Building - Samaritan Health

Make SamaritanYOUR CHOICEforRehabilitationAfter an unexpected injury, debilitatingdisease or complicated surgery, youcan come home again with help fromSamaritan Medical Center’s Acute(Inpatient) Rehabilitation Unit (ARU). TheARU combines 24-hour nursing care;physical, speech and occupational therapy;and a full-time physician who specializesin rehabilitation – making it easy to stayclose to family and friends while alsoreceiving expert care.“Our Acute Rehabilitation Unit is designedfor people who were living and functioningindependently and now, for whateverreason, may be experiencing difficultywalking; with balance or coordination;bathing, eating or performing otheractivities of daily living; or with speech orswallowing,” explains Aaron Naklick, CaseCoordinator.Newly RenovatedAcute Rehabilitation Unit toOpen SoonSamaritan’s Acute (Inpatient)Rehabilitation Unit (ARU) is currentlybeing transformed as part of “PhaseIV” of the Medical Center’s on-goingrenovations. (See full story on page5.) The new unit will include 12private rooms with enough spaceto accommodate family members,an expanded therapy gym and afull apartment where patients willstay in order to gain confidencein their daily living activitiesbefore returning home. Watchfor news of an Open House eventonce renovations are complete –tentatively late summer/early fall!Samaritan’s ARU, formerly known asPhysical Medicine & Rehabilitation(PM&R) cares for patients who havesuffered a stroke, head injury, spinal cordinjury, joint replacement, complicatedfracture, amputation or certain othermedical conditions that result indebilitation or weakness. Some patientsreceive their initial medical treatmentat Samaritan Medical Center. Othersare transferred to Samaritan from otherhospitals once their condition is stable andthey are ready for therapy.“Samaritan Medical Center offers theonly acute rehabilitation unit in NorthernNew York,” says Mr. Naklick. “It’s avery specialized service not available inall hospitals. The nearest comparableservices are as far away as Syracuse,Utica and Burlington, Vermont.”“Patients who receive their initial medicaltreatment at other hospitals should knowthat they can ask to be sent to Samaritanfor their rehabilitation care,” he adds. “Anacute rehabilitation stay can range fromone to three weeks, depending on theseverity of the illness or injury. Beingcloser to home helps the patient to relax,Referrals to the Acute(Inpatient) RehabilitationUnit may be made by aphysician, patient, familymember or other concernedparty. Call 315-786-4800 tofind out if you or a lovedone meets the criteria foradmission.while his or her loved ones avoid frequentlong drives, busy city traffic and theexpense of travel and parking.”From the first day, patients and familywork with the rehabilitation team to setgoals, create a treatment plan and beginworking toward discharge.“Our team approach offers a variety ofrehabilitation options that can be tailoredto the patient’s needs,” says Paula Lidestri,MD, a Board-certified Physical Medicine& Rehabilitation specialist and MedicalDirector of the ARU. “Since each patientwho comes to Samaritan is a uniqueindividual, their rehabilitation programshould be, too.”“We’re proud to share that90% of our patients returnto their homes afterrehabilitation,” Dr. Lidestriadds. “That’s higher than thenational average of 77%.”Samaritan’s ARU accepts patients whohave a medical reason to be in the hospitalfor rehabilitation, require 24-hour nursingcare and close medical supervision by aphysician who specializes in rehabilitation,are able to participate in a minimum ofthree hours of therapy at least five daysa week, and require at least two differentkinds of therapy – physical, occupationaland/or speech.samaritanhealth.com 3

Renovations Continue to TransformSamaritan Medical CenterSPECIALDELIVERYTen years ago, Samaritan Medical Center (SMC) kicked off a period of growth unprecedentedin its long history. Since then, the main campus has been transformed through the additionof the parking garage, the four-story patient pavilion, and the Macsherry Connector that linksSMC and Samaritan Keep Home. Renovations have also been on-going within the walls of thePratt Building of SMC as we modernize that facility to continue meeting the growing healthcareneeds of our community.Recent years have seen the opening of a newly renovated Rehabilitation Services Departmentand a new Chapel on the first floor of the Pratt building. Changes have also occurred on the5-Pratt Medical/Surgical Unit, which was converted to private patient rooms.Work is now underway on what is referred to as “Phase IV” of these on-going renovations. Thisphase will address SMC’s remaining areas most in need of modernization. The areas slated forexpansion and/or renovation include:Maternity (Labor/Delivery, Recovery & Post-Partum)RadiologyPediatrics Medical Staff ServicesInpatient Mental HealthSupport ServicesAcute Rehabilitation(Shipping/Receiving, Storeroom, etc.)Investing in theFuture of SamaritanSamaritan is dedicated tomaking the communities weserve stronger, healthier andbetter. But we cannot do italone. Consider investing inthe health of our community.Every gift, no matter the size,helps to make importantadvancements at Samaritanpossible. To support the newCenter for Women & Childrenor other current projects,please contact the SamaritanMedical Center Foundation at315-785-5745 or donate onlineat samaritanhealth.com/foundation.Artist rendering of a potentialdesign for the new Center forWomen and Children.One of the most visible changes from a patient perspective will be the new Center for Women& Children. The Maternity and Pediatrics departments, currently located on separate floors,will be situated on one floor in order to provide an environment that appeals to the needs ofboth women and children. A separate parking lot and new, dedicated entrance will lead patientsWomen’sand visitors to a relaxing, spa-like environment featuring soothing colors, nature themesand& Children’s Centabundant natural light. The Center for Women & Children will include:Labor and Delivery Increasing from six to eight labor/delivery rooms, each with its own Jacuzzi tub Rooms large enough to accommodate family members who are present for the birth Adding a second operating room to accommodate Cesearian-section birthsPost-Partum In this area where moms and babies go after the delivery until they go home, the room andfurniture will be designed with the family in mind. Medical equipment is tucked away behindwood panels, with space is dedicated for personal belongings and flowers.4 Good Health Matters - Summer 2016

PediatricsSamaritan Delivers NationallyRecognized Maternity Care(and babies)! Bright, child-friendly colors and a “virtual”playroom to appeal to young patients Rooms will feature chalk/white boards fordrawing and gaming capabilitiesOther planned changes include:Inpatient Mental Health:The outdated institutional environment on thisunit will be transformed to one that considersthe unique healing needs of our patients ina calmer, warmer environment. In additionto an increase in beds from 32 to 34, theprogramming and activity space will featureenhancements for the patients and staff.Acute (Inpatient) Rehabilitation Unit (ARU):As part of the renovations, this unit will growfrom the six shared rooms that exist today totwelve private rooms with enough space toaccommodate family members. An expandedgym within the unit will make additionalequipment available as part of the patient’stherapy, including stairs, walking bars andeven a car simulator to ensure that the road torecovery is traveled safely.Over 1,700 babies are born at Samaritan Medical Center each year. Thatgives us more than 1,700 reasons to proudly announce that Samaritanis one of the first hospitals designated as a Blue Distinction Center forMaternity Care by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. This national designationrecognizes hospitals that consistently demonstrate expertise in deliveringquality maternity care safely and effectively, and we¹re honored to be oneof them!The Blue Distinction Centers for Maternity Care program evaluateshospitals on several quality measures, including the percentage ofnewborns that fall into the category of early elective delivery, an ongoingconcern in the medical community. Compared with babies born 39 weeksor later, early term infants face higher risks of infant death and respiratoryailments, such as respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, andrespiratory failure, among other conditions.In addition, hospitals that receive a Blue Distinction Center for MaternityCare designation have agreed to meet requirements that align withprinciples that support evidence-based practices of care, as well as havinginitiated programs to promote successful breastfeeding. The program alsoevaluates hospitals on overall patient satisfaction, including a willingness torecommend the hospital to others.Prior to their discharge, patients will stay in afull apartment within the unit in order to gainconfidence in their daily living activities oncethey return home. A living room, kitchen,bedroom and bathroom will enable the patientto test the skills and adaptive techniqueslearned during their rehabilitative stay.“The expertise and experience of our Maternityproviders and nurses here at Samaritan resultedin this distinction, which recognizes theircommitment to providing the highest qualityof care to both mothers and babies,”explains Tom Carman, President andCEO of Samaritan. “We are proud of thelevel of care that is provided by thesetrue professionals, as well as thecompassionate manner in which itis provided.”(See our article on the Acute Rehabilitation Uniton page 3!)Renovations are expected to be completewithin the next 3-5 years.Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS)companies across the nation haverecognized more than 280 hospitals asBlue Distinction Centers for MaternityCare, an expansion of the national BlueDistinction Specialty Care program.For more information about the program,visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.About Blue Distinction CentersBlue Distinction Centers (BDC) met overall quality measures for patient safety and outcomes, developed withinput from the medical community. A Local Blue Plan may require additional criteria for facilities located in its ownservice area; for details, contact your Local Blue Plan. Blue Distinction Centers (BDC ) also met cost measuresthat address consumers’ need for affordable health care. Each facility’s cost of care is evaluated using data fromits Local Blue Plan. Facilities in CA, ID, NY, PA, and WA may lie in two Local Blue Plans’ areas, resulting in twoevaluations for cost of care; and their own Local Blue Plans decide whether one or both cost of care evaluation(s)must meet BDC national criteria. National criteria for BDC and BDC are displayed on bcbs.com. Individualoutcomes may vary. For details on a provider’s in-network status or your own policy’s coverage, contact yourLocal Blue Plan and ask your provider before making an appointment. Neither Blue Cross and Blue ShieldAssociation nor any Blue Plans are responsible for non-covered charges or other losses or damages resulting fromBlue Distinction or other provider finder information or care received from Blue Distinction or other providers.samaritanhealth.com 5

2015 Annual Report Now Available!Go to 06051788-17CAGRINTO525-629-47 - 315LEADRECA4-2530When you invest in theSamaritan Medical Center Foundation,946-7116-7300-781 - 3152-1505- 315-7815782-04you are investing in the healthof our community for generations to come!et140-755-21 - 315mitn Sum -788-12041 - 3156-8962- 315-78Y 136015 port2 0n1Reual5-1359- 315-758-7990- 315-7813601n, NY9-5060-7701 - 315, NY 136- 315-62Y 136372-7230-7801 - 315NY 136town,An9-4080Gifts are tax deductible and can be made one of three ways:5-4155-7801 - 315NY 13613601 5-2024- 315-75 Please savethe dates for our2016 EVENTS!Events to benefit theSamaritan Medical CenterFoundation of NNY, Inc:to support services and programsthroughout theSamaritan Health SystemCircle of Hope Breast CancerAwareness BrunchOctober 1stA North CountryFestival of TreesDecember 2nd - 4thEvents to benefit Children’sMiracle NetworkHospitals at Samaritan:to support child-centered areasof Samaritan and other healthcareorganizations in the tri-county region,as well as providingfinancial assistance to familiesin a medical crisis.River Rat TriathlonAugust 28thRadiothonNovember 2nd - 4thDonate online at samaritanhealth.com/foundationMail your donation to: Samaritan Medical Center Foundation of Northern NY,830 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601Contact the Foundation office at 315-785-5745The Samaritan Medical CenterFoundation’s Grateful Patient, Family& Friends ProgramWhen words just aren’t enough to say “Thank you” Samaritan Medical Center Foundation’s Heart to Heartprogram allows patients, families and friends an opportunityto thank a special caregiver or department who wentthe extra mile and made a difference in their visit or stay.Donations from this program will benefit patients and stafffor years to come. Since its inception in 2010, the Heart toHeart program has raised over 75,325. Here are some ofour most recent honorees:Teresa BednarJenna M. MooreDavid J. Flint, MDJenna M. MooreMaja Lundborg-Gray, MDBeth & Randy FippsJenna M. MooreKaren Jobson, RNBeth & Randy FippsJody MillerJenna M. MooreAlicia RabonBeth & Randy FippsBrian Roggie, MDBeth & Randy Fipps6 Good Health Matters - Summer 2016Aaron Robert Shaw, PA-CMartin A. YenawineHannah SherrillJenna M. MooreSMC 3rd FloorNursing StaffMaria FitzgeraldSMC Emergency Dept.Beth & Randy FippsLinda TurnerTimothy C. CanaanJonas P. HershbergerJoseph HostetlerMenno HostetlerLowville Amish ChurchLeonard R. MarshElmer D. MillerAbraham StutzmanGideon J. SwartzentruberJonas SwartzentruberAbe TroyerSarah WallaceJenna M. Moore

continued from front coverA Top PerformingHospital.PNEUMONIASURGICAL CAREIMMUNIZATIONReal Miracles in Northern New YorkSamaritan Medical Center has served as the North Country’s official Children’sMiracle Network Hospital since 1990, striving to raise and allocate funds toimprove the health and well-being of children in Jefferson, St. Lawrence, andLewis counties. Every dollar raised stays local. In 2015, Children’s MiracleNetwork Hospitals at Samaritan funded more than 110,000 in new equipment,including isolettes for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and bili-lights totreat babies with jaundice in Maternity, NICU and Pediatrics. In addition, a totalof 29,750 was allocated to nearly 30 local families through our Direct FamilyAssistance Program, which provides financial assistance to families with sick andinjured children. Finally, seven area hospitals and healthcare organizations werethe recipients of 59,694 in equipment grants.When you support these local retailers and businesses, you support Children’sMiracle Network Hospitals at Samaritan. Thank you to our corporate partnerswho support us with a fundraising campaign each year:WalmartSam’s ClubKinney DrugsAce HardwareFairfield Inn & SuitesRite AidSunoco A Tops Friendly MarketsLIDSLong John Silver’sOllie’s Bargain OutletNice ‘n’ Easy (select locations)SubwayDairy QueenSamaritan SocietyAdds New MembersThe Samaritan Society recognizes the Samaritan MedicalCenter Foundation of Northern New York’s most generousbenefactors. The compassionate individuals united bythis honorary distinction share a profound commitment toSamaritan and to its tradition of quality healthcare. Membershipis extended to those who make a commitment of 15,000 or more with up to tenyears to pay their commitment. Collectively to date, Samaritan Society donors havecontributed or pledged more than 2,100,712 in support of improving the qualityof healthcare in our community. Charitable giving such as this allows Samaritanto enhance patient care services, provide continuing education for our talentedhealthcare professionals, expand facilities and bring specialized equipment to theSamaritan Health System that otherwise might not be possible.PERINATAL CARE“We understand what matters most topatients at Samaritan Medical Center isthe quality and safety of the care theyreceive. That is why we have made it atop priority to improve positive patientoutcomes through evidence-basedcare processes,” explains Mario F.Victoria, MD, Chief Medical Officer forSamaritan. “We’re proud to be nameda Top Performer as it recognizes theknowledge, teamwork and dedication ofour entire hospital staff.”The Top Performer program recognizeshospitals for improving performanceon evidence-based interventionsthat increase the chances of healthyoutcomes for patients with certainconditions. To be a Top Performer,hospitals had to meet threeperformance criteria based on 2014accountability measure data, including: Achieve cumulative performance of 95percent or above across all reportedaccountability measures; Achieve performance of 95 percentor above on each and every reportedaccountability measure with at least30 denominator cases; and Have at least one core measureset that had a composite rate of 95percent or above, and within thatmeasure set, achieve a performancerate of 95 percent or above on allapplicable individual accountabilitymeasures.We would like to thank our newest Samaritan Society members:Kim & Jennifer AllenDarrel & Margaret AubertineDr. Bhupinder & Parveen BollaDr. & Mrs. Andrew CrossleyBonnie EppolitoKevin KieffDr. Scott & KI LaClairSean & Katie MillsDr. Fritz RocBarry & Ellen Waite - Waite Toyotasamaritanhealth.com 7

Welcoming New Healthcare ProvThese providers have joined Samaritan during the past year:Paula Gregg, MDHeather Irobunda, MD*Samaritan Family Health Center at LeRay26908 Independence Way, Ste 101 Evans Mills315-629-4525Fort Drum OB/GYN Clinic826 Washington Street, Suite 202 315-785-4624Family MedicineDr. Gregg joins Dr. Akshat Jain, Dr. Neel Shah andBrett Bunker, PA at the Samaritan Family HealthCenter at LeRay.Medical School:Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences,Bethesda, MDFamily Medicine Residency:Martin Army Community Hospital, Fort Benning, GABoard-certified with:American Board of Family MedicineJie He, MDHospitalistSamaritan Medical Center315-779-5298Dr. He joins joins the Samaritan Hospitalist Group.Medical School:Stony Brook School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NYInternal Medicine Residency:New York Hospital Queens, Flushing, NYBoard-certified with:American Board of Internal MedicineObstetrics/GynecologyDr. Irobunda joins the practitioners at the Fort DrumOB/GYN Clinic.Medical School:Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NYOB/GYN Residency:Walter Reed National Military Medical Center,Bethesda, MDIn Board process with:American Board of Obstetrics and GynecologyPaula Lidestri, MDPhysical Medicine & RehabilitationDr. Lidestri joins Samaritan Medical Center as theMedical Director for the Acute Rehabilitation Unit.Medical School:New York Medical College, Valhalla, NYPhysical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency:New York Presbyterian Hospital - University Hospitalsof Columbia and Cornell University, New York, NYMedical/Interventional Spine Fellowship:Cleveland Clinic Foundation Spine Institute,Cleveland, OHBoard-certified with:American Board of Physical Medicine & RehabilitationDay Hills, MDAndrew Majak, DPMSamaritan Oncology-Hematology531 Washington Street, Suite 1000 315-788-7990513 Washington Street, Suite 2 315-782-4800Oncology/HematologyDr. Hills joins Dr. Florence Arnold, Dr. OsagieBello and Dr. John Poggi at Samaritan OncologyHematology.Medical School:Cornell University Medical College, New York, NYInternal Medicine Residency:New York Presbyterian Hospital/ColumbiaPresbyterian Medical Center, New York, NYPodiatryDr. Andrew Majak joins Dr. Walter Majak inhis practice.Medical School:Temple University, Philadelphia, PAPodiatric Surgery Residency:Geisinger Community Medical Center, Scranton, PAIn Board process with:American Board of Foot & Ankle SurgeryMedical Oncology Fellowship:New York University Medical Center, New York, NYBoard-certified with:American Board of Internal Medicine with subspecialtycertification in Medical OncologyAaron Huizenga, DODiemthuy (Nancy) Nguyen, MDSamaritan Family Health Center at Clayton909 Strawberry Lane Clayton 315- 686-209Jefferson Anesthesiologist Services104 Paddock Street, Suite 202 315-785-8509Dr. Huizenga joins Dr. Stephen Grybowski, Dr. JohnJepma, Dr. Jack Rush, Sonja Pierce, FNP, and SharenYaworski, FNP at the Samaritan Family Health Centerat Clayton.Dr. Nguyen joins the practitioners at JeffersonAnesthesiologist Services.Medical School:Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine,Kirksville, MOAnesthesiology Residency:Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital,New York, NYFamily MedicineFamily Medicine Residency:Mercy General Health Partners, Muskegon, MIBoard-certified with:American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians8 Good Health Matters - Summer 2016AnesthesiologyMedical School:SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine, Buffalo, NYBoard-certified with:American Board of Anesthesiology* This practitioner is a military physician with Fort Drum, therefore his/her practiceis limited to military and military dependents.

vidersSamaritan Medical Group is proud to welcome the followingphysicians to the community.Jonathan R. Oliva, DO, FACOGObstetrics/GynecologyA Woman’s Perspective OB/GYN22567 Summit Drive, Bldg 2, Ste C 315-788-2805Dr. Oliva has been practicing at the Fort DrumOB/GYN Clinic since 2012. He now joinsDr. John Barrett, Dr. Kenya Cain, Joann (Jodi) Hil

Samaritan Shares Blueprint . for Comprehensive Cancer Care. . program must undergo a rigorous evaluation and review of its . performance and compliance with the standards. To maintain accreditation, Samaritan will undergo an on-site survey review . arrive directly in your email inbox.