Join Us for a Town Hall Meeting

Learn how Stony Brook is creating an environment to deliver on the promise of "I CAN because iCARE" in providing the ideal patient experience. The Town Hall meeting, "The Stony Brook Way: Creating a Culture of Excellence," hosted by L. Reuven Pasternak, MD, Stony Brook University Hospital CEO, will be held on Thursday, April 2. A Q&A session with senior leadership will follow the presentation. All Stony Brook Medicine employees, faculty and medical staff are invited.

The Town Hall meetings will be held at the following times and locations:

• Noon, Lecture Hall 1, Health Sciences, Level 2
• 4 am and 9 pm, Lobby Conference Rooms 1 and 2, Level 5 (behind the Gift Shop)

Employees working at off-site locations can attend a live, interactive broadcast of the noon meeting at the following locations:

• Market Place Café/North Dining Room
• 3 Technology Drive, Human Resources Conference Room
• 31 Research Way, Conference Room A
• Ambulatory Surgery Center Conference Room
• Cancer Center Conference Room
• Flowerfield Conference Room
• Preoperative Services

Attendees from all locations can participate in the discussion and submit questions throughout the meeting, as well as enter a raffle for free movie tickets. A video of the noon Town Hall meeting will be posted on the hospital intranet after the meeting takes place for employees to view.

Quality and Safety

Employee Guides Now Available

Designed to conveniently fit in the employee badge holder, the 2015 Employee Guide contains important information, including fire response procedures, hospital codes, Stony Brook's performance improvement process and the National Patient Safety Goals.

The Employee Guide is a key resource for the upcoming Joint Commission survey visit. Employees who do not have the 2015 version of the guide can request one from their supervisor.

Joint Commission Survey Readiness Tip: Clutter-free hallways are important for the health, safety and welfare of Stony Brook's team members, patients and visitors. The hospital's Clear Egress campaign ensures that all hallways are assessed for any clutter so that the offending carts and stretchers or delivery vehicles are removed. This is especially important for a safe exit during an emergency or when clutter blocks the fire alarm or rescue equipment.

10 North Receives March iCare Award

The Adult Inpatient Psychiatry Unit, 10 North, has earned the iCare award for March for excellence in quality related to the unit's success in reducing length of stay (LOS).

In March 2014, front-line staff and leadership in the Department of Psychiatry developed a plan to reduce length of stay on 10 North. Fifteen goals were created and a plan of action was put in place, including broad targets and narrow metrics. Some of the broader targets included focusing on achieving the national average in LOS through evidence-based best practices and reducing the cost of patient care for both the patient and hospital. Some of the more narrow metrics included achieving a length of stay less than or equal to 11 days (excluding disposition cases) and improving the percentage of patients discharged by 1 pm.

The 10 North team has facilitated a greater number of admissions than in years past, increased the average daily census, reduced LOS to the target range and exceeded its goal related to the percentage of patients being discharged by 1 pm. The unit met these challenges all while continuing to see a more acute population of individuals with psychiatric and substance use disorders.

The monthly iCare Award recognizes clinical and nonclinical units for outstanding achievements related to quality, safety and the patient experience.

Some of the members of the 10 North staff, from left, Edmund Murphy, RN; Dulce Duarte, Nursing Assistant; Michael Glinka, RN, Nurse Manager; Constance Madu, RN; Tammy Marrero, RN; Robin Voigt, RN; Donna Vetack, RN; Gary Martin, RN, Day Clinician; and Janetta Lowry, Psychiatric Therapy Aide.

Service

Celebrate the Contributions of Stony Brook Medicine Employees at the Michael A. Maffetone Community Service Awards

Michael A. Maffetone, DA

Taking place on Thursday, April 16, at 3:30 pm in the Health Sciences Galleria, the award ceremony honors the community service legacy of former Stony Brook University Hospital CEO Dr. Michael A. Maffetone. An award will be presented to a current employee of Stony Brook University Hospital, the Health Sciences schools or Long Island State Veterans Home who best exemplifies a commitment to outstanding community service. A grant is also awarded to an organization and is presented to the Stony Brook employee actively involved with the organization.

Additionally at the ceremony, faculty and staff members will be recognized for their community service on behalf of Stony Brook Medicine during 2014.

The Michael A. Maffetone Community Service Awards will be presented by L. Reuven Pasternak, MD, CEO, Stony Brook University Hospital, and Dawn Maffetone. The keynote address will be given by Edmund M. Hayes, RPh, MS, PharmD, Interim Dean, Stony Brook University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Assistant Director of Pharmacy; and Residency Program Director.

RSVP to the event by calling (631) 444-4000.

Walk for Beauty Raises Funds for Cancer Research at Stony Brook

Stony Brook University Cancer Center received a donation of $50,000 this month -- proceeds that were raised from the 21st Annual Walk for Beauty. Since its inception in 1994, the Walk for Beauty has raised more than $1.275 million for cancer research. Funds also benefit the Unique Boutique, which provides wigs and prostheses to patients with cancer.

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization reinvented its Walk for Beauty, held on Oct. 26, 2014, to include the inaugural Hercules on the Harbor 10K Run and added a color splash to the 4K/6K Walk. 

From left, Carol Simco, Co-Chair of the 2014 Walk for Beauty; Kara Hahn, Suffolk County Legislator; Chiara Luberto, PhD, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, and Jules Cohen, MD, Department of Medicine (cancer researchers whose projects received funds raised from the 2013 Walk); Yusuf A. Hannun, MD, Director, Stony Brook University Cancer Center; Gloria Rocchio, President, Ward Melville Heritage Organization; Alison Stopeck, MD, Associate Director of Translational Research, Cancer Center; and Valerie Cartwright, Councilwoman, Town of Brookhaven

Celebrate Child Life Month

March is Child Life Month, which recognizes the integral role the Child Life Services Department plays in the hospital experience for children. Certified Child Life Specialists, who have training in child development and years of experience in how children respond to every aspect of hospitalization, help to reduce the stress that pediatric patients and their families may experience when faced with illness, medical procedures and unfamiliar surroundings. These Child Life Specialists can be found on the inpatient pediatric units, in the Pediatric Emergency Department, Ambulatory Surgery Center, Cancer Center and Radiology. View a video to learn more.

Smithtown HS East Senior Organizes CPR Training Event

From left, Edwin Thompson, Smithtown East Principal; Kellie Gumersell, RN, ANP-C, CNS-BC, Invasive Cardiology; Pamela Kostic, RN, CCCC, Chest Pain Coordinator; Stephanie Guercio, Smithtown East HS student; Patty Guercio, RN, NP, Cardiology; Ruth Johnston, RN, Noninvasive Cardiology and Electrophysiology Lab; Yvonne Leippert, RN, MS, CCRN, Cardiac Catheterization Lab; and Edward Stapleton, Director of Prehospital Education for the Department of Emergency Medicine

More than 400 seniors from Smithtown High School East recently received community CPR training from Stony Brook University Hospital. Training included early heart attack response as students learned proper chest compressions using training mannequins. They also learned how to properly use automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), training that is required of staff.

Smithtown High School East senior Stephanie Guercio learned about the training over the summer while volunteering at Stony Brook University Heart Institute and brought the idea to Principal Edwin Thompson.

Edward Stapleton, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Director of Prehospital Education for the Department of Emergency Medicine, and Pamela Kostic, RN, CCCC, Chest Pain Accreditation Coordinator, led the training, along with other hospital staff members. Smithtown East is the first Long Island high school to host this specific training in school. Each student who participated received a special community CPR/AED lifesaver certificate.

"I was so proud it came to fruition because I truly believe the training is going to save someone's life someday," said Stephanie. "It never could have happened without the expertise, commitment and generosity of Ms. Kostic and Mr. Stapleton. My school, as well as my community, is a safer place because of their professional and dedicated efforts, and I will forever be grateful."

People

Get Moving This Spring with Healthier U

Healthier U's walking programs, Walk on Wednesdays and Walk to Win, returned for the spring on March 25 and will run through June 10. Walk on Wednesdays is a weekly program where co-workers meet at noon at many campus locations for a healthy walk. Walk to Win is a team-based competition that allows employees to walk anytime, anywhere. Only two people are needed to form a team.

Participants in both walking programs will receive a variety of free prizes after walking only four times. The Walk to Win team that walks the greatest number of miles per person will also receive awards at the end of the spring walking season.

Visit Healthier U for more information and to register for both programs, or register directly at Walk on Wednesdays or Walk to Win.

Stony Brook Programs Recognized Among Best Graduate Schools 

Stony Brook University is named frequently in a listing of highly ranked programs in graduate education, according to the 2016 edition of U.S. News & World Report's "Best Graduate Schools" publication. One of the featured schools, Stony Brook University School of Nursing, is now ranked within the top 100 graduate nursing programs nationwide, having risen 76 spots from being ranked 166th in 2011 to 90th in 2015.

"While rankings do not capture the comprehensive quality of educational programs, we are pleased that Stony Brook's nursing program continues to become more recognized nationally because of the growing strength of our educational programs, our highly educated faculty, a diverse student body and an abundance of research activity," said Lee Anne Xippolitos, PhD, RN, Dean, School of Nursing.

The rankings reflect data from surveys of more than 1,500 schools and more than 12,000 graduate programs. The publication focuses on programs in business, education, engineering, law and medicine.

The School of Nursing's online graduate nursing program also rose from being ranked 16th nationwide in 2014 to 13th in 2015, as well as the School of Engineering's overall rank, jumping from 69th to 66th; and the Online Graduate Business Programs, from 99th to 45th.

Other Stony Brook programs ranking as lead graduate programs in the 2016 edition include: Stony Brook University School of Medicine, with a 57th ranking for "Best Medical Schools: Research"; the Physician Assistant program, ranked 15th; and the Online Graduate Education Programs, ranked 107th.

Taylor Adamo, RN

Two New Nurse Managers Named

A graduate of Stony Brook University School of Nursing as well as Stony Brook's Nurse Residency Program, Taylor Adamo, RN, BMTCN, has been named the new interim Nurse Manager for Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT). Her evidence-based nurse residency project, Central Line Management: Prevention of CLABSIs, led to a division-wide policy change on the management of central lines. Adamo began her nursing career on BMT and was promoted to the position of nurse clinician in 2013. As an integral member of the cancer service, she participated in the preparation for the Foundation for the Accreditation Cellular Therapy (FACT) accreditation. She recently received certification as a bone marrow transplant certified nurse (BMTCN).

Laura Brooks, RN, MSN

Laura Brooks RN, MSN, a valued member of the Stony Brook nursing team since 1996, has been named the new Nurse Manager for 12 South Medicine. She has previously held a variety of positions at the hospital, including staff nurse, educator and most recently, clinician for the Medicine Intensive Care Unit (MICU). She received her undergraduate degree in nursing from Stony Brook University and a Master of Science in nursing from Walden University. Brooks replaces Andrea Kabacinski, RN, who had been fulfilling the responsibilities of Nurse Manager for 13 North, 12 South and CVC, and will continue her leadership role as Interim Associate Director of Nursing for Neurosciences.

Patricia Losquadro Pullano Honored for Nursing Excellence

Patricia Losquadro Pullano, RN, CPHON (center) with Joanne Camarda, RN, MSN (left) and Debra Giugliano, RN, CPNP, CPON (right)

Pediatric hematology/oncology nurse Patricia Losquadro Pullano, RN, CPHON, has been named a recipient of the 2014 Beacon of Light Award by the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON).

The award is given annually to pediatric hematology/oncology nurses who shine and demonstrate excellence in their profession or in their service to APHON. As a recipient, Pullano receives national membership renewal to APHON and a complimentary one-year membership to the Long Island chapter (LIAPHON).

"I love my job helping children and their families through difficult times. Earning their trust and respect reminds me that I can make a real difference in their lives," said Pullano. "It is a great honor to be nominated by my colleagues and to receive this recognition from APHON." Pullano was nominated by Joanne Camarda, RN, MSN, Nurse Clinician for Pediatric Oncology.

A national professional organization, APHON is committed to the care of children with cancer and blood disorders. Members are dedicated to promoting optimal nursing care for children, adolescent and young adult patients as well as their families.

LIAPHON serves members from Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Stony Brook pediatric hematology/oncology nurse practitioner Debra Giugliano, RN, CPNP, CPON, has been elected president of LIAPHON. She will be directing the activities of the chapter, including organizing and facilitating education and business meetings.

"LIAPHON gives us the opportunity to collaborate with pediatric oncology nurses from multiple institutions," said Giugliano. "It is our vision to promote expert leadership and mentorship in our healthcare practice."

Advancement Communications Associate Named
SimpsonScarborough Scholar

Jessie McHeffey

Jessie McHeffey, Advancement Communications, was selected as a 2015 SimpsonScarborough Scholar -- one of just four in the U.S. by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Launched in 2009, the program supports the professional development of promising higher education marketing/communications practitioners.

"This is a well deserved honor for Jessie whose skills are vital in encouraging donors to invest in Stony Brook," said Advancement Communications Director Betsy Craz. "She has developed into an accomplished communications professional with a particular interest in and talent for developing and delivering content for electronic and social media channels."

Among McHeffey's responsibilities are alumni and donor communications, website development and maintenance, copy editing and print production.

"It is an honor to be included among this talented group of advancement communications professionals, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to learn from others who share my passion for communications," said McHeffey. "I love sharing the compelling stories of our students, alumni and donors each day, and I feel honored to have this opportunity to grow as a storyteller and digital communicator."

In Memoriam: Dr. Lenora J. McClean

Lenora J. McClean, EdD, RN

The Stony Brook Medicine community mourns the passing of former Stony Brook University School of Nursing Dean Lenora J. McClean, EdD, RN. Dr. McClean piloted the School of Nursing through a period of unprecedented growth and established the nursing program as an international leader in many key areas. She was considered one of the country's foremost innovators in nursing education.

Appointed to the faculty in 1973, Dr. McClean served as Dean of the School of Nursing from 1981 to 2003 and as Chief Nursing Officer of Stony Brook Medicine from 1995 to 2001.

During her academic tenure, Dr. McClean held a variety of academic and professional appointments, including consultant to the New York State Education Department, charter member of the Long Island Research Consortium, member of the Advisory Group on the Nursing Shortage to New York State Senator Kenneth LaValle and member of the Governor's Task Force of New York State Public Workforce of the Twenty-First Century.

In recognition of her career in nursing, education and healthcare, Dr. McClean was inducted to the Nursing Alumni Hall of Fame at Teachers College, Columbia University. In 1995, she received the Distinguished Achievement Award and the Nursing Educational Alumni Award from Teachers College, Columbia University. In 1990, she was named Honorary Professor in Nursing from the Military Post Graduate School and Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.

Growth

Stony Brook Establishes New School of Pharmacy

Over the past four years, a vision for a new type of school of pharmacy has emerged on the Stony Brook campus. The Stony Brook University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SPPS) has been developed, and an application has been submitted to the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education for pre-candidate status, a requirement for the recruitment of the entering class.

Edmund Hayes, RPh, MS, PharmD

Edmund Hayes, RPh, MS, PharmD, has been appointed as the school's interim Dean. For the past 10 years, he has served as Assistant Director of the Stony Brook University Hospital Pharmacy and as Director of the Pharmacy Residency Program. Dr. Hayes has been working closely with Kenneth Kaushansky, MD, Senior Vice President, Health Sciences, and Dean, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, in crafting a proposal to form the new school, which has received endorsement from the Stony Brook University Senate, SUNY Board of Trustees and outside evaluators, and is waiting approval from the New York State Board of Regents.

Stony Brook Medicine already offers multiple health-related advanced degree courses of study in pharmacology. The School of Medicine's Department of Pharmacology is a leading department in New York and the country, providing a strong foundation for a pharmacy research program. Stony Brook faculty and researchers have an extensive history of pharmaceutical invention, including ReoPro^®, Periostat^® and Xiaflex^®.

The SPPS will be different from other schools of pharmacy in New York State, as it will be the only school thoroughly integrated with schools of medicine, dental medicine, nursing and health technology.

"With a major focus on training specialty and population pharmacists who operate 'at the top of their license,' the SPPS will expand the reach and offerings of Stony Brook Medicine," said Dr. Kaushansky. "By developing a PharmD program integrated with so many health science schools and programs, with an emphasis on specialty training through core coursework and innovative electives, with a direct avenue into a successful pharmacy residency, and throughout our leadership role in the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program, the PharmD program at Stony Brook Medicine will provide a truly unique training experience for aspiring leaders in pharmacy."

Breast Care Center Extends Hours

Ultrasound Technologist Michele Gomes (right) prepares a patient for a 3D whole breast ultrasound exam.

For additional convenience to patients, the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Care Center now offers appointments on Thursday evenings and Saturdays.

The Center was the first on Long Island to offer digital screening mammography and has a specialized R-2 computerized mammogram double checker. In 2007, it was one of only a few sites in the world to have a 3D tomosynthesis unit, which was used for research purposes. In collaboration with the manufacturer of the unit and other leading institutions, Stony Brook was part of a multicenter trial for testing and developing clinical application for screening digital breast tomosynthesis. This technology is used primarily for women with dense breast tissue, for whom it can be difficult to obtain an accurate reading.

Stony Brook also provides another screening method for women with dense breast tissue called automated whole breast ultrasound, which is used for acquiring 3D ultrasound images of the breasts. It is reviewed in conjunction with the digital mammogram.

Appointments at the Center can be made at the following times:

Monday-Wednesday and Friday: 7:30 am to 6 pm

Thursday: 7:30 am to 7:30 pm

Saturday: 7:30 am to 1:30 pm

Walk-ins are welcome. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (631) 638-1000.

Sustainability

Financial Results Report

Through January 2015, discharges at Stony Brook University Hospital were 22,163, which was 532 discharges above budget. Average length of stay was .02 of a day higher than the prior year at 5.35 days.

Case mix index was 3.7 percent higher than the prior year at 1.78. Significant increases in case mix index occurred in the surgical DRGs for tracheostomies and transplants, and infectious diseases, and the medical DRGs for neonates, and infectious diseases. Total Emergency Department visits increased by 4,019 from the prior year to 60,516 year to date. Inpatient surgeries increased by 319 to 5,504, and outpatient decreased by 171 to 7,869. Endoscopy volume was 711 above plan at 8,433.

P/L (profit/loss) was $2.8 million versus budget of $3.3 million. Revenue was $25 million above plan due to the recognition of $6.5 million of DSRIP (Delivery System Reform Incentive Plan) revenue as well as disproportionate share hospital (DSH) revenue, and inpatient and outpatient volume being above plan.