Transcript Elizabethan - St. Elizabeth Medical Center

SEMC
Elizabethan Newsletter
St. Elizabeth
Medical Center
2209 Genesee St.
Utica, NY 13501
SEMC is sponsored by
The Sisters of
St. Francis of the
Neumann Communities
and is an affiliate of
the Mohawk Valley
Health System.
www.stemc.org
www.mvheart.org
See p. 9 for details
Vol. 37 No. 5 SEMC
Employee
Campaign
See p. 6 for details
www.stemc.org
May 1, 2014
Happy Hospital Week
May 11-17, 2014
SEMC Hospital Week Events
Employee Gifts Distributed to All Departments
Monday, May 12
Service Awards Banquet
Radisson Hotel-Utica Centre
Tuesday, May 13 • 5:30 p.m.
Employee Picnic
Day/Evening Shifts
College of Nursing parking lot
Wednesday, May 14 • 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Mohawk Valley Health
System President/CEO
Scott H. Perra, FACHE
Elizabethan Editor
AJ Wiswell
e-mail:
[email protected]
Elizabethan News
is published for
staff and friends of
Mohawk Valley
Health System and its
operations. Submit
news items through
inter-departmental
mail, e-mail
([email protected])
or by calling
Marketing and
Public Relations
at (315) 798-8195.
The Elizabethan is
posted monthly on the
Medical Center’s
website at:
www.stemc.org.
Night Shift
SEMC Cafeteria
Wednesday, May 14 • 11 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Happy Nurses’ Week
May 6-12, 2014
SEMC Nurses’ Week Events
Nurses of Distinction Ceremony
SEMC Cafeteria
Thursday, May 8
Cake and Cupcakes
SEMC Cafeteria and Medical Group
Thursday, May 8
The Other End of the Stethoscope
with Marcus Engel
Radisson Hotel-Utica Centre
Monday, May12
5 p.m. cocktails, 6 p.m. dinner
7 p.m. presentation
Cost is $10 for SEMC and FSLH nursing staff
(including nurses, nurse techs and ward
clerks), and $35 for guests and all others.
Page 2 • May 1, 2014
Employee of
the Month
April
Administrative Feature:
Preventing Infections
Albert D’Accurzio, M.D.
Senior Vice President/Chief Medical Officer (SEMC)/Chief Quality Officer (MVHS)
O
ne of the major goals of the Infection
Prevention Department is reducing the
number of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs).
Reducing HAIs is a major patient safety goal on
both a national and state level. In addition to
harming patients, HAIs increase hospital lengths
of stay and increase hospital costs.
Chris McCorduck
Information
Technology
Chris’ Employee of the
Month nominations state:
“Chris has a great
attitude, is well organized
and a great Paragon Team
leader. OR/CTOR has the
best team leader of all of
Paragon!”
“Chris goes above
and beyond the call
of duty for Paragon
implementation.”
“Chris always has a
positive outlook even
when faced with a long
road ahead with the
Paragon project. She is
very cooperative and
willing to go the extra
mile to make things easier
for everyone else. Her
blood screams teamwork.
She has so many teams
going on with Paragon.
I don’t know how she
keeps it all straight. She
is thorough, organized,
and follows through
with everything. We
are blessed to have her
on our St. E’s team and
especially on our Paragon
project for the OR!”
The Infection Prevention Department staff
members work collaboratively with doctors, nurses
and many other departments to reduce the risk
of HAIs. These include surgical wound infections,
urinary tract infections caused by Foley catheters,
bloodstream infections from intravenous catheters,
and pneumonia in patients on ventilators.
Other causes of HAIs are C. difficile, a bacteria
which causes severe diarrhea, and antibioticresistant bacteria such as MRSA and VRE.
The Infecton Prevention Department has a
number of high-tech tools to assist it in its efforts.
One such tool is MedMined, which is a software
program that conducts “virtual surveillance”
for HAIs by reviewing lab and culture reports
to reveal trends in infections. In addition, staff
uses an ATP monitoring system which is able to
determine whether environmental surfaces have
The most recent tool is an ultra-violet light
disinfection system. This is a machine which uses
high-intensity, U-V light to kill off any germs
remaining behind after the standard cleaning
process has been completed by Hospital Services.
The unit is used as part of the post-discharge
cleaning process in rooms of patients on
contact precautions. It is also used as part of the
cleaning of O.R. rooms at the end of the day. This
technology will help reduce the rate of infections
with C. difficile and other resistant organisms.
The most import tool in the Infection
Preventionist’s arsenal, however, is not at all
high tech. The routine, low-tech process of good
hand hygiene remains the single most important
element of infection prevention. Using hand
gel or soap and water both before and after
patient contact and after removing gloves is the
most important thing we can all do to keep our
patients (and ourselves) safe. Please do your part
to practice and promote good hand hygiene.
MVHS Staff and Provider Recognized by
Genesis Group and Medical Societies
T
hree members of the Mohawk Valley Health
System community will be acknowledged
for their outstanding contributions at an event
on May 6 at Hart’s Hill Inn, Whitesboro. Scott
H. Perra, MVHS president/CEO, Mary Ellen
Schrader, RN, clinical coordinator at Advanced
Wound Care of St. Elizabeth Medical Center, and
Michael W. Kelberman, M.D., an interventional
cardiologist with Central New York Cardiology,
P.C. and the Mohawk Valley Heart Institute,
will be honored at the 9th Annual Regional
Healthcare Recognition Luncheon sponsored
by the Genesis Group and The Medical Societies
of Oneida and Herkimer Counties.
Awards to be presented are:
• Outstanding Healthcare Leadership:
Scott Perra, FACHE
• Outstanding Nurse: Mary Ellen Schrader, RN
Congratulations,
Chris!
been adequately cleaned
Albert D’Accurzio, M.D.
and disinfected. This has
greatly improved the
quality of our cleaning process.
• Outstanding Physician:
Michael Kelberman, M.D.
Other winners include:
• Outstanding Direct Care Professional:
Trish DeFreitas, CNA, Masonic Care Community
• Outstanding Volunteer: Marolyn Wilson
• Outstanding Dentist: Charles E. Burns, DDS
• Outstanding Nurse Practitioner: George
Markwardt, NP, Slocum-Dickson Medical Group
• Outstanding Behavioral Healthcare
Professional: Stuart Joseph, LCSW-R
In addition, Charles Antzelevitch, Ph.D., FACC will
be inducted into the Regional Healthcare Hall of
Distinction, Class of 2014, for his long-standing
work at the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory.
Pharmacist Anthony Chiffy and A.L. Shaheen, M.D.
will also be inducted posthumously.
The luncheon will take place Tuesday, May 6
at 12 p.m. at Hart’s Hill Inn, Whitesboro. Cost
is $25 per person. For reservations, e-mail
[email protected] by May 2.
May 1, 2014 • Page 3
SEMC Foundation Receives
Challenge Grant for
Mammography Software
T
he St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC)
Foundation has received a challenge grant
in the amount of $15,000 from an anonymous
donor, “in memory of a remarkable man,” to assist
SEMC in purchasing software technology for its
digital mammography equipment at the Sister
Rose Vincent Family Medicine Center and the St.
Elizabeth Medical Arts location in New Hartford.
“Our organization conducts approximately 4,800
mammography screenings annually,” noted
Andrea LaGatta, director of Development for
SEMC. “This software will help us to eliminate
the need for unnecessary, and sometimes
invasive, follow-up screenings. Thanks to our very
generous donors, this challenge grant puts us
more than half way to our goal of $56,000, which
is the total cost of the upgrade.”
Donors who helped achieve the challenge grant
include: First Source Federal Credit Union, the
Hon. and Mrs. Barry Donalty, Skenandoah Golf
Tournament, Maurice L. Oehlsen, M.D. and Linda
Schicker, M.D.
The new software is a clinical tool that assists
clinicians in measuring breast density by drawing
attention to suspicious areas in mammograms
that require further review. Breast density is
known to be a significant predictor of breast
cancer risk, with studies reporting up to a sixfold increase in the risk of developing cancer in
women with very dense breasts. The software
addresses patient safety and is an integral part of
the digital mammography experience, assisting
physicians in the detection of cancer in its
earliest—and most easily treatable—stage.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Pledges
Grant for Cardiac Care Equipment
E
xcellus BlueCross BlueShield has pledged a
$120,000 grant to the Mohawk Valley Heart
Institute to purchase and distribute lifesaving
cardiac care equipment for municipal and
volunteer ambulance companies. The equipment
will help speed the diagnosis and treatment of
individuals experiencing heart attack symptoms.
The funding from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
will place 37, 12-lead electrocardiogram modems
and software in ambulances across Herkimer,
Madison and Oneida counties. The 12-lead
ECG modems will allow first responders to
transmit vital diagnostic information directly
from individuals who have an acute myocardial
infarction or heart attack symptoms to hospital
emergency departments. The advance data sent
via a 12-lead ECG can speed triage and treatment
once the patient arrives at the hospital, lowering
a patient’s risk of death and serious damage to
the heart muscle.
“We’re pleased to partner with the Mohawk
Valley Heart Institute to expand the availability
of lifesaving diagnostic technology to our
neighbors in the community,” said Eve Van de
Wal, regional president of Excellus BlueCross
BlueShield.
“Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s grant...will help
us advance patient care and save lives,” said
Albert D’Accurzio, M.D., senior vice president/
Calendar of
May Events
Month-Long Observances
Nat’l Arthritis Awareness
Better Hearing & Speech
Better Sleep
Nat’l Critical Care
Awareness & Recognition
Global Employee Health
& Fitness
Healthy Vision
Nat’l High Blood Pressure
Education
Mental Health
Older Americans
Oncology Nursing
Nat’l Osteoporosis
Nat’l Physical Fitness &
Sports
American Stroke
Nat’l Trauma Awareness
5/4-10 - Occupational
Safety & Health
Week
5/4-10 - Nat’l Anxiety &
Depression
Awareness Week
5/5 - Mass Honoring
Employees
& Retirees/Retiree
Luncheon
5/6-12 - National Nurses’
Week
A member of the Emergency Department staff at
St. Elizabeth demonstrates the new equipment.
5/6 - Genesis Regional
Healthcare
Recognition
chief medical officer for St. Elizabeth and chief
quality officer for Mohawk Valley Health System.
5/7 - Foundation
Plant Sale
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield funds will
underwrite the purchase of Physio-Control Life
Pak modems and base software. The emergency
department and cardiac catheterization labs
at St. Elizabeth Medical Center and Faxton-St.
Luke’s Healthcare will be equipped to receive
12-lead ECG transmissions through the PhysioControl system.
5/7 - Stroke Education
Day
“I thank Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, the
Mohawk Valley Heart Institute and neighboring
hospitals for supporting this initiative.
When every second counts, having portable
electrocardiogram equipment more widely
available in local ambulances will save time,
5/11 - Mother’s Day
Continued on page 5
5/8 - Laryngectomy
Support Group
5/8 - Honoring Nurses
of Distinction
5/9 - Guild Luncheon
5/11-17 - National
Hospital Week
5/12 - Managers’ Meeting
Continued on page 4
Page 4 • May 1, 2014
Donate Life
Flag Raising
On Monday, April 28,
2014, the Donate Life
Flag was raised to honor
Kathleen Warzala, our
most recent organ, tissue
and cornea donor, and to
promote awareness of the
importance of donating.
The flag raising ceremony
was held in the Donor
Garden outside AllenCalder Wing at Faxton
St. Luke’s Healthcare’s St.
Luke’s Campus.
To enroll in the New York
State Donate Life Registry,
visit www.nyhealth.gov.
Calendar of
May Events
Continued from page 3
5/12 - “The Other End of
the Stethoscope”
Event
5/13 - Employee Service
Award Banquet
5/15 - Foundation Board
Annual Meeting
5/17 - College of Nursing
Graduation
5/18-24 Nat’l Emergency
Medical Services
Week
5/18-24 - Nat’l Medical
Transcriptionist
Week
5/19-20 - Employee
Orientation
5/20 - Medical Staff
Meeting
5/21-22 Sunglasses Sale
5/23 - EMS Banquet
5/25 - National Missing
Children’s Day
5/26 - Holiday –
Memorial Day
5/28 - National Senior
Health & Fitness Day
TBA - Medical Group
Celebration
St. Elizabeth Medical Center
Honors Volunteers
S
t. Elizabeth Medical Center has named Patricia
Fletcher of Washington Mills Volunteer of
the Year. Helen Kennerknecht of New Hartford
received the St. Elizabeth Guild’s Eleanor Nelson
Award, named for an active, former Guild member
who passed away many years ago.
The two top volunteers were announced at the
Medical Center’s annual Volunteer Breakfast
on Friday, April 11, where special recognition
pins were awarded to 47 people who have
each logged between 100 and 46,000 hours of
volunteer service. Barb Tocco, Day Habilitation
Director, Arc Oneida-Lewis Chapter on Arnold
Ave., was the guest speaker. The event’s theme
was “Volunteers Make a World of Difference.”
“The Medical Center volunteers provide us with
a great example of what people do to help their
neighbors and this organization,” said Scott H.
Perra, FACHE, president/CEO. “Those who give of
their time and talents perform many tasks that
we may not otherwise be able to provide. With
the many challenges in healthcare today, St.
Elizabeth’s volunteers are invaluable.”
Patricia Fletcher has been a volunteer for 19
years and has performed over 3,700 hours of
service to the Medical Center. She currently
volunteers in the Quality Management
Department, where she maintains credentialing
files and initiates files for new staff members
and physicians. She is also a member of SEMC’s
Patient and Family Advisory Council, the
Professional Advisory Committee for St. Elizabeth
Home Care and has served on the SEMC
Foundation’s Lights of Love remembrance service
and candle-lighting planning committees.
100 Hour Pin
Axel, Peggy
Bedell, Brandon
Carlson, Amy
Ciccolella, Thomas
Ferrara, Laurie
Hubbard, Debra
Khan, Alina
Mahar, Marie
Miller, Melanie
Russell, Carol
Williams, Katelyn
Wolfanger, Daniel
Zbytniewski, Rita
Zumpano, Barbara
300
Arc of Oneida-Lewis
Chapter, Kirkland Day
Habilitation
Kakuturi, Vishnu
Kirkpatrick, Ann
Madore, Anna
Meyer, Eve Marie
Peeling, Jessica
Randazzo, Catherine
Scates, Angel
Wilczek, Donna
500
Byrd, Mary
Foresti, Mary Joan
George, Lani
Goddard, James
Left to right: St. Elizabeth Volunteer Director Grace
DeFazio Bouse, Helen Kennerknecht, Patricia Fletcher
and President/CEO Scott H. Perra
“In addition to her time at St. Elizabeth, Mrs.
Fletcher also volunteers with Hospice and
Abraham House,” said Grace Bouse, director of
volunteers. “She was previously an employee of
the Medical Center for over 35 years, and served as
Director of Nursing.” She has four grown children,
12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Helen Kennerknecht has volunteered at SEMC
for more than 23 years, accumulating over 7,346
hours of service. “She has been active in the
Guild Bargain Shop, the Fashion Show, the Pillow
Ladies group, Volunteer Office, Country Store and
Christmas bazaar,” noted Mrs. Bouse. “She also
made seven doll houses and dressed many dolls
for various Guild fund-raising events.”
Miss Kennerknecht was a licensed practical nurse
at the former Utica State Hospital for 35 years, is
a member of St. John the Evangelist Church and
a recipient of the Mother Lavender Award. She is
a violinist who played with the Utica Symphony
Orchestra, the Yesterday Senior Ensemble and is a
member of the Utica Chamber Orchestra.
Hammond, Diane
Pettinato, Anthony
Saint-Amour, Jean
Slocum, Karen
Smith, Sharon
Vermeulen, Sandra
1500
Harrington, Helen
Norbin, Lila
3000
Carroll, Joan
Kurtyka, Linda
Wroblewski, Doris
4000
Hauck, Barbara
Nunziata, Carole
Rice, Shirley
4500
Schug, Norma
5000
Napoli, Mary
6000
Gaffney, Emily
Gigliotti, Genevieve
46,000
Arc of Oneida-Lewis
Chapter, Arnold Ave
Day Habilitation
May 1, 2014 • Page 5
James Bramley Receives Edward
Gaffney, M.D. Memorial Award
J
ames Bramley, M.D. is this year’s recipient of
the Edward Gaffney, M.D. Memorial Award, a
recognition the SEMC Medical Staff established in
2012 in memory of Dr. Edward Gaffney. Dr. Gaffney
passed away in 2011 after many years of dedicated
service to the Medical Center and its patients.
Albert D’Accurzio, M.D. was the recipient of the
first annual Edward Gaffney, M.D. Memorial Award.
Thomas Ryan, M.D. was the recipient of the 2013
annual award. Mark Warfel, D.O., President of the
St. Elizabeth Medical Staff, presented the award at
the March Medical Staff meeting.
Dr. Bramley was chosen for his commitment to
employing infection prevention guidelines for
specific disease treatment protocols. In addition,
Dr. Bramley is dedicated to Family Medicine
Resident education and takes his approach to
quality patient care to his teaching of Residents.
Dr. Bramley has a practice with Infectious Disease
Associates, LLP in Clinton.
The award is given to an active member of the
Medical Center who represents Dr. Gaffney’s
ideals and practice of upholding old-fashioned,
professional values, which include dedication
to high-quality patient care and attention to
detail. Other qualities required are: continual
improvement of medical knowledge for self and
others, respectful and
genuine caring attitude
to all hospital staff,
including administrators,
physicians, nurses,
technicians, housekeepers,
dietary and all support
staff. Also required are
communication directly
James Bramley, M.D.
with others, use of medical
knowledge learned throughout one’s career and
participation in Medical Staff leadership.
The award is administered through the Medical
Staff Office and includes a $1,000 donation in the
name of the recipient to a cause to be chosen by
the recipient from five choices determined by the
Medical Executive Committee, plus a plaque to
the individual.
Excellus Grant cont.
Continued from page 3
which will translate to saved lives,” said Vinny
Faraone, EMS clinical coordinator, Midstate
Emergency Medical Services Council.
Funding for the 12-lead ECG modems comes
from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Community
and Member Health Improvement program.
Welcome to
St. E’s!
We’re glad
you’re here!
New Employees
Christy Anguilli
Home Care
Jennifer Austin
Nursing - Ortho
Joanna Colton
Laboratory
Debra Lindon
Laboratory
Susan Maxfield
Speech Therapy
Corrine Reed
St. Elizabeth Medical Group
Women’s Health Center
Amanda Reith
Food & Nutrition
Sandra Sangiacomo
Patient Access
Robert Sportello
Facilities
Autumn VanEtten
Nursing - Float
New Volunteers
Jade Freund
Mohawk Valley
Sleep Disorders Center
HR Headquarters
Paul Liccardo
Mended Hearts
Donna Ernst, Director of Human Resources, SEMC
Robert Polivka
Important Dates to Remember
Melissa Reynolds
May 2, 2014
The 2nd annual Wellness Fair will be held from 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. in the Sister Johanna Conference
Room. Please take a few minutes to stop by and meet the vendors, learn more about helpful
wellness tips and programs, and pick up your informational packet on the Step Up program we
will offer again. Start a Step Up team!
Mended Hearts
Cardiac Companion
Sambath “Lisa”
Sangvuochna
Gift Shop
Silita “Lita” Tim
Greeter, St. Elizabeth Medical Arts
May 14, 2014
The UFCW 401(k) representative, along with a representative from Empower Federal Credit
Union, will be at St. Elizabeth Medical Arts Building from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
May 22, 2014
A representative from HANYS will be here from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. in the Sister Johanna Conference
Room. Please arrange your appointment in advance by contacting Nancy Ratcliffe, Benefits/
Pension Manager at ext. 4252 or [email protected]
Important Note: EBSRmsco, our dental insurance carrier, will complete a system conversion
effective May 1, 2014. Members will now have access to a member portal and will be issued new
ID cards. Members will receive one mailing outlining the change and a second mailing with the
new ID cards. Please watch for these new cards as they will have your new member ID numbers.
If you do not receive your new ID card, please contact the number on the letter , Nicole Hewitt
at [email protected] or ext. 4911, or Nancy Ratcliffe at [email protected] or ext. 4252.
MC
Page 6 • May 1, 2014
Social
Media Pages
to Merge
The Employee Campaign
ST. ELIZABETH MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION
The St. Elizabeth Medical
Center Foundation’s
Facebook and Twitter
platforms will merge
with the Medical Center’s
on May 1, 2014.
The updates, photos,
contests and other
information you look
forward to from the
Foundation will now
appear on the Medical
Center’s Facebook and
Twitter platforms.
Lets Grow
Together!
We anticipate that the
Foundation’s Facebook
fans will be automatically
transferred to the
Medical Center’s page,
but anyone following the
Foundation on Twitter
should now follow the
Medical Center. If you no
longer receive updates
to your Facebook news
feed, you may need to
“Like” the St. Elizabeth
Medical Center’s
Facebook page.
2014 Kickoff: Thursday, May 1
Cafeteria Private Dining Room from 10am-1pm
The Employee Campaign committee will visit the night staff on Thursday, May 1. Medical Group visits
are also being scheduled throughout the month. No donation is too small, and every donation is appreciated.
Payroll deduction is offered to employees contributing $1.00 or more per pay period. Donations may also be
made by cash, check or credit card. If you have been giving through payroll deduction and do not return your
pledge form by May 31, your deduction will automatically continue and you will be entered into the drawing
for a raffle prize.
Please call the Marketing
and Public Relations
Department at
798-8195 if you
experience any problems
or have questions.
Foundation
Plant Sale
Wednesday, May 7
6:30 a.m.
Cafeteria Private
Dining Room
A Project with a Purpose
All donors to the Campaign receive:
Patient care services and vital equipment that our
employees use each day have all been made possible
through support of our Employee Campaign. This year,
proceeds will help fund updates to patient care rooms
and patient and employee safety and security.
• A cafeteria pass valued at $3.50
• 100% of your donation goes directly back to the
Medical Center
• Donors who become a new Franklin Club member,
or existing Franklin Club Members who increase
their annual gift to the next level within the Franklin
Club, or become an Elizabethan or Legacy Society
member, will receive a wind breaker jacket with an
embroidered SEMC Foundation logo
For Information
Call SEMC Foundation at 315.734.4440, email
[email protected] or visit the MEC.
• A chance in the drawing to win one of many raffle
prizes (if pledge form is received by May 31)
2014 Employee Campaign Committee
SEMC Foundation Presents “Drive 4 UR
Community” Fundraising Event
S
Ann Boerger
Dave Briggs
Karen Burton
Sally Davidson
Bianca Filletti
Debbie Hellinger
Andrea LaGatta
Sue Ortello
An Affiliate of the Mohawk Valley Health System.
t. Elizabeth Medical Center Foundation is
coordinating an on-site event with Steet
Ponte Lincoln on Monday, May 5 from
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in Parking Lot B.
St. Elizabeth employees and members of the
public* are invited to test drive a Lincoln MKS, MKX,
MKZ or Navigator to help raise money for software
upgrades to our digital mammography equipment.
For every driver (up to 300) who test drives a
car, Steet Ponte Lincoln will donate $20 to St.
Elizabeth Medical Center Foundation, and for
every driver (up to 100) who takes a second test
drive in a Lincoln MKX, Steet Ponte Lincoln will
donate an ADDITIONAL $20. This event has the
potential to raise up to $8,000.
This is a fundraising event—not a sales event—
and is open to the public. All participants will be
entered into a drawing for various prizes.
*One participant per household. Participants must be 18
years of age and have a valid driver’s license.
May 1, 2014 • Page 7
STAR Fish Card Recipients - March 2014
Names of the following employees, Medical Staff and volunteers were submitted to be recognized for acts of kindness. Staff,
volunteers, patients and visitors are encouraged to recognize an act of kindness when they see it by filling out a “STAR Fish” card
and placing it in one of the STAR Fish boxes throughout the Medical Center or sending it to Karen Burton in Administration. When
submitting a name, please include first and last names. STAR Fish cards can be obtained from department managers, the Print Shop or
by calling Administration at ext. 4978.
3A Staff
Dr. Nabin Adhikari
Adnan Alibegic
Jean Allaire
Carol Allen
Taylor Arcuri
Almisa Bajrektarevic
Alaina Barker
Alyssa Betrus
Chyanne Blackman
Charisse Blackshear
Leslie Bogan
Sue Bonney
Grace Bouse
Hannah Brower
Debbie Burch
Summer Carbone
Sue Cieri
Deb Cleary
Megan Cole
Brian Collea
David Coriale
Shaylynn Cozza
Barb Cremer
John Cusworth
Barb Daley
Cindy Day
Kelly DeRider
Melissa Diaz
Larry DiGeronimo
Alisa Domazet
Mary Donnelly
Jen D’Onofrio
Steve Dudzik
Mike DuRoss
Marie Dygert
EKG Staff
Christina Eller
Patrick Ellis
Norma Emerson
Kari Evans
Scott Fuller
Val Fuller
Mike Garcia
Christy Gilman
Gary Glatt
Darrell Gray
George Green
Susan Guardi
Lauren Guisinger
Shelly Guske
Ryan Hahn
John Halenar
Kim Handy
Barb Hayes-Taverne
Lilia Hernandez
Anthony Hill
Shannon Holslag
Jeffrey Howe
Mirela Hozanovic
Jackie Hughes
Kim Hughes
Kelly Janovsky
Denise Jassak
Alicia Jones
Dr. William Jorgensen
Karen Kelleher
James Kernan
Maggie Klutts
Cathy Krowicki
Tasha Lamarre
Kathy Land
Caitlin Land
Kim Lee
MaryAnn Lewis
Dr. William Lindsey
Brittany Linen
Brian Lipkin
Katie Lister
Samantha Loonan
Brian Manley
Keith Marlowe
Brian Marlowe
Barb Mastroangelo
Erica Matthews
Dr. Kevin Matthews
Rebecca Maung
Pollie McCabe
Amanda McCabe
Donna McCoy
Sauquoit Medical Office
Clint Merrick
Sister Catherine Michael
Mary Miller
Jessica Miller
Jennifer Millett
Theresa Money
Julie Moore
Ann Moore
Rhonda Moran
Jessica Morgan
Jessica Morgan
Sarah Moshier
Cheri Moskal
Eileen Muhlig
Dr. Affaf Munir
Kaitlin Murray
Bridget Nelson
4C Nurse Techs
Cathy Olah
Michele Oliver
Sue Ortello
Corena Parker
Shari Paulson
Donna Pendrak
Dan Penree
Carol Perry
Angie Perry
Russ Petrie
Lisa Petronio
Colleen Petucci
Colleen Platts
Heidi Prime
Gordon Reitema
Angela Renzi
Courtney Riesel
Carla Rivera
Jessica Roberts
Kyle Roberts
Samantha Rouillier
Adila Sahbaz
Jim Santamaria
Dan Santoro
Lori Sawicki
Josh Schomer
Veronica Sebastian
Stephanie Selmi
Tyler Shepard
Tyler Sheppard
Galina Sidorevich
Jan Simpson
Ajla Sinanovic
Renee Sitts
Karen Slocum
Eileen Small
Kathy Smith
Amy Smith
Diane Smoulcey
Mary Stanfield
Lisa Streeter
Kris Strumpfler
Jen Szatko
Michelle Talerico
Sara Termini
Tina Testa
Mary Thompson
Nicole Traglia
Sara Truax
Roseann Voss
Michele Ward
Jim Watts
Harold Wells
Teresa Welter
Robin Westbrook
Mike Wilbert
Monique Wilson
Amber Wood
Sharien Wyman
Becky Zike
Nancy Zoeckler
College of Nursing Holds Active Shooter Safety Drill
S
t. Elizabeth College of Nursing, in
conjunction with the Utica Police
Department (UPD), conducted an “Active
Shooter Drill” for its College staff and
students on Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at
the College campus. The drill is part of
the College’s Campus Safety and Security
program and is designed to provide
students, faculty and staff with a scenario
that mimics an actual situation involving
an active shooter on campus.
College President Marian Kovatchitch has
taken a proactive stance in keeping the
College community on alert. “Today we
practiced for a situation that we all hope
will never occur,” she said. “We are grateful
for the excellent assistance we received
from key personnel at St. Elizabeth Medical
Center, as well as the UPD.”
For the full video of officers from UPD
arriving at the College, please visit
www.stemc.org/news.
Utica Police Department officers enter the College
of Nursing as part of the “Active Shooter Drill.”
Page 8 • May 1, 2014
Boilermaker
Corporate
Cup
Challenge
Attention all 15K
Boilermaker runners at
St. Elizabeth (including
community sites)! Please
sign up to be on the St.
Elizabeth Boilermaker
Team. Please contact
Diane VanPelt at
ext. 8225 or
[email protected]
(email preferred) with
your name, city of
residence, age and
department. To be
eligible for the team, you
must be registered to run
and work at St. Elizabeth.
Don’t forget to pick up
your mug at the end of
the race!
Bathroom
Scales
Needed
The Quality Department
is in need of bathroom
scales for discharged
patients who are not able
to afford their own. If you
have a bathroom scale
that you are not using
and would like to donate
it to patients in need,
please contact Theresa
Inkawhich at 734-4295.
St. Elizabeth College of Nursing
Welcomes New President
Looking back
Looking forward
On May 30, 2014, I will
retire from St. Elizabeth
College of Nursing, having
served as the President for
the past 3.5 years. What a
journey it has been.
St. Elizabeth College of
Nursing is pleased to
announce that Varinya
Sheppard, MS, RN, will
become the next President
of the College, succeeding
Marian Kovatchitch, who is
retiring at the end of
May 2014.
I was hired by Sister Mary
Marian Kovatchitch,
Amata, OSF, in fall 1977
MS,RN
and began my long and
rewarding career as a medical-surgical nursing
instructor. The College, then known as the School
of Nursing, was still a diploma-based program at
that time, and the students (along with the faculty)
worked weekends, evenings, and holidays—just
like nurses today! I remember the pink uniform
dresses, the caps with the pink stripes, and the
male students (few in number) who looked like
doctors in their white tunic tops (and no caps).
I became the Coordinator of the Fundamentals
of Nursing course and remained in that role
until January 1988, when I was asked to become
the Curriculum Coordinator and oversee the
implementation of the weekend program. In
my subsequent role as the Academic Dean, I
looked forward to work every day, and always
advised students that “you have to love what you
do and enjoy getting up every morning—life
is too short to be miserable!” I love nursing; I
always have and always will.
My next journey was to help current (and future)
nurse educators be better at what they do.
The work of nursing education is a demanding
specialty and I have had the privilege of working
with some of the greatest over the years. I hope
that I have had some impact upon those who
were willing to be open to learning and growing
- here is to the next chapter!
May God bless each and every nurse who has
passed through the halls of St. Elizabeth School/
College of Nursing; you will forever be in my
heart and in my prayers as you continue your
career paths and/or enjoy retirement, like me!
Marian Kovatchitch, MS, RN
Friday, June 6, 2014 • 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Holiday Inn, New Hartford, NY
Varinya Sheppard, MS,RN
Varinya is a 1984 graduate of St. Elizabeth School
of Nursing. She received her Bachelor of Science
Degree in Nursing from SUNYIT at Utica/Rome
in 1998 and her Master of Science in Nursing
Administration from SUNYIT in 2003. Varinya has
been employed at St. Elizabeth Medical Center
since 1984, having served in advancing roles as
Nursing Supervisor, Assistant Director of Nursing,
Interim Vice President of Nursing Services, and
Chief Nursing Officer/Vice President, the position
she has held since 2006. Varinya is also an adjunct
professor at SUNYIT, instructing undergraduate
and graduate students in Nursing Leadership and
Health Care Policy. Varinya currently serves on the
Board of Directors for the College and has played
an active role in directing the policies that impact
student recruitment and enrollment.
“Varinya has accepted the challenge and
responsibility for acclimating to the College’s
educational environment and learning its policies
and regulations,” said Mrs. Kovatchich. She will
transition to the role of President over the next
few months and has been meeting weekly with
key College personnel and attending all faculty
meetings since January 2014.
“I am excited to begin the position of President
at the College of Nursing. As a proud graduate of
the program, I look forward to the opportunity to
return to the College in this capacity,” Varinya said.
“After spending many years in acute care Nursing
Administration, it will be fulfilling to experience
the initial phases of nursing education.”
Welcome aboard, Varinya! The SECON family is
happy to have you among us!
St. Elizabeth Medical Center and Midstate
EMS present the 28th Annual Trauma
Symposium. The event will feature
educational seminars related to patient
care across the Trauma spectrum. For more
information, please visit www.stemc.org.
May 1, 2014 • Page 9
Exercise and Heart Rate
W
hen you begin an exercise program, it is
important to understand your heart-rate
goals. Heart-rate monitoring helps you keep track
of how fast your heart is beating by measuring
your beats per minute (bpm).
Knowing how fast your heart is beating during
exercise can help you to pace yourself so that you
are working most effectively. Understanding the
heart rate range you are shooting for will guide
you in working more or less intensely.
Calculating your target heart rate
You can calculate your target heart rate by
subtracting your age from the number 220, then
multiplying the result by 50% and by 80% ((220-age
in years) × 50% and (220-age in years) × 80%). Your
target heart rate lies between those two numbers.
For example, for a 50-year-old person:
220-50=170×.5=85 bpm
220-50=170×.8=136 bpm
Target range: 85-136 bpm
Measuring your heart rate
Several methods are used to determine heart
rate. You may find your pulse at your wrist or
neck, and count how many beats you feel in a
10-second period. Multiply that number by 6 to
determine your heart rate (bpm).
Nutrition Services
Age
Target Heart Rate
20 years
100-170 bpm
25 years
98-166 bpm
30 years
95-162 bpm
35 years
93-157 bpm
40 years
90-153 bpm
45 years
88-149 bpm
50 years
85-145 bpm
55 years
83-140 bpm
60 years
80-136 bpm
65 years
78-132 bpm
70 years
75-128 bpm
struggling to speak. If your breath is shallow, you
are working too hard. You should have the ability
to take a deep breath while moving.
Getting started
Watches, monitors, and cardiovascular machines
can also help you determine your heart rate.
Some monitors are very reasonably priced.
Whether walking, biking, swimming, or
performing other cardiovascular activity, start
slowly with a goal of staying in the 50% bpm
zone. Gradually increase time and intensity to
reach the 85% bpm zone. Keep in mind that you
do not need to work very hard to stay in shape.
Determining if you are working
effectively
Note: Some medications lower heart rate as a
side effect. Ask your physician if you should work
at a lower target heart rate.
An easy (and probably the best) way to tell if you
are working effectively in your target heart range
is to note if your breath is slightly impacted by
exertion while trying to carry on a conversation.
You should be slightly out of breath, but not
Reference
American Heart Association. Target heart rates.
Available at: http://www.americanheart.org/
presenter.jhtml?identifier=4736.
Spotlight on a Volunteer: Zain El-Amir
Z
ain El-Amir of New Hartford has been a
volunteer at St. Elizabeth Medical Center
since September 2013. She works in the OR,
assisting with clerical tasks such as answering
phones and coordinating patient files. In addition
to volunteering at St. Elizabeth, Zain volunteers
as a tutor for children in grades K-6 and refugees.
She also volunteers at VBS.
When asked what she likes best about
volunteering at St. Elizabeth, Zain said, “I get to
work in a great environment with great people
and get to directly help the community. [I like]
helping the OR run smoothly and seeing how
I am directly helping the community.” She
recommends
volunteering to
anyone who is
interested, saying,
“Definitely consider
it! I love everything
about it and get to
see how I’m helping
the community.”
Aside from
volunteering in the
Zain El-Amir
community, Zain
enjoys making jewelry, reading, bicycling, playing
the piano and baking.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Hart’s Hill Inn
135 Clinton Street,
Whitesboro, NY
RSVP by
Friday, May 16, 2014
Breakfast reservations
are required and seating
is limited to first 600
reservations.
Survivor: FREE | Guest: $8
One guest per survivor.
To RSVP, email
[email protected]
or call
315.624.HOPE (4673).
Please provide your name,
address, phone number
and guest’s name.
Doors open at 9 a.m.
(no earlier, please).
Checks for guests should
be made payable to:
The Regional
Cancer Center.
Checks should be mailed
prior to event to:
The Regional Cancer
Center Program Office
Faxton St. Luke’s
Healthcare
1676 Sunset Avenue
Utica, NY 13502
Relay for Life
Basket
Drawing
Thursday, May 1
4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Friday, May 2
6:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Cafeteria Conference
Room
Proceeds will benefit the
American Cancer Society.
Page 10 • May 1, 2014
Farewell to a
Gentle Priest
Environmental Tip of the
Month: Camping Safety
Gregg Sponburgh, Environmental Health/Safety Coordinator
eep these tips in mind to make your next
• Place food waste in secured containers to
camping trip a safe one.
discourage animals.
K
Photo by Teresa Inkawhich
Dear Father John
Comeskey,
Thank you for your many
dedicated years of service
to the priesthood and
especially your years
of service here at St.
Elizabeth Medical Center.
Your welcoming and
engaging personality,
combined with your
warm and charming
sense of humor has
blessed all who have
come to know you.
Continue spreading your
good cheer and blessings
in the next tenure of your
service for the Lord. God
Bless you, Father John.
-Sister Mary Irene Zegarelli
• Pack a first aid kit with all necessary supplies
(bandages, tape, antiseptics, snake bite kit,
burn ointment, pain relievers, poison ivy
cream/cleaners, hydrogen peroxide, etc.).
• To ward off animals seeking food, keep your
campsite clean, and do not leave food,
garbage, coolers, cooking equipment or
utensils out in the open.
• Pack adequate routine and emergency supplies
(food, water, warm clothing, insect repellent,
flashlight and batteries, knife, compass, map/
GPS, whistle, waterproof fire starter, etc.).
• Use a flashlight at night - many animals feed
at night and the use of a flashlight may warn
them away.
• Review the weather report before you leave and
plan accordingly.
• Plan your trip to arrive in the daylight so you
have enough time to inspect your campsite for
potential hazards (poison ivy, broken glass and
other sharp objects, large anthills, etc.) and set
up camp.
• Build fires a safe distance away from your shelter
and make sure your shelter is made of a flameretardant material.
• Never leave fires unattended. Thoroughly
extinguish at the end of the night or when
leaving the site.
• Never use a flame or a fuel burning device
inside your shelter.
• Dispose of trash properly. Recycle properly if
containers are provided.
• Beware of poisonous plants. Familiarize yourself
with dangerous plants that are common to the
area. If you come into contact with a poisonous
plant, immediately rinse the affected area with
water and apply an appropriate lotion to the
affected area.
• Minimize bug exposure. If possible, set up camp
away from thick woods, deep grass, stagnant
water and other areas that attract bugs. Avoid
scented products that attract bugs. Don’t have
your flashlight or lantern lit when you enter
your shelter since bugs will follow the light.
• Beware when encountering wildlife. Remember
that bears and other animals are potentially
dangerous and unpredictable - never feed or
approach wild animals.
• When using propane stoves/grills, ensure that
they are placed on a stable surface in a safe
area away from flammables.
WRVO Holds Mental Health Forum at
St. Elizabeth Medical Center
W
Retiree
Luncheon
Monday, May 5, 2014
Mass Honoring
Retirees and Employees
11:30 a.m.
Medical Center Chapel
Luncheon
12 p.m.
Sisters’ Conference
Rooms
RVO Public Media held a community health
forum at St. Elizabeth Medical Center on
Tuesday, April 22. The forum’s subject was “The
Changing Nature of Mental Health Care Delivery
in New York State” and focused on the mental
health system in upstate New York. The forum’s
three panelists were Shawn Johnston, licensed
master social worker, St. Elizabeth Medical
Center; Linda Nelson, Central New York field
office director, New York State Office of Mental
Health; and Matthew Shapiro, development and
event coordinator for the National Alliance On
Mental Illness New York State. The panel was
moderated by Catherine Loper, WRVO director of
news and public affairs.
Panelists discussed reorganization and cutback
proposals impacting psychiatric health centers and
the communities where they are located as well as
the way that the Affordable Care Act is changing
Left to Right: Catherine Loper, WRVO and
Shawn Johnston, LMSW, St. Elizabeth Medical Center
all aspects of healthcare – including mental health.
Several members of the audience participated in an
open Q&A with the panelists after the discussion.
The forum is one of a series WRVO is holding
on public health issues throughout its listening
region. It will be broadcast on WRVO at a later
date. Support for the forum comes from the Health
Foundation for Western and Central New York.