MVHS LAUNCHES NEW SYSTEM-WIDE ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD: EPICBy MILLIE CONDON | Page 9

T R A N S F O R M I N G H E A LT H C A R E F R O M E X C E L L E N T T O E X C E P T I O N A L | T H I R D Q U A R T E R 2 0 19

S TOMP OUT C ANCER TELE THON

MAKES DOUBLE THE IMPAC T

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MVHS OFFER S INNOVATIVE

WATCHMAN HE ART PROCEDURE

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MVHS ACQUIRES NE W

DA V INCI ® X I™ SURGIC AL S YS TEM

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3 | News In Brief

4 | MVHS Acquires New da® Vinci Xi™ Surgical System

6 | MVHS Volunteers Gift More Than $2 Million to MVHS since Turn of Century

7 | New Regional Medical Center Model Reveal 8 | MVHS Launches New System-Wide Electronic Health Record: Epic

11 | MyCare – Transforming MVHS from the Inside Out

12 | Orthopedic Surgeon Introduces Non-Operative Option for Knee Pain

13 | MVHS Among First in NewYorkStatetoOffer Innovative TCAR Procedure

14 | Stomp Out Cancer Telethon Achieves Goal, Makes Double the Impact

16 |MVHSOffersInnovative WATCHMAN Heart Procedure

17 | The 23rd Annual Miracle DrawingKicksOff

18 | MVHS Hosts Open House for Breastfeeding Moms

19 | I-CARE Stories

Table of Contents

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MVHS held the 113th graduation ceremony for St. Elizabeth College of Nursing in May, with 81 new nurses graduated.

Edward S. Barton Trust Awards $100,000 to MVHS Waterville Medical Office The Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) Foundation was awarded a $100,000, two-year grant from Edward S. Barton, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee to assist in renovations of the MVHS Waterville MedicalOfficelocatedattheMadisonStreetBusinessPark,358Madison Street, Waterville, New York. This grant is for renovations neededafterconsolidatingthetwoWatervilleMedicalOffices.

Prohibition Party On Friday, April 26, 2019, MVHS Foundation and F.X. Matt Brewery held the 11th annual Prohibition Party at the historic F.X. Matt Brew-ing Co. The event was presented by Theresa Flemma, CFP®, director at Baird, Flemma Gornick Group.

MVHS Introduces Medication Takeback Program InMarch,MVHSinstalledpharmaceuticaldrop-offreceptaclesateach of its three main campuses: Faxton Campus – Urgent Care, 1676 Sunset Avenue, Utica; St. Elizabeth Campus – Emergency Department, 2209 Genesee Street, Utica and St. Luke’s – Campus EmergencyDepartment,1656ChamplinAvenue,Utica.

These receptacles are monitored by security and cameras at all times.Thedrop-offsarefree,safeandcompletelyconfidential.

Consumers and caregivers are encouraged to remove expired, unwanted or unused medicines from their homes as quickly as possible to help reduce the chance that others accidentally take or intentionally misuse the unneeded medicine, and to help reduce the amount of drugs from entering the environment.1

1 U.S. Food & Drug Administration, 2019, Disposal of Unused Medicines: What You Should Know.

MVHS Graduates New Nurses, Family Medicine and Dental Residency Students In May 2019, the St. Elizabeth College of Nursing (SECON) graduated 81newnurses.AdditionallyinJune2019,tendoctorsgraduatedfrom St. Elizabeth Family Medicine Residency Program. Five of the graduating residents will stay in the area to work, and four will be working for MVHS.

OurDentalResidencyProgramalsograduatedfivedentalresidents.

Congratulations to all our graduates!

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NEWSIN BRIEF

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Above: Partygoers enjoy the 2019 MVHS Foundation Prohibition Party. Right: (left to right) Allysa Prashad, MD, Captain William I. Lin, MD, Gregory Marra, MD, Sukhi Sandhu, MD, Yagnasri Eagala, MD, Heraa Chaudhry, MD, George Wickramanayake, MD, Kyung Auh, MD, Phillips S. Cao, MD and Sophie Alesna-Sabang, MD graduted from the Family Medicine Residency Program at MVHS.

MVHS ACQUIRES NEW DA VINCI XI SURGICAL SYSTEM

BY GR ACE FERNANDEZ

N E W D A V I N C I X I S U R G I C A L S Y S T E M A T M V H S }

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™®

Jonathan Blancaflor, MD, director of Robotic Surgery at MVHS.

“This system is a great example of how the advancement of technology will allow us to do amazing things for our patients.”

- Jonathan Blancaflor, MD, director of Robotic Surgery at MVHS

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MVHS has acquired a second surgical robot. The da Vinci® Xi™ Robotic Surgical System is an ad-

dition to the da Vinci® Si™ robot acquired in 2017. Surgeons at MVHS use the da Vinci Si to remove lung tumors, urological, gyneco-logic, thoracic, cardiac and general surgery procedures. A new and secondary robot will allow for MVHS Robotics Department to expand and allow more patients to receive state-of-the-art care. OnMonday,April22,2019,Jonathan

Blancaflor,MD,directorofRoboticSurgeryatMVHS,successfullycompletedthefirstsurgery at MVHS with the da Vinci Xi, whichDr.Blancaflorsayswouldnothavebeen possible without this specialized robotic device.

“The surgery went smoothly and the teamhandleditflawlessly,”saidDr.Blanca-flor.“Thissystemisagreatexampleofhowthe advancement of technology will allow ustodoamazingthingsforourpatients.”

The da Vinci Xi Surgical System has a motion-integrated table that commu-nicates with the robot and allows the surgeon to position the patient dynamically during the procedure.

The da Vinci Xi provides a new overhead instrument arm architecture designed to facilitate anatomical access from virtually any position. It also has a new endoscope that creates a simpler, more compact designwithimprovedvisiondefinitionand

clarity. The robot provides the ability to attach the endoscope to any arm, provid-ingflexibilityforvisualizingthesurgicalsiteand has smaller, thinner arms with newly designedjointsthatofferagreaterrangeof motion than ever before.

“The acquisition of this new robot is a perfect example of the many ways MVHS is bringing advanced medicine and innova-tiontoourregion,”saidDarleneStromstad,FACHE, president/CEO. “The da Vinci Xi,

allows our surgeons to perform even more complex procedures and show our community that their medical needs can bemetrighthereathome.”Patientsthatbenefitfromrobotic

surgery include, but are not limited to, patients with hernias, colon cancer and urological issues.

For more information on the da Vinci Xi System at MVHS, visit mvhealthsystem.org/robotics. v

The da Vinci Xi incorporates a new overhead instrument arm architecture designed that allows anatomical access from virtually any position. Inset: smaller, thinner arms and newly designed joints offer a greater range of motion.

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n Tuesday, February 19, 2019, MVHS Volunteers Mirror Board Members were acknowledged

during their monthly board meeting for donating more than $2 million to MVHS since the year 2000. These donations wereacombinedeffortoftheFaxtonSt. Luke’s Volunteer Association and The Guild of St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

“We are very grateful to celebrate the incredible gifts made by the MVHS Volun-teers over the past 19 years as they are one of our system’s largest annual and lifetimedonors,”saidJohnForbes,vicepresident of Philanthropy at MVHS. “Our volunteers provide critical services to the

MVHS Foundation – whether they are partnering with us by making a generous gift toward a critical need, volunteering at an event or providing their unending comfort and support to our community in theirdailyroles,theyaremakingadiffer-ence. We have always been thankful for all they do and we are so happy to be able to recognize such a wonderful milestone intheirgiving.”

Both volunteer groups raise funds through gift shops and vendor sales. In addition to their monetary gifts, the volunteers contribute more than 24,000 hours of services to MVHS each year.

For those interested in volunteering at

MVHS, there are openings in several de-partmentswithflexibleassignmentsandhours. Some common tasks in which vol-unteers provide assistance are customer and sales service in the gift shops, giving directions at the lobby information desks, keeping families in the waiting rooms up-dated on their loved ones, delivering mail to departments and assisting patients in medical units such as Outpatient Infusion and the Emergency Department.

To become a volunteer at MVHS, please calltheVolunteerServicesofficeat315-624-6142 or visit mvhealthsystem.org/volunteer. v

M V H S V O L U N T E E R S R E A C H M I L E S T O N E }

MVHS Volunteers Gift More Than $2 Million to MVHS since Turn of CenturyBY ANGEL A LINCE

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(Front row, left to right) Linda Kurtyka, Paula Fontaine and Michele Adams. (Back row, left to right) Jane Gwise, Susan Warwick, Patricia Lupia, Cheryl Collins, Nancy Randall, Carole Nunziata, Grace Garro, Craig Heuss and John Forbes. Absent from photo are board members, Elise Hereth, Pam Joswick, Margaret Lalonde and Sheila Marlenga.

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New Regional Medical Center Model RevealBY C AITLIN McC ANN

The model brings the #MVHSDowntown vision to life, showcasing the hospital footprint and surrounding areas in Downtown Utica.

n April 2019, MVHS introduced a new addition to the Regional Medical Cen-ter endeavors that physically brings

the #MVHSDowntown vision to life - on a miniature scale.

Since the exterior Regional Medical Center renderings were publicly released onOctober26,2018,discussionofcreating a model lingered among MVHS and its project partners. The importance of demonstrating to the public how the MVHS Regional Medical Center will con-tribute to the revitalization of Downtown Utica continues to be a focal point in the beginnings of the project.Tokick-offtherevealingofthemodel,

theportable3DskyviewofUticawasfirstshown at the 11th annual Prohibition Par-ty on Friday, April 26, 2019, located at the historicF.X.MattBrewingCo.,830VarickStreet, Utica, New York. Over 300 guests hadanexclusivefirstlookatthemodel.

The model shows Genesee, Oriskany, Court and State streets and the area in between, complete with all the existing buildings. New parking lots, dotted with trees, a new ground-level heliport, a sky-walk over Columbia Street and a parking garage are also featured. Designs for the Medical Center’s parking garage are still in the process of being drawn. A generic building is in place for the time being.

The second round of revealing occurred

during National Hospital Week, Monday, May 13, through Thursday, May 16, 2019. In celebration of all MVHS employees, volunteersandmedicalstaffmembers, select MVHS locations were open for model viewing.

Lastly, a formal unveiling and press conference to all MVHS partners, elected officialsandthemediawasscheduledon

Tuesday,May28,2019,attheDoubletreeby Hilton Hotel Utica, 102 Lafayette Street in Utica. More than 100 people attended the event.

As MVHS continues to progress on the new Medical Center, the model is being shared with community members throughout the region. v

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Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. and Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Meghan Fraser McGrogan check out the model of the new regional medical center.

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{ M V H S L A U N C H E S N E W E H R : E P I C

MVHS LAUNCHES NEW SYSTEM-WIDE ELECTRONIC

HEALTH RECORD: EPICBY MILLIE CONDON

O nSaturday,June29,2019,MVHSsuccessfully launched a new, system-wide electronic health

record(EHR)calledEpic,whichforthefirsttime puts the two hospitals and physician practices on the same platform. Previously, MVHSusedfivedifferentsystemsinitsfacil-ities. This is a momentous step in improving and supporting patient quality and safety and outcomes at MVHS.

“This is truly an ‘Epic’ moment for our healthsystem,”saidDarleneStromstad,FACHE, MVHS president/CEO. “There aremanybenefitsofEpic,mostnotablyimproved patient safety and quality and im-provedefficiencyofcare.Wearenowable,in real-time, to monitor patient activity by unit and by patient, decreasing the opportu-nity for delays in patient care. It gives us the ability to share real-time patient informa-tion throughout the health system and with our peers to better coordinate our patients’ care. That results in less testing because we can share up-to-date results. And, for those patients who wish to sign up with our pa-tient portal, it provides them direct access to their own health record. Moving to Epic isasignificantsteptowardtransforminghealthcareinourregion.”

Epic is the most widely-used, comprehen-sive health record system. It’s used by the

majority of U.S. News and World Report’s top-ranked hospitals and medical schools who are working collaboratively every day to improve patient care, innovate health-caredeliveryandachievefinancialhealth.More than 60 percent of New Yorkers currently have a record in Epic. MVHS peers,includingSt.Joseph’sHospitalandUpstate Medical Center in Syracuse, Bassett Healthcare Network in Cooperstown and Rochester Regional Health and University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester are also part of the Epic community.

All organizations using Epic can in-teroperate which means they can easily exchange patient data for improved patient care.

“I’ll state the obvious: St. Elizabeth Medi-cal Center and Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare havebeenoperatingondifferentmedicalrecordplatforms,”saidStromstad.“Wecouldn’t share real-time patient records even though patients may be seen on both campuses. The advantages are immediate.”JohnLynch,MVHSvicepresident/

chiefinformationofficer,andPaulDavidson, MD, MVHS chief medical informationofficer,leadtheeffortsforthe Epic implementation.

“MVHS providers now have the ability

tocoordinatecaremoreefficientlywithclinicians outside of the health system, which will help close care gaps and reduce duplication,”saidLynch.“Providersandcli-nicians are now able to see ‘real-time’ data and have a comprehensive view of their patients’medicalrecords.”

In addition to improving care coordina-tion for providers, patients will also have increased visibility and access for manag-ing their health information using Epic’s online portal, MyChart. Patients are able to easily and securely communicate with their providers, view their health history and past visit information, schedule appointments, requestprescriptionrefills,paytheirbillsand more.

“MyChart is an important tool for pa-tients, giving them control over their health information and becoming an engaged memberoftheircareteam,”saidLynch.

Left: The Epic and MVHS teams work together in the command center after Epic Go-Live. Right: The MyChart app mobile login makes managing appointments and other health information quick and easy.

M V H S L A U N C H E S N E W E H R : E P I C }

Patients can also access the portal via the MyChart mobile application, available in the app stores.

The Epic implementation process has includedapproximately126,540traininghours over the past year for a number of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, support andfinancialteams.Thisisasignificantinvestment for MVHS and one that will play an important role in the coordination of patient care – in both the inpatient and the outpatient settings. Stromstadsaidthemanyteamsofstaff

that have been working tirelessly together for the past year have built professional re-lationships that strengthen MVHS. “Know-ing your coworkers results in better trust, and that strengthens our ability to work

togethertodelivergreatpatientcare.”“Changing the way we work every day

can be a challenge to providers, particu-larly physicians who are not used to this technology,”said.Dr.PaulDavidson.“How-ever, we’ve been very pleased with how they’ve approached the training and came in with the attitude that this is the future, and they’ll make it work. It will take a few months, but it will become second-hand foreveryone.”

“We implemented this major change in alittleoverayear,”saidStromstad.“Morethan 90 million records were successfully transferred to Epic from the legacy medical recordsystems.Staffalsomanuallyre-scheduled 120,000 appointments from the old systems to Epic over the Father’s Day

weekend. This is truly a remarkable feat – it takes most organizations more than two years.

“This is a massive undertaking and I’m very proud and grateful to the MVHS team forthisaccomplishment.”ForCIOJohnLynch,thisishisthird

Epic go-live. “Experience teaches us many things, including the need to have as much supportasneededthefirstfewweeks.Wehaveaugmentedourstaffwithinternal“Superusers”whoaredeployedacrossallof our locations to provide assistance. We also brought in teams of people from Epic tohelptrainandsupport.”

To learn more about Epic and the MVHS MyChart tool, visit mvhealthsystem.org/Epic. v

The Epic and MVHS teams work together in the command center after Epic Go-Live.

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MyCare – Transforming MVHSfrom the Inside Out BY VIC TORIA BR ACCO

n March 2019, MVHS Human Resourc-es (HR) Department announced a new approach to help MVHS employees with

theirpersonalwell-being.Allbenefits-eligi-ble employees are now able to participate in a meaningful set of activities intended to encourage healthy actions and habits. This program was produced by a senior group of health and administrative professionals from across the system and is completely volun-

tary. The program is appropriately named “MyCare”becauseMVHSbelievesthatemployees should attend to their own health needs in order to live the MVHS values and provide service excellence for patients.

The MyCare program has important features that include incentives, a WellSteps tool containing all program information, education, wellness coaching and tracking to earn incentives, Wellness coordinators and

ambassadors who provide guidance on activ-ities and answer questions and events which include a list of activities to keep employees on the right track throughout the year.

MVHS is looking forward to this new program, which will help guide employees toward a healthier lifestyle and assist in transforming healthcare from excellent to exceptional. v

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The MVHS Healthcast hosts learn easy workouts from Mohawk Valley Wellness trainers.

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Orthopedic Surgeon IntroducesNon-Operative Option for Knee Pain BY GR ACE FERNANDEZ

VHSisnowofferinganon-opera-tive option for knee arthritis pain and a pre-operative treatment

prior to knee replacement to help with post-operative pain and will reduce the need for narcotics. Andrew Wickline, MD, orthope-dicsurgeonandTotalJointmedicaldirectorat the St. Elizabeth Campus at MVHS began implementing this program with his patients in April 2019.

The purpose of the iovera°® treatment is to use the body’s natural response to cold to immediately block a sensory nerve from sending pain signals. Using a small probe (or Smart Tip), a precise cold zone is formed

under the skin - cold enough to temporarily stop the nerve from signaling, providing pain relief until the nerve regenerates. The iovera treatment is FDA cleared to block pain.

“It has been my goal to dramatically re-duce the pain associated with knee replacement and ideally eliminate the needfornarcoticsaftersurgery,”saidDr.Wickline.“Iidentifiedthatbyusingtheiovera technique many non-surgical patients now have another treatment option. We now use the technology pre-operatively and believethatthistechniquewillleadto85percent of patients being able to be narcotic freeafterkneereplacement.”

The iovera treatment is precise, imme-diate and predictable. Nothing is injected into the body, so there are no systemic side effects.Fullresultsaretypicallyfeltbeforethe appointment is over. The treatment is minimally invasive, done on an outpatient basis and only requires local anesthetic – there is no sedation, general anesthetic or hospital stay.

“This is yet another way we are bringing innovation to our region while also address-ing the growing opioid epidemic through alternativeapproachestomanagingpain,”said Darlene Stromstad, FACHE, president/CEO of MVHS. v

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Andrew Wickline, MD, orthopedic surgeon and Total Joint medical director, at the St. Elizabeth campus of MVHS.

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VHSisamongthefirsthealthsystems in New York State to treat carotid artery disease

and prevent future strokes using a new procedure called TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR). TCAR is a clini-cally proven, minimally invasive and safe approach for high surgical risk patients who need carotid artery treatment.

Carotid artery disease is a form of atherosclerosis, or a buildup of plaque, in the two main arteries in the neck that supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain. If left untreated, carotid artery disease can often lead to stroke. It is estimated to be the source of stroke in up to a third of cases, with 400,000 new diagnoses of the disease made every year in the United States alone.

“TCAR is an important new option in thefightagainststroke,andisparticularlysuited for the large portion of patients we see who are at higher risk of compli-cations from carotid surgery due to age, anatomyorothermedicalconditions,”said Kenneth Murphy, MD, director of In-terventional Radiology at MVHS. “Because of its low stroke risk and faster patient recovery, I believe TCAR represents the futureofcarotidrepair.”TCARisuniqueinthatbloodflowis

temporarily reversed during the proce-dure so that any small bits of plaque that maybreakoffaredivertedawayfromthe

brain, preventing a stroke from happen-ing. A stent is then placed inside the artery to stabilize the plaque, minimizing the risk of a future stroke.

Prior to TCAR, the main treatment op-tion for severe carotid artery disease was an open surgical procedure called carotid endarterectomy (CEA). CEA removes plaque from inside the carotid artery to restorenormalbloodflowtothebrain,but the large incision leaves a visible scar the length of the neck and carries risks of surgical complications, including bleeding, infection, heart attack and cranial nerve injuries that can cause issues with swal-

lowing, speaking and sensation in the face.

The TCAR procedure was developed by Sunnyvale, California-based Silk Road Medical, Inc. and includes the ENROUTE® Transcarotid Neuroprotection (NPS) and StentSystem–thefirstdevicesdesignedandFDA-approvedspecificallyforTCAR.Over5,000TCARprocedureshavebeenperformed worldwide through clinical trial and commercial use. TCAR has been studied extensively, and the clinical data has been excellent. Additional information about TCAR is available at silkroadmed.com/disease-and-treatment-options. v

MVHS Among First in New York State to OfferInnovative TCAR ProcedureBY ANGEL A LINCE

“Because of its low stroke risk and faster patient recover, I believe TCAR represents the future of carotid repair.”

- Kenneth Murphy, MD, director of Interventional Radiology at MVHS

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MVHS Interventional Radiology team now offers the TCAR procedure to its patients. Pictured left to right: TCAR Represen-tative, Jason Fox, TCAR Representative, Karen Hoole, Florence Wheelock, Michaela Ward, Dr. Christoper Max, Dr. Kenneth Murphy, Dr. David O’Connor, Lacey Matrassi, Joelene Wesolowski, TCAR Representative, TCAR Representative.

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Left to right: Bob Scholefield, COO of MVHS, Kristen Copeland, WKTV, Nancy Butcher, director of the MVHS Cancer Center, Cheryl Bowen, cancer survivor, Karna Sura, MD and Symeon Tsoupelis Jr., Stomp Out Cancer Chairperson

STOMP OUT CANCER TELETHON GOAL ACHIEVED, MAKES DOUBLE THE IMPACT

BY MILLIE CONDON

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he MVHS Foundation and the MVHS Cancer Center are pleased to announce that the 21st annual

Stomp Out Cancer Telethon raised $250,000.Thisyear,giftshaddoubletheimpactasalldonations,upto$125,000,were matched. This generous donation was made anonymously and is gifted in memory of a remarkable man. The Telethon was broadcast live Wednesday, March 27, 2019 from The MVHS Cancer Center on WKTV NewsChannel 2.

“The support of this community is amazing,”saidNancyButcher,directorofthe MVHS Cancer Center. “What is being done at the MVHS Cancer Center is touch-ing the lives of thousands and will contin-uetodosoforgenerationstocome.”

MVHS Board of Directors member and Stomp Out Cancer Chairperson Symeon Tsoupelis,Jr.,agreesthatthisisanexcit-ing achievement.

“We are very grateful to our anony-mous matching gift donor, our media partners WKTV NewsChannel 2 and CBS Utica, our many sponsors and the more than 700 generous individuals and businesses who helped us meet our match,”hesaid.“Everyoneisgoingtobetouched by cancer in some way during their lifetime and our Stomp Out Cancer efforthelpstoensureourtechnologyandcancer services at MVHS are state-of-the-art. We want our community to know that they can receive their cancer care close to homeandclosetotheirlovedones.”

Dollars raised through this year’s tele-thon will support the purchase of a new, state-of-the-art Linear Accelerator that

is greatly needed for the F. E. Romano Family Radiation Oncology Department at the MVHS Cancer Center.

One patient who chose to receive her radiation treatments at the Cancer Center is Cheryl Bowen of Whitesboro, New York, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in2018.BowencreditsherhealingandrecoverytostaffintheRadiationOncol-ogy Department and hopes that others will help support a department that plays such a critical role in patients’ recovery.

“Dr. Sura, my radiation oncologist, was just wonderful to me during my time at theMVHSCancerCenter,”Bowensaid.“Ijust can’t say enough about him and the entireteam–theywerejustthebest.”

ABOUT THE LINEAR ACCELERATOR

A new linear accelerator will allow the MVHS Cancer Center team to target tumors more accurately in a shorter treat-ment time while also minimizing the dose of radiation to surrounding healthy tissue and organs. The new technology will ensure fast, precise delivery of treatments as well as accuracy in patient positioning. Ourmedicalandnursingstaffsees

firsthandtherolemoderntechnologyplays in the lives of the patients and fami-lies cared for at the MVHS Cancer Center. The advanced technology that will be made available thanks to the funds raised by the Telethon will enable the Radiation Oncology Department to provide excep-tional care using less intensive methods. These continually improving changes in technology are monumental and it’s

important to MVHS to keep the tech-nology current in order to provide our patients with the best treatment possible.

Thank you to the sponsors of the Stomp Out Cancer Telethon including: Symeon’sRestaurant,UticaCoffeeRoast-ing Co., MVHS Volunteers, The Zonta Club of Utica, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 43, The National Electrical Contractors Association, Oneida Electric, Lawrence Rieben & Sons, Fust Charles Chambers, LLP, First Source Federal Credit Union, Upstate Cancer Radiation Oncology, Bank of Utica and Danforth.

If you would still like to make a donation to the MVHS Cancer Center, please visit mvhealthsystem.org/founda-tion. v

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“What is being done at the MVHS Cancer Center is touching the lives of thousands and will continue to do so for generations to come.”

- Nancy Butcher, director of the MVHS Cancer Center

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W A T C H M A N H E A R T P R O C E D U R E }

MVHS Offers InnovativeWATCHMAN Heart Procedure BY VIC TORIA BR ACCO

VHS in partnership with Central New York (CNY) Cardiology, officiallybeganofferingthe

WATCHMAN procedure to the community in February. Executed by Michael Sassow-er, MD of CNY Cardiology, WATCHMAN is an innovative, one-time procedure that reduces the risk of strokes that originate in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Not only does it reduce the risk of stroke, but it removes the risk of bleeding that can come with the long-term use of blood thinners like Warfarin (also known as Coumadin®).

The WATCHMAN is a device inserted into the LAA of the heart via a small incision in the groin. The implant proce-

dure does not require open-heart surgery and is typically performed under general anesthesia or conscious sedation.

“The WATCHMAN device is an import-ant step forward in stroke management forpatientswithatrialfibrillation,”saidDr.Sassower.“Asignificantnumberofpa-tients who should be on oral anticoagula-tion cannot take it for numerous reasons.WATCHMAN is a breakthrough treatment providing those patients who are suitable for blood thinners with an alternative to long-term blood thinner therapy, while stillreducingtheriskofstroke.”

The procedure usually lasts up to an hour with a fast and generally painless recovery, allowing the patient to be dis-

charged the next day.ByclosingofftheLAA,theriskofstroke

can be reduced in patients with an irreg-ularheartbeat(atrialfibrillation)whoarenot suitable for blood thinners. Over time, heart tissue grows over the WATCHMAN device and the LAA is permanently sealed.

Adding the WATCHMAN procedure to thelistofservicesofferedtopatientsisjust another step in the development of a comprehensive structural heart program here at MVHS. By providing such an advanced option of care and technology with minimal down time for patients, MVHS is able to provide the community with the excellence in heart care and healthcare that they deserve.v

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Michael Sassower, MD, FACC, prepares for the WATCHMAN procedure.

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he MVHS Foundation, in partner-ship with WKTV NewsChannel 2, The Observer-Dispatch and

PJGreen,announcedthestartofthe23rd annual $100,000 Miracle Drawing tobenefitourlocalChildren’sMiracleNetwork (CMN) Hospitals at MVHS. One lucky person will win $100,000 in cash.

For the past two decades, the $100,000 Miracle Drawing has helped create mira-cles for the children of our community and raisedmorethan$5.2milliontobenefit

women’s and children’s services at MVHS.The winner of the Miracle Drawing

receives a $100,000 cash prize. Bonus prizes will also be given away. Tickets may be purchased for $100 by cash or check at one of our participating ticket locations.

Participating ticket locations include; AmeriCU Credit Union locations, the MVHSBoonvilleMedicalOffice,Chanatry’sHometown Market, Countryside Stove & Chimney, MVHS’ St. Luke’s, St. Elizabeth and Faxton Campuses, GPO Federal Credit

Unionlocations,Jay-KIndependentLum-ber Corp., Remington Federal Credit Union and Special Metals Federal Credit Union.

Per guidelines from the New York State Gaming Commission prohibiting onlinesalesofcharitableraffles,ticketsare not available online at this time.

The drawing will be held on Wednesday, October 16, 2019, at 6 p.m. at the St. Luke’s Campus in New Hartford, New York. v

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MEET OUR 2019 MIRACLE

CHILDREN

BLAKE, 5 New Hartford, NY Blake spent time recovering on our PediatricfloorattheSt.Luke’scampusafter having surgery. During his time here, Blake received care from our incredible staff,includingourchildlifespecialist,whose position is funded through Chil-dren’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Child life professionals help infants, children, youth and families cope with the stress and uncertainty of illness and injury and treatment. They help reduce fear, anxiety and pain through therapeutic play, preparation and education.

GRAYSON, 4 New Hartford, NY Grayson was in need of speech therapy. Due to insurance restrictions, he was unable to get the care that he needed to thrive. CMN Hospitals was able to help by providing the necessary fund-ing to supplement where insurance fell short. Thanks to CMN Hospitals, Grayson is making excellent progress.

The 23rd Annual Miracle DrawingUnderway BY MILLIE CONDON

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MVHS Hosts Open Housefor Breastfeeding Moms BY JOHN L ATINI

VHS, in cooperation with Mo-hawk Valley BreastfeedingNetwork, hosted an open house

for mothers and mothers-to-be. The open house featured local maternity service ven-dors, educational materials, fun activities, giveaways and much more.

Parents were encouraged to come learnaboutbreastfeedingsupportofferedat MVHS and experience the cozy new

CenteringPregnancy® Room, where the Breastfeeding Cafe meets.

The Mohawk Valley Breastfeeding Net-workisanon-forprofitvolunteerorganiza-tion committed to providing breastfeeding education and support to all mothers. Locally run Breastfeeding cafes have been aroundsince2010,andarenowofferedinsixdifferentlocations.

MVHS understands the importance of

working with community partners to pro-vide the continuity of care and resources to mothers after they have been discharged fromthehospital.Currently,MVHSoffersa CenteringPregnancy® program where mothers receive their prenatal care in a group setting, where they can connect and learn from one another. The new Breast-feeding Cafe will be a natural continuation of this type of support after birth. v

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Participants join in on the first MVHS Breastfeeding Cafe.

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{ I - C A R E S T O R I E S

Special Care Staff, St. Elizabeth CampusOnThursday,June27,theSpecialCare

staffattheSt.ElizabethCampushosteda52nd anniversary party for one of their patients and his wife. His nurse listened when he shared that he had been hospi-talized so much recently that he had been unable to celebrate several holidays with his wife. She decided to make their day special and brought in decorations and cake for he and his wife. Corrine Adams and his nurse for the day, Yennie Nguyen, decoratedwithabannerandflowers,even spreading rose petals for the cou-ple! They enjoyed the cake and were so thrilled by the recognition that both were in tears! v

Intensive Care UnitOur ICU had the privilege of caring for

Dandhiswife,Jeanne.Dwasanactiveandyoung60-year-oldmanwhosufferedamassivestroke.DandJeannespent13days in our ICU until his passing. During thattime,theICUstaffhadthepleasureofgettingtoknowJeanneandDthroughthestoriesJeannewouldtellthem.Itwasobvious that he had many paople who loved him – his sister Barb spent a great dealoftimesupportingJeanne.AfterD'spassing,JeannecalledtheICU

and shared that they held a wonderful celebration of D's life in their communi-ty, attended by over 400 people. At this celebration, money was raised to donate to MVHS toward the purchase of a recliner

for the ICU so it could be used by other familymembersinneed.Jeannetoldusthat she was grateful for the quiet room and recliner she used during her time with us. She said she wanted to give something back in D's memory and also express her gratitude for how we cared for her as well.

"If it were not for this space and that recliner, I don't know what I would have done because I wanted to be by my husband's side," she said. "I just want to thankyouallformakingadifference."v

Ernest Williams, Grateful PatientThis is an easy letter; I write to say sim-

plythatyouhavesuperbstaffatSt.E’s.

I had hip replacement surgery in March with Dr. Andrew Wickline, and all the nurs-es and others – from pre-op to recovery to therapy – took care of me wonderfully. St. E’s is a cramped, old hospital, which of course makes it central to the current dis-cussion about a new hospital for the Utica area, but whatever happens with facili-ties, the people you currently employ are superb. I want to mention in particular Mi-chelle and Mary, who were nurses in the Recovery Room, and Fran, who wheeled me through the hallways multiple times, for their care and deep, personal concern for my well being. This is theway hospitals should work. I am recovering nicely!

I-CARE StoriesSharing Stories of InspirationI-CARE Stories are about caregivers, protectors, companions and champions. They acknowledge special, and sometimes life-changing, moments that make a difference for our patients, residents, their families and our coworkers. The following stories are about those individuals and teams who inspire us to always do our best and uphold the values of I-CARE (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence).

Corrine Adams and Yennie Nguyen prepare an anniversary celebration for a patient and his wife.

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 Utica Kidney Walk

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Community Health Fair

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16Miracle Drawing

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18Campaign for Quality

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

MANAGERS AND DIRECTORSTrisha CashmanOutreach Manager Laboratory Services

Jessica Culver, RN, BSNNurse Manager, 6th Floor Oncology Unit St. Luke’s Campus

Marie Elliot, RNNurse Manager, Psyhciatric Unit St. Luke’s Campus

Deanna Eychner, LPN, CHTProgram Manager Advanced Wound Care

William Ryan, MDPrimary Care Medical Director

Carolyn WoodruffHousekeeping Supervisor

UpcomingEventsPlease visit the intranet or mvhealthsystem.org for a complete list of upcoming events.

StaffAnnouncements

January 2019 to June 2019

POBox479|Utica,NY13503-0479

MEDICAL STAFFRansford Commey, MDBariatric Surgeon

Lisa Dorsey-Bornfreedom, MDPrimary Care Physician

Caroline Going, PA-CPhysican Assistant Urgent Care

Stephen Hudyncia, MDPsychiatrist

Roza Karabanov, FNP-BCFamily Nurse Practioner

Giora Katz, MDUrologist Eric Porritt, DOOrthopedic Surgeon

Camille Richards, MDGeneral and Trauma Surgeon

NURSE NAVIGATORS AND SPECIALISTS

Peter Manno, RNProvider Relations Specialist

Donald WashburnHealth and Wellness Coordinator

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