MediSys Network News

Jamaica Pediatric Patients Meet the Mets

For children everywhere, meeting a professional athlete only happens in their wildest dreams.  On Tuesday, June 26, 2007, GHI teamed up with the New York Mets to show the children of the Jamaica Hospital Pediatric Unit that dreams can become reality.  When New York Mets players Pedro Feliciano and Jose Valentine paid a visit to the kids on 2 South, our smallest patients replaced teary eyes with eyes of excitement and joy.

The players were accompanied by team mascot and fan favorite, Mr. Met. Everyone on hand for the event watched as the children of the pediatric unit enjoyed story telling, snacks, picture taking and free Mets paraphernalia - all courtesy of the first place team from Queens. 

Feliciano and Valentine also visited the bed-ridden children of the unit, presenting them with autographed hats and Mets teddy bears.

BROOKDALE'S FOURTH ANNUAL HEALTH/STREET FAIR

On Saturday, June 16th, Brookdale held its fourth annual and most successful outdoor community health/street fair organized by Workforce Engage’s “Brookdale Steppers."

People of all ages – from tots to grandparents - participated in health screenings and obtained Information from the 18 Brookdale departments that participated in the fair including the Advanced Bariatric Care Center, the Pediatric Asthma and Pediatric Obesity programs and the HIV / AIDS Treatment for Life Center just to name a few.

In addition to hospital service stations, community organizations and local vendors filled the event with 26 other tables.  There was an array of educational and fun activities for the children such as face painting, magicians, clowns, and a huge inflatable bouncer. Dr. Molar Magic, a.k.a. Bruce J. Lish, DDS, also taught the kids all about brushing their teeth while playing games with them.

Musical entertainment for the day included performances by the Brookdale Angels, daughters of staff members who have formed a dance group, and various other talented individuals from the employee ranks and surrounding community. 

“We are already starting to plan next year’s event,” said Steppers’ leader, Euline Robin, RN, Assistant Director of Nursing Education, “the staff and the community look forward to it.” 
 

Flushing Hospital Receives Donation from Local School

On Thursday, June 14, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School selected Flushing Hospital as one of only two recipients of a $500 donation. the students, who raised the funds during their annual spring concert, chose Flushing Hospital and St.Andrew Avellino’s homeless program as the beneficiaries because they wanted to see the money go to organizations that help children in the community. FHMC will utilize the donated funds to purchase arts and crafts for hospitalized children.

"What makes this donation even more heartfelt is that the students themselves were allowed to nominate and select the award recipients", stated Maria Demarinis Smilios, who was presented with the check by the students. Also on hand to congratulate Flushing Hospital were the student's parents and staff members of the school, as well as a representative from Councilman John Liu’s office. 

Flushing Hospital is extremely grateful for the generous donation and looks forward to continuing to provide quality care to the children in the Flushing community.

Palliative Care Services: It’s Better to Give Than to Receive

To the average person, a blanket is something that keeps you warm at night. To a patient receiving Palliative Care services, a blanket means that there are people who care. The blanket project was the brainchild of Felize Fox, the Palliative Care Social Work Coordinator. Fox began knitting blankets with hopes of donating them to patients with advanced end stage diseases. Thus far, thanks to organizations such as Care to Knit and Hadassah as well as other caring individuals, over 50 blankets have been knitted and donated to terminally ill patients.

For the past year when patients and their families are faced with serious illness, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center has provided Palliative Care services. Palliative Care is a medical specialty that works alongside the primary care physician in managing pain and symptoms, as well as assisting patients and their families in making complex and difficult decisions.

Palliative Care continually looks to recruit organizations and individuals to become involved with the program on a voluntary basis. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or making a donation, please call 718-206-6919.

“Dinner with the Chef” at Schulman and Schachne

Being a resident of an institute for nursing and rehabilitation doesn't mean that one loses his/her desire for fine dining in an elegant restaurant. The staff of the Schulman and Schachne Institute is always looking for ways of making life better for its residents, and so, Food and Nutrition’s Chief Clinical Manager, Laurel Esty and Executive Chef, Jeffrey Rogers, created the “Dinner with the Chef” Program to bring the thrill of “going out to dinner” back to those who are not able to do so on their own.

“Each month this dining event tempts an intimate group of residents selected by lottery with a gourmet repast, served in an elegant formal dining setting, complete with color coordinated table linen, fine china, champagne flutes, fresh flowers and a strolling musician. A professional photographer is also present to add a dinner cruise flair to the event”, explains Executive Chef, Jeffrey Rogers. 

A delectable menu is presented by the chef, with necessary accommodations for those residents with special needs.  At the June dinner, Gladys, one of the residents said, “I feel like I am in the Waldorf Astoria. I feel like I am alive again.”  This award winning event, which is intended enhance the patient and resident experience seems to have achieved its goal. 

“This program is impacting everyone at the Institute”, stated Gigi Sorensen, Associate Administrator.  “The staff is just as enthusiastic about it as the residents; everyone wants to be part of it, and they are.”

NAVIGATORS COME TO BROOKDALE

Funded through the New York City Colonoscopy Screening Grant and under the guidance of the American Cancer Society, Brookdale is now privileged to be part of the “Navigator Program”. 

The patient navigators are cancer survivors who have completed their volunteer requirements and are specially trained to visit with patients in the chemotherapy and radiation oncology outpatient units, the clinics and at the bedside, if requested.  While listening to cancer patients they will offer comfort and hope as they are able to share their personal experiences while undergoing the same treatment.  Additionally, they connect patients to much needed practical help such as obtaining information about their cancer treatment and nutrition, how to get a free wig, how to connect with a support group, assistance obtaining transportation, insurance and immigration assistance and referrals to special cancer groups such as "Look Good Feel Better" and "God's Love We Deliver".

Eulyn Wyse and Katie Gilbert are the two Navigators who alternate weekly visits to Brookdale.  “They give the patients that extra human touch and the patients love them, they are a God sent”, said Carlyse Lee RN, Nurse Manager of the Ambulatory Infusion Unit.

Trinity Luncheon – Mr. Bruce J. Flanz honoree.

On Friday June 1, 2007 the fifth annual Trinity Services luncheon was held at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach. Mr. Bruce J. Flanz, executive V.P. and COO of the MediSys Health Network was presented during the luncheon with the Renowned Health Care Leader Award. This annual luncheon is always very well attended with over 750 people enjoying a delightful afternoon. Amongst the attendees at this luncheon were Congressman Anthony Weiner, State Senator Malcolm Smith, Borough President Helen Marshall, Congressman Joseph Crowley, and the wife of our former Governor, Matilda Cuomo. 

Trinity Services, Inc. was founded in 1994 by Dr. Geraldine Chapey. It is a comprehensive community program serving Southwest Queens. It provides a van service program and an inter-generational after school program for the residents of the Rockaway peninsula as well as the Howard Beach and Ozone Park communities.

Raising the S-BAR on Communication

Creating more effective communication between caregivers directly results in better patient care.  By recently incorporating a communication model developed and employed by the United States Navy, Jamaica Hospital hopes to implement a comprehensive yet simplified means of communication between doctors and nurses that will ultimately benefit its patients.

In cooperation with the Institute for Health Initiatives, Jamaica Hospital was one of the first hospitals in the area to utilize the S.B.A.R. model of communication when it launched in May.  SBAR, short for Situation, Background, Assessment, Reccommendation, encourages participants to present patient information in a concise format.  By providing these four crucial criteria, staff can can succinctly provide one another with all the pertinent patient information including history as well as their opinions on the case. In addition to being an efficient means of communication, incorporating the SBAR model will also eliminate medical errors as well overcome any cultural or language communication barriers.

Jamaica Hospital is proud to be one of the pioneering institutions for SBAR and looks forward to the benefits of even better communication. 

MediSys Recognizes its Volunteers

The MediSys Health Network has expressed its undying gratitude to the 1,116 volunteers that provided 163,630 hours of dedicated service in 2006 during separate ceremonies held at all three hospitals. This year’s theme was VOLUNTEERS….PRICELESS TREASURES, how fitting a description for such an unselfish group of caring individuals.

JHMC honored 303 volunteers for over 42,400 hours of service on April 18th with a Recognition Ceremony.  During the ceremony, twelve volunteers received recognition for their years of service.  Three exemplary individuals were applauded with the “Shining Star Award” presented to individuals who have demonstrated interpersonal skills and dedication to their tasks beyond the call of duty.  They are, Francis Gentile from the Rehab Unit, Shamika Jenkins, junior volunteer in the ER and Rosalind Kaminsky who works with the book cart and the Pregnancy PALS program.   Team awards were presented to the Women’s Health Center and 2 South – Pediatric Unit and Playroom.

Over 150 FHMC volunteers who donated 30,100 hours in 2006 were applauded on May 2, 2007 at the annual Recognition and Awards Luncheon.  Staff from various departments decorated the room and served the honored guests. Several Departments contributed towards the purchase of 24 raffle prizes which added much excitement to the festivities. Bill Lynch, Vice President of Professional and Regulatory Affairs presented four volunteers with a special award for their generous gift of time.  They were: Maureen Chang from the Gift Shop for 17 years, Hi Soo Lee from P.A.T. for eleven years, Jose Soto from the E.R. for five years and Arthur Katz from Pathology and 3N2 for four years.

On May 17th, Brookdale recognized its volunteer corps of 663 men, women and young adults who together have donated over 91,230 hours of service to the patients, residents and staff of the hospital and the Schulman and Schachne Institute. Ten volunteers that provided between five and ten years of consecutive service received an Achievement Award; and three “Shining Stars” awards were presented.  The “Stars” are: Eugenia Barrow of the Volunteer Department, Calvin Howard of the book cart and Merrill White, from the Emergency Room Caring Links Program.  Team Awards were presented to the Pastoral Care Department and 6 Aaron for their support of the volunteers.