Contact:

Amy Massimo

Director, Public Affairs

(845) 348-2773

massimoa@nyackhospital.org

Nyack, NY – September 28, 2011 – Nyack Hospital is pleased to announce that 360 Corporate Benefit Advisors has named Nyack Hospital as a recipient of its prestigious Platinum Benefits Award for both the healthcare industry and businesses in the Northeast Region.  This award, based on an analysis of over 500 similar organizations in the Northeast, was given to Nyack Hospital as a result of its high scores and ratings for its medical plans and overall comprehensiveness of its healthcare offerings.

Caption:  Nyack Hospital proudly accepts the Platinum Benefits Award.  Shown left to right:

Mary Shinick, Vice President, Human Resources, Nyack Hospital; Melanie Roberts, Benefits Manager, Nyack Hospital; Paul Lambert, Principal, 360 Corporate Benefit Advisors; David Freed, DHS, President & CEO, Nyack Hospital; John Burke, Vice President, Finance, Nyack Hospital

One area of particular pride for Nyack Hospital is its Employee Benefit Plans.  Plans are designed to help our employees cope with many of the outside stresses that are often encountered in life.  The plans are comprehensive and are designed to help protect our employees and their families from the financial impact of healthcare related expenses, disabilities and retirement.

Contact:

Maureen Curran Kleinman

Marketing and Communications

(201) 291-6310

mcurran@valleyhealth.com

Ridgewood, NJ – September 28, 2011 – For young women diagnosed with cancer, or for healthy women who wish to postpone pregnancy, egg freezing can provide the peace of mind in knowing that when you are ready to start or expand your family, you will have your own healthy eggs available to you.

Egg freezing is a breakthrough technology that allows women to freeze and store their eggs until a pregnancy is desired, at which time the eggs are thawed, fertilized and transferred to the uterus as embryos. 

Preserving Hope after a Diagnosis of Cancer

It’s important to consider fertility as a factor for young women who have been diagnosed with cancer and other serious chronic conditions and diseases.  Sometimes the very treatments that save lives can render patients infertile. Valley’s Fertility Center offers egg freezing and embryo freezing to patients with a cancer diagnosis before chemotherapy or radiation begins.

“If a young woman receives a diagnosis of cancer, it is important to call your oncologist and Valley’s Fertility Center as soon as possible so that the cancer and fertility preservation treatments can be coordinated,” said Ali Nasseri, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Director of the Fertility Center.  “The fertility preservation treatment takes about two weeks and is usually fit in between the initial diagnosis and the cancer treatment.”

The Holy Name MS Center is pleased to hold its first MS Awards Dinner and Dance which will be held on Thursday, October 13 at the Rockleigh Country Club in Rockleigh, NJ.

Holy Name Medical Center is proud to present Larry Inserra, Jr. and Susan Zurndorfer with the Lawrence R. Inserra Leadership Award for their tireless efforts on behalf of the MS Center and the patients it serves.  This award is named after Larry Inserra’s late father, Lawrence R. Inserra, who inspired not just patients, families, and staff of the MS Center but the entire Holy Name community in his battle with the disease.

“It is our privilege to honor Larry Inserra, Jr. and Susan Zurndorfer at our inaugural MS Awards Dinner,” said Kevin P. McCarthy, Executive Director, Holy Name Health Care Foundation. “We recognize their steadfast commitment, support and leadership to the Holy Name MS Center. These two exceptional individuals have given tirelessly to all of the patients and families affected by multiple sclerosis.”

Multiple sclerosis strikes individuals most often in the prime of their life – between the ages of 15 and 40. It is estimated that 400,000 people in the United States live with this debilitating disease, with a new diagnosis every hour. The effects of MS challenge people in unique ways and reverberate through families, friends and communities.

The MS Center at Holy Name Medical Center has been confronting this disease head-on since 1985.  For more than 25 years, the MS Center has become a beacon of hope providing individualized care for MS patients and their families at Holy Name; investigating modalities that modify the disease; helping to reduce symptoms; improving overall function; preventing progression; and promoting independence. Holy Name’s MS Center is the only nonprofit center in Bergen County offering this level of service and expertise.

To purchase tickets, reserve a table, or become a sponsor of the MS Awards Dinner, please contact the Holy Name Health Care Foundation at 201-833-3000 ext. 3899, email: futterman@holyname.org, or visit: www.holyname.org.  All proceeds from this event will go towards patient care and research at Holy Name’s MS Center.

Contacts:

Mary Creagh

Director of Public Relations

Helen Hayes Hospital   845.786.4223

Amy Massimo

Director of Public Affairs

Nyack Hospital   845.348.2773

Nyack Hospital Foundation and Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation are pleased to announce their second annual collaboration, to take place on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at the Comfort Inn in Nanuet, New York.  EmpowHERing Women -  A Women’s Health and Wellness Symposium will once again bring both hospitals together with the goal of educating the community on important women’s health issues.  

The evening will start off with a panel discussion led by five health experts:  Felicia Cosman, M.D., Medical Director, Clinical Research Center, Helen Hayes Hospital; Shari Siegel-Goldman, M.D. Director of Breast Imaging, The Breast Center at Nyack Hospital; Patricia Joseph, M.D., FACS, Director of Breast and Women’s Health Prevention Services, Nyack Hospital; Marjorie King, M.D., Director of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, Helen Hayes Hospital, and Jeri Nieves, Ph.D., Nutritional Epidemiologist, Clinical Research Center, Helen Hayes Hospital.  Each panelist is a noted expert in their field and the program offers a unique opportunity for participants to learn about the latest prevention, diagnostic and treatment approaches to major women’s health concerns, including osteoporosis, breast and cardiac health. The panel allow time for a question and answer period.

A unique shopping boutique will open for attendees to purchase a variety of fashionable items and raffle prizes, proceeds of which also benefited both hospitals, during an open dinner and cocktails buffet at which guests can mingle, shop, and share notes on what they have learned at the evening’s panel.

Contact:

Nicole Russell

Public Relations Coordinator

(201) 833-3284

n-russell@mail.holyname.org

Teaneck, NJ – September 15, 2011 – Holy Name Medical Center (HNMC) has been named one of the nation’s top performers for attaining and sustaining excellence in key quality measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in the United States.   The Joint Commission’s recognition of Holy Name is based on data reported in 2010 regarding evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to improve care for certain medical conditions.  The areas for which the Medical Center received top scores are heart attack, pneumonia, and surgical care.

Holy Name is one of only 405 U.S. hospitals earning the distinction of Top Performer on Key Quality Measures during 2010. It is one of only 12 hospitals in the state and the only hospital in Bergen County to be so recognized.

To be recognized as a top performer, a hospital must meet or exceed 95 percent performance thresholds for its composite performance on all reported accountability measures, as well as its performance on every single accountability measure for which it reports data to The Joint Commission.

Contact:

Amy Massimo

Director, Public Affairs

(845) 348-2773

massimoa@nyackhospital.org

Nyack, NY – September 14, 2011 – Nyack Hospital today was named one of the nation’s top performers on key quality measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America. Nyack Hospital was recognized by The Joint Commission based on data reported about evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to improve care for certain conditions, including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care and children’s asthma.

Nyack Hospital is one of only 405 U.S. hospitals and critical access hospitals earning the distinction of top performer on key quality measures for attaining and sustaining excellence in accountability measure performance. Inclusion on the list is based on an aggregation of accountability measure data reported to The Joint Commission during the previous calendar year. For example, this first recognition program is based on data that were reported for 2010. 

To be recognized as a top performer on key quality measures an organization must meet two 95 percent performance thresholds. First they must achieve a composite performance of 95 percent or above after the results of all the accountability measures for which they report data to The Joint Commission were factored into a single score, including measures that had less than 30 eligible cases or patients. Second, they must meet or exceed a 95 percent performance target for every single accountability measure for which they report data, excluding any measures with less than 30 eligible cases or patients.

Nyack Hospital was recognized for achieving these thresholds for Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Pneumonia, and Surgical Care.

“Today, the public expects transparency in the reporting of performance at the hospitals where they receive care, and The Joint Commission is shining a light on the top performing hospitals such as Nyack Hospital that have achieved excellence on a number of vital measures of quality of care,” says Mark R. Chassin, M.D., FACP, M.P.P., M.P.H., president, The Joint Commission.

 “We understand that what matters most to patients at Nyack Hospital - safe, effective care. That’s why Nyack Hospital has made a commitment to accreditation and to positive patient outcomes through evidence-based care processes. Nyack Hospital is proud to be named to the list of The Joint Commission’s Top Performers on Key Quality Measures,” says Nyack Hospital President & CEO David H. Freed, D.H.A.

Nyack Hospital will be recognized on The Joint Commission’s Quality Check website (www.qualitycheck.org).

Nyack Hospital is a 375-bed community acute care medical and surgical hospital located in Rockland County, NY.  Founded in 1895, it is a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System. For additional information, please visit our web site at www.nyackhospital.org.

Contact:

Amy Massimo

Director, Public Affairs

(845) 348-2773

massimoa@nyackhospital.org

Nyack, NY – September 14, 2011 – Nyack Hospital and the Montessori Center of Nyack are proud to announce the launch the Judith H. Trust Early Childhood Partnership.  This partnership was developed to offer award-winning Pre-K and Kindergarten programs to the children of Nyack Hospital employees at a special discounted rate.

Mary K. Shinick, Vice President, Human Resources, noted that many employees of Nyack Hospital are working parents with young children.  She stated, “This allows our employees the benefit of The Montessori Center’s flexible hours, quality education, certified staff and national accreditation.”

Caption:

Shown, left to right, are: David H. Freed, DHA, President & CEO, Nyack Hospital; Dorothy Goren, Administrator of The Montessori Center of Nyack and its affiliate The River School; Harriet Teplitzky, Curriculum Coordinator, The Montessori Center of Nyack and its affiliate The River School; William H. Trust, Chair, Nyack Hospital Board of Trustees

The Partnership was named after Judith H. Trust, a well-known Rockland County teacher who passed away in 2008. Judith was dedicated to the education and development of children in the community. She was the wife of Nyack Hospital Board Chair William Trust. 

“We are delighted with the development of this partnership, and are so pleased to honor Judy in this special way,” stated Dorothy Goren, Administrator of The Montessori Center of Nyack and its affiliate The River School. 

For further information about the Judith H. Trust Early Childhood Partnership, please contact the Human Resources Department at Nyack Hospital at 845.348.2155. 

Nyack Hospital is a 375-bed community acute care medical and surgical hospital located in Rockland County, NY.  Founded in 1895, it is a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System. Please visit our web site at www.nyackhospital.org.

Contact:

Sonia Nayak

Public Affairs

(718) 780-5367

sdn9002@nyp.org

Brooklyn, NY – September 14, 2011 – New York Methodist Hospital's Center for Allied Health Education recently held a joint graduation ceremony for students in five of its schools. The Honorable Michael Nelson (photo above, at right), New York City Council Member for District 48, where the Center for Allied Health Education is located, was the guest speaker. The schools in the ceremony included the Bartone School of Radiography, the NYM School of Radiation Therapy, the NYM School of Clinical Laboratory Science, the NYM School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, and the EMS Institute. A total of 145 graduates received diplomas.

­Caption: Nicole Marie Cook, valedictorian of NYM's School of Clinical Laboratory Science, with Albert Packard, MS, MT, program director of the School of Clinical Laboratory Science.      

"You have made a wise choice in pursuing a career in health care and in choosing to receive your training at the New York Methodist Hospital’s Center for Allied Health Education," said Council Member Nelson. "Health care is much more than a job. It is one of the most rewarding careers, where you really make a critical difference." Other speakers at the ceremony included Jerry Rozenberg, director of the Center and Lyn S. Hill, vice president for communication and external affairs at NYM.

Contact:

Maureen Curran Kleinman

Marketing and Communications

(201) 291-6310

mcurran@valleyhealth.com

Ridgewood, NJ – September 13, 2011 – The Valley Hospital has received the 2011 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Performance Achievement Award.  The award recognizes Valley’s commitment and success in implementing excellent care for stroke patients, according to evidence-based guidelines.

To receive the award, The Valley Hospital achieved of 85 percent or higher adherence to all Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Performance Achievement indicators for two or more consecutive 12-month intervals and achieved 75 percent or higher compliance with six of 10 Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality Measures, which are reporting initiatives to measure quality of care. 

These measures include aggressive use of medications, such as tPA, antithrombotics, anticoagulation therapy, DVT prophylaxis, cholesterol reducing drugs and smoking cessation, all aimed at reducing death and disability and improving the lives of stroke patients.

Contact:

Maureen Curran Kleinman

Marketing and Communications

(201) 291-6310

mcurran@valleyhealth.com

Ridgewood, NJ – September 13, 2011 – Cardiothoracic surgeons at The Valley Hospital earned a top rating in a report published in the September issue of Consumer Reports.

In a cover story comparing heart surgeons across the nation, The Valley Columbia Heart Center, part of the Valley Heart and Vascular Institute, was one of only two groups in New Jersey – and the only one in Bergen County -- to receive a three-star rating for quality and clinical excellence in heart surgery.

The Consumer Reports rating is based on data from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) national database. The STS National Adult Cardiac Surgery Database includes more than 4 million surgical records and covers roughly 90 percent of the more than 1,000 surgical groups in the U.S. that perform cardiac surgery, making it the largest such registry in the world.

Contact:

Cynthia Bacon

Public Affairs and Marketing

(718) 670-2515

crm9002@nyp.org

Flushing, NY – September 9, 2011 – Thomas B. Evans has been appointed as vice president, Physician Business Development at New York Hospital Queens.  Reporting to Stephen Rimar, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer, Evans now oversees the hospital’s clinical integration strategy.

Clinical integration—also known as physician integration—is the alignment of the hospital with physicians practicing in the community for the good of our mutual patients. The expectation is that better coordination will improve patient outcomes and community health.

Evans comes to New York Hospital Queens from the North Shore – LIJ Health System, where he served as Vice President, Physician and Ambulatory Network Services. Prior to that, Evans worked for Continuum Health Partners, Inc. as the vice president for Medical Enterprise. He has also held several positions within the Beth Israel Medical Group – Physician Professional Services, Boston, MA.

“Evans joins New York Hospital Queens with 15 years leadership experience in administrative and financial management for medical groups, hospitals and health care systems,” said Dr. Rimar. “Based on his track record, he has proven that he can develop the strategies that will help us strengthen our hospital’s relationship with our physicians and improve the quality of care and scope of services for our community.”

Evans earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science at American International College, Springfield, MA.

New York Hospital Queens is a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System and is an affiliate of Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

Contact:

Nicole Russell

Public Relations Coordinator

(201) 833-3284

n-russell@mail.holyname.org

Teaneck, NJ – September 8, 2011 – Marcelo E. Lancman, MD, neurologist on staff at Holy Name Medical Center and Medical Director of the Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group, was recently appointed by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to the New Jersey Epilepsy Task Force.  Established by legislation in 2010, the task force was formed to develop recommendations to educate the public and healthcare professionals about epilepsy and treatments as well as to address psychosocial issues, such as depression, discrimination and stigmatization.  Dr. Lancman will be the only adult epileptologist serving on the task force.

Dr. Lancman and the Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group will receive the 2011 Distinguished Service Award of the Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey (EFNJ) at the Foundation’s Annual Award Ceremony on September 27. The award will be presented in recognition of the group’s important partnership with the EFNJ on a recently concluded epilepsy conference series, longtime participation in EFNJ events and advocacy for individuals with epilepsy.

Eric Joice, Executive Director of the EFNJ and The Family Resource Network, expressed the Foundation’s pleasure in recognizing Dr. Lancman “as a champion for people with epilepsy and their families.”

Holy Name Medical Center

Holy Name Medical Center is a fully accredited, not-for-profit healthcare facility based in Teaneck, New Jersey, with off-site locations throughout Bergen County.  Founded and sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace in 1925, the comprehensive 361-bed medical center offers leading-edge medical practice and technology administered in an environment rooted in a tradition of compassion and respect for every patient. Holy Name provides high quality health care across a continuum that encompasses education, prevention, early intervention, comprehensive treatment options, rehabilitation and wellness maintenance—from pre-conception through end-of-life. Affiliation with the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System brings an added dimension to care, in the form of increased access to clinical trials, highly specialized physicians, and expanded opportunities for professional medical education.

Contact:

Maureen Curran Kleinman

Marketing and Communications

(201) 291-6310

mcurran@valleyhealth.com

Ridgewood, NJ – September 8, 2011 – Enveloped by soothing warm water, Malorie Pastor’s labor pains were eased as she soaked in The Valley Hospital’s new hydrotherapy tub for expectant mothers. During the one hour that she was in the tub, Malorie says the water relaxed her muscles, allowed her contractions to perform their job, and helped give her the confidence to deliver baby Luci on July 7 without epidural pain medication or other analgesia.

“Having the option of laboring in the tub was an appealing component of Valley’s Holistic Birth Program, which is something my husband, Joseph, and I sought out for the birth of our first baby,” says Malorie, 26.

The Clifton couple was the first to use Valley’s new Aqua-Eez™ hydrotherapy tub, which is the only one in a Bergen County hospital or childbirth facility. Babies are not delivered in the tub; it is for the Mom’s relaxation only.

Dear Colleagues:

As Queens continues to clean up the water and tree damage from Hurricane Irene, we think back to a few weeks ago as we prepared for the worst. We were fortunate that the hurricane’s wind and flooding spared our hospital. I want to thank the employees, medical staff and volunteers, who spent additional time at the hospital to ensure that our patients and visitors were safe, well-informed and had a positive experience even under strenuous conditions.

Reflecting back on the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, and tragic events that occurred on 9/11, we can’t help but be reminded of how vulnerable we are.

Since that fateful day of September 11 ten years ago—many things have improved. City, state and federal agencies have aligned with hospitals in establishing a better communication structure and coherent emergency preparedness plans. We perform interagency drills and continually train to deal with catastrophic events whether caused by nature or man.

However, the harsh reality is that should a catastrophe or lethal pandemic occur, hospitals are the first place people come for emergency care. There are 2.5 million people residing in this borough. Queens is the home to two major airports, and two sports stadiums, which at any given time holds tens of thousands of people. In Queens, there are 10 hospitals, which have a total of 2,300 acute care beds. Accessibility to Manhattan and its resources require people and cars to cross a river.

As the economy declines, hospitals and health care facilities are forced to cut costs. And, as we have seen in Queens over the past several years, four hospitals have had to shut their doors.

The unfortunate truth is that as a borough, Queens cannot handle a deadly pandemic or major catastrophic event—effectively.

Our ability to respond to a disaster is commensurate with adequate funding for preparedness, intensive care facilities and trauma facilities, as well as having the ability to hire more highly trained personnel for trauma and critical care— physicians and nurses.

That is why we continue to urge our elected officials to continue investing in our medical system so that we can handle a potential surge of patients. Having surge capacity, or the ability to manage a sudden or rapidly progressive influx of patients in response to a large scale incident, is synonymous with being prepared. Being prepared is something that we can't afford not to do.

Sincerely,

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

Contact:

Amy Pietzak
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
amp9049@nyp.org
(212) 305-5587

New York, NY  – Sept. 7, 2011 – Patients at a high risk for a second stroke who received intensive medical treatment had fewer strokes and deaths than patients who received a brain stent in addition to the medical treatment, a large nationwide clinical trial has shown. The investigators published the results in today's online first edition of the New England Journal of Medicine. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health, funded the trial.

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and its two academic affiliates -- Columbia University Medical Center and Weill Cornell Medical College -- were part of the Stenting vs. Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Stenosis (SAMMPRIS) trial. In total, 50 medical centers participated, led by the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

According to the study authors, the SAMMPRIS results have immediate implications for clinical practice. Stroke patients with recent symptoms and intracranial arterial blockage of 70 percent or greater should be treated with aggressive medical therapy alone that follows the regimen used in this trial as closely as possible.

Contact:

Anthony Ercolano

Special Projects

(212) 801-1702

anthony.ercolano@downtownhospital.org

Reflection from Jeff Menkes, President and CEO

On 9/11, New York Downtown Hospital took part in the largest, single-hospital disaster response in American history, accomplishing the nearly unbelievable feat of treating 175 patients an hour – 35 times more patients than usual – for a total of more than 1,500 patients, including 269 firefighters, police, and rescue workers, in spite of having lost electricity, steam, gas, phone, and computer services.  In addition, the Hospital delivered food, water and hundreds of medical prescriptions to stranded residents and served free meals to almost 10,000 rescue workers, national guardsmen, police, and firefighters, in just that one week alone. Yet, because Downtown Hospital was cut off from the news media, the tremendous service that the Hospital staff rendered on that terrible day, in the face of danger, fear, and uncertainty, has never been fully acknowledged.  Indeed, the members of this small community hospital are not just survivors – they are unsung heroes of 9/11.

Contact:

Nicole Russell

Public Relations Coordinator

(201) 833-3284

n-russell@mail.holyname.org

Teaneck, NJ – September 1, 2011 – The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) recently conferred a gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence on the Intensive Care Unit at Holy Name Medical Center, and a silver-level Beacon Award on Holy Name’s Telemetry Unit, One North.  The Beacon designation applies to the three-year period of 2011 through 2014.

The Beacon Award for Excellence is acknowledged by nursing professionals as a significant milestone on the path to exceptional care, safety and satisfaction of patients, families and caregivers.  Units that achieve this three-year, three-level award with gold, silver and bronze designations meet national criteria consistent with Magnet Recognition and the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Holy Name Medical Center is a Magnet-recognized hospital.