May 14, 2018
Enter the doors of Moses Campus at 210th Street and you will encounter our new Redcoats, the ambassadors who guide our visitors to where they need to go. They stand near the front doors in their highly visible red blazers, ready to usher visitors to any destination on the campus. "This has been an important way to improve the patient experience and provide a very welcoming first impression to visitors," says Peter Semczuk, DDS, MPH, Senior Vice President and Executive Director, Moses/Wakefield Campuses.
(Left to right) Marcello Khattar, Director, Patient Experience; Peter Semczuk, DDS, MPH, Senior Vice President and Executive Director, Moses/ Wakefield Campuses; Dana Politis, MPH, Director, Community Workforce Programs; and Shaun O’Malley, Assistant Director of Patient Experience, pictured with the Redcoats team.
"THIS HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT WAY TO IMPROVE THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE AND PROVIDE A VERY WELCOMING FIRST IMPRESSION TO VISITORS." —Peter Semczuk, DDS, MPH,
Senior Vice President and Executive
Director, Moses/Wakefield Campuses
In the past, the associate behind the information desk was usually occupied fielding phone calls—about 9,000 of them each month. By altering the way the calls are channeled, a change made last November, the Patient Experience Department was able to reduce the call volume by more than half and add extra Redcoats in front of the desk to greet people.
The Redcoats program has also provided an opportunity for five of our community Phipps Career Network students, who are part of a Montefiore Community Workforce program, to complete a four-week externship as Redcoats. These students assist the seven full- and part-time Redcoats that work at the 210th Street entrance. The Patient Experience Department is planning to expand the program to other entrances at the Moses Campus.
"THESE COMMON DISORDERS, WHICH ARE HIGHLY TREATABLE, CAN BE SERIOUS—EVEN IF YOU CAN’T SEE THEM IN THE SAME WAY AS SOMEONE WALKING AROUND WITH A BROKEN BONE." —Simon Rego, PsyD, Chief, Psychology, and Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Montefiore
"There can be no health without mental health," according to the World Health Organization. Montefiore joins the nationwide observation of Mental Health Month in May, recognizing that good mental health is integral to overall health. We're shining a light on some important practices that support mental health in ourselves and others: Reach out—in the United States, less than half of individuals with a mental health condition receive any kind of mental health services. If you or someone you care about is facing a mental health challenge, seek help, starting with a primary care provider. Adopt a healthy habit—think about how often you exercise, what you eat, your sleep patterns and how you relieve stress. Challenge stigma—everyone knows someone affected by a mental health condition, such as depression, anxiety, trauma or schizophrenia. Educate yourself and others about common mental health conditions.
Montefiore offers comprehensive mental and behavioral health services for all ages, including programs that address substance use problems and support healthy relationships. The Montefiore Associate Wellness Program is also a great resource, providing an array of wellness programs to support every associate.
Caregiver Support Team: (left to right) Sharon Cunniff, volunteer; Stephen Minter, volunteer; Sarah Stapleton, Clinical Supervisor; Lynette Olmo, Program Assistant; Mizraim Ramos, Program Assistant; and Prudence Edwards, volunteer.
Montefiore's newest Caregiver Support Center (CSC), located at the Wakefield Campus, saw more than 50 associates at a recent open house where they met the staff and learned more about how the Center supports caregivers. This award-winning program, the first and only Caregiver Support Center in New York City, offers a private, soothing and supportive environment to families and friends of hospitalized patients, where they can regroup, reflect, talk and cope with their emotions. "Oftentimes the caregivers need support when they're struggling emotionally with their loved one's illness," says Sarah Stapleton, LCSW, Clinical Supervisor of the Wakefield CSC. A steady stream of associates stopped by during the three-day open house, and in the days following the official opening, staff were able to quickly identify families that could benefit from the space. "Our centers have been such a success, and we're so excited to extend the program to the Wakefield community," says Randi Kaplan, LMSW, Director, CSC. The Center is staffed by mental health professionals and specially trained volunteers. Montefiore's two other CSCs are located on the Moses and Einstein Campuses.
Montefiore's groundbreaking new model for rehabilitative care seamlessly aligns services between Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, Schaffer Extended Care Center and Montefiore's Home Care Program, providing a comprehensive system designed to enhance patient care and improve outcomes.
Building on Montefiore's reputation for excellence, the model brings together collaborative teams to design pathways for patients with complex medical conditions, such as stroke and transplant patients requiring progressive rehabilitation. Whether a patient needs intensive therapy at an acute rehabilitation facility, which provides daily, rigorous therapy of three hours or more; less-intensive therapy at a sub-acute facility, such as a skilled nursing facility; or home-based rehabilitation services; with this model, patients can move along the continuum of care as necessary for their recovery.
As of March 1, Burke assumed responsibility for providing inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services at the Montefiore New Rochelle campus, ensuring patients have access to highly-trained Burke specialists. This focus on cohesive alignment reshapes the way that healthcare professionals plan and manage post-acute care, and allows for better patient outcomes, quicker recovery and more cost-effective treatment.
Steven Choi, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics; Assistant Vice President; Director, Montefiore Network Performance Improvement; and Executive Director, Montefiore Institute for Performance Improvement (MIPI), was the keynote speaker at the 2018 Leadership Conference at Healthfirst. His lecture, titled "Leading Change for High-Reliability," provided insight into using emotional intelligence and change management skills to become a successful leader in healthcare.
Simon Rego, PsyD, Chief, Psychology, and Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Montefiore, was named the 2018 Jerilyn Ross Clinician Advocate recipient at the Annual Anxiety and Depression Association of America conference in Washington, DC. The award acknowledges national leaders in psychology or psychiatry who exemplify excellence and outstanding advocacy for patient education and care, training and research.
Jared Shapiro, DrPH(c), PhD(c), MPH, Director, Environmental Health and Safety, was a presenter at The Joint Commission Conference. His presentation, "The NICS: A System Wide Approach to Emergency Response," described effective methods in creating a comprehensive systemwide emergency preparedness network.
Tova Koenigsberg, MD, Assistant Professor, Radiology; Division Chief, Section of Breast Imaging; and Medical Director, Montefiore Advanced Imaging and Medical Arts Pavilion, was the first recipient of Beekley Medical's Empower Award, which honors radiologists who best embody the mission of mammography.
Researchers at the Montefiore Medical Center are conducting a study in women who have been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an image guided ultrasound cryoablation (cryosurgery) procedure to treat early stage breast cancer as an alternative to surgical lumpectomy. This is an FDA approved technique for treating benign tumors (fibroadenomas). The cryoablation procedure will be using the IceSense3™ system. Cryoablation uses a hollow, thin tube, called a cryoprobe, to kill a tumor by freezing it. The goal of the cryoablation is to destroy the tumor cells in the breast including a margin of healthy breast tissue surrounding it. Including this additional tissue is done with the aim that the tumor will be destroyed completely. This research study is also intended to explore technical factors that may affect the success of cryoablation.
You may be eligible to participate in this study if you:
You may not participate in this study if you:
Call Ameriangel Roman at 718-862-8840 (x426) or email aromaner@montefiore.org to learn more.
Montefiore is hosting the See, Test & Treat program, offering free cancer screenings and health education for uninsured and underinsured women. Women can receive screening for cervical and breast cancer, including a mammogram. They will have the opportunity to review their results in person with a clinician that day (about two to three hours after testing), removing an obstacle that keeps many women from following through on treatment or prevention plans. Women can also spend the day learning about other preventive care. Register at 718-920-4600.
Saturday, May 19 | All Day
Montefiore Imaging Center
3400 Bainbridge Avenue, Bronx
Bring your favorite teddy bear, stuffed animal or doll to the Teddy Bear Hospital for a free checkup with Montefiore doctors and nurses. This event is open to children 12 and under and their families in the community and will be held rain or shine. Kids can tour an ambulance, visit the emergency department, learn important safety tips, and get an X-ray of their favorite stuffed animal. For more information, call 800-636-6683.
Saturday, May 19 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Emergency Department, Montefiore Wakefield Campus, 600 East 233rd Street
Sit back and relax at your desk or in your conference room as our Relaxation Specialist guides you in relaxing breathing and guided imagery. This webinar will be held via Zoom Video conferencing. Call-in details provided upon registration. Register via Talent Management.
Led by Jillian Vicinanza, MT-BC
Wednesday, May 30 | 12:00–12:30 PM
