MediSys Network News

One Lucky Little Boy

While waiting to have his little league photo taken at Starrett City’s baseball field, Davonte Kelly suddenly screamed in pain, grabbed his head and felt blood run through his fingers.  He said he thought he had been hit by a ball.  He was immediately attended to by the coach and his mom and 911 was called. 

Davonte was bought to Brookdale’s Emergency Department by EMS, and upon examination,  the doctors noticed something shining in the wound.  Dr. Mary Baldauf, Director of PICU was immediately called and ordered a CT scan.  The results were shocking; Davonte had a bullet lodged in his skull.

Dr. Louis Cornacchia, Chief of Neurosurgery was called to determine the severity of the injury and ensure the bullet was removed.  “Had the bullet perforated the skull, it would have been fatal.  He is a very lucky little boy,” said Dr. Cornacchia.

A huge Mets fan, Davonte received a gift from his favorite team while at Brookdale and an invitation to a game and meet his hero, David Wright. 

Upon discharge on Wednesday, June 10th, a huge press conference was held where Davonte stole the show.  Both Drs. Baldauf and Cornacchia were interviewed and reiterated how lucky Davonte is.  He is expected to make a full recovery and be back on the baseball field very soon.

To view a clip of the press conference featuring Dr. Cornacchia, go to http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local&id=6857669  

 

Chemical Dependency Unit Doctor at Flushing Hospital Speaks on Heroin Usage among Youth

With the use of heroin on the rise among New York City teenagers and young adults, Dr. Joseph Cannavo, Medical Director at Flushing Hospital’s Chemical Dependency Unit, recently sat down with New York 1 News Reporter Lily Jamili to discuss his observations of this disturbing and devastating trend.

According to Dr. Cannavo, Flushing Hospital’s CDU has seen the number of teens being treated for heroin quadruple in the past five years. The pattern he observes typically begins with addiction to prescription pills, which ultimately leads to heroin usage.

“What you always hear from the patient is someday, some said to me, look, you’re spending all this money on pills. ‘Why don’t you just try heroin? It’s cheaper and it’s more potent. You don’t have to shoot it. All you have to do is sniff it’,” explained Dr. Cannavo.  

Unfortunately, young heroin users eventually begin to shoot it intravenously. At this point, users require dedicated medical assistance and counseling that is offered at Flushing Hospital's Chemical Dependency Unit.

To see the full NY1 interview, please visit
http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/100810/heroin-making-dangerous-comeback-among-city-s-youth/Default.aspx

Trump Pavilion Completed, “Just in Time” to Meet Queens Healthcare Needs

The recent ribbon-cutting ceremony of Jamaica Hospital’s Trump Pavilion Nursing and Rehabilitation Center provided a gleam of hope to the bleak healthcare crisis in Queens. In the wake of the recent loss of hospital beds and severe healthcare funding cuts, the opening of Trump Pavilion provides an additional facility to the residents of Queens.

“This innovative healthcare facility took two years to build and its completion couldn’t have come at a better time,” said David P. Rosen, President and CEO of Jamaica Hospital.

Trump Pavilion has 20 more beds than the original facility it replaces. It is designed to serve short- and long-term rehabilitation patients, most of whom are admitted directly from Jamaica Hospital. This will make more beds available at Jamaica Hospital, providing some relief to the space concerns recently experienced by the facility after two nearby Queens hospitals closed.

In addition to being able to meet the heightened Queens’ healthcare needs, the facility boasts deluxe amenities and offers patients exceptional rehabilitative and skilled nursing care in a luxurious, full service facility. Trump Pavilion has a stunning four-story atrium, large and appealing dining areas, comfortable patient lounges with internet access, a hair salon, and a fully-equipped, modern therapy gym. Its spacious bi-axial rooms are designed to provide patients with substantial privacy. Patients can also expect the same quality of care that earned the original facility its trusted reputation— a comprehensive array of medical services including orthopedic rehabilitation, post-stroke rehabilitation, IV therapy, and post-surgery wound care.

“When construction initially began on the new Trump Pavilion for Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, we knew that it would be a valuable and much-needed healthcare resource for the Queens community,” explained Greg Bradley, Executive Vice President of Trump Pavilion. “It’s the first new facility of this type to be constructed in the borough in nearly a decade and we are extremely glad to offer patients exceptional rehab in such an impressive facility.”

To see media coverage on the significance of the opening of Trump Pavilion, visit http://www.ny1.com/Default.aspx?ArID=100713&ap=1

Paul Maguire Appointed President of HLNY

We are pleased to recognize the appointment of Paul Maguire, Administrator at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, to the post of President of the Healthcare Leaders of New York.

HLNY members are leaders in healthcare business and administration for New York's Hospitals and Health Systems. HLNY is a chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Paul was joined at the HLNY 40th annual gala by his wife Angela, MediSys President & CEO David P. Rosen, Robert Crupi, M.D. Chairman of Emergency Medicine at Flushing Hospital, Ann Corrigan, Director of Planning, Ole Pedersen, VP of Public Affairs and Emergency Medicine, and his wife Lisa, Anthony Maffia VP of Mental Health and his wife Geri and Fred Beekman, VP of Ambulatory Care Services. Also attending was Robert V. Levine President & CEO of Peninsula and the newest MediSys partner. Robert also served as President of this organization in its earlier years.

The event was held at Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle, NY.

Brookdale Department of Urology Now Offers "GreenLight" Procedure

More than half of all men over the age of 60 and more than 26 million men in the United States annually are affected by an enlarged prostate.  Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia’s (BPH) symptoms such as frequent urination, especially at night, pain or burning during urination and weak urine flow can have a drastic effect on the person’s quality of life.  Day-to-day activities are interrupted by constant trips to the bathroom and a full night’s sleep is out of the question.

A course of treatment for this condition is typically a lifetime of costly medications with possible side effects that can stop working over time or an invasive surgical procedure to reduce the size of the prostate.  Surgical options require a two to three day stay in the hospital and four to six weeks to recover with possible side effects of impotence and incontinence.

With the addition of GreenLight laser therapy, Brookdale’s Department of Urology now offers an alternative to the invasive procedure used to re sect the prostate. GreenLight ttherapy is a quick, minimally invasive procedure that provides dramatic and immediate results. Laser energy is used to open the channel for normal urine flow by removing tissue from the enlarged prostate with minimal blood loss. The patient may even be discharged home without a foley catheter.  Worldwide, over 375,000 procedures have successfully been performed.  The procedure is done on a ambulatory basis and, in most cases, the patient is discharged a few hours after the procedure and within a few days can return to non-strenuous activities.

“The majority of our patients who have been treated with GreenLight laser therapy feel that they have been as given a new lease on life and they can go back to enjoying activities that they used to before their prostate problems began,” said Dr. Frederick Gulmi, Chairman of Brookdale’s Department of Urology.

 

Members of Board of Trustees Honored

Four members of the board of trustees were recently honored by the United Hospital Fund for their leadership, generosity, and extraordinary service to not-for-profit and municipal hospitals in New York City and nearby communities.

On May 8, Dr. Peter Barra (Flushing Hospital), Dr. Hector Estepan (Jamaica Hospital), Bishop Dr. R.C. Hugh Nelson (Brookdale Hospital), and Joseph Mure Jr. (Peninsula Hospital) attended a special luncheon, where the United Hospital Fund presented each of them with a Distinguished Trustee Award. 

“The leaders we honor are among the regions best at guiding their institutions when help has been needed most,” stated Fund President James R. Tallon, Jr. at the luncheon. “That’s why the United Hospital Fund is privileged to have this opportunity to recognize the exemplary efforts of this remarkable group of voluntary leaders.”

This year, 39 trustees from New York metropolitan area hospitals were awarded and all recipients were nominated by their institutions.

“We are very pleased with the commitment of all of our Board of Trustees, especially those recently awarded by the United Hospital Fund,” said David P. Rosen, President and CEO of the MediSys Health Network. “Despite their busy schedules, Dr. Barra, Dr. Estepan, Dr. Nelson, and Mr. Mure Jr. continually support the growth of our hospitals. Their levels of dedication are beyond commendable and truly worthy of recognition.”

 

Audiology Services Offered By TJH

  TJH Medical Services, P.C., a private physician group affiliated with the MediSys Health Network, has just added audiology to its already comprehensive list of services. Last month, TJH began using brand new, state-of-the-art audio equipment—a soundproof booth, audiometer, middle ear analyzer, otacoustic emissions, and video system for pediatric patients— to evaluate the hearing of adults and children.

“Adding audiology to our list of services is an integral part of our efforts to expand TJH and further provide the community with exceptional healthcare,” said Pauline Marks, Executive Director of TJH Medical Services, P.C. “This is just one of the many steps we’ve taken to enhance our commitment to our patients and our ability to offer them the services they need.”

Hearing tests and screenings are currently being offered once a week. In the near future, videonystamography (VNG) for balance testing will also be available. 

TJH Medical Services, P.C. currently boasts a wide range of services, including internal medicine, pulmonology, infectious disease, cardiology, pediatrics, dermatology and immunology, to name a few. TJH has over 700 doctors, who represent over 32 specialties, and several offices throughout Queens and Brooklyn.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Program now MediSys

Under the direction of Vito A. Cardo Jr. DDS, former Chairman of Dental Medicine and Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery for Caritas Health  Care, the MediSys Health Network now offers a four year residency program in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Dr. Cardo previously ran the program for over 30 years, first at St. Mary's Hospital, then at Mary Immaculate Hospital.

Fully accredited by the American Dental Association, the program consists of eight resident positions; two in each year.  With a home base at Brookdale, a third and fourth year resident will be based at Jamaica daily and two residents at Flushing, as needed.   

The program’s emphasis is on facial bone reconstruction, whether congenital in nature or due to facial trauma and/or  pathology.  The residents are also exposed to many different facets of medicine, rotating in anesthesia for four months, medicine for two and in  general surgery for four.  Participants complete their rotation with a two month elective. 

The highly renowned program attracts approximately 100 candidates from American Dental Association accredited dental schools annually.  Each applicant must go through an extensive process and interview.  Two positions for first year residents are then selected through a match process.

Upon completion of the four year residency program, the graduates will be highly skilled in all facets of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery including such procedures as implantology, orthognathic surgery, all types of dental extractions under IV sedation, facial bone reconstruction and facial trauma.

Nurses Week Celebrated Across the Network

Nurses Week at Brookdale, Flushing, and Jamaica Hospitals was celebrated from May 6-12 with “great recognition,” “tremendous appreciation,” and several fun-filled activities.

To kickoff the week long celebration, Flushing Hospital held a luncheon, where awards were presented to several nurses, a mariachi band performed, and numerous raffle prizes were won. The event’s decorations—red, white, and blue balloons, table cloths, and streamers—supported this year’s theme, “Building a Healthy America.”

Other activities that took place during the week included an ecumenical service, a health fair, and an international food feast. Additional awards for accomplishments, such as punctuality and perfect attendance, were presented to nurses as well. 

Jamaica and Brookdale Hospitals had similar festivities. Nurses at Jamaica Hospital were treated to an ice cream party, breakfast/lunch/dinner (depending on their shift), given personalized lunch bags, and attended a formal dinner at Carosello Restaurant during Nurses Week. Brookdale Hospital posted flyers and posters throughout the facility to honor and recognize the excellence and dedication of their nurses, especially those on the quality coach team. The Nursing Department also held raffle drawings throughout the week, giving away American Express gift cards.

Echoed by nurses and nursing administration in all three hospitals, Nurses Week is a recognition they look forward to all year.

“We celebrate nurse’s week to acknowledge the contributions of nurses in the health care delivery system and to commemorate the birthday of Florence Nightingale,” said Ruben Silvestre, Director of Nursing & Patient Care Services at Flushing Hospital. “Our nurses play a major role in the delivery of health care because their roles vary across the wellness-illness continuum.  In every setting nurses contribute to health maintenance, illness and disease prevention, and health restoration. They are truly dedicated to determining the quality of patient care being delivered, patient satisfaction and patient outcomes.”

To all nurses throughout the MediSys Health Network, continue to make a difference. Job well done!

MediSys Holds its 11th Annual Golf Event

The skies were clear this year, as Jamaica and Flushing Hospitals held their 11th Annual MediSys Golf Classic. On Monday, May 11, more than 150 participants spent the day at Old Westbury Country Club, enjoying a beautiful, yet slightly competitive day of golf and tennis.

After about six hours on the golf course and tennis courts, participants attended a dinner reception, where Mr. David P. Rosen, President and CEO of the MediSys Health Network, and Mr. Bruce J. Flanz, Executive Vice President and COO of the MediSys Health Network, gave remarks and presented the event’s chairman, Steve Bory, President and Chief Executive Officer of NHP, with an award.

During the reception, prizes were also given to the highest scoring players/foursomes. The most anticipated part of the evening, however, was the raffle drawings. Prizes ranged from gift cards to a 32” HD TV to a weekend getaway to Martha’s Vineyard.

The event raised more than $200,000 for the hospitals’ general fund.