The North Shore-LIJ Health Systemrecently announced that the Steven A. andAlexandra M. Cohen Foundation haspledged $50 million for pediatric care pro-vided at the campuses of Long IslandJewish (LIJ) Medical Center and NorthShore University Hospital.

North Shore-LIJ’s pediatric hospital,formerly known as Schneider Children’sHospital, has been renamed the Stevenand Alexandra Cohen Children’s MedicalCenter of New York, in recognition of oneof the largest single gifts ever received bythe North Shore-LIJ Health System. Thecontribution by the Cohen Foundationwill enable North Shore-LIJ to move aheadwith plans to construct a 100,000-square-foot pavilion in front of the existing chil-dren’s hospital in New Hyde Park on theborder of Nassau and Queens. The nearly

Children’s Hospital Renamed for Steven and Alexandra Cohen

Health System Looks to Expand Into Manhattan

continued on page 30

The Employee Publication of the North Shore-LIJ Health System

spring 2010

IntegrativeHealthcare3

Quality Award9

Comfort for Troops15

Disaster Relief31

I N S I D E :

National QualityHealthcare AwardWinner 2010

Alexandra and Steven Cohen have a 14-year relationship withthe children’s hospital.

NEW YORK — Lenox Hill Hospital, a 652-bed facility on Manhattan’s Upper East Side,recently agreed to join the North Shore-LIJHealth System. The agreement, approvedby the Lenox Hill Hospital and NorthShore-LIJ boards of trustees, is contingenton regulatory approval.

The partnership opens a new andexciting chapter in Lenox Hill Hospital’s153-year history, preserving a rich legacy ofexceptional care that provides care to morethan 325,000 patients annually. For NorthShore-LIJ, the addition of Lenox Hillestablishes its first hospital in Manhattanand its 15th overall, expanding its reach inthe metropolitan area.

“When Lenox Hill Hospital began theprocess of seeking a partner, North Shore-LIJ was identified as desirable since bothorganizations have similar cultures with

core missions of providing high quality clin-ical care supported by medical educationand research,” said William Hiltz, chairmanof the Lenox Hill Hospital Board of Trustees.

“The decision was also based on NorthShore-LIJ’s reputation asa highly respected organ-ization that has success-fully integrated inde-pendent hospitals intoits system,” said GladysGeorge, president andchief executive officerof Lenox Hill Hospital.“We are confident thatour patients will benefitfrom North Shore-LIJ’snationally recognizedquality initiatives,depth of clinical services,

and new medical school being developedwith Hofstra University.”

“This is an unprecedented opportunityto build upon Lenox Hill Hospital’s legacy

continued on page 23

Decision Near on Med School

North Shore-LIJ and Hofstra University will find out in early June if theSchool of Medicine will receive preliminary accreditation. See page 16.

2

As we prepare to add our firstManhattan hospital and open the doors to anew medical school starting next year, it’sclear that we have the opportunity to ele-vate the North Shore-LIJ Health System’sreputation to an unprecedented level withinthe next few years.

The addition of Lenox Hill Hospital onManhattan’s Upper East Side (see page 1 story)and the work we’ll be doing with Lenox in pro-viding urgent care services to patients displacedby the recent closing of St. Vincent’s Hospitalwill give North Shore-LIJ an opportunity toexcel in a new, highly competitive market.

As you know, the health system alreadyhas a major presence in New York City. Ourhospitals have the largest market share inboth Queens and Staten Island, and NorthShore-LIJ is the ninth-largest employer in theentire city. Yet, historically, we have alwaysbeen perceived as a Long Island hospital sys-tem, despite the fact that we are the largestintegrated health network in New York State.

Certainly, there’s no desire to turn away

from our roots. Many of you are born andbred Long Islanders, and the commitmentwe have to meeting the health needs ofcommunities across Nassau and Suffolk willremain as strong as ever. But our emergencein Manhattan will help solidify NorthShore-LIJ’s rising national reputation, whichwas further strengthened earlier this yearwhen we received the prestigious NationalQuality Forum Award.

Our reputation will also be aided greatlyby the opening of our new medical schoolbeing developed with Hofstra University. Asnoted in the story on page 16, we expect tofind out in early June if we have receive pre-liminary accreditation, which would allow usto admit our first class of medical students inthe summer of 2011.

As well regarded as North Shore-LIJ hasbeen for its clinical excellence, the absence ofhaving our own medical school has limitedour ability to achieve national prominence.Not only will we be opening our own med-ical school, but thanks to a highly innova-

tive curriculum, itwill transform theeducation of futurephysicians by put-ting students inpatient-care settingsfrom Day One. I’m confident the schoolquickly will become a model that will beemulated and envied by others across thecountry, both new and old.

The bottom line is we’re in for someinvigorating days ahead. Every week, we aregetting calls from news media outlets andother healthcare organizations that want tocome to talk to us about how we have becomeso successful. Obviously, there are manyfactors, but if I had to narrow them down totwo, it would be our unwavering commitmentto quality, and the talent and dedication ofour employees. The health system’s accom-plishments are your accomplishments. We’rein this together. Knowing that, I’m confidentthat this is just the beginning of bigger andbetter things to come.

Corporate University Triples in SizeLAKE SUCCESS — The North Shore-LIJHealth System’s Center for Learning andInnovation (CLI) recently tripled its size, to45,000 square feet. The increase makes thefacility the largest healthcare corporate uni-versity in the country. Approximately 20,000square feet of CLI is dedicated to a newlyexpanded Patient Safety Institute (PSI),which is a major hub for high-tech medicalsimulation training.

PSI’s $2 million addition features cut-ting-edge simulation settings such as anoperating room, a procedure room, a laborand delivery suite, and eight critical carerooms to enable physicians and nurses tohone their clinical and communication skillswithout risk to patients. The facility includescomputerized patient mannequins thatmimic a range of high-risk medical scenarios,such as respiratory failure and cardiac arrestin a variety of clinical settings. All trainingsimulations are video recorded and reviewedduring post-scenario debriefings.

PSI has added 14 standardized patientrooms where actors test physicians’ diag-nostic skills by portraying patients withvarious illnesses. The institute also housesan endovascular simulation lab wherephysicians practice cardiac, vascular andneurosurgical procedures.

“The Patient Safety Institute is a majorasset and we must continually invest in thedevelopment of our physicians and nurses topractice life-saving skills before a real-life erroror tragedy occurs,” said Michael Dowling, pres-ident and chief executive officer of the North

Shore-LIJ HealthSystem. “The newfacility greatlyexpands our abilityto train clinicians ina state-of-the-artlearning environ-ment and improvequality and safety forour patients.”

Approximately7,000 clinicians willtrain through med-ical simulation atPSI this year.

The NorthShore-LIJ PatientSafety Institute’scomprehensive andinnovative programs align with the healthsystem’s goal of zero tolerance for medicalerrors and hospital-acquired infections.

Borrowing lessons learned from the avi-ation industry, where pilots are trained withsimulator technology to improve performanceand avoid catastrophes, North Shore-LIJ ishelping its nurses and doctors improveclinical and decision-making skills — andavoid serious medical errors in the hospital.

“Healthcare is a team sport,” saidKathleen Gallo, PhD, the health system’s chieflearning officer. “At the Patient SafetyInstitute, we emphasize that those who workin teams, train in teams — so communicationand skills are learned in a realistic, fast-pacedhospital setting, and responding to rare

medical events becomessecond nature.”

PSI will also be usedas a key clinical trainingsite for medical studentsat the Hofstra UniversitySchool of Medicine inpartnership with theNorth Shore-LIJ HealthSystem.

“Medical simulationlets us put new doctorsinto critical situations thatyou would never allowthem to get involved inwith real patients,” saidLawrence Smith, MD,North Shore-LIJ’s chiefmedical officer and dean

of the medical school. “Learning doesn’t hap-pen without being emotionally engaged,and the life-like mannequins replicatestressful medical scenarios, so the simulatedsetting is as real as it gets.”

The debriefing sessions are equallyimportant because that is when healthcareteams can critique their own performance,Dr. Smith said. “The power of simulationis to recreate rare medical events thatyou’d never be proficient in, in real prac-tice,” he added. “The litmus test of a medicalstudent is whether you can put knowledgeinto action in real time under the moststressful situations.”

— Betty Olt

Message from the PresidentA Growing Reputation

Michael Dowling

Saul Katz, left, North Shore-LIJ’s board chairman,and health system supporters Thomas Milana, Jr.,and Allison Neisloss, donned lab coats and stetho-scopes for a hands-on experience with simulationtechnology, learning how to resuscitate a patient incardiac arrest.

3

In the SPOTLIGHT

What is the functionof the MaterialsManagement Department?We have a motto in our departmentthat has been adopted by materialsmanagement departments systemwide:We fill the hands that heal. The 20,000-square-foot warehouse located at theCenter for Advanced Medicine is one ofonly two off-site warehouses in thehealth system (the other is near StatenIsland University Hospital). It furnishesLong Island Jewish Medical Center,CFAM, the Cohen Children’s MedicalCenter of New York, The Zucker HillsideHospital and Forest Hills Hospital with95 percent of their hospital, medicaland surgical supplies, all patient roomsupplies, surgical gauze, tubes, sutureand removal kits, syringes and morethan 162 cases of diapers weekly.

What’s a typical day like for yourdepartment?My team of 14 employees averages seven-hour days and moves almost 1,200warehouse items, constantly checking tosee that our inventory is up to date. Onaverage, 32 skids — about 2,300 cases ofsupplies — move through our departmentevery day.

What special skills do MaterialsManagement Department employeesneed?To work the forklift, an employee mustbe certified by the Occupational Safetyand Health Administration (OSHA),which requires passing a six-hour course.We require recertification every threeyears, and I have the credentials to dothat for our employees. I am the onlyperson in the health system who can certify our employees to operate forkliftmotorized equipment.

What do you tell new employees?I want my department members to rec-ognize how integral they are to the dailyworkings of five major hospital sites. Weeach perform an important job, and Iwant them to remember that today youcould be transporting supplies thatmight be used on yourselves or your ownfamily members tomorrow.

— Elaine Wohl

Integrative medicine “combines main-stream medical therapies and CAM [com-plementary and alternative medicine] thera-pies for which there is some high-quality evi-dence of safety and effectiveness,” according tothe National Institutes of Health’s Center forComplementary and Alternative Medicine.

The North Shore-LIJ Health Systembegan offering integrative medicine therapiesin 2001, when Plainview and Syosset hos-pitals initiated their Integrative MedicineProgram. North Shore University Hospital(NSUH) established a similar program a fewyears later. Now patients can find acupuncture,aromatherapy, amma massage therapy,reflexology and guided imagery at NorthShore-LIJ sites.

Irene Fulmer, RN, administers thePlainview/Syosset program and DeborahMcElligott, RN, DNP, a holistic nurse practi-tioner, manages NSUH’s Office ofComplementary and Alternative Medicineand is director of advanced practice nursesthere. At Southside Hospital, patientsreceive integrative therapy from JoanZieniewicz, RN, CAM Program director.Linda Bardekoff, RN, offers reflexologytherapy to outpatients at LIJ and the MonterCancer Center. At Huntington Hospital,

integrative therapist Judy DiBartolo givesworkshops on psychotherapist PeggyHuddleston’s “Prepare for Surgery, HealFaster” program. NSUH’s Lili Dolcimascola,RN, and Marianne Zamm, RN, have com-pleted a 200-hour national certificationprogram in aromatherapy, which they useto help cancer patients combat nausea andanxiety and for pre-operative orthopedicpatients.

Ms. Fulmer and Ms. McElligott are cer-tified in amma therapy by the New YorkCollege of Health Professionals; Ms.McElligott is also certified in reflexology bythe American Reflexology CertificationBoard. Supported by a Robert WoodJohnson grant, Ms. McElligott, Ms. Fulmerand Kerry Gillespie, director of Staten IslandUniversity Hospital’s Outpatient CAMCenter, codeveloped relaxation DVDs andCDs. Available in English, Spanish andChinese, they are distributed to all NorthShore-LIJ hospitals. Ms. Fulmer has alsocreated CDs available at Plainview, Syosset,Southside, NSUH, Staten Island andFranklin Hospital.

Ms. Fulmer and Ms. McElligott share acommitment to support their practice withevidence. Ms. Fulmer has conducted twoIRB-approved research studies — one withbariatric surgery patients and one withcancer patients. The latter indicated that acombination of amma therapy and guidedimagery is equal in reducing pain and anxiety

to prescription medication. Ms. Fulmer alsoconducted a pilot study on acupuncturefor cancer patients. Ms. McElligott haspublished two studies supporting CAMefficacy, including a piece on amma thera-py in the New York State Nurses AssociationJournal, and a study assessing health-pro-moting behaviors in nurses in the AppliedNursing Research Journal. Furthermore, theJournal of Holistic Nursing has accepted Ms.McElligott’s dissertation on interventions toincrease health promotion in nurses forpublication this year.

North Shore-LIJ staff members are beingintroduced to CAM treatments through formalclasses and the opportunity to receive treat-ment themselves. “We have demonstratedthe need and identified the modalities we arecredentialed to provide,” Ms. McElligott said.“The policies are in place, the referral systemsand practitioners are available.” She addedshe hopes the health system’s CAM offeringscan expand through support from grantsand foundations.

— Thea Welch

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

During reflexology massage, the practitionerapplies pressure to specific points to stimulatenerve pathways.

A Day in theLIFE OF...

Dawn D’Andraia,DistributionManagerMaterials Management, Center forAdvanced Medicine

“Now patients can find acupuncture, aromatherapy, amma massage therapy, reflexology,

and guided imagery at North Shore-LIJ sites.”

Employees Pull Man from Burning CarHUNTINGTON — Huntington Hospitalemployees often perform life-saving heroics atwork. But even after they go home, thoseinstincts remain. Recently, those instinctsspurred phlebotomist David Karen to reactswiftly, pulling Patrick Budani, a paraplegic, tosafety from his burning car. Security officerRichard Ruggero also swung into action,braving the flames to grab Mr. Budani’swheelchair from the fiery vehicle.

The drama unfolded at the Mill Damfield in Huntington, where hospital employ-ees park on a rotating basis. It was Mr. Karen’sturn to use the off-site parking facility thehospital accesses through an agreement withthe Town of Huntington. Riding the hospital-owned shuttle driven by Richard Ruggero,Mr. Karen noticed a parked vehicle emittingwhite smoke from under its hood andassumed it was overheating. By the time hewas inside his own car, Mr. Karen saw thatthe white smoke had turned black. As hebegan to drive, he witnessed the first flamesshooting out from the wheel wells — yet theoccupant remained in the driver’s seat.

“I ran over to him and yelled for him toget out of the car, but he said he couldn’t,”Mr. Karen said. Realizing that Mr. Budani wastrapped in his car, Mr. Karen scooped him up

and moved him a safe distance away. In themeantime, Mr. Ruggero had alerted the hospi-tal’s Security Department, and police and fireofficials began to arrive.

Then Mr. Budani said, “My wheelchair is

in there!” Mr. Ruggero immediately openedthe back door to pull the wheelchair out. Twoother hospital security officers who hadresponded to the scene by then, Pete Mattiaceand John Clifford, helped Mr. Karen lift Mr.

Budani into his chair.“After I got the chair

out, the fire spreadquickly,” Mr. Ruggerosaid. Flames swiftlyengulfed the car.

Mssrs. Karen andRuggero agreed that theyreacted instinctively.

“I hope someonewould do the same forme,” Mr. Ruggero said.

At HuntingtonHospital the next day,Mr. Budani expressed hisgratitude to the employ-ees for putting them-selves in the line of fire.

4

Consumer Reports has rated Glen Coveand Southside hospitals among the nation’sbest-performing facilities in New York andnationwide for preventing intensive careunit central-line infections.

The publication’s study focused on oneof the most serious infections that occur inhospitals: bloodstream infections — knownas central-line infections — introducedthrough large intravenous (IV) catheters thatdeliver nutrition, medication and/or fluids tothe body. According to the study, Glen CoveHospital maintained a zero infection rate for1,731 central-line days — the total numberof days that ICU patients had the IV catheterinserted in their neck or arm during thereporting period — and Southside Hospitalwas infection-free for 2,565 central-line days.

“The North Shore-LIJ Health Systemhas zero tolerance for preventable hospital-associated infections,” said Kenneth Abrams,MD, the health system’s senior vice presi-dent of clinical operations and chief qualityofficer. “Due to precise infection controlprotocols and the diligence of our surgeons,anesthesiologists, nurses and other clini-cians, Glen Cove and Southside havestepped out in front in our quest to elimi-

nate all preventable hospital-acquired infec-tions.” Between 2004 and 2008, central-lineinfection rates throughout the health systemdropped 60.3 percent, and there was an 8.7percent decrease in the number of dayspatients were on central lines.

Central-line infections account for 15percent of all hospital-acquired infections,but cause at least 30 percent of the 99,000annual hospital infection-related deaths,according to Consumer Reports.

Medical experts agree that central-lineinfections are preventable with simplechecklists, hygienic precautions and sterilepractices. “If nurses and doctors strictlyadhere to infection control protocols, youget results,” said Brian Pinard, MD, chief ofsurgery at Glen Cove Hospital, which hasnot had a central-line-associated infection inmore than two years. Adding to the successat Glen Cove, Dr. Pinard said, “The majorityof central lines are inserted by a core of veryexperienced physicians. There is a high levelof cooperation and respect between ournurses and physicians, and every staff mem-ber is held accountable for patient care.”

Felice Jones-Lee, RN, associate execu-tive director of quality management at

Southside Hospital, said Southside’s criticalcare team and epidemiology staff have beenworking tirelessly to reduce central-lineinfections. “We constantly strive to reducehospital-acquired infections by strictadherence to infection-control protocols,universal precautions and simple hand-washing between patients,” she said.

Following a common-sense checklistwhenever treating patients with a central-line prevents infection and adds anotherlevel of accountability to staff, Dr. Pinardsaid. “For example, surgeons must wear amask, cap, sterile gown and gloves and usea drape on patients every time they insert orremove a catheter, a process similar topreparing for a surgery.”

Consumer Reports analyzed central-line-infection data from 926 hospitals in 43 statesin 2008, including 112 in New York State.New York is among 27 states that requiretheir hospitals to report infection rates to thestate health department. In 2007, the NorthShore-LIJ Health System was the first non-public hospital system to publicly reportinformation on the prevalence of infectionsat its hospitals.

— Betty Olt

Around theSYSTEM

Consumer Reports Rates Glen Cove, Southside Among Best in CCU Infection Prevention

Huntington Town Councilwoman Glenda Jackson, rear/right, recently recognizedHuntington Hospital employees David Karen, foreground/left, and RichardRuggero, foreground/right, for saving saving Patrick Budani, foreground/center,who was trapped in his burning car. Also expressing their support were, rear fromleft, hospital board members Mark Mayoka, Mark Cuthbertson, Frank Petrone andSusan Berland.

BAY SHORE — Cardiac patients atSouthside Hospital are takingadvantage of a new approach tosecondary prevention of heartdisease. Heart attack, coronary arterybypass, valve surgery or stentpatients may be eligible forSouthside’s unique cardiacrehabilitation program.Multidisciplinary healthcareprofessionals help patients managean individualized medical courseover 12 to 36 weeks.

“We talk about everything fromrisk-factor modification, such asnutrition, diabetes, stress and weightmanagement to the importance ofexercise, smoking cessation and lifecounseling,” explained Jean Cacciabaudo, MD,chief of cardiology. “It’s about living and get-ting your life back.”

A variety of counseling services, alongwith peer support, help this program work.“After someone has a cardiac event, his or heremotional world is rocked,” Dr. Cacciabaudosaid. “They have an abrupt confrontation withtheir own mortality, usually out of the blue,and now they are survivors.” Patients oftenget depressed, she added, but rehab provides

a great place to stabilize this emotional rollercoaster, since there is a community of peoplewith very similar experiences. Experiencedstaff, all of whom are certified in advancedcardiac life support, includes a physician,nurse practitioner and exercise physiologist.They help to maintain an upbeat approach.

Patients may enroll in the program twoto four weeks after discharge; a physicianreferral is required. Assessment of medicalhistory, risk factors and exercise capacity areconsidered to provide a tailored “prescription”

to match a patient’s unique needs. “Forexample, a diabetic patient would get con-nected with a program nutritionist for diabeticcounseling,” Dr. Cacciabaudo said.

The exercise segment includes a one-hour circuit with approximately six toeight patients using aerobic equipment,such as exercise bikes, treadmills, Biodexunits (similar to recumbent steppers) andlight-resistance training. A monitor recordseach patient’s heart activity; blood pressureis also tracked. The entire program incor-porates education.

Comprehensive care includes anynecessary referrals for such additionalservices as physical therapy, balance andvestibular rehabilitation, nutrition, psycho-logical counseling and smoking cessation.“This provides patients with a continuum ofcare,” said Dr. Cacciabaudo.

The Cardiac Rehab Program is availableonly at Southside Hospital, with the goal toexpand it to other North Shore-LIJ HealthSystem facilities. “This is a great program,really hands on, and a very upbeat experi-ence,” Dr. Cacciabaudo said.

— Brian Mulligan

Baby Born in a Rush-Hour DashSTATEN ISLAND — It was like a scene froma movie: Judith Ruiz is ready to deliver ababy three days past her due date, so sheasks her husband, Juan, to fire up the carand head to the hospital — and, of course,it’s rush hour.

Ms. Ruiz’s mild contractions began about3 a.m. At about 7:45 a.m., she awoke herhusband with shrieks of pain. Ms. Ruizquickly dressed and headed for the car.

School buses and commuters clogged therush-hour roads, turning the couple’s usual 10-or 15-minute trip to Staten Island UniversityHospital’s North Campus into a 30-minutedebacle. After a wild ride that will make for alifetime of storytelling, Ms. Ruiz gave birth to

Elissa in the Staten Island University Hospitallobby, next to the main elevators. A cast ofemployees aided the delivery.

Mr. Ruiz expressed gratitude to everyonewho helped the couple in their day of frenzy.“Their support was unimaginable,” he said.“Everyone was there for us.”

Staff members who helped Elissa enterthe world included: Mohamed Elessawy,MD; Adam Edwards, MD, resident; JudyAlbaese, NP, Preadmission Surgical Testing(PAST) Department; Esme Ellison, NP,PAST; Mary Molski, NP, Neonatal IntensiveCare Unit (NICU); Natalya Kusheleva, PA,NICU; Shea Silva, Patient TransportDepartment; and Thomas Maetta, DietaryServices Department.

Franklin’s TeamworkKeeps Hospital AfloatVALLEY STREAM — Rising groundwaterlevels and nearly 10 inches of rainfall inValley Stream during March and April keptFranklin Hospital’s staff scrambling to keepthe hospital afloat. Despite major waterdamage, the hospital stayed open withoutdisruption due to the resourcefulness andteamwork of its employees.

According to the US Geological Survey,Franklin’s North Wing is approximately 20feet above sea level. But because water levelsin the Nassau/Queens border vicinity havebeen rising since New York City ceasedpumping drinking water from aquifers there,Valley Stream’s water table has risen several

5

Jean Cacciabaudo, MD, chief of cardiology at Southside Hospital,cuts the ribbon to officially open Southside's Cardiac

Rehabilitation Center, as hospital and elected officials look on.

Juan and Judith Ruiz with future lobbyist Elissa.

Southside Rehab Program Returns Cardiac Patients to Daily Living

Music for a Good CauseGlen Cove Hospital staff and friends will makebeautiful music together at the facility’s 28thAnnual Picnic Pops Concert on June 19 at OldWestbury Gardens. Celebrate summer during anevening of music under the stars featuring aperformance by the Nassau Pops SymphonyOrchestra. Gates open at 6 p.m.; the concertbegins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 each in advanceand $35 at the door. Proceeds will benefit thehospital. For information and reservations,contact Beth Behr, associate director of develop-ment at Glen Cove Hospital, at 516/465-2553 orbbehr@nshs.edu or visithttp://support.northshore.lij.com/POPS.

continued on page 26

B. H

iggi

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6

Under theMICROSCOPE

Air Pollution Makes Kids with Asthma SickerChildren with asthma are at much

higher risk for landing in a hospital — andeven in intensive care — on days whenthere are higher ozone levels in the NewYork City air, according to researchers atLong Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center andNew York University (NYU).

The study, recently published in theJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology,was based on data collected from 74 hos-pitals in all five New York City boroughs,involving more than 75,000 asthma-relatedhospitalizations from 1999 to 2006. Thestudy provides substantial evidence thatthe air pollution in warmer seasonsincreases the risk that a child with asthmawill have an episode severe enough torequire hospitalization.

“This is a major problem,” said RobertSilverman, MD, research director for LIJ’sEmergency Department and an associateinvestigator at The Feinstein Institute forMedical Research.

Dr. Silverman, Kazuhiko Ito, PhD, anenvironmental scientist at the NYU NelsonSchool of Environmental Medicine, andother researchers utilized air pollution datafrom 37 monitors situated throughout themetro New York area that are used by theUS Environmental Protection Agency tomeasure air pollutants. Twenty-four of thesites measure small particle emissions and13 monitor the ambient air for ozone.Investigators focused on warm-weathermonths because ozone levels are at theirhighest and small-particle pollution is alsohigh then. Ozone levels are generallyhigher in the warmer months because heat

and sunlight enhance the production ofozone — a chemical component of smogformed by a reaction of pollutants fromcars, factories and gas vapors. The mainsources of small-particle air pollution inthe eastern United States during the summer,also known as PM 2.5, are coal-burningpower plants in the Ohio Valley regionand local traffic.

Dr. Ito compared the asthma-relatedhospital admissions to the varying levels ofair pollutants between April and August. Hefound substantial increases in the number ofhospital admissions of children on dayswhen small particles and ozone were elevated,and that the prevalence of asthma hospital-izations was more common among childrenthan adults. In fact, for children betweenthe ages of six and 18, there was an approx-imate 20 percent increase in asthma hospi-talizations on higher small-particle days anda 26 percent increase in admissions to theintensive care unit (ICU). For ozone, it wasa 19 percent increase in ICU admissionsand higher ozone days.

“Children were far more vulnerable,”wrote Drs. Silverman and Ito. By comparison,adults over age 50 had a three percentincreased risk of hospital admission on highsmall-particle days and a six percentincrease on high ozone days. In 19- to 49-year-olds, there was an eight percent

increased risk for hospitalization on high-pollution days.

The association between air pollutionand life-threatening asthma was seen primarilyin school-aged children. In the study, aboutone out of 10 children between six and 18hospitalized for asthma was admitted tothe ICU. There was no apparent increasedrisk for older adult asthma sufferers to landin the ICU.

Age and the risk for asthma-relatedhospitalizations were directly correlated,Dr. Silverman said. Children under age sixdid not have the same high risk as school-aged children with the highest risks. Aspeople age, the risk lowers. Dr. Silvermanbelieves that this may be because school-agedchildren are more likely to play outdoorsand take in more air pollution, a trigger forasthma. “Children also normally have fasterbreathing than adults, and their lungs andimmune systems are still developing. Theyare more sensitive to the harmful effects ofair pollution,” he said.

Researchers also examined the measuresof air pollution and found that there was nosafe threshold of pollution. The higher the airpollution concentrations, they said, thegreater the risk for a severe asthma attack.

The EPA is holding hearings onwhether to reduce the acceptable safetythreshold for air pollutants. “EPA scientistsneed to revise what safe levels are,” Drs.Silverman and Ito wrote. “These levels shouldtake into account the fact that children aremore sensitive to air pollution.”

— Jamie Talan

Schizophrenia-Linked Gene May Reduce Cancer RiskMANHASSET — People who inherit aspecific form of a gene that puts them on aroad to schizophrenia may be protectedagainst some forms of cancer, according to anew study by Katherine Burdick, PhD, andher colleagues at The Feinstein Institute forMedical Research.

The MET proto-oncogene is activatedin a variety of tumor malignancies. Thegene has recently also been linked toautism and has a role in neurodevelop-ment, which is why Dr. Burdick and hercolleagues decided to look for a relation-ship between MET and schizophrenia intheir large sample of patients. Such anassociation may help explain the family-based data that suggest that inheriting anenhanced risk for schizophrenia reducesthe chance of developing cancer.

In a study published in the AmericanJournal of Psychiatry, the researchers exam-

ined the relation-ship between 21single-nucleotidepolymorphisms inMET and schizo-phrenia in 173patients and 137normal volunteers.They found thatseveral varieties ofMET influenced therisk for schizophre-nia, as well as gen-eral cognitive ability.

The authors were able to replicate theirfindings in a second sample of 107 patientsand 112 healthy volunteers. “The resultsadd to the growing evidence suggesting anintriguing relationship between cancer-relatedgenes and schizophrenia susceptibility,”they wrote.

It remains unclear exactly how the genemay increase the risk for schizophrenia whileprotecting against some forms of cancer.However, evidence from research on MET inautism provides some insight. Specifically, itis known that MET is activated (increasedactivity) when tumors develop and canincrease the chance that cancer cells multiplyand infiltrate other tissue.

The activation of MET during normalneurodevelopment is critical to ensure thatneurons grow and migrate to position them-selves correctly in the cortex. In autism, itappears that while the brain is developing,reduced MET activity results in structuraland functional changes in the brain thatmay increase the risk for developing the dis-order. The Feinstein investigators speculatethat the same risk-inducing mechanism maybe at play in its link to schizophrenia.

— Jamie Talan

Katherine Burdick, PhD

“There was no safe threshold of air pollution.”

LAKE SUCCESS — North Shore-LIJ HealthSystem employees are eligible for an exclusive20 percent discount to send their childrento a summer camp at the DNA LearningCenter West. Located at 5 Delaware Drive,Suite 5, in the Lake Success Quadrangle, thelearning center offers summer sciencecamps for students entering sixth through12th grades.

The week-long camps are:Fun with DNA for kids entering grades

six or seven (regular tuition $375,discounted tuition $300)

World of Enzymes for kids enteringgrade eight or Fun with DNA alumnientering grade seven (regular tuition$375, discounted tuition $300)

Green Genes for kids entering gradenine or World of Enzymes alumnientering grade eight (regular tuition$375, discounted tuition $300)

Genetic Horizons for Green Genesalumni (regular tuition $450, discounted tuition $360)

DNA Science for kids entering gradesten through twelve (regular tuition

$450, discounted tuition $360) Human Genomics for DNA Science

alumni entering grades eleven ortwelve (regular tuition $450, discounted tuition $360)

DNA Science and Human Genomicsare also available for college students, profes-sionals, and others with advanced training.

The DNA Learning Center West is a

joint effort between The Feinstein Institutefor Medical Research and Cold SpringHarbor Laboratory. Find camp descriptions,dates, online applications and paymentoptions at summercamps.dnalc.org (rememberto choose from the “DNALC West” locationto be eligible for the North Shore-LIJemployee discount), or call 516/719-1296weekdays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

7

Unraveling Parkinson’s DiseaseMANHASSET — Scientists who have identi-fied brain networks damaged in Parkinson’sdisease have new evidence that these systemsbecome abnormal a few years beforesymptoms appear. And what’s more, parts ofthe networks appear to respond in a last-ditch attempt to rescue the brain.

“We were surprised,” said Chris Tang,MD, PhD, a Parkinson’s investigator at TheFeinstein Institute for Medical Research andan author of the study, published in theJournal of Neuroscience. The Feinstein scien-tists, who have been following Parkinson’spatients for decades, have had a uniqueopportunity to take snapshots of the brainover four years in 15 patients and an equalnumber of normal volunteers. The researchersinitially identified two discrete abnormalnetworks: one involved in mediating themotor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease andthe other that regulates the cognitive dys-function that develops in many patientswith the illness.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease initiallyoccur on one side of the body, which gavescientists a unique opportunity to studythe brain scans at multiple times and com-pare the symptoms to changes in the brainnetworks over time. The idea for the lateststudy was to watch the activity of the networkon the side of the brain that controls thesymptom-free side of the body. As thedisease progresses, both sides of the bodyultimately are affected.

The motor network that governed theside with initial symptoms was the first tobecome abnormal. Scientists under thedirection of David Eidelberg, MD, head ofthe Center for Neurosciences at the Feinstein,found that the motor network on the otherside of the brain was also abnormal, eventhough symptoms appeared only two yearslater. The brain network that governs cog-nition began showing abnormalities after twomore years passed, which was four yearsafter diagnosis. The average age of thepatients in the study was 58 and no one hasyet to develop cognition problems.

The brain scans measure glucose anddopamine, the chemical that is depleted during

the disease process. By usingthese scans to understandwhat the brain is doing beforesymptoms emerge, investiga-tors are characterizing newtherapeutic targets to slowor actually prevent theonset of clinical disability inParkinson’s disease and relatedneurological illnesses.

In another study pub-lished in The Lancet Neurology,scientists used brain scans toidentify the networksinvolved with three differentneurological conditions —Parkinson’s, multiple systematrophy and progressive

supranuclear palsy — and found they couldcalculate the odds of whether the conditionis really Parkinson’s. This is critical in makingtreatment decisions. About 10 to 20 percentof patients initially thought to have Parkinson’ssuffer from another movement disorder.

“This is a big problem for physicians,”said Dr. Eidelberg. “The treatments forParkinson’s will not work for these patientsand they can cause their own side effects.”

“The pathology is totally different butthe earliest symptoms are so similar,” saidDr. Tang, who was the lead investigator ofthe study.

— Jamie Talan

Dr. Tang and his team are employing brain images collected over four yearsto shed light on Parkinson’s.

Event Benefits Parkinson's Research,Honors Scientists

The Thomas Hartman Foundationfor Parkinson's Research's SeventhAnnual Cure for Sure Dinner willrecognize the achievements of2009 research grant recipients onJune 22 at the Crest HollowCountry Club. Among the scientistshonored: David Eidelberg, MD,head of the Center for Neurosciencesat The Feinstein Institute for Medical

Research and the foundation'sexecutive scientific advisor, andAndrew Feigin, MD, chief oflaboratory research at theFeinstein. Emmy Award-win-ning actress Susan Lucci of AllMy Children will be the guest of

honor. Learn more at 631/277-9655 or HartmanFoundation.org.

20 Percent Employee Discount for Science Camp

8

NursingMISSION

LIJ Nurse Saves New Mother’s LifeNEW HYDE PARK — New mothersface many challenges, from breastfeeding and car seat safety to theirown health and wellness. But thoseconcerns do not usually involve alife-threatening condition like theother detected by Anne Andrews,RN, a nurse in Long Island Jewish(LIJ) Medical Center’s NewbornNursery Unit.

Newborn Nursery Unit nursesroutinely call patients within afew days of discharge to see howthey feel and address their ques-tions. One day in February, Ms. Andrewspicked up a stack of discharge callbackfiles and contacted a patient who wenthome the day before. Had she picked upanother stack, she wouldn’t have made aphone call that saved a family.

When the patient’s husband answeredthe phone and mentioned that his wifewas anxious, Ms. Andrews said she didnot initially worry since women often feelexhausted and anxious after birth. Butwhen she spoke to the patient, an alarmsounded: “She was short of breath andmentioned that she had difficulty sleeping,”said Ms. Andrews. “I started getting nervousfor her and asked if she could come to thehospital to be evaluated.” Before hanging

up she spoke to the patient’shusband again and told himto hang up and call 911.

Next, Ms. Andrewsalerted the woman’s privateobstetrician to the situation;by then, an ambulance wason its way. “I think thatthere was a higher power inthe nursery that day,” saidMs. Andrews, “becausesomething caused me to callthis patient.”

After examination by LIJEmergency Department staff, the patientwas diagnosed with a pulmonary embolus.Pulmonary embolism is a life-threateningcondition in which one or more arteries inthe lungs becomes blocked, most often byblood clots travelling from another area ofthe body. Immediate treatment is essential.The new mother was admitted, treated andreleased, and returned home to her family.

“[Ms. Andrews’] astute assessment skillsand response saved this new mother’s life,”said Phyllis Cohen, RN, director of Womenand Newborn Patient Care Services at LIJ.“She has exemplified our culture of commit-ment to service excellence based on caring,respect, expertise and responsibility.”

— Kristen Longo

Anne Andrews, RN

Meg McCormick’s Nursing Excellence LaudedThe Long Island/

Queens Chapter of theOncology NursingSociety recently honoredMeg McCormick, RN,with the Kay O'BrienMemorial Award. A staffnurse in the AmbulatoryChemotherapy andTransfusion Unit at LongIsland Jewish MedicalCenter, Ms. McCormickhas played a pivotal role

in providing comprehensive qualitycare to cancer patients there for morethan 30 years. She administerschemotherapy, assesses patient outcomes,assists with pain management, andprovides patient and family education.Ms. McCormick is also a committedvolunteer for several causes. Includedin her breast-health advocacy effortsis the Pink Tulip Garden in the NewHyde Park ProHealth complex,recently planted to raise breast cancerawareness.Meg McCormick, RN

Institute for NursingLearning ProgramsHone your nursing skills

or add new ones at learn-ing opportunities spon-sored by the NorthShore-LIJ Health System’sInstitute for Nursing.Upcoming events include:

June 10-11Oncology Nursing Society Chemo/Biotherapy CourseHuntington Hospital

August 11-12Oncology Nursing Society Chemo/Biotherapy Course420 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park

September 15Nursing Education ConferenceNorth Hills Country Club, Manhasset

September 24Oncology Nursing ConferenceSwan Club, Glenwood Landing

The health system is an approvedprovider of continuing nursing educationby the New York State Nurses Association,an accredited approver by the AmericanNurses Credentialing Center’s Commissionon Accreditation. The North Shore-LIJ HealthSystem’s Institute for Nursing adds to itsroster of conferences and programs regularly.To learn more, call 718/470-3890 or visitNorthShoreLIJ.com.

Computerworld Recognizes EHR Initiative

WASINGTON, DC — The North Shore-LIJ Health System's electronic health records (EHR)initiative has been recognized as a laureate by the Computerworld Honors Program. The healthsystem's case study, entitled "A Strategy for Widespread Use of Interconnected Electronic HealthRecords," will be commemorated during the 22nd Annual Laureates Medal Ceremony andGala Awards Evening on June 7 in Washington, DC. The Computerworld Honors acknowledgeindividuals and organizations that have used information technology to benefit society.

MANHASSET — North ShoreUniversity Hospital (NSUH) recentlyearned The Joint Commission’s GoldSeal of Approval when it earned two-year recertification as a Primary StrokeCenter; the seal is the commission’shighest distinction. NSUH demonstrat-ed that its stroke care program main-tains national standards for safety andquality care that can significantlyimprove the outcome for stroke patients.

Initially certified by the JointCommission in 2008, NSUH underwenta rigorous recertification process thatevaluates areas covering stroke careservices, including patient safety, creden-tialing and training of staff members, and10 core measures for care, such as timelyadministration of tPa, a clot-bustingdrug; initiation of appropriate strokeprevention medications; providing strokeeducation; and other components,according to Jeffrey Katz, director ofstroke and vascular neurology at NSUH.

Joint CommissionRecertifies NSUHStroke Program

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Recognizing a Culture of QualityMichael Dowling, inset right, president and CEO of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, recently accepted the National QualityForum (NQF) Award from Daniel Wolterman, president and CEO of the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System in Houston, at theNQF's spring policy conference in Baltimore. North Shore-LIJ was the first New York-area healthcare provider recognized byNQF for providing quality-driven care. The NQF presents its National Quality Healthcare Award annually to "exemplary health-care organizations that are role models for achieving meaningful, sustainable quality improvement in healthcare." AmongNorth Shore-LIJ staff members who attended the NQF Awards celebration were, front, from left: Maureen Hinkelman, LoriStier, RN, Maureen White, RN, Merryl Siegel, Mr. Dowling, Donna Moravick, RN, and Karen Nelson, RN. Rear, from left: JoanneGottridge, MD, Allison McGuire, Geraldine Koster, RN, Yosef Dlugacz, PhD, Walter Markowitz, Trustee Mark Claster, MarkSolazzo, Gene Tangney, Bernard Rosof, MD, Kathleen Gallo, PhD, RN, Donna Armellino, RN, and Kevin Beiner.

Free H1N1 Program Protects CommunityThe North Shore-LIJ Health System’s

H1N1 (swine flu) prevention efforts protectedthousands of community members thiswinter. Staff from the offices of communityhealth and emergency management; thepharmacy, infectious disease, public relations,government relations and legal departments;and Region Care joined forces to develop andimplement the program. North Shore-LIJ,Nassau University Medical Center and theNassau County Department of Health collab-orated to deliver and administer the H1N1vaccine to more than 17,000 infants, childrenand adults in their own communities andworkplaces, including more than 5,200North Shore-LIJ employees. In addition,many more learned how to prevent seasonalflu and H1N1 via outreach on several fronts.

From November through February,North Shore-LIJ provided medical and

support staff at bi-weeklyH1N1 clinics to screen,vaccinate and educatecommunity members —all at no out-of-pocketexpense to participants.North Shore-LIJ emer-gency medical techni-cians, health educatorsand pharmacists werealso at each site, as were multilingual andAmerican Sign Language health servicestranslators.

A comprehensive seasonal influenza/H1N1 community education campaignincorporated a multimedia Web site thatattracted 46,000 video views and 115,000page views. The Office of CommunityHealth activated a flu information phoneline and distributed multilingual “Flu News

You Can Use” displays and flyers to publiclibraries and health system facilities anddisplays with flyers were set up in emer-gency departments and lobbies as well.North Shore-LIJ also kept the communityupdated via Facebook and Twitter. Thecollaborative effort was the only program inNew York State to offer so many clinics withreal-time data analysis for clinical decisionscoupled with a social media component todisseminate breaking H1N1 news.

EAP Helps Managers Recognize Substance AbuseDrug and alcohol abuse can be a problem

in any workplace. In fact, many people donot realize that substance and alcoholabusers are actively employed — some-times for years in the same place, saidMargaret Kuzminski, coordinator of theNorth Shore-LIJ Health System’s EmployeeAssistance Program (EAP). She added thatsince substance abuse is progressive, iteventually manifests itself in daily behaviorand job performance.

The EAP’s Recognizing Substance Abusein the Workplace Program helps team leadersrecognize substance abuse on their team andgives them tools to intervene. The programprovides details about:

❒ North Shore-LIJ’s drug- and alcohol-free workplace policy;

❒ alcohol/substance abuse;❒ how addiction/abuse affects perform-

ance, health and personal life; and❒ assistance available for employees.

The NorthShore-LIJ EmployeeAssistance Programis a free, profession-ally staffed, confi-dential counselingservice to help staffmembers resolveproblems that affectlife at work or home. Call 877/EAP-4 YOUto learn more.

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Physicians ROUNDS

New Associate Chief of Staff Joins Cohen Children’s Medical CenterSteven Shelov, MD, has joined the

Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’sMedical Center of New York as associatechief of staff. He previously served simulta-neously as vice president of the MaimonidesInfants and Children’s Hospital of Brooklynand chairman of pediatrics for MaimonidesMedical Center, and chairman and seniorvice president of pediatrics at LutheranMedical Center in Brooklyn.

Dr. Shelov has been active in health policy,serving several presidential administrationsand currently working with New York State

leadership to address childhealthcare quality issues. Theauthor of more than 100 arti-cles and 15 books, he is editor-in-chief of the AmericanAcademy of Pediatrics’ Caring forYour Baby and Young Child —Birth to Five, recently publishedin its fifth edition, and coeditorof Pediatrics for Medical Students.A Yale University graduate,Dr. Shelov completed hismedical training at the

Medical College of Wisconsin andreceived his master’s of adminis-trative medicine from the Universityof Wisconsin.

Dr. Shelov will focus his edu-cational expertise on enhancingpostgraduate residency educationand looks forward to serving as amentor and master teacher uponthe anticipated opening of theHofstra University School ofMedicine in partnership with theNorth Shore-LIJ Health System. Steven Shelov, MD

Phasing In Sunrise Clinical ManagerProgress continues toward an inter-

disciplinary, evidence-based documentationsystem within North Shore-LIJ HealthSystem’s hospitals and facilities.

Sunrise Clinical Manager’s Phase2/Knowledge Based Charting decreasesredundancy and variability and enhancesstaff communication, workflow and integra-tion. Already implemented at LIJ MedicalCenter, the Steven and Alexandra CohenChildren’s Medical Center of New Yorkand North Shore University Hospital,Phase 2 will be implemented at SyossetHospital by summer.

Plans and preparation to deployPhase 3/Computerized Prescriber OrderEntry (CPOE) are under way as well.Multidisciplinary groups continue to col-laborate on finalizing North Shore-LIJ’s

CPOE design, whileclinical experts developcontent for thehealth system’sorder sets. Theseorder sets willdecrease variabilityin practice, promotesafety and improve commu-nication. Implementation will encompassfull provider order entry, order and work-list management by nursing and alliedhealthcare professionals, and an electronicmedication administration record fornurses and other providers.

For more information, visit CISProject Sunrise on HealthPort or contactCathy Halloran or Michael Oppenheim,MD, at 516/734-3335.

A Bioskills FirstMark Eisenberg, MD, left, chief ofneurosurgery at Long Island JewishMedical Center, and B. Todd Schaeffer,MD, right, associate chair of otolaryn-gology and communicative disordersfor North Shore University Hospital,recently hosted the North Shore-LIJHealth System’s first CME-accreditedlab course at the Bioskills EducationCenter in Lake Success. “EndoscopicTransnasal Approaches to PituitaryTumors and the Skull Base” consistedof didactic and hands-on endoscopiccadaveric dissection.

The North Shore-LIJ Health System losta great friend and colleague when MitchellGoldman, MD, recently succumbed to cancer.Chairman of radiol-ogy at North ShoreUniversity Hospital(NSUH) and LongIsland Jewish (LIJ)Medical Center for12 years, Dr.Goldman gave 34years of service toNSUH and LIJ andthe entire NorthShore-LIJ Health System. His legacy will becherished by all those who had the pleasureof working with him.

Dr. Goldman’s “talents as a radiologist andclinical leader were outmatched only by hispersonal skills and attributes,” said MichaelDowling, president and chief executive officerof the health system. “His affable and kindnature made him a friend to all who knew andworked with him, and his enthusiasm for hisprofession was embraced by generations ofradiologists whom he mentored.”

To recognize his many contributions toNorth Shore-LIJ, the Diagnostic ImaginingCenter at the Center for Advanced Medicinein Lake Success has been renamed. It is nowthe Mitchell A. Goldman, MD, DiagnosticImaging Center.

In Memoriam

Mitchell Goldman, MD

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John Di Capua, MD, has beenappointed vice president of anes-thesiology services for the NorthShore-LIJ Health System. He beganserving as chairman of anesthesiologyat North Shore University Hospitaland Long Island Jewish MedicalCenter in 2006, overseeing anes-thesia services and departmentoperations. In this expanded role,he will assume similar responsibili-ties at hospitals across the health system.This position was held previously by PeterWalker, MD, who stepped down as NorthShore-LIJ’s chairman of anesthesiologyfour years ago.

Dr. Di Capua has been part of the healthsystem since 1994, when he joined NSUH as

an anesthesiologist. Previously, hewas an assistant in anesthesia atMassachusetts General Hospital inBoston and Cambridge Hospital inCambridge; a clinical fellow inanesthesia at Shriners BurnsInstitute in Boston; and a consultantin anesthesia at McLean PsychiatricHospital in Belmont, MA.

A diplomate of the AmericanBoard of Anesthesiologists and the

American Board of Pain Medicine, Dr. DiCapua received his bachelor’s and medicaldegrees from the Combined Medical Programat Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He wenton to a residency in anesthesia and a fellow-ship in pain management at MassachusettsGeneral Hospital.

Dr. Di Capua Named VP, Anesthesiology

Robert S. Waldbaum Center OpensThe Robert S. Waldbaum Center at the

Smith Institute for Urology recently openedin Manhasset. Named in honor of NorthShore University Hospital’s chairmanemeritus of urology who has practiced inManhasset for more than 30 years, the centeroffers a full spectrum of urologic care.Besides general urology, specialists at thecenter offer treatment for all urologic malig-nancies, kidney stones, enlarged prostate,

ureteral obstruction, men’s and women’svoiding dysfunction and incontinence.

Located on the first floor of 1554Northern Boulevard, the center is staffed byDr. Waldbaum and Farzeen Firoozi, MD,Lee Richstone MD, Michael Schwartz, MD,and Joph Steckel, MD.

To make an appointment, call 516/627-5348 or 516/734-8500.

Continuing Medical EducationPhysicians can keep their clinical edge with courses from the North

Shore-LIJ Health System’s award-winning Department of Professional andPublic Health Education. This summer’s courses include:

June 10 Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Crest Hollow Country Club

June 11 Regional Perinatal Conference (call 718/470-4665) The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research

June 14 to 18 Electroconvulsive Therapy: Practice and TheoryThe Zucker Hillside Hospital

June 30 Annual Training in Recognition and Reporting of Child Abuse, Maltreatment and NeglectNorth Shore University Hospital

Infection-control training is available online any time at NorthShoreLIJ.edu/ict.Get updated conference information at NorthShoreLIJ.edu/cme or 516/465-3CME

(516/465-3263). North Shore-LIJ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for ContinuingMedical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

LAWRENCE DAVIS, MD, has beenappointed interim chairman of radiology atNorth ShoreUniversity Hospital(NSUH) and LongIsland Jewish (LIJ)Medical Center. Hesucceeds the lateMitchell Goldman,MD, who recentlypassed away. Also atLIJ, Dr. Davisdirects the Radiology Residency Program. Inaddition, Dr. Davis serves as assistant deanof students for the Albert Einstein Collegeof Medicine, for which LIJ is an affiliatedteaching site. He will perform similar dutiesfor the Hofstra Medical School in partnershipwith North Shore-LIJ, working with physi-cians to plan, oversee and evaluate clinicalrotations.SEYMOUR KATZ, MD, gastroenterologist

at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH),recently wrote“MMX MesalamineIs Safe andEfficacious inAchieving Clinicaland EndoscopicRemission of ActiveUlcerative Colitis,”which appeared inHospital Practice. Healso coauthored “Fontolizumab in Moderateto Severe Crohn’s Disease: A Phase 2,Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Multiple Dose Study,” publishedin Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Most recently,Dr. Katz cowrote the "GeriatricGastroentrology: Overview" chapter of the2010 edition of Brocklehurst's Textbook ofGeriatric Medicine and Gerontology (SaundersElsevier).DAVID ROSENBERG, MD, NSUH’s

associate chairman for hospital operations forthe Department ofMedicine and head ofhospital medicine,has been named asenior fellow of hos-pital medicine by theSociety of HospitalMedicine. Dr.Rosenberg is amongthe more than 150hospitalists nationwide who have earned thesociety’s designation for the first time.

Honors, Awardsand Appointments

John Di Capua, MD

12

Hard-to-Heal Wounds Meet Their MatchLAKE SUCCESS — Patients with chronicwounds can find relief at the North ShoreUniversity Hospital’s and Long IslandJewish (LIJ) Medical Center’s new hyperbaricoxygen therapy facility in theComprehensive Wound Care Center at1999 Marcus Avenue.

The Wound Care Center provides com-prehensive, multidisciplinary treatment notonly to heal wounds, but also to preservelimbs and prevent wound recur-rence; it is an outpatient programof the Department of Surgery ofNorth Shore University Hospitaland LIJ Medical Center. Amongthe most advanced in the region,the center offers individualizedtreatment plans to address eachpatient’s needs. Specialists at thecenter include: vascular, general,plastic and podiatric surgeons,certified wound care nurse practi-tioners, registered nurses andphysical therapists.

Most cuts, scrapes or minorinjuries heal on their own anddo not require medical attention.However, some people developwounds, infections or pressureulcers that refuse to heal, evenafter many weeks and months,causing severe pain and disability.

Often, these patients are suffering fromcomplications of diabetes, vascular disease,tissue damage from radiation therapy ornon-healing traumatic wounds, and needspecialized treatment.

“Hyperbaric oxygen therapy offers ahigh-tech solution to the complex problemof healing chronic wounds,” said GeneCoppa, MD, senior vice president of surgicalservices of the North Shore-LIJ Health

System. “Working closely with referringphysicians, the wound care/hyperbaricmedicine team develops a customizedtreatment plan for patients with the goal ofgetting them healed quickly and back totheir highest level of functioning.”

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy works byallowing patients to breathe 100 percentoxygen at two to three times greater-than-normal atmospheric pressure within a

monitored, pressurizedchamber. This increases theamount of oxygen delivered tothe body’s tissues by the blood.The increased blood flow tothe wound site improves thebody’s response to infectionand supports tissue growth andhealing. Many wound-healingproblems require 30 to 40hyperbaric oxygen treatments.

The facility is equippedwith two hyperbaric chambersand TVs to help patients relaxduring treatments. Anentrance in the undergroundparking garage at 1999Marcus Avenue minimizeswalking for patients withmobility issues.

— Betty Olt

CW Post to Offer Graduate Degree in Genetic Counseling

Celebrating the opening of the Comprehensive Wound Care Center’s new hyperbaricoxygen therapy facility were, from left: Jean Shelton, director of patient care services;Lawrence Smith, MD, chief medical officer of the North Shore-LIJ Health System anddean of the Hofstra University School of Medicine; Gene Coppa, MD, senior vice presi-dent of surgical services for the health system; Helene Feinberg, administrative manag-er of surgery; Diane Gioia, RN, nurse manager; Jeffrey Nicastro, MD, vice chairman ofsurgery at Long Island Jewish Medical Center; and David Battinelli, MD, chief academic

officer of North Shore-LIJ.

BROOKVILLE — Millions of people carryinherited genes that can lead to cancer,heart conditions, infertility, Parkinson's orAlzheimer's disease and other conditions.Genetic testing is becoming a preferredoption for families to determine if theycarry a particular disease or risk acquiring acondition for which they may be geneticallypredisposed.

As patients and their families face life-altering decisions about their health, thedemand has increased for professionals whocan help them to understand and act upongenetic test results. The CW Post Campus ofLong Island University is addressing thegrowing need for genetic counselors byoffering a new master of science degree ingenetic counseling with expertise fromthe North Shore-LIJ Health System. JoyceFox, MD, chief of medical genetics at theSteven and Alexandra Cohen Children’sMedical Center of New York, will serve asmedical director of the program.

“There is no field of medicine thatoffers as much hope as clinical genetics,”said Dr. Fox. “The field has been growingexponentially due to advances in genetictechnology and research. Geneticcounselors are essential to explain howgenetics and new advances apply to indi-viduals and their families.”

Dr. Fox added that there are too fewgenetic counselors, especially in some partsof the country. A genetic counselor is a vitalmember of a healthcare team who evaluatesa patient's personal and family history forinherited medical conditions. The counseloridentifies families at risk, interprets informa-tion about disorders, analyzes inheritancepatterns and risks of recurrence, and reviewsavailable options such as surgery, behaviormodification or additional testing.

Bhuma Krishna-machari, formerlydirector of genetic services at EdwardHospital in Naperville, IL, is the director of

clinical genetics at CW Post. The CW Post program is the first gradu-

ate-level genetic counseling program on LongIsland, and only the third in New York State.The two-year program is provisionallyaccredited by the American Board of GeneticCounseling and begins in September. Aspart of their program of study, students willparticipate in clinical training at 20 areahealth organizations, including the NorthShore-LIJ Health System.

For more information visitliu.edu/cwpost/genetic or call 516/299-3926.

— Betty Olt

Senator GillibrandTours Sim CenterUS Senator Kirsten Gillibrandrecently toured North Shore-LIJ'sPatient Safety Institute to learnabout the health system's work inproviding simulation training tomedical residents, nurses and otherclinicians from throughout theregion. North Shore-LIJ's ChiefLearning Officer Kathy Gallo, RN,PhD, right, showed SenatorGillibrand plans for expanding thehealth system's Patient SafetyInstitute and Center for Learningand Innovation — the nation'slargest corporate university.

Thomas Judge of Levittown has alwaysbeen grateful to be part of a large, close-knitfamily — he is one of a dozen children. Buthe could never have predicted that one of hissiblings — a nurse at North Shore UniversityHospital (NSUH) — would give him bonemarrow for a life-saving procedure after hewas diagnosed with full-blown leukemia.

Last June, after visiting a hospital forabdominal pain, the 53-year-old husband andfather of three received some worrying testresults: His white blood cell count was low.Following a bone marrow biopsy, he wasreferred to oncologist Jonathan Kolitz, MD, atthe Monter Cancer Center in Lake Success.

Typical treatment options for adultleukemia are chemotherapy and bone marrow/stem cell transplantation, but finding adonor involves matching tissue types withthe patient. Ideal donors are siblings whohave certain genes identical to the patient,but the chance of a match is just one infour. Thankfully, Mr. Judge’s 11 siblingswere willing to be tested for compatibility.

His sister, Karen Manolis, a registerednurse at NSUH, was a perfect match. “Igrew up taking care of many siblings,” saidMs. Manolis, “I could feel my mothertelling me this was the time to be there. Ifeel so honored to have given him helpthat contributed to saving his life.”

Before the transplant, Mr. Judge under-went four rounds of chemotherapy andmany months in the hospital. “Through itall he barely complained,” said Laura Judge,Mr. Judge’s wife and a secretary, alsoemployed at NSUH. No one lost hope —friends held fundraisers to contributetoward his care, his kids, brothers and sistersvisited from as far as Texas and they all kepttheir faith. With three family members whowork at the hospital — including his wife,

Ms. Manolis, and sister Susan Hammond, aclerical support associate in the CoronaryCare Unit — not a day passed without a visit.“When they told us he was in remission, ittook a while to sink in,” said Ms. Judge.“It was a real miracle.”

Ruthee-Lu Bayer, MD, chief of bonemarrow/stem cell transplantation at the DonMonti Division of Hematology/Oncology atNSUH, performed Mr. Judge’s procedure.On January 26, Mr. Judge returned homefor the remainder of his recovery.

“I kept thinking ‘Wow, my doctors are

good,’” said Mr. Judge. “Plus the positiveattitudes of all the staff really got us througheach day. When I felt sick, Dr. Bayer actedlike my mom used to: She sat down next tome, rubbed my back and told me that itwould be all right.” He is deeply grateful forthe personalized, compassionate and skilledcare he and his family received.

“The best care was right here in our backyard,” added Ms. Manolis. “My brother neededall of us in this long process, and it justwouldn’t have been the same anywhere else.”

— Kristen Longo

13

BAY SHORE — Southside Hospital’sEmergency Management Departmentrecently acquired several EZ-IOintraosseous infusion systems.

The hand-held, battery-powered deviceaccesses the shin bone for administration offluid or medication. Intraosseous (bone)blood flow is rapid and continues evenduring shock; medications and fluidsadministered this way reach central circula-tion as quickly as those given via thebloodstream. The units are deployed in theTown of Islip’s five ambulance companies.

“In mass casualty situations, the EZ-IOwould allow emergency medical serviceproviders to rapidly establish vascularaccess, thereby giving more time to treat

more patients,” said Anthony Pellicone,Southside’s director of safety and emergency.“These patients will have vascular access inabout 10 seconds — prior to arriving at thehospital. This allows medical staff in theEmergency Department to administer life-saving fluid or medication much earlier thanpreviously possible with traditional peripheralintravenous placement.”

The EZ-IO can help in such cases asarrhythmias, burns, cardiac arrest, dehydration,hypothermia, hypotension, obstetrical emer-gencies, respiratory arrest, seizures, shock andtraumatic injuries. A grant from HealthResearch, Inc., which is part of the New YorkState Bioterrorism Hospital PreparednessProgram, made the acquisition possible.

Family Ties: How One Family Beat Leukemia

PA Association Names Mr. Sobel PresidentJonathan Sobel, PA, supervising physician assistant of cardio-

thoracic surgery at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, wasrecently elected president of the Association of Physician Assistantsin Cardiovascular Surgery. Mr. Sobel has served as vice president ofthe organization as well as on its Board of Directors; his term aspresident lasts through 2012. Among his areas of expertise isendoscopic vein graft harvesting.

Jonathan Sobel, PA

EZ-IO Accesses Blood Flow via the Shin

Diane Egglinger, RN, right, supervisor of North ShoreUniversity Hospital’s Lab/Blood Bank, and Jim Martone,left, director of clinical lab operations, assisted Karen

Manolis, RN, case manager in the NSUH Case ManagementDepartment, when she donated bone marrow to help her

brother, Thomas Judge, overcome leukemia.

Local Teen Pitches InEagle Scout candidate Michael Wysota custom-built rolling shelves for the Center for AdvancedMedicine in Lake Success and stocked them withhundreds of books. The Manhasset teen’s projectwill help patients and family members pass thetime more pleasurably as they await treatment.

Thomas and Laura Judge at home.

14

Not Just For the Birds

By now, you’ve heard of North Shore-LIJ’s social media initiative and met Maxwellthe bird, star of the “Feed the Bird, Spreadthe Word” campaign and host for all thingssocial media. With more than 3,600Facebook fans, a couple of hundred Twitterfollowers and a vibrant YouTube channel(which along with Facebook andNorthShoreLIJ.com hosts some pretty neatvideos), North Shore-LIJ’s social mediaefforts are really (ahem) taking flight.

A snapshot of the health system’s socialmedia presence reveals that 75 percent of itsfans and followers fall between the ages of25 and 54 (70 percent female, 30 percentmale). Not surprisingly, the bulk of NorthShore-LIJ’s fans come from the New Yorkarea; there are also followers throughout theUnited States, 100-plus in Canada andothers scattered throughout the globe.

Instant GratificationOne of social media’s most intriguing

aspects is how people interact with thehealth system, whether they are employees,patients, community members or othersinterested in healthcare. Social media allowsquick interactivity unavailable elsewhere.

Contests and fan feedback are a regularpart of North Shore-LIJ’s social media sites.The name of the health system bird,“Maxwell,” came from a Facebook contest(the winner, Eric Sandhusen, director ofcompliance for the health system, tookhome $250). Also, the “Feed the Bird,Spread the Word” campaign continues toaward random fans $50 American Expressgift cards whenever the health system addsanother 500 fans. But you’ve gotta be a fanto have a chance.

To learn more, click the Facebook iconon NorthShoreLIJ.com to become a fan.You’ll gain access to health news, informativevideo, tips, contests and more. So if youhaven’t already seen what the fun is about,why not check it out?

Get a Tax Deduction —And Save for Retirement

If you are 55 or older, you can receive a fixedincome for the rest of your life by making a gift to anyNorth Shore-LIJ Health System hospital or program. Agift of $10,000 or more in cash or stock will providesteady income, part of which is tax-free. For example, ifyou are 72 years old and donate $10,000 cash, you canlock into a fixed rate of 6.4 percent, and receive $640of guaranteed annual income, $430 of which is tax-freefor about 15 years. You would also be eligible for acharitable income tax deduction of about $3,700 theyear you make the gift.

For more information and a no-obligation personalized illustration of benefits, contactAlexandra Brovey, senior director of gift planning, at 516/465-2610 or abrovey@nshs.edu.

Sample Percentage Rates*One-Life Rates Two-Life RatesAge % Rate Ages % Rate55 5.3 55/55 4.6 60 5.5 60/60 5.165 5.8 65/65 5.470 6.2 70/70 5.775 6.8 75/75 6.180 7.6 80/80 6.690 10.0 90/90 8.3

*Rates are subject to change.

J. M

adur

a

Every Woman Matters: A Walk for Women and Their Families

Mothers, daughters and sisters.Teachers, healers and protectors. Shouldersto lean on and hands to hold. Women areso many things to so many people — andnow it’s time to make sure they can enjoythe same healthy, fulfilling lives they workso hard to provide for everyone else.

On May 16, family, friends and com-munity members joined together for aninspirational walk along the Jones BeachBoardwalk to celebrate women's health andwellness. All proceeds will benefit the newKatz Women’s Hospital and Katz Institute

for Women’s Health of the North Shore-LIJHealth System, an initiative that promisesto transform women’s healthcare forever.

Visit EveryWomanMattersWalk.comfor more information or to contribute.

Ongoing Support Reaches ThousandsJohn and Janet Raggio recently presented $400,000 to continue their support of the Raggio NephrologyInstitute of the North Shore-LIJ Health System. Established in 2002, the Great Neck-based Raggio Instituteis a center of excellence for renal care and research. The institute also offers free workshops on chronickidney disease (CKD) such as CKDPrevention, CKD and Diabetes Self-Management, The CKD/Heart Disease Link,Options of End-Stage Renal Disease andKidney Transplant and Organ Donation.More than 10,000 have participated in 400-plus community workshops and free screen-ings for early detection of CKD — most ofthem offered in underserved communitieswith high risk for CKD. From left are: Mr.Raggio; Robert Mossey, MD, chief ofnephrology for North Shore UniversityHospital; Kelly Calderon, MD, nephrologyfellow; and Alessandro Bellucci, MD, actingchairman of the Department of Medicinefor North Shore University Hospital andLong Island Jewish Medical Center.

NEW HYDE PARK — A Long Island boyborn with a totally blocked airway — one ofonly 50 reported cases in the past 20 years —recently went home after four months in theNeonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Stevenand Alexandra Cohen Children’s MedicalCenter of New York (CCMC).

Justin Olivares greeted the world at anews conference accompanied by his par-ents Derly and Julian. The family thankeddozens of physicians and nurses whoassisted in his dramatic delivery at LongIsland Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center.

While he was still in his mother’s womb,clinicians detected Justin’s condition —known as congenital high airway obstructionsyndrome (CHAOS) — during a prenatalexam at North Shore University Hospital.Some time between six and eight weeks ofgestation, Justin’s airway failed to develop.

Without surgical intervention, he wouldn’tbe able to breathe once he was born.Besides cutting off oxygen, CHAOS causesfluid produced in the lungs to accumulate,causing dangerous enlargement of thelungs. This leads to abnormal develop-ment and function of the lungs anddiaphragm.

“The extreme challenge of CHAOScalled for the close coordination of teamsof physicians and nurses from numerouspediatric subspecialties at CCMC withmaternal/fetal medicine specialists from LIJMedical Center and North ShoreUniversity Hospital,” said DennisDavidson, MD, chief of neonatology atCCMC. During Justin’s delivery, the clinicalteam established an airway while he wasstill being supported by the placenta. Thisensured that the baby received enough oxy-gen during the procedure so he would notsuffer severe brain damage — or death.

The procedure was Justin’s only optionand was a major risk to his mother. Theclinical team decided to deliver the baby at36 weeks, before Ms. Olivares went intolabor, so physicians could control the compli-cated process of performing a tracheostomy(insertion of a breathing tube) while thebaby was still attached to the placenta. InJustin’s case, the obstruction was surgicallybypassed while he and his mother were stilljoined by the placenta. When Justin wasdelivered, he received oxygen through

mechanical ventilation. In addition to the blocked airway, it was

discovered in utero that Justin would be bornwith ventricular septal defect — a hole in thewall between the heart’s two major pumpingchambers. Fortunately, doctors reported thatthe hole is beginning to close on its own, sofuture cardiac surgery may prove unnecessary.

After treatment in the NeonatalIntensive Care Unit, Justin is breathing onhis own, has developed normally, and isready to live with his parents and eight-year-old brother, Jason, who is very happyto be a big brother to this miracle baby.

— Michelle Pinto

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Dozens Collaborate to Save “Miracle Baby” from CHAOS

Three New Outpatient Locations to OpenThe North Shore-LIJ Health System

will open three multi-specialty locationsthis fall, providing high-quality outpatientcare and specialized services to Queensand Nassau residents.

Healthcare practitioners in a variety ofdisciplines will staff the new facilities toprovide community-based care, said DonnaMoravick, NP, North Shore-LIJ’s vice presidentfor cardiovascular services. “Each location —two in Queens and one in Nassau — willoffer expert specialized care, educationalprograms and state-of-the-art imagingservices to help diagnose and treat disease,”she said. “The new locations represent a sig-nificant investment by North Shore-LIJ andare a continuationof our commitmentto the communitieswe serve.”

“These newlocations provideconvenience andquality under oneroof, complementingour inpatient pro-grams and servicesin Queens andNassau,” Ms.Moravick said.“Responsiveness to

patient needs will be paramount andsupported by our ambulatory care man-agement team.”

The locations and services are:

❒ 1001 Franklin Avenue, Garden Cityinternal medicine, cardiology

❒ 150-55 14th Avenue, Whitestone internal medicine, cardiology, pul-monary medicine

❒ Queens Crossing, 136-20 38thAvenue, Flushing internal medicine, cardiology, thoracic surgery, urology

Adopt-a-UnitFour units deployed from Fort Totten

to Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan got a tasteof home recently, courtesy of the NorthShore-LIJ Health System.

Soldiers in the 595th/1174th DeploymentDistribution Support Battalion (DDSB); 595thTransportation Terminal Brigade; 831stTransportation Detachment, Air DefenseDirection Center; and 840th DDSB/1174thDDSB got more than 1,000 pairs of socks viadonations at Long Island Jewish MedicalCenter in New Hyde Park and the Orzac

Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitationin Valley Stream, plus nonperishable food,personal hygiene items and games from dona-tions at the Information Services Departmentin Lake Success and the Physician andAmbulatory Network Service in Manhasset.The Office of Military and Veterans LiaisonServices and the Rosen Family WellnessCenter coordinated the items’ shipment.

The Office of Military and VeteransLiaison Services will continue to coordinatesupport for deployed units by sending cor-respondence and morale and welfare supplies.To support deployed soldiers, contactRandy Howard at 516/562-3238 orrhoward@nshs.edu.

From left: Joseph Schulman, The Zucker Hillside Hospital’sexecutive director; Physician and Ambulatory Network

Service’s Kim Schneider and Joanne Fulgieri-Ventura; andRandy Howard, administrative director of the Rosen Center.

The Olivares family thanked dozens of clinicians whoassisted in Justin’s life-saving care.

Council Honors Leigh Brisco-Dwyer,PharmDThe New York State Council of Health SystemPharmacists has designated Leigh Briscoe-Dwyer, PharmD, corporate director of con-tracting for the North Shore-LIJ HealthSystem, the recipient of its Debra B. FeinbergAward. Formerly known as the Board ofDirectors Award, it is the organization’shighest honor. She will accept the honor atthe organization’s annual assembly inSaratoga this summer.

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North Shore-LIJ, Hofstra Prepare to Reinvent Medical Education

The Hofstra University School ofMedicine in partnership with North Shore-LIJ Health System faced its first critical steptoward accreditation in March, when schoolofficials were visited by the LiaisonCommittee on Medical Education (LCME),the nationally recognized accreditingauthority for medical education programsleading to the medical degree in the UnitedStates and Canada.

The School of Medicine is expected tofind out in early June if it has receivedpreliminary accreditation. If approved, themedical school will open in the summerof 2011.

Since 2008, more than 250 people fromHofstra and North Shore-LIJ have contributedto preparing the school’s preliminary proposal.Subject to receiving preliminary accreditation,the School of Medicine will become NassauCounty’s first allopathic (MD degree-granting)institution and the first medical school inNew York State in 35 years.

School officials have been designingan integrated curriculum that will putmedical students in patient care settingsfrom Day One. The traditional medicalschool model places students in life and

medical science classes during the firsttwo years and then offers clinical trainingin the final two years.

While healthcare reform makes head-lines, the North Shore-LIJ Health System andHofstra University are preparing to establisha medical school that can transform the edu-cation of tomorrow’s physicians.

Hofstra’s 40 first-year medical studentswill be trained during their first few monthsas emergency medical technicians (EMTs)and will take shifts riding the ambulances ofthe North Shore-LIJ Health System. “TheEMT training will give students hands-onskills early to allow them to understand howpatients interact with their environment,” saidLawrence Smith, MD, North Shore-LIJ’schief medical officer and dean of themedical school. “By experiencing theemergency department setting first-hand,students will be able to discern the differencebetween books and reality — a good thingto understand early on.”

The medical school’s curriculum wasdeveloped by the Educational Program’ssubcommittee, chaired by David Battinelli,MD, the health system’s chief academic officerand senior associate dean for education at theSchool of Medicine. Dr. Battinelli visited andconsulted with more than a dozen medical

education institutions inthe United States andabroad.

“All medical schoolsare trying to improve,”Dr. Battinelli explained.“We have the advantageof starting with a cleanslate. The School ofMedicine won’t have tospend time breaking outof established modelsand can go directly intoimplementing the bestpractices we’ve found.”

Why a New Approach?The United States is facing an anticipated

shortage of US-trained physicians, a trendthat has spurred the opening of new medicalschools nationwide. To review the nation’smedical education practices, the Josiah Macy,Jr., Foundation in 2008 gathered leadingmedical educators who concluded thatmedical education needs to be brought intobetter alignment with societal needs andexpectations.

Accomplishing this requires preparingphysicians in the UnitedStates to manage suchcontemporary realitiesas the accelerating paceof scientific discovery,calls for more publicaccountability, theunsustainable rise inhealthcare costs, thewell-documented short-

falls in quality of care,racial and ethnic disparities in health andhealthcare, and the increased burden ofchronic illness and disability.

The School of Medicine curriculum willprepare physicians to address those issues.For example, healthcare increasingly will bedelivered through interprofessional teams toimprove quality and control costs. The EMTexperience will immediately immerse studentsin the world of healthcare teams. Classeswill be designed on the team model, withmost offered in small groups as opposed tolarge lectures.

Scientific training remains the foundationof medical education. Students will learn howto apply the concepts they learn in the class-room to real-life situations. The basic scienceswill be team-taught to make the interrelation-ship among subject areas evident.

This means that rather than learningnormal versus abnormal structure and thefunction of a certain body part separately and,perhaps, months or years apart — as hasbeen the tradition — students will take anintegrated approach. For example, studentsexploring the human shoulder will learn theanatomy and physics involved, study how theshoulder works normally, learn what can gowrong and then, in a clinical setting, observehow to treat these conditions.

Students will benefit from the latestsimulation technology at North Shore-LIJ’sPatient Safety Institute (PSI), where PC-based, digitally enhanced mannequins canbe programmed to simulate countlessmedical scenarios, such as stroke andheart attack, so they can learn to diagnoseand manage treatment without risk. PSIalso offers clinical education facilities thatcan replicate situations in a critical careunit or an operating room.

Doctors with Broader PerspectivesAs patients, we travel through a contin-

uum of care: home, clinic or physician’s office,hospital, nursing or rehabilitation facility.Controlling costs and improving outcomesdepend on 21st-century physicians’ ability tounderstand and manage every phase of thiscontinuum. With its 15 hospitals, 17 long-term care facilities, three trauma centers,five home healthcare agencies, a hospicenetwork, dozens of outpatient centers andThe Feinstein Institute for Medical Research,the North Shore-LIJ Health System willexpose medical students to a full range oflearning experiences. Hofstra University —with its schools of business; communica-tion; education, health and human services;law; and liberal arts and sciences — offersstudents a wealth of academic and inter-disciplinary exposure.

Physicians increasingly will be calledupon to participate in public discussionsregarding health and healthcare. “Medicaldecisions need to be made in societal context,”said Veronica Catanese, MD, senior associatedean for academic affairs. “They must addressimproving the health of the entire population.We plan to equip our students with a back-ground in the social sciences, as well as withroot-cause analysis skills and other techniquescommonly used in the business world, sothey can participate in finding solutions.”

Tapping into Hofstra’s ResourcesMedical schools often are located on

their own campuses, separate from theacademic centers of their parent institution.That will not be the case at Hofstra, wherethe medical school and medical studentresidence will be on Hofstra’s North Campus.

Medical School students will be integrated into campus life.

The curriculum will prepare physicians to address such issues as the acceleratingpace of scientific discovery, calls for more

public accountability and the rise in healthcare costs.

17

“The university made the consciousdecision to integrate the medical school intothe larger campus,” explained HermanBerliner, Hofstra’s provost and senior vicepresident for academic affairs. “We want toshare faculty and resources and to createcollaborative programs.”

For example, the curriculum anticipatespartnering with the School of Law and theHofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’Department of Drama and Dance to helpmedical students improve their communica-tion skills. Better communication will notonly lead to better care, but will also helpdoctors understand how to influence patientsto change lifestyle habits that contribute tothe rise in such chronic illnesses as diabetesand heart disease. School of Law faculty, whowere represented on the medical schoolcurriculum design group, will help teachbioethics courses. And an innovative exhibithas been proposed for the Hofstra UniversityMuseum to showcase the “art” of designingprosthetic devices.

There is a broader context for thechoice to integrate the new school into thelarger Hofstra world, according to HofstraPresident Stuart Rabinowitz. “Hofstra hasmade progress in enhancing its nationalreputation for excellence,” Mr. Rabinowitzsaid. “We believe that significantly expandingour science programs is the next logical stepon that journey, and the medical school willbe a catalyst for expanding that expertise.”

The benefits are already evident. Also inpartnership with North Shore-LIJ, a newmaster’s degree program in medical physicsis awaiting approval, and planning is under

way for the creation of a PhD inmolecular medicine, in collaborationwith The Feinstein. A master’s degree inpublic health is being designed withHofstra’s School of Education, Healthand Human Services, a schoolthat will likely see more ofits health professionsprograms expand asthe School ofMedicine grows.

Expanding OpportunitiesThe School of Medicine administration

also will begin exploring ways to raise fundsfor scholarships and financial aid.

“We need to make it possible for aca-demically qualified students to entermedicine who otherwise could not affordto do so,” said Dr. Smith. “Right now, morethan 80 percent of medical school graduatescarry a debt burden of $130,000 on average.Not only does this discourage students

from low-income families frompursuing careers in medicine,but it also steers young doctorsaway from less well paying butpotentially more sociallyresponsible careers. We

hope that the commu-nity will help us toaddress theseimportant issuesby expanding

financial aidopportunities.” Dr.

Smith’s enthusiasm for the medical schooland its innovative curriculum is irrepress-ible as the dream moves closer to reality.“I can see a day, not too far off, when resi-dency directors will covet our graduates,”he said. “They will say that Hofstra Schoolof Medicine grads have learned how tocare for patients competently and how tothink clearly.”

— Leila Zogby

Go Red for Women Is for Young Girls, TooMANHASSET —Traditionally, followersof the American HeartAssociation’s (AHA) GoRed for Women cam-paign show their sup-port by wearing red.This year, blues, brownsand greens — the tradi-tional colors of GirlScout uniforms — wereadded to the region’ssea of supporters in red,with an all-Girl Scouthonor guard and GirlScout chefs demon-strating the benefit ofstarting heart-healthyhabits young.

Go Red for Women, the nationalobservance created by the AHA and held onFebruary 5, encourages women to makepositive lifestyle changes to help reducetheir risk of heart disease and stroke. NorthShore-LIJ is the official Long Island/QueensGo Red for Women sponsor. The GirlScouts of Nassau County helped the NorthShore-LIJ Health System celebrate andeducate women about heart disease duringthe seventh annual event at North ShoreUniversity Hospital.

“Because a good start for the heartbegins in childhood, this year’s event focusedon how young girls and women can adoptheart-healthy behaviors early on that willbenefit them throughout their lives,” saidMichael Dowling, North Shore-LIJ’s presidentand CEO, himself a heart disease survivor.

The health system partnered with the

Girl Scouts of Nassau County and the AHAto create a heart health patch program toeducate girls and their family membersabout developing healthy habits to stop thenumber one killer of American women —cardiovascular disease.

Donna Ceravolo, executive director andCEO of Girl Scouts of Nassau County,keynoted the Go Red event. She spoke aboutthe innovative heart patch program and herown experience with heart disease. Membersof the Girl Scouts conducted a heart-healthycooking demo that was “so easy, a kid coulddo it,” and heart patient Duffy Spencer, PhD,shared her inspiring story of dealing withaortic stenosis. She said listening to her bodyand seeking a second opinion helped hersurvive heart disease.

— Brian Mulligan

Girl Scouts participate in a heart-healthy cooking demonstration with NorthShore University Hospital chef Michael Ferguson to celebrate the American

Heart Association's seventh annual Go Red for Women campaign.

Korean-AmericanCelebrationThe Korean-American community recentlyexpressed its gratitude to the North Shore-LIJ Health System for its support whenYonghwa Ha, president of the KoreanAmerican Association of Greater New York,presented North Shore-LIJ Chief OperatingOfficer Mark Solazzo, right, with a plaquerecognizing the health system’s efforts in theKorean community.

18

LASIK...SEEING IS BELIEVING

13

06

4-4

-10

LASIK surgery offers the power to dramatically improve the

way you view the world. We encourage you to discover the

future in laser vision correction at the North Shore-LIJ

LASIK Center.

*North Shore-LIJ Health System employees and their families are eligible for a discount.

Call our LASIK Coordinator,

Victoria Leo, at (516) 465-8450

for more details and to schedule

your FREE evaluation today!

Carolyn Y. Shih MD, MBA, MPH

Conveniently located at

600 Northern Blvd., Great Neck

Two members of the North Shore-LIJHealth System’s leadership team — MarkSolazzo and Lawrence Smith, MD — wererecently named executive vice presidents.

As executive vice president and chiefoperating officer (COO) of the health system,Mr. Solazzo joined the organization in 1995and has held a number of important rolesover the past 15 years; he has served asCOO since 2005.Mr. Solazzo hasworked with othersenior leaders aswell as front-linestaff to develop andimplement thehealth system’sstrategic objectives,and improve oper-ations and patientcare delivery. Mr. Solazzo has played a keyrole in significantly improving operationsand efficiencies systemwide.

As the health system’s executive vicepresident and chief medical officer and deanof the Hofstra University School of Medicinein partnership with North Shore-LIJ, Dr.

Smith joined theorganization in2005 after a distin-guished career as apracticing physicianand faculty memberat Stony BrookUniversity Hospital,and clinical andeducational leaderat the Mount SinaiSchool of Medicine. Dr. Smith hasstrengthened and enhanced the healthsystem’s partnership with the physiciancommunity, improved physician recruit-ment efforts and strengthened North Shore-LIJ’s medical education programs.

Kevin Dwyerwas recently pro-moted to seniorvice president andchief developmentofficer of the NorthShore-LIJ HealthSystem. Mr. Dwyermanages all day-to-day activities and

initiatives of the North Shore-LIJFoundation. He is heavily involved in majorgift and capital initiatives that support thehealth system administration’s long-rangecapital plans. Mr. Dwyer joined North Shore-LIJ in 2005 as the Foundation’s corporatedirector of development.

Jacqueline Moline, MD, has joinedNorth Shore-LIJ as vice president of popula-tion health for thehealth system andchair of the newlycreatedDepartment ofPopulation Healthat North ShoreUniversityHospital. Dr.Moline collabo-rates with NorthShore-LIJ leadership to develop healthand wellness initiatives for staff membersand the community. Additionally, she isdeveloping a population health and epi-demiology research program. Dr. Molinewas formerly vice chair at Mount SinaiSchool of Medicine.

Mark Solazzo

Kevin Dwyer

Jacqueline Moline MD

Lawrence Smith, MD

19

Executive Appointments

She Can See Clearly NowLaura Feaser, MSW, a senior social worker atthe Orzac Center for Extended Care andRehabilitation in Valley Stream, recently tookadvantage of the employee discount offeredby the North Shore-LIJ LASIK Center in GreatNeck. Ophthalmologist Carolyn Shih, MD, uti-lized IntraLase blade-free technology to createan optimal corneal surface for Ms. Feaser’s out-patient procedure. Like most LASIK patients,Ms. Feaser recovered fully in a couple of days.She reported that her biggest thrill is no longerneeding to don glasses to see her alarm clock.

Phone Service Facilitates Patient TransfersGREAT NECK — The North Shore-LIJHealth System recently launched thePatient Transfer Center to ensure safetransfers for patients who require a higherlevel of care from hospitals and physiciansin the community setting.

The Patient Transfer Center simplifiesthe transfer and admission processes forphysicians and patients. With one phonecall, a doctor can initiate a swift patienttransfer from local hospitals to North ShoreUniversity Hospital or Long Island Jewish(LIJ) Medical Center to ensure continuity ofquality care. RNs answer every call to thePatient Transfer Center, 24 hours a day, 365days a year. The Patient Transfer Center nursesare critical care specialists with training infacilitating transfers for patients with adiverse set of complex health issues.

“Our primary concern is to ensure thatall patients are treated in the setting mostappropriate to their needs,” said Jeremy Boal,MD, medical director at LIJ. “Equally impor-tant is to make the process of transferringpatients who require a higher level of caremore user-friendly to our colleagues both inand outside of the health system.”

“Patient Transfer Center nurses establishcontact between the sending physicianand an accepting physician at one of ourtertiary facilities,” said Vicki LoPachin,MD, medical director at North ShoreUniversity Hospital. She added that uponacceptance, the Transfer Center RN handlessuch logistics as reserving a bed andarranging transportation. The call center’sphone number designated for physiciansis 888/701-BEDS (2337).

IS Updates PortalThe North Shore-LIJ Information

Services (IS) Department recently unveileda redesign of its HealthPort portal. Now,employees can go online to open andobtain the status of service tickets andservice requests.

The site also features details on key proj-ects and initiatives; IS forms, user guides, andpolicies and procedures; alerts and notifica-tions for service interruptions; security tipsfor home and office; and a link to ClinicalInformation Systems’ Project Sunrise page.

Find IS in HealthPort’s left navigationbar or under the “Departments” tab.

GREAT NECK — In a move toward greaterpricing transparency, the North Shore-LIJHealth System has launched an online serviceto help consumers estimate medical costs inadvance. Accessible via the Financial Helpsection on NorthShoreLIJ.com/FinancialHelp,the Cost Estimator also helps consumersunderstand their hospital bills, determinetheir eligibility for financial assistance, estab-lish affordable, interest-free payment plansand arrange for convenient online payments.

“Just like every company that sells aproduct or service to consumers, hospitalsshould be able to tell consumers in advancethe cost of their medical services and theirpayment options,” said Michael Dowling,president and CEO of North Shore-LIJ.

Giving consumers access to pricinginformation is part of a continuous movetoward greater public transparency byNorth Shore-LIJ, which was recently recog-nized by the National Quality Forum for its“ongoing commitment to providing high-quality, transparent, patient-centered health-care.” Among other efforts, North Shore-LIJis the first nonprofit health system in NewYork State to post its hospitals’ infectionrates and performance information from theUS Centers for Medicare and MedicaidServices online.

The North Shore-LIJ Health System isone of the nation’s most progressive when itcomes to providing financial assistance touninsured patients and others who struggleto pay their hospital bills. It was one of NewYork State’s first healthcare providers to offera comprehensive Financial AssistanceProgram in 2004. In fact, North Shore-LIJ’sprogram — offering financial aid to familiesearning up to three times the federal povertylevel (FPL) — served as the model for a 2007state law requiring hospitals across New York

to offer reduced-cost coverage for the unin-sured. In 2008, the health system expandedeligibility to families with household incomesup to five times the FPL, which amounts to$110,250 a year for a family of four.

“We have dedicated programs to helpuninsured and underinsured patients reducetheir out-of-pocket costs and obtain clearinformation about our affordable paymentplans,” said Robert Shapiro, senior vicepresident and chief financial officer forNorth Shore-LIJ. In 2009, he said, thehealth system’s cost of providing care touninsured and underinsured patients was$122 million. “We want to help families payoff their debt in a way that does not placeundue hardship on them, enabling them tomaintain a secure financial footing,” Mr.Shapiro added.

Toward that end, North Shore-LIJdesigned its Cost Estimator with the patient inmind. In addition to assistance availablethrough the health system, the online service

helps guide families on how to enroll in gov-ernment-subsidized plans such as Child HealthPlus, Family Health Plus, the Prenatal CareAssistance Program, Medicaid and Medicare.

Furthermore, the Cost Estimator pro-vides information to help patients getguidance on completing enrollment appli-cations, and reading and understandinghospital bills. Patients can also use it tomake secure online payments with a creditcard or electronic check. If a patient isunable to make a full payment, an onlinepayment calculator helps to calculate aminimum monthly payment.

For concerns with an existing account,patients can contact a payment specialist viathe online contact form in theNorthShoreLIJ.com Financial Help sectionor by calling 888/214-4065. Spanish-speaking representatives are available and atranslation service is provided for othernon-English-speaking callers.

— Elaine Wohl

20

Lucky StrikesKids bowled for more thandollars when North Shore-LIJhelped them take a standagainst the tobacco industryduring 2010’s National KickButts Day. Students at OurLady of Perpetual HelpSchool in Lindenhurst trans-formed their gym into ahealth classroom and fairwith information booths,games, a poster contest,prizes and giveaways.Trained by staff from NorthShore-LIJ Health System’sCenter for Tobacco Control,eighth graders developed ashort lesson plan about thedangers of smoking andtobacco advertising and pre-sented it to fifth graders.

Online Cost Estimator Gives Patients Pricing, Financial Assistance Info

Gift Shop Gets MakeoverNorth Shore University Hospital (NSUH) recently celebrated the opening of Vivo Health

Marketplace. The renovated and renamed gift shop expands shopping options for patients, families,employees and visitors, with more than 1,000 items in stock; sales proceeds benefit NSUH.Vivo Health Marketplace is open every day from 9 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. For information, call516/562-4MKT or click VivoHealth.com/marketplace.

Cancer Survivors’ Day 2010Olympic Gold Medal figure skater and NBCOlympic commentator Scott Hamilton headlinesthe fourth annual Cancer Survivors’ Day. TheJune 5 event at the Monter Cancer Center willhonor current and past patients, their familiesand caregivers.

21

Ballpark HITThe North Shore-LIJ Health System and the New York Mets cut the ribbon on a new health and wellnessinformation center at Citi Field — the first of its kind in Major League Baseball. Among those participatingin the opening of the Health Information Team (HIT) were members of the Ridgewood/Glendale/MiddleVillage/Maspeth Little League team and from left, back row: Mets pitcher Johan Santana; Mets managerJerry Manuel; Neeta Shah, MD, vice president of women's health services at North Shore-LIJ; Iris and SaulKatz, president of the Mets and chairman of the North Shore-LIJ Health System; Stacey Rosen, MD, chief ofcardiology at LIJ Medical Center; Queens Borough President Helen Marshall; City Councilwoman JulissaFerreras; and North Shore-LIJ President and CEO Michael Dowling.

Commission on Cancer Honors LIJ for Outstanding AchievementNEW HYDE PARK — Long Island Jewish(LIJ) Medical Center has received theCommission on Cancer (CoC) OutstandingAchievement Award, which recognizes pro-grams that strive for excellence in provid-ing quality care to cancer patients.

“This exceptional designation isreserved for only a few programs,” saidRichard Gralla, MD, vice president ofcancer services for the North Shore-LIJHealth System and chief ofhematology/oncology at the MonterCancer Center in Lake Success. “Based onthe daily dedication and expertise of ourphysicians and staff, we are very pleasedthat such a prestigious group as theAmerican College of Surgeons, whichestablished the CoC, has recognized ourachievement.”

Eligibility and accreditation for theCoC’s Outstanding Achievement Awardare reserved for facilities that commit toproviding the best cancer care and cancomply with CoC standards. Each programundergoes a rigorous evaluation andreview of its performance and compliancewith CoC standards and on-site evaluationevery three years.

“To be among the few institutions cho-sen from around the country to receive theOutstanding Achievement Award shows ourdeep commitment to providing the highestquality of care to our cancer patients,” saidKanti Rai, MD, chief of hematology/oncology

at LIJ Medical Center. “Our Cancer Registrystaff members maintain excellence in eachaspect of their work, while CancerCommittee colleagues pursue new areas in

cancer research as well as community out-reach. This is an occasion to take pride inour work and rededicate ourselves to main-taining our high level of care,” he added.

To receive the CoC’s OutstandingAchievement Award, a facility mustdemonstrate a commendation level ofcompliance with six standards thatrepresent the full scope of the cancerprogram within program activities thatencompass cancer committee leadership,cancer data management, research,community outreach and qualityimprovement. The commendation fol-lows an on-site evaluation by a physiciansurveyor. Furthermore, each facilityreceives a compliance rating for anadditional 30 standards. Only 82 programsreceived the award following the 2009surveys — 18 percent of the 432 par-ticipating programs.

There are more than 1,480 CoC-accredited cancer programs across thecountry. These accredited hospitals andtreatment centers diagnose and treat 80percent of newly diagnosed cancerpatients annually. Participating programsfocus on continuum of cancer care, pre-vention and early detection, pretreatmentevaluation, staging, optimal treatment,rehabilitation, surveillance for recurrentdisease, support services, end-of-life andlifelong follow-up care.

— Elaine Wohl

Standing from left: Adrienne Thomas, Tumor Registry supervisor;Kanti Rai, MD, LIJ’s chief of hematology/oncology; Mary Paul, RN,nurse manager, ambulatory chemotherapy and treatment (ACT);and Meg McCormick, RN, ACT, with patient Mel Ilberman, seated.

The North Shore LIJ Center forEmergency Medical Services (CEMS)recently celebrated its first anniversaryproviding ambulance services for theVillage of Rockville Centre. The pro-gram — the only one of its kind onLong Island — covered more than 900calls in its first year.

“It’s going extremely well,” saidAlan Schwalberg, CEMS director ofoperations. “Everyone’s extremely satis-fied — the village board, the communi-ty, the Rockville Centre Fire Departmentand the North Shore-LIJ HealthSystem.”

CEMS posts an ambulance inRockville Centre Monday through Fridayfrom 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; the villageFire Department’s ambulance respondsto calls at other times.

Year-Old CEMSProgram Covers900+ Calls

22

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Targeting Patient-Safety FailuresThe North Shore-LIJ Health System has

joined a study administered by the JointCommission with other top healthcareproviders to increase patient safety.

The Joint Commission recentlylaunched the Center for TransformingHealthcare to detect and stop the causes ofdangerous breakdowns in patient care. Firston the agenda was hand-washing failure,which contributes to healthcare-associatedinfections that kill nearly 100,000Americans every year and costs US hospitals$4 billion to $29 billion to combat annually.

“Demanding that healthcare workers tryharder is not the answer,” said Mark Chassin,MD, president of the Joint Commission. “Acomprehensive approach is the only solutionto preventing bad patient outcomes.”

Participating hospitals and health systemsused the Joint Commission’s process-improvement tools to evaluate hand-washinghabits. The study revealed that, on average,

caregivers wash their hands less than 50percent of the time.

Targeted solutions currently undergoingevaluation include:

❒ holding all hospital personnelaccountable and responsible –including clinicians, food servicestaff, housekeepers, chaplains, tech-nicians and therapists;

❒ using a reliable method to measureperformance;

❒ communicating frequently;❒ using real-time performance

feedback; and❒ tailoring education in proper hand

hygiene for specific disciplines.“Identifying and quantifying unsafe

practices will lead to the development andtesting of specific, long-lasting patient-safetysolutions,” said Donna Armellino, directorof epidemiology at North Shore UniversityHospital.

Preceptor of the YearGeorge Washington University’s (GWU) School of Public Health and Health Services recently desig-nated the North Shore-LIJ Health System as the Preceptor of the Year. The designation honors thehealth system’s dedication to education and support of professionals beginning or expanding theirhealthcare careers through its Administrative Fellowship Program; this is the first time the universityacknowledged an organization for its efforts rather than an individual. Kathleen Gallo, RN, PhD, thehealth system’s chief learning officer, and Amit Powar, MD, its senior director of system operations,accepted the award on behalf of North Shore-LIJ. From left: Bob Burke, PhD, chairman of theuniversity’s Health Services Management and Leadership (HSML) Program; Elliot Cohen, chairman ofGeorge Washington University’s Alumni Association; Tashonda Frazier, GWU fellow; Gabe Spencer,past GWU fellow; Drs. Gallo and Powar; and Leonard Friedman, PhD, HSML director.

of medical excellence,” said Saul Katz, chair-man of the North Shore-LIJ Health SystemBoard of Trustees. “Utilizing North Shore-LIJ’s infrastructure and resources will furtherstrengthen Lenox Hill Hospital’s ability toprovide its physicians with access to the fullcontinuum of care for their patients. Theboard is confident that this new partnershipwill bring great value to both Lenox Hilland the North Shore-LIJ Health System.”

North Shore-LIJ will provide the neces-sary support to help Lenox Hill Hospitalenhance its clinical services, which have awell-deserved reputation for excellence incardiac care, digestive disorders, maternal-

child health and orthopedics said MichaelDowling, president and chief executiveofficer of the health system. “By makingclinical investments at Lenox Hill and pro-viding other resources and support that willenhance quality and reduce expenses, we’reconfident we can build on the hospital’sunique operating niche as a physician- andpatient-friendly facility that attracts clinicaltalent and patients from throughout themetropolitan area,” he said. “Among LenoxHill’s attributes is its large core of loyal physi-cians in key clinical areas who are critical inattracting patients and expanding programs.”

Lenox Hill to Join Health Systemfrom page 1

Value-Based Health CareJossey-Bass recently published Value-BasedHealth Care: Linking Finance and Quality byYosef Dlugacz, PhD, senior vice president ofclinical quality for the Krasnoff Quality Institute.The book covers successfully linking healthcarequality and finance and describes the tools toimplement strategies for organizational success.Dr. Dlugacz provides examples of process andoutcomes of the value-based approach from arange of healthcare settings.

One Under 40 Allison Bunin, corporate directorof employee communications forthe North Shore-LIJ HealthSystem, recently accepted a 40Under 40 Award from JohnKominicki, publisher of LongIsland Business News, at the publi-cation’s awards ceremony at theCrest Hollow Country Club inWoodbury. The event recognizedoutstanding members of the LongIsland business community underthe age of 40. Also honored at theevent was Nassau CountyLegislator Kevan Abrahams, ananalyst in the health system'sDepartment of Strategic Planning.

24

25

Green SOLUTIONS

North Shore-LIJ and EPA Sign Green Initiatives AgreementMANHASSET —The North Shore-LIJ HealthSystem and the US Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) have signed a major partnershipagreement on far-reaching environmentalstewardship programs that will directly affectthe health and well-being of patients caredfor at health system hospitals as well assafeguard the environment.

At a recent news conference at theFeinstein Institute of Medical Research inManhasset, Michael Dowling, president andCEO of North Shore-LIJ, and EPA RegionalAdministrator Judith Enck, signed a five-year“Memorandum of Understanding” (MOU) inwhich North Shore-LIJ hospitals in Queens,Long Island and Staten Island will participatein voluntary EPA environmental stewardshipprograms in energy and water conservation;solid waste recycling; environmentally sensi-tive landscaping; combined heat and powerplants; sustainable building and constructionprojects; and green cleaning. Mr. Dowling andMs. Enck joined more than one billionindividuals, corporations and governments in190 countries to mark the 40th anniversaryof Earth Day by taking action to promotehealthy communities and protect the planet.

“Medical professionals work every dayto improve the health of people they serve,and the environmentally sound practices inthis agreement will help them create ahealthier environment for all,” said Ms.Enck. “This is the perfect time to sign thiscomprehensive agreement between EPA andan entire healthcare network.”

“With a workforce of more than38,000, the North Shore-LIJ Health Systemis the largest employer on Long Island andthe ninth largest in New York City,” saidMr. Dowling. “We play a leading role bynot only providing top-notch healthcarebut also promoting sustainable businesspractices to improve public health and min-imize our impact on the environment. Ourcollective actions make a tangible differencein terms of reducing greenhouse emissions,conserving energy, wisely using naturalresources and at the same time, benefit fromsignificant cost-savings.”

“Operating 24 hours a day, 365 days ayear, hospitals continually use power to heatand cool patient-care facilities year-round,so there is an incentive to be energy efficientand cost-effective,” said Maurice LaBonne,North Shore-LIJ’s senior vice president offacilities services. “Hospitals are well suitedto sustainable design and constructionbecause patients often have compromisedimmune systems; sustainable healing envi-ronments contribute to better patient out-comes,” he said. For example, improvingthe indoor environmental quality of thepatient experience — such as including

features such as providing sunlight or natureviews — can reduce stress and anxiety aswell as improve indoor air quality.

Highlights of the agreement betweenNorth Shore-LIJ and EPA include:

❑ Energy Conservation andEnergyStar Building and PlantsProgram — North Shore-LIJ willstrive to reduce energy consumptionby at least 10 percent. This commit-ment is underscored by a system-wide energy and water conservationprogram initiated in 2006 that willexpand under the partnership. In2009, Glen Cove Hospital earnedthe EnergyStar for superior energyefficiency.

❑ Solid Waste Recycling andWasteWise Program — The healthsystem has already implemented arecycling program that includespaper, plastic, aluminum and card-board. It will explore additionalopportunities to minimize waste andrecycle.

❑ GreenScapes and Re-Use ofIndustrial Materials — In accordancewith the EPA’s GreenScapes program,North Shore-LIJ will re-use landscap-ing materials wherever possible andre-use industrial materials for con-struction projects. Constructionmaterials will include as muchrecycled content as feasible.

❑ Coal Combustion ByproductsProgram — The health system willseek ways to increase the use of coalcombustion byproducts in construc-tion activities. For example, in theKatz Women’s Hospital constructionproject at North Shore UniversityHospital, cement will consist of 40

percent fly ash, one of the wasteproducts from coal combustion.

❑ Combined Heat and PowerPartnership — North Shore-LIJrecognizes that the use of combinedheat and power reduces environmentalimpacts while meeting the demandfor energy. At LIJ Medical Center, acombined heat and power plantsupplies electrical energy to thecampus boiler/chiller operations andsupplementary heat for steam andhot water. The health system willseek opportunities to enhance thisplant and explore the application ofthis technology to other facilities.

❑ Leadership in Energy andEnvironmental Design (LEED) —North Shore-LIJ will continue tocertify construction projects under theLEED rating system. Currently, thereare 25 such projects registered withthe US Green Building Council forLEED certification. Such certificationsfurther confirm the health system’scommitment to sustainability andenvironmental protection

Other EPA programs within this MOUare Water Conservation and WaterSenseProducts, Alternative (or Renewable) Energy,and the Clean Construction USA Program.

In addition, North Shore-LIJ plans tocertify major construction projects underthe LEED rating system. The health systemhas worked with the US Green BuildingCouncil/Long Island to establish theHealthcare Committee for the chapter. Thefollowing construction projects have beenregistered with the council:

❑ Katz Women’s Hospital at North ShoreUniversity Hospital

❑ Surgical Pavilion at North ShoreUniversity Hospital

❑ Zucker Hillside Hospital InpatientPavilion

❑ Steven and Alexandra CohenChildren’s Medical Center of New York

❑ Monter Cancer Center Phase II❑ Center for Advanced Medicine

Radiation Oncology Program❑ LIJ Medical Center, Katz Women’s

Hospital, floors 8 and 9 ❑ Health Info Team-North Shore-LIJ at

Citi Field“I applaud North Shore-LIJ, for its com-

mitment to energy efficiency and participat-ing in LIPA’s Efficiency Long IslandCommercial Program,” said Kevin Law, LIPApresident and CEO. “By becoming moreenergy efficient, our commercial and residen-tial customers will see significant savings andhelp reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.”

— Betty Olt

On the eve of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day,Michael Dowling, president and chief executiveofficer of North Shore-LIJ, and Judith Enck, EPARegional Administrator, signed an agreement onfar-reaching green initiatives that safeguardpublic health and protect the environment.

HealthPort recently unveiled a multi-media portal, courtesy of the North Shore-LIJ Studios.

The new portal represents a significantleap in the health system’s communicationand educational abilities. The technology ison the leading edge of corporate audio andvideo delivery, and North Shore-LIJ’s imple-mentation is one of the most innovative inthe healthcare field. Partnered with theback-end management tool, the new portaldramatically improves how North Shore-LIJdelivers and views multimedia content.

The portal features two sections.The training section provides education

content for users who may otherwise beunable to access or attend. For instance,while all employees are mandated to gothrough some training every year, time andaccess can hinder delivery of educationalcontent. Many staff members don’t havefull-time access to computers while at workand can’t attend lectures and educationalevents live — especially if they work off-shift. But many health professionals needcontinuing education credits to maintaincertification status. The training sectionaddresses these concerns with features like:

❒ Personalized tracking. If you stopor pause a course, even for a longtime, the system will rememberwhere you were when you return.

❒ Testing. If you’re required to com-plete a test for credit, you will getresults immediately.

❒ Surveys. You may get the opportu-nity to provide feedback to the con-tent owner to help improve the con-tent in the future

❒ Certificates. Upon successfullycompleting a course, you may printout a certificate right from the portal

❒ Continuing education credit. Forcourses approved by the relevantcontinuing education department,you will receive continuing educa-

tion contact hours for completing theonline course

❒ Downloads. You can download anysupporting material included by thecontent owner.

❒ Anytime, anywhere access. As longas you have your Universal ID, youcan log in to HealthPort any time.

The other section of the portal, NSLIJ-TV, includes corporate messages, marketinginformation and reference and other non-required media. Users can access this trackwithout logging in.

Access to the portal is as simple as vis-iting HealthPort via the intranet or remotely.On the home page, click the multimedialink in the secondary navigation bar to openthe portal. Clicking “NSLIJ-TV” will bringyou directly to that page. If you choose thetraining portal, you’ll be prompted for yourUniversal ID — it’s the same log-in you useto get to your e-mail, your desktop log-in,Sunrise Clinical Manager or remote accessto HealthPort.

The center panel of each portal containsimportant messages and new content. Findcontent via the search tool or by browsingthrough content categories. Once you findwhat you need, launch it directly from thelist. Web pages typically display video on oneside, graphics or PowerPoint slides on theother and descriptive information below.

New content for the multimedia portalwill come from such sources as clinicaldepartments, the Corporate ComplianceDepartment and Human Resources. Contentfrom North Shore-LIJ’s recently upgradedtwo-way teleconferencing network, dedicat-ed video-capture systems and North Shore-LIJ Studios productions will be added to theportal regularly.

To learn more about the multimediaportal, visit North Shore-LIJ Studios onHealthPort or contact Daniel Sokolow at516/465-8109 or dsokolow@nshs.edu.

— Daniel Sokolow

26

Information Services Department ExpandsThe North Shore-LIJ Health System

Information Services (IS) project manage-ment office recently came under theumbrella of the Information Services (IS)Department. IS project management wasformerly covered by Eclipsys Corporation.

Cindy Phelan directs the projectmanagement office and reports to NickO’Connor, vice president of client projectservices in IS. Twenty project managerswithin the project management office pro-vide centralized management of informationtechnology initiatives. Project management

office leadership creates standardizedpolicies and procedures to deliver projectson time, on budget and according tocustomer expectations.

The project management office encom-passes clinical systems such as electronicmedical records, radiology, cardiology andpharmacy and business systems such asfinance, human resources and revenue cycle.It also handles technology infrastructure andfacilities projects; each area is led by aprogram manager who works with clinical,business and IS leaders.

NetNEWS

HealthPort Adds Multimedia Portal

feet in recent years. Combined with relentlessrainfall, this caused groundwater to risethrough the hospital’s floors into the 23,000-square-foot space of the North Wing.

Alerted to Hospital Incident CommandSystem (HICS) level two, the New York Stateand Nassau County departments of healthand authorized the hospital to take action tomaintain operations. Franklin’s staff laboredto vacate the North Wing of the hospital,relocating and outsourcing critical functionsto other parts of the building and satellitefacilities. In just three weeks, while keepingeach department functional, the hospitalrelocated Audio-Visual Services, BiomedicalEngineering, the Central Sterile Department,Employee Health Services, EnvironmentalServices, the Human Resources Department,the Infectious Disease Division, the laboratory,the mail room, Materials Management,Medical Staff Services and Credentialing,Nursing Education, Physician Billing,Purchasing, Security Operations, the store-room and Service Excellence. The hospital’sGreenberg and Shankman auditoriums werealso unusable.

“These circumstances could have hadcatastrophic implications for operations —but they didn’t,” said Joseph Manopella,Franklin’s executive director. “Our staffmembers mobilized instantaneously. Withadditional help from health system resources,we overcame the challenge without anyinterruption to services. The people wereour resource. Their actions and enduranceare a testament to the commitment anddedication of our staff to the people weserve every day.”

— Kristin Longo

Franklin’s TeamworkKeeps Hospital Afloatfrom page 5

Franklin Hospital worked with the New YorkState Department of Health and Nassau Countyauthorities to avert disaster when a rising watertable plus almost 10 inches of rainfall causedgroundwater to rise through the North Wing.Numerous departments were relocated from the

23,000-square-foot space.

27

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28

Women’s CORNER

The North Shore-LIJ Health Systemcontinues to be ranked among the top 100integrated healthcare networks (IHNs) inthe United States, according to SDI, ahealthcare data and consulting firm that

conducts theannual review.North Shore-LIJwas ranked 27thin the 2010 SDITop 100 IHNslist — ahead ofthe two othernetworks in NewYork State thatmade the top100.

An IHN is asystem or net-work of organi-zations and indi-viduals that pro-vides a coordi-nated continu-um of servicesto a definedpopulation, andthat is held clin-ically and fiscal-ly accountablefor the outcomesand health sta-tus of the popu-lations it serves.SDI rates each

network on its level of performance as wellas degree of integration and the ability tooperate as a unified organization.

Performance is analyzed in eight cate-gories: hospital utilization, financial stability,physician participation, services and access,contractual capabilities, outpatient utiliza-tion, integration and integrated technology.These categories are made up of 33 attrib-utes (operating and profit margins, inpatientservices, quality of service, outpatient visits,disease management, continuum of care,etc.), each with an assigned point value,that serve as key components used to assessan IHN’s current and future success. EveryIHN examined receives a performance levelscore for each attribute. The scores of eachcategory are added together for a total score.The more integrated the IHN, the higher thescore received. North Shore-LIJ received ascore of 81.34 out of 100.00.

The SDI ranking indicates North Shore-LIJ’s success functioning as a health system.This year’s ranking reflects the clinical andadministrative accomplishments over the pastseveral years. Clinical programs and serviceshave been integrated across departments,hospitals and facilities; relationships withphysicians have been developed and sup-ported; and resources have been more fullyutilized. As this work continues, NorthShore-LIJ’s ability to deliver quality, patient-centered care will be enhanced, heighteningour reputation as a healthcare leader.

— Irene Peake

Somber MemorialSurvivors and family members of the AviancaFlight 52 plane crash recently gathered at St.Dominic's Roman Catholic Church in Oyster Bayto commemorate the tragedy’s 20th anniversary.A noon mass memorialized the 73 people whoperished on the flight and served as a supportivereunion for survivors. From left, Nestor Zarate, ofFlorida, views a drawing from a child survivorwith Victor Fornari, MD, the director of child/adolescent psychiatry at North Shore UniversityHospital, and John Hickey, MD. Dr. Hickey, NassauCounty’s former deputy commissioner of mentalhealth, helped ease survivors’ and family members’ trauma immediately following the crash, Dr. Fornariworked with several child survivors and Mr. Zarate now serves as the "leader" of the survivors.

Women’s Hospital to Open Next Year at North ShoreConstruction on the Katz Women's Hospital at North Shore University Hospitalrecently reached the half-way mark, as supporters gathered for a "topping-off" cere-mony outside the hospital, which will become home next year to 73 private roomsto accommodate women and their families. From left are: North Shore-LIJ trusteesRoger Blumencranz and Michael Katz, associate trustee Dayle Katz, trustee DavidKatz, Iris and Saul Katz, in whose honor the women's hospital is named, associatetrustee Jeanine Bondi, hospital executive director Susan Somerville and North Shore-LIJ President and CEO Michael Dowling. Construction is also progressing on the KatzWomen's Hospital at LIJ Medical Center, which is scheduled for completion in 2012.

Every Woman Matters AwardSaul Katz, chairmanof the North Shore-LIJ Health System,recently presentedVictor Klein, MD,with the EveryWoman MattersAward. Director ofpatient safety andrisk reduction inobstetrics andgynecology for theNorth Shore-LIJHealth System and obstetrician/gynecologist atNorth Shore University Hospital and LIJMedical Center, Dr. Klein received the honorfor dedicating his career to meeting women’shealthcare needs, especially during pregnancy.

North Shore-LIJ Remains Among Top IHNs

29

LifeSAVER

Blood Drives June 1 Long Island Jewish (LIJ) HospitalJune 2 The Zucker Hillside HospitalJune 4 The Feinstein Institute for

Medical ResearchJune 4 Administration — Great NeckJune 6 SIUH — SouthJune 9 Plainview Hospital June 14 Dolan Family Health CenterJune 16 CEMSJune 16 North Shore-LIJ LaboratoriesJune 17 LIJ HospitalJune 17 SIUH — North, Rehab GymJune 24 Regional Claims Recovery ServiceJune 24 Syosset HospitalJune 28 Huntington HospitalJuly 1 NSUHJuly 2 NSUHJuly 7 Glen Cove HospitalJuly 12 North Shore-LIJ Materials

ManagementJuly 13 SIUH — South July 14 Franklin HospitalJuly 14 Center for Advanced MedicineJuly 15 Administration — WestburyJuly 15 Southside HospitalJuly 20 SIUH — North, Conference RoomJuly 28 Southside HospitalJuly 29 Stern Family CECRJuly 30 Corporate — Lake SuccessAug. 4 SIUH — South Aug. 10 Physician Ambulatory Network

ServicesAug. 11 Plainview HospitalAug. 11 SIUH — North, Conference RoomAug. 13 Forest Hills HospitalAug. 18 SIUH — North, Rehab GymAug. 24 SIUH — Pouch

CLI Integrates Online Registration

LearningFOR LIFE

Invest in Your Health

For YourBENEFIT

The North Shore-LIJ Health System’sCenter for Learning and Innovation (CLI)recently unveiled online registration. Thecorporate university partnered with CMETracker for the system.

Previously, fax registration could takeup to 48 hours. CLI’s new electronic systemallows students to see which classes areavailable in real time, update their personalinformation and register for a course.

Registration triggers automatic e-mail con-firmations to students and supervisors.

Since the inception of CLI’s onlineregistration, more than 10,000 onlineregistrations have been completed. AnyInternet-capable computer — at home orwork — lets students find and registerfor classes.

For a guide to the online registrationprocess, e-mail CLI@nshs.edu.

Celebrating the Gift of LifeNorth Shore University Hospital (NSUH)recently joined other hospitals across the NorthShore-LIJ Health System in celebrating NationalDonate Life Month and raising awareness ofthe need for organ and tissue donations.Among those celebrating were, from left:Louis Kavoussi, MD, chairman of urology forthe North Shore-LIJ Health System; JamesConroy, who donated a kidney to his mother,Patricia (at his left); Madhu Bhaskaran, MD,medical director of the North Shore-LIJ transplantprogram; Harriet Citron, who received a kidneyfrom her daughter, Randi Feinberg (not pictured),with her husband, David (at her left); SiddiquaAlleyne, who received a kidney from herbrother, Marc (at her left); and ErnestoMolmenti, MD, the transplant program’ssurgical director. The NSUH transplant team hasperformed more than 50 transplants since theprogram’s 2008 inception.

The North Shore-LIJ Health System hasagain joined forces with Weight Watchers tobring employees special savings on weight-loss solutions. Any full-time or part-timeemployee may enroll and get reimbursed upto 100 percent. As part of the system-widefocus on wellness, employees can take advan-tage of several Weight Watchers options.

At-Work Meetingsbring trained WeightWatchers leaders to theworkplace for weeklymeetings with support fromcoworkers. Several sites are already takingadvantage of this benefit just in time forsummer, according to Jane Jacobson, thehealth system’s wellness coordinator.

“We want to make it easy for employeesto get the support they need to achieve

their goals, and it doesn’t get much moreconvenient than having Weight Watcherscome to you at work,” Jacobson said. Newthis year is a reimbursement system basednot only on meeting attendance but alsoon weight loss. “We encourage employeesto invest in their health. In return, North

Shore-LIJ will cover program costs,”she added.

Besides At-WorkMeetings, employees

may choose to attendmeetings at their local Weight

Watchers venue or enroll in an onlinesubscription with interactive tools andresources that chart progress.

Visit HealthPort for cost information,reimbursement forms and contact information.

30

$120 million project has been on hold sinceDecember 2008 because of the economicdownturn. Construction began this springand will be completed in 2013.

The new pavilion made possible by thiscontribution will feature:

❒ a Pediatric Emergency Center — theregion’s first dedicated, stand-alonepediatric emergency department;

❒ a 24-bed Pediatric Intensive CareUnit;

❒ a 25-bed Medical-Surgical Unit; and ❒ a state-of-art surgery center that will

include six operating rooms solelydedicated to children.

Steven and Alexandra Cohen have hada 14-year relationship with North Shore-LIJ.Previously, the Cohen Foundation donated$7 million to North Shore-LIJ to build anew Ambulatory Pediatric ChemotherapyUnit that opened in 2009 and establish anendowment named the Philip Lanzkowsky,MD, Professorship in Pediatrics. The profes-sorship is currently held by Arthur Klein,MD, the health system's senior vice presi-dent of children's services and the executivedirector and chief of staff of the CohenChildren's Medical Center of New York.

“Pediatric healthcare is an issue that isnear and dear to our hearts and one that wehave supported for many years,” said theCohens. “The hospital is one of America’stop children’s hospitals and impacts thelives of countless children and families. We

hope that our gift will enable the hospital tocontinue its important work.”

“Earning the Cohens’ confidence andsupport is a testament to the progress wehave made in advancing pediatric medicineand the reputation of our children’s hospitalin the New York metropolitan area andnationally,” said Michael Dowling, the NorthShore-LIJ Health System’s president and chiefexecutive officer. “We are extremely thankfulfor the Cohens’ extraordinary generosity.”

North Shore-LIJ Chairman Saul Katzexpressed his appreciation for the Schneiderfamily’s more than 25-year commitment tothe hospital and said he looks forward todeepening the health system’s existing rela-

tionship with the Cohens. “We’re delightedby the Cohens’ extraordinary devotion tofurthering our mission of providing thehighest quality pediatric care to our patients.Their donation is a major development andrepresents one of the largest gifts ever madefor pediatric care in the United States.”

Dr Klein added, “We’re deeply touchedand honored by Steve and Alex Cohen’ssupport of the hospital. As someone who hasknown the Cohens for many years, I’ve seenfirst-hand their deep love of children andfamily. The new construction made possibleby this gift will enable us to develop whatwill truly be a world-class children’s hospitalunmatched in the New York area.”

Children’s Hospital Renamed for Steven and Alexandra Cohenfrom page 1

ORIGINS

In October 1950, Jinx McCrary,North Shore Hospital trustee andradio personality, helped to pro-mote the opening of a local gasstation. The new business con-tributed a portion of salestoward the North Shore HospitalFund during its opening week-end. Looking on were, from left,Warren Stuiz and Jake Williams,co-owners of the station, andGeorge Dow, a LittleNeck/Douglaston representativefor the hospital campaign’sProfessional, Industrial andCommercial Division.

Medical UpdateWatch Medical Update with Dr. Frank

Field, North Shore-LIJ’s award-winningseries, at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Mondaythrough Friday on Verizon FiOs Channel 1,and at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m.Tuesday and 1 p.m. Friday on Great NeckPublic Access TV (Channel 20 onCablevision and Channel 37 on VerizonFiOs) and any time at NorthShoreLIJ.com.

The Cohens’ generosity will allow construction of a new pavilion, shown at left in this architect’s rendering,to move forward.

31

Responding to the Call in HaitiVolunteers from across the North

Shore-LIJ Health System have battled infra-structural damage, sweltering heat, deficientsupplies, inconsistent electricity, unsafewater and widespread disease to help survivorsof Haiti’s January earthquake.

Louis Auguste, MD, a surgical oncologistat Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Centerand president of the New York Chapter ofthe Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad,was one of the first volunteers on the ground.He spent a week at State University Hospital,known as General Hospital, the largest cityhospital in Port-au-Prince.

Upon his group’s arrival at the facility,Haitian staff members had yet to return totheir jobs and many patients were withoutfood or water. The team administered helpimmediately but their work was hamperedwhen aftershocks caused such setbacksas evacuation of emergency care andpostoperative patients into the hospital’sopen courtyard.

Though structural damage threatenedeveryone, the hospital assisted the majorityof victims from the downtown and nearbyneighborhood, Dr. Auguste said, adding thata space with a capacity of 700 accommodatedupwards of 1,200 patients. Some dischargedpatients had nowhere to go — particularlyorphans or adults whose homes weredestroyed or who could not care forthemselves following an amputation.

Through New Reality International(NewRealityInternational.org), RichardNauheim, MD, a community-based oph-thalmologist affiliated with North ShoreUniversity Hospital, LIJ and Syosset Hospital,worked with a team of 12 medical profes-sionals at a small Christian mission 40 milesoutside of Port-Au-Prince.

“As dawn broke, Haitians would begin topour into the mission compound,” Dr.Nauheim wrote when he returned. “Theycame by the hundreds, traveling hours for thechance of medical care. We could hear theirchants and prayers as they registered in thechurch. They prayed that they would be seenand helped.”

Chris Summers, PA, part of LIJMedical Center’s cardiothoracic team,joined with other members of NYCMedics (NYCMedics.org) in Haiti foralmost a month. The group embed-ded with the 82nd Airborne Divisionto enter areas inaccessible to othernongovernment organizations inorder to treat and evacuate earth-quake victims. In the middle of histrip, Mr. Summers e-mailed his LIJsupervisor, Jonathan Sobel, PA: “Weare working like animals here…Itscrazy hot and the entire city is lev-eled. Whatever you see on TV is justa tenth of what it’s like here. So far

we have treated well over 1,000 patients whohave not received any care since the earth-quake. We started a clinic/ED in the courtyardof a destroyed school, now we are doingmobile medical care in the refugee camps.”

LIJ’s operating room was well repre-sented when Sharon Deans, MD, obstetrician/gynecologist; David Livingstone, MD, chiefof anesthesiology; Marie Ward, MD, intensivist;Andrea Nimmons, RN; Sanique Lubin, RN;and Mohani Ramsahai, RN; and PamelaDonaldson RN, OR nurse manager, collabo-rated on a week-long relief mission at theend of February with the Ejayes Charitiesmedical mission. The volunteers worked10-hour days at a clinic and an earthquake-ravaged hospital where patients housed intents had to contend not only with heat butalso with flies.

“Thank God we had each other to leanon for support, because there were timeswhen it got very emotionally rough,” said Ms.Donaldson. “If I had to do it again, I would.”

North Shore University Hospital’s InternalMedicine Department sponsored two resi-dents — Samuel Agahiu, MD, and AlainBerthold, MD — in their disaster relief. Whilechallenging — Dr. Berthold, originally fromHaiti, saw his high school collapsed in therubble — the experience was invaluable, saidSaima Chaudhry MD, residency program

director in theDepartment ofMedicine. She added,“Studies show thatearly exposure tointernational healthpromotes ongoingvolunteer participa-tion of trainees aftergraduation. Such rota-tions also promotecultural competence.”Drs. Agahiu andBerthold presentedtheir work forDepartment of Medicine Grand Rounds inlate April.

Ahmed Latefi, DO, chief neurosurgeryresident at North Shore University Hospital,wore many hats when he volunteered inHaiti: He triaged in an emergency depart-ment, performed wound care, served as anX-ray technician, worked as a scrub nurse,assisted in the oral and maxillofacial surgeryof a 17-year-old boy and helped in a supplyroom. North Shore University Hospitaldonated medical supplies and theDepartment of Neurosurgery sponsoredDr. Latefi’s trip.

The health system joined with otherNew York-area healthcare organizations todonate 2,000 pounds of medical suppliesto support relief efforts. With the supportof North Shore-LIJ Trustee Sandra Tytel,co-chair of Doc to Dock, the supplies wereairlifted from Teterboro Airport by FlexJetin partnership with Doc to Dock and thePartners in Health relief group.

Here at home, staff members of Haitianheritage from Franklin Hospital’s NutritionServices Department raised $2,700 with acultural tribute/fundraiser. The group arrangeda menu of traditional dishes and organized atribute to the victims, their families andfriends and the heroic assistance effortsoffered in the community and worldwide.Surrounded by Haitian cuisine and tradi-tionally themed decor, staff and community

members purchased food and madedonations at the event, which lasted allday — from breakfast through dinner.

“Good can come from everydisaster, despite the heartache,” saidEdward Cox, assistant executivedirector of service excellence andnutrition services at Franklin and theOrzac Center for Extended Care andRehabilitation. “Most importantly, intimes of such chaos, we rely onhumanitarian efforts to provide thevictims, and the world, with hope.”

MissionPOSSIBLE

Members of the Nutrition Services Department at Franklinraised $2,700 toward humanitarian efforts in Haiti. From left:

Ludj Charles, nutrition aide, Marc Jean Beaubrun, nutrition aide,Michelien Thomas, nutrition aide, Yvon Julien, first cook,

Cassandra Louis, nutrition aide, Lesly Pierre, second cook/shortorder, and Jean Milien, nutrition aide.

Sports Therapy andRehabilitation Services(STARS) sent clothingto orphans affected by

the earthquake.

Louis Auguste, MD reported thatstructural damage to the StateUniversity Hospital necessitated evac-uating patients to an open courtyard.

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PAIDNSLIJHS

125 Community DriveGreat Neck, NY 11021

Executive EditorTerry Lynam

Managing EditorMaria Conforti

ContributorsSerena AhneAllison BuninMarisa FedeleTheresa JacobellisMargaret KuzminskiKristen LongoBrian MulliganBetty OltIrene PeakeMichelle PintoKatherine RothJamie TalanTimothy VassilakosDenise WeinerThea WelchElaine WohlLeila Zogby

PhotographyNorth Shore-LIJ Studios,except as noted.

Art DirectionJames Kostolni

Graphic DesignReduzzi Design/North Shore-LIJ Art Dept.

Comments/Suggestions:Public Relations Dept.North Shore-LIJ Health System125 Community DriveGreat Neck, NY 11021(516) 465-2600NewStandard@nshs.edu

spring 2010

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