Healthcare Review

LRGHealthcare’s Nathan Brody Chemical Dependency Program Director Wins Top Honor

LACONIA, NH – LRGHealthcare’s Nathan Brody Chemical Dependency Program (NBCDP) Coordinator Suzann Caldon, RN, CARN, LADC is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the New Hampshire Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors Association (NHADACA).

Caldon has worked in the field of addiction for more than 25 years, and advocates for substance abuse treatment on a state and local level.   She cares deeply about helping people with the disease of addiction, and offers ‘hands on’ leadership within the NBCDP.  In addition to providing daily, outpatient counseling, she also offers inpatient counseling to patients admitted to the hospital for medical reasons, ensuring a continuum of counseling care.

Caldon is actively involved in NHADACA, as well as other local community boards, and is known for her advocacy efforts regarding the fair and ethical treatment of those with addiction in the State of New Hampshire.  She is described by peers as a ‘quiet contributor to our profession who avoids the limelight while working tirelessly to improve the professionalism of our field.  She has always been a firm and caring caretaker and educator of our clients.’

The LRGHealthcare Nathan Brody Chemical Dependency program is an intensive outpatient treatment program for the substance abuser that provides the client the opportunity to maintain family structure and employment throughout the course of the recovery program.

Foundation for Healthy Communities receives national grant for end-of-life care

CONCORD, NH – The Foundation for Healthy Communities has received a three-year national grant for the development and implementation of a new program in New Hampshire known as Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST).

The State Coalition Advancement Grant, funded by the Oregon Health & Science University’s Center for Ethics in Health Care, is one of just five to be issued nationwide.

“POLST was launched in Oregon 20 years ago,” said Shawn LaFrance, executive director of the FHC, “and it enables patients to document their choices – to have full treatment or to decline treatments – in the form of medical orders. In doing so, POLST increases the likelihood that a patient’s wishes will be honored in the event of a life-threatening emergency.

“Expanding the reach of POLST is our goal,” he added, “because effective communication between the patient or legally designated decision-maker and health care professionals makes certain that the decisions are sound and based on the patient’s understanding of their medical condition, their prognosis, the benefits and burdens of the treatment and their personal goals for care.”

Creators of the program sought to overcome limits of advance directives such as living wills. People create those directives to outline treatment they want to have or avoid in a medical crisis, but those forms need to be translated into medical orders and may not be available in an emergency or be too vague to be useful.

Printed POLST forms are signed by both the patient and the physician. They are brightly colored for visibility, they have check boxes to record specific treatment choices, they accompany seriously ill patients as they move from one care setting to another and people are free to modify or revoke them at any time, according to LaFrance.

Fourteen states currently have POLST programs.  Other states to receive the new three-year advancement grants include Maine, Idaho, Tennessee and Louisiana.

The Foundation for Healthy Communities is a non-profit partnership involving hospitals, physicians, health plans, home care agencies and other organizations working to improve health in our state. The Foundation’s mission is to improve health and health care delivery in New Hampshire. Learn more at www.healthyNH.com.

Rhode Island Hospital Receives Consumer Choice Award

Providence, R.I. – Rhode Island Hospital has received the Consumer Choice award for excellence in providing high-quality patient care by the National Research Corporation (NRC) for the 16th consecutive year. The award identifies hospitals selected by health care consumers for having the highest quality and image in more than 300 markets throughout the United States. This is the 16th year that NRC has awarded hospitals whose consumers have recognized them for providing the highest quality health care. Rhode Island Hospital is the only hospital in the state to receive the Consumer Choice award.

The award is based on NRC Ticker, the largest consumer survey on health care in the United States. Consumers in the Providence-New Bedford-Fall River areas ranked Rhode Island Hospital at the top of the list based on four essential consumer metrics: best overall quality, best image/reputation, best doctors and best nurses.

“Technology has changed the way patients choose health care providers,” said Timothy J. Babineau, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital. “Patients and their families are researching physicians, programs and institutions – they don’t just ask their friends and families for recommendations anymore, they are receiving advice from contacts on social media networks and websites. This award demonstrates that when weighing all of the feedback consumers receive, they continue to select Rhode Island Hospital as their provider of choice due to the high-quality patient care, and the staff’s commitment to providing the best patient experience.”

Susan L. Henricks, president and chief operating officer at NRC, said “The Consumer Choice Award provides a benchmark for consumers to show how important quality health care is to them and to their families.

“Consumers are taking a more proactive role in their health care decisions and demanding higher quality. In a constantly changing health care industry, consumer perception is becoming more and more vital to the success of all hospitals,” Henricks said. “At NRC, we know it is imperative to learn from the patient’s experience in order to improve the quality of care. The Consumer Choice Award recognizes those facilities that are meeting or exceeding the needs of consumers – their patients.”

St. Joseph Hospital Earns Re-Designation as Trauma Center

Nashua, NH – The New Hampshire State Trauma Medical Review Committee has recently granted St. Joseph Hospital a five-year renewal for the facility’s designation as a Trauma Center.

Since the mid 1990’s, St. Joseph Hospital has been a trauma center for the city of Nashua and surrounding areas. The hospital provides comprehensive emergency care 24-hours a day and has available resources to provide for emergency resuscitation, general and orthopedic surgery, and intensive care for most patients who need trauma care.

“Our community deserves to have the best emergency and trauma care close to where they live and work. That is why we feel it is important for St. Joseph Hospital to continue to maintain our Trauma Center status”, says Sue Barnard, APRN, Trauma Nurse Coordinator at St. Joseph Hospital. “Our trauma certified nurses work with our highly skilled emergency medicine doctors and surgeons to ensure that we have the coverage we need to provide safe, quality emergency and trauma care 24 hours day.”

In the recertification process, Dr. John Sutton, Chair of the NH Trauma Medical Review Committee and past Chair of Trauma and Surgery at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, recognized that “St. Joseph Hospital has a well defined and mature trauma quality improvement program. The Trauma program has the full support of hospital administration and medical personnel to maintain their trauma capabilities.”

The Emergency Department trauma team includes multidisciplinary members from different departments, who are trained to respond to “Trauma Team Activations”. General surgeons, in collaboration with emergency physicians and nurses, coordinate the care of the trauma patient. Other specialists such as neurologists and cardiologists are also available for consultations when required so that patients can receive the care they need as quickly as possible. St. Joseph Hospital has also developed close relationships with Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA and Boston Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA, when advanced care is needed in trauma situations.

St. Mary’s d’Youville Pavilion Earns Quality Award

Lewiston, ME – St. Mary’s d’Youville Pavilion in Lewiston recently received the 2011 Celebrating Excellence in Quality Award.  First Lady Ann LePage joined the Maine Health Care Association (MHCA) to present the awards.  In congratulatory remarks, she noted, “You have not only met baseline standards of compliance, you have challenged yourselves and your organizations to excel in quality improvement. Always with the best interests of your residents, you have shown what commitment to quality is all about on both a state and national level.”

Sponsored by MHCA, the Celebrating Excellence in Quality Award is given annually to long term care providers that are making significant strides towards achieving and maintaining quality. St. Mary’s d’Youville Pavilion was recognized for its effortsto reduce rehospitalization rates.

Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene

Cindi Coughlin, MS, BSN

Keene, NH – Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene announced the promotion of Cindi Coughlin, MS, BSN to the position of Senior Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer, Patient Care Services.  In her new role, Ms. Coughlin is responsible for nursing practice across the organization and for assuring the continued advancement of the profession of nursing. She will provide strategic leadership to develop organizational systems that support the delivery of patient care.

Ms. Coughlin has held several leadership roles at CMC/DHK. In 2006 she joined the Senior Leadership Team as the Senior Director of Patient Care Services, providing oversight for a variety of inpatient and outpatient services on the campus.

Ms. Coughlin graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Connecticut, and received her Master of Science degree in Organizational Management from Antioch/New England Graduate School.

Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene

Eleanor Milo, MSN, RN, RNC-OB

Keene, NH – Eleanor Milo, MSN, RN, RNC-OB, Appointed Senior Director of Patient Care Services at Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene

Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene announces the appointment of Eleanor Milo, MSN, RN, RNC-OB, as Senior Director of Patient Care Services. In her new role, Ms Milo will develop, maintain and evaluate organizational systems that support the delivery of patient care. As a key member of the Senior Leadership team, she will participate in setting strategic direction for patient care services and the organization.

Most recently, Ms. Milo worked as Director of Women’s Healthcare at Rutland Regional Medical Center in Rutland, VT, where she managed the Woman and Children’s Services department. Her leadership and administrative responsibilities have also included directorship of women and infants’ services, nursing administration, and the medical/surgical unit at West Valley Hospital, Goodyear, AZ, as well as administrative positions at Phoenix Baptist Hospital in Phoenix, AZ.

Ms. Milo is pursuing a Doctorate in Nursing Practice Executive Leadership from American Sentinel University in Aurora, CO. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Regis University in Denver, CO and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, TX.

Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene Presents Fourth Quarter Presidents’ Service Excellence and Leadership Awards

Donna Gawron, RN

Keene, NH – Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene presented the Fourth Quarter Presidents’ Service Excellence and Leadership Awards to outstanding staff members. The Presidents’ Service Excellence Award recognizes employees nominated by their co-workers as those who exemplify extraordinary service to others characterized by compassion, courtesy, responsiveness to the needs of others and a positive team attitude. This prestigious award was given to Donna Gawron, RN, Department of Rheumatology, and Andrea Smith, Receptionist, Department of Family Medicine.

Rebecca Pratt, RN

The Leadership Award recognizes employees who exhibit outstanding leadership qualities as demonstrated by excellence in caring, character, commitment, competence and communication. Rebecca Pratt, RN, Clinical Leader of Clinic Surgical Services and Women’s Health, received this award.

The efforts of these staff members of Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene contribute to the community vision of becoming the healthiest in the nation by the year 2020, and reflect their caring and compassionate approach to health care.

(NOTE: Andrea Smith chose not to have a photo publicized)

Family Nurse Practitioner JoinsNorthern Berkshire Family Medicine

Rita M. Willey

NORTH ADAMS, MA -  Northern Berkshire Healthcare welcomed Rita M. Willey, a family nurse practitioner, to Northern Berkshire Family Medicine.

Ms. Willey graduated from Western New England College in 2001 with a Masters in BusinessAdministration and Health Care Management, and is a recent graduate of UMass at Amherst’s Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program. She is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as a family nurse practitioner, and completed her capstone dissertation with a focus on Heart Failure Disease Management. With eighteen years of experience in local healthcare in both administrative and nursing positions at Berkshire Medical Center and Fairview Hospital, Ms. Willey brings a broad spectrum of talent and is a strong addition to Northern Berkshire Family Medicine.

At Northern Berkshire Family Medicine, Ms. Willey joins Anping Han, MD, Jean Culver, MD, and family nurse practitioners Liz Toomajian and Robin Love.

Healthy Androscoggin

Shanna Rogers

Lewistown, ME – Healthy Androscoggin announced that Shanna Rogers has joined the staff as Adult and Worksite Wellness Coordinator.  In that role, Rogers will coordinate Healthy Androscoggin’s worksite wellness activities and nutrition initiatives. In addition, she will help coordinate the Wellness Council of Androscoggin County and oversee the Work Healthy! Award Program.

Rogers has extensive background in community networking and healthcare advocacy. Prior to joining Healthy Androscoggin, she served as Resident Organizer for the Neighborhood Housing League in Lewiston, Chair of the Policy Council and Parent Advocate for Androscoggin Headstart and Childcare, and Volunteer Leader for the Maine People’s Alliance. As a result of these experiences, Rogers brings strong advocacy and grassroots organizing skills to Healthy Androscoggin. She can be contacted at rogerssh@cmhc.org or by calling 795-5927

Harrington Names New Chief Information Officer

Harold Lemieux

SOUTHBRIDGE, MA – Harrington HealthCare System has named Harold Lemieux as its new Chief Information Officer (CIO).

Lemieux, currently CIO at Morton Hospital and Medical Center in Taunton, will join Harrington HealthCare System January 3, 21012.

Lemieux improved productivity and customer satisfaction at the hospital by developing an automated help-desk system that improved response time and quality of services.

As Chief Information Officer, Lemieux will be responsible for all Harrington Information Technology systems, including its telecommunications.

Before coming to Morton, he was a network and systems engineer at Versatile Technology, an IT solutions and consulting company in Dighton.

“I know that Harry Lemieux will be a strong and effective leader with the dedication and interpersonal skills to be successful at Harrington,” said Edward H. Moore, President and Chief Executive Officer of Harrington HealthCare System. “Harry has experience implementing or managing IT systems that are similar to those at Harrington, including Meditech and CPOE — Care Provider Order Entry. He is known for developing strong physician partnerships to achieve successful outcomes.”

Lemieux has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from the New England Institute of Technology in Warwick, RI, and is working toward his Master of Business Administration at Bryant University in Smithfield, RI. He is an active outdoorsman whose activities include snowmobiling and fishing.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NAMED FOR ONCOLOGY SERVICE LINE

Kathleen M. Noone, R.N.C., B.S.N., M.B.A.-C.

HARTFORD, CT – Kathleen M. Noone, R.N.C., B.S.N., M.B.A.-C., of West Hartford, has joined Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center as Executive Director, Oncology Service Line.

In her new position, Noone will partner with Jonathan Sporn, M.D., Physician Leader of the Oncology Service Line.  The Oncology Service Line is responsible for the continuum of cancer patient needs, from community-based care, to acute care management, to post-acute care.  Noone will manage the integration of oncology services across disciplines, supporting and building referral patterns, and fostering the development of new clinical programs.

Noone received a bachelor of science in nursing degree from Malloy College, Rockville Center, N.Y.  She is currently a candidate for a master of business administration degree from Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, N.Y.
Noone most recently served as Assistant Director of Nursing for Inpatient Cancer Services and the Department of Radiation Oncology at Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, N.Y.  She has also held nursing leadership positions at Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, N.Y., and Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, N.Y.

Certified by the Oncology Nursing Society in chemotherapy and biotherapy, and a certified trainer in End of Life Care, Noone is a member of the American Organization of Nurse Executives, the Hospice and Palliative Care Nurses Association, and the Suffolk County Nursing Society.

Day Kimball’s November Employee of the Month

Jody Kerns, Lead Housekeeper, is Day Kimball's November Employee of the Month.

PUTNAM, CT – Day Kimball Healthcare announces that Jody Kerns, lead housekeeper, is Day Kimball’s November Employee of the Month.

Michael Hebert, manager of housekeeping, said, “Jody is always there for whoever needs assistance: patients, family members and her fellow employees.” He continued, “When I started working at Day Kimball and I asked Jody what her job was, she replied, ‘A little bit of everything.’ The truth of the matter is she does a lot of everything and she does it well. She is more than deserving of the employee of the month distinction.”

Kerns has been employed by Day Kimball for more than 13 years. In her role as lead housekeeper, she coordinates the activities of and works with cleaning crews engaged in housekeeping actions, and acts as a liaison between shifts. She manages the daily requests that come in from all of the hospital units. In addition she assists with meeting room schedules, maintains department supplies and performs many other projects. And, Kerns was recently appointed to the Infection Control Liaison Program Committee.

Kerns received her Certificate for Management and Supervisory Skills from Quinebaug Valley Community College. Having been born and raised in Northeast Connecticut, Kerns currently resides in Thompson, Conn., with her significant other David as well as her children David and Carla.

St. Mary’s Welcome Plastic Surgeon

John Cederna, MD

Lewistown, ME – St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center is happy to announce the return of plastic surgeon John Cederna, MD.   Dr. Cederna worked at St. Mary’s for 11 years as the first plastic surgeon between Bangor and Portland.  He later moved to a private practice in Peoria, Illinois and Portland, Maine.

His part-time work at St. Mary’s will focus on reconstructive breast surgery following mastectomies and for congenital anomalies, among other things.

Dr. Cederna has 22 years of plastic surgery experience.  He is a board certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

CharterCARE board member, receives 2011 Benjamin Sturges Distinguished Service Award

Kenneth H. Belcher (left), President & CEO of CharterCARE Health Partners with Joseph DiStefano, Esq.

Warwick, R.I. – Joseph DiStefano, Esq., who has served on the board of trustees at St. Joseph Health Services of Rhode Island for 26 years, is a recipient of the 2011 Benjamin R. Sturges Distinguished Service Award from the Hospital Association of Rhode Island. DiStefano was recognized for his service as a St. Joseph trustee, along with his contributions in creating CharterCARE Health Partners, the health system that affiliates St. Joseph and Roger Williams Medical Center.  He currently serves on the CharterCARE Board of Trustees.

He received the award on November 27, 2011 at the “Celebration of Excellence in Hospital Care,” an annual awards ceremony held by the Hospital Association of Rhode Island (HARI). At this event, recipients for distinguished service were recognized, along with employees of the year from HARI’s member hospitals.

DiStefano has more than two decades of recognized leadership in health care. He served on the St. Joseph board as it led Rhode Island’s Catholic health system into the comprehensive community hospital and health provider it is today. He has chaired multiple board committees, including the strategic planning committee, and has served on numerous ad hoc and special board and hospital task forces.

He has been instrumental in the advancement of philanthropy at St. Joseph, leading the creation of the development function at the hospital and serving as the Foundation’s president. DiStefano has also co-chaired successful capital campaigns, special fundraising events and annual appeals.

Westerly Hospital’s Walter Scott Curtice, MD promoted to USAF Flight Surgeon

Westerly Hospital's Dr. Walter Scott Curtice's promotion to USAF Flight Surgeon.

CHARLESTOWN, RI – The Westerly Hospital congratulates Walter Scott Curtice, MD, Captain NYANG, on his recent graduation as a USAF Flight Surgeon after a final four-week segment of intense training in Aerospace Medicine, Neurology, Cardiology, Psychiatry, and Life Support at the School of Aerospace Medicine at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Fairborn, Ohio.

Dr. Curtice is now the Flight Surgeon of the 102nd Rescue Squadron of the 106th Air Rescue Wing at Westhampton, NY. The 106th is a Special Forces unit comprised of HC-130 Hercules aircraft, HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and Navy Seal-trained Pararescuemen.  The 106th has been portrayed in the movie “The Perfect Storm,” and elements of the unit conduct regular combats tours of Iraq, Afghanistan, and North Africa.   Dr. Curtice is also captain of the base rugby team.

Dr. Curtice expects to be deployed with his unit one month out of each calendar year, as well four days per month, but is always reachable by cell or satellite phone.  He joined the 106th in 2008 after graduating from his residency in Family Medicine at New York Medical College.

Dr. Curtice joined The Westerly Hospital medical staff in 2010 and is board certified in Family Medicine. He is the Medical Director of Atlantic Medical Group Family Medicine and Walk-In Center located at 3769 Old Post Road in Charlestown, RI where he sees patients of all ages.   To make an appointment with Dr. Curtice, call 401-213-6611.

Dr. Curtice is also the Medical Director of Charlestown Emergency Management, the Police Surgeon for the Charlestown Police Department, and a member of the Juvenile Hearing Board.

CVMC Earns ACR-ASTRO Accreditation

Berlin, Vt – The National Life Cancer Treatment Center at Central Vermont Medical center has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in radiation oncology as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). Radiation oncology (radiation therapy) is the careful use of high-energy radiation to treat cancer. A radiation oncologist may use radiation to cure cancer or to relieve a cancer patient’s pain.

Central Vermont Medical Center is the only facility in Vermont to have earned this accreditation.

Geriatrics Chief Honored for Community Service to Elders

Cambridge Health Alliance Chief of Geriatrics Anne Fabiny, MD, recipient of the Nancy P. Kahn Community Service Award from Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services

Cambridge, MA. – Anne Fabiny, MD, Chief of Geriatrics at Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA), is this year’s recipient of the Nancy P. Kahn Community Service Award from Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES). SCES Assistant Executive Director Mary Ann Dalton presented Dr. Fabiny with the award at the 12th Annual Serving Seniors Celebration on Wednesday, November 9, at the Somerville City Club.

The award honors the memory of Nancy Kahn, a case manager and supervisor at Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services for more than 10 years, and recognizes community service professionals who are strong advocates for older adults and show commitment to interagency collaboration.

In addition to overseeing CHA’s geriatrics services, Dr. Fabiny is a practicing geriatrician and an educator at CHA, deeply committed to providing students with meaningful, evidence-based education in the care of older adults in a variety of settings. In these roles, she has had an extraordinary impact on the health and well-being of older adults in Cambridge and Somerville. Passionate about caring for older adults and understanding their needs are unique from those of the general population, Dr. Fabiny places an emphasis on community-based care and builds bridges between CHA and organizations such as Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services in an effort to provide a more seamless experience for her patients.

Dr. Fabiny completed her residency training in family medicine at the University of Wisconsin and her fellowship in geriatrics at Harvard Medical School. She served as the geriatrics fellowship director and director of geriatrics education at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston before coming to CHA in 2006. She is an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School as well as co-director of the HMS-Cambridge Integrated Clerkship.

HealthGrades Names Medical Center Among the Top 10% in the Nation for Coronary Interventional Procedures

Bridgeport, CT. – A report released by HealthGrades, the nation’s most trusted, independent source of physician information and hospital quality ratings, named St. Vincent’s Medical Center a recipient of the Coronary Intervention Excellence Award in 2012.  The HealthGrades report found that patients treated at 5-star rated hospitals experience a 73% lower risk of mortality and a 63% lower risk of complications compared to 1-star rated hospitals.

“This third party endorsement validates the patient care provided by our excellent cardiologists, nurses, other clinical staff and support team,” said Lawrence Schek, vice president and chairman of cardiology.  “St. Vincent’s has a long history of excellent cardiac care outcomes. We have invested in new technology and expanded and renovated our interventional cardiology area, so we can provide the safest and highest quality care to our patients.”

“Patients today have a wide array options when it comes to choosing a healthcare provider,” said Kerry Hicks, HealthGrades chief executive officer. “At HealthGrades, we are proud to have led the way for empowering patient choice based on objective clinical outcomes and access to actionable quality measures. We commend St. Vincent’s Medical Center for its superior quality and support of consumerism and transparency.”

Hospital Announces 2011 St. Marguerite d’Youville Award Recipient

(l to r): David Ross, President and CEO, St. Joseph Hospital; Jessica Caruso, Outpatient Rehabilitation Services, Merrimack and Kathie Rice Orshak, Vice President of Mission Integration.

Nashua, NH – St. Joseph Hospital is proud to announce that Jessica Caruso of Merrimack has been awarded the coveted St. Marguerite d’Youville Award for 2011. Jessica is a Patient Service Representative for St. Joseph Hospital Outpatient Rehabilitation Services in Merrimack. The St. Marguerite d’Youville Award is given out annually to an employee of St. Joseph Healthcare who consistently excels in living the mission of St. Joseph Healthcare as handed down by St. Marguerite d’Youville, the Foundress of the Grey Nuns of Montreal. The employee who the award is given to lives the mission and provides services over and above the scope of normal responsibilities and consistently excels living out each of St. Joseph Healthcare’s core values: compassion, excellence, integrity, collaboration, stewardship and community service.

Jessica has been instrumental in developing proactive practices to decrease wait time and improve patient satisfaction with registration procedures. Jessica strongly believes in the importance of community service recently stating, “In so many ways I have so many blessings, I feel I should share these with my community.” She is supportive to others and cares for her co-workers, patients and anyone else who may walk through the doors of the physical therapy department. Jessica is always willing to work as part of a team whether that is volunteering her time and efforts to work on one of many hospital projects; collecting donations, being involved in a committee or investigating concerns regarding copays and insurance claims for our patients.

SNHMC Earns First Nashua Breast MRI Accreditation from the American College of Radiology

Nashua, NH– Southern New Hampshire Medical Center announced that it has earned a three-year accreditation for Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) from the American College of Radiology (ACR). This designation, the first in Nashua and southern New Hampshire, was awarded for high standards in clinical imaging and patient care.

“We are thrilled to be honored as the first hospital in our service region to receive Breast MRI accreditation,” said Diane Dionne, Director of Radiology Services at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center.  “This demonstrates that we not only meet the needs of our patients and nationally accepted standards of care, but we also meet the professional expectations of our peers.”

“ACR accreditation represents the gold standard in imaging, and patients look for this designation,” said Peter Ong, RTR(MR), MRI Supervisor at The Medical Center. “The accreditation process is voluntary. We are proud to say all of our MRI technologists at The Medical Center have completed extensive testing and are registered by the ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) in Magnetic Resonance Imaging.”

The Medical Center is also ACR accredited in general and OB ultrasound, breast ultrasound and biopsies, vascular ultrasound, mammography, stereotactic biopsy, MRI and MRI breast biopsy, CT and PET scanning.

MD, FACS, Joins Keene Department of General Surgery

H.E. Guy Burman, MD, FACS

Keene, NH – Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene welcomed Dr. H. E. Guy Burman to the Department of General Surgery. Dr. Burman most recently worked as Chairman of the Department of Surgery at PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center, Ketchikan, AK, where he was twice presented the Guardian Angel award in recognition of extraordinary skill, dedication, compassion and attentive patient care. Prior to moving to Alaska, he was a practicing surgeon at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson, NY. There he helped to create and oversee a comprehensive breast health program which also included a cancer survivors support group.

As an attending physician and surgeon, Dr. Burman’s experience covers a wide range of general and specialized surgical procedures including laparoscopic surgeries (operations performed through small incisions) such as laparoscopic hernia repair, appendectomies and gallbladder removal; a wide variety of intestinal, colon and rectal surgeries;  endoscopy (evaluating and treating diseases of the intestinal tract using flexible fiber-optic telescopes); comprehensive varicose vein care; breast surgery including minimally invasive techniques to diagnose, remove and treat abnormal growths; pacemaker insertion; and surgical treatment of diseases of the skin.

Dr. Burman is Board Certified in General Surgery by The American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He completed a Bassett Healthcare Fellowship in Rural Surgery through the Mithoefer Center for Rural Surgery, an organization dedicated to improving rural residents’ access to high-quality surgical care.  He served as Chief Resident in General Surgery at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Memphis, TN, and completed his Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania College of Arts and Sciences, Philadelphia, PA. He is also a graduate of Northfield Mount Hermon School, Northfield, MA.

Professional affiliations include a Fellowship with The American College of Surgeons, and membership in the Harwell Wilson Surgical Society of Memphis, TN.

NH Association for the Blind Elects Board Officers for Fiscal Year 2012

CONCORD NH – The New Hampshire Association for the Blind’s Board of Directors have elected Michelle Arruda, Contoocook as Board Chairperson, Susan Manchester, Amherst as Board Vice Chairperson, Tom Pare, Salem as Board Treasurer and Doreen Manetta, Nashua as Secretary. Collectively the officers of the Board have served more than 20 years as board members. Their leadership will strengthen the organization’s mission to advance the independence of persons who are blind or visually impaired. The NH Association for the Blind has been serving NH residents for 100 years throughout all communities.

OPERATIONS COORDINATOR APPOINTED

Melinda Volckmann

Manchester, N.H – Home Instead Senior Care of Central New Hampshire, a trusted provider of in-home, non-medical care for seniors, has appointed Goffstown resident Melinda Volckmann as Operations Coordinator. In this role, she will be responsible for scheduling clients and CAREGivers to ensure that staffing hours are well managed and that Home Instead Senior Care continues to provide the highest quality personal and home care services to clients.

“Melinda’s extensive experience caring for the elderly and her work with St. Joseph Community Services are both well suited to help manage and balance caregiver and client needs,” said Lisa Byrne, Owner, Home Instead Senior Care of Central New Hampshire. “Melinda’s experience as a caregiver will be instrumental in working with fellow caregivers while her experience caring for seniors will help to ensure that seniors’ needs are being met.”

Prior to joining Home Instead Senior Care as an Operations Coordinator, Ms. Volckmann worked as an Assistant Site Manager for St. Joseph Community Services/ Meals on Wheels.

Pastoral Counseling Services

Denise Petrin

Manchester, NH – Pastoral Counseling Services announces the addition of Denise Petrin to their Board of Directors.

Ms. Petrin is a successful Financial Advisor with Edward Jones with over 30 years of experience in the Financial Service Industry.  She attended Southern NH University and obtained her Accredited Asset Management Certification from the College for Financial Planning.

An active member of her community, Denise serves on the Executive Committee for the American Heart Association Heart Ball, Advisory Committee for Girls at Work, Ambassador for the Manchester Chamber of Commerce.  Most recently Denise was chosen for Leadership Greater Manchester.  She is co-founder of therainbownetwork.com, a business network group supporting the GLBT community.

Ed Mitchell, Chairman of the Board said, “We are delighted to have Denise join our Board. Her expertise is a great asset to our center.”

Podiatrist Joins Medical Staff

Teresa J. Burtoft, DPM

Winchester, Ma. – Winchester Hospital has welcomed podiatrist Teresa J. Burtoft, DPM to its medical staff. A resident of North Andover, she is practicing at the Foot Health Center of Merrimack Valley in North Andover.

Dr. Burtoft earned her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and Bachelor of Science in Medical Science from the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan.

Board certified in foot surgery, Dr. Burtoft completed a residency in podiatric surgery at Cambridge Hospital in Cambridge, Mass.

Services Representative for Quincy and the South Shore Named

Karen T. MacDonald, LADC-II

AdCare Hospital welcomed Karen T. MacDonald, LADC-II as a Community Services Representative for Quincy and the South Shore. Ms. MacDonald’s diverse experience includes counseling males sectioned to treatment within the correctional system at Bridgewater to supervising residents of Steppingstone, Inc.’ Men’s Halfway House in Fall River, MA to marketing for New England treatment providers.  “As an AdCare Community Services representative, Ms. MacDonald will increase awareness of AdCare’s full continuum of inpatient treatment offered in Worcester, MA and outpatient services offered at AdCare’s Quincy and North Dartmouth sites,” said James F. McKenna, Vice President of Marketing and Development. “I look forward to continuing to help all those affected by the disease of addiction find recovery,” said Ms. MacDonald.

She completed the Addiction Program at UMass/Boston and is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor-II.  Ms. MacDonald is an active member of the Advisory Council of the North River Collaborative Recovery High School.

Physicians Named on Best Doctors List

Bangor, Ma -  St. Joseph Healthcare is proud to include six physicians included in this year’s Best Doctors listing, as recently published in the current issue of Bangor Metro magazine. Best Doctors is a peer-generated list that aims to give people access to the best minds in medicine, so they have the confidence to make informed choices about their care.

The 2011 list includes David Clement MD of St. Joseph Hospital’s Anesthesiology Department, Mark Henderson MD of St. Joseph Endocrinology, and John McDevitt IV MD of St. Joseph Gastroenterology. The list also includes three St. Joseph Internal Medicine physicians: David Koffman MD, Kerry Riker MD and William Wood MD.