”UPCOMING EVENTSAugust 7, 2-3:30 p.m. Caregivers SupportEducation Center, Northwest HospitalSometimes, when you’re caring for an adult family member, you need a shoulder to lean on. Join this monthly support group for caregivers and learn about stress management, taking care of yourself and using community resources._______________________________ August 13, 6:30-7:30 p.mBariatric Surgery SessionChartwell Professional Center (8186 Lark Brown Rd., Suite 201, Elkridge, MD 21075) Attend a bariatric surgery information session led by Christina Li, M.D., FACS, division head of Minimally Invasive Surgery at Sinai Hospital. The session is free, but registration is required. Call Carla Diaz at 410-601-4486 to reserve your spot._______________________________

August 16, 2-4 p.m.Look Good. Feel Better.Education Center, Northwest Hospital Look Good. Feel Better. These four words have helped women who are undergoing (or scheduled for) che-motherapy or radiation therapy learn makeup techniques and hair and wig styling. The class is taught by a trained cosmetologist, and a free cosmetics package is included. To register, call 410-601-WELL.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Visit www.allegeant.net to log in your points. Remember, you’ll need 600 points total by August 31.

There are some easy and informa-tive action plans you can complete. Topics include healthy eating and heart disease prevention; stress management and boosting physical activity.

Allegeant boasts webinars that will help you sleep better, eat better and even manage the holiday blues. Watching one webinar will net you 25 points.

Have you given blood lately? Did you roll up your sleeves to beau-tify a local park? Each activity will earn 25 points! If you laced up your sneakers for last year's Race for Our Kids and Save-A-Limb Ride, Walk and Festival, you can get 50 points per event.

August2013

CONTENTPAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 4Race for Our Kids RIAO Knee Brace Bits & BytesCEO Intranet Page Maryland Brain TrustTuition Reimbursement FMLABest of the Blog US News & World Report

As president and CEO, I’ve made open and honest communication with all employees a priority. You’re not just a badge number or a job title; you’re part of the LifeBridge Health family.

In every task you undertake, whether it’s delivering care at the bedside, keeping our facilities clean, attractive and safe, or keeping our networks running efficiently, you’ve shown incredible creativity and flexibility. This creativity and flexibility will keep LifeBridge Health adaptable, and able to grow with the times.

It’s no secret that 2013 has presented the health care industry with challenges and changes, some of which are particular to the state of Maryland. LifeBridge Health is not alone in facing these challenges. In Maryland, hospital rates (what we can charge for our services) are set by an organization called the Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC), and this year, the HSCRC set that rate below the cost of inflation (this means that the cost of taking care of our patients goes up, even if our reimbursements do not). Medi-care has cut its hospital reimbursements by 2 percent. More simply put, we’re going to have to do more with less. Policies and regulations may shift, but one thing remains constant: our LifeBridge Health team continues to provide the care we’d want for our own loved ones.

Even though other health care systems in Maryland have been forced to lay off employ-ees and reduce benefits, freeze salaries and eliminate cost of living increases, LifeBridge Health continues to offer a robust benefits package and even a modest salary increase this fiscal year. Our generous Triple Option health care plan gives employees access to the care providers of their choice and requires no copays for wellness exams. The LifeBridge Health network gives you access to world-renown physicians at a reduced cost.

And many of the perks of working for LifeBridge Health aren’t going anywhere: LifeBridge Health employees will continue to have parking at no charge, significant discounts in any of our cafeterias and gift shops, among other advantages of being a part of our team.

Take the Employee Communication Survey, which is attached to this issue of the Bridge or visit www.lifebridgehealth.org/survey, and be heard.

Dear LifeBridge Health Colleague:

600LiveWellpoints

In the coming weeks, you’ll receive a letter from Human Resources that will explain the benefit changes in detail. Representatives from Human Resources will also visit your departments to answer your questions in person. You can also expect information about the Maryland Health Exchange, which offers you another way to buy health insurance.

As always, you can count on Employee Services if you have any questions about your benefits. You can email them at employee_services@lifebridgehealth.org or call them at extension 28000.

Thank you for being a part of the LifeBridge Health team.

Sincerely,

“Change isn’t always a straight line, sometimes, it’s a winding path. But it’s a path that we will walk together, united in our common mission of delivering exemplary

health care.

Two Things You Should Know

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We first told you about the Allusers change back in May, so we figured we’d follow up with new information about how to access your Allusers.

Those of us who use Windows and Citrix operating systems can find the blue square Allusers icon in our start menus. Then we can click and drag this icon to our desktops. We now have an instant reminder to check our facility’s Allusers hovering over our background picture. There’s also a shortcut to the Allusers in the blue circular Patient Care Systems icon on our desktops, and on the com-puters on wheels (more commonly known as COWs).

Levindale has full-time and part-time opportunities for dedicated and experienced geriatric nursing assis-tants, L.P.N.s and R.N.s with med/surg and/or behavioral health experi-ence and rehab therapists special-izing in physical and occupational therapy.

Northwest Hospital has various operating room opportunities for RNs seeking full-time and pro re nata positions. Day, night and weekend shifts are available.

Sinai Hospital is seeking folks to fill a variety of leadership opportunities, including director of information systems, director of care manage-ment, advanced practice nurse for psychiatry and facilities planner/ project manager.

Courtland Gardens is looking for a part-time R.N. and a supervisor for food service. There are also various opportunities for geriatric nursing assistants.

Alluser Reminders

Hot Jobs

5 Questions. 5 Minutes. Your Voice.

t August 2013

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Best of the Blog Baltimore Color Run 5K Together

This month’s “Best of the Blog” was authored by two guest contributors, Diana Naanaa, L.P.N., Division of Bariatrics, Sinai Hospital, and Bettina M. Straight, employee engagement and communications consultant, Human Resources, LifeBridge Health.

After a few months of nerves, excitement, encouragement, doubts and outfit planning, we made it to the Baltimore Color Run together! Among thousands of walkers and runners, we crossed the finish line damp from rain, colored with powder and wearing smiles from ear to ear.

Diana – For me personally, I never dreamed that I would enter any event that involved me running! That was just not a thought in my head, but it was a bucket list dream ... and I did it! I remember seeing the black “Finish” line and even now tears come to my eyes. I also no-ticed that Bettina held back to cross with ME! She certainly could have finished well before me, but was my partner throughout the race ... What an amazing experience!

Each year, the Race for Our Kids benefits pediatric oncology at the Herman & Walter Samuelson Children’s Hospital at Sinai. Every dollar raised is a chance for a new beginning for our patients and their families, and the continued success of this event is a tribute to the compas-sion of LifeBridge Health employees.

“Our employees are always find-ing ways to give back,” says Tina Manning, special events manager for LifeBridge Health. “It’s one of the most rewarding aspects of my job.”

Whether you run like a hare or find the tortoise’s slow roll more your speed, starting or joining a team is the ideal way to make a difference while making friends. When you register on the Race for Our Kids website (just click on the “Register Online” but-ton in the left sidebar), you'll have the option to start your own team, join an LBH-affiliated team or register as an individual.

This year, you can use your pre-ferred social media account to register for Race for Our Kids and October's Save-A-Limb Ride, Walk and Festi-val. If you’re a Facebook fanatic or a tweeting fiend, you can keep your friends and family up to date on all your activity, and inspire them to donate. Though giving back is its own reward, there will be fundraising prizes, including iPads, sports MP3 players and running shoes.

Picking up your race packets will get infinitely easier this year: You’ll be able to swing by and snag it on your break at work!

Here are the times and locations to pick up your packets:

Thursday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. LifeBridge Health & Fitness

Friday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Employee Services Booth (by Greenspring Cafe) at Sinai Hospital

Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. LifeBridge Health Bare Hills Campus 1425 Clarkview Rd., Suite 100 Baltimore MD 21209

For more information, log on at:

www.raceforourkids.orgEven if you can�t lace up your sneakers this year, you can still contribute by clicking a mouse. Just click on the “Donate Now” button on the left sidebar to make a general donation or to support an individual runner or walker, or a particular team. If you want to get in on the action by volunteering, just click on the volunteer tab at the top.

And the race is on . . .Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013

Register for the race or sign up as a volunteer in person

(and snag last year’s Ravens purple t-shirt) at Sinai’s employee services booth on

Wednesday, August 21 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Find us on Facebook and Twitter to recieve up to date information and to share your photos.

Bettina – It only took a second to remember what I felt like signing up for the Color Run last year. I wasn’t sure if I was crazy, overly ambitious or simply turning into someone new ... The run wasn’t for time. It wasn’t to reach a certain goal other than to have fun and finish, but for both of us it was HUGE. Doing a 5K after years of doing a little bit of nothing (I speak for myself on that one) was a major difference for me and it’s now become somewhat of a per-sonal milestone – as will every one we do in the future.

Be inspired by the rest of Diana and Bettina’s story on our LifeBridge Health blog: http://www.lifebridgeblogs.org/2013/06/07/crossing-the-baltimore-color-run-5k-together/

LIFEBRIDGE HEALTH TUITION REIMBURSEMENT

The summer is waning, which means that many of us are sharpening our pencils (or dusting off our keyboards) and heading back to school. Earning those precious letters after your name, whether they’re B.A., M.B.A., R.N. or M.S.N., helps you refine your skills and prepares you to take on greater leadership roles within your department and within the system.

That’s why LifeBridge Health offers tuition reimbursement packages to employees who receive benefits. Reimbursement is offered toward degree programs that will bolster your role within LifeBridge Health. Tuition reimbursement benefits extend beyond the brick-and-mortar classroom: LifeBridge Health has partnered with online programs like University of Phoenix, Walden University and Drexel University.

To learn more about the tuition reimbursement program at your facility and to find out when representatives from our partner schools will be on the LBH campuses, visit the Education and Tuition Assistance page on the intranet: http://lbhweb/Main/EducationandTuitionAssistance

The tuition reimbursement program helped John Hoke, Pharm.D., pharmacy operations manager at Sinai Hospital, go back to for his M.B.A. via a joint program through University of Baltimore and Towson University.“My goal was to move into a managerial position,” John ex-plains. “I have the clinical background, but I needed the administrative skills. Getting the M.B.A. changed the way I think about leadership and prepared me to step into the role I have now.” Though John will graduate in spring 2014, he’s already been promoted from clinical pharmacist to operations manager.

For Beth Markowitz, volunteer manager for LifeBridge Health, pursuing a master’s degree in human resources development enables her to flourish in her current role: “As so many of my volunteers are interested in health care as a profession ... its important to be able to guide them on their way ... the degree [will] help me be the best resource to our volunteers.”

If you’ve been keeping up with the Bridge or the LBH blog you know that Neil Meltzer is now the president and CEO of LifeBridge Health. You can find his messages to employees on his new intranet page called, appropriately enough, LBH CEO’s Message.

http://lbhweb/Main/LBHCEOsMessage

Log on to check out Meltzer’s mission and vision for LifeBridge Health:

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Teresa Trump, R.N., has brought sunshine to the night shift in Northwest Hospital’s Emergency Department for 10 years. She's played a pivotal part in develop-ing the ED C.A.R.E.S. values by serving as the chairperson for the unit-based customer experi-ence team. Teresa has always modeled compassion for her patients and their families, and, as a charge nurse, she’s inspired her team members to do the same. She’s the guiding light for so many of her colleagues, and that’s why she shines as North-west Hospital’s SuperStar.

August 2013

For more information, visit the Employee Services page on the intranet and click Life Events Changes. Here’s the link: http://lbhweb/Main/LifeEventChanges

FMLA Family Medical Leave Act

Research suggests that LGBT individuals face health disparities linked to social stigma, discrimination, and denial of their civil and human rights. To learn more about how you can be an LGBT ally as a care provider, attend Providing High-Quality Care for LGBT Patients, a talk by Henry Ng, M.D., incoming president of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association. This talk, which is open to nonclinical staff as well, happens on August 15 at noon in Zamoiski Auditorium.

The Family Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) allows eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons; most signifi-cantly, the FMLA protects those employees' health care coverage during their absence. LifeBridge Health employees can use their accrued time (such as PTO or sick or extended leave) to get paid while on FMLA leave. Employees also have the option to “save” up to 40 hours of vacation or PTO time as applicable while on leave.

Employees are eligible for FMLA benefits if they've been with the system for at least 12 months and worked at least 1,250 hours prior to taking leave (time off doesn’t count). FMLA guarantees 12 work weeks of leave within a 12-month period for the following life events:

• a serious health condition that leaves you unable to perform the basic functions of your job

• the birth of a child

• adopting or fostering a child

• caring for a spouse, child or parent who has a serious health condition

• emergencies arising from a spouse, child or parent who is a covered military member on “covered active duty”

Because Maryland has legalized same-sex marriage, LGBT couples are now eligible for FMLA time if they are married.

Meet Henry Ng, M.D.Incoming president of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association

August 7, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.Party down with Partylite at the Employee Information Booth at Sinai Hospital. You'll find gorgeous home goods at low prices! August 12-16 Northwest Hospital employees are known for their creativity all year ´round, but they really shine during the theme basket raffle. This year’s raffle will be held from August 12-16. Snap up your tickets for a chance to win a basket of your choice: Previous years’ themes have included back-to-school baskets, coffee baskets and wine baskets. September 21 Northwest Hospital will hold a yard sale to benefit United Way of Central Maryland. To reserve your table, contact Jennifer Terrell at jterrell@lifebridgehealth.org or ext. 55550.

The United Way campaign is in full swing across LifeBridge Health, bringing great fun to a good cause. Getting involved is easy!

LifeBridge Health has partnered with United Way of Central Maryland 20

years

The United Way of Central Maryland has

been around for nearly 90 years

$287,564In 2012, LifeBridge Health facilities raised

Last year, the top five charities that received aid from LifeBridge Health donors were the United Way of Central Maryland; Family Tree, Inc.; Catholic Charities; The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore; and the Domestic Violence (DOVE) Program at Northwest Hospital.

EVENTS

U.S. News & World Report has ranked two LifeBridge Health facilities as “America’s Best Hospitals.” This annual report, now in its 24th year, recognizes hospitals that excel in treating patients across a spectrum of 16 adult specialties.

Northwest Hospital received special acco-lades for its exemplary geriatric care. It was ranked 21st in the state of Maryland and 16th in the Baltimore metro area.

Sinai Hospital, which ranked 6th in the state and in the Baltimore metro area, was acknowl-edged as a leader in cancer care; cardiology and heart surgery; ear, nose and throat care; gastroenterology and GI surgery; geriatrics; gynecology; nephrology; neurology and neuro-surgery; orthopedics; pulmonology and urology.

The rankings have been published at http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals and

will appear in print in the U.S. News Best Hospitals 2014 guidebook, available

in bookstores and on newsstands August 27.

UnitedWay

2013

UnitedWay

2013

Caring For Our Com

munities Together

No matter how deft the surgeon is, or how streamlined the recovery may be, nobody wants to go under the knife for knee surgery.

Thanks to an ongoing study being conducted by the surgeons, therapists and engineers at the Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics, they may not have to. The team at the RIAO has pioneered the use of the OrthoPro OA knee brace (manu-factured by Ongoing Care Solutions Inc.), which might offer patients with knee osteo-arthritis an alternative to surgery. It’s the first OA brace specifically designed and engi-neered not only to unload the patient’s knee for pain relief, but to correct the patient's gait. The brace is also fitted with elastic straps that strengthen the patients’ muscles as he or she walks.

The study is being conducted by Anil Bhave, the division head of rehab services for Rubin Institute Physical Therapy, and the staff of the Wasserman Gait Laboratory with Michael Mont, M.D., director of the RIAO and the Center for Joint Preservation and Replacement, and his research fellows. The results of this initial study were published in the November 2012 issue of the Journal of

Knee Surgery. They were also presented at the 2013 World Congress on Osteoar-thritis held by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International.

Anil says that the team at the Rubin Institute will continue to study the effects of the brace on a larger pool of patients.

LifeBridge Health Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics The Benefits of OrthoPro OA knee brace

Image source: www.phc-online.com

twitter.com/LBHealth Twitter is all, well, “a-twitter” about LifeBridge

Health. Check out these neat tweets! Don’t forget to follow LifeBridge Health on Twitter. You can find us at www.twitter.com/lbhealth or by searching for our handle, @LBHealth. “We’re proud that Sinai & Northwest were ranked as a “Best Hospital” by U.S. News & World Report”

“Hey @MDfoodtrucks - @LBHealth & @thegypsytruck are supporting @UnitedWayCent-MD w/ portion of proceeds today” “@LBHealth thanks for the shout out & it’s an honor to spotlight Dr. Tabor”

“and my first fitness boot camp @LBHealth lawd!”

SOCIAL MEDIA

facebook.com/lifebridge

Our Facebook friends are getting in on the LBH love-

fest. Here’s what folks had to say about us: “ Dr. Delenois and his team were awesome. The anesthesiologists were so kind to me. My nurses were amazing and I loved my physical therapists ... Thank u!”

“ Help raise money for the Save-A- Limb Fund at Sinai’s RIAO. ”

“ In addition, Bikur Cholim of Baltimore was unbelievable. They had seder plates, meals, shmurah matzah readily available at Sinai Hospital. Moreover, they also made food arrangements for the patients at hospitals which do not have Bikur Cholim rooms available over the holiday. ”

“I can’t say enough positive things about the entire staff, and the great quality of care the entire family received! The nurses ... turned the most stressful event our family has faced into a positive learning experience.”

“ We had a great ER experience [at Northwest Hospital]. Our PA was amazing. [We were] taken care of quickly and very professionally.”

“ I love the staff at northwest!.”

“ [LifeBridge Health & Fitness is] the best club I have ever been to.”

“ The best Gym in town with very attentive staff! try it out!”

“ They were very understanding of my needs ... Great place, good people.”

Have a question, comment or suggestion? Contact the Bridge Editorial Office at 410-601-5022 or lbogart@lifebridgehealth.org.

the Bridge Editorial TeamJill BloomLaura BogartTrish BroomeGretchen Genello Betsy Haley Deborah Hollenstein

Marketing and Community Relations 2401 West Belvedere AvenueBaltimore, MD 21215www.lifebridgehealth.org©2013 LifeBridge Health

LifeBridge Health 2.0 Find us online at:

website lifebridgehealth.org

facebook facebook.com/lifebridge

youtube youtube.com/LifeBridgeHealth

twitter twitter.com/LBHealth

blog lifebridgeblogs.org

flickr.com/photos/lifebridgehealth

pinterest.com/lbhealthwomen

linkedin.com/company/ lifebridge-health/careers

Holly Hosler Kristina JogiHelene King Chantrese LesterNoel Lloyd Phyllis Randall

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Deborah Hollenstein has been named as LifeBridge Health’s new vice president, strate-gic marketing and communications. Hollenstein oversees all marketing, communications and public relations for the LifeBridge Health system, including budgets, strategy, and implementation of initiatives and programs. Hollenstein most recently served as vice president, marketing and planning, for Tanner Health System in Carrollton, Ga.

Bridge Abroad

The months are getting milder and the sun is smiling down on us, and that means only one thing: vacation time! Whether you’re planning to go whale watching on the Canadian coast or catch some rays in San Juan, your copy of the Bridge is a packing essential. Submit your Bridge Abroad photos to lbogart@lifebridgehealth.org

Amy Perry, president of Sinai Hospital and executive vice president of LifeBridge Health, is one of the Baltimore Sun’s “50 Women to Watch.” This elite group includes some of Charm City's movers and shakers, women who are making their mark throughout Baltimore and well beyond.

Each team is the home team when Sinai Hospital, Northwest Hospital, Levindale and Courtland Gardens take to the softball field for the second annual LifeBridge Health softball tournament. Good times were had by all, whether they came to play or root, root for the home teams. To see more photos, go to flickr.com/photos/lifebridgehealth

This summer, the Parisi Speed School powered by LifeBridge Health & Fitness held its first Athletic Development Camp, which focused on developing the overall speed and agility skills of the youth athlete. The tools learned from this camp will translate into a better athlete no matter what the sport (even Quidditch).

Summertime ... and the breathin’ ain’t easy. If air quality that feels thick enough to swim through has turned your nasal passages into a cinder block, or if the usual array of allergies has you huffin’ and puffin’ like the Big Bad Wolf, you should come to the ENT (ear, nose and throat) clinic at Sinai Hospital. The ENT clinic is able to service adults and children with common ailments like sore throats, ear infections and sinusitis.

August 10, 10:30 a.m. - noon Cancer Institute Conference Room at Sinai Hospital Whether you’re a few years out of treatment or are just beginning radiation treatment, the thyroid cancer support group offers a safe space to open up and share your story. The group meets on the second Saturday of every month, and is free to attend. Call 410-653-3883 for more information.

August 22 from 1-2 p.m. Zamoiski AuditoriumWhether you’re trying to kick the nicotine habit yourself, or supporting a loved one, you should attend “Tobacco Cessation Best Practices,” a lecture by Carlo DiClementi, Ph.D., the director of MDQuit and a national speaker. MDQuit is the resource center for smoking cessation and prevention throughout Maryland.

Download the In Case of Emergency PLUS app go to: myouchface.com or visit iTunes or Google Play and search for LifeBridge.

THE ENT CLINIC OPENS IN JULYTo make your appointment, call 410-601-NOSE (6673).

As a member of the security department at Northwest Hospital, Ronald Tindal works hard to keep his colleagues and patients safe and secure. He still knows what they say about all work and no play, so he took some time to soak up the sun in Puerta Plata, Dominican Republic. We’re so glad he brought the Bridge along with him.