Scope May 30, 2013 Volume 35 Issue 10 B e r k s h i r e H e a l t h S y s t e m s E m p l o y e e N e w s l e t t e r Nurses Celebrated for Contributions to Care Nurses at Berkshire Medical Center were honored during an event coinciding with National Nurses Week in May. Held in the BMC Courtyard, the event was called, Celebrate Nursing: Past, Present & Future. It featured refreshments and a table that displayed photos of nurses from years past, as well as a special tribute to the late Helen Downey, RN, former BMC Chief Operating Officer, who served as a nurse for many decades at the medical center. The program also included a Blessing of the Hands by Sister Colette Hanlon, SC, BMC Chaplain. At right: Sister Colette Hanlon, SC, BMC Chaplain, presided over a Blessing of the Hands at the Nurses Celebration, where dozens of BMC nurses and staff lined up to receive the Blessing. More photos, page 2 Dr. Jon Valigorsky, a long-time former Pathologist at BMC, left, was this year s recipient of the BMC Honor Roll award. He was recognized at the annual Physician Appreciation Dinner by Dr. John Kearns, middle, BMC Chief of Staff, and Timothy Doherty of the BHS Board of Trustees. BMC Medical Staff Recognized at Annual Physician Dinner Dr. Valigorsky Named to Honor Roll Berkshire Health Systems paid tribute to the BMC medical staff on May 16th with its annual Physician Appreciation Dinner at the Country Club of Pittsfield. During the event, BMC Chief Operating Officer Diane Kelly, RN, Timothy Doherty of the BHS Board of Trustees and Dr. John Kearns, BMC Chief of Staff thanked the members of the medical staff for their ongoing commitment to BMC and contributions to the community. Dr. Jon Valigorsky was recognized at this year s dinner with his name placed on the BMC Physician Honor Roll for his dedicated and longtime service as a leader in Pathology. More photos, page 3
2 S c o p e Nurses Celebrated... Continued from page 1 Below: Pamela Groves, RN, right, and Karen Benzie, RN, stop to view the display table featuring photos of nurses, past and present. Carol Frechette, RN, a longtime BMC nurse who is retiring, was presented with a plaque showing her nursing school picture and signed by many staff. She is shown here with Diane Kelly, RN, BMC Chief Operating Officer. At right: A special part of the display at the event featured a tribute to the late Helen Downey, RN, former BMC Chief Operating Officer. Her partner, John Wall, attended the moving ceremony and received a Blessing of the Hands from Sister Colette Hanlon.
S c o p e 3 Annual Physician Appreciation Dinner Continued from page 1 Dr. Valigorsky poses with his wife, Helga Valigorsky, at the Physician Dinner. Dr. Valigorsky s family was on hand to celebrate his honor, including his son, Joel Valigorsky, and daughter, Astrida Valigorsky, shown here. BMC Employee Reaches Milestone in Support of Blood Donor Center Summertime Donations Needed For Deborah Fowler, a Senior Coder Abstractor at BMC, giving blood is not a casual affair. It s a passion she has to help patients who need blood across Berkshire County. Fowler has been a regular blood donor to the BMC Blood Donor Center and Bloodmobile for many years, and recently achieved a milestone that no other donor has reached 14 gallons. That amounts to 114 pints of blood. Alison Hayn, BMC Blood Donor Center Coordinator. My position in the Health Information Management Department as a coder at BMC gives me awareness for the great need for blood, said Fowler. I feel it is a small contribution to the community and the hospital to help those in need and it really makes me feel so good to help others in this small way. It s certainly a wonderful program here at BMC with an awesome staff that makes you feel special as a donor. With the warmer weather also comes a greater need for blood, as blood donations tend to slip during the summer months. If you can help, visit the BHS Bloodmobile during one of its stops at BMC, Fairview or Clocktower, or stop by the BMC Blood Donor Center, where you can donate at your convenience. All of the blood donated to BMC remains in the Berkshires and helps patients at BMC, Fairview and North Adams Regional Hospital. BMC also welcomes Alison Hayn, the new BMC Blood Donor Center Coordinator, pictured here (top right). Deborah Fowler, a BMC Coder, has reached a singular milestone in blood donations to BMC 14 gallons. She was thanked and congratulated by the Blood Donor Center staff with flowers and gifts for her commitment to helping patients in need of blood.
4 S c o p e BHS Employees Show Commitment to Better Health Hundreds Attend Health Fair Berkshire Health Systems and Berkshire Medical Center employees gathered by the hundreds in the Private Dining Rooms on May 6th to reinforce their commitment to wellness at the annual BHS Health Fair. Nearly 500 employees attended the daylong event, stopping at informational booths and interactive displays presented by departments and services across the continuum of care. Over half of those who attended had their blood pressure checked, while 66 Wellness Screening appointments were scheduled, 65 employees made appointments for their mammograms and a dozen for screening colonoscopy. Fairview Hospital will hold its annual Health Fair this fall. At left: The theme for this year s Health Fair was Wellness U, with the presenters wearing Well U t-shirts and decorative displays above focusing on better health, as shown here. Out of the 475 employees who attended the BHS and BMC Health Fair on May 6th, 252 had their blood pressure checked, including Rebecca Armstrong, at right, with Michele Murrell, RN. Nearly 500 employees attended the annual Health Fair in the Private Dining Rooms, and had the chance to participate in interactive displays. Jennifer Ward, Registered Dietitian with the Wellness Team, at right, promoted good nutrition at the Health Fair.
Thanks and Recognition S c o p e 5 A nurse on the first shift sat with me when I had a breakdown. Her compassion and care helped me through a very scary time. I don t know her name, but she certainly is a true example of all the things that make an excellent nurse. Comment from a BMC Telemetry Unit patient The care I received at the Crane Center at Berkshire Medical Center was excellent. I would certainly recommend them to anyone for outpatient surgery. Comment from a Crane Center for Ambulatory Surgery patient Overall my stay at your hospital was very good, including the doctors, nurses and the food. Everyone treated me with respect and was there for me when I needed help. I appreciate the kindness and respect that all your employees treated me with. Comment from a BMC 3 West patient Everyone was very good and cooperative; appointments and schedules were kept and were excellent. Procedures were fully explained. Comment from a BMC Cardiology Services patient I already have recommended you to friends and also to my primary care doctor. I was very pleased with the whole experience. After almost 20 years, I finally found someone who cared enough to help me with the lymphedema. You have a great department and your staff should be very proud of what you do for others. Thank you. Comment from a BMC Center for Rehabilitation patient I was very pleased with the staff, accommodations and care I received. I would recommend BMC to anyone. Comment from a BMC Orthopaedic Unit patient It was a great experience. Makes you realize how fortunate you are and that there are caring and helping people to ease your fears. Comment from a BMC Radiology Services patient In Memoriam Margaret L. Munson, who worked as a Registered Nurse at the former St. Luke s Hospital, now Berkshire Medical Center, and later at BMC, died on May 16th at the age of 78. The staff of Berkshire Health Systems offers its deepest condolences to her friends and family. Chaplain s Corner By Colette Hanlon, SC, BMC Chaplain Welcome Spring You are most welcome, spring. You gladden our hearts with budding trees and abundant blossoms. You invite us to lightness of spirit and bring forth music and dance for our winter-weary hearts. Spring, you offer us free gifts of beauty and light, or lengthening days and warmer nights. Freely we gaze upon your glory all around us. Your refreshing rains remind us of hidden potential and invite us to engage with the soil by planting vegetables and flowers to feed our bodies and spirits. You are welcome once again, O Springtime of promise, season of hope and renewal. You remind us of the circle of life and the miracle of newness. Welcome!
6 S c o p e for your health Brought to You by the Wellness at Work Team Visit the Wellness page of the employee portal for more details. Join us at one of the following sessions to learn more: Presented by Mark Kenyon, LMFT, LADC-I, CEAP One of the developing trends in Stress Management psychology is that of Flow State. Do you Flow? Learn how, and learn how flow state strategies can help you to reach more meaningful relaxation and to recover from daily stresses more effectively. Flow increases our resilience, and will help you build performance and productivity at home and work as well. Monday, June 3 11:30 am & 12:15 pm BMC, PDR-D Monday, June 10 Monday, June 10 Tuesday, June 11 Monday, June 17 Noon 1:00 pm Noon Noon Central Block, small conference room Clocktower, 5th floor conference room Fairview Hospital, ground floor conference room Hillcrest Campus of BMC, 1st floor conference room Pre-register by calling ext. 3100 Be one of the first 15 people to pre-register and attend to receive a $5 lunch ticket to any BHS Cafeteria along with a reusable Wellness lunch bag (1 per employee/year). To access the NEW Wellness Works website visit: https://bhs.livepurewellness.com The Wellness Works website offers you one stop for all of your wellness needs: Personal Health Assessment Health Management Workshops Health Library Nutrition, Activity, and Weight Logs Mobile Access and More Complete your Health Assessment in the month of June and be entered for a drawing for one of these great prizes* ipad One of 4 - $25 Price Chopper Gift Cards One of 4-2/pack Movie Tickets to the Beacon Theater and receive 20 Wellness Points *All prizes are subject to tax Stop by one of the informational sessions to and see all of the exciting interactive tools our NEW Website has to offer: Tuesday, June 11, 9 am - Noon Wednesday, June 12, 1 pm - 4pm Tuesday, June 11, 1:30 am - 5 pm Friday, June 14, 7 am - Noon Wednesday, June 12, Noon - 2 pm Thursday, June 13, Noon - 1:30 pm Hillcrest Campus of BMC, Wellness, 3rd floor (mansion) Clocktower, 5th floor training room Central Block, small conference room Fairview Hospital, ground floor conference room BMC, Outside PDR-C All sessions held from 7 am - 1 pm & 2 pm - 7pm on the following dates: Tuesday, June 11 Wednesday, June 12 Thursday, June 13
Job Opportunities Berkshire Medical Postings, 05/24/13 Hillcrest Family Health Triage RN 40 Hr/D Wound Center Wound Center Nurse 32 Hr/D Behavioral Sciences/Jones II/Jones III RN 24 Hr/E Critical Care Step Down RN 36 Hr/E, 32 HrD/N 32 Hr/N Critical Care RN 36 Hr/D/E, 36 Hr/D/E Quality Management Performance Improvement Specialist I 40 Hr/D 5 South Nursing Assistant 32 Hr/D Pharmacy Oncology Staff Pharmacist 20 Hr/D Oncology Staff Pharmacist Tech Pharmacy 20 Hr/D Laboratory General Med Tech 40 Hr/D Central Scheduling Pre-Registration Specialist 32 Hr/D Access Services Access Coordinator 36.25 Hr/D Service Excellence Guest Services Representative Non Scheduled Environmental Services Housekeeper 40 Hr/N Safety and Security Safety Officer 16 Hr/N, 16 Hr/E Neurology/Physiatry Clinical Support Representative 40 Hr/D Berkshire Health Systems Postings, 05/24/13 Information Technology EMR Clinical Implementation Manager 40 Hr/D LTC Information Systems IT Project Manager 40 Hr/D Telecommunications Telecommunications Support Rep Non Scheduled Business Development Intern I 40 Hr/D Human Resources HR Summer Intern 40 Hr/D S c o p e 7 Scope Please direct any comments, questions or suggestions for Scope to Development and Community Relations at 447-2060. Editor: Ruth Blodgett Writers: Mike Leary, Elzbieta Lauren Smith Ala Trzepacz Layout and Printing: Deirdre McKenna, Materials Management Scope is printed on paper with post-consumer recycled content. Fairview Hospital Postings, 05/24/13 Emergency Dept., ED Tech, Per Diem Info Systems, IT Service Coordinator, 40 Hr/D Info Systems, IT Tech Support Rep, 40 Hr/D Case Management, Case Manager, Per Diem Radiology, Ultrasound Tech, Per Diem Med/Surg, Registered Nurse, 22.5 Hr/D TEMP for 3 months Med/Surg, Registered Nurse, Per Diem Housekeeping, Housekeeper, Per Diem Housekeeping, Housekeeper, 37.5 Hr/varies Surgical Services, Cert. Surgical Tech, 32 Hr/D Wound Center, Registered Nurse, Per Diem Emergency Dept., Registered Nurse, Per Diem Surgical Services, RN First Assist, Per Diem Rehabilitation, Physical Therapist, Per Diem
8 S c o p e Henault Honored by Yankee Alliance Jack Henault, BMC Director of Materials Management & Clinical Engineering has been recognized by the Yankee Alliance for leading the medical center s accomplishments in supply chain management. Henault is the recipient of this year s Marit Davies Memorial Award, for exhibiting innovative thinking, a passion for implementation, and leadership in the pursuit of healthcare supply chain excellence. Yankee Alliance CEO Jim Oliver said, Yankee Alliance members of all levels have one thing in common - the spirit to embrace change in healthcare and not only maintain, but to strengthen their focus on cost reduction. We honor Jack and all of our award winners with thanks for their dedication to this goal. I am proud of the example each of these facilities and individuals set for our industry. Community Events to Highlight Women s Health and Advanced Joint Replacement Care Two major community events sponsored by Berkshire Health Systems will be held in the coming weeks, one in Pittsfield and the other in South Berkshire, focusing on two key health issues women s health and joint replacement surgery. Women s Health A Focus on Women s Health will be held on Thursday, June 6th from 4:30 to 8:00 pm at the Berkshire Hills Country Club. The event will feature free health screenings from 4:30 to 6:00 pm and information tables on bone and breast health, nutrition, orthopaedic care, wellness, care navigation and pastoral care. Mary O Malley, MD Mark Pettus, MD Lisa Massie, MD Beginning at 6:00 pm, a physician panel will be held for a discussion on women s health. Dr. Mary O Malley of the BMC Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science will discuss Emotional and Spiritual Well-Being. Dr. Mark Pettus will talk about Fitting Into Your Genes: Good Nutrition for Women. Cardiologist Dr. Lisa Massie will present on Women s Heart Health. Breast Health and Imaging will be covered by Dr. Lisa Loring of the BMC Women s Imaging Center. Dr. Herbert Kantor, Chairman of Maternal Child Health, will focus on Pap Screening and Women s Health. Dr. Marcella Bradway, a colorectal surgeon, will discuss Colon Health and Screening. Advanced Hip & Knee Replacement BHS and Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates will present Hip & Knee Replacement: State of the Art and Close to Home, on Thursday, June 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Crissey Farm in Great Barrington. Lisa Loring, MD Herbert Kantor, MD Marcella Bradway,MD Drs. Kevin Mitts, James Harding and Mark Sprague will discuss the latest advances in hip and knee replacement surgeries, including the new anterior hip procedure and customized knee replacement. The event will also feature personal experiences of BMC Joint Replacement Program patients and a question and answer period. Kevin Mitts, MD James Harding, MD Mark Sprague, MD Registration Pre-registration is required for both events, as seating is limited at each venue. To register, call 413-447-2060 or register online through either the BHS Employee Web Portal or the BHS website (www.berkshirehealthsystems.org).