stop the stigma on the move

ON THE MOVE
STOP THE STIGMA
Backus pair takes on new
administrative roles / 5
New campaign seeks to stop the
negativity around mental illness / 7
THE STIGMA OF
MENTAL ILLNESS.
LET’S RIP IT TO
SHREDS.
HospiTell
TAKE THE PLEDGE AT
StopTheStigmaCT.org
Please stop using words that can make mental illness seem
scary — and start making it easier for people to get help. Take our
pledge at StopTheStigmaCT.org. Or text “Ipledge” to 313131.
backushospital.org
windhamhospital.org
VOL. 43, NO. 2
JANUARY 10, 2014
New stretchers save valuable time
when transporting LIFE STAR patients
The Windham Hospital
Emergency Department
has two new stretchers
designed to make the
transfer of patients from
the ED to LIFE STAR even
faster. Showing one off
is, from left, Christopher
Watkins, LIFE STAR Business Manager; Karen
Habig, RN, MS, Nurse Director of Cardiovascular
Services at Hartford Hospital; Marcin Dada, MD,
Associate Director of the
Chest Pain Center at
Hartford Hospital; Greg
Shangold, MD, Emergency Department Medical Director at Windham
Hospital; and William
Muskett, EMS Manager
at Windham.
A weekly newsletter for East Region employees, volunteers, patients and friends.
STORY,
PAGE 4
HOSPITELL
2
January 10, 2014
Gift Shop
BACKUS
Items of the Week
Along with local health partners, East Re
Region
gion comm
community
unity health
education efforts ar
are
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bringing
ing car
care
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where
e it’
it’s
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Here’s
e’s this w
week’s
eek’s calendar:
Sun.
1/12
Don’t wait ’til next year
T
Tues.
ues.
1/14
W
Wed.
ed.
1/15
Th
Th..
1/16
Fri.
F
ri.
1/17
Generations/
Gener
ations/
Backus
Bac
kus
Primary
Care,
Care,
St. JJoseph’s
oseph’s
Church,
Chur
ch,
Norwich
Norwic
h
8 a.m.-noon
Backus
Backus
Get Healthy
Healthy
Griswold!
Griswold!
Gris
wold
Griswold
Sr
Sr.. Ctr
Ctr..
9 a.m.-noon
Backus
Backus
Community
unity
Comm
Blood
Pressure
Clinic
main
ence
confer
conference
ooms
rrooms
1-2 p
.m.
p.m.
Windham
W
indham
Diabetes
Dia
betes
Education
Educa
tion
Class
Diabetes
Dia
betes
Classroom
Classr
oom
p.m.
orr
1-3 p
.m. o
p.m.
7-8 p
.m.
Backus
Backus
Diabetes
Diabetes
Talk
Talk
Peniel
Peniel
Church,
Church,
Greeneville
Greeneville
11 a.m.-noon
WINDHAM
Get ahead on your shopping for next
Christmas. Holiday closeout items
are now 75% off.
Mon.
1/13
Backus
Backus
Freedom
Freedom
From
From
Smoking:
Joseph’s
St. Joseph’s
Church,
Church,
Norwich
Norwich
8-9 a.m.
BOCC,
6-8 p
.m.
p.m.
W
indham
Windham
Dia
betes
Diabetes
Education
Educa
tion
Class
Diabetes
Dia
betes
Classroom
Classr
oom
p.m.
1-3 p
.m. or
or
7-8 p.m.
p.m.
They’re going fast!
Just a few holiday items left
now 60% off.
BACKUS GIFT SHOP HOURS:
MON. - WED. / 9:30 A.M. – 7:30 P.M.,
THURS. - FRI. / 9:30 A.M. – 6:30 P.M., SAT.
/ 9:30 A.M. – 4 P.M., SUN. / 1 – 4 P.M.
W
indham
Windham
Comm
unity
Community
Cancer
Support
Gr
oup
Group
JJohnson
ohnson
Room
5:30-7 p
.m.
p.m.
Sat.
Sa
t.
1/18
Below at
ague Comm.
Sprague
Spr
Ctr
Ctr..
Gener
ations/
Generations/
Bac
kus
Backus
Primary
Care
p.m.
12:30-3:30 p
.m.
Baltic
Food
ood
Baltic F
Friday
Friday
p.m.
1-3 p
.m.
Primary
Primary Care
Care | Nutritional Support | Health Scr
Screenings
eenings and Information | Access to Car
Care
e | My Health Dir
Direct
ect
The Backus family offers its condolences to
n Debra Archambault, Food and Nutrition, on the loss of her mother.
WINDHAM GIFT SHOP HOURS:
MON. - FRI. / 9A.M. - 4 P.M.
Upcoming Auxiliary
vendor sales
About HospiTell
HospiTell is published each Friday by
the Communications Departments of
The William W. Backus Hospital and
Windham Hospital. Employees, medical staff and volunteers can have HospiTell e-mailed to their homes by
sending a request to
zmcgrath@wwbh.org.
To submit news:
E-mail: publicrelations@wwbh.org
Fax: 860-892-6964
Deadline: Wednesdays at noon
Backus: Alexander Uniforms will be the
featured dealer for the next Backus Auxiliary vendor sale Friday, Jan. 24,
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the main lobby conference rooms. Items include
uniforms, shoes and more.
Windham:
Haas Sheets will be the featured dealer for the next
Auxiliary to Windham vendor sale Thursday, Feb. 13, from 9 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. in the atrium. Items include bedding of all sizes and thread counts,
and more.
All sales by each auxiliary benefits the host hospital!
HOSPITELL
January 10, 2014
3
Early impact of healthcare reform on the way
There has been much
anticipation — and debate — about how the
Affordable Care Act,
with its Medicare reimbursement cuts and insurance exchanges, will
impact the healthcare
industry in the future.
The future is now.
In Connecticut, we
have not been plagued
by the federal government’s clunky website,
because our state opted
to go with its own
health insurance exchange, which is
online at accesshealthct.com
There have been no reports of the
website woes we have read so much
about nationally, and by Jan. 1 more
than 62,000 people had signed up —
more than 34,000 for private insurance plans and nearly 28,000 for Medicaid, the state’s insurance plan for
the poor.
An extensive marketing/outreach
campaign, with the slogan “quality
healthcare coverage is now within
reach,” coupled with hospitals and
other healthcare organizations training their staff to help patients sign up
— sometimes right on the spot — has
made our first step towards a new era of
healthcare a smooth one.
But it’s only one step,
and a baby step at that.
What happens next, over
the course of the next
couple months, will provide a real-time look at
how Obamacare is impacting hospitals, physicians and, inevitably,
patients.
While early reports are
that 55% of those who
signed up in Connecticut
have private insurance plans, that is
not necessarily what we are seeing in
Eastern Connecticut. We traditionally
have a higher percentage of patients
with government insurance, which inevitably results in less reimbursement.
In addition, while the state statistics
are positive, our Access to Care staff
Dave’s
Desk
Diabetes program
set for Feb. 6
The second annual Backus Diabetes
Symposium for Healthcare Professionals is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 6, at
the Hartford HealthCare East System
Support Office, from 7:30 a.m. – 3:30
p.m.
The program is free for Backus employees and affiliates, and CEUs and
CMEs will also be provided. To learn
more, contact Lisa Gilmore, RN, MSN,
Clinical Nurse Leader, at ext. 7404.
members who were trained to help
sign patients up on accesshealthct.
com report lukewarm activity so far,
with 59 applications processed so far.
Why is all of this so important, and
why are we watching it so closely in
its early stages? Simply put, the government pays us less than it costs us
to provide care, and the number of
people with government insurance is
rising. That has very predictable financial implications. That’s why we
have been working for years to reduce
our cost structure, and why we need
to keep looking at ways to increase
value.
The future is now, and we need to
stay prepared.
That’s all for now,
Dave
20
ANN 14
APP UAL
EAL
This year, the Backus 2014 Annual Appeal will
continue to provide the most critical interventions
within our community.
The 2014 Employee Appeal will support Backus Delivers — an innovative model of “health coaching” that can help people who
are most at risk stay healthy.
Employee Appeal packets are now being distributed through
inter-office mail. For more information, please contact Gen Schies
in the Backus Office of Philanthropy and Development
at ext. 6331 or gschies@wwbh.org.
Thank you for your consideration.
Together, we can improve our region’s health.
HOSPITELL
4
January 10, 2014
New stretchers save time for LIFE STAR patients
For heart attack victims each second of early treatment is crucial. But,
for a certain population of heart attack patients
known as STEMI
patients, fast
treatment is even
more critical.
Thanks to a collaboration with the
Chest Pain Center at Hartford Hospital, the Windham Hospital Emergency
Department has two new stretchers
designed to make the transfer of pa-
COVER
STORY
tients from the ED to LIFE STAR even
faster and ensure that STEMI patients
receive the advanced life-saving
treatment they need.
Since routine ED stretchers don’t fit
into LIFE STAR, staff was required to
move patients from one stretcher to
another. During the lag time, the helicopter’s engine and rotors had to be
turned off. Now, patients can be prepared for flight on one stretcher, saving four to eight minutes. With the
new stretchers ready in the ED, LIFE
STAR can make a “hot landing” — engine and rotors still on — and save
crucial minutes before making a
seven- to 10-minute flight to Hartford
Hospital.
“On average 70 percent to 80 percent of acute heart attacks present
first to community hospitals,” said
Marcin Dada, MD, Associate Director
of the Chest Pain Center at Hartford
Hospital. “Quickly transferring these
patients to a PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) center is one of the
tools to decrease the total ischemia
time.”
MidState Medical Center has received four stretchers and Charlotte
Hungerford Hospital also received
stretchers through the collaboration
with the Chest Pain Center. Backus
does not need them because it has a
helicopter stationed on its campus.
“At a small community hospital like
Windham, many times we have to
transport the sickest of patients to
Hartford Hospital for advanced treatment,” said Greg Shangold, MD, Medical Director of the Windham Hospital
Emergency Department. “This is one
more method to enhance coordinated
care between the two hospitals.”
Junior volunteer
applications now
being taken
The Office of Volunteer and Guest
Services is accepting applications for
the Summer Junior Volunteer Program. Fifty applications have already
been received. Only the first 100 applications received will be reviewed
and approximately 50 applicants will
be called for interviews. Only complete applications will be considered.
For more information and an application, please visit backushospital.
org/volunteer.
January 10, 2014
HOSPITELL
5
Two Backus physicians accept new roles
To continue to meet the needs of a
transforming healthcare system,
Backus announces the administrative
promotion of two skilled and talented
physicians.
Robert Sidman, MD, FACEP, CPE, recently accepted the positions of Medical Director, Backus Hospital and
Chairman, Division of Medical Services. Dr. Sidman assumed these roles
as Peter Shea, MD, transitioned from
Backus Senior Vice President and
Chief Medical Officer to East Region
Vice President/Chief Medical Officer.
In these new roles, Dr. Sidman will
provide medical direction for all activity within Backus Hospital and outpatient practices.
Dr. Sidman came to Backus in 2005
as Chief of Emergency Services. Two
years ago, he took on additional responsibilities with outpatient practices.
“Bob’s experiences at Backus make
him well-suited for this new organizational role,” said Dr. Shea. “He has led
multiple successful improvement efforts including patient engagement,
standardization of care, and the implementation of the electronic health
record. His work has been truly transformative.”
“In this new role, I look forward to
serving as a change agent,” said Dr.
Sidman. “One of my primary goals is
to facilitate communication between
physicians and those who work at
Backus. I will also
focus on improving
quality and patient
safety by obtaining
meaningful measures of clinician
performance. It’s
important to help
clinicians understand their
Robert Sidman,
strengths and
MD
where opportunities for improvement lie.”
As he takes on
these roles, Dr. Sidman said he will
continue to work
clinically in the
Emergency Department because he
Nader
Bahadory, DO
enjoys practicing
medicine.
“Providing direct patient care also
helps me understand how our health
system impacts a doctor’s ability to
provide direct patient care,” said Dr.
Sidman.
As Dr. Sidman takes on his new
roles, Nader Bahadory, DO, has accepted the position of Chief of Emer-
gency Services for the Backus Emergency Department in Norwich and
the Plainfield Backus Emergency Care
Center.
According to Dr. Sidman, Dr. Bahadory is well-prepared for this role.
“I know Nader will be able to take
the ball and run with it,” said Dr. Sidman. “He has excellent clinical insight and provides high quality care.
He also has a great understanding of
the operational opportunities that
exist in the rapidly changing healthcare landscape we now practice in.”
Dr. Bahadory came to Backus in
1999 as an attending physician in the
Emergency Department and then became Associate Chief of Emergency
Services. As Chief, Dr. Bahadory will
provide medical oversight over Emergency Services in Norwich and Plainfield and is responsible for operations
in both departments. Similar to Dr.
Sidman, Dr. Bahadory will continue to
see patients in the Emergency Department.
In addition, Dr. Shea said, “Nader’s 15
years of impressive clinical work in the
Emergency Department makes him a
natural fit for this leadership role. He’s
always a team player and is well-respected across the organization.”
“I’m excited about my new role beSee ROLES, page 6
Backus Auxiliary announces merit scholarship criteria
The Backus Hospital Auxiliary will award a pool of
$10,000 in funds to at least two qualified applicants this
year as part of its annual merit scholarship program.
To be eligible, an applicant must:
n Be an employee or volunteer at The William W. Backus
Hospital, or the child, grandchild, stepchild or foster child
of same.
n Be a high school graduate by June of this current academic year, or a former scholarship winner, or a previous
applicant.
n Enroll in an accredited post-secondary school.
n Plan to pursue study in a health-related field.
n File an application between Jan. 15 and last Friday in
March.
n Provide all required credentials (transcript, letters of
reference, essay).
n Appear before the Scholarship Committee for a personal interview.
n Agree to verify to the Scholarship Committee how the
grant has been used.
To learn more and download a copy of the scholarship
form, visit backushospital.org/auxiliary or obtain a copy
in the gift shop.
HOSPITELL
6
January 10, 2014
Backus offering gastric
bypass surgery as
weight loss option
As obesity rates skyrocket in the
United States, medical treatments for
this health care epidemic are also on
the rise.
Prioritized as the number one
health issue facing our region in a
2010 health needs assessment, 28.4%
of residents in the greater Norwich
area are obese — a statistic higher
than both state and national averages.
Backus Weight Loss Center Medical
Director Mark Tousignant, MD, general
surgeon, started offering hope and
better health to bariatric patients
three years ago when he brought the
Lap-Band adjustable gastric banding
system to Backus.
Most recently, Dr. Tousignant began
offering gastric bypass as another option to patients seeking surgical
weight loss, helping round out the
continuum of bariatric care offered by
the Weight Loss Center.
“By offering gastric banding and bypass, we’re opening the doors to more
weight loss options for people in Eastern Connecticut,” said Dr. Tousignant.
Dr. Tousignant explained that a patient’s individual needs and health issues determine whether they’re a
better candidate for Lap-Band or gastric bypass.
“Gastric bypass is the preferred
method of bariatric surgery when patients have diabetes and are insulin
ROLES,
To learn more
n If you are interested in
bariatric surgery, join Dr. Tousignant at an upcoming informational session on Tuesday, Jan.
21, from 6-7 p.m. at the Backus
Outpatient Care Center at 111
Salem Turnpike in Norwich.
Registration is required by calling 860-425-8740. For more information, please visit
backushospital.org/bariatrics.
dependent,” said Dr. Tousignant. “Individuals who have metabolic disorders,
such as diabetes, have the best outcomes with bypass.”
Bozrah resident Keri Rochette leads
an active lifestyle. At 64 years old, she
balances a full-time job, home life, and
is on the go with her young grandchildren.
Being overweight, however, Rochette
admits that it was difficult to keep up.
On July 19, Rochette was one of the
first patients at Backus to have gastric
bypass. Following a consultation, nutritional counseling and check-ups
with various specialists, she was prepared to start a new chapter of her life.
“Since the surgery, I’ve lost nearly 70
pounds,” said Rochette. “This is the
first time in my life that I’ve been able
Norwich Tech teacher Keri Rochette
sports a new holiday vest that she
wore recently for the staff’s annual
holiday sweater photo. Rochette,
who recently had gastric bypass
surgery at Backus, said it’s the first
time in recent memory that she has
been able to fit into a sweater or
vest that she liked.
to shop in regular women’s sizes. I’ve
gone from a 2XL in clothing to a
medium. I even bought my first size
small.”
Rochette is appreciative of the support that she continues to receive
from all the staff at the Backus Weight
Loss Center. Registered Dietitian Joan
Sommers has taught her simple tips
to make her favorite foods and recipes
healthier.
“It’s important to remember that
surgical weight loss is not a quick fix,”
said Dr. Tousignant. “While it does
lead to reduced risk for chronic disease, it’s up to an individual to followup with regular medical
appointments, good nutrition and exercise.”
from page 5
cause we have a great team in the ED,” said Dr. Bahadory.
“On a regional and national front, we face major challenges and opportunities in healthcare. I’m looking forward to developing best practices for patient care during
these turbulent times.”
In his remarks, Dr. Bahadory also said that he’s very
pleased for Dr. Sidman.
Dr. Bahadory said, “Bob has been a great leader in the
Emergency Department. He’s forward-thinking, and I’m
looking forward to working with him on future initiatives.”
January 10, 2014
HOSPITELL
7
‘Stop the Stigma’ campaign
encourages treatment,
support for mental illness
About one in four American adults
suffers from a diagnosable mental
disorder in a given year. There are
dozens of such disorders, from depression and bipolar disorder to schizophrenia and panic attacks.
These disorders may be short-lived
or they may be lifelong, like medical
conditions such as diabetes. Most of
the time, proper treatment — such as
the options and support provided by
Hartford HealthCare’s Behavioral
Health Network — enables people
with mental illness to lead fulfilling
and productive lives.
The network — comprised of the Institute of Living, Natchaug Hospital,
Rushford and inpatient programs such
as Backus — offers comprehensive
care and programs for people living
with mental illness. One thing we cannot do alone is break down the stigma
of mental illness in our society.
Shame and discrimination can add
to the suffering of those living with
mental illness. Stigma can prevent
people from seeking treatment and
getting better, said Stephen Larcen,
Ph.D., Senior Vice President for Behavioral Health.
That’s why we have launched an
engaging public campaign to “Stop
the Stigma” as we prepare for this
year’s annual Black & Red gala on Jan.
25. Proceeds from the gala will benefit
the Institute of Living at Hartford Hospital.
We are encouraging everyone —
state officials, newsmakers, you, your
family, friends and colleagues — to
take a straightforward pledge to
change the way we think and talk
about mental illness. Our goal is to obtain 5,000 individual pledges.
“By helping combat the stigma associated with mental illness, we can
help increase the number of people
who seek treatment,” said Harold
(Hank) Schwartz, MD, Regional Vice
President and Psychiatrist-in-Chief for
the Institute of Living.
It’s a first step toward a deeper conversation about our society’s view of
behavioral health issues that our Behavioral Health Network will lead this
year.
“Loads of research has proven very
clearly that if we intervene early, we
can make a tremendous difference in
someone’s life,” said David Vaughan,
How you can help
You can help Stop the Stigma. Sign the pledge, and ask others to sign it,
too. The pledge is online at www.StopTheStigmaCT.org.
I pledge to ...
n Show compassion by reaching out to those in need of help. I will not let
anyone suffer in silence.
n Have the courage to speak up and challenge stereotypes and attitudes.
I will not tolerate or perpetuate stigma.
n Teach by sharing my own experiences with mental illness and encouraging others to share their stories with me. I will learn in order to change.
n Demand a change in how we view and address mental illness. I will
help lead the way.
THE STIGMA OF
MENTAL ILLNESS.
LET’S RIP IT TO
SHREDS.
TAKE THE PLEDGE AT
StopTheStigmaCT.org
Please stop using words that can make mental illness seem
scary — and start making it easier for people to get help. Take our
pledge at StopTheStigmaCT.org. Or text “Ipledge” to 313131.
Hartford HealthCare’s ‘Stop the
Stigma’ campaign encourages people to take a straightforward pledge
to change the way we think and talk
about mental illness.
program director for Young Adult
Services at the Institute of Living.
“The key is that we help them to accept that this is a condition you have
to manage — like diabetes, heart disease, or high cholesterol. It’s just the
way you’re made.”
Vaughan said that even for those
with major mental illnesses, treatment is often very effective.
“Traditional wisdom is that when
someone has, for example, a schizophrenia spectrum disorder, you don’t
really expect too much from them,” he
said. “But what we have found is that
in all the people that we have worked
with — 70% have returned to productive activity.”
HOSPITELL
8
January 10, 2014
Surviving and thriving
Happy Birthday
to breast cancer
survivor and
Survivors in
Fashion model
Florence Barth
who will turn 90
on Sunday, Jan.
12. She is shown
here being
escorted on stage
by Jordan Fire
Department’s Joe
Smith at the 2013
Survivors in
Fashion
Extravaganza
at Foxwoods.
Safety training starts at Windham
Eight Windham Hospital staff
members have been certified as
“Safety Starts with Me” trainers for
the HRO (High Reliability Organization) program that will begin later
this month at Windham Hospital
and run through July.
All staff members will be required
to attend one of the four-hour
classes, which will be held in the
hospital’s Bernard and Desrosier
Room. Classes will be held morning,
afternoon and evenings to accommodate all shifts. “Safety Starts with
Me” is the hospital’s patient safety
initiative to reduce preventable harm
to patients and employees. Dates
and times for classes will be announced in the coming weeks.
Backus recently completed training for approximately 2,000 staff
members and physicians.
How Hartford HealthCare Works
H3W update
n Full speed ahead: H3W work
groups are off to a great start in
2014 at Windham. There are 47
active project teams and 54 completed projects in the first quarter (Oct.1-Dec. 31). Among the
projects being undertaken: Food
and Nutrition staff is working on
rounding following tray delivery
to improve the patient experience, Security is working with
the nursing staff to create a more
effective process for tracking patient’s belongings, and the Care
Partner Program — piloted by the
Shea Unit — and the Family Advisory Council is expanding.
A culture of giving is growing
at Windham Hospital
Your gift is an investment in our future
Contact Shawn Maynard, Executive Director,
Windham Hospital Foundation, 860-456-6861
You’ve probably noticed the new
logo high up on the 120-foot smokestack at Backus’ main hospital campus. Clearly visible from Route 2 and
surrounding roads, it is one of the
many ways of showing Backus’ affiliation with Hartford HealthCare.
HOSPITELL
January 10, 2014
9
President’s Award
shared by all
Outreach partners
I want to thank Backus for their wonderful gesture of acknowledging the partnership that Sprague Community
Center has experienced with the hospital since its inception in August 2010. Unfortunately, I was unable to accept
the award personally Nov. 16 at the Annual Meeting due to
being hospitalized.
When Lee Memorial United Methodist Church began the
Outreach program at Sprague Community Center, Backus
was on board right away with the health van visiting Baltic
once a quarter. Over the past three years, our relationship
has blossomed into a wonderful partnership where every
week we have medical staff on site to conduct various
medical screenings, and clinics for our “client friends.”
Twice a month the CareVan provides primary care from
Generations for those who are in need of such services.
Currently our partnership with United Way provides 8001,500 pounds of healthy food to an average of 50-85 families weekly, (reflecting 150 plus family members) at our
“Food Friday” food distribution program. During these difficult economic times we have new families take part in our
food program every week.
In addition to the weekly “Food Friday” program, Sprague
Community Center offers a variety of opportunities for surrounding communities — seasonal programs and dinners,
art and music programs, rental of building facilities for
community groups and private events.
Though the President’s Award was focusing on me, I
want to acknowledge the commitment of the wonderful
volunteers that have freely given of their time every Friday
Brenda Keefe talks to family members during a recent
Baltic Food Friday event. Keefe was recognized by
Backus with the annual President’s Award for partnering with Backus to improve the health of the Sprague
community.
for three years. I am honored to be able to work with such a
dedicated and caring group of people from Lee Memorial
Church and the Backus staff. It is truly a team effort working together to help those in need.
The Sprague Community Center is so grateful for this opportunity of receiving the Backus Hospital President’s
Award. We will use this award to further our Community
Outreach Program at Sprague Community Center with
building improvements, increasing program offerings and
assisting us in our mounting operational costs.
Our heartfelt thanks to Backus Hospital for their continued support of our expanding Community Outreach Program at Sprague Community Center.
— Brenda J. Keefe, Outreach Coordinator,
Sprague Community Center
Staff a comfort to young patient and her mother
My daughter, Nika, had a surgery
on her ankle right before Christmas. I
wanted to let you know how nice and
caring the staff of the Same Day Surgery was to her.
The nurse who prepared her for
surgery, I believe her name was Lisa
Laporte, was very nice and cheerful to
her. Other nurses also stopped by to
say “hi” to her, even though they
didn’t know her at all.
The anesthesiologists were also
very sweet and funny. They made it a
very stress-free experience even
though it was a stressful situation.
Also at the beginning they gave her a
teddy bear to comfort her! She still
sleeps with it every night.
So I was very
thankful to everybody who took
care of her because they made
her feel special
and the center of attention.
— Anna Zubkova,
Attorney at Law, Plainfield
Like Backus Hospital at facebook.com/backushospital
HOSPITELL
10
News and
notes from the
EAG weekly prize
winner for Jan. 10
n Philip Jenkins — A-4.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Call Cathy Saunders at ext. 2105
to collect your prize.
Discount hockey
tickets in Providence
Backus Café Menu
Looking for something fun to do
when it's cold outside. Gather your
family and friends
and head to Providence for a great
night of hockey. The Bruins will challenge the Scranton Penguins Friday,
Jan. 17, at 7:05 p.m. and again Sunday,
Jan. 19, at 3:05 p.m. For great lowerlevel tickets, call Donna at ext. 4513
or e-mail dmclaughlin@wwbh.org.
Discount
movie tickets
n Discount Lisbon Landing Digiplex
movie tickets are available at the CorePlus Federal Credit Union's Backus location for $8 each.
About the EAG
n The EAG is a small team of employees who plan and coordinate fun and
discounted activities for all employees to enjoy. Contact the group by emailing the EAG Committee Group
through the Backus e-mail system.
January 10, 2014
Better Breathers
Club begins this
week at Backus
Patients living with chronic
lung diseases can now get the
support and education they need
to help them live a better quality
of life. Beginning Wednesday, Jan.
15, Backus will host the Better
Breathers Club from 2-3 p.m. in
the hospital’s Medical Office
Building conference room.
Backus registered respiratory
therapist Pat Orfitelli, who will
follow the American Lung Association’s guidelines for Better
Breathers, will facilitate the
group. The class is free and open
to the public. Registration is required by calling Backus Cardiopulmonary at 860-889-8331,
ext. 2661.
SATURDAY, Jan 11
greek chicken wrap
SUNDAY, Jan 12
stuffed sole with lemon butter
MONDAY, Jan 13
HEALTHY YOU: flank steak with brown gravy / garlic and herb oven-fried haddock /
BLUE PLATE: pierogies with onions / SOUPS: chicken noodle / creamy cauliflower
cheese / SIDES: brussel sprouts / california gold / mashed red bliss / rice pilaf
TUESDAY, Jan. 14
classic chicken caesar salad / vegetable lasagna / BLUE PLATE: ham and cheddar
scalloped potato casserole / SOUPS: pumpkin and apple bisque / sausage minestrone /
SIDES: peas and pearl onions / crinkle carrots / baked beans / curly fries
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15
beef chimichanga / the gobbler hot wrap (turkey/stuffing/ cranberry) / BLUE PLATE:
new england baked cod with lemon butter / SOUPS: beef chili / corn chowder / SIDES:
green beans / acorn squash / brown rice / traditional stuffing
THURSDAY, Jan. 16
savory carved pork loin with autumn stuffing / pasta primavera / BLUE PLATE: shepherds pie / SOUPS: french onion / polish garden / SIDES: spaghetti squash / balsamic
beets / autumn stuffing / steak fries
FRIDAY, Jan 17:
swedish meatballs with egg noodles / chicken ala king / BLUE PLATE: chef’s choice /
SOUPS: boston clam chowder / italian wedding / SIDES: california blend vegetables /
steamed spinach / egg noodles
DAILY FARE: A variety of hot paninis, cold wraps and pizza specials are available on a rotating basis
The Backus cafeteria is open daily from 6:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Hot food is served from 6:30 - 10:30 a.m.; 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; and 5 - 6:30 p.m.
January 10, 2014
HOSPITELL
11
Hyperbaric
education course
offered at BOCC
Windham Hospital welcomed its first baby of 2014 on Jan. 2.
D’El Amoro Willis was born at 5:40 p.m. weighing in at 7
pounds, 14 ounces and 19.5 inches long. He is the first child of
Nefateri Kinsler of Canterbury and Burgess Willis of Norwich.
Backus will host a hyperbaric education
course Feb. 24–28 at the Backus Outpatient
Care Center, 111 Salem Tpke. in Norwich.
The primary objective of this course is to
convey the history of diving and hyperbaric
medicine, principles of physics, physiology,
pathophysiology and medical aspects of compressing patients and attendants within a hyperbaric environment.
This is a 40-hour course to train physicians,
EMTs, RNs, and respiratory therapists to oversee hyperbaric patients. Normally costing
$1,000, this course is free to Hartford HealthCare/Backus/Windham employees.
For more information or to receive a registration form, please contact Debra Moran, RN,
CWS, Clinical Coordinator, Backus Wound
Care and Hyperbaric Center at 860-425-8700,
ext. 8703.
ENTREE: pierogie and kielbasa plate with sauerkraut / SOUPS: loaded baked potato /
soup du jour / SIDES: curly fries / peas / SANDWICH: BBQ pulled pork sandwich
TUESDAY, Jan. 14
ENTREE: spaghetti with marinara or clam sauce / chicken pot pie / SOUPS: cream of
cauliflower / soup du jour / SIDES: buttered pasta / italian seasoned zucchini and
squash / SANDWICH: hot italian cold cut grinder
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15 ENTREE: chicken picatta with lemon sauce and capers / apple crisp / SOUPS: chicken
fajita soup with black beans / soup du jour / SIDES: mashed sweet potatoes / roasted
baby carrots / SANDWICH: corned beef reuben on marble rye
THURSDAY, Jan. 16
ENTREE: pepper steak over rice / vegetarian chili over rice / SOUPS: chicken noodle /
soup du jour / SIDES: white rice / broccoli au gratin / SANDWICH: Jen and Maries
veggie burger with pineapple salsa, lettuce and tomato on a whole wheat roll
FRIDAY, Jan 17
ENTREE: guinness braised pot roast / balsamic honey salmon / SOUPS: new england
clam chowder / soup du jour / SIDES: roasted red potatoes / mixed vegetables /
SANDWICH: buffalo chicken grinder
SATURDAY, Jan 18
ENTREE: pizza by the slice / SOUP: white bean and escarole soup / SIDES: potato
wedges / green beans / SANDWICH: hamburger or cheeseburger with potato wedges
SUNDAY, Jan 19
ENTREE: greek marinated grilled chicken / SOUP: minestrone / SIDES: wild rice pilaf /
cauliflower / SANDWICH: grilled ham and cheese with tomato on texas toast
BREAKFAST: Served weekdays only and includes a variety of hot items including oatmeal, cream of wheat,
yogurt bar, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, homefries and a breakfast sandwich (Selection varies by day)
The Sumner Cafeteria at Windham Hospital is open daily from 6:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Hot food is served from 6:30 - 9:30 a.m.; 11:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.; and 5 - 6:30 p.m.
Sumner Cafeteria Menu
MONDAY, Jan 13
HOSPITELL
12
January 10, 2014
GENERAL STORE
General Store is a free classified ad section for the benefit of
East Region employees, retirees, medical staff and volunteers.
We welcome your submissions by the hospital Intranet, fax (860-892-6964), mail or by e-mailing publicrelations@wwbh.org.
The deadline for submissions to be included in each Friday’s HospiTell is Wednesday at noon.
HospiTell will include community events for not-for-profit organizations based in eastern Connecticut that are open to the
public and free of charge. We do not accept ads for real estate, firearms or personal ads. Please do not list hospital phone numbers or
hospital e-mail addresses for responses. You must submit your item weekly if you want it to appear more than one week.
To have HospiTell e-mailed to you, or for questions about the General Store, please call Shawn Mawhiney, Director of
Communications and Community Relations, at 860-889-8331, ext. 2312, or e-mail him at smawhiney@wwbh.org.
FOR SALE
2007 SUBARU OUTBACK — L.L. Bean Edition, 3.0H,
silver, 130,000 miles, new brakes/rotors, all wheels,
$11,000 or best offer. Call 860-885-9384.
TORO POWER SHOVEL — Electric, like new condition, willing to demonstrate and deliver. $75 or
best offer. Call 401-322-0882.
WOOD STOVE INSERT — Pacific Energy Summit Insert Design A. Great condition, only used three seasons. Call 860-367-7799 with best offer.
PORCELAIN DOLL COLLECTIBLES — Ashton Drake
Galleries, Picture Perfect Babies, Amish Blessings,
$50 each. Dolls and figurines come in original boxes
with paperwork. Will consider reasonable offers on
multiple doll purchases. Call 860-319-6870.
MISC. ITEMS — Cuisinart Supreme Automatic Burr
Mill coffee grinder, $30. Krups Caffe Duomo
coffee/espresso/cappuccino maker, $50. Both are
new in boxes. Call 860-235-4579.
MISC. ITEMS — Cedar armoire, $275. Craftmatic
twin bed, $300. Wood desk with detachable hutch,
two shelf bookcase, $250. Two dressers, $75 each.
Call 860-423-7288.
WANTED
VOLUNTEERS — Norwich Human Services is seeking volunteers to help with free tax return preparation for low to moderate income Norwich residents.
Training is provided. Call Mary at 860-823-3780.
EVENTS
BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER — Sunday, Jan. 12, 8 - 11
a.m. at VFW Post 10004, Taylor Hill Road, Jewett City.
Fundraiser is for Maryann McGeowan Smith, eggs,
homefries, ham, French toast, sausage, gravy, biscuits, coffee, juices, all you can eat, $7 per adult, $5
per child, under 4 years old is free.
TAI CHI & QIGONG — Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Beth Jacob
Synagogue, 400 New London Tpke., Norwich.
Free introductory class. Email office@eagles
questtaichi.com or call 860-442-9462 to register.
GRISWOLD EXERCISE PROGRAM — Tuesdays and
Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Griswold Elementary
School Cafeteria, 303 Slater Ave., Jewett City. Low
impact pilates, aerobics, bring your own mats and
weights. Call 860-376-4741.
Christ Episcopal Church, 78 Washington St., Norwich. Featuring Pesky J. Nixon instrumentation.
Suggested donation is $15.
QUALITY PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS — Programs
available from birth to age 5, TVCCA Early Head Start
and Head Start, several options, morning, afternoon,
extended day. Call 860- 425-6515 for more information.
LEAD PAINT REMOVAL GRANTS AVAILABLE —
Norwich property owners, 0% deferred loan programs. For more information contact the City of
Norwich Community Development Office at 860823-3770 or visit www.norwichct.org.
CHILDCARE/PRESCHOOL OPENINGS — Open to
Windham families, no income limit, several participating centers. Call Windham Town Hall at 860465-3009 to apply or for more information.
TAX AIDE ASSISTANCE — Presently taking appointments for AARP Tax Aide Volunteers at the
Windham Senior Center on Mondays beginning Feb.
10 through April 14, 2014. Appointments will be
taken from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Call 860-423-4524
to make an appointment.
FOLK IN THE CHAPEL — Sunday, Jan. 19 at 3 p.m.,
Backus Nightingale nomination form
Please return completed form to:
Jennifer Maloney, Patient Care Services, by Jan. 24
Name of
Nominee_________________________________
Comments: _______________________________________
Unit / Dept _______________________________
___________________________________________________
Nominator _______________________________
Shift _____________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Deadline nears to nominate Nightingales
The deadline to nominate Backus
nurses for Nightingale Awards is Jan.
24. To nominate, complete the form
above. A committee of former recipients will determine the Backus
Health System’s 11 Nightingale recipients, who will be honored at the annual Nightingale Awards ceremony
this spring.
The Nightingale Awards for Excel-
lence in Nursing program, organized
by the Visiting Nurses Association of
Southeastern Connecticut, celebrates
outstanding nurses and the nursing
profession as a whole.