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

Our Roots, Our Mission, Our Promise of Excellence
2
Living
our
Mission
Making a Difference
Around the World
There are dozens of Catholic Health associates and
physicians who participate in medical missions around
the world. They’ve traveled to places like Africa, Brazil,
Jamaica, and Guatemala to help those in need. And, according
to all accounts, they’ve all returned with a gift
far greater than what they gave.
Mark Hoeplinger, M.D., an Ear, Nose & Throat
Specialist at Mercy Hospital, recently returned from
Guatemala where he helped set up a hearing clinic in a
remote village. It was Dr. Hoeplinger’s fourth medical
mission since 2006 with an organization called Faith in
Practice.
“There are five ENT’s for 12 million people in Guatemala,
which puts things into perspective,” said Dr.
Hoeplinger pictured below with his wife Christine
Hoeplinger, D.D.S., who joined him on two missions.
“Watching children with hearing loss react to hearing
for the first time has been
such a rewarding and
touching experience.”
Another mission team
led by John Davanzo,
Catholic Health Senior
VP of Regional Development,
just came back
from working in impoverished
neighborhoods
in Jamaica. For the past
eight years, Davanzo, pictured below with a group of
Jamaican children, has served as a volunteer team leader
for Global Health Ministries (GHM), sponsored by
Catholic Health East.
Other team members included: Mary Ormond, Laboratory
Technician, Mercy Ambulatory Care Center;
Jennifer Boncore, RN, Surgery Department, Sisters
Hospital; and Anthony Bonner, M.D., retired Cardiologist,
Mercy Hospital, and his wife Catherine Bonner,
retired pharmacist and Mercy Hospital volunteer.
Steve Piesczynski, Director of Facilities and Engineering
at Mercy Hospital, went on his second mission
trip to Peru with GHM in 2008. During his first trip, he
helped install power converters to operate surgical equipment.
“We need volunteers from many backgrounds,
not just patient care, to be successful,” he stressed.
There are many others across the system like Drs.
Andrew Cappuccino, Jeffrey
Mielman and Joshua Usen of
Kenmore Mercy Hospital who
have contributed their time and
talents to medical missions. St.
Joseph Hospital orthopedist,
John Moscato, M.D. was so
moved by his mission trips to
Ecuador and Guyana that he
and his wife, Beth Moscato,
Ph.D., an epidemiologist and
University of Buffalo faculty
member, conduct an instructional program for UB students
interested in medical missions.
And, it seems once you’re hooked, you’re really
hooked. Lynne Mason-Wicks, an Occupational Therapist
at McAuley-Seton Home Care, will be going on
her second medical mission to Jamaica in January 2010.
“During my first trip, I remember how overwhelming it
was and I wasn’t sure if we were even making a dent,”
she said. “But when I saw the children cheering for us
and waving good-bye as we left, I knew we had made a
difference.”
Catholic Health associates who are interested in applying
for medical missions can contact the Mission Integration
leaders at their respective ministries.
Catholic Health Tops in
Upstate Health Systems
For the second consecutive year, Catholic
Health has been named to the list of the
most efficient integrated healthcare networks
in the nation, the 2009 SDI IHN
100. The ranking, conducted by SDI Health,
a national healthcare data and consulting
firm, recognizes the 100 most integrated
networks out of 570 health systems graded
annually on operations, quality, scope of services
and efficiency.
Catholic Health was raked 64th overall
and in the top 10 in the Northeast Region,
placing ahead of all other health systems
in Upstate New York. To achieve the rating,
Catholic Health had perfect scores in
several categories including: integration and
outpatient utilization; and strong scores in
the services and access and hospital utilization
sections of the survey.
“We’re very proud of our associates and
Earth Day – Do something good for the planet on April
22. Look for more information at our ministries for Earth
Day activities.
Electronics Recycling Day – Spring is a great time to
clean up around the house. But what do you do with those
old PCs, monitors, VCR players and other electronics. It’s illegal to just throw them away
in the trash and bad for the environment. Catholic Health has a great solution.
On Saturday, May 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Appletree Business Park, Catholic
Health will hold an “Electronics Recycling Day” for associates, physicians and volunteers.
You’ll be able to get rid of unwanted electronics in your home and protect the environment.
Catholic Health Go Green volunteers, in cooperation with Regional Computer Recycling
and Recovery of Rochester, will accept unwanted personal electronic equipment from your
home. This event is open to our entire Catholic Health family.
Food Drive – We’ll also be collecting non-perishable food items for the WNY Food
Bank at the Electronics Recycling Day event, so it’s a double win for our community!
Look for details coming soon and gather up your old unwanted electronics. Many thanks
to David Rhoads of the Catholic Health IT Department for heading up this great project.
Green Tip From David Rhoads, Catholic Health IT
A little research from Dave shows you can save up to 95% in power consumption by
switching your PC and monitor to “standby” when not use. Of course you can save 100% by
just shutting them off.
Having a baby is a special and exciting
time for new parents. That’s why Catholic
Health is working to create a more comfortable,
private and home-like environment for
its maternity patients at Sisters of Charity
Hospital and Mercy Hospital of Buffalo.
Sisters Hospital’s Special BirthPlace is
undergoing a $1 million face lift. The construction
project includes the renovation of
all patient rooms into private rooms with
private showers. There will also be two “Special
Beginnings Suites” patients can choose
during their stay for an additional cost.
These new suites, pictured above, will have
a 32” flat screen TV; refrigerator stocked
with refreshments; coffeemaker with specialty
coffees, teas and hot chocolate; a pullout
sleeper sofa for a guest to stay overnight;
wireless internet access; free telephone and
television service; and a special gift basket
full of Crabtree & Evelyn bath and body
Catholic Health Sponsors
Electronics Recycling Day
Special Beginnings
physicians for all their hard
work this past year in moving
Catholic Health up 32
places on the list,” said Joe
McDonald, president and
CEO of Catholic Health. “We are in the
company of some very strong health systems
and this recognition is an affirmation of our
quest to improve our processes, access and
quality for the patients we serve.”
In addition to the national recognition,
Catholic Health’s SDI rating is good news
for area patients. “It’s one more indicator
that we are moving into the ranks of the best
performing hospital systems in the nation,
which has always been one of our objectives,”
McDonald continued. “For our community,
it simply means the highest quality
care and a better overall patient experience.”
products for mom, along with goodies for
baby. Renovation plans also include a special
bereavement suite for parents who have experienced
a loss.
Mercy Hospital’s Family BirthPlace recently
opened a new family waiting area,
pictured below, which is the first phase of
a $1.8 million renovation project. Plans
also include converting all patient rooms
into private rooms, including five “Celebration
Suites and a bereavement suite. Mercy’s
home-like “Birthing Rooms” are fully
equipped for labor, delivery and recovery;
and four include Jacuzzi whirlpool tubs, giving
moms a higher level of comfort and relaxation
before delivery.
Renovations of the new private rooms and
suites at Sisters and Mercy hospitals should
be completed in the next few months.
www.chsbuffalo.org