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Devens

SFH honors top quarterly employee

POUGHKEEPSIE (January 27) - Wendy Devens, a 16-year Saint Francis Hospital employee, and Assistant to the Vice President, Human Resources, is the hospital’s Employee of the Quarter for the first quarter of 2012.

The Pleasant Valley resident was the center of attention for family, friends and coworkers at a recent reception. As chair of the hospital’s Employee Recreation/Recognition Committee, Devens coordinates and organizes events such as the Employee of the Quarter.

“Since she took that (volunteer) position we’ve had Hospital Month, not Hospital Week as it is observed elsewhere,” said Hospital President & CEO Bob Savage, “and all sorts of annual events for employees – a Christmas Party, barbecues, ice cream socials; just to make it nice and comfortable; a good place to work. The nice thing is the events are always very well planned, great detail, great precision, and everybody has a good time. We have to thank her for all she does.”

SFH to honor top doctor

POUGHKEEPSIE (January 27) - Saint Francis Hospital and Health Centers will recognize an outstanding Hudson Valley physician who demonstrates excellence in medical practice and patient care. Nominations are now being accepted for the 12th annual Award for Physician Excellence.

To be eligible, physicians must be active staff members in good standing at Saint Francis Hospital. Any hospital employee, physician, volunteer and/or member of the community may submit nominations, which must be received on or before Tuesday, Feb. 21 by the sponsoring Saint Francis Healthcare Foundation. The recipient will be announced March 28 at an awards ceremony.

The award goes to the physician who best exemplifies the hospital’s CREST of Values: Compassionate Care, Respect, Excellence, Service and Teamwork.

Nominating forms are available from the Foundation office (845-431-8707) and must be completed in full and signed to be accepted. The Nomination Review Committee will receive all completed nominations and select the award recipient.

Last year there were two recipients: Drs. Zubair Khan (Pulmonary Medicine) and Stephen Shapiro (Addiction Medicine).

Orange Regional Medical Center and BOCES: Partners in career exploration

TOWN OF WALLKILL (January 23) - Orange Regional Medical Center’s Training and Education Department orientated more than 200 Orange-Ulster BOCES students to the Medical Center’s new facility in the Town of Wallkill. Students enrolled in the Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) Principles of Health Classes were provided an overview of various hospital-related topics including Infection Control, Radiation Safety and Safety & Risk Prevention and were also given a tour of hospital led by Orange Regional Staff Educator, Randy Brown.

The CTEC Principles of Health Classes provide students with foundation skills in healthcare as well as an overview of the many career areas in the field. Over many weeks, students on an individual basis returned to the hospital for an observational experience in several departments. “What is most rewarding is to see the student’s wide-eyed smiles. Their comments to one another and questions to me indicate they are discovering all the incredible healthcare possibilities that are opening up to them,” says Brown.

If you are interested in career opportunities at Orange Regional Medical Center, please visit www.ormccareers.org. 

Orange Regional Medical Center is a member of the Greater Hudson Valley Health System.

Catania

Heart attack survivor joins SLCH Board of Trustees

NEWBURGH (January 23) - Having survived a heart attack at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, Christopher  Catania brings a unique perspective as a new member of the hospital’s Board of Trustees – that of a patient.

“For years, Chris has owned and operated a very successful business right here in Newburgh as the co-founder and president of Subsurface Technologies, Inc. He brings a great wealth of leadership and business experience to the Board,” said Allan Atzrott, President and CEO of St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital. “I firmly believe Chris’ perspective as a patient will be an added bonus to the Hospital Board.”

Catania arrived at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital’s Emergency Room in 2008 suffering from a heart attack. Emergency room physicians and cardiologists at the Center for Cardiac Care cleared his blockage within an hour. Their quick response prevented any damage to his heart.

Following the episode, Catania offered to help the hospital any way he could. In November, he joined the hospital’s Board of Trustees. “If it wasn’t for St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, I wouldn’t be here today,” said Catania, of Newburgh.

For more than two decades, Catania has overseen various aspects of Subsurface Technologies, including legal and marketing matters, business development, patent portfolio management and technology license agreements with the United States, Europe, South America and South East Asia.

Prior to founding Subsurface Technologies, Catania worked as a commercial insurance broker. Catania, who majored in accounting at Ithaca College, has served as a board member and Chairman for the American Ground Water Trust as well as a board member for the Common Trust Development Foundation.  

L-R: Elizabeth Mastrocinque, Anne McCabe), Mary Moody, Susan Spinelli (rear), Angie Smith, Tina Cianciulli, Gail Simon, Judy Mazzetti.

Spinelli leads Saint Francis Hospital Auxiliary

POUGHKEEPSIE (January 12) - The Saint Francis Hospital Auxiliary Officers and Board for 2012 were installed during a recent breakfast meeting at the Atrium Conference Center. Susan Spinelli, a retired educator, is the new President.

The Auxiliary is an all-volunteer organization involved in numerous fundraising activities in support of the hospital. Members are not required to have worked for the hospital.

Spinelli,a Highland resident who has been an Auxilian for six years, said potential members include those who are newly retired  and have the spirit within them to want to do something worthwhile.

“You absolutely do not have to be a former hospital employee to be a member of the organization and I am not,” she said. “My entire career was in the field of education. I worked for the Marlboro Central School District for over 30 years. We have a lot of teachers who are members and people from all aspects of life.”

Those interested in joining the Saint Francis Hospital Auxiliary should call Bob Hess at 845-431-8130 (ext. 18130).     

Northern Dutchess Hospital receives “Commitment to Community” award

RHINEBECK (January 12) - Northern Dutchess Hospital received the “Commitment to Community Award” from Northern Dutchess Alliance which was celebrated at the NDA’s business meeting on January 11th. Denise George, President and CEO of Northern Dutchess Hospital, accepted the award on behalf of the NDH team. Town of Red Hook Supervisor, Sue Crane, also accepted a “Charting Our Course” Award on behalf of the Red Hook Town Board.

Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro was the Keynote Speaker at the breakfast and commended the work of both Northern Dutchess Hospital and the Red Hook Town Board in their work to keep moving Dutchess County forward. The ideas of growth, as well as of consolidation/collaboration, were main themes of his talk.

In presenting the Northern Dutchess Hospital award, Dave Tetor, President of the Northern Dutchess Alliance, pointed out the many community services offered through Northern Dutchess Hospital, including a “Safe at Home” senior program, free community education series and pre-op tours for children undergoing surgery.

Northern Dutchess Hospital, a Health Quest affiliate, is a 68-bed, acute care hospital located in Rhinebeck, NY. The Health Quest system includes Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie and Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel. For more information about any of Northern Dutchess Hospital’s services, log on to www.health-quest.org/ndh.

Rosenstein

Crystal Run senior VP of operations achieves board certification

MIDDLETOWN (January 5) - Crystal Run Healthcare announces that Gaynor Rosenstein, CMPE, Senior Vice President of Operations at Crystal Run, has earned the professional designation of Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE) from the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE), the certification body of the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA).

The CMPE designation demonstrates that Ms. Rosenstein has achieved board certification in medical practice management. ACMPE certifies an individual’s professional competence upon passing rigorous essay and objective examinations that assess knowledge of a broad scope of medical practice management skills including areas of business operations, financial management, human resource management, information management, organizational governance, patient care systems, quality management and risk management.

Gaynor joined Crystal Run’s Executive Team as Senior VP of Operations in 2008. In addition to her recent CMPE designation, Gaynor holds an MS in Healthcare Administration and is a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt.

“Gaynor is a superior healthcare executive, a wonderful person, and an indispensable member of our leadership team,” said Michelle A. Koury, MD, Chief Operating Officer at Crystal Run Healthcare.

SLCH Center for Cardiac Care recognized for medical intervention

NEWBURGH (January 5) - Aetna recently named St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital an Institute of Quality for its delivery of evidence-based cardiac care.

SLCH’s Center for Cardiac Care was recognized for its demonstrated excellence and commitment to quality improvement in Cardiac Medical Intervention.  Specifically, the recognition is for the hospital’s performance related to cardiac catheterizations, placement of stents, and its program for immediate interventions for patients experiencing a heart attack. This recognition is for a two year period 2011-2013.

“This award from Aetna recognizes what our patients witness every day, high quality cardiac care delivered in their community by physicians they know and can trust,” said Margaret Deyo Allers, Director of Cardiac Services at SLCH.

Aetna makes information about the quality and cost of health care services available to its members to help them make informed decisions about their health care needs. In line with this goal, Aetna recognizes hospitals and facilities in its network that offer specialized clinical services for certain health conditions

SLCH’s Center for Cardiac Care offers a comprehensive menu of diagnostic and interventional cardiac services, including an on-site 64-slice Coronary CT, echocardiogram, diagnostic cardiac catheterization, elective and emergency cardiac angioplasty and stenting, post cardiac arrest hypothermia, and electrophysiology procedures.

For more information about the Center for Cardiac Care, please visit stlukescornwallhospital.org/cardiac .

Blood drive at Orange County Chamber brings in much-needed donations

MONTGOMERY (January 5) - Sixty units of blood and four platelet donations were brought in as a result of the David T. Cocks Memorial Blood Drive held recently at the Orange County Chamber of Commerce Business Center. Sponsored by Holbert’s Catering and BackYard Bistro in Montgomery, the drive honored the memory of the late Dave Cocks, former President of Walden Savings Bank and Chamber Chair-Elect, who passed away in June 2011.

According to Susan Holbert, who organized the drive for the second consecutive year, 74 individuals came to the drive, many of whom were first-time donors. “We were all thrilled with the turn-out,” said Holbert, “and have set the date for next year at December 17, 2012. I hope people will mark their calendars now.”

Door prizes for the drive were donated by: Jellybean Promotions, Walden Savings Bank, Culinary Creations, Garrison’s Bar and Restaurant, Verizon Wireless, Back Yard Bistro and  Fancy That.