January 2014 NYPress - NewYork

NYPress
The newsletter for employees and friends of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital • Volume 16, Issue 1 • January 2014
Taking Steps Toward a
Healthier 2014
How NYPBeHealthy can support your health
and wellness goals
— See page 6
A Message from Dr. Corwin and Dr. Kelly
Inside This Issue
W
elcome to a new year at NewYork-Presbyterian! We hope that
you had restful holidays and enjoyed some time with family and friends. Despite the uncertainty in our environment and the
multiple external challenges we faced, 2013 was a strong year for the
Hospital. We succeeded in staying focused on our vision to deliver
the best in care and caring, and for that we thank all of you! We have
much to accomplish in the days and months ahead and we look forward to working together with our amazing physicians, nurses, managers, and staff so that we can continue to deliver the highest quality,
HERCULES project educates staff
about supply costs
NYP employees enjoy “Nutcracker”
performance
pg. 5
pg. 10
NYP/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital
pg. 10
turns 10
Dr. Robert E. Kelly and Dr. Steven J. Corwin with the 2013 Leadership Circle
Award winners. (From left) Dr. Kelly, Rose Ann Cannon, Corporate Director,
Regulatory Affairs, Patient Services Administration; Geralyn Cannella,
Director, Finance and Graduate Medical Education; Rita R. Hamburgh, PT,
Site Director, Rehabilitation Therapies, NYP/Columbia; Cheryl A. Parham, Esq.,
Director, Regulatory and Compliance Law and Associate General Counsel,
and Dr. Corwin. Founded in 2006, the Leadership Circle Award is presented
annually to directors who have worked for the Hospital for at least seven
years, embody the Hospital’s values, and consistently demonstrate exceptional performance, commitment, and leadership. This year’s winners were
honored at a dinner in December.
most compassionate care and service to our patients and families.
Our Board of Trustees has been critical to NewYork-Presbyterian’s
achievements, and having closed the final chapter of a successful
2013, it is most fitting
that we take this
opportunity to thank
John Mack for his
many years of outstanding service as
our Chairman of the
Board. Our Hospital
would not be the
John Mack
Frank Bennack
world-class institution
that it is today without Mr. Mack’s leadership and vision. He has truly
helped to make amazing things happen for our patients. He has been
a devoted and passionate Trustee serving on the Board for 21 years, 12
of them as Chairman. We are extremely fortunate that going forward,
Mr. Mack has agreed to serve as Vice Chairman, and we know that
the Hospital will continue to benefit from his guidance, dedication,
and skill. We would also like to congratulate Frank Bennack, who
has agreed to assume the role of Chairman. Mr. Bennack has served
on our Board in many capacities for over 30 years, and has been a
true champion of NewYork-Presbyterian and everything that makes us
special. As the Hospital begins a new year and the next phase of our
journey, we look forward to working closely with Mr. Bennack as he
takes the helm.
Wishing you all a very happy and healthy 2014. Here’s to another
great year ahead!
Steven J. Corwin, MD
Chief Executive Officer
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
Heard at CEO Town Hall Meeting with Dr. Corwin
NYPress
Volume 16, Issue 1
January 2014
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NYPress 2
JANUARY 2014
Will we expand our network of Hospital campuses any further?
We have made considerable progress expanding and reshaping our System so that the Hospital
is well positioned moving forward. I expect that we will get larger over time as we address the changing industry landscape and the cost pressures associated with health care reform. It will be crucial for
medical centers like ours to span significant geographic breadth in order to serve as broad a population
as possible. This will include formalizing tighter corporate relationships with System members in other
locations. I am extremely proud of our successful merger with New York Downtown Hospital, which
created our sixth campus, NewYork-Presbyterian/Lower Manhattan Hospital. We have already seen a
positive impact in the lower Manhattan community.
Are we working closely with the medical schools on creating a culture of safety?
Our goal is to instill a culture of safety in everything we do at the Hospital. To achieve this, we
need to involve all members of the team, including physicians. We want to provide our patients and their
families with a safe, reliable environment of care each and every day, and this includes all aspects of their
experience at our Hospital – clinical outcomes as well as the service they receive from each staff member.
Together, we will continue to work to achieve the best possible outcomes for our patients, protect them
from errors, and promote their healing.
How do we encourage teamwork and cooperation?
I think we can all agree that teamwork and cooperation are critical to everything we do at
NYP, and they directly affect patient care and our work environment. While I see great examples
of teamwork and cooperation around the Hospital, I believe there is always room to improve.
Teamwork doesn’t mean that we can’t have differences of opinion; it just means that everyone at all
levels of the organization is working toward a common goal. I am happy to report that we’ve made
some progress in this area, as reflected in this year’s Employee Survey results. I hope that all of us
will continue to make every effort to work collaboratively with our colleagues each day.
Robert E. Kelly, MD
President
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
To encourage open dialogue and learn
from the NYP team, Dr. Corwin meets
each month with staff across our
Hospital campuses. In late November,
he held a Town Hall Meeting with staff
from the Ambulatory Care Network,
Operations, Perioperative Services,
and Quality and Patient Safety at NYP/
Weill Cornell. Here are just a few of the
questions and answers discussed.
IT’S NOT TOO LATE
TO GET A FLU SHOT
Getting vaccinated against the flu is
the best way to protect yourself, as
well as patients and families, against
this serious illness.
This year, the New York State
Department of Health is requiring
unvaccinated health care workers
to wear surgical masks in areas
where patients may be present. As of
December 20, 2013, all unvaccinated
employees, including those who have
a medical contraindication, must wear
a mask in inpatient and outpatient
locations, lobbies, elevators, corridors,
cafeterias, gift shops, common areas,
and any other location where patients
may be present.
Employees, including those who
previously declined the flu vaccine,
can still be vaccinated free of charge
at their site’s Workforce Health &
Safety clinic.
New Appointments
Laura Forese, MD, MPH, has been named
President of NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare
System, our network of acute care hospitals,
nursing homes, and specialty institutions
across the tri-state region. In this newly created
position, Dr. Forese will lead the System’s overall
strategic direction, while Wayne Osten, Senior
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the NewYork-Presbyterian
Healthcare System, will continue overseeing day-to-day operations. Dr.
Forese assumes this responsibility in addition to her existing role as Group
Senior Vice President of NYP/Weill Cornell, in which she is ultimately
responsible for all operations at the NYP/Weill Cornell Medical Center,
NYP/Westchester, and NYP/Lower Manhattan campuses.
“During this era of significant change and complexity in the health
care environment, it will be imperative for us to continue evaluating
new opportunities to expand our services into other regions of need,”
said Steven J. Corwin, MD, CEO, in announcing Dr. Forese’s new
appointment. “Given the current landscape, I felt it was critical to fortify
our Healthcare System leadership so that we are well equipped to grow
strategically while navigating the challenges ahead.”
Cam Patterson, MD, MBA, has been appointed
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer at NYP/Weill Cornell. In his new
role, Dr. Patterson will be responsible for the
strategic direction and management of NYP/
Weill Cornell and will report to Dr. Laura
Forese. Dr. Patterson arrives from the University
of North Carolina, where he served in multiple leadership roles
including physician-in-chief at its Center for Heart and Vascular Care,
executive director of its McAllister Heart Institute, chief of the division
of cardiology, and associate dean of health care entrepreneurship.
Dr. Patterson is a clinician-scientist who has served in multiple
leadership roles. In 2000, he was recruited to the University of North
Carolina to lead its cardiovascular research institute. Having achieved
consistent success in this role, Dr. Patterson was appointed chief of
cardiology in 2005. Under his leadership, the division improved the
quality and efficiency of clinical services, enhanced and expanded
patient access, and reversed a budget deficit to become profitable.
Dr. Patterson’s success as division chief led to his appointment as the
founding physician-in-chief of the Center for Heart and Vascular Care,
a clinical care center that takes a comprehensive approach to treating
cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Patterson received his MD from Emory and
MBA from the University of North Carolina.
Anand Joshi, MD, MBA, has been
appointed Vice President, Procurement
& Strategic Sourcing. In this role, Dr.
Joshi is responsible for strategic sourcing,
purchase order management, and supply
chain logistics. Dr. Joshi joined NYP in
2004 as Clinical Procurement Director.
Most recently, he served as Corporate Director, Strategic Sourcing,
responsible for all nonclinical and clinical sourcing for the
Hospital. In addition, Dr. Joshi has played a leadership role in the
sourcing of goods and services for New York Hospital Queens and
transitioning of the supply chain at NYP/Lower Manhattan. Prior
to joining the Hospital he was a consultant with McKinsey and
Co., serving pharmaceutical, medical device, and hospital clients.
Dr. Joshi received his undergraduate degree from Harvard
University, his master of business administration from Columbia
University, and his degree in medicine from Columbia College of
Physicians and Surgeons. He was one of the founding members
of NYP’s Emerging Leadership Council and is a member of the
VHA Large IDN Supply Network. Dr. Joshi also received Modern
Healthcare’s 2007 Up and Comers Award, recognizing health care
leaders under the age of 40.
New Chief of Hematology/Oncology at NYP/Columbia
Leading physician-scientist
Gary Schwartz, MD, has been
named Chief of the Division
of Hematology/Oncology in
the Department of Medicine at
NYP/Columbia and Associate
Director for Research of the
Herbert Irving Comprehensive
Cancer Center (HICCC). Dr.
Schwartz will lead the expansion of clinical research and
patient care at HICCC, with a
focus on building a comprehensive team of physicians and
scientists to conduct research
on the full spectrum of cancers
and to bring the resulting
advances to patients. He also
will continue his research on
improving ways to treat melanoma, sarcoma, and cancers of
the gastrointestinal tract, his
areas of expertise and clinical
specialty.
Dr. Schwartz joins from
Memorial Sloan-Kettering
Cancer Center, where he
was chief of the melanoma
and sarcoma service. He also
directed the Laboratory of New
Drug Development, leading
and supporting laboratory
research in anticancer therapies
ranging from fundamental
basic research, to novel phase
I clinical trials, to molecularly
targeted treatments of organspecific cancers. His studies
are aimed at understanding the
mechanisms underlying cell
cycle and cell death, in order
to improve the effectiveness of
currently available treatments.
Many drugs that originated in
his lab are now being evaluated
in clinical trials.
Dr. Schwartz has worked
on a number of review committees for the National
Institutes of Health, has served
on the editorial boards of
various scientific journals,
and has authored nearly 200
papers and 17 book chapters.
He is a current or past member of numerous professional
societies and is the recipient
of many awards, including
the Memorial Sloan-Kettering
Burdha Award for Colon
Cancer Research, Lustgarten
Foundation for Pancreatic
Research Award, the Jeannik
M. Littlefield–AACR Award in
Metastatic Colon Cancer, and
the New York State Teaching
Award in the Empire Clinical
Research Investigator Program,
as well as many teaching
awards from Memorial
Sloan-Kettering.
Lynne Roth has been appointed Vice
President for Development. In this role,
she will oversee NYP’s principal and
major gifts programs and will help lead
strategic planning and implementation
for major development initiatives.
Ms. Roth assumes her new position
with over 30 years of management and fundraising experience at the NYP enterprise. She joined the former New York
Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in 1983 as a Development
Associate and has worked in various capacities with progressive responsibility in major gifts development and management
at both Columbia University Medical Center and NYP. During
her 12 years at NYP, she has been part of the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of several principal and major gifts.
Most recently, she served as Executive Director of Principal
and Major Gifts, leading a team that has secured a number of
gifts of over $10 million.
Ms. Roth earned her bachelor’s degree magna cum laude
in political science from Barnard College-Columbia University.
She is a member of the Women in Development Association
and the American Association of Medical Colleges.
“We are very excited to
welcome Dr. Schwartz,” said
Stephen Emerson, MD, PhD,
Director of the HICCC and the
Clyde and Helen Wu Professor
of Immunology (in Medicine)
and Professor of Microbiology
and Immunology at CUMC.
“He brings an unparalleled
background in translational
and clinical research, including
the development and testing
of new anticancer drugs. Dr.
Schwartz will be an invaluable
asset in our research efforts,
from the molecular and cellular
mechanisms of cancer, through
its unique behavior in different
tissues, to statistical aspects of
its occurrence and treatment in
large populations.”
“Patients will benefit greatly
from Dr. Schwartz’s expertise,
not only in the treatment of
melanoma, sarcoma, and cancers of the gastrointestinal tract,
but also a wide variety of solid
tumors and hematologic malignancies, through his focus on
novel agents with activity against
fundamental mechanisms of
cancer,” said Donald W. Landry,
MD, Physician-in-Chief at NYP/
Columbia and the Samuel Bard
Professor of Medicine and Chair
of the Department of Medicine
at CUMC. “Further, he brings
a keen sense of compassion
and commitment to patientcentered practice, personifying
all that we strive for in clinical
care at NewYork-Presbyterian/
Columbia.”
Kate Spaziani, JD, has joined
NYP as Vice President for
Grants and Federal Relations.
In this role, she will lead NYP’s
grant development and procurement process and will oversee
federal government relations.
Ms. Spaziani arrives at NYP with over 13 years of
legislative, legal, and government affairs experience.
For the past two years, she worked at Sachs Policy
Group as a strategic advisor to health care providers,
insurers, and think tanks on issues related to the
Affordable Care Act. She has also served as senior
policy advisor to Sen. Kent Conrad, where she led
the health policy team during the development of the
Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education
Reconciliation Act. Ms. Spaziani has held numerous
positions in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving on various committees and overseeing legislative
activities for several representatives. She received her
bachelor’s degree from Duke University and her JD cum
laude from Georgetown University.
JANUARY 2014
3 NYPress
NYP cares
Acknowledge, Apologize, and Amend
NYP Launches Service Recovery Initiative
Why Service Recovery?
Despite best efforts, NYP patients and families are sometimes disappointed with some
aspect of their patient experience. Service recovery is an attempt to “make right what
went wrong.” While NYP has had a service recovery program for some time, a new,
enhanced program, “Triple A: Acknowledge, Apologize, and Amend,’’ will be launched
in January 2014 to help educate and equip every NYP staff member. Initially presented
at the recent Leadership Boot Camp sessions, Triple A will be introduced as an
improved approach to service recovery with patients, families, and each other.
Over the next several months, all NYP employees will be introduced to this new
approach, which is based on the philosophy that all patient concerns and complaints are
a gift, all employees should feel empowered to address patient concerns and complaints
when they occur, and all employees should have the skills to address patient concerns
and complaints with empathy.
Carol Santalucia, who delivered the Leadership Boot Camp training to 2,000 NYP managers,
will soon be leading a new staff training program on service recovery.
FRONTLINE STAFF HEAR COMPLAINTS
65% of complaining patients complain
to frontline staff.
DECREASE PATIENT/FAMILY COMPLAINTS
Point-of-service issue resolution results
in a decrease of complaints.
IMPROVE THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE
Patients have a better experience when issues
are addressed before they leave.
Having a robust service recovery program is essential for several reasons. First, every
employee, regardless of job title, can positively influence the patient experience by
taking ownership of patient concerns and complaints. Second, when the Triple A:
Acknowledge, Apologize, Amend communication model is used effectively, employees
have the confidence to transform difficult situations, strengthen relationships, and build
loyalty. Third, when there has been a service disappointment or unmet expectation,
offering a sincere apology and heartfelt expression of empathy is appreciated more than
a token. And fourth, identifying the reasons for service recovery and fixing reoccurring
problems improves both the patient and employee experiences.
To help accomplish this important training, NYP has engaged Carol Santalucia,
VP of CHAMPS Patient Experience, and her team. Ms. Santalucia will be developing a
group of NYP employees to become Service Recovery Trainers in this important initiative. These NYP trainers will in turn roll out the Triple A program to their NYP colleagues in 2014. The Patient Centered Care Department is sponsoring this initiative and
welcomes any suggestions or questions. Contact Emily Marcelli at emm9025@nyp.org.
MONTH #4: Service Recovery
One of the key components of service recovery is
listening with empathy to ensure you understand the
issue you are being asked to address. This involves
demonstrating presence and giving the person your
full attention, avoiding distractions, and not thinking
about what you will do or say next. Instead, focus
on the person and the conversation at hand. Make
sure that your body language demonstrates that you
are listening. Doing things like making comfortable
eye contact, nodding, and leaning in are signs that
you are really paying attention. It is only after you
have appropriately established that you understand
the issue (acknowledged) and demonstrated that
you care that you can begin the next steps of
apologizing for and amending the situation.
Think back to last month’s focus on visiting
families and loved ones. Were there service recovery
opportunities your teams experienced while trying
to meet the needs of our families and visitors? How
might those situations have been handled differently
if the “Acknowledge, Apologize, and Amend” model
was used?
Each month, the Hospital focuses on one of the in-service guides and topics from NYP Leadership Boot Camp. Ultimately,
using these guides will help ensure NYP provides every patient and family member with an amazing experience.
NYPress 4
JANUARY 2014
A Mighty Response
to Health Reform
Knowledge Is Power: HERCULES Project Reminds Staff of Supply Costs
O
ne of the HERCULES goals is to improve NYP’s efficiency in the use of supplies
and keep supply costs to a minimum. This includes both office supplies as well as
medical supplies found in our clean supply rooms. “Compared to our industry peers,
we spend more per patient, per day than many other institutions,” says Jack Fleischer,
VP, Procurement and Strategic Sourcing. “The Supply Utilization Team has been leading efforts for the last several years to help promote awareness and create tools to help
nursing teams better understand how they are spending money across the floors. These
efforts have led to a positive financial impact on our supply costs and have ensured the
highest standards of patient care.”
In November, a pilot program got underway at eight units across NYP. The tactic was
simple: A sign was posted in the clean supply rooms with the prices of certain supplies
clearly labeled, as in a supermarket. The project built on an earlier one that started about
two years ago, in which signs were posted in the unit supply rooms with a more generic
message about the costs of supplies.
When nursing staff need supplies – for example, gloves, a urinal, or protective gowns –
the signs remind them to be conservative in what they take and to only take what is necessary. “Of course, the nurses can take whatever they need, and this project is not meant
to limit that,” says Deborah Stilgenbauer, RN, Director of Nursing, Finance, NYP/Weill
Cornell, who is the sponsor of the project. “But if staff are aware of the costs, there is less of
a tendency to take supplies that aren’t needed. Once you bring materials out of the room,
they can’t be brought back in. This results in wasted supplies, which is not only costly, but
environmentally unsound.”
“In the past, we had noticed staff taking individual pieces of equipment out of kits,
which meant we were wasting the rest of the supplies in that kit,” says Maria Estilo,
MSN, RN, Patient Care Director, Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, NYP/MSCH. Her
unit has set a goal to save at least $2 per patient per day through improved supply selection. “Since we’ve put the signs up and started talking more about supply costs, everyone
is taking an extra second to stop and think about the appropriate piece of equipment to
use.” She adds that staff now take individual items, instead of the full kit, as needed.
“We’ve started the program in the ICUs because they have relatively high supply
costs per day,” says John Holmes, RN, Patient Care Director, Greenberg 5 MICU, NYP/
Weill Cornell. Though his unit has only had the new signs up since the beginning of
November, he has already seen them make an impact. “The staff now see that some of
the items they use every day are actually quite expensive, so we’ve all become more
mindful in choosing supplies.”
Based on the success of this pilot, signage will be introduced on other units as well.
“All nursing staff can help the Hospital reach our goal of reducing supply expenses,”
adds Ms. Stilgenbauer. “Even if the exact cost of a specific item is not posted, everyone
should remember that the responsible, efficient use of medical supplies benefits the
Hospital, the staff, and ultimately, our patients.”
HERCULES is a
key Hospital-wide
initiative that is
helping us find
opportunities to
become more
efficient and enhance
our revenue, in
order to meet the
challenges of health
care reform while
continuing to provide
the highest-quality,
most compassionate
care and service to
our patients.
Share Your Ideas
(Top) Candice Smith, RN, and Glenda Ebron, RN, in a supply room in
NYP/MSCH.
(Bottom) The green sticker shows the cost of an item in a supply room in
NYP/Weill Cornell.
We need everyone’s
help, so please share
your project ideas
with your manager or
e-mail them to
hercules@nyp.org.
(Page 2 photo) Adriel Suarez in a supply room at NYP/Weill Cornell.
Multidisciplinary Effort Improves Efficiency and Satisfaction in Surgical Ophthalmology
T
he David H. Koch Ambulatory Care Center, which will
open in 2018 at the NYP/Weill Cornell campus, will
be designed to maximize efficiency and patient and staff
satisfaction. Inspired by the prospect of this new facility, the
Department of Ophthalmology at NYP/Weill Cornell recently
began to look for ways to improve processes for ambulatory
eye surgeries now, with the goal of a seamless transition into
the Ambulatory Care Center.
Under the leadership of Donald J. D’Amico, MD,
Ophthalmologist-in-Chief, NYP/Weill Cornell, and Beryl
Muniz, RN, VP, Perioperative Services, NYP/Weill Cornell, a
team of perioperative nurses, ophthalmology surgeons, and
anesthesiologists came together to create a plan to increase the
number of surgical procedures per day while also improving
patient care and comfort. The team analyzed the department’s
current ambulatory surgery practices to find inefficiencies.
The team quickly realized that ambulatory surgeries could be
managed more efficiently by moving preoperative procedures
to unused space on the 10th floor. For years, ambulatory ophthalmological surgery patients started on the 9th floor, where
they would check in and undergo preoperative preparations.
By moving this process to unused space on the 10th floor,
patients are now adjacent to their operating rooms, so there is
no elevator trip needed between the 9th and 10th floor. Not
only did this change cut down on the average amount of time
a procedure would take, it facilitated improved communication
between the preoperative and the intraoperative staff and also
spared the patient the stress of an additional transition in both
perioperative staff and location. The department also found that
it could make ambulatory surgeries faster and more comfortable
for patients by allowing them to only partially, instead of fully,
disrobe; this practice has been introduced into stand-alone
ambulatory centers in recent years and has proven to be very
safe with no increased risk of infection. Aside from improving
patient care in the present, the new protocols are designed to
be compatible with the department’s future home in the Koch
Center, making the transition to the new facility seamless.
“This has been a truly remarkable team effort by
Perioperative Services, Anesthesia, and Ophthalmology,” said
Dr. D’Amico. “NYP patients undergoing eye surgery are now
more comfortable, and their experience has been streamlined
and enhanced while eliminating unnecessary costs.” Without
adding any additional staff or lengthening work hours, patient
volume jumped from 171 ambulatory surgeries in August to 210
in October. Patients are ready to enter the OR as soon as the
previous patient’s operation has been completed. The team is
still exploring additional ways to improve, and is also sharing its
experiences regarding ambulatory procedures with other surgical departments to assist their transition to The David H. Koch
Ambulatory Care Center.
Members of the process-improvement project team in surgical ophthalmology at NYP/Weill Cornell: Mary Anne Badillo, RN, Patient Care
Director, Ambulatory Surgery, L9 Pre-Admission Testing; Marcela
Levine, RN, Patient Care Director, Ambulatory Surgery, F10 Operating
Rooms; and Dr. Donald D’Amico, Ophthalmologist-in-Chief.
JANUARY 2014
5 NYPress
Taking Steps Toward a
Healthier 2014
It’s January, a time when many people make New Year’s resolutions. From quitting
smoking to joining a gym, goals related to health and wellness are some of the most
popular. A new program for employees, NYPBeHealthy, can help keep a resolution alive
beyond January and create sustainable, even lifelong changes.
Five Tips for Fitness
• Whenever possible, take the stairs instead of
the elevator.
• Instead of sending an email or making a
phone call, take a walk and communicate
with your co-workers in person.
• Get off the subway one stop earlier, or park
further from your destination to add some
exercise to your day.
• Schedule a “walking” meeting instead of a
lunch meeting.
• Take advantage of available bike racks at
NYP, and pedal your way to work every day.
“As part of our mission as an academic medical center, NewYork-Presbyterian is
dedicated to preventing disease and improving the health and well-being of our patients,
employees, and communities,” says Jaclyn Mucaria, SVP, Ambulatory Care and Patient
Centered Services, who is overseeing the program. “The new NYPBeHealthy program
was designed specifically for employees as a way to improve and maintain health and
overall well-being.”
The program’s objectives are to engage employees in their own well-being and support
them in achieving their individual health goals; offer innovative, integrated and easily
accessible Hospital-wide programs to foster employee health and well-being; and create
a culture of caring, health, and well-being in the workplace.
The first major component of NYPBeHealthy, Healthy Lifestyles, launched at the end
of last year. This online tool allows employees to create a personalized plan focusing
on exercise, weight management, healthy eating, and other areas of health. Users can
complete a health assessment to obtain an overview of one’s health and set up an action
plan. Participants can also set up trackers to keep tabs on health, access thousands of
recipes, download a companion mobile app, and earn points to redeem for prizes.
More than 4,500 employees have already signed up for Healthy Lifestyles. To participate,
go to MyHealthyLifestyles.com and sign up to take the Well-Being Assessment.
Five Tips for Stress Relief
• Find a relaxation tip that works for you, and
make time in your schedule for it.
• Sometimes it helps to talk through a problem,
About the wellbeingGO app
Even when you’re away from your computer
you can stay connected with wellbeingGO, the
mobile companion app for Healthy Lifestyles.
The mobile app supports you as you work on your
specific areas of focus to improve your physical,
emotional, and social well-being.
The wellbeingGO app currently is available for
iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android.
NYP donors John Sicher and Robin Kellner
Sicher have a longstanding interest in
preventive health. In December, they were
thrilled to announce a major gift to support
the NYPBeHealthy initiative, which they
consider to be a perfect match with their
interests and charitable intentions.
NYPress 6
JANUARY 2014
so find a good listener.
• Take a deep breath.
• Take a time-out and temporarily remove
yourself from a stressful situation, if possible.
• Be proactive in identifying potential stressors,
and make an effort to avoid them.
ABOUT THE HEALTHY LIFESTYLES FOCUS AREAS
The Healthy Lifestyles program allows you to create personalized action plans based on the areas
of health and well-being that are most important to you. There are nine focus areas, and you can
choose up to three for your action planning.
Appointment Adherence
This focus area is designed to help and support
you as you schedule medical appointments and
stick to them. The steps you’ll find in this focus
area are scientifically designed to reinforce
positive health management skills.
Five Tips for Healthy Eating
• Start your day the right way, by eating a
well-balanced breakfast.
• Choose water over sugary drinks and
sodas, and try to drink at least eight
8-ounce glasses a day.
• Variety is the spice of life. Include a wide
range of fruits, vegetables, grains and
proteins in your daily diet.
• Whenever possible, eat whole,
unprocessed foods.
• Consider portion size
Look for the new
when serving your
NYPBeHealthy
labels on
meals and snacks.
food items in NYP’s cafeterias.
These labels identify foods that
meet criteria related to calorie
count, sodium, fat, and fiber.
Choosing these items will help
support a healthy lifestyle.
Depression Prevention
Whether you feel blue from time to time or
you have trouble getting out of bed some
mornings, everyone can use information
about dealing with depression. This focus
area is designed to guide you toward dealing
with depression in a healthy way. The steps
you’ll find in this focus area are scientifically
designed to reinforce positive depression
prevention habits.
Exercise and Fitness
This focus area will help you start thinking
about how to move toward a healthier lifestyle
that includes regular exercise. If you follow
along the path laid out for you, you can begin to
figure out new ways to make exercise a regular
part of your life.
Healthy Eating
This focus area is designed to guide you to a
healthy lifestyle that includes eating a balanced
diet and making smart food choices – even
if you’re just thinking about changing your
habits. The steps you’ll find in this focus area
are scientifically designed to reinforce positive
eating habits.
Medication Adherence
Your prescribed medications can only help you
feel better if you take them the way your doctor
instructs you to. This focus area is designed
Five Tips for Healthy Living
• Stop smoking. Check out NYP’s smoking cessation
program to learn how to finally kick the habit — and
even earn a financial reward!
• Wash your hands to prevent the spread of infection.
• Eat a balanced diet to help maintain a healthy weight.
• Make physical activity a part of your daily life.
• Get regular check-ups, and call your doctor if you
notice any changes in your medical conditions.
to help you stick to your medication schedule.
The steps you’ll find in this focus area are
scientifically designed to help you commit to
your medication routine.
Self-Care
This focus area is designed to help you manage
your health concerns and to prevent some
sicknesses before they start. The steps you’ll
find in this focus area are scientifically designed
to reinforce positive health management skills.
Stress Management
With work, family, and community responsibilities
weighing on most of us, it’s important to learn
healthy ways to manage stress. The stress
management focus area is designed to teach
you ways to deal with stress – and prevent
yourself from feeling too stressed out in the
first place. The steps you’ll find here are
scientifically designed to reinforce positive stress
management habits.
Tobacco Cessation
Whether you smoke cigarettes socially or
your reach for the pack every time you get a
minute alone, the effects of using tobacco are
seriously harmful to your health. This focus area
is designed to help you quit using all forms of
tobacco – even if you think you’re not ready to
give it up just yet.
Weight Management
This focus area is designed to guide you to
a healthy lifestyle that includes managing
your weight, even if you’re just thinking about
making changes. The steps you’ll find here
are scientifically designed to reinforce positive
weight management habits.
Visit the NYPBeHealthy Site on the Infonet
The NYPBeHealthy site is a centralized resource for
information about the many health and wellness services
available for employees. The site includes resource pages devoted to food and nutrition,
fitness, emotional well-being, and health management. It also includes links to information
about NYP employee benefit programs, special programs from Blue Cross Blue Shield, and
health information. You can access this page under the Employees section of the Infonet.
http://infonet.nyp.org/Employees/Pages/HealthWellbeing.aspx
JANUARY 2014
7 NYPress
NYP/Weill Cornell Launches New Institute to Detect and Treat Silent Heart Disease
Dr. James Min directs the new Dalio
Institute of Cardiovascular Imaging.
To help reduce the burden of
cardiovascular disease, the nation’s
leading killer, NewYork-Presbyterian
and Weill Cornell Medical College
have created the Dalio Institute of
Cardiovascular Imaging. NYP Life
Trustee Raymond T. Dalio has made
a gift of $20 million through his
Dalio Foundation in support of the
institute.
The Dalio Institute of
Cardiovascular Imaging will employ
a multidisciplinary, multimodality
approach to the detection and
treatment of heart disease, with
a focus on finding new answers
about preventing heart disease in
at-risk individuals and ultimately
save lives. Its mission – to innovate,
integrate, and educate – will be
achieved through cutting-edge
research, transformations of
current clinical paradigms, and
dissemination of knowledge.
James K. Min, MD, an expert
in cardiovascular imaging and a
physician-scientist who has led
several large-scale multicenter
clinical trials, will direct the
institute. He joins NYP/Weill
Cornell from the Cedars-Sinai
Medical Center, where he was
director of cardiac imaging research
and co-director of cardiac imaging.
He previously served at NYP/Weill
Cornell from 2005 to 2011.
Rooted in the central role
of imaging techniques to better
diagnose cardiovascular disease,
the institute will not only use
state-of-the-art tools such as MRI,
CT, and PET scanners, but will
also focus on the development of
novel next-generation technologies
and diagnostic tests. Applying a
team-based approach that draws
on the expertise of physicians and
scientists in radiology, cardiology,
genetics, proteomics, and
computational biology, the institute’s
primary research initiative is to
identify the “vulnerable plaque,” or
the specific coronary artery lesion
that is responsible for a future heart
attack or sudden cardiac death.
“The vulnerable plaque is the
holy grail in the diagnostic work-up
of individuals with suspected
coronary artery disease, and its
elusive nature has precluded the
timely treatment of millions of
high-risk individuals,” says Dr.
Min. “We will apply an array of
innovative hardware and software
imaging technologies to improve
identification of the vulnerable
plaque, and then seek to apply these
findings in large-scale multicenter
clinical trials and registries to
encourage full integration of our
research findings into clinical
practice.”
To develop the world-class
clinical program to diagnose early
cardiovascular disease, the Dalio
Institute of Cardiovascular Imaging
will use state-of-the-art imaging
technologies in conjunction with
other diagnostic tests, including
blood markers of inflammation,
protein expression, and metabolism.
The clinical program will serve
patients in the outpatient and
inpatient setting, as well as in the
Emergency Department. Three
specific initiatives within the
clinical program will emphasize
early identification of heart disease
in women, ethnic minorities, and
young patients with a family history
of premature heart disease.
The institute’s educational
mission will focus on disseminating
knowledge of the latest advances
in cardiovascular imaging through
the education of physicians,
physician trainees, and allied
health professionals through formal
didactic curricula and symposia.
“More than half of people who
die from sudden heart attacks never
knew they were at risk because
their underlying heart conditions
had never been diagnosed,” says
Dr. Min. “Many heart attacks can
be prevented if people know of
the extent and severity of their
asymptomatic heart disease and
are properly treated. By bringing
together a multidisciplinary group
of experts, the Dalio Institute of
Cardiovascular Imaging will not just
offer the latest imaging techniques
for early detection, but will also
develop disruptive technologies
to fight the battle against heart
disease. Ultimately, these pioneering
methods aim to challenge current
clinical paradigms in order to
reduce the morbidity and mortality
associated with cardiovascular
disease.”
New Psychiatric Unit Opens in NYP/Columbia’s Emergency Department
After three years of planning and construction, the new Comprehensive
Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) unit opened with a ribboncutting ceremony on October 15. The redesigned and relocated CPEP
unit is the first unit to open in the new Morgan Stanley Adult Emergency
Department and is designed to greatly improve short-term psychiatric
care at NYP/Columbia. The new unit can accommodate 24 patients, twice
the capacity of the previous CPEP. Patient rooms have been redesigned
to provide a more therapeutic environment, with individual TVs, an
enhanced therapeutic environment, and plenty of natural light. The new
unit accommodates a multidisciplinary staff, making sure that every
patient receives attentive treatment.
The new CPEP was designed and constructed with patient care and
safety in mind every step of the way. A multidisciplinary approach was
taken in designing the unit, with input from Psychiatry, Operations,
Nursing, Materials Management, and Security.
Jeffrey Lieberman, MD, Psychiatrist-in-Chief, NYP/Columbia, was
on hand to cut the ribbon along with Brett Blatter, MD, Director of
Psychiatric Emergency Services, NYP/Columbia; Andria Castellanos, SVP
and Chief Operating Officer, NYP/Milstein; Anthony Dawson, RN, VP,
Operations, NYP/Milstein; and Germaine Nelson, RN, Director of Nursing
for the NYP/Columbia Emergency Department.
Andria Castellanos, Dr. Brett Blatter, Anthony Dawson, Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman, and Germaine
Nelson cut the ribbon for the new CPEP unit.
NYPress 8
JANUARY 2014
NYPromotions
Ama Mathewos
Judy Vassell-Hendy
Coordinator, Bone Marrow
Transplant Quality
Management, BMT, NYP/ACN
NYP/ACN
Carmen Cruz
Marianne Grandusky
Staff Nurse, 6HN Oncology
Jose Lopez Santi
Perioperative Patient Care
Assistant, 3-4 Operating Rooms
Chris Maag
Certified Central Processing
Technician, Sterile Supplies
Indira Maharaj-Jain
Supervisor,
Environmental Health & Safety
Luis Molina
Judy Vassell-Hendy
Unit Assistant, 3RE Psychiatry
Senior Clinical Engineer,
Equipment Planning
Caress Pachlin
Clinical Nurse III,
McKeen 9HN/HS Surgery
NYP/COLUMBIA
Clara Alvarez
EKG Phlebotomy Technician,
Electrocardiology
Westra Atherley
Unit Assistant, 4HN Medical ICU
Dwight Perez
Patient Financial Advisor,
Patient Access
Christine Piantini
Warner Benn
Unit Assistant,
4HN Medical ICU
Supervisor,
Quality Control, Sterile Supplies
Carmen Prieto
Jennifer Blas-Perez
Supervisor,
Environmental Health & Safety
Bryant Cabrera
Laboratory Clerk Typist,
Central Processing
Rene Cobeo
Richard Collado
Unit Assistant, 6HN Oncology
Luis Cordero
Lead X-Ray Technologist,
General Radiology
Katherine Bourdier
Ty-Nisha Fitts
William Krejci
System Hardware Analyst II Information Services,
Help Desk/Client Services
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Administration
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Frances Rivera-Hernandez
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Lianne Gabriel
Ellen Kudrow
Senior Staff Nurse, Critical Care
Alex Rodriguez
Sergeant, Security
Patient Centered Care Specialist,
Patient Centered Care
NYP/MSCH
Susanna Almeida
Staff Nurse, 4 Medical Surgical
Olivia Awuni
Emergency Room Technician,
Emergency Department
Nerese Morgan Rodney
Nutrition Host, Food Services
Danielle Romero
Administrative Assistant,
7 Oncology
German Sanchez
Supervisor,
Radiology Services, 3 X-Ray
Christine Scheinman
Clinical Nurse II
Denise Wynter
Certified Medical Assistant,
7 Oncology
NYP/WEILL CORNELL
Andrew Abrahams
Patient Assistant,
Ambulatory Surgery
Senior Staff Nurse,
G3 Recovery Room
Katherine Langner
Senior Staff Nurse, 8W Burn ICU
Gregory Camacho
Adero Gaudin
Lynne Roth
Vice President, Development
Patient Care Director,
L9/F10 Ambulatory Surgery
Staff Nurse,
10N Acute Care for Elderly
Jenny Liu
Senior Staff Nurse,
5N Med/Surg
Michelle Sanders
Staff Nurse, 8C Vascular Surgery
Mariel Carney
Terrence Gibbons
Senior Staff Nurse,
6N & 6NR Pediatrics
Senior Plumber,
Plumbing
Sheila-Marie Lo
Linda Scarborough-James
Clinical Manager,
G3 Recovery Room
Staff Nurse, 7N Obstetrics
Richard Cassa
Ashley Giustino
Chief Physician Assistant,
Neurology
Accountant, General Accounting
Kate Lyn Maccarriello
Nurse Clinician,
Critical Care - Medical Team
Maria Celic
Inventory Control Analyst,
Pharmacy
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General Accounting
Vanessa Cheng
Komal Gopie
Jonathan Gosnay
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Operating Room
Jonathan Mahabir
Project Leader - Information
Services, CPOE
Senior Respiratory Fit Testing
Technician,
Workforce Health & Safety
John Matkowski
Alexandra Snyder
Staff Nurse,
Critical Care Surgical Team
Senior Staff Nurse,
2W Neuro Step Down
Clarice Chow
Elaine Greenberg
Talent Sourcing Specialist,
Talent Acquisition/HR
Manager,
Transfer Access Center
LaToya McDonald
Olivia Song
Office Assistant,
Payne Whitney Nursing
Lab Technologist, Central Lab
Peggy Collins
Abiola Hazzard
Senior Staff Nurse Float Staff,
Critical Care
Staff Nurse, Pediatric ICU
Shari Nadel
Black Belt Z2, Revenue Cycle
Eileen Coltrinari
Chief Physician Assistant,
Hematology/Oncology
Senior Staff Nurse,
2SW Neuro ICU
Woodeline Dagrin
Mental Health Worker,
Comprehensive Psychiatric
Emergency Program
Francesca DiPasquale
Senior Staff Nurse, 2W Neuro
Step Down
Courtney Distefano
Jeremy Heinerich
Barbara Hess
Nurse Clinician,
6N & 6NR Pediatrics
Megan Higgins
Senior Staff Nurse,
Ambulatory Surgery
Maxwell Humphrey
Housekeeping Aide - Floor Care,
Building Services
Cosme Taipe
Kevin Ng
Supervisor, Food & Nutrition
Senior Staff Nurse,
5N Med/Surg
Tuan Anh Nguyen
Roberto Toro
Manager - MINT, Strategy &
Regulatory Planning
Rachel Nunez
Senior Staff Nurse,
Critical Care - Medical Team
Senior Staff Nurse,
Critical Care - Medical Team
Danielle Hunton
Inventory Control Analyst,
Perioperative Services
Senior Staff Nurse, 8W Burn ICU
Codi-Ann Dyer
Isidro Jacobo
Philip Olla
Diana Beckner
Jannette Rivera
Staff Assistant,
Client Relations
Programmer Analyst III Information Services,
Clinical Info Systems
Jean Belcourt
Michele Feldman
Juan Rieta
Junior Accountant,
Computer Specialist - Information General Accounting
Services, Data Center
Zenobia Rose
Isaac Kastenbaum
Mallorie Perez
Strategy Development Manager,
Strategy & Regulatory Planning
Staff Nurse, 8C Vascular Surgery
Jolanda Kedzierski
Nicola Pinto
Controller, Accounting
Senior Physician Assistant,
Orthopedics
Manager, Major Project
Equipments, Procurement &
Strategic Sourcing
Maria Fernandez
Alanna Kendig
Adam Rio
Administrative Assistant,
Nurse Clinician, Critical Care
Facilities Design & Construction Janell King
Engineering
Guest Services Representative,
14S Med/Surg
Senior Staff Nurse, Critical Care
Mitzie Thomas
Housekeeping Aide - Floor Care,
Building Services
Charlie Wohlberg
Emergency Paramedic,
Emergency Medical Services
Tyrone Oliver
Radka Enill
Supervisor, Sterile Supplies
Deepak Srinivasan
Senior Physical Therapy
Specialist,
Rehabilitation Medicine
Bed Coordinator, Admitting
Cristina Remon
Staff Assistant,
Genetic Counseling
Margaret Sierra
Executive Assistant, Regulatory
Planning, Office Of Regulatory
Planning
Certified Central Processing
Technician, Sterile Supplies
Rosangeli Arce
Nisa Semkow
Programmer Analyst II Information Services, CPOE
Myriam Babel
Staff Nurse, 8HN Neurosurgery
Administrative Assistant,
Medical Director’s Office,
NYP/Westchester
Senior Staff Nurse,
Operating Room
Director of Budget &
Senior Staff Nurse, 7N Obstetrics Computer Specialist - Information Reimbursement,
Services, Communication Center Financial Planning
Janessa Echevarria
Office Assistant,
Anand Joshi
Anthony Otero
Payne Whitney Outpatient Child
Vice President, Procurement and Talent Sourcing Specialist,
Psychiatry
Strategic Sourcing
Talent Acquisition/HR
Section Chief Technologist,
Specialty Lab
Supervisor, Receiving
NYP/LOWER MANHATTAN
HOSPITAL
Bailey O’Keefe
Noelle Trongone
Catherine Lina Santana
Nurse Coordinator,
1RW Emergency Room
Program Coordinator,
Women’s Cancer Screening
Administrative Director,
Transplant Service Line
Certified Medical Assistant,
Medical Group Practice
Nina Ng
Yolanda Vega-Perrotte
Eileen Kang
Jennie Santos
Petrina Morgan
Eduardo Rivera
Senior Staff Nurse,
Operating Room
Performance Improvement
Unit Clerk,
Specialist, Regulatory and
Critical Care Medical Team
Quality Information Managementt Emily Brandt
Manager of Clinical Nutrition,
Food & Nutrition
Lead Ultrasound Technologist,
Ultrasound
Housekeeping Lead,
Environmental Services
Augastin Kozhimala
Operating Room Technician I,
Perioperative Services
Cheryl Thomas-Harcum
Afzal Khan
Supervisor, Operations
Lorraine Figueroa
Staff Nurse,
8N Surgical Step Down
Laboratory Technician,
Cytology Lab
Program Coordinator, Center for
Community Health and Education Audrey Jimenez
Program Coordinator,
Ama Mathewos
Women’s Cancer Screening
Coordinator, Bone Marrow
NYP/ALLEN
Eveliza Francisco
Carlos Borja
Angelita Salinas
Senior Physician Assistant,
Hematology/Oncology
Psychologist/PhD,
Peace Program
Elena Christian
Staff Nurse, 7GS Surgery
Patient Financial Advisor,
Patient Access
Marni Polansky
Staff Nurse, Critical Care
Surgical Team, NYP/Weill
Cornell
Shari Dawson
Patricia Jacotin
Transplant Quality Management,
BMT
John Matkowski
Emergency Room Technician,
Emergency Department,
NYP/MSCH
Ultrasound, NYP/Columbia
Angela Gabbidon
Ana Marin
Olivia Awuni
Patient Centered Care
Specialist, Patient Centered
Care, NYP/LMH
Street
L ead Ultrasound Technologist,
Noelle Trongone
Unit Assistant, 3RE Psychiatry,
NYP/Allen
Program Manager, WIN for Health Miosotis Fermin
Director, Operations - Network
Erika Gonzalez
Patient Financial Services,
Patient Financial Advisor,
Patient Accounts
Patient Access, 549 W. 180th
Practice Administrator,
Patient-Centered Medical Home
Afzal Khan
Human Resources reports the following promotions as of November 30.
Information Systems
Programming Specialist,
Quality Innovation and Improvement
NYP/WESTCHESTER
Marlene Campbell
Senior Staff Nurse,
Eating Disorders
Elena Christian
Administrative Assistant,
Medical Director’s Office
Marla Gordon
Psychiatric Technician,
Eating Disorders
Princess Jackson
Senior Staff Nurse,
Nichols Cottage (Pediatrics)
Robin Vellucci
Administrative Senior Staff
Nurse, Psychiatry
If you know of any promotions that have been omitted, call Human Resources at: 212-746-1448 (NYP/Weill Cornell); 212-305-5625 (NYP/Columbia).
JANUARY 2014
9 NYPress
@NYP
NEWS ABOUT PEOPLE, PLACES AND PROGRAMS AT NYP
NYP Trustee Offers a Holiday Treat to Employees
On December 11, about 200 NYP employees
and their children were treated to a
performance of “The Nutcracker,” courtesy
of Howard Solomon, a trustee of NYP. After
having brunch at Lincoln Center with Mr.
Solomon, the group headed into the David
H. Koch Theater for the classic holiday ballet
featuring George Ballanchine’s choreography
and Peter Ilyitch Tschaikovsky’s music.
“We are very grateful to Mr. Solomon for
his thoughtfulness and generosity during
this holiday season,” said Jaclyn Mucaria,
(Top right) Alan Levin, VP, Nursing and Patient Care
Services, NYP/Allen, with his daughter, Adina
(Bottom right) Dr. J. Emilio Carrillo, VP,
Community Health Development, with his
daughters, Clarisa and Elisa, and Howard
Solomon
(Bottom left) Latonia Almeyda, Executive Assistant,
Office of Strategy, with her daughter, Odyssey
(Page 2 photo) Sedrick O’Connor, Director,
HR and Employee Relations, NYP/Westchester,
with his son, Bailey
SVP, Ambulatory Care and Patient Centered
Services, who welcomed the employees and
their families at the brunch. “His support
of this event afforded many people the
opportunity to see ‘The Nutcracker’ for the
first time. It was very touching to see the
outpouring of thanks that everyone showed
him as he went around to each table.” Valrose
Lounds, Administrator of the Charles B.
Rangel Community Health Center, attended
with her niece. “This was my first time
seeing a production of ‘The Nutcracker,’” she
said. “The expectation was certainly electric,
and the performance did not disappoint.
We were transported into a child’s world
of dreams, hopes and wishes. It was an
amazing performance and we thank NYP,
the Ambulatory Care Network leadership,
and Mr. Solomon for making it all possible
for the NYP staff and their children and
loved ones.”
“Seeing ‘The Nutcracker’ was a magical
way of starting the holiday season,” said
Joseph Lorino, Corporate Director, Facilities
Project Implementation. “My daughter,
Maria, was so amazed by the performance
and enchanted by the sets. We are still
humming the tunes at home!” Melissa
Ornstein, Manager, Managed Care, NYP
Healthcare System, added, “The seats were
amazing. My daughter, Alexa, and I loved the
experience. We had a great time and it was
such a special gift.”
NYP/MSCH Celebrates Turning 10
NYP/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital
celebrated 10 years of leadership in pediatric care
with birthday celebrations in November.
More than 800 NYP/MSCH employees and
doctors attended a staff celebration on November
15 in the Wintergarden. Leadership from
Facilities, Environmental Services, Admitting,
Security, and Nursing welcomed guests with
birthday hats and beads. The parties – one for
the day shift and another for the evening shift –
featured food, a DJ booth, and raffles. Kevin
Hammeran, SVP and Chief Operating Officer of
NYP/MSCH and the Sloane Hospital for Women,
spoke at both events, thanking employees for
their service.
Later in the month, a benefit dinner was held
at The Pierre in Manhattan to celebrate not only
the 10th birthday of NYP/MSCH, but also over
a century of world-class pediatric care at NYP.
About 200 guests attended the event, which
raised funds to support NYP/MSCH pediatric
care programs. The event honored the financial
services firm Morgan Stanley and its employees
and John M. Driscoll Jr., MD, the former chief
of pediatrics and current chair of the Ethics
Committee at NYP/MSCH. Dr. Driscoll has
played an invaluable role in both research and
leadership since 1971 and was head of pediatrics
when the NYP/MSCH tower was built.
NYPress 10
JANUARY 2014
Improving Lives One
Breath at a Time
Neilys Corzo, Respiratory Therapist,
NYP/Columbia
In celebration of National Respiratory
Care Week, which was held in October,
staff from the NYP/Columbia Pulmonary
Diagnostics Unit, Center for Chest
Disease and Interstitial Lung Disease
Program, hosted a Lung Health Event
in the NYP/Milstein lobby on October
24. This event took the group’s patientcentered them of “improving lives, one
breath at a time” out of the lab to the
public in a new way. In addition to providing educational materials about various conditions which affect the lungs and
breathing, the staff from the pulmonary
diagnostics lab conducted spirometry
screening on 50 people. Spirometry is a
simple breathing test used to screen for
breathing problems. Out of 50 people
screened, several were found to need
further evaluation. Many lung problems
go undiagnosed and untreated because
people often ignore changes in their
breathing, according to the lab’s experts.
They advise anyone with shortness of
breath to see a health care provider.
COMPLIANCE
HELPLINE
To report fraud or violations
of NYP’s Code of Conduct,
call the Compliance HelpLine
at 888-308-4435.
Anonymous calls are accepted.
NYP/MSCH celebrated its 10th birthday at a staff celebration (top left and bottom) and a benefit
dinner (top right).
@NYP
NEWS ABOUT PEOPLE, PLACES AND PROGRAMS AT NYP
Judith Peabody Wellness Center Opens at
NYP/Weill Cornell’s Center for Special Studies
In late October, NYP/Weill Cornell
celebrated the dedication of the new
Judith Peabody Wellness Center, part
of the Center for Special Studies (CSS),
an HIV clinic in the Ambulatory Care
Network.
Opened in 1988, CSS was among
the first programs in New York
to be recognized as a Designated
AIDS Center by the New York State
Department of Health. Soon after
opening, CSS caught the interest of
a group of prominent New Yorkers,
including Judith Peabody. Concerned
about the toll that AIDS was taking
on New York, Mrs. Peabody advocated
on behalf of CSS and provided
Elizabeth Peabody (daughter of Samuel and Judith Peabody),
extraordinary funding to underwrite
Samuel Peabody, Dr. Jonathan L. Jacobs, and Dr. Laura Forese.
unique services and programming.
Mrs. Peabody’s contributions to people
with HIV went well beyond fundraising. At a time of widespread stigma and discrimination, she
became a national advocate and a symbol of compassion for people with HIV.
Laura Forese, MD, MPH, Group SVP of NYP/Weill Cornell and President of the NewYorkPresbyterian Healthcare System, joined Jonathan Jacobs, MD, Executive Director of the CSS, to
inaugurate the new facility. Samuel Peabody, husband of the late Mrs. Peabody, also spoke at the
dedication and was joined by his and Mrs. Peabody’s daughter, Elizabeth. After the remarks, Drs.
Forese and Jacobs presented Mrs. Peabody’s family with personalized ornamental bowls and revealed
a portrait of Mrs. Peabody.
CSS cares for a diverse population of 2,600 HIV/AIDS patients, the vast majority living at or near
the poverty level. With the opening of the Judith Peabody Wellness Center, CSS will expand its support
programs to include 12-step programs, yoga and meditation, and other services. Providers at CSS treat
both the physiological effects of HIV, including treatment side effects such as diabetes and heart disease,
as well as the psychological effects such as depression, anxiety, and exacerbation of addiction.
Core Lab at NYP/Columbia Set for State-of-the-Art Automation
In October 2013,
NYP/Columbia broke
ground on the future
site of a state-ofthe-art automated
Core Laboratory.
Currently located on
the third floor of the
Presbyterian Hospital
Building, the lab will
move to an expanded
space on the third
floor of the Harkness
Pavilion. The newly
designed space and
modular technology
will improve efficiency,
effectiveness,
Leadership and staff from the clinical laboratories and operations at NYP/Columbia:
turnaround time, and Nelly Montfort, Donald Giacomo, Irina Lutinger, Theresa Smith, Elaine Manning, Whitney
Mohammed, Hee Ja Chun, John Flanagan (back row), Anthony Dawson, Dr. Alexander
throughput by using
automated technology Kratz, Dr. Steven Spitalnik, and Roselyn Brainerd.
with sophisticated
algorithms. Manual testing will be replaced with high-speed automation, which will decrease patient
specimen analysis time and minimize required specimen volume, human handling, and sorting. This will
give clinicians accurate results with shorter turnaround times, leading to faster diagnosis and treatment.
The state-of-the-art lab is also expected to improve patient satisfaction by minimizing result wait times in
both outpatient and inpatient areas. The new Core Laboratory is set to be completed in 2015.
Awards and Honors
Mary E. D’Alton, MD, Director of Services
of the Sloane Hospital for Women of NYP/
Columbia and Chair of the Department of
Obstetrics & Gynecology and the Willard C.
Rappleye Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology
at CUMC, has been elected to the Institute of
Medicine (IOM). Election to the IOM is considered one of the highest honors in health and medicine. Seventy new
members and 10 foreign associates were elected this past year to the
IOM, an independent, nonprofit organization that works to provide
unbiased and authoritative advice to decision makers and the public.
Dr. D’Alton is a national leader in the field of maternal and fetal medicine and is widely recognized for advancing scientific techniques,
research, and policy development. Her work to advance research,
policy development, and clinical practice continues to earn her national
recognition.
Felice Schnoll-Sussman, MD, Director of the
Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health
at NYP/Weill Cornell and Assistant Professor of
Medicine at WCMC, was honored with the 2013
Achievement Award by Michael’s Mission at its
annual benefit in November. The award, presented by Katie Couric, recognizes Dr. SchnollSussman for her dedication to providing excellent care to her patients
as well as her contributions to research in gastrointestinal cancers. She
is renowned for her work in chemoprevention and ablative technologies
in Barrett’s esophagus, screening and surveillance of colorectal cancer
in high-risk patients, novel uses of endoscopic ultrasonagraphy, and
the biology and management of pancreatic cystic neoplasms. Michael’s
Mission is a nonprofit organization that is focused on improving the
quality of life and treatment options for people with colorectal cancer
through education, research, and patient support.
Patricia Rychcik, MSN, RN,
Patient Care Director of the
Medical Intensive Care Unit
(MICU) at NYP/Columbia,
was a finalist in the 2013 New
York Times “Tribute to Nurses.”
Ms. Rychcik was nominated
by Patrick Ryan, Clinical
Nurse Specialist in the MICU
at NYP/Columbia (pictured
with Ms. Rychcik), in the
innovation category. In his
nomination, Mr. Ryan highlighted Ms. Rychcik’s work on
the medical extra corporeal
membrane oxygenation program, the rapid response team, and the
early mobilization in the ICU program. He wrote, “In guiding the
Medical ICU at NYP/Columbia to prominent positions in these areas,
Patty has shown the ability to take a leading role in implementing
innovative health technology and practice while maintaining current
best practices.” He also described her as a “positive force for change”
and someone who “combines a vision of care that encompasses
the latest technical and therapeutic innovations with the grounded
experience of a veteran ICU nurse….Hers is the nurturing heart that
humanizes the high-technology medical center.” The annual “Tribute
to Nurses” feature was published in the December 8 New York Times
Magazine, and Ms. Rychcik was honored at a breakfast that weekend.
JANUARY 2014
11 NYPress
@NYP
NEWS ABOUT PEOPLE, PLACES AND PROGRAMS AT NYP
Lang Youth Medical Program Welcomes New Students
The Lang Youth Medical Program welcomed this year’s class of students with its 11th
annual white-coat ceremony in December. Sponsored by NYP, the program offers a
six-year college preparatory curriculum for middle and high school students from
Washington Heights and Inwood. The program is designed to foster an interest in
medicine and science, as well as develop self-esteem and emotional well-being. At
the ceremony, 14 seventh graders received gold pins to celebrate their induction into
the program, while a group of eighth graders received short white coats to mark their
completion of the first year in the program, and a group of tenth graders received long
white coats to mark their entry into the fourth year of the program. Eighty-one students
are currently enrolled, and 39 have graduated and are attending four-year colleges or
universities. Last year, 10 years after inspiring the founding of the program, philanthropist Eugene Lang made an additional pledge of $2 million to create an endowment in
support of program operating costs.
Uma Thurman Helps ‘Light Up’ the Lives of
NYP/Komansky Center Patients and Families
Dr. Gerald Loughlin (far left) and Uma Thurman (center) with NYP staff at the recent Light Up
A Life benefit.
Eugene Lang congratulates Abdourahman Jallow, a Lang Youth Scholar.
Actress Uma Thurman served as the honorary chair of this year’s Light Up A Life annual
family fundraiser to benefit NYP/Phyllis and David Komansky Center for Children’s
Health. This year’s Halloween celebration was held at the Field House at Chelsea
Piers in late October. The 24th annual event, which is hosted by the Pediatric Support
Committee, welcomed some 900 children and parents dressed as ghouls, goblins, ballerinas, firemen, and more. Also in attendance were leadership, physicians, and staff from
NYP/Komansky Center, including Gerald Loughlin, MD, Pediatrician-in-Chief. The festive atmosphere included games and attractions, face painting, balloon art, batting cages,
a rock-climbing wall, musical entertainment, and relay races for the kids. This year’s Light
Up A Life event raised over $315,000 to benefit various pediatric patient care programs at
NYP/Komansky Center, including the Pediatric Emergency Department, Child Life Services,
the Family Advisory Council, and the Pediatric Fellows program.
NYP Honors Florence and Herbert Irving
NYP has named Florence and Herbert Irving the inaugural recipients of the Samuel Bard Leadership Award
for Commitment to Health Care. This new award honors
individuals who have demonstrated a remarkable level of
commitment to improving health care through philanthropy and/or advocacy.
The Irvings have given over $200 million to NewYorkPresbyterian and Columbia University Medical Center
over the past three decades. They have focused their
efforts on cancer care, where their generosity has allowed
NYP/Columbia to greatly strengthen and expand cancer
services and facilities. Among those achievements are
the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, the
Irving Pavilion, the Herbert Irving Division of Child and
Adolescent Oncology, the Irving Inpatient Oncology Unit,
the Irving Radiation Oncology Center, and the Irving
Bone Marrow Transplant Unit.
“With vision, dedication, and compassion, the Irvings
have distinguished themselves in the fight against cancer,”
says Steven J. Corwin, MD, CEO, who presented the
Irvings with the award in November. “They have sought
the best in care and caring for cancer patients, offering
them both comfort and hope. We are immensely grateful
to the Irvings for their leadership and incredible generosity. Through their longstanding commitment, they have
transformed the full spectrum of cancer care at our medical center, and have touched the lives of countless patients
and families.”
The Samuel Bard Leadership
Award is NYP’s most prestigious
award. The honor is named
after Samuel Bard, who was
instrumental in founding Kings
College Medical School and New
York Hospital, two institutions
that still exist today as Columbia
University College of Physicians
and Surgeons and NewYorkPresbyterian Hospital, respectively. An influential figure in
colonial and early American medical history, Dr. Bard was George
Washington’s personal physician
and authored the first American
Florence and Herbert Irving with Dr. Steven J. Corwin, Dr. Robert Kelly, and Dr. Herbert Pardes. treatise on medical ethics.
Mila Conanan Memorial Chapel
Reopens at NYP/Allen
The Mila Conanan Memorial Chapel was recently reopened
for patients and staff of NYP/Allen after receiving an elegant
renovation. The chapel now features new furniture, wall coverings, lighting, and flooring. Rev. Joseph Collazo, Chaplain,
NYP/Allen, and Brenda Fuchs, Interior Design Coordinator,
were instrumental in conceptualizing and implementing the
renovation.
The chapel is dedicated to Mila Conanan, who was the
first nursing director of the operating rooms at NYP/Allen.
The chapel was named in her memory shortly after her death
in 1990. The nondenominational chapel is popular with staff
and patients, who use it for spiritual fulfillment and quiet
meditation.
Alan Levin, VP, Nursing/Patient Care Services, NYP/Allen; Reverend
Dr. Beth F. Glover, Corporate Director of Pastoral Care & Education;
Chaplain Leslie Kirzner, Manager, Pastoral Care and Education, NYP/
Columbia; Reverend Joseph Collazo, Chaplain, NYP/Allen; Kevin
Curtin, Director of Operations, NYP/Allen; Reverend Seigan Glassing,
Chaplain, NYP/Columbia
JANUARY 2014
12 NYPress
green pages
Benefits Corner
Employee Activities
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE
SPENDING ACCOUNT
(FSA)
If you enrolled in a Health
Care FSA for the first time during
Annual Enrollment, you should have
already received a debit card from
P&A. If you were a participant in 2013
and re-enrolled, look at the expiration
date of your debit card. Only debit
cards with a valid thru date of 12/13
were replaced. If your card is not being
replaced, it was credited on January
1, 2014, with the dollar amount you
selected for your spending account
during Annual Enrollment.
DISCOUNT TICKETS FOR
SPORTS, THEATER, AND
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Discounted sports and
family entertainment tickets are available
online from the following:
Plum Benefits
Log on to www.plumbenefits.com or call
212-660-1888, Monday through Friday,
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
TicketsAtWork.com
Log on to www.ticketsatwork.com or call
800-331-6483. The company code is NYP.
EDUCATION ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM
Reimbursement requests
for classes taken during
the Fall 2013 semester must be
submitted by February 1, 2014. Log in
to PeopleSoft/ Employee Self Service/
Education Assistance Program.
Submit the Course Completion Form
along with an official grade report
and a bursar’s receipt showing the
amount paid or, if you have a loan
agreement, the amount due. Approved
reimbursement will be processed in
payroll checks within three (3) pay
periods. Please note: Reimbursements
will not be processed if the required
Applicant & Manager Approval Form
was not submitted prior to taking the
course.
AETNA DMO PLAN
NYP employees who
selected the Aetna DMO
Dental plan for the first
time during Annual Benefits Enrollment
must select a Primary Care Dentist
(PCD). Each family member covered
must also select a PCD. To see a list
of providers, go to www.aetna.com
or if you need more information, call
877-238-6200.
NYPress 13
JANUARY 2014
Working Advantage
Log on to www.workingadvantage.com.
The NYP member ID number is 99042364.
GoldStar
Log on to www.goldstar.com.
Corporate Offers
Log on to corporateoffers.com/
corporateaccess/offers/broadway.php.
You can also access theater and sporting
events on the Infonet Employees page by clicking on Discounts and Perks under Quick Links.
MOVIE TICKETS
Discounted AMC movie
tickets can be purchased in
the Gift Shops at NYP/Weill
Cornell, NYP/Columbia, NYP/MSCH, and
NYP/Allen. If you have any questions,
please email activities@nyp.org.
EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS
Restaurant Discounts
for 38th Street
Employees
Discounts are
available in the following restaurants
convenient to 38th Street. Please be
sure to show your employee ID when
ordering or mention you are an NYP
employee when calling for take-out.
• Pazzo Pizza, located at 41st
Street and 2nd Avenue, offers a 10
percent discount.
• Aki Sushi, located on 2nd Avenue
between 38th and 39th Streets,
offers a 10 percent discount if paying
by credit card or 15 percent if paying
cash.
• Aquamarine, located on 2nd
Avenue between 38th and 39th
Streets, offers a 10 percent discount.
• Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine on 38th
Street and Lexington offers a 10
percent discount in the restaurant
and for take-out at 212-922-3576.
GREEN PAGES CONTACT INFORMATION
Benefits Corner
212-297-5771
BenefitsBridge@nyp.org
Employee Activities
212-746-5615
activities@nyp.org
Other
Green Pages News
hrweb@nyp.org
The Inn at Lake Joseph
The Inn at Lake Joseph,
just two hours from New
York City in the Sullivan
County Catskills, has exclusive offers
for NYP employees including free
nights and a spending spree getaway.
The Inn at Lake Joseph is surrounded
by a 2,000-acre forest preserve, and
guests have access to a 250-acre
private lake. You can experience
country charm with modern amenities
in a selection of 16 rooms or suites, all
with working fireplaces and whirlpool
baths, and most with private sundecks.
For more information, call 845-7919506 or visit www.LakeJoseph.com.
Disney On Ice
Join the celebration
as 65 of Disney’s
unforgettable characters
from 18 stories come to life in a
skating spectacular as Disney on Ice
celebrates 100 Years of Magic. NYP
employees receive discounts on shows
at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn
on Wednesday, January 22 (special
opening night prices starting at $15)
and Thursday, January 23 (special
pricing of $35).
The deadline for ordering tickets
is January 16, 2014. For more
information or to purchase tickets
contact: Joanne Towne,
866-248-8740, ext. 31438 or
choose option 1, or by email at
jtowne@feldinc.com.
Getting to Know You
Butnaru “Kooly” Chirea
Two Reunions, Two Decades in
the Making
Senior X-Ray Maintenance Technician, Biomedical Engineering, NYP/Columbia
Q: What is your role at NYP?
I inspect and maintain X-ray and ultrasound machines and repair them
when they need to be fixed.
Q: How long have you been at NYP, and how did you end up working here?
I’ve been here for about 13 years. Before that, I was living in Romania,
my home country. One of my Romanian friends lived in New York City
and had a small business installing X-ray machines in different medical
facilities. I worked with him for a few summers during vacation. After
three years, he found out about a job at NYP and encouraged me to
apply. First I volunteered here for two weeks, and then was offered the
job. But I was still living in Romania, and it took a year to get the visa.
Q: What do you like about your job?
I’ve always been good at fixing things, but the machines I fix here are
much more complex. I like that.
Q: How do you stay active and healthy?
I love running. I just finished my 13th marathon. My time was 4:24.
I’m still dreaming of finishing it in four hours! In fact, after the recent
marathon, I wasn’t happy with my time, so I ran a 60-kilometer race – nine
loops around Central Park!
Q: How did you get to be so active?
I started out kayaking when I still lived in Romania. Then, I took up the
most difficult sport in the world – I got married! I gained more weight
than I liked, so I started doing long-distance races. But in Romania, I
always had two jobs because the pay was low, so I didn’t have a lot of
time. Once I moved here and finished work at 3:30, I had more time
to run and play tennis. Then I joined New York Road Runners and I’ve
been participating in races with them ever since. That’s how I’ve qualified
for the marathons. Although to be honest, I didn’t officially qualify for
my first marathon in New York. I stuck a piece of white paper on my shirt
with a fake number just so I had a chance to run!
Q: One of your colleagues in Biomedical Engineering said, “Kooly is the real
deal, an amazing 70-year-old!” and that you’ve inspired others. In what way?
Well, I’m very proud to have convinced some of my co-workers to join
the Road Runners with me. Pelege Faustin, for example, has run three
marathons with me. Running is my way to keep in good health and I
would encourage anyone to run or just do something to stay active.
Q: Do you think you’ll retire soon?
Retire? What does that mean? Well, I have two grandsons in Sweden,
and I miss them terribly. So maybe in two or three years I’ll retire and
move there.
Q: And why do people call you Kooly?
My father used to call me Kooly as a Romanian nickname of Nicolae, my
middle name.
Cover photo: Mr. Chirea finishes the 2013 NYC marathon.
NYPress 14
JANUARY 2014
Lillian Sjolund-English, RN; Cristian Acevedo, Elijah’s father; Dr. Kirsten
Cleary, Ms. Tavares’ obstetrician; Rosa Taveras with her son, Elijah;
Dr. Steven Stylianos, who separated the twins in 1993 and is now
Surgeon-in-Chief of NYP/MSCH; Carmen Taveras; Dr. Amy Turitz;
Lindsay Spring; Natahalie David; Heather Duignan, RN; and Dr. Jack
Maidman, all from NYP/MSCH and Sloane Hospital for Women.
Dr. Stylianos and the late Dr. Peter Altman
with the newly separated twins in 1993.
Formerly Conjoined Twins Make Medical History at NYP – Again!
Over 20 years ago, conjoined twins Carmen and Rosa Taveras were brought to NYP/Morgan
Stanley Children’s Hospital to be separated in a groundbreaking surgery. The twins were separated by a team of 52 doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, technicians, and others in a 14-hour
operation that involved rerouting and dividing the internal organs and reconstructing the girls’
severely malformed pelvis and hips. Both Carmen and Rosa grew up to be healthy young adults,
but because of the complexity of the separation procedure, it was uncertain if the pair would
ever be able to have children of their own. In late November, however, Rosa became only the
fourth conjoined twin in history to give birth after separation. Elijah, Rosa’s baby, was delivered
via cesarean section by Kirsten Cleary, MD, Director of Antepartum Service & Perinatal Network
Hospitals, NYP/Columbia. Making the moment even more special, Steven Stylianos, MD, Surgeonin-Chief, NYP/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, and one of the lead surgeons who oversaw
Carmen and Rosa’s separation surgery in 1993, was present for Elijah’s birth. Both Elijah and Rosa
are healthy, and Rosa plans to go back to school to study criminal justice, while Carmen plans to
study nursing.
Transplant Patient Reunites with Care Team
Twenty years after receiving
a heart and double-lung
transplant at NYP/Columbia,
grateful patient Sean Kunzli
and his family came to New
York City for a celebratory
reunion with his surgeon,
Craig R. Smith, MD, and
the team that performed
this lifesaving surgery. Born
with congenital heart disease, Mr. Kunzli underwent
the risky and rare transplant
in December 1993. Today,
Mr. Kunzli is healthy and,
Sheila Ryan, Mr. Kunzli’s mother; John Siceloff and his wife, Birgit Jorgensen, NP,
according to Dr. Smith, one
who was a transplant coordinator at NYP/Columbia in 1993 and is now at
NYP/Weill Cornell; Deborah Songailo-Cottrill, Mr. Kunzli’s cousin; Dr. Craig R. Smith, of the longest surviving
Surgeon-in-Chief, NYP/Columbia; Sean Kunzli; Chelsea Kunzli, Mr. Kunzli’s daugh- recipients of a heart and
ter; Wendy Kunzli-Schaub, Mr. Kunzli’s sister; and Dr. Mark E. Ginsburg, Associate double-lung transplant.
Director of Thoracic Surgery, NYP/Columbia.