CheckUP April 2011

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In Good HandsSee what makes our Children’s ER unique, page 6

Fo l l o w u s o n Tw i t t e r | Fa c e b o o k | Yo u Tu b e2 l E H i G H V A l l E Y H E A l T H N E T W O r K

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They’re Advocates for Organ Donation 3The Higgins family helps others find meaning from tragedy

PCE: Past, Present, Future 4Ways we’re enhancing each patient’s experience

Inside the Children’s ER 6See how it was built just for kids

‘Why We’re Giving Back’ 8 Colleagues support our Children’s ER

‘April Fools’!’ 10 Memorable practical jokes

Be an Advocate 12Tell others about Better Medicine Saturdays A Guide to Our Care 13Improving access to cancer care

What’s Happening 14Responding to community event requests

Service Star of the Month 15 Christine Kucharek stops a drunk driver

Service Anniversaries 16Colleagues celebrate their years of service

iNsidE THis issuECapture our Patients’ HeartsYour attention to superior service puts patients first

Putting patients first—it’s a basic belief in health care, and something everyone in our organization has worked toward for many years. Page through this CheckUp and you’ll see plenty of examples.

On page 4, you’ll get a view of our Patient-Centered Experience journey. You’ll see how far we’ve come in five years, and what projects are planned for the future. On page 6, you’ll learn about our recently opened Children’s ER. From colorful décor to fun activities to kid-sized equipment, it’s built just for children and adolescents. And on page 8, you’ll meet colleagues who believe so strongly in our high level children’s care, they’ve donated to our Children’s ER employee fundraising campaign.

As good a job as each of us has done putting patients first, we can do even better. When our senior leadership

team looks at patient satisfaction scores across the health network, we see wide variation. Some are excellent. Others are not. Opportunities for improvement exist both in the way we interact with patients and the way we interact with each other. And as we get busier in our work, emphasizing this high level of customer service becomes even more challenging.

That’s why we’re here to help. As you read last month in CheckUp, more than 650 leaders from our health network recently attended a half-day AIDET retreat at Lehigh Valley Health Network–Mack Boulevard. There, Bob Murphy of The Studer Group explained this powerful communication tool, which encourages you to acknowledge people by name, introduce yourself, explain the duration (how long it will take to meet their needs), explain in everyday language what will happen next and thank them. These are the five fundamentals to create very satisfied patients.

While you can learn basics about AIDET by reading last December’s CheckUp online (lvhn.org/checkup), you’ll also be hearing much more about it soon. We’ll start educating managers in AIDET this month, and they’ll share their knowledge with you in the weeks to come. You’ll also be reading more about it—and how your colleagues are using it—in upcoming issues of CheckUp. I encourage you to embrace AIDET and embody it. It’s the best way to share your passion for better medicine.

Terry Capuano, R.N.Chief Operating Officer

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After donating their daughter’s organs, Betty and Charles Higgins help others find meaning from tragedy

They’re Advocates for organ Donation

Separated by an ocean, Betty Higgins, R.N., and her daughter, Jenna, loved to catch up over the phone. A doctoral candidate at the University of Sheffield in Eng-land, 25-year-old Jenna usually shared exciting news. But this call was different. Having told her mother a day earlier she had a fever, sore throat and headache, Jenna was now calling to say the headache was worse. “I never imagined it would be the last time I heard her voice,” says Betty, a Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest emergency department nurse.

Jenna had bacterial meningitis, a life-threatening inflammation of the brain lining. Within hours she was gravely ill. Betty and her husband, Charles, a Health Network Laboratories courier, were advised to come to England quickly. While a passport mix-up delayed their trip, Jenna’s doctor called with unthinkable news. Their only child was brain dead. It was June 20, 2010— Father’s Day.

“I couldn’t believe our brilliant, vibrant daughter was gone,” Betty says. She and Charles immediately decided to turn their loss into something positive. “Donate her organs,” they told the doctor. He was shocked by their generosity because organ donation rates in England are extremely low. “I know Jenna would have wanted to help as many people as possible,” Charles says. And that’s just what she did.

A 13-year-old boy, estimated to have 24 hours to live, received her liver. One kidney went to a 22-year-old man with renal failure, while her pancreas and other kidney went to a 25-year-old diabetic woman. Her lungs are helping a 54-year-old woman with emphy-sema breathe on her own for the first time in years, and her eyes will help restore sight to people with cornea problems. Even her hair was used to make wigs for cancer patients. “It’s been a relief and comfort to hear these wonderful stories,” Betty says. It's also inspired the Higginses to become advocates for organ donation.

They have done many newspaper and radio interviews in England that are having an impact on donor awareness. They hope to do the same here through public speaking and other outreach efforts. Their message is clear: Don’t wait until a crisis to think about donation. “Talk to your loved ones today if you haven't done it already,” Betty says. “Everyone needs to know that one family’s tragedy can become a miracle for many others.”

–Gerard Migliore

Spreading the word— Betty and Charles Higgins donated their daughter’s organs after she died while at college in England. An honor student and champion Irish dancer, Jenna (inset) was pursuing a doctorate in ancient European history/Celtic archeology.

April is National Donate Life Month. To learn more about organ donation, call the Gift of Life Donor Program at 800-DONORS-1 or visit www.donors1.org.


pCEIf you asked all 9,800 colleagues to define their passion for better medicine, you’d get 9,800 unique answers. Yet all the responses would have a common thread. They would reflect the work colleagues do to ensure patients and family members have the best possible experience at our health network. Helping you to provide that level of care is what our Patient-Centered Experience (PCE) journey is all about.

At two retreats in 2006, colleagues, physicians, patients and families generated more than 4,000 ideas to create the ideal experience for patients and their loved ones. Since then, our PCE team has been working to make their ideas come to life. By sharing our ideas with and collecting feedback from the PCE Advisory Council—former patients, family members and community leaders—the team ensures we’re putting the needs of patients and families first. Here’s a look at some of the things we’ve accomplished, what we’re working on now, and what you’ll be seeing in the future.

PAST, PRESEnT, FUTURE

Ways we’re enhancing each patient and family member’s experience

✔ Access care. We created the “Miles of Smiles” mobile dental van and opened the Community Health and Well-ness Center at Lehigh Valley Hospital–17th Street.

PAST

✔ Navigate our health network. We created a way-finding brochure for the Kasych Family Pavilion and maps for each hospital campus, and established valet parking at the Center for Advanced Health Care.

The pCE projects completed thus far include ways to help patients and family members:

✔ Get involved in their care. We eliminated traditional visiting hours, encourage patients to spend as much time with loved ones as they desire, established family presence and guest visitation guide-lines, and started bedside shift reporting with families present on 19 units.

PROjECTS COMPlETED: 10

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Your Guide to Lehigh Valley Health Network–Muhlenberg

Valet Parking

FREE valet parking is available at the main entrance Monday through Friday from 5:30

a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Hospital Parking

• Self-parking is free in the lot directly in front of the H.

• Patients may be dropped off and picked up at the hospital main entrance behind the H.

Westgate Drive Entrance

Take Westgate Drive to get to the Behavioral Health Science Center, hospital’s south

entrance, Good Shepherd Specialty Hospital and Banko Community Center.

Emergency Parking

Follow signs to the emergency parking lot. Patients may be dropped off and picked up

directly in front of the emergency room.

Medical Office Building Parking

97 2597 medical office building parking is available in lot 97.


63 2663 medical office builing parking is available in lot 63.


• The main hospital is also known as 2545 Schoenersville Road.

• Follow signs to parking for Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Center.

Health Spectrum Pharmacy Services

• Visitors to Health Spectrum Pharmacy Services may use 15-minute

parking spaces located in the third row in front of the H.

• Pharmacy hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Closed Sunday

Questions? Call 610-402-CARE (2273) or log on to lvhn.org

We are smoke free - inside and outside - for a healthy you.

See other side for driving directions.

✔ Plan follow-up care. We make patients’ next doctor’s appointment on 10 units.

✔ Manage serious illnesses. We expanded OACIS (Optimizing Advanced Complex Illness Support) to improve complex illness care and collaboration with the Cancer Center to include establishing a Difficult Case Resolu-tion process and a PalMS (Palliative Medicine Scholars) program.

✔ Receive culturally appropriate care. We ensure each patient’s ethnicity and language is documented at registration, provide expanded interpreter services, implemented educational programs to enhance cultural competency, and provide waiting room pagers and sign language interpreter services for patients with hearing loss.


✔ Feel welcomed. We’re implementing a standard way to greet patients, giving patients a journal (on the pilot unit) to write down questions about their care, and educating colleagues to practice AIDET (acknowledge patients, introduce yourself, describe the duration of time needed to meet their needs, explain what will happen, thank them.)

PRESEnT

FUTURE

✔ Feel comfortable in their environment. We’re identifying and renovating areas in need of repair network-wide, and piloting ways to reduce noise. levels on patient care units.

Current pCE projects help patients and families:

The newest pCE projects will help patients and families:

✔ Know a patient’s location. We’ll design a way for families to track patients through their health care experience.

✔ Navigate their care. We’ll identify the primary caregiver responsible for coordinating care for the patient during and after their hospital stay.

✔ Feel comfortable in the Children’s ER and Hackerman-Patz House. We’re examining ways to make these facilities as patient- and family-centered as possible.

✔ Identify staff. We’ll determine the best ways for patients and families to know a colleague’s role at first glance.

PROjECTS COMPlETED: 11

✔ Understand their care. We’re piloting a project in which each patient will be given a daily ROAD-MAP (Review of All Daily Medical Actions and Plans), an easy-to-read fact sheet containing information about his or her care. "P

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Enhance Your Knowledge of Patient-Centered Care Visit our Patient-Centered Experience (PCE) Sharepoint site at http://lvhsharepoint3/pcetoolkit. It contains many reference materials (articles, books, etc.) to help you provide an even higher level of patient- and family-centered care.

–Rick Martuscelli


Inside the Children’s ERSee how it was built just for kids

From a builder’s perspective, the region’s only Children’s ER at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest is a colorful and interactive place. From a caregiver’s

perspective, it’s a place where specialists provide the best possible emergency care. From a child’s perspective, it’s a place that makes you feel like a kid.

Here’s a look at what makes our Children’s ER unique.

Kid-friendly atmosphere The Children’s ER is open daily from

11 a.m. to 11 p.m., the hours children typically come to the emergency room.

Its colorful walls and fun décor help children feel less anxious. Its dedicated waiting room helps prevent the anxiety

children may feel seeing sick or injured adults.

“Want a ride?”Erin Gerhardt, R.N., takes 5-year-old Nicole (front) and 6-year-old Taylor for a spin in one of the wagons that

is used to transport children from the waiting room to a bed.

Care just for kids Board-certified pediatric emergency physician Amy Dunn, D.O., cares for 8-year-old Dylan in one of the unit’s

12 exam rooms. Each room is equipped with child-sized equipment, space for family members, a TV to help distract children,

and “laughing gas” (nitrous oxide) to help manage pain.


Walls of fun In the waiting room and treatment area, interactive video displays help distract

children from their illness or injury. Community donations, including a generous

gift from David and Jackie Jaindl, chairs of our Children’s ER fundraising

campaign, were used to create the displays.

Calming and comforting

Child-life specialist Lisa Kelly knows how to care for children like 3-year-old Georgia as painlessly as possible. She uses distraction techniques that

utilize bubbles, music, videos or sugar-coated pacifiers to manage anxiety and help children cope with the fear

associated with a hospital visit.

–Rick Martuscelli

Uncommon caregivers

Although there are only a few pediatric emergency physicians

nationwide, the Children’s ER has two of them: Amy Dunn, D.O. (right), and

Christy Salvaggio, M.D. Their education and experience prepares them to care

for any patient who comes through the Children’s ER doors.


‘Why We’re Giving Back’Colleagues tell why they’re inspired to support our Children’s ER

Do the children in your life mean everything to you? Does giving back to your community make you feel fulfilled? Do you have A Passion for Better Medicine? If you answered yes to any of these questions, please support our Children’s ER employee

fundraising campaign, “Built Just for Kids.” You can make a difference, no matter what you give. These colleagues share why they’re supporting the region’s only Children’s ER.

‘To help families’ “I worked as a nurse in another pediatric emergency room. It was awesome because it was a huge benefit to families. The doctors were specialists who knew how to quickly and accurately diagnose and treat children. Child-life specialists were there to distract children while we performed procedures. We remained focused on our patients. We didn’t have to ask families to wait while we cared for patients suffering a heart attack or stroke, which can happen in a traditional ER. As a mom, I noticed that my kids weren’t afraid to go there. When I brought my daughter there, she said, ‘At least I know you’ll be with me.’ That’s family-centered care.”

Kolleen Casey, R.N. Lehigh Valley Hospital–Muhlenberg emergency department

‘To further our mission’“Having worked in units where we care for children, I’ve seen the special care and equipment children need. So when I heard that 29,000 children will be coming to us for emergency care by 2017, I knew we needed a Children’s ER. It’s a natural progression from (founder) Leonard Pool’s original vision. Now families won’t have to travel for specialized emergency care. I also believe we should support our health network whenever we have the opportunity. If we can help our health network grow and develop, we create an even more fulfilling place to work.”

john Sokalsky clinical engineering technician


‘To make children comfortable’“At age 2, my daughter, Juliana, was diagnosed with a blood disorder and needed chemotherapy. I wasn’t working here then, so we spent a lot of time in other hospitals. When we visited traditional ERs, Juliana was uncomfortable seeing sick and injured adults. But when we went to a children’s hospital, she was much calmer. When I told Juliana, now 11, that we opened a Children’s ER, she said, ‘That’s a good idea. They’ll entertain us so the pain won’t hurt so bad. Plus, we won’t have to see other people in the waiting room.’ She knows our Children’s ER will make a difference. That’s why I’m supporting it.”

Chris Fenstermaker clinical coordinator, respiratory care services

Thus far, colleagues have contributed more than $370,000 to our Children’s ER employee fundraising campaign. We need your help to reach our $500,000 goal by May 20. You can make a contribution by clicking on the “Give Now” icon on the SSO toolbar. To learn about other ways to give, read the brochure that was mailed to your home, or contact Heather Ennis at 484-884-8737 or [email protected].

Give Now. Help Us Reach Our Goal.

‘To help future generations’“My grandmother, who was a page operator at what was then Allentown Sacred Heart Hospital (now Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest), made a donation toward the construction of the Pool Pavilion. Look what her gift evolved into. Now it’s my turn. When my children have children, I’ll find comfort in knowing the Children’s ER is there. Children deserve specialized emergency care. Imagine how you’d feel if our community only had a Children’s ER and you had to go there as an adult. You’d feel out of place—the same way kids feel in a traditional ER. That’s why a gift to the Children’s ER shows you truly care for our community.”

Deanna Shisslak parent education program coordinator

–Rick Martuscelli

Fo l l o w u s o n Tw i t t e r | Fa c e b o o k | Yo u Tu b e1 0 l E H i G H V A l l E Y H E A l T H N E T W O r K

The Infestation Exaggeration”

VICTIm: laura Transue, cosmetology services supervisor, Youthful You institute

While Transue was out, her daughter decorated Transue’s front porch with yellow warning tape that read “Do Not Enter: Insect Infestation/Board of Health.” Transue’s daughter knew her mom was worried because she hadn’t renewed her bug spraying contract. When Transue arrived home, she was shocked. Drivers slowed down to stare and a neighbor mistakenly thought the tape indicated a crime scene. Transue’s children love repaying their mother for April Fools’ Day jokes she played on them in childhood.

The out-of-the-blue Birth”UnknoWInG PRAnkSTER: Beth pretti, physical therapist, lehigh Valley Home Care

In 1997, Pretti was due to have a baby on April 30. To her surprise, her son, Evan, came early on April 1. Pretti and her husband called her mother to announce the happy news. Because it was April Fools’ Day and Pretti’s due date was four weeks away, Pretti’s mother didn’t believe them and exclaimed, “I don’t think that’s a very funny joke!” They insisted they weren’t joking and asked her to come see her new grandson. Finally, after hearing hospital sounds and a nurse talking in the background, her mother finally believed them. Evan, now 14, loves hearing the story about the day he was born.

The Holiday’s History

Who doesn’t love a good-hearted practical joke on April Fools’ Day? It’s a great way to share a laugh with family, friends and colleagues. When CheckUp asked colleagues to share their most memorable practical jokes, we found many colleagues who are excellent pranksters, and others who are easily fooled. Here are some of their stories.

‘April Fools’!’Colleagues share their most memorable practical jokes

Many theories abound about the origin of April Fools’ Day. Some say the holiday was created in the 1500s when Europe’s adoption of a new calendar changed New Year’s Day from April 1 to January 1. Those who continued to celebrate New Year’s Day on April 1 were subjected to pranks. Others attribute the day to author Geoffrey Chaucer, who referenced the holiday in Canterbury Tales, which dates back to 1392.

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Want to play an easy April Fools’ joke on family or friends? Try these simple pranks:

The Pretend Pregnancy”PRAnkSTER: Ashley donchez, telephone service representative, 402-CArE

Donchez told colleague Tina Ruhf that she was pregnant but asked her to keep the news secret until her doctor confirmed it. Throughout the day, Ruhf asked Donchez how she was feeling, and they discussed how Donchez would break the news to her parents. Ruhf also offered to make a blanket, hat and mittens for the baby. Donchez finally printed out a 402-CARE ad that shows a pregnancy test. She wrote “Not Pregnant” on the ad and left it on Ruhf's desk. Today, Ruhf and Donchez still laugh about Ruhf crocheting gifts for Donchez’s “baby.”

➜ Set all clocks in your house ahead two hours. When your family wakes up, they’ll think they overslept and are late for work or school.

➜ Serve a barely edible breakfast with green-dyed milk, vinegar for apple juice, mayonnaise for yogurt and salt in the sugar bowl.

➜ Slip a rubber band over the kitchen sink sprayer so it’s stuck in the “on” position. Aim the nozzle so it sprays onto anyone who turns on the faucet.

The Sticky Situation”PRAnkSTER: Maureen smith, r.N., short stay hospital, lehigh Valley Hospital–17th street

When her son was 14, Smith replaced his shampoo with corn syrup. After he showered, her son asked what was wrong with the shampoo. He said his hair didn’t feel clean, and even though he kept washing it, it continued to feel sticky. Smith finally came clean with the truth, and her son no longer trusts her on April Fools’ Day.

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–Lauren Fetterman


BE An AdVOCATE

Facebook – Wednesday Challenge

The Wall

Every week on our health network’s Facebook page, one of our primary care physicians posts the "Wednesday Challenge," a small lifestyle change our Facebook followers can adopt to live a healthier life. Throughout the week, followers post their experi-ences adopting the change.

A "Wednesday Challenge" example:

Take the Challenge yourself at facebook.com/lvhealthnetwork

The Buzz in Our Community• Our community got an advanced look inside our new Children’s ER

courtesy of coverage from NBC 10, Fox 29, CBS 3, 69 News (WFMZ-TV), Blue Ridge TV-13 News, Service Electric TV-2 News, The Morning Call, The Express-Times, Salisbury Patch and East Penn Press.

• 69 News (WFMZ-TV), Blue Ridge TV-13 News, The Sun-Sentinel of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., The Morning Call, The Express-Times and Salisbury Patch covered our Moffitt Cancer Center affiliation announcement.

• The Express-Times featured exercise physiologist Darlene Garon in an article about why people in their 60s and 70s should stay fit.

• Covering this year’s Give Kids a Smile Day were 69 News (WFMZ-TV), Blue Ridge TV-13 News, Service Electric TV-2 News and Salisbury Patch.

• Internist Eric Gertner, M.D., was featured in a Morning Call article about winter weather safety for the elderly.

• In The Express-Times, cardiologist Amy Ahnert, M.D., was featured in a story about “virtual gyms” and discussed how game consoles can get more people moving and fit.

–Matthew Burns

read and view our news. Go to lvhn.org/news or visit the Network News section

of the intranet (lvh.com) to see news clips (updated monthly).

Better Medicine saturdaysTo bring our National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP) to life and engage community members who live near Lehigh Valley Hospital–17th Street, our health network will host community events one Saturday a month this spring. Called “Better Medicine Saturdays,” each event will have a fun theme and a health screening, as well as activities, food and giveaways. Here’s the line up:

• Saturday, April 30; Center for Healthy Aging; Health focus: breast health

• Saturday, May 21; Center for Healthy Aging; Health focus: cervical cancer and diabetes/obesity

• Saturday, June 25; outside, weather permitting; Health focus: colon cancer

she’s an AdvocateWhen Susan Jonovitch, R.N., was diagnosed with a cancerous mass in her pelvis, she traveled to “big city” hospitals for care. She wasn’t impressed. Following surgeries and radiation treatments, she suffered excruciating pain. That’s when she came here for care. “They found another tumor in

my pelvis,” says Jonovitch, a patient care coordinator in Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest’s emergency department. “I’ve received care from many colleagues, and feel better than I have in five years.” Jonovitch tells people not to leave town for quality care. “The other doctors told me there was nothing they could do,” she says. “But our doctors researched to find me the best care. I wish I came here from the beginning.”

Are you an advocate for our health network? If so, call 484-884-0809 or e-mail [email protected] and share your story in CheckUp.

This week's challenge comes from Dr. Kevin McNeill— Eat right and exercise as a family. Have as many meals together as possible. Shop and prepare meals together. The best way to teach kids how to be healthy is to model the behavior.


A Guide to Our Care

March for Babies To help moms in our community have healthy, full-term pregnancies, Lehigh Valley Health Network is supporting the March of Dimes’ March for Babies

Walk on Sunday, April 17. The 3.5-mile walk begins at 10 a.m. at Dorney Park in Allentown. To join our team, visit marchforbabies.org, click on “Company Teams,”

“Join a Team,” and type “LVHN” into the search box. For a $10 donation, you’ll receive a Lehigh Valley Health Network 2011 Walk T-shirt.

Quality Trauma CareIn a trauma situation, every second counts, and every decision matters. That’s why we’re passionate about providing the highest level of trauma care. As Pennsylvania’s first and region’s largest trauma center, we see more patients and help more people in the Lehigh Valley get well and return home. We provide the region’s highest level of trauma care for children, and are the only trauma center in the region that specializes in trauma care for older adults.

Free Heart Help for Women Event Tell all the women you know about a free Heart Help for Women event that could save their lives.

During “Heart to Heart for Women of All Ages,” cardiologists Deborah Sundlof, D.O., Amy Ahnert, M.D., and Crystal Ann Maksimik, D.O., and emergency physician Marna Greenberg,

D.O., will tell women what they need to know about their hearts at all stages of life. The event will be held on May 17, 6:30–8 p.m. at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest, educational conference

center rooms 6, 7 and 8. Call 610-402-CARE to register.

practice Meets All General surgery NeedsColleagues at Toselli, Brusko, Garcia and Garcia Surgical Associates believe the best medical care starts with listening. They have expertise in a wide range of procedures, including the latest minimally invasive techniques and bariatric surgery for weight loss. They specialize in general surgery; benign and malignant disorders of the breast and colon; gastrointestinal endoscopy; laparoscopic surgery and weight-loss surgery. Toselli, Brusko, Garcia and Garcia Surgical Associates has two offices in Bethlehem, one in Allentown and one in Hamburg.

improving Access to Cancer Care As a selected site of the National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Center Program (NCCCP), our Neighborhood Cancer Center added an additional multilingual promotora (community health care worker) to reach out to people in our community for cancer education, prevention, screening, evaluation and treatment. Promotora Hannabi Torres (left) joins Vanessa Soto to guide patients through their screening appointments and help them navigate additional evaluation or treatment. That includes making appointments and securing transportation.


WHAT’S HAppENiNG

pridE in Our people

sharing why we’re Magnet We welcomed four Magnet TM appraisers, including Donna Poduska, R.N. (center), with open arms at the end of February. Here, nurses from 7A showcase what they do. Now, we’re waiting with anticipation to hear whether we’ve earned Magnet redesignation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Our Magnet appraisers’ reports are being reviewed by the Commission on Magnet, which will decide within the next month or so if we’re Magnet for the third time.

spreading the word Colleagues from the development department enjoyed a recent outing to the Lehigh Valley Grand Prix indoor go-kart track—and brought our health network’s “Stop Texting” magnets along for the ride. The magnets eventually adorned one of the karts at the Allentown facility. It’s one of the many creative ways colleagues are spreading the word throughout the community that distracted drivers cause crashes. To continue to share the message, please visit celllimit0.com or call 610-402-CARE for your free car magnet.

Big smiles Thanks to dental resident Ali Wright, D.D.S., and our dental clinic’s observance of

national Give Kids a Smile Day, eight-year-old Irwin now will be less distracted at school because of problems with his teeth and mouth. Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease. In children from low-income families, about 80 percent of tooth decay goes untreated and causes children to miss millions of hours of school each year. Irwin was

one of nearly 60 children to receive free care at our health network this year.

How to Respond to Community Event Requests

Our passion for educating community members results in numerous requests to provide speakers or informational booths at corporate and community events. To serve our community as efficiently as possible, we have a process to ensure we’re present at events in which our resources can be used to help the greatest number of people. To find out what you should do when you get a community event request, visit the intranet (lvh.com) and click Departments / Non-clinical / Marketing and Public Affairs.

READ MORE PRIDE in Our People at lvhn.org/checkup.


Christine kucharek, transitional trauma unit Nominated by patrick Miller, r.N.

More than 10,000 Americans die from alcohol-related accidents every year. Transitional trauma unit technical partner Christine Kucharek knows the harsh realities that these avoidable tragedies cause. That’s why Kucharek took action when she saw a driver swerve and nearly crash into oncoming traffic.

Kucharek called the police and requested an officer’s assistance, but knew the driver had to be stopped immediately. Sacrificing her own safety, she pulled in front of the erratic driver and gradually slowed down. That’s when another observant driver moved in on the side to box him in. When the officer arrived, the car was stopped. Kucharek’s quick thinking prevented accidents, injuries and fatalities.

“Christine has seen firsthand results of drunk driving,” says Patrick Miller, R.N., “She put herself in harm’s way to make sure another family wouldn't have to live with the results of someone else’s poor decisions. I couldn’t be more proud of her.”

–Matthew Burns

Congratulations to Award Nominees

7B medical-surgical unit night shift staff, Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest

Eileen Sacco, R.N., 7B medical-surgical unit night shift staff, Lehigh Valley

Hospital–Cedar Crest

Michelle Motsko, case management

Kerry Knauss, physical medicine

jennifer Miles, l.P.N., West Broad Street Family Medicine

Medical-surgical intensive care unit, Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest

service star of the MonthScheduleFor more details on classes (including times, locations and costs), call 610-402-CARE or visit lvhn.org/checkup.

Culture of WellnessStarting April 2 – Preparing for Childbirth one-day class

April 4 – CPR Family and Friends

April 4 – Parent Workshop "Parenting as a Team"

Starting April 4 – Boot Camp

Starting April 4 – Cardio Cross Training

Starting April 4 and 20 – Zumba

April 5 – Breastfeeding Baby

Starting April 6 – Preparing for Childbirth Series

April 7 – Pregnancy 101: Introduction to Pregnancy

April 8 – Car Seat Check

Starting April 8 – Art of Belly Dance

Starting April 8 – Bollywood Dance

April 9 – Baby Care one-day class

April 9 – Health of Touch Partner Massage I

April 12 – Healthy Hands and Nails

April 14 and 21 – Baby Care Series

Starting Apr. 14 – Energizing Yoga

April 16 – Reiki I

April 16 and 17 – Preparing for Childbirth Sat.-Sun. class

Starting April 16 – Chisel

April 21 – Car Seat Check

Starting April 25 – Staying Strong

April 26 – Parent Workshop "Guide to Pre-Teen/Teen Years"

April 28 – Breastfeeding Baby

April 29-30 – Preparing for Child-birth Fri.-Sat. class

April 30 – Reiki II

BenefitsRefer a Physician, Earn $500

Employee DiscountsShow your employee ID to receive 30% off cellular accessories at Verizon Wireless, 3100 W. Tilghman St., Allentown.

Support GroupPregnancy Loss Support Group, LVH–CC, 3rd Saturday of each month, 12:30-2 p.m. Call 610-402-8510 for details.

VALIC Retirement SeminarsApril 19 – LVH–17

April 20 – LVH–M

April 21 – LVH–CC

Visit valic.com to register and enter one of the following codes:

lVH–17 seminar: LVHALL11AK

lVH–M seminar: LVBET11AI

lVH–CC seminar: LVHALL11AN

LVHN Recreation Committee Events: May 20-22 – "Boo’s on First…The Cooperstown Tour: Baseball Legends and Ghost Stories" – Contact Nancy Homlish 610-969-0453.

Aug. 6-12 – Grand Canyon – Contact Denise Mitchell 610-969-0413.

Visit the “/LVH_Recreation_Comm” bulletin board for more details.

Things to remember when nominating a Service Star: • Choose a colleague or a team of colleagues.

• Tell a story. Specifically explain how the colleague or team did something extra special.

• You don’t have to provide direct patient care to be a Service Star. All colleagues and teams can be nominated.

To nominate a star, go to the intranet at lvh.com. Go to the “Find Fast” box and click on Service Star Nomination.

Intranet: lvh.com • Internet: lvhn.org

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PHOTOGRAPHy Scott Dornblaser

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HAPPy ANNiVErsArY A p r i l 2 0 1 1

35 yearsMary Cressman Dept. of Medicine

lester lauer Patient Transport Services

Kim Sterk Performance Improvement

30 yearsCatherine Glenn Dept. of Surgery

Rose Harvilla 4T Medical-Surgical

Helen lamparella Patient Accounting

laurie Schweyer Helwig Center

25 yearsShelly Frick 6B Renal Medical-Surgical

Gregory Heckler Engineering

Claranne Mathiesen Stroke Center

Kenneth Mead Adolescent Psychiatry

Sharon Pieri Surgical Staging Unit

Melissa Pineda Heart Station

Hope Roth Information Services

Michael Scott Engineering

louis Temprine Engineering

Gary Williams Engineering

Antonnette Zenko Diagnostic Radiology

20 yearsMary Biehl Case Management

lorraine Gyauch Cancer Support Services

Donald Klingeman Radiology Administration

Todd leibenguth Endoscopy/G.I. Lab

Amy Mutter Cardiac Cath Lab

Komkai Somboonsong Pharmacy

Madeline Starr Cardiac Diagnostic Center

15 yearsShawn Bausher Burn Center

jennifer Fenstermaker Maternal Fetal Medicine

Alison Montgomery MICU/SICU

Richard Schappell Spectrum Pharmacy

10 yearsjennifer Carnes Emergency Services

Holly Cavallo Benefits Verification

Purnima Desai Pharmacy

Kristie Hoeflein Metz Operating Room

Sherry Israel Muhlenberg Primary Care

yah Kilikpo TNICU

Tiffany King Patient Accounting

Cynthia Kohler Cancer Center

jane Kratzer Medical Records

Nora lorenc Cancer Research

josefina Magalona MICU/SICU

Patrick McIntyre College Heights OB/GYN

juliane Neifert LVPG Diabetes/Endocrinology

Scott Pellington Youthful You Institute

Vicki Priestas Case Management

Cheryl Reiss Patient Accounting

jason Salgado Information Services

Robert Schmell LVPG Billing

janice Smoyer Financial Services

Melissa Soldridge Physical Medicine

Michele Stangl Diagnostic Care Center

Carolyn Suess Information Services

Kelly Vespico Nursing Float Pool

Deanna Weiss Float Pool

5 yearsjason Ambrose Supply Distribution Services

Brenda Carroll 4K Medical-Surgical

Desiree Carroll LVPG Accounting

Andrew Cook Performance Improvement

Deborah Creghan Division of Education

Rebecca Cruz Emergency Services

Melanie D'Avanzo Short Stay Hospital

jonathan Davidson Human Resources

Sara DeBenedetto Bethlehem Gynecological Associates

Monica DeSantis Heart and Vascular Center

David Fontaine Heart and Lung Surgeons

Myrna Gonzalez-Moret Supply Management

Diane Greger 6T Medical-Surgical

Mary Gryziec Grant Funded Scholarship

Heather Harwi Home Care

Kathleen johnson Radiology

Kristine Keblish Ultrasound

Tonya Kemp Women and Children Float

Maria leon MICU/SICU

Scott lipkin Network Office of Research and Innovation

Ericka Martinez Children's Clinic

Tariq Masood Diagnostic Radiology

Slavka Morrison Emergency Services

Daryl Mulvaney Medical Records

Brandi Ocker Cancer Center

Kelly O’Connell Partial Hospitalization

Mary Orourke Gynecologic Oncology Specialists

Mark Pesavento Grant Funded Scholarship

Tia Rivera Float Pool

Miguel Rodriguez Security

Paige Roth Medical Staff Services

Maria Roth Gynecologic Oncology Specialists

Darryl Rotherforth Bed Management

Erika Sandt ASU-PACU/OR

Andrew Sauerzopf Information Services

Susan Schweitzer LVPG Billing

Martha Spatig Heart Station

Sara Terefinko 4T Medical-Surgical

Wattana Treese Maternal Fetal Medicine

Edward Weaver Security

Tiffany White ER-Coding LVPG

Andrea Whitehurst Central Scheduling

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CheckUP April 2011