.

The New Standard 21 around the system Emergency Department to Triple in Size Architect's rendering Architect's

BAY SHORE, NY — Southside Hospital is in the early stages of trauma center verified by the American College of Surgeons. a multimillion-dollar expansion of its Emergency Department “This ED will bring much more than simply greater space,” (ED). Phase I is scheduled for completion in the summer of said John D’Angelo, MD, senior vice president of emergency 2016. The completed project will more than triple the size of the medicine for the North Shore-LIJ Health System. “Its innovative ED, said Donna Moravick, the hospital’s executive director. design will optimize flow and comfort for patients — regardless “The expansion will help Southside improve its service and the acuity of their medical condition.” efficiency, so the hospital can better accommodate the 70,000- For their exceptional lead gift in support of the project, plus ED visits it gets each year,” she said. Last year, Southside Southside will name the ED in honor of the Bohlsen Family. Hospital became the New York metropolitan area’s first Level II $1M Interventional Radiology Upgrade

PLAINVIEW — A $1 million revamp to Plainview Hospital’s interventional innovative system gives patients access to high-quality tests and radiology services gives patients the benefit of enhanced image quality procedures in the convenient setting of their own community.” and the comfort of upgraded recovery rooms. Central to the project is an Plainview Hospital’s interventional radiology services are angiographic system that provides detailed 3D images while significantly available for inpatient and outpatient neurological, cardiovascular and reducing radiation levels. endovascular procedures. Its three remodeled recovery rooms offer a “Our interventional radiology suite is a great asset,” said Michael more patient-centered experience. Fener, executive director of Plainview and Syosset hospitals. “The

22 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 MOUNT KISCO — When Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) primarily fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.” helped pioneer the patient-centered care movement, it all started Furthermore, patients can personalize their rooms’ visual with the ears. surroundings by choosing artwork from the Aranow Art Cart. And “We begin by listening to our patients, establishing trust, and new facilities’ design and construction integrate healing surround- empowering them to actively participate in the care they receive,” ings to reduce stress for patients, families and staff members. said Joel Seligman, president and CEO of NWH. Patients’ loved ones find respite and support at the on- “Twelve years ago,” he added, “we began to place greater site Ken Hamilton Caregivers Center. The center has been so importance on our patients’ experience when defining the quality successful that 11 hospitals across the US have replicated the model. of our care. Now, the concept of patient- centered care has caught on across our field and around the world.” Regular, direct input from patients and families helps NWH staff members Empowering Patients understand what to focus on. “Members of our Patient and Family Advisory Council meet directly with senior hospital to Improve Care leadership to share what works well and what doesn’t,” said Maria Hale, vice By Mark Vincent president of patient advocacy and patient- centered support services. “They help us see things through the lens of a patient.” Other successful initiatives include: Ongoing evaluation of every process encourages continuous n tablets that give patients access to their treatment plan; enhancement of the patient experience. “We use process n direct nurse contact via the nurse call system; engineering and governance to constantly improve and deliver n integrative medicine modalities; and higher levels of quality, patient-centered care,” added Mr. n a discharge process that includes a check-up phone call Seligman. “We are also committed to recruiting staff who will within 24 hours and pre-scheduling of appointments uphold our values. In return, we support their needs.” NWH’s with personal physicians. Magnet and Planetree designations are two significant examples. Pulling Together for Patients Every facet of the entire patient experience, from the moment patients arrive until they safely return home, is open for consideration and improvement. “Nurses, physicians and support staff brainstorm together on improving room readiness, transporting patients for testing, and even improving operating room start times,” said Lauraine Szekely, RN, DNP, chief nursing officer. “As one team member said, ‘Every minute counts — what can we do better?’ We’ve learned that everyone must work together as a team to find the best way to meet patients’ needs.” Helping patients and their families to feel supported and comfortable often incorporates an appeal to the senses. For example, the Food Is Care initiative tackled a common challenge: hospital meals. “When we started, food was served at specific times and was usually processed and reheated,” said Mr. Seligman. Social worker Jerri Rosenfeld, right, with a client at the Ken Hamilton Caregivers Center, which is “Now, meals are cooked to order, using on-site at Northern Westchester Hospital.

The New Standard 23 around the system

State Approves Peconic Bay’s Membership in Health System

RIVERHEAD — New York advanced surgery center; State has given final approval centers of excellence in for Peconic Bay Medical joint replacement and Center (PBMC) to join the bariatric surgery; and a North Shore-LIJ Health range of other medical System. services. The hospital State Health also operates a certified Commissioner Howard home health agency, a Zucker has approved 60-bed skilled nursing recommendations from and rehabilitation the New York State Public center, a six-bed Health and Health Planning palliative care center, Council to dissolve the an advanced ambulatory East End Health Alliance, and urgent care campus which included PBMC, in Manorville, and a Southampton and Eastern A community teaching A New York State- growing network of Long Island hospitals, and hospital, PBMC is the 21st designated stroke center, community-based family approved a separate measure hospital in the North Shore- Peconic Bay Medical Center care and specialty physician that makes the health system LIJ Health System. features a highly regarded practices throughout central the active parent of PBMC. “As exciting as it is for Emergency Department; an and eastern Suffolk County. Furthermore, since the North Shore-LIJ to expand Federal Trade Commission’s our services into central and 30-day review period has eastern Suffolk County, the concluded, no other federal true beneficiaries of this approvals are required. new relationship will be the About Peconic Bay Medical Center “In this time of great thousands of individuals health care transition, we and families who entrust 1,300 | staff members thank the New York State their care to Peconic Bay Department of Health and Medical Center,” said Michael 200 | inpatient beds the many members of our Dowling, president and community who strongly CEO of the North Shore- | inpatients annually supported this partnership,” LIJ Health System. “We are 7,000 said Andrew Mitchell, PBMC’s committed to strengthening president and chief executive and expanding Peconic Bay’s 168,000 | outpatients annually officer. “Together, we plan to clinical services, and building develop and expand much- a network of outpatient 37,000 | emergency patients annually needed clinical services for the facilities that will establish men, women and children who the hospital as a regional rely on Peconic Bay for their destination for top-flight health care.” medical care.”

24 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Maimonides Medical Center New Strategic Partner: Maimonides By Terry Lynam

BROOKLYN — Completing discussions that began this February, communities,” said Michael Dowling, North Shore-LIJ’s the North Shore-LIJ Health System and Maimonides Medical president and CEO. “We look forward to combining our Center recently began a new strategic partnership. Maimonides complementary strengths as we work with the Maimonides will not only continue full services as a tertiary and teaching Board of Trustees and management team to identify other hospital, it will also serve as a vital element in establishing a opportunities to meet the critical health needs of the borough’s borough-wide network of services with the health system. Both 2.6 million residents.” organizations will maintain their independence and separate “North Shore-LIJ will be a great partner for Maimonides. governance structures. We share a common vision about the need to find innovative The strategic partnership will comprise joint ventures and approaches for managing care and keeping people healthy,” other pursuits that will strengthen Maimonides and expand its said Ms. Brier. “We have common values about putting patients leadership role in the region. North Shore-LIJ will work with first and supporting the clinicians who care for them. This the medical center to enlarge its ambulatory network of clinical partnership with North Shore will make an enormous difference services to position Maimonides for continued success as lead in our ability to take better care of people who live in Brooklyn.” entity of one of New York State’s three largest Delivery System After two decades of leadership at the medical center, Ms. Brier Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) programs. recently announced she will retire in early 2016. Furthermore, North Shore-LIJ will provide Maimonides “This partnership will quickly provide value to both with capital resources and access to its extensive shared services organizations, and also benefit the many diverse communities infrastructure and expertise, enabling the medical center’s of Brooklyn who rely on Maimonides,” said Kenneth Gibbs, management to make needed investments while continuing to board chair and Ms. Brier’s successor as president and CEO. improve operating efficiencies. “We look forward to working closely with North Shore-LIJ’s “Pam Brier [president and CEO at Maimonides] has built talented leadership as Maimonides continues to provide the an organization focused on excellence with an unwavering excellent clinical outcomes that have placed our services in the commitment to meeting the health needs of the hospital’s top tier nationally.”

The New Standard 25 Joint Agreements with Aetna, Empire and Humana

GREAT NECK — The North Shore-LIJ Solutions manages and coordinates care improve outcomes, according to Brian Health System recently established value- for high-risk patients who are intensive Griffin, president and CEO of Empire based partnerships with Aetna, Empire users of medical services. It uses Care BlueCross BlueShield. He added, BlueCross Blue Shield and Humana Tool, proprietary software developed “Fostering transparency and focusing on health insurance plans. The agreements within North Shore-LIJ (see story on disease prevention, care management will affect more than 64,000 people page 9), to streamline the complexity and care coordination are the backbone in Nassau and Suffolk counties, New of delivering services across the health for all of Empire’s arrangements with York City and Westchester. They reflect system. Accountable Care Organizations.” a shift toward a value-based model that “Value-based partnerships with “Working together, health care emphasizes quality and patient care Aetna, Empire and Humana allow providers and health plans can improve experiences rather than focusing on us to follow patient outcomes more care for the people we serve,” said episodic health care. closely and better coordinate care as we David Kobus, senior vice president of “These new collaborations further align quality with payment incentives,” Aetna’s New York market. “We’re excited expand our efforts to manage population Mr. Gold said. The payment model to collaborate with North Shore-LIJ health, promote patient-centered care rewards North Shore-LIJ Premium to drive better patient outcomes and and increase access to a full spectrum employed and voluntary physicians for satisfaction through the support of their of high-quality, high-value care,” said meeting quality and efficiency measures, personal health care system.” Howard Gold, the health system’s including the percentage of members The health system and Humana have executive vice president of managed care who get recommended preventive care worked together on a fee-for-service basis and chief business development officer. and screenings; better management of since January 2014. Building on their The North Shore-LIJ Premium patients with chronic conditions; and success to transform health care, both Network will coordinate care for suitability of antibiotic use. organizations will transition to a value- approximately 30,000 commercial “Collaborative initiatives like these based care plan effective January 1, 2016. Aetna members, more than 33,000 allow participating physicians to align “We’re delighted to further collaborate Empire commercial and Medicare around quality and efficiency as we with North Shore-LIJ to help Medicare Advantage members and about transition to a value-based model of members achieve their best health 1,000 Humana Medicare Advantage care,” said Thomas McGinn, MD, senior with integrated care that emphasizes members. The Premium Network vice president and chair of medicine at prevention, chronic care and improved includes 5,500-plus primary care North Shore-LIJ. quality outcomes,” said Alexander Clague, and specialty physicians as well as Meaningful use of data and Humana’s president for senior products other health professionals within the managing care more effectively can in the Northeast Region. health system’s 21 hospitals, 400-plus outpatient practices and a continuum of long-term, rehabilitation, homecare, hospice and other Turning a New Page health services throughout The North Shore-LIJ Health System has entered book publishing metropolitan New York. by launching North Shore University Press. Kevin Cahill, MD, The North Shore-LIJ left, director of the Lenox Hill Hospital Tropical Disease Center, wrote the first North Shore University Press book, An Unfinished Premium Network and North Tapestry. Michael Dowling, right, the health system’s president Shore-LIJ Care Solutions are and chief executive officer, said, “This publishing venture the engines that will engage will engage readers on the challenges and innovations in the physicians to manage high-risk nation’s health care field. “It provides a great opportunity for patients covered under this health administrators, physicians, nurses and other clinicians program, according to Mr. to publish on a range of topics. Dr. Cahill’s book is an important Gold. North Shore-LIJ Care work and a great way to begin.”

26 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 nursing mission

On 7 South at LIJ, Maureen Cappuzzo, RN, left, and Daisy Assanah-Skeete, RN, right, working at a bedside Murphy Cabinet, an LIJ innovation that impressed Magnet appraisers. LIJ Nursing Achieves Gold Standard By Kathleen Waton

LIJ Medical Center’s Magnet status. As the 22nd performance in nursing the past several years,” said nursing care has earned Magnet facility in New York quality indicators, particularly Margaret Murphy, RN, LIJ's Magnet designation by State, LIJ is distinguished low rates of infection, falls chief nursing officer. the American Nurses as the first tertiary hospital and pressure ulcers, and high LIJ is very strong in Credentialing Center shared governance, with (ANCC). Magnet certification frontline staff having a voice is the gold standard of in decision making, said nursing. It recognizes health “We are already an Linda Vassallo, RN, senior care organizations for administrative director of quality patient care, nursing employer of choice.” patient care services and excellence and innovations in Magnet program director. professional nursing practice. and third North Shore-LIJ satisfaction scores for RNs “Staff professionalism was US News & World Report Health System facility to and patients. evident during the appraisers’ uses Magnet designation as a earn the milestone, along “Patient satisfaction is a on-site visit, when they saw criterion in it its “America’s with Huntington Hospital challenge for every hospital the strong interprofessional Best Hospitals” rankings. Of and Northern Westchester and especially for us, when relationships in our more than 6,000 hospitals Hospital in Mount Kisco. you consider our Emergency committees and councils.” in the nation, only seven LIJ clinched the four- Department volume has percent have achieved year designation with its increased significantly over (continued on page 74)

The New Standard 27 nursing mission Second Annual Debbie Tascone Nursing Scholarships By Kathleen Waton

Six students recently earned Debbie Tascone Nursing Scholarships of $5,000 each. The recipients are North Shore-LIJ Health System employees and qualifying dependents of an employee who want to enter the nursing field or to advance their nursing education. Ms. Tascone, now retired, was the first registered nurse and first woman appointed as a hospital executive director within the health system.

Josann Matassa, RN, top left, charge nurse on the night shift of a 34-bed adult psych unit at South Oaks Hospital, will continue to pursue her master of science degree (MSN) at Molloy College to become a psychiatric NP. A self-proclaimed “lifelong learner,” she said “I am advancing my education to an NP of psych because I want to become more hands-on with my patients’ care. I am very passionate about behavioral health and changes to come in the health care field, and I want to be able to have a direct say in them.” Olumide Oyeleye, bottom, a mental health worker at The Zucker Hillside Hospital, will continue earning his bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN) at Adelphi University. “I have always been fascinated with science and have immense admiration for the intense scientific knowledge that nurses must maintain,” Mr. Oyeleye said. He also enjoys “the interaction and rapport that I have with patients of different status and background and seeing them get better.” His goal is to become an NP and to create “successive generations of nurses to follow my generation in evolving the profession.” Taneshia Ellington, top right, a unit receptionist at The Zucker Hillside Hospital for nine years, will continue working toward her BSN at Adelphi University. Ms. Ellington’s interest in becoming an RN was inspired by one of her nursing supervisors. “Her professional approach in dealing with patient and health-related issues was equally matched by her sensitivity and patience when guiding me “to practice within numerous divisions of the health care system,” and the through the fundamentals of psychiatric nursing,” she said. “expansive career choices.” Ms. Ellington hopes to apply her nursing degree to She is particularly attracted to nursing because of the opportunity labor and delivery or emergency medicine. continued on next page 28 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Nurses of Excellence

The Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council’s member facilities recently nominated Nurses of Excellence for exceptional clinical practice and leadership. The North Shore-LIJ Health System’s nominees included: q Barbara Bedell, RN, wound care consultant at Peconic Bay Medical Center; from page 28 q Jayne Gallan Galgano, RN, nurse educator at Plainview Hospital; q Jennifer Meyer, RN, flight nurse at North Shore University Hospital; All in the Family q Mary Muscarello, RN, diabetes educator at Glen Cove Hospital; Staff-member dependents who won q Debbie Tascone Nursing scholarships this Denise Naval, RN, NP, infection prevention and control coordinator at year are: Huntington Hospital; Kathleen Taylor Sirna, daughter of q Camille Timmons, RN, cardiothoracic nurse at Southside Hospital; and Joseph Sirna, RN, at North Shore University q Glen Riske, RN, emergency medicine nurse at Syosset Hospital. Hospital, will continue her BSN program at Fairfield University in Connecticut. Ms. Sirna was inspired to become a nurse after her father, who worked in the computer field, decided to become a nurse at the age of 50. “When my father would tell me about his work day, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life taking care of people and making a difference in people’s lives. Nursing is the most rewarding, life-changing occupation.” Kelly Marie Secko, daughter of Kathleen Secko, RN, at The Zucker Hillside Hospital, is entering Molloy College’s BSN program this fall, with a goal of becoming a psychiatric NP. Ms. Secko was inspired by the care her father received when he was hospitalized with Stage IV esophageal cancer. “There was one nurse who made us feel so much more at ease about my father going through surgeries that he had only a slight chance of making it through. I realized I wanted to be that nurse for someone else,” she said. Geralyn Marie Santos, daughter of Annemarie Santos, a unit receptionist at LIJ Medical, will continue persuing her BSN at Molloy College to become a pediatric RN. Shadow Day “Choosing to pursue a nursing career was Mindy Morales, left, recently learned about intravenous lines from Evelyn Giannetti, RN, an emergency one of the best decisions I have ever made,” medicine nurse at Glen Cove Hospital. Mindy was among a group of local middle and high school students who Ms. Santos said. “I know that nursing is not shadowed staff members for a close look at health care careers. The teens visited areas like the laboratory, always the smoothest or cleanest ride, but nursing stations, pharmacy, respiratory therapy, radiology and family practice. The students belong to the Boys I will be making the difference that I have and Girls Club of Glen Cove, which coordinated the hands-on learning experience with Arlene Morizio, RN, nurse always dreamed of making.” educator in the hospital’s Emergency Department.

The New Standard 29 nursing mission Rounds Reduce Falls and Injuries By Kathleen Waton

SLEEPY HOLLOW — Every 15 minutes, 24/7, a Phelps Memorial Hospital Center staff member checks inside each unit room to ensure all patients have two feet on the floor or two in the bed. The 15-Minute Safety Rounds Program reduced patient falls by 10 percent in 2014, compared to the previous year. The program also eliminated falls with moderate to severe injuries entirely — a significant improvement over 2013, when six patients fell and suffered moderate to severe injuries that required surgery. There was some concern about adding the rounds to the nurses’ already busy schedules, said Mary McDermott, RN, chief nursing officer. But the medical unit that piloted the program was sold on the first day, when the rounds prevented three patients from falling. The CNO praised the efforts of Cheryl Burke, RN, From left: Iris DeMata, RN, and Catherine O’Connor, RN, pass the timer for safety rounds. clinical educator for med/surg, as the “catalyst for our team’s embracing this new initiative. Her enthusiasm and motivation participate in the safety rounds. made it easy to adopt.” Not many hospitals perform 15-minute safety rounds, Ms. One staff member at a time holds onto a timer that marks Burke said, “but those who thought it couldn’t be done are wrong. each 15-minute period. Every 15 minutes, the timer beeps It can be done, and at minimal cost – just the cost of the timer.” and gets passed to the next scheduled staff member, who then Ms. McDermott noted an added benefit: “Because patients conducts a falls check. The safety rounds generally take three or see staff not only during safety rounds, but also during regular four minutes. Each staff member on the day’s 24-hour schedule hourly rounds, the additional staff presence has resulted in usually performs safety rounds two or three times during a shift. unexpected gains in patient-satisfaction scores.” “If staff members are unable to perform rounds when the In addition to improved patient safety and satisfaction, timer is passed to them,” Ms. Burke said, “they can hand it off to Ms. McDermott appreciates the ultimate cost savings from the someone else.” program, since a fall with injury can cost a hospital as much as Since the program’s introduction by nursing staff, safety $27,000. “Even more importantly,” said Ms. McDermott, “I am rounds have become a multidisciplinary responsibility and have proud of the staff’s commitment to patient safety.” been implemented hospital-wide. Staff members from other departments, such as environmental services and hospitality, also

30 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Increasing Safety for Critically Ill Children By Kathleen Waton

NEW HYDE PARK — Even under ideal clinical conditions, inserting and removing breathing tubes in critically ill children can be risky. When they unexpectedly dislodge, children are at even more risk, making unplanned extubation one of the most serious events in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). That’s why Germain Gelo, RN, devised a way to reduce the rate of unplanned extubations in Cohen Children’s Medical Center’s 25-bed PICU. Breathing tubes may dislodge unexpectedly for a variety of reasons, including excess secretions or during procedures and transport. Unplanned extubations can necessitate more time on a ventilator and increase the length of stay. The event may also cause a lack of oxygen or even precipitate cardiac arrest. When Ms. Gelo began researching the topic a few years ago as part of her clinical ladder work, she discovered the rate of unplanned extubations was increasing in the PICU. Review of the literature led to a systematic approach to handling the events, including introducing a PICU airway safety bundle that includes an airway timeout tool that Ms. Gelo developed. “Anyone can call a timeout if there is concern about airway safety,” Ms. Gelo said. “It’s usually nurses who call it, because they are always with the patient and dealing with airways.” Her quality improvement initiative reduced unplanned extubations by 75 percent over two years. The goal is no unplanned extubations, but minimally, to decrease the rate of events to below the national benchmark of at or less than 1.0 per 100 ventilator days. Staff members beyond PICU are joining the quality improvement project, with Ms. Gelo working with operating room anesthetists and others to standardize securing the airway to reduce the likelihood unplanned dislodgement during transport and procedures. Ms. Gelo designed an initiative that has already reduced unplanned extubations by 75 percent over two years at the children’s hospital.

The New Standard 31 nursing mission Zuckerberg Family Awards for Nursing Service Excellence

The Zuckerberg Family Awards for Nursing Service Excellence Arlene Kritzer, RN, Phelps Memorial Hospital recently honored 18 North Shore-LIJ Health System nurses for Kathyann O’Malley, RN, LIJ Hospital consistent compassion and clinical excellence. The nurses each Alla Noginsky, RN, The Zucker Hillside Hospital received $1,000 gifts, a certificate, a plaque and recognition at the Mary Semelrath, RN, Plainview Hospital annual meeting of North Shore-LIJ’s Board of Trustees. Jennifer Sidi, RN, North Shore University Hospital Noeta Silva, RN, Manhattan Ear Eye and Throat Hospital Regina Bracco, RN, Syosset Hospital Rogelio Trojillo, RN, SIUH — South Site Yvette Cintron, RN, Forest Hills Hospital Jane Cizin, RN, Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) — Roy Zuckerberg is a member of the health system’s executive North Site board. Since 2000, he and his family have honored nurses who Claire Doxford, RN, Northern Westchester Hospital stand out for exemplary service as demonstrated by complimentary Patricia Fackner, RN, South Oaks Hospital letters from patients or staff; creating or enhancing customer Geri Garcia, RN, Southside Hospital service; creating or enhancing patient satisfaction; demonstrating Christian Gutierrez, RN, Lenox Hill Hospital the compassion of nursing; promoting the nursing profession MaryBeth Higgins, RN, Cohen Children’s Medical Center through community service; and/or serving as a staff role model/ Jeanmarie Houghton, RN, NP, Glen Cove Hospital mentor. Maureen Kenney, RN, Huntington Hospital Christine Kelly, RN, Franklin Hospital Nursing Conferences and Continuing Education Keep up-to-date on developments in the nursing field with North Shore-LIJ Institute for Nursing courses and conferences. Oct Nov 7 3, 10, 17 7 19 Cardiac Conference Oncology Core Curriculum Perioperative Conference Nurse Practitioner Conference North Hills Country Club, Manhasset 420 Lakeville Road, Room 244, North Hills Country Club, Manhasset North Hills Country Club, Manhasset 13 Lake Success 12 22 Nursing Education Conference 3, 4 Diabetes Conference Nurse Practitioner Forum North Hills Country Club, Manhasset End-of-Life Nursing Education Crest Hollow Country Club, Woodbury (Dinner Program) Consortium Bella Verde, Brentwood 21 420 Lakeville Road, Room 244, Behavioral Health Conference Lake Success Visit bit.ly/NurseEd to register for a nursing conference or learning event. North Hills Country Club, Manhasset 3, 10, 17 The North Shore-LIJ Nursing Institute adds conferences and programs regularly. Email 29 Oncology Core Curriculum [email protected] or call 718-470-3890 for more information. The North Shore-LIJ Pediatric Conference 420 Lakeville Road, Room 21, Health System is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the New North Hills Country Club, Manhasset Lake Success Jersey State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

32 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Lenox Hill Hospital’s New CNO

Lenox Hill Hospital has named Irene Macyk, RN, PhD(c), as chief nursing officer and associate executive director of patient care services. Ms. Macyk will lead the overall clinical and administrative operations and strategy for Lenox Hill patient care services and work with physicians and administrators to optimize operations and improve patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes. Part of the North Shore-LIJ Health System for more than nine years, Ms. Macyk most recently served as senior administrative director of patient care services at North Shore University Hospital. She previously served in leadership and clinical transformation roles at Cohen Children’s Medical Center and Huntington Hospital. Ms. Macyk received her BSN and MS degrees from Adelphi University, where she is currently pursuing a PhD with a Irene Macyk, RN, PhD(c) concentration in healthcare outcomes.

Aneurysm Awareness Advocates Kimberly Lombardo, RN, NP, and Nicole Salant, RN, NP, of the North Shore-LIJ Brain Aneurysm Center, recently participated in the Fourth Annual Lobby Day in Washington, DC. They met with congressional representatives and staff members to encourage passage of Resolution 176 to designate September as National Brain Awareness Month. From left: Wendell Albert and Arlicia Albert, brain aneurysm survivor; Ms. Salant; Leslie Lindsay, brain aneurysm survivor; and Rep. Robert Hurt (R-VA).

The New Standard 33 under the microscope

Feinstein Institute, Novogen Join Forces on Brain Cancer Drug Discovery By Emily Ng

MANHASSET — The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and the Some forms of brain cancer US/Australian drug discovery company Novogen recently launched a spread far into normal brain collaboration to develop brain cancer treatments. The alliance joins the tissue and are very resistant to Feinstein Institute’s preclinical and clinical expertise in neurosciences and current therapies and surgical oncology with Novogen’s drug discovery expertise. removal of all the tumor cells is “This collaboration is critical to supporting the discovery of new very difficult. Furthermore, the treatments for patients who suffer from life-threatening brain cancer,” brain’s blood supply protects it said John Boockvar, MD, who codirects the Feinstein Institute’s Brain from foreign substances, which Tumor Biotech Center with Marc Symons, PhD. “Patients who suffer significantly limits the benefits from brain cancer don’t have optimal therapies to turn to. By offering of chemotherapy. Radiotherapy them new, improved treatments, we will give hope to patients who face is a standard treatment, but the a devastating disease.” brain tumors grow resistant and radiotherapy has many side- effects, especially in children.

Creating Work-Arounds Feinstein Institute researchers are making progress in identifying new treatments for two of the most common types of brain tumors, glioblastoma and medulloblastoma. Areas of active research include modulating the immune system to improve the therapeutic response in glioblastoma and identifying new therapies that can allow the use of lower doses of radiation in young children with medulloblastoma. The alliance will focus on developing the drug candidate TRXE-009 as a monotherapy for primary and secondary brain cancer in adults and children, including glioblastoma and medulloblastoma. Feinstein Institute and Novagen collaborators will also develop radio-sensitizers to augment radiotherapy’s effectiveness in treating brain cancers. “We are confident that we have found the drug that can successfully treat cancers arising in the brain as well as cancers that spread to the brain from elsewhere,” said Novogen CEO Graham Kelly, PhD. “The ability of TRXE-009 to kill brain cancer stem-like cells gives us particular confidence Brain Tumor Biotech Summit that we can finally kill off the root cause of any cancer within the brain.” John Boockvar, MD, above, director of Lenox Hill Hospital’s Brain Tumor Center TRXE-009 is a potent pan-acting (across all forms of cancer) and codirector of the Brain Tumor Biotech Center at The Feinstein Institute for anti-cancer molecule that will likely enter the clinic in early-2016 for Medical Research, was among the speakers at the Brain Tumor Biotech Summit the treatment of solid and nonsolid cancers. TRXE-009 has proven to cosponsored recently by the hospital and Voices Against Brain Cancer. Top be effective in vitro against adult (glioblastoma) and pediatric (diffuse brain tumor researchers presented their latest advances in vaccine treatments, interstitial pontine glioma; medulloblastoma) brain cancer cells. Using nanotechnology, stem cell biology, angiogenesis, gene therapy, targeted models developed in the Feinstein Institute, researchers will study TRXE- therapeutics and novel medical devices, hoping to spark interest and generate 009’s ability to treat various forms of human brain cancer with a variety of funding to bring these ideas to the marketplace. The event attracted executives new approaches. from the biotech industry, venture capital firms, finance, nonprofit foundations and pharmaceutical firms. See video highlights at bit.ly/Biotech2015.

34 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 “The Tuesday Night Music Club” Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow recently performed at the 10th Annual Feinstein Institute Summer Concert, at Old Westbury Gardens. During 10 years of hosting the concert, more than $10 million has been raised. Funds support research, giving hope to many patients.

Discovery May Protect Against Lung Damage During Sepsis

MANHASSET— An antibody may help protect against sepsis- unexplored. Feinstein Institute scientists have been addressing related acute lung injury (ALI), according to new findings at sepsis questions and researching ways to treat it for years. Among The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research. The journal Critical them are Ping Wang, MD, director for the Laboratory of Surgical Care recently published the research, which focused on how Research and head of the Center for Translational Research osteopontin (OPN) may affect antibodies, which are proteins that at the Feinstein Institute, and his colleagues, who have been can trigger and mediate inflammation. studying the hypothesis that preventing excessive OPN activity Sepsis is an unchecked inflammation response to an injury would protect against ALI during sepsis. or infection. The condition causes organ dysfunction or damage The team found that treatment with an OPN-neutralizing and can be deadly. One of the first complications of organ antibody to block OPN activity significantly reduced dysfunction is ALI, which causes fluid build-up in the lungs, inflammation in the lungs in patients with sepsis. The findings reducing oxygen levels needed to maintain lung function. Many indicate that inhibiting OPN activity can be a new therapeutic who develop ALI don't survive. Those who do, often experience strategy to prevent sepsis. long-term lung damage. “The findings of this study are exciting and promising,” said Although it has other biological functions, such as promoting Dr. Wang. “They show that we have discovered a new treatment bone formation, OPN can be harmful in inflammatory diseases. that could prevent acute lung injury in patients suffering from However, the role of OPN in ALI caused by sepsis was previously sepsis. This could save many lives.”

The New Standard 35 physician’s rounds

Hep C Cure Comes with a Hefty Price By Christina Verni

pproved by the FDA in late 2014, Harvoni provides The long-term consequences of chronic hepatitis C infection a cure for about 95 percent of patients with a specific are serious and expensive — cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver A type of hepatitis C — the type most common in the transplant are among them — and can be averted by curing the United States. Not only is the cure rate much higher than that infection early. The FDA approved Harvoni for any patient with of previous treatments, the length of therapy is a fraction of the genotype 1, regardless of disease stage — from very mild to very time, the regimen is much easier for both patients and providers, severe. But since most patients will change insurance providers and the side effects are negligible in comparison. many times over their lifetime as jobs and circumstances change, But the panacea comes at a price that insurance companies payers are reluctant to foot the bill for expensive therapy when would rather not pay. The breakthrough combination pill is they aren’t the ones who will benefit from the cost savings a causing quite a stir. decade or longer down the road. Prior to the discovery of oral treatments Payers are more likely to cover like Harvoni, hepatitis C was treated with treatment for patients who have more a combination of injectable and oral drugs advanced disease — those at greater risk (interferon plus ribavirin) for much for more imminent complications. For longer periods of time (six to 12 months or asymptomatic patients, payers either longer, compared with Harvoni’s 12 weeks outright deny coverage of Harvoni or, in of treatment) with much higher rates and some cases, approve coverage for a shorter severity of side effects and with drastically course of therapy when certain clinical lower response rates. The many challenges criteria are met, since some patients can associated with the interferon-based potentially achieve a cure with only eight regimens often caused poor compliance weeks of treatment. Cutting out four among patients. Considering all these weeks of treatment saves approximately factors, physicians and patients usually $28,000. opted to delay hepatitis C treatment until Clinicians and insurance companies clinical signs indicated the disease was need to consider the entire picture when progressing. it comes to prescribing and covering any With the advent of all-oral treatments expensive treatment like Harvoni. In for the type of hepatitis C most common addition to the patient’s clinical profile, in the US eliminating the need for side- factors such as the risk of transmission to effect-ridden, interferon-based therapies, others if left untreated (for example, to treatment no longer must be delayed. spouses and unborn children), the potential Since Harvoni is a once-daily pill taken for re-infection after cure (for example, for 12 weeks with minimal side effects, patient compliance is in recidivist intravenous drug users and prison populations) and excellent. But at approximately $1,000 a dose, the treatment the likelihood of compliance with the regimen all play a role in the course racks up a bill of more than $80,000, and insurance decision. companies are balking. The North Shore-LIJ health insurance company, “About 75 percent of our patients we prescribe Harvoni for CareConnect, puts health considerations first when establishing get denied by their insurance companies on the first go-around,” its coverage guidelines for Harvoni. And, like other insurance said David Bernstein, MD, director of the North Shore-LIJ companies, it uses evidence-based criteria as its starting point. Center for Liver Diseases and chief of hepatology at North Shore “We follow nationally accepted, evidence-based guidelines University Hospital and LIJ Medical Center. “We file a minimum established by medical societies and the recommendations of of two appeals per patient and achieve about a 65 to 70 percent trusted medical experts at North Shore-LIJ,” said Alan Bernstein, overall approval rating.” When an insurance carrier still won’t MD, chief medical officer of CareConnect. “We’re always going cover treatment, Dr. Bernstein’s team assists patients in applying to do what’s right for our members.” for foundation support.

36 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 From Pioneers to New Physicians By Terry Lynam

HEMPSTEAD — The inaugural class of Hofstra North Shore- community service. Among the innovations is training of all LIJ School of Medicine, a group of 30 students who helped first-year medical students as emergency medical technicians who pioneer a new approach to medical education, graduated in May ride with North Shore-LIJ Health System ambulance crews. at a ceremony in the Hofstra University John Cranford Adams “Every graduating class is special, but a medical school’s Playhouse. charter class is truly distinctive,” said Lawrence Smith, MD, “This is an historic day,” said Hofstra University President founding dean of the School of Medicine. “These students are Stuart Rabinowitz. “Four years ago, this gifted group of young confident self-starters whose participation helped us to shape men and women began a ground-breaking journey at a new and refine the cutting-edge curriculum that would make the medical school with a unique curriculum that challenges School of Medicine a leading center for medical education in convention. Today, they graduate not just as doctors, but as the 21st century.” innovators and leaders who will transform their profession for The graduation of the charter class is the crowning decades to come.” achievement in a year of milestones for the School of Medicine, Established in 2008, the School of Medicine is the first including opening a new state-of-the-art facility, earning full allopathic medical school to open in New York State in more than accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education 40 years. The institution has 2,200 faculty and approximately (LCME), and participation in its first Match Day, which saw 100 280 students, a roster that is expected to grow to 400 by 2016. percent of the graduating class placed in residencies at some of The school’s innovative curriculum combines basic science the most prestigious institutions in the nation. with clinical experience from the first day of a student’s training, “Today is the culmination of many hopes and dreams, focusing on patient interaction, interdisciplinary teamwork and continued on page 44

The New Standard 37 physician’s rounds

New York “Best Docs” Lists 147 from North Shore-LIJ

A record 147 physicians affiliated with the Fabien Bitan, Orthopedic Surgery Suzanne Steinbaum, Cardiovascular Disease North Shore-LIJ Health System recently ranked Alfio Carroccio, Vascular Surgery Ranjit Suri, Cardiac Electrophysiology on New York magazine’s annual “New York’s Best Peter Costantino, Otolaryngology Lon Weiner, Orthopedic Surgery Doctors” issue. The total represents the largest Maria DeVita, Nephrology Jennifer Wu, Obstetrics and Gynecology number of North Shore-LIJ physicians selected by Sudhir Diwan, Pain Medicine Bruce Yaffe, Internal Medicine the magazine since it began publishing its “Best Wendy Edwards, Hospice and Palliative Medicine Doctors” rankings 18 years ago. Of the 147 North Marty Ellington Jr, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine LIJ Medical Center (9) Shore-LIJ physicians listed in the magazine, 55 Eric Flisser, Reproductive Endocrinology Douglas Frank, Otolaryngology were from Lenox Hill Hospital and another 13 Sandra Gelbard, Internal Medicine L. Michael Graver, Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery from the Manhattan Eye Ear and Throat Hospital. Gary Giangola, Vascular Surgery Cynthia Harden, Neurology Almost 1,300 physicians with 64 different Michele Green, Dermatology Louis Kavoussi, Urology specialties from New York City and the Gregory Haber, Gastroenterology Gregg Landis, Vascular Surgery surrounding areas were on New York’s 2015 Gady Har-El, Otolaryngology Geraldine Lanman, Geriatric Medicine list. The publication bases its list on peer- Elliot Hershman, Sports Medicine David Siegel, Vascular and Interventional review surveys conducted by Castle Connolly Gary Horbar, Internal Medicine Radiology Medical Ltd. Stuart Katchis, Orthopedic Surgery Ira Udell, Ophthalmology Arnold Komisar, Otolaryngology David Wertheim, Allergy and Immunology Cohen Children’s Medical Center (17) Dennis Kraus, Otolaryngology Suchitra Acharya, Pediatric Hematology- Thomas Lallas, Gynecologic Oncology Manhattan Eye Ear and Throat Hospital (13) Oncology David Langer, Neurological Surgery Richard Braunstein, Ophthalmology Mark Atlas, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Richard Lazzaro, Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery David Edelstein, Otolaryngology Martin Bialer, Clinical Genetics Steven Lee, Orthopedic Surgery Jordan Josephson, Otolaryngology Vincent Bonagura, Pediatric Allergy and Randy Levine, Hematology Darius Kohan, Otolaryngology Immunology Joseph Licata, Pediatrics Lisa Liberatore, Otolaryngology Maruice Chianese, Pediatrics Steven Mandel, Neurology Boaz Lissauer, Ophthalmology Rubin Cooper, Pediatric Cardiology David Matusz, Orthopedic Surgery Phillip Miller, Otolaryngology Stephen Dolgin, Pediatric Surgery Bushra Mina, Pulmonary Disease William Schiff, Ophthalmology Martin Fisher, Adolescent Medicine Souhel Najjar, Neurology Richard Spaide, Ophthalmology Carmel Foley, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Stephen Nicholas, Orthopedic Surgery Laurence Sperber, Ophthalmology Graeme Frank, Pediatric Endocrinology Stuart Orsher, Internal Medicine Ian Storper, Otolaryngology Jordan Gitlin, Pediatric Urology Nirav Patel, Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery Frederick Valauri, Plastic Surgery Beth Gottlieb, Pediatric Rheumatology Jason Penzer, Colon and Rectal Surgery Milton Waner, Otolaryngology James Markowitz, Pediatric Gastroenterology Daniel Polatsch, Hand Surgery Joseph Maytal, Child Neurology Elizabeth Poynor, Gynecologic Oncology Northern Westchester Hospital (29) Angela Romano, Pediatric Cardiology Carl Reimers, Interventional Cardiology Anna Alshansky, Child Neurology Lorry Rubin, Pediatric Infectious Disease David Robbins, Gastroenterology David Berck, Maternal and Fetal Medicine Lee Smith, Pediatric Otolaryngology Jose Rodriguez, Orthopedic Surgery Scott Berger, Neuroradiology Robert Rosen, Vascular and Interventional Sergio Bures, Pulmonary Disease Huntington Hospital (2) Radiology Gregg Caporaso, Neurology David Rivadeneira, Colon and Rectal Surgery Neil Roth, Sports Medicine Marvin Chinitz, Gastroenterology Michele Baltus, Family Medicine Shereen Russell, Obstetrics and Gynecology Margaret Collins, Pediatrics David Samadi, Urology Alyssa Dweck, Obstetrics and Gynecology Lenox Hill Hospital (55) Stephen Scharf, Nuclear Medicine Jonathan Goldberg, Medical Oncology Sanjay Bakshi, Pain Medicine Mark Schiffer, Cardiovascular Disease Lewis Kass, Pediatric Pulmonology Steven Beldner, Hand Surgery Aruna Seneviratne, Sports Medicine Jeffrey Keller, Pediatric Otolaryngology Olga Belostotsky, Rheumatology Ebrahim Shahim, Obstetrics and Gynecology Sharon Krieger, Internal Medicine Stephanie Bernik, Surgery Howard Sobel, Dermatology Ross Levy, Dermatology

38 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Maud Lemercier, Surgery Mark Lieb, Cardiovascular Disease Bella Malits, Pain Medicine Craig Osleeb, Allergy and Immunology Jeffrey Powell, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism John Raffalli, Infectious Disease Douglas Roth, Plastic Surgery Martin Saltzman, Nephrology Alan Schefer, Hand Surgery John Scott, Otolaryngology Seth Shifrin, Sports Medicine Eric Small, Sports Medicine Albert Szabo, Neurology Alfred Tinger, Radiation Oncology Margaret Vaughan, Geriatric Medicine Jerald Wishner, Colon and Rectal Surgery

North Shore University Hospital (12) Steven Allen, Hematology Stuart Jay Beldner, Cardiac Electrophysiology David Edelson, Internal Medicine Marcia Epstein, Infectious Disease James Fagin, Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Lawrence Glassman, Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery Alan Hartman, Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery Andrew Jacono, Otolaryngology Barry Kaplan, Interventional Cardiology Lyle Leipziger, Plastic Surgery George Raptis, Medical Oncology Peter Stein, Hand Surgery

Phelps Memorial Hospital (3) Edward Merker, Family Medicine Richard Strongwater, Family Medicine Craig Zalvan, Otolaryngology

Staten Island University Hospital (5) Jonathan Deitch, Vascular Surgery Nicholas Karanikolas, Urology Theodore Maniatis, Pulmonary Disease Philip Roth, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Theodore Strange, Internal Medicine

Zucker Hillside Hospital (2) Victor Fornari, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Blaine Greenwald, Geriatric Psychiatry

The New Standard 39 physician’s rounds

Neurosurgery Subspecialty Fellowships

New fellowship programs in cerebrovascular neurosurgery, NSUH’s chair of neurosurgery. “Our outstanding faculty and neurosurgical oncology and neurocritical care/neurotrauma large clinical volume give residents and fellows an engaged, at the Department of Neurosurgery at North Shore University vibrant clinical setting to learn about the latest advances in Hospital (NSUH) recently received approval from the Society of neurosurgical treatment, with a significant component of clinical Neurological Surgeons’ Committee on Advanced Subspecialty research.” He added that the NSUH Department of Neurosurgery Training. Each program is approved for five years. will continue to pursue recognition as a premier neurosurgical “Receiving three fellowship approvals is a testament to training program in the US. the quality of our training programs,” said Raj Narayan, MD,

Continuing Medical Education

North Shore-LIJ’s Office of Continuing Medical Education (CME) offers courses throughout the metropolitan New York area. Upcoming learning opportunities include:

30 Stroke Update 2015 North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) [email protected] SEP 16 Annual James A. Nicholas Sports Medicine Symposium: OCT Controversies in Sports Medicine Lenox Hill Hospital [email protected] 21 Operative Hysteroscopy and Endometrial Ablation Lenox Hill Hospital [email protected] 24 Annual Brain Injury Conference: Brain Injury in the Aging Population Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine [email protected] 30 Controversies and Advances in the Management of Breast Cancer Wallace Auditorium/Chappaqua Crossing [email protected]

5 Annual Stroke Symposium: Acute Stroke Assessment — NOV Time Is Brain Mt Kisco Holiday Inn [email protected] 6 New York Neurosurgery Conference Marriott East Side NYC Office of CME JUN 6 Annual Interdisciplinary Cardiothoracic Symposium Lenox Hill Hospital [email protected] 11 Current Topics in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Feinstein Institute for Medical Research Office of CME 14 Thoracic Surgery Conference Feinstein Institute for Medical Research Office of CME DEC 5 The ASTRO Review Conference Marriott East Side NYC Office of CME MAR 4 Stereotactic Radiosurgery Conference NSUH Office of CME Online, anytime: Infection Control Training (NorthShoreLIJ.edu/ict)

The North Shore-LIJ Office of Continuing Medical Education has received Accreditation with Commendation from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. This designation sets the health system’s program in the top tier of all CME, including some of the most prestigious medical schools in the US. The office updates CME information weekly. Learn more at bit.ly/1bJWT8e or call 516-465-3CME (516-465-3263).

40 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Peter Berger, MD Thomas Mannino, MD Joseph Marino, MD Caroline Messer, MD Barry Kaplan, MD Physician Appointments

Peter Berger, MD, has been named senior vice president of at Lenox Hill Hospital and Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat clinical research for the North Shore-LIJ Health System. Prior to Hospital. In this new role, she will work closely with an joining the health system, he served for nine years at Geisinger interdisciplinary team of physicians and surgeons to diagnose, Health System as chair of cardiology and codirector for the evaluate and provide minimally invasive, state-of-the-art care Geisinger Heart and Vascular Institute, as well as the director of for patients with tumors and disorders of the pituitary and Geisinger’s Cardiovascular Center for Clinical Research. anterior skull base. Board-certified by the National Board of In this new role, Dr. Berger will coordinate the expansion Physician Nutrition Specialists in internal medicine, nutrition, of existing infrastructure to grow clinical research efficiently and endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism, Dr. Messer joined across all of health system facilities and outpatient practices. Lenox Hill Hospital in 2014. He will also work with North Shore-LIJ’s clinician investigators and leaders in clinical strategy and development to help ensure Cardiac Services the health system moves quickly from the developing new Barry Kaplan, MD, has been appointed chair of cardiology knowledge to applying it at the bedside. In addition, Dr. Berger at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) and LIJ Medical will work facilitate patient participation in studies to give them Center. He succeeds and reports to Stanley Katz, MD, who will earlier access to promising new devices, drugs and treatments. continue to serve as senior vice president and executive director Dr. Berger will also work in the catheterization laboratory at of cardiac services for the health system and chair of cardiology at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) and participate in the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine. teaching programs with cardiology fellows. Dr. Kaplan joined the health system in 1996 as an Glen Cove Hospital has appointed Thomas Mannino, interventional cardiologist at NSUH. He was promoted MD, associate chief medical officer and chair of radiology. Dr. to director of LIJ’s catheterization labs in 1999, where he Mannino has held various clinical roles at the North Shore-LIJ dramatically increased volume and improved quality. Dr. Health System for 19 years, including chair of radiology at Forest Kaplan has earned the New York State Department of Health’s Hills Hospital. He was Glen Cove’s associate chair of radiology double-asterisk numerous times for patient outcomes that were from 2006 to 2014, and also served as medical director of the significantly better than the statewide average among cardiologists Outpatient Imaging Center at North Shore Imaging at Glen performing the procedure. Since 2011, he has served as vice chair Cove. Dr. Mannino is a diplomate of the American Board of of cardiology at NSUH and LIJ. He moved his clinical practice Radiology and the American Board Nuclear Medicine. from LIJ to NSUH in 2013 and assumed the role of chief of Joseph Marino, MD, has been appointed medical director cardiology at NSUH. Board certified in cardiovascular disease of Franklin Hospital. He most recently served as chair of and interventional cardiology, Dr. Kaplan is also an assistant anesthesiology at Franklin and Syosset Hospital. Dr. Marino has professor of medicine at the School of Medicine. been acting director of regional anesthesiology for the North NSUH has appointed Rajiv Jauhar, MD, chief of cardiology Shore-LIJ Health System since 2008. Earlier, he directed acute and director of cardiac catheterization at NSUH and LIJ. Dr. pain management service and blood conservation at Huntington Jauhar joined the health system in 2001 as an interventional Hospital. He maintains an assistant professorship of anesthesiology cardiologist at LIJ, where he helped to build volume and quality at the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine. in catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention Caroline Messer, MD, has been named medical director services. He became the director of LIJ’s interventional of the Center for Pituitary and Neuro-Endocrine Disorders cardiology in 2003, was promoted to director of the hospital’s

The New Standard 41 physician’s rounds

Rajiv Jauhar, MD Harold Fernandez, MD James Taylor, Jr., MD cardiac cath labs in 2011, and became chief of cardiology in 2012. medical director. Dr. Jacobs manages a private practice in In March 2015, Dr. Jauhar moved his clinical and administrative pulmonary and critical care medicine, and oversees intensive care duties to NSUH in preparation for integration of cardiac at Forest Hills and Glen Cove hospitals. He previously served as services. He is also an assistant professor at the Hofstra-North chief of surgical critical care and cardiothoracic intensive care Shore LIJ School of Medicine. at North Shore University Hospital. Board-certified in internal Harold Fernandez, MD, and James Taylor Jr., MD, will join medicine, critical care and pulmonary diseases, he is also an the health system’s cardiac services team in November. They come assistant professor of medicine at the School of Medicine. from Stony Brook University Medical Center and Medical School, As interim associate medical director, Michael DellaCorte, after having a longstanding presence at St. Francis Hospital. DPM, runs the medical board and is the community physician/ As North Shore-LIJ’s new director of surgical heart failure, hospital administration liaison. He directs the Podiatric Dr. Fernandez will also have a leadership role in cardiovascular Residency Program at Forest Hills, which he has grown from and thoracic surgery at Southside Hospital. He previously served three residents to 12. The president of the American Board as Stony Brook University Medical Center’s deputy chief of of Podiatric Medicine, Dr. DellaCorte is board-certified in cardiothoracic surgery and codirector of its Heart Institute, and podiatric medicine, foot surgery, and reconstructive rear foot also as professor of surgery at the Stony Brook School of Medicine. and ankle surgery. Dr. Fernandez received his medical degree from Harvard Medical In addition to serving as firm chief, the role ofRohit School and completed his residency in general surgery and a Reejsinghani, DO, has been expanded to include interim fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at NYU Medical Center. associate medical director. He conducts quality reviews, Dr. Taylor has been named codirector of the North Shore-LIJ determines measures to improve patient care and experience, Heart Institute. Previously, he served as chief of cardiothoracic and aids in the managing length of stay. Board-certified in surgery at Stony Brook and codirector of its Heart Institute. He was internal medicine, Dr. Reejsinghani has served as an attending also professor of surgery at the Stony Brook School of Medicine. physician at North Shore University Hospital and at Mount Sinai He received a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University Medical Center and St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, where of South Carolina in Columbia and his medical degree from the he managed resident care teams in the delivery of bedside care, Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Dr. Taylor coordinated teaching rounds and reviewed key medical research completed his residency and a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery used to improve patient care. at New York Hospital—Cornell Medical Center. Drs. Fernandez and Taylor will report to Alan Hartman, MD, the health system’s senior vice president and executive director of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery.

Forest Hills Hospital With the departure of Gerard Brogan, Jr., MD, now Huntington Hospital’s executive director, Forest Hills Hospital has an interim model of coverage with three part-time physicians. Mitchel Jacobs, MD, will serve as interim Mitchel Jacobs, MD Michael Della Corte, DPM Rohit Reejsinghani, DO

42 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Physician Transparency Empowers Patients By Brian Mulligan

GREAT NECK — When the North Shore-LIJ Medical Group recently has spent the past two years collaborating with Press Ganey and physician started posting online patient reviews, it became the first large medical leaders to prepare for the rollout of the new ratings site. group in metropolitan New York to do so. Greater transparency is a cornerstone of recent health care legislation. Ratings and comments come from more than half a million randomly The medical group is at the forefront of this movement, going above and administered surveys that Press Ganey collects and monitors. This is a beyond national mandates. According to Press Ganey, the North Shore-LIJ significant contrast to Yelp, Healthgrades and other sites that allow anyone Medical Group is one of a handful of large medical group practices in the US to post ratings, whether or not they saw a physician. The health system’s to post patient satisfaction scores and only the second in the Northeast. Find-A-Doctor profile pages display patient feedback for physicians Every year, the Medical Group honors five physicians with the practicing in one of the medical group’s 400-plus offices. highest patient satisfaction scores with Patients’ Choice Awards. It also “We are using transparency to continuously improve as we strive to provides ongoing physician education and training to strengthen patient exceed our patients’ expectations,” said Ira Nash, MD, a practicing cardiologist communication and engagement skills. and senior vice president and executive director of the North Shore-LIJ Medical While the North Shore-LIJ Medical Group includes more than 2,300 Group. “This is the true voice of the patients. It’s also a trusted source of physicians, the ratings cover its 900-plus doctors who provide care in information, compared to review sites that can’t be verified.” ambulatory medical practice settings — mostly in outpatient offices outside The survey’s one-to-five scale and comments section allow ratings of the health system’s 21 hospitals. It does not include specialists who provide aspects of the physician/patient relationship such as the doctor’s ability to care only in inpatient settings. communicate in a courteous, compassionate manner that is informative and “Patients have many options for their care, and a positive patient/ easy-to-understand. Patient reviews on Find-A-Doctor pages reflect 18 physician dynamic is central to great care,” said Dr. Nash. “By being months of survey data. transparent with our patient satisfaction ratings, we are providing patients The program delivers straight truth to consumers, screening only for with validated information that helps them choose the physicians that best patient privacy and unsuitable language, if necessary. The Medical Group meet their needs.” Addressing Cancer Patients’ Pain, Reduced Mobility

LAKE SUCCESS — A new cancer rehabilitation specialist caused by cancer can be more stressful is helping North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute patients with than the diagnosis itself,” Dr. Maltser conditions like lymphedema, musculoskeletal pain, neuropathy said. Cancer rehabilitation treats and impaired mobility. cancer survivors’ pain and functional Susan Maltser, DO “Today’s advances in early detection and treatment decline from diagnosis to treatment improvements help more cancer patients to survive,” said Susan and beyond, restoring function and quality of life. Maltser, DO, chief of cancer rehabilitation at North Shore-LIJ. Based at the North Shore-LIJ Center for Advanced She added that these patients often live with disability and pain Medicine, Dr. Maltser prescribes medication and physical, from the disease itself or treatments like surgery, radiation and occupational, speech or lymphedema therapy. Patients can chemotherapy. choose outpatient rehabilitation at Sports Therapy and “Studies demonstrate that most cancer patients have some Rehabilitation Services (STARS) in Manhasset, East Meadow and type of rehabilitation need, and that suffering from the disability Huntington, Glen Cove Hospital and Southside Hospital.

The New Standard 43 physician’s rounds

Annual Fenton Lecture Deborah Driscoll, MD, recently discussed “Pathways to Leadership in Obstetrics and Gynecology” for the 2015 Arnold N. Fenton, MD Lectureship in Obstetrics and Gynecology. The Luigi Mastroianni, Jr., professor and chair of ob/gyn at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Driscoll presented her program at North Shore University Hospital’s Rust Auditorium, courtesy of the North Shore-LIJ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

From Pioneers to New Physicians from page 37 struggles and success – for our medical students, their families, institutions [North Shore-LIJ and Hofstra University] and the for Hofstra University and the North Shore-LIJ Health System,” leadership brought in to begin the School of Medicine, and I saw said Michael Dowling, president and CEO of the North Shore- an amazing opportunity,” said Dr. Blood, who is heading to Duke LIJ Health System. “We are beaming with pride for the first University to train in internal medicine. “I knew that far from a graduates of the first new allopathic medical school in New York risk, I was being offered a chance to get in at the ground floor of State in more than 40 years.” the ‘Google’ of medical schools.” Following their commencement, the newly minted physicians “The faculty and staff are incredibly supportive and engaged will start their post-graduate work at elite institutions across the in the students' development,” said Samantha Ruff, who is country, including North Shore-LIJ hospitals. looking forward to training in surgery at North Shore-LIJ. “I think we all realized the potential risks and benefits “Throughout my four years, there was never a shortage of faculty of being at a new medical school, and some of us were more ready and willing to support me and my career.” apprehensive than others,” said Daniel Ohngemach, a member The commencement ceremony also included the bestowing of the charter class who will train for a year in internal medicine of the Branson Sparks Humanism Award. Mr. Sparks, who before beginning a radiology residency within the North Shore- completed his first year with the charter class, died in 2013. LIJ Health System. “But I knew that if I stayed true to myself, I The new PBS documentary, Doctors of Tomorrow, showcases the would graduate a well-trained physician.” School of Medicine’s revolutionary approach toward educating the AJ Blood, a fellow graduate and past president of student next generation of physicians. See the video at bit.ly/DocsTom. government, agreed. “I looked at the track record of these 44 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 NORTH SHORE-LIJ

2015 PRESIDENT'S AWARDS

“Above and beyond” is standard operating procedure for President’s Award winners and nominees. Maintaining the highest levels of compassion, innovation and dedication, they epitomize North Shore-LIJ’s service excellence. Michael Dowling, the health system’s president and CEO, established the President’s Awards in 2007 to honor staff members who represent the very best of North Shore-LIJ.

“These employees personify the health system’s mission, vision, culture and values,” said Mr. Dowling. “They are an inspiration to everyone, showing us how individuals can truly make a difference while serving patients, family members and visitors, and in working with colleagues and the community.” This year’s winners were announced during the annual Board of Trustees meeting.

The New Standard 45 NORTH SHORE-LIJ

2015 PRESIDENT'S AWARDS

President’s Award for Exceptional Patient/ Customer Experience

Susan Sturgess, RD Senior Dietitian, Hospice Care Network

As a senior dietitian at Hospice Care Network, Susan that validates a life that exists against all odds, tells a story, and Sturgess, RD, devotes herself to educating and advocating for provides families with lasting memories. In addition, she makes patients as they struggle with end-of-life issues. She is the time to meet with other team members to debrief each experience. consummate professional, demonstrating the privilege to serve By doing so, she enables everyone to see that each patient family is whether she’s supporting a patient with nutritional concerns or unique, as is what they look for to create their child’s legacy. reassuring a family member when a loved one stops eating. Ms. Sturgess has documented a medically fragile baby’s trip to Ms. Sturgess is an avid photographer who uses her skills to the beach to celebrate her first birthday, capturing the child’s first document the young lives of Hospice Care Network’s pediatric experience of the ocean and sand. The photos she took recorded and perinatal patients. She works on her own time at night and a celebration of life. On another occasion, she recorded the short on weekends to capture milestones, celebrate events and create life of a perinatal baby. While the child lived for less than an hour, memories that illustrate the importance of making every day count. Ms. Sturgess captured a lifetime of remembrance for the family. This work began after Ms. Sturgess agreed to fill in at a “Sue sets an example for her colleagues, enabling them to perinatal birth for a photographer who was unable to get to the recognize that quality end-of-life care goes beyond a diagnosis with hospital on time. Her photography has been transformed into physical symptoms that need to be managed,” said Mr. Dowling. an ongoing project that is driven by her kindness and generosity. Ms. Sturgess’ photography offers families some normalcy She bears witness at baptisms, birthday parties and holidays, as in the midst of the turmoil that can surround illness. Her well as the solemn moments when family members say goodbye to photographs aid in the bereavement process, providing loved ones. Working with other interdisciplinary team members, reminders of a complete life journey, ensuring that those lost will she documents what families have indicated as most important to not be forgotten. them, after listening carefully to their needs and wishes. For her extraordinary service, Ms. Sturgess received a crystal After each photo shoot, Ms. Sturgess creates a photo book award and a $10,000 bonus.

46 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 President’s Award for Innovation

"The Lenox Hill NS App Project" Neurosurgery Division, Lenox Hill Hospital

Patients who are fully engaged in their care plan show Patients access the video via an encrypted, HIPPA-compliant improved compliance, medication and health management, email. The video covers detailed information about the patient’s minimal complications and better adherence to follow-up condition and specific treatment options. It also serves as a doctor visits. This all helps to prevent hospital readmissions and detailed reminder of everything patients discussed with Lenox decreases health care costs. Hill neurosurgery staff, letting them share information with their Brain and spine disorders often require complex, loved ones and physicians. comprehensive care planning and coordination among multiple Neurosurgery patients receive an update at the end of their specialists. Lenox Hill Hospital’s neurosurgery staff members saw inpatient stay, along with the traditional discharge paperwork. that patients often felt overwhelmed by information they received The update may include items such as a video comparison of during doctor appointments. their brain imaging pre- and post-surgery; a detailed explanation So the team devised a solution. The Lenox Hill NS app helps of the procedure; a video of specific wound care instructions; patients stay informed and active in their care by simplifying recovery milestones; and contact information. information and fostering continuity of care. The app not only helps patients and their families, but The Lenox Hill Hospital neurosurgery team created the app also facilitates clinical collaboration and positive, effective in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Information Officer transitional care handoff by enhancing communication among and other health system colleagues. Modelled after an e-book health care professionals. A newly developed company called with chapters, the app lets practitioners communicate with Cirrus Health will make the mature product available to patients, their family members and doctors about medication patients across the country. management, follow-up visits, nutrition and other aspects of Mr. Dowling said, “The Lenox Hill NS app team care. The Lenox Hill NS app lets clinicians create content and demonstrated innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit by patients access content from a desktop or mobile device. improving the discharge plan of care for patients and their When patients first schedule an appointment with a Lenox families through a process that involves compassionate care, Hill Hospital neurosurgeon, they provide information about communication, coordination and collaboration, while their referring physician along with pertinent test results. upholding the high quality standards practiced throughout the Upon a patient’s first visit, a neurosurgeon or advanced nurse health system.” practitioner creates a video with the details of the consult In recognition of the achievement, this Lenox Hill team discussion, key test result indications and recommendations for received a crystal award and a $10,000 bonus divided equally care, regardless of whether the patient is a candidate for surgery. among team members.

The New Standard 47 NORTH SHORE-LIJ

2015 PRESIDENT'S AWARDS

President’s Award for Teamwork

"Patient Safety: It's a Team Effort" Cohen Children's Medical Center

Maintaining a safe environment reflects a level of reporting of near-miss safety events that would have caused compassion and vigilance for patient welfare that is as important patient harm if left unaddressed. So far, 18 employees have been as any other aspect of quality health care, and is a continuous recognized for extraordinary efforts in identifying near-miss priority. events and opportunities for improvement. Cohen Children’s Medical Center (CCMC) has collaborated With a focus on reducing hospital-acquired conditions, with other nationally recognized pediatric hospitals to move CCMC health care professionals applied safety culture behaviors toward becoming a High Reliability Organization (HRO). HROs in daily practice and bedside care. More than 500 days passed reduce risk by minimizing the likelihood of an error reaching without a CCMC patient’s experiencing a catheter-associated patients. CCMC’s Patient Safety Team led the effort by phasing in urinary tract infection. Commit to Zero, a program to support a culture of patient safety. A quantitative measure of the program’s progress is the Starting in May 2012, CCMC established a daily, Serious Safety Event Rate, a national benchmark for safety multidisciplinary safety report. The brief improved situational culture. Calculated at 1.22 before the program began, CCMC’s awareness at all levels of the organization of potential safety risks, rate dropped to 0.59 in December 2014, indicating significant to prevent hazards from becoming accepted or routine. improvement. The next phase focused on mandatory safety behavior Furthermore, the hospital’s employee engagement scores education for all practitioners and staff who encounter children improved from 2012 to 2014. Employees indicated that they during the work day. Attendees learned to identify potential risks felt more comfortable raising concerns about potential risks to and were empowered to report them without fear of retribution. patient safety. Subsequent weekly safety rounds identified concerns and “The key components of a successful culture of safety include escalated them to the appropriate level to identify and implement teamwork, open communication, a blameless environment, solutions. A Safety Coach Program started in September 2014 and transparency—all of which were addressed by this team’s utilizes frontline staff to encourage peer checking and coaching program,” said Mr. Dowling. and provides just-in-time intervention for team members who The Patient Safety Team received a crystal award and a needed support. $10,000 bonus divided equally among team members. The program resulted in a significant increase in the

48 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Innovation Award Finalists

Radiation Medicine Jukebox Reducing Supply Waste and Improving Ambulatory Services Productivity in an Operating Room Setting LIJ Medical Center The CALM Room: A Destination for Pre-Operative Patients with Special Needs and/or on the Autism Core Laboratory CLNY Joint Venture Team Spectrum North Shore-LIJ Laboratories Cohen Children’s Medical Center Advanced Illness Management Team 3D Printing in Research and Medicine Stern Family Center for Rehabilitation The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research From the Ground Up: A Grassroots The Emergency Department Ebola Readiness Team Transformation Model Forest Hills Hospital North Shore University Hospital Radiology Side Check Respiratory Therapy Team The Nutrition Concierge Amenity Staten Island University Hospital — North Site Glen Cove Hospital Plainview Hospital Persons with Developmental Disabilities Team The Interim Nurse Manager Project The CareTool Development Team Staten Island University Hospital – South Site Huntington Hospital Shared Services Stress Busters Team Innovation at Its Best Project CARE Syosset Hospital Lenox Health Greenwich Village South Oaks Hospital The Improving Care and Reducing Cost Team The Neurosurgery Lenox Hill NS App Project Team Statistical Modeling of Patient Experience Data Zucker Hillside Hospital Lenox Hill Hospital Southside Hospital

Teamwork Award Finalists

Leaders of the Future Team The HealthConnect Team Ambulatory Services Lenox Hill Hospital Patient Safety: It’s a Team Effort Team Remote Video Auditing Implementation Team Cohen Children’s Medical Center LIJ Medical Center The Stroke Team The Bariatric Team Forest Hills Hospital Orzac Center for Rehabilitation Emergency Department Redesign Team Trauma Program: Redefining Trauma Care in the Franklin Hospital Downstate Region Team North Shore University Hospital Operating Room Team Glen Cove Hospital The Emergency Department Discharge Office Team Plainview Hospital Joint Replacement Transitions of Care Team Home Care Network The ACCU-CHEK® Inform II Transition Team Shared Services Across the Continuum: Transforming the The Overdose Prevention Team Experience for People with Cancer Team The NW1 Team Staten Island University Hospital — South Site Hospice Care Network South Oaks Hospital The Chasing Zero Team Tranexamic Acid in Orthopedic Surgery Team The Compassionate, Connected Care Team Syosset Hospital Huntington Hospital Southside Hospital Low 6 Team A True Team The Environmental Services Team The Zucker Hillside Hospital Lenox Hill HealthPlex Staten Island University Hospital – North Site continued on page 50

The New Standard 49 NORTH SHORE-LIJ

2015 PRESIDENT'S AWARDS

Exceptional Patient/Customer Experience Nominees

1. Gladys Baez, CNA Stern Family Center for Rehabilitation 2. Katie Bittner, RN Palliative Care, North Shore University Hospital 3. Giorgina Caputo Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Plainview 1 2 3 4 Hospital 4. Charlene Coleman Dietary Ambassador, Broadlawn Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center 5. Karli Dalton, RN 6 South, LIJ Medical Center 6. Anthony D’Annunzio, RN 5 6 7 8 Labor and Delivery, Forest Hills Hospital 7. Vlady De Los Santos Patient Care Liaison, Emergency Medicine, Southside Hospital 8. Christine Ferraco Coder/Analyst, Interventional Radiology, Staten Island University Hospital — North Site 9 10 11 12 9. Victoria Hagemann, MSW The Zucker Hillside Hospital 10. Denise Hutnik Radiology Technologist, Diagnostic Radiology, Franklin Hospital 11. Amy Karriker Director, Pediatric Chaplaincy Program, Cohen Children’s Medical Center 13 14 15 16 12. Susana Luna Receptionist, Radiology Department, Lenox Hill Hospital 13. Theresa Morgan, RN High-Tech Infusion, Home Care Network 14. Jessica Palumbo, RD Supervisor, Dietary Services, Glen Cove Hospital 17 18 19 20 15. Susan Pepe Patient Care Technician, Emergency Services, Lenox Health Greenwich Village 17. Judy Richter, MSW 19. Arthur Rushforth Case Management, Huntington Hospital Lead Psychiatric Attendant, South Oaks Hospital 16. Marissa Pisarri-Conti Occupational Therapy Specialist, Staten Island 18. Glen Riske, RN 20. Barbara Thiem, RN University Hospital — South Site Emergency Medicine, Syosset Hospital New Patient Nurse Navigator, Monter Cancer Center

50 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 25 Years of Fun

A few clouds and a light sprinkle didn’t dampen enthusiasm at Uniondale’s Mitchel Field early this summer when more than 5,200 North Shore-LIJ Health System employees and their families celebrated the 25th Annual Employee Softball Tournament and Picnic. Attracting almost 600 employees, the softball tournament was a big attraction. With almost 60 teams in play, the No Boundaries, X-Rayed and Flatliners teams were stiff competition on the Employees diamond, and the New Kids of the Block got some special attention. enjoyed more than Comprising employees from 11,000 hotdogs, Co-ed first place winners Huntington Hospital’s Turn 2, above, overcame the North Shore University Hospital LifeSavers. Northern Westchester Hospital , (NWH) and Phelps Memorial 4,100 pints of ice cream Hospital, the New Kids of the 10,700 bottles of water Block took the ride over the and 900 pounds of Throggs Neck Bridge to join in the fun. Team spirits got a macaroni and big boost when the health system’s cheese. president and CEO, Michael Dowling, came to cheer them on. “We all had a great time, and the group didn't stop raving about how well the event was organized: the T-shirts for all the teams, the coordination of the games and fields, the food, the beverages,” said Kerry Flynn Barrett, vice president of human resources at NWH. “We scored five runs while Mr. Dowling was there, so he was our good luck charm.” While the softball teams faced off, others enjoyed the amusement park-like atmosphere. “It’s a special day and a wonderful opportunity to introduce your family at home to your family at work,” Mr. Dowling said. The North Shore University Hospital Clippers, above, placed first in the all-male division and North Shore-LIJ Laboratories’ Blood Runners was the runner-up team.

The New Standard 51 hearts and hands Serving with Panache By Susan Kreimer

SLEEPY HOLLOW — On Tuesday mornings, Phelps Memorial clocked nearly 8,700 volunteer hours by the start of this summer. Hospital Center can count on Edna Coggins, a volunteer of 22 She arrives at 7:30 a.m. and stays until 1 p.m. years, to fulfill her shift — rain or shine. For years, before glaucoma blurred her vision, she tackled “She is 99 years old, but most people think she looks 20 or a variety of tasks on Tuesdays and Wednesdays – filing papers, 30 years younger,” said Mary Sernatinger, the hospital’s director stocking waiting rooms with hospital brochures, faxing birth of marketing and communications. “Failing eyesight keeps her announcements to local newspapers. Now, Ms. Coggins from proofreading and other tasks she used to do, but she comes uses a magnifying reader to ensure that she has folded each in faithfully once a week to stuff envelopes for follow-up mailings mammography mailing correctly, so that the address is visible to mammography patients.” through the window of the envelope. “I keep folding until it’s all The volunteering bug first bit Ms. Coggins in 1987, when done,” she said. she retired from Verizon after 35 years. Twice a week for six years, she prepared lunch trays in her church’s soup kitchen for Driving Miss Edna the homeless. Then she decided to volunteer at Phelps. Ms. Coggins takes her volunteering role very seriously, “It keeps the mind occupied,” said Ms. Coggins, who had dressing more formally than many people do for a paid position. “They didn’t insist that I wear a uniform when I started, so I wear suits all the time,” she said. “And they always look for me in a suit.” Because of Ms. Coggins's declining vision, her husband, William, helps coordinate her outfit in the morning. “But usually, I’m right,” she said. “When I show it to him, he says it’s OK.” Ms. Coggins often accessorizes with a watch on a chain — a Christmas gift from Ms. Sernatinger and her colleague Tina Dorfman, manager of marketing and communications. “It’s a talking watch,” Ms. Coggins explained. “I can’t read the time, so it tells me the time.” She’s thankful that Mr. Coggins, who is 12 years her junior, shuttles her to and from the hospital for volunteering. “He’s driving Miss Edna,” she joked. For her 100th birthday in late October, her husband is planning a party at a hotel in Tarrytown. “When you reach that milestone,” Ms. Coggins noted, “it should be celebrated.” Around then, she expects to retire from volunteering. “Well, I think it’s time,” she added, with a bit of hesitation. “I’m going to miss it. And you know what? If I miss it very much, I can always return.”

Ms. Coggins coordinates mailings for mammography patients.

52 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Ms. Kissane at the Stern Family MANHASSET — When a Center for Rehabilitation. health crisis kept Margaret Kissane from her profession, staying at home left her feeling isolated. She yearned to get back into the workforce and interact with others. “I figured that volunteering would be a good way of doing that,” said Ms. Kissane, 53, who collates and files medical charts one day a week at the Stern Family Center for Rehabilitation. “I enjoy it very much,” Ms. Kissane said. “It has physically gotten me back out.” When she began volunteering three years ago, Ms. Kissane was surprised by how much detail is involved in documenting a patient’s journey through a rehab facility. “I never realized that this department did so much,” she said. She added that since patients who undergo knee and hip replacements, for example, need less time in the acute-care setting of a hospital compared Staying Social and Engaged to 20 or 10 years ago, “there’s a constant turnover” in people and paperwork at subacute with Volunteer Work facilities like the Stern Center. By Susan Kreimer Ms. Kissane, who lives in Kings Park, likes to stay busy and to continue learning. She was a special education teacher For those who are hoping to return to the workforce, a for 18 years, instructing developmentally disabled students at a volunteering commitment is a good exercise in accountability nonprofit organization. Ms. Kissane then returned to school to within a structured schedule and a team framework. become a licensed practical nurse and worked at the Stern Center “There’s flexibility, but you answer for your time,” Ms. for about a year before a disability diverted her course. Kissane said. “I missed working,” Ms. Kissane said, “and I really enjoyed Alin George, the health information management the position I had there.” coordinator at the Stern Center, praised Ms. Kissane’s dedication Volunteering is a practical way to assess which tasks are and work ethic. enjoyable and within the scope of capabilities after some time “Margaret inspires us to fight and live life, despite our away from a work environment, she said. circumstances,” Ms. George said. “She is a very talented, efficient “When you volunteer, you’re opening yourself up to person, with a can-do attitude in everything. It is truly a blessing opportunities,” said Ms. Kissane, who has also begun a part- to have her as part of our department. May God continue to bless time staff secretary position in North Shore University Hospital’s her and strengthen her in all that she does.” Telemetry Unit.

The New Standard 53 hearts and hands Giving Teens Real-World Insight By Susan Kreimer

Ms. Hyde often has a quip for junior volunteers. “As ye sow, so shall ye reap — sometimes,” she tells them.

HUNTINGTON — Helping young people succeed is Fran Hyde’s passion. protocols for a medical environment. Eventually, they get exposure After she retired as assistant principal from the South Huntington School to many hospital areas, from dietary to discharge, and learn to follow District in 2004, Ms. Hyde found a way to continue mentoring youth by directions and assist nurses, if needed. volunteering at Huntington Hospital. Most of all, Ms. Hyde noted, junior volunteers learn to be responsible, “That was something that I always had in mind for retirement,” said dedicated and engaged in the tasks at hand. Ms. Hyde, 73, a Melville resident. “It prepares them well for a lot of life experiences, as well as college,” At first, Ms. Hyde volunteered in the Emergency Department. Soon, she said. In fact, Ms. Hyde’s two adult sons were junior volunteers. It she became the chair for Huntington Hospital’s Junior Volunteer Program. inspired one of them to become a spine surgeon. She oversees volunteers between 14 and 18 years old every Monday and “Fran always knows the right thing to say in a positive way,” said Gina Thursday afternoon. Torchon, director of volunteer services at Huntington Hospital. “It’s fun working with them and watching their growth, seeing them During about 2,300 hours of service spanning nearly 11 years, Ms. develop and mature, and knowing that the attention they pay to a patient Hyde has demonstrated a knack for pairing young people who develop makes a difference,” said Ms. Hyde. “A junior volunteer may be the only long-lasting friendships. non-staff member that a patient sees that day.” “She has a quote for every situation, and she’s always giving of Junior volunteers learn the importance of following infection control herself and her time,” Ms. Torchon said. “It’s a win-win for all involved.” guidelines, respecting patients’ privacy and confidentiality, and other

54 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 “Are You OK?” Can Make All the Difference By Brian Mulligan

MANHASSET — Few things are off- com) works to prevent suicide, create students — one of the groups most at-risk.” limits today. One exception is the subject greater awareness and help individuals When someone has made a plan to of suicide. Nicole Benincasa-Ragonese, develop healthy coping skills — often by end their life, time is short, she said. a manager in North Shore University collaborating with organizations like the Someone’s eating and sleeping habits Hospital’s Division of Patient- and Family- Long Island Crisis Center (to improve can become noticeably different. “They Centered Care, hopes to change that by awareness and education) and The Zucker may behave more wildly or have plans for promoting awareness, research and using Hillside Hospital (to further research). giving away their prized possessions,” Ms. language to break down stereotypes that Benincasa-Ragonese said. “It’s part of can prevent effective treatment for those Don't Hesitate to Help their [suicidal] path and their way out.” who are in mental or emotional pain. “If someone is talking about taking There are many factors to suicide. “The most popular person can their life, it’s so important to pay When it comes to prevention, the most be struggling inside, yet you might attention to what they say. They need to important things are to recognize not even know it,” Ms. Benincasa- get help,” Ms. Benincasa-Ragonese said. warning signs (see sidebar) and know Ragonese said. “Kids and adults who “There is an escalation process to suicide. that crisis centers can help, said Ms. seek help for depression or behavioral The person who is considering it often Benincasa-Ragonese. health issues or thoughts about suicide feels trapped. The pain is so great, they “We need to be able to talk about can be stigmatized. Being open to the see suicide as the only way out.” suicide and bring the causes out in the person and the words we use can be the In the United States last year, open. Despondency and depression are difference between life and death.” 43,000 adolescents and adults combined treatable,” she said. “Through therapy, Ms. Benincasa-Ragonese knows all committed suicide, Ms. Benincasa- people can have great outcomes. Calling too well the pain suicide can cause. Her Ragonese said. “Our mission is to bring 911 will generate a mobile crisis unit to brother Michael died by suicide three those numbers down. We need to continue respond to the person in distress. A simple years ago. A foundation established education, deepen research and develop ‘Are you okay?’ can make all the difference.” in his memory (MichaelBenincasa. healthy coping skills among high school Warning Signs q Unrelenting low mood q Pessimism and hopelessness q Desperation q Anxiety q Withdrawal q Sleep problems q Increased alcohol and/or other drug use q Recent impulsiveness and taking unnecessary risks q Threatening suicide or expressing a strong wish to die Urgent Warning Signs q Development of a specific plan for Urban Oasis suicide Lenox Hill Hospital recently re-opened Victory Greens, New York City’s only hospital rooftop garden. q Giving away prized possessions Victory Greens is the brainchild of Robert Graham, MD, right, director of integrative health and wellness q Making final arrangements for the North Shore-LIJ Health System. Dr. Graham joined Joshua Strugatz, left, Lenox Hill’s associate q An abrupt lift in mood (suddenly executive director, and other hospital staff members during the re-opening celebration. The organic rooftop garden grows herbs, greens, flowers and medicinal plants for the hospital’s cafeteria and changing from depression to happiness) patient meals. Enjoy the urban oasis at bit.ly/VicGreens.

The New Standard 55 mission possible Doing the Right Thing, Despite the Danger By Brian Donnelly

MANHATTAN — Lindsey Hallen, RN, doesn’t want to be called a hero. The 32-year-old returned to work at Lenox Hill Hospital’s Emergency Department this spring after spending eight weeks in Sierra Leone treating Ebola patients. She joined a mission with Partners in Health, an organization that aims to bring the benefits of modern medical science to those most in need. “I felt like I shouldn’t be the one people are calling a hero,” she said, scrunching her nose to show her discomfort with the association. “There are lots of other people more deserving of that title than me.” People like Sierra Leone national and Ebola survivor Kultumi. Immediately after fighting off the disease that killed more than 11,000 people worldwide, Kultumi began working at the same Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) where Ms. Hallen had treated her. Partners in Health hired her to comfort patients. “The people in Sierra Leone are watching all their friends and family and coworkers dying all around them and they still Courtesy of Lindsey Hallen, RN want to go into an ETU and work 16 hours a day and get a Ms. Hallen in the Ebola Treatment Unit in Sierra Leone. small paycheck to fight this disease,” Ms. Hallen said. “Those are the real heroes.” The ETU she worked in was the busiest in a district hit hard quickly and you have all of these barriers to helping them.” by the epidemic. About 700 people were examined there from While frustrating at the time, she said the lack of resources its late 2014 opening until its closing this spring, Ms. Hallen forced her to slow down and switch her focus to the simple said. She added that a little more than half of the patients had things, like bedside manner, something she said she has tried to Ebola. bring back to Lenox Hill Hospital. Only about 175 survived. “Now that she has returned to us, we are all ready to expand “You’re trying to give the best care, but a lot of times it didn’t her role in the Emergency Department to include those skills,” involve medicine because we didn’t have it,” she said. “So, it said Catherine Fogarty, RN, nursing director for the Emergency was just sitting with patients, or holding their hand the last few Department. moments before they died.” Before Ms. Hallen could return to work, or even her New Most days, health care workers spent as much time getting in York City studio apartment, she was quarantined, like all medical and out of PPE suits as they did treating patients, Ms. Hallen said. workers returning from West Africa, for three weeks – the From hanging fluid bags on nails poorly hammered into the incubation period for Ebola is 21 days. It was the first time in walls of a former one-room school house to wrapping plastic months she was alone. gloves around patients’ arms as a tourniquet, everyone had to get “It’s just like your mind is going crazy thinking back on creative, and do it fast. everything that happened,” she said. “You can’t get ahead of the disease,” Ms. Hallen said, her During her eight weeks of treating Ebola patients, Ms. eyes widening as if bracing for a painful memory. “It’s like Ebola Hallen said she never fell to tears. But during the three weeks of is always winning. You’re trying to get ahead of their dehydration isolation, everything hit her. and ahead of their fluid losses because they’re losing so much so continued on page 80

56 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 SLEEPY HOLLOW — Jamie Berndt, RN, put her skills from Phelps Memorial Hospital Center’s Emergency Department (ED) to good use when she joined a medical team in the foothills of the Himalayas to treat survivors of Nepal’s recent earthquake. Ms. Berndt’s training gave her a strong foundation for what she encountered in the devastated country, which was still reeling from the 7.8 magnitude quake on April 25 After the Earthquake, — six days before she arrived. “You learn to prioritize,” said the 27-year-old from Buchanan, NY. “You Before the Monsoons have to figure out how to make things work, By Spencer Rumsey because in an emergency department you can’t say, ‘No, we’re too busy.’ You just keep on going.” Still, it was a far cry from the relatively comfortable confines of Phelps Memorial, where she’s worked since 2011. In the remote villages near the epicenter of the quake, Ms. Berndt treated patients under a tarp pelted by pre-monsoon rains and She didn’t see as much trauma as she expected, but many buffeted by thunder and lightning. And that was on top of the people had injuries and wounds that had gotten infected. One aftershocks, about five or so a day, which the native New Yorker man had been impaled on a branch that was still stuck in his had never felt before. mouth. But most affecting were the orphans, particularly a Originally, Ms. Berndt had planned to spend a month 5-year-old sister clutching the hand of her 3-year-old brother, doing medical work in northern India, where she’d gone in who “would cry and cry all day.” But after one of her team gave 2014. Then the earthquake hit Nepal, and she learned through the boy some Skittles, he warmed up. “Someone said, ‘Oh, look, friends about NYC Medics, a nonprofit “mobile medical” he’s smiling!’ And we all looked over and had a moment like: organization based in New York City, which was organizing ‘This is why we do this! He’s going to be okay!’” disaster relief. She applied, got accepted, and “literally took off Ms. Berndt has nothing but admiration for the Nepalese two days later,” she said. people she met. “Just seeing how resilient they are and how Her team leader picked her up at welcoming they are, I’ll take that back with the airport in Kathmandu, where she me,” she said, adding that she hopes to get a saw the badly cracked buildings and masters degree in public health so she can work people living in tents in the capital Are You on a Mission? internationally. city. The next day, the Indian Army Do you plan to be? If you have an “I feel like I’m a stronger person for having helicoptered her team to the hilly inspiring medical mission story, done this,” she said. “It was so rewarding, being Dhading Besi district, about 7,200 please email [email protected]. able to help them.” feet above sea level. The New Standard 57 mission possible

Dr. Watnik, center, with a surgical resident and a patient in a hospital about 22 miles north of Santo Domingo.

Doctors Use Improv Skills in the DR Courtesy of Neil Watnik, MD Courtesy of Neil Watnik, By Spencer Rumsey

When orthopedic surgeon Neil Watnik, MD, told his wife he was “It was really eye-opening,” Dr. Watnik said. “Every step — from the joining a medical mission to the Dominican Republic this March, he admits point of making a skin incision to putting on the dressing, the type of she was almost as surprised as he was that he’d agreed to go. sutures you used — we had to improvise everything.” “My wife was kind of shocked because I had never done anything like For a week, the group would set out from the capital city early each this before,” said Dr. Watnik, an attending orthopedic surgeon at North morning to reach the medical facility about an hour away. Dr. Watnik had Shore University Hospital (NSUH) and LIJ Medical Center and assistant brought with him some new orthopedic devices donated from Stryker Corp. professor of orthopedic surgery at the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of and Synthes, Inc., but most of the equipment on hand was 20 to 40 years Medicine. “I really didn’t know what to expect.” old, which he hadn’t seen since he’d been a resident. It turned out to be a very rewarding experience, one he’ll never forget, “It makes you appreciate what we have, clearly,” he said. “Here [in the including the sign outside the operating room: “No children, no dogs, no US], if it’s not perfect, you get upset.” smoking, no guns.” All told, they could only do two operations a day because of the time He was invited by Mark Shikowitz, MD, vice chair of otolaryngology it took to sterilize the equipment between procedures. and communicative disorders at NSUH and LIJ and director of LIJ’s Zucker “We had to turn a lot of people away,” he lamented. “That was pretty sad.” Sinus Center, who has been embarking on medical missions to the But the Dominicans’ appreciation was inspiring. Dominican Republic for more than a decade. This was the first trip Dr. “Even the patients I couldn’t help were just grateful that I could look Shikowitz and his medical team, including his head nurse Michelle Villani, at their X-rays and give them my opinion,” he said. RN, went to the Dr. Vinicio Calventi General Hospital in Los Alcarrizos, a One woman had been in a wheelchair for months wearing an ankle poor area about 22 miles north of Santo Domingo. Dr. Shikowitz knew that splint, awaiting surgery she’d been told she needed. A new X-ray revealed providing orthopedic surgery was a priority there. Persuaded to join him, that her ankle had healed perfectly. Dr. Watnik told her she could get up Dr. Watnik took along his chief resident orthopedist, Mikael Starecki, MD. from the wheel chair and start walking again. Overjoyed, she cried. “After a while, the two of them were really like a comedy routine,” said Dr. Watnik was so taken with the experience that he wants to return Dr. Shikowitz. “They were terrific.” next year. “I recommend that everyone do this at least once,” he said. The experience put Dr. Watnik’s skills to the test.

58 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Seussical Comes to Cohen Cohen Children’s Medical Center patients, friends and family members recently enjoyed a lively performance from the colorful cast of Seussical the Musical. The hour-long, Broadway-level production came courtesy of the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport, presented by the hospital and Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Taking the Bite out of Venom

Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) and the Staten Island Zoo recently put the finishing touches on a regional envenomation (anti-venom) protocol to provide life-saving care for snake bite victims. “When we think of emergencies like snake bites, we automatically assume they happen in rural areas,” said Nima Majlesi, DO, director of toxicology at SIUH. “Yet many who keep snakes as ‘pets’ are struck every year. In the Emergency Department, you have to be prepared for anything.” Designated the anti-venom receiving center for the North Shore-LIJ Health System’s 20 hospitals, SIUH’s Venom Program comprises medical toxicologists trained in venomous bites, the hospital’s Regional Burn Center staff, and SkyHealth helicopter for regional transport of patients and anti-venom serum. Venomous snakes native to the US are rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths/water moccasins and coral snakes. Rattlesnakes cause most snakebites and related fatalities, according to American Family Physician. The journal says patients with snakebites require immediate treatment at an emergency department. Virtually every snake-venom home remedy or “help” is ineffective or dangerous. The Humane Society of the United States recommends against holding snakes and other reptiles captive.

The New Standard 59 newDIGS

GREENLAWN — A contemporary, spa-like imaging center recently HUNTINGTON — STARS (Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation opened on the campus of the Dolan Family Health Center. The Services) recently opened its first Suffolk County facility at 10,750 square-foot Charles and Helen Reichert Imaging Center at 1160 East Jericho Turnpike in Huntington. Staffed by four Huntington offers radiology services, such as wide-bore magnetic physical therapists, one hand therapist and four physical resonance imaging (MRI), low-dose computed tomography therapy assistants, the new, 4,000-square-foot facility offers (CT), ultrasound, digital X-ray, image-guided biopsies and orthopedic and joint replacement rehabilitation; balance therapeutic procedures. The center also provides breast imaging therapy; sports therapy; back and spine care; fracture and via 3D mammography, ultrasound and MRI, plus MRI-guided, trauma care; hand therapy; pain management; and post- ultrasound-guided and stereotactic breast biopsy services. The rehabilitation fitness programs. Reichert family, long-time Huntington Hospital supporters, made the new space possible.

Veterans Interview Day

LAKE SUCCESS — The North Liaison Services (OMVLS). within a team. All of these qualities Shore-LIJ Health System recent “Veterans bring a host of are transferrable to any position.” hosted Veterans Interview Day at important skills to the table, many The response and results its corporate Talent Acquisition that they learned during their were even stronger than last year’s center. Attendees explored service,” said Juan Serrano, director Veterans Interview Day, Mr. Serrano open, permanent employment of OMVLS. “Aside from being highly added. Of 83 veterans interviewed, opportunities, thanks to team motivated and engaged, they are most went to a second interview leaders, 25 recruiters, and the already used to thinking under or were flagged by recruiters for Office of Military and Veterans extreme pressure and working relevant matches.

A Talent Acquisition team member with one of the dozens of attendees.

60 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Ready to Roll with ICD-10

The North Shore-LIJ Health System is ready for ICD-10, the tenth edition of the International Classification of Diseases. The new classifications replace ICD-9, and significantly change documentation, coding and reimbursement for patient care. The US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services mandated an October 1 deployment Healthy Give and Take for ICD-10. More than 28,000 nurses and employees and several More than 160 people recently attended Lenox Hill Hospital’s 17th Annual Healthy thousand physicians prepared for the launch via targeted, role-specific Give and Take Luncheon at the Metropolitan Club in Manhattan. The Lenox Hill education on iLearn. Anyone who wants a refresher can review ICD-10 Auxiliary sponsored the event, which featured Emmy award-winning journalist, material in iLearn. Look for it under the My Learning Portfolio tab. Jane Hanson, moderating a panel of North Shore-LIJ clinical and technical experts: David Langer, MD, chief of neurosurgery; Ken Court, director of clinical information systems for neurosurgery; Alexander Hellinger, executive director of Lenox Health Greenwich Village; and Susan Robertson, RN, vice president of clinical information systems for the North Shore-LIJ Health System. Attendees enjoyed a lively discussion on how modern technology is transforming medicine. A Creative Spark for Future Careers

Almost a dozen students from Walt About 500 teens from public and North Shore-LIJ encourages Whitman High School in Huntington private high schools in Nassau, Suffolk, children and teens to enter the health won the North Shore-LIJ Health System’s Queens and Staten Island participated. care field with many programs, including first Spark! video contest. The video About 30 teams of staff members from several career academies throughout showcased their experience at Cohen across the health system hosted students the region. It also co-manages the Long Children’s Medical Center and the to give them insight into health care Island STEM (science, technology, subsequent Hospital for a Day Program professions. engineering and math) Hub with they created for fellow students in the “The Spark! Challenge not only Brookhaven National Laboratory. South Huntington School District. The sparked an interest in health care For more information about the group received $3,000 for their school. careers for the students, but it also Spark! Challenge, contact Cheryl Richmond Hill High School’s student reignited our staff’s passion for what Davidson, director of workforce group won $2,000 for second place and they do, which was amazing to witness,” readiness, at 516 472-6071. the Syosset High School team came in said Joseph Moscola, North Shore-LIJ’s See the Spark! event at bit.ly/ third for $1,000. chief human resources officer. sparkKIDS15.

The New Standard 61 kudos Distinctions

The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and The hospital’s Gregory Haber, MD, chief of gastroenterology; Quality Improvement Program recently recognized the Bariatric Anthony Starpoli, MD, associate director of esophageal Surgery Program at Syosset Hospital. In addition to its board- endotherapy; and Sofia Yuen, MD, clinical research coordinator, certified bariatric surgeons, the program assists obese patients with accepted the award during the association’s Digestive Disease Week. guidance from a registered dietitian and a health psychologist. The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society has awarded The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has the Plainview Hospital Hyperbaric and Wound Care Center again recognized the high-quality Accreditation with Distinction. The center provides outpatient diabetes care at the Bay Street treatment for acute and chronic nonhealing wounds. It is only Health Center and Medical one of five centers in New York State and the only metro New Arts Pavilion of Staten Island York facility with the designation. University Hospital (SIUH). The North Shore-LIJ Health System recently received NCQA made qualification for its the National Patient Safety Foundation’s 2015 Stand Up for Diabetes Recognition Program Patient Safety Management Award. The foundation recognized more rigorous for 2015, making North Shore-LIJ for creating a streamlined process for accurate the recognition even more significant. patient identification and administration of appropriate care. The North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute at SIUH recently North Shore-LIJ representatives accepted the award during the received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the American 17th Annual National Patient Safety Foundation Patient Safety College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer (CoC). The Congress in Austin, TX, this spring. Cancer Institute at SIUH is one of only 75 US health care WomenCertified recently recognized four North Shore- facilities to receive the national honor. Criteria were based on LIJ hospitals with a 2015 Women’s Choice Award. In addition the CoC’s evaluations of cancer committee leadership, cancer to several awards for patient safety, LIJ Medical Center and data management, clinical services and quality improvement. Northern Westchester Hospital ranked among the top 100 To qualify, the Cancer Institute at SIUH had to achieve for patient experience. North Shore University Hospital and commendation-level ratings for seven CoC standards. Huntington Hospital were also recognized. “This distinction not The National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) only validates the high quality of care and service provided by our has certified three North Shore-LIJ Health System epilepsy hospital staff members, but also North Shore-LIJ’s emphasis on programs. Cohen Children’s Medical Center’s Comprehensive the patient and customer experience,” said Sven Gierlinger, vice Pediatric Epilepsy Center and North Shore University president and chief experience officer of the health system. Patient Hospital’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Care Center are and customer experience are among North Shore LIJ’s strategic designated as Level 4; Southside Hospital’s Epilepsy Center imperatives to help ensure that patients get the attention and care is designated as a Level 3 facility. NAEC Level 4 facilities offer that they need and deserve. the highest level of evaluation and treatment for intractable Becker’s Hospital Review named North Shore University epilepsy, provide more complex tests and offer a broad range Hospital as one of the “100 Great Hospitals in America” of surgical procedures for refractory epilepsy. Level 3 centers for 2015. The Manhasset facility joined a group of hospitals provide basic services for patients with refractory epilepsy and recognized for medical and scientific breakthroughs and delivery offer noninvasive evaluation for epilepsy surgery, basic resective of best-in-class patient care. Becker’s Hospital Review considers the epilepsy surgery and implantation of the vagus nerve stimulator. “100 Great Hospitals” as community stalwarts for serving as Huntington Hospital recently received two Joint research hubs and focusing on wellness. Becker’s editors based Commission honors: the Advanced Certification for Palliative the list on US News & World Report, Healthgrades, Truven Health Care and, for the third time, the Gold Seal of Approval for Analytics, The Leapfrog Group and other resources. Hip and Knee Replacement. The Joint Commission recognizes inpatient programs that demonstrate exceptional, high-quality patient- and family-centered care. The American Gastroenterological Association recently designated Lenox Hill Hospital as “highest enroller” and “first hospital to enroll” for a trial of EsophyX, a new incisionless surgical treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

62 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Deborah Benzil, MD, has been elected vice president of Rabbi Daniel Coleman, chaplain at North Shore University the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS). Hospital (NSUH), recently placed first in the Simulated Trading The organization announced during the 83rd AANS Annual Competition at Hofstra University’s Zarb School of Business. Scientific Meeting in Washington, DC. One of 300 female Forty students participated, each beginning with $500,000. neurosurgeons in the US, Dr. Benzil is the immediate past chair Rabbi Coleman achieved a 46 percent return in 75 days, capping of the Council of State Neurosurgical Surgeons, where she was off his completion of Hofstra’s MBA program this June. the first woman to hold the position. Michael Compton, PhD, chair of psychiatry at Lenox Hill David Bernstein, MD, chief of hepatology at North Hospital, wrote “Address Mental Health’s Social Determinants Shore University Hospital (NSUH) and LIJ Medical Center Through Policy Change,” recently published in Psychiatric News by and director of the North Shore-LIJ Health System’s Sandra the American Psychiatric Association. Atlas Bass Center for Liver Diseases, has been named the 2015 Cheryl Davidson, director of workforce readiness for Distinguished Alumnus at Stony Brook University School of North Shore-LIJ, recently received the Margaret Ashida STEM Medicine. A 1988 graduate, Dr. Bernstein accepted the honor Leadership Service Award for promoting careers in science, during the Stony Brook’s recent White Coat Ceremony and technology, engineering and math (STEM). The New York Alumni Awards event. State STEM Education Collaborative established the honor Cheryl Burke, RN, med/surg clinical nurse educator at in memory of Ms. Ashida, a pioneer educator and longtime Phelps Memorial Hospital Center, has won Hudson Valley Magazine’s mentor to Ms. Davidson. 2015 Excellence in Nursing Award. Among her qualifications Michael Dowling, the North Shore-LIJ Health System’s for the honor were leadership in developing the hospital’s rapid president and CEO, ranked among Modern Healthcare magazine’s response team, palliative care and stroke program. Most recently, 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare for 2015 for the Ms. Burke led implementation of NICHE (Nurses Improving ninth consecutive year. Mr. Dowling was the top-ranked hospital Care of Health System Elders). executive in New York State. Placing at number 22, this was his highest ranking yet. US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and President Obama ranked RAND Report Highlights Vet Services first and second, respectively. See bit.ly/1L1MYGA for the BAY SHORE — A new report from the RAND Corporation highlighted the Unified Behavioral Health Center for Military complete list. Veterans and their Families as “the only program [nationally] that targets both veterans and their family members Two specialists from the in a collaborative family-centered care model, where veteran and family providers work collaboratively to share Smith Institute for Urology information and expertise.” edited new textbooks published A collaborative effort of the North Shore-LIJ Health System and the Northport Veteran’s Administration by Springer: Farzeen Firoozi, (VA) Medical Center, the center offers behavioral health services to military veterans and their families in a co- MD, director of pelvic health located space. Mayer Bellehsen PhD, directs North Shore-LIJ’s Mildred and Frank Feinberg Division of the Unified and reconstructive surgery, Behavioral Health Center. edited Female Pelvic Surgery, and The VA can’t fully serve veterans’ family members, especially children. In its report, “Public-Private Partnerships Bruce Gilbert, MD, director for Providing Behavioral Health Care to Veterans and Their Families,” RAND underscores that public-private of reproductive and sexual partnerships, such as the Unified Behavioral Health Center create new ways to address concerns like post-traumatic medicine, edited Ultrasound of stress disorder (PTSD) that can affect not only veterans, but their family as well. Male Genitalia. RAND is influential in public policy and much of its work has focused on the challenges facing US military veterans (e.g., Invisible Wounds of War, 2008), so its recognition of a North Shore-LIJ veterans’ program is continued on next page significant. Furthermore, through a grant that North Shore-LIJ obtained from the New York State Health Foundation, RAND is now engaged in an independent analysis of the Unified Behavioral Health Center.

The New Standard 63 kudos

from page 63 Steven Mandel, MD, attending neurologist at Lenox Hill Pat Folan, RN, DNP, director of the Center for Tobacco Hospital, has been named Man of the Year by the Park Avenue Control, recently cowrote “Improving Tobacco Dependence Synagogue Men's Club. Dr. Mandel is vice president of the Treatment Delivery: Medical Student Training and Assessment,” synagogue’s Men's Club and section chairman of the metropolitan for the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. New York region of the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs. Arthur Fougner, MD, chief of gynecologic ultrasound at Thomas McGinn, MD, chair of medicine at NSUH, LIJ and North Shore-LIJ and attending obstetrician/gynecologist at the Hofstra North-LIJ School of Medicine, edited a recent edition NSUH, LIJ Medical Center and Forest Hills Hospital, has been of Generating Evidence and Methods, AcademyHealth’s peer-reviewed, elected secretary of the Medical Society of the State of New York open-access journal. The issue spotlighted testing and design (MSSNY). Dr. Fougner previously served terms as MSSNY’s approaches to developing electronic tools for clinical workflows. assistant secretary; commissioner of communications; assistant Bruce Rutkin, MD, director of transcatheter valve therapies commissioner of public health; and commissioner of governmental at NSUH, visited Japan this summer to teach physicians there how affairs. Furthermore, Dr. Fougner, also an assistant professor of to perform transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Part ob/gyn at the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, is a of the North Shore-LIJ heart team who performed the first TAVR trustee for the Medical Society of Queens. procedure in 2011, Dr. Rutkin is one of the first physicians in the Seymour Katz, MD, attending gastroenterologist at NSUH US asked to teach/proctor the procedure throughout the United and LIJ, cowrote “Management of IBD in the Elderly Patient States and internationally. with Cancer,” for a recent edition of Current Treatment Options in Candace Schiffer, RN, NP, a North Shore-LIJ Cancer Gastroenterology. Dr. Katz also contributed the “Rectal Glucocorticoid Institute hematology/oncology nurse at the Monter Cancer Center, Therapy in Ulcerative Colitis” chapter to Medical Therapy in Ulcerative has received the Kay O’Brien Memorial Award from the Oncology Colitis (Springer Verlag). Nursing Society (ONS) Long Island/Queens chapter. Ms. Schiffer Louis Kavoussi, MD, chair of urology at NSUH and LIJ was honored for her dedication to mentoring oncology nurses in and interim chair of urology at Lenox Hill, was recently elected their pursuit of additional certifications. The award memorializes to the Clinical Society of Genitourinary Surgeons for his the late Catherine (Kay) O’Brien, AOCN, a longtime member of contributions to the advancement of urology and development the local ONS chapter. of exceptional programs with scientific, clinical and teaching William Self, director of the Health Sciences Library at components. The group is limited to 25 active elected members Lenox Hill, recently published, “Metro Member Spotlight: from the US and Canada. Lenox Hill Hospital Health Sciences Library” on Metro.org for Mitchell Levine, MD, presented a course on neuro-oncology the Metropolitan New York Library Library Council. The article and neuro-traumatology at Il Giardino Scientifico’s Innovation focused on the history of the hospital’s Health Sciences Library. in Neurosurgery conference this summer in Sirolo, Italy. Dr. Ping Wang, MD, investigator at The Feinstein Institute for Levine discussed topics including primary and metastatic vertebral Medical Research and vice chair for research for North Shore-LIJ’s tumors, vertebral fractures and current management and new Department of Surgery, has been named president-elect of the insights in disk degeneration mechanisms. Shock Society. He will become president of the organization in 2017.

Use Quicklinks on the employee intranet to submit accomplishments.

64 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 $3.8M CDC Grant for HIV/AIDS Prevention

MANHASSET — The US Centers for the most effective HIV prevention deliver the funded services with Pride for Disease Control and Prevention recently strategies among 90 community-based Youth, an LGBTQ service organization awarded a five-year, $3.8 million grant to organizations nationwide. The program in Bellmore, and Planned Parenthood of North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) is part of the CDC’s effort to develop Hudson Peconic, based in Smithtown. to prevent HIV/AIDS. comprehensive, high-impact HIV The collaborators will help prevent HIV NSUH is the only organization in prevention projects for community- transmission among people engaged in Nassau and Suffolk counties to receive based organizations. It will be a major high-risk behavior and keep the virus the CDC grant, which is part of a $216 contributor toward helping the region suppressed in patients with the virus. million federal initiative to deliver meet goals announced last June by The program will implement behavioral Gov. Andrew Cuomo to end the AIDS motivation to limit HIV transmission epidemic in New York State. via safer/low-risk sexual and drug-use As part of NSUH’s designated AIDS behaviors. center, the Center for AIDS Research and “This powerful program helps Treatment (CART) and the Center for coordinate HIV prevention among Young Adult, Adolescent and Pediatric experienced community-based HIV Care have formed a consortium to organizations to finally get ahead of the epidemic and end AIDS on Long Island,” said Joseph McGowan, MD, Barbara Osborn, director of public relations at Lenox CART’s medical director and principal Hill, recently received the Award for Excellence investigator of the grant-funded project. from the Healthcare Public Relations and Marketing Society of Greater New York. The group honored Ms. According to the CDC, an estimated Osborn for leading the efforts to build awareness 1.2 million people are living with HIV of the 2014 opening of what is now known as Lenox in the US, and almost one in eight are Health Greenwich Village. Terry Lynam, right, vice unaware of their infection. About 132,000 president and chief public relations officer for the New Yorkers are living with HIV/AIDS, health system, was on hand to congratulate her. including 6,200 Long Islanders. Outstanding Stroke Care

Fourteen North Shore-LIJ Health System hospitals have received a North Shore-LIJ hospitals have also successfully implemented the Get with the Guidelines (GWTG) Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement AHA’s new Target: Stroke campaign, which focuses on improving ischemic Award. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA) stroke patients’ outcomes by rapidly administering intravenous tPA (tissue honor recognizes high standards of care for stroke patients. Each hospital plasminogen activator), a clot-busting drug that reduces the effects of adhered to protocols for 24 consecutive months that reduce stroke-related stroke and the risk of permanent disability. For this initiative, Forest mortalities and decrease long-term disability for stroke patients. Hills Hospital, North Shore University Hospital and Northern Westchester Hospital achieved Elite Plus honor roll status; Peconic Bay Medical Center, Forest Hills Hospital Northern Westchester Hospital Plainview, Southside and Syosset hospitals achieved Elite status; and Glen Franklin Hospital Peconic Bay Medical Center Cove, Huntington and Lenox Hill hospitals, LIJ Medical Center and Staten Glen Cove Hospital Phelps Memorial Hospital Center Island University Hospital received honor roll recognition. Huntington Hospital Plainview Hospital As New York State-designated stroke centers, all the hospitals have Lenox Hill Hospital Southside Hospital multidisciplinary stroke teams available to assess and treat stroke patients LIJ Medical Center Staten Island University Hospital 24 hours a day. North Shore University Hospital Syosset Hospital

The New Standard 65 NEW HYDE PARK — A $333,855 donation from Kohl’s Department Stores Kohl’s Donation to Cohen Children’s Medical Center (CCMC) is continuing a collaboration that encourages kids’ lifelong wellness. The Kohl’s Cares Keeping Kids Promotes Kids’ Wellness Healthy Program works with community By Michelle Pinto organizations and grade schools to encourage children to build healthy eating and exercise habits. For example, CCMC and Kohl’s Cares organized a Walk to Fitness at the Manorhaven Elementary School in Port Washington. Kohl’s Cares gave pupils pedometers and other materials to track their miles on a “virtual walk” from the school to locations across the country. School administrators and students dedicated their Walk to Fitness to Seraphina O’Brien. The 9-year-old Manorhaven pupil was diagnosed with ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) in October 2014. She is now in remission, thanks to the care she received at CCMC.

Grand Finale, Next Chapter Hundreds of students completed the last lap of their Walk to Fitness on the Manorhaven athletic field to celebrate Seraphina’s progress. Dressed in purple (Seraphina’s favorite color), the children circled a field to pass by the victory flag held by Seraphina, her sister and her parents. Following Kohl’s check presentation to the hospital, Debbie Riccardi, RN, NP, director of community outreach at CCMC, said, “These wonderful children have together walked over 11 million steps — more than 5,000 miles — in honor of Seraphina. We know that walking is the Seraphina O’Brien, left, with her father and sister at the finish line for Manorhaven Elementary easiest way to achieve fitness. We thank School’s Walk to Fitness. Kohl’s for their partnership since 2000, which has resulted in over $4 million lives. “I especially want to thank everyone raised more than $274 million for in support to help us keep our children at Cohen Children’s Medical Center children’s initiatives nationwide. Learn healthy.” who provided the excellent care that more at Kohls.com/Cares. Michael O’Brien, Seraphina’s father, put Seraphina back on the road to was moved by the children’s effort and health,” he said. Outstanding in Their Field thanked Kohl’s for its programs that help With cause-related See the celebration at children and their families lead healthy merchandise, Kohl’s Cares has bit.ly/KohlsCaresWalk.

66 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 MANHASSET — Levelled by severe weather, a 5,000-pound oak tree recently crashed through Stephanie Epstein’s window and pinned her to her bed. “I really didn’t think I was going to make it,” the 20-year-old Great Neck resident said. “You never imagine when you go to sleep in your own bed — in your home, surrounded by your family — that something like this is going to happen,” she added. “It’s so hard to process what happened.” Home on summer break from the State University of New York at Binghamton, Ms. Epstein showed remarkable composure in front of a throng of media as she discussed the incident and her care at North Shore University Hospital. Her parents, Geoffrey Epstein, MD, and Rachel Stephanie Epstein, seated center, joined her family and Dr. Maurer, right, to share her story of survival. Epstein, and her sister, Debbie, joined Ms. Epstein to thank the first responders who rushed to her assistance and the clinicians who treated her. A Tree Fell in Great Neck “Imagine being awakened By Michelle Pinto from a deep sleep to hear your daughter screaming for help,” Dr. Epstein said. “My first thought was that a bomb had gone off in the house.” Trauma surgeon James Maurer, MD, treated Ms. Epstein First responders spent more than two hours to get Ms. from the time she arrived at the hospital that Monday morning Epstein out from under the giant oak that crashed through the until her discharge that Friday. roof. “At one point, there were more than 100 first responders After thanking the many doctors, surgeons, nurses, and in the house, all working to get Stephanie free,” Dr. Epstein therapists who banded together to assess Stephanie’s situation, Dr. said. “All I can remember is lots of prayer during that time. In Maurer turned to Stephanie and called her “one tough cookie.” fact, prayer becomes integral at a time like this, no matter what Ms. Epstein expressed gratitude to the first responders, you believe in. her doctors and her family. “What’s amazing is that nothing is “What started as a nightmare for all nightmares ended as a broken,” she said. “I have some cuts and bruises, some soreness, miracle for all miracles,” he continued. “When I remember what but I’m much better and looking forward to going home." I saw when I first walked in and saw the position of the tree, it’s Does she believe miracles? amazing that we’re sitting here at all.” “I do now!” she said.

The New Standard 67 Brandon Torres, right, with his father, Anderson Torres.

A New “Thumbs Up” for 1-Year-Old Boy By Michelle Pinto

NEW HYDE PARK — It’s fitting that so important, that there is a specific was removed. Occupational therapy will 1-year-old Brandon Torres loves area of the brain associated with thumb help him to perfect use of his thumb. Superman, because this courageous boy movement.” “He’ll be able to engage in all the has already shown incredible strength. During a three-hour operation this important activities that little boys enjoy,” Due to Duane-radial ray syndrome, spring, Dr. Bastidas reconstructed all Dr. Bastidas said. Brandon was born without a right thumb. the arteries, veins, muscles, connective Ms. Ramirez and Mr. Torres consider One day after his birth, his parents, tissue and bones of Brandon’s index their Superboy to be a true hero. It’s clear Yuli Ramirez and Anderson Torres, of finger to create a functional thumb “With that his father is his number one fan. Flushing, first met plastic/reconstructive a technique known as pollicization, I “One day, I was driving and I surgeon Nicholas Bastidas, MD, at Cohen shortened Brandon’s right index finger decided to stop using my thumb—just to Children’s Medical Center of New York. and rotated it into a new position,” Dr. experience the world the way Brandon The thumb is the single most Bastidas said. At the same time, he used was seeing it,” Mr. Torres said. “After all important finger in the hand, allowing microscopic dissection to lengthen and this fear and worry, my son is strong and humans to grasp and pinch, Dr. preserve blood vessels. healthy. His mother and I are filled with Bastidas said. He added: “The digit is A month after surgery, Brandon’s cast gratitude.”

68 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Teen Heart Patient Trips the Light Fantastic with Her Idol By Michelle Pinto

GLEN HEAD — What do you give a young dancer who survived a life-threatening heart condition, awoke from surgery and immediately asked, “When can I dance again?” How about a surprise meeting with dance champion Val Chmerkovskiy? Always passionate about dancing, Gianna Schupler began fainting during her athletic tap routines. At first, her parents, Maria and Phil, and her doctor chalked it up to exhaustion and dehydration. So she kept dancing. But when the fainting continued, her parents were determined to find out why. Their diligence brought the family to David Meyer, MD, a pediatric heart surgeon at Cohen Children’s Medical Center (CCMC). Last year, Dr. Meyer performed open-heart surgery to repair Gianna’s malfunctioning left coronary artery. The malfunction could have been fatal, Dr. Meyer said, adding: “It turns out that Gianna’s dancing ultimately her saved life by allowing us to discover and repair the problem.” After three months of recuperation, Gianna tap-danced to a top prize in the Starbound National Dance Competition. The girl, her family and Dr. Meyer discussed her journey at a recent event at Dance With Me Studio in Glen Head. Gianna thanked Dr. Meyer and CCMC for saving her life, adding, “All I wanted to know is when I could get back to dancing. That’s my whole life.” Gianna was told that cameras would record her tap dancing routine to show that her heart defect was completely under control. After completing her routine, Gianna got the surprise of her life when the studio director announced she would be meeting another champion. Val Chmerkovskiy, Dance With Me Studio co-owner and “Dancing with the Stars” champion, entered the studio. After embracing the clearly overwhelmed Gianna, Mr. Chmerkovskiy suggested that they dance together. Following a few tap and salsa steps, Val applauded Gianna for her courage. “Gianna’s story is very inspiring. She never gave up her dream. Now, I’m really dancing with the stars,” he said. Gianna Schupler, foreground, with Val Chmerkovskiy.

The New Standard 69 When Hoi Yee Seto-Liu turned 50, her gynecologist and primary care physician urged her to get a colonoscopy, the screening test for colorectal cancer. “I kept putting it off,” said the IT consultant from Port Washington. For more than two years, the mother of two college-age sons made excuses. After all, Ms. Seto-Liu had always been healthy. She ate plenty of vegetables. She didn’t have any symptoms. She didn’t have a family history of colon cancer. She got exercise from gardening. She felt fine. “Last November at my checkup, my doctor again urged me to get a colonoscopy. At 52, I decided to do it,” she said. It was the right choice: The colonoscopy revealed a tumor in the lower part of Ms. Seto-Liu’s colon. She was ultimately diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer, which had spread to three lymph nodes. “I was very shocked that I had a tumor,” Ms. Seto-Liu said. The results also surprised Bethany DeVito, MD, a gastroenterologist at North Shore University Hospital and Endoscopy Center of Long Island. “When Ms. Seto-Liu came for her colonoscopy, she didn’t have any symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bleeding from the rectum, weight loss or change in bowel habits,” she said. “That’s unusual for someone with a tumor.” At First, She Put Off Demystifying Colonoscopy A colonoscopy is a safe, effective way to examine the lining of the colon and the rectum Her Colonoscopy for abnormal tissue. Patients undergo the By Sandra Gordon procedure under anesthesia, so it’s painless. Physicians use a thin, flexible instrument to diagnose problems, perform biopsies and tissue when it was even more curable, before it “It’s always better to follow a healthy remove polyps. developed into cancer. lifestyle, but keep in mind that it’s not 100 “That’s the benefit of colonoscopy. You can After having surgery to remove 11 inches of percent protective,” she said. “Don’t put off screen for colorectal cancer and remove polyps her colon, Ms. Seto-Liu is currently undergoing getting a screening colonoscopy.” right away, before they become a problem,” Dr. six months of chemotherapy. DeVito said. A study in the New England Journal “It’s a very difficult time, but I’m trying of Medicine found that removing noncancerous to stay positive. I tell everyone, ‘Send me polyps during colonoscopies resulted in 53 your positive energy,’” said Ms. Seto-Liu. Colonoscopy screenings are a safe, percent fewer deaths. Still, she considers herself lucky. “I had it in effective and important step in preventing It’s likely that Ms. Seto-Liu’s tumor started my mind that I would get a colonoscopy at colon cancer. And remember, colonoscopies out as a precancerous polyp. age 55. If I had waited that long, it could have are part of the health system’s wellness “It was probably there for more than three been much worse.” pledge program! Schedule an appointment years,” Dr. DeVito said. A screening at age 50, as Dr. DeVito agreed, adding that Ms. at bit.ly/URPledge. recommended, may have “caught” the abnormal Seto-Liu’s situation is a lesson for everyone.

70 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 MAGEC Revolutionizes Give and Scoliosis Treatment Receive You come to North Shore-LIJ for By Michelle Pinto cutting-edge, compassionate care. If you or a family member want to express your appreciation, consider After watching Jordan that corrects scoliosis while bounce right back.” Ongoing a gift that will pay you for life and Jennings race around a room, avoiding the stress and risk adjustments in the doctor’s help us care for the people in your it’s hard to believe that she of future spine-lengthening office will further improve community. was only recently implanted surgeries. FDA-approved in Jordan’s spinal curvature. with two rods to correct a 2014, the MAGEC (Magnetic Jordan had MAGEC A charitable gift annuity will pay severe spinal deformity. Expansion Control) Spinal implantation this past March. you a lifetime of fixed payments, “Jordan was born with Bracing System uses surgically Just weeks after surgery, she a portion of which will be tax-free, infantile scoliosis,” said her implanted magnetic rods. A moved with greater ease and in exchange for a gift of $10,000 surgeon, Selina Poon, MD. doctor can lengthen the rods could better handle all the or more. After you receive the final “In December 2014, her every few months during an activities of daily life. payment, you can allocate what is curvature had advanced to office visit. “I just couldn’t accept left to the hospital or area most 130 degrees. We tried treating “This surgery reduced that my daughter would have meaningful to you. her with a brace, and it just Jordan’s curvature to 66 to face a childhood of painful wasn’t enough.” degrees,” Dr. Poon said. “She surgery every six months,” While a charitable gift annuity Her parents, Joanne and is not perfectly straight, but is Ms. Jennings said. “I wanted provides an immediate income Douglas, recently returned significantly better. And, she her to have a chance to be a stream to those 60+, a deferred gift to Cohen Children’s Medical is happy and energetic. She’s normal little girl. Now, she annuity makes payments starting Center (CCMC) to thank the kind of child who will has that chance.” at a future date. A deferred gift Jordan’s surgical team for annuity may be appealing if you are finding a revolutionary 50+ or can wait one year or more for treatment for pediatric your first payment. scoliosis. Traditionally, a child A flexible gift annuity makes of Jordan’s age underwent payments in the future, starting on surgical implantation of metal a date during a preselected period, rods to straighten her back. giving you flexibility to receive After the initial procedure, income in your retirement years doctors would follow up with when you want it. The benefit of surgery every six months to waiting is receiving larger payments lengthen the rods and allow for your life. for growth. “To prevent breathing For more information, call 516-465- complications and damage 7934 or email [email protected]. to other internal organs, we must straighten out severe Current and Deferred spinal curvature. But the Charitable Gift Annuities traditional treatment was very hard on the patient and the Age Current Rate if Deferred family,” said Terry Amaral, Annuity Rate 5 Years MD, chief of pediatric 55 n/a 5.7% orthopedics at CCMC. 60 4.9% 6.1% CCMC provides a 65 5.2% 6.6% new surgical technique 70 5.6% 7.4%

Selina Poon, MD, and Annuity rates may change at any time. Jordan Jennings. Contact us for your specific rate.

The New Standard 71 Esther Cohen and her son, Jack, foreground, at her 98th birthday party with, rear from left, Drs. Sokok and Gandotra.

BAY SHORE — Esther Cohen’s recipe for longevity is simple: regular, long-term exercise with a dose of Southside Hospital’s cardiac expertise. The Bay Shore resident left her room in Southside’s Intensive Care Unit to join her son, doctors and well- wishers for a party for her 98th birthday. Applause and a joyful rendition of “Happy Birthday” greeted her arrival. Three days earlier, Ms. Cohen sailed through complex heart surgery. Her doctors all credited her quick recovery to a strict exercise program that she began more than 30 years ago. 98th Birthday, Three Days Ms. Cohen and her late husband, Abe, joined a gym after his retirement. She lost her After Heart Surgery beloved husband of 73 years in By Michelle Pinto 2009. The self-professed “gym rat” told well-wishers that she worked out seven days a week for 33 years until a diagnosis of severe heart abnormalities three that we decided to go ahead with the surgery.” months prior. Puneet Gandotra, MD, interventional cardiologist, weighed Ms. Cohen’s son, Jack, said his mother began to experience in on Ms. Cohen’s amazing condition during the party, which breathing difficulties. “After a lot of testing, we were told that she several members of the news media also attended. “She is living had congestive heart failure and aortic stenosis” he said. “On top proof of all the research that urges people to exercise as much of that, she also had blocked arteries.” as they can, as often as they can. Ms. Cohen teaches us that exercising and staying active not only lengthens your life, but also Gym Membership Pays Off adds so much to the quality of life.” Alan Hartman, MD, chair of cardiothoracic surgery for the Before Ms. Cohen returned to her Intensive Care Unit North Shore-LIJ Health System, performed Ms. Cohen’s open- room, her son gave his mother a kiss and told her, “Don’t go heart surgery at Southside Hospital. anywhere, Mom. I need you.” “Ms. Cohen had several episodes of congestive heart They shared a laugh when he recalled his mother’s comment failure and was diagnosed with calcific aortic stenosis. Cardiac about her husband. “She tells everyone that my father wants her catherization revealed coronary disease as well,” Dr. Hartman to live longer. He tells her ‘Stay there, Esther, I don’t need you said. “Ultimately, because of her physiologic youthfulness, we yet….I have two blondes.’” decided to go ahead with open-heart surgery, but only after Ms. Cohen planned to return to her exercise program after speaking with her primary care physician, her cardiologist and she was a bit more rested. her family. Everyone agreed that Ms. Cohen was strong enough. No one in the room was happier for Ms. Cohen than her She, herself, was very positive and certainly did not want to have son. “I am so happy to be able to wish my mother another happy any more episodes of congestive heart failure.” birthday,” he said. “This is who my mother is: smiling, active. “We were amazed at Ms. Cohen’s high level of activity,” said Always willing to tell a joke and make someone smile. We have Jerry Sokok, MD, Ms. Cohen’s cardiologist. “It was because of so many amazing memories, and I am so grateful that she is still her great physical condition and her wonderful outlook on life here with me.”

72 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Cancer Survivors’ Day Celebrations New York Giants linebacker Mark Hezlich, above, a Ewing sarcoma survivor, recently keynoted the Don Monti Cancer Survivors’ Day event in Lake Success. Amid music and memories, Mr. Hezlich mingled with many fellow survivors. Caroline Monti Saladino, president of the Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation, accepted the health system’s Compassionate Care Award during the celebration. Below, Staten Island University Hospital’s cancer services team warmed up to welcome cancer survivors and their loved ones during the hospital’s Knock Out Cancer event. The group enjoyed activities, raffles, guest speakers and refreshments at Staten Island’s Hilton Garden Inn.

The New Standard 73 LIJ Nursing Achieves Gold Standard from page 27

Deep Professional have earned professional nurses spend more time at the rates and “compete for and Expertise certifications — well above the bedside,” Ms. Vassallo said. hire the best of the best.” national benchmark. Magnet recognition Yet this achievement LIJ nurses' professional Magnet appraisers bestows many benefits, “is not a destination,” Ms. development also impressed recognized LIJ’s innovative including public Murphy said, adding that Magnet appraisers. About 56 initiatives, including in reinforcement of LIJ as a the rigorous, lengthy process percent of US nurses have technology, and particularly center of excellence, Ms. requires “many years, hard a baccalaureate degree and the “Murphy Cabinet.” The Murphy said. Magnet facilities work, staff engagement and the Institute of Medicine’s custom-designed, bedside outperform other hospitals having the right people in 2010 Future of Nursing report cabinet includes a scanner in recruiting and retaining the right structure to prepare calls for 80 percent of RNs to and computer, plus locked nurses. “We are already an even to apply for Magnet hold a BSN by 2020. “We’re storage for the patient’s employer of choice,” she certification.” already at 81.7 percent,” Ms. medication. It enhances safe added. As a Magnet facility, Murphy said. Furthermore, drug administration and LIJ can promote its high 42 percent of LIJ’s nurses documentation and “helps retention and low vacancy

Marcum Workplace Challenge Tens of thousands people recently converged on Jones Beach State Park for the Marcum Workplace Challenge, an annual 3.5 mile run/walk that supports local charities. Many enjoyed the Health and Wellness Tent sponsored by North Shore-LIJ’s Office of Community and Public Health (OCPH), including, from left: Nathalie Jean Baptiste, OCPH health educator; Rita Roscigno, administrative support associate for employee wellness; Deborah Dimisa, OCPH executive assistant; and Lauren Dolinski, employee wellness coordinator. The tent let “Challengers” not only cool off, but also get a chance to enter a Fitbit raffle and access wellness services from the health system and many of its community partners. More than 220 North Shore-LIJ employees and family members participated, many through registration discounts provided by the health system.

74 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Mets Pitch in for Women’s Health On a recent evening at CitiField, the New York Mets presented the Katz Institute for Women’s Health (KIWH) with a $197,500 check — $2,500 for each victory of the team’s 2014 season. Accepting the donation were, from right: Gene Tangney, the North Shore-LIJ Health System’s senior vice president and chief administrative officer; Jennifer Mieres, MD, the health system’s senior vice president of community and public health; and the vice president of women’s health at KIWH, Stacey Rosen, MD, with her son, Max Silverman.

The Image of Friends Lenox Hill Hospital (LHH) recently celebrated the opening of the Michael David Falk Imaging Suite in the Emergency Department. The suite’s new computed tomography (CT) system will scan about 13,000 patients per year, and two new X-ray rooms which will significantly reduce wait time. A gift from the Falk family, longtime benefactors and friends of the hospital, made the Michael David Falk Imaging Suite possible. Among those making merry during the opening were, from left: Paul Guenther, chair of LHH’s Executive Committee; Yves Duroseau, MD, LHH’s chair of emergency medicine; Falk family members Rebecca Steindecker, Harry Falk, Serafina Weiner, and Maurice Falk; and Dennis Connors, executive director at LHH.

The New Standard 75 MANHATTAN — Bradley Spencer, now safer procedure and protects the facial symmetrical face, with no loss of function 32, started noticing asymmetry on his nerve at the same time.” in his facial nerve. left cheek in 2005. It caused some pain, Dr. Ortiz performed the “I am so grateful to Dr. Ortiz and Dr. but he put off seeking medical treatment sclerotherapy this past winter, followed Bastidas,” said Mr. Spencer. “I did all of because the discomfort was bearable and by same-day surgical excision. Nicholas my research and everything the doctors the asymmetry was not that alarming. Bastidas, MD, plastic/reconstructive told me about the treatment options and By 2009, the condition was more surgeon, performed the latter procedure how the surgery would go, was absolutely noticeable. Mr. Spencer’s primary via an incision inside Mr. Spencer’s correct. I have my confidence back. I have care physician referred him to an ear, mouth, resulting in no visible scar. my face back!” nose and throat (ENT) specialist, who Mr. Spencer’s now has a completely confirmed the presences of a venous malformation (VM). The most common type of a vascular malformation, a VM is caused by an abnormal creation and enlargement of localized veins. Most VMs are present at Lenox Hill Surgeons birth, but as in Mr. Spencer’s case, many are not diagnosed until adulthood. The VM was close to Mr. Spencer’s Help Manhattan Man facial nerve and treatment would cause a large scar, so the ENT specialist did not recommend surgical removal because Save Face of the risk of nerve damage and facial paralysis. Mr. Spencer resumed his life By Michelle Pipia-Stiles and went on to graduate school.

No Scarring, No Nerve Damage Yet the asymmetry and the pain both got progressively worse. Last year, Mr. Spencer could no longer tolerate the condition. After some careful research, he sought a consultation with Paul Yang, MD, vascular surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital, who referred him to Rafael Ortiz, MD, the hospital’s director of neuro-endovascular surgery and interventional neuro-radiology. Based on Mr. Spencer’s computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, Dr. Ortiz recommended a minimally invasive procedure called sclerotherapy and subsequent removal of the lesion. “During sclerotherapy, the physician uses X-ray and ultrasound guidance to insert a needle into the venous malformation to inject it with saline [salt water],” said Dr. Ortiz. The VM then hardens, allowing a plastic surgeon to remove the malformation with minimal blood loss, he added. “This makes for a

76 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Not Your Average Day at the Office By Michelle Pipia Stiles

BAY SHORE — One day at the cause of the blood clot: a work, Patricia Tilleli felt a rupture in a vein that bridged sudden pop, then warmth the cortex and the dura. radiating inside her head. She “Ms. Tilleli was unique, became nauseous and feverish. because she had no history Realizing something was of trauma associated with the wrong, coworkers called 911. subdural hematoma,” said An ambulance soon rushed Dr. Thomas. “Spontaneous the 55-year-old Commack subdural hematomas are resident to Southside Hospital. known to happen, but there Neurosurgeon Justin are relatively few cases in the Thomas, MD, diagnosed Ms. neurosurgical literature. But Tilleli with a spontaneous, these cases can occur after nontraumatic subdural seemingly mild injuries that hematoma on the left side do not involve direct trauma of her brain. Blood had to the head.” pooled between her brain A post-op computed and the dura (the strongest, tomography (CT) scan of outermost membrane Ms. Tilleli’s head and neck Emergency neurosurgery at Southside Hospital saved Ms. Tilleli's life. protecting the brain). showed complete removal of Ms. Tilleli’s critical the hematoma and relief of and speech therapy, plus Sometimes, I watch the news condition necessitated the pressure on her brain. a conventional angiogram and I see that people have died immediate surgery. Dr. There was no evidence to rule out a vascular from one thing or another Thomas performed a of an underlying vascular malformation. and I reflect on my own life- craniotomy to open the malformation to account for She celebrated one year threatening experience, and skull, access and remove the spontaneous hemorrhage. after her surgery this spring. wonder why was I spared. I am the blood clot, and stop the Ms. Tilleli’s post-surgical “I don’t take anything grateful to Dr. Thomas and hemorrhaging. Not until the care included inpatient for granted,” Ms. Tilleli said. the Southside Hospital staff operation could he directly see rehabilitation with physical “I appreciate everything. for saving my life.”

Scouting for Health The Girl Scouts of Nassau County works with the North Shore-LIJ Health System to encourage young women to pursue STEM careers and lifelong health. For example, the Katz Institute for Women’s Health provides programs to encourage the scouts to form healthy lifestyles and support their emotional health, and the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research gives the scouts insight into careers in healthcare and research. At right, some of the scouts visited North Shore University Hospital to observe a day in the life of a hospital.

The New Standard 77 A Late-Blooming Bathing Beauty By Diane O’Donnell

A trip to the nurse’s office in elementary In the early 1980s, Jamie explored the were sitting right there,” said Dr. Leipziger. “If school was one of Jamie’s earliest recollections possibility of a breast implant. Several plastic there was a little bit of a problem, we’d have a of Poland syndrome’s impact on her life. She was surgeons rebuffed her, unwilling to take on the major situation.” pulled off of a line of children awaiting physical challenges of her case. That is, until Randolph Fortunately, there wasn’t. Dr. Leipziger exams and brought behind a curtain. Guthrie, MD, successfully performed the surgery completed the first stage and leveled Jamie’s “Everyone in the line was talking and using a saline implant. rib cage. saying, ‘What’s wrong with her?’” said the For more than 30 years, the implant gave After allowing time to heal, Dr. Leipziger woman, now 63. “It was embarrassing.” Jamie a semblance of normalcy. But, three years placed a tissue expander in Jamie in March Poland syndrome is an uncommon ago, it began to leak. 2014. He inflated the unit with saline a little congenital condition affecting the breast, chest A friend recommended Lyle Leipziger, bit each month to accommodate the planned muscles, ribs and sometimes the hand on one MD, chief of plastic surgery for North Shore breast implant. side of the body. Both men and women can be University Hospital and LIJ Medical Center. Five months later, Dr. Leipziger removed affected, and its severity can vary drastically. Coincidentally, he had studied under Dr. Guthrie. the expander and inserted a silicone breast In Jamie’s case, it was severe. Her left Because of advancements in implant. He also injected fat grafted from side had no breast, nipple or pectoralis (chest) reconstructive technology, Dr. Leipziger was Jamie’s hips around her left upper ribs and muscle and a deformed rib cage and chest wall. able to do something thought impossible when clavicle to help fill in any recessed areas. If childhood was hard, adolescence was Jamie had her original implant. This past February, Dr. Leipziger lifted nearly impossible. Although, having a sense of With 3D computed tomography (CT) Jamie’s right breast to create symmetry. He humor and a creative mom helped. scanning, Dr. Leipziger viewed Jamie’s chest also created a nipple and areola for her left “My mother would stuff and sew a stocking wall deformity and designed a customized, breast. Using tiny sections of skin and tissue in the left cup of my bra,” said Jamie. “She used computer-generated solid silicone implant to from Jamie’s chest wall, Dr. Leipziger twisted a stocking because it was soft and pliable and place in the cavity of her rib deformity. and elevated the material to form a nipple you could shape it.” “I told Jamie I did not feel comfortable prominence. An areola was constructed from a putting just a breast implant in her, because skin graft from her groin, which has the right Creative Camouflage the deeper issue — the significant depression anatomical color and texture. The workaround was helpful, up to a of her chest wall — was never addressed,” said “In my mind, this is true reconstructive point. “When everyone else was sexually Dr. Leipziger. “It would almost be like setting plastic surgery,” said Dr. Leipziger. “Jamie can experimenting, I opted out,” said Jamie, who your dining room table for dinner and there’s now feel confident and comfortable about noted a silver lining: “That may have saved me a sinkhole in the table and that’s where you’re her body’s appearance and wear clothes that in my later years, because I don’t bump into any setting a plate. So the plate is going to sit lower highlight her chest without restriction.” old flames.” on the table than everything else.” But Jamie has other thoughts about her A beach and sun lover, Jamie wore what she wardrobe options. described as “old lady-style” bathing suits as Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day “My husband doesn’t know it, but at 63 and camouflage. Jamie’s reconstructive surgery was done with perfect breasts I will be fulfilling a lifelong in stages beginning in July 2013. The first step dream to be walking along a beach where was to remove the ruptured breast implant, clothing is optional,” she said. elevate the surrounding scar tissue and reconstruct the chest wall with a custom- designed implant. It was no easy feat. “We had to dissect down into the chest hollow, which was very difficult because Jamie’s heart and her lungs

78 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Free Life-Changing Surgery for Former “World’s Fattest Man”

MANHATTAN — Four surgeons spent 9.5 hours in the brilliant light of Lenox Hill Hospital’s operating room, speckled to their knees in blood, as they removed slab after slab of stretched-out skin. The patient, Paul Mason, was once known as the “world's fattest man.” Topping out at 980 pounds, he shed 650 pounds several years ago. Yet cascades of loose skin remained. The surgical team, led by Jennifer Capla, MD, a Lenox Hill plastic surgeon who specializes in cosmetic body contouring after massive weight loss, removed 50 pounds of skin from Mr. Mason's abdomen and thighs. The extra skin immobilized Mr. Mason and was prone to infection. He spent years seeking a surgeon who would remove it, but serendipity prompted the right doctor to find him. Dr. Capla first learned about Mr. Mason’s case from her mother, who read about him in The New York Times, and she immediately felt compelled to help him. “I remember seeing a photo of him, wheelchair-bound. He couldn’t walk,” she said. “To me, it was so Mr. Mason and Dr. Capla at Lenox Hill Hospital. sad that he had gone through this whole weight-loss journey, yet he couldn’t even do basic things — After a few weeks of post-surgical recuperation in New York and no one would help him.” City, Mr. Mason travelled to his new home in Orange, MA. He is Dr. Capla spent two years arranging the surgery and assem- adjusting to his new body and once again enjoys simple things he bling a team of specialists. Mr. Mason’s case was especially com- was unable to do for decades, like walking his dog every morning plex, not only due to the amount of skin that needed removal but and gardening. Recently, he enjoyed a trip to a movie theater. also because he had developed many medical problems while he “I was able to sit in a cinema seat for the first time in 30 was super-obese. The surgeons, anesthesiologist and Lenox Hill years,” he said. Hospital waived all fees, which would have totaled $250,000.

The New Standard 79 Targeting “The Terminator” By Michelle Pipia-Stiles

MANHATTAN — A Long Island mechanical Treatment of Newly Diagnosed engineer is pinning his hopes on an Glioblastoma Multiforme and Anaplastic experimental treatment for his inoperable Astrocytoma.” brain tumor. “The purpose of the study is Early this year, Chris Amundsen, 37, started to learn whether temozolomide, at to notice neck pain and a slight vision loss in a dose of 250mg/m2, given through one eye, though he felt fine otherwise. In April, the arteries instead of the veins, is he had a seizure. Mr. Amundsen received an safe when combined with chemo- anti-seizure prescription — then suffered a brain radiation in newly diagnosed patients hemorrhage a month later. with glioblastoma and anaplastic Further magnetic resonance imaging astrocytoma,” said Dr. Boockvar, (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans at principal investigator. “Another goal of a Long Island hospital revealed a glioblastoma the clinical trial is to determine if this multiforme — a brain tumor dubbed “The treatment will help improve quality of Terminator” by The Proceedings of the National life and extend survival.” Academy of Sciences. Mr. Amundsen needed Rafael Ortiz, MD, Lenox Hill’s emergency surgery to stop the bleeding and director of neuro-endovascular surgery partially resect the malignancy. and interventional neuroradiology, and Not wanting to waste any time, he and his David Langer, MD, the hospital’s chief of girlfriend, Laura, got married in the hospital neurosurgery, performed the procedure. chapel. That evening, her uncle recommended This MRI scan shows the inoperable glioblastoma They navigated a catheter from Mr. multiforme. that the couple contact John Boockvar, MD, Amundsen’s femoral artery to the director of Lenox Hill Hospital’s Brain Tumor arteries supplying blood to the tumor. Center. They did, and Dr. Boockvar’s office Contrast dye helped to map the arteries arranged immediate transfer to Lenox Hill chemotherapy to manage the tumor instead. on a rotational, 3D Xper CT scan. They delivered Hospital for Mr. Amundsen. In addition, Dr. Boockvar confirmed temozolomide directly into the glioblastoma, Dr. Boockvar and his Brain Tumor Board Mr. Amundsen as a good candidate for a which investigators believe may result in better colleagues reviewed Mr. Amundsen’s case and clinical trial to treat complex, rare brain drug penetration with fewer side effects. determined that the tumor’s location made tumors that require aggressive treatment. Mr. Amundsen was the last of 23 patients surgical removal unfeasible because it would Dr. Boockvar is spearheading the trial, called to participate in Phase 1 of the clinical trial. Dr. cause him to lose the ability to speak. They “Super-Selective Intra-Arterial Cerebral Boockvar and his team have already embarked recommended six weeks of radiation and Infusion of Temozolomide (Temodar) for on Phase 2, which will include a larger cohort. mission possible Doing the Right Thing, Despite the Danger (from page 56)

“I’m not a very emotional person at all, but it overcomes you. people, but I think it’s part of the process and in a way honors I would just bawl for 10 minutes.” them and what they had to go through,” she said, adding she Going into the experience, the biggest fear was contracting hopes to help improve Sierra Leone’s health system one day. Ebola. Now, the chronic risk-taker said her biggest fear is For now, Ms. Hallen is set on swaying more people to aid forgetting what she saw. those in the developing world. “It’s hurtful to think of certain things that happened to “It’s just the right thing to do,” she said.

80 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Trial Tests Risk-Reducing Treatment for Large Brain Aneurysms

MANHATTAN — A clinical trial at Lenox opening in the skull Hill Hospital is evaluating a new device to and placing a clip treat large brain aneurysms. across the base of The MicroVention Flow Re-Direction aneurysm to cut off Endoluminal Device (FRED) Stent flow blood. Coiling System is revolutionizing the treatment of is a minimally intracranial aneurysms, said Rafael Ortiz, invasive endovascular MD, director of neuro-endovascular procedure that surgery at Lenox Hill. He added, “The requires inserting a device offers a new, safer way to manage catheter to position large aneurysms that are difficult to treat soft platinum coils with traditional methods.” into an unruptured The FRED is a nickel-titanium aneurysm. The mesh stent-within-a-stent. Deployed via coils conform to the microcatheter, it contains blood flow aneurysm’s shape and and diverts it from the aneurysm. The fill the sac, blocking loss of blood flow eventually shuts down blood flow and the aneurysm, minimizing the chance of preventing rupture. rupture. “Not placing Traditionally, there are two ways a device within an aneurysm greatly can deploy, retrieve and reposition/ to treat an aneurysm: clipping and diminishes the risk of rupture,” redeploy the FRED more easily than coiling. Clipping is a surgical procedure said David Langer, MD, director of earlier flow-diversion devices. performed for ruptured and unruptured neurosurgery at Lenox Hill Hospital. Lenox Hill Hospital is one of only aneurysms. It involves making a small “The FRED lets us treat large, complex 20 US centers participating in the trial, aneurysms that which is open to patients between 22 couldn’t be and 75 years old with cerebral aneurysms treated before.” that measure more than 7mm in size. Furthermore, The patients must be poor candidates for neurosurgeons clipping or coiling treatments.

Boosting Endometriosis Awareness Padma Lakshmi, left, was a featured speaker at Lenox Hill Hospital’s recent Endometriosis Conference. The actress, model and TV host suffered for decades with endometriosis. She and Tamer Seckin, MD, right, Lenox Hill obstetrician/gynecologist and endometriosis specialist, established the Endometriosis Foundation of America to educate clinicans and the public about symptoms and treatments of this painful, often-misdiagnosed condition, which affects 10 percent of all women.

The New Standard 81 Executive Appointments

Michael Goldberg has been named executive director revenue management for North Shore-LIJ. He most recently of LIJ Medical Center. He succeeds Chantal Weinhold, who was senior vice president of Catholic Health Services of Long continues as senior vice president and regional executive Island’s integrated physician network. director of the North Shore-LIJ Health System’s central region. Robert Power has been appointed senior vice president of Mr. Goldberg joined LIJ’s executive leadership team in 2009, strategic client relationships at Optum360, the health system’s most recently serving as deputy executive director. He is also partner in revenue cycle management functions. Previously, Mr. an adjunct professor in graduate courses at Hofstra University’s Power was chief financial officer (CFO) for North Shore-LIJ’s in the Department of Health Professions, School of Health Eastern Region. Prior to joining the health system, Mr. Power Sciences and Human Services. was the vice president of finance for St. Vincent Catholic Medical In advance of the health system’s expansion into Brooklyn, Center’s Brooklyn/Queens Region. Rita Mercieca, RN, former Daniel Davies, who has executive director of Forest Hills fulfilled various financial and Hospital, is now regional executive operational roles within the director in Brooklyn. In this health system for six years, new role, she will oversee North succeeds Mr. Power as the Shore-LIJ’s strategic affiliation Eastern Region’s CFO. Most with Maimonides Medical Center recently associate executive to establish the health system’s director at LIJ Medical Center, presence in the borough. Ms. Mr. Davies provided financial Mercieca joined North Shore- oversight of LIJ, Cohen LIJ in 2002 as a patient care Children’s Medical Center, services coordinator at Franklin The Zucker Hillside Hospital Hospital. She was appointed and Franklin Hospital. Prior to associate executive director and Michael Goldberg Rita Mercieca, RN joining North Shore-LIJ, he was nurse executive at Forest Hills in director of financial planning for 2008 and the hospital’s executive NYU Langone Medical Center. director in 2011. Kevin Smolich has been Susan Browning succeeds appointed chief financial Ms. Mercieca as executive director officer (CFO) of North Shore- of Forest Hills. Mr. Browning LIJ CareConnect Insurance was previously administrative Company. Mr. Smolich joined vice president of neurosurgery, CareConnect shortly after it was neurology, ear, nose and throat founded in 2013 as controller. (ENT)/head and neck and In this new role, he sets its ophthalmology services for North financial strategy and oversees Shore-LIJ. Her career at the management of the treasury, as health system began at Staten Susan Browning Richard Mulry well as accounting, budget and Island University Hospital, where tax activities. Previously, Mr. she was senior vice president Smolich was responsible for for business development and budgeting and financial planning practice management and vice across the health system and, president/chief of staff. starting in 2012, comanaging Richard Mulry has North Shore-LIJ’s employee plan joined North Shore-LIJ as network and MSO contract with administrative vice president UnitedHealthcare. of neurosurgery, neurology, ENT/head and neck, and ophthalmology services. From 2003 to 2007, Mr. Mulry served as vice president of practice and Robert Power Kevin Smolich

82 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 Growing a Culture of CARE By Jennifer Krusch

veryone in the North Shore-LIJ Health System promote a culture of CARE can make a positive impact on the patient/ (connectedness, awareness, Ecustomer experience. Touches of empathy — like onnectedness respect, empathy). North going out of your way to understand what a patient C Shore-LIJ leaders across the needs — make a difference. organization are weaving the Toward that end, North Shore-LIJ is working to A wareness patient/customer experience reach the 90th percentile among US health systems for into regular meetings and patient/customer experience and workforce engagement huddles, finding new ways by 2019. Over the next year, patient/customer R espect to help patients and their experience training immersion will coach staff members loved ones feel supported and about how to deliver exceptional service, every time. E mpathy valued. Ongoing workshops The health system’s patient/customer experience fo- ensure that the North Shore- cuses on culture, process improvement, environment and LIJ Health System continues accountability, said Elaine Page, chief talent officer for the to create positive interactions health system. She added, “In order to accomplish this, the health and experiences, while improving the health of our communities. system is strengthening its culture of accountability and focus on Warm greetings, smiles and staying positive are “little” things empathy, patient/customer service and communication.” employees do each day that can be powerful medicine. As the In May, thousands of North Shore-LIJ leaders gathered at The health system continues to build upon its engaged, innovative and Theater at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan to reinvigorate collaborative culture, providing world-class service and patient- the health system’s focus on delivering a world-class patient/ centered care remain top priorities. customer experience. Inspirational speakers and health system leaders emphasized that every moment truly matters.

Moment by Moment “Every single interaction is a moment of truth, and creating an environment of empathy, healing and trust is of the utmost importance,” said Sven Gierlinger, chief experience officer for North Shore-LIJ. Event participants walked away with the reinforced understanding that empathy is at the cornerstone of what we do every day. For Michael Dowling, president and chief executive officer, “The key to survival is developing leaders who can think of different ways to provide care and move beyond traditional health care management to embrace the change upon us.” Follow-up workshops covered leading the patient/ customer experience from the executive level. Then leaders enacted what they learned by inspiring and motivating teams to

The New Standard 83 Is Your Young Athlete Hiding Something?

Parents should monitor for warning signs Other warning signs include: of a sports injury both on the field and after the q bruising or swelling; game, said Robert Korn, MD, medical director for q reduced range of motion; GoHealth Urgent Care in Forest Hills. q favoring of the opposite arm; Sometimes, young athletes hide their q limping or staggering; injuries. According to a recent study, 52 percent q sensitivity to touch; of youth athletes admitted to playing through q warm to the touch; and injury and 42 percent admitted to concealing an q weakness. injury after it occurred. “With the amount of money and GoHealth “There are obvious signs of injury and more opportunity available for professional sports subtle signs,” he added. “For instance, if you starts, it isn’t surprising that youth athletes notice your child is using the opposite arm when would try to ignore or conceal injuries,” Dr. Korn Urgent Care picking things up or eating, it may be a sign of said. Sports injuries affect 1.3 million of young avoidance due to pain in the other extremity. It is athletes a year. for Employees important to seek an immediate diagnosis if an athlete exhibits any signs of injury. ”

Enrollees in North Shore-LIJ’s United Healthcare Value or Buy-Up medical plan can take advantage of a $30 co-pay at any GoHealth Urgent Care location. If a patient requires additional care, the centers provide the service and support of North Shore-LIJ’s expansive network of physicians and specialists. For nonemployees, GoHealth accepts most major insurance and has affordable, transparent pricing for the uninsured. Open 365 days a year, GoHealth provides care for nonemergency illness and injuries, with on-site X-ray and laboratory services. Open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., GoHealth is open in Bay Shore, Bellmore, East Northport, Elwood, Forest Hills, LeFrak City, Massapequa, Plainview, Ridgewood, Rockville Centre, Staten Island (Greaves Lane), Staten Island (Hylan Boulevard) and Syosset. New locations are coming soon in West Islip and Roslyn, with 40 to 60 new centers to open during the next two years. Find directions and more information at Dr. Korn attends to a young patient at GoHealth Urgent Care in Forest Hills. gohealthuc.com/nslij.

84 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 37th Annual Golf Classic More than 200 golfers teed off in style recently during the North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) Auxiliary’s 37th Annual Golf Classic. Held at North Shore Country Club in Glen Head, the event also attracted 250 attendees to a dinner to honor Nicholas Sgaglione, MD, chair of orthopedic surgery at NSUH, and Anthony Dalessio of KPMG. This year’s Golf Classic raised more than $240,000 toward the Auxiliary’s $2 million pledge toward construction of the SkyHealth helipad. NSUH’s executive director, Alessandro Bellucci, MD, fourth from left, Dr. Sgaglione, left, and Mr. Dalessio, second from left, accepted the “big check” from Auxiliary presenters from right: Claude Sherman, Vicki Silverman, John Bonanno, Rick Schwartz, Gladiola Sampson, Marilyn Sturtevant and Lenny Stenzler.

Optum360 to Manage Revenue Cycle

GREAT NECK — The North Shore-LIJ Health and integrate best practices among our revenue ensured that these staff members experienced System recently partnered with Optum360, the cycle systems,” said Frank Danza, North as seamless a transition as possible, including leading national provider of health care revenue Shore-LIJ’s senior vice president and chief uninterrupted pay, the continuation of certain cycle services, to collaborate on managing the revenue officer. “Modernizing revenue cycle benefits, retained seniority and more. North Shore-LIJ revenue cycle. management services is critical for consumers “This group showed exceptional The alliance lets the health system better who need greater cost transparency, simplicity professionalism throughout the transition integrate its front- and back-end revenue and value in health care billing to make better- process and remains integral to our revenue cycle systems via the most current technology informed health care decisions.” cycle operations,” said Mr. Danza. from an accomplished partner. It also positions To ensure success, some North Shore- Collaborating with an established authority North Shore-LIJ to remain at the forefront of the LIJ revenue cycle employees transitioned to in this field is a critically important next step as national trends in the revenue cycle. Optum360’s workforce in July. Although they market and consumer demands grow, Mr. Danza “Our collaboration with Optum360 will changed employers, they continue to do the said. He added, “We are very excited about the help us deliver greater consistency in how we same work, sit at the same desk, and report to potential that lies ahead for everyone involved.” process claims, meet and exceed expectations the same person as before. A significant effort

The New Standard 85 COMPLIANCEcorner lifeSAVER

Employee Blood Drives

Center for Advanced Medicine (CFAM) 9/30

Finance Department, Westbury 10/1 Franklin Hospital 10/6 Shared Services, Lakeville Road 10/6 Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) — North 10/7 Ambulatory Services, Community Drive 10/15 SIUH — South OCT 10/15 Materials Management, Lake Success 10/19 Corporate Human Resources, Lake Success 10/22 Corporate Headquarters, Great Neck 10/23

Southside Hospital 11/4 SIUH — North 11/4 SIUH — Pouch Terminal 11/10 Glen Cove Hospital NOV 11/11 SIUH — South 11/19 Cohen Children’s Medical Center 11/16

Regional Claims Recovery Service, Melville 12/1 SIUH — North 12/2 The Zucker Hillside Hospital 12/3 Forest Hills Hospital 12/7 Plainview Hospital 12/7 Huntington Hospital 12/8 Stern Family Center for Rehabilitation 12/8 CFAM DEC 12/8

Robin Sanderson, The Sanderson Group North Shore-LIJ Laboratories, Lake Success 12/10 Syosset Hospital 12/10 North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) 12/14 Shared Services, Lakeville Road 12/15 SIUH — South 12/16

86 Volume 2 ❘ 2015 ORIGINS

Northern Westchester Hospital opened almost 100 years ago as a 15-bed facility in Mount Kisco, NY. In its first year, it served 491 patients and delivered 73 babies. Above, the busy nursery in the 1930s. Right, Lena

Elmendorf, the hospital's first superintendent, tends to a young patient. Hospital archive Northern Westchester

Fire Island Care

Two North Shore-LIJ Immediate Care Centers on Fire Island offered medical services this summer. North Shore-LIJ has opened an immediate care center in Ocean Beach for three summers and Cherry Grove for two. Both facilities offered care several days a week from 9 to 11 a.m and 4 to 6 p.m. A different physician, PA or NP saw walk-in patients each week. Those who needed a higher level of medical care were taken to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore. The Cherry Grove location also provided HIV testing. “It was important to offer HIV testing so vacationers could put their mind at ease during their time of relaxation,” said David Rosenthal, DO, medical director of the Center for Young Adult, Adolescent and Pediatric HIV. “The immediate care centers gave Fire Island residents and visitors places to turn for appropriate care if they needed it,” said Edward Fraser, project manager of Fire Island Immediate Care.

The New Standard 87 NON PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID 125 Community Drive Great Neck, NY 11021 NSLIJHS

88 Volume 2 ❘ 2015