EYE CARE NEWS - Osler Institute

EYE CARE NEWS
Department Newsletter – May 2013
CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE
The way to overcome these frustrations is to ask for
help. To this end, we have been providing support from
many Superusers – early adopters from our department
(one of whom is featured inside) and other departments
who have learned Epic ahead of time. I encourage you
to seek assistance from these Superusers and your other
colleagues when you have questions.
With this issue of our
department newsletter, we
have moved to a new format
that allows us to add more
feature content. In this issue,
you will find a variety of stories,
including profiles of staff
members and alumni as well as
the types of departmental news
updates that we have included
in the past.
As we move forward, we will need a full commitment
from all staff to stay focused on learning the program,
helping to ensure a streamlined transition to this new
system. I thank you in advance for this commitment, and
for your ongoing efforts to help us deliver the highest
level of patient care.
As you know, one of the biggest news items in our
department is our upcoming Epic transition, which will
begin shortly on June 1. With this new system, we will
have a great opportunity to transform the level of care
that we deliver to our patients.
Paul A. Edwards, M.D.
Once this transition is completed, all parts of Henry
Ford Health System will be integrated in a way they
never have been. From connecting to patients with the
MyChart program to streamlining communications with
external referring physicians, Epic will allow us to work
more efficiently, while better serving our patients.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Dave Riege profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Staff member at skating nationals. . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Farewell to Dr. Carter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
I encourage all staff to take this transition very seriously.
An enthusiastic attitude is key as we go through this
process. Learning any new program can be frustrating,
but when we show this frustration to our patients
through poor service or negative comments, our patient
satisfaction suffers.
Department news . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Alumna in Ecuador . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1
EYE CARE NEWS (cont’d)
LONGTIME MANAGER STILL ENJOYING THE JOURNEY
Thirty-two years ago, as a young
optician fresh out of college, Dave
Riege, ABOC, hit the ground running
at Henry Ford Hospital.
“I didn’t know anybody, so I
took a week and went to every
floor, introducing myself to every
manager, administrator, chairman
and physician in charge,” Riege said.
“I told them that if they needed
anything, they could come to me.”
A lifelong learner
In the years since then, this takecharge attitude and teamwork
focus has served Riege well. From
the optical shop – where he fitted
eyewear, including grinding the
glasses in the onsite lab – he worked
his way up to area supervisor of
all Henry Ford optical shops, then
moved to his current position
as practice manager of the
Ophthalmology Department’s Henry
Ford Hospital and Troy locations.
On a typical day, Riege wears many
hats, helping open the practice,
walking the floor frequently to see
if staff members need anything,
addressing patient concerns,
attending meetings, handling
contracts and other paperwork,
fielding calls from vendors and other
administrators, and filling in at the
front desk during staff shortages.
In addition, he completed a year of
diagnostic instrumentation training
to better understand exam room
workups, and he has observed
vendors making equipment repairs,
teaching himself how to handle
minor fixes.
Dave Riege takes a break from serving food during his annual employee appreciation
Tiger Day.
Invested in the Epic transition
them a familiar face, address their
concerns and answer their questions.
I really believe that this real-time,
coordinated system will give us a
more streamlined process and a
better patient experience.”
During his time at Henry Ford, Riege
also has helped to implement major
changes, including site mergers. So it
was no surprise when he was asked
to be a member
of the Epic
transition team.
“My biggest role has
From attending
been to serve as the
planning meetings
go-to person for my coand setting up
department
workers. To give them
training sessions to
a familiar face, address
becoming one of
their concerns and
the 56 department
Superusers, he has
answer their questions.”
embraced the new
– Dave Riege
system.
Of course, many in the department
just know him as the reassuring voice
on the other end of the phone line.
“My biggest role has been to
serve as the go-to person for my
co-workers,” Riege said. “To give
2
In fact, Riege
recently had an
opportunity to
experience Epic
firsthand, when he
went to the Sterling
Heights Medical
Center for his own
appointment.
“It was their first
day on the new
system, and I walked out of there
with a detailed folder, including
everything that had transpired during
my appointment,” Riege said. “As a
patient, this was a great experience.”
EYE CARE NEWS (cont’d)
STAFF MEMBER’S SKATING TEAM COMPETES AT NATIONALS
They say you can’t relive your
youth. But try telling that to Katie
Ventimiglia, clinical research
coordinator for the Department
of Ophthalmology. In February,
Ventimiglia returned to the U.S.
Synchronized Skating National
Championships – for the first time
since she was a child.
“I started figure skating when I
was 5 years old at the Fraser Figure
Skating Club (FFSC), and I competed
in several regional and national
competitions,” Ventimiglia said.
“Unfortunately, I bowed out of the
sport when I was 16 because of
injuries.”
Ten years later, in 2010, one of her
former teammates re-launched their
original Eclipse Synchronized Skating
team at the FFSC.
“I started skating again because it
was a fun way to be more active,”
Ventimiglia said. “It was also a
great way to reconnect with some
childhood friends.”
In January, Ventimiglia’s Adult
Masters Division team won the
Mid-America Synchronized Skating
Championships in Fraser and placed
second at the 2013 Midwestern
Synchronized Skating Sectional
Championships in Kalamazoo, before
placing ninth at the national event in
Plymouth in February.
Returning to the sport as an adult
has meant some time sacrifices
to juggle weekly practices. But
Ventimiglia wouldn’t have it any
other way.
“I make a commitment to my
teammates each year,” Ventimiglia
said. “We are more like a family than
a team, and it’s great to have fun
while working hard to accomplish
our goals.”
In January, Katie Ventimiglia’s Eclipse
Synchronized Skating team placed first
at the Mid-America Synchronized Skating
Championships in Fraser.
IN MEMORIAM: WILLIAM K. CARTER, O.D.
On March 26, Henry Ford lost one of its devoted colleagues when Bill Carter,
O.D., optometrist in charge of the OptimEyes Lakeside Super Vision Center,
passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. Throughout his career, Dr. Carter
worked tirelessly to provide the best eye care, including serving as chief
optometrist at Henry Ford Hospital. Dr. Carter was a graduate of Michigan State
University and the Michigan College of Optometry, and a member of the Psi
Chi Honor Society and Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society. He also was an avid
marathoner who completed more than 30 marathons, including two Boston
Marathons.
“Bill was my partner in the truest sense of the word – always looking to do only
what was best for our patients and our practice,” said Kevin Everett, M.D., senior
staff ophthalmologist with Henry Ford Eye Care Services and Medical Director of
the OptimEyes Lakeside Super Vision Center. “He will be greatly missed.”
3
EYE CARE NEWS (cont’d)
PATIENT GRATEFUL TO THERAPIST FOR POST-STROKE CARE
February 15, 2013
To Henry Ford Health System Center for Vision Rehabilitation & Research:
I have been very successful so far, as I only drive in
the day, but it affords me the chance to visit with my
86-year-old mother in the nursing home, shop, go to
lunch, etc. She gave me my life back.
This letter is being sent to give my appreciation and
thanks to my therapist Wanda for her diligence in
helping me to return to a sense of normalcy in my
life after suffering a stroke in July 2012.
The letters she gave me to put on my stove were
also so helpful. Again, please let her know that I will
forever be grateful for all that she contributed to my
recovery.
I suffered vision neglect in the left eye and peripheral vision loss. She was so patient and inspirational
as I met with her from Sept. 17 through Oct. 1, trying to accomplish my goal to be able to drive again.
Sincerely,
Appreciative Patient in Southfield
NEWS AND NOTES FROM AROUND THE DEPARTMENT
STAFF RECOGNITIONS
issue article on vision. Dr. Paul Edwards was featured in a
Crain’s Detroit Business article in March, talking about the
business of eye surgery – hospitals v. ambulatory centers.
Dr. Edwards also interviewed in April with BioPharm
Insight, an industry publication, on wet age-related
macular degeneration.
Bradley A. Stern, CRA, OCT-C, photographer for the
Department of Ophthalmology, was voted 2013 Employee
of the Year for the Farmington Road Medical Center.
Tina Kostich, for excellent customer service managing
extremely high volumes independently. Tina was awarded
a 2013 “I Care” Service Excellence Award on April 29.
Department Service Excellence Awards are provided to
employees who exhibit outstanding customer service.
These employees go above and beyond their normal call
of duty.
For PR questions, or to provide information for potential
media opportunities, including: research abstracts, unique
procedures, human interest/compelling patient stories, or
plans for a medical mission, contact Sally Ann Brown, Sr.
Public Relations Officer, sbrown2@hfhs.org, (313) 8746280.
NEW EMPLOYEES
FALL WORLD CONGRESS
The Grosse Pointe Ophthalmology location recently added
four new employees: Mary Ann Champion, COA, CMA;
Elizabeth Pullen, COMT; Sharon Whitney, CSR; and Wanda
Lawson, CSR.
Every two years, the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology
hosts The Eye, The Brain & The Auto, a research congress
dedicated to improving the understanding of the
relationship between vision and the safe operation of
motorized vehicles. This continuing education event –
up to 16.75.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM – brings
together more than 30 invited panel speakers from within
the auto industry as well as from the visual research
world. ADED has approved this program for up to 16.25
contact hours. This year’s event will take place Sept. 1618 at The Henry in Dearborn. Visit www.henryford.com/
theeyethebraintheauto for more information or
to register.
PUBLIC RELATIONS HIGHLIGHTS
Henry Ford ophthalmologists have conducted interviews
with local reporters this quarter. The DIO also is receiving
coverage.
The EyesOn Design awards at the North American
International Auto Show, given by the Detroit Institute
of Ophthalmology, were featured in The Detroit News
and numerous other publications. In January, Dr. Tina
Turner was interviewed by Health magazine for an April
4
EYE CARE NEWS (cont’d)
ALUMNA TREATS UNDERSERVED PATIENTS IN ECUADOR
Thousands of miles away in San Lorenzo, a small port town in
Ecuador, Zaiba Malik, M.D., helped to restore sight for dozens
of villagers.
During an intense week of eye examinations and operations
in an area with limited medical care, she, along with the rest
of her team of ophthalmology specialists, worked long into
each night – changing the lives of individuals and families
throughout the region.
“One man kept shaking our hands and didn’t want to leave,
says Dr. Malik, who completed her Ophthalmology residency
at Henry Ford Hospital in 2005. “When he had come in, all he
could see was blurs. Now, he’ll be able to live a productive life
once again.”
Treating the underserved is part of a family tradition that
began for Dr. Malik when she was eight years old and went on
her first medical mission trip with her parents.
“I come from a long line of physicians, and I’ve always been
interested in international health care,” Dr. Malik saai.
Two years ago, when Dr. Malik saw instructors performing
manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) at an American
Academy of Ophthalmology meeting, she knew that learning
this procedure would help prepare her for future trips. MSICS
doesn’t require the phacoemulsifier machine typically used
in modern cataract surgery, so it is ideally suited for remote
areas where there is not always access to such technology.
After taking two MSICS courses, Dr. Malik learned about
the March 2013 Ecuador trip. Taking all of the supplies they
needed with them – including two microscopes, antibiotics
and surgical supplies – Dr. Malik and her team performed
more than 65 corrective procedures, mainly MSICS, but also
some conjunctiva and eyelid repairs.
Zaiba Malik, M.D. performs cataract surgery in San Lorenzo,
Ecuador.
Medicine, Dr. Malik is continuing this instructional work,
training the next generation of physicians to care for
patients near and far.
“I really feel that it’s important to treat each patient as
an individual,” she said. “Give them the care they need,
treat them with respect and spend the time to educate.
No matter where you are in the world, patients are
appreciative when you take the time to explain things to
them so they can understand their conditions.”
Alumni Day tickets
“When you’re helping people in third-world countries,
it’s a collaborative process that goes beyond performing
surgeries,” Dr. Malik said. “We also want to make sure that
once we leave, the local ophthalmology professionals are able
to handle these types of cases. So we include them in the
procedures, helping to train them and transfer these skills.”
Now back home in Ohio, where she works as an assistant
professor at Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of
5
Don’t forget to get your tickets for the 2013 Alumni
Day Conference, which will take place at the Detroit
Institute of Arts on Saturday, June 1. This continuing
education event – up to 7.0 AMA PRA Category 1
Credit(s)TM – will feature presentations and “realtime” demonstrations that showcase the latest
research being conducted in the Ophthalmology
Department and by alumni throughout the United
States. The conference fee is waived for current
Henry Ford staff. Visit www.henryford.com/
cmeevents to register.