Strong Young Mothers Make Strides with Unity's - Unity Health System

Fall Spring 2011 2011 

inUnison 

News for the friends of Unity Health Foundation 

PLUS: 

The August Family pledges 

$1 Million to the Charles J. August 

Joint Replacement Center 

The Latest Look at Unity 

Hospital’s Expansion Plans 

Inside this edition: 

Strong Young Mothers 

Make Strides with Unity’s 

“Project Independence” 

Successful Golf Tournaments 

Provide Much-Needed Support to 

Community Programs

Letter from the Foundation Chairman and President 

Leon T. Sawyko 

Chairman, Philanthropy 

Committee 

Timothy J.Balconi 

President, 

Unity Health Foundation 

AS WE ENTER THE 4th QUARTER OF 2011, it is 

apparent this has been a successful year at the Unity 

Health Foundation. Our $159 million Modernization 

& Expansion Project at Unity Hospital is the largest 

of its type currently underway in Monroe County, and 

we are proud to announce we have made significant 

progress on our goal, raising over $12.7 million so far. 

This notable achievement has been made possible 

thanks to our many supporters, including the recent 

$1 million pledge by the families of Burt and Charles 

August, which will be used to create the new Charles 

J. August Joint Replacement Center. We are also 

pleased to announce that long-time supporter and 

former Board Member Gordon Belshaw and his wife, 

Betty, made a $100,000 contribution to the Wound 

Care Center located at Unity at Ridgeway. With 

the continued support of our many friends and 

benefactors, we are sure to reach our goals for 

this project. 

We have achieved much this year, and we gratefully 

and proudly look back on the purchase of our new 

Mobile Medical Unit, which provides quality health 

care to Rochester’s homeless population. This 

accomplishment was made possible in large part 

through funds raised at the Unity Gala. We are also 

proud to announce the tremendous success of the 

2011 Ralph P. DeStephano Memorial Golf Classic, 

which raised a record-breaking $160,000 for Unity’s 

many programs and services. 

Thank you for your continued generosity. Each year 

more individuals across our community are choosing 

to support Unity and its daily goal of providing health 

care the way it should be. We sincerely hope you 

will once again participate in our 2012 Annual Appeal. 

This year, we would like to ask a special favor from 

our supporters: that each individual considers moving 

up one giving level. Your contributions are changing 

lives every day, and together we are accomplishing 

marvelous things for Unity Health System and our 

community. This success is made possible by your 

continuing support and boundless generosity. 

To make a gift or request 

information, please visit 

unityhealth.org/foundation, 

call 585-723-7050, or email 

foundation@unityhealth.org 

UNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION 

2011 Board of Directors 

OFFICERS: 

Michael R. Nuccitelli, Chairman 

Warren Hern, Unity Health System 

President and CEO 

Timothy J. Balconi, Unity Health 

Foundation President 

Steven B. Sauer, Vice Chair 

Leon T. Sawyko, Vice Chair 

Jeffrey C. Mapstone, Treasurer 

William A. Neilson, Secretary 

BOARD MEMBERS: 

Robert Agostinelli, M.D. 

Andrew August 

Jack Baron 

Nancy S. Ferris, Ph.D. 

Karen M. Gallina 

Michael J. Graney, M.D. 

Fred Holbrook 

Tarun Kothari, M.D. 

Richard Machemer, Jr., Ph.D. 

Michael O. Maier 

Jagat S. Mehta, M.D. 

Dana Miller 

Nagendra Nadaraja, M.D. 

Robert Oppenheimer 

Elizabeth Patton, Ph.D. 

Thomas P. Riley 

Fred E. Strauss 

Scott M. Turner 

Thank you.

“Laurie is someone who truly cares 

about the people she is working 

with and she goes above and 

beyond to help her clients. It is very 

rare to find someone with a genuine 

passion to help people. We could 

not thank her enough for all she has 

done for us. We feel truly 

blessed to have had the 

opportunity to work with her.” 

- Christopher & Gia, Greece, N.Y. 

Laurie Adjivon, facilitated enroller in the Patient Financial Services department, has worked for Unity Health System for five years. 

{ 

People above everything else, by treating each other and 

those we serve with compassion, dignity, and respect. 

This inUnison is dedicated Excellence by acting with integrity and striving for the 

to our Core Values and those 

highest quality and service. 

in our Unity Family who Learning by sponsoring and participating in educational 

embody them. opportunities that foster personal and professional growth, 

and the development of future health professionals. 

Results by meeting the expectations of the people we 

serve and the expectations we set for ourselves. 

Unity Health Foundation | (585)723-7050 | unityhealth.org/foundation | PAGE 2

In the news | Highlights 

How health care should be 

features: 

in Unison | HIGHLIGHTS 

October 2011 

Donor Dollars in Action 

Mobile Medical Unit Drives Patient 

Care to Next Level 4 

Belshaws Make $100,000 Gift to 

Wound Care Center 5 

DeStephano Classic Sinks an Ace 

for Good Cause 6 

Crane Tournament Raises Cash 

for Cancer 7 

Pavone Tournament Proceeds 

Support Community Youth 8 

In Focus 

Strong Young Mothers Make 

Strides with Unity’s 


In the News 

13-14 

Modernization & Expansion Update 9 

2012 Annual Appeal 10 

August Family Pledges $1 Million 

to Charles J. August Joint 

Replacement Center 11 


Celebrates 10th Anniversary 12 

Strong Young Mothers Make Strides 

with Unity’s “Project Independence” 

Healthy Start participants gain the education and 

experience they need to reach their goals. (pg. 13) 

The August Family pledges $1 Million 

to the Charles J. August Joint 

Replacement Center 

Unity’s Joint Replacement team is the largest and most 

experienced in the area. (pg. 12) 

Successful Golf Tournaments Provide 

Much-Needed Support to Community 

Programs 

Ralph P. DeStephano Memorial Golf Classic (pg. 6) 

Thomas I. Crane and Marlene M. Crane Memorial 

Golf Tournament (pg. 7) 

Joseph P. Pavone, Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament (pg. 8) 

What’s happening this Fall? 

Check out our Community Calendar for upcoming 

events! (pg. 18) 

In Memoriam 16 

Community Calendar 18 


Donor dollars in action | Mobile Medical Unit 


The New Mobile Medical Unit Drives 

Patient Care to the Next Level 

On September 8, 

members from 

across the community 

welcomed 

the arrival of Unity’s new Mobile 

Medical Unit (MMU) at the Unity St. 

Mary’s Campus. The Unit travels 

throughout the city, stopping at 

shelters, parks, churches, and soup 

kitchens - where the team provides 

medical care to the homeless. 

“There are an estimated 8,000 homeless men, women, and 

children in our area,” said Michael Nazar, M.D., vice president 

of Primary Care and Community Outreach at Unity Health 

System. “Our old Unit was out of date and in disrepair, but 

thanks to our generous community, over $208,000 was raised 

at the Unity Health System Gala for the purchase of our new 

one so that we can continue providing dignified and respectful 

care to those in need.” 

The only one of its kind in upstate New York, the new MMU is 

outfitted with dental equipment, which enables a dentist 

and dental hygienist to now travel with the team. The array of 

services the staff is able to provide has also increased. Thanks 

to the generosity of the Joseph C. and Marie C. Wilson 

Foundation, a glucose testing system, among other items, was 

purchased allowing providers to check diabetic clients’ blood 

sugar management on the spot. “We have also added to our 

case management team,” said Carlos Swanger, M.D. medical 

director of the HealthReach program. “Most of our clients have 

concerns in addition to their immediate health issues. They 

need meals, a place to sleep, a way to provide for their children. 

Our program is so unique because we go beyond basic medical 

care: we help people get back on their feet, whether it’s helping 

them with employment, education, or housing. We’re offering 

something more than just clinical care—we’re offering hope.” 

To learn more about Unity’s community outreach programs, 

please visit unityhealth.org/community. 

L to R: Warren Hern, Sylvia Millard, Janet Charles, 

Thelma Rohde, Alice Stout, Alice Knittel, Debra 

Calabrese, Tim Balconi, and Barbara Brownlee. 

Did You 

Know... 

In the last 11 months, the 

HealthReach program has provided 

nearly $20,000 in medication 

assistance for over 200 individuals. 

Chuck Albanese, director of Community Services, explains new MMU 

features to tour guest. 


Donor dollars in action | Wound Care Center 


“We follow our patients weekly 

to monitor wound healing and make 

adjustments based on the progress. 

For wounds that do not respond to 

treatment, we have the option 

of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. 

This, in itself, makes our Center 

unique to the Rochester area,“ 

Sharon Gavenda, 

clinical nurse manager at Unity’s 

Wound Care Center 

Betty and Gordon Belshaw Make 

$100,000 Gift to Wound Care 

Center at Unity 

Chronic wounds affect 6.5 million patients a year in the United 

States. The Wound Care Center at Unity treats hard-to-heal 

wounds, such as ulcers, skin infections, or burns, and works to keep 

them from coming back. “I had a series of six surgeries that landed 

me in the hospital for three and a half months,” said Regina, “My 

wound was not healing.” 

She came to the Wound Care Center for treatment and met with 

a clinical team to determine the best treatment plan. “I wasn’t sure 

what to expect,” she said, “But everyone was very encouraging, 

helpful, and personable.” Our staff teaches each patient how to 

care for their wound and protect themselves from further injury. 

“I have been receiving treatment for about a month now and my 

experiences have all been very positive. My wound is improving 

and I have been able to return to work.” 

Gordon and Betty Belshaw have been steadfast supporters of Unity 

for the last 35 years; Gordon served on the Health System Board 

for over 10 years. “I’ve always followed the management and vision 

of Unity very closely—and still do,” said Gordon. “I admire the 

accomplishments of Unity. The leaders have always been futurefocused 

but very aware of the current state of affairs. We respect 

and fully support the type of care the System is providing.” 

To learn more about the Wound Care Center at Unity, please visit 

unityhealth.org. 

Greece Rotary Gives 

$50,000 in Support of 

Helipad at Unity Hospital 

The Greece Rotary Club gave $50,000 for 

the construction of a helipad located in 

front of Unity Hospital’s Surgical Center. 

The helipad project was spearheaded and 

generously supported by Charles R. Frear, 

a former Unity Board Member and Mercy 

Flight Central Board Member. Once the 

project is completed in 2012, Mercy Flight 

helicopters will be able to transport 

patients suffering from a stroke, cardiac 

distress, or other life-threatening illnesses 

to the Hospital. 

As a New York State Department of 

Health Designated Stroke Center, Unity 

Hospital meets the standards of the 

National Stroke Association and the Joint 

Commission for assessing and managing 

the needs of stroke patients. The new 

helipad will allow us to treat patients with 

these critical conditions more quickly—in 

situations when every second counts. 


Foundation News 

Donor dollars in action | DeStephano Classic 


Kate Bruni, manager, Operations & Events 

The Foundation is pleased to announce 

the promotion of Kate Bruni to 

manager of Operations and Events. 

Kate celebrated her five year 

anniversary at Unity in July. She is a 

graduate of the Unity LEAD program 

as well as Leadership Greece. A former 

student of the Eastman School of 

Music, Kate has spent many years dedicated 

to community theater and education 

throughout Rochester. She is 

involved in “Project Linus,” an organization 

of volunteers committed to providing 

blankets to children who are 

seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise 

in need. 

Megan Ball, development officer 

The Foundation also welcomed Megan 

Ball to its team in April. Megan has 

worked in development for six years, 

she holds a B.A. in Communication 

and a M.A. in Higher Education 

Administration from the University of 

Buffalo. As development officer, she 

will be working with donors to match 

their philanthropic interests with 

Unity’s needs. 

L to R: Jim Pavone, Warren Hern, Tarak Bolt, Kate Bruni 

DeStephano Memorial Golf 

Classic Sinks an Ace for a 

Good Cause 

Over 400 golfers came out to 

support the 32nd annual Ralph P. 

DeStephano Memorial Golf Classic on 

September 12. A record-breaking 

$160,000 was raised in support of 

Unity’s many programs and services, 

including: women’s health, diabetes 

care, chemical dependency, child care, 

and emergency services. “We have 

come together to support a wonderful 

cause,” said Jim Pavone, co-chair of the 

Tournament, “Unity’s mission is a powerful 

one, and we are lucky to have so 

many people across our community to 

support that mission.” 

This year’s dinner also featured “The 

Roast of Steve Hausmann.” Guest 

presenters included his wife, Julie, and 

co-hosts of WBEE’s “Breakfast Buzz” 

morning show, Terry Clifford and 

Jeremy Newman. The trio joined the 

golf committee in celebrating Steve’s 

22 years of serving as the Master of 

Ceremonies’ for the Tournament. 

“Although he has given his time over 

many years, don’t feel too bad for him,” 

laughed Jeremy, “Steve gets to golf 

for free!” 

Over the last 32 years, the 

DeStephano Classic has 

raised nearly $2.5 million to 

support Unity’s mission to 

make a positive difference in 

the health and well-being of 

those we serve! 

If you’d like to learn more or to see 

photos from the event, please visit 

unityhealth.org/golf. 

t 


Donor dollars in action | Crane Tournament 


Margaret, and her late husband, 

Frank LaPorta 

VOLUNTEER PROFILE: 

Margaret LaPorta 

L to R: Mary Fran Kolbuc, R.N., Timothy Woodlock, M.D., Colleen and Mark Crane, 

Tim Balconi 

Crane Memorial Golf Tournament 

Raises Cash for Cancer 

The Crane family hosted their 

17th annual Thomas I. Crane and 

Marlene M. Crane Memorial Golf 

Tournament at Victor Hills Golf 

Club on August 16. Over 240 

golfers came to support the 

event, which raised $16,300. The 

proceeds directly assist patients 

who are in need of prescription 

assistance for oncology medications 

or require transportation to or 

from the Unity St. Mary’s Campus 

for their treatments at Unity’s 

Oncology department. 

“Our proceeds directly support 

medication costs because it is so 

important that everyone has access 

to the proper cancer treatments, 

regardless of income,” explained 

Mark Crane, the Tournament’s 

founder. The Crane family also 

sponsors Unity’s annual Cancer 

Survivors Picnic. “We really want to 

keep up cancer awareness in the 

community,” he said. 

The tournament is named in honor 

of Mark’s father, Thomas, who was 

treated for colon cancer at the 

Unity St. Mary’s Campus. “We 

didn’t know a lot about cancer at 

the time, so we were learning as we 

were going through everything. 

Dr. Tim Woodlock and Mary Fran 

Kolbuc, the mana ger of Outpatient 

Oncology, were absolutely wonderful.” 

Since 1996, the Crane 

family has raised 

nearly $275,000 for Unity. 

At 89 years young, Margaret LaPorta just 

received her 1,000 hour volunteer pin for 

her work in the Oncology department at 

the Unity St. Mary’s Campus. She first 

became involved with the program when 

her late husband, Frank, was diagnosed 

with cancer. “At the time, he was given 

six months to live, but because of the 

wonderful care provided at Unity’s St. 

Mary’s Oncology department, Frank was 

treated on and off for the next 12 years!” 

After her husband passed away, Margaret 

began volunteering. “I want to help the 

patients, make them feel comfortable, be 

there when they need something. And 

volunteering helps me, too. When I don’t 

feel good and I spend time helping 

patients, at the end of the day it makes me 

feel better just knowing I helped others.” 

“I choose to volunteer at Unity because 

they’re the best—they make everyone 

feel special. When I had open heart 

surgery and Frank was still getting treatments, 

the staff made arrangements to get 

him back and forth to the Hospital for his 

treatments. They really treated us like we 

were part of their family and that says 

something about the kind of care Unity 

offers.” 

To learn more about Unity’s compassionate 

cancer care, please visit unityhealth.org. 


Donor dollars in action | Pavone Tournament 


Joseph P. Pavone, Jr. 

Memorial Golf Tournament Supports 

Community Youth 

On August 15, the Pavone family hosted the 

17th annual Joseph P. Pavone, Jr. Memorial Invitational 

Golf Tournament at Shadow Pines Golf Club. 

Each year, the Pavone family donates 

proceeds to different programs within Unity. 

This year, they chose Healthy Start and the 

Adolescent Community Residence’s new 

music therapy program. “Encouraging each 

other and making a commitment to educate 

and strengthen our community is a worthy 

endeavor,” said Jim Pavone, “Music is a fine art 

that has allowed generation upon generation 

to express their pain, suffering, defeats, and 

triumphs that life can give us.” 

Unity’s Adolescent Community Residence 

recently launched the new music therapy 

program, which is based around the Theory 

of Multiple Intelligences, an educational 

approach that helps young adults learn, 

discover, and express themselves through 

their natural aptitudes and abilities—including 

musical learning. The program teaches 

residents how to analyze, compose, and 

perform musical pieces. “All of the residents 

have an opportunity to participate in this new 

approach to self-expression and recoverybuilding. 

The early results have been remark- 

able,” says Tom Labue, manager of Behavioral 

Health. Thanks to the Pavone family, the 

program will be receiving new instruments, 

music sheets, and music stands. 

Proceeds from the Tournament also were 

directed to the Healthy Start Program for 

cooking and healthy nutrition classes, basic 

supplies for new mothers enrolled in classes, 

and the “build a diaper bag” incentive, a 

project designed to help boost retention in 

the “Healthy Pregnancy Class.” In this eight 

week prenatal course, expectant mothers 

receive one item each class; by the end, they 

have a diaper bag filled with diapers, baby 

wash, blankets, sleepers, hats, spoons, bibs, 

onesies, rattles, teething rings, and sleep 

sacks. “Any service that can be utilized to 

aid in the healing process of anyone is 

wonderful,” said Jim. 

To learn more about the Healthy Start 

Program or Unity’s Adolescent Community 

Residence please visit unityhealth.org. 

“Research has proven that 

young people who are 

invested in music have stronger 

academic performance and 

success rates than those who 

lack the opportunity. The music 

program at Unity’s Adolescent 

Community Residence has the 

potential to continue developing 

in important ways that unify 

the community of residents 

and help them experience 

self-worth.” 

- Tom Labue, Manager, 

Unity Behavioral Health 


In the news | Hospital Expansion Update 


Modernization & Expansion Project Update 

Nearly half-way through our four-year Modernization 

& Expansion Project at Unity Hospital, we are happy 

to announce that we have raised over $12.7 million 

towards our $20 million campaign goal. If you would 

like to support this project or learn more about our 

Building Better Care initiative, please visit 

unityhealth.org/buildingbettercare. 


In the news | 2012 Annual Appeal 


Annual Appeal 2012 

Unity is how health care should be—because of you. Each day we strive to 

deliver the best care to our patients and residents. Your support is crucial to the 

every day operation of our many programs and services. Thank you for making our 

successes possible! Please join us again in supporting our continuing endeavor 

to providing health care how it should be. For more information, please visit 

unityhealth.org/foundation. Because of your support: 

] 

1. 

Our HealthReach Health Care for 

the Homeless Program was able 

to purchase a new Mobile Medical 

Unit to better assist those in need. 

2. 

Since January, over $36,300 in 

scholarships and grants were 

awarded for the continued nursing 

education of Unity clinical staff, local 

college nursing students, and clinical 

interns at Unity Hospital. 

] 

3. 4. 

$10,434 of medication and services were 

provided for under-insured oncology 

patients since January. 

Cardiac Rehab patients were able to 

receive financial assistance for their 

co-pays, allowing them to continue 

much-needed physical therapy. 


In the news | Joint Replacement Center 


The August Family pledges 

$1 Million to the Charles J. August 


The August Family has generously pledged $1 million to 

establish the Charles J. August Joint Replacement Center. 

“Our family has had a very long relationship with the System 

and we have watched it grow with great satisfaction,” 

said Burt August. “Unity is an outstanding asset to our 

community—one we are proud to support.” 

Charles J. August 

Set to open in 2014, the new Center will have a homelike 

atmosphere designed to maximize comfort for 

patients and their visitors. The private rooms will be 

larger, with controllable lighting and music, a flat-screen 

TV, built-in seating, an armoire, and an easily accessible 

private bathroom. The new layout also includes a 

spacious community room where patients can dine 

together and participate in activities together, if they 

desire. Recent studies have shown this type of socialization 

accelerates surgical recovery times when compared 

with patients who remain isolated in their rooms. 

Unity’s joint replacement team is the largest and mostexperienced 

team of joint replacement surgeons in the 

area. The Center has been awarded the Gold Seal of 

Approval for health care quality from the Joint Commission, 

a national medical accreditation board. To earn this 

distinction, our Center voluntarily underwent an on-site 

evaluation that included extensive interviews with both 

our staff and our patients. The Joint Commission determined 

that our Center meets the rigorous quality and 

safety standards, and awarded full certification with no 

recommendations for improvement! 

“I am a very active person, so I was excited to get 

my hip replaced,” explained Mary. “The surgery went 

perfectly and I was delighted with Dr. Niles. It’s very 

exciting the team is going to have a new facility— it 

is going to be wonderful.” 

Mary is a long-time volunteer at the 

American Red Cross and travels 

across the country to provide 

much-needed support to disaster 

relief teams. It is an active and 

physically demanding role that has 

required her to be ready for everything 

ranging from fast-paced 

Mary, Irondequoit, NY 

response times to a one-year 

relocation to New York City immediately following the 

September 11 tragedy. “I provide mental health counseling 

and support to disaster relief teams and I need to be 

ready to go when a disaster hits. It was important for me 

to get back on my feet and the physical therapy team was 

phenomenal in helping me accomplish that!” she said. 

The new Center will be staffed by our team of physicians, 

nurses, physical and occupational therapists, dieticians, 

social workers, pharmacists, and care assistants to give 

our patients their full attention and collective expertise. 

“I recommend Unity to everyone. I know there are folks 

out there who keep putting off getting a new joint and I 

would tell them to go for it! They won’t regret it!” 


In the news | Joint Replacement Center 


JOINT REPLACEMENT CENTER: 

Celebrates 10th Anniversary 

Over 200 patients and their loved ones 

took a one mile canal-side walk in honor 

of the 10th anniversary of the Joint 

Replacement Center at Unity Hospital. 

Held at Unity at Ridgeway in Greece, the 

“Joint Jam” was the first major reunion 

event for the Center’s staff and former 

patients. 

System. “Thanks to the Augusts’ ongoing 

generosity and their spirit of philanthropic 

giving, building the hospital of the 

future, with the best technology and 

people, is possible.” 

At the event, Unity announced a 

$1 million donation from the families 

of Burt & Charles August. “For decades, 

the August Family has supported Unity 

and our commitment to provide the best 

health care experience to those we 

serve,” said Warren Hern, CEO and 

president and CEO of Unity Health 

t 

To learn more about 

Unity’s Joint Replacement 

Center, please visit 

unityhipsandknees.org 


In focus | Project Independence 


Strong Young Mothers 

Make Strides with Unity’s 


Melisa Vazquez, senior case manager at Unity's Healthy Start program, works with Sandra 


“I found out about Unity’s Healthy Start 

Center from the homeless shelter where I 

was staying,” explains Sandra. “I was 

pregnant and didn’t know anything other 

than it was my responsibility to care for 

myself and my baby. I called the Center 

and told them about my situation and they 

said they could help.” 

Melisa Vazquez, a senior case manager at the Healthy Start 

Program, recalls her first meeting with Sandra: “When we 

first met, Sandra had no direction in life, she was lost. She 

had no family here and no outside support. She had an 

extremely rough childhood and just couldn’t seem to catch 

a break. She came to the Center and we saw right away 

that she is extremely smart and loving, and we knew we 

could help her break the cycle of abuse and show her how 

to have a better quality of life.” 

Sandra enrolled in the healthy pregnancy class, breastfeeding 

classes, and case management, which gave her the 

knowledge and tools to apply for housing, benefits, and 

medical care. “The classes were fun. 

I learned how to eat right, about “Sandra is an ambitious young woman,” said 

pregnancy and infants, and about Melisa. “She worked hard to beat the odds.” 

breast-feeding, which was something I 

had never even thought about before. It was so nice to get 

out, to be heard, to get feedback. I was able to get all of 

my questions answered, which was wonderful.” 

In focus | Project Independence 


Communities, an innovative childcare program that allows 

babies to form a secure attachment to their mothers during 

the first three years of life while supporting the mother 

through her time in college. 

Sandra began her WEP work study over the summer and is 

currently enrolled as a full-time student at MCC. She is 

taking English, Math, and Child Development courses, and 

will have all the benefits of having her son by her side as 

she learns about early childhood development. “It’s a lot to 

balance, but I’m excited. When I’m not in class, I can be 

with Jonathan in day care and I absolutely love being with 

him! I am nervous about my Math class though, it’s going 

to be hard!” she laughed. 

“Sandra is an ambitious young woman,” said Melisa. “She 

worked hard to beat the odds of becoming a product of 

her childhood. She has dealt with a lot of pain, but I truly 

believe she will be able to help other women who walked 

down the same path she did as a young girl. Everyone at 

Healthy Start is so proud of her: she now has the wings she 

needs to fly solo.” 

After Sandra gave birth to her healthy son, Jonathan, in 

March, she began talking with Melisa about her future: “She 

said she wanted to offer her son the best childhood. She 

wanted to further her education and get a job.” And so 

she and the team at Healthy Start introduced Sandra to 

“Project Independence.” Funded by the generosity of the 

M&T Charitable Foundation, “Project Independence” is a 

program designed to help Healthy Start clients obtain 

and maintain employment through education and job 

coaching. Sandra worked with a job coach who walked her 

through the process of signing up for classes at Monroe 

Community College. She also enrolled in the College’s 

Work Experience Program (WEP) and Nurturing 

Sandra and her son, Jonathan 


In the news | Unity's Legacy Society 


Sowing Seeds for a Better Tomorrow: 

Legacy Society 

You value the programs and services at Unity Health System. You know the care is 

top-notch and patient-centered. You’ve thought about making a gift to Unity Health 

System but the timing hasn’t been right. 

The Legacy Society can help. This group of individuals have chosen to include Unity 

in their estate plans or made a planned gift, such as a charitable remainder trust 

or charitable gift annuity, to ensure that our community’s future is a healthy one. 

t 

This is an important decision, so if you would like to learn more about how you 

can help sow the seeds for a healthier tomorrow, please contact Megan Ball at 

723-7862 or mball@unityhealth.org. 


In memoriam | Long Tradition of Excellence 


Sadly, the Unity Family joined the community 

in mourning the passing of our special 

friends: Adeline Lutz, Bernard Brody, M.D., 

and Dorline Frank. 

Bernard B. Brody, M.D. 

As one of the physicians who helped develop the medical lab that 

evolved into ACM Medical Laboratory, Dr. Brody was renowned for 

his compassionate, patient-centered care. His approach to medical 

care focused on the holistic treatment of his patients. 

In 2009, the Brody Humanistic Medical Education Fund was 

established in his honor. This fund is dedicated to providing lectures 

about humanism in medicine and is included in Unity’s primary care 

residency training program. As long-time friends and supporters of 

Unity, the Brody family has generously agreed to match gifts made 

to the Brody Fund until November 30, 2011. If you are interested in 

contributing to this Fund and participating in this challenge, please 

contact the Foundation office at (585) 723-7050 or send an email to 

foundation@unityhealth.org. 

Dorline B. Frank 

Dorline and her late husband, Bernie, invested in the Park Avenue 

Hospital as it grew into Park Ridge Hospital, and later, Unity Health 

System. They were generous supporters of the expanding Health 

System for over 40 years. 

Unity is grateful for all of the counsel, guidance, and support the 

Franks provided throughout the years. Their generosity, passion, and 

concern for the well-being of others will never be forgotten. 

Adeline P. Lutz 

Lynn was a generous supporter of the community and of Unity. As 

a PRiSM member, she contributed to many projects, including the 

installation of televisions in the Surgical Center waiting room to help 

keep patients and families informed. Most recently, Lynn made a 

$20,000 gift to the Brody Humanistic Medical Education Fund to 

support the continuing education of Unity’s clinical staff. Her sharp 

wit and energetic spirit will be greatly missed. 

A letter 

of thanks... 

I wanted to formally thank you for 

awarding me the Unity Health 

Nursing Scholarship. It was such 

an honor to be recognized by the 

Unity Health System. 

Thank you, 

Megan Maffett 

On June 8, six area high school 

seniors were awarded scholarships 

to pursue their college nursing 

degrees. This support is made 

possible through a grant from 

the Unity Health Foundation’s 

Donald F. and Maxine B. Davison 

Education Fund, which was 

established to provide educational 

grants for nursing education. 


Donor dollars in action | Did You Know 


Did You 

Know... 

4,885 visits were made to Unity’s 

Diabetes Education program in 

2010. Our clinical team works with patients to reduce blood 

sugar levels with Hemoglobin A1C testing; for every one point 

A1C is decreased, the risk of diabetes-related complications 

is reduced by 40%. 

99.7% of ambulatory surgery, 

patients said they would return to 

Unity’s Surgical Center at Unity 

Hospital for surgery if needed. 

11,929,224 is the total volume 

of lab tests performed at ACM 

Laboratory in 2010. 

] 

We know that by providing health 

care the way it should be, we are 

helping our patients have positive 

experiences and better outcomes. 

t] 

98% of patients at Unity’s 

Sleep Disorder Center were able 

to reduce or eliminate the use of 

sleeping pills after treatment. 


In the news | Community events 


Fall 2011 - 2012 

Community Calendar 

Gift Shop Open House: November 17-18 (10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.) 

Park Ridge Auxiliary Basket Event at Unity Hospital: November 28 – 30 (8 a.m. – 3 p.m. ) 

Park Ridge Auxiliary Basket Event at Unity Hospital: December 1 – 2 (7 a.m. – 3. p.m.) 

Park Ridge Auxiliary Lights of Love: December 1 (7 p.m. ) 

Park Ridge Auxiliary Basket Event at Unity St. Mary’s Campus: December 7 – 8 (10 a.m. – 1 p.m. ) 

Unity Health Foundation’s 12th Annual Spring Gala: April 21, 2012 

33rd Annual Ralph P. DeStephano Memorial Golf Classic: September 10, 2012 


1555 Long Pond Road 

Rochester, NY 14626-4122 

Non-Profit Org. 

US Postage 

PAID 

Rochester, NY 

Permit No. 1236 

Mission 

To serve as the gateway for giving to Unity Health System in support of programs, services, and projects for 

those we serve and their families. 

To foster a culture of philanthropy throughout Unity Health System that emphasizes the important role staff 

and volunteers play in providing patient-centered care. 

About the Foundation 

Unity Health System Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that secures charitable gifts for Unity Health 

System. Unity Health System Foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors comprised of 

individuals from the Greater Rochester community. 

Unity Health System Foundation is a 501(c) ( 3) tax-exempt organization existing for the sole purpose of 

supporting the mission of Unity Health System and its related health needs. The Foundation’s community 

memberships include the Greece Chamber of Commerce and the Rochester Grantmakers Forum. Gifts 

to the Unity Health System Foundation can do immeasurable good by bringing health care services to those 

truly in need, and improving the health of our community.

Strong Young Mothers Make Strides with Unity's - Unity Health System

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