MediSys Network News

Dr. Mary Baldauf Receives Point of Light Award

Former President George Bush states that Points of Light are the soul of America.  They are ordinary people who reach beyond themselves to the lives of those in need, bringing hope and opportunity, care and friendship. 

The Points of Light Foundation recently merged with the Hands On Network to create the world's largest non profit volunteer network to help solve social problems.  The National Daily Point of Light Award is given each weekday to an individual or group in the country, for exemplary commitment and service to help children and youth meet the critical needs in their communities.  Dr. Mary Baldauf, Director of Pediatric Critical Care and creator of the Mentoring Thru Medicine Program with Big Brothers Big Sisters was nominated by BBBS and received this award on December 17th.  Access her profile and winner page at http://www.pointsoflight.org/awards/dpol/winner.cfm?AwardNum=3618>.

The Mentoring Thru Medicine Program has had a most favorable and positive impact in the lives of the teens (littles) and the residents/mentors (bigs) involved as well as in the medical field.   Dr. Baldauf submitted a poster on the program (Mentoring Thru Medicine: A Unique, Physician – Based Primary Violence Prevention Program in Inner City New York) that was very highly rated and selected for inclusion in the 2008 Annual Meeting of Association of Pediatric Program Directors in Honolulu in April.

Congratulations, Dr. Baldauf!

Toy Distributions Brings Holiday Cheer to Children

This holiday season, Santa wasn’t the only one visiting the Pediatrics Units at Jamaica, Flushing, and Brookdale Hospitals. Numerous city and state officials, as well as community organizations spent the last two weeks bringing holiday cheer to children in the hospital by distributing toys and other gifts to them for Christmas.

Children at Flushing Hospital received a double dose of holiday cheer when Santa, along with New York Senator Toby Ann Stavisky and Councilman John Liu, came to the hospital on the same day to distribute toys to them. That same weekend, Cub Pack 255 and Girl Scouts 4-525 gave out toys and “get well” cards and sang Christmas carols to the children. On Christmas Eve, second-graders from a local Bayside school came to give out stuffed teddy bears to children in our hospital.

The Pediatrics Unit at Jamaica Hospital received two separate visits from New York State Senator Malcolm Smith and Councilman Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. Both greeted and handed out toys to children, while wishing them a speedy recovery and a merry Christmas. The New York City Sanitation Department also dropped by to spread some seasonal joy. With large garbage bags in tow, members of the local Sanitation Department in charge of Queens West spent the first part of their visit in the playroom reading “The Night before Christmas” to the children and allowing them to take photos with Santa. After, they went room-to-room to make sure that every child received a Christmas gift.

Meanwhile, the Big Brother Big Sister organization participated in the PICU and Pediatric Pulmonary party hosted by the Mentoring thru Medicine program. Big brothers and big sisters dressed up as Santa, Mrs. Claus, elves, and reindeers to give out numerous toys to the children. Also, Neighborhood Health Providers (NHP) gave out toys and popcorn to kids in the hospital lobby.

In addition to receiving toys and gifts from officials and community organizations, a few employees went out of their way to ensure that they brought holiday cheer to the children as well.

The biggest party and donation at Brookdale Hospital was from the Baldauf family. For the past three years, Dr. Mary Baldauf, Director of Pediatric Critical Care, her mom, and siblings have donated huge amounts of toys for the kids. Many of the donated toys also supported the PICU, Pediatric Pulmonary party.

At Flushing Hospital, John Plock, Lead Technologist, Vascular Lab dressed up as Santa for the holiday party and with his own money, he bought toys and gifts for the children in the hospital and gave them out.

Brookdale, Flushing, and Jamaica Hospitals all hosted their annual Christmas parties for their staff.

To view the New York News 1 video on the New York City Sanitation Department's toy distribution at Jamaica Hospital, please visit the following link:

http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?&aid=76700&search_result=1&stid=10#

Good Morning for MediSys

On Wednesday, December 19th, ABC –TV’s Good Morning America aired a segment that focused attention on the abuses of HMOs such as United / Oxford and how these companies deny health care coverage to elder patients.  The story featured Jamaica Hospital President and CEO, David P. Rosen as well as members of the hospital’s Social Work, Nursing and Case Management Departments.

The seven-minute story chronicled the case of one, previously active and productive 77-year-old Jamaica Hospital patient who was repeatedly denied coverage for in-patient admission and rehabilitative care under Oxford Health Care’s Medicare Advantage Plan after she sustained an acute fracture of her lumbar spine.  Despite Oxford’s denial, this patient was provided all necessary care at Jamaica Hospital, and then at the Trump Pavilion for sub-acute rehabilitation.

This report, told by ABC correspondent Chris Cuomo, will hopefully raise public awareness to this national scandal and be the first step in bringing about reform to this practice of unwarranted denials. 

To see the entire segment, please click on the following link: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4025709&affil=wabc

ALERT- Good Morning America Story To Run Wednesday AM

MediSys Alert- Good Morning America story that was filmed at Jamaica Hospital, featuring hospital staff and highlighting the hospital networks battle against managed care abuse is to be featured on wednesday morning on Channel 7, ABC at 7:31AM.

If you miss it we will provide links here after it airs.

Brookdale Celebrates its Annual Gala

It was party time in the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday, December 1, as Brookdale celebrated its 86th Tribute Gala.  Over 550 friends of Brookdale, including most of the trustees, danced the night away while raising funds for the expansion and renovation of Brookdale’s Cardiac Critical Care Unit.  This expansion will further enhance the quality of care already provided to our patients with state-of-the-art equipment in a spacious area that is conducive to recovery, restfulness and privacy.

Honored was Trustee, Edward Birnbaum, President of the Associated Health Foundation for over 20 years.  The AHF has been a benefactor of Brookdale's Schulman Institute since the 1970s.  The medical honoree was Dr. I. Akiva Wulkan, Chairman of the Department of Radiology, who has successfully brought Brookdale’s technology well into the 21st Century.  Both honorees received the Brookdale Medal, the highest distinction the hospital confers. 

Trustee Richard Radutzky was Chairman of the event for the 8th year and served as master of ceremonies acknowledging the importance of the event and highlighting Brookdale’s mission to provide the highest level of patient care.

David P. Rosen, President and CEO reiterated the importance of the event and thanked the attendees for their generous philanthropy.   "Without the continued backing of our many attendees, it would be extremely difficult for Brookdale to keep up with the latest technology for our patients, and this support ensure that Brookdale remains a clinical leader in the New York metropolitan area." Click Here To See Photos Of The Event

JHMC EMT Worker Presented with Award from Borough President’s Office

On December 5th, at Queens Borough Hall, Jamaica Hospital EMT worker, Wanda Smalls, was presented with a citation of honor from Queens Borough President Helen M. Marshall. The award recognized Smalls for her relentless efforts to ensure the well-being of an elderly Queens resident and ultimately acknowledged her for going above and beyond the call of duty.

“EMT Smalls typifies what it means to be a hero,” said Ms. Marshall. “She is a real public servant and one that we can be very proud of.”

Earlier this year, Smalls responded to the home of an 81 year old woman who refused to go to the hospital despite the  poor safety and health conditions she was living in— she had no heat and electricity for two months, spoiled food in the refrigerator, and was improperly dressed for 25 degree weather.

Smalls remarkably managed to get the woman’s electricity turned back on, all the while making an earnest effort to get her to seek medical attention. After promising her that she would visit her in the hospital, bring her food, and help her get settled in once she was discharged, the woman eventually complied.

Once the patient was finally discharged, not only did Smalls take the day off from work as promised but she also cleaned out the woman’s refrigerator and collaborated with her case worker for further involvement in the patient’s care.

Because of Small’s outstanding efforts the patient now has heat, electricity, 8hr a day health care, meals on wheels, and a new friend. The hospital is extremely proud of Smalls recent honor and thanks FDNY Lt. Steven Warren, of EMS Station 54, for bringing her commendable actions to the hospital’s attention.

Flushing Hospital Holds Conferences: Some Seasoned and Some New

Two separate events, a symposium on vaccines and a behavioral conference, both held at Flushing Hospital, offered a variety of educational opportunities to MediSys clinical staff as members of the community.

On October 25th Flushing Hospital held its very first Vaccine Symposium. The conference was organized by Dr. Deborah Asnis, Director of Infection Control, Dr. Robert Crupi, Chairman Emergency Medicine and Ambulatory Care, and Frances Grochulski, CME Coordinator, Performance Improvement as a way to educate and communicate to participants the importance of Influenza, HPV, Zoster, and Pertussis vaccines.

The half day symposium featured distinguished speakers from the Department of Health, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, the VA Health System/SUNY Downstate Medical School, and Winthrop University/SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine.

Over 200 participants attended and approximately 85 MediSys employees received their flu vaccine—just in time for the start of the flu season!

Two weeks later, on November 9th, more than 180 participants from the MediSys Health Network and Flushing Community attended Flushing Hospital’s Sixth Annual Behavioral Conference, entitled “The Addictions: An Interdisciplinary Challenge for Trans-Cultural Communities.”

Happy Birthday: Stroke Centers Celebrate Five Years of Fantastic Growth

In October 2002 employees at Brookdale, Flushing, and Jamaica hospitals witnessed the beginnings of a new unit. As part of a pilot program organized by the Department of Health, the three hospitals were selected to open Stroke Units to treat patients who were specifically directed to their facilities by ambulance providers in the NYC 911 system.

Five years later, the hospitals are designated New York State Stroke Centers (officially designated in 2004) and treat approximately 1,000 combined patients each year.

“In just five years, we have accomplished so much,” explained Cira Hartley, Clinical Nurse Manager at Jamaica Hospital’s Stroke Unit. “We are simply thrilled about this milestone and so proud of the care we have been able to provide to our patients.”

David P. Rosen Speaks at Flushing Chamber of Commerce Meeting

Mr. David P. Rosen, President and CEO, MediSys Health Network, was the invited guest speaker at the November 30th Flushing Chamber of Commerce meeting. The topic of his presentation was “Good Neighbors, Good Partners,” in which he gave an overview of Flushing Hospital's role in the community.

His speech highlighted the hospital accomplishments and community involvement. He discussed the growing number of employees who reside in the area and the economic benefits Flushing Hospital brings to the neighborhood. Several examples of the hospital's community outreach and prevention efforts were also provided, including health fair participation and alliances with other non-profit organizations. In addition, Mr. Rosen boasted about individual honors bestowed upon a FHMC clinician as well as national accolades recently given to one of the hospital's clinical services.

Mr. Rosen then outlined the hospital’s recent additions and programs, which include the Bariatric Care Center, the Wound Care Center, the Grant-Funded Palliative Care Service, and the recently established Centering Pregnancy Program. New upgrades to the facility have come by way of the Endoscopy Unit, the Emergency Department and the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation facilities. And future plans involve creating a new pediatrics playroom, adding MRI services, and re-instituting radiation oncology services.

The Flushing Chamber of Commerce meetings are held monthly to discuss relevant and new information within the community. Many members of the Chamber are own also on Flushing Hospital’s Community Advisory Board. Every month, the hospital looks forward to attending these meetings in order to obtain and share information with its Flushing neighbors.

“Baskets of Cheer” from the Clinical Lab to the Community

To kick off the 2007 holiday season, the Clinical Laboratories at Brookdale Hospital once again began their labor of love by reaching out to those most in need.  The sense of community and spirit within the Brookdale Family has become a much awaited yearly tradition as baskets of non-perishable food items are assembled to be distributed to neighborhood families.  For the fourth consecutive year, several drop-off sites throughout the hospital were designated for staff donations for the “Baskets of Cheer” project and the response was even more overwhelming than past years.

  Yanick Gourdet from the Clinical Laboratory gathered her group to assemble the goods for delivery.  The group’s goal for this year was to collect sufficient food and money to surpass last year’s donation of 106 baskets.  Much to their surprise and pleasure, they were able to assemble 160 fully stocked holiday meal baskets including a $20 voucher for a turkey courtesy of the Key Food located on Church Avenue.

Off the group went to make deliveries:  40 baskets were delivered to East New York’s Community Board five, 40 to Brownsville’s Community Board 16, 47 to East Flatbush’s Community Board 17, 13 to Church of God of East Flatbush, 14 to Brookdale’s Family Care Centers and six went to needy families living around the hospital.   

“We are elated that what began as a Clinical Laboratory Department project has evolved into an annual Brookdale family tradition that officially kicks off the Holiday Season at the Hospital,” Ms. Gourdet said.