Community March 08, 2012
YNHH revises North Haven ambulatory health center plans
Yale-New Haven Hospital is moving ahead with revised plans to develop an outpatient center in the former AT&T building at 6 Devine St. in North Haven. YNHH will purchase and remodel the 120,000-square-foot, four-story building for a comprehensive ambulatory care program.
"We are delighted to move this project forward," said Richard D'Aquila, president and COO. "The concept of a Yale-New Haven ambulatory center has received widespread community support. It will create access to key health services for residents of North Haven, Hamden, Cheshire and surrounding communities."
Plans for the new building now include a walkin/ primary care center to provide comprehensive medical services from injury care to management of chronic conditions, on either a scheduled or walk-in basis. The center will be open seven days a week.
The building will also include a Smilow Cancer Hospital Care Center for outpatient medical and hematological care for cancer patients and an inflammatory disease center for patients with multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and related disorders. The facility will offer onsite MRI and digital X-ray imaging, as well as laboratory and blood-draw services.
"We're delighted that Yale-New Haven is moving forward with its comprehensive ambulatory center in North Haven," said Michael J. Freda, North Haven first selectman. "Yale-New Haven's facility is an important component of our plans to make Devine Street a medical destination and our overall efforts to spur economic growth in town with forward-thinking, thoughtful projects that benefit our citizens."
In addition, Yale New Haven Health System will consolidate and move some of its information technology offices from multiple sites in New Haven to the North Haven facility.
The hospital estimates the new facility will open on Jan. 1, 2013.
Community February 09, 2012
Epic came, they sawed, they conquered a Habitat house
On a recent, almost-frigid Saturday, more than a dozen Yale New Haven Health System employees from the Epic project, their family and friends worked on the latest Habitat for Humanity house on Vernon Street in Yale-New Haven Hospital’s neighborhood. A group of employees from Finance has also participated in a day-long build. This is the fifth house that YNHH is supporting both with funding and the skilled and unskilled labor of its generous employees. It is expected to be ready for its new owners in May. Deb Anderson, RN, nurse application specialist, Epic, shows off her new skill at working a chop saw to cut wood bracing. Anderson’s team reported that working on the Habitat house was a terrific team-building experience and the hospital is looking for more individuals and departments to volunteer. Employees interested in volunteering should contact Jennifer Bowers, employee relations assistant, at jennifer.bowers@ynhh.org or (203) 688-2402.
Community January 26, 2012
Three students honored with YNHH’s Martin Luther King awards
Each year, Yale-New Haven Hospital honors the work of Martin Luther King, Jr. by recognizing three New Haven students for their community service and three New Haven schools for innovative programs that keep Dr. King's legacy alive.
On January 18, two days after the national holiday that commemorates Dr. King's birthday, Yale- New Haven honored three students with awards of $1,000 each.
To be eligible, the student must live in New Haven, attend a New Haven public school and have performed in excess of 40 hours of uncompensated community service that does not count towards school credit. While students may volunteer at any church or agency in New Haven, this year's awardees all happen to volunteer at YNHH.
The three students, all seniors, chosen this year were:
- Danielle Brodie is on the healthcare track at Career Regional High School and volunteers at Yale-New Haven Hospital.
- Eimy Quispe, Wilbur Cross High School, is a YNHH School-to-Career intern, where she participates in the future nurse program. She also brings the art cart and the book cart to patients.
- Jordan Doyens, Wilbur Cross, is a YNHH ambassador, works on the Toy Closets and rode in the first Closer to Free bike ride that raised money for Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven.
"This program is very well received in our community because it focuses on the contributions of students — on the ‘heart' they bring to their communities," said Patricia Worthy, RN, manager, Workplace Diversity. "We think these awards capture the spirit of Martin Luther King and what he meant when he said he dreamt of a day when his children could be judged by the ‘content of their character.'"
In the photo: Members of the Martin Luther King Committee recently presented this year's students with their MLK awards. Standing in the front, from left, are: Eimy Quispe, Danielle Brodie, Jordan Doyens and Patricia Worthy. In the second row, from left, are committee members: Andy Orefice, program coordinator, and Kyle Ballou, administrative director, Community and Government Relations; and Debbie Woodworth, assistant to the president, Administration.
Community January 12, 2012
Employees donate diapers in droves
As part of Yale-New Haven's 2012 United Way campaign, committee members organized a diaper drive asking employees to donate diapers of all sizes to the Healthy Baby diaper drive. Employees "filled the crib" located in the Atrium and hosted several mini-diaper drives throughout the hospital. In total, employees donated a record 18,126 diapers, far exceeding the original goal of 10,000. Organizers delivered the diapers to the New Haven Diaper Bank which distributes free diapers to families in need. Pictured with just a portion of the diapers collected are drive organizers, from left: Susan Mastriano, business manager, Temple Radiology; Judy Pasqualoni, supervisor, scheduling and outside sales, Ambulatory Services Division; Bertie Chuong, RN, nursing director, Procedural and Recovery Services, Ambulatory Services Division; and Susan Asher, director, Religious Ministries.
Community January 10, 2012
Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital receives check for $136,959 from Kohl’s
1/10/2012 — Representatives from Kohl's attended the Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital's Parenting Support Program holiday party to present a check for $136,959. Kohl's district manager Michael Rusciano (third from right), presents the check to (l-r): Marna Borgstrom, president and CEO; John Leventhal, MD, medical director, Child Abuse Services and Prevention Program, YNHCH; Cynthia Sparer, executive director and vice president, YNHCH; Paula Crombie, director, Social Work. YNHH; and Jocelyn Maminta, health reporter, WTNH-TV. Over the course of its 11-year partnership with YNHCH, Kohl's has donated more than $1 million from the sale of Kohl's Cares merchandise at its Connecticut stores. A portion of the Kohl's funding supports the hospital's "Kohl's Caring Parents" program.
Employees December 13, 2011
Employee veterans meet and connect at breakfast honoring their service
"I never knew you served!" was a common refrain at the hospital's first breakfast honoring veterans on Nov. 8.
The breakfast was organized after Catherine Lyons, RN, MS, clinical program director, Smilow Cancer Hospital, and Carlos Lourenco, director, Materials Management, worked on a project and realized each had served in the military. Lourenco is retired from the U.S. Army Special Forces, and Lyons is retired from the Army Nurse Corps, U.S. Army Reserves. Before the event, Lourenco and Lyons asked employees to bring their old service photographs so they could make a collage so guests could guess who was in the pictures. More than 100 employees enjoyed the breakfast and plans are already under way for next year's appreciation event. Lourenco and Lyons ask that employees who are past or current active, reserve or guard veterans of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard email them to carlos.lourenco@ynhh.org or catherine.lyons@ynhh.org so they can contact veterans for the next event.
Taken at the breakfast, this photo shows some of YNHH employees who have served or are still serving their country.
Employees December 13, 2011
Yale engineering and science scholarship for employees’ children
YNHH employees whose children or grandchildren are interested in applying as an undergraduate at Yale University, or who are already enrolled at Yale, will soon be able to apply for a fulltuition scholarship, thanks to the generosity of Betty Ruth and Milton B. Hollander.
Dr. Hollander has established the Betty Ruth Hollander Engineering and Science Scholarship to support YNHH employees whose children or grandchildren are committed to pursuing a bachelor's degree in engineering or science at Yale College. The late Mrs. Hollander was a longtime member of the YNHH Board of Trustees.
All active YNHH full-time or part-time (24 hours/week) employees may apply for the scholarship during April. Their student must have successfully completed high school, including at least two years in a public U.S. high school, and have been admitted to Yale. The scholarship, which will in the fall semester 2012.
"Dr. and Mrs. Hollander's affection for both Yale-New-Haven and Yale led to this wonderful opportunity for the children of hospital employees," said Kevin Myatt, senior vice president, Human Resources.
"What an incredible benefit for an employee whose student might be able to attend Yale on a scholarship that is renewable for up to four years."
The scholarship and application process will be managed by a hospital review committee; applications will be accepted between April 1 and 30 each year. If no candidate is selected from YNHH, Yale would then select from among other students who have been accepted to Yale and plan on majoring in engineering or science.
More information and the application form will be posted on the YNHH Intranet, or employees can email engineeringscholarship@ynhh.org.
IN THE PHOTO: Each April, YNHH hosts almost 200 children of employees at Take Your Child to Work Day. Employees whet the students' appetites for future careers in science by hosting visits to Laboratory Medicine, operating rooms and Respiratory Care. Three employees' children who may one day be candidates for a Hollander scholarship to Yale were fascinated by algae growing in Petri dishes when they visited Laboratory Medicine.
Community November 17, 2011
Saturday health fair draws a crowd
Hospital doctors, nurses, PCAs, phlebotomists and more joined community health professionals on a recent sunny Saturday to help make the 8th annual community health fair a success. Sponsored by Community Health, the fair drew almost 250 participants who received free screenings for stroke, cholesterol, blood pressure, mammography, glaucoma and glucose. YNHH medical professionals gave a mini physical exam to those participants who received an abnormal result on a screening. Here, a deaf woman asked for information about the hospital’s free healthcare van and Shelley Harrigan (right), RN, Adult Primary Care Center, with the help of Maureen Rosselli, deaf services coordinator, Interpreter Services, was able to provide information about the community resource.
Community November 17, 2011
YNHH sponsors two more Habitat for Humanity houses
Richard D’Aquila, executive vice president and COO, turned over a shovelful of dirt at 38 Vernon St. Oct. 11 to mark the groundbreaking of two more YNHH-sponsored Habitat for Humanity houses in the Hill neighborhood. He was joined by, from left, Hill alderwoman Jaqueline James-Evans; Bill Casey, Habitat executive director; D’Aquila; Michael Bennick, MD, associate chief of Medicine and long-time Habitat volunteer; and Barbara Katz, president of the board of Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven. YNHH employees are encouraged to volunteer to work on either of the two houses at 34 and 38 Vernon St., just two blocks from YNHH’s 20 York St. entrance. Employees may sign up to volunteer as individuals, with members of their department or with family and friends.
Community November 04, 2011
Yale-New Haven Hospital celebrates 5th year anniversary of HOME program
Yale-New Haven Hospital today celebrates the 5th year anniversary of its HOME — Home Ownership Made Easier — program that provides eligible full-time employees with up to $10,000 in forgivable five-year loans, as well as other incentives and home buying support, when they purchase a home in the city of New Haven. The hospital will pay down the amount of the loan if the employee continues to work at YNHH and live in the home for at least five years.
In addition, hospital employees who purchase a home in one of four New Haven neighborhoods — the Hill, Dwight, West River, and City Point — all adjacent to the YNHH campus, are eligible for a $200 a month mortgage subsidy for the first two years of their home ownership.
"Our HOME program has been extremely successful with 73 homes being purchased by employees during these first five years," said Kevin Myatt, senior vice president, Human Resources, YNHH. "Our employees are our most valuable asset and New Haven is our home, so it makes perfect sense to invest in initiatives like the HOME program that help both our employees and our community.
First Niagara Bank, YNHH's partner in the HOME program, offers program participants classes on home financing, in addition to competitive, below market interest mortgages. Yale-New Haven offers homebuyers education on house selection, property maintenance and rehabilitation. Additionally, counseling and technical assistance is often provided by community housing agencies.
"First Niagara is pleased to work with an institution like Yale-New Haven Hospital, that is so forward-thinking in its commitment to its employees," said First Niagara Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending, Thomas Hylinski. "The HOME program is helping to make the dream of homeownership a reality for people who may not have had the ability to achieve it on their own, and we are proud to be able to provide local lending expertise to first-time home buyers in New Haven."
IN THE PHOTO: At Yale-New Haven Hospital's celebration for its HOME (Home Ownership Made Easier) program's fifth anniversary, members of the New Haven Board of Aldermen presented certificates to nearly 75 YNHH employees who became first-time homeowners as a result of the program. In attendance were (l-r) Dolores Colon, Ward 6; Gerald Antunes, Ward 12; Tom Lehtonen, Ward 27; Michael Dimenstein, YNHH vice president, compensation and benefits; and Marcus Paca, Ward 24.
Yale-New Haven Hospital is a nationally recognized, 1,008-bed, not-for-profit hospital serving as the primary teaching hospital for the Yale School of Medicine. Yale-New Haven was founded as the fourth voluntary hospital in the U.S. in 1826 and today, the hospital complex includes Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital, Yale-New Haven Psychiatric Hospital and Smilow Cancer Hospital. YNHH has about 8,000 employees and a combined medical staff of about 3,600 university and community physicians practicing in more than 100 specialties. YNHH is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet hospital, national confirmation that the nursing staff provides outstanding patient care.
First Niagara, through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Niagara Bank, N.A., is a multi-state community-oriented bank that currently has $31 billion in assets, $19 billion in deposits, 346 branches and 5,000 employees providing financial services to individuals, families and businesses across Upstate New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.fnfg.com.
Employees November 03, 2011
These OR cleaners come out at night, and shine
Not unlike bright stars in the sky, a group of seven Environmental Services associates come out at night with the express mission of deep cleaning the 51 operating rooms in Yale-New Haven Hospital.
During the day, Perioperative Support associates tackle the ORs between surgical procedures. They have less than a half an hour between cases to ensure cleanliness that meets regulatory and infection control standards.
The nighttime cleaning procedure is a much more complete process that includes top-to-bottom cleaning of each suite. Like the daytime procedure, it addresses what can be seen, but more importantly, it addresses the unseen microorganisms that can lead to hospital-acquired infections.
"We made the commitment to establish a consistent, reliable process to meet all requirements and to standardize the cleaning in the ORs," said Dawn Tomaszewski, manager, Perioperative Support Services. "To be effective, we knew we had to create a team dedicated to the effort on a daily basis."
Tomaszewski worked with Perioperative Support supervisor Jeremy Richman, who heads the new team, to create the job description, centralize responsibility for its success, standardize what had to be done in each OR, expand existing Perioperative Support associate training for the team, and how to document the work.
"Getting this team off the ground was a challenge and a pleasure," says Richman. "We created a team to take on a task that is critically important to patient care and safety. We've got a great crew and we are proud of the work we've accomplished so far."
Darrell Bellamy, for three years an EVS associate on the day shift, echoes his supervisor. "We are getting the job done," says Bellamy. "These rooms can harbor staph infections and what we do is a big part of keeping patients safe."
Some of the intensive cleaning that the team is trained to do includes: floor care, disassembling and cleaning surgery tables, dusting the tops of surgical lights, washing the walls and all equipment — including rolling wheels — with disinfectant.
Darren Lewis is another EVS associate who also worked days and joined the team in May. "It is like we signed up for a mission," says the seven-year YNHH veteran. "Doctors and nurses notice how clean the ORs are and our scores have gone up dramatically."
"Our goal is to provide the cleanest, safest environment for our patients," said Tomaszewski. "They come to Yale-New Haven to remove a tumor or fix a broken bone — the last thing they think of is leaving here with an infection they didn't come in with. Patients expect a clean environment and they deserve it, and this team is ensuring that they get it."
In the photo: Supervisor Jeremy Richman and the members of the nighttime OR cleaning team from left: Richman and environmental services associates Angel Nieves, Gary Rose, Lenny Walker, Darrell Bellamy, Darren Lewis, Gabriel Harris and Raman DeBerry.
Community October 24, 2011
Blumenthal holds press conference on antibiotics legislation at YNHH
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., recently held a press conference at Yale-New Haven Hospital to gain support for bipartisan legislation he has proposed in the U.S. Senate. Blumenthal’s legislation would make it easier for pharmaceutical companies to develop and bring to market new antibiotics that will fight increasingly antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are infecting Americans. He thanked the hospital’s president, Marna P. Borgstrom, for her leadership in helping him bring what he calls “an arms race with superbugs” to the attention of the public.
at the press conference, from left, are: Thomas Balcezak, MD, associate chief of staff and vice president, Performance Management; Senator Blumenthal; Marna P. Borgstrom, YNHH president and CEO; and Paul R. Skolnik, MD, chairman, Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center.
Community October 21, 2011
YNHH donates $500,000 to Gateway Community College
YNHH and First Niagara Bank each donated $500,000 to launch Gateway Community College's capital campaign support their new downtown campus on Church Street, now under construction. Gateway's Nursing Suite will be named for YNHH. At a press conference announcing the million dollar launch Community College's capital campaign, from left, Paul McCraven, senior vice president of community development for First Niagara; Dorsey L. Kendrick, Gateway president; and Marna Borgstrom, president and chief executive officer of YNHH tour the construction site for the new Gateway campus, expected to open in fall 2012.
Community October 18, 2011
YNHH sponsors two more Habitat for Humanity houses
YNNH executive vice president and COO Richard D'Aquila turned over a shovel full of dirt at 38 Vernon Street Oct. 11 to mark the groundbreaking of two more YNHH-sponsored Habitat for Humanity houses in the Hill neighborhood. He was joined by, from left, Hill Alderwoman Jackie James; Bill Casey, Habitat executive director; Michael Bennick, MD, YNHH associate chief of medicine and long-time Habitat volunteer; and Barbara Katz, President of the board of Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven.
The houses are at 34 and 38 Vernon Street, just two blocks from YNHH’s 20 York Street entrance. To volunteer for Habitat, call 203-785-0794.
Community September 28, 2011
YNHH, Hospital of Saint Raphael sign definitive agreement, begin review process
9/28/11 — Yale-New Haven Hospital (YNHH) and the Hospital of Saint Raphael (HSR) have announced the signing of a Definitive Agreement for YNHH to purchase the assets of HSR creating one hospital with two campuses. The Definitive Agreement further defines an approach that will enhance healthcare quality, access and efficiency for Greater New Haven and the broader region.
Now that the appropriate due diligence has been completed and the parties have reached agreement, the regulatory review of the transaction by appropriate state and federal agencies will be initiated. During the regulatory approval process, the Connecticut Attorney General's Office, the Connecticut Office of Health Care Access and the Federal Trade Commission will review the proposed transaction. During that time, the two hospitals will continue to operate independently.
"We continue to be excited about the benefits to our communities and region that will arise out of the integration of services between Yale-New Haven and Saint Raphael’s," said Marna P. Borgstrom, president and CEO of YNHH. "Since we announced the Letter of Intent in March to integrate the two hospitals, we have been encouraged by the broad-based support from the community for this proposal. From elected, regional and business leaders, employees, physicians and patients, there has been excitement for what this will mean for the future of health care in our community and the region."
"The Definitive Agreement between our organizations is a significant milestone towards realizing opportunities to better serve and care for greater New Haven and the broader region," echoed Christopher M. O’Connor, president and CEO of HSR. "By signing the Definitive Agreement, both hospitals have concluded that this integration can succeed in the new healthcare environment and is in the best interests of both organizations, and the communities and the region we serve."
Under the language of the Definitive Agreement:
Yale-New Haven will purchase the assets of the Hospital of Saint Raphael, creating one integrated hospital with continued access to care at both campuses;
The Saint Raphael campus will continue to provide medical care consistent with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services;
HSR liabilities will be addressed, including funds to help address its Church Plan pension shortfall; and
YNHH will make investments in the HSR campus and grow clinical activity.
The Definitive Agreement provides for a two-campus hospital that will deliver sophisticated care across a wide spectrum of primary and specialty services and provide Yale-New Haven with the capacity necessary for growth. Significant cost and operational efficiencies will be created by reducing the redundancy of clinical and capital investments, and by better coordinating care. In addition, by creating an integrated delivery network, the region will be well-prepared to manage the changes inherent in healthcare reform.
"We are truly excited about this next step towards possible integration between these two exceptional organizations, which will enable us to better serve the patients we are privileged to serve," Borgstrom said.
For the latest news and updates related to the integration of Yale-New Haven Hospital and Hospital of Saint Raphael, please visit www.newstory.org.
Community September 22, 2011
Gears, cheers, volunteers combine for unforgettable first Closer to Free
The medical oncology team prepares to set off.Before the sun had completely risen on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 10, more than 250 riders — many of them YNHH and Yale School of Medicine employees — rolled onto the field surrounding the Yale Bowl. They were riders of all ages and abilities who came out to ride in the first annual Closer to Free Bike Ride to benefit Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven.
Once the riders had registered they heard moving remarks from Marna P. Borgstrom, president and CEO; Thomas Lynch, MD, physician- in-chief, Smilow; and Mark Reitsma, a patient diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer who received life-saving care at Smilow. With that, riders moved to the gate on Yale Avenue and proceeded down Route 34 to Smilow, where they stopped briefly to be cheered on by enthusiastic employees, patients and volunteers who were on the curb in front of Smilow and also waving from windows.
To be successful, a ride like Closer to Free requires a lot of helpers. More than 400 — 150 of whom were YNHH employees — volunteered to work on staggered shifts from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Some worked at the Yale Bowl parking cars, readying water and food for riders and taking care of riders' gear. Others drove behind the riders to ensure their safety, staffed rest stops from North Haven to Old Saybrook, and drove trucks to pick up tents, chairs and equipment.
The first rider to return to the Bowl after riding 25 miles in slightly over 90 minutes was Noel Benjamin who rode to honor his sister, Irmin Kellman, a YNHH housekeeper who died of cancer five years ago at the age of 56.
Another 25-mile rider was Donna Scarano, manager of satellite labs in Laboratory Medicine and herself a survivor of breast cancer, who promised a friend she had made during treatment that she would raise money for cancer research. "My friend did not survive her ovarian cancer but she was on my shoulder the whole ride cheering me on," said Scarano, a first-time cyclist who was one of approximately 25 survivors who rode. "This was a wonderful experience and I'm already planning to ride 62 miles next year!"
Throughout the morning and afternoon, cyclists returned to Yale Bowl where family, friends, fellow employees and cyclists, and pom-pom-waving volunteers greeted them. Some cyclists relaxed in the massage tent, others inhaled water and snacks and some danced to a live band.
"This first ride surpassed our rosiest expectations," said Jessica Scheps, manager of special events, Office of Development. "The riders came from all over Connecticut and our volunteers took good care of our cyclists and made the event go smoothly. We're already planning year 2!" So far the ride has brought in more than $400,000 and donations will continue to be taken until Friday, September 30. Those who would like to contribute may give at www.rideclosertofree.org. Scheps said that the tentative date for next year's ride is Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012.
The last cyclist of the first Closer to Free was a cancer survivor and student at Yale School of Medicine. When the remaining cyclists at the Yale Bowl heard that the final rider was almost "home," they rode out of the Bowl and escorted him to the finish line. About 11 hours after the ride started, he rode in to a hero's welcome. That's the kind of ride Closer to Free is.
Community September 15, 2011
Closer to Free Bike Ride involves community in its first year
Twenty of the riders were themselves cancer survivors and wore black armbands with "survivor" written in yellow on them. Some wore team jerseys like the cyclists on the Chabaso Bakery team but most wore the Closer to Free cycling jersey they received when they signed in that morning. Cyclists chose to ride 25-, 62.5- or 100-mile routes that took them as far as Old Saybrook and back to the Yale Bowl on a picture-perfect day.
More than 400 volunteers — including groups like the North Haven High School hockey team — staffed rest stops throughout the routes and dispensed directions, water and snacks. Some volunteers rode in trucks and cars behind the riders to help with flat tires, broken chains or cramping muscles.
All the riders made it back safely. The last cyclist — a cancer survivor — came in at about 6:30 p.m. — 11 hours after they started. When the cyclists at the Yale Bowl heard that the final rider was almost "home," they rode out of the Bowl to escort him to the finish line.
Employees August 17, 2011
Mutual Respect Committee celebrates 40 highly productive years
The Mutual Respect Committee, the hospital's longest serving employee committee, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
The committee recently kicked off its celebration with a luncheon honoring its Outstanding Employees and a recap of some of its accomplishments over the past four decades. In 1971, the committee began with simple goals.
"The Mutual Respect Committee was established to help improve relationships among employees, and serve as a bridge to the hospital's community," said Lina Perrotti, manager, Employee Relations. "It has far exceeded its mission. Over the years, employees have generously dedicated their time to this committee and have helped us fulfill those goals."
In four decades, some of the MRC's milestones include:
- 1971: The Mutual Respect Committee is established with the Rev. Edward Dobihal, Jr. as its first chair.
- 1974: The annual Holiday Food Drive kicks off. Mutual Respect still organizes the hospital-wide drive and members deliver food to local food banks and shelters.
- 1977: What is now known as the Outstanding Employee program is created. Since 1977, more than 300 employees have been recognized for their exceptional contributions.
- 1988: A clothing drive brings in enough donations to fill a room. The committee now collects specific items such as hats and mittens and targets particular needs.
- 1996: First Employee Health Fair provides employees with a central place to get information on such topics as diabetes and eye health, and have their blood pressures taken.
- 2000: MRC holds a book drive for the Pediatric Primary Care Center.
- 2004: MRC collects soda can tops for Ronald McDonald House and the following year holds a drive for cell phones for local shelters.
- 2009: Hardy members of the MRC rebuild the shed at the Ronald McDonald House as part of United Way's Day of Caring.
In the past few years, the hospital has developed a number of recognition programs — including the Service Excellence Heroes program. "The MRC is now shifting its mission from employee recognition to focus more on developing drives and activities that meet the ever-growing needs of our patients and the community we serve," said Perrotti, administrative liaison with the MRC.
At the recent celebration of the MRC's 40th anniversary, Dan Williams, maintenance mechanic, Plant Engineering, commended the group's 40 years of dedicated service. "The work of the Mutual Respect Committee supports patients, employees and the community-at-large," Williams said. "People everywhere need to feel respected and it's the duty of all people to extend and build respect where sometimes there is none. We like to think of our motto as 'people helping people.'
In the photo: Outstanding employees received special notice at the recent MRC celebration. Shown (l-r) are: Richard D'Aquila, executive vice president and COO; David Naccarato, application coordinator, Epic; Barbara Sabo, APRN, Newborn Special Care Unit; Dan Williams; Marna Borgstrom, president and CEO; Ruth Ferro, virology processing associate, Virology Laboratory; Tamira Wilson, reference laboratory associate, Specimen Processing; Syline Dawkins, business associate, Maternity Services; and Jan Murphy, business associate, Trauma/Surgery Unit.
Community July 14, 2011
Advance directives assure signers get their wishes
Yale-New Haven Hospital recently celebrated National Healthcare Decisions Day with an information fair that alerted employees, patients and visitors to the importance of advance directives.
Connecticut allows two main types of advance directives. The first is a living will which allows an adult to express his or her wishes regarding health care, including whether he/she wants advanced life support measures if in a terminal condition or permanently unconscious. The second appoints another person — a healthcare representative — to make any and all healthcare decisions if the patient can no longer speak for himself or herself.
"Observing National Healthcare Decisions Day provides a terrific opportunity to remind our own employees — as well as hospital visitors—about the importance of making their wishes known," explained Stuart Warner, assistant general counsel, Legal and Risk Services. "All adult admitted patients receive a brochure to help them understand their rights under Connecticut law. Anyone who wants more information then receives a visit from a Religious Ministries representative who can walk patients through the forms, answer questions and help patients fill out an advance directive, if they wish."
Carole Hermann, OP, a chaplain in Religious Ministries, was one of the volunteers staffing the table in front of the New Haven Unit cafeteria. "I tell patients that these directives help you spell out what you want in advance," she said. "Advance planning takes away guilt from your family members because you are the one telling them exactly what you want."
During the fair, Sister Carole and volunteers from Legal and Risk Services, Patient Relations and Religious Ministries were available to hand out forms and answer questions for staff and visitors. In a few cases, they served as witnesses for employees who filled out the forms.
Warner directs employees to the web site of the Connecticut attorney general where they can download an excellent package of information that includes forms. YNHH brochures are available by calling Religious Ministries, 203-688-2151.
"Many people say ‘I'm not sick — why do I need to do this,' and we tell them this is the perfect time to make wishes known," said Warner. "You're able-bodied and clear-headed. Make those decisions now, get them into an advance directive and help your family and caregivers know what you want when that time comes."
In the Photo: At the display outside the New Haven Unit cafeteria, Marc Lombardi (left, foreground), assistant general counsel, Legal and Risk Services, discusses the importance of advance directives with Steven Robinson, associate, Environmental Services; behind them, Carole Hermann, left, talks to Olejario Rosete, short-order cook, Food and Nutrition Services; and in back, Christine Banti, left, patient representative, Patient Relations, gives a brochure to Michele Montana, educational coordinator, Cardiology.
Community July 14, 2011
Black Nurses Association honors two YNHH nurses
At its recent annual luncheon, the Southern Connecticut Black Nurses Association honored two Yale-New Haven Hospital nurses. Genice Nelson, left, APRN, MSN, nurse practitioner in the Adult Sickle Cell Program in Community Health, received the Alvin Johnson Scholarship, named for the hospital’s former vice president of Human Resources. Nelson is attending University of Connecticut School of Nursing to earn her doctorate of nursing practice. Pauline Obura-Wilkes, RN, assistant patient service manager, Short-Stay Unit, received the association’s Nursing Leadership Award. She is a co-founder of a non-profit organization that educates and empowers orphaned children and widowed women with AIDs in her native Kisumu, Kenya. She is pursuing her RN-MSN degree at Sacred Heart University.
Community June 27, 2011
Mock Trial 2011
Yale-New Haven Hospital employees worked with fifth-grade students from New Haven's John C. Daniels school to stage a mock trial in U.S. Federal Court recently. The case of the United States vs. Paul Bunyan was tried before Superior Court Judge Antonio C. Robaina at the New Haven Federal District Court. Daniels School has been a YNHH partnership school since the school opened in September 2006.
Community June 09, 2011
YNHH extends its teaching expertise to area paramedics, EMTs
Yale-New Haven Hospital has an excellent reputation as an academic medical center that extends beyond the staff it trains to the community where it provides training, certification and continuing education to hundreds of area paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and dispatchers.
Yale-New Haven and the Hospital of Saint Raphael jointly operate the New Haven Sponsor Hospital Program (NHSHP) — the largest and oldest in Connecticut — and provide initial and ongoing training to emergency medical services (EMS) providers in New Haven and its surrounding towns.
Carin Van Gelder, MD, ED attending at YNHH, is the program's medical director. She and a staff of three work with 22 agencies — from fire and police departments to ambulance companies. YNHH receives approximately 3,600 emergency transports from these and other agencies each month.
The New Haven Sponsor Hospital Program provides basic training in a 15,000-square-foot facility on Willow Street in New Haven. Paramedics and EMTs gain first-hand experience at YNHH and other hospitals where they learn about trauma, obstetrics, burns, stomach illnesses, respiration, behavioral health and emergency medicine.
"Our physicians, nurses and staff do an excellent job of exposing paramedics and EMTs to what they need to know to skillfully treat patients in the field and successfully transport them here," said Dr. Van Gelder. David C. Cone, MD, also an ED attending, is the director of Yale School of Medicine's EMS fellowship whose fellows assist in the training of paramedics. The paramedics receive 1,500 hours of training over the course of two years to become licensed. EMTs need 145 hours of training to become certified. Paramedics must continue training in ECGs, pediatrics, drug administration, intubation, stroke and more, which is done at the Willow Street facility.
A NHSHP protocol finalized last year has already contributed to improving the important "door-to-balloon" time it takes for a patient suffering a heart attack to get to YNHH's catheterization laboratory for life-saving angioplasty.
With the new protocol in place, paramedics — now trained to interpret 12-lead ECGs — who suspect a heart attack can activate the cath lab so the team is ready to treat the patient as soon as he or she enters YNHH.
Paramedics are also now trained to call the receiving hospital as soon as they suspect that a patient is having a stroke. Dr. Van Gelder calls them "ambassadors" because they play such an important role in educating the public on what these symptoms are. As with heart attacks, fast action can save stroke patients from death or debilitating injury.
"The greater New Haven area is fortunate to have paramedics and EMTs who are well trained and then receive superb ongoing training — it never stops," said Mariane Carna, vice president, Heart and Vascular Services and Adult Emergency Department. "Many times, the care a patient receives before being admitted to YNHH can have a positive impact on their outcome."
IN THE PHOTO: Dr. Van Gelder (left) recently met with staff near the ambulance bay entrance in the Adult ED. They are (l-r): paramedic David Tauber, education coordinator, responsible for training; Kevin Burns, PA, YNHH's EMS coordinator and liaison between YNHH and EMS agencies; and Al Gambino, director of NHSHP's overall program. More information about NHSHP is available at www.sponsorhospital.org.
Employees June 09, 2011
It’s official: Yale-New Haven Hospital is recognized as Magnet hospital
Late on Friday afternoon, May 20, Sue Fitzsimons sent a request to nursing leadership asking them to attend a meeting on Tuesday, May 24 at 11:45 a.m. to review the "Nursing Readiness Plan." On Monday afternoon, May 23, she sent a request to hospital leadership asking them to attend a "celebration" on the continuing journey toward Magnet® designation for May 24 at 11:45 a.m.
It all seemed innocent enough and she apologized for making both appointments at the last minute. On Tuesday, when attendees entered the Anlyan Center's auditorium, a slide on the screen said "Nursing Readiness Plan."
What the audience didn't know was that Fitzsimons, senior vice president, Patient Services, and Lori Hubbard, RN, Magnet coordinator, had an appointment to call the executive director of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the organization that grants Magnet status to hospitals.
Aware that the hospital would soon learn if it had achieved Magnet designation based on its 47-pound application and rigorous four-day site visit, the audience was getting a little nervous. Fitzsimons heightened the suspense by doing everything but reciting a recipe for lemon pound cake from the lectern. And then it was time. The call went through.
IN THE PHOTO: Lisa Rioux, RN, MSN, Transforming Patient Care team, anticipated the good news Sue Fitzsimons was about to share at the Magnet announcement.
Employees June 08, 2011
YNHCH ranked in five specialties by U.S. News & World Report
Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital has been ranked among the best in the nation for five of its pediatric subspecialties in the 2011 edition of America's Best Children's Hospitals, published online by U.S. News & World Report. The hospital’s diabetes and endocrinology service ranked number seven in the nation; YNHCH also ranked among the very best in the nation in four additional medical specialties: gastroenterology, neonatology, pulmonology and urology.
"We are honored to have our children’s hospital specialties ranked among the best in the United States," said Clifford Bogue, MD, interim chair of Pediatrics for the Children's Hospital. "We are especially proud that our comprehensive pediatric thyroid program and overall diabetes and endocrinology programs are in elite company. The depth and breadth of our expertise across all the pediatric specialties is significant and becoming more impressive each year."
This is the third consecutive year YNHCH's diabetes and endocrinology service has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report. "Our total focus is providing the best family-centered care to each and every patient at Yale-New Haven," said Marna P. Borgstrom, president and CEO, YNHH. "The recognition by U.S. News & World Report is a testament to the dedication of the physicians, nurses and staff and the passion and commitment they convey while working to advance research and treatment of childhood illnesses at Yale-New Haven Children's."
Community June 06, 2011
Drive to register bone marrow donors a success
Yale-New Haven Hospital recently partnered with the Rhode Island Blood Center’s Be The Match Marrow Donor Program and held a successful registration drive for bone marrow donors, adding almost 300 names to a national list of names. More than 315 participated in the drive held in the East Pavilion special events area.
It is estimated that YNHH this year will treat 50 patients who need a bone marrow transplant — many of whom will have to use the registry because they could not find a compatible family match. Shown at the recent drive are, from left: patient volunteer Peter Montesano; Susan Faraone, RN, Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant coordinator; patient volunteer Eugenio Altomare; and Debbie Klotzer, executive assistant, Cancer Network.
Community June 06, 2011
YNHH promises New Haven Promise $2 million over four years
Reflecting its strong commitment to the New Haven community and support of education, Yale-New Haven Hospital has announced that it will contribute $2 million to New Haven Promise over the next four years.
New Haven Promise is the new college scholarship and support program for the city’s public school students. Yale-New Haven’s contribution will fund the initiative’s “partnership” component. Its goal is to make higher education an expectation and reality for more New Haven students. The program is administered by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.
New Haven Promise does exactly that: it promises New Haven high school seniors who have earned a 3.0 average and have 90 percent attendance during high school to pay tuition for any in-state public college or university the student attends. Students who meet these criteria from now through 2013 are eligible for partial tuition payment; the program will be phased in entirely in 2014, so today’s high school freshmen will be eligible for 100 percent tuition reimbursement at Connecticut state universities.
To announce YNHH’s flagship contribution and other corporate sponsorships, New Haven Promise recently held a press conference at Metropolitan Business Academy (MBA) where Marna P. Borgstrom, YNHH president and CEO, addressed MBA students and teachers and business and community leaders.
She pointed to Yale-New Haven’s support for traditional community health programs like mammography vans, pediatric dentistry clinics and school-based health clinics. The hospital also promotes affordable housing and educational initiatives because stable housing and a sound educational system advance public health.
“We also know how critical educational opportunities are for our future workforce,” Borgstrom told the group. “There will always be babies being born and people who become seriously ill, and we need to have a workforce that is educated, competent and committed.
“As one of the city’s largest employers, we’ve had many opportunities to partner with our community to advance health service initiatives,” Borgstrom said. “But every once in a great while, a program comes around that we believe has the real ability to transform lives. Promise is one of those unique programs.”
Borgstrom noted that the Promise program will succeed because it provides incentive for students to stay focused in school and provides the reward of a college education. “Yale-New Haven increasingly needs people who are educated, smart and committed to developing their community,” she said. “You are our future work force and we need the best people we can find. We want you to love your education and bring that passion and commitment to Yale- New Haven when you graduate.”
IN THE PHOTO: Marna Borgstrom and other supporters of New Haven Promise visited the Mauro-Sheridan Science and Technology School to discuss the importance of education and college with eighth graders. Wearing shirts from their colleges are (l-r): Reggie Mayo, PhD, superintendent of New Haven public schools; Lauren Zucker, director, New Haven Affairs, Yale University; Denise Coles-Cross, principal, Mauro-Sheridan; John DeStefano, mayor of New Haven; Dorsey Kendrick, PhD, president, Gateway Community College; and Marna Borgstrom
Community May 05, 2011
Cheshire honors YNHH for its support of community health
Diana Ellison, left, administrative director, and Judith Pasqualoni, manager, surgical scheduling and outreach sales coordinator, both of Ambulatory Services Division, recently accepted the Cheshire YMCA Reaching Out Award on behalf of Yale- New Haven Hospital. The Cheshire YMCA honored the hospital for supporting its efforts to improve community health and the hospital’s involvement in the annual Cheshire YMCA Healthy Living Expo which will take place on Sunday, May 22 in Bartlem Park.
Community May 05, 2011
Running as fruit — finishing as YNHH employees
The day was as cold as the inside of a refrigerator where some fruit are kept to stay fresh. But three special fruit — a watermelon slice, a banana and an apple — recently got out for a brisk run around East Rock in New Haven, to support the Run for Refugees that benefits the Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS). The annual 5k run fundraiser, supported by Yale-New Haven, also includes a group costume contest. Three fruitylooking YNHH employees won the contest after the race, which raised more than $10,000 for IRIS. Shown, from left, are: Sarah Borgerding, planner, Planning and Business Development; Andrew Orefice, program coordinator, Community and Government Relations; and Jean Ahn, system director, Planning and Business Development.
Community May 05, 2011
Red Cross honors Paul Collins as one of its heroes
Even though the hair on the back of his hands was singed, Paul Collins gave no indication when he went to work on Monday that he had done anything remotely heroic over the weekend. As he and his girlfriend headed to an early-morning antiques show, Collins, a painter in the Environmental Services Department, noticed a car pulled off to the side of the road in Monroe.
They stopped and he ran to the car where he saw a young woman trapped in the car that was rapidly being engulfed in flames. Before he could unbuckle her seat belt, he had to pat down the flames that were beginning to attack her lap and hair. He dragged her out and waited for the paramedics to arrive.
Although he downplayed saving a woman from a burning car, the Fairfield County Chapter of the American Red Cross thought what Collins had done was quite heroic and honored him and others recently at a breakfast.
"I’m honored but as I see it, someone needed help and I was there to help," said Collins, ever the modest hero.
In the photo: Nicole Bologna, the woman Paul Collins saved, and members of his department proudly joined him at the breakfast honoring Red Cross heroes. Shown with Bologna and Collins are his fellow YNHH painters, from left: Robert Henderson, Jerome Howard and Mike Aiken; Collins; Bologna; Guy Perry, painter; Lou Donarumo, supervisor, Environmental Services; and James Alogna, painter.
Employees April 14, 2011
Hartford Business Journal ranks YNHH top employer in Connecticut
Yale-New Haven Hospital was ranked the number-one large employer in the state by the Hartford Business Journal in its “Best Places to Work in Connecticut” issue for 2011. Hartford Business Journal created the statewide survey and awards program six years ago to identify and recognize the best places of public or private employment in the for-profit or non-profit sectors.
“Yale-New Haven earned this honor in part because employees responded anonymously to a survey from the Hartford Business Journal as part of the nomination process,” explained Paul Patton, vice president, Human Resources. “Our own employees made this recognition happen because of their views on the topics of leadership and planning, engagement and satisfaction, corporate culture, communications, and pay and benefits.
“Clearly the level of response and enthusiasm from our employees persuaded HBJ that Yale-New Haven is truly an employer of choice in the state of Connecticut and number-one in this year’s survey,” pointed out Patton.
Twenty companies with fewer than 200 employees and five companies with more than 200 employees are on the 2011 Best Places to Work in Connecticut list. In addition to the employee survey, a national research firm conducted a thorough workplace assessment, evaluating each company’s workplace policies, practices, benefits and demographics, as well as employee engagement and satisfaction.
Yale-New Haven Hospital employs more than 8,700 and is known for retaining its workers. YNHH offers numerous benefits and programs to help employees meet work-life demands, such as internal advancement, flexible work arrangements, tuition reimbursement, dependent tuition, on-site day care, a generous paid time-off system, employee health and wellness programs, and a unique performance incentive plan which allows employees to share in the hospital’s successful performance measures.
Employees March 24, 2011
YNHH named among top companies for executive women
Yale-New Haven Hospital has been named to the 2011 Top 50 Companies and 10 Nonprofits for Executive Women by the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE). The list recognizes organizations whose policies and practices encourage women’s advancement and whose numbers at the highest levels of leadership demonstrate that commitment. To be declared a NAFE winner, companies must have women in senior ranks, women with profit-andloss responsibility and at least two women on the board. YNHH has been recognized as the employer of choice for the region, offering numerous benefits and programs to help employees meet work-life demands, as well as internal advancement, tuition reimbursement, dependent tuition, employee health and wellness programs, and a unique performance incentive plan which allows employees to share in the hospital’s financial success.
Community March 24, 2011
YNHH raises flag for awareness of organ donations
To raise awareness of the importance of organ donation, Yale- New Haven Hospital now raises the Donate Life flag at the hospital’s main entrance every time a family makes the difficult decision to donate the organs of a loved one.
The need for donated organs is enormous and grows as medical and pharmaceutical advances help make transplants so successful. In 17 months, Yale-New Haven Transplantation Center (YNHTC), Connecticut’s leading transplant center, saw 73 patients on its list to receive a donated organ die while they waited. Nationally, 18 patients die each day waiting for transplant.
So why are patients here and across the U.S. dying while waiting for a heart, a lung, a liver? The sad answer is that too few Connecticut residents have committed to being organ donors and signed organ donor pledge cards.
The hospital’s Organ Donation Committee works within YNHH and in the community to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation. Committee members educate physicians, nurses and other members of the interdisciplinary staff on how to determine if a patient is a candidate for organ donation, when to contact the New England Organ Bank and how to talk to family members who are dealing with a loved one’s devastating injury.
The committee actively develops ways — like organ donation awareness events on the New Haven Green, YNHH shuttles that will carry the Donate Life logo throughout April, and the myths and facts page on the Transplant Center’s homepage at www.ynhh.org — to communicate the importance of organ donation.
During the past year, the committee has flown the Donate Life flag 15 times — once for each family that consented to donate the organs of a loved one. Each family is also given a flag. Their 15 donations resulted in 39 transplanted organs, including livers, corneas and heart valves.
Carole Hermann, a chaplain in Religious Ministries, was present when a family who had donated their son’s organs received one of the flags from the New England Organ Bank. "The family was comforted because they were given the opporcreates tunity to donate; they knew he was helping others even though their son was lost to them," Hermann said. "On the day the family left the hospital, they were quite touched when they saw the flag flying in his honor."
"In the U.S., Connecticut has one of the lowest rates of drivers signing up to be organ donors," said Carol Just, RN, director of nursing, Surgery, and cochair of the Organ Donation Committee with Mark Seigel, MD.
"When people are informed about the importance of organ donation, they are far more likely to check off the box when they renew their driver’s license. It’s even easier to go online to www.donatelifenewengland.org to become an organ donor," said Just. "Specifying your wishes in advance makes it easier when a family knows a person’s wishes at the very emotional time of a trauma."
Sukru Emre, MD, director, YNH Transplantation Center, tells people "we can save each other" by organ donation, pointing out that more than 103,000 people are currently waiting for a donated organ.
"We help develop a culture of organ donation by developing a successful transplantation program," Dr. Emre said and noted that last year, the YNHTC performed 52 adult and pediatric liver transplants, with 100 percent patient survival. "Organ donation and transplantation go hand-in-hand. It’s our responsibility to educate the public how their donated organs literally give the gift of life to others."
IN THE PHOTO: Members of the Organ Donation Committee recently met to plan awareness-raising activities during April, Organ Donation Month. Shown, from left, are: Michael Joyce, licensed clinical social worker; Kelly Grimshaw, RN, transplant service line educator; Sharon Klein, RN, patient service manager, Transplant Unit; Rick O’Connor, RN, Surgical Intensive Care Unit (7-1); and Carol Just, RN.
Community March 04, 2011
Yale-New Haven Hospital honors MLK’s legacy with community service awards
YNHH's service award program honors the legacy of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., by providing scholarships to eligible high school students, as well as grants to New Haven elementary schools. To qualify, students must log 20 or more hours of uncompensated community service and write a description of how their experiences helped them appreciate the differences in others.
"We felt that this is a perfect way for us to honor Dr. King - by celebrating the next generation of community leaders," said Pat Worthy, RN, manager of workforce diversity at YNHH. "These young people are already making a positive difference in our community and we hope the scholarship encourages them to continue to excel and to serve."
In the photo: At top, winner Denny Johnson with Riverside Academy Principal Wanda Gibbs. Below, from left, Maria Arnold, facilitator Erik Good, and Karen Tello of High School in the Community.
Community January 24, 2011
YNHH preserves MLK legacy with community grants
In 2009, members of the YNHH Martin Luther King Committee reviewed the hospital’s decade of Martin Luther King birthday celebrations for employees and decided to take the resources normally dedicated to its internal celebration of Dr. King and invest them in the community. The decision has been popular both with employees and the community.
This is the second year that YNHH has awarded high school students and city elementary schools with direct grants for their work in keeping alive the legacy of the slain civil rights leader.
"It is rewarding to find and support the schools and individual students within our community who are keeping alive the work for which Martin Luther King is so admired," said Patricia Worthy, RN, manager, Workforce Diversity.
"Many of our employees are proud that we are helping to keep the dreams of Dr. King alive through city schools and students."
This year’s winners of the hospital’s MLK grants are:
- $2,000 for Wexler-Grant School for its one-day "Diversity, Respect, Environmental Awareness, Activist and Morality" conference; and
- $1,000 for John C. Daniels Magnet School for its "Alive and Well in New Haven" project.
This year’s student winners of $1,000 MLK grants are:
- Maria Arnold, a senior at High School in the Community, for her work at her church pantry, American Red Cross blood drives and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society;
- Karen Tello, also a senior at High School in the Community, who volunteered for the Haiti relief efforts, Save the Sound Beach clean-up, Easter Seals Fantasy of Lights and food drives; and
- Denny Johnson, a senior at Riverside Academy, who volunteers at John C. Daniels School where he works with pre-kindergartners and first graders.
"Our Martin Luther King grants allow us to support the teachers and students in our community who are keeping alive the values of Martin Luther King," said Kyle Ballou, administrative director, Community and Government Relations. "Our recipients are truly sowing the seeds for the kind of just and civilized society Dr. King had envisioned and for which he died."
IN PHOTO: Representatives from the schools receiving MLK educational grants recently visited YNHH for the check presentation. Shown are from left, Kyle Ballou; Sondi Jackson, speech pathologist, Wexler-Grant; Holly Smith, teacher, John C. Daniels; and Paul Patton, vice president, Human Resources.
Community December 09, 2010
YNHH dedicates two Habitat for Humanity homes
In late November, Yale-New Haven Hospital and Habitat for Humanity officially dedicated the two new homes YNHH sponsored in 2010 on Sylvan Avenue in the Hill.
On the porch of 34 Sylvan Avenue, Richard D’Aquila, right, executive vice president and COO, talks with the new homeowners Dorjee Wangdak, a YNHH environmental services associate, his wife, Tsering Choedak, and their daughter, Tenzin. YNHH’s sponsorship of Habitat homes is just part of the hospital’s larger commitment to help revitalize its neighborhood.
Community December 09, 2010
YNHCH receives check for $115,044 from Kohl’s
Representatives from Kohl’s attended the Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital’s Parenting Support Program holiday party to present a check for $115,044.
Kohl’s district manager, Michael Rusciano (third from right), presents the check to, from left, Cheryl Hoey, RN, director of nursing, Pediatrics; Cynthia Sparer, executive director and vice president, YNHCH; Marna Borgstrom, president and CEO; Jocelyn Maminta, health reporter, WTNH-TV; and John Leventhal, MD, medical director, Child Abuse Services and Prevention Program at the Children’s Hospital.
Over the course of its 10-year partnership with YNHCH, Kohl’s has donated more than $1 million from the sale of Kohl’s Cares merchandise at its Connecticut stores. A portion of the Kohl’s funding supports the hospital’s "Caring Parents Make Healthy Families" program.
Community November 30, 2010
Music Haven plays in Smilow Cancer Hospital lobby
Patients, staff and visitors to Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven received a musical treat in November when students from Music Haven played for all who passed through the busy lobby during lunch. Their mini-concert was as unexpected as it was enchanting, and even normally busy staff paused to enjoy the performance.
Music Haven is a non-profit organization committed to building a vibrant urban community through performance and music education that empowers young people, their families, and professional musicians. Through the permanent residency of the Haven String Quartet, Music Haven provides world-class performances and tuition-free music education in the urban communities of New Haven.
Community October 01, 2010
Children’s Hospital and Home Depot team up to build partnerships
Volunteers from New Haven-area Home Depot stores recently visited Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital to teach pediatric patients how to use do-it-yourself building kits and to learn tool safety through one-on-one workshop projects. Home Depot donated supplies and specially designed kid-sized orange Home Depot aprons, similar to the one's worn by the sales associates.
In the photograph: Home Depot associate Ryan Hunt helps patient Dominic Wojciechowki of North Haven at Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital.
Community October 01, 2010
Smilow Cancer Hospital and Panera Bread begin breast cancer awareness month with bagel extravaganza
Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven and Panera Bread teamed up to kick-off Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a pink bagel baking celebration on Friday, Oct. 1.
Breast cancer patients and survivors, as well as Smilow Breast Center staff, joined the Panera staff in baking special pink bagels shaped like the breast cancer awareness ribbon. In addition, the YNHH mammovan was on site.
Yale-New Haven Hospital is the beneficiary of Panera's Operation Dough-Nation fundraising program. As part of this program, Panera Bread will be selling pink ribbon bagels in each of their 11 cafés (Brookfield, Darien, Hamden, Meriden, Milford, Newtown, North Haven, Norwalk, Shelton, Torrington, Trumbull and Waterbury). Twenty-five cents from every pink ribbon bagel purchased throughout the month of October will be donated to the Breast Center at Smilow Cancer Hospital.
Employees September 16, 2010
YNHH makes Working Mother’s Best 100 list once again
For the seventh time, Yale-New Haven Hospital has been chosen by Working Mother magazine as one of the nation's "100 Best Companies" for working mothers. YNHH is the only hospital in New England and one of only six Connecticut companies to be honored by Working Mother this year.
Working Mother selected Yale-New Haven for the creative ways it helps employees meet the challenges of balancing work and family. The magazine based its selection on an extensive survey of benefits, women's issues and advancement, childcare, flexible work arrangements, parental leave and company culture. "We're extremely proud that Working Mother has recognized Yale-New Hospital's commitment to addressing the work and life needs of not only our working mothers, but all employees," said Marna P. Borgstrom, president and CEO of Yale-New Haven Hospital. "Yale-New Haven Hospital remains firmly committed to actively maintaining open communication with managers and employees and providing the kinds of benefits and family-friendly policies that foster a positive working environment." Yale-New Haven Hospital has a growing number of programs to help employees meet work-life demands. In many departments, YNHH offers flexible work arrangements to mothers interested in returning to the workforce, such as telecommuting, part-time and casual status, compressed workweeks and job sharing. The hospital earned special recognition this year in several key areas. Working Mother noted it was particularly impressed that senior managers donated more than $50,000 to create the employee hardship fund to help co-workers who meet with an emergency situation causing sudden financial difficulties. They also noted YNHH's program of providing employees who meet income requirements with free tax preparation as well as financial wellness and money management seminars. Expanded wellness programs include free nutrition counseling and health screenings. Working Mother also acknowledged how employees who pursue degrees in nursing, diagnostic imaging or respiratory therapy may apply for up to $12,000 in forgivable loans. In addition, they pointed out YNHH's provision of on-site lactation rooms for employees who are new mothers as well as the hospital day-care center's discount to families with multiple children enrolled. YNHH employees have also benefited from the hospital's award-winning traffic demand management efforts, which include discounted bus and train tickets, bicycle racks and showers for cyclers, free shuttle rides to work and subsidies on bus and train fares. Working Mother magazine previously selected YNHH as one of the Best 100 Companies in 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and in 2009.
Employees September 09, 2010
YNHH wins award for providing commuter options
Yale-New Haven Hospital was recently awarded the Innovative New Transportation Demand Management Program Award at the 5th annual New England Transportation Demand Management Conference for “implementing an innovative program that achieved the goals of transportation demand management.” YNHH’s Traffic Demand Management (TDM) program encourages use of alternative travel modes that reduce the demand on parking, minimize congestion on local roadways, improve air quality and respond to rising fuel costs. Launched three years ago, the program has reduced employee car usage at the hospital by more than 460 vehicles per day by offering discounted bus and train tickets, providing a van system to commuter parking lots, and building bicycle racks and showers for cyclers. Holding the award is Nick Proto, director, Protective Services and Parking, and Jean Stimolo, executive director, Rideworks of New Haven, YNHH’s partner in traffic demand management efforts.
Community September 09, 2010
YNHH helps with Hill revitalization
On August 24, YNHH was part of a celebratory groundbreaking that will result in a new 104-unit, mixed-income housing complex called Rowe Residences. It will create 26 market-rate apartments and 78 subsidized apartments that will house about 46 elderly or disabled tenants now living in the outdated high-rise building at 904 Howard Avenue. When the new apartments open in fall 2011, the building at 904 Howard will be demolished.
The project, which includes retail space on the ground floor, will cost $36 million, and relies in part on a competitively-won federal stimulus grant.
This project is unique because it is a joint effort of local organizations and state and federal agencies. In addition to YNHH, partners include the New Haven Housing Authority, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, as well as private investors, developers and builders and the building's tenant association.
YNHH's contribution involved a land-swap. The hospital owned the property - between Ward Street and Howard, Legion and Sylvan avenues - on which the new Rowe Residences will be built. YNHH exchanged that property with the city for 904 Howard Avenue property for future use.
The 904 property will be turned over to Yale- New Haven Hospital following the successful completion of the new Rowe Housing and after the city demolishes the current building. Yale- New Haven Hospital should take ownership of the parcel in mid-2013.
"This was mutually beneficial to everyone involved - especially the tenants of 904 Howard," said Norman Roth, senior vice president, Administration. "Residents will not be displaced and the neighborhood will gain a new residential complex."
"We are investing in our neighborhood in a serious and thoughtful way," said Richard D'Aquila, executive vice president and COO. "In addition to this project and our three Habitat for Humanity homes, we will continue to fund community investments that support our community revitalization. It is really exciting to see our neighborhood change and become a safer, more comfortable place to live and work."
Community July 29, 2010
YNHH celebrates School to Career interns and scholarship winners
Human Resources recently filled the East Pavilion cafeteria special events area with the smiling faces of students and their parents to celebrate the achievements of the participants in the YNHH School to Career internship program and those who had received one of the hospital’s minority scholarships. Paul Patton, vice president, and Patricia Worthy, RN, manager, Workforce Diversity, congratulated the students on their achievements and encouraged them to continue striving.
Shown at the recent reception are, from left: Patricia Worthy; Mary Perez, constant companion, Resource Support Unit, who is studying nursing at Gateway Community College; Paul Patton; Tyler Tucker, recipient of a YNHH minority scholarship, who is pursuing a degree in nursing at Temple University, and her mother, Kathy Tucker, APRN, coordinator, Coumadin Clinic, Heart and Vascular Center. Both Perez and Tucker were School to Career interns.
Community July 13, 2010
Gary Smart, Community Health, completes leadership program
On June 2, Gary R. Smart, manager special projects and clinical support, Community Health, was one of 26 professionals to graduate from the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Center’s Leadership Greater New Haven program (LGNH). The 10-month program is designed to identify aspiring community leaders and support their growth through leadership training and community education.
"This was a great experience for me and helped me develop some skills that I am applying everyday," says Smart. "Yale-New Haven is known as an employer of choice because it supports training and professional development for its employees. I’m happy I had this opportunity." Smart, a four-year YNHH veteran, received his bachelor’s in healthcare administration from Providence College and a master's in public administration from the University of New Haven. He is a resident of Hamden.
Employees June 24, 2010
Strength in numbers at Walk to Empower
More than 150 employees joined the Smilow Cancer Hospital team to support the Breast Cancer Network of Strength’s annual Walk to Empower on windy Mother’s Day, May 9. The Network of Strength offers programs and services free of charge to people affected by breast cancer. The Smilow Cancer Hospital team walked a three-mile course at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven and raised $5,000 for the organization.
Employees June 24, 2010
Employees stepped up for healthy hearts
Showing up on bikes and trikes and in strollers and sneakers, nearly 200 Yale-New Haven Hospital employees and family members came out to support the American Heart Association’s (AHA) annual walk to fight heart disease. The AHA is dedicated to building healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases. This year’s walk took place at West Haven’s Savin Rock Park on Saturday, May 22 where the YNHH group raised more than $8,700 to help fight heart disease.
Employees June 24, 2010
Marching for Babies
More than 75 YNHH employees, family members and friends braved rainy weather and chilly temps on Sunday, April 25 to participate in the March of Dimes annual March for Babies walk at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven. March of Dimes is dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital sponsored this year’s Kid Zone and despite less then ideal weather, the YNHH team raised nearly $10,000.
Employees June 24, 2010
Transplantation fair builds awareness, encourages donors
Yale-New Haven Hospital and Sukru Emre, MD, director of the Yale-New Haven Transplantation Center, hosted a transplantation and organ donation awareness fair on the New Haven Green on Saturday, May 15 to share information on organ and tissue donation and encourage guests to register as donors. At the event, several former transplant patients shared their first-hand experiences and appealed for people to join the donor registry. An impressive 87 guests signed up to be organ donors at the fair. Pictured at the event are Yale-New Haven Transplantation Center staff members, from left, Maureen Ghiroli, RN, pediatric liver transplant nurse coordinator; Nancy Edgington, kidney transplant social worker; and Precious Williams, kidney transplant associate coordinator.
Community June 04, 2010
Hospital sponsors construction of two more Habitat homes
YNHH and Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven are building two new Habitat homes at 32 and 34 Sylvan Ave.
These are the second and third Habitat projects sponsored by the hospital and its medical staff. Previously, YNHH sponsored a home on Wilson Street.
Hospital employees, volunteers physicians, staff and families are invited to volunteer to work on the projects and give back to the community. You must be 16 or older. Work schedules are Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the next six months. To volunteer, call (203) 688-2402.
Community May 06, 2010
Panera doesn’t loaf when it comes to helping its partner, YNHH
For the second consecutive year, Panera Bread of Western Connecticut donated almost $35,000 to Yale-New Haven Hospital. Customers at its bakery- cafés make donations to its Operation Dough-Nation and Panera matches a portion of them. Panera has committed to the relationship for one more year. At the check presentation at Panera in North Haven are, from left, Tina Lemelin, Panera marketing manager for western CT; Marna P. Borgstrom, president and CEO; Tom Kelleher, Panera Bread joint venture partner for western CT; and Kevin F. Walsh, vice president, Development.
Employees May 06, 2010
14 YNHH nurses receive Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing
The Yale-New Haven nurses who were honored May 5 as Nightingales are a special group of nurses. They were chosen for recognition because they exhibit the traits of nursing excellence expressed by Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern day nursing. This year’s event occurs during the hospital’s celebration of Nurse Week, a special time of recognition for the more than 2,200 nurses who work at YNHH.
The Nightingale Award honors nurses from greater New Haven area hospitals and healthcare institutions. YNHH, the Visiting Nurse Association of South Central Connecticut, the Hospital of St. Raphael and the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven are the sponsors of the annual award program that has grown significantly since it was introduced 10 years ago.
"Patients who come to Yale-New Haven Hospital are cared for by an exceptional team of nurses," said Sue Fitzsimons, RN, PhD, senior vice president, Patient Services. "The Nightingale Awards give us an important opportunity to showcase within our community some of the dedicated nurses who deliver the world-class care for which we are known."
This year, 14 nurses -- nominated by YNHH — were honored at the May 5 Nightingale dinner. The 2010 YNHH Nightingales are: Erin Albright, RN, Adult Emergency Department; Donita Anderson-Osga, RN, Surgical Intensive Care Unit; Suzann Blanchard, RN, Labor & Birth; Helen Conde, RN, Surgery Unit (6-4); Jeff Curran, RN, Transplant Unit; Helena Erskine, RN, Resource Support Unit — Intensive Care Unit; Toni Frizini, RN, Heart and Vascular Center Cardiac Unit; Christine Galla, RN, Community Health; Ivette Medina-Stephenson, RN, Maternal Special Care; Kathryn Munroe, RN, Community Health; Deborah Pantera, RN, Pediatric Oncology Treatment Center; Margaret Pinto, RN, Gamma Knife Center; Kim Whelan Riccitelli, RN, Adult Inpatient — YNHPH; and Lisa Waterbury, RN, Heart and Vascular Center Nursing Procedures.
Deborah Pantera, who has worked in pediatrics since she joined YNHH in 1979, was clearly not expecting to be nominated for her work with children who have cancer and their families.
"I am so humbled by being named a Nightingale," says Pantera, who has worked for 21 years in pediatric oncology and hematology. "It is a privilege for me to work with these kids — they are so resilient and so inspiring. My practice is rewarding — that is the award."
Employees May 06, 2010
Saria Hassan, MD, receives first fellowship honoring Raymond Wong, MD
Saria Hassan, MD, a resident in the YNHH medicine/pediatric program, is the first recipient of the Raymond P. Wong Fellowship Award established by Yale- New Haven Hospital, Yale Medical Board and the New Haven County Medical Association.
A native of Sudan, Dr. Hassan received an international baccalaureate degree from Cairo American College and is a graduate of MIT. She received her medical degree from Harvard Medical School. She had worked in Uganda, Sudan and Senegal and with organizations dedicated to improving health and medical education in Sudan and Tanzania.
"Saria Hassan is a truly worthy recipient for the first Ray Wong fellowship," said Karl Insogna, MD, attending endocrinologist and professor of internal medicine, Yale School of Medicine, and director of the fellowship selection committee. "She is a compassionate physician, who is devoted to the care of the underserved."
This summer, she will join the staff of New Haven’s Cornell-Scott Hill Health Center. Currently, Dr. Hassan is the resident director of the Yale Pediatric Global Health Track, which allows residents interested in international health, immigrant health and health inequities to travel to underserved countries and provide health care.
The award is named in memory of Raymond P. Wong, MD, an internist who practiced for 26 years at the Hill Health Center in New Haven. Dr. Wong, whose parents emigrated from China, was born in New London. He received his undergraduate degree from Fordham University and MD from George Washington University. He did his residency at the University of Florida and began his career on an Indian reservation before coming to New Haven. Dr. Wong, who died in 2008, was well known for his commitment to community service
Community April 19, 2010
Reading promotion
In honor of the Week of the Young Child, members of YNHH’s administration recently booked time with pre-schoolers from the YNHH Day Care Center, for some outdoor reading in the Dana pool area.
Rick D’Aquila, executive vice president and COO, is shown reading Bears New Friend, by Karma Wilson. Other readers included Paul Patton, vice president, Human Resources; Kevin Myatt, senior vice president, Human Resources; and Annie Garcia-Kaplan, volunteer program coordinator, Volunteer Services.
In addition, all children from the Day Care Center received a book from the city of New Haven to promote family reading.
Community March 25, 2010
Raising organ donation awareness and raising a donor flag
April is Organ Donation Awareness month and Yale-New Haven – Connecticut’s leading transplant center – is working to build awareness among hospital employees, patients and visitors about the importance of organ donation.
On Monday, April 5, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., YNHH will host an information table in the Atrium where staff will discuss the misconceptions of organ donation and raise awareness of its importance. Employees and visitors can also register to become organ donors. On Tuesday, April 6, 11:30 a.m., a donor family will raise the Donate Life flag at the flag pole in the York Street circle.
Holding the flag that will fly outside YNHH for the month of April are from left: Rev. Sue Asher, coordinator of pastoral education, Religious Ministries; Marna P. Borgstrom, president and CEO; Sukru Emre, MD, director, Yale-New Haven Transplantation Center; and Patsy Twohill, manager, Emergency Diagnostic Radiology. Rev. Asher and Twohill are members of the Organ Donation Committee.
Community March 11, 2010
Volunteer efforts appreciated at YNHPH
"You made me look so happy, and so well," one patient told Emily Kilroy, who minored in fine arts in college, when she recently created charcoal portraits of the patients on the Dual Diagnosis Unit. Kilroy, a volunteer at the Yale-New Haven Psychiatric Hospital, is a student in a joint program of Yale University and the University College of London (UCL) where she is in the psychodynamic developmental neuroscience program.
Currently, four students, all of them pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in the field of psychology and all of them with an interest in art, are volunteering four hours a week on one of the three patient care units in the 74-bed Yale-New Haven Psychiatric Hospital. Each student had requested work with psychiatric patients and, like all volunteers at YNHH, went through orientation with Volunteer Services.
Justine Giddens, who is in the same joint master’s of science program as Kilroy, said working on one of the YNHPH units took some adjusting at first.
"I had to get used to the fact that it is a locked unit, for the safety of the patients," explained Giddens, who plans to pursue a career in medicine and whose artistic specialty is collages. "I enjoy interacting with the patients. They and the staff are so appreciative of the work we do."
One volunteer, Miranda Farmer, is a junior at Yale College and is a psychology major, following a neuroscience track.
"I wanted to get a better feel for what hospitals are like and I also wanted patient contact," said Farmer, who recently helped patients make cards for Valentine’s Day. "I like that we are able to spend blocks of time with patients and I enjoy sitting in on therapy groups and community meetings."
Leslie O’Connor, APRN, director, Psychiatric Nursing Services, is delighted with the caliber of the students who volunteer and their commitment to the patients.
"We are very fortunate to have the group of volunteers we have," said O’Connor. "They are sensitive to the special needs and privacy of our patients and so willing to share their artistic gifts with them. Staff, patients and their families alike have commented on their contributions to the patient experience.
All of them have a promising career in mental health, or whatever field they choose to pursue.
"We are grateful they chose to volunteer at our hospital," said O’Connor.
"We are very fortunate to have the group of volunteers we have," said O’Connor. "They are sensitive to the special needs and privacy of our patients and so willing to share their artistic gifts with them. Staff, patients and their families alike have commented on their contributions to the patient experience.
All of them have a promising career in mental health, or whatever field they choose to pursue.
"We are grateful they chose to volunteer at our hospital," said O’Connor.
In the photo: Three of the four students who regularly volunteer at Yale-New Haven Psychiatric Hospital meet with Judy Bedini, RN, off-shift administrator, who is the YNHPH volunteer trainer and coordinator. Shown are, from left, Justine Giddens, Bedini, Miranda Farmer and Emily Kilroy. Eleonora Cavalca, also a student with the joint Yale/UCL program, was unavailable for the photo.
Employees March 11, 2010
Switching from sutures to stitches, OR group makes Smilow quilt
Members of the Perioperative Services staff are more acquainted with sutures than they are with stitches but that didn’t stop them from making a trio of quilts for Smilow Cancer Hospital.
Jeanie Cacopardo, RN, educator, Perioperative Services, and quilter, introduced her colleagues to the idea of making a quilt in January 2009. She asked for 9" squares. The only other requirement was to make the square using fabrics in the colors that represent awareness of cancers — e.g. pink represents breast cancer.
"I didn’t know if we were going to get one square or 15 — so we were delighted when we got more than 60 of them," she says. "Each was beautiful and each came from the heart." Non-quilters who wanted to contribute a square "hired" sewers to sew their design. Some squares celebrated patients who are surviving cancers and others celebrated those who had waged valiant battles with the disease.
Cacopardo assembled the quilt, using lavender — the universal color for cancer awareness — for the borders and between the squares. She then held a "tying" event in the Perioperative Services conference room and taught employees on their lunch hour how to tie the quilt to its backing with special thread. In two days, staff tied more than 240 knots, preparing it to hang on the 9th floor of Smilow.
"This quilt reflects the hope we have for the patients who come to Smilow for care," said Cacopardo. "It also celebrates the courage and strength patients bring to their fight. We hope our quilt will bring comfort to those who are or have been affected by cancer."
Community February 25, 2010
YNHH and Hospital of St. Raphael jointly hold breakfast with legislators
At a recent legislative breakfast organized by Community and Government Relations, representatives of YNHH, the Hospital of St. Raphael and the Connecticut Hospital Association briefed legislators on several issues:
- Medicaid continues to significantly under-reimburse hospitals for services to the poor and underinsured. While recognizing the challenging budget year ahead for the state, YNHH and HSR — both urban hospitals that provide an important safety net to the communities they serve — asked legislators to maintain or consider increasing the level of Medicaid funding for their services.
- Both hospitals asked that the Department of Social Services move SAGA (State Administered General Assistance) patients into Medicaid. While Medicaid pays 70 cents for each dollar of cost, SAGA reimburses only 30 cents for each dollar of service provided to single adults who have no insurance coverage. While this move would not totally address the cost of providing care, it is a step in the right direction and would provide an increased federal match, thus lessening the budget impact on the state.
- The rising cost of health insurance has an impact on hospitals as well as on employment in Connecticut. When hospitals do not get paid fully by Medicare and Medicaid, they ask more of private insurers, who pass these costs on to employees in the form of higher premiums. In the face of these rising costs, employees opt out of coverage, and employers offer less comprehensive coverage or don’t hire as many employees – all of which affects access to care and the financial health of the state.
Marna P. Borgstrom, YNHH president and CEO, started the day warmly welcoming her “colleague and new partner,” Christopher O’Connor, president of the Hospital of St. Raphael. O’Connor became president in October, but already he and Borgstrom have been working together to share issues of mutual concern with elected state officials.
In addition to representatives from both hospitals and the Connecticut Hospital Association, 13 members of both houses of the Connecticut General Assembly from the greater New Haven area attended. Borgstrom and O’Connor discussed the U.S. House and Senate health care reform bills — the future of which is unclear.
In the picture, from left: State Representatives Paul Davis, West Haven, Pat Dillon and Gary Holder-Winfield, both of New Haven; O’Connor; Borgstrom; Senators Ed Meyer, Branford, Guilford, Madison; Toni Harp, New Haven; and Joe Crisco, Woodbridge; and Representative Dick Roy, Milford.
Community February 22, 2010
Yale-New Haven Hospital awards $10,000 to Fellowship Place
Yale-New Haven Hospital recently awarded a grant of $10,000 to Fellowship Place, which qualified for a $5,000 matching grant from the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven. Fellowship Place provides housing, meals, homeless outreach and engagement, and psycho-social services for people recovering from severe mental illness. Shown at the check presentation, from left, are: Dee Melio, program coordinator, YNHH community and government relations; Mary A. Guerrera, executive director, Fellowship Place; and Melissa Holroyd, Fellowship Place development director.
Community January 28, 2010
YNHH continues to honor Martin Luther King
Beginning in the early ‘90s, Yale-New Haven Hospital honored the legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., slain civil rights leader, with a special program each January in remembrance of his birthday.
Last year, the MLK Committee decided to use the resources previously spent on the annual celebration to honor Dr. King with a program of awards to high school students and educational grants to elementary schools in New Haven.
This past summer, YNHH awarded the first $1,000 MLK Community Service Awards to three New Haven students who set an example in the community. In December, YNHH awarded $3,000 in MLK Educational Grants to three New Haven schools. The 2009 award recipients were the Benjamin Jepson School which received $725 to buy books; Fair Haven School, $1,000 for workshops on diversity; and Wexler-Grant School, $1,275 for workshops on Martin Luther King Day.
"The community has reacted positively to how we now honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King," said Patricia Worthy, RN, manager, Workforce Diversity, and cochair of the MLK Committee. "Our employees — many of whom live in New Haven — are proud of our efforts to invest in the schools and students who are carrying on Dr. King’s work and philosophy. Through our MLK awards and grants, we are helping to find and encourage the next generation of community leaders."
In the photo: Representatives from the three schools receiving MLK educational grants recently visited YNHH for the check presentation. From left: Dee Melio, program coordinator, Community and Government Relations; Jeanne Lawrence, library media specialist, Jepson School; Patricia Worthy; Michael Soares, teacher, Fair Haven; and Sondi Jackson, speech pathologist, Wexler-Grant.
Community January 28, 2010
YNHH makes donations in time for matching
Just in time for the holidays, the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven put out a powerful challenge to others in the greater New Haven community: make a donation by Jan. 15 — and the Community Foundation would match it. Yale-New Haven heard the word and finalized decisions on donations to two respected organizations and one grammar school — all in New Haven.
The Coordinating Council for Children in Crisis, an organization that helps prevent abuse and neglect by providing home visiting and outreach, parenting education, family strengthening activities, counseling and advocacy, received $15,000. The hospital also hand-delivered a check for $10,000 to Fellowship Place, which helps adults who are recovering from mental illness lead more meaningful and healthier lives.
Finally, YNHH gave $1,275 to the Truman School so it could purchase additional books for its literacy center.
Employees January 28, 2010
“The journey within”—apt theme for this year’s PCA celebration
At the annual celebration of the hospital’s 450 patient care associates and their counterparts in the Emergency Department — ED technical assistants (EDTAs), Richard Stahl, MD, vice president, Ambulatory Services Division, was the guest speaker, and shared both his professional and personal experience with the audience.
"I entrust my patients’ care to you every day; as a physician and as an administrator, I depend on you," Dr. Stahl said. "Both my family and I have been your patients and those experiences have helped me understand how you help patients when they are vulnerable and in greatest need. You help patients feel hopeful so they can recover more quickly."
Dr. Stahl congratulated the 11 PCAs and EDTAs who advanced to level II on their ladder. "I encourage you to take advantage of your mentors and the educational support the hospital offers you," Dr. Stahl said. "Yours is an important journey."
At this year’s celebration, 48 PCAs and EDTAs were honored with certificates of appreciation from the units on which they work.
"Our patient care associates and EDTAs are exceptional professionals and crucial to the care of our patients," said Francine LoRusso, RN, director of patient services, Heart and Vascular Center. "It is wonderful to see them take advantage of opportunities to advance themselves within their profession, which contributes to the level of care our patients receive at Yale-New Haven. This annual celebration is our opportunity to acknowledge their expertise."
Crystal Batson-Jones, PCA, Temple Recovery Care Center, and member of the PCA Celebration Committee, described this year’s event as "wonderful." "The celebration lets you know you’re appreciated — it’s so nice to hear that you are noticed for what you do for patients," she said. "I left Harkness that day smiling!"
Four of the PCAs honored at the recent PCA celebration proudly held the certificates of excellence they received. From left are Eva Dover, Infants and Toddlers; Darlene Lily, Pediatric Specialty Center; Sabrina Cuttino, School-Age/Adolescents; and Vinette Johnson-Clarke, Pediatric Resource Support Unit.
Community January 26, 2010
YNHH awards $15,000 grant to Coordinating Council for Children in Crisis
Yale-New Haven Hospital recently awarded a grant of $15,000 to the Coordinating Council for Children in Crisis (CCCC).
Because the hospital made the grant by Jan. 15, the CCCC qualified for a $5,000 matching grant from the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven. The CCCC is an organization that helps prevent abuse and neglect by providing home visiting and outreach, parenting education, family strengthening activities, counseling and advocacy.
Shown at the check presentation are, from left, Kyle Ballou, administrative director, YNHH Community and Government Relations; Stefanie Laccone, director, Parenting Support and Parental Rights Initiative, CCCC; Cheryl Burack, executive director, CCCC; and Dee Melio, program coordinator, YNHH Community and Government Relations.
Employees January 07, 2010
Diagnostic Radiology turns small pins into big baskets for patients
Seeing colorful seasonal pins where others saw the discarded tops of medicine bottles, registered radiologic technologists (RTR) in Emergency Diagnostic Radiology started making flower pins out of them. As the months went by, flower pins turned into turkey pins and as the holidays approached, RTRs were using all the green and reds ones they could find to make wreath pins. Employees who saw the pins asked how they could get one and the RTRs started selling them for $1.
In two months, they collected almost $2,400 that they used to create stunning baskets for patients of the Oncology Clinic. Working with Oncology Clinic staff and its social workers, the RTRs assembled for each individual patient a themed basket with $250-300 in food, gifts, clothing, toys and gift cards. Each basket also included — what else! — one of the colorful pins that started the holiday project.
Shown with just three of the holiday baskets they created for patients of the Oncology Clinic are (front row, l-r): Patsy Twohill, manager, Emergency Diagnostic Radiology; RTRs Tina Arria, Kelly Thomas and Raeanna Brooks; and Marie Lowenadler, BA. In the second row (l-r) are: RTRs Jennifer Armellino and Jill Boria, and Cheryl Granucci, director, Diagnostic Radiology.
Community January 07, 2010
Kohl’s donations to YNHCH exceed $1.2 million
Employees from Kohl’s Department Stores in Connecticut recently visited Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital and presented a check for $123,461. Kohl’s developed a partnership with Yale-New Haven in 2000 and since then has donated more than $1.2 million to the Children’s Hospital.
One hundred percent of the net profits from the sale of special Kohl’s Cares for Kids merchandise in its stores in Branford, Brookfield, Fairfield, Hamden, Norwalk, Orange, Ridgefield, Trumbull and Wallingford is donated to the Kohl’s Parenting Support Program. Those funds support the hospital’s "Caring Parents Make Healthy Families" program which is administered by the Department of Social Work.
"We are extremely fortunate to have with Kohl’s Department Stores such a longstanding and successful partnership," said Marna P. Borgstrom, president and CEO. "Because of their outstanding generosity, programs like Caring Parents are able to make a positive difference in the lives of so many Connecticut families. We look forward to continuing to partner with Kohl’s to help keep families healthy and strong."
The "Caring Parents Make Healthy Families" program works with pediatricians, community organizations and schools to create public awareness that reaches parents and helps ensure the state’s children are safe and healthy.
Community December 24, 2009
Hospital helps out at the holidays
Every holiday season, Yale-New Haven Hospital and its employees continue a rich tradition of community service by rallying to respond to those in need. Touched by the patients and families they serve, many units and departments develop thoughtful ways to make the holidays special for them. Below are just a few of the ways that YNHH touches the community it serves at this special time of year:
Tree lighting launches holiday season at Yale-New Haven Hospital
The holidays at Yale-New haven kick off with lighting the trees in Hunter Courtyard. Each year, the hospital’s Auxiliary invites the community, employees and patients to attend the annual event. Marna P. Borgstrom, president and CEO, is the master of ceremonies and a Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital pediatric patient is invited to light the trees with a "magic" wand. The hospital’s 23rd annual tree lighting was held this year on Dec. 9. Photo
Yale-New Haven’s Pharmacy Services organizes its Giving Tree for the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen
For the fourth year, Pharmacy Services organized its Giving Tree to benefit the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK). DESK provides free, nutritious meals for homeless individuals, families and the working and non-working poor of the Greater New Haven area.
Every year, DESK provides a list of the food they most need. Most often the list includes spices to season food, basic baking necessities like creamed soups for making casseroles and sandwich ingredients for their bagged lunch program. This year DESK has also started to give each homeless individual a multi-vitamin with their meal to help meet their nutritional needs.
Pharmacy Services decks out its Giving Tree with ornaments and members of the department are invited to choose one. Each ornament lists a food item needed by the DESK. Staff collect all the items in holiday wrapped boxes that they bring to the DESK at the end of their food drive.
General Medicine Unit visits Leeway, bearing gifts
Leeway is an important New Haven non-profit that helps people living with AIDS reclaim their lives by providing intensive medical, nursing, behavioral health services and supportive housing services in a caring environment. The hospital’s General Medicine Unit on 9-5 chose Leeway to provide some holiday cheer. With donations collected from medical, nursing, patient relations and care coordination staff, 9-5 staff purchased gifts, games and clothing for Leeway residents and paid a visit to them last week. Photo.
Mutual Respect Food Drive: All the ingredients for giving
For more than 10 years, the Hospital’s Mutual Respect Committee has conducted an annual holiday food drive. Employees deposit non-perishable food items in specially marked boxes starting before Thanksgiving. Mutual Respect Committee members collect the food from the boxes and count the donations in terms of the number of bags the items fill up. They usually collect several hundreds bags of food that they deliver to greater New Haven shelters, food banks and agencies, throughout the holiday season. As part of the food drive, each year, the Yale-New Haven Auxiliary donates $300 to the Connecticut Food Bank which is very efficient at purchasing food for its clients.
From grab bag to adopting families
Year after year, administrative assistants for senior managers have held a holiday grab bag each year. Recognizing the enormous need in our community, the secretaries decided to do something more meaningful and adopted four families from the Coordinating Council for Children in Crisis, an organization that works to prevent child abuse and neglect by providing home visiting and outreach, parenting education, family strengthening activities, counseling and advocacy for children and adults. In addition, YNHH made a generous $15,000 donation to help sustain the group’s parenting support programs.
A joyful noise
John C. Daniels, one of our partner schools, sent out a request for a donation so it could buy a flute for one of its students who could no longer reach her potential as a musician because of the poor quality of her flute. Community and Government Relations sprang into action, emailing employees who have mentored students at the school, telling them of the student who had the potential to make first chair in a regional orchestra with the proper instrument. This story ends on a happy note: a generous employee — a flutist himself — contributed $500 that was then matched by the school and the eighth grader is on her musical way.
ED Diagnostic Radiology turns small pins into big baskets for patients
Seeing colorful seasonal pins where others saw the discarded tops of medicine bottles, registered radiologic technologists in Emergency Diagnostic Radiology started making flower pins out of them. Over time, flower pins turned into turkey pins and as the holidays approached, the technologists were using all the green and reds ones they could find to make wreath pins. Photo.
Employees who saw the pins asked how they could get one and the technologists started selling them for $1. In two months, they collected almost $2,400 that they used to create stunning baskets for patients of the Oncology Clinic. Working with Oncology Clinic staff and social workers, the technologists assembled a themed basket for each patient with $250-300 in food, gifts, clothing, toys and gift cards. Each basket also contained — what else! — one of the colorful pins that started the holiday project.
YNHH makes donations in time for holiday matching
Just in time for the holidays, the Community Foundation put out a powerful challenge to others in the greater New Haven community: make a donation by Jan. 15 — and the Community Foundation will match it! Yale-New Haven heard the word and finalized decisions on donations to two respected organizations and one grammar school — all in New Haven. The first donation for $15,000 was delivered to the Coordinating Council for Children in Crisis, an organization that helps prevent abuse and neglect by providing home visiting and outreach, parenting education, family strengthening activities, counseling and advocacy for children and adults. The hospital also hand delivered a check for $10,000 to Fellowship Place, which helps adults who are recovering from mental illness lead more meaningful and healthy lives. Finally, the Truman School received $1,275 so it could purchase additional books for its literacy center. Photo
Community Health picks names of its neediest patients for a homemade meal Each year, the departments of Community Health identify their neediest patients and families to whom they will provide a full turkey dinner. Employees create baskets that include a turkey, a turkey pan, cranberry sauce and all the "fixins" for a special holiday meal. This year, employees in the Community Health departments ranging from the dental programs to the AIDS care program to WIC collected donations to create 50 baskets for their patients and their families.
Angelic approach to giving
During the holiday season, the Department of Social Work’s parenting support programs provide each of its 122 participating families with a Walmart gift card and an age-appropriate, developmental toy, donated by an "angel," many of whom are YNHH employees. Staff members deliver the gifts to each of the families enrolled in the Parenting Support Program which conducts weekly home visits, and provides telephone support for new parents until the baby is six months and a 24-week parenting group.
Community December 10, 2009
Employees share “real world” experience with job seekers
More than 60 YNHH employees shared information about career opportunities at the hospital at a recent job expo at the New Haven Field House, sponsored by the hospital and the city of New Haven. Facilities, Food and Nutrition Services, Plant Engineering, Environmental Services and Patient Services were just some of the departments that provided information on working in the healthcare industry to almost 2,000 New Haven residents. The city of New Haven, Gateway Community College and the U.S. Army were some of the other groups providing information to the job seekers. Perioperative Services staff explained to a job seeker their roles and the training and education needed for them. From left: Ingrid Rose, technical associate; Janai Kemp, operating room associate; Victoria Maltese, operating room associate; and Marybelle Rivera, RN.
Community December 10, 2009
YNHH joins state to make teen driving safer
In the United States, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teens, accounting for 6,000 deaths and 300,000 injuries. In Connecticut, although 16- and 17-year-olds made up 2.5 percent of Connecticut's driving population, they accounted for 12 percent of crashes between 2002 and 2005.
Because so many Connecticut teens are killed or injured due to car accidents, Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital, the Travelers Insurance Co., the Connecticut Police Chiefs’ Association and others have joined Governor M. Jodi Rell’s task force to develop strategies to help Connecticut teens drive more safely. At a recent press conference in Hartford, Felix Lui, MD, trauma surgeon, and Pina Violano, RN, injury prevention coordinator, both of Trauma and Critical Care, met with Governor Rell (center) after a task force meeting. The hospital’s trauma department helped launch the state’s second annual Teen Safe Driving video contest that will focus on the growing national concern with the dangers of distracted driving by teens.
Community December 10, 2009
With smiles and certificates, School at Work graduates
The hospital’s respected and popular School at Work (SAW) recently graduated its sixth class of employees who improved their skills in reading, communicating and math to complete the nine-month program and prepare themselves for additional training and education.
"SAW gave me the opportunity to start to advance my education," said Jamaal Boone, environmental services aide, Environmental Services, whose goal now is to study business management and medical billing and coding. "This class gave me the push I needed."
Another one of the class’s seven graduates was Karen Person, BA, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, who spoke on behalf of the graduates at their ceremony. "School at Work has enhanced my skills and helped me think about things I never thought about before," Person told the audience of graduates, employees and family members. "We learned a lot and we achieved a lot. We all worked hard and we succeeded."
Employees will find more SAW information on the HR homepage under the heading of employee programs.
Employees who qualify for the program attend SAW on work With smiles and certificates, School at Work graduates prepare for next steps time if classes fall within their work schedule.
Paul Patton, vice president, Human Relations, also addressed the graduates, applauding them for their efforts on preparing themselves to take the next step in their careers at YNHH.
"If you have a plan, education can help you grow and learn," said Patton. "With education, you will achieve what you want to achieve. You are showing that you want to help yourselves — and the hospital is prepared to support your plan and efforts to succeed here."
Community November 19, 2009
United Way campaign extended through Dec. 4
The hospital’s United Way Committee, going strong since September, has extended the campaign through Friday, December 4, to give employees time to learn more about the work of United Way and consider donating.
"United Way does important work throughout the greater New Haven area," said Paula Crombie, director, Social Work, and co-chair with Sue Fitzsimons, RN, PhD, senior vice president, Patient Services, of this year’s campaign. "It focuses attention and resources on agencies that help ensure that kids are better educated, teenagers are better prepared to transition into adulthood and families are more secure."
Since the campaign kick-off, employees have contributed to a successful school supply drive, spent more than 300 hours participating in Days of Caring projects and organized more than 20 diaper drives in the hospital.
This month, teams of hospital employees visited United Way agencies as part of a scavenger hunt to gain firsthand information about the work of the agencies.
"Committee members are energized and doing lots of great work," added Crombie. "However, the United Way still needs our help. Employees now have a little more time to consider donating during these final weeks of the campaign. We want to make this year’s campaign the most successful yet!"
Employees may donate to United Way one of three ways: • Make a payroll deduction pledge or a one-time donation on Employee Self Service • Complete a form available at a United Way drop-off box • Use 2010 ongoing PTO cash-in to offset ongoing United Way payroll donations
Employees pledging $156 or more to the United Way Community Fund will become Caring Club members and receive special offers from local retailers. Employees who sign up to donate or increase their current pledge will be entered into a raffle.
Managers and work groups are encouraged to invite a representative of YNHH’s United Way Speaker’s Bureau, consisting of United Way agency representatives and hospital staff, to visit their department and share a brief presentation about United Way. To schedule a date, employees should contact Lisa Doebrick, 688-9519, or lisa.doebrick@ynhh.org
Community November 19, 2009
6th annual community health fair draws large crowd, special guest
Nearly 700 New Haven residents attended Yale-New Haven Hospital's recent Community Health Fair where hospital employees screened them for everything from cholesterol levels to blood pressure to dental health. They also provided information that would help attendees — many of them uninsured — maintain their health and avoid hospitalization.
A special guest, Raul Erazo Velarde, Ecuadorian Consul General of Connecticut, attended the health fair, which coincided with the Ecuadorian Binational Health Week. In addition to being tested for cholesterol, Velarde is shown here being screened for diabetes by Priscilla Verzi (left), PCA, and Natasha McEwan, APRN, both of the Adult Primary Care Center staff, who were among almost 100 employees who volunteered their time for the Saturday event
Employees November 05, 2009
Environmental Services cooks up a celebration for its week
Environmental Services recently celebrated its week with an awards presentation, skits and entertainment, and an outdoor cookout. Frank Rogers, environmental associate, expertly orchestrated the selection of music as employees enjoyed their barbequed lunch or dinner on Harkness patio. Shown perfecting their grilling skills were (l-r): Gloria Cothran, Berita Rowe-Lewis, James Walston and Fred Darby, Environmental Services supervisors, and Edwin Best, manager.
Employees October 23, 2009
Thousands of employees turn out to embrace new cancer hospital
"I’m so proud, I could cry,” Tonya Barham, Emergency Department technical associate in the Adult ED, told Richard D’Aquila, executive vice president and COO, as she entered Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven. “I can’t wait to call my mother and sisters and tell them I saw the new hospital. It’s unbelievable.”
On October 20, thousands of employees like Barham turned out to view Smilow Cancer Hospital for the first time, at times standing in a line that snaked through the Atrium and up to the doors at the York Street entrance. The hospital organized two employee celebrations: one in the afternoon and another from 10:30 p.m.-midnight.
Once inside Smilow’s soaring two-story lobby, employees – many of whom applauded as they entered – read banners with information on Joel Smilow, the benefactor for whom the hospital is named, the 12 multidisciplinary disease teams, hospital involvement with the community, highlights of the three-year construction and the hospital’s environmentally friendly design and construction.
Employees received a colorful gift bag imprinted with a photo of the hospital that contained a blue bracelet that said: “Hope has arrived: Smilow Cancer Hospital,” a chocolate bar, badge holder and special Smilow publications. Many employees – holding up signs on which they had written what Smilow meant to them – had their photos taken by a professional photographer. They then headed for the cafeteria where they enjoyed refreshments – including a specially designed Smilow sheet cake.
“This is a special day for all of us,” said Marna P. Borgstrom, president and CEO, who personally greeted many of the thousands of employees who visited. “A lot of people worked very hard to get us to this point, and this hospital truly reflects our shared vision and values as an organization. We are now ready to treat cancer patients in a hospital totally designed with their needs in mind.”
As she waited in line to be photographed, Carrie Pyer, RN, Women’s Center, reflected on her early diagnosis of breast cancer in 2000.
“I wouldn’t be alive today if it weren’t for Yale-New Haven,” said Pyer. “Smilow represents our future – in fact, all of our futures. It represents our future care and, hopefully, it will provide our future cure.
Community October 23, 2009
With Smilow opening, YNHH brings community commitment to new level
While Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven will provide care to cancer patients from New Haven and beyond, its construction marks a major milestone in the hospital’s ongoing commitment to the community and strengthens its already deeply rooted ties to the area.
“Yale-New Haven Hospital and its employees have been engaged partners with the greater New Haven community for more than 180 years,” said Kyle Ballou, YNHH administrative director of community and government relations. “Building Smilow Cancer Hospital allows us to bring this partnership to the next level.”
As part of its plans to build Smilow, the hospital entered into several agreements with the city of New Haven and Hill Development Corporation. These initiatives allowed YNHH to build upon its commitment to the community, including neighbors in the Hill area which surrounds the YNHH campus, patients, its current employees and future workforce, and civic and business colleagues.
YNHH’s commitment to the community also includes investments in several areas. Local housing contributions include: $450,000 for a home rehabilitation program; assistance with renovation and construction for area homes; rehabilitation grants for local houses; construction of a Habitat for Humanity home. Job support includes: community liaison position; city health outreach coordinators; construction and apprentice jobs; more than 300 New Haven residents hired as full-time YNHH employees.
Education and youth programs include: $1 million support for Gateway Community College nursing program; $150,000 to support area summer youth programs; $120,000 for day care slots for area children; $50,000 to New Haven’s Courtland Seymour Wilson Library.
Other commitments include: more than $3 million in voluntary payments to the city of New Haven; $425,000 to support community groups, events and programs; $300,000 towards economic development projects in New Haven; nearly $25,000 in scholarships to area graduating high school seniors; community health outreach, including health fairs and free screenings.
“Yale-New Haven’s support of the community didn’t begin with Smilow Cancer Hospital and it won’t end once the hospital is completed,” added Ballou. “Over several decades, we have partnered with community members on local projects, programs and initiatives and will continue to support the greater New Haven community. We are here to stay.”
Community October 01, 2009
Employees break another record for school supplies drive
Once again, YNHH employees made the annual United Way school supply drive a smashing success by donating a record-breaking almost 29,000 items! Employees contributed thousands of notebooks, pencils, crayons, rulers and more. Members of the hospital’s United Way Committee delivered supplies to students at two New Haven schools: Hill Central Music Academy and St. Martin de Porres. At St. Martin de Porres, school drive co-chairs Sandy Elkin-Randi (left), manager outpatient registration, PFAS, and Camille Lamothe, department head secretary, Radiation Oncology, express their delight with Richard D’Aquila, executive vice president and COO, at the generosity of YNHH employees.
The school drive is getting employees thinking about United Way and the 2010 campaign. The next major event is United Way Days of Caring, which run Saturday-Friday, October 3-9. Those interested in volunteering for a service project may register for one at the web site of the Greater New Haven United Way: www.uwgnh.org.
Employees October 01, 2009
YNHH’s longest-serving employee celebrates 50 years
Robert Bonvini was 16 and going into his senior year at West Haven High School when he was hired as a “lab aide” in the hospital’s Laboratory Services department, then located on the second floor of Fitkin. He was hired to wash dishware which, in those days he recalls, they did by hand, and fill tubes with mineral oil in which blood was collected.
Bonvini has worked a half century in Laboratory Medicine, entirely in the chemistry lab, which he says, "I’ve always found interesting." While attending college and participating in the Connecticut National Guard, Bonvini worked his way up and today is the lab’s assistant chief technologist. Although he did not meet his wife at Yale-New Haven, he is married to Ann Marie Bonvini, who is the manager of the Yale New Haven Health Call Center.
"Bob is definitely the go-to person in clinical chemistry," said Peter Marone, director, Laboratory Medicine. “He knows every facet of that lab and there is not a technical problem he can’t solve or figure out how to solve.”
Bonvini says he’s not ready to retire. "I’m excited about Lab Medicine’s move to 55 Park Street next year," he says. "It will be my third move – and I’m looking forward to being part of it."
Employees October 01, 2009
Working Mother again names YNHH one of its best 100 companies
Yale-New Haven Hospital has again been chosen by Working Mother magazine as one of the nation’s “100 Best Companies” for working mothers. YNHH was one of only five Connecticut companies to be recognized by Working Mother and the only hospital in the state to be honored.
Working Mother magazine selected YNHH for the creative ways it helps employees meet the challenges of balancing work and family. This marks the sixth time Working Mother magazine has selected YNHH as one of its 100 Best Companies, having previously honored YNHH in 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Working Mother magazine based its selection on an extensive survey of benefits, women's issues and advancement, child care, flexible work arrangements, parental leave, and company culture – giving additional points for how widely these programs are accessed throughout the company.
“We’re very proud that Working Mother magazine has once again recognized that Yale-New Haven Hospital is committed to addressing the work-life needs of not only our working mothers, but all employees,” said Marna P. Borgstrom, president and CEO. “Yale-New Haven remains firmly committed to listening to employees’ needs, addressing their concerns wherever possible, maintaining open communication with managers and supervisors, and providing the kinds of benefits and family- friendly policies that foster a positive working environment.”
YNHH offers a growing number of programs to help employees meet work-life demands. The hospital has found that flexible work arrangements – such as telecommuting, part-time and casual status, compressed workweeks and job sharing – were particularly appealing to older workers and attractive to new applicants and mothers interested in returning to the workforce.
In response to the challenges being faced by employees during the current economic crisis, YNHH has established an employee hardship fund which can provide limited, temporary financial assistance to employees experiencing financial hardship. Employees are also able to contribute sick time so co-workers can take needed time away from work. In addition, the hospital offers free financial wellness and counseling workshops to help employees manage their finances.
YNHH was also cited for its existing programs, including the Home Ownership Made Easier (H.O.M.E.) program which offers between $5,000 and $10,000 in forgivable loans for the purchase of homes in New Haven. To date, over 200 employees have applied for the H.O.M.E. program and 34 individuals – eight in 2008 alone – purchased their first homes through the program.
On January 1, YNHH implemented a tobacco-free workplace to improve the health of all employees, patients and visitors, particularly those with respiratory issues and asthma. YNHH also offers free smoking cessation programs and nicotine replacement therapy to help employees quit smoking.
“I think it’s great that Working Mother named Yale-New Haven a great place to work,” said Elaine Williams, Environmental Services associate, who, with her husband, Philip, Diagnostic Radiology file clerk, bought their first home through the H.O.M.E. program in 2006. “Because of the H.O.M.E. program, we were able to take in two foster children. They’re my kids now.”
In photo: Elaine Williams, the mother of three children and two foster children, says that since she and her husband bought their home, their teenage daughter has been able to have lots of sleepovers with friends.
Employees September 17, 2009
Two nurses receive Virginia Henderson Award
Susan Sousa, RN, and Jayne Ryzewski, RN, Center for Professional Practice Excellence (CPPE), recently received the hospital’s Virginia Henderson Award. This award is presented to nurses who exemplify the work of the foremost American nurse of the 20th century, Virginia Henderson. Henderson, who was associated with the Yale School of Nursing from 1953 to 1971, was an educator, researcher, writer and speaker, known internationally for her humane and holistic approach to patient care.
Award recipients are nominated by their peers based on specific criteria and reviewed by the Nurse Awards and Recognition Committee. The finalists are confirmed by Sue Fitzsimons, RN, senior vice president, Patient Services.
Sousa, certified in wound, ostomy and continence, has worked at Yale- New Haven for more than 25 years.
She graduated from Southern Con- Two nurses recieve Virginia Henderson Award Ryzewski, clinical nurse specialist for rehabilitation/skin, has worked at Yale-New Haven for more than 40 years. She graduated from the Grace-New Haven School of Nursing and received her BSN and MSN from the Catholic University of America.
"Susan Sousa and Jayne Ryzewski are passionate about sharing their knowledge and forming partnerships with the patient, family or other providers in order to achieve optimal independence for their patients," said Lisa Rioux, RN, General Medicine Unit (9-7), and chair of the Nurse Awards and Recognition Committee. "Both nurses challenge the status quo and are considered champions for the development of nursing professionalism. Both reflect the values and commitment of Virginia Henderson."
Nurse Awards and Recognition seeks nominees for the Virginia Henderson Award twice a year. Information and nomination forms are available on the nursing web site.
Community September 17, 2009
Hospital awards first MLK scholarships
Starting in the early ‘90s, Yale-New Haven Hospital honored the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., slain civil rights leader, with a special program that recognized his birthday each January.
This year, the MLK Committee recommended that the hospital change its focus from an internal celebration of employees who are committed to the values of Dr. King and, instead, invest in students who are setting an example in the community.
This summer, YNHH awarded the first three $1,000 MLK Community Service Awards to students who have logged 20 or more hours of uncompensated community service. To be considered, the students also had to describe how their experiences helped them appreciate the differences in others. Two of the scholarship recipients were students at Wilbur Cross High School and the third attends Career High School.
"At first, it was hard to think differently about how we celebrated Dr. King’s life," said Pat Worthy, RN, manager, Workforce Diversity, and co- chair of the MLK Committee.
"However, I think employees will be very happy and proud that we have turned our MLK focus from the hospital to the community where we live and work and where so many of our employees and patients come from," said Worthy. "A scholarship like ours that celebrates community service can really make a positive difference in a young person’s life — and ultimately in our community."
The hospital has also earmarked funds for grants for New Haven elementary schools. Grant applications will be emailed to all public school principals in October and winners will be announced at the end of November. The grants will support educational programs and activities that build on Dr. King’s philosophy and goal of inclusion, teach the value of diversity and tolerance and bring people of different backgrounds together. "We like to think that this is exactly how Dr. King would want the hospital to recognize his birthday — finding and celebrating the next generation of community leaders," Worthy said.
Community September 03, 2009
As summer winds down, United Way heats up
This year’s United Way Campaign Committee is already organizing for another successful campaign. The committee’s first order of business is to make sure employees understand the work of United Way in greater New Haven so employees can make an informed decision before the campaign begins.
The campaign will kick off with a United Way agency fair on Tuesday, September 22, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., in the East Pavilion Cafeteria special events area and at Finance South on Thursday, September 24, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Many of the agencies that United Way funds will be available for employees to ask them about the work they do.
The United Way Days of Caring — which traditionally draw in hundreds of committed YNHH employees — will take place Saturday-Friday, October 3-9. Employees may sign up their departments or as individuals on the United Way web site which lists one-day and half-day projects throughout the greater New Haven area.
"Our employees understand the importance of giving back to our community and are always so generous," said Paula Crombie, director, Social Work, who is United Way co-chair with Sue Fitzsimons, RN, PhD, senior vice president, Patient Services.
"By giving to United Way, they know their donations go to the areas where there is the greatest need in our community."
Crombie and Fitzsimons have announced this year’s work groups and co-chairs who will be working throughout the fall to inform employees about United Way and organize the pledge drive. They are:
School supply drive: Sandy Elkin-Randi, manager, outpatient registration, PFAS; Camille Lamothe, department head secretary, Radiation Therapy.
Events: Patti DeWitt, director, Ambulatory Services, Community Health; Annette Coscia, senior manager, patient account representatives, PFAS
Incentives: Lee Ann Miller, manager, Pharmacy Services; Sally Palumbo, supervisor, Rehabilitation Services
Publicity: Myra Stanley, staff writer, Marketing and Communications; Jeff Clark, coordinator, facility group systems, Plant Engineering
Speakers’ bureau: Bertie Chuong, RN, director, Temple Recovery Care Center; Stephanie Bilskis, RN, practice administrator, Community Health
Pledge card and data tracking: Harry Nicholls, director, outpatient registration and clinical information services, PFAS; Sujing Nettland, senior system analyst, HRIS
Days of Caring: Judy Petersen, RN, patient service manager, Resource Support Unit; Cindy Dabbraccio, RN, patient service manager, GI Procedure Center
Employees August 17, 2009
New psychiatric nurse role targets admissions
Many acute inpatient psychiatric facilities are exploring new ways to handle admissions in a safe and timely manner to meet the challenges of compressed lengths of stay. Last year, the Dual Diagnosis Unit at Yale-New Haven Psychiatric Hospital (YNHPH) found one successful solution with the creation of the new role of admission nurse.
The Dual Diagnosis Unit averages seven to eight discharges and admissions daily, maintaining a full census of 25. "We needed a way to provide safe, quality care to our current patients, while facilitating discharges by 11 a.m. and coordinating admissions by 5 p.m. without becoming overwhelmed," said Leslie O’Connor, APRN, director of nursing, Psychiatry.
Caregivers on the unit have noticed a number of benefits since the new role was created. The admission nurse is able to take time to greet new patients and engage them in completing the admission process. Because the admissions nurse receives clinical information on scheduled admissions in advance, he or she is able to collaborate with the physician assistant, unit charge nurse and others to address clinical issues, identify bed assignment, plan treatment, and address any risks or special needs the patients may have. These efforts are enhancing the hospital’s overall patient satisfaction.
Employees August 10, 2009
Women’s Heart Program reaches 1,000 women
Yale-New Haven Hospital launched its Women’s Heart Program in 2001 to teach women to recognize their unique heart attack signs and symptoms, and seek rapid and appropriate care. Too many women didn’t know that heart attack, often considered a man’s disease, is the number one killer of women, too.
Last year, the program’s 15 specially trained "Listen and LeaRN" nurses, including nurses from YNHH’s Heart and Vascular Center and Emergency Department, spread that message to 1,000 women at 15 lectures and several health fairs in the community. The nurses sometimes partnered with physicians as they reached out to companies, civic groups and churches, addressing audiences of women mostly 50 or older.
Their goal was to heighten awareness, knowledge and behaviors related to heart disease, and empower women to become active participants in their cardiovascular health.
"I think women today may be somewhat aware of their risk of heart disease, but they need reinforcement," said Charlotte Hickey, RN, MS, a clinical coordinator in the Heart and Vascular Center, who coordinates the program with Janet Parkosewich, RN, DNSc, the program’s co-director. Hickey believes nurses are in a unique position to get this important message to women. "Ninety percent of the nursing profession is female, and we are very credible when we talk to women about their risk factors and what they need to do to reduce them."
Employees August 10, 2009
TB outreach effort catches positive cases early
In response to the high incidence of positive tuberculin skin tests in the immigrant population, the YNHH Winchester Chest Clinic launched a tuberculosis outreach program in 2004. Since then, the program’s outreach nurse has skin-tested approximately 500 immigrants a year. Most of them are adult students in English as a second language (ESL) programs in New Haven and surrounding towns.
The outreach program has discovered as many as 150 ESL students a year with latent tuberculosis infection and referred them to the Winchester Chest Clinic for follow-up care. Over the years, the clinic has identified three cases of active tuberculosis and was able to start the patients on treatment before they developed symptoms.
With a Spanish-speaking assistant, Mengqing Lai, RN, Winchester Chest Clinic tuberculosis outreach nurse, provides tuberculin skin testing and health education to students in Branford, Hamden and New Haven. She maintains tuberculin testing records and makes sure students keep follow-up appointments and medication compliance visits.
New Haven’s large immigrant population includes people from countries at high risk for TB. While immigrants undergo mandatory screening for pulmonary TB prior to receiving a visa, they don’t necessarily undergo tuberculin skin testing or receive treatment for latent TB if they test positive. YNHH’s TB outreach program fills this important public health gap.
Employees August 10, 2009
Round Table promotes consistency in breastfeeding
Lactation nurse specialists and OB staff nurses created the Breastfeeding Round Table at YNHH last October to support nurse/lactation experts in providing mothers with consistent information, starting in prenatal care and continuing through hospitalization and pediatric office care.
The first meeting drew 34 lactation specialists from settings ranging from private practice offices to YNHH’s Newborn Special Care Unit. Now the group meets monthly to discuss such topics as case studies that provide feedback on how well prepared discharged patients are for breastfeeding, and plans to educate physicians and other practitioners about breastfeeding practices. The group is brainstorming ideas for improving communication among practitioners within the hospital and the community.
"We believe the more consistent we are with lactation support and education, the more we will advance the safety of breastfeeding newborns and bring about a decrease in hospital readmissions for jaundice and dehydration in babies," said Marie Pulito, RN, board-certified lactation consultant on Maternity. "We expect to have a direct and positive effect on breastfeeding rates, moving us toward the goals of the Center for Disease Control’s Healthy People 2010 Project. Most important, parents will feel more confident leaving the hospital knowing how to feed their babies."
Employees August 10, 2009
Nurses play key role in groundbreaking surgery
Nurses played a key role in a new, groundbreaking procedure at Yale-New Haven Hospital that many surgeons consider to be the next frontier in minimally invasive surgery. YNHH was the first hospital in the United States to perform an appendectomy with no abdominal incision, removing a patient’s appendix through a small incision in her vagina.
In advance of the first case, perioperative nurses worked closely with surgeon Kurt Roberts, MD, to develop procedural steps and a surgeon’s "menu," the preference sheet containing comprehensive information about supplies, equipment, medications and care instructions.
Nurses helped determine the protocol and assisted in mock surgery to identify issues. About 16 nurses supported the actual procedure in various roles from pre-op through post-op. The operation is the latest advance in a growing surgical field called natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), in which surgery is performed through the body’s natural openings. It is also an example of how new, minimally invasive surgeries are challenging staff at all levels.
"The need for nurses to possess strong technical skills in this current healthcare environment is critical to supporting innovation," said Ena Williams, RN, director of nursing, Perioperative Services. "When combined with strong clinical expertise, these skills can make a difference in the success of a patient’s procedure and ultimate recovery."
Employees August 10, 2009
Empowering families to call for rapid response
YNHH created its rapid response team (RRT) in 2006 as part of the Institute of Healthcare Improvement’s campaign to prevent 100,000 inhospital deaths a year. The team, composed of a hospitalist, a critical care-trained nurse and a respiratory therapist, is on call 24-7, and it is having a tremendous impact on patient treatment and survival. Doctors and nurses call the RRT an average of 115 times a month, and 50 percent of those calls result in transfers to an ICU. The team has stabilized many other patients to the point where they were able to avoid the ICU.
Last year, YNHH piloted rapid response for families on selected medical units, and the initiative was so successful that nurses have introduced the program in all of the hospital’s inpatient units. Nurses educate new families with the help of an educational brochure designed by the Resource Support Unit SWAT team.
Families can summon the RRT if they see a sudden change in their loved one’s condition and are unable to get help in any other way. While most families haven’t found it necessary to call the team, they all appreciate having the option, said Elizabeth Fletcher, RN, patient service manager for the Heart and Vascular Center and the ICU Resource Support Unit. "Just knowing they can call experts when they feel it is warranted gives families an increased sense of confidence that the patient is in the right place," Fletcher said.
Employees August 10, 2009
Real-time monitoring results in healthier preemies
As a result of groundbreaking research, nurses in the Newborn Special Care Unit (NBSCU) recorded a dramatic change in the health and survival of the hospital’s tiniest babies when they tried a new approach to monitoring oxygen levels.
While oxygen is the most commonly used medication in the neonatal intensive care unit, little is known about how much infants actually need, or how to best manage its delivery. Recently, the NBSCU became the first unit in the country to use Masimo pulse oximetry to keep infants within their individually prescribed oxygen saturation ranges. Nurses monitor a baby’s oxygen with the device and watch the saturation levels on a histogram. This provides real-time bedside data that allow them to precisely adjust the amount of oxygen being delivered to maintain the infant within his or her prescribed saturation range.
The results of the pilot project were impressive. The unit followed 53 infants who weighed 3 pounds, 5 ounces, or less, who are especially at risk for oxidative stress and an increased chance of retinopathy and chronic lung disease. After one year, the mean number of days the subjects required supplemental oxygen decreased from 35.3 to 18.4, and their length of stay shortened from 74.3 to 59.6 days. Babies who developed retinopathy of prematurity serious enough to require laser therapy went from 20 to 8 percent.
Employees July 16, 2009
Quarter Century Club inducts 84 new members
More than 600 employees, retirees and volunteers attended this year’s Quarter Century Club dinner to welcome 84 new members and honor employees and volunteers who have achieved 25 or more years of service with Yale-New Haven Hospital.
The festive event was held at the Omni Hotel where employees shared stories, complimented each other on how young they looked and remembered the "good old days." This year’s inductees began their YNHH careers in 1983 when YNHH treated patients in two pavilions and the Clinic Building.
Photos of the inductees who had their pictures taken for the program book will be available for downloading from July 16 through August 21. Employees should follow the link near the top of the YNHH intranet page. Employees who would like a program book from the dinner may contact Jennifer Bowers, employee relations assistant, Employee Relations, 688-2402.
Six additional photos of the event are in the Multimedia Section.
Employees July 16, 2009
Lauren Lyons reaches out on Haiti mission
Lauren Lyons, physical therapist, Rehabilitation Services, recently was part of a 20- member team of volunteer medical experts who traveled with the non-profit Healing Hands for Haiti, an organization dedicated to expanding the quality of rehabilitation services for the physically disabled. Jeffrey Bigelow, MD, a YNHH neurology resident, was also part of the mission.
During the two-week trip, Lyons visited orphanages and clinics helping children and adults affected by cerebral palsy, amputation, strokes and other medical conditions. In addition to providing medical help, the volunteers also offered education to patients, families and caregivers.
Lyons, a graduate of Boston University and seven-year YNHH employee, provides physical therapy to pediatric patients recovering from injuries and surgeries, as well as those with long-term medical conditions including spina bifida and cystic fibrosis.
Employees July 16, 2009
Gladys Bittle named Outstanding Employee
Gladys Bittle, environmental services associate, Environmental Services, has been selected a Mutual Respect Committee Outstanding Employee. A 14-year YNHH veteran, Bittle formerly worked days in housekeeping in the East Pavilion. Last year, she changed to the night shift and now works throughout the West Pavilion.
Bittle was nominated for the Outstanding Employee Award by her colleagues in Materials Management, who describe her as perfectly exemplifying the "I am Yale-New Haven" Service Excellence pledge. In addition to being courteous and respectful of her co-workers and others, she proactively handles whatever work needs to be done. Her positive "can do" attitude motivates others. When not working, Bittle enjoys spending time with her family and young grandchildren.
Employees July 16, 2009
Connie Nicolosi named a CHA Healthcare Hero
Connie Nicolosi named a CHA Healthcare Hero The Connecticut Hospital Association has named Connie Nicolosi, pediatric oncology social worker, SocialWork, one of its 10 Healthcare Heroes this year. Healthcare Heroes honors those who exemplify the outstanding qualities exhibited by healthcare workers in Connecticut hospitals.
Nicolosi, a licensed clinical social worker and 21-year YNHH veteran, works closely with children diagnosed with cancer and their parents. In 2008, Nicolosi was named a Service Excellence Hero at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Outside of YNHH, she is on the board of The Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer, and works closely with other non-profits, including the Make-AWish Foundation and the Hole in the Wall Gang. The Leukemia Society has named her an Unsung Hero, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has honored her with an Angel Award and the Kids Cancer Network recognized Nicolosi with its Affection Connection Award.
Community July 15, 2009
Panera Bread Raises Dough
"We picked YNH because we wanted an organization with deep roots in our area, and the hospital covers our entire market area," says Tom Kelleher, joint venture partner for the Panera Bread’s 11 western Connecticut stores. "When we announced our choice to the staff, everyone responded positively because they all had a story about how YNHH helped someone they knew."
Panera Bread selected YNHH in 2008 to be the recipient of its "Operation Dough Nation," a program that collects money in a box at each register with the sign: "Share the Bread. Your contribution supports YNHH and will be matched by Panera." Panera Bread donates 50 cents for every dollar dropped in the box. Last year, this generated $30,000, $10,000 of which was earmarked as a sponsorship for the Children’s Hospital Telethon in March. Panera Bread selected YNHH to be the recipient of the program again in 2009.
Tina Lemelin, Panera Bread’s catering and marketing manager for western Connecticut, adds, "Our company has a strong commitment to charitable giving. We want to give back to the communities we are in. After looking at all the good things that YNHH does for us, our customers and our community, we knew it deserved our support."
Panera Bread has other programs that benefit YNHH. During the month of October, all 11 cafés sold "pink ribbon bagels." No, they are not pink but they are in the shape of the breast cancer awareness ribbon. For every bagel that was sold, Panera donated 25 cents to the YNHH Breast Center, raising $1,336. The company’s work on behalf of YNHH didn’t stop there. Panera Bread hosted YNHH’s Mobile Mammography Van at its North Haven location; allows the hospital to post information about events and programs on its community bulletin boards; donated money and food for Nurses Week; and has donated gift baskets for several fundraising auctions.
"We know that financial support is important but we also want to show support in other ways," says Kelleher, adding, "Besides, we couldn’t be more proud of our product so we love every opportunity to show it off!"
On January 28, 2009, Panera Bread switched its brand of coffee. To celebrate, its stores had a free coffee day — and it asked its customers, if they enjoyed the new coffee, to please donate to Operation Dough Nation. On that day, instead of matching donations 50 cents on the dollar, matches were dollar for dollar and over $2,000 was raised. Isn’t it great that Panera has provided such an easy — and delicious — way to support YNHH.
Community June 25, 2009
YNHH lays out the Habitat welcome mat for new family
On Saturday, May 16, employees and representatives of the medical staff joined with Habitat to turn over the keys to the new homeowners, the Trinidad-Matos family. Representing YNHH physicians and employees, Marna Borgstrom, president and CEO,and Richard D’Aquila, executive vice president and COO, presented the family with a basket of fruit.
Shown on the front porch are, from left, Bill Casey, executive director, Habitat; Evelyn Matos; Borgstrom; D’Aquila; Eliezer Trinidad holding Karelyz, one of their three children; and Suzanne Lagarde, MD, YNHH gastroenterologist.
Community June 04, 2009
Employees walked the walks this spring!
March for Babies
Under the leadership of Michael Apkon, MD, vice president and executive director,Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital, more than 150 employees, familyand friends laced up and walked up to 6.5 miles around Lighthouse Point forthe March for Babies on Sunday, April 26. In total, this energetic group raisednearly $14,000, which will help March of Dimes fight premature births.
The Walk to Empower
Marna P. Borgstrom, president and CEO, was this year’s regionalchair of the Breast Cancer Network of Strength’s Walk to Empower.More than 600 Yale-New Haven Hospital employees, families andfriends did the 3-mile walk around Lighthouse Point Park onMother’s Day to support people with breast cancer through earlydetection, support groups, teen workshops, wigs and prostheses.The group raised more than $28,500.
American Heart Association
The hospital’s Heart and Vascular Center organizeda spirited group of walkers for yetanother three miles around the well-troddenand lovely Lighthouse Point Park on Sunday,May 17. Mariane Carna, RN, executive directorof the Heart and Vascular Center, reports that --despite cold and drizzly weather -- more than200 YNHH employees, family, friends — anddogs — raised nearly $15,000 for the importantwork of the American Heart Association.
Employees June 04, 2009
Nine nurses honored for excellence during their week
One of the enduring Nurse Week traditions that Yale-New Haven nurses participate in each year is the Nursing Award and Recognition ceremony that honors its nurses for excellence in nine areas of practice.
Marna P. Borgstrom, president and CEO, gave welcoming remarks to the audience in Harkness Auditorium on May 5.
"You bring extraordinary commitment and caring to the important work you do," Borgstrom told the audience. "We are fortunate you chose the profession of nursing and even more fortunate you chose to practice it here at Yale-New Haven."
During March, YNHH employees were invited to nominate a nurse for Nursing Excellence Awards in nine categories. At the ceremony, all nominees were called up on stage where they received a specially designed pin and a certificate. Members of the Award and Recognition Committee then named the winner of each category.
The nine winners of Nursing Excellence Awards in 2009 are:
- Prasama Sangkachand, RN, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Nursing Education Excellence;
- Shelley Britt, RN, Hospital Research Unit, Karen Camp Nursing Management Excellence;
- Linda Koch, RN, Radiation Therapy, Preceptor of the Year;
- Kristin Valerio, RN, Orthopedics Unit, Graduate Nurse of the Year;
- Danielle Huseman, RN, General Medicine Unit (10-7), Early Clinical Practice Excellence;
- Mary Harris, RN, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Professional Practice Excellence;
- Suzann Blanchard, RN, Labor and Birth, Excellence in the Charge Nurse Role;
- Mary Ann Meehan, RN, General Medicine Unit (10-7), Outstanding Impact on Patient Safety and Quality; and
- Patricia Gatcomb, APRN, Hospital Research Unit, Advanced Practice Excellence.
In addition, four nurses received Robin Baldini Memorial Scholarships. Baldini, a nurse on cardiac and oncology units before she left YNHH to pursue other interests, died in 2006 at age 42. Baldini’s colleagues honor her legacy by supporting a scholarship for YNHH nurses advancing their nursing education. The recipients of this year’s scholarships are: Lisa Hoffer, RN, Heart and Vascular Center; Carlos Paredes, RN, Solid Organ Transplant Unit; Nicole Seagriff, RN, Medical Intensive Care Unit; and Elizabeth Shinkevich, RN, Neuroscience Unit.
In the picture: Holding their personalized awards after the ceremony are seven of the nine nurses honored with a Nursing Excellence Award. Shown seated are (l-r): Mary Ann Meehan, Danielle Huseman, Suzann Blanchard and Kristin Valerio. Standing (l-r) are: Prasama Sangkachand, Sue Fitzsimons, RN, PhD, senior vice president, Patient Services, Patricia Gatcomb and Shelley Britt. Missing from photo are Mary Harris and Linda Koch.
Community May 21, 2009
The U.S. Army wants a few good - interviews
Yale-New Haven Hospital is the first major hospital in the northeast to partner with the U.S. Army and agree to interview honorably discharged soldiers for open positions throughout the hospital. The program is called Army Partnership for Youth Success and works to connect civilian corporations, companies and government agencies with soldiers when they complete their military commitment. Shown at the recent ceremony are (l-r): Brigadier General Joseph Anderson; Marna P. Borgstrom, president and CEO; Lieutenant Colonel Tony Esposito; Evans Simmons, YNHH physician assistant, who was trained as a medic while in the U.S. Army and spoke at the ceremony; and Kevin Myatt, senior vice president, Human Resources.
Employees May 21, 2009
Black nurses group honors three from YNHH
At its recent 17th annual scholarship and awards luncheon, the Southern Connecticut Chapter of the National Black Nurses Association honored three health professionals from Yale-New Haven Hospital for their professional expertise and contributions to health care and the community.
Patricia Dewitt, MS, program director, Community Health, received the Distinguished Woman Award. Francine LoRusso, RN, MHA, director of patient services, Heart and Vascular Center, received the group’s Nursing Professional Award, and Myra Reddish-Randall, RN, MSN, General Surgery Unit (6-7), received the group’s Nursing Leadership Award.
In addition, former YNHH nurse Estelle Thorpe, for whom the hospital has named a scholarship for her contributions to black nurses, was honored at the luncheon.
Shown at the recent luncheon that honored three YNHH nurses are, standing (l-r): Myra Reddish-Randall; Ena Williams, RN, MBA, nursing director, Perioperative Services, and president of the Southern Connecticut Chapter of the National Black Nurses Association; and Francine LoRusso. Seated are: Estelle Thorpe (left), RN, who received the Mary E. Mahoney Award for Excellence. YNHH presents the Estelle Thorpe Nursing Scholarship each year in honor of Thorpe’s contributions. Patricia DeWitt (right) is also seated.
Employees April 05, 2009
Nursing Magazine Names YNHH A “Top Hospital to Work For”
YNHH has been recognized by Nursing Professionals magazine as one of the “Top 100 Hospitals to Work for” in its 2009 inaugural issue. The magazine surveyed 25,000 randomly selected hospital nurses in the country on their job satisfaction. The winning hospitals were recognized as family-friendly employers with flexible working arrangements and a diverse nursing workforce.
A collaborative nurse council that gives voice to the hospital’s bedside nurses, a nationally known internal advancement program, a performance incentive plan, competitive salaries, and training and education options, are among the meaningful programs that distinguish Yale-New Haven as an employer of choice.
Article originally appeared in the February 5, 2009 issue of the YNHH Bulletin (page 2)
http://www.ynhh.org/bulletin_archive/2009/020509_bulletin.pdf
Employees March 19, 2009
Devon Greenleaf named Outstanding Employee
Devon Greenleaf, medical records service representative, Medical Information, has been selected as the Mutual Respect Committee’s most recent Outstanding Employee. She began at YNHH in file circulation, where she worked for one year before assuming her current position.
The award recognizes her commitment to excellence, willingness to go the extra mile and exemplary follow-up. Her co-workers note that she makes an outstanding first impression because she takes the time to listen and is genuine with clients.
Greenleaf attended the University of New Haven and received her degree in criminal justice from Charter Oak State College. She lives in West Haven with her six year- old daughter, Bria.
Article originally appeared in the February 19, 2009 issue of the YNHH Bulletin (page 3)
http://www.ynhh.org/bulletin_archive/2009/021909_bulletin.pdf
Employees March 05, 2009
Ruth Ferro named Outstanding Employee
Ruth Ferro, virology processing associate in the Virology Laboratory, has been selected as the Mutual Respect Committee’s most recent Outstanding Employee. Ferro was nominated by her co-workers for her demeanor, ability to multi-task and willingness to go above and beyond her job duties. In her job, she handles all the processing needs in the Virology Laboratory, including data entry, shipping and ordering.
Ferro began her career at YNHH in 1981 as a receptionist in the Emergency Department. She then worked in Immunology and joined the Virology Lab in 1991, when the department was created.
Ferro enjoys reading, travel and her two grandchildren in her spare time.
Article originally appeared in the March 5, 2009 issue of the YNHH Bulletin (page 3)
http://www.ynhh.org/bulletin_archive/2009/030509_bulletin.pdf
Employees March 05, 2009
PIP 2009 Incorporates Focus on Departmental Goals; Employees Can Earn 3 Percent Payout
For fiscal year 2009, Yale-New Haven Hospital has made changes to the hospital’s Performance Incentive Plan (PIP), including the addition of a new measure and mandatory departmental goals. For the third consecutive year, eligible employees – who meet departmental goals – can earn up to a 3 percent PIP payout at year-end.
This year, PIP results are being measured in three areas of performance: financial, patient satisfaction/ safety and individual departmental goals. Cost per day and cost per discharge are no longer measures in the financial category so employees can focus on the measures that deliver successful outcomes, including the new goals that will impact overall financial performance. For the first time this year, each department is required to develop a goal – valued at 20 percent – that focuses on achievements specific to the department. Departments may develop up to two goals valued at 10 percent each.
“In the past, PIP departmental goals – although used by many departments – were optional, but this year, every department has been asked to develop departmental goals as well,” said Kevin Myatt, senior vice president, Human Resources. “Adding department-specific goals to PIP gives employees an even greater opportunity to impact overall performance in their everyday work activities.”
For 2009, the financial measures will continue to include net operating income – patient revenue minus expenses – and will account for 30 percent of PIP. The productivity measure of percentage of patient discharges by 11 a.m., which was introduced as a PIP measure last year, accounts for 10 percent of PIP.
The second category of measures – patient satisfaction and safety – includes overall patient satisfaction, accounting for 20 percent of PIP, plus the cleanliness measure accounting for 5 percent. Results from each of these measures reflect the scores based on patient feedback from the Press Ganey patient satisfaction surveys. Hand hygiene, an infection control measure which is measured through recorded observations, accounts for 10 percent of PIP.
A new measure added to PIP for 2009 in the patient satisfaction and safety category is the regulatory mock audit measure. Teams of hospital employees periodically perform mock audit surveys on patient care units throughout the hospital in order to identify opportunities for improvement in hospital practices that can enhance and improve patient safety and satisfaction. The regulatory mock audit measure accounts for 5 percent of PIP.
In its eleventh year, the hospital’s PIP program continues to offer employees a financial stake in achieving organizational goals. The incentive shared by eligible employees at year-end is determined by employees’ collective performance against goals.
When PIP began in 1999, the first payout for employees was 0.1 percent. By 2007, employees were eligible to earn up to 3 percent of salary. PIP performance is measured by the degree to which goals are achieved – maximum (exceeding expectations), target (reaching goal) and threshold (acceptable, but short of target).
Results from first quarter FY09 will be announced shortly.
Article originally appeared in the March 5, 2009 issue of the YNHH Bulletin (page 1)
http://www.ynhh.org/bulletin_archive/2009/030509_bulletin.pdf
