Palliative Medicine Program page 5. Safest Hospitals page 6. Portraits of Mather Nurses page 2

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1 Mather Hospital s A publication of John T. Mather Memorial Hospital summer 2012 A Passion for Healing NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT # 14 HUNTINGTON, NY Portraits of Mather Nurses page 2 Mather Launches Palliative Medicine Program page 5 Mather Ranks as one of NYS s Safest Hospitals page 6

2 A Passion Some nurses administer care to those who suffer from life-changing illnesses such as cancer, easing their pain and listening to their fears. Others are focused in the operating room, providing support to surgeons and patients. There are also the nurses whose dedication to their vocation is as strong as their quest for lifetime learning. And, there are those with such a strong commitment to healing that they go out into the community to share vital information and save lives. These are all Mather nurses. Our exceptional staff brings different backgrounds, experiences and educational paths to their work, but all share the unfailing commitment to providing outstanding patient care to our community. From Volunteer to RN Like many who enter the healthcare profession, Tashana Adams, RN, BSN, ACLS, BLS got her first taste of working in a hospital through volunteering as a teen. After six months as a volunteer at Mather Hospital in 2004, Adams was hired as a nutritional aide in Mather s Food and Nutritional Services Department. She was often on the patient units delivering food trays and had the opportunity to interact with patients and nurses. I got to go upstairs to the patient units and see what nurses did and how they cared for patients, she said. After graduating high school, Adams learned about Mather Hospital s partnership with Suffolk Community College that offered Hospital employees the opportunity to enter the college s nursing program. Following her graduation, she became a Registered Nurse at Mather. For the past three years, she has worked in the Intensive Care Unit. I absolutely love it, she said of critical care nursing. I love that you re able to take care of the entire patient, so I feel I get to do a lot more for my patients. In January, Adams was part of a team from Mather that traveled to Ecuador to bring free medical services to underserved populations. It was a life-changing experience, she said. It made me want to get back to school to play a bigger role in changing patients lives. In May 2012, Adams graduated from Stony Brook University with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and now plans to take the Critical Care specialty certification in December Bringing Breast Education to Incarcerated Women When the opportunity arose six years ago to help teach incarcerated women at the Suffolk County Jail in Riverhead about breast health, Kathy Biase RN, BC was eager to be involved. The program, funded through a breast cancer grant from radio station WALK 97.5, focuses on teaching female inmates the importance of early detection of breast cancer, screening methods, treatment choices and healthy lifestyles. The women also receive information on the Fortunato Breast Health Center at Mather. Each woman receives a new bra at the end of the class, which Biase said is important to them since many do not have any personal belongings at the jail. In the beginning I was intimidated. It s a little disturbing when you go through and the gates clank shut behind you, said Biase, a night shift Assistant Nurse Manager on Mather s 2 East unit who is currently pursuing a bachelor s degree. But I soon realized that these women are grateful for even the smallest amount of information that you can share with them. Biase said she likes to give the women the opportunity to talk about various health issues and share their feelings. You try to tie in as many things as you can, she said, noting that she leaves the jail each time feeling as if she has helped the women in some way. Caring for the Most Critically Ill Very early in her career on 2 South, Mather Hospital s Medical-Surgical Oncology unit, Lillian Donnelly, RN, BSN, OCN developed a close bond with a breast cancer patient. One day the doctor came in and had to insert a chest tube at bedside, she recalled. The patient asked me to stay and hold her hand during the procedure. That act symbolized to me our presence and advocacy as oncology nurses, and summed up our importance to the patients on 2 South. It was the bond Donnelly feels with her patients that led her to create brightly colored heart-shaped signs bearing messages of Hope, Love, Courage, Laughter, Strength and Determination for use in a video on oncology nursing at Mather. The hearts represent our love for oncology nursing and for our patients, she said. The words represent characteristics of our patients. A nurse for more than 10 years and Mather s 2010 Nurse of Excellence, Donnelly came to nursing later in life, attending school while working, 2 Housecalls

3 f Healing maintaining a home, raising a family and helping to care for her mother. I had spent much of my life caring for people neighbors and family and seeing my mom, who was a nurse, care for people, she said. I wanted to make a difference in people s lives, as do most nurses. She earned her associate s degree from Suffolk Community College and her Bachelor of Science from St. Joseph s College of Maine. Donnelly is currently pursuing her Master of Nursing Education degree. Putting Young Patients on the Right Path At the beginning of her nursing career, Susan Morin, RN, MS, PMHCNS-BC, NPP worked on a hospital medical/surgical unit, providing care to seriously ill patients. One day, she treated a young woman seven months pregnant who had swallowed a bottle of Tylenol. As Morin tended to her patient, she thought about how things might have been different for the young woman had she received psychiatric care before she attempted to take her life. As she encountered more and more patients whose physical ailments were the result of or exacerbated by psychiatric issues, Morin decided to focus her career in that direction. Today, she is a psychiatric nurse practitioner and Director of the Eating Disorder and Adolescent Partial Hospitalization programs at Mather Hospital. Her dedication to the young people she serves and her commitment to providing exceptional care to the patients she treats earned Morin Mather Hospital s Nurse of Excellence award for Morin worked in child psychiatry at Stony Brook University before helping to develop Mather s Adolescent Inpatient Unit. For almost 10 years, she was the only RN/Nurse Practitioner on the advisory board of the National Eating Disorders Association of Long Island. Learning for Life Seven years ago Mather nurse Kenny Nissen RN, BSN was painting apartments in New York City, working as a landscaper, waiting tables at a Long Island restaurant, whatever it took to provide for his family while his wife pursued a degree in clinical psychology. When she received that degree, it was Nissen s turn to pursue his longtime goal. I d always wanted to be in the medical field, he said. Kids, life, home renovations and mortgages always seemed to take precedence. Nissen attended Suffolk Community College at night and in 2005 at the age of 41 became a Registered Nurse. Nursing provides me the autonomy to make decisions in a collaborative manner with the patients so I am able to deliver the best care possible, he said. Nissen chose to work in surgery. I was always intrigued by the idea of working in the OR and knew it would be a good fit for my personality, he said. I love the OR because it provides me with new challenges and learning experiences every day. Nissen is also the Perioperative Educator, making sure the OR staff is up-to-date on the latest surgical techniques and technology such as the da Vinci Surgical System. Through perseverance and with encouragement from his family and Mather staff, Nissen will soon graduate from Stony Brook University as a Nurse Practitioner, with a graduate-level education and the ability to act as a primary care provider. He also will soon have his First Assistant certification, which will allow him to participate in surgical procedures. Teaching Others to Save Lives Mather nurse Katie Rush, RN, CRN, CCRN took a personal tragedy and turned it into an opportunity to help save lives by educating the public to sudden cardiac death. Rush s son, Matthew, was just 24 when he died in January 2011 after collapsing at a friend s house. Despite a rapid emergency services response in the field and at Mather s Emergency Room, Matthew could not be revived. He was later diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a disease in which the heart muscle (myocardium) becomes abnormally thick, making it harder for the heart to pump blood. Matthew suffered a fatal arrhythmia. Last year, Rush, a nurse in Mather s Imaging Services and an advanced cardiac life support instructor, along with Mather Imaging Services Assistant Nurse Managers Laura O Brien RN, CRN and Donna Blaskopf RN, CRN, a basic life support instructor, conducted a public awareness campaign at the Three Village School District Homecoming celebration. The nurses demonstrated the use of an AED (automated external defibrillation) as well as CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Because of the number of children dying from sudden cardiac arrest it really is important to have public awareness, Rush said. By getting the school involved it renews their awareness of where the AEDs are located and how to use them if needed. It s awareness that saves lives. Rush, a nurse for more than 30 years who has been with Mather for 12 years, said she and her colleagues plan to expand the program in the fall to include other schools. j Housecalls 3

4 Mather Hospital Honors Community Leaders for Service Fred C. Johs, Cynthia Michels & C. Tech Collections and Arthur Klein, MD have been named the 2012 Theodore Roosevelt Award Winners by Mather Hospital s Board of Directors. Henry Restoration of Nesconset was selected as the special Community Honoree. The awards will be presented October 26 at Mather Hospital s 47th annual One Enchanted Evening gala, a fundraiser to benefit the Fortunato Breast Health Center and breast cancer treatment at Mather. The Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council created the Theodore Roosevelt Awards more than 50 years ago to honor those who demonstrate exceptional volunteer commitment to a member hospital and their community. Henry Restoration Company President Tim Henry recalls how his mother became involved with Mather Hospital many years ago, helping out at events such as the Cancer Ball and volunteering at the Hospital. So it was only natural that as the company grew it continued that tradition of involvement with Mather and the community. It s nice to have a place where you can walk in and see a friendly face, especially when you re in a hospital, he said. A family-owned company founded in 1974 specializing in stonework repair and replacement, Henry Restoration of Nesconset contributed to building the Cody Ambulatory Surgery Pavilion and has supported many Mather fundraising events. The company also supports St. Charles and Good Samaritan Hospitals and Covenant House. Cynthia Michels & C.Tech Collections C.Tech Collections of Mt. Sinai and Cynthia A. Michels, the company s vice president of operations, have been longtime supporters of the Fortunato Breast Health Center and the annual Breast Cancer Victory Day. Last year, the company was once again a sponsor of Victory Day and its employees raised more than $6,200 and volunteered to meet and 4 Housecalls greet breast cancer survivors and their families. Michels, a 22-year veteran of the company, first got the company involved when she began organizing fundraisers for the Breast Center such as bake sales and ice cream socials. Being a woman and being that this affects so many people on Long Island, it s kind of near and dear to my heart, said Michels, noting that the majority of the firm s 45 employees are women. She called Victory Day a very moving day. It motivates you to want to do more and to be more involved because you see the progress that s been made in breast cancer. Fred Johs, Esq. Fred Johs is a member of Mather Hospital s Board of Directors and a founding partner of Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, LLP, a full service law firm founded in In addition to being a trial lawyer, he serves on the Grievance Committee for the Tenth Judicial District. He is a member of the Board of Governors of Touro Law School, the Board of Directors of Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York, President of Advancement for Commerce Industry & Technology, Inc and serves on the national board of Boys Hope Girls Hope. Johs attended St. John s University School of Law and the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at Exeter, England. He earned a B.B.A. in Accounting from Hofstra University. Arthur S. Klein, MD Arthur S. Klein, MD, is the Director of the Department of Internal Medicine at Mather Hospital and co-chair of its Infectious Disease Control Committee. Klein is also founder and managing partner of Eastern Infectious Disease Associates of Setauket, which since 1989 has practiced at Mather and other area hospitals. The group specializes in Lyme disease, hospital acquired infections, food borne infections, bone and joint infections and travel medicine. Klein is a clinical instructor of medicine, division of Infectious Diseases, at Stony Brook Medical School and retired as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve Medical Corps. A graduate of Boston University and Downstate Medical College (SUNY) in Brooklyn, Klein completed his residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in infectious diseases at Stony Brook University Medical Center. j BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman of the Board Kenneth A. Jacoppi, Esq. President Kenneth D. Roberts Vice Chairwoman Betsy Noyes Britton Vice Chairman Konrad J. Kuhn Vice Chairman Harold Tranchon Jr. Treasurer John R. Sini Secretary Gene Gerrard Chairwoman, Medical Board; President, Medical Staff Kara H.V. Kvilekval, MD Vice Chairman, Medical Board; Vice President, Medical Staff Richard Savino, MD Board Members Alan D. Beck James Danowski M. Cecile Forte, Ph.D Judith A. Fortunato Kathryn B. Frey Timothy B. Glynn, Esq. Frederick C. Johs, Esq. Thomas Kohlmann Richard Lusak Wayne Rampone David Shenouda, DO Leo Sternlicht Edward J. Weiss Published quarterly by the Public Affairs Department at John T. Mather Memorial Hospital 75 North Country Road Port Jefferson, NY (631) Chairman, Public Affairs Committee Alan D. Beck Vice President, Public Affairs Nancy Uzo Director, Public Relations Stuart Vincent Public Relations Assistant Nancy Fischetti Visit Find us on:

5 Village Cup Regatta to Benefit Palliative Medicine at Mather Local sailors will spend a day sailing on the Long Island Sound and raise funds to fight and treat pancreatic cancer and help prevent and relieve patient suffering by taking part in the third annual Village Cup Regatta on Saturday, September 8. Sailing teams representing Mather Hospital and the Village of Port Jefferson will renew their friendly rivalry in the annual fundraiser presented by the Setauket Yacht Club in collaboration with the Village of Port Jefferson and the Port Jefferson Conservancy. The Village Cup Regatta was launched two years ago by the Setauket Yacht Club to help people with pancreatic cancer, according to Setauket Yacht Club Commodore Angela Bari. Our club, like many families, suffered losses to this deadly form of cancer, she said. Proceeds benefit the Lustgarten Foundation and Mather Hospital s Palliative Medicine Program. For more information and to register for the Regatta, contact Chuck Chiaramonte, Past Commodore of Suffolk Yacht Club, (516) or chuck@setauketyc.com, or Karl Janhsen, Vice Commodore, Setauket Yacht Club, or karl@setauketyc.com. j New Palliative Medicine Program Helps Improve Patient Quality of Life Patients and families who face a serious or chronic illness often need help in managing symptoms and enjoying the best possible quality of life. Recognizing the need for expert guidance in this endeavor, Mather Hospital has initiated a Palliative Medicine Program that focuses on maximizing the patient s physical and emotional comfort throughout the disease process. Alice Kolasa, DO and Phyllis Macchio, ANP founded the Palliative Medicine practice at Mather, expanding on the work of a long-standing committee. Working together in a consultative practice, they supplement the care provided by the patient s primary care physician and specialists. Patients utilizing their services may suffer from illnesses like cancer, emphysema, kidney failure, congestive heart failure, chronic liver disease and others. Palliative medicine helps patients achieve the best quality of life possible by managing symptoms, alleviating pain and working with the patient and their family to address psychological, cultural and/or spiritual issues. Obtaining a palliative medicine consultation does not mean giving up or choosing hospice care. A patient often will receive aggressive and curative treatment while receiving palliative care. We care for patients who have complex medical problems and multiple challenges including symptoms and adverse effects of treatments, and sometimes even social and spiritual concerns, said Kolasa, who is board certified in family medicine and palliative medicine. We support and educate the patient and their family regarding the disease process, managing their symptoms such as pain and anxiety, and assisting them with making decisions regarding their goals and treatments. An important aspect of the program is Phyllis Macchio, ANP (left) and Alice Kolasa, DO. advanced care planning. By starting palliative care as soon as possible, the team can help patients deal with the exhaustion, anxiety and depression that may occur with serious illnesses and their treatments. They can also help both the patient and his or her family cope with the stress brought on by a serious illness. Tina Stoebe, RN, BSN, CPON serves on the committee that helped develop Mather s Palliative Medicine Program along with other members from nursing, social work and other hospital departments. One of the important needs of patients and families who are coping with chronic illness is the guidance from experts who are able to discuss what to expect and how to manage complex decisions. This guidance takes time. The Mather team recognizes the need to spend the time necessary to answer patients and families questions about treatment options, disease symptoms and side effects of treatment. Our physician and nurse practitioner have the gift of time, said Stoebe. They help the patients know what they can expect and what can be done to help. By regularly meeting with the patient and family, Kolasa and Macchio have the opportunity to get to know their patients, which they both consider to be especially meaningful. It is a great privilege to come into someone s life at such an incredibly difficult time and bring them some level of comfort, said Macchio. To find out more about the Palliative Medicine Program at Mather Hospital, visit j Housecalls 5

6 Meet Maureen Name: Maureen Before & After Procedure: Gastric bypass June 2010 Why she made the decision to explore bariatric surgery: I had tried many other weight loss methods and I could never keep it off. I decided I needed to try gastric bypass. Although I had no medical issues, they were inevitably down the road. How it s changed her life: I have a lot more energy. I m a lot more confident and outgoing. I m able to partake in physical activities and enjoy them, such as exercising. I m more positive about living and enjoying life. The Mather difference: I had an amazing experience at Mather. Dr. Ahmad is amazing. His office is a fantastic team that feels like a family. They have a wonderful support system and I would recommend to everyone to go see him. I can t imagine having it done by anybody else. For more information about the Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence at Mather Hospital, call Mather Ranks as One of NYS s Safest Hospitals Patient safety is a top concern at Mather Hospital and a priority for all of our employees. That s why we were gratified to receive an A rating from a national group that advocates for safety, quality and affordability of healthcare. Mather was one of four Long Island hospitals and one of only 20 hospitals statewide to be given the top A rating for patient safety by the Leapfrog Group in June The group s first Hospital Safety Scorecard ranked 130 hospitals A across New York and assigned each a Hospital Safety Score of A, B, C, D, or F, reflecting how safe each hospital is for patients. The patient safety analysis was done by a nine-member panel of patient safety experts who selected 26 measures of publicly available hospital safety data. The complete rankings are available at: With the rating from The Leapfrog Group, Mather Hospital has once again been recognized for its excellent patient safety by an independent organization, and that is a credit to every Mather employee, said Mather Hospital President Kenneth Roberts. Mather promotes a culture of safety for our patients and strives to foster transparency and communication. This is the latest in a series of recognitions of Mather Hospital by organizations concerned with patient safety and quality care. Mather was one of only eight hospitals in New York State to be cited by The Joint Commission last year as a Top Performer in 2010 for sustained excellence in key quality measures. The four measures for which Mather achieved a performance threshold of 95 percent or above are heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical. Nationwide, only 405 hospitals were recognized out of almost 3,100 submitting accountability measure data to The Joint Commission. Mather Hospital was ranked among the region s best hospitals in 2012 by U.S. News & World Report. The hospitals were ranked according to criteria that included outcomes, reputation and quality in a wide range of specialties. Mather Hospital was ranked 28th out of 241 hospitals in New York State and was cited for high performance in gastroenterology, geriatrics and orthopedics. For two consecutive years, Mather was recognized as a top hospital on the Honor Roll of the Niagara Health Quality Coalition (NHQC), a group of employers, hospitals, insurers, and physicians in Western New York who work together to improve the quality and value of healthcare. To see how Mather performs, go to Hospital Compare at a consumer-oriented website that provides information on how well hospitals provide recommended care to their patients. j Pink Rock Supports the Uninsured The Great Rock Golf Club in Wading River will host the sixth annual Pink Rock Golf Classic on Thursday, October 11 to benefit the Fortunato Breast Health Center s Fund for Uninsured Women. The fund was established to provide access to state-of-the-art breast screenings and diagnostic procedures at Mather Hospital for women without health insurance. Pink Rock was co-founded by Jean Larsen of Stony Brook, a breast cancer survivor, and her friend, Walter Hurney. The 18-hole outing begins at 11:30 am with registration and lunch. The day includes a cocktail hour at 5 pm followed by a grand buffet dinner and awards ceremony at 6 pm. The fee is $275 per player or $1,000 per foursome. For grand buffet dinner and cocktails only, tickets are $125 per person. The rain date is October 17, Sponsors for the event are Harmony Vineyards, V. Garofalo & Sons Carting, Inc., and Mercedes- Benz of Smithtown. Other sponsorships and underwriting opportunities are available for those wishing to lend their support to the Fund for Uninsured Women at the Fortunato Breast Health Center. For information, call Laura Juliano, Public Affairs, Mather Hospital, at Visit the website at for information or to register. j 6 Housecalls

7 See Top Golfers at the Barclays PGA Event and Support Mather Golf fans can see some of the world s top professional golfers at the famed Bethpage Black course and at the same time help support Mather Hospital. The Barclays PGA event, which is expected to attract Bubba Watson, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy and other top pros, will be held at Bethpage Black August The Barclays has offered Mather the opportunity to benefit through the sale of Weekly Grounds Tickets with 75 percent of net proceeds going to Mather though the Tickets Fore Charity program. Tickets are $150 plus tax and fees and are transferable. Up to three children ages 18 and younger will be admitted free of charge with each ticketed adult. Tickets are for ground access only. To purchase tickets go to Once on the Ticketmaster site, enter the password BOGEY (all capital letters) in the box next to the ticket price. Tickets can be downloaded and printed at the time of purchase. For more information or to upgrade to 2012 Clubhouse, Daily and Weekly United Airlines Fairway Club Tickets, or for sponsorship opportunities, contact Terri Quinn in Public Affairs at or at tquinn@matherhospital.org. j FREE Diabetic Foot Care Seminar And a free pressure point screening Mather s Wound Treatment Center will host a free Diabetic Foot Care Seminar on Thursday, September 6 in Conference Rooms 3, 4 and 5 at Mather Hospital. 4pm Free Pressure Point Screening 5pm Diabetic Foot Care & Wound Prevention Seminar Gerard Furst, DPM, certified wound care specialist and board-certified foot and ankle surgeon Registration is free, but limited. To register call Leave your knee and hip pain behind. Find out how at a Free Joint Replacement Seminar Saturday, September 22, :30am - 11am Bellport Country Club 40 South Country Road, Bellport, NY Learn how advancements in minimally invasive surgical techniques can: Eliminate your knee and hip pain Minimize scarring Reduce recovery time Improve your life For more information or to register, call The 16th Annual 2012 Saturday, September 29, 2012 Mather Hospital A day to celebrate breast cancer survivors and those who support the fight. Special Guest Speakers LIRR Victory Train ª Survivors sharing their stories of strength and hope Registration required at or Victory Day is sponsored by the Mather-St. Charles Health Alliance and View the 2011 Breast Cancer Victory Day video at Housecalls 7

8 Win Your Choice of the Following: 2013 Fusion* Port Jefferson Station, NY Camry LE* Riverhead, NY 2-yr. Lease 2013 GMC Acadia** Riverhead, NY or $15,000 Ca$h! 2012 Yamaha Raider SCL* Bayshore, NY Road King Classic* Bellmore, NY *Win this model or a $20,000 voucher toward purchase of any NEW vehicle at Ramp Ford, Riverhead Toyota, Harley Davidson of Nassau County or Cross Bay Motor Sports. **Lease this model or a comparable for 2 years at Riverhead Buick GMC. 3 tickets for $50 8 tickets for $ tickets for $200 For tickets: or call Mather Hospital s Public Affairs Office License # Use cash, Visa, MC, AMEX or Discover to purchase tickets. Please make checks payable to JTM Foundation. Credit card orders may be placed by telephone, call or by fax or online at Drawing: Friday, December 28, 2012, 12 noon at Mather Hospital, Port Jefferson, NY. Winner need not be present to claim prize. Vehicles will be on display in front of Mather Hospital through December 1, Winner is responsible for all taxes and fees associated with the acceptance of the prize. In the event that less than 3,000 tickets are sold, the drawing becomes a 80%/20% drawing with the winner receiving 80% of the total dollar amount of actual tickets sold. Wheels or Fortune Raffle 3 tickets for $50 8 tickets for $ tickets for $200 Please Print Clearly Name Address City State Zip Phone ( ) Return to: Public Affairs Office, Mather Hospital, 75 North Country Road, Port Jefferson, NY Don t forget to include your so we can notify you of the winner s name! Method of Payment: o Check: Payable to JTM Foundation o Credit Card: o Visa o Mastercard o AMEX o Discover Cardholder s Name Account # Exp. / Amount: $ Fax Option for Credit Cards: Fax to: Mather Public Affairs Office Online Purchases: Raffle winner s name will be ed to you after 12/28/12