In This Issue2 3 4 5 6 7 8 - Catholic Health System

Our Roots, Our Mission, Our Promise of ExcellenceThe 2008 Believe in Giving (BIG) campaign to supportGerard Place and St. Vincent De Paul was anotherBIG success as our associates raised over $59,000 andhelped Catholic Health complete its second consecutiveyear of exceeding our fundraising goal. When combinedwith the nearly $73,000 we raised in 2007, our totalcontribution for this campaign is over $132,000!“It’s really all about our associates and the tremendoussupport we received over the last two years,” said BartRodrigues, Senior Vice President of Mission Integrationfor Catholic Health. “Right from the start, ourCatholic Health family embraced Gerard Place and St.Vincent de Paul and the important work they do on behalfof the poor and disadvantaged in our community.”The Believe in Giving Campaign began in 2007 as away for Catholic Health associates to give back to ourcommunity. “The idea really came from our own associatesthrough the ‘Voice of the Associate’ survey,” Rodriguescontinued. “It was clear they wanted to support localcharitable groups that share our mission and valuesto serve those in need.”Both organizations are truly appreciative of the supportthey have received. “Catholic Health associateshave been extremely generous to Gerard Place over theyears, but this effort surpassed our expectations,” saidDavid Zapfel, Executive Director of Gerard Place. “Wecan’t thank everyone enough for all they have done toadvance our mission.”In addition to fundraising, Catholic Health associatesalso volunteered in the St. Vincent de Paul DiningRoom. “It’s difficult to adequately express what CatholicHealth’s support has meant to our organization,” saidMark Zirnheld, Executive Director. “I know we havemade some truly special friends who will continue tosupport our society for years to come.”As we move into 2009, Catholic Health will look tosupport two new groups through our outreach efforts– the Food Bank of Western New York and our own associateswho may be in need. The Food Bank distributesfood to approximately 500 charitable programs thatfeed the needy in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie andNiagara Counties.“We decided to do things a little differently this yearto help members of our own Catholic Health familywho may be experiencing a financial hardship,” Rodriguescontinued. “Some of our ministries already have‘humanitarian’ or ‘helping hands’ funds in place, so thiseffort will supplement those programs and create newfunds in our ministries where they don’t exit.”Details for the 2009 Believe in Giving campaign arestill being developed, but will include a combination offundraising, personal donations, and food drives to supportthe Food Bank and Catholic Health associates inneed. Watch for more information coming soon.2LivingourMissionA Look Back andA Look AheadCreighton Model of NaturalFamily Planning SessionsSisters of Charity Hospital • March 14, April 18, and May 30Mercy Hospital • March 21, April 22, and May 9Mt. St. Mary’s Hospital • March 26, April 16, and May 21Call Mary Zablocki at 862-1944 for more details.Kenmore Mercy Welcomes Jim Millard;Says Goodbye to Mary HoffmanKenmore Mercy Hospital recently welcomedJames Millard as its new President& CEO. He succeeds Mary Hoffman, whohas taken a positionwith LawleyBenefits Group.As the formerPresident & CEOof St. Joseph Hospital,Millard has along history of servicewith CatholicHealth. He servedas Vice Presidentof Operations forKenmore Mercy,Sisters and St. Josephhospitals before being named Presidentof St. Joseph in 2003. During his tenure, heled the successful drive to save St. Josephfrom closure and was also responsible forthe planning and construction of the hospital’snew Emergency Department in 2005.“Jim is a seasoned and tested CEO,” saidDennis Dombek, Chairman of CatholicHealth’s Acute Care Board. “His, leadership,compassion, toughness and intelligentdecision making are a great fit for KenmoreMercy.”Hoffman’s departure from KenmoreMercy closes a 21-year career with the hospitaland Catholic Health. She served onKenmore Mercy’s administrative team formore than 10 years before being namedVice President of Professional Affairs forCatholic Health in 2000. She was namedPresident of Kenmore Mercy in 2004.Among her many accomplishments, KenmoreMercy became Catholic Health’s firstDesignated Stoke Center, was recognizedfor three consecutive years by HealthGradesfor knee and hip replacement surgery, andwas named a “Top 100 Hospitals in PerformanceImprovement” by Thomson Reuters.“Mary’s contributions to Catholic Health,including her last five years as President ofKenmore Mercy, have been invaluable,” saidJoe McDonald, Catholic Health Presidentand CEO. “We wish her all the best as sheembarks on a new chapter in her life.”Catholic Health hasNew Process for DisposingOld PCs and MonitorsEver wonder where that old PC goes after your office PCgets replaced? How about that old monitor that got replacedwith a new flat panel? Old pieces of computer electronicscan’t go into a landfill. They may contain cadmium, lead, mercury and other dangerous heavymetals. Plus, there’s always a concern about any remaining data on writeable media (i.e. harddrives). Exposing patient, associate or other sensitive data (even accidentally) could lead tosubstantial fines and penalties.The good news is that CHS has contracted with a vendor to handle the disposal of wasteelectronics (which includes PCs, monitors, servers, switches/hubs/routers, phones, etc). Thebetter news is that this process is environmentally-friendly and affordable. The best news isthat the equipment is disposed of or recycled in accordance with state and local regulations,and all writeable media is overwritten to Department of Defense specifications.Last year, Catholic Health secured bids on electronic equipment disposal, and RegionalComputer Recycling & Recovery, based in Rochester, was our selected vendor. There areregular pickups scheduled at all acute sites. For other CHS ministries pickups are scheduledon an as-needed basis. The IT department places the waste electronics into storage bins,which are picked up once full. Any writeable information is placed into a separate, lockedbin (for security purposes) which is also picked up.In the near future Catholic Health will host an electronic recycling event for associatesto bring in their outdated computer equipment from home. Watch for more details comingsoon!Catholic Health Laboratory Services –Millions and Millions ServedEach day, Catholic Health LaboratoryServices performs more than 20,000 laboratorytests across our system. With “Stat Labs”at each of our hospitals and the main “CoreLab” at Sisters Hospital, Catholic Healthoperates one of the largest and most technologicallyadvanced laboratories in the region.“Our goal has alwaysbeen to provide thehighest quality testingservices with superiorservice and convenience,”said ConnieBauer, Vice Presidentof Laboratory Servicesfor Catholic Health.“Whether its our patientsor physicians, customer service remainsour top priority.”At the heart of the lab’s success is a networkof 24 Patient Service Centers convenientlylocated throughout Western New York. Withcollection sites from Amherst to Wheatfield,the centers offer expert phlebotomy (blooddraw) services and other specimen collectionclose to where people live and work.The cornerstone of Catholic Health’sLaboratory Services is the Core Lab at SistersHospital. One of the first major undertakingswhen the Catholic Health Systemformed in 1998, the Core Lab brought togetherthe main laboratory functions fromeach hospital under one roof.“We were the first in the area to introducerobotic testing equipment, followed byelectronic delivery of lab results to physicianoffices, further enhancing the quality and efficiencyof our laboratory testing services,”Bauer added. “This has enabled us to serveheath providers outside Catholic Health, expandingthe scope of our services.”With a team of 325 skilled laboratoryservice professionals and two new patientservice centers in Lackawanna and Springvilleon the horizon, Catholic Health willcontinue to “serve up” millions of quality labtests each year.www.chsbuffalo.org

Our Roots, Our Mission, Our Promise of ExcellenceNational Patient Safety Awareness Week:One Partnership, One TeamHere at Catholic Health, ongoing effortsto enhance patient safety through education,adherence to best practices, use of patientsafety tools such as SBAR and STAR,and grass-roots initiatives at each ministryare becoming part of our everyday culture.National Patient Safety Awareness Week- March 8-14 - gives us another opportunityto step up those efforts and raise awarenessabout this critical issue.The Catholic Health Patient Safety Councilis using National Patient Safety AwarenessWeek to kick-off two exciting activitiessystem-wide. Are you up to the challenge?Patient Safety Showcase - Get yourteam together. Starting March 8, associatesacross Catholic Health can showcasetheir problem-solving skills and engage insome healthy competition. Using the JointCommission national patient safety goals,departments within each Catholic HealthKenmore Mercy Opens NewDiagnostic Center in WilliamsvilleKenmore Mercy Hospital is pleased to announce the opening of Catholic Health’s newestDiagnostic Center serving residents throughout Amherst, Williamsville and Buffalo’snorthern suburbs. The Williamsville Diagnostic Center, located at 400 International Drive,is designed to meet the needs of physicians and patients, offering a variety of imaging,laboratory and rehabilitation services.“Opening the Williamsville Diagnostic Center is consistent with our plans to enhance thepatient care experience,” said John Herman, Chief Operating Officer at Kenmore Mercy.“We serve a large population of patients throughout the Northtowns and this facility willgive these patients a more comfortable and convenient location to receive needed services.We also hope to attract new patients from the local community who can take advantage ofthe services we offer.”Housed on the first floor of the Brain & Spine Center, the Williamsville DiagnosticCenter will complement the practice’s neurosurgical services while meeting the growingdesire of patients to find outpatient and diagnostic services closer to where they live orwork. An open house was held on February 4 to introduce this new center to friends fromthroughout Catholic and the local community.“By grouping together outpatient services needed by neurosurgical patients and those ofneighboring physicians, we are creating an environment where patients can receive neededcare in one convenient location,backed by the quality and reputationof Catholic Health,” Hermann continued.The state-of-the-art ,18,000 squarefoot facility features Imaging Services,including Ultrasound, X-Ray, BoneDensity (DEXA), CT Scan and MRI;Partners In Rehab, including physical,occupational and speech therapies;and Laboratory CollectionServices.A new trend is shaping healthcarethroughout Western New York and withinthe Continuing Care Division of CatholicHealth. We are moving away from thetraditional institution-like model of caretowards a new model called “person-centeredcare.” Although this philosophy has its rootsin long-term care, it can be effective in alllevels of care. Simply put, person-centeredcare emphasizes greater choice for patients,residents and their caregivers.In long-term care, the concept of personcenteredcare is clear. We start by creatinga home for our residents, not just a homelikeenvironment. This is a place whereresidents feel safe and are able to makechoices regarding their care and howthey live their lives. This includes havingconsistent caregivers who form long-termrelationships that go beyond the traditionalpatient/caregiver dynamic.www.chsbuffalo.orgministry are invited to select one goal thatneeds improvement within their area, do aself-assessment, and develop an improvementplan.Plans will be reviewed by the PatientSafety Council. Awards will be given to awinner from each ministry. More informationwill be available at your site during NationalPatient Safety Week. Need to brushup on national patient safety goals? Visitwww.jointcommission.org. The competitionends June 1.Champion the Cause - This is a call forvolunteers in the acute care arena to becomepatient safety champions and work withothers within their organization to help increaseawareness and ensure that “Culture ofSafety” activities, education programs, andpatient safety tools are used at each site. Tovolunteer, contact your site P.I. manager.Continuing Care Introduces“Person-Centered” Model of CareIt is also important to work towardseliminating the loneliness often associatedwith the elderly living in institutional settings.By giving our residents more control in howthey live their lives, the ability to interactwith others, and encouraging greater familyparticipation, we are transforming outdatedconcepts of long-term care.In addition to the strides we are makingwithin CHS, we also have the support ofthe local healthcare community. With therecent formation of the WNY Alliance forPerson-Centered Care, there is tremendoussupport for creating a culture of aging thatis life-affirming, satisfying, humane, andmeaningful.Person-centered care can transform afacility into a home, a resident into a person,and a schedule into a choice, improvingthe quality of life for the elderly in ourcommunity.Catholic Health PrimaryCare is Growing to BetterServe the CommunityWith fourteen Primary Care Centers scattered throughoutWestern New York and a new School Health Program,Catholic Health’s Primary Care Services are growing tomeet the unique needs of the patients and communitiesthey serve.“Our focus during the past year has been on extendingour reach in the community, strengthening the services weoffer and attracting new doctors who want to practice incommunity-based health settings,” said Michael Reilly,Vice President of Primary Care Services. “We’ve addedseven new doctors in the past year alone, helping us toserve more patients with a wider variety of services.”New primary care centers in Springville and Hollandhave given our system an enhanced presence in theSouthern Tier and enabled us to serve a new populationof patients who may be experiencing Catholic Health forthe first time.Plans for the coming year include the expansion of servicesat the Mercy Health Center to serve Buffalo’s “FirstWard” and surrounding communities; the addition of asecond VA outpatient clinic in Springville, along with ourexisting clinic in Lackawanna; and continuing to look foropportunities to partner with physicians and providers tobetter meet the primary care needs of patients throughoutWestern New York.Catholic Health Primary Care offers a variety of primaryand specialty medical services including InternalMedicine, Family Practice, Pediatrics, OB-GYN, PulmonaryCare, Wound Care, Pain and Addition Management,and Podiatry. Many locations (see list at right) alsoinclude Laboratory Service Centers. For a complete list ofservices, log on to www.chsbuffalo.org or call HealthConnectionat 447-6205.Catholic HealthPrimary Care CentersBUFFALOLovejoy/St.Vincent Health Center1595 Bailey • 893-8550Mercy Health Center430 South Park Ave. • 847-6610Mercy OB/GYN Center515 Abbott Rd. • 828-3520Mercy Pediatric Center515 Abbott Rd. • 828-2275Riverside/Blackrock Family Care500 Ontario St.• 447-6650Sisters Family Health Center2157 Main St. • 862-1984CLARENCEClarence Sheridan Medical Center8600 Sheridan Dr. • 634-8262HOLLANDHolland Family Health Center7430 Olean Road • 655-2192LACKAWANNAOLV Family Care Center227 Ridge Road • 822-5944ORCHARD PARKChestnut Ridge Family Practice6300 Powers Road • 667-3200Powers Road Medical Practice6300 Powers Road • 667-3222SPRINGVILLESpringville Primary Care Center27 Franklin St. • 592-7400TONAWANDAKen-Ton Family Care Center300 Two Mile Creek Road • 447-6450Kenmore Specialty Center2950 Elmwood Ave. • 876-02673

Our Roots, Our Mission, Our Promise of ExcellenceMiracles and WondersThrough TechnologyKenmore Mercy Part ofGroundbreaking Study toTreat Lower Back PainAs part of a national clinical study, Kenmore MercyHospital and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Andrew Cappuccinorecently treated the first East Coast patients withthe DASCOR® Disc Arthoplasty System. DASCOR is aminimally invasive nucleus replacement system designedto reduce pain, restore function, preserve anatomy, andspeed recovery in individuals suffering from lower backpain brought on by Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD).Using the DASCOR system, the surgeon removes thepatient’s diseased disc nucleus (the soft inner portion ofthe disc) and replaces it with a patient-specific implantdesigned to fit and function like the patient’s own naturalnucleus (see illustration at right). The DASCOR implantis a special polymer deliveredin liquid formto the nucleus areawith a small, pencilsizedcatheter. Onceimplanted, it form fitsto the patient’s uniqueanatomy and solidifieswithin minutes.Back pain is a significanthealth issue in theUnited States, affecting approximately 1.3 million Americans.DDD is an age and lifestyle-related condition inwhich the spinal discs in the lower back break down overtime. The traditional surgical treatment for DDD is aninvasive, irreversible spinal fusion that requires a lengthyrecovery time and limits spinal motion.DASCOR was first implanted in patients in 2002 andhas since been supported by clinical studies on more than100 patients. To learn more about the 3D Clinical Trialof the DASCOR System, or to view an animation of theprocedure, visit www.discdyn.com.4Is it a HIPAA Violation...Question: Is writing a patient’s full name on whiteboardspermissible? Using only initials and/or first namesto identify patients is very confusing for nursing staff andphysicians. Using full names can prevent costly errors.Answer: As a covered entity, you must use the minimumamount of information necessary. Using the patient’s fullname on a whiteboard is acceptable if you can justify thisas the minimum amount of information necessary to supportthe provision of care.Ideally, whiteboards with patients’ full names on themshould not be visible to the public. Ensuring that whiteboardsare in a location visible only to staff members is agood practice. If you deem it necessary to use patients’ lastnames on the whiteboard, using only their first initialsis preferable to using their full first names. This practicewould limit the PHI on display.If you have a HIPAA Security question or concern,please call Sally O’Brien, HIPAA Security Analyst,at 862-1938 or email so3576@chsbuffalo.org.You can also schedule on-site HIPAA Trainingfor your department.If you have a HIPAA Privacy question or concern,please call Anne Mason, HIPAA Privacy Officer, at821-4470 or email amason@chsbuffalo.org.New Subacute Rehabilitation Program isMaking Patients “HeartStrong”For patients who suffer from heart disease,heart failure or who have had recent heartsurgery, the bridge from hospital to homecan often be a long and difficult journeyfilled with anxiety and uncertainty. Now,thanks to a new subacute rehabilitation programdeveloped by Catholic Health’s PartnersIn Rehab, heart patients are gaining thestrength and confidence to resume their lives,avoid future hospital admissions and bettermanage their cardiac conditions at home.The program called HeartStrong was developedby a team of rehabilitation specialists,cardiologists and cardiac surgeons offeringmedical monitoring, daily rehabilitation,specialized education, dedicated nursingcare and other professional support. Heart-Strong is available at Catholic Health’s subacuterehabilitation facilities at St. FrancisBuffalo, St. Francis Williamsville, FatherBaker Manor in Orchard Park and McAuleyResidence in Tonawanda.“The HeartStrong Program was designedto help heart patients make a smooth transitionfrom hospital to home, and in some caseprevent a hospital admission,” said Dr. DavidAvino, cardiologist and Medical Directorof the HeartStrong program. “Our goalis to help patients and their families betterunderstand and manage their cardiac conditionto live as independently as possible.”The clinical team’s focus on education includeseverything from understanding themedical diagnosis and medications to follow-upcare and to how to monitor diet andweight. The family component provides informationon how to support patients oncethey return home and when to call a doctorif warning signs and symptoms develop. Forpatients who have completed the Heart-Strong program, 98 percent have avoidedhospital re-admission and are enjoying abetter quality of life.HeartStrong services are covered by mostinsurance plans. For more information call(716) 706-2382.Little Baby With Big SuccessIn November, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at SistersHospital was faced with a big challenge wrapped up in a tiny pinkpackage. Nora Higgins entered the world almost six months early,weighing just under one pound. She was not only premature but developeda life-threatening complication of prematurity called PatentDuctus Arteriosus (PDA).The ductus arteriosis is a blood vessel between the aorta andpulmonary artery that usually closes after birth. However in a smallpercentage of extremely premature infants, the vessel remains openresulting in life threatening heart complications.Because Nora was too fragile to move, Sisters’ Neonatology team collaborated withStrong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, St. Joseph Hospital in Cheektowaga, and PediatricCardiology of WNY, to perform the delicate surgery at Sisters Hospital on November14.Dr. George Alfieris, a pediatric cardiovascular surgeon at Strong Memorial, Dr. NaseeraSyed, an anesthesiologist at St. Joseph Hospital and Dr. Joseph Orie, a cardiologistwith Pediatric Cardiology, all came to Sisters Hospital to perform the life saving surgery.At the time of the surgery, Nora wasonly two weeks old and extremely ill.Since the surgery, she has been progressivelygaining weight. She now weighsover one pound 10 ounces and her healthcontinues to improve. Her parents areextremely thankful to all the doctors andnurses who are taking such special care oftheir little girl.This was the fourth time the procedurewas performed at Sisters Hospital withthe help of Dr. Alfieris.▲ ( left to right) Dr. Joseph Orie, Dr. George Albert, Dr.Robert Dukarm, Dr. George Alfieris, Dr. Naseera Syedand Dr. Kamal SinghalMercy is First in State to Use Light SensorTechnology to Manage Fluid VolumeMercy Hospital became the first hospitalin New York State to use advanced pulseoximetry technology to help manage fluidvolume in critical care patients. The device,introduced at Mercy last fall, is the first andonly noninvasive technology to monitorPleth Variability Index (PVI), a measurementto help clinicians determine whetherto administer fluids to patients.“Pulse oximeters are traditionally used tomonitor oxygen levels in the blood,” saidJon Carlson, Director of Respiratory Careat Mercy Hospital. “But with PVI technology,we are able to use the same ‘fingertouch’ probe and computerized light sensorto calculate the patient’s potential to respondto fluid volume. This provides importantclinical data to better manage a varietyof medical conditions and improve patientoutcomes.”“When we purchased new pulse oximeterslast year, we knew about the additionalcapabilities of these bedside monitoring devices,”Carlson continued. “With healthcaretechnology and standards of care continuingto evolve at such a rapid pace, it’s importantto have the latest equipment availableto care for our patients.”Since this technology is still undergoingclinical studies, Mercy’s respiratory therapists,nurses and physicians are currentlyusing the PVI readings to complementtraditional fluid management procedures.“We anticipate PVI technology will soonbecome the standard of care for measuringfluid response,” Carson added. “Making thistechnology available to our critical care patientstoday is another example of Mercy’scommitment to quality care and bringingthe latest advancements in medicine to ourcommunity.”www.chsbuffalo.org

Our Roots, Our Mission, Our Promise of ExcellenceHome CareNews & EventsLOVE Award & KudosElaine D’Aguiar, Physical Therapist withMcAuley Seton Home Care and MelissaSaemenes, Home Health Aide with MercyHome Care, were the recipients of the LOVEAward for the third quarter of 2008.Terry Adamczyk was the winner of theKUDOS movie passes for the month of Novemberand Jen Sanita was the winner for December.Angela Robinson, RN, with the Maternal ChildTeam at McAuley Seton Home Care, is theKUDOS 2008 grand prize winner of $250.Holiday HappeningsThe Home Care Mission Committee preparedand distributed 30 Thanksgiving baskets to HomeCare clients, their families/caregivers, and associatesin need.The committee also sponsored a ChristmasGiving Tree to provide clients, caregivers, or associatesin need with holiday gifts. Home Careassociates contributed approximately $1,150 ingifts to deserving families and individuals.Humanitarian FundCatholic Health Home Care has formed acommittee to facilitate the establishment of aHumanitarian Fund to assist associates who arein need. Members are Caryn Daniels, MarlaDuerr, Paula Fisher, Evelyn Griffis, Jen Jacobs,Lisa Leach, and Connie McGregor, RSM. Thegroup will formulate guidelines and review applicationsfrom those who request assistance.Foundation News...Sisters and St. JosephFoundations Set toMerge with HospitalsDuring the past several months, the St. JosephHospital Foundation and Sisters HospitalFoundation have been working together towardthe goal of merging the two foundations in early2009. The foundations recently received news thatthe Attorney General’s Office will likely approvethe foundation merger in conjunction with themerger of the hospitals on April 1, 2009.Until that time, the St. Joseph Hospital Foundationremains a separate entity. For now, it willbe business as usual with two separate foundationsand two separate sets of financials and databasesuntil we reach the merger of Sisters of CharityHospital and St. Joseph Hospital.The respective Boards of Directors of the SistersHospital Foundation and St. Joseph HospitalFoundation approved a resolution to mergethe two foundations under the Sisters HospitalFoundation name in October, 2008. Under thisresolution, eight members of the St. Joseph HospitalBoard have already joined the Sisters HospitalFoundation Board and will assist in governanceduring this time of transition.A 2009 calendar of events is being created includingthe May 1, 2009 Black & White Ball, aswell as the October 9, 2009 Treasure Hunt Auction.It is expected that there will be one combinedgolf tournament in the summer of 2009.For any additional information, contact the St.Joseph Hospital Foundation at 891-2403 or theSisters Hospital Foundation at 862-1990.Unique Breast Health ProgramReaches Out to Mothers and TeensAccording to national studies,African American womenare more likely to die frombreast cancer than otherwomen.This sobering statistic becamethe basis for a uniquecommunity outreach programdeveloped by CatholicHealth’s HealthConnectionto provide medically-underservedwomen and area teenswith information on the importanceof mammographyscreenings and breast self-examinationin the fight against breast cancer.Funded through a grant from the Susan G.Komen Foundation, the “Moms & Teens forBreast Health Project” is designed to save livesthrough early detection and treatment of breastcancer among African American and other atriskwomen in the local community.Working in conjunction with the BuffaloPublic Schools, Partners for Prevention, andSisters Hospital, HealthConnection providededucational programs to tenth grade studentsat Bennett, Burgard, South Park and East highschools. The students werethen encouraged to invite theirmothers and other female familymembers and friends to anintergenerational evening programon breast health awareness.Thanks to the program, 750young girls and 40 women receivedvaluable breast healthinformation and an opportunityto reverse the alarmingtrend that makes breast cancerone of the leading causes ofdeath among African Americanwomen and other high-risk populations.“Through this program, we hope to removesome of the barriers that prevent women fromreceiving regular breast exams and mammographyscreenings,” said Sandy Spencer, Directorof HealthConnection. “We also hope thatthrough early intervention these young womenwill become more active participants in theirown breast health and receive regular mammographyscreenings at the appropriate age.”Catholic Health Recognized forQuality and Patient SafetyCatholic Health’s efforts to improve qualityand safety were recognized in 2008 with severalawards and recognitions from Catholic HealthEast (CHE) and the Healthcare Association ofNew York State (HANYS). “It’s nice to receivethis outside recognition for the work we do eachday to provide the highest quality care to ourpatients and residents,” said John Kane, VicePresident, Quality & Care Management. “I’dlike to thank and congratulate all our associateswho make quality and safety their top prioritieswhen proving care.”Two of our Senior Service facilities receivedthe CHE Service Excellence Award for LTC/Assisted/Independent Living Services. St. Elizabeth’sHome in Lancaster received the GoldAward (highest score) and the Mercy SkilledNursing Facility at OLV received the SilverAward (most improved score).Catholic Health hospitals were also recognizedfor quality improvement projects they tookon in the HANYS’ 2008 Profiles in Quality andPatient Safety. The publication recognizes anddescribes the outstanding initiatives by membersto improve the health and safety of patients. Thefollowing initiatives were recognized:• Kenmore Mercy Hospital Increasingthe Use of Thromboprophylaxis in theHospitalized Patient Population.• Mercy Hospital Our Journey to 90Minutes in 90 Days.• Mercy Hospital Improving Bed TrackingCompliance to Reduce Discharge Delay.• Mercy Hospital Creating a ProgressiveCare Unit.• St. Joseph Hospital Improving PatientOutcomes in the Critical Care Unit.• Sisters of Charity Hospital Establishing aRapid Response Team.Celebrating All Cycles of LifeDuring the 1800’s, quilting became a popularpastime of American women who gathered inchurch sewing groups to create unique works ofart that were both beautiful and practical. Quiltingbecame an expression of craftsmanship andcreativity, as quilts became treasured heirloomspassed down from one generation to the next.In 2006, Catholic Health Continuing Carecommissioned the Morningstar Quilt Guild ofEast Aurora to create one-of-a-kind quilts thatwould hang in the Community Room at the newlyopened Victory Ridge Apartments, the 74-unithousing complex which is part of the OLV SeniorLiving Community.“After looking at the large open wall spaces we had in our community room, we thought quiltpanels would be an appropriate art form that mirrors how we have joined the fabric of so many livesinto the OLV Senior Neighborhood,” said Aimee Gomlak, Vice President of Strategic Redevelopmentfor Catholic Health (pictured above). “We suggested the theme ‘Seasons of Our Lives’ toreflect our goal of celebrating all cycles of life, no matter what age.”The four quilts, representing Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, were unveiled during a specialpresentation at the at the Victory Ridge apartments on December 7. “Each of the quilt panelsrepresents a different season of the year and the ‘seasons’ of our lives,” Gomlak continued. “We aregrateful to all the talented artists who assisted in creating these masterpieces that will bring joy toour residents and their families for years to come.”6www.chsbuffalo.org