CHRONICLE February 2017 Grand Opening Held for Center for Integrative Behavioral Medicine The latest addition to the Richmond University Medical Center network of care, The Center for Integrative Behavioral Medicine, was celebrated with a grand-opening event on January 12th. The center is located on the first two floors of 1130 South Avenue, in the Bloomfield section of the borough, in a state-of-the-art, 24,000 square foot building with ample parking and easily accessible to public transportation. The new comprehensive outpatient behavioral center will provide alcohol, substance abuse and behavioral health services for individuals who struggle with problems of addiction, depression, anxiety and other behaviors. The facility will offer group counseling, individual therapy, medication management, couples' therapy, anger management and more. The medical center’s President & CEO, Dr. Daniel J. Messina, lauded the new center’s groundbreaking services to the Staten Island community, “This is not just the opening of an outpatient center -- this is really a big step forward with integrating behavioral medicine and primary care." In attendance at the event was a number of the medical center’s board of trustees, along with members of the Foundation Board and representatives of city and state health departments along with several community leaders. Additionally, numerous representatives of the borough’s elected officials were in attendance as well as Richmond County District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, Assemblyman Michael J. Cusick, and City Council Member Joseph Borelli. Assemblyman Cusick praised the opening of the center as much-needed for the Staten Island community, "This is something that all of our constituents, all of the residents on Staten Island will benefit from, whether there is someone who uses this for their own health or if they have somebody in their family that needs to come here.” Rosemarie Stazzone, RN, COO & CNO, praised the work of the medical center’s employees across many departments who facilitated the opening of the center, including Dr. Pankaj Patel, outgoing chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Services. Dr. Joel A. Idowu, the new medical director of outpatient services for RUMC's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Services summed up the importance of the facility, “A lot of our patients are very sick, not only psychologically, but they also have medical illnesses. Having this care under one roof helps them improve their health, improve their lifespan and their prognosis.” A PUBLICATION FOR EMPLOYEES, PHYSICIANS, TRUSTEES AND VOLUNTEERS OF RICHMOND UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER President’s Update Patient Satisfaction Message from the President & CEO A Note of Thanks Daniel J. Messina, Ph.D., FACHE, LNHA Dear Friends, Dear Dr. Lacqua, As I am sure you are aware, the recent I had an outstanding experience with the wound care change of administrations in Washington has unit. created a great deal of uncertainty for our industry and has again highlighted the need During my treatment the cause of my foot ulcers was for our pursuit of robust fundraising identified and proper treatment applied. As such, my strategies. ulcers healed quickly and with minimal pain and discomfort. Across the country, hospitals face the challenge of finding new strategies to Doctor Habib, Nurse Julie Mason and the office staff address capital needs in an era of shrinking are to be commended for their concern and empathy operating margins. in providing the proper treatment for me. Particularly for nonprofit community hospitals like our own, the solution is The wound care center is an integral part of RUMC being found in philanthropy. Philanthropy was once simply “nice to have,” and is staffed with highly trained and professional but discussions regarding its role and strategic importance can now be medical personnel. heard regularly at hospitals. More institutions are incorporating explicit I appreciate the opportunity to have been under their expectations of fundraising into their financial planning and now consider care. fundraising a “must” for survival. - Ron With so many U.S. hospitals having been built through Hill-Burton grants after World War II (and many long before that), aging facilities with outdated infrastructure are in great need of updating if they are to keep up with both increased demand (from an aging population) and the accelerated pace of innovation in clinical and information technology. Our borough’s health care infrastructure has also had the additional stress of exponential population growth that is expected to continue into the future. Dear Mr. Messina & Staff, But physical-plant improvement is only part of the challenge. There’s also challenging operating margins, unfavorable reimbursement from It is indeed with sincere thanks that we pen this letter government sources, tighter contracts with health plans, increasing to offer our most profound appreciation to you and workforce shortages, and threats from competitors that siphon off the your dedicated staff especially Dr. Giaimo, Dr. Leslie, most profitable and desirable market share. And then there is the growth Mahesh and Cathy Selfridge in affording such selfless in uncompensated care. and divine service. This makes the efforts of our foundation all the more important. I Words fail to express how grateful we are to your encourage you strongly to think about your friends, family and neighbors unbelievable care and love that was felt in your who rely on our hospital regularly or in an emergency. There are institution. We owe you all a sincere debt of gratitude opportunities for giving at all resource levels and many include fun events which we can never repay. like the upcoming RUMC 5K Run/Walk on April 1st or the popular Clam Bake to name a few. For more information, please visit our capital We pray that Almighty God continue to bless and campaign website at: www.rumcsi.org/vital. inspire you all on this noble cause you have embarked upon. May you always continue to shine in Remember, the power of one – you make a difference! all dimensions of life and bring happiness unto all whom you come in contact with. Respectfully, Hardesh & Hymwatie News Around Campus 800 Castleton Clinics Recognized for Quality by NCQA The Adult and Pediatric clinics located at 800 Castleton Avenue, have received 2014 Level III Patient Centered Medical Home recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Level III is the highest designation NCQA bestows and this recognition reflects over 9 months of hard work by providers, clinicians and staff to develop policies and procedures, implement new processes and report and document patient care in the following categories: 1 – Patient Centered Access 2 - Team Based Care 3 – Population Health Management 4 – Care Management and Support 5 – Care Coordination and Care Transitions 6 – Performance Measurement and Quality Improvement Both applications scored over 95%, having documented compliance with 145 separate factors. Achieving Level III recognition is also a mandatory requirement of the NYS DSRIP. This recognition was a team effort of physicians, residents, medical assistants, clerks and staff led by Paula Caputo, AVP Ambulatory with clinical guidance provided by Dr. Suzy Bibawy and Dr. Ana Mendez. Key members of the team include Janet Scenna, RN, Joan Young, Administrative Director Patient Access and Carolyn Cipoletti, Manager Patient Access. Brittany Langan and Christopher Olaskiewicz coordinated the documentation, reporting and application submission. It should be noted that while this achievement is important and very well deserved, it is the patients that are best served by the excellent care that this recognition reflects. Department of Pediatrics Leads Staten Island Asthma Coalition Under the leadership of Department Chairman, Dr. Brian R. McMahon and Dr. Melissa Grageda, the Department of Pediatrics at Richmond University Medical center has partnered with the Staten Island Performing Provider System (SI PPS) and the office of the Staten Island Borough President to form the Staten Island Asthma Coalition with a goal of improving the quality of life for children with asthma. To date, additional members of the coalition include Make The Road New York, Brightpoint Health, American Lung Association and SI Cares. Late last year, Richmond University Medical Center hosted a very productive strategic planning collaborative with SI PPS, Borough Hall, and other potential members such as Staten Island Cares, the Department of Education, Housing, and more experienced/established asthma coalition personnel from other boroughs of New York City to help direct the efforts of the coalition going forward. The planning meeting culminated in the launch of a website to help inform parents, caregivers and educators: http://www.asthmacoalitionsi.com/ According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), over 350,000 children in New York State suffer from asthma. Several factors are believed to impact the risk of developing asthma. These include genetic components such as having an immediate relative with asthma, or having another allergic condition such as hay fever, as well as environmental and behavioral factors such as being overweight, being a smoker, being exposed to second-hand smoke, having a mother who smoked while pregnant, being exposed to exhaust fumes or other types of pollution, and exposure to occupational triggers such as chemicals used in farming, hairdressing and manufacturing. Capital