May/June 2011
SOuTHCOAST HEALTH SySTEM ANNOuNCES
CONSOLIDATED SOuTHCOAST VNA
S
outhcoast Health System announced, in April, it will be consolidating its home health and
hospice agencies to form Southcoast Visiting Nurse Association, which will be known in the
community as Southcoast VNA.
Southcoast VNA will bring together the staff and services of
The breadth of services offered and the regional expanse makes
the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern Massachusetts,
Southcoast VNA one of the largest home health and hospice
currently located in Fall River and serving the greater regions of
agencies in New England, noting its ability to continue to serve
Fall River, Taunton and East Bay, Rhode Island, and Southcoast
the region as a highly efficient, low-cost provider.
Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care & Infusion Services, located
Sharon Jones, President & CEO of Southcoast VNA, who currently
in Fairhaven and serving the greater regions of New Bedford and
holds the dual positions of CEO of the Visiting Nurse Association
Wareham. Though both agencies — which are the top two providers
of Southeastern Massachusetts and Vice President of Southcoast
of home health and hospice care in the region — are part of
Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care & Infusion, said the new
Southcoast Health System, they have functioned separately since
Southcoast VNA “will allow us to better serve our communities by
the merger in 1996.
offering seamless, integrated home health and hospice services
“Bringing together our two home health and hospice services
strengthens our ability to improve access to care for patients at all
throughout the entire South Coast region.”
“Both programs have exceptional health care professionals with
levels of our system by combining our resources and staff,” said
strong community roots and a long history of caring for our local
Keith A. Hovan, President of Southcoast Health System & President
communities,” Jones said. “Together we will be able to expand
& CEO of Southcoast Hospitals Group. “The new Southcoast VNA
services and build on that success.”
will ensure that patients receive highly-coordinated home health
The new Southcoast VNA will significantly expand existing
and hospice services no matter where they live in Southeastern
home health and hospice services as well as support the develop-
Massachusetts or East Bay, Rhode Island.”
ment of new programs designed to meet the growing home health
Hovan added that those services “will be delivered by the same
skilled and compassionate caregivers who have provided that care
care needs of the entire area. The Hospice & Palliative Care Program
will offer specialized care for individuals with terminal and life-
for decades.”
continued on page 2
THE INTERVIEW
SOUTHCOAST
CENTERS FOR
CANCER CARE
AT FAIRHAVEN
4
Amy Winn
5
News Briefs
Linda Carr has accepted a new role as Compensation Specialist in the Benefits area of the Human
Resources Department. Carr joined Southcoast
in 2005 as a Human Resources Consultant at
Charlton. She previously worked for Arbour Health
Systems as a Benefits & Operations Manager and
Jet Spray Corporation as a Human Resources
Administrator. She holds a Bachelor of Science
degree in Business Management from Bentley
University.
Southcoast VNA
continued from cover
threatening illnesses. Expanded services will
include inpatient palliative care, enhanced
bereavement support for children and adults and
community education and support programs. It will
be the only provider of pediatric palliative care in
Jennifer Pierce-Durot has joined Southcoast
as an Employee Relations Manager. In this newly
created role, Pierce-Durot will be provide consultative services regarding employee relations
issues to employees and leadership at both
Charlton and St. Luke's. She previously worked
as a Senior Generalist at Blue Cross Blue Shield
of Rhode Island and a Human Resources Manager
at the Rhode Island Foundation. Please continue
to direct concerns to the Human Resources
Consultants who will forward the appropriate
issues to Pierce-Durot.
Southeastern Massachusetts.
Southcoast VNA is also establishing a much-needed
Behavioral Health Program to complement traditional treat-
Sharon Verville (left) and Susan Bliss, LICSW,
Verville’s Palliative Care Social Worker.
ment of mental illnesses and help to decrease the utilization
of inpatient and facility-based care. Designed to serve as a bridge between the hospital and the
community mental health system, Southcoast VNA’s new Behavioral Health Program will use a
multidisciplinary approach to care for individuals with emotional and mental health problems and
psychiatric illnesses.
Southcoast VNA’s main office will be located at the South Coast Business Center at 200 Mill Road
in Fairhaven with additional offices in Fall River, Raynham and Little Compton, R.I. The consolidation
will bring together some 400 employees from the two agencies.
Stephanie Poyant has joined the Marketing
& Public Relations team as the Public Information
Officer & New Media Specialist. In this newlycreated position, she will be responsible for
day-to-day media relations and work to maintain
and enrich Southcoast’s social media presence.
Poyant most recently worked at the Public Information Officer for the Mayor of the city of New
Bedford.
“The majority of our employees travel throughout the region caring for our patients,” Jones said.
“Our new office in Fairhaven will offer more space with ample parking and easy access to Interstate
195 for our staff and for those who visit our office.”
Demand for home care services is growing
Demand for home care services has been growing steadily over the last several years, Jones said.
“Many people prefer to recuperate in the comfort of their own homes, which in turn promotes
healing, quality of life and can be more cost effective,” Jones said. “As the largest provider in the
region, we will offer greater connectivity with our hospitals, physicians and other community
Southcoast Laboratory & Pathology
Services has opened a satellite blood draw
site at Truesdale Clinic located at 1030 President
Ave. in Fall River. The site is open to the public
Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call
508-235-6399 for more information.
resources to provide integrated care that greatly benefits our patients with a focus on prevention,
disease management and coordination of care.”
Southcoast VNA will offer the most complete and comprehensive range of quality home health
and hospice services available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Services will be tailored to the
specific needs of every patient and include skilled nursing, rehabilitation therapies (physical, occupational and speech/language), medical social work, chronic disease management, home health aides,
dietitian/nutrition services and behavioral health services.
Specialty services will include specialized wound management, infusion therapy, certified diabetic
educators and in-home telemonitoring.
Patient Comment
“The nurse was outstanding — very courteous
and caring. The doctors addressed all of my
The Hospice & Palliative Care Program will offer supportive care, including bereavement, spiritual
and chaplain services in addition to skilled nursing, physician services and counseling. A palliative
inpatient program will be available for people needing acute symptom management.
“By uniting into one region-wide provider we will be able to maintain a high level of uniform,
concerns and were very prompt with their
consistent high-quality care to a broader community, offer cost-effective services and respond to
answers.”
anticipated changes related to the ever changing health care environment,” Hovan said.
The transition from the current organizations to the new Southcoast VNA will be seamless for
patients and providers, Jones said. Southcoast VNA will be communicating directly with patients,
families and area health care providers on the changes and any new contact information over the
next few months.
Credit union Supports Employee Appeal
The Southcoast Federal Credit Union recently donated $5,000
to be credited to the Employee Appeal. Pictured during a check
presentation are, from left, Linda Silva, Southcoast Emergency
Department Business Manager and Credit Union Board Member;
Larry Domenici, Southcoast Treasury Director and Credit Union
Treasurer; Keith A. Hovan, President of Southcoast Health System
and President & CEO of Southcoast Hospitals Group; Scott
Flanagan, RPh, Pharmacy Manager and Credit Union Secretary;
Frank Byrne, Corporate Compliance Officer and Credit Union
Board President; Duarte Silva, Credit Union General Manager,
and Holly Knight, Corporate Foundation Relations Officer.
COASTLINES
2
One, Two, Three …
Wellness!
Take the following steps to
improve wellness today:
Southcoast Health Plan
1. Earn a $50 gift card
through HealthQuest by completing the HQA and biometric
screenings and agreeing to
have the data confidentially uploaded to the HealthQuest Website.
Get started at www.southcoasthealthquest.org.
Exciting new offerings from HealthQuest and the Southcoast Health Plan
S
outhcoast’s mission is to care for the health of the communities it serves — including the health
of the employees who work so hard to care for others. With that in mind, the organization
recently unveiled new resources designed to help staff improve their wellness and that of
2. Review the Southcoast Health
their family members.
Plan $150 fitness reimbursement
benefit at www.southcoasthealthplan.org
“Our goal is to create a culture of wellness throughout Southcoast,”
said David DeJesus Jr., Senior Vice President of Human Resources.
members of the Southcoast
Health Plan. The site gives
“Through these programs we hope to improve the overall health and
employees easy, confidential
productivity of the Southcoast work force.”
access to health information
The programs are designed to help employees:
• Maintain and modify high-risk healthy behaviors.
• Control chronic and manage acute conditions.
• Learn to make good choices about their health care.
• Reduce expenses.
they can customize for
“The HealthQuest portal
lifestyle improvement
guidance and support, tools
to help each of us monitor
before they get serious.
our progress,” Aimone said.
Get the facts
Coaching to Maintain Health:
Southcoast offers two easy ways to gain important basic health infor-
The HealthQuest website also
mation to help employees make informed decisions on their wellness.
offers Health Coaching through
The HealthQuest Assessment (HQA). Formerly known at the Health
WebMD to employees who
Risk Assessment, the HQA provides a personalized snapshot of a per-
qualify based on their HQA
son’s current health conditions, taking into account vital statistics like
results and who exhibit a readi-
blood pressure and cholesterol, diet, exercise and lifestyle events such
ness to change.
on the HealthQuest website (see below).
“The HQA is confidential and the website provides a secure place to
objectives,” Aimone said. “It is
basis,” said Kris Aimone, Wellness Coordinator for Southcoast. “It
HealthQuest website to create
takes just 10 to 15 minutes to complete and is interactive so that as
structured online programs that
users improve their health habits they can see first-hand how the
are easy for employees to use and
offer biometric screenings, which provide essential, basic health information like total cholesterol, glucose level and blood pressure.
With an employee’s written permission, this information will be
uploaded to the HealthQuest website for use in a user’s HQA. The data
are provided to a third-party vendor, InforMed, who collects and posts
it securely and confidentially.
“Personal data is never shared with Southcoast,” Aimone said. “We
Finding a Primary
Care Physician
“Health Coaching is designed to
integrated, securely with the
Biometric Screenings: The HealthQuest program also continues to
Attend an open screening at Charlton,
St. Luke’s, Tobey or the South Coast
Business Center. For a schedule of open
screenings, log on to the HealthQuest page
of the Southcoast intranet.
Departments can schedule biometric
screenings by contacting Kris Aimone at
65-5054, via Meditech or GroupWise email or
by paging 73654.
help employees reach their wellness
complete it online, where it can easily be referenced on a regular
changes affect their overall health.”
How to get a
biometric screening
also offers self-paced
maintain good health and identify and correct potential problems
as family, job and finances. The HQA can now conveniently be taken
3. Take advantage of the other activities
offered through HealthQuest and
benefits of the Southcoast Health Plan.
themselves.
programs that provide
Southcoast provides employees with a number of tools to help in
and apply if eligible.
All Southcoast Health Plan Members
are required to designate a Primary Care
Physician. Subscribers can log on to
www.southcoasthealthplan.org to elect
or change their PCP.
Pre-Certified Services
Some procedures and services require
track their progress.”
pre-certification in order to be covered
Coaching is free to eligible particiby the Southcoast Health Plan. A list of
pants and takes place through strictly
services requiring pre-certification
can be found at www.southconfidential, one-on-one phone convercoasthealthplan.org.
sations with health coaches who are behavioral specialists with degrees in health sciences.
HealthQuest also offers an array of other
programs to help employees with their wellness goals
including walking programs, quit-smoking resources and weight
management help through the Sodexo “Create Your Weight” program.
receive combined data from InforMed and WebMD so we can track
general trends within the organization, which helps us determine the
Fitness incentive: The Southcoast Health Plan also offers a Fitness
best programs and services to provide.”
Reimbursement Benefit. The benefit is up to $150 per family per
calendar year for members who have been enrolled in a qualified
Earn a $50 gift card! Employees can earn a $50 gift card for completing
their HQA and biometric screening and granting permission for their
biometric data to be collected.
health club and the Southcoast Health Plan for at least four consecutive
months in that year. For more information or to download the
reimbursement form, visit www.southcoasthealthplan.org.
“The gift card is our way of showing employees that we think these
tools are important building blocks for health management and to
Managing chronic and acute conditions
encourage everyone to use them,” said Beth Barker, Director of
The Southcoast Health Plan offers Personal Health Management serv-
Compensation & Benefits.
ices to eligible, high-risk members who may have complex chronic or
All employees are eligible for the $50 gift card with the exception
of Massachusetts Nursing Association members.
HealthQuest is now online: Established in 2005, HealthQuest —
Southcoast’s employee wellness program — is designed to educate,
motivate and empower all employees and their families to make
healthy lifestyle choices to improve their overall health.
“We are striving to create an environment where healthy lifestyles
are supported,” Aimone said. “We have been building and adding
programs over the years and have just introduced a website that gives
employees the resources they need to understand more about their
health and help them track their progress against their health
improvement goals.”
Found at www.southcoasthealthquest.org and powered by WebMD,
acute conditions.
Personal Health Nurses (PHNs) are available to assist members by
providing support and guidance to help them manage medical conditions that could seriously compromise their health. By managing
these conditions, members may improve their health and wellness
and reduce health care costs.
“Personal Health Nurses can develop a confidential, one-on-one
relationship with a member and understand their unique needs,”
Barker said. “While they are employed by InforMed, PHNs live in our
community and work exclusively with Southcoast Health Plan members so they know how to help our members access local resources.”
Southcoast has two RNs serving as Personal Health Nurses —
Brandy Dobbyn and Gail Gravel.
the site is available to all employees, regardless of whether they are
COASTLINES
3
The Most Advanced Technology & Treatments
T
he Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care in Fairhaven and Fall River feature the
very latest technology in radiation therapy and medical oncology.
Linear Accelerator (Linac)
Brachytherapy is a form of radiation
• State-of-the-art linear accelerator with the
highest precision and clinical accuracy
currently available.
therapy where the radiation source
— a small radioactive seed of Iridium — is placed directly into the
• Robotic couch allows for six-dimensional
patient positioning.
patient. This treatment is used on
• CT imaging capability for direct comparison
with planning CT.
certain tumors and when the cancer
• Independent imaging system built into the
ceiling and floor for real-time positioning and
imaging during treatment.
and there is no evidence of spreading.
is confined to one organ or tissue
Image Guided Radiation Therapy
(IGRT) allows radiation oncologists
(from left) Radiation Therapists Jamie Tapper and Mari Crouse
and therapists to image a tumor
just before delivering radiotherapy
or even during treatment. This is
important because tumors can shift
location slightly. With IGRT, radiation beams can be adjusted so they
hit the tumor with precision that
can be measured in millimeters while
avoiding surrounding healthy tissue.
PET/CT Scanner
• Combines two radiology imaging technologies
into one device.
Stereotactic Radiotherapy delivers a
• Painless procedure that may minimize the
need for further testing.
than standard radiation therapy.
• Provides greater accuracy in determing what
stage a cancer is in.
radiation, a much higher level of
much higher daily dose of radiation
Because of the higher dose of
precision is required in delivering the radiation to prevent damage of surrounding tissue. The
• Short imaging time.
linear accelerator room’s floor-to-ceiling imaging system and robotic couch with six-dimensional
movement allow for the precise positioning of patients, which enhances the accuracy of this
type of radiation therapy.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) utilizes computer-controlled beam shaping devices
to deliver precise radiation doses to a malignant tumor or specific areas within the tumor while
minimizing the dose to surrounding normal tissue.
Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive approach to lung surgery
that introduces a tiny video camera into the patient’s chest. The thoracic surgeon uses the video
camera to view the anatomy and other surgical instruments that are introduced into the chest
CT Scanner
via small incisions or “ports.”
• Provides detailed imaging of bone, soft tissue
and blood vessels at the same time.
• Advanced CT Simulation allows for more
precise radiation treatment planning.
• CT Simulator allows patients to receive a full
scan in only three to five minutes.
• Large bore scanner gives patients a more open
feeling when being scanned.
• Four-dimensional scanning ability allows for
respiratory motion management and advanced
treatment planning.
COASTLINES
4
Clinical Trials: Cancer care is evolving at a rapid pace with new medications and treatments
introduced into clinical care frequently. Much of the research is focused on smarter ways to
treat cancer, using therapies that target tumors more directly and spare normal tissue. The
Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care has a new clinical trials program that will eventually allow
us access to trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute.
Patients can participate in trials testing potential new treatments for their cancer with the
comfort of knowing they are cared for by a team of providers that practice at higher levels of
cancer care, as participating in clinical trials demands that of a practice.
Introducing Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care
at Fairhaven
T
At-A-Glance
The Southcoast Centers for Cancer
Care at Fairhaven offers:
he most advanced cancer treatment with greater convenience, coordination,
• State-of-the-art radiation therapies.
communication, compassion and more personal attention and support — this
• Infusion chairs: 13 open bay & 3 private.
is what the Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care is all about.
• Dedicated Patient Navigator.
• Advanced imaging, including PET/CT.
• Highly skilled oncology nurses, social workers
and nutritionists.
• Fully electronic health records.
• Multidisciplinary treatment planning
conferences.
• 56,000 square feet on two floors.
• Conveniently located off I-195.
• Plenty of free parking.
• Many “green” elements.
• Peaceful, healing environment.
A Healing Environment
The Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care’s Fairhaven site was designed as a retreat-like setting awash
a “green” roof and the native landscape beyond. The interior is decorated in a restful color palate
Fairhaven Building
Features
reflecting the center’s natural surroundings.
Changing Rooms
in natural light from the many windows that render soothing views of landscaped healing gardens,
• Private, individual changing rooms.
Art: The convergence of art and medicine benefits everyone. Art can be a soothing
• Relaxed, pleasant environment.
tonic for people under stress or in crisis, engrossing the imagination and providing
respite from anxiety and pain.
Southcoast has endeavored to connect the healing power of art by partnering
with area artists and collectors to bring their works to the Southcoast Centers for
Cancer Care. As you tour the building take a moment to notice and enjoy the
original artwork to help create an atmosphere that combines the medical and
visual arts to provide healing to the body, mind and spirit of all who enter.
Specialty Suite
• Dedicated space for multidisciplinary clinic
sessions where patients are seen by an
oncologist and other specialists in a single
session.
• Private exam rooms.
• Separate waiting areas.
Inner Strength: A sculpture entitled “Inner Strength” can be found on the stairway
leading from the first to second floors of the center. Created by New Bedford
Exam Rooms
artist John Magnan, the sculpture stands in the yoga “tree” pose — a pose of
• Spacious exam rooms designed to preserve
patient privacy.
strength and balance, which are resources drawn upon by those facing the
challenge of cancer and its treatment. The sculpture is carved of white oak and
stands more than eight feet tall.
• Medical equipment and supplies conveniently
located in each exam room.
Café: The café menu at our Fairhaven cancer center was designed with the
• Computers in every exam room allowing
providers to access the patient record.
special needs of cancer patients in mind. Deli sandwiches are created with the
freshest ingredients, including natural antibiotic- and hormone-free deli meats.
• Chairs for family members accompanying
patient.
Other offerings include whole grain, trans-fat-free muffins and health and protein
bars. The café also features a healthy smoothie blender bar furnished with fresh
Nurses’ Station
flavorful ingredients and super foods. Coffee is brewed fresh throughout the day
• Bright, open work areas.
and a wide variety of herbal teas and cold beverages are available.
• Computers allowing access to electronic
medical records.
Green Elements: The new cancer center incorporates many “green” elements to
preserve its natural surroundings, reduce the use of resources and minimize impact
on the environment. Those elements include:
• Preservation of surrounding wetlands to promote habitat and biodiversity.
• Landscaping designed to minimize the need for permanent irrigation using
native, drought-tolerant species.
• High-efficiency window glazing and shading devices to reduce heat gain or loss
that are oriented to maximize views and daylight.
• Conveniently located close to patient exam
rooms and infusion chairs.
Infusion Room
• Soothing, spacious treatment areas filled with
natural light.
• Comfortable seating for patients and family.
• Individual TVs, music and Internet access.
• The ability to socialize with other patients or
have privacy.
• Light-colored roofing materials that reflect light to reduce the heat-island effect.
• Interior lighting controls that operate by occupancy sensors with manual overrides.
Conference Room
• A robust recycling program.
• Fully integrated audio and video conferencing
capabilities.
• A green roof to reduce the heat-island effect and provide additional onsite rain
• Large space for planned educational activities.
absorption while affording patients a pleasant and relaxing view.
• Dedicated space for support group meetings.
COASTLINES
5
Marie Oliver Retires After 53 years of Volunteering
L
ong-time volunteer and Auxilian, Marie Oliver, “retired” from service in February.
Oliver began her volunteer service in the late 1950s as a Red Cross
4 p.m. when the Gift Shop closed, then she would go home and have
Nurses Aide Volunteer. Once St. Luke’s developed its own volunteer
supper and be back most nights from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for the shop’s evening
program, she dedicated her energies to the hospital, serving for more
hours,” said John Teixeira, Team Leader of Volunteer Services at St. Luke’s.
than 53 years and donating more than 70,000 hours.
“She did take Tuesdays off, but that was about it.” Teixeira said Oliver
“Over her many years of service, Marie and I became good friends,”
said John B. Day, CEO of Southcoast Health System. “I used to visit her
in the Gift Shop every day. Her presence will truly be missed.”
often came in on weekends to work in the Gift Shop.
“Marie was a consummate volunteer,” said Barbara H. Mulville, CFRE,
Senior Vice President of External Affairs. “Her years of service are a testa-
Oliver was a member of the St. Luke’s Auxiliary and served as its
ment of her complete dedication to St. Luke’s.”
President from 1994 to 1996. But she is probably best known as a
“Our volunteers are so important to the running of our hospitals —
mainstay at the St. Luke’s Gift Shop.
and Marie was an exemplary volunteer,” said Keith A. Hovan, President
“Marie would come in bright and early every morning and stay until
of Southcoast Health System and President & CEO of Southcoast Hospitals
Group. “We cannot thank her enough for all she has done for St. Luke’s.”
St. Luke’s Hospital Receives Award for Stroke Care
S
t. Luke’s Hospital received the Most Improved Door-to-CT Time
Award from the Stroke Collaborative Reaching for Excellence.
Known as “SCORE,” the collaborative is a voluntary statewide quality
improvement effort administered by the Massachusetts Department of
Public Health (DPH) that supports Primary Stroke Service hospitals. The
award recognizes a hospital that has had the greatest reduction in median
time between arrival and computed tomography (CT) scans of patients
with stroke symptoms.
Quality improvement efforts focused on reducing door-to-CT times
can result in quicker assessment and treatment for stroke patients and
better outcomes. A CT scan of the brain is a critical part of stroke
assessment and helps determine the best treatment for each patient.
Rapid assessment is important for stroke because increasing numbers
From left: Laura Coe, Coordinator, Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registry Program,
DPH, Kelly Houde, RN, Stroke Coordinator for Southcoast, Carol Conley, RN, Chief Nursing
Office for Southcoast and Lauren Smith, MD, Medical Director of DPH.
of brain cells die as a stroke continues. There is just one FDA-approved
treatment for ischemic stroke — the clot-busting drug known as IV-tPA
“St. Luke’s Hospital is proud that our commitment to providing quality
— which can only be administered within three-hours from symptom
stroke care was recognized by this prestigious award from the DPH’s SCORE
onset. Quickly assessing and appropriately treating a patient increases the
program,” said Carol Conley, RN, Chief Nursing Officer for Southcoast.
likelihood of a better outcome, lowering the risk for disability and
“We strive to provide exceptional care to all of our patients.”
death.
Employee Appeal update: 62 departments achieve 50% or greater participation
M
ore departments than ever achieved a 50 percent or greater participation rate in the 2011 Employee Appeal.
100% PARTICIPATION
OVER 50% UP TO 99% PARTICIPATION
System-wide, 62 departments had at least half of their staff
Charlton Departments
Charlton Departments
Tobey Departments
making gifts to Southcoast — six more departments than
Diagnostic Mammography
Nutritional Services
Patient Services Administration
Professional Development
Human Resources
Clinical Lab — Chemistry
Diabetes Management
Imaging Outreach
Lab — Pathology
Maintenance
Nuclear Medicine
Truesdale Ultrasound
Wound Care
Pharmacy
Rehab Services Inpatient
last year.
As of the beginning of May, 835 employees contributed
to the 2011 Employee Appeal, compared to a goal of 930
participants.
“We still have a little way to go to get the participation
Tobey Departments
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Echocardiography
we are hoping for,” said Amy Winn, Annual Giving Officer
for Southcoast. “But with 123 new donors so far this year, I
Southcoast Departments
can’t help but believe we will achieve our goal.”
Allied Health Services
Audit Services
Bed Flow Coordination
Budget
Contracting & Reimbursement
Design & Construction Management
Executive Administration (5 areas)
Information Systems Administration
Marketing & Public Relations
Philanthropy
Physician Recruitment
Quality Outcomes
Revenue Systems
Safety & Emergency Management
Wellness Program
Your participation counts: There is still time to contribute
to the Southcoast Employee Appeal. Just log on to the
Southcoast intranet and click on “Every Penny Counts” or
onto www.southcoast.org/give/ to make your gift today.
“On behalf of the patients we serve, our co-workers and
our hospital, I want to say ‘thank you’ to every one who has
participated in the Employee Appeal so far,” Winn said.
“Together we are helping make Southcoast a better place to
work and a great place to get care.”
COASTLINES
6
St. Luke’s Departments
Bed Flow Coordination
Design & Construction
Echocardiography
EEG
Enterostomal
Human Resources
Information Desk
Knowles
Management Administration
Patient Services Administration
Southcoast Departments
Ergonomics
Library
Medical Affairs
MIS-EDM-OP
MIS-PCM-CAP
Patient Services — Quality
Performance Improvement
Physician Initiatives
Planning
Quality Data
Radiation Oncology
Risk Management
Volunteer Services
Serving Those in Need Continues to be Priority No. 1 for Southcoast
S
outhcoast’s Community Benefits programs continued to thrive in 2010 with the introduction of new programs
to compliment those already in place — all to benefit the unique health care needs of the South Coast region
and provide care to the community’s most under-served and at-risk residents..
“At a time when many men, women and children in our region are
When a person suffers a stroke minutes
count. By remembering to act FAST, you
can help minimize the disabilities of a
person showing the symptoms of stroke.
struggling through this difficult economy, our commitment continues
to be one that ensures we are providing those in need with essential
services and programs to those who would otherwise go without them,”
said Keith A Hovan, President of Southcoast Health System and President
& CEO of Southcoast Hospitals Group.
In 2010, Southcoast provided more than $14 million in direct services
and programs that would otherwise not be available to the community.
Stroke Heroes Act
FAST
Southcoast also provided more than $11.6 million in services to
Medicaid patients for which it was not reimbursed by the state and more
Face – Does the face look uneven?
Arm – Does one arm sag or drift down?
Speech – Does speech sound strange?
Time – Call 911 immediately.
than $28.5 million in non-reimbursed services for federal Medicare and
Medicare Managed Care patients. These shortfalls brought the organization’s total community contribution to more than $66 million in
fiscal year 2010. Southcoast continues to be the largest community
hospital provider of Medicaid services in Massachusetts.
“We are proud of the impact our programs have had in the region,”
said Jim Rattray, Vice President of Marketing & Public Affairs at Southcoast
their blood pressure. These materials were translated into both Portuguese
and Spanish. Over the past several years, more than 10,000 cards and
magnets have been distributed.
Southcoast also conduct monthly stroke support groups for the
public at the Heritage Assisted Living Center in North Dartmouth.
and head of its Community Benefits program. “As we look to the future
Addressing Youth Risk Behaviors
we will continue to forge strong partnerships and alliances with com-
Responsible Attitudes Toward Pregnancy, Parenting & Prevention (RAPPP)
munity organizations, local schools and health facilities, to ensure we
is a 14-hour abstinence-based, comprehensive education program
are providing education and services where they are needed most.”
targeted at high school youth. This year, the program served more than
Southcoast’s Community Benefits Strategic Action Plan was first
1,400 junior and senior high school students at area schools, with
formulated in 1998 as a result of an extensive community needs
expansion of the program into several middle schools including a school
assessment and is updated annually. The community health needs
for at-risk girls and several alternative high schools in New Bedford.
assessment was updated in 2009. This year’s action plan is focused on
Since its inception, RAPPP has expanded with additional programs
three regional, priority health issues:
addressing other at-risk behaviors including youth violence and bully-
• Reducing the high rate of cardiovascular disease in our region,
ing. Its various programs have served more than 77,000 young people,
as well as other chronic diseases, such as diabetes and asthma.
• Reducing the incidence of youth risk behaviors such as teen
violence, high rates of teen pregnancy and substance abuse.
• Improving access to health care.
their parents and other community members through programming,
education, youth development and mentoring. During this past year,
various RAPPP programs reached more than 7,000 people in the Greater
Fall River, New Bedford and Wareham communities.
RAPPP also produced a series of videos to be used in its classroom
Additional areas of focus for 2010 included cancer screening and
curriculum that was conceived and produced by its teen leaders.
education, particularly since cancer is now the major cause of death
in the region, surpassing heart disease; addressing health disparities
Cardiovascular Services
that exist among certain racial, ethnic and demographic groups in our
In 2010, the Cardiac Prevention Program provided screenings for more
community, and advocacy program development to address a “systematic
than 5,700 individuals and performed more than 13,000 screenings —
change” to increase healthy lifestyle options and decrease risk factors
an increase of more than 2,800 procedures and more than 1,000 visits
such as a high rate of smoking.
(28 percent) from the previous year.
Work in area middle schools this year involved screening more than
Improving Access to Care
2,700 students. The program is staffed with a comprehensive health
Access to health care continues to be a major issue in the South Coast
team that includes a full-time registered nurse trained in risk factor
region. Several communities have suffered disproportionately with the
assessments including lipids, tobacco abuse, hypertension, diabetes,
economic downturn. Unemployment in communities like Fall River and
stress, obesity and obtaining family history, and a full-time registered
New Bedford continues to be much higher than the rest of the state
dietitian who performs cholesterol and lipid screening as well as dietary
resulting in a number of residents losing their health insurance.
instruction.
In 2010, Patient Financial Services helped to file almost 7,000 free
care and MassHealth applications through the state’s Virtual Gateway
Policy Initiatives
application system. Patient Financial Services also processed almost 900
Southcoast’s Cardiac Prevention Program actively participates in efforts
agency applications — a 48 percent increase over the previous year.
to achieve policy changes that will have a positive impact on the living
Also in 2010, Southcoast took part in more than 200 health educa-
environment on the South Coast with a focus on promoting more
tion events in the community, including Southcoast Health Van visits
active lifestyles, better nutrition and smoking cessation. This year,
to malls, shopping centers and other community settings, health fairs
Southcoast provided screenings, health risk assessments and extensive
and events at local churches and other civic organizations. Southcoast
education to more than 600 participants in the Fall River Fitness
also provided education to local Emergency Medical Services groups.
Challenge — an annual city-wide event that enrolls residents in a
four-month weight loss and exercise program.
Taking Action when Stroke is Suspected
This past year, the stroke outreach team continued to distribute educa-
Unwavering Commitment to the Community
tional materials based on the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s
“Our mission continues to be one that is focused solely on improving
(DPH) FAST campaign, which is designed to help people recognize the
the health of our communities,” Rattray said. “We are committed to
signs and symptoms of stroke and act quickly.
investing in programs and services that help to support our underlying
Materials include a refrigerator magnet with the signs and symptoms
of stroke, and a wallet card that allows residents to record and track
mission and help us deliver the highest quality of care to the communities we serve.”
COASTLINES
7
EMPLOYEE ANNIVERSARIES
45
Nancy Botelho
Janice Costa
Carole Delano
Natalie Gildea
Mary Griffin
Jonathan Heyes
Nancy Junier
Joyce Lelievre
Ernest Pye
Janet Weissman
40
Employee Anniversaries
Kathleen Arruda
Carole Baptiste
Janice Besse
Eileen Cook
Virginia Creamer
Donna Desrosiers
Diane Donovan
Anne Dzialo
Joan Eckhart
Ruth Farias
Debra Gabriel
Judy Galego
Jean Jordan
Ann Lepage
Judith McCann
Patricia McGuire
Gilbert Mello
Catherine Meneses
Denise Messier
Julia Monis
Sharon Owens
Debra Pacheco
Susan Pacheco
Linda Pavao
Nancy Pedro
Sandra Quinn
Louise Qutintin
Donna Raposa
Theresa Rego
Cathy Rogers
Marie Santos
William Smith
Huguette Soares
Gail Souza
Mary Beth Sullivan
Georgina Viana
Sandra Vigeant
35
Deborah Allard
Jane Bernier
Karen Blier
Stephen Boudreau
Marlene Burgo
Jeanne Clement
Carol Conroy
Peter Costa
Cheryl Duarte
Robert Dupont
Phyllis Figueiredo
Joann Finn
Clara Giannelli
Mary Green
Linda Grenier
Marguerite Hayes
Robert Hayes
Deborah Johnson
Barbara Kanuse
Paul Lagasse
Susan Meinholt
Terance Mooney
Jaime Mourao
Joanne Pearson
Catherine Perkins
Deborah Resendes
Michael Richard
Joann Silva
Robin Simpkin
Deborah Souza
Eileen Sullivan
COASTLINES
8
Bethany Sykes
Teresa Todd
Rosemarie Trudelle
Bruce Vasconcellos
Diane Watts
Vanessa Wicherski
Deborah Wulff
Constance Yates
30
Philip Ashley
Joyce Beauregard
Sandra Benevides
Bonnie Bill
Joyce Botelho
Anne Branchaud
Roberta Couto
Charlene DeFreitas
Carole Dufrane
Karen Ferreira
Christine Gonet
Dorothy Graham
Doranne Grenon
Sandra Harper
Cecile Hathaway
Wendy Henry
Lurdes Hilario
Gayle Hodosh
Susan Hopkins
Bethany Larson
Claudette Leblanc
Susan Lecomte
Michelle Levesque
Judith Lewis
Robert Lopes
Karen Marshall
Judith Martins
Karen Masse
Lynne Maynard
Betsy McCague
Cathleen Medeiros
Kathleen Mello
Catherine Michael
Susan Miller
Lesley O'Donnell
Anna Pereira
Lisa Pineault
Mary Provencher
Joanne Raimo
Helena Raposo
Catherine Rego
Debra Reis
Josephine Roche
Kelly Roderick
Donna Rogers
Linda Rose
L. Jean Seguin
Chris Sharples
Robert Silvia
Jeffrey Smith
Barbara Soares
Carolyn Spaulding
David Sprague
Ann Torres
Kathleen Wilkins
Diana Wyres-Springer
25
Kathleen Anthony
Jane Baldwin
Karen Barlow
Susan Beatty
Nancy Blythe
Delores Borges
Madalena Cabral
Elizabeth Chin
Maria Clough
Shelley Coelho
Kerry Cooper
Maria Czurak-Mitchell
Elisie Demenezes
Martha Dufresne
Marie Dumas
Susan Dyke
Kathy Egan
Lynne Evans
Elisabet Farias
Lisa Ferry
Donna Finni
Linda Geada
William Geary
Marcella Goddu
Faith Goodine
Curtis Gray
Eileen Gregg
Sherri Hemmert
Susan Howard
Ana Jusseaume
Patricia Keenan
Cathy Kulla
Frances Kut-Best
Lynda Landry
Jose Lange
Anne Lawrence
Darlene Levesque
Daniel Lewis
Jose Lima
Mark Lombard
Robin Lopes
Edward Lowe
John Magilton
Judith Martin
Jeanne Martineau
Charles McCarthy
Eliane Medeiros
Kerry Mello
Wendy Montella
Mary Moquin
Natalie Morgado
Kimberly Mortensen
Carol Motta
Jane Mulvey
Mary Neves
Peter Nott
Lawrence Novo
James Oliver
Susan Pedro
Neil Piazza
Kim Pina
Stephen Pires
Lisa Pollard
Joseph Raposa
Donna Raymond
Elizabeth Reynolds
Lorrie Rezendes
Janice Roberts
Gayle Rogers
Donna Rooney
Thomas Sabino
Celeste Settlemier
Mary Shea
Judith Shurtleff
Joann Silva
Sharon Sinagra
Donna Somers
Eileen Taylor
Keith Turgeon
Joann Ventura
Manuel Victorino
Patricia Welsh
Donna Wolcott
20
Lori Albernaz
Connie Amaral
Debra Andre
Krsitin Arruda
Sharon Barrows
Joanne Beatriz
Janine Benevides
Dorothy Bentley
Andrea Bernardo
Betty Blackmore
Karen Brain
Donna Cabral
Vikki Cabral
Nancy Chabonneau
Laura Congdon
Kristine Constantino
Cheryl Correia
Helen Costa
Candida Couto
Lisa Couto
Richard Cox
Gilles Decotret
Mary Jane Dion
Patricia Dolan-Souza
Deborah Dosreis
Elizabeth Farrar
Leslie Fayan
Patrick Fleming
Kathleen Flynn
Roger Fonteneau
Darlene Frates
John Furtado
Richard Geada
Jayne Giampietro
Brenda Gifford
Henry Godbout
Donna Goulet
Kimberly Griffin
Beverly Guinen
Mary-Ellen Harkins
Maureen Holden
Marit Ionata
Pamela Jacob-Arruda
Terry Jacobsen
John Labrecque
Roberta Langton
Christine Lopiano
Henry Maccarone
Kristin Martins
Marion McHugh
Margaret McManusGilmette
Nancy Medeiros
Jack Morgado
Nancy Murphy
Pamela Neto
Cathy Nunes
Anna Pacheco
Claudia Paiva
Michael Palmieri
Susan Pellerin
Clara Pimentel
Deborah Raposo
Jennifer Raposo
Alda Resendes
Donna Roy
Jennifer Saucier
Yvette Saucier
Kathleen Scanlon
David Shaffer
Christine Sylvia
M. Christine Vargas
Isaltina Vilao
Earle Weeks
Lynne Wilson
Robert Wilson
Linda Wolcott
15
Judy Abril
Cheryl Albernaz
Claudio Alexandre
Kellie Alexandre
Linda Alley
Nicole Almeida
Joyce Andrews
Sara Appleton
Martin Arruda
Denise Ayotte
Nilza Barbosa
Elizabeth Barker
Dawn Barlow
Jennifer Beauliue
Russell Boardman
Mary Ellen Boisvert
Zenaide Borges
Joseph Botelho
Kathleen Botelho
Mary-Elizabeth Boucher
Marlene Boyer
Sharon Bradley
Dennis Braga
Michelle Bulmetti
Debra Burt
Diane Carpentier
Robert Casmira
Becky Cestodio
Tracey Chilli
Sandy Choquette
Joanne Collyer
Antonio Cordoniz
Maria Correia
David Costa
Marcia Costa
Sherrie Couto
Michelle Croft
Gayle Davis
Kimberly Degrazia
Christine Delisle
Antonio DeMedeiros
Douglas Despres
John DiRosa
Roberta Duffy
Kristine Dugas
Louis Dutra
Paul Faria
Valentina Farias
Susan Fernandes
Gretchen Ferrari
Kimberly Ferro
Lisa Fortier
Lucille Fournier
Tammy Franklin
Sherry Gallipeau
Lori Gata
Jodie Gauthier
Leigh Green
Joshua Gurney
Jason Guy
Olga Harland
Stephanie Hart
Melissa Hendricks
Michael Horn
Joyce Hyslip-Ikkela
Cheryl Jacques
Barbara Jeffrey
Barbara Jenney
Linda Kelleher
Kerri Lacy
Maureen Lamoureux
Susan Ledoux
Kathleen Leidhold
Anne Leonard
Joellen Leonard
Nancy Lo Bue
Sandra Malek
Ann Marklin
Kelly Marks
Celia Martins
Kathleen Masse
Martha Mattar
Elizabeth McHenry
Henry McVey
Alda Medeiros
Artemisia Medeiros
Karen Medeiros
Manuel Mello
Michael Meneses
Caren Michaels
Patricia Moniz
Lena Morais Figueiredo
Sandra Nascimento
Kathleen Nelson
Jaimee Oliveira
Kathleen Oliveira
Madeline Paiva
Curt Paradis
Lucy Pinhancos
Rosa Pinheiro
Danielle Pires
Patricia Pittsley
Laurie Purcell
Carolyn Rapoza
Carol Ras
Julie Resendes
Dawn Rezendes
Michelle Richard
David Rose
Denise Rose
Danielle Roy
Kamolnaree Saiyaitong
Joseph Scott
Gail Senuick
Judith Sherman
Emma Shovmer
Bernadette Silva
Maria Silva
Kriste Smith
Ana Soares
Ellen Sousa
Rose-Marie Souza
Karina Sovik Correia
Monique Speight
Francisco Tavares
Kristine Tavares
Kenneth Thibault
Kathleen Thornton
Maria Tomasia
Mary Vezina
Jean West
Melissa Wolcott
10
Sarah Almy-Hermitage
Ana Amaral
Jessica Amaral
Roseanne Amaral
Brenda Ambrose
Elizabeth Anger
Michelle Arancio
Joanne Archer
Amanda Ariagno
Judy Baker
Tabitha Baker
Casey Baldwin
Anna Baptista
Bernadette Barreira
Judith Baulier
Brian Bedient
Myriam Beltran
Pamela Bermudez
Doris Berube
David Bibeault
Stacy Bigos
Donna Blackburn
Richard Blouin
Judith Boardman
Josefina Borges
Brie Botelho
Connie Botelho
Donna Bouchard
Katherine Bowley
Maria Branco
Sandra Brown
Melissa Cabana
Janet Callahan
Lisa Camara
Jacqueline Cambra
Lisen Cameron
Grimalda Canha
Diane Cardoso
Cynthia Carvalho
Joanna Cassidy
Catherine Charlonne
Elizabeth Charron
Anabela Christy
Linda Clark
Amy Coelho
Marguerite Collins
Cynthia Cooke
Helen Copsetta
Janice Cordeiro
Olivia Cordeiro
Armenio Correia
Lynne Correia
Sandra Correia
Lisa Correira
EMPLOYEE ANNIVERSARIES
Carlos Marques
Catherine Martin
Hortensia Martin
Sandee Matos
Michael Mayoros
Kathleen McAuliffe
Debra McCann
Patricia McCarthy
Janice McDonough
Ana McHenry
Sharon McNamara
Marci McNicol
Leonilde Medeiros
Maria Medeiros
Maria Medeiros
Sonia Medeiros
Tonya Melendez
Barbara Meleo
Cindy Mello
Rachel Mello
Stacy Mello
Audrey Melo
Irene Menard
Heather Mimoso
Eulalia Moniz
Kathleen Moniz
Dawn Morris
Ann Nadeau
Robyn Neville
Jessica Nichols
Irene Nickerson
Kati O'Connell
Robert Oden
Sheri Oliveira
Teresa Oliveira
Pamela Opheim-Newhall
Tammy Ormston
Mary-Louise Palumbo
Annette Parent
Renee Patnaude
Jeffrey Pimentel
Maria Pimentel
Laurie Pollock
Barbara Pomeroy
Karen Pontbriand
Debra Ramos
Laura Raposo
Leonora Raposo
Wendy Rayne
Kristi Rebello
Louise Rebello
Michelle Rebello
James Reilly
Sonia Reis
Zelia Reis
Emmanuel Resendes
Sergio Resendes
Sandra Ricardo
Patricia Riley
Ana Robertson
Shelly Robidoux
Lisa Rose
Ramona Rothwell
Christine Santos
Jennifer Santos
Joshua Santos
Heather Scanlon
Frank Scarano
Micheal Schena
Shelly Schmelzer
Robin Serpa
Laurie Shippey
Kelly Shumway
Adriana Silva
Matthew Silva
Nancy Silva
Eduarda Silvestre
Kurt Simon
Lorraine Sloane
Kristina Smith
Sharon Smith
Maria Soares
Kevin Solomon
Maria Sousa
Marie Sousa
Charlene Souza
James Souza
Karen Souza
Kimberly Souza
Susan Spaulding
Isabel Strait
Danielle Strout
Sean Sullivan
Margaret Tavares
Erica Thomas
Lynn Thompson
Deborah Toffey
Marsha Torres
Judy Trahan
Michele Tsaliagos
Jay Turgeon
Linda Viator
Gerald Victorino
Grace Vieira
Maria Vieira
Christine Viveiros
Jennifer Waite
Mary Walsh
Carla Wardlow
Wayne Wescott
Joan Williams
Lauren Wulff
Sarah Yates
Steven Yousif
5
Kristen Abetecola
Robert Achtelik
John Acord
Christina Aguiar
Frank Aikins
Joseph Aikins
Martha Alas
Lynne Almeida
Nicole Almeida
Tiffany Almeida
Clotilde Alves
Jullian Amaral
Maria Andino
Eulalia Antunues
Brittanie Arruda
Carolyn Arruda
Eva Arsenault
Kevin Barbosa
Monica Barboza
Christine Bariteau
Erica Barroso
Patricia Baumgardner
Brittany Benevides
Bethany Bennett
Mary Bennett
Patricia Bernardino
Karen Bernardo
Sharron Bernier
Corrine Bessette
Dana Bibeault
Angel Bibiloni
Jessica Blaine
Linda Blankenship
Robin Bodeau
Benjie Borra
Theresa Bousquet
Alan Bowen
Cathy Bowers
Breanne Bradshaw
Kimberly Branco
Maria Branco
Joanne Bridge
Thomas Brillon
Lesa Brochu
Heidi Buckley
Christina Buiel
Laurie Burns
Constance Burr
Joy Cabarles
Amy Cabral
John Cabral
Kathleen Cabral
Lindsay Cabral
Maria Cabral
Matthew Cabral
Kathleen Cabral-Decampos
Alicia-Lynn Camara
Virginia Camisa
Kimberly Campbell
Barbara Canuel
Erica Caron-Afonso
Donna Carson
Sandy Casimiro
Melanie Caton
Karen Charest
Ryan Chaves
Edward Ciesielski
Melissa Cleathero
Jenna Coggeshall
Joel Colaco
Alyssa Coleman
Veronica Coles
Jenalee Cook
Crystal Costa
Mitzi Cote
Melissa Couto
Abigail Cregan
Cynthia Cuhna
Yvette Da Silva
Mary Dacamara
Shirley Dacunha
Cheryl Darmofal
Paula DaRosa
Ursula DaSilva
Brittany Delisle
Irene DeMello
Mary DeMello
Ruben DeMello
Kelly Desa
David Destantis
Kayla Dias
Priscilla Dias
Nicole Dickinson
Justin Dion
Mary Duarte
Kimberly Duddy
Kathy Dullea
Sandra Duquette
Cheryl Economos
Leslie Ellinwood
Raquel Encarnacao
Kathleen Erdman
Jessica Fabian
Christine Falk
Natalia Farias
Luzia Fernandes
Andrea Ferreira
Jeffrey Ferreira
Veronica Figueiredo
Bethany Fisher
Donna Ford
Carlos Fortes
Jaime Foster
Tasha Fournier
Kelly Frias
Eric Furtado
Aimee Gagliardi
Paula Garro
Kristen Gendreau
Julie Gilmore
Catherine Glaneiski
Bethany Gomes
Debra Gonsalves
Brenda Gostanian
Susan Graham
Laura Green
Sara Grenon
Janice Harvey
Jessica Herman
Stephanie Hickey
Melissa Hill
Ashton Houde
Isabel Howard
Heather Hudon
Dawn Hughes
Kimberly Hymel
Wayne Ignacio
Jessica Isabel
Judith Isabel
Nicole Jalbert
Joseph Jorge
Printa Jose
Karen Joy
Jadilyn Kagan
Jason Kasper
Teri Kinder
Sandra Landry
Kimberly Laubenstein
Kathleen Leach
Jonathan Leaf
Marilyn Leffort
Diane Letellier
Ana Lima
Jesse Lima
Arminda Lopes
Edir Lopes
Maria Lopes
Melissa Lopes
Denise Loranger
Leah Lorizio
Jennifer Lundstrom
Erin Lyver
Suzette Macedo
Ann Mackenzie
Linda Macneill DeMello
Brian Magnett
Jillian Major
Jeanne Maloney
Shirley Mattos
Lena McCarron
Melissa McDonald
Lindsay McGrath
Steven McMullen
David McNally
Amanda Medeiros
Jenna Medeiros
Melissa Medeiros
Michelle Medeiros
Quyen Melbourne
Lisa Mello
Donald Merski
Kelly Messier
Carole Mills
Maria Miranda
Pauline Miranda
Whitney Mitcheson
Michelle Moniz
Catarina Morais
Raul Moreira
Pauline Morgan
Chelsea Motta
Suzanne Norman
Jodie Northrup
Caitlin Novo
Maria Nuno
Earl O'Bannion
Maria Oliveira
Michele Oliveira
Virginia Owen
Theresa Pace
Dorota Pajak
Lynn Palmer-Flagg
Pauline Parker
Janet Peirce
Fatima Pelletier
Lauri Perrault
Sandra Pestana
Tania Picard
Richard Pimental
Catia Pimentel
Matthew Pimentel
Vera Pimentel
Eileen Pinheiro
Eric Pinho
Julie Pirri
Jaimie Pogany
Jean Polisky
Amanda Pontes
Elizabeth Price
Elizabeth Przeszlo
Julie Pung
Sherrie Quinones
Lee Quint
Godsy Raju
Jordan Ramos
Amanda Raposo
Marcilio Raposo
Kathleen Rebello
Kenneth Rebello
Renee Rebello
Kristin Reddy
Patricia Rego
Jo-Ann Richard
Nathan Riel
Nicholas Rini
Jeffrey Rockwell
Barbara Roderick
Yomary Rodriguez
Joanne Romanelli
Jessica Romero
Anderson Rosa
Polly Rosseau
Kimberly Ryan
Theodore Sadlers
Scott Sardinha
Karen Sarmento
Jill Sawler
John Sheridan
Sally Shuttle
Jamie Silva
Susan Silva
Vasco Silva
Ervina Sinko
Stephanie Soares
Robert Soderbom
Abeer Sousa
Anne Sousa
Christopher Sousa
Delia Sousa
Gary Sousa
Lindsay Sousa
Dara Souza
Nicholas St. Gelais
Katie St. Pierre
Susan St. Pierre
Theresa Starling
Frank Stephens
Heidi Still
Naja Strangis
Jennifer Svirtunas
Dawn Sylvia
Lora-Lee Sylvia-Charette
Erica Szyndlar
Ralph Tate
Ana Tavares
Claudia Tavares
Jamie Tavares
Melissa Tavares
Naomi Tavares
Susan Tavares
Jeremy Teixeira
Maria Terceira
Alyssa Theodore
Nathan Thomas
Heather Tomaz
Kaitlyn Tomlinson
Sambath Toun
Maurice Turgeon
Melissa Valente
Jessica Ventura
Doreen Vertentes
Gloria Vieira
Raquel Vieira
Margaret Villa
Rebecca Villineau
Tiago Vital
Melanie Viveiros
Paula Viveiros
Pedro Viveiros
Nathaniel Walker
Lois Weiss
Amy White
Barbara White
Kimberly White
Susan Whitman
Christine Whittle
Karen Williamson
Jacqueline Wilson
Jayde Young
Employee Anniversaries
Susan Cotter
Mary Coyne
Stacy Crowley
Wanda Cuadrado
Melissa Culter
Jennifer Cusson
Kathryn Custadio
Lisa Cyr
Terri D'Alessandro
Robyn DaSilva
Christina De Arede
Maria Deabreu
Linda Dean
Stephanie DeFreitas
Karyn Demers
Nancy Demetrio
Christine Desnoyers
Rebecca Desnoyers
Teresa Dias
Roger Dupre
Cheryl Ellis
Kenneth Eugenio
Jessica Faria
Stephen Farias
Anne Ferguson
Sally Fernandes
Susana Fernandes
Elizabeth Ferreira
Naria Ferreira
Lisa Fletcher
Lissa Fontaine
Elizabeth Fraser
Kathleen Frias
Annmarie Furtado
Renee Furtado
Sonya Furtado
Craig Gebo
Linda Gentili
Elizabeth Gibbs-West
Brooke Gomes
Sharon Gomes
Renee Gonsalves
Gary Gosselin
Vera Grafova
Carol Gridley
Christine Guilmette
Barry Hair
Peggy Hamblett
Eileen Hancock
Rebecca Hardy
Karen Harrison
Jennifer Haskell
Cathy Haskett
Keri Hebert
Troy Hebert
Mary Herman
Ana Hilario
Donna Hodgins
Susan Hohl
Sadiqa Ives
Stephanie Karam
Edwin Karlson
Varfee Keita
Linda Lachapelle
Nicole Laplante
Paul Larue
Rhonda Lawlor
Christina Leal
Joanne Leblanc
Debbie Leonardo
Lucia Letendre
Michelle Letendre-Lagasse
Donna Lewis
Jennifer Lima
Edward Loiselle
Gloria Lomba
Jessica Lopes
Samantha Lundstrom
Susan Macedo
Michelle Machado
Maria Maiato
Ann Maloney
Kelley Manchester
Gloria Manning
Stephanie Manteiga
COASTLINES
9
Quality&
Safety
Patrick Gannon
Vice President of Performance Improvement
Chief Quality Officer, Southcoast Health System
It’s been awhile since I have discussed Southcoast’s Lean/Six Sigma
To date, along with implementation of the Code Help policy in January,
activities, but I assure you we are still using these great tools to improve
the ED achieved a 70 percent improvement in moving patients from
efficiency and quality of care throughout the organization.
the ED to their inpatient bed within two hours of the decision to admit
To-date we have trained one Master Black Belts, four Black Belts, 22
Green Belts and 201 Yellow Belts, all of whom are consistently at work
the patient.
Work continues on this project including restructuring leadership in
the ED, comparing inflow and demands with discharges and continuing
on a wide variety of projects.
One of the projects currently in full swing involves improving
throughput in the St. Luke’s Emergency Department by looking at
reducing times between when the physician decides to admit a patient
and when admission orders are completed and from admission orders
completion to the time the patient is transferred to a floor.
The goals of the project include:
the following actions:
• Investigating the causes of ED boarders and help alleviate with
Code Help.
• Facilitating the timely movement of patients through the organization.
• Assessing Hospitalist coverage.
• Comparing inflow and demands to discharges.
• Standardizing the admission process.
• Improving collaboration between ED physicians and Hospitalist
“gatekeepers” to reduce patient back-ups in the ED.
• Hiring Bed Flow Facilitators to cover all shifts, seven days a week.
• Hardwiring Bed Flow Facilitation practices and implementing the
Code Help Policy.
The anatomy of a Kaizen Event
Kaizen is a Japanese word that means “change for the good” and is the
name of a Lean tool used to take an intensive look at a process with an
eye toward improvement.
A Kaizen event gathers a group of people to work on nothing but
improving the selected process for several days. It uses what is known
• Removing barriers to making beds on floors available.
as “score” methodology to:
• Continuing to improve collaboration between Hospitalists, Case
• Select the process to be worked on.
Managers and nursing staff.
• Clarify the problem statement and project objective, measuring
Work on the project began in early 2010 and included the regular
steps of the Six Sigma project plus two Kaizen events on the medication
reconciliation process and the assignment of patients to hospitalists.
Progress on the project can be seen in the chart below.
historical data to quantify the current capability.
• Organize team members and train them on methods and scope
of project. Ready the work place and interfaces such as suppliers,
customers and facilities people.
• Run the event — observe, brainstorm improvements, select
Decision to admit to
admission orders.
Admission orders to
transfer to floor.
improvements, test and implement.
• Evaluate the results, standardize the new procedure and define
Baseline
(June 2010)
126 minutes
122 minutes
Trend as of
February 2011
87 minutes
108 minutes
Goal
30 minutes
Short Term: 120 minutes
Long Term: Less than
60 minutes
future work.
The team generally consists of representatives from all areas or
departments involved in the process and is facilitated by Six Sigma
Black Belts. Southcoast has held several Kaizen events in the past year,
involving bed flow/bed placement, psychiatric patients in the ED,
medication reconciliation and, most recently, the assignment of
patients to hospitalists.
COASTLINES
10
System-
Keith A. Hovan
President, Southcoast Health System
President & CEO, Southcoast Hospitals Group
The importance of non-profit health care in your community
Wise
We are constantly looking for ways to reinvest in programs and
We at Southcoast care for hundreds of thousands of patients in the
services that help to enrich the lives of all of the communities we serve,
South Coast region each year. When we come to work every morning,
well beyond the hospitals’ walls. Whether it is the Southcoast Health
we make it our personal commitment to ensure we are delivering top-
Van providing free screenings to the community, our cardiac preven-
quality health care to our patients every day.
tion program aimed at tackling the high incidence of cardiac disease or
There’s been a lot of talk lately about the difference between not-
targeting youth risk behaviors through the RAPPP Program
for-profit and for-profit hospitals in our own region and throughout
(Responsible Attitudes toward Pregnancy, Parenting & Prevention), we
Massachusetts. Perhaps the most compelling difference between the
make decisions that are based on what our community members need,
two is how we measure success and to whom we are accountable.
no matter where they live in our region.
As a not-for-profit health system, Southcoast is governed by our
We are the workplace of choice. Southcoast’s payroll alone infuses
Board of Trustees, which is made up of unpaid volunteers who live and
more than $300 million in salaries into our local economy plus the
work in our communities and who dedicate their time with the sole
strong benefits program Southcoast offers our employees. We are the
purpose of ensuring that every dollar we spend goes toward fulfilling
largest employer in the region, creating some 2,000 jobs in the region
Southcoast’s mission.
since our 1996 merger. Having some 40 sites throughout the region,
At Southcoast, we remain accountable to the only shareholders we
have — the communities and patients who rely on us and put their
means we provide jobs across many of our local towns.
In addition to adding jobs to the local area, Southcoast assists local
trust in us every day. In contrast, for-profit hospitals also measure their
businesses in keeping health care costs down by providing essential
return on investment to financial investors who often do not live in
health care services to its employees and their families at a lower cost.
the communities they serve and often do not have a personal stake in
We support southeastern Massachusetts-area businesses that provide
the care provided. While supporters of for-profits say they provide
the hospitals with essential goods and services. In turn, each of these
stronger financial investments to support the needs of the community,
establishments economically impacts the community via jobs and
their goals are ultimately tied to a financial mission and not a charita-
income.
ble one. This is an important distinction.
We are regionally based, meaning all services are provided solely in
Our not-for-profit mission has enabled Southcoast Health System to
continue to serve as this region’s strongest and most cost-effective
the South Coast region. This regional focus offers patients, employees
provider of high-quality health care. We serve those who have no place
and their families a wide array of services and benefits tailored to their
to turn and we give back in the care we provide, services we offer and
own community’s needs, not that of a larger entity with corporate
needs we address.
goals shifting out of the region.
In the past decade, we have invested more than $500 million in
I hope as you read this you are proud, as I am, to be part of the great
fabric that makes up this strong, healthy and vital community. As we
capital improvements across all hospital sites to benefit all those we
look toward the future, we are committed to ensuring that our care
serve. Regardless of which site you work at, you have experienced first-
stays local and we will continue to do whatever it takes to protect and
hand the changes and investments into the infrastructure, technology
support our not-for-profit mission in the South Coast and across
and dedication to patient care that Southcoast makes on an ongoing
Massachusetts.
basis. I hope you recently had a chance to tour the new Southcoast
Thank you for all you do, every day, on behalf of our patients.
Centers for Cancer Care in Fairhaven, which will serve our region for
many generations to come.
COASTLINES
11
the
Interview
Amy Winn
Annual Giving Officer
A native of New Bedford — born at St. Luke’s Hospital “back when
there were only two parking lots” — Amy Winn, Southcoast’s new
Annual Giving Officer, spent eight years working for youth organizations, including the YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs in Rhode Island
and Massachusetts after college. That is where she developed her
passion for fundraising. When she decided to return home to New
Bedford last spring, to be closer to family, she immediately thought
of Southcoast as a place to look for employment. “What I remembered as my small, local hospital on Page Street was now a unified,
community-wide system of top-quality health care services.” It made
perfect sense to her to make Southcoast her first choice for job seeking. Winn recently took time out of her day to talk to Coastlines
about the importance of Annual Giving and employee support.
What is your job as the Annual Giving Officer?
put to immediate use benefiting the community through free educational
My role is to help people understand the importance of supporting
programs and health screenings, as well as services provided by the
their local community hospital and helping them find the best way to
Southcoast Health Van.
do so. Whether it be $5 or $5,000, every gift is crucial to help sustain
our health system’s superior standards.
Most employees are not in a position to make a large gift to
Southcoast. How can a small gift make a difference?
What is the Employee Appeal and why should we donate?
Every dollar counts! We are a not-for-profit organization. We constantly
Annually, we ask individual community members, local businesses and
strive to offer the best possible care to everyone — regardless of someone’s
all of our employees to help support our efforts. Our philanthropic
ability to pay. This means every time we provide a free service, we need
endeavors are vital to the community. It helps to assure that Southcoast
to cover the expense. Pooled monies from the Employee Appeal and
Hospitals remain at the forefront of modern medicine. In short, by
Annual Fund help to cover those expenses.
supporting the Employee Appeal, you support your work, your colleagues
and everything you do on a daily basis.
What can employees expect from you?
I am here to serve as a resource. I want to provide employees with an
What does the money go towards?
opportunity to understand how we operate as a not-for-profit organiza-
Unrestricted dollars donated to the Employee Appeal provide support to
tion and why their support is needed. I want to make them feel com-
many areas of the hospitals, including direct patient service, medication,
fortable about their decision to donate. I am also here to reinforce that
patient meals, supplies, equipment, training and education. Funds are
Southcoast is a place where we encourage and inspire one another —
both internally and externally.
My office is located in the Taber House at St. Luke’s, but I will be
frequently working out of the Tobey and Charlton sites as well as the
South Coast Business Center in Fairhaven. As I walk through the halls I
love stopping to chat with employees about their work. I am fascinated
COASTLINES is a monthly publication produced
by the Marketing & Public Relations Department of
Southcoast Health System. Copyright ©2010 by
Southcoast Health System. All rights reserved.
Editor
Graphic Designer
Contributors
Photographers
at the miracles that happen here every day! I encourage everyone to
send me an email, stop by the office or stop me when you see me
walking through the hospitals.
Patricia Giramma
Heather Tomaz
If there was one thing you could get all people to understand about
Patrick Gannon,
William E. Grigg, CPA, FHFMA,
Keith A. Hovan
supporting Southcoast, what would it be?
John Robson, Heather Tomaz,
Katherine Tsonis
our community. We are the community. With health insurance issues
Address inquiries to: Editor, Coastlines
Marketing & Public Relations, Southcoast Health System
101 Page Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
girammap@southcoast.org
As a not-for-profit organization we have a responsibility to give back to
prevalent, it is important to know that all of us and our families will be
taken care of. By supporting Southcoast we support our high school
classmates, our neighbors, the grocery store clerk or even our own son
or daughter. I think our new ad campaign says it best — “We are you”
— and we all need to support our community hospitals.
COASTLINES
12