a publication of white plains hospital winter 2017 5things ......not necessary. “i think a key...

WINTER 2017A Publication of White Plains Hospital

The Secret Lives of EMTs

What it’s like to be on the other side of a 911 call

Stay Well in New Rochelle!

We’ll Show You Where

Meet Our Magnet® Nurses

and Find Out What Makes Them So Extraordinary

WHY ACUPUNCTURE MIGHT BE GOOD FOR YOU

THINGS YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW!

www.wphospital.org

5

This morning, a lung cancer patient got a fighting advantage - an entire team of highly-skilled surgeons.

We put everything we have into a patient’s fight against lung cancer - that includes a team approach to surgery. When multiple, highly-trained surgeons collaborate in the operating room, they can perform complex surgeries even more effectively. At White Plains Hospital, we’ve built an award-winning lung cancer program, delivering life-saving procedures and an exceptional patient experience, every day.

Assess your risk at exceptionaleveryday.org/lung

A M E M B E R O F T H E M O N T E F I O R E H E A L T H S Y S T E M

THIS MORNING

1WINTER 2017 | WPHOSPITAL.ORG

White Plains Hospital is always evolving. In the last few years alone we

have upgraded our facilities, expanded our practices throughout the

county, and formed new partnerships. But no matter what improvements we

have made—or will make in the future—rest assured, they are always driven by

the same motivation: To deliver exceptional medical care to our patients.

Exceptional care simply would not be possible without our extraordinary

nurses. Day in and day out, our remarkable team offers an unprecedented com-

bination of medical expertise and compassionate care to every single patient.

In fact, transcending the norm is so rooted in the culture at White Plains

Hospital that once again, we have achieved Magnet® designation—widely

considered to be the gold standard of nursing excellence. As a nurse myself,

this award is extra special to me. I am extremely proud of our staff, especially

our nurses, for achieving this recognition for a second time. You can read more

about what it means for our patients in “Magnet Magic” on page 8.

Also in this issue (and every issue) of Health Matters we reach beyond

Hospital walls to provide health and wellness expertise in a way that enables

you to incorporate it into your daily living. Want to know how to strengthen

your heart, receive the right screening for your age and health history, or shed

those extra holiday pounds? Our doctors weigh in on the following pages. To

us, exceptional care takes place in and out of the Hospital and it starts with

empowering our community to make healthy choices part of everyday life.

Yours in good health,

Susan Fox

President and CEO

White Plains Hospital

LETTER

FROM THE DESK OF

Susan FoxPRESIDENT AND CEO

HEALTH MATTERS2

CONTENTS

WINTER 2017

PRESIDENT AND CEO, WHITE PLAINS HOSPITAL

Susan Fox

VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING & COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Dawn French

DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS

Eliza O’Neill Have questions or comments for White Plains Hospital? Drop us a note at [email protected]

Features

Departments 6

18

8 MAGNET MAGICWhite Plains Hospital is among only 7 percent of U.S. hospitals to achieve Magnet® Status. Here’s how we did it for a second time and what it means for you. By Bill Cary

11 THE FIGHT AGAINST HEART DISEASELifestyle choices can make a big difference when it comes to cardiac health. Here’s how to strengthen your body to lengthen your life. By Adrian Burke

14 THE SECRET LIVES OF EMTS What it’s like to be on the other side of a 911 call. By Mary Lynn Strom

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2 Clinton Ave, Rye NY 10580 914-963-8300 ext.136

3 HEALTH WATCH Doctors weigh in on trendy diets; acupuncture comes to White Plains Hospital; plus how the Hospital is helping to increase important health screenings.

6 STAY WELL IN NEW ROCHELLE Join Dr. Lesa Kelly on a healthy tour of the city. By Abby Rose

18 OUR EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE Meet Environmental Services’ Earle Roper. By Bill Cary

20 BEEN THERE Photos from around town.

21WHAT’S HAPPENING Put these helpful events on your calendar.

This publication in no way seeks to serve as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.White Plains Hospital complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.


HEALTH WATCH

Admit it: Losing weight tops your list of New Year’s Resolutions every year. But with so many diet

trends and fads—low carb, no carb, Paleo,

cleanses, and so on—it’s hard to know which

battle-against-the-bulge is best for you.

Choosing a weight-loss plan is very

individual, says Elizabeth DeRobertis, MS,

RD, CDN, CDE, Director of the Nutrition

Center at Scarsdale Medical Group. An ideal

plan takes into consideration what a person

can reasonably handle—without cheating. “If

it’s not realistic, it won’t work,” she says. Ni-

tya Sharma, MD, Director of the Weight Cen-

ter at Westmed in White Plains, agrees: “It’s

important to follow a weight-loss plan that

keeps you full and not deprived or hungry;

otherwise you will set yourself up for failure.”

Which diet is realistic for you? Here’s the

scoop on some of the most popular.

THE PALEO DIETPREMISE: Eat like a caveman. In other

words, enjoy meats, eggs, fish, vegetables,

nuts, seeds, and fruits. But avoid dairy,

processed foods, grains, gluten, flour, beans,

legumes, processed oils, refined sugar,

potatoes, peanuts, cashews, and alcohol.

PROS: This is a high-protein, low-carb plan

that allows you to feel satiated throughout

the day.

CONS: Unless you’re lactose intolerant,

low-fat dairy products are actually helpful

for weight loss, says DeRobertis. Paleo

eliminates dairy, which can hinder weight

loss, not help. Dairy, she explains, is

generally lower in carbs, higher in protein,

and also contains calcium and vitamin

D. Another con, according to Dr. Sharma,

this diet can be high in saturated fat.

THE WHOLE30PREMISE: Designed to “cleanse and reset

your body,” Whole30 recommends avoiding

added sugars, dairy, legumes, and grains—

but just for 30 days. After that, you can

“thoughtfully” work them back into your

diet. Whole30 teaches good habits, but it

isn’t intended to be a permanent practice.

PROS: Whole30 encourages eating whole

foods, i.e. products with few ingredients and

foods with no ingredient list at all. The point

of the diet is not necessarily weight loss, but

to improve overall health. Dr. Sharma likes

that it focuses on foods that are minimally

processed or not processed at all. “It also

discourages weighing in often to take the

focus off the number and put the focus more

on how the individual feels,” she says.

CONS: The restrictiveness of the 30 days

can make it challenging. “If we set ourselves

up to think we need to eat perfectly 100%

of the time (even just for 30 days), we are

setting ourselves up for failure. As soon as

you go off track, you feel like you blew it,”

explains DeRobertis.

THE 21-DAY FIX PREMISE: Portion control. The diet—

which advertises that you can drop up to 15

pounds in three weeks— includes color-cod-

ed containers to measure out the portions of

everything you eat. According to Google, it

was one of the most searched diets in 2015.

PROS: It addresses your individual calorie

Weighing In on Popular Diets BY ABBY ROSE

Scarsdale Medical Group Nutritionist Elizabeth DeRobertis and Westmed’s Dr. Nitya Sharma both agree: The best diets are realistic ones.

4 HEALTH MATTERS

needs. It offers larger portions of low-calorie foods

and smaller portions of high-calorie foods, which

is a diet strategy that works long term.

CONS: It can be unrealistic to prepare and portion

control every meal in advance. Also, you have to

invest in 21-Day Fix containers. At the end of the

day, says DeRobertis, there is no 21-day solution to

losing weight. “It has to be a lifestyle change and

you have to be willing to commit to it.”

MEAL REPLACEMENTS/SUPPLEMENTSPREMISE: Meal replacements are typically

shakes, but can also come in the form of bars

or other similar items. Typically, they contain

about 200 calories and are fortified with vitamins

and minerals to help meet daily nutrient needs.

Popular ones include Isogenic, Shakeology,

Advocare, and Medifast/Take Shape For Life.

PROS: Meal replacements have been proven to be an

effective way to lose weight as long as you properly

transition back to regular foods.

CONS: “Cleansing” is not a long-term solution.

Ideally, choose a program that contains shakes,

bars, and other items to chew. Diet pills should

not be considered a meal replacement. In fact,

DeRobertis strongly warns against them, as many

are not regulated.

INTERMITTENT FASTING AND THE FAST DIET PREMISE: There’s been a lot of buzz on fasting

and there are two ways to go about it. The first:

Eat all of your food within an eight-hour window

each day and then fast for the remaining 16 hours

per day. The other option is a weekly approach:

Fast for two days per week and eat normally the

other five. Fast days are not a complete fast; the

diet recommends 500-600 calories per day.

PROS: You eat your normal amount of food in a

smaller time frame. It’s not so much a diet as it is a

pattern of eating that reduces your eating window

to about eight hours a day. It works because it sets

boundaries.

CONS: It’s not realistic for most people and likely

not necessary. “I think a key weight-loss strategy

is to space out healthy snacks during the day, so

you don’t go too long without eating. Because then

you end up overeating,” says DeRobertis. In other

words, if you’re mindful in your eating habits—and

enjoy healthy, calorie-conscious meals spaced out at

strategic intervals—you should do fine on your own.

Acupuncture may seem daunting, but this form of Chinese medicine is as

relaxing as a massage. (Many clients even fall asleep during the treatment!)

Even better: It has real health benefits. The holistic treatment, which re-bal-

ances energy known as “Qi” throughout the body, has been recognized by the

National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as

a legitimate treatment for a wide variety of medical conditions. Acupuncture

can help alleviate pain, nausea, anxiety and depression, and it can help with

weight loss, too.

In fact, acupuncture has proven so effective in improving health ailments,

it’s now being offered at White Plains Hospital. “Acupuncture is particularly

helpful for cancer patients. It can help alleviate side effects from chemothera-

py, like nausea and fatigue,” says Eugenio Jimenez de Castro, LAc, a licensed

acupuncturist who joined the team at White Plains Hospital in January. “We’ve

seen great results.” It has also been successfully used to treat anxiety and

depression, chronic back pain, digestive issues, and asthma.

What’s a treatment like? Typically, you’ll start by discussing your medical

history and the reason for your visit. Next, you’ll lie on a massage table and

the practitioner will strategically place needles at certain pressure points on

the body. Scared? Don’t be. The needles are so fine, you may feel a slight prick

when they go in but you certainly won’t feel pain.

“Acupuncture can be a holistic way to alleviate pain,” says Dr. de Castro. “It

can also help quiet the mind and relieve stress.”

Now who couldn’t use a little of that?

Interested in acupuncture at White Plains Hospital? Services cost $95 for 45 minutes.

A physician’s referral is required. To schedule an appointment, call 914-849-7653.

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF ACUPUNCTURE


HEALTH WATCH

80% by 2018White Plains Hospital is Spreading the Word about Colorectal Cancer BY ADRIAN BURKE

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the

U.S., according to the American Cancer Society. Yet, it is a cancer

that is preventable, says Dr. Ben Marano, gastroenterologist and

president of the medical staff at White Plains Hospital.

Through screening, colorectal cancer can be detected at a stage

when treatment is most likely to be successful. But doctors can

also find and remove hidden growths (called “polyps”) in the colon,

which can prevent cancer altogether.

“If you remove a polyp, you remove something that can be

pre-cancer,” says Dr. Marano.

Yet, currently only 1 in 3 Americans is getting the recommended

screening, which is usually a colonoscopy. This year, White Plains

Hospital is out to improve that statistic.

An initiative launched this year by the American Cancer Soci-

ety, The Centers for Disease Control, and The National Colorectal

Cancer Roundtable is aimed at having 80% of adults aged 50 and over

being regularly screened for colorectal cancer by 2018.

White Plains Hospital was the first Westchester hospital to sign

on to the “80% by 2018” pledge.

“We know that it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the number

of recommendations for screenings and tests for various types of

diseases, but the reason this is so important is that

it actually works,” says Dr. Marano.

“Due to colorectal screening, colon cancer

deaths have decreased 30 percent in the last 10

years. It works,” says Dr. Marano.

So why do so many people avoid having it done?

“Part of it is education,” explains Dr. Marano.

“People don’t realize that if you are over 50 years

of age, you should be screened, even if you have

no symptoms. The other key is having physicians

recommend it. It’s been shown that when a physi-

cian recommends a test or a screening, patients are

more likely to get it done.”

Beyond awareness, another reason for avoid-

ance says Dr. Marano, is a misconception about

what the screening will be like.

There are several methods to detect colorectal

cancer, including fecal occult blood tests, stool DNA

tests, and sigmoidoscopy but the gold standard is

a colonoscopy. During this procedure, a doctor uses a thin, flexible

tube called a colonoscope, along with a small video camera, to look

at the inner linings of the rectum and colon.

“I explain the procedure beforehand because that

can alleviate some fears and anxieties,” says Dr.

Marano. “We also try to make the preparation as

reasonable as possible. After the fact, most patients

will tell me it was not nearly as problematic as they

thought it would be.”

As part of the goal to accomplish “80% by 2018,”

White Plains Hospital has enlisted medical staff, nurs-

ing staff, and other employees, all of whom signed a

pledge to explain the benefits of screening to individu-

als over age 50 who have never been screened. Those

two then pledge to talk to two more people, thus

spreading the word, and hopefully increasing the rate

of screening.

“We want to get people to generate interest, to

speak with their doctors, to bring it up at a physical,”

says Dr. Marano. As a hospital, we also want to make

it as easy as possible for people to get screened. When

something is easy, patients will tend to do it.” •

SCREENING OPTIONS A colonoscopy is the gold standard for colon cancer screening, but there are other, less invasive options. Talk to your primary care physician

or gastroenterologist about the right test for you. If you don’t have a physician, we can connect you to one: Call 914-849-MyMD.

WPH President and CEO Susan Fox, joined by medical staff and Hospital and community leaders, signed the 80% by 2018 Pledge in March 2016.

Who’s At Risk for Colorectal

Cancer?Generally, screening for colorectal cancer begins at age 50, but you should talk to your doctor about screening before then if:• You’ve had

colorectal cancer or polyps before.

• You’ve had inflamma-tory bowel disease, (like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease).

• You have a strong fam-ily history of colorectal cancer or polyps.

6 HEALTH MATTERS

New Rochelle, the Queen City of the Sound, was recently named one of the top 50 U.S. cities to live in

by 24/7 Wall St. It’s the only city in New York to make the list.

But who’s surprised? New Rochelle is close to New York City, has a low crime rate, a diverse

economy, and according to longtime resident Lesa Kelly, MD, Dermatologist for White Plains Hospital

Physician Associates, it’s a great place to get—and stay—healthy. Here, she suggests some healthy-living

destinations in New Rochelle, including ways to keep your skin vibrant and glowing even in the shortest,

darkest days of winter.

New Rochelle By Abby Rose

Dr. Lesa Kelly

Treat Your Feet (And Hands)TIFFANY NAILS Nails are part of our body too. To prevent bacteria from forming, Dr. Kelly suggests keeping nails clean and dry. And, never bite your fingernails, which can bring dirt and germs right into your mouth. Instead, cut them straight across and rounded slightly in center. Or enjoy a little pamper-ing and have someone else do that for you. At Tiffany Nails, the mani/pedi treatments help keep your nails clean and strong—and, let’s face it, the brief R&R doesn’t hurt either. 1331 North Ave B, (914) 632-2150.

Stock UpHARMON DISCOUNT Moisturizers, exfoliators, lip balms, sunscreens, and anti-aging products line the shelves at this Skincare Mecca. Dr. Kelly advises buying gentle, fragrance-free cleans-ers, ointments, and creams to protect against the harshness of winter. That means lip balm to prevent chapped lips as well as non-greasy hand creams to minimize dry hands. And don’t forget your Bed, Bath & Beyond coupons—you can use them here. 77 Quaker Ridge Rd, (914) 633-5696, www.harmondiscount.com

STAY WELL IN…

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Get CulturedMUSEUM OF ARTS & CULTURE AT NEW ROCHELLE HIGH Positive lifestyle behav-iors keep you healthy and your skin looking younger, says Dr. Kelly, herself a New Ro High School graduate. “Stud-ies in neuroscience have shown that viewing visual art significantly reduces stress and anxiety,” she says. Overseen by the New Rochelle Fund for Excellence, the Museum of Arts & Culture, the only designated museum in a high school in New York State, offers educational exhibits in two galleries. Most recently it housed a re-creation of Anne Frank’s bedroom. The museum is free and open during school hours. 265 Clove Rd, (914) 576-5643.

Have Fun With FidoWARD ACRES Stress takes a toll on your body, precisely why Dr. Kelly is a proponent of downtime. Often you’ll find her with other pet-parents at this popular Wykagyl park, where she and her dog enjoy fresh air, wood-ed scenery, and wide, open spaces. “Medical studies show relaxation reduces stress hor-mones and improves overall mood and skin,” says Dr. Kelly. Quaker Ridge Rd, www.welovewardacres.net


Go GreenJOLO’S KITCHEN Of course kale is good for your body, but did you know this powerful leafy veggie also packs an ac-ne-fighting punch? Its many vitamins—A, C, K, E, B1, B2, B3, calcium, beta-carotene, phosphorous, iron, copper, magnesium, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids—help promote the repair and maintenance of the skin. Jolo’s Kitchen Owner Jolo Moise says his “Super Greens” juice, which contains kale, spinach, lemon, celery, cucumber, and ginger is also great for warding off colds. Moise is known around town as a virtual mix-master of healthy concoc-tions. His ever-popular Hot Vitamin C Immune Booster is made with lime, lemon, orange, and cayenne pep-per, fruits which Dr. Kelly says help facilitate healthy, glowing skin. 412 North Ave, (914) 355-2527, www.joloskitchen.com

Take A HikeLEATHERSTOCKING TRAIL Acne, eczema, hives, rosacea, psoriasis are some of the skin disorders that take root from the psyche. Along with its many physical benefits—including reducing the risk of heart disease, lowering blood pressure, and protecting against Osteoporosis—exercise can help clear your mind, and by increasing blood flow, nourish skin cells, as well. But even in winter, wear sunscreen. “Generously apply a broad spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30,” advises Dr. Kelly. “Similarly, especially come warmer weather, wear protective clothing such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses. You want to be pro-tected not just against the harmful rays of the sun, but against ticks, too.” Located between New Rochelle and Larchmont with links into Saxon Woods County Park; https://westchestertrails.wordpress.com/trails/leatherstocking

Warm UpR PATISSERIE CAFE & TEA BOUTIQUE Want to keep your skin looking youthful? Try yerba maté tea, which helps prevent and repair skin damage caused by free radicals. According to Dr. Kelly, tea, in general—and R Patisserie has 17 different kinds to choose from—is rich in polyphenols, molecules with antioxidant properties. This keeps your skin hydrated, helps reverse the effects of UV damage, and reduces inflammation. 302 Huguenot St, (914) 358-1841, www.rpatisserie.com

Eat Your VeggiesGOT THYME Salads packed with kale, beets, walnuts, tomatoes, and yellow/green peppers make a great go-to meal. Their antioxidants fend off the free radicals that lead to premature wrinkles and even skin cancer, explains Dr. Kelly. Kale provides vitamins and anti-inflammatory protection, the beets are blood and liver cleansers, the tomatoes and pep-pers are antioxidants, and the walnuts provide omega-3s, which are good for your heart. 1282 North Ave, (914) 355-4700, www.gotthymewestchester.com

Get In TuneALVIN AND FRIENDS Listening to music decreases levels of the stress hormone cortisol. According to Dr. Kelly, it also calms and improves mood. Aside from great soul food, Alvin & Friends offers live music Friday and Saturday nights—everything from jazz to rock, R&B to Motown—starting at 7 p.m. along with a jazz brunch Sunday. 14 Memorial Hwy, (914) 654-6549, www.alvinandfriendsrestaurant.com

Soothe Your Scalp (And Hair)SHEAR PLEASURE HAIR SALON Barbara Nunziato, the owner of this 30-plus-year-old salon, does your hair and checks your scalp for moles or other growths. She’s quick to notice thinning hair, which Dr. Kelly says can be a sign of an underlying health condition. 43A Quaker Ridge Rd, (914) 632-6100, www.shearpleasurehairsalon.com

8 HEALTH MATTERS

White Plains Hospital is among only 7% of Hospitals in the U.S. to achieve Magnet Status—the gold standard of nursing excellence. Here’s how we did it for a second time and what it means for you.

BY BILL CARY

MAGNET MAGIC


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At the core of every great hospi-tal you’ll find a dedicated team

of nurses who keep the place

humming along at the highest

level, offering the latest and best

in medical care and technology

and comforting patients and

their families at every turn.

At White Plains Hospital, though, the

nurses are especially wonderful—in fact,

the Hospital’s team of 700 nurses won top

honors from the American Nurses Creden-

tialing Center (ANCC) in their Magnet®

Recognition Program.

A Magnet® Hospital designation—the gold

standard of nursing excellence and overall

patient care—was first given to White Plains

Hospital back in 2012. The Hospital won

Magnet® status again earlier this fall, after a

rigorous review within the hospital and exter-

nally by the American Nurses Credentialing

Center (ANCC), which runs the Magnet®

Program and reviews hospitals every four

years. In fact, members of the ANCC survey

team spent three full days at the Hospital in

September conducting an on-site survey.

In New York State, only 25 hospitals or

medical centers have Magnet® status. In

Westchester, along with White Plains, there

are only two other Magnet® hospitals.

“It’s a great honor to get the accredi-

tation,” said Margaret Brock, a nurse and

the Magnet® Program Coordinator at the

Hospital. “Only seven percent of hospitals

nationwide have it.”

Of course, when choosing a hospital

you might be more concerned about your

doctor’s credentials and even the look and

reputation of the overall facility than with

nursing care. While important, it’s largely

the nurses who will shape your hospital

experience, be it answering your calls for

more pain medication, communicating your

concerns to doctors, making sure you have

the right meal on your tray, and most impor-

tantly, by making you feel more like a person

than a patient. For the nurses at White Plains

Hospital, going above and beyond isn’t an

occasional thing, it’s simply part of the job.

STRONGER TOGETHERMore than just a prestigious honor, the

Magnet® Program actually helps strengthen

a hospital’s nursing department through edu-

cation. Here, nurses are encouraged to stay

current with medical literature and to attend

educational conferences.

“Nurses are looking at the research and

looking at new products that are on the

market,” Brock says. Nurses at White Plains

Hospital also publish research and present

the best practices at national conferences.

They are also encouraged to go back

to school to get bachelor’s, master’s, and

doctorate degrees. Chief Nursing Officer

and Senior Vice President of Patient Care

Services, Leigh Anne McMahon, RN, set a

goal of having 80 percent of all White Plains

Hospital nurses equipped with BSN degrees

by the year 2020, which was based on a

national goal of 80 percent by 2020. Now

more than 90 percent of the nursing staff is

equipped with BSN degrees.

“I think the Magnet® Program has been

great—great for the hospital, great for

patients,” says Janet Gaynor, a staff nurse

in the Endoscopy Department. “I’ve been

here since 1979 and I think it has definitely

strengthened the nursing program.”

It has also increased overall job satisfac-

tion among the nursing staff. “We have an

environment where nurses want to be here,

they want to work here because they care

about patients,” Brock explains.

Doctors are well aware of the hard work

and professionalism that goes into being

a nurse at White Plains Hospital, and they

Endoscopy Nurse Janet Gaynor, BSN, RN, CPAN, CGRN and Magnet Program Director Margaret Brock, MSN, FNP, OCN

Nursing and Hospital leaders celebrated the re-designation of White Plains Hospital with Magnet status on November 22.

10 HEALTH MATTERS

have nothing but respect and admiration for

this incredible team.

“Nurses feel respected by the physicians

here,” Gaynor says. “They see us as equal part-

ners in the patients’ care.”

Co-Director of Hospitalist Medicine at the

Hospital, Dr. Carrie Siao says, “Nurses under-

stand the pulse of the patient, what’s going on

with them and their families.”

“Nurses do so much for the patients, they

do so much for the doctors,” Dr. Siao says. Dr.

Siao remembers a recent patient with terminal

cancer who spent the last five or six weeks

of her life in the hospital. “She didn’t want

to let go, and the nurses were so kind to her,

working with her to control her pain and keep

her comfortable,” Dr. Siao says. “They were

walking through the dying process with her.

They were so gentle, so compassionate.”

BRANCHING OUT The Magnet® Program is all about teamwork

and nurse collaboration with other staff and

departments. Nurse teamwork also means

accompanying doctors on daily patient rounds

and participating in meetings with social

workers, hospital administrators, and physical

and occupational therapists. A nurse’s reach ex-

tends far beyond the Hospital as a nurse helps

set up care at home. Typically, a nurse will help

figure out who is going to help care for the pa-

tient when she gets home. Is she clear-headed

enough to monitor her own medications? What

about a portable oxygen tank?

And here’s a little-known secret: Nurses also

coordinate care with various departments in

the hospital. For example, on a daily basis they

work with Food Services to make sure patients

on special diets get the proper meals. They

communicate constantly with Environmental

Services to ensure rooms are regularly cleaned

to prevent infections.

Nurses are the eyes and ears of a hospital and

they have the power to effect change at White

Plains Hospital. For example, when it came time

to order new mattresses for all 292 beds at White

Plains Hospital a couple of years ago, nurses

helped make the call. They pushed for a style of

mattress designed to prevent and reduce bed-

sores—and it turned out to be more cost effective

than some of the mattress models under review.

Mostly, though, the nurses at White Plains

Hospital are known—and Magnet® recog-

nized—for always going the extra mile. They’re

consistently known for getting the job done,

gently guiding patients through complicated,

procedures, and brightening the days of their

patients. And when a devoted family member

needs to find a quiet place to take a shower or

rest, who do you think is the go-to person to

make that happen?

You got it—a nurse. •

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A MAGNET® HOSPITAL?

A Magnet® hospital is one that that has been recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center after demonstrating that it meets a set of criteria de-signed to measure the strength of quality of its nursing.

Magnet® recognition is the most prestigious international distinction a health-care orga-nization can receive for nursing excellence and patient care. It is called “Magnet,” by the way, because of the ability to attract and retain the best professional nurses.

A growing body of research shows that Magnet® status has a positive impact on:

• Patient outcomes and patient safety while in the hospital.

• Nursing quality care.

• Nurse job satisfaction, recruitment and retention.

• The overall work environment in the hospital.

• Nursing involvement in data collection and decision-mak-ing in patient care.

• Open communication between nurses and other members of the health-care team.

• Nurse managers who value and encourage the work of staff nurses and involve them in shaping a research-based nursing practice.

WPH Co-Director of the Hospitalist

Program Dr. Kathryn Siao (center) is a

champion of Magnet values on exceptional

quality care.

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February is Heart Month. So naturally, White Plains Hospital is going red this month, pro-

moting healthy lifestyle choices, the importance of regular heart screenings, and educat-

ing the community about the signs of a cardiac emergency.

With the rates of obesity and diabetes on the rise in the United States, it’s never been

more important to understand your risk of heart disease—and what lifestyle choices you can

make to prevent it. “It’s part of our culture; people know what they’re supposed to do, but often,

we avoid getting it done,” says Joanne Tamburri, MD, an internist and primary care physician with

Maple Medical Group in White Plains.

Often, the reason people don’t take precautions is because they don’t know what to do. Well,

you’re out of excuses. Here, in honor of National Heart Month and with the help of Dr. Tamburri,

we reveal a host of heart-healthy practices that you can begin right now. And we also give you a

peek inside White Plains Hospital’s two cath labs, where heart miracles happen every day. Dr. Joanne Tamburri (left) confers on a cardiac patient.

Lifestyle choices can make a big difference when it comes to cardiac health. Here’s how to strengthen your

body to lengthen your life. BY ADRIAN BURKE

THE FIGHT AGAINST HEART

DISEASE

AMERICAN HEART MONTH SPECIAL FEATURE

12 HEALTH MATTERS


1. START MOVING: Exercise helps in the

healthy functioning of artery walls, which, in

turn protects against heart disease. You don’t

have to race out and join a gym to reap the

benefits, says Dr. Tamburri. Simple physical

activities can boost your mood, promote

weight loss, and increase fitness.

“Start with a walk around the block and

build up to a regimen that works for you,”

says Tamburri.

Need more motivation? According to the

American Heart Association, “For each hour

of regular activity you get, you gain back about two hours of additional life expectancy.”

2. EAT RIGHT: A low-fat diet filled with fresh fruit and vegetables has been shown to lower

total and bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) levels. But there’s more to diet than eating well. One

of the biggest diet issues Dr. Tamburri sees is portion control. “How much is just as important as

what you eat. Even healthy foods can be a detriment when you’re consuming huge portions.”

3. MANAGE STRESS: Everyone understands that diet and exercise are key, but Dr. Tamburri

says stress is a huge factor in heart health. “We all have work and family and finances, but how

we deal with these issues has an effect on our heart. You have to find a way to reduce stress.”

She recommends anything from deep breathing exercises to meditation, yoga, or even a sooth-

ing bath at the end of the day.

4. KNOW YOUR NUMBERS: See your doctor for regular checkups and important screen-

ings including blood pressure, cholesterol, and an electrocardiogram (ECG). Dr. Tamburri says

everyone, including young people, should know their numbers, such as their LDL (bad cholester-

ol), HDL (good cholesterol) and Triglycerides.

5. GET TESTED: Along with the standard blood pressure and

cholesterol tests, there are other ways to determine your risk

of heart disease. Blood tests for C-reactive protein can show

inflammation, which may be an indicator of hardening or nar-

rowing of the arteries known as atherosclerosis. Likewise, blood

tests revealing elevated homocysteine levels may be an early

indication of heart disease. Dr. Tamburri advises talking with

your doctor about which tests are necessary for you.

“Some tests just don’t fit,” she says. “Unless you have a heart history or a genetic predispo-

sition, you probably don’t need to do more than a routine screening. Things like stress tests,

particularly for women, can often have misleading results.”

KNOW THE SIGNS

One of the most important things you can do for your heart is to know the signs of a heart attack. Think you know?

In a survey by the Centers for Disease Control, 92 percent of respondents recognized chest pain as a symptom of heart attack, but only 27 percent were aware of all the major symptoms and knew when to call 911. Dr. Roger Cappucci, Cardiologist at Scarsdale Medical Group and Chief of Cardiology at White Plains Hospital says, if you’re not sure, be safe: Call 911.

Heart Attacks in Men and Women“A heart attack can present very differently for a woman than it does for a man, so it’s important to know the signs,” says Dr. Cappucci. Men

commonly get that ‘Hollywood heart attack’, whereby he clutches his chest and has trouble breathing. But women often get obscure symp-toms that wouldn’t necessarily make you think, “heart attack.” Sure, they can get

straightforward signs like chest pains or difficulty breathing, but they may also experience nausea, toothaches, or pain in one or both of their arms. Dr. Cappucci cautions, “If something seems off to you, or you suspect you’re having a heart attack, play it safe and head to the ER immediately.”

Common signs• Chest pain or discomfort.• Upper body pain or discomfort in

the arms, back, neck, jaw, or upper stomach.

• Shortness of breath.• Nausea, lightheadedness, or

cold sweats.

Today is the perfect time to make lifestyle changes that can help

your heart in the future. Don’t know what to do?

We’ve mapped it out.

GET YOUR

HEART HEALTHY NOW

Cardiologist Dr. Roger Cappucci says, if you think someone is having a heart attack, play it safe and call 911.



INSIDE THE CATH LABIf, despite all your best efforts at prevention, you have a cardiac

emergency, head to White Plains Hospital—which now has two

cardiac catheterization labs—the Joan and Alan Herfort, MD

Cardiac Catheterization Lab, which opened in 2008, and the

Marie Promuto Cardiac Cath Lab, which opened in late 2015. In

the cath labs, cardiologists can perform emergency, minimally

invasive interventional procedures such as balloon angioplasty

and stenting to open narrow or blocked coronary arteries. White

Plains Hospital is one of only three hospitals in Westchester

County that can perform both emergency and elective angio-

plasty. This is good news for patients who no longer need to be

transferred to another facility to receive this critically import-

ant treatment. The additional lab means less waiting time for

patients and more options for treatment on the spot.

“By having two rooms, you can see more patients, which is

better medicine,” says Mark Greenberg, Director of Interventional

Cardiology at White Plains Hospital and Montefiore. You also help

them faster. In fact, the Hospital’s door-to-balloon time is phenom-

enal. The standard time is 90 minutes, and White Plains Hospital is

consistently operating significantly below that.

In the ER, Dr. Greenberg might be the first heart specialist you

see. After discussing your medical history, his job is to find out if

there is a problem with your heart and then take action quickly.

“With the opening of the second laboratory, we now have

the ability of treating patients with even more complex

blockages,” he says. “If we are performing a longer complex

coronary procedure, the availability of the second lab be-

comes critical to deal with emergency procedures. We rarely

are required now to transfer patients to another facility for a

coronary procedure.”

Since the lab’s opening, Dr. Greenberg says the volume of

patients has increased and his staff has embraced the challenge.

“We have a very good staff of referring cardiologists, board-

trained angioplasty specialists, and excellent nurses. We work

together as a team to deliver top-notch care.”

Dr. Greenberg speaks from his heart. •

White Plains Hospital is one of only three hospitals in Westchester with two cardiac catheterization labs.

HEART DISEASE BY THE NUMBERS

The following sobering statistics from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC) puts heart disease risk into perspective:

HEART DISEASEis the leading cause

of death for both MEN AND WOMEN

735,000 Americans suffer a

heart attack every year.

610,000People in the U.S. will

die of heart disease this year. That’s about 1 in

every 4 deaths.

14 HEALTH MATTERS

You’ve sprained your ankle. You’re having chest pain. You’re ballooning up from a bee sting. What do you do? Call 911, of course. Within minutes—day or night, weekends or holidays—EMS will arrive, and medics will get to work assessing injuries, clearing airways, adminis-tering medication, whatever it takes to stabilize your condition and get you to a hospital.

Paramedics and EMTs make up Emergency Medical

Services (EMS) and they’re usually the first medical

assistants on the scene of major accidents and even

minor injuries. EMTs, or EMT-Bs for EMT-Basics as

they are known in the field, go through about 120 to

180 hours of training and they’re able to treat patients

with entry-level first aid such CPR, taking vital signs,

bandaging and splinting. Paramedics (EMT-Ps), on the

other hand, endure up to 1,800 hours of medical train-

ing, and they are licensed to apply advanced medical

skills in the field. They can start IVs, intubation,

monitor EKGs, and administer medication. The deci-

sions EMTs make—assessing a situation and deciding

which medications to administer, which hospital to go

to—can be the difference between life and death.

“Once a patient initiates that 911 call, EMS is that

first link in the chain of survival for patients,” says

Dr. Erik Larsen, MD, Assistant Director of EMS and

Emergency Preparedness at White Plains Hospital,

and Chief Medical Officer for the federal govern-

ment’s Region 2 National Disaster Medical System.

“They have to assess a medical condition and decide

the best place to treat it. If someone’s having a heart

attack, you want a hospital with a cardiac catheteriza-

tion lab or a cardiac interventional center to handle

that,” says Dr. Larsen. “White Plains Hospital has two

cath labs, so we get those calls a lot.”

Needless to say, being an emergency medical

technician (EMT) or a paramedic is no easy job. You

work crazy hours for not-so-crazy pay—or in some

cases, no pay at all—and more often than not, you’re

thrown into less-than-ideal settings (the side of the

road is hardly a well-equipped ER). You also see peo-

ple at some of the most stressful times in their lives.

Why do they do it? Here, three local EMS heroes

reveal what it is they love about their challenging,

stressful, hardcore work—and why they couldn’t

imagine doing anything else.

Dial 911 and someone always comes to the rescue. Here’s what it’s like to

be on the other side of a call.

BY MARY LYNN STROM

THE SECRET LIVES OF

EMTsAssistant director of EMS and Emergency

Preparedness at White Plains Hospital, Dr. Erik

Larsen works closely with EMTs from all over

Westchester County.

“I didn’t choose the EMS. It chose me,” says David Raizen, the president

of Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps

(SVAC) and an EMT for 40 years. It all start-

ed years ago when he and his high school

friend, Steve Rambone, took a CPR and

first-aid class at the ambulance corps.

“I guess you can say, we never left.”

At the age of 57, he’s about to complete

his 18-month-long training to become a

paramedic. “It’s not as easy to learn at 57 as

it was at 20,” he laughs.

Raizen works as a volunteer adminis-

trator of SVAC, thus, according to him,

saving Scarsdale about $100,000 a year.

As the owner of Scarsdale Security Sys-

tems—his other job—he pays his bills and

makes his own schedule. As president of

the ambulance corps, he spends his days

ordering supplies, overseeing building

and ambulance maintenance, and sched-

uling crews.

Raizen’s ability to stay calm under pres-

sure makes him uniquely qualified for his

work as an EMT. “The ability to stay calm

when the situation is bad is number one. I

think after 40 years, I’ve become pretty good

when the situation is absolutely horrific.”

One of his more memorable calls came

in about 25 years ago. His friend called Rai-

zen and asked him to check on his mother,

Iris, who wasn’t feeling well. Raizen found

her in the driveway waiting for a cab to take

her to the hospital. She was cyanotic and

diaphoretic. “The medical terms for blue

and sweating,” explains Raizen.

On the way to the hospital, Iris began

screaming in pain. Raizen pulled over and

by the time he got to the back of the ambu-

lance he found Iris pulseless and not breath-

ing. “I opened her airway, started CPR, and

defibrillated her,” Raizen says.

Iris went into arrest three more times on

the way to the hospital. At Lincoln Hospital, in

the Bronx, the doctor was ready to pronounce

her dead. “I argued and argued to keep going.

And so he did,” says Raizen.

Iris lived another 25 years.

“We added a third more to her life,”

says Raizen.

Of course, the outcome isn’t always so

positive. Raizen recalls another time when

he had to take an elderly patient to the

ER. “We both knew this would be her last

ride,” he says. The woman was a Holocaust

survivor and had been in one of the Nazi

concentration camps. “During the ride, she

held my hand and purged herself of all the

sad personal information about the Holo-

caust,” says Raizen. “With this woman, my

job was just to distract her from what was

going on. I showed her family photos on my

phone and listened to her talk.”

But it’s that kind of care and commitment

that Raizen loves. “I like the patient-care

side. I like the excitement,” he says. And

for him there have been very special perks.

He met his significant other of 10 years on a

call—a nurse in White Plains Hospital’s ER.

And a few years later in the same ER, he met

his foster child, a boy who had lost his mom

from a cardiac arrest.

“I asked child protective services if I

could take him home for three days, so he

didn’t have to spend Christmas in a shelter,”

he says. “Three days became three weeks,

which became six months. It was four years

this past December.”

DAVIDRAIZENPresident and EMT for Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Scarsdale


16 HEALTH MATTERS

Throughout his 30-year career in emergency services, Scott Glaessgen has seen it all. He has

helped people breathe through heart

attacks, walk away from car accidents, and

survive train wrecks. He has treated burn

victims and helped women in the throes of

labor give birth to healthy babies. And it’s

these years and range of experiences that

has taught him what being a paramedic is

really all about: The call.

“Your job is defined by the people who

call you,” says Glaessgen. “A lot of people

get into this work thinking it’s sirens, car

crashes, shootings, and always a high-in-

tensity, high-adrenaline rush. Sometimes

it is, but not most of the time. You learn to

appreciate that.”

Glaessgen still remembers a particular

call from 12 or 13 years ago, when he went

to treat an elderly woman with emphyse-

ma. The woman was alone and had been

in and out of the hospital on a ventilator

several times. “She decided she didn’t want

that anymore and she signed a DNR,” says

Glaessgen. “So essentially she was dying in

front of us.”

There was nothing to do in terms of

treating her, so Glaessgen just stood with

her and witnessed her passing. “I remem-

ber holding her hand the entire time.

Her family wasn’t there so I became that

person to share that with her and comfort

her while she passed. Sometimes that’s

part of our job, to bear witness in those

difficult times.”

These days as a manager, Glaessgen over-

sees the agency’s staffing, the scheduling,

the dispatch center, the processes, and the

building policies and procedures. He works

between 40 to 60 hours a week and still goes

out on calls when needed.

“It’s a calling,” he says of his 30-year ca-

reer. “I enjoy helping people and caring for

people. I like exploring that compassionate

side of me.”

You have to be versatile because you’re

going into so many different situations and

often seeing people under considerable

stress. These days, Glaessgen has noticed

that minor “emergencies” are on the rise. “We

find a lot more patients who could rely on a

neighbor to take them to the doctor are rely-

ing on 911. We get a lot of calls to pick people

up off the floor and put them in a chair. That’s

been a really big change in what we do.”

Still when it comes down to it, he loves

the work largely because each day is a new

adventure. “Every time I say I’ve seen it all,

another call proves me wrong.”

SCOTT GLAESSGENOperations Manager Westchester EMS, Mt. Kisco


Cath Lab caption

Jeffrey Pitonza’s dream was to be a police officer—not a paramedic. In fact, he only went for EMT training

because he thought it would enhance his

law-enforcement resume. But after being

exposed to the 911 calls and the EMT

crews, he was hooked.

“It’s my calling,” he says. Besides, on the

verge of starting a family, he realized, “Chas-

ing bad guys wasn’t a great idea.”

Since 1993, Pitonza has climbed the

ranks from volunteer EMT to professional

paramedic to operations supervisor. He

works six days a week. His wife is also an

EMT. “We have a great support network,”

he says in regards to their three children,

“because we know there are times when we

are not coming home.”

He spends those six days a week making

sure crews have the supplies they need,

training newbies, hiring, communicating

with hospitals, and going out on calls. On

big traffic accidents, he coordinates ambu-

lances at the scene.

No two days are the same, which

makes the job very exciting, but it also

means you have to embrace each situation,

no matter how different they are. “In the

same night, you can treat someone having

a heart attack in a low-income neigh-

borhood and then treat a hip injury at a

mansion,” says Pitonza. “It takes a special

personality to get through it. You need a

certain kind of stamina.”

Perhaps the hardest part of the job is

that you see people at their worst, often in

horrible circumstances, when someone has

lost a father, a husband, a child. “But then

somebody has to see this, and I’d rather it be

me because I know I’m compassionate and

caring. The last thing I want to do is make

somebody’s day worse,” says Pitonza.

There are happy moments, too: Pitonza

still remembers a particular call that came in

back when he had first started. A pregnant

woman called 911 because she was in labor.

She was in a lot of discomfort and pain. The

woman had already had three children and

her fourth was coming fast.

Pitonza remembers vividly, “It was a busy

night. The police were busy, the fire depart-

ment was busy, so it was just me and my

partner. We put her on a stair chair to get her

downstairs, but she didn’t make it far. She

said, ‘The baby is coming,’” recalls Pitonza.

He brought her children into a bedroom so

they wouldn’t be scared, then told the dad to

grab some pillows. “She delivered right there

on the kitchen floor. We had no time to get

her any place else. It was that quick.”

The baby was a healthy boy. Pitonza cut

the cord. Then it was off to the ER…and on

to the next call. •

JEFFREY PITONZAOperations Supervisor Empress EMS, Yonkers

OUR EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE

PHOT

OS: J

ASON

TOR

RES

18 HEALTH MATTERS

MEET

EARLE ROPER

BY BILL CARY


It used to be that the environmental ser-

vices crew—those folks who ensure a

patient’s room is clean and tidy—had lit-

tle interaction with patients. But thanks to

White Plains Hospital’s initiative that all em-

ployees—not just doctors and nurses—are

part of the patient experience, things have

changed. Now environmental staff members

will knock on doors, smile, and introduce

themselves. They’ll chat with patients, ex-

plain what they are doing, and radiate a pos-

itive attitude.

Nobody radiates more positive energy

than environmental mainstay Earle Roper.

“I try to inject a good vibe into every-

thing I do here,” says Roper, whose real

name is Everton, but everyone calls

him Earle.

Roper and the environmental service

team provide general upkeep in the patient

rooms and wings, including disinfecting

“high-touch areas:” remote controls, call

buttons, over-bed tables, doorknobs, and

footboards. When a patient is discharged,

they get the room ready for someone

new—not an easy task. They’re responsible

for preventing infections: Walls are washed

down, all parts of the bed are cleaned (even

the bottom side of the mattress), and every

inch of the bathroom is scrubbed.

“We all have things going on in our

personal life, but once I get to the front door

of White Plains Hospital I transform and

it becomes my focus. I’ve grown with this

place and I like everything about it here,”

he adds.

Roper maintains patient-care and admin

areas and is very much a people person. “I

work right in the cafeteria so I see every-

body,” he says. “I interact with most of the

nurses every day. Everybody stops to chat.”

Extremely empathetic, Roper never for-

gets that for most people being in the hospi-

tal can be daunting. He goes the extra mile

to help them feel comfortable and at ease.

That could be mentoring new employees,

escorting lost visitors to where they need

to be, or pitching in to clean patient rooms

when co-workers need help.

He treats patients like friends. “My

interactions are always positive. I say hello

and introduce myself and ask them how

their day is going. If you’re going to work in

this environment, you need to have some

empathy,” he says. “I say to myself, how can

I make this person feel better?”

Patients notice and appreciate

the attention.

“We always hear positive things about

him from patients,” says

Ramo Rizvani, director of

the Environmental Ser-

vices department. “Earle

is a good ambassador for

our department. He’s a very

genuine person who you

can talk to. Right away,

he’ll make you feel com-

fortable, make you laugh.”

Roper works the

evening shift, from 3 to 11

p.m. on weekdays, which

is ideal for him. “I get to

have weekends off to be with my kids,” he

explains. “I can take my daughter to school

and do things in the morning with my kids.”

A native of Jamaica, Roper grew up in

Mount Vernon. Now he lives mostly in the

Bronx but also spend lots of time at his

brother’s house in Rye. When he’s not at the

Hospital, he’s with his five children—three

girls, two boys—that range in age from

14-year-old Ashanti to 27-year-old Brittany.

“My other job is my kids, and oh are they

a handful,” he says with a big laugh. “They

keep me in the stars.”

The pleasure he takes from his work at

the Hospital has rubbed off. Two of his chil-

dren are already pursuing medical careers:

Brittany is a nurse at Montefiore Medical

Center in the Bronx; Aryelle is studying

pre-med at New York University with hopes

of going on to Cornell to become an ortho-

pedic surgeon, and Ashanti, wants to be a

doctor someday.

When not at the Hospital, Roper likes

to fish, swim, and bike at the gym. He also

loves to cook for his family. And he sings.

Roper studied classical voice at two

different music schools in the Bronx and

later branched out into R&B and rock n’

roll. “Singing is the key to my happiness,

the foundation of who I am,” Roper says.

“Before I go to work, I program songs in my

head and then I sing them all night long.”

Just one more way he makes people and

patients feel better about being in

the hospital. •

“I say to myself, how can I make

this person feel better?”

Earle and his daughter, Ashanti, now 14.

20 HEALTH MATTERS

Here’s where White Plains Hospital’s movers and shakers have been seen lately. BEEN THERE |[ ]

Medical Director and Executive Vice President Michael Palumbo, MD, of Pound Ridge, helped the American Cancer Society by participating in the “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign, in which men pledge to wear pink every day during the month of October.

White Plains Hospital was once again a flagship sponsor of the “Making Strides against Breast Cancer Walk” in October at Manhattanville College in Purchase. The Hospital’s “Team Hope” raised more than $14,000 for cancer research and support services.

White Plains Hospital President and CEO Susan Fox (in red) with, from left to right, Dr. Dan Costin, Dr. Karen Green, and Dr. Richard Lipset at the WPH Physician Associates Holiday Party at the Metropolis Country Club in White Plains.

WPH Chairman of the Board of Directors Larry Smith, Dr. Karen Pechman, and Dr. Paul Pechman, all of Scarsdale; and former Chairman of the Board of Directors J. Michael Divney, of White Plains, at the WPH Medical Staff holiday party in December. The party took place in the Hospital’s lobby.

Students from Scarsdale, White Plains, Elmsford, and Harrison High Schools participated in a weekly clinical tutorial program led by Director of Surgery Dr. Kaare Weber. The program ran throughout the fall and showcased surgical and medical specialties, nursing, and emergency response. Shown with the students is Ed Tangredi, Director of Emergency Management.

Traveling from his home base at The Westchester, Santa visited the Charles A. Mastronardi NICU at White Plains Hospital on December 20.


WHAT’S HAPPENING

The Friends of White Plains Hospital Girls Got Game event is scheduled for March 30.

White Plains Hospital offers several support groups and educational programs for a variety of diseases and conditions. Please call 914-681-1119 to learn about dates, times, and contents of the following programs: • Alzheimer’s Support Group• Bereavement Support Group• Caregivers Support Group• Diabetes Education• Free Blood Pressure Screenings• Heart Club• Yoga for Cancer Patients and Survivors• Mallwalkers Program• Ostomy Support Group• Anxiety and Phobia Workshops• Stroke Support Group

SUPPORT GROUPS AND EDUCATION

MAR

30G3 Event -

Girls Got GameThursday, March 30

6:30 p.m.Metropolis

Country ClubWhite Plains

Come support the Friends of White Plains Hospital

for an evening of canasta, cocktails and appetizers.

For more information and to RSVP, contact Katie Bello at 914-681-2329

C O M M U N I T Y E V E N T SMAY

6MAY

7MAY

62017

St. Vincent’s Spring Sprint 5K Run/Walk

Saturday, May 6Check-in begins

8:00 a.m.; Race starts at 9 a.m.

All ages welcomeSt. Vincent’s Hospital

Westchester275 North Street

Harrison

For information, contact Meg Sutton at [email protected]

or visit www.stvincentswestchester.org

Heels & Wheels 5K Road Race

and WalkBenefiting

Burke Rehabilitation

HospitalSunday, May 79 a.m.-12 p.m.

For more information, visit burke.org

Pink SummitSaturday, May 6Pace University,

White Plains

Join WPH with the Greater Hudson Valley Chapter of The Links, Incorporated to launch its second annual panel discussion to focus

on understanding, tackling, and surviving breast cancer.

For more information, contact

[email protected]

Time and again, White Plains Hospital is recognized for exceptional patient care.

Proud to be among just 7% of hospitals nationwide to achieve Magnet® recognition for nursing

excellence. Ranked among the top 10% of hospitals in the nation by Healthgrades® for outstanding

patient experience and named one of the region’s best hospitals for 2016-2017 by U.S. News &

World Report and the highest on the l ist in Westchester.

Nursing excellence, outstanding patient experience and one of the region’s best.

That’s exceptional.

exceptional .

wphospital.org

proud to be

W h i t e P l a i n s h o s P i t a l i s a P r o u d M e M b e r o f t h e M o n t e f i o r e h e a l t h s y s t e M

NONPROFITORGANIZATIONUS POSTAGE

PAIDWHITE PLAINS, NYPERMIT NO. 38741 East Post Road

White Plains, NY 10601

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