partners magazine- winter 2010/2011 - no insert
DESCRIPTION
Year-end edition of the RGH Foundation's regular publication. Hard edition includes 16pg insert for the RGH Founder's Society Gala. This issue is the first to include a section about Newark-Wayne Community Hospital as the publication begins to focus on RGHS as a whole system.TRANSCRIPT
WINTER 2010/2011
A Year of Generous Support
A magazine of Rochester General Hospital Foundation
Look inside! special GalaPhoto Album
INSIDE:• Richard S. Constantino, M.D. Patient Access Center groundbreaking• The B. Thomas Golisano Pavilion & Emergency Center one year later• The Twigs continue their good work• News from Newark-Wayne Community Hospital
Artist’s Rendering: Future Newark-Wayne
Community Hospital ED
WINTER 2010/2011
Rochester General Hospital Foundation 1299 Portland Avenue
Rochester, New York 14621tel: (585) 922-4800 • fax: (585) 922-4889
www.giveRGH.org
Senior Vice President for DevelopmentJames P. Digan
EditorDerek DeSol
WritingMarty Aarons
Sara CraneJanine DeCook Derek DeSol
Robin Flanigan
PhotographyJeff BlackmanKeith Bullis
Clix PhotographyBrenda CohenRuth Crecca
Janine DeCookDerek DeSol Lisa Hughes
DesignDalmath Associates
PrintingMercury Print Productions, Inc.
Please note that Partners is produced approximately three months in advance of when it is received by readers. Stories and events occurring after
production will be included in the next issue of the magazine. Partners welcomes comments from our readers. If an error has been made, please accept
our apologies and notify the Foundation Office by calling (585) 922-4800. Thank you!
President:Mark C. Clement
Chairperson:Katherine T. Schumacher
Vice Chairperson:Ethan Welch, M.D.
Treasurer:Roberta Van Winkle
Secretary:Kevin L. Overton, Esq
Medical Liaison:Edward C. Tanner, M.D.
Scott AnthonyJosephine Braitman
David N. Broadbent, M.D.Freddie L. CaldwellDonald S. Cameron
Kevin T. Cannan
Kevin Casey, M.D.Cynthia Christy, M.D.
Richard S. Constantino, M.D.Charles Eagle, Jr.Louise EpsteinJack A. Erdle
Stephen Ettinghausen, M.D.Samuel R. HustonGregory P. Kausch
Peter Kouides, M.D.Elliott LandsmanJeffrey Leenhouts
Arthur (Fritz) LiebertCarl Luger
Irving MannRalph P. Pennino, M.D.
Wanda PolisseniPatrick N. Riggs, M.D.
Steven SchwartzDon Twietmeyer, Esq.John R. Valvo, M.D.
Joseph S. Vasile, M.D.
Rochester General Hospital FoundationBoard of Directors
The Richard S. Constantino, M.D. Patient Access Center is a facility
that is named after and will embody the warm, comforting nature
of one of Rochester’s most trusted and admired physicians.
Considering the man and the work he has been doing for over three
decades, you would have to assume that the groundbreaking ceremony for
such a special facility and special man would be an elegant and sophisticated
affair, right? Wrong!
Dr. Constantino’s humble nature often prevents him from fully embracing
over-the-top public acclaim. This fact inspired his brother Charlie and
Jim Digan from the Foundation to lure Rick into a ceremony that started
with a series of elaborately planned hijinks. To disarm him, the event was
intentionally kept small, attended by a handful of RGH leaders and staff.
During the faux ceremony, Dr. Constantino was subjected to a presentation
created to appear bumbling, full of presenters who gave unusual details
about themselves, answered cell phones during their remarks, and played
“Rock, Paper, Scissors” while on stage to determine the order of speakers.
At the end of the intentionally awkward torment, Dr. Constantino, who
was still convinced it was the real ceremony, was asked to pose for a photo,
Friends, Family and Hijinks Precede “Groundbreaking” Ceremony
The Richard S. Constantino, M.D. Patient Access Center is expected to open in the fall of 2011. The facility will be located at the end of the Eugene Polisseni Pavilion and will provide a centralized area where patients can register, receive pre-admission testing, counseling and comfort. Patients who enter RGH will receive the kind of warm welcome that Dr. Constantino gives to his patients every day.
allowing his friend Tom Golisano to surprise him from behind
a tall curtain.
“Am I late?” Golisano quipped before pulling back the unusually
large curtain to reveal over 100 of Dr. Constantino’s closest friends
and family members.
The Doctor was speechless. The “trap” had been sprung, and the real
ceremony, one fit for a man who has touched the lives of so many
patients and their loved ones, could begin.
The rest of the afternoon was consumed with the “real celebration”:
heartfelt stories about the Constantino family, about Dr. Constantino’s
warm nature, and his devotion to family, friends and patients. Often
times people would eventually fit into all three of these categories.
Funny anecdotes peppered the public address system, igniting
sporadic uproars of laughter as thousands of warm hugs were shared.
For Dr. Constantino, the ceremony was symbolic of his career—
because it was a family affair.
Left to right, Charlie and Dr. Rick Constantino; Wanda Polisseni with daughter Valerie Wilcox, R.N.; The Constantino Family
www.giveRGH.org PARTNERS Winter 2010/2011 3
4 Rochester General Hospital Foundation
On September 16, 2009, a grateful community celebrated an
extraordinary gift made by a generous man. A year has passed since
the ribbon was cut, the party guests went home and the TV cameras
went dark. Since then, the story of Tom Golisano’s extraordinary gift
has been one of hard work by the people of Rochester General Hospital,
and one of hope for their patients.
Golisano’s transformational gift was the catalyst to alter the landscape
of emergency care in Rochester. In just one year of operation, patients,
EMTs and caregivers have trusted Rochester General Hospital’s B. Thomas
Golisano Pavilion and Emergency Center more than any other Emergency
Department (ED) in Upstate New York.
The new facility has provided the space and technology to treat a higher
volume of patients while improving safety and clinical outcomes. “The
positive changes have been unbelievable. We are expected to operate at a
high level and we’re given the resources to do that,” explains Peter Sichak,
R.N., who is a Clinical Leader on the ED floor.
Spacious private rooms, a new bedside labeling system, and tools
previously reserved for Operating Rooms are just some of the features
of the new facility. “A lot of Emergency Departments around the country
have two people in a room separated by a curtain. In that situation,
it’s very difficult and often uncomfortable to have a private conversation
with a patient or do procedures where you need several people working
in the room. It can actually hinder patient care,” explains ED physician
Dr. Jay Keyes.
With the versatility to administer a wider range of surgical procedures
in the ED itself, many patients who otherwise would be admitted to the
hospital can go home the same day they arrive. “The rooms are like
miniature operating theatres. They have plenty of space and are equipped
with high intensity lighting to help focus on where you are operating.
It’s a good place to work,” explains Dr. Greg Lakin, Chief Resident in
Plastic Surgery.
The state-of-the-art design, engineered with improved patient flow in
mind, has allowed the team to adopt new, more efficient practices that
accelerate this process while also improving the quality of care. “A lot
of EDs are sort of cobbled together. This facility allows us to handle
the volume of patients very well because of the way it was planned,”
says Dr. Keyes.
The Golisano ED Continues to Thrive
“The positive changes have
been unbelieveable.” – Peter Sichak, R.N.
Emergency Room Clinical Leader
www.giveRGH.org PARTNERS Winter 2010/2011 5
achieving excellence
The new design allows incoming patients to be taken to
particular units quickly, something that is critical in situations
such as heart attacks. “We have dedicated elevators to get
patients to the Cath (Cardiac Catheterization) Lab when they
have a heart attack, which is critical because time equals
muscle, for heart attacks” explains Dr. Grams.
One of the most telling metrics in measuring successful
emergency care is the amount of time it takes for a patient to
be seen by a provider. Since the opening of the B. Thomas
Golisano Pavilion and Emergency Center, the average amount
of waiting time for a patient to see a provider has been reduced
to 29-32 minutes, down from 90-105 minutes in the old facility.
“We don’t have people in the waiting room for six or eight hours
like they do at other places,” remarks Dr. Keith Grams, Chief of
Emergency Services for Rochester General Health System.
After one year, the seed planted by Tom Golisano’s generosity
has come to fruition, bringing visible, tangible results for
patients and their families. Even more inspiring is what lies
on the horizon beyond year one. In December 2010, the
new Louise and Henry Epstein Family Pediatric Emergency
Department, an extension of the B. Thomas Golisano Pavilion
and Emergency Center, opened to the public, creating a
comprehensive safety network for children and young adults
in the Greater Rochester area.
These success stories can be directly attributed to the generosity
of Rochester General Hospital’s supporters and the hard work of
its employees and caregivers. Those key groups of people will
help author the success stories of 2011 and beyond—the
ongoing improvements in facilities, equipment and practices
will continue to build upon the success of the B. Thomas
Golisano Pavilion and Emergency Center.
6 Rochester General Hospital Foundation
As 2010 comes to a close, we are grateful to reflect
on a year in which we continued to receive warm
and generous support from our friends and
neighbors. Throughout our history, Rochester
General has overcome challenges to address the
needs of our community, and the message is clear
that we need to rise to the occasion once again.
In the fluid landscape of healthcare, one of the
remaining constants is the fact that change will
always be looming—change in community need
and change in elements like technology, best
practices, resources and government policies.
This is why our institution must always be ready
to adapt our plans and goals to most effectively
and responsibly address the healthcare needs of
our region.
Currently, our health system is preparing for
widespread capital improvements throughout
not only Rochester General Hospital, but also our
affiliates, including Hill Haven Nursing Home and
Newark-Wayne Community Hospital (NWCH).
One year ago, we were planning to focus our
investment into a new patient pavilion on the
RGH campus. Since that time, we have identified
a series of profound improvements that we can
make throughout our hospital and affiliates that
will benefit more of our patients with a
responsible investment. Eventually in the long
term, these plans may still include a patient
pavilion. However, we must first address the
objectives that will ultimately make our health
system, as a whole, an even stronger community
resource.
For this comprehensive facility improvement plan
to work, we need your help. Your generosity
will have a direct impact on our ability to make
improvements on both the RGH campus and our
system facilities throughout the region, including
a much-needed Emergency Department at
Newark-Wayne Community Hospital (NWCH).
Currently, the Emergency Department at NWCH
is serving a patient volume that is double what the
current facility was built to serve. Creating a
facility designed to meet the needs of the growing
patient demand in the Wayne County area is an
example of one of the several critical projects
that we will share with the community in greater
detail in 2011. To learn more about how you can
support any of the affiliates of Rochester General
Health System, please call (585) 922-4800.
Our health system cannot exist without the
generosity of the community it serves. Thank
you for supporting the work that we are so
privileged to do.
A Message from Jim Digan Senior Vice President for Development
A Special ThanksThe end of the year is a time to give thanks to our donors, friends, leaders and employees.
I would like to take this special opportunity to thank two individuals with whom I have
the pleasure to work very closely. 2010 marked the end of Don Twietmeyer’s term as Board
Chair of the RGH Foundation. Don has been a passionate and charismatic leader, and we are
thankful that he will remain a member of our board. As sad as we all are to see Don’s term
end, we are thrilled to begin working with our new chair, Katherine Schumacher. Katherine
has served on our board, most recently as Vice Chair, and we were thrilled to introduce her
to our supporters at the Hansford Society Dinner and the Founders Society Gala. I would be
remiss if I did not include a heartfelt thanks to both Don and Katherine, whose leadership
enables our team to accomplish so much.
giving back to rgh
www.giveRGH.org PARTNERS Winter 2010/2011 7
Their Special Day Becomes a Time to Remember, a Time to Give
Like most brides-to-be, Jennie Santo couldn’t wait for
her wedding. A buzzing sense of urgency to perfect
things like invitations, flowers and food was about
to take hold and not let go until she looked at Justin, her
groom, and said “I do.”
Both families were thrilled. Particularly excited was Jennie’s
mother and best friend, Joan Hornby. Joan was fighting
cancer and the news of her daughter getting married brought
a welcome burst of joy. When Jennie asked her mother to be
her maid of honor, Joan’s excitement was matched only by
her steadfast optimism.
However, before long, a different sense of urgency reared
its head. Joan’s battle was becoming increasingly difficult—
her outlook less and less optimistic. Firmly clutching their
family priorities, Jennie and Justin decided to get married
much sooner than they had planned, because they wanted
Joan to see her daughter get married and be a part of their
special day.
Sadly, Jennie and Justin lost the race against Joan’s cancer
when she passed away about four months before the
wedding. While she may not have been able to attend the
August 1 wedding, the bride and groom wanted to make
sure Joan’s presence was felt.
Instead of giving a traditional wedding favor to their guests,
Jennie and Justin made a generous
donation to Rochester General
Hospital’s Lipson Cancer Center,
where Joan received care and comfort
during her brave battle with this
terrible disease. At the wedding,
each guest received a simple
bookmark (at right) with a message
from the bride and groom,
extending their heartfelt gesture of
philanthropy and making sure Joan
remained part of the wedding.
Jennie Santo (now Mrs. Jennie
Smith), made her late mother’s
presence felt on one of the most
important days of her life,
helping to improve the lives of
others in the process. If you
have a moment in your life that
you want to seize in
order to help others, call
the Rochester General
Hospital Foundation at
(585) 922-4800 or email
The Foundation team will work with you to do something
that fits your priorities and your passion. Your generosity
represents something special to our patients, caregivers
and staff. Let us make sure it’s also special for you and
your loved ones.
Jennie and Justin ontheir wedding day
8 Rochester General Hospital Foundation
he main campus of Rochester General
Hospital is large and sprawling. Many
patients, visitors and employees use
landmarks to find their way around. “Meet me by
the Twig Auditorium,” “it’s just past the Twig Gift
Shop,” or “let’s grab lunch in the Twig Café.”
Often, people who are new to the Rochester General
Hospital community are unaware of the Twigs and
their role in helping to create Rochester General
Hospital’s deep-running culture of philanthropy.
“Twig” is a name that peppers the RGH campus almost
as much as it peppers the history pages of Rochester’s
first hospital. Founded by Miss Lois Elliott Whitney in
1887, the genesis of the Twig organization was rooted
in a social gathering of close friends. Miss Whitney, a
member of City Hospital’s (later changed to Rochester
General Hospital) Board of Lady Managers, passed
sewing materials to her friends, suggesting that while
they socialize, they hem napkins for the hospital.
The group had so much fun that they agreed to meet
again and bring more friends. The group began to
contribute money to help purchase materials as they
continued to meet and make linens for the hospital.
Too humble to consider themselves a “branch” of the
hospital, they called themselves a “Twig.”
Educated both locally and in a Paris art school, Miss
Whitney led the way as the Twigs began to hold
fundraising events such as evenings of theatre and
entertainment and “The Donation Festival,” which was
eventually replaced by the Annual Twig Sale in the early
part of the 20th century. In 1889, just over two years
after she had created the original Twig, Miss Whitney
died of peritonitis. The day before she passed, she told
her friend, Mrs. Arthur Hamilton, “Do not lose interest
in the Twigs, for they may grow to be a power for good.”
“Twigs” Entwined in Rochester General History
And grow they did. Before long, 18 different Twigs had
sprouted, each adopting its name from the order in which
it was created (for example, Second Twig, Third Twig, etc).
Eventually Twigs began to take on other names, often those of
various types of trees and bushes. Over the course of the 28
years that followed Miss Whitney’s first social gathering, the
Twigs grew to 27 groups with a total membership of 436. In
addition, as members of Rochester City Hospital Twigs moved
to other parts of the United States, they frequently would use
the “Twig model” to help their newly established communities
create hospitals similar to the one they supported in Rochester.
Today, you can find Twig organizations supporting healthcare
institutions across the country, such as Northern Westchester
Hospital, part of the New York-Presbyterian Health Care
System; Inova Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, VA; and
Kosair Children’s Hospital, part of the Norton Healthcare
System in Louisville, KY.
Over the 121 years following the passing of Miss Lois Whitney,
the Twigs have continued to grow, supporting the hospital
through two World Wars, the Great Depression and into
the 21st century, where they are invaluable partners with
Rochester General Health System. Since 1947, the Twigs have
operated the hospital’s Twig Gift Shop with their volunteers
as the only staff. All proceeds from the Twig Shop benefit
the hospital. Annual Twig Sales are still held, as well as the
Autumn Promenade of Shoppes and several bake sales, craft
sales and other sales throughout the year. The Twigs also raise
funds with an annual golf tournament and the American Girl
Fashion Show. Since 1987, the Twigs and Rochester General
Hospital Association, the managing body of today’s modern
Twigs, have contributed over $5 million to support Rochester
General Health System..
So the next time you wonder how the Twig Birthing Center
got its name, or why there is a Twig Discharge Center for
patients who leave the hospital, think of the strong, caring and
passionate women who have worked tirelessly to support our
community hospital and in the process, set an example that is
emulated throughout the country.
Today, Rochester General enjoys the support of 80 active and
emeritus Twigs with over 600 members. To learn more about
the Twigs, how to support them or how to get involved, visit
www.RochesterGeneral.org/rochester-general-hospital/twigs/.
“Do not lose interest in the Twigs, for they may grow to be a power for good.” – Miss Lois Elliott Whitney, Twigs Founder
www.giveRGH.org PARTNERS Winter 2010/2011 9
Research provided by Rochester Medical Museum and Archives. To learn more about the history of Rochester General and healthcare in our community, visit www.RochesterGeneral.org/Archives.
Sources: Lehr, Teresa K. and Philip G. Maples. To Serve the Community: A Celebration of Rochester General Hospital. Virginia Beach, 1997.
Informational Pamphlet: Fiftieth Anniversary of the Twigs 1887-1937
Auxiliary Newsletter, published by Committee on Women’s Hospital Auxiliaries of the American Hospital Association; Vol. II, No. 6, Sept. 1950
As the vehicle to deliver Rochester General
Health System’s high level of care to Wayne
County, Newark-Wayne Community Hospital is
a critical cog in our integrated healthcare system and its
ability to serve the region at large. We are approaching
the end of a tremendously exciting year for Newark-
Wayne Community Hospital, the DeMay Living Center
and Rochester General Health System. As we strive to
make the most comprehensive modern medicine more
accessible to people in the Wayne County area, we have
victories to celebrate and challenges to address.
However, before I delve into specifics, I must extend
my deepest thanks to our supporters. Without your
help, this year’s successes would have been much more
difficult to achieve and our future challenges would
seem much more daunting.
In September we opened the doors to our new Adult Day
Care facility, allowing us to expand our treasured “Friends
for the Day” program. This attractive and practical
alternative to a nursing home offers medical and nursing
care, door-to-door transportation, assistance with
personal care, nutrition and counseling, therapeutic
recreation and rehabilitation services. For 19 years, the
“Friends for the Day” program has satisfied a significant
community need, and recently that need has grown.
Because of this new facility, we are now better equipped
to provide senior citizens and people with disabilities the
services that maintain their quality of life.
In October we celebrated the ribbon cutting of the
brand new Hologic Selenia Dimensions Digital
Mammography Unit and Suite, which will make breast
cancer screenings more accurate, comfortable and
accessible to people in our community. Investments
such as these are critical in supporting the early
detection of breast cancer. Additionally, we will now
be able to provide an additional
600 mammograms per year.
Advances such as these are
made possible by the
generosity of people like you.
Newark-Wayne Community
Hospital is committed to
addressing the healthcare
needs of Wayne County and
its surrounding neighborhoods, and we are able to
honor that commitment because people choose to give
back to their community hospital.
Despite a year of milestone success, our work is far from
finished. Although our Emergency Department has
made tremendous advances in reducing wait times and
improving service, the staff is working in a facility that
was built to serve half of the patient volume that it is
currently being asked to serve. That is why we are
thrilled to break ground on our new Emergency
Department in spring of 2011.
Even with our excitement, we know that in order to
maximize this precious opportunity to modernize
emergency care in our community, we need your help.
Your gift, no matter its size, can help us build an
Emergency Department that will serve as a security
blanket for you, your family and your neighbors.
Thank you again for believing in Newark-Wayne
Community Hospital. As 2010 comes to a close, we look
forward to being there for you in 2011 and beyond.
A Message from Annette Leahy
10 Rochester General Hospital Foundation
Annette Leahy,President of Newark-Wayne Community Hospital and DeMay Living Center
www.giveRGH.org PARTNERS Winter 2010/2011 11
ommunity leaders, friends, and past donors of
Newark-Wayne Community Hospital learned
about plans for a $14 million facility
modernization plan to revitalize and modernize local
emergency care at a celebratory wine tasting in August.
The event was sponsored by Scott Marshall and Bill and
Becky McKee and held at Boller Point Vineyard. Several
elected officials attended, including New York State
Senator Michael Nozzolio, Chair of Wayne County Board
of Supervisors James Hoffman, and Sodus Point Mayor
Michael Sullivan.
Annette Leahy, President of Newark-Wayne Community
Hospital and DeMay Living Center, and several key
physician leaders talked about the planned addition,
which will include a new and expanded Emergency
Department and the modernization of the hospital’s
Outpatient Services.
In order to make these critical facility improvements
possible, Leahy and her team announced the launch of a
new fundraising campaign, and stressed the importance
of philanthropic support from local civic leaders to help
meet the community’s growing need for emergency care.
“The number of patients seen in our Emergency
Department (ED) has more than doubled in the last ten
years,” said Dr. Robert Biernbaum, Chief of Emergency
Services. “We cared for more than 22,000 patients last
year in an ED built to care for 11,000 patients. Despite
the space and facility issues, our quality data and patient
satisfaction scores are demonstrating that we are
providing very good care to those patients and their
families. We are pleased that Rochester General Health
System’s and Newark-Wayne’s Boards and Leadership
Teams are enthusiastically supporting the new ED
project, which will enable us to provide an even better
patient experience.”
“This investment in Newark-Wayne Community Hospital
demonstrates our commitment to a modern facility that
will meet our community’s needs,” said Dr. Arun Nagpaul,
Medical Director. “The Medical Staff has grown
tremendously and many other enhancements have been
made to provide the highest quality care. We are focused
on our patients – their care and their satisfaction; we look
forward to proceeding with this project.”
Leahy said the hospital would also submit a Certificate
of Need Application to New York State to open an urgent
care service next summer as a pilot program on the
campus of the former Myers Hospital.
“We want to test this out to see if it can be a viable
option for people living in the Sodus, Sodus Point and
northern Wayne County areas during the busiest time
of the summer season. With state acceptance, we will
proceed and will keep the people in that area abreast of
the situation as it evolves. We want to provide the best
care possible to patients throughout the county and look
forward to piloting this service.”
RGHS Announces $14 Million Facility Modernization Plan for Newark-Wayne Campus
nwch news
12 Rochester General Hospital Foundation
On October 19, in the heart of Breast Cancer
Awareness Month, friends, advocates, leaders and
employees of Newark-Wayne Community
Hospital celebrated the opening of a brand new Digital
Mammography Suite that will help promote the early
detection of breast cancer and other breast diseases in
patients who live in Wayne County. Among those in
attendance was Congressman Dan Maffei, who played a
major role in helping the hospital secure a $99,000 grant
to support this project.
“The New Hologic Selenia Dimensions Digital
Mammography Unit is the latest generation in diagnostic
mammography and offers a superior patient diagnosis
with lower radiation, increased imaging precision and a
more comfortable exam experience,” explained Dr. Martine
Backenstoss, Mammography Section Chief for Rochester
General Health System’s Department of Radiology.
“Patients in this region can expect exceptional breast
disease care starting with the diagnosis from this unit,”
said Dr. Lori Medeiros, Medical Director of the Breast
Center at Rochester General Hospital, an affiliate of the
Lipson Cancer Center and of Newark-Wayne Community
Hospital. Dr. Medeiros is a surgeon and an expert in
treating breast cancer and other breast diseases.
Newark-Wayne Community Hospital’s board-certified and
fellowship-trained radiologists specialize in the diagnosis of
breast cancer and are part of a dedicated, multidisciplinary
team that forms the Breast Center at Rochester General
Hospital. The Breast Center team works to provide the
same outstanding quality of care throughout the entire
region served by Rochester General Health System.
“Our practitioners each have devoted years in training and
in practice to care for patients with breast diseases,” added
Dr. Medeiros. “We are exclusively focused on providing
the best care and guidance for each patient. This (digital
mammography unit) enhances that care right from
the start.”
New Digital Mammography Suite Opens
Front, left to right: Peter Blandino, Mayor of Newark; Congressman Dan Maffei; Dr. Martine Backenstoss, Section Chief Mammography, RGHS; Dr. Lori Medeiros, Medical Director RGH Breast Center; Yvonne MacTaggart, Manager, Radiology; Back (left to right): Mohamed Razak, President, Razak Associates; Bob Havrilla, Chair, NWCH/DLC Board of Directors; Hugh Thomas, Sr. Vice President and Corporate Council RGHS; Peg Churchill, NWCH Board Member and Executive Director Wayne County Industrial Development Agency; Missing: Dr. Cheryl Avanzato
www.giveRGH.org PARTNERS Winter 2010/2011 13
nwch news
Left to right, Rev. Tim Johnson, NWCH/DLC Foundation Board Chair; Jim Hoffman, Chair Wayne County Board of Supervisors; Senator Mike Nozzolio; Ida Dick, ADHC participant; Christine Stalker, Director ADHC; Annette Leahy, President NWCH/DLC; Helen Blandino, Aux-iliary Board and NWCH Village Board Trustee; Assemblyman Robert Oaks, Laurie Crane, Huron Supervisor; Back Row: Mark Klyczek, Administrator DLC; Lucinda Collier, Rose Supervisor; Peter Blandino, Mayor of Newark; Congressman Dan Maffei; Robert Havrilla, Chair, NWCH Board; Not in View: Bill Hammond, Macedon Supervisor; Robert Kelsch, Ontario Supervisor
Left to right, Rev. Tim Johnson, NWCH/DLC Foundation Board Chair; Jim Hoffman, Chair Wayne County Board of Supervisors; Senator Mike Nozzolio; Ida Dick, ADHC participant; Christine Stalker, Director ADHC; Annette Leahy, President NWCH/DLC; Helen Blandino, Aux-iliary Board and NWCH Village Board Trustee; Assemblyman Robert Oaks, Laurie Crane, Huron Supervisor; Back Row: Mark Klyczek, Administrator DLC; Lucinda Collier, Rose Supervisor; Peter Blandino, Mayor of Newark; Congressman Dan Maffei; Robert Havrilla, Chair, NWCH Board; Not in View: Bill Hammond, Macedon Supervisor; Robert Kelsch, Ontario Supervisor
New Facility for “Friends for the Day”
On September 9, leaders from Newark-Wayne
Community Hospital, DeMay Living Center and
the Wayne County community celebrated the
grand opening of the hospital’s new Adult Day Health Care
(ADHC) facility, the new home for their “Friends for the
Day” program. Annette Leahy, President of Newark-Wayne
Community Hospital and DeMay Living Center, emceed
the program and was joined by several local politicians,
dignitaries and Rochester General Health System leaders.
The ceremony emphasized the importance of providing
comprehensive care and services for seniors and adults with
disabilities. In the new facility, this program will be able
to accommodate more participants and address a growing
local need to provide these adults with health monitoring,
rehabilitation, socialization, recreation and personal care.
One of the highlights of the ceremony took place when Ida
Dick, a participant in the program, shared how “Friends for
the Day” has improved and enriched her life.
“They (the ADHC staff and caregivers) are so kind and they
help us so much,” remarked Dick. “They have made my
life better. This place is special and these people are special
- they really care about us.”
For many participants, this DeMay Living Center program
is an attractive alternative to a nursing home. Now in its
19th year, it has been consistently ranked in the top 10%
of Adult Day Health Care programs in the United States for
participant and family satisfaction.*
“There are so many individuals who live alone - with
family members or other caregivers trying to help meet all
of the medical, nutritional, recreational and social needs for
them,” explained Christine Stalker, Director of the ADHC
Program. She added, “This new building will enable us to
help more Wayne County residents and their families.
* Based on benchmark studies by Vital Research, a company that benchmarks Long Term Care and Adult Day Health Care programs
14 Rochester General Hospital Foundation
NWCH Galan November 20, 300 people came to Casa Larga
Vineyards for the Newark-Wayne Community
Hospital Foundation Gala. Jennifer Johnson,
anchor for 13 WHAM News This Morning emceed the
“Tuscan Evening” themed celebration. A night of gratitude
and promise for the future, guests thanked retiring NWCH
President Annette Leahy for her tremendous service and
cheered when she announced her involvement in the new
capital campaign. The centerpiece of the campaign is a new
Emergency Department on the Newark-Wayne campus.
ExCLUSIVE EVENT SPONSOR
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nwch news
16 Rochester General Hospital Foundation
Susie Earl Hosts Gathering at Her Sodus Point HomeThis summer, community members were invited to an event at
Susie Earl’s home in Sodus Point to learn about the clinical
progress made at Newark-Wayne Community Hospital, notably
the improvements in emergency care, which will be further
augmented by Rochester General Health System’s plans to replace
the Emergency Department on the Newark-Wayne campus.
NWCH’s Annual Golf TournamentOn August 16, supporters of Newark-Wayne Community Hospital
came to Sodus Bay Heights Golf Club for the annual Newark-
Wayne Community Hospital Foundation Golf Tournament. In
2011, the Golf Tournament will celebrate its 20th year. To learn
more or to get involved, please call (585) 922-4800.
NWCH News Briefs
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community news
RGHS Acquires Kings Park Office Complex Purchase will allow RGHS to relocate and centralize support services; add versatility for future expansion of outpatient services
n October, Rochester General Health System (RGHS)
announced the purchase of the Kings Park Office
Complex, a 21.1 acre property located in Irondequoit
at the corner of Ridge Road East and Kings Highway,
approximately one-half mile from the RGH campus.
The purchase of Kings Park provides important flexibility for
Rochester General. Relocating support services and other
administrative functions to Kings Park will create additional
clinical space at the hospital, accommodating growing service
lines and further enhancing the patient experience. It will
also help RGHS create a more efficient operation because the
health system will be able to consolidate previously leased
office spaces while also eliminating the need to expand
parking and storage facilities on the RGH campus. Longer
range plans also include the possibility of housing outpatient
services at this facility in order to improve access for patients.
“We are excited about the expanded options and flexibility
such a high-quality complex as Kings Park offers,” said Mark
Clement, president and CEO of Rochester General Health
System. “Current market conditions make the acquisition of
Kings Park a great value for our health system and one that
will provide great benefit to both our patients and staff.”
Formerly the home of ESL Federal Credit Union support
services center, the three-building complex features 305,000
square feet of office space and is the fifth-largest class A office
park in Monroe County.
Ridge Rd. E.
Kings Highw
ay
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Carter st.
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Portland Ave.
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18 Rochester General Hospital Foundation
Golisano Foundation Honors Jim SuttonOn October 28th, the Golisano
Foundation, founded by Paychex
founder B. Thomas Golisano, presented
its first ever Leadership Awards for
Exemplary Health Care Services. The
Golisano Foundation Leadership Award was established to
recognize and honor individuals who have demonstrated
extraordinary work to expand access and improve healthcare
services for people with developmental disabilities, change
attitudes, and raise awareness for the gifts and talents of
people with developmental disabilities.
One of the five recipients was James Sutton RPA-C, Director
of the Office of Community Medicine for Rochester General
Health System.
Jim Sutton has a passion for providing high quality medical
care to underserved patients in need—and that passion spills
over into volunteer work when he’s not on the clock at
Rochester General Medical Group’s Clinton Family Health
Center. A physician assistant for 23 years, Jim has always
been eager “to place myself in areas of high need and see
what I can do to help out.”
Geographically speaking, those areas have included inner-city
Los Angeles, small villages in Egypt, and now an urban clinic
serving a predominantly Hispanic population. However,
Sutton also has a long history of working with people who
have developmental disabilities, a relationship that started
about 15 years ago when he began to give on-the-spot
physicals to Special Olympics athletes who had not been
medically cleared to compete.
Sutton graduated from the University of Washington
Physician Assistant program in 1987 and completed a
residency in Pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine in 1993.
He is an adjunct clinical professor at the Rochester Institute
of Technology and teaches physician assistant students in
family medicine at Clinton Family Health Center, where he
has worked since 1997.
Sutton is also the co-author of the book, Top 5 Questions to
Ask Your Doctor and has a special interest in healthcare policy
and the development of programs that target disparities in the
healthcare system.
On October 1, Rochester General Health System (RGHS)
acquired the Joseph C. Wilson Health Center Building from
Lifetime Health Medical Group. Rochester General will use this
space to accommodate increasing patient volumes and program
needs, primarily for outpatient services and specialty practices.
Opened in 1973, the Joseph C. Wilson Health Center offers
83,000 square-feet of clinical and office space and is located
at 800 Carter Street, on land owned by RGHS. The building
was named in honor of Joseph C. Wilson, who transformed his
family business, Haloid, into the xerox Corporation we know
today. Established in 1963, the Marie C. and Joseph C.
Wilson Foundation continues to provide generous support
of initiatives which address healthcare, education, and
social issues.
The transfer of ownership of the building to RGHS was within
the original land use agreement and has been part of a long
term plan for the Rochester General Hospital campus and both
organizations felt that this was an advantageous time to make
the transition. By relocating divisions of outpatient services and
specialty practices to the Wilson Health Center building, RGHS
will be providing a more convenient setting for patients.
“The transfer of the Joseph C. Wilson Health Center building
ownership is a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to
improve services and provide easier access to our patients,”
said Mark Clement, president and CEO of Rochester General
Health System. “The growth we are experiencing at RGHS is a
reflection of the trust and respect our community has in our
health system. We view the decision to improve access to
services into the Wilson Health Center as part of our
commitment to provide exemplary care and service to every
customer, at every encounter, every time.”
RGH Acquires Wilson Building
ochester General Health System (RGHS) is an
institution built upon generations of vision,
generosity, altruism and sacrifice. Those who have
contributed to its success intimately understand the value of
caring for the greater community good.
The Emeritus Board Summer Session on August 11 at
the Rochester Academy of Medicine presented a unique
opportunity to gather some of the leaders of our past. Former
board members of Rochester General Hospital, The Genesee
Hospital, Rochester General Health System and the Rochester
General Hospital Foundation (formerly ViaHealth) gathered
to discuss the latest developments that are taking place
throughout RGHS. RGHS President and CEO Mark Clement,
Rochester General Hospital Council Chairman Dan Meyers
and RGHS Chief of Emergency Services Dr. Keith Grams,
were on hand to lead the discussion and answer questions.
Dr. Grams’ presentation on the transformation of the RGH
Emergency Department since the opening of the B. Thomas
Golisano Pavilion and Emergency Center in October 2009 was
the centerpiece and definitive highlight of the afternoon’s
conversation. Stories of the unit’s ascension to the busiest
Emergency Department in Upstate New York in 2010 illustrated
the dramatic progress they have made while maintaining their
focus on goals to continue to improve the unit.
As Rochester General Health System works to lead the way
in the changing landscape of healthcare, members of the
board emeriti have an opportunity to play a pivotal role. To
further embrace the leaders of the past, the RGH Foundation
is planning to hold two board emeriti events in 2011. The
first will take place in the spring and a second will be held
in the early fall. Past board members of Rochester General
Hospital, The Genesee Hospital, Newark-Wayne Community
Hospital, RGH Foundation and the Rochester General Health
System Board are all welcome to attend.
Former board members will be provided with details in early
2011, but if you are a former board member and want to find
out more, please contact Derek DeSol at (585) 922-4800 or
Past Leaders Meet to Discuss the Future of Healthcare
Above, Dan Meyers (left) and RGHS President and CEO Mark Clement spoke at the Emeritus Board Summer Session. Below, Dr. Keith Grams addresses the group.
community news
www.giveRGH.org PARTNERS Winter 2010/2011 19
20 Rochester General Hospital Foundation
A planned gift can help put the final touches on so
many of life’s goals. It can provide security and
income for family members, it can carve an indelible
legacy to remember a life of giving, and it can allow
someone to make a larger gift than they could make during
their lifetime. In many cases, a single planned gift can
accomplish all three of these things.
To celebrate and recognize the generous people who have
committed to making a planned gift of $5,000 or more to
Rochester General Health System, the Foundation held the
annual Hansford Society Dinner on September 16 at the Inn
on Broadway.
“A planned gift is a reflection of truly stunning generosity
and passion,” remarked Jim Digan, Senior Vice President for
Development, as he kicked off the evening’s program.
The dinner also marked the first event for the Foundation’s
new Board Chair, Katherine Schumacher, who balanced
her message between the need for planned giving with
gratitude toward those who have already made the
commitment. “Generous and thoughtful estate planning
is quite often the very thing that puts our institution in the
financial position to address the pressing healthcare needs of
our region,” she explained in her first public remarks as
Board Chair.
At the 2009 event, attendees learned about the new
B. Thomas Golisano Pavilion and Emergency Center, then
just several weeks from opening to the public. This year,
Dr. Keith Grams, RGHS Chief of Emergency Services, showed
the crowd how much of an impact the facility, which was
largely supported by philanthropy, has made on emergency
care in Rochester after just 11 months of operation.
Planned giving supports initiatives that often come to
fruition after the donor has passed away, but for one evening,
Dr. Grams illustrated what can happen when generosity and
commitment converge to transform the way our community
receives healthcare.
To learn more about how planned giving can work for you,
your family and Rochester General Health System, call the
Foundation at (585) 922-4800.
Hansford Dinner Celebrates Planned Giving
Above, left to right, John Biemiller and Marge Bergeson; RGHS System Board Chairman Bob Dobies and Dr. Joseph Incavo; Dr. Leo Landhuis and Dr. James Stormont.
Imagine what 1,000 gifts of $10 can do:
donor news
It’s true, big donations to non-profit organizations like
Rochester General Health System get a lot of attention. You
might be thinking, “I can’t afford to send in $10,000 or even
$100. Why bother donating at all? My gift is too small to
help out.”
Every year, we receive many gifts from generous people who
are grateful for the care they or a family member received at
Rochester General Hospital or one of our affiliates. The
majority of these gifts are under $50, and so far in 2010,
over 50% of our donations have been $10 or less.
Each gift adds up to money that Rochester General Health
System uses to help those in need, purchase life-saving
equipment, improve patient safety, and further the education
of employees.
Your $10 could purchase you a week of morning coffee.
Or, combined with the support of your neighbors and
community, it could help give Rochester and the surrounding
counties the best healthcare possible, something everyone
depends on for themselves and their loved ones.
Imagine what 1,000 gifts of $10 can do:
• $10,000 can help purchase a Sim Newbie $10,000 covers over 2/3 of the cost of this state-of-the-art
piece of equipment that looks like and simulates the
physiology of newborn baby. It helps medical
professionals to learn, practice on, and receive feedback
from real-life emergency situations without compromising
the safety of our children and grandchildren.
• $10,000 can purchase five new heated dialysis chairs When having their blood filtered, often as a result of
problems in kidney function, dialysis patients suffer from
uncomfortable chills. We are working toward replacing
the dialysis chairs with new models that are heated,
providing a much more comfortable treatment experience
for our patients.
• $10,000 can provide 10 nursing scholarships for $1,000 each Nursing scholarships allow our staff members financial
support to either obtain a nursing degree, or return to
school for advanced education. Education not only keeps
our staff up to date on best treatment practices, but also
helps retain our hard-working nursing staff.
• $10,000 can provide 200 home blood pressure monitors These monitors are distributed to a population that cannot
afford to buy them for themselves, but are suffering from
hypertension or are at risk to develop the condition. This
equipment helps patients monitor their blood pressure on
their own before their condition becomes serious or fatal.
Throughout the year, and especially around the holidays,
we depend on the $5, $10, and $20 donations that allow
us do big things to help our community. To give the
gift of great health, you can return the envelope included
with Partners magazine, make a gift online at
www.giveRGH.org, or call the Foundation office at
(585) 922-4800.
Every Gift Does BIG THINGS
www.giveRGH.org PARTNERS Winter 2010/2011 21
n October, Mark Clement, president and CEO of
Rochester General Health System (RGHS) announced
the appointment of Brian Jepson as President of
Rochester General Hospital (RGH). Jepson will report to
Clement and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of
RGH, the health system’s flagship affiliate.
A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives,
Jepson brings more than 16 years of progressive healthcare
leadership experience to RGHS. He most recently served as
Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer at Metro Health
Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
During that time, Metro Health was
chosen three years in a row by
Thomson Reuters as a Top 100
Teaching Hospital. He earned a
Bachelor’s Degree in Business
Administration and a Master’s Degree in Healthcare
Administration from Ohio University.
Since coming to Rochester, Jepson and his wife Tammy have
settled in Victor with their four children, Curt, 15, Trent, 13,
Garrett, 8 and Joanna, 6.
Q: What excited you the most about coming to
Rochester General?
A: The RGH team and their commitment to providing
exceptional quality and unparalleled service to our patients.
Q: So far, what have you enjoyed the most in your
new position?
A: Interacting with the Board, Medical/Dental Staff and team
members. There are so many
exceptional people at RGH. It is a
great privilege to be part of a team that
is always focused on getting better.
Q: Since you started your job, have
you been surprised by anything from
RGH or the Rochester community?
A: I have been surprised by how friendly and welcoming
people are at RGH and in the Rochester community.
Relocating my family from the Midwest to New York State,
I wasn’t sure what to expect. Rochester has exceeded my
expectations for being a family-friendly place in which to
work and live.
Q: What challenges are you most excited to take on in the
foreseeable future?
A: Preparing RGH for how healthcare will be delivered in the
future. Care Connect, our electronic medical record system,
will revolutionize how care is provided at RGH. I look
forward to leading RGH through this critical implementation.
Q: What is your vision for RGH?
A: That we provide “world class” healthcare to every patient,
every encounter, every time. Our patients deserve it!
Meet Brian Jepson, the New President of Rochester General Hospital
22 Rochester General Hospital Foundation
“Rochester has exceeded my expectations for being a
family-friendly place in which to work and live.”
Brian and Tammy Jepson at the Newark-Wayne Community Hospital Gala in November.
donor room
www.giveRGH.org PARTNERS Winter 2010/2011 23
This past August, the Rochester General Hospital
Foundation was excited to unveil a new website
at www.giveRGH.org that makes donating online
or registering for Foundation events simple and
straightforward. Beyond making a gift, the new
website offers the ability for donors to create a
Personal Fundraising Page. Now members of the
community can raise money for Rochester General
with a customizable webpage that allows family
and friends to make donations on their behalf.
Great ways to use Personal Fundraising Pages:
• For your birthday or other special occasion, you can
raise money for the hospital in lieu of gifts.
• When you run a 5k or another race, you can have
people make donations to RGHS to support you.
• You can dedicate a fundraising page in honor or in
memory of a loved one.
Setting up a Personal Fundraising Page can be accomplished
in a few simple steps.
1. Visit www.giveRGH.org. Under the upcoming
events box, click “Personal Fundraising Pages” and
“Register Now.” The site will walk you through the
process of creating a profile for yourself. Your address
and phone information will remain confidential—it is
only for the RGH Foundation office to contact you,
if necessary.
2. You will be prompted to set a fundraising goal for
yourself, review the disclaimer, and finally, review your
information to ensure accuracy.
3. Once registration is complete, you can select
“personalize my fundraising page,” which will allow you
to add a custom message, create a unique web address to
share, and upload images and video.
4. In the “My Events” link on the left hand side of the
screen, you can edit your profile; see donations you have
given; set up alerts with Twitter, Facebook, or your
mobile phone; and send email to your family and friends
about your fundraising page.
After your page has been set up, your friends and family
can visit www.giveRGH.org and search for your name to
find your page, or they can use the personalized address
you created.
If you have any questions about Personal Fundraising
Pages or would like additional help, please contact
Sara Crane at [email protected] or at
(585) 922-4800.
Create Your Own Fundraising Page!
Don’t forget to follow the RGH Foundation on Facebook (search Rochester General Hospital Foundation) and on Twitter (RGH_Foundation)!
PARtnERs
1299 Portland AvenueRochester, New York 14621
www.giveRGH.org
Winter 2010/2011
Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage
PAIDPermit No. 1367Rochester, NY
it’s that time of year again...Want to make a year-end gift to Rochester General Health System? Use the pre-paid envelope inside or make a gift online at www.giveRGH.org.