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Caps For Cancer drive  

POUGHKEEPSIE (February 2) - Donations are now being accepted for the second annual “Caps For Cancer” Campaign, a community service program initiated by local High School student, Julia Cohen. The goal of the program is to provide warm hats and scarves for adults and children recovering from chemotherapy. This year the program is also accepting new journals for patients as well.

New and clean warm hats made of flannel, cotton or natural fibers as well as scarves, knitted hats and baseball caps are requested. Drop off locations include:

• Vassar Brothers Medical Center - 45 Reade Place, Poughkeepsie- Main Lobby of Hospital and Dyson Center For Cancer Care
• The Country Thistle -13 North Avenue, Milestone Plaza, Pleasant Valley
• Our Lady of Lourdes High School- 131 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie

The caps will benefit adult and children chemotherapy patients at the Dyson center for Cancer Care at Vassar Brothers Medical Center.

Good

SLCH announces Star of Month

NEWBURGH (January 26) - St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital is proud to announce Joan Paneto, of Newburgh, as its January Star of the Month. A 21-year SLCH employee, Paneto is a Transportation/Messenger Assistant at the Newburgh campus.

“Joan builds a great rapport with every patient who comes to the emergency department,” said Joe Surace, Director of Radiology. “She’s an exceptional part of our team, dedicated to ensuring each patient recieves compassionate care and personal attention.”

“I’m honored by this recognition,” said an astounded Paneto. “I enjoy helping others and feel privileged to work with patients and my colleagues here at
St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital.”

St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital employees are nominated for the Star of the Month award by their co-workers, patients, physicians and/or visitors, based on Stellar Service Standards. These standards focus on making customers feel comfortable and important, providing timely and orderly service and improving communication with patients and staff. 

Rampam

Family practitioner joins SLCH medical staff

NEWBURGH (January 26)  - St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital is pleased to announce that Vijayalakshmi Rampam, MD has joined its medical staff.  She cares for adults  and children, in her new practice located at 357 Fullerton Avenue, Suite 3 in Newburgh. Office hours are Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. She offers extended weekend hours on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dr. Rampam, a Family Practitioner who specializes in providing complete care to the entire family, also offers vaccinations for school, sports and camp as well female pelvic exams and treatment for anxiety and depression. She completed her Residency in Family Practice at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Dr. Rampam accepts all major insurances as well as Medicare, Affinity Health Plan and Hudson Health Plan. To make an appointment, call (845) 561-1560.

ORMC offers a new and improved web presence

MIDDLETOWN (January 26) - Orange Regional Medical Center has a new and improved presence on the World Wide Web, unveiling their new Spine and Orthopedic Micro site located at www.ormcspineortho.org while also launching their redesigned main Web site found at www.ormc.org.

Orange Regional’s main site provides a bold, fresh, new state-of-the-art look. Clear navigation and updated programming technology offers visitors a more eye-pleasing and easily navigated experience when learning about Orange Regional and services offered.  Benefits offered to visitors are the ability to: 

• Easily learn about the many Orange Regional services offered
• Find a doctor, with the site’s Find a Physician tool
• Register online for  community health education classes
• Read the latest news about Orange Regional
• View a live web cam of the new hospital construction
• Search Orange Regional career opportunities

Additionally, a brand new Micro site – or product specific site – was launched which provides comprehensive information on Orange Regional’s spine and orthopedic surgery services.  The design of this site complements Orange Regional’s main Web site and provides visitors with:

• In depth information on orthopedic and spine surgery procedures
• A complete listing of Spine and Orthopedic Surgeons with bios
• Information on rehabilitation services
• Patient education information
• Patient testimonials

For more information on Orange Regional Medical Center, go to www.ormc.org

Gotsis

Silverman

Crystal Run Healthcare  offering elective angiolplasty at ORMC

MIDDLETOWN (January 20) - Crystal Run Healthcare is pleased to announce their two Interventional Cardiologists, Drs.William Gotsis and Gary Silverman are now offering Elective Angioplasty at Orange Regional Medical Center. 

Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure in which a catheter (flexible plastic tube) with a small balloon dilates, or opens up, a blocked artery that supplies the heart muscle with blood. Angioplasty is performed by making a small puncture in the skin and inserting an ultra-thin catheter into an artery in the leg or arm. With the addition of Elective Angioplasty at ORMC, these fellowship-trained physicians are now able to quickly treat non-emergent cardiac blockages

“We are looking forward with great anticipation as we begin our Elective Coronary Angioplasty Program at Orange Regional Medical Center. Paving the way for this program was our Primary Angioplasty Program, which began about two years ago, and entailed treating patients suffering a heart attack by opening their blocked artery with a balloon and then placing a stent. To date, our Primary Angioplasty Program has exceeded all projected benchmarks, and provides an invaluable service for acutely ill patients in the community. With the advent of Elective Angioplasty at ORMC, we will now be able to perform coronary angioplasty on selected patients admitted to the hospital with cardiac chest pain syndromes that are not yet having heart attacks, as well as on outpatients who have been referred for cardiac catheterizations by their local physicians. With our experienced Interventionalists, our state-of-the-art cath lab - with a second cath lab set to open also in the next few weeks - we can now truly offer the latest cutting edge technology in a comfortable familiar setting close to home, “ said Gary Silverman, MD, FACC, Crystal Run Healthcare Cardiologist and ORMC Cardiology Department Chair.

William Gotsis MD, FACC, is board certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology. Dr. Gotsis received his Medical Degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY. He completed his Residency in Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Gary Silverman MD, FACC, is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology. Dr. Silverman received his Medical Degree at the State University of New York (SUNY) Health Science Center, Brooklyn, NY. He completed his Residency in Internal Medicine at the SUNY Health Science Center/Kings County Hospital Center, were he also served as Chief Medical Resident.

In addition to offering a complete range of traditional and consultative cardiac care at Crystal Run Healthcare, Dr.’s Gotsis and Silverman are available to perform interventional cardiac procedures at Orange Regional Medical Center’s Cardiac Catheterization Lab at the Horton campus in Middletown.

Crystal Run Healthcare is a premier multi-specialty group practice, and is among the fastest growing medical practices in the country.

2010 Auxiliary Officers (L-R):  Patricia Affron, Barbara Mehar, Eileen Osterby, Jill Cappa and Margaret Pelella

SLCH Auxiliary Luncheon recognizes service

NEWBURGH (January 13) - Nearly 250 friends of St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital recently gathered for the Auxiliary’s annual membership luncheon. This year’s program, Elegantly Evergreen, included a fashion show featuring auxilians and volunteers modeling corporate, evening and casual wear from the Auxiliary’s New to You Boutique, matched with accessories from the hospital’s Gift Shop. The Auxiliary works throughout the year to raise funds and awareness to support Hospital initiatives.

“Our Auxiliary is amazing – a dedicated and creative group of volunteers,” said Sue Sullivan, Vice President of Development and Government Affairs and Executive Director, Foundation. “Last year they raised $100,000 to support the hospital’s construction programs, in addition to advocating and educating our community.” 

The luncheon also served to recognize the incoming 2010 Auxiliary Board leadership which includes Eileen Osterby, Chair; Barbara Mehar, Immediate Past Chair; Jill Cappa, Vice Chair; Margaret Pelella, Treasurer and Patricia Affron, Secretary. “We are proud to serve as ambassadors for SLCH,” said incoming board Chair Eileen Osterby. “The hospital has grown tremendously in the past year and we’re delighted to have had a role in its success.”

The Auxiliary is comprised of volunteers who serve as hospital ambassadors and advocates, supporting the Foundation’s fund-raising efforts and leading service projects that benefit the community. Recent Auxiliary projects included a Holiday Raffle and annual Coat Sale. The Auxiliary operates the gift shop at the hospital’s Cornwall campus and the New to You Boutique in New Windsor, an upscale shop that sells new and gently used merchandise, many of which are high-end or vintage; all sales go toward supporting hospital initiatives. Additionally, the Auxiliary offers scholarships each year to promising, civic-minded high school students.

To become a member of the St. Luke’s Cornwall Auxiliary call (845) 458-4854, or visit www.stlukescornwallhospital.org.

SLCH encourages employees’ dreams

NEWBURGH (January 13) - St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital and mid-Hudson-based HOGAR, Inc., an organization devoted to making affordable housing more accessible, recently honored graduates of HOGAR’s inaugural First Home Club program. The program, which included two SLCH employees, educates participants on the process of buying a home, including establishing good credit, saving money, shopping for a mortgage and house hunting.

SLCH employees Kathleen Bloss and Jaclyn Trainor went a step further and took advantage of the hospital’s Homeowners Incentive Program, which provides additional funding support for employees purchasing homes within the City of Newburgh. Employees approved for the hospital-sponsored program are eligible for a $10,000 grant to be used for a down payment, renovations and closing costs.

“Our employees are dedicated to serving the community,” said Robert S. Ross, SLCH Senior Vice President of Operations. “We’re proud to support them as they realize the dream of home ownership and proud to participate in the revitalization of the City of Newburgh.”

For information about SLCH, visit www.stlukescornwallhospital.org

Cancer screenings for the uninsured

POUGHKEEPSIE (January 13) - The Cancer Services Program of Dutchess County offers free breast and cervical cancer screenings to uninsured women ages 40 and over (under 40 if individual is at high risk) and free colon cancer screenings to both men and women ages 50 and over.

Orange Regional names Focus Media as advertising agency

GOSHEN (January 13) - Focus Media, Inc., a Hudson Valley-based public relations and marketing firm, has been named advertising agency of record for Orange Regional Medical Center. 

More information on our Business Page

(contributed photo)

SLCH Opens Physical Therapy Center at All Sport Fishkill

NEWBURGH (January 9) - St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital has launched a new Center for Physical Therapy in Fishkill, providing those in southern Dutchess convenient access to progressive rehabilitative services. The facility, located in newly renovated space within the All Sport Health and Fitness Club, 17 Old Main Street, features advanced rehabilitation services and a highly trained, experienced and friendly staff. The Center’s lead physical therapist, John Guerriero, has practiced in the area for years and has a strong local following.

The Center offers comprehensive physical and occupational (hand) therapy for conditions including orthopedic disorders, sprains and strains, work, motor vehicle and sports-related injuries, neurological conditions and back/neck pain. Guerriero also is an authorized casting technician who crafts custom-made foot orthotics.

The new Fishkill Center is located on the lower level of All Sport, easily accessible from the gym as well as through an exterior entrance off the parking lot. The facility is SLCH’s first physical therapy site in Dutchess County; five others are located in Orange and Ulster counties.

“We’re delighted to be filling a need for premier physical therapy services in southern Dutchess,” said Scott Francis, Director of SLCH’s Centers for Physical Therapy. “Locating the new site in dedicated space within a leading fitness center follows a progressive model that facilitates synergies that benefit gym members as well as the general public.”      

“SLCH’s physical therapy program shares All Sport’s commitment to quality and excellence,” said the fitness center’s owner, Herb Redl. “We’re proud to welcome them and this important new service to the All Sport Fishkill family.”

For more information or to make an appointment at the new Center for Physical Therapy at All Sport Fishkill, call (845) 896-MYPT.