heartbeat magazine – winter 2011 - 2012

HeartbeatWinter 2011-2012

• Setting the Pace for Innovation: A Look at the Hybrid OR and the Next Wave in Robotic Surgery

• Prevention at St. Francis: Women and Heart Disease

• The Gold Standard of Care: A Banner Year for Hospital Honors

The Magazine of St. Francis Hospital The Heart Center®

A Member of Catholic Health Services of Long Island

Heartbeat Winter 2011-2012 • St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center ®2

From the

President

Heartbeat

In this Issue

is published by St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center®. Questions or comments

can be directed to St. Francis Hospital, Office of Development and Public Affairs, 100 Port Washington Blvd., Roslyn,

New York 11576. (516) 705-6655. Copyright © 2011. All Rights Reserved. St. Francis Hospital is a member of

Catholic Health Services of Long Island, the healthcare ministry of the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

Editor: Paul Barry. Writers: LaShieka Hunter, Rosemary Gomez.

Editorial assistant: Debra Tischler. Contributing photographers: William Baker and Steve Moors.

Designer: Roger Gorman, Reiner Design.

page 8

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page 12

When I started out in medicine, theonly treatment for life-threateningcoronary artery disease was bypasssurgery. There were not as manyoperations performed in those days,and the procedure was considerablymore risky. But over time, cardiacsurgical volumes grew and mortality

rates dropped, making bypass surgery dramatically safer forpatients and almost routine for surgeons.

Today, with advances in heart disease prevention and theintroduction and growth of interventional treatments suchas angioplasty and stents, the destination for heart patientsdoes not have to be the cardiac OR. The one constant overtime has been the amazing pace of change in the availabili-ty of medical therapies and surgical technology, from thewidespread use of statins, to drug-eluting stents, to mini-mally-invasive approaches to cardiac surgery.

We passed our latest technological milestone at St.Francis this summer when we opened our new suite of car-diac ORs. The cornerstone of the project is a state-of-the-arthybrid room that gives cardiac surgeons, interventional car-diologists, and vascular surgeons significantly improvedtools to perform more complex cases.

As described in an article in this issue, a patient with adamaged mitral valve can have heart surgery to repair thevalve and at the same time have angioplasty and a stentimplanted to open a blocked coronary artery. Two formerlyseparate medical teams work together in the same roomwith remarkably improved capabilities that can lead to bet-ter outcomes for patients and a faster return to normal life.

On another front, I am pleased to report that this was anextraordinary year for hospital honors. In the spring, St.Francis once again earned the Magnet designation for nurs-ing excellence, the highest honor a hospital can receive fornursing. This summer, St. Francis was recognized for thefifth consecutive year as one of the best hospitals inAmerica by U.S. News & World Report. Once again we werenationally ranked in cardiology and heart surgery, geriatrics,and neurology and neurosurgery. We were honored nation-ally in more specialties than any other hospital on LongIsland, and we were the only one to be ranked in cardiologyand heart surgery.

Also, in the first U.S. News & World Report regional rank-ings, St. Francis was rated the best hospital on Long Island.In addition to our nationally ranked specialties, we wererecognized as high performing in cancer, ear-nose-throat,gastroenterology, gynecology, nephrology, pulmonology,urology, and for the first time, orthopedics. I am deeplygrateful to our physicians, nurses and staff, because all ofthese honors are a true reflection of their skill and commit-ment to providing the very best in patient care.

Best wishes,

Alan D. Guerci, M.D.

President and CEO

From the President 2

In the NewsPediatric Advice for Parents 3Hip Ideas on Replacing Achy Joints 3New York Magazine Best Doctors 3CoreValve National Clinical Trial 4St. Francis ENT Chief in First Skype Interview 4For Volunteers: 90 Is the New 60 5Bride-to-Be Reunited with the Doctors Who Saved Her Life 5 NASA Safety Plan Takes Flight 6U.S. News & World Report Says SFH Has Most Top Doctors 6St. Francis Ranks as One of the Nation’s Best for Fifth Time 7New York Daily News Prostate Screening 7News Flash 7

FeaturesAn Ounce of Prevention 8Louise Spadaro, M.D., discusses ways women can avoid heart disease

Master Facilities Plan Update 9

New Cardiac OR Brings High Tech Advances 10Hybrid OR is designed for complex cases

St. Francis Nurses Ranked Among Best 12Hospital earns Magnet designation again

Giving BackThe Art of Giving 14Letters from the Heart 14A Tribute to Yen Wu 15Financial Security Wrapped in a Gift Annuity 15

Vital Signs Next Wave in Robotic Surgery 16St. Francis Participates in Award Winning

Community Outreach Program 17New Study Shows Value of Echocardiograms 17SFH Cardiac Surgery Program Recognized Again

for Volume and Success Rates 18St. Francis Earns Stroke Gold Plus Award 19

Staff News 19

The Pace of Change

St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center ® • Winter 2011-2012 Heartbeat3

In the News

Sean Levchuck, M.D., Chairman of Pediatric Cardiology, was tapped

twice for his expertise on two topics of vital interest to parents – student

athlete cardiac screening and facts every parent should know before

taking their child to an emergency room.

Dr. Levchuck was quoted prominently in a front page story in

Newsday about Long Island doctors’ reaction to the sudden death of a

Michigan high school basketball star who collapsed minutes after

sinking the winning shot. The article brought local media attention to

St. Francis Hospital’s free student athlete cardiac screening program.

“No parent wants to be staring down at a pile of dirt, thinking what went wrong,” said Dr.

Levchuck, who volunteers to screen athletes from local schools. In light of the national story,

both the doctor and the program also received regional television coverage from MSG Varsity,

News 12 Long Island, TV55 (WLNY) and Long Island News Tonight.

The popular pediatric cardiologist was also the leading expert in a Newsday Top Doctors

article called “5 Fast Facts…about kids and the ER.” The doctor advised parents to have a

sheet already prepared about their child’s health history to avoid scrambling at the last

minute when there’s no time to waste.

“A parent who provides a great history can often get their problem solved quite quickly

because you can start to formulate a picture of how this kid’s life has been,” said Dr.

Levchuck.

A Spotlight onPediatric Advicefor Parents

Some Hip Ideas onReplacing Achy JointsRichard D’Agostino, M.D., Director of Orthopedics at St.

Francis Hospital, was quoted extensively in a Newsday Top

Doctors feature on joint replacement. Dr. D’Agostino

described what patients can expect before, during, and

after surgery.

“People worry how painful it will be afterward,” said Dr. D’Agostino. “But 90

percent of people who have joint replacement surgery say, ‘This feels great, I don’t

know why I waited so long to get this done.’

Once again, St. Francis Hospital, TheHeart Center® has more top doctors forcardiac care on this year’s New YorkMagazine Best Doctors list than anyother hospital on Long Island. EightSt. Francis physicians made the selec-tive list, six of them in a cardiac spe-cialty category.

The popular, yearly list is generatedby Castle Connolly, the publisher ofAmerica’s Top Doctors, which is widelyrecognized as one of the most authori-tative guides to the best physicians inthe nation. New York Magazine’s com-plete list can be accessed athttp://newyorkmetro.com/bestdoctors/index.htm.

Congratulations to all of the St.Francis physicians who made the 2011list in both cardiac and noncardiacspecialties:• Sean Levchuck, M.D.

(Pediatric Cardiology)• Joseph Levine, M.D.

(Cardiac Electrophysiology)• Thomas Pappas, M.D.

(Cardiovascular Disease)• George Petrossian, M.D.

(Interventional Cardiology)• Newell Robinson, M.D.

(Thoracic Surgery) • Steve Rucker, M.D.

(Internal Medicine)• James Taylor, M.D.

(Thoracic Surgery)• Michael Ziegelbaum, M.D.

(Urology)

New York Magazine Best Doctors 2011: St. Francis HasMore Top Doctors for CardiacCare than Any Other Hospital on Long Island

Carmela Insogna came up to New York from Florida to celebrate her85th birthday, but her trip took an unexpected turn when she col-lapsed at a family gathering from an aortic valve problem. “I thoughtthis must be farewell, but it was a new beginning,” said the greatgrandmother of three.

Five days after undergoing aminimally-invasive procedure atSt. Francis, she was recovering ather daughter-in-law’s home. NowMrs. Insogna is back in WestPalm Beach, living on her own.“Before this, I just couldn’tbreathe and it would take quite abit to move around. Now I canbreathe better and can cook andclean. I feel great! I’ve regainedmy independence.”

St. Francis was one of the firsthospital in the country to be activated for the CoreValvepivotal trial and is still recruiting patients for this majornationwide study. The outcome could revolutionize treat-ment of aortic stenosis by allowing patients to bypass open-heart surgery. Some doctors predict it could have the same impacton valve disease that stenting did on coronary artery disease.

About 100,000 Americans suffer from aortic stenosis, but haveunderlying health issues that make surgery too risky. The conditionbegins when the valve collects calcium, much like coronary arteriescollect cholesterol. The build-up eventually causes the valve to par-tially close, restricting blood flow from the heart to the aorta, thebody’s main artery.

Co-principal investigators George Petrossian, M.D., and NewellRobinson, M.D., made St. Francis history after successfully implanti-

ng the device in Anthony Leto – the first patient on Long Island. Theyalso made national and local headlines in Newsday andMSNBC.com, offering new hope for patients who are too elderly or illto undergo surgery. The two physicians, along with team members

Roberto Colangelo, M.D., andAndrew Berke, M.D., have sincebeen performing the procedure formonths and recently performedthree in one day – some withoutgeneral anesthesia.

“It will change the treatment land-scape as we know it,” says Dr.Robinson, Chairman ofCardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery.

The device has yet to receive FDAapproval in the U.S., but is alreadybeing used in Europe. The valve isdelivered by catheter through a

small opening in the groin to the femoral artery andthreaded upward to the aortic valve. Doctors then deploy

a valve made of pig cardiac tissue fixed inside a metalframe. The procedure takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes and is

an easier recovery than surgery for older patients.“I’ve never seen anything like this, it’s remarkable,” says Dr.

Petrossian, Director of Interventional Cardiovascular Procedures. Anthony Leto agrees. His wife Fanny knew something was wrong

when her husband was feeling more tired than usual and couldn’tkeep up with his regular routine. But now, he’s just “bopping aroundLong Island,” according to one of the St. Francis physicians who per-formed the minimally invasive procedure that reenergized Mr. Leto’slife. “I feel great,” says Mr. Leto. “I’m 92 and still kicking.”

For information about enrolling in the study, call (516) 562-6790


In the NewsCoreValve Clinical Trial Continues to Progress at St. Francis

St. Francis ENT Chief in First Skype InterviewPhilip Perlman, M.D., gave FOX5 News viewers his seasonal allergy tips via Skype, which relies on camera

connections from laptops and PCs.

Dr. Perlman advised taking immediate action when allergy symptoms first appear, because if they go

untreated allergies can lead to sinusitis and bronchitis. He recommended a combination of antihista-

mines, nasal steroid sprays, and preventative measures such as saline washes so Mother Nature doesn’t

get the best of you.

St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center ® • Winter 2011-2012 Heartbeat 5

You would never know their age by looking at them and seeing theirboundless energy. But nearly a dozen St. Francis Hospital volunteershave set a new record for service at a stage in life when many peoplethink of slowing down. The dedicated group has donated thousandsof hours of their free time and its members have two things in com-mon – they love helping others and are all age 90 or above.

The 10 devoted volunteers and their inspiring stories were featuredin an “Act 2” article and photo spread in Newsday. Veteran volunteerArlene Miller, 94, made the cover shot for “32,000 hours and count-ing.” The three-page feature also included individual profiles and por-traits of the each member of the group.

“The volunteers who are in their 90s serve as an inspiration to all ofus,” says Barry Baretela, Director of Volunteer Services. “They showthat age is not an obstacle when it comes to doing what you love.Volunteering at St. Francis is a way of expressing that love.”

The group of “golden” volunteers, who range in age from 90 to 94,was honored at the Hospital’s Annual Volunteer Luncheon at theWoodbury Country Club. The event also received media coverage

90 is the New 60 for St. Francis Hospital Volunteers

• Milton Katz of Port Washington• Rose Repke of East Williston• Bob Kirsch of Port Washington• Frank Quatrocchi of Jericho• Walter Trifari of Garden City Park

Bride-to-Be Is Reunited with Her Two Best Men – the St. Francis Doctors Who Mended Her Broken Heart

As a Hospital, St Francis usually isn’t in the business of holding bridal show-

ers, but in the case of Alicia Pellegrino (c.) it a made a heartfelt exception. The

27-year-old from Wantagh suffered a devastating car crash that left her heart

torn in three places. But what could have been a tragic story had a miraculous

ending thanks to Christopher LaMendola, M.D., (l.) and Michael Masciello,

M.D (r.). The two St. Francis physicians saved Alicia from a broken heart, and

were thrilled to hear she would be walking down the aisle knowing her heart

was literally and figuratively in the right place.

from News 12 Long Island, WLNY- TV 55, and NewsRadio 88.

The noteworthy list, which proves that age is just a number, includes:• Bob Bodkin of Great Neck• Bill Bauer of New Hyde Park• Arlene Miller of Greenvale• Edna Pascale of Port Washington• Charles Bell of Sea Cliff

The honorees are among 494 volunteers who donated a total of75,578 hours of their time to the Hospital in 2010. They provide vitalservices such as transporting patients and staffing the informationdesk. The monetary value of their collective service is estimated to be$1.4 million according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Fourmore volunteers are expected to turn 90 by the end of this year. TheHospital hopes to honor them at next year’s luncheon.

For more information about volunteering at St. Francis, call (516)562-6105.


In the News

It’s as programa thatm begant inn NASAn trainingA workshopg inp 1979n aimed atdpreventing accidentsg ins then air,e but nowt it’sw gettings someg goode used onethe grounde atd St.t Francis Hospital.s Known asn Crews ResourcewManagement, it encouragest physicians,s nurses ands otherd membersr ofs afmedical teaml tom speako upk ifp theyf havey safetye concernsy tos ensureo thee veryebest int patientn care.t

Jack Soterakis,k M.D., SeniorVicer President oft Medicalf Affairs atSt. Francis, spoke extensively toy Long Island Businessd Newss about thetlatest approacht toh enhancing patientg successt rates. It ist part oft af larg-aer initiativer instituted byd Catholicy Healthc Servicesh of Longf Islandg(CHSLI).

“Our goalsr includes improvinge ong ourn alreadyr lowy mortalityw andy infec-dtion ratesn ands atd thet samee timee continuinge tog provideo efficient,e qualitycare,” Dr.” Soterakis tolds thed populare businessr publication.s The Hospitale

NASA Safety Program Takes Flight at St. Francis

has introduceds thed programe tom itso peri-operatives servicese –s from– sched-muling throughg post-operativeh care.e

Facilitated byd they consultinge firm,g LifeWings Partners,s more thane 500nemployees ares beinge trainedg ind then program.e

In then samee article,e Dr. Soterakis describeds ad Hospitala campaignl tondecrease sepsis,e a bacteriala infectionl thatn ist thes 11the highesth killert inr thenUnited States.d

St. Francis hass traineds staffd tof recognizeo thee earlye signsy ofs sepsis,f andto takeo immediatee steps,e such ash antibiotics andc otherd therapies,r toimprove outcomes.e

“Nationally mortalityy fromy sepsism is 15 percent, but whent itnadvances to septic shock,c mortality climbs,”y Dr.” Soterakis said. “Thiscampaign ofn earlyf recognitiony isn analogous to the successful initiativeslalready taken.”y

U.S. News &s World Reportd

has released its first ever

Top Doctors rankings and

St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center® has the most physicians rec-

ommended for cardiacr care on Long Island.g Eighteen St. Francis

heart doctors made the prestigious list and three of themf were

rated among theg top one percent in the country. The highly ranked,y

nationally renownedy trio is Joseph Levine, M.D., Director

of Electrophysiology,f George Petrossian, M.D., Director ofr

Interventional Cardiovascular Procedures,r and Richard Shlofmitz,

M.D., Chairman of Cardiology.f

The rankings were created in collaboration with Castle Connolly

Medical Ltd., the publisher ofr America’s Tops Doctors and other

widely respectedy consumer healthr guides. All of thef Top Doctors on

the list have been recommended by othery physiciansr for theirr clini-r

cal skills and each has been individually vettedy by ay physician-led

research team.

The free searchable directory isy available at www.usnews.com/

top-doctors and lists nearly 30,000y peer-nominated physicians

across the country. Consumers can search for ar Top Doctor, by loca-y

tion, hospital affiliation, and a full range of specialtiesf and subspe-

cialties

Congratulations to all of thef St. Francis physicians who made the

2011 list in both cardiac and non-cardiac specialties. You can see the

list all of themf on our websiter and search on “U.S. News Top

Doctors.”

U.S. News 2011 Top Doctors List: St. Francis Has the Most Top Doctors for Cardiac Care

St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center ® • Winter 2011-2012 Heartbeat

St. Francis Ranked One of the Nation’s Best for Fifth Year in a Row The hospital isl honoreds againd for cardiologyr andy heartdsurgery, geriatrics, and neurologyd andy neurosurgeryd

For ther fifth consecutive year, St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center®rr has been

recognized by U.S. News &s World Reportd as one of thef best hospitals in the

nation. The magazine’s prestigious annual ranking ofg medicalf institutions hon-

ored St. Francis once again as a leader inr cardiology andy heart surgery, geri-

atrics, and neurology andy neurosurgery. The Hospital was the only oney on Long

Island to be nationally rankedy in cardiac care and the only oney to be nationally

recognized in three specialties.

“To receive this recognition for fiver years in a row isw a tribute to the skill, dedication, and commit-

ment of ourf physicians,r nurses and staff inf providing theg very besty in patient care,” said Alan D.

Guerci, M.D., President and CEO of St.f Francis Hospital, The Heart Center®rr . “Their ongoingr pursuitg

of excellencef has helped to establish St. Francis as one of thef nation’s leading medicalg institutions,

not only fory cardiacr care but a growing numberg ofr non-cardiacf specialties.”

In addition to the three specialties for whichr the Hospital was nationally ranked,y it was rated

regionally asy high-performing ing eight other specialties:r cancer, ear-nose-throat, gastroenterology,

gynecology, nephrology, pulmonology, urology, and for ther first time, orthopedics. As a result,

St. Francis is the top- ranked hospital on Long Islandg and seventh among Newg Yorkw metrok area

hospitals.

According tog U.S. News, the core mission of Bestf Hospitals is to help guide patients who need an

especially highy level of caref because of af difficult surgery, a challenging condition,g or addedr risk

because of otherf healthr problems or age.r “These are referral centers where other hospitalsr send

their sickestr patients,” said Avery Comarow,y U.S. News Health Rankings Editor. “Hospitals like

these are the ones you or thoser close to you should consider whenr the stakes are high.”

Of thef 4,825 hospitals surveyed in 16 different specialties, St. Francis Hospital was one of onlyf

140 medical centers to be honored. To see the complete list of hospitalf rankings log ong to:

www.usnews.com/besthospitals.

7

EXTRA,EXTRA!St. Francis Partners withDaily Newsy for Freer ProstateeScreeningSt. Francis Hospitals providedl nearlyd400 free0 PSA examsA ass parts oft af DailyNews campaign ton raise awarenessabout prostatet cancer. It wast thes thirdyear ther Hospital participatedl ind thenpopular program,r which kicksh offs onfFather’s Day.s St. Francis offereds freedPSA examsA fors ar weeka atk threet siteson Longn Islandg andd ind Queens.n KeithBloom, M.D., a urologista att St.tFrancis, was quoteds ind articlen aboutthe importance of earlyf detection.y“Prostate cancer isr ones of thef cancersthat fortunately,t if caughtf early,t canbe cured,” said” Dr.d Bloom.

St. Francis Hospital will soon be open-ing its Bishop McHugh Health Centerin Hicksville. This new, highly-awaitedclinic will offer top quality primarycare to patients regardless of theirinsurance status or ability to pay. Stay tuned for its official opening by checking our website atwww.stfrancisheartcenter.com.St. Francis Hospital-South BayCardiovascular in West Islip will alsobegin providing primary care for unin-sured patients in November. For moreinformation, call (631) 669-2555.

NEWS FLASH


Q&A

ouise Spadaro, M.D, is one of Long Island’s

leading cardiologists and a recognized expert

on women and heart disease. Dr. Spadaro is consistently

rated one of “America’s Top Doctors” in the New York

Metro area by Castle Connolly, a leading research and

information company. She is also the Director of the

St. Francis Hospital Outreach Program, which reaches

out to underserved communities and the uninsured.

Heartbeat: Dr. Spadaro, what are some common misconceptions about

women and heart disease?

Dr. Spadaro: One of the biggest misconceptions is that women don’t get

heart disease, have strokes or need to address risk factors before

menopause. Another mistaken belief is that heart disease is a man’s dis-

ease. There’s also a big misconception that women only need to worry

about preventing breast cancer. In fact, coronary heart disease is the

leading cause of death for American women. Nearly twice as many

women in the U.S. die of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular

diseases than from all forms of cancer, including breast cancer.

Heartbeat: How do the symptoms vary between women and men?

Dr. Spadaro: For the most part, the symptoms are the same, but frequent-

ly women may experience more atypical symptoms such as pain that’s

not in the chest per se, but maybe in the back, shoulders, or arm. Also,

they may describe having palpitations or feeling fatigued.

Heartbeat: Give the current state of the economy are you seeing more

women with stress-related cardiac symptoms?

Dr. Spadaro: I see more women (and men) with risk factors that are not

well controlled because of stress such as hypertension, obesity, and gen-

eral poor health maintenance, especially those who continue to smoke

because they are stressed. Also, some patients can’t afford their medica-

tions and that contributes to putting them at higher risk.

Heartbeat: How much of a factor is stress in heart disease?

Dr. Spadaro: Stress is a risk as it can worsen the other risk factors that we

know lead to heart disease, such as hypertension, cigarette smoking, dia-

betes, obesity, and inability to exercise.

Heartbeat: What are some of the other major factors?

Dr. Spadaro: Hypertension, cigarette smoking, diabetes, the post

menopausal state, age, and a family history of premature coronary

artery disease or stoke.

Heartbeat: What tests do you recommend that women take on an annual

basis to monitor their cardiac health?

Dr. Spadaro: Every woman should have a general physical exam by a pri-

mary care provider and an annual gynecological exam with basic blood

work to screen for such diseases as diabetes, thyroid disease, and high

lipids. Certainly, further cardiac tests would be advised if there are symp-

toms or to better assess risk factor status for those at increased risk.

Heartbeat: Women are usually the caretakers of their family and often

don’t have time to think about taking care if themselves. What advice do

you have in terms of diet and exercise?

An Ounce of PreventionSt. Francis expert believes early detection is the key

L


Dr. Spadaro: We all have to do our best to adhere to a heart healthy

diet and to get in some exercise. If we are not healthy, we can’t be the

caretakers for others and we won’t be setting a good example for our

families, especially our kids. A simple thing like beginning a walking

routine can lead to long-term benefits. Also, sticking to a basic combi-

nation of lean meats and proteins, whole grains, and fresh fruits and

vegetables can be a big help in balancing your diet. Finally, try to

drink lots of water, instead of high carb, sugary drinks.

Heartbeat: You make it a mission to practice what you preach. How do

you try to stay heart healthy given your busy schedule?

Dr. Spadaro: Well, it’s not easy and I’m certainly not perfect at it! But, I

have a strong family history of heart disease and of cancer, and I have a

lot of responsibilities that I have to stay healthy for and I want to be a

good health role model for my daughters. So I can’t give myself too

many excuses (although I’ve come up with some good ones!). I adhere to

a fairly healthy diet, with all things in moderation. I try to exercise regu-

larly, although some days it’s a struggle. I do find that exercise is a good

stress reducer for me. I go for annual physicals with my internist and

gynecologist, see my dentist and hygienist regularly, and follow all the

recommended screening tests schedules that are appropriate for my age

(colon cancer screens, mammography, skin checks, eye exams, vaccina-

tions, etc). I am a firm believer in “an ounce of prevention ...!”

Over the last six years, more than 350 donors have helped to raise$67.4 million to fund the largest expansion project in St. FrancisHospital’s history, surpassing the capital campaign goal of $65 mil-lion. The outstanding generosity demonstrated by our many support-ers is especially significant in light of the severe recession in 2008and the successive dips in the economy since that time. Among theimpressive results are 20 new high-definition operating rooms, a155,000 square foot pavilion and several new imaging systems.

But the accomplishments go beyond dollars and cents, number ofbeds, and square footage. The real success stories come frompatients like Rosann Manzitto, featured in the article “New Hybrid ORSuite Opens” on page 11, who have benefited from the community’sinvestment in St. Francis Hospital.

Whether it is a new treatment that gives hope where there wasnone before, or a comfortable patient room that allows loved ones tobe nearby when it matters most, there are many real life examples ofhow this capital campaign to fund the Master Facilities Plan has beentransformational.

“I always felt good about making gifts to St. Francis Hospital since Ireceived such wonderful care here. But now I see what you have donewith our support and I feel great because of what it will mean toother patients,” said donorJames McKeon on a recenttour of the new hybridoperating room in theHeart Center. It was herethat he and his wife, VioletBalla-McKeon, directedtheir recent support for thecampaign.

Gifts like the one madeby Mr. and Mrs. McKeonwill ensure that St. FrancisHospital remains on theleading edge of care. Infact, with insurance reim-bursement rates decliningand the cost of deliveringcare increasing, hospitalshave become more dependent upon philanthropy to provide thehighest quality care.

Fortunately for St. Francis Hospital, there is strong support from thecommunity for worthwhile investments such as the much-neededexpansion of the Emergency Department which is now under way.Additional information on giving opportunities within the campaign isavailable by calling the Office of Development at (516) 705-6655.

Master Facilities Plan Update


t. Francis Hospital’s pioneering cardiac surgical team moved into a new home this summer, one

that features nearly double the space; six new operating rooms equipped with the latest imag-

ing, lighting and other technological tools, including a new hybrid OR that will enable surgeons and

interventional cardiologists to work side-by-side to provide the most advanced cardiac care.

S

Cover Story

A new hybrid OR is designed for the most complex cases

New Cardiac ORs Bring High-TechAdvances in Patient Care

Sparking innovation: (l. to r.) Newell Robinson, M.D., Chairman of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery; Ann Cella, R.N., Senior Vice President, Patient Care Services/Chief Nursing Officer; DaveSackett, Radiologic Technologist; Diane Mamounis-Simmons, R.N., Director, Peri-Operative Services; Ruth Hennessey, Executive Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer; and Jack Soterakis,M.D., Senior Vice President, Medical Affairs/Chief Medical Officer.


Several years in the planning and design, the renovated ORs are part of the second phase of the

Hospital’s Master Facilities Plan (MFP). The first phase of the MFP concluded with the opening of the

DeMatteis Pavilion in 2008, with its 14 new state-of-the-art operating rooms with high-definition video

integration, 124 new patient beds, and a new cardiac imaging center. In addition to bringing the total

number of operating rooms to 20, the second phase of the MFP will also include a major expansion of

the Hospital’s Emergency Department, which is expected to double in size and will be completed in 2012.

A Technological MarvelThe new cardiac OR suite went into operation in July, with six new operating rooms equipped with the

latest advanced technological tools and a new post-anesthesia care unit. The OR suite is situated imme-

diately adjacent to the cardiac catheterization lab for fast and efficient workflow and immediate access

to care for patients moving from surgical to interventional treatment or vice versa. The new hybrid oper-

ating room is one of the first of its kind in the region and a technological marvel that promises extraor-

dinary advantages for surgeons and patients.

“The new OR suite, and particularly the new hybrid OR, is a significant step forward for our cardiotho-

racic and vascular surgery program,” says Newell Robinson, M.D., Chairman. “We now have the most

accurate imaging of the heart that advanced technology can provide during surgery, as well as the most

flexibility in performing procedures. And ultimately this means better outcomes for our patients.”

“Our new cardiac ORs offer a glimpse of the future, technology that can be found at only a few med-

ical centers in the country and that our patients can find today at St. Francis,” says Alan D. Guerci, M.D,

President and CEO. “They reflect our continuing commitment to the community to provide the highest

quality cardiac care available anywhere.”

The hybrid operating room is designed for the most complex open heart surgeries and minimally inva-

sive procedures. It employs a multi-axis, robotic, high-resolution, 3-D CT imaging system that syncs with

x-ray mapping technology to provide dynamic images of a patient’s heart and vascular system in real

time. The system, called Zeego by Siemens, offers remarkable freedom of movement for surgeons and

sharp 3-D images with pinpoint accuracy of fine details.

An example of the room’s utility is the case of patients who need heart valve repair or replacement

and who also need to be treated for coronary artery disease. In addition to receiving state-of-the-art

valve surgery, these patients can also be treated simultaneously with coronary artery stent therapy.

“The hybrid room is also well suited to percutaneous, or through the skin, catheter-delivered valve

replacement of the type we are exploring in the CoreValve trial,” says Dr. Robinson. “Other procedures

that are well-suited to the hybrid OR are the placing of stents to repair aortic aneurysms, and there are

also applications relevant to arrhythmia surgery and the treatment of lung cancer.”

Working Side-by-SideUtilizing the hybrid operating room's advanced technology, heart and vascular surgeons, intervention-

al radiologists, and interventional cardiologists work together as highly efficient medical teams. This

provides the maximum level of comfort and safety for patients since treatment is performed in the same

operating room, at the same time, by members of the same medical team.

The hybrid OR also promotes interdisciplinary collaboration among physicians. Because the room is

larger than a standard OR, larger teams of physicians and staff can work together with patients and

additional equipment can be brought in easily. Unlike the past, where cardiac catheterization labs and

cardiac ORs were separate and in different locations, now interventional cardiologists and cardiac sur-

geons can work side by side.

“This is the kind of innovation that people expect from St. Francis Hospital,” says Richard Shlofmitz,

M.D., Chairman of Cardiology. “The most advanced technology and treatments in the most skilled and

caring hands.”

For a consultation with a St. Francis cardiac surgeon or cardiologist, call 1-888-HEARTNY (1-888-432-7869).

In Good HandsRosann Manzitto has heard of hybrid

cars, but never hybrid ORs – until becom-

ing a patient at St. Francis Hospital. The

57-year-old dental hygienist was able to

conserve the energy of being shuttled from

room to room to undergo two separate

cardiac procedures. Thanks to a new high

tech operating room, she was able to have

both procedures performed in tandem in

the same OR.

“I felt as though I had double protection,

with one physician on each side,” said

Rosann, who underwent minimally

invasive surgery to repair her heart’s mitral

valve, and at the same time received a

stent to open up a blocked coronary artery.

In the past, these procedures would take

place in different rooms at different times

with separate medical teams. “It saved

time and anesthesia,” said Rosann,

“and as a patient, I was up for that.”

Rosann Manzitto with Newell Robinson, M.D., andRichard Shlofmitz, M.D., who treated her at thesame time.

Heartbeat Winter 2011-2012 • St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center ®12Ann Cella, R.N., Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services/Chief Nursing Officer


St. Francis NursesRanked AmongNation's Best

his past spring, St. Francis Hospital once again received one of the most coveted and prestigious honors a hospital and itsnurses can achieve – the Magnet™ designation for excellence

in nursing services. Following a rigorous review of nursing serviceswhich included clinical outcomes, patient and nurse satisfaction and on-site interviews with a variety of stakeholders, the nursing depart-ment received the highly regarded, nationwide recognition for the second time in a row.“The fact that we have received this designation consecutively is because of our sustained

commitment to the well-being of our patients,” says Ann Cella, M.A., M.Ed., R.N., NEA-BC,

Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer. “It’s a great honor to

receive this distinction again and I commend our nurses for their dedication and for always

striving to improve patient care.”

The Magnet program™ was created and is administered by the American Nurses

Credentialing Center (ANCC). It recognizes healthcare organizations that demonstrate excel-

lence in nursing philosophy and practice, adherence to national standards for improving

patient care, and leadership and sensitivity to cultural and ethnic diversity. The ANCC is a sub-

sidiary of the American Nurses Association and is the largest and most prominent nursing cre-

dentialing organization in the United States. St. Francis Hospital’s Magnet™ status, which

includes annual reviews, is valid for four years.

St. Francis first received the honor in 2006 and immediately began preparing for redesigna-

tion. The Nursing Department provided the ANCC with nursing demographic reports, nurse and

patient satisfaction outcomes and nurse sensitive indicator information.

After the evaluation period, the ANCC noted that they were impressed with the high level of

respect that the nurses have for Ann Cella, the CNO, as well as the leadership that the nurses

demonstrated during the opening of the DeMatteis Pavilion in 2008. The Nursing Department

also received high marks for their outstanding collaboration with the physicians and other

members of the healthcare team.

“When we were designated the first time, the nurses were really proud that we were recog-

nized for our excellent nursing care,” says Ann Cella. “But the redesignation affirms that we

are indeed among the elite.”

The Magnet designation is the latest honor St. Francis has received for nursing excellence.

Last October, U.S. News & World Report ranked St. Francis nurses in the top 10 percent of the

155 hospitals it rated the best in the nation.

T

“The redesignation affirms that

we are indeed among the elite.”

The Hospital earns Magnet designation – again


Since ancient times, the healing power of arthas been widely recognized and has inspiredartists and benefactors alike. Recently, twolongtime friends of the Hospital were moved tocarry on that tradition at St. Francis.

Installed on the back wall of the Patio Cafe isa beautiful mosaic of a garden and a pergola.While catching a quick bite to eat, patients,family members, and staff can admire the intri-cate pieces of small colored glass and delicatemarble stone and experience the tranquility thepicture exudes.

The mosaic is a gift from Franklyn and RosalindSchaefer, benefactors of the Hospital since 1986.The Schaefers and their family have been treatedat St. Francis Hospital over the years and praisethe care they received. The excellent care is thereason they began giving back. “We certainly wanted to be involved in the com-munity,” says Rosalind. “That’s why we started donating.”

The couple, who have been married for 60 years and have two children,made a pledge in 2006 to the capital campaign. In recognition of this very

Giving Back

It began as an ordinary Mondaybut by Friday it had become themost extraordinary five days ofmy life. I attended my water aer-obics class but for the first timein a decade, I became quitebreathless after just a few min-utes of the class. Definitelyfrightened, I drove home,changed for work (I’m a physi-cian and we rarely call in sick),

and began to feel better. After seeing patients, I phoned a nurse in a nearby officewho insisted I seek immediate medical attention. So I called Richard Shlofmitz,M.D., at St. Francis Hospital, who I did not know personally, but whose reputation Irespected. I told him that over the past six months I felt gradually more windedwhen lap swimming and more recently toward the end of the water aerobics class.It had progressed to the point that I could barely swim a few laps without panting.

In addition, there were several times in the past two months that I had experi-enced a transient, deep ache in my left arm and hand while swimming. I enter-tained the possibility that this might be angina but quickly rejected that thought. Iexperienced no chest pain nor did I have risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, orhigh cholesterol. I did not smoke and I walked three miles almost every day, swam,ate a healthy diet, and kept my weight below 110 pounds. I ascribed my arm pain tothe cold temperature of the water and bought a rash guard for warmth.

I related to Dr. Shlofmitz that my father had died suddenly of a heart attack when

generous gift, an entry window in the DeMatteisPavilion lobby was named for them. In 2010, thecouple made an additional major pledge to thecampaign, naming the mosaic.

“We decided on the mosaic because I wantedto cheer people up who have to wait at theHospital,” says Rosalind. “I figured that themosaic would give a little source of joy to peo-ple and lighten up their mood and spirit. Theycan look at something beautiful that calmsthem and brings the outside inside.”

The Schaefers have always been philanthrop-ic and have donated to several organizationsover the years. But St. Francis definitely holds aspecial place in their hearts. Rosalind says thatthey would like to focus on supporting theEmergency Room renovation project next.

“What do I like the most about St. Francis? It has to be the care. You justalways feel so welcome and wanted at the Hospital,” Rosalind says. “Franklynand I are very pleased with the comfort that St. Francis gives to its patients.The Hospital is just so different than any other place.”

Meet the SchaefersThe Art of Giving

he was 44 years old. He suggested a stress/echocardiogram test, which I had twodays later. Afterward, he advised me to have a cardiac catheterization within a weekto evaluate my heart valves and coronary arteries. I said I had an important tripplanned for the following week but he advised against it. So I reluctantly had theexamination two days later and was informed that if I needed stents an overnightstay would be required. Convinced that I did not have coronary artery disease, all Ibrought to St. Francis was a book and my cell phone to call my husband to pick meup after the catheterization.

I was stunned to find out that I had a 95 percent blockage of the left anteriordescending artery (LAD) with the rest of my coronaries clear and my heart valvesfine. I had no choice but to receive an angioplasty. Afterwards, three stents wereinserted to keep the artery open.

Miraculously, I dodged a bullet. I was a beneficiary of technological advancesnever contemplated in my father’s time. Women often don’t experience classicchest pain as a symptom of coronary artery disease, but instead can have short-ness of breath, vague arm discomfort, or just fatigue. Women need to be moreaware that they are part of the raging epidemic of heart disease that claims600,000 lives annually.

Fortunately, that was not my fate. To my wonderment, my anginal symptomshave dissipated and these days I can swim, work out, and walk without discomfort.My swimming warned me, but Dr. Shlofmitz saved my life. And for that I am forevergrateful.

Lea Dann, M.D., is a board certified internist and a graduate of Mount Sinai Medical School.

Letters from the Heart When a Doctor Becomes a Reluctant Patient

St. Francis Hospital donors Rosalind and Franklyn Schaefer (seated) picturedwith family and Alan D. Guerci, M.D. (top, second from left).

by Lea Dann, M.D.

St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center ® • Winter 2011-2012 Heartbeat 15

Earlier thisr year,s Patricia anda Domenicod Zuzzio visitedi St.d Francis Hospital.sHappily, they didy notd havet anye urgenty medicalt need,l but theyt camey toe talkoabout howt St.w Francis coulds helpd themp achievem theire long-termr financialm goals.l

The Zuzzi’se relationships withp St.h Francis begans 20n years0 agos wheno Domn hadma hearta attackt thatk requiredt triple-bypassd surgery.s Dom andm Patd aret eternallyegrateful tol theo doctorse ands staffd whof savedo Dom’sd lifes duringe thatg veryt fright-yening time.g

Dom recallsm thats thet challenginge partg aboutt recoveringt fromg hism open-sheart surgeryt wasy nots justt thet physicale pain,l but alsot worryingo thatg het would-en’t bet ablee toe continueo toe enjoyo they activitiese thats usedt tod beo suche ah largea parteof hisf life.s Luckily, the Bravee Heartse –s a– volunteera supportr groupt forp individ-ruals whos haveo undergonee open-hearte surgeryt aty St.t Francis –s were– theree toereassure Dom.e They sharedy theird heartr attackt “wark stories”r with” him,h provid-ed and outletn fort Domr tom expresso hiss concerns,s and wered ae constanta sourcet ofecamaraderie. Thanks tos thato supportt andt reassuranced –e as– wells asl thes world-eclass medicals carel thate het receivede atd St.t Francis –s Dom– andm Patd stillt enjoyl aybusy lifey ande ared nowe activew memberse ofs thef Bravee Hearts.e

Given theirn trustr oft St.f Francis, it camet ase nos surpriseo thate thet Zuzzi’sewould relyd ony then Hospitale whenl itn camet timee toe supplemento theirt retire-rment income.t A simpleA flyere aboutr thet benefitse ofs af charitablea gifte annuitytsparked theird interestr andt afterd exploringr theirg options,r Dom andm Patd decidedtto seto upt ap charitablea gifte annuityt withy St.h Francis.This simples gifte annuityt isynow providingw Domg andm Patd witht ah guaranteeda fixedd streamd ofm incomef forethe reste oft theirf livesr ands theyd arey enjoyinge theg benefitse ofs addedf financialdsecurity.“We nevere wouldr haved knowne ton eveno considern theser kindse ofs giftsf withoutsthe helpe ofp St.f Francis Hospital,”s Pat” says.t “The staffe wasf easys toy worko withk andhhelped usd understands thed processe ands benefitsd ofs af gifta annuity.t It ist alsos veryosatisfying tog knowo thatw wet aree helpinge tog ensureo thate St.t Francis cans providenquality healthy careh fore generationsr tos come.”o

Giving Back

On February 11, 2011, the St. Francis Hospitalfamily lost a wonderful friend and tirelessvolunteer with the passing of Yen Wu.

Yen began volunteering at St. Francis inFebruary of 1986 and quickly became aspecial presence at the Hospital. Sheserved as co-manager and then manager ofthe gift shop, and also president of theGuild of St. Francis from 1998 to 1999. Shelogged 28,000 hours as a volunteer, butaccording to Barry Baretela, Director ofVolunteer Services, she did not always sign

in or sign out, working many extra hours out of sheer dedication. Yen is remembered as a gentle person who had the ability to warm anyone’s

heart with her big smile and comforting demeanor. She will be dearly missedand never forgotten.

Remembering Yen“Yen Wu personified the spirit of St. Francis: service to others.”– Alan D. Guerci, President and CEO

“The minute you met Yen, you liked her right off the bat. She was just wonder-ful with the other volunteers. She had a warm personality and always madeyou feel welcome. She really emphasized what we’re all about at St Francis.The volunteers who knew her a long time, and even those who didn’t, cannotbelieve she’s gone. They still expect her to be in the gift shop.”– Barry Baretela, Director of Volunteers

“We will always remember Yen and we will always miss her. She has gonefrom our lives but not from our hearts.”– Inge Costa, Volunteer, Guild President (2010-Present)

“Yen was a kind and wonderful person who truly understood customer serv-ice. She would always ask if there was anything she could stock in the giftshop. She was friendly, warm, and wonderful.”– Kenneth Rubin, M.D., Physician Advisor

A Tribute:Yen Wu (1933 – 2011)

Financial SecurityWrapped in a Gift Annuity

Leave a Legacy For Future Generations

A bequest helps ensure that St. Francis Hospital will continue to provide world-class medical care for generations to come.

Contact our Director of Planned Giving, she is happy to answer any questions that you or your advisors may have about making a gift.

Contact: Meryl Cosentino Phone: (516) 705-6652E-Mail: [email protected]: stfrancisheartcenter.com/legacy

Patricia and Domenico Zuzzi


Vital Signs

Robotics experts: (l. to r.) Michael Giuffrida, M.D.; Felix Badillo, M.D.; George DeNoto, M.D.; Keith Bloom, M.D.; and Gary Gecelter, M.D. Not pictured: Eugene Rubach, M.D.

his year, St. Francis Hospital took another step in acquiringadvanced technology to perform minimally invasive sur-gery. With the goal of reducing patient discomfort and timein the hospital, the new da Vinci Si robotic surgical system

will replicate the experience of open surgery by preserving the surgeon’snatural eye-hand-instrument alignment and instrument control. Theseadvancements offer precision and control that enable a minimally invasiveapproach to many complex surgical procedures. “The surgeon also sits in avery ergonomically comfortable position throughout the surgical proce-dure,” explains George DeNoto, M.D., Director of General Surgery. “Ibelieve that if a surgeon can see better, use the instruments better, and ismore comfortable while performing the surgery, then the patient willbenefit as well.”

The Si, a refined robot that provides high-definition, 3-D vision with upto 10 times magnification, and Intuitive Motion Technology, is also benefi-cial in the treatment of cancer surgery, giving laparoscopic surgeons at St.Francis the opportunity to have increased dexterity during minimally inva-sive surgical procedures in the treatment of pancreatic and gastrointestinalcancers. St. Francis urologists will be able to expand usage of robotics inthe treatment of kidney, adrenal, bladder, and prostate cancers as well.

“The role of surgical robotics continues to expand into areas that have

been typically confined to open surgery,” says Gary Gecelter, M.D.,Chairman of the Department of Surgery at St. Francis. “With the da VinciSi our ability to perform complex robotic suturing of internal organs hasallowed us to expand this minimally invasive platform into pancreatic andesophageal cancer surgery. This enhances patient recovery and helps ensurethat they return to normal life as quickly as possible.”

Other procedures that the da Vinci will be able to assist in will includerobotic single incision colon surgery, paraesophageal hiatal hernia repair,Nissen fundoplication, Heller myotomy, and cholecystectomy. “Our groupat St. Francis, which includes Drs. Gecelter, Eugene Rubach, MichaelGiuffrida, and myself, is one of a very few select groups in the countryspecifically chosen to be the first to utilize the robotic single incision portsand instruments for these applications,” says Dr. DeNoto. “We are excitedto bring this technology and the advantages it offers to our patients.”

Felix Badillo, M.D., Division Director of Urology, is also excited aboutthe latest version of the robot. Dr. Badillo has been using a da Vinci roboticsystem for several years and is one of the most experienced surgeons inthe region using this technology to perform prostate cancer surgery. “St.Francis Hospital will always be a leader in healthcare and the da Vincirobot continues to keep the Hospital in the forefront of surgical treat-ments,” he says.

The Next Wave in Robotic SurgeryNew technology will greatly enhance physicians’ capabilities to perform minimally invasive procedures


St. Francis Takes Part in Award-WinningCommunity Outreach Program Sponsoredby Catholic Health ServicesEvery Sunday, Catholic Health Services (CHS) of Long Island sendsout healthcare providers from member hospitals such as St. Francisto conduct free screenings and primary care at local churches. In2010 alone, the program reached out to more than 7,000 people whowere under or uninsured. In light of this ongoing effort, theHealthcare Association of New York (HANYS) has given CHS its 2011Community Health Improvement Award.

Healthcare professionals from St. Francis are among the 300 vol-unteers who participate in the program, which provides services to23 churches and community centers throughout the Island. Theirmission is to reach patients in communities that are underserved,financially distressed, and have large undocumented immigrant pop-ulations, providing potentially life-saving information in both Englishand Spanish.

“Many times these patients end up in emergency rooms seekingmedical attention, rather than getting help sooner, because theyhave little or no health insurance,” says Sue Palo, R.N., Director ofRehabilitation & Community Services at St. Francis. “By participatingin this program, we’re playing a proactive role in reaching peoplewho are in dire need of care.”

The screenings include tests for diabetes, cholesterol, high bloodpressure, and skin and prostate cancer, as well as flu immunizations.According to Luz Puello, the project’s coordinator at CHS, more than50 percent of patients with chronic conditions such as hypertensionand diabetes, have been brought into normal range within 60 daysof being screened.

New Study Shows Echocardiograms Can Predict Survival inAortic Valve PatientsSt. Francis Hospital researchers have identified four indicators

from echocardiograms that predicted survival rates in elderly

patients who suffered from severe aortic stenosis but did not

undergo surgical valve replacement. Eddy Barasch, M.D., pre-

sented the results of the study at the American Society of

Echocardiography (ASE) 2011 Scientific Session, where it gener-

ated considerable interest and was covered by the professional

media.

The study examined elderly patients with normal left ventricu-

lar function who had symptoms of untreated aortic stenosis, or

narrowing of the main outlet valve of the heart. According to Dr.

Barasch, the findings can help physicians predict survival rates

from surgery vs. medical therapy in patients such as these,

based on certain flags raised from their echocardiograms.

“Being able to determine which patients would be good can-

didates for surgery is crucial in treating this chronic condition,”

says Dr. Barasch, a leading researcher at St. Francis Hospital. “It

will become even more important when minimally invasive

devices for valve replace-

ment become more wide-

ly available.”

“These findings are the

end result of years of

research in studying

patients who have been

thought be too ill or eld-

erly to undergo surgery,”

says Nathaniel Reichek,

M.D., Director of the

Cardiac Imaging Program.

“It shows that some peo-

ple who do not undergo

surgery would actually

benefit from it.”

The results showed

that patients who survived without having surgery were

younger, had a higher body-mass index, were less likely to have

hypertension, kidney problems, diabetes or heart failure,

and more likely to have coronary artery disease.

Eddy Barasch, M.D.


Vital SignsSt. Francis Hospital’s Cardiac Surgery Program Recognized Again for Top Volume and Success Rates in New York StateCountering nationwide trend, demand for cardiac surgery at St. Francis remains strong

experienced sur-geons at St. FrancisHospital were alsoindividually recog-nized for havingrisk-adjusted mor-tality rates signifi-cantly lower thanthe statewide aver-age: RobertoColangelo, M.D.,and James Taylor,

M.D., Vice Chairman of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Director ofThoracic Aortic Surgery.

“This latest report documents what we have known for sometime, that our heart surgeons and their open-heart surgicalteams set the highest standard in cardiac surgical care andtreatment,” said Alan D. Guerci, M.D., President and CEO of St.Francis Hospital, The Heart Center. “Setting the standard meansnot only achieving a high level of excellence, but also demon-strating consistent top performance over time. Our surgeonsand their OR teams have done both and are to be congratulatedon these outstanding results.”

Countering a nationwide trend, St. Francis Hospital also reportedincreasing demand for its cardiac surgical services. For the fourthconsecutive year, the Hospital experienced growth in open heartsurgical volume, with 1,630 cases performed in 2010, compared to1,597 in 2009.

The 2010 and 2009 open-heart surgical volumes are hospital-reported data; the other outcomes are in the report, Adult CardiacSurgery in New York State, 2006-2008, which can be found on theNew York State Department of Health website:http://www.health.state.ny.us/statistics/diseases/cardiovascular/.

Earlier this yearthe cardiac sur-gery program atSt. FrancisHospital, TheHeart Center® wasrecognized againby the New YorkState Departmentof Health (NYS-DOH) for havingthe largest cardiacsurgical caseload in New York State and among the highest suc-cess rates. In its most recently published analysis covering 2006 to2008, the NYSDOH reported that St. Francis surgeons performed4,588 cases of isolated coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG),valve surgery, or combined valve/CABG surgery for the three-yearperiod 2006-08, the most recent years for which data has beenreleased.

Remarkably, the hospital’s total volume of cardiac surgerywas 50 percent larger than the hospital with the next-largestcaseload. St. Francis has consistently had the largest cardiacsurgical volume in New York State since at least 1992, when theDepartment of Health began collecting, analyzing and reportingcardiac surgical outcomes.

The NYSDOH also recognized St. Francis for being one of six hos-pitals in the state that had risk-adjusted mortality rates significant-ly below the statewide average. St. Francis has been recognized foroutstanding success rates in cardiac surgery 11 times in the past 15years that the State has issued reports, more than twice the num-ber of times any other hospital in the metropolitan area has beenrecognized.

In addition to recognizing the overall program, two of the most

Experienced hands (l. to r.): Newell Robinson, M.D., leads the Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery; Roberto Colangelo,M.D., and James Taylor, M.D., were recognized for their outstanding success rates.

St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center ® • Winter 2011-2012 Heartbeat

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association has givenSt. Francis Hospital its Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold PlusAchievement Award. The prestigious honor recognizes the Hospital’scommitment and success in providing excellent care for stroke patients.

The award is the latest nationwide recognition for St. Francis for itsneurological expertise. The Hospital has been rated one of the best hos-pitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report in Neurology andNeurosurgery. St. Francis has also been cited as having one of the lowestmortality rates in the nation for all of its top-rated specialties, includingheart and heart surgery.

In addition to the award, the Hospital was recognized on the associa-tion’s Target: Stroke Honor Roll, for improving stroke care. The rating isbased on the speed in which a stroke victim receives attention uponarrival at the hospital, also known as ‘door-to-needle’ time.“With a stroke, time lost is brain lost. This highly regarded, nationalrecognition demonstrates our ongoing commitment to being one of thetop hospitals in the country for providing aggressive, proven stroke care,”says Alan D. Guerci, M.D., President and CEO.

The Get With The Guidelines program emphasizes using the “teachablemoment,” the time soon after a patient has had a stroke, when they aremost likely to listen to and follow their healthcare professionals’ guid-ance. Studies demonstrate that patients who are taught how to managetheir risk factors while still in the hospital reduce their risk of a secondheart attack or stroke.

“We implemented these guidelines as part of our ongoing focus onenhancing the quality of stroke care. The number of stroke patients eligi-ble for treatment is expected to grow over the next decade due to increas-ing stroke incidence and a large aging population,” says Paul Wright,M.D., Director of the Stroke Center.

According to the American Heart Association/American StrokeAssociation, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the UnitedStates and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability. On average,someone suffers a stroke every 45 seconds; someone dies of a strokeevery three minutes; and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent strokeeach year.

St. Francis Hospital’s StrokeCenter Receives Gold PlusAchievement Award

Staff News

Patricia E. Daye has been named Vice President of Ambulatory

Services at St. Francis Hospital. Daye will be responsible for

overseeing the operations of physician practices as they join St.

Francis. She will also supervise the Hospital’s satellite facilities

including the DeMatteis Center for Cardiac Research and

Education in Greenvale, South Bay Cardiovascular in West Islip,

and the soon-to-be opened Bishop McHugh Health Center in

Hicksville.

19

George DeNoto III, M.D., FACS, has been appointed Director

of General Surgery. Dr. DeNoto joins the practice of Gary

Gecelter, M.D., and Eugene Rubach, M.D., to perform General

and Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery. He previously

served as Chief of the Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery

at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset and Director

of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Medical Center

Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship

St. Francis Researcher Wins Prestigious Medical AwardNathaniel Reichek, M.D., Director of Research and the Cardiac

Imaging Program, has been selected by the Medical Society of

the State of New York as the 2011 recipient of the Albion O.

Bernstein, MD Award. This national award, endowed by the

late Morris Bernstein in memory of his son, a physician who

died in an accident while answering a hospital call in 1940, is

given to a physician or scientist who has made a significant

contribution in medicine, surgery, or disease prevention dur-

ing the previous calendar year.

Dr. Reichek and Eddy Barasch, M.D., Director of Academic

Programs in Echocardiography (r.), were both appointed to

the Cardiovascular Imaging Editorial Board of the journal

Circulation Imaging earlier this year. Dr. Reichek was also re-

appointed to the Editorial Board of the Journal of the

American College of Cardiology.

Sherry J. Friedman, the Vice President for Development and

Public Affairs, has been named Outstanding Fundraising

Executive by the Long Island Chapter of the Association of

Fundraising Professionals. Friedman, a professional fundrais-

er for 20 years, was recognized for exemplifying the associa-

tion’s philosophy through “ethical, innovative, and dynamic

professionalism.”

Carolyn Birnbaum, M.D., D.A.B.R., has been named the new

Director of Women’s Imaging Services for the Women’s Center

of St. Francis Hospital. Prior to joining St. Francis as a

Radiologist in 2008, Dr. Birnbaum was the Associate

Physician-in-Charge of Women’s Imaging at North Shore

University Hospital.

Robert Alan Kates, M.D., has been appointed Chairman of

Anesthesiology at St. Francis Hospital. Dr. Kates served most

recently as the Vice Chairman of the Department and has

been an attending anesthesiologist at St. Francis since 1986.

He is also the Coordinator of the Department’s Performance

Improvement Program and a Representative to the

Credentials Committee.

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAID N. READING, MAPERMIT NO. 211

St. Francis HospitalThe Heart Center ®

100 Port Washington BoulevardRoslyn, New York 11576

www.stfrancisheartcenter.com

2012MarkYourCalendarSt. Francis Hospital Events

Thursday, May 3The Guild of St. Francis Hospital’s Annual SpringLuncheon Extravaganza

Americana Manhasset will be sponsoring this popular annual event.

For more information or tickets, call (516) 705-6655

Monday, June 4St. Francis Hospital’s 38th Annual Golf Classic at MeadowBrook Club, The Creek and Nassau Country Club

Individuals and foursomes are welcome. Golf reservations will beassigned on a first come, first served basis.

New: Connect with St. Francis via Your Mobile PhoneFast, easy web accessvia an iPhone, Blackberry, or Android

• Find a St. Francis Physician

• Email a job opening to a friend

• Find locations and directions

heartbeat magazine – winter 2011 - 2012

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