March 2012

Dear Colleagues:

This month, I’d like to highlight our electronic resources and the access these provide for community and our medical staff. Increasingly, the “front door” of an organization is its Web site. NYHQ.org is the frequently the first introduction for many people to our hospital’s programs and resources – whether they use the site in Korean, traditional Chinese, Spanish or English. In 2011 alone, there were 350,000 visitors to the hospital Web site and collectively they viewed millions of pages of information. That number continues to rise each year, especially as the site is now very convenient to use from smart phones and tablets, and new features and functions are added every few months. Enhancements to our Web site have made interaction with the hospital easier for patients and physicians in several ways:

Patient and Physician Portals
New York Hospital Queens is one the first hospitals in the NYC area to implement a completely electronic health record (EHR) for inpatients. Now, via a secure web-based physician portal, a physician can view a patient’s electronic health record. Also, a patient can log in to his/her EHR in a secure password-protected environment and gather data about medications, test results, allergies and immunization history. Both portals can be accessed from nyhq.org.

The ultimate goal of these portals is to improve patient care through facilitating communication. By adding the Patient Portal, we are in compliance with Federal “meaningful use” guidelines, which have been shown to improve the coordination of care across settings – from the emergency room, to an inpatient unit to the physician’s office, and even to a patient’s own home.

Interactive Tools on the Web Site
Our Web site offers access to services such as paying a hospital bill online or finding a doctor and making an appointment, as well as provides current and useful information that can help people understand health issues and find treatment options:

• The “Find a Doctor” directory includes practice information for our voluntary and employed physicians, dentists and podiatrists. It serves as a tool for patients and physicians and it is available online 24/7 and updated daily. The directory can be customized and printed from home or office to suit a physician or specific patient’s need with a few clicks of a computer mouse. An updated print version of this directory is being distributed now.
• Online billpay, registering for one of the many classes and events offered by the hospital and making a pledge to donate blood are just a few of the recently-added features that make it easier for patients and the community to interact with our hospital.

Please learn more about our hospital by visiting nyhq.org and make use of the tools on the Web site. As always, help us spread the word about what is available at New York Hospital Queens.

Sincerely,

Stephen S. Mills, F.A.C.H.E.

PEOPLE & PROGRAMS

People News

We are pleased to announce the following appointments to our medical and professional staff:

Welcome to Anne Coté Taylor, new member of the Board of Trustees. She has devoted her life to the improvement of health care for New Yorkers, including Queens residents. In her professional career, Ms. Coté Taylor worked at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell Campus (then, New York Hospital), beginning as a staff nurse in 1966, up through her retirement in 1994 as vice president of Nursing. Ms. Coté Taylor currently dedicates her time to the governance of health care institutions throughout New York City, including the Silvercrest Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation; the Calvary Hospital; the Rogosin Institute; and the Eye Bank for Sight Restoration. Ms. Coté Taylor achieved her master’s degree in Public Administration at New York University and earned her bachelor’s degree in Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Coté Taylor is the widow of the late Paul E. Taylor, Jr., the first chairman of New York Hospital Queens after the hospital’s transition from Booth Memorial Medical Center in 1992. He served on the Board of Trustees of New York Hospital Queens from 1992 until his passing in 2007.

Following the retirement of James Turner, M.D., and a national search for a new chairman of Surgery, we are pleased to announce that Pierre F. Saldinger, M.D., has been appointed as chairman of the department of surgery and surgeon-in-chief. He will join us in May 1, 2012. He will come to us from Danbury Hospital in Danbury, Conn., where he serves as chairman of the Department of Surgery, and program director of the Surgical Residency Program. Dr. Saldinger is a professor of clinical surgery at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. He previously held academic appointments at New York Medical College and Harvard Medical School. Dr. Saldinger is a renowned surgeon with expertise in the surgical treatment of cancer and benign disorders of the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, stomach as well as retroperitoneal sarcomas. Dr. Saldinger achieved his medical degree from the University of Basel School of Medicine in Switzerland. He completed his residency in Surgery at Beth Israel Hospital, Harvard Medical School in Boston, Mass., a research fellowship in mucosal immunology at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, and a clinical fellowship in Hepatobiliary Surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, N.Y.

Benjamin Levine, M.D., joined the NYHQ Queens Eye Center as an oculoplastic surgeon. Dr. Levine is a board-certified ophthalmologist and an instructor of ophthalmology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University.  Dr. Levine graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.  After college, Dr. Levine was selected as an Intramural Research Training Award Scholar at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. Following his year at the N.I.H., Dr. Levine attended medical school at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he graduated with distinction.  After completing an internship in internal medicine at Cabrini Medical Center in Manhattan, Dr. Levine went on to complete his ophthalmology residency and ophthalmic plastic surgery preceptorship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Medical College of Cornell University. 

Raymond Sutiono has been appointed director, Facilities Planning. Mr. Sutiono comes to us from New York University where he worked as Senior Project Manager in the Office of
Construction Management. Mr. Sutiono achieved his bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin and earned his master’s degree in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University.

Jennifer Clem-Haniff, former information manager, Materials Management, has been appointed administrative director, Patient Care Services. Ms. Clem-Haniff has been a member of our staff since 2004. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the College of Mount Saint Vincent, Bronx, N.Y.

It is an honor for us when our hospital team members attain professional achievements and when they are recognized by other organizations:

The New York State Dental Association has bestowed its highest honor, the William Jarvie and Harvey J. Burkhart Award, to Burton Wasserman, D.D.S., chairman, Dental and Oral Medicine. He was selected for serving as a role model for the promotion of continuing dental education, the advancement of dental research and contributions to the science and application of dentistry.

The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign has announced Chong Park, M.D., director, Cardiology, and director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, will be honored on April 26, 2012, at a Go Red for Women dinner at Terrace on the Park for his dedication to providing high quality heart care services for the Queens community. Diane Sixsmith, M.D., chairman, Emergency Medicine, serves as chair of the Go Red for Women dinner committee. 

Our physicians and clinical staff frequently present their work in medical conferences, peer-reviewed publications and at community meetings:

Kenneth Ong, M.D., M.P.H., chief medical informatics officer, will serve as moderator of the New York Academy of Medicine Author Night Series on March 21. Dr. Ong edited the second edition of “Medical Informatics: An Executive Primer,” which was published in 2011. A panel will discuss ideas and experiences with electronic health records, personal health records, patient portals, patient centered medical home and meaningful use topics.

Dattatreyudu Nori, M.D., chairman, Radiation Oncology, and director, The Cancer Center, presented “New Concepts in the Management of Early Prostate Cancer” at a Clinical Care Conference at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) in Tulsa, Okla.  The presentation was broadcast via videoconference to all six CTCA centers in the U.S.

Tom Evans, vice president, Physician Business Development, presented information about the hospital’s expansion of services and local outreach programs at a meeting of Clinton Democratic Club, a civic organization, serving Flushing, Bayside, Whitestone, Douglaston and Little Neck.

Program News

Pediatric Surgical Care 24/7 Right Here in Queens
NYHQ has partnered with the Pediatric Surgery Division at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital to support high-level pediatric surgical care – right here in Queens.  Now, pediatric surgical care is available at our hospital, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The partnership was implemented by Charles Coren, M.D., director, Pediatric Surgery, NYHQ, and Charles Stolar, M.D., chief, Division of Surgery and surgeon-in-chief at Morgan Stanley. For more information, please call (718) 670-1238 or (212) 342-8585. 

New Center for Healthy Aging Coming Soon to Jackson Heights Family Center
NYHQ has partnered with Elder Care Companies, Inc., a geriatric disease management and fall prevention company, to create the Center for Healthy Aging at the Jackson Heights Family Center. The Center for Healthy Aging will provide seniors with preventative health services and is scheduled to open in the early spring. The center offers educational workshops on maintaining a healthy body, reducing the signs of aging and managing an independent lifestyle. Also, fall prevention services as well as screenings for heart disease, cancer, and stroke will be provided. Health coaches will set appointments, coordinate transportation and can help patients navigate through the services provided by NYHQ.

Neuroscience Symposium for the Community

The Neuroscience Institute presented a symposium for the community on “Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Epilepsy, Stroke, Headaches and Back Pain.” More than 60 people from the community attended the lecture presentation. Speakers included physicians from the Neuroscience Institute: David Snyder, M.D., director, Multiple Sclerosis Center; Edward Chai, M.D., director, Neurology and Stroke Services; and attending neurologists Hind Kettani, M.D., Suja Johnkutty, M.D., and Reza Zarnegar, D.O. 

The 2nd Annual Neuroscience Symposium for medical professionals will be held on April 19, 2012, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the New York Hospital Queens Lang Auditorium. Topics will include information about multiple sclerosis, stroke, epilepsy, headaches, clinical neurophysiology and cervical spine trauma. Registration is required. This symposium is eligible for continuing medical education credit. For more information, please call Pamela Williams at (718) 670-1419.

Pharmacy Impresses Pharmacy Students from France
Twelve pharmacy students from the Lyons School of Health Professions, Lyons, France, visited New York Hospital Queens to learn about safety procedures in place to reduce medication errors and how the pharmacy system operates in the United States compared to France. Of great interest was the hospital’s upcoming automation of the pharmacy with a robot and our use of computer decision support to standardize safe practices throughout the institution. 

PROGRESS

New Members Join Community Advisory Council
New York Hospital Queens appointed four new members to the Community Advisory Council:

 

Honorable Joseph F. Lisa, Justice (Ret.) New York State Supreme Court has held numerous professional and public service positions including; appointment to Chief of Appeals, Bureau of the Queens District Attorney, elected judge of the civil court of the City of NY and elected justice of the NYS Supreme Court. He has served as a member of the NYS Assembly for seven years and a member of the New York City (N.Y.C.) Council for nine years. He achieved his J.D. from St. John’s Law School and L.L.M. from Brooklyn Law School.

Ashook Kumar Ramsaran is the president and chief operating officer of Ramex, Inc., located in College Point, N.Y. Ramex designs and manufactures intercommunication and signaling systems utilized in health care, transportation and penitentiary organizations. He earned a B.S. degree in engineering from Polytechnic University in NYC. He also serves as the Executive Vice President of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin.

Jeffrey Rosenstock serves as the Institutional Development and Major Gifts Officer at Queens College. Prior to that he served as the executive director of Queens Theater in the Park. He is credited for transforming the NYS Pavilion of the 1964 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows Corona Park into the borough’s premier performing arts center. Mr. Rosenstock achieved a B.A. degree in Literature and Creative Writing at Harpur College in Binghamton, N.Y.

Linna Yu is a board member for Community Board #7 in Flushing and the Flushing YMCA. Also, she serves as a member of NYC Board of Education Chancellor’s Asian Pacific American Advisory Council. She is a past Branch Library Manager of Queens Borough Public Library and has received numerous awards including “Woman of the Year” by the NYC Mayor Dinkins. She earned her B.A. degree in Taiwan, China, and a master’s degree in Library Science at Vanderbilt University.

KOHL'S FOR KIDS VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

NYHQ is privileged to have the opportunity to partner with Kohl’s Department Store in the Kohl’s for Kids Program. Kohl’s will provide volunteers to help work on hospital projects andassist at events. Each time the Kohl’s for Kids volunteers come to NYHQ, Kohl’s will make a donation to a special pediatric fund established through the NYHQ Department of Development.

BETTER YOU CHALLENGE FOR EMPLOYEE WELLNESS

The Employee Wellness team from the Department of Human Resources, in conjunction with the NYHQ Cardiac Health Center and the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women Campaign,” created the “Better You” lifestyle makeover challenge for women. Fifteen female employees from the hospital joined the program in February and have already lost a total of 50 lbs. Each participant sets goals for themselves and makes behavioral changes for a healthier lifestyle.

BLOOD DONOR PROGRAM RECOGNIZES EMPLOYEES AND MEDICAL STAFF

The Blood Donor Center received a total of 943 blood and platelet donations from NYHQ employees in 2011. By saving the funds that would have been needed to purchase blood and blood products, the hospital can invest in the expansion of services and other programs. A recognition breakfast was held to honor those employees and medical staff who donated.

UPCOMING EVENTS

New York Hospital Queens Participates in Colon Cancer Awareness Month
All men and women ages 50 and older should be screened for colon cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Our hospital has joined the American Cancer Society and the Eastern & Western Queens Cancer Services Program to offer a free a colon cancer workshop and colorectal screening on Thursday, March 22, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will take place at the Flushing Library located at 41-17 Main Street. Appointments can be made in advance by calling (718) 670-1211.

Community Health Fair with Local Assembly Member
New York Hospital Queens will provide colorectal education and screening as well as glaucoma screening at a health fair hosted by Assembly Member Michael Simanowitz. The health fair will take place on March 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Electric Industry Center at 67-35 Parsons Blvd. in Flushing. The event is free and open to the community.

A Spring Night Gala
A Spring Night Gala, the hospital’s premier fundraising event, will be held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 31, 2012. The honorees are Prabha and Kanak Golia, a member of the New York Hospital Queens Board of Trustees. For ticket and sponsorship information, please contact Julie Varghese at juv9007@nyp.org or 718-670-1564.