R E P O R T O N O U R E F F O R T S T H AT B E N E F I T T H E C O M M U N I T Y
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2008
OUR MISSION
“taking care of our neighbors”
Christiana Care provided more than $37 million in charity care to our neighbors in need in 2008.
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO
WITHOUT A SENSE OF CARING, THERE CAN BE NO SENSE OF COMMUNITY
Dear Neighbors, On behalf of the entire Christiana Care Health System family, I am pleased to share with you our 2008 Community Benefit Report. Christiana Care exists to take care of our neighbors in our community. Our ability to deliver this promise is embodied in the extraordinary talent and dedication of our physicians, surgeons, nurses, health care professionals, community outreach coordinators and administrative staff members. Our growing national reputation enables us to attract some of the best health care specialists in the country. Beyond this, the generous support of our partners in business, government and the community helps us expand and enhance the care we provide to all community members, regardless of their ability to pay. Last year, in fact, we provided $37.7 million in free care and medicine to those who could not afford to pay. Each year, our Wilmington Hospital Health Center alone provides primary and specialty medical care for more than 70,000 patient visits. Every day, professionals throughout Christiana Care demonstrate their exceptional commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of everyone in our community through innovative programs, initiatives and partnerships. Because of all of these efforts, we continue to transform the very landscape of health care excellence for all of our neighbors. In the pages that follow, you will read about just a few of our efforts to improve the quality of life for those we are so privileged to serve. Thank you for your trust in Christiana Care. Sincerely,
Robert J. Laskowski, M.D., MBA PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
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Did you know? The Helen F. Graham Cancer Center created the Survivorship Multidisciplinary Center because it recognized cancer survivorship as a distinct phase of cancer care. The cancer team helps patients redefine their lives following treatment, providing them with the combined expertise of a psychologist, a clinical nurse specialist and an oncologic social worker in a single visit after their treatment ends.
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CANCER SURVIVORSHIP PROGRAM
Cancer patients living life to its fullest. Mary Donohue never expected to live to see the age of 60, let alone look forward to it. The Brandywine Hundred resident, who just turned 60, has battled chronic lymphocytic leukemia, breast cancer and other health issues for more than 27 years. During that time, the wife, mother and writer has had to endure a compromised immune system, swollen glands, chronic bronchitis, a splenectomy, countless doctor visits, invasive procedures, treatments and other forms of therapy to keep her cancer in check. And although her blood counts remain stable, she’s just a cold or infection away from getting very sick again. It’s not surprising that Mary’s health challenges take a toll on her emotionally. “I woke up one morning and realized that there was something lacking in my life,” she explains. “Although I was in relatively good health, I was still having trouble functioning day to day. I was always fatigued, and the cancer was always weighing on my mind. I just felt like I was going through the motions.” A local chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society recommended she visit the Survivorship Multidisciplinary Center at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and check out its nationally recognized survivorship program. Established in 2006, the program has touched the lives of more than 1,000 survivors and is the only program of its kind in the country. The innovation of this program has been recognized in nine professional publications over the past few years.
Led by Scott Siegel, Ph.D., this Cancer Survivorship Program consists of the Survivorship Multidisciplinary Clinic, the Survivorship Workbook and Survivorship Educational Seminars. “Our program helps survivors with the psychosocial issues they face after cancer by focusing on the physical, psychological, social and spiritual changes in their lives,” says Siegel. “It is having a substantial impact on the lives of post-treatment cancer patients. The comprehensive program empowers patients to develop knowledge and skills necessary to move forward.” “Scott and everyone at the cancer center were wonderful,” says Mary. “He said, ‘You’re worn out always living with the specter of cancer’ and no one had ever really explained things to me like that. It really validated my feelings and helped me to realize that I have every right to feel tired, anxious or depressed.” Most of all, the Cancer Survivorship Program helped Mary Donohue learn to live life to the fullest—knowing that it’s all right to live life within her own limitations.
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MAKING OUR COMMUNITY HEART HEALTHY
Empowering individuals at risk for heart disease to take action. Joseph Kardos, age 55, is a kind and easygoing man. He doesn’t let many things bother him, including his high triglyceride levels. Even though he knows his cholesterol levels are high, he just ignores them. He considers himself to be in pretty good shape, overall. Fortunately for him, early this summer his wife Sandy decided to check out Christiana Care’s cardiovascular screening and prevention program. She visited the www.christianacare.org/hearttest Web site and took the free seven-minute Internet heart risk test on Joseph’s behalf. Her concerns about her husband were confirmed when she printed out the risk-assessment report. Joseph was indeed at risk for heart disease. Joseph knew then that he had to take his situation a little more seriously. As a follow-up to the online risk assessment test, since he was identified with risk factors for heart disease, he was encouraged to schedule a cardiovascular screening with a cardiovascular nurse at the Center for Heart & Vascular Health. The screening focused on risk factors such as smoking, physical activity, family history of early heart disease, waist measurement, body mass index, blood pressure, fasting lipid and glucose profiles, stress and depression. Results showed that his cholesterol levels were significantly abnormal. Following a multidisciplinary review with Edward Goldenberg, M.D., medical director for the program, results of the screening and best-practice recommendations were provided to Joseph and his doctor. Through the program, Joseph was also referred to exercise and nutrition classes at Christiana Care. Joseph met with his primary care doctor and started taking cholesterol-lowering medication. He also read through the educational materials included in the hearthealthy kit he received and is considering using the pedometer that was included. Because he’s taking care
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of a sore foot, he says he’ll get to the exercise class once his foot heals. However, concerning nutrition, Joseph says, “This screening got me thinking more about my health and I’m not just going to ignore it anymore. Now it’s always in the back of my mind.” The Center for Heart & Vascular Health launched the cardiovascular screening and prevention program to help people see their own risk factors and take action to prevent or delay the onset of initial cardiovascular events such as heart attacks or strokes. What makes this program unique is the long-term focus on patient health and well-being. Unlike typical screening approaches that focus on the short-term, 10-year risk, this program combines on-site screening with a more in-depth medical review that considers an individual’s lifetime risk for developing cardiovascular disease. And, while individuals like Joseph may not be ready to change all their habits immediately, individuals who take the online screening are more aware of their risk for illness and are provided tools to improve their health.
Did you know? The Center for Heart & Vascular Health launched the cardiovascular screening and prevention program to build healthier lives in our community. The program alerts individuals who may be at risk for heart disease or stroke so they can make healthy changes to prevent or delay the onset of initial cardiovascular events. Hundreds have gone online to www.christianacare.org/hearttest to learn about their risks for heart disease and obtain a printed risk-assessment report to discuss with their doctor.
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INCREASED ACCESS TO CARE MOVING WOMEN FORWARD
Helping at-risk moms and kids have fun, keep fit and feel fabulous! VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION
It takes someone with a special gift to care for people in their homes.
Christiana Care is doing its part to help decrease childhood and adult obesity by teaching at-risk women and their children ways to feel “fit & fabulous.” Fit & Fabulous Families is a series of free classes that provides nutrition education and exercise activities for parents and their children. The program is made possible by Christiana Care’s Moving Women Forward initiative, which has reached more than 1,000 at-risk women since its inception. Moving Women Forward partners Christiana Care with community centers, churches and federally qualified health centers to reach at-risk women with exercise, weight management, health information and screenings. Fit & Fabulous Families, just one aspect of Moving Women Forward, teaches the importance of eating breakfast and being physically active. Each class includes a healthy food demonstration, pedometers, fresh produce from local farmers and more—all in a fun and supportive setting. “Our goal is to encourage women and their young children to begin thinking about fitness and nutrition and to learn how they can improve their overall health,” explains registered dietician and program coordinator, Jennifer Barr. “All of our programs are free to women who are eligible and address issues related to weight, stress management and chronic disease prevention.” 6
Christiana Care Health System
Rosa Cannon has a gift. So says Richard K. Bordley of New Castle, Delaware. As Richard’s home health aide for more than a decade, Rosa spends 20 hours each week providing him with personal care, light meals and assistance. A certified nursing assistant, Rosa has been with Christiana Care’s Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) since 1972. Well known by peers and patients alike for her caring ways, Rosa’s skills and experiences are assets to those whose lives she touches. Richard was 29 years old in 1982, when an automobile accident left him paralyzed. One year after the accident, he checked himself into a nursing home because he didn’t want to burden his family. Seven years later, he changed his mind. “In a nursing home, all of your decisions are made for you, but at home my decisions are my own,” says Richard, who has lived independently since 1990 with help from the VNA, family and friends. “Rosa is one in a million. She has made me a better person and improved my quality of life.” It’s just one of the many gifts Rosa Cannon has been able to share with patients during her distinguished home health care career.
CAMP FRESH
Teaching inner-city young people the importance of eating fresh food. Sixteen-year-old Phil Glass already knows how important it is to eat apples, carrots and other favorite fruits and veggies—his mom told him so a long time ago. But for many inner-city residents, buying fresh produce is challenging. Many urban neighborhoods rely on the corner grocery store for their staples, and these small stores often don’t stock fresh fruits and vegetables—the foundation of a healthy diet. Christiana Care’s Camp FRESH program hopes to change this trend. This program empowers the city’s young people to become advocates for good nutrition and healthy lifestyles by improving access to healthy foods in their community. “Where I live, you don’t see any markets that sell fresh, healthy foods—you see a lot of convenience stores and junk food joints,” says Phil (pictured right), who along with other Camp FRESH teens hopes to give his family and neighbors the tools they need to build healthier lifestyles. “My mom taught me at a young age the importance of eating healthy not just for your physical well being, but for your mental and spiritual health. There are a lot of young people in urban neighborhoods like mine who don’t know this, and I want to help spread the news.”
According to Camp FRESH director Brian Rahmer, “The teens visited 24 local grocery stores and verified that lack of access to nutritious foods was a serious obstacle to healthy eating. They urged local store owners to stock more fresh produce.” Rahmer describes how the teens surveyed more than 400 residents about what would improve their healthy behaviors. Many residents supported an increase in the number of community produce gardens and better access to farmers’ markets. This spurred the addition of the Camp FRESH farmers’ market and community garden in 2008. Teens from last year’s Camp FRESH joined current participants to work in the garden at Howard Vocational Technical High School. Other community partners include Highland Orchards, The Veggie Shack and the Delaware Center for Horticulture. The idea is to maintain and expand the garden at Howard each year, meaning Phil and his Wilmington neighbors will have an even better chance of finding their favorite vegetables and fruits close to home.
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FIRST STATE SCHOOL
Helping young people live with chronic diseases. For most teenagers, middle school can be an awkward and sometimes unpleasant period of time. For Danielle White of Newark, the middle-school years were some of the most difficult years of her life. In 1991, at the age of 13, Danielle was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness and fatigue. For her, simple activities like boarding a school bus, climbing a staircase, holding a book—even taking notes in class—made a normal school day nearly impossible. After her initial diagnosis and a two-year period of treatment for the disease, Danielle and her family eventually had to come to terms with the fact that “regular” school was no longer an option. She needed medications four times a day and missed many classes or entire school days because of the unpredictable symptoms of the disease. Around that time, Danielle’s neurologist suggested Christiana Care’s First State School. Back then, the school was part of the pediatric wing at Christiana Hospital and didn’t exactly strike Danielle as a happy alternative to high school with her friends. “At first, I was in a great deal of denial and didn’t think I needed to be in a school for ‘sick kids,’” explains Danielle. “But as soon as I met the caring staff there, I soon realized it was exactly the type of caring, nurturing school environment I needed.” Now located on Christiana Care’s Wilmington campus, the 23-year-old school is a nationally recognized model that offers kindergarten through 12th grade students with diseases ranging from cancer and diabetes to severe asthma and sickle cell anemia a chance to learn with their peers while receiving the medical treatment they need. “We have been so fortunate to touch the lives of hundreds of young people like Danielle over the years,” says Coleen O’Connor, program coordinator for First
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State School. “And what they give back to us is even greater—it’s a gift we get to keep. Like so many of our graduates, Danielle never ceases to inspire us and is such a remarkable role model to so many people.” O’Connor explains that many First State School students have no choice but to stay home—sometimes for semesters—because of their illnesses. The school’s unique focus on socialization helps students blossom as they discover friendships, camaraderie and education in a medically supportive environment. In addition to teaching staff, First State School offers students access to physicians, nurses and other clinical specialists they may need during the course of the school day. Beyond getting the care she needed and earning her high school diploma, Danielle says the school gave her much more. “I realize now that the school’s nurturing, warm environment helped to make me more accepting of myself and my disease,” says the 30-year-old, full-time wife and mom, who is also a part-time student at Wilmington University. In fact, she is close to finishing her bachelor’s degree in behavioral science and one day hopes to come back to work at First State School. “I’d like the chance to work with young people who had to overcome health care issues as I have and tell them not to be afraid to ask for more help. I wish I had asked for help sooner. I tried to be normal and to fit in, but I eventually had to find a way to accept my disease and keep moving forward.” And thanks to First State School, students with a wide range of chronic diseases are moving forward with their own lives.
Five years after graduating from First State School, Danielle White (left) returns to visit Coleen O’Connor, program coordinator, to reminisce and say, “Thanks.”
Did you know? Christiana Care’s First State School started in 1985 and was the first of its kind in the United States to combine traditional classroom schooling with the specialized medical care that children with serious illnesses need. To date, more than 240 students have attended First State School.
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TEEN CLINIC
One-of-a-kind program serves niche for young people at risk. Krystal Coleman is a typical teenager with her share of teenage struggles. The 18-year-old from Wilmington has had problems at home and has high blood pressure, severe asthma and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Yet, because she lacked a primary care physician and had no health insurance, Krystal (pictured left) with Christiana Care’s Theresa Blair (right), was often left to deal with her problems on her own. Thanks to the innovative Teen Clinic on Christiana Care’s Wilmington campus, Krystal’s life is taking a turn for the better. She learned about the Teen Clinic at her high school wellness center. The center connected her with her first-ever primary care physician, Christiana Care Department of Family and Community Medicine Medical Director Cathryn E. Savoca, M.D. “Dr. Savoca and everyone at the Teen Clinic are wonderful. They helped me through a very difficult time in my life, even encouraging me to return to high school after I dropped out,” says Krystal. “We’re treating patients like Krystal for various conditions, both physical and mental,” explains Dr. Savoca. “Mental illness, in fact, is a huge problem for some young people, so it’s not uncommon to counsel for depression, anger management and substance abuse.” The clinic offers a variety of health services ranging from basic physicals and immunizations to reproductive care and STD testing and treatment. It primarily targets young people between the ages of 12 and 25, including walk-in patients and those referred by Christiana Care’s high school wellness centers and other community agencies.
Did you know? The Teen Clinic on Christiana Care’s Wilmington campus is a one-of-a-kind in the United States. Made possible by a grant from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, this clinic makes access to care for walk-ins and for those being released from juvenile detention facilities easy.
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And this is exactly the type of care Krystal needed. She says, “I’ve been coming to the clinic for two years now. Since then, I’ve received regular checkups, counseling and medication for my OCD. The staff there have really reached out to me to make sure I’m getting the care I need—I don’t know where I’d be today without them.” Clinic is first of its kind. There is another special group of young people that the Teen Clinic serves. Young people from Delaware’s juvenile justice system represent some of the most disadvantaged youth in the state. They come from broken homes and sometimes abusive homes—often with histories of drug addiction and mental illness. In many cases, there are little if any resources available to help them become healthy individuals. No other program in the country caters to the health care needs of this particular group. Since 1990, young people in Delaware’s juvenile detention system receive full medical care from Christiana Care through an exclusive contract granted by the state. The program provides these young people with consistent health care in an environment where they can feel comfortable both while in the juvenile detention system and once released. “Our 16 years of experience with this population gives us a unique opportunity to provide sustained, consistent health care that can be tracked and reinforced,” Dr. Savoca explains.
FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM
Helping cancer patients make informed financial decisions. When Charles Frost, a successful businessman in the financial services industry, asks clients to list the most important things in their lives, most say “family, health and finances.” And, while Charles (pictured) doesn’t help people with family or health situations, he certainly has the credentials to help them understand their finances. In fact, he’s putting these credentials to good use for patients at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center at Christiana Care. Charles helps patients and their families understand their financial situations so they can make better decisions during times of crisis. He does this free of charge. Charles spent 40 successful years in the financial services industry. After closing his business to new clients, he had the time he needed to pursue one of his personal goals, which was to encourage people to improve their financial literacy. Charles educates patients on topics ranging from how to balance a checkbook to helping them understand what financial resources they have and how to manage them. “When people are faced with a crisis they get overwhelmed,” he says. “It’s essential to distinguish between
what’s a real problem versus what’s an imagined problem. My goal is to prevent people who have resources from falling into poverty because they make bad financial decisions.” “One woman who had terminal cancer came to me worried that she didn’t have enough money to support herself. We looked at her finances and determined she had enough to support herself for many years,” says Charles. “With this reassurance, she gave me the most wonderful smile.” Through his financial education sessions, Charles transforms many lives by building trust and dispelling fears. And, while Charles says he can only help patients with their financial situations, the many smiles, hugs and thank-you notes he receives indicate that he is helping with much more.
Did you know? Charles Frost’s financial literacy program is now being expanded to other key services throughout Christiana Care Health System.
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John Carroll relies on Dr. Heather Bittner-Fagan (pictured) and the health care workers at Claymont Family Health Services for his medical needs.
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CLAYMONT FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES
Taking care of our neighbors. Brandywine Hundred residents Judy Ruditys and her significant other John Carroll, both 58, wouldn’t be able to visit a doctor or receive any regular medical care if not for some dedicated volunteers from Christiana Care. The couple relies on Claymont Family Health Services for regular checkups, routine tests, treatment of minor illnesses and everyday medical advice. Judy is a cancer survivor and requires regular follow-up care. John, a diabetic, copes with many serious illnesses related to the disease. Since 1992, Claymont Family Health Services has provided affordable access to health care for the underinsured and uninsured residents of Claymont and surrounding Brandywine Hundred. Located at the Claymont Community Center on Green Street, the clinic’s success depends largely on the charitable efforts of volunteer medical professionals from Christiana Care and 30 other collaborating organizations. “These dedicated medical professionals have served thousands of patients,” says Claymont Family Health Services Medical Services Coordinator Sue Cropper, RN. “Since the program’s inception, they have provided more than 10,000 hours of volunteer medical services. Five of our physicians have been seeing patients since we opened our doors.” Medical Director Heather Bittner-Fagan, M.D., a member of Christiana Care’s Family Medicine Center at Foulk Road agrees. “Community-based clinics like this one are vitally important—many patients we see have diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure that are controllable by treating the risk factors. Claymont
Family Health Services gives us a chance to see patients like Judy and John and consistently care for them so their conditions don’t worsen.” The clinic, which is funded by state contracts and grants, offers affordable care to about 60 patients a week. In addition to providing patients with general exams, blood pressure screenings, physicals, women’s health services, dermatology, adult and child immunizations and referrals to specialists, the clinic serves as a gateway to a wide range of social service and educational referrals for people without insurance. “If it wasn’t for Dr. Bittner-Fagan and the other nice people here, I might not ever have had the tests that detected my cervical cancer … I may not be alive today,” says Judy, who has been cancer free for more than three years. “Everyone here is so warm and professional— they’re like family and without them, John and I would have nowhere else to turn for our health care.”
Did you know? Claymont Family Health Services depends entirely upon the efforts of volunteer medical professionals from Christiana Care and other organizations. Last year, volunteers served 1,700 patients. They have provided more than 10,000 hours of medical services since the clinic opened. In 2007, 22 volunteer physicians and a family nurse practitioner received the Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Award in the health category.
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CHRISTIANA CARE’S WILMINGTON CAMPUS
Transformation of the Wilmington campus. For more than a century, the nurses and physicians at Wilmington Hospital and its Emergency Department have served Delaware’s urban population. Not only does the hospital meet the needs of the community’s diverse population, but it provides a safety net for the underserved. Christiana Care never turns anyone away for medically necessary treatment. In fact, in 2008, Christiana Care provided more than $37 million in care and medicine to those who could not afford to pay. Christiana Care’s commitment to caring for its neighbors guides the way the health system invests in and operates its hospitals. This is why construction began on the Wilmington campus, last spring. Through an unprecedented $205 million investment, Christiana Care is expanding and rebuilding the Wilmington campus, to ensure that neighbors have the highest level of care and comfort for decades to come. The new construction will include environmentally friendly construction techniques, incorporate natural light where possible and provide wireless Internet access throughout the campus. This massive project will create as many as 600 new permanent jobs. Key features of the Wilmington campus transformation project include: • Adding 337,000 square feet, bringing the Wilmington medical campus to more than one million square feet.
• Building a new 51,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art medical office building to allow more physicians to practice on-site. • Building an enclosed walkway from the visitor parking garage to the hospital. • Redesigning the hospital entrance and road leading to the campus. Another key feature of the Wilmington campus transformation project is that the Emergency Department will double in size with a new, separate entrance on Washington Street. This is especially important considering the current 31-room Emergency Department experiences very high patient volumes, seeing twice the number of patients for which the Emergency Department was designed. Wilmington Hospital sees more than 47,000 emergency department patients each year, for an average of 129 patients a day.
Did you know? The transformation of Christiana Care’s Wilmington campus will create a new and vital medical campus in the center of
• Renovating more than 62,000 square feet of existing hospital space and 10,000 square feet of medical office space.
downtown Wilmington. This kind of change will contribute
• Building a new, nine-story 286,000-square-foot tower.
business. In addition, it is anticipated that it will create as
• Replacing the existing 10 operating rooms with 13 new operating-room suites.
many as 600 new jobs in the next
• An additional 30 new single-patient rooms. • An additional 12 new intensive-care-unit beds. • Adding capacity for an additional 60 inpatient beds. • An additional 18 new stepdown beds.
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significantly to making the area more attractive to new
five to eight years.
NO HEART LEFT BEHIND
Empowering teens to be heart-health advocates for their parents. When Kathryn Burke’s 16-year-old son Jonathan asked her to participate in an extra-credit project with him last spring, Kathryn had no idea that the project would educate her, too!
Did you know? • Cardiovascular disease kills about one woman every minute. • Sixty-four percent of women who die suddenly of heart disease have no previous symptoms. • The rates of women who die from cardiovascular disease are much higher than those who die from breast cancer.
Kathryn and her son participated in the No Heart Left Behind eight-week heart-health program at Christiana Care, which encourages high school students to partner with their mothers and other women in their lives to learn about heart disease. The program motivates students (coaches) and mothers (teammates) to adopt healthy habits to reduce their risk for heart disease. It also gives students the opportunity to earn community service hours by becoming advocates for heart health. During the first few weeks of the program, Kathryn and her son exercised regularly by walking, jogging and kicking a soccer ball around. “My son was so kind to keep my pace and it was such a positive way for us to do something good for ourselves and spend quality time together,” Kathryn says. “However, these efforts were derailed because I had been experiencing chest pains and discomfort with varying intensity for a while and decided that after reading some of the program’s literature that I should not ignore these symptoms any longer.” Fortunately, after addressing these symptoms with her doctor and having some tests, Kathryn’s results showed her symptoms were not heart-related. With her mind at ease, Kathryn says she is very thankful for No Heart Left Behind because she has learned so much about heart health and has shared this information with so many other people. “The program is really unique because it works with the way a woman is wired, letting us learn from some of the most important people in our lives, our children,” she says. “Perhaps there are other applications for this kind of program and how our children can continue to educate us about good health.” No Heart Left Behind is the brainchild of Kathleen McNicholas, M.D., a Christiana Care cardiac surgeon and Medical Director for Performance Improvement and Surgical Utilization Management. Her idea is to inspire teens to become advocates for improving cardiovascular health among women by relying on the natural family bond. Community Benefit Report
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CHRISTIANA CARE DENTAL PROGRAM
Delivering affordable dental care—and many smiles to those who need it most. Lynn Cassidy’s easy smile hasn’t always come so easily. Growing up, she rarely cracked a piece of gum, let alone a smile, because of a relatively rare congenital condition called dentinogenesis imperfecta, which rendered her teeth disfigured, brittle and painful. “The disease runs in my family and caused my teeth to be unusually small, discolored and prone to rapid wear and breakage,” says the 37-year-old Claymont resident and mother of one. “I learned at a young age how not to smile and how to avoid eye contact with people— I even had to alter the way I spoke for fear of people making fun of my teeth.” Back then, the pricey and extensive dental care Lynn needed to fix her teeth wasn’t readily available because of economic barriers within her family. But in 1990, Lynn’s mom learned about a program at the Wilmington Hospital Health Center that offered affordable dental care—and the hope of a smile one day returning to her young daughter’s face. For more than 60 years, the Christiana Care Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Hospital Dentistry has been offering uninsured and underinsured patients like Lynn a wide variety of greatly needed dental services—at greatly reduced costs. As part of Christiana Care’s mission to provide charity care to the surrounding community, the program operates primarily at the Wilmington Hospital Health Center on the second floor, but includes the Kent Community Health Center and other locations in the state. Under the direction of Edwin L. Granite, D.M.D., the department works closely with community-based dentists and Christiana Care dental residents to provide many of these services on a volunteer basis. In 2007, the dental and oral surgeon residents, supervised by 100 volunteer dentists, provided charity care to more than 2,200 patients (representing 12,300 visits—an average of
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34 patients per day). In fact, Christiana Care provided more than $570,000 last year in charity dental care to patients in need. Patients are seen by appointment, on an emergency basis or as walk-ins and pay on a sliding scale for services that range from routine dental care to complicated reconstructive maxillofacial surgery. Under the care of Section Chief Howard W. Zucker, D.D.S., and dentists James C. Baker, D.D.S., David Isaacs, D.M.D., and Sohaib Usmani, D.M.D., Lynn has had every one of her teeth extracted over the last 18 years and replaced with implants. Normally, this work would cost tens of thousands of dollars, but she was able to receive the care affordably over an extended period of time. “I can’t thank Christiana Care, Drs. Baker and Zucker and all the other wonderful staff members of the program enough,” says Lynn. “They really have given me back my smile—and my life. I can eat anything I want, and I feel like a normal person finally. This has truly been a life-altering experience for me, and I’m absolutely thrilled with not just the generosity, but the skill, dedication and professionalism of everyone involved.” Today, Lynn works in the catering industry, interacting with a great many people every day. She’s self assured, quick with a warm handshake and always makes direct eye contact with people. And, thanks to the dental program, an easy smile now comes very naturally to her—as well as to countless others who have benefitted over the years from the Christiana Care program.
Lynn Cassidy shows off her smile during an office visit with Dr. Howard Zucker – a smile that would not have been possible without the dedicated volunteers at Wilmington Hospital Health Center’s dental program.
Did you know? Christiana Care’s Dental Program works closely with community-based dentists and Christiana Care dental residents to provide many of these services on a volunteer basis. In 2007 alone, more than 100 private-practice dentists, oral surgeons and residents provided charity care to more than 2,200 patients in more than 12,300 visits.
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CANCER SPECIAL NEEDS FUND
Helping patients get the care they need. Eleanor Cassidy says people at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center are like her family, and she loves family. The 76-year-old native of Queens, New York, and former payroll administrator at Manufacturer’s Hanover Bank for 32 years, visited her Delaware relatives on a regular basis. A few years ago, after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, Eleanor decided to move to Delaware permanently to be with her family. “I like it here, it’s very relaxing and quiet, and most important, I’m with my family,” she says. Eleanor is very conscientious when it comes to taking care of her health. Last May, when she had her routine mammogram, results showed she had breast cancer. Eleanor wanted to start her daily radiation treatments immediately. There was one problem. Due to her Parkinson’s Disease, Eleanor can’t drive. She was worried about how she’d get to and from her treatments. Eleanor’s niece offered to work something out with her employer so she could take turns with other family members to get Eleanor to her treatments every day. That’s when, according to Eleanor, “One of my guardian angels at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center stepped in. Through the Special Needs Fund, my social worker arranged to have the Generations van service pick me up at my house every morning and take me home after my radiation treatment.” Eleanor’s niece, Susan adds, “The Special Needs Fund was a lifesaver for our entire family. Knowing that someone would take my aunt to and from treatments took away a lot of stress. We are so happy this kind of program exists.” Eleanor finished the 33 radiation treatments in September, and based on her doctor’s report, her prognosis is good. She will continue to visit her doctors every three months. “The whole experience was very easy and I’m grateful to everyone at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center for treating me like family,” says Eleanor. She adds, “I recommend the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center to everyone I meet.”
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Did you know? Christiana Care’s Cancer Special Needs Fund covers patients’ medication, transportation to and from appointments, supplies, nutrition counseling and massage therapy. More than 2,000 patients have received financial help since the fund began. The fund is made possible through the generous support of corporations, foundations and individuals in the community.
INCREASED ACCESS TO CARE
Bringing together oncology “DOCs” to improve cancer care in Delaware. COMMUNITY HEALTH OUTREACH TEAM
Christiana Care’s cancer program raises the level of cancer care throughout the state. The Delaware Oncology Conferences (DOCs), a brainchild of Nicholas J. Petrelli, M.D., Bank of America endowed medical director of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center at Christiana Care, is just one way Christiana Care reaches cancer patients statewide. Videoconferencing allows physicians from Christiana Care’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Wilmington campus, Beebe Medical Center in Lewes and the Veterans Administration Hospital in Elsmere to discuss care for cancer patients. Plans are in the works for Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford to join the program soon. The weekly meetings, which began in 2004, benefit many cancer patients by providing participating physicians a forum to review pathology and radiology reports, share best practices in treatment plans and more. Dr. Petrelli credits James Spellman, M.D., a surgical oncologist, and Harry Peri, M.D., a medical oncologist at Beebe, with developing the program in Southern Delaware. “All of us who take care of patients want to be more effective and apply the latest advances when caring for our patients,” says Dr. Petrelli (pictured below). “The primary way to achieve that is through education, which should continue throughout one’s professional career. The technology is available so that physicians don’t need to leave their offices or hospitals to stay informed.”
Bringing vital health care and screenings to Wilmington.
Christiana Care’s Community Health Outreach team is always developing new and different ways to reach out to the community, to provide access to health care and eliminate disparities. One such recent effort partners the Market Street Pharmacy, on North Market Street in downtown Wilmington, with Christiana Care nurses and other health care staff. The group is working together to offer the community free and easy access to health screenings and health information. Market Street Pharmacy co-owners John Simpson and Sheila Tucker wanted to find a way to get involved in helping their community. They provided floor space and the outside of the pharmacy to Christiana Care’s health outreach efforts. People came to the pharmacy—no appointment necessary—for on-site cardiovascular disease screenings such as diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. They were also given cancer awareness information. “Breaking barriers and ‘knocking out disparities’ is part of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center’s mission as a National Cancer Institute selected Community Cancer Center,” says Nora Katurakes, Christiana Care’s manager of Community Health Outreach and Education. “What better way to do this than to partner with people in the community who know their neighbors?” she says.
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CHRISTIANA CARE SOCIAL WORKERS
Transforming lives throughout the community. Christiana Care social workers work around the clock to find innovative ways and caring partners for patients with limited resources. Christiana Care social workers provide families with emotional support, assistance with adjusting to hospital stays and discharge, and referrals to appropriate community resources. Here is just one example of how they help transform lives: Six years ago Mary S.’ daughter, who was raising three teenage grandsons, was diagnosed with cancer. She asked her mother (the boys’ great-grandmother), “Will you raise my boys?” At the time, 68-year-old Mary (pictured) was living comfortably in senior housing. However, to prevent the state from assuming guardianship of her three great-grandsons, Mary took the challenge to care for them.
Christiana Care’s social workers were called in to help when Mary’s regular checkup revealed that she had uncontrolled blood pressure. This family of four was barely getting by. However, over the past three years, Christiana Care social workers in partnership with the staff at the Christiana Care Breast Center have made sure the family has the food it needs and that the boys have summer clothes, school supplies and Christmas gifts. And, to cover any other special needs that arise in Mary’s family, the Breast Center staff members contribute a few dollars from every paycheck to put into a special fund for Mary’s family.
Did you know? Last year, the Social Work Department, which employs more than 50 social workers, partnered with other Christiana Care employees to adopt 140 children for the Ministry of Caring’s Adopt a Child program. These children were provided with warm coats and fun presents valued at more than $10,000.
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Christiana Care Health System
REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE
Giving back means going green.
Christiana Care Service Statistics for Fiscal Year 2008:
Thanks to the commitment of approximately 10,000 employees and volunteers, Christiana Care has “gone green” by minimizing the use of natural resources, recycling waste and reducing Christiana Care’s carbon footprint on our environment. The plan includes educating staff, choosing environmentally sound products, discovering new ways to decrease packaging and encouraging all Christiana Care employees to “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!” Here are a few examples of successful green efforts: Environmental Stewardship Program: A major waste reduction project at Christiana Care aims to reduce medical (red bag) waste by 50 percent and solid waste by 25 percent over the long term. Recycling Efforts: In 2007, the Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA) reported that Christiana Care employees contributed more than 50,000 pounds of recycled materials to the recycling station behind Christiana Hospital. Segway Power: Christiana Care’s security staff and Escort Services couriers are using Segways—twowheeled personal gizmos—to motor the expansive Christiana Hospital campus. Powered and balanced by computer, motor and sensors, Segways are environmentally friendly. They are 11 times more energy efficient than a motor vehicle, and they don’t release carbon dioxide into the air.
55,049
Admissions:
7,249
Births:
146,736
Emergency Department Visits:
42,362
Surgeries: Outpatient Visits:
479,045
Radiology Procedures:
335,776 752
Research Studies:
265,361
Home Health Visits: High School Wellness Center and Evergreen Center Adult Day Care Visits: Volunteers: Annual Volunteer Hours: Charity Care:
24,487 1,276 126,016
$37,707,488
Computer Donations: Christiana Care is keeping a number of computers, monitors and printers out of the landfill by donating them for a “second life” at several not-for-profit organizations in the community.
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P.O. Box 1668 Wilmington, Delaware 19899-1668 800-693-CARE (2273)
www.christianacare.org
Christiana Care is a private not-for-profit regional health care provider and relies in part on the generosity of individuals, foundations and corporations to fulfill its mission. 08GRCR97