hospitalists - Waterbury Hospital

NOVEMBER 2007THE MEDICAL STAFF NEWSLETTER OF WATERBURY HOSPITALHOSPITALISTS:IMPROVING THE CARE WE DELIVER.A MESSAGE FROMSTEVEN E. SCHNEIDER, MDVice Presidentof Medical AffairsOne of the many rich resources we've had the good fortune– and foresight – to develop has been WaterburyHospital's successful Hospitalist Program.When our program began in 2003, there wereonly a handful of acute care hospitals that utilizeda Hospitalist Program. Today there arenearly 30 Hospitalist Programs throughout thestate. While our Hospitalist Program is still fairlyyoung, its contribution to the physical andemotional well being of our patients, and theexemplary support it provides for attendingphysicians, has greatly matured. We'veexpanded from six physicians and one physicianassistant to 13 physicians and two PAsunder the able stewardship of Rachel Lovins,MD, our Hospitalist Program Director, who alsoserves as President of the Connecticut Societyof Hospitalist Medicine.Our hospitalist effort evolved as a natural extension of our commitment to ensuring strong continuity andpatient-care excellence. It also reflects challenges facing our industry associated with Federal reimbursement,managed care, malpractice, our rapidly aging population and numbers of patients seen in the office.The literature accurately speaks to the benefits of hospitalist services for our patients, including: coordinated,seamless care; close contact between the hospitalist and the referring physician; around-the-clock access toexperienced in-house physicians; support preparing for tests and surgery; and improved communication with thepatient and his or her family.These all reflect enhanced patient care and good patient satisfaction. But there's much more. Our hospitalistsare inpatient medical specialists, highly experienced in managing an array of chronic and acute episodes. Theywork closely with our specialists, general and primary care physicians, to ensure the best possible care, as wellas a superior written and spoken hand-off for each patient.Our hospitalists play a critical role in pain management, rapid response, reduced LOS, peri-operative evaluation,patient consults and in our pre-op clinic. They are here on weekends and on holidays, days and nights.More than 55 percent of our medical admissions are now seen by hospitalists, and their mission continues toexpand. We are truly fortunate to have them as part of the Waterbury Hospital family.Steven E. Schneider, MDVice President of Medical Affairs

IN THESPOTLIGHT:Q A&Gregory Kressel, MDTHEADVENTUROUSTYPE...Gregory Kressel, MD anEmergency Department (ED)physician at WaterburyHospital, has always had apassion for traveling. Evenwith the demands of medical school, Dr. Kressel was able tosatisfy that passion. A natural traveler who hitchhiked crosscountrythree times as a teenager, he attended medical schoolat the University of the East in the Philippines, where he alsomet his wife, with whom he has four children.Following medical school Dr. Kressel returned stateside tocomplete his residency in internal medicine at the BronxMedical Center. He then worked as an Internist at a clinic inWaterbury, which fostered his interest in emergency medicine.As an ED physician, Dr. Kressel says he is able to enjoy fastpaced,non-stop work four to five days a week. His visionincludes becoming a liaison between the Internal MedicineDepartment and the ED, hoping it may influence other physiciansto pursue emergency medicine.Dr. Kressel was one of the recipients last spring of the hospital’sGolden Attitude Award – an award given to employees whoexhibit exemplary professionalism, attitude and service excellence.His peers, who nominated Dr. Kressel, characterized himas enthusiastic, caring and dependable.During his down-time, Dr. Kressel furthers his martial arts training,a hobby he picked up during his travel to the Philippines. Heis currently trained in open-hand defense and defense againstweapons, and uses his skills to teach martial arts classes at thePractical Self-Defense Training School in Waterbury.Whether practicing self-defense, kayaking, traveling acrossthe world or working in the ED, Dr. Kressel finds new ways tokeep busy. “There is always something new to see or do, and Ifeel that it’s extremely important to experience as much of thatas I can,” he says. “I enjoy the excitement I get from a newexperience. It keeps me young.”Special thanks to William D. Sedlack (son of JeffreySedlack, MD, a surgeon with Waterbury Hospital's Centerfor Surgical Specialties). William wrote the above featureduring his summer break from the University of Vermont.He is a sophomore this fall studying Political Science andPhilosophy and is also the editor of his school newspaper,the Vermont Cynic.2QAQAQAQAHOSPITALISTprogramRachel Lovins, MD,Hospitalist Program Director,Department of Internal MedicineWhat is the genesis of the hospitalistmovement?The term “hospitalist” was coined in 1996 to reflect a growing trendof retaining full-time, in-house internal medicine staff to better meetpatient and physician needs. Most U.S. hospitals with 200 or morebeds have Hospitalist Programs. In 2003, there were 11,500 hospitalists.That number is now close to 20,000 and is expected to grow to30,000 or more by 2010.What are the most significant benefits of ahospitalist program?With around-the-clock coverage for all inpatients, we are able torespond more effectively to test results, consult requests and immediateneeds than ever before. Our staff is extremely experienced in avariety of chronic- and acute-care medical needs. All admissions areface to face, we participate in multi-disciplinary rounds, and help withpre- and post-surgical requirements. Communication between thepatient and our staff, and our staff and the patient's regular physicianare enhanced. It's a winning combination for everyone.What are considered the “downsides” ofhospitalist care?The most obvious, is that patients miss the comfort of their regularphysician, and family members worry about being out of the loop orthe loss of continuity between outpatient and inpatient care. We workvery hard to ensure good communication, careful documentation, andcoordination with the primary doctor and hospital staff throughoutadmission and discharge. Patients come to appreciate the increasedattention, improved access and responsiveness. They know we arehighly qualified and working as partners with their regular physicians.Do patients worry that hospitalists maynot be as experienced or qualified as theirregular physicians?As more and more physicians refer admissions to us, patients andtheir family members realize they are getting expert, skilled, sophisticatedcare and improved access. Our hospitalists are talented, giftedprofessionals with excellent credentials and a variety of teaching,writing and mentoring experiences. We have extraordinary retention,which has helped us build a strong, cohesive team. We enjoy andrespect one another and love the work we do.Rachel Lovins, MD, is Director of Waterbury Hospital's Hospitalist Program,and also serves as President of the Connecticut Society of HospitalistMedicine. She is a graduate of Yale School of Medicine, attended Yale'sPrimary Care Residency Program, and rotated through St. Mary's andWaterbury Hospital. She also serves as Assistant Clinical Professor ofMedicine at the Yale University School of Medicine.

Pranay Bahuguna, MD• Medical School: University College of MedicalSciences, India• Residency: Cook County Hospital, ChicagoDID YOU KNOW?Pranay grew up in India, and remains interested in theirhealth care system; he's a musician, and was in private practice in Colorado beforemoving to Connecticut.Deborah Casey, MD• Undergraduate: Teikyo Post University, and CentralConnecticut State University• Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine• Residency: University of Connecticut Health Care CenterDID YOU KNOW?A nocturnist, Deborah also is a mother; she loves football and her two dachshunds.Shiven Chabria, MD, FABHP• Undergraduate: Jai Hind College• Medical School: N.D.M.V.P. Samaj's Medical College;M.B.B.S. Graduate program, India• Residency: Lincoln Medical Center/Cornell University, NY• Fellow: American Board of Hospital Physicians,Associate Fellow, New York Academy of MedicineDID YOU KNOW?Shiven grew up in India and was in private practice in Connecticut; he's very involvedin teaching and publishing, and is pursuing another degree in medical education.Geoffrey Ferrucci, PA• Undergraduate: University of Massachusetts, BA• Medical School: Cornell University PhysicianAssistant ProgramDID YOU KNOW?Geoff came to Waterbury Hospital from St. Mary's, where heworked for their hospitalist service; he is an EMT and also works as a medical PA forthe Manhattan prison system.Geetha Gangu, MD• Medical School: Osmania Medical College inHyderabad, India• Residency: Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences• Residency: Yale University – Bridgeport ProgramDID YOU KNOW?Geetha has the longest tenure with our hospitalist service, and helped start the program;she is interested in general medicine and cardiology.Karl Hartmann, MD• Undergraduate: Rutgers University, BS• Medical School: Cornell University Medical College• Residency: Yale University School of MedicineDID YOU KNOW?Karl is a graduate of the Yale Primary Care Residency Program; an avid kayaker andhiker, he works nights and he and his wife have a baby girl.Corrine Kalser, MD• Undergraduate: University of Texas• Medical School: Saba University School of Medicine,Netherlands; Chicago Medical School, MPA• Residency: Griffin Hospital in ConnecticutDID YOU KNOW?Cory works weekends, and was a PA for many years before earning her MD; she alsoowns a non-profit horse farm, where she teaches autistic children how to ride horses.OUR HOSPITALISTS3- Referring physicians citeTIME SAVINGS, CONTINUITY andLIFESTYLE IMPROVEMENTS...“My practice is largely geriatric; more than 60 percent areMedicare patients, and many have multiple co-morbidities, so it'stough for me to get away from the office.“The hospitalists are very professional, efficient, and alwaysaround when they're needed – by patients and by other physicians.Between electronic records, faxes and calls they keep me in theloop, so when I come in to the hospital or see my patients aftertheir hospitalization, I'm up to speed.“With the hospitalist program,things go smoothly and there'sgreat continuity of care.And with two kids of my own at home, this programhelps me better balance my work and personal life.”Jeannie Kenkare, DO• Undergraduate: Rutgers College, BA• Medical School: University of Medicine and Dentistry ofNew Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine• Residency: Warren Hospital Residency ProgramDID YOU KNOW?Jeannie directs the PROTECT (pre-op) clinic, and specializes in peri-op, consult andglycemic control; she and her husband, who also is a physician, have three children.Rachel Lovins, MD• Undergraduate: Brandeis University, BA• Medical School: Yale University• Residency: Yale University School of MedicineDID YOU KNOW?Rachel is the Hospitalist Program Director, and serves as President of theConnecticut Society of Hospitalist Medicine; she also is the lead singer for a rockand-rollband, The Inflatables, which comprises other medical professionals.William Petricone, Jr., JD, MD• Undergraduate: Harvard College, AB• Medical School: University of Connecticut School ofMedicine• Residency: Yale University School of MedicineDID YOU KNOW?A lawyer before attending medical school, Bill was chief resident for primary care atYale, and director of the Chase Clinic; he's a highly respected medical educator.Lynn Phillips, MD-- Matthew Velsmid, MD• Undergraduate: State University of New York atStony Brook, BA• Medical School: University of Vermont, College of Medicine• Residency: The Miriam Hospital affiliated with BrownUniversity School of MedicineDID YOU KNOW?Lynn has been a hospitalist for many years, including time spent working at BristolHospital; she is a medical educator and worked as an outpatient physician forAlliance Medical in Middlebury.CONTINUED ON BACK PAGE

OUR HOSPITALISTS (CONT.)“There's no question that working with the hospitalist program atWaterbury Hospital has been positive –I feel good knowing my patients arein their hands.Some older patients don't like being transferred to another physician,but I have to balance that against the extra control that gives me dailywith schedules, office hours, paperwork and other responsibilities. Iknow when I'll be available, and that improves efficiency for patients,as well as for my staff and me.I'm very happy with the follow-up and communicationthat exists between the hospitalists and my practice.Overall, it makes my life easier. I like not getting asmany calls in the middle of the night, too -- that's a biglifestyle improvement.”-- Craig Czarsty, MDis published monthly by the Public Relations/Marketing Department at Waterbury HospitalMANAGING EDITOR: HEATHER TINDALLFor comments, questions and suggestions, please contactHeather Tindall at (203) 573-6717 or htindall@wtbyhosp.orgMackenzie Smith, MD• Undergraduate: University of Delaware, BA• Medical School: Jefferson Medical College, ThomasJefferson University• Residency: Temple University HospitalDID YOU KNOW?Mackenzie joined the Hospitalist Program right after her residency, and supports the consultservice as well, with a focus on peri-op and consult medicine.Christopher Watts, MD• Undergraduate: Xavier University, BA• Medical School: Louisiana State University HealthScience Center• Residency: Yale University School of MedicineDID YOU KNOW?Chris graduated from Yale's Primary Care Program and studied occupational medicine.Jonica Yerzak, PA• Undergraduate: Springfield College, BS• Medical School: University of New EnglandDID YOU KNOW?Jonica was an avid soccer player growing up in the Town Plot sectionof Waterbury. She coaches an under-12 kids soccer team in the Bunker Hill neighborhood.Leor Zedek, MD• Undergraduate: State University of New York at Buffalo, BA• Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine• Residency: University of Connecticut/St. Francis HospitalDID YOU KNOW?Leor enjoys international travel, reading and barbecuing; he has a small child and anotheron the way.64 Robbins StreetWaterbury, CT 06721