News, announcements, and vital information for associates, their families, and friends of Mercy Hospital of Buffalo Wint er 2017
Autumn Ball honorees, from left, Laura Siener, RN, 2016 Mercy Hospital Nurse of the Year; Sister Sheila Marie Walsh, 2016 Friend of Distinction and former longtime Mercy Hospital Administrator (1976-1992); and Carol Latona, RN, MBA, 2016 Nurse of Distinction and Director of Nursing Operations, display their awards during this 8th annual fund-raising celebration held in November at the Atrium at Rich’s.
In This Issue
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• Intensivist Program Introduced • Stroke & Heart Care Recognized • A Special Birthday Party at Mercy
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• New State-of-the-Art Cath Lab Opens • Mercy TV Debuts for Patient Education • Estelle Brickner Makes Special Donation
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• Hanes Supply Helps MCCC Patients • Couple Celebrates Anniversary at Mercy • The Spirit of Mercy Shines for Holidays
Submit news items to: Melanie Griffis, Public Relations Manager at mgriffis@chsbuffalo.org; 716-828-3747
Autumn Ball is the most successful one ever! The 8th Annual Autumn Ball was the most successful in Mercy Hospital Foundation’s history, raising $174,000 to benefit the Empowering Buffalo program at the Mercy Comprehensive Care Center (MCCC). Over 330 people attended the celebration that was held on November 4 at the Atrium at Rich’s. Leading this record-breaking event were Chair couples James W. Cornell and Dr. Darci Cramer, and Richard and Diane Serra.
Autumn Ball honorees were Laura Seiner, RN, Mercy Hospital Nurse of the Year, Carol Latona, RN, MBA, Nurse of Distinction and Director of Nursing Operations; and Sister Sheila Marie Walsh, RSM, Friend of Distinction and former Mercy Hospi-
tal Administrator from 1976 to 1992.
A portion of the proceeds from the Autumn Ball will support Empowering Buffalo, a wellness program based at the Mercy Comprehensive Care Center (MCCC) in the city’s Old First Ward that is aimed at creating healthier lifestyles for the vulnerable families of this economically depressed community. This trail-blazing program exemplifies our nation’s new challenge for healthcare providers to go beyond the traditional role of caring for the sick and begin focusing on efforts to keep people healthy. “On behalf of all of us with the foundation and hospital, thank you for your generous support of our patients, families, and ministry through Empowering Buffalo,” said Kathy Swenson, MHF Executive Director.
Sweet Mercy! People In The News
Mercy Hospital on AM Buffalo...Catholic Health Heart Center physicians, Robbie Wall, MD, left, and Salvatore Calandra, MD, were interviewed by AM Buffalo Host Linda Pellegrino for a story about a new treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. The physicians perform a minimally invasive, catheterbased procedure to implant a Watchman device that will reduce the risk of stroke for AF patients.
Mercy Appointments Announced A warm welcome goes out to George Moxham, who has been named Director of Environmental Services at Mercy Hospital, contracted through Metz Environmental Services Corporation.
With over thirty years of George Moxham experience in acute care environmental service management, George previously served as the director of EVS at Glens Falls Hospital in New York.
Father Joe Nguyen
Father Joseph Nguyen of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo has joined Mercy Hospital as the full-time Catholic priest. He works weekdays and is on call 24/7 for anointings and emergency requests.
Father Joe previously served as the parochial vicar at St. Andrew’s Church in Kenmore, NY. He is a native of Vietnam who moved to Chicago, Illinois in 2005. He entered the priesthood in 2010 and began his ministry with the Diocese of Davenport, Iowa.
Heidi Kirsch, BSN, has been promoted to Nursing Director for Emergency Services at Mercy Hospital. Heidi has served as nurse manager of the Emergency Department at the Mercy Ambulatory Care Center (MACC) since 2008. She holds Heidi Kirsch, BSN an associate’s degree in Nursing from Trocaire College and completed her BSN at D’Youville College. Currently, she is pursuing a master’s degree in Emergency Management and Disaster Planning.
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Intensivist Program to enhance critical care In response to its expanding tertiary care role in Catholic Health and the Western New York region, Mercy Hospital recently launched its new Intensivist Program to further enhance critical care services.
Under the leadership and direction of Bonnie Gleason, MD, FACP, Medical Director of Critical Care, and Todd Roland, RPA-C, Director of Critical Care Advanced Practice Providers (APP), the Intensivist Program addresses the increasing number of critical care patients seen at the hospital, which serves as Catholic Health’s Comprehensive Stroke Center and Heart Center. In this new program, all critical care units—Neurocritical Care, Cardiovascular Critical Care, and General Medical/Surgical Intensive Care—are staffed around the clock by a dedicated team of physicians and practitioners who are specially trained in critical care medicine. This intensiv-
Bonnie Gleason, MD Todd Roland, RPA-C
ist-led staffing model is consistent with the Leapfrog Group recommendations for critical care that has demonstrated improved quality care and patient outcomes throughout the country.
“The launch of our Intensivist Program signals another step forward in our Journey from Good to Great,” said C. J. Urlaub, Mercy President & CEO. “Not only has this Leapfrog model for critical care become the gold standard nationwide, but the availability of our intensivists who will be dedicated entirely to in-hospital critical care is a testament to our ongoing commitment to medical excellence.“
Mercy achieves highest quality awards For the fourth year in a row, the American Heart Association (AHA)/ American Stroke Association awarded Mercy Hospital the Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award and Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus designation, recognizing the hospital’s commitment to delivering high quality care for stroke patients.
In addition, the hospital was awarded the AHA 2016 Heart Failure Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award
and Target: Heart Failure Honor Roll for the third consecutive year.
Congratulations to the physicians, nurses and staff who have earned these prestigious quality awards through consistent adherence to AHA nationally established care guidelines and standards.
Liam celebrates his 1st birthday with Mercy heroes On November 17, Liam Satanek Comer along with his mom and dad, Shenise and Chris, returned to Mercy Hospital to celebrate his first birthday and to reunite with the Mercy healthcare heroes who helped save his life.
Family BirthPlace associates were overwhelmed with Mom and dad, Shenise and Chris, with baby Liam Satanek Comer thank Dr. Lynn Marie Aronica, Dr. joy at this reunion. Liam Vincent McGravey, at left, and Mary Ann Murphy. was born at 28 weeks and weighed 2 lb. 8 oz. Shenise complete with cake and balloons. calls it a “miracle” that her son surThis celebration also happened to fall vived and wanted to do something on World Prematurity Day, designed special to express her appreciation. to raise awareness of premature birth, which is a serious worldwide Doctors and nurses who cared for health issue for children. Liam gathered for the birthday party
Blessing ceremony held for new cath lab The Heart Center at Mercy Hospital has expanded its interventional cardiology services with the opening of a fourth cardiac catheterization (cath) lab. The $4.3 million project will further enhance services and accommodate the center’s growing interventional cardiology program, which has experienced a 32% increase over the last six years.
People In The News
gathered for a blessing ceremony of the Located adjacent to the hospital’s Staff new cath lab in December. existing cath labs, the new lab features a state-of-the-art digital ogy at the Heart Center. “Having the X-ray system that offers precise, latest imaging technology and safety real-time imaging for physicians to features found in this new lab helps perform minimally-invasive cardiac us continue to deliver first-rate care procedures, including coronary anto our patients.” gioplasty, device implants, and other In 2016, Mercy Hospital was one of advanced care to diagnose and treat 223 hospitals nationwide that was cardiovascular disease. presented the American College of “The diagnostic and interventional Cardiology’s NCDR Action Regisprocedures we perform involve the try- Platinum Performance Achieveopening of blocked coronary arterment Award for heart attack care. ies, which helps save lives by limitIn addition, the hospital was rated ing the damage to the heart muscle among the top 10% in the nation for and improving a patient’s quality of coronary interventional procedures life,” said Salvatore Calandra, MD, by HealthGrades®, an independent Director of Interventional Cardiolhealthcare rating agency.
Mercy TV offers health education programming Mercy Hospital is pleased to offer the Mercy TV Patient Channel that delivers award-winning health education video programming for patients during their hospital stay on Channel 13 or anytime through its online Mercy TV health library at www.thepatientchannelnow.com.
Mercy TV provides informative videos on a variety of health conditions, including heart disease, stroke,
Sweet Mercy!
diabetes and more. Patients are given a hospital password to access the online library before, during or after their hospital stay. Programming schedules are available on all patient care units and in the Patient Care offices.
Estelle Brickner is honored professional and donor Estelle Brickner, Vice President, Perinatal Bereavement Program. Her Business Development, Catholic gift will be used to purchase lockets Health Home Care & Community for bereaved moms. Based Services, was honored as a 2016 Business First Woman of Influence. As part of her award, she was given the opportunity to donate $1,000 to a charity of her choice, a program sponsored by Lakeshore Savings Gathered for the check presentation were: (l.-r.) Aimee Gomlak, VP of WomenCare Services; Maternity Nurse Manager Joy Kent; Bank (LSB). Estelle Maternity Services Director Mary Ann Murphy; Nancy LaTulip, wanted her donation LSB Retail Banking Officer; Mercy Foundation Exec. Director Kathy Swenson; Estelle Brickner; and Joyce Markiewicz, EVP, “to benefit women” Catholic Health and CEO of Home & Community Based Care, who and she chose Mercy’s nominated Estelle for the award.
Special Thanks to the Grzybowski Family...For the eighth year in a row, the Grzybowksi Family donated proceeds from their Annual Charleen Grzybowski Golf Event to the Mercy Hospital Foundation. Their 2016 donation of $9,000 brings their running total to $63,500 in contributions to support Mercy’s Stroke and Medical Rehab patients. The family started the golf tourney and fund in memory of their mother Charleen who died from a brain aneurysm at the age of 49. Pictured above at the check presentation are, from left, Director of Rehab Services Kevin Gibson, MRU physical therapists Sally Fahey and Cheryl Raditic, Chris Grzybowski, Stacy Grzybowski, Jessica Grzybowski and Manager of Rehab Carl DePalma.
Welcome to new Facilities team
Mercy Hospital is pleased to introduce its new Facilities team, pictured above, l.-r.: Joseph Gabner, Manager of Facilities and Engineering; Dick Mariani, Director of Facilities and Engineering; Kara Smith, administrative assistant; and Raymond Kolb, Supervisor, who also oversees the offsite locations. All four team members are contracted through Aramark Facilities Management. They can be reached at their main number at 828-2546. Dick Mariani previously served as the Director of Facilities at Kenmore Mercy Hospital for more than 18 years. Joe Gabner worked at Mercy in 2014, and most recently served as Facilities Manager at HSBC. New to Mercy is Raymond Kolb whose previous position was Facilities Supervisor at Johnson Controls. Kara Smith previously worked as admin assistant in Mercy’s EVS Department.
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Mercy at Work
Associates Living Our Values Effectively...LOVE Award winners, from left, Kim Lelonek, RN, of 5 North/Center Unit; Ashley Hardy, RRT, of Respiratory Care; and Nicholas Long, Supervisor in Materials Distribution were honored in December at a special ceremony in the hospital rotunda. Other 2016 LOVE Award honorees were Shannon Delaney, RN, of Labor & Delivery and Afnan Mohamed, RN, of the ICU.
Maternal/Child Services held their 10th Annual Holiday Bake Sale, raising $1,086 to benefit the Perinatal Bereavement Program. Pictured above are, (l.-r.) Desiree Korbs of Patient Experience and Maternal/Child staff Julie Scanlon, RN; Nurse Manager Elaine Keegan, RN; Susan Siminski, RN; and Debbie Ziemianski, RN.
Mercy President & CEO C. J. Urlaub (in his Clark Kent-Superman costume) delivers candy to ICU nurses Alexis Snyder, RN, left, and Kelly Jarnot, RN during his annual Halloween trek around the hospital.
Mission Committee members, (l.-r.) Marsha Recktenwalt (Exec. Admin); Sue Shepherd (Patient Access); Wade Bontrager (PT);and Karen Mack (HIM) gathered to handwrite holiday greetings to patients. The cards were delivered to patients on their meal trays on Christmas day.
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Hanes Supply brightens the holidays at MCCC For the second year in a row, the caring employees of Hanes Supply Inc. opened their hearts to the Mercy Comprehensive Care Center (MCCC) and brightened the holidays for many children.
Just in time for Christmas, they delivered a huge sack of wrapped toys that were collected through an employee Toy Drive. The MCCC staff assisted eight families with the donations, and distributed presents to several The crew from Hanes Supply dropped off a generous children as they walked-in sack of toys for MCCC patients. Pictured above are, for appointments during the (l.-r.): MCCC staff Darlene Schneck, Jeanne O’Hara, Ann Marie Smokowski, Kathy Bragagnola, and Hanes staff holidays. Thank you, Hanes Supply!
Amanda Maute, Lisa Donner, Joe Schubbe with his wife Sarah and son Jackson, and Melissa Danglis.
Staff helps couple celebrate wedding anniversary Scott Martens and Rachael Morejon of Canberra, Australia were enjoying a delayed honeymoon trip by traveling across America from California in a rented RV. They planned on being in Niagara Falls to celebrate their first anniversary. Then Scott had an accident causing an injury that landed him at Mercy Hospital.
Scott and Rachael soon realized they would be celebrating their special day at the hospital instead of the honeymoon capital of the world. When the word got out to Scott’s healthcare team at Mercy, the wheels were set into motion. Care Manager Karen Olson told 5 West Nurse Manager Marsha Nowak, who in turn got in touch with Volunteer Director Anne McGillicuddy. Anne then recruited the help of Food Services Assistant Director Chris Damiani and Manager Steve Gorczyca.
Mission Corner
The spirit of the holidays was alive and well at Mercy Hospital. New Christmas decorations and trees donated by the Medical Staff, CWA and the Mercy Foundation adorned the facility. The Holiday Basket Raffle raised $3,300 for the Grace Guest House. The Mitten Tree filled up three times with donations for the Friends of Night People and other needy families, and the AdoptA-Family program benefited 16 families at Christmas. Thank you to all our donors for their generosity during this season of giving.
Happy couple Scott Martens and Rachel Morejon get ready for hospital discharge with Care Manager Karen Olson, RN.
The team successfully created a lovely celebration for the couple with hors d’oeuvres, dinner, cake, dessert, and flowers plus a “paper” gift—a book about the Buffalo region. The couple were very appreciative and touched by the kindness of everyone at Mercy. They also took the time to post a nice thank you note on the hospital’s Facebook page.
FONP Volunteer Coordinator Kristen Yansick, center, picked up the first round of Mitten Tree donations with help from staff and Mission Committee members looking on. Mitten Tree donations also benefited needy families at OLV Family Care Center and MCCC.