News, announcements, and vital information for associates, their families, and friends of Mercy Hospital of Buffalo Fall 2015
The Catholic Health Heart Center team recently gathered to celebrate its ranking as one of America’s Top 50 Hospitals for Heart Surgery from HealthGrades and the Get With The Guidelines Heart Failure Gold Plus Award and Target Honor Roll from the American Heart & Stroke Association. Physicians, nurses, and staff were recognized for their dedicated contributions to these national quality achievements.
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In This Issue
Mercy Hospital Achieves National Recognition for Heart Surgery and Heart Failure Care
Valve Treatment Program Opens High Ratings for GYN Surgery
Mercy Hospital, home to the Catholic Health Heart Center, was recently named one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Heart Surgery from HealthGrades® and earned the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Heart Failure Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award and Target: Honor Roll for the second year in a row.
New Maternity Reception Area Opens Officials Cut Ribbon on New MIU
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Blizzard of Babies Arrive at Mercy Patients Enjoy Room Service Dining
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Honoring the Sisters of Mercy Pharmacy Residency Program Begins
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United Way Day of Caring at OLV Scrub Run Raises Over $44,000! Submit news items to: Melanie Griffis, Public Relations Manager at mgriffis@chsbuffalo.org; 716-828-3747
HealthGrades evaluated nearly 4,500 hospitals nationwide across 33 of the most common procedures and conditions and identified the top performing hospitals within each procedure.
Mercy is also proud to receive national quality recognition from the AHA. The award signifies an 85 percent or higher adherence to all AHA heart failure quality achievement indica-
tors for two or more consecutive 12-month intervals and at least 12 consecutive months of 75 percent or higher compliance with four or more heart failure quality measures to improve patient care and outcomes.
In addition, the hospital achieved the Target: Heart Failure Honor Roll, an initiative that provides hospitals with educational tools, prevention programs and treatment guidelines to help reduce hospital readmissions. “We are pleased to be among a select group of healthcare innovators leading the way to providing high quality heart care,” said Mercy Hospital President & CEO C.J. Urlaub. “We are focused on providing a superior experience for our patients.”
Sweet Mercy!
Heart Center opens valve treatment program
People In The News
TAVR team members gathered after the first procedure in September. They are: (l.-r.) Jeffrey Boyack; Enrino Fabrizi; Susan Charles; Trish Glascott; Dr. Nadeem Haq; Dr. Joseph Gelormini; Dr. Aravind Herle; Dr. Stephen Downing; Sean Regan of Edwards Lifescience; Patrick Hanlon, RNFA; Kyle Diesfeld, perfusion; and Stephen Bodkin. In addition to Cardiac & Vascular Services leaders, Jason Jankowiak, VP; and Julie LaManna; Senior Director; other TAVR team members not pictured include: Gail Markowski, NP; Brian Butler, RN; Jennifer Worthington, RN; Barbara Khries, CST; Julie Bell-Thomson, perfusion; and cardiac sonographers Kristle Redlinski and Susan Umarand. Lee Guterman, PhD, MD, a neurosurgeon and Medical Director of the Catholic Health Neuroscience Service Line, was a featured guest on Channel 7’s AM Buffalo program during National Stroke Awareness Month in May. Pictured here with TV Host Linda Pellegrino, he explained the signs and symptoms of stroke, the importance of seeking emergency medical attention, and discussed the latest advancements in stroke care being performed right here at the Mercy Hospital Comprehensive Stroke Center.
Congratulations to Dr. Catherine Falkner who was presented the Physician of the Year Award from the WNY Perinatal Bereavement Network at its annual Elegant Evening to Remember event held last May.
Catherine Falkner, MD
Dr. George Blessios, an instrumental leader in the development of the dialysis access program at Mercy Hospital, was recently honored by the Northeast Kidney Foundation with the Contribution to Health Care Award at their annual Gift of Life Celebration.
Kudos to Dr. David Bevilacqua, Chairman of Catholic Health’s Department of Orthopaedics, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award from St. John Fisher College in Rochester where he is an alumnus.
Mercy Hospital cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiac interventionalists and a support team of highly skilled nursing, cardiac, anesthesia, perfusion and imaging professionals performed the Heart Center’s first TAVR in September. This state-of-the-art,
minimally invasive procedure treats patients with aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the heart’s aortic valve. TAVR is a non-surgical procedure that uses a catheter to place a new aortic valve where the patient’s native valve was, pushing the faulty valve aside. Prior to FDA approval of TAVR in 2011, patients who were not eligible for traditional heart surgery due to their age or other medical conditions did not have other treatment options available. For more information, contact the Center at (716) 923-9650.
Stroke team achieves gold for third year in a row
George Blessios, MD
Pictured at awards ceremony are: (l.-r.) Jesse Ladoue, AHA; Shirley Duane, FNP, Director of Stroke Services; Omar Kass-Hout, MD; Lee Guterman, PhD, MD, Medical Director of CH Stroke Services; Roseanne Hemmitt, AHA/ASA Director of Quality Improvement; C.J. Urlaub, Mercy President & CEO; and Liz Zulawski, AHA Executive Director.
David Bevilacqua, MD
John Severins was recently named director of Imaging Services at Mercy Hospital. He previously served as manager of Imaging Services at Kenmore Mercy Hospital. With a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, John has over 20 years of experience in operations and project management related to diagnostic and interventional imaging. John Severins
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The Catholic Health Heart Center at Mercy Hospital has opened a Comprehensive Valve Disease Treatment Program, offering Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) and a full spectrum of valve procedures including minimally invasive and robotic valve surgery.
Congratulations to the Stroke Center team for achieving the Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart & Stroke Association for the third year in a row! They also
received Get With The Guidelines® Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus for 2015 — the only hospital in Western New York to receive this designation.
Mercy Hospital was awarded the 2015 Greenhealth Partner for Change Award and the Making Medicine Mercury-Free Award by Practice Greenhealth, the nation’s leading health care community focused on environmental stewardship. In addition, Catholic Health
received Practice Greenhealth’s System for Change Award. The awards recognize health care facilities across the country who continuously improve and expand upon their mercury elimination, waste reduction, recycling and source reduction programs.
Mercy honored for being environmentally friendly
GYN surgery rated among top 5% in nation
Sweet Mercy! People In The News
Pictured above, nurses, staff and physicians were presented the HealthGrades Gynecologic Surgery Excellence Award during a recent ceremony.
Mercy Hospital has been named among the top 5% of 836 hospitals evaluated in the United States for providing outstanding performance in gynecologic surgery, as measured by Healthgrades®, the nation’s leading online resource for comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals.
It is the fourth year in a row that the hospital was recognized with the Healthgrades Gynecologic Surgery Excellence Award, 2012 – 2015. The hospital also achieved a top 5-star quality rating for Hysterectomy procedures. Congratulations to the entire team!
MNF recognized for resident satisfaction
The Mercy Nursing Facility at the OLV Senior Neighborhood has received the Excellence in Action Award—demonstrating outstanding resident satisfaction-from the National Research Corporation (NRC) for the fourth year in a row. This award recogniz- MNF staff don their new fleece jackets they received as gifts to es long term care and recognize their efforts. They are: (l.-r.) front: Carol Pagliaccio, Jade Johnson, Maria Musial; back: Shannon McClure, Patty senior living organi- Wojick, Chanell Smith, and Alexandra Metro zations that achieve overall resident satisfaction scores the NRC product database, the largthat fall within the top 10 percent of est in the United States.
Mercy earns Joint Commission’s “Gold Seal” Mercy Hospital earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® during its re-accreditation survey in June by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal of Approval is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care. Every three years, the hospital undergoes a rigorous, unannounced on-site survey by a team of Joint Commission experts to evaluate compliance with hospital standards related to several areas.
Mercy celebrated the successful Joint Commission survey with a pizza party for associates. Pictured here, l.-r., are: Chris Damiani, assistant director of Food and Nutrition Services; Leslie Drosendahl, RN, and Stephanie Becker, RN.
Dozens of staff members attended a retirement reception in July for Kathleen Guarino, RN, MS, NP, who served as VP of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at Mercy Hospital since 2007. Among her valuable contributions to Mercy was the introduction of a new culture of Nursing focused on “Shared Governance” where staff members partner with nurse management and administration to share in decision making. In above photo, Kathy (center) receives happy retirement wishes from Kaitlin Coyle and Sandy Gray from the Nurse Staffing office.
Welcome to Shari McDonald A warm welcome goes out to Shari McDonald, RN, MSN, who has joined Mercy Hospital as vice president of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). She previously served as the Senior Nursing Director for Emergency Shari McDonald, RN, MSN Services at Rochester General Hospital and the Newark and Clifton affiliate hospitals. She also directed the Women’s Services Line which included Obstetrics, Gynecologic Services, and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. With over 20 years of experience in nursing and healthcare administration, she also held nursing leadership positions at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester and Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca, NY. In addition to a master’s degree in Nuring (MSN) from Grand Canyon University in Arizona, Shari holds a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Rochester and an associate’s degree in Nursing from Genesee Community College. Shari has been recognized for her work with several awards throughout her career, including the Greater Rochester Quality Award in 2013 and 2014 and the Nursing Leadership Award from Rochester General Hospital in 2012 and Strong Memorial Hospital in 2006.
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Sweet Mercy! People In The News
Chairman of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery Mark Adkins, MD, of the Heart Center at Mercy Hospital, was a featured guest on Channel 7’s AM Buffalo program. TV host Jon Summers interviewed Dr. Adkins about frequently-asked questions about heart surgery and what to expect when a person is facing this type of surgical treatment. To view this special AM Buffalo segment, visit the WKBW website.
Congratulations to Shirley Duane, FNP, CNRN, Director of Stroke Clinical Services at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, who was named the 2015 Nurse of Distinction at Mercy Hospital and the Western New York region.
Mercy nurses and “Snowvember” heroes of the famous fire house birth, Denise Perry and Stacey Braymiller, were honored by the Greater South Buffalo Chamber of Commerce with the 2015 Community Service Award at its annual awards dinner. Another congratulations is in order for Denise who was also presented the 2015 Joseph Wachowiak Outstanding Citizen Award from the Erie County Sheriff’s Badge and Shield Club for assisting the firefighters. Pictured above are, from left, Denise, Chamber President Charles Brant, and Stacey. Associates gathered to wish Bob Hawks a happy and healthy retirement during a reception held in April. A longtime, dedicated associate, Bob served as the Facilities Construction Projects Manager for Mercy Hospital. Among his countless achievements, Bob oversaw the $32 million construction of the Emergency Center from 2008 to 2010. Pictured above, at left, Bob is congratulated by Gary Constantino, System Director of Facility Planning.
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Mercy blesses new maternity reception area Mercy Hospital held a blessing ceremony for the new Maternity Reception area in the Family BirthPlace that opened in May. Speakers included President & CEO C.J. Urlaub; OB/GYN Physicians Dr. Carlos Santos and Lynn-Marie Aronica; Nurse Midwife Jennifer Field, former VP of Nursing Kathleen Guarino and Director of Maternal Child Services Mary Ann Patients and guests are greeted by a new reception & waiting area Murphy. in the Family BirthPlace.
Healing Garden opens with “cure”ious plants
The new Healing Garden officially opened in early September at the Botanical Gardens. Mercy Hospital is a major sponsor of the outdoor garden featuring many plants with natural medicinal/ healing properties. The hospital also sponsors the Gardens’ indoor medicinal garden. Director of Mercy Hospital Pharmacy Ed Swinnich participated Pictured above are Botanical Gardens President & CEO in the dedication ceremony. Also on hand at the event was David Swarts, left, and Ed Swinnich in the Garden. recently retired Mercy Hospital pharmacist Patrick Gannon Botanical Gardens’ healing garden and who has been actively involved in the medicinal garden projects.
Patriot Award honors Jarrod Atkinson, RN, MSN
Pictured at the award presentation are: (l.-r.) Bob Miller of the Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR); Jarrod Atkinson; Khalifa Glover; Moe Naylon, Chairman of ESGR in Western New York; and Lieutenant Commander Patrick Griffin of the U.S. Navy and Commanding Officer of the Navy Operational Support Center in Buffalo.
Navy Reservist Lieutenant Khalifa Glover, RN, BSN, a nurse in the Mercy Hospital ICU, nominated Jarrod Atkinson, RN, MSN, Director of Critical Care Services, for the Patriot Award for his outstanding support during her deployment to Afghanistan from August of 2014 to
April of 2015.
During the ceremony held in June, Khalifa was also presented her official certificate to mark her promotion to Lieutenant. In addition, she received an Afghanistan Campaign Medal in recognition of her service.
New recovery unit designed for patient comfort
Sweet Mercy! People In The News
Hospital officials and physicians cut the ribbon on the new Mercy Interventional Unit.
Mercy Hospital held a blessing and dedication ceremony for its new Mercy Interventional Unit (MIU) in April. The unit serves as a prep and recovery area for patients undergoing minimally invasive procedures in the interventional labs, and features 25 private patient rooms designed to enhance patient comfort. The nearly $5 million project involved the consolidation of two former prep/recovery units into one unit and relocating it closer to the labs on the hospital’s second floor.
Participating in the well-attended ceremony were: Mercy Hospital President & CEO C.J. Urlaub; Salvatore Calandra, MD, Director of Interventional Cardiology; Lee Guterman, PhD, MD, Medical Director, Neuroscience Service Line; Julio Alvarez-Perez, MD, Division Chief of Vascular Surgery; Gerald Joyce, MD, Chairman, Department of Radiology; and former VP of Nursing Kathleen Guarino, RN, MS, NP. The blessing was conducted by Reverend John Gaglione.
New services added at the MACC Catholic Health Partners in Rehab is pleased to announce the addition of cardiac and pulmonary rehab services at the Mercy Ambulatory Care Center (MACC) in Orchard Park. Hours of operation are Mon. - Thurs., 7 am – 7 pm; and Fri., 7 am – 5 pm. Appointments can be made by calling (716) 828-2455.
Mercy Hospital’s Pre-Surgical Testing Physical therapist Jeremy Voorhees, right, Department (PST) relocated to helps a patient at the MACC Partners in Rehab facility. the MACC, 2nd floor, suite 207 from its previous location at the Mercy Diagnostic & Treatment Center in West In addition, a new pulmonary Seneca. Hours of operation are Mon. – function testing lab opened at the Fri., 8 am - 4 pm and appointments can MACC. Appointments can be made be made by calling (716) 677-5050. by calling (716) 828-2179.
CARE Unit moves to former cath lab holding area Mercy Hospital’s CARE Unit (Comprehensive Admission Reception Expert) has moved to the former cath lab holding area on the second floor.
Opened in 2010, the unit is designed to help reduce wait times in the Emergency Center and to streamline direct admissions from doctors’ offices and patient transfers from other hospitals. The CARE Unit and a 24/7 patient access center (PAC) were recognized by the Healthcare Association of New York
State (HANYS) with the 2011 Pinnacle Award for Quality and Patient Safety for improving hospital access and efficiency of care.
Dawn Reid, RN, MSN, was recently awarded the Registered Professional Nurse of Excellence Award by the Wyoming Erie Regional Emergency Medical Services Council. She was recognized for her outstanding achievement in the delivery of emergency medical services. An award presentation and celebration was held in her honor in the Emergency Center last July.
Congratulations to Diane Glowacki, RN, MSN, CNS, CNRN-CMC, clinical nurse specialist at Mercy Hospital, whose article about “Effective Pain Management and Improvements in Patients’ Outcomes and Satisfaction” was published in Diane Glowacki, the June 2015 edition of Critical Care Nurse Magazine, a publicaRN, MSN, CNS, tion of the American Association CNRN-CMC of Critical Care Nurses. To read the article, follow this link: http://ccn.aacnjournals.org/content/35/3/33.full
Heidi Kirsch, RN, BSN, nurse manager of the Mercy Ambulatory Care Center (MACC), had the honor of being a featured speaker at the 2015 Health Coalition Emergency Management Workshop: Trauma REACH (Rural EMS And Community Hospitals). In her presentation, she discussed Heidi Kirsch, RN, the MACC and Catholic Health’s BSN response to the epic Snowvember Storm.
Congratulations to Sharon Coughlin, RN, BSN, of the Mercy Perinatal Testing Center, who was named the Nurse of the Year in 2014 by the Buffalo PrenatalPerinatal Network, Inc. for her outstanding contributions. This organization is focused on improving access and delivery of prenatal, perinatal and postpartum health care services to highSharon Coughlin, need women and families. RN, BSN
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Enhancing The Patient Experience
Certified therapy dog and volunteer, Precious, visits with patient Mary Ann Huber with her owner and “secretary” Dolly Glaser.
Enhancing the patient experience continues to be a top priority Efforts continue throughout the hospital to enhance the patient experience. Mercy Hospital partners with the National Research Corporation (NRC), a survey expert, as a way we can listen to our patients and find ways to constantly improve the overall hospital experience. Some of our patients are chosen randomly by the NRC to receive a questionnaire soon after they have been discharged. Through the survey process, we identify opportunities for improvement. For instance, keeping the environment quiet for resting patients is one issue that has come up. In response, new Quiet Please posters and door knob reminders have been distributed throughout the units and a variety of noise reduction efforts are underway. Most recently, TV remotes were replaced in semi-private rooms in order to accommodate new patient earphones.
Other efforts include the need to improve communication among hospital staff, physicians, and patients. For example, daily team huddles were recently implemented on all patient care units so staff and other healthcare team members can discuss high priority patient needs and exchange ideas. In addition, the hospital recently formed a Patient Experience Steering Committee made up of nurse and hospital managers, physicians, front-line staff and community members to identify and implement initiatives that will continue to improve overall patient satisfaction. To become involved with this committee and its efforts, please contact Patient Representative Vicky Loretto at 828-2044.
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Blizzard of Babies arrive 9 months after storm Nine months after the historic Snowvember Storm, Mercy Hospital braced itself for another blizzard— but, this time it was a blizzard of babies! Our mini-baby boom in August sparked the interest of media New moms are interviewed by CBS Inside Edition crew during a video and newspapers shoot in August. across the country via Skype and Mercy’s Director of and the world. In addition to news cov- Maternal/ Child Services Mary Ann erage in such major publications as the Murphy was a guest on Fox News Fox New York Daily Post, Washington Post, & Friends. Then, the CBS Inside Edition and The Daily Mail in the UK, our baby show came to Mercy and interviewed boomlet was the “talk of the town” on Dr. Carlos Santos, and five new moms national television. with their “Snowvember” bundles of joy for a heartwarming story that aired On August 15, Mercy Hospital Presion September 1. As Dr. Santos put it, dent and CEO C.J. Urlaub was in“We were seeing a bump in business, terviewed by The Weather Channel no pun intended!”
Is medicine going to the dogs? Is medicine going to the dogs? In a sense, yes, but in a good way. Pet therapy is a growing field that uses dogs to help people recover from or better cope with health problems.
Through a partnership with Therapy Dogs International, Mercy Hospital along with other Catholic Mercy Hospital’s first therapy dog, Trooper, and Health hospitals, now offer pet owner Maureen Hammond, meet and greet memtherapy to patients. Specially bers of the Patient & Family Advisory Council. trained dogs and their handlers visit hospital units regularly, proFor more information, contact Anne viding patients with much appreciated McGillicuddy, director of Volunteer cuddle time. Services at 828-2098.
Store partnership brings books to waiting rooms
“Mercy Hospital officials were looking to create a partnership with a local nonprofit organization that could help further their mission while keeping in mind the comfort and needs of their patients and the patients’ families,” said Thomas McDonnell, director of the nonprofit bookstore located at 688 Abbott Road, within easy walking distance of the hospital. “We are thrilled to be Tom McDonnell, right, director of Dog Ears part of this literacy endeavor and we Bookstore, and John Kalinowski, VP of Mission hope to provide books for additional Integration at Mercy Hospital, stock bookwaiting rooms within the hospital in shelves in the surgical waiting room. the near future.” A partnership between Mercy Hos“We are proud to partner with Dog pital and Dog Ears Bookstore & Café Ears in this project that brings the joy has resulted in numerous books being of reading as another pastime option delivered to the hospital’s Margaret for our guests waiting for their loved L. Wendt Family Center waiting room. ones,” said Mercy Hospital President & The first delivery of approximately 50 CEO C.J. Urlaub. new books occurred in June.
Room service dining offered to patients “Just for You” is the name of Mercy Hospital’s new room service program introduced earlier this year. Patients now choose their meal choices from a restaurantstyle menu.
Room service dining is available from 7 am to 6:15 pm daily. Patients or their loved ones can Mercy’s Chef Chris Damiani and guest host Karen place their orders by calling Calandra, RN, cooked up a healthy “Mercy Meatloaf” extension 1-FOOD (13663) and recipe from the patient menu for our Cooking Well meals are delivered within 45 at Mercy show in September. The free 15 minute minutes. Breakfast is available all cooking demos are open to all staff and guests and day and lunch and dinner selec- later posted to the Catholic Health website at: www.chsbuffalo.org/cooking. tions are served between 11 am to 6:15 pm. There are 11 differour food service,” said Mike Galbraith, ent menus offered to patients based on director of Mercy’s Food & Nutritheir dietary needs and restrictions. tion Department. “To date, our new program has been well received and “We are committed to our patients’ we’re glad we can offer another way to comfort and complete satisfaction with enhance the patient experience.”
Patient & Family Advisory Council UPDATE The Mercy Patient & Family Advisory Council, made up of former patients, family members, and community residents, was formed in 2014 to seek feedback on issues that are most important to patients and their loved ones. The Council, which meets monthly, has recently focused on improving signage and wayfinding throughout
the hospital. The group also reviewed the patient care unit brochures, the patient guide, and the hospital map brochure, providing valuable input and recommendations. Two of the Council members now serve on the Patient Experience Steering Committee as well. For more information or to get involved, please call Patient Representative Vicky Loretto at 828-2044.
Video interpreting removes language barriers
Several associates lined up at the free sundae station to celebrate the first anniversary of the Move With Care program at Mercy. Pictured on the right are: Sarah Donovan, RN of CCU and Care Management nurses Pat Fournier, RN and Karen Crawley, RN.
Getting the scoop on safety Mercy Hospital celebrated the first anniversary of the Move with Care safe patient handling program. Launched in January of 2014, the program is designed to improve patient safety by preventing falls and other injuries, as well as to protect hospital staff from potential injuries.
Associates received the “latest scoop” on this patient and staff safety program during a Free Ice Cream Social in July. The hospital was pleased to announce a 53% reduction in patient handling injuries from 2014 through July 2015. Congratulations go out to the entire Mercy Hospital staff who are continuing to move on—with Care, of course!
Giving a hand for good hygiene
America’s ever-growing cultural melting pot makes it difficult for hospitals to be prepared for every patient who walks through the door. Mercy Hospital, along with other Catholic Health hospitals in the area, are preparing for its changing community with the addition of video remote interpreting (VRI). The new InDemand Interpreting System offers remote video translation services on a portable monitor that can be wheeled into patient care areas. It allows staff to use interpreters in various languages via a live, web video conference, similar to Skype, with real interpreters. The system gives the hospital anytime access to interpreters in more than 300 languages, including American Sign Language. Previously, the hospitals utilized phone interpreting services.
Focusing on Patient Safety
Danielle Hilton, RN and Dr. Brandon Parker stand next to the ER’s portable video interpreting system.
“To ensure the best possible patient care, a medically trained interpreter is the best way to communicate information properly, and without delay,” explained Vicky Loretto, patient care representative at Mercy Hospital. Video remote interpreting is available 24/7.
The Infection Control Department threw a party for the staff of the 7 McAuley West Unit for having the best hygiene compliance at 87% for the week of August 2731. Pictured from left are: Laura Deeds, Kara O’Brien, Kim Dzuilko, Thelma Szalczewski, Joan Vetter, Chris Anderson, Kelly Schoenfelder, Tara Hattrick, and Kristen Skalski.
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Nurses Week Celebration 2015
Honoring the Sisters of Mercy on Mercy Day
The hospital invited the Sisters of Mercy, who founded Mercy Hospital in 1904, for a Mass and luncheon to celebrate Mercy Day on September 24. Pictured above are a group of sisters who attended the festivities.
Pictured above at the Hoedown are: Ondrea Bennefield, nurse manager, 6 McAuley West; Siobhan Boland, RN; Colleen Wright, RN; The King; Sandee Napierala, RN; and Judy Simonick, NA.
The King spotted again at nurses’ “Country Hoedown” As we’ve come to expect every year, Mercy Hospital celebrated 2015 National Nurses Week in grand style with an old-fashioned “Country Hoedown” theme. Apparently very fond of our nurses, “Elvis” was spotted at the luncheon for the third year in a row!
The week-long festivities included delivery of ice cream sundaes to all the patient care units; Blessing of the Hands by Spiritual Care staff; a “Country Hoedown” luncheon and the annual Nursing Awards Ceremony. Congratulations to the 2015 Honorees: Nurse of Distinction- Shirley Duane, RN, MS, FNP, CNRN, Director of Stroke Clinical Services who was also named Nurse of Distinction for Western New York; Outstanding Staff NurseMary Ann Anderson, RN, BSN, of the ICU; Outstanding Surgical Tech- Desiree Owens; and Outstanding Nursing Assistant- Beverly Colby of the Float Pool.
Catholic Health President & CEO Joseph McDonald stopped by the Mercy Nursing Awards Ceremony to congratulate the honorees, who are: (l.-r.) Mary Ann Anderson, RN, BSN; Shirley Duane, RN, MS, FNP, CNRN; and Beverly Colby.
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Mercy Hospital celebrated Mercy Day on September 24 in honor of the Foundress of the Sisters of Mercy Catherine McAuley who established the first House of Mercy on September 24, 1827 in Dublin, Ireland. Mother Catherine McAuley opened the House of Mercy on September 24 — which is also the Feast of Our Lady
of Mercy — to educate young, poor girls and to serve as a residence for homeless girls and women. Mercy Hospital once again hosted a Mercy Day Mass and Luncheon for the Sisters of Mercy, who founded the hospital in 1904. Mercy associates were also treated to free coffee cake, coffee and tea that morning.
There’s a lot to lose in Smallest Winner Contest
Burke Glaser of the Security Department and Candice Farrell of Laboratory Services were the grand prize winners of this year’s Smallest Winner Contest.
Thirty-two Mercy associates proved there was a lot to lose in this year’s Smallest Winner Contest coordinated by the Mercy Associate Council Wellness Committee. In fact, the group as a whole lost a grand total of 231 pounds of body weight! Headed by committee chair Courtney Currier, the 8-week weight loss challenge featured weekly tips and exercises for the contestants to use. The grand prize winners were Burke Glaser, who decreased his BMI by over 10%, and Candice Farrell who decreased her BMI by over 8%. Congratulations on a great job to all who participated!
Students flourish in healthcare learning ground Students from Mount Mercy Academy (MMA) and Bishop Timon St. Jude High School shadow healthcare staff at Mercy Hospital as part of the Academy of Science & Healthcare program, a partnership between Catholic Health and these neighboring schools. Geared for college-bound students interested in a healthcare career, the high schools hold an annual “White Coat Ceremony” for seniors to mark the completion of the Academy.
Mount Mercy Academy seniors receive their White Coats from Nancy Preskop of Catholic Health and Anne McGillicuddy, director of Volunteer Services at Mercy Hospital upon their completion of the four-year Academy of Science and Healthcare. Pictured from l.-r. are: Shannon Blake, Morgan O’Connor, Nancy, Morgan Steele, Anne, Joelle Wagner, and Elissa Wolf.
Residency program is prescription for success Mercy Hospital, in partnership with Catholic Medical Partners, launched a Pharmacy Residency Program in 2014. Upon the completion of a successful survey by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) in September, the program has received pre-accreditation status with official accreditation expected to follow. Heading this post-graduate, one year residency (PGY1) program are Edward Swinnich, director of Mercy’s Pharmacy Department, Richard Kraft, director of Clinical Pharmacy for Catholic Medical Partners (CMP) and Timothy Vink of CMP, clinical pharmacy consultant and residency program director. According to Dr. Vink, pharmacy grad-
Clinical Pharmacy Consultant Tim Vink, right, reviews a chart with pharmacy residents Harpreet Kaur and Charles Hinton.
uates holding a doctorate degree are not required to complete a residency program. “However, national research shows that one year of residency experience could be equivalent to three or more years of on-the-job training,” Dr. Vink noted. “As a result, this program can open doors for our residents.”
Medical Staff NEWS Thank you, Dr. Vetrano
Dr. Campione retires
Staff and physicians gathered for a reception to thank Anthony Vetrano, MD, for his longtime, dedicated service as Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics, after stepping down from the position he held since 1999. Dr. Vetrano has also been an instrumental leader of the hospital’s pediatric service. Dr. Vetrano, center, is pictured above with Donald Pickhardt, MD, the current chairman of the Department, left, and Jack Coyne, MD, Catholic Health Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics.
A retirement celebration was held for Peter Campione, MD, who served on the Mercy Hospital Medical Staff for 34 years. Dr. Campione, pictured above at right with Dr. Michael Rade, Chairman of the Department of Surgery, was the Chief of Otolaryngology.
Mrs. New York grateful
Gathered at the 2015 New York American College of Physicians Conference were: (l.-r.) Catholic Health internal medicine residents Ahmad Farooq (PGY II), Andrew Creighton (PGY I), Henri Woodman, MD (Program Director), Mohammed Al-Sofiani (PGY II), and Mohammed Samannodi (PGY I).
Residents take first place Residents Ahmad Farooq and Anaum Maqsood from the Catholic Health System - University at Buffalo Internal Medicine Training Program took first place out of 400 abstract/poster presenters from across New York State at the 2015 New York American College of Physicians Conference held earlier this year. Their poster presentation illustrated their research findings that aspartic acid, one of the amino acids that is a component of total parenteral nutrition, sweetener and various protein supplements, has anti-inflammatory effects and can reduce injury to major organs. Drs. Farooq and Maqsood have shown that aspartic acid is very protective in mice models of liver failure, including Tylenol toxicity and acute pancreatitis. This is the first study that demonstrates these novel findings including the role of aspartic acid in inflammation, treatment of liver failure and pancreatitis, along with the presence of NMDA receptor in the liver.
Anesthesia team honored
Surgeon visits Mercy
Dr. Rajeev Ahuja, a prominent plastic surgeon in India, center, is pictured with Mercy Hospital President & CEO C.J. Urlaub and Dr. Kulwant Bhangoo during his visit to the hospital. He visited the Plastic Surgery Service in April to observe procedures performed by Dr. Bhangoo and Dr. Lakshmanan Rajendran.
Residents Spotlight
Mrs. New York 2015 Winner Jessica Lahr, who recently competed in the 2015 Mrs. America Beauty Pageant, sent Mercy Plastic Surgeon Dr. Kulwant Bhangoo this kind note: “I owe a huge thank you to my surgeon, Dr. Bhangoo and the staff at Mercy Hospital. I’m so pleased with the results of my surgery thanks to Dr. Bhangoo’s expertise, knowledge and wisdom. The kindness and warmth of the nurses at Mercy during my immediate recovery was so comforting. I’m so glad I decided to make the two-hour trip to Buffalo for my surgery…..” She is pictured above with Dr. Bhangoo.
In above photo, residents presented a plaque to Mercy’s anesthesia team to express their appreciation for their commitment and unwavering support of the residency training program.
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Mission Corner
Group participates in United Way Day of Caring Cathy Phillips and John Kalinowski helped set up a new Father Baker’s Closet, which is used to provide clothing for needy patients and their families. The group also helped clean out old medical files and boxed them for storage. Sorting through old medical files at the OLV Family Care Center were: (l.-r.) Cara Crapo; Judy Judzowski; Sue Shepherd; Cathy Phillips; and Sue Coppola.
The Mission Integration “Spirit” Committee holds an annual commissioning ceremony for its members. Pictured above are: Cathy Phillips, left, receiving her pin; VP of Mission Integration John Kalinowski; and Anne McGillicuddy, Director of Volunteers.
Throughout 2015, associates across Catholic Health have been supporting the mission of the Friends of the Night People (FONP) organization to improve the lives of the area’s poor and homeless and to improve the health of our Buffalo community. Mercy’s Mission Integration Committee continues to be active in this cause. Along with monthly collections at the hospital and its primary care locations, Mission Committee members and Mercy staff have volunteered their time and talents to serve dinner at the FONP facility and to work in the organization’s food pantry.
In June, Mercy Nursing Facility Administrator Patricia O’Connor headed Mercy’s first FONP volunteer day along with a group of 11 volunteers who prepared and served food in their Community Kitchen. Mercy associates also worked the Community Kitchen and the FONP Food Pantry in September. There are more volunteer opportunities coming up in November.
The Mission Integration team held its annual Commissioning Ceremony in May. There are 23 members of the 2015 committee who were welcomed into this ministry of “helping others” within the hospital and community. This special group of Mercy associates are constantly involved in mission activities such as the Helping Hands Fund that aids associates in need during times of crises. They also organize several fund raising events throughout the year, including the collection for the Mitten Tree and the Adopt-a-Family program at Christmas. Earlier this year, the group coordinated a new shirts and socks collection for FONP and raised money by raffling an autographed Jim Kelly jersey.
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The Mission Integration team coordinated a volunteer group for the 2015 United Way Day of Caring held at the OLV Family Care Center in Lackawanna in August. Mercy volunteers Cara Crapo, Sue Coppola, Sue Shepherd, Judy Juzdowski, Grace DiVirgilio,
A special thank you goes out to Jennifer Bannister, Nancy Stoll and the staff at OLV-FC for hosting the event. They also supplied the volunteers with refreshments and a pizza lunch!
“I’d like to thank all involved for the support of a meaningful day and meeting the CHS Mission today and every day,” said John Kalinowski, VP of Mission Integration.
LOVE Award honors outstanding associates The LOVE Award recognizes outstanding associates who demonstrate a personal commitment to the Catholic Health mission and values in their daily work.
At a recent awards ceremony at the Mercy Comprehensive Care Center (MCCC), Linda Smith, LPN, and Elisa Soto, MA, of the Refugee Program Team, were presented LOVE awards for going above and beyond to care for their patients at the MCCC. Anyone can nominate an associate for the Love Award – patients, visitors, family members, physicians, volunteers, and co-workers. For a nomination form, visit chsbuffalo.org
Pictured above in front of the MCCC Heritage Wall are: (l.-r.) 2015 LOVE Award winners Linda Smith and Elisa Soto with 2014 honorees Yvonne Schoepflin and Darlene Schneck, Mercy Hospital President & CEO C.J. Urlaub and VP of Mission Integration John Kalinowski.
or stop by the Mission Office on the hospital’s third floor.
Taking our mission around the world Dr. James McEntee, a hospitalist at Mercy Hospital and Mary Ben, an administrative assistant in Emergency Services, participated in a mission trip to Guatemala last spring. Organized by Global Health Ministries, the trip involved setting up and staffing free medical clinics in remote mountain areas near Esculpulas. “The days were long and the weather was very hot but I came home with a warm heart and a peaceful soul,” said Ben, whose job was to help prepare and distribute medications. For more information about, contact John Kalinowski, VP of Mission Integration at 828-2190.
Dr. James McEntee, a hospitalist at Mercy Hospital, at left, and Mary Ben, an administrative assistant in the Emergency Department, standing, participated in a mission trip to Guatemala. They are pictured here with a nurse from Florida and a patient with her son.
Scrub Run promotes health and raises over $44,000 More than 240 runners put their best foot forward at the Scrub Run to raise funds for the patients and residents served at Mercy Hospital and Catholic Health’s Home & Community based ministries. Despite a soggy day on September 12, the 5K run and walk raised $44,087 (net $38,370) and increased awareness for heart health in our community. Erik Bohen of Buffalo finished first in 18:01 and Jennifer DellaPenta of Hamburg was the top female finisher with a time of 22:40. Serving as emcees were News 4 anchor, Nalina Shapiro, Stanley Cup winning NHL hockey great Craig Muni and Buffalo Bills Hall of Famer Joe Delamielleure. Special thanks to this year’s Chairs Dan & Julie Joyce, as well as the sponsors, volunteers, event com-
Mercy Hospital nurses Libbie Rasmussen of the NICU, left, and Jean Fallon of Maternal/Child Services are all smiles after completing the Scrub Run and their first 5K ever. Both of them participated in the Checkers Running Club “0 to 5K” program that culminated with the hospital run.
mittee members, Foundation Board leaders, Buffalo Special Events Department, and Buffalo Police Traffic Control Division for helping to make the Scrub Run a success.
Annual blessing ceremony held in garden The Mercy Hospital Meditation Garden, located in the courtyard off the Emergency Center, was created as a place for peaceful reflection for our associates and hospital guests. Each year, new walkway stones are added in honor or memory of loved ones and the Mercy Hospital Foundation dedicates these stones with a blessing ceremony.
For more information, please contact Kathy Swenson, Foundation Executive Director at (716) 828-2038.
This year, stones were dedicated in memory of Christine Juliano, who was Director of Catholic Health’s Quality & Patient Safety Data Center and a 30-year associate; James Grady, Jr., father of MCCC associate Ms. Jane Colern, RN; and Rose Hospital associates and guests gathered for Williams, RN, a longtime medical/ the annual Meditation Garden Dedication surgical nurse at Mercy Hospital. Ceremony held on June 30.
Generous donations benefit Stroke Center
Mercy Hospital’s Stroke Center on the 5 McAuley West Unit now has a new, modern nursing station thanks to many generous donors to the Mercy Hospital Foundation’s 2014 funding project. The $300,000 project also included the construction of a new physician workroom and education room for patients and families; the purchase of a new nurse call system; and renovation of the staff lounge. In addition, the The nursing station on the 5 McAuley West Unit work involved sprucing up the was recently renovated through funds donated to the Mercy Hospital Foundation. patient care unit’s corridors and adding new hand rail wall at the 2014 Autumn Ball, as well as protection. The Mercy Hospital other donations made to support this Foundation was proud to support valuable project. this endeavor through money raised
Mercy Foundation at Work
Autumn Ball Chairs James Cornell and Dr. Darcy Cramer.
2015 Autumn Ball to benefit cardiovascular services This year’s 7th Annual Autumn Ball, to be held on November 6 at the Orchard Park Country Club, will benefit the Mercy Hospital Foundation’s 2015 Hearts Changed & Lives Transformed Campaign. Mr. James Cornell and Dr. Darcy Cramer are serving as Chairs for the event that will honor Shirley J. Duane, FNP, CNRN, as the 2015 Nurse of Distinction and the Grzybowski Family as the 2015 Friends of Distinction for generous contributions made to the hospital through their annual Charleen Grzybowski Golf Event.
According to the latest reports, heart disease remains the number one cause of death in Erie County, accounting for 32% of all deaths. It is Mercy Hospital and Catholic Health’s goal to heal hearts, save lives, and address the needs of our community. The Hearts Changed & Lives Transformed project includes capital, technological, educational and preventive measures to support our patients with cardiovascular disease and provide them with the best possible quality of life. The campaign will benefit projects underway at the hospital including the construction of two new hybrid operating rooms and an additional cardiac catheterization lab. The project also benefits the Mercy Interventional Unit (MIU), a new 25-bed recovery area that opened in April for patients undergoing minimally invasive procedures in the interventional labs. In addition, the project will support critical education and prevention at our communitybased primary care ministries and the Mission on the Move program. To learn more about how you can give a gift to support the Hearts Changed & Lives Transformed effort, please contact Kathy Swenson, Foundation Executive Director at (716) 828-2120.
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Mercy at Work
During a picture-perfect summer day, Cath Lab nurses Amy Martin, left and Teresa Schaub dig into their ice cream sundaes at the annual Mercy Associate Picnic.
Several Family BirthPlace associates and their children participated in the March of Dimes walk held at Canalside in April. Staff pictured above are: (l.-r.) Lisa Diebold; Erin Lestingi; Maryanne Hanley; Libbie Rasmussen; Lisa Golab; Karen Lavis; Julie Walek; Lisa Kubiak; Rebecca McClure; and Mary Ann Murphy, Director of Maternal/Child Services.
Clean Sweep team promotes Go Green efforts For the seventh year in a row, Mercy Hospital’s Go Green Team hosted the Mercy Neighborhood Clean Sweep held in June. Evan Sherman of Mercy’s Administration Department headed the 2015 team of volunteers who arm themselves with brooms, rakes and garbage bags each year to clean up the neighborhood surrounding the hospital. In addition to hospital associates, twenty members of the Allpro parking staff who provide the hospital’s valet parking service pitched in to help with the clean-up efforts, as well as members of The BCLA (Belvedere,
The 7th Annual Mercy Neighborhood Clean Sweep was another sweeping success as over 35 volunteers gathered to help beautify the surrounding neighborhood.
Choate, Lorraine, Alsace) Block Club. BCLA President Mike Shedler organized the club’s annual hanging of flower baskets in the neighborhood to coincide with the event.
Mercy’s East Aurora center sponsors wellness fair The Mercy Diagnostic Center (MDC) in East Aurora was a major sponsor of the East Aurora Chamber’s “Health Live – Jump Into the Healthy Zone” event held at the Healthy Zone Ice Rink in June. Catholic Health’s Community Education & Outreach Department and MDC staff offered free blood pressure, cholesterol, and body composition screenings, and Catholic Health WomenCare services offered free bone density screenings. Located at 94 Olean Street in East Aurora, the MDC offers physical
Melissa Ramsay, right, of Partners in Rehab at the Mercy Diagnostic Center performs a body composition screening with a participant at the East Aurora wellness fair.
therapy and sports rehab through Partners in Rehab, a full-service lab draw station, and x-ray, ultrasound and digital mammography services.
Here’s your chance to win movie tickets!
Catholic Health held a free health screening day called “Get on the Ball” at the MCCC last spring. Some former Buffalo Bills players attended the event to promote community health, sign autographs and talk football with fans. Pictured above are: (l.-r.) Former Bills players Carl Byrum, Booker Edgerson, and Bob Schmidt with Bills fan John O’Hara.
Karen Mack of the Health Information Management Department is our latest winner! Staff are invited to complete the Associates In The Know puzzle for a chance to win free movie tickets.
Just drop the completed puzzle in the designated box located in the hospital cafeteria, or send/ drop off completed puzzles to Melanie Griffis, Public Relations, 3rd floor, or fax 828-3499 to enter the drawing. Name______________________________ Phone_________________ ACROSS
Mercy Laboratory Services team celebrated the 2015 National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week with their theme, “We are Game Changers.” In above photo, lab staff gathered for a special luncheon to recognize everybody’s valuable role in the department.
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2 The Grzybowski Family holds annual golf tourney to benefit ______Center 3 The Foundation’s 2014 funding project benefited ______station renovations 6 The Mercy ______Center in East Aurora sponsored a Wellness Fair last summer 8 Mercy Hospital supports Breast Cancer _______ Month in October 9 The annual _______ to Mercy Fair keeps associates informed
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1 The Mercy Hospital Foundation hosts this annual run 2 The Margaret L. Wendt Family Center serves as this waiting area 4 ______Day is celebrated annually on September 24 5 The nickname of the historic snowstorm in 2014 7 Mercy Hospital experienced a mini _____ boom in August