June 2012

Dear Colleagues:

We are building a surgery program to which physicians can refer patients without hesitation; physicians can have full confidence that the surgeon's follow up will be immediate and comprehensive.  We want surgeons to be able to utilize this program for virtually all their procedures and for patients to elect to have both their basic and complex procedures here and then recommend our services to friends and family.

Our new chairman of Surgery and surgeon in chief, Pierre Saldinger, M.D., plans to build upon our surgical services and make our 20 state-of-the-art operating rooms the place that surgeons and patients choose first for their surgical needs. Dr. Saldinger served as chairman of Surgery at Danbury Hospital in Connecticut. He is a renowned surgeon with expertise in the surgical treatment of cancer and benign disorders of the pancreas, liver, and GI tract.

The message for physicians, surgeons and patients is only one reason for a patient to leave Queens for surgery—organ transplantation. Beyond that, the most intricate of surgeries, like heart valve replacement, or surgery on the tiniest of patients, like neonatal gastrointestinal surgery, can be performed at New York Hospital Queens.

Voluntary attending surgeons should feel confident in knowing that when they come to New York Hospital Queens to perform surgery, the surgical support team of anesthesia and nursing specialists use evidence-based medicine and best practices. Operating room schedulers at New York Hospital Queens are standing by to take OR requests at (718) 297-7740.

As well, by adding new surgical support services, we remain attractive to surgeons. Here are some recent additions:

• New Center for Wound Healing.
This month we open the NYHQ Center for Wound Healing onsite at the Silvercrest Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation to help patients recover from chronic wounds. The center will use wound care techniques that have been proven to work by teams of multidisciplinary specialists across the U.S. to achieve high healing rates and faster healing times.

• Pediatric Surgery Program Expansion.
Led by Charles Coren, M.D., pediatric surgery is now readily available 24/7. We are now on track to double our annual volume of pediatric surgeries.

• Robotic Surgery.
New York Hospital Queens performs robotic surgery for the treatment of urologic and benign gynecologic conditions. We perform the most robotic surgeries for gynecologic fibroids, ovarian cysts and endometriosis, in the country, according to the robotic technology manufacturer. Our robotic surgery is expected to grow again as we add dual-console for the robotic surgery next month.

To learn more about our surgical services, contact Dr. Saldinger at (718) 670-1566. Or, if you or someone you know is in need of a top-notch surgeon, check our online physician directory at www.nyhq.org, or call our physician referral line at (800) 282-6684. 

Sincerely,

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

PS. Physicians who are interested in more closely aligning with New York Hospital Queens, can contact Tom Evans,
vice president, Physician Business Development, at (718) 670-8714.

PEOPLE

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

	David Barlas, M.D., associate residency director, Emergency Medicine, has been appointed associate chairman, Clinical Operations for the Emergency Department. He has been a member of the medical staff since 2004. He achieved his medical degree from SUNY Downstate Medical Center School of Medicine. He completed his residency at University Hospital at SUNY Stony Brook. To reach Dr. Barlas, call (718) 670-1427.
	Sanjey Gupta, M.D., attending physician, Emergency Medicine, has been appointed assistant chairman, Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement for the Emergency Department. He has been a member of the medical staff since 2004. He achieved his medical degree from New York Medical College. He completed his residency at North Shore University Hospital. Dr. Gupta recently presented an ultrasound workshop on the topic of “Austere Medicine Ultrasound” at the Mid-Atlantic Student Wilderness Medicine Conference sponsored by Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pa.To reach Dr. Gupta, call (718) 670-1427.
	Glenn Turett, M.D., has joined the medical staff as an attending physician, Infectious Disease Division, Department of Medicine. He comes to us from Mt. Sinai Comprehensive Health Program in Manhattan where he cared for a large number of patients with HIV/AIDS. Dr Turett’s research experience is extensive and covers HIV/AIDS, TB, and multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. He completed his medical education at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine and internal medicine training at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City. He served as chief resident at Mt. Sinai Hospital/City Hospital Center at Elmhurst.  Dr Turett did further training in Endocrinology at University Hospital/Queens Medical Center in Nottingham, England, and in Infectious Diseases at Montefiore Medical Center/ Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York. To reach Dr. Turett, call (718) 670-1525.
	Emily Dodwell, M.D., has joined the medical staff as an attending physician, Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation. She specializes in pediatric orthopaedics, pediatric trauma, cerebral palsy, and limb deformity correction. Dr. Dodwell completed her medical doctorate at Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada, and her orthopaedic residency training at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. She has a Masters of Public Health from Harvard and attained her sub-specialty training as a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada. To reach Dr. Dodwell, call (718) 670-1800.

David Coates, M.B.A., administrative director, Obstetrics and Gynecology, since 2006, was recently appointed to an additional position as  administrative director, Department of Medicine. He achieved his master’s degree from Zicklin School of Business at CUNY- Baruch. To reach Mr. Coates, call (718) 670-1390/1519.

Andrea L. Gibbon, R.N., B.C., was appointed clinical director for the new Transitional Care Unit on 7 South, managed by Silvercrest Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation. Ms. Gibbon began working at Silvercrest in May 2009 as a Clinical Care Coordinator and weekend house supervisor/acting administrator. She graduated from Helene Fuld College of Nursing and is currently studying at Lehman College to achieve her bachelor’s degree in Nursing. Ms. Gibbon is certified in gerontology.  To reach Ms. Gibbons, call (718) 670-2723.

The hospital welcomes Yeo Inhwan, M.D., a junior Emergency Medicine resident at Kyungpook University, Daegu, South Korea, for a one-month observership in the Emergency Room. The observership is coordinated by Edward Choi, MD, attending physician, Emergency Medicine, and international ambassador to South Korea, American College of Emergency Physicians.

Dr. Choi presented “Hyperbaric Therapy in Emergency Medicine,” at the 6th annual Peking Union International
Summit for Emergency Medicine in Beijing, China. 

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

On June 8, Burton Wasserman, D.D.S., chairman, Department of Dental and Oral Medicine, will be presented the prestigious William Jarvie and Harvey J. Burkhart Award in recognition of his great service rendered to mankind in the field of dentistry.  The award is the highest honor bestowed by the New York State Dental Association and will be presented at the NYSDA House of Delegates Meeting at The Roosevelt Hotel in New York City.

Laura Giles, R.N., B.S.N., C.E.N., was awarded the Anita Dorr Award by the New York State Emergency Nurses Association (ENA). The Anita Dorr Award, named for the co-founder of the ENA, is presented to an emergency nurse who is recognized for knowledge in emergency nursing and for presenting themselves as a caring professional reflective of the integrity and commitment of Ms. Anita Dorr. Ms. Giles serves as chairman of the National ENA Foundation, which is the scholarship and grant branch of ENA.

Chong Park, M.D., director, Cardiology, was recognized by the American Heart Association as a 2012 honoree at the Go Red For Women Dinner. Diane Sixsmith, M.D., chairman, Emergency Medicine, served as the chair of the event. Also featured at the dinner were NYHQ employees who participated in the NYHQ “Better You” wellness program.

Pinkus Szuchmacher, M.D., attending vascular surgeon, will be at to Landstuhl Air Base June 23 through July 7 to treat the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been injured serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has volunteered his expertise for the past several years traveling with a group from the Society for Vascular Surgery.

Nurses Week Honorees

New York Hospital Queens presented top honors to nurses, nursing students, nurse assistants and a nurse leader at the National Nurses Week celebration. Below are the eight honorees:

• Yuk-King Kong-Lee, RNC-OB, BSN, NEA-BC  Nurse of the Year
• Ruth Hopkins, RN, BSN, MSN, CNE  Nurse Leader of the Year
• Ionie Chambers, RN, MSN, ANP-C  Jack Fanning Nurse of Compassion Award
• Xiying Zhang, CNA  Jack Fanning Nurse Assistant of Compassion Award
• Russell Guerrier, nursing student  Felicia Grant Scholarship Award
• Aishling Lavelle, nursing student  Felicia Grant Scholarship Award
• Susana Airey, RN  Medical Staff Society Award for Nursing
• Marie Dumond, CNA Medical Staff Society Award for Nursing Assistant

Congratulations to Ines Santos, R.N., for being recognized as the GI Nurse of the Year and Arthur Mendoz, P.O.A., as GI Associate of the Year!

Congratulations to Denise Lewinger, M.B.A., administrative director, Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, on completing her master’s degree in Healthcare Management from St. Joseph’s College.

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

The Theresa & Eugene M. Lang Center for Research and Education held the 7th Annual Residents and Fellows Research Day. This program fosters the research potential of NYHQ residents and fellows. This year, 14 oral and 63 poster presentations in 15 specialty areas were featured. Award recipients included:

• Harmony Leighton, D.O., received two awards for two projects:
Convulsive Syncope in a Patient with Reentrant Tachyarrythmia; Effect of an Electronic Ordering System on Adherence to ACC Guidelines for Cardiac Monitoring

• Tarek M. Mousa, M.D.:  Reduced Diagnostic Accuracy of Stress EKG Test in Patients with Left Anterior Fascicular Block: A Retrospective Analysis

• Himanshu Nagar, M.D.: Outcome Determinants in Uterine Papillary Serous Carcinoma Based on Clinico-Pathological and Treatment Factors

• Evan Shlofmitz, D.O.: Coronary Stent Diameter Variability among Ethnic Groups Undergoing Revascularization for ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Todd Mastrovitch, M.D., director, Pediatric Emergency Medicine Education, presented “The Scope of Pediatric Emergency Practice...the ER, The Office, and Beyond” at Monmouth University for nurse practitioners, nurses, and other allied health professionals.

Cynthia Pan, M.D., director, Palliative Care, presented a workshop “Don’t get Lost in Translation: A Practical Approach to Cultural Competency,” at the American Geriatrics Society National Meeting in Seattle, Wash. She serves as the chair of the Ethnogeriatrics Committee. Three geriatrics fellows and two medicine residents joined Dr. Pan and presented five research abstracts that they coauthored with clinicians at NYHQ:

• Sabina Constantine, D.O., geriatrics fellow, Samar Hameed, M.D., geriatrics fellow, and Archana Bushan, M.D., medical resident, presented “U.S. and International Asian Perspectives on Palliative Care and End of life Care.”

• Domenick Aquista, M.D., medical resident, Archana Bushan, M.D., medical resident, and Dr. Constantine, presented “Attitudes and Knowledge about Resuscitation Discussion in a Community Hospital: A Survey of Physicians and Nurses.”

• Dr. Constantine also presented “Increased Risk of Hospital Admission in Patients 65 Years and Older Presenting to the Emergency Department.”

• Dr. Hameed also presented “Long-term Outcomes and Hospital Readmissions of Older Adults on Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation at a Long-term Care Facility.”

• Paul Sychangco, M.D., geriatrics fellow, presented “Clinician’s Perception of Infections and Laboratory Utilization at a Long Term Care Facility.”

PROGRAMS & PROGRESS

Program News

George Heinrich, M.D. Symposium: Stroke 2012
The George Heinrich, M.D. Symposium annually presents cutting-edge medical knowledge through the Eugene M. and Theresa Lang Center for Research and Education. This year’s symposium, “Stroke 2012,” will be held on June 12, 2012, in the Lang Auditorium and will address exciting advances in the treatment of stroke. 

For National Stroke Awareness month in May, The Neuroscience Institute at New York Hospital Queens provided 100 free stroke assessments for the community. Edward Chai, M.D., director, Neurology, NYHQ, and Diane Sixsmith, M.D., chairman, Emergency Medicine, promoted stroke awareness in the community.

Dr. Chai was the featured speaker at the Queens Medical Society meeting. Dr. Chai spoke about stroke and neuroscience services provided by the hospital, a NYS designated Stroke Center. He also addressed the Flushing Rotary Club.

Dr. Sixsmith presented “Stroke: How to Recognize the Signs, Symptoms and Treatment” at the AARP meeting at the Bowne Community Church in Flushing. Dr. Sixsmith emphasized the importance of calling 911 and getting to a stroke designated center within four hours of experiencing signs and symptoms.

Prescription Drug Abuse Symposium
A consensus among pain management experts is that education and the proper training of providers is a crucial first step in addressing the prescription drug abuse problem. The White House has noted that most medical, dental, pharmacy and other health professional schools do not provide in-depth training on substance abuse. On June 8, the hospital will host a Prescription Drug Abuse Symposium in the Lang Auditorium. Medical experts will discuss how practitioners can help assess patients for drug abuse or drug seeking behavior, how to provide an effective intervention as well as ethical conflicts and legal concerns related to prescribing opiates. To register, contact the Continuing Medical Education Office at (718) 670-1419.

Skin and Wound Care Seminar
A Skin and Wound Care Seminar was held for patients and caregivers on wound healing, dermatitis prevention, assessment and management of gastrointestinal fistula and nutritional support for connective tissue repair and wounds. The NYHQ Center for Wound Healing at Silvercrest is due to open later this month.

Neonatal Symposium
The Department of Pediatrics hosted a Neonatal Symposium to educate medical professionals on new advancements in reducing infant mortality and improving patient care outcomes. Following the symposium, NYHQ featured “Preemie Day,” a reception for families of pre-term babies born at New York Hospital Queens, including healthy twins who had been born at 26 weeks gestation, living proof of the medical expertise in the NICU at NYHQ.

“Child Talk” Lecture on Keeping Children Safe
Jose Villarin, M.D., F.A.A.P., associate chairman, Pediatrics, and
director, Theresa Lang Children’s Ambulatory Center, presented a free lecture “Keeping Children Safe,” to the community about
preventing potential safety hazards for children.

Progress

Prabha and Kanak Golia Honored at A Spring Night Gala At the hospital’s A Spring Night Gala on May 31, Prabha and Kanak Golia were presented the hospital’s highest honor, the Pacesetter Award, in recognition of their inspiring work with the Kanak and Prabha Golia Charitable Foundation. The sold out event was held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Proceeds will benefit an expansion of The Cancer Center at NYHQ. Mr. and Mrs. Golia have accepted a leadership role in the initiative to enhance and expand The Cancer Center at NYHQ. Their charitable giving is in their words, “a way to give back to the Queens community for its support of our family when we came to U.S. in 1987.” The Kanak and Prabha Golia Charitable Foundation supports charities dedicated to children and women’s education, medical needs for the disabled and managing orphanages. Mr. Golia is a member of our Board of Trustees; and their daughter and son-in-law, Drs. Preeti and Nilesh Mehta, are both gastroenterologists at New York Hospital Queens.

“Thank You” to our Corporate Blood Donors

The Corporate Blood Donor Program engages the business community in a two-pronged effort to collect blood and increase community awareness of the need for blood donation. We held a reception to honor Capital One Bank, Jetblue Airways, Local 3 IBEW, Visiting Nurse Service of New York and White Castle as our partners and sponsors for corporate-led blood drives that collected 600 pints of blood during 2011.

Mammography Screenings for the Community
One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. New York Hospital Queens teamed up with the American Cancer Society and the New York State Cancer Services Program to provide mammograms at little or no cost at its following ambulatory care centers: the Jackson Heights Family Health Center, the Family Health Center in downtown Flushing, and the OB/GYN Center in Fresh Meadows. Jackie Xouris, R.N., director, HealthOutreach at NYHQ, also serves as the director, NYS Cancer Services Program — Eastern Queens.

Dr. Rosen Chairs Upcoming NYC Arthritis Walk
New York Hospital Queens and the Arthritis Foundation have partnered together to host the 10th Anniversary 2012 Arthritis Walk on Saturday, June 23. Jeffrey Rosen, M.D., chairman, Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, NYHQ, is the Walk Chair.  New York Hospital Queens has formed a team. Join the NYHQ team by registering online at www.newyorkaw.kintera.org/nyhq. The 3.1 mile walk starts at 10 a.m. in historic Battery Park, NYC. For more information, contact the NYHQ team captain, Denise Lewinger, administrative director, Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, at dml9009@nyp.org or (718) 670-1422.

NYHQ Participates in Queens Chamber of Commerce Business Expo
The hospital participated in the Queens Chamber Business Expo at CitiField. Representatives from the hospital were on hand to provide information about the services provided by the hospital including Anita Liu-Chen, OTR/L, rehabilitation manager, Occupational and Physical Therapy Services, who provided information about the Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Department. Bruce Bendell, member, Board of Trustees at NYHQ, was a keynote speaker.

2011-2012 Annual Report Available in Print and Online Our 2011-2012 Annual Report is now available on www.nyhq.org and in print. The printed version has been distributed to all employees, medical staff, trustees, volunteers and numerous stakeholders and physicians throughout this community and beyond. Please share this annual communications tool that can help others see what is going on—right here at NYHQ.