FOCUS WINTER 2016
IT BEGINS WITH US...
DEAR ST. MARY FAMILY,
T
here have been many changes at St. Mary in recent months and I wanted to share some good news with you.
As you may already know, St. Mary continues to be a transforming, healing presence in our community. Who we are was determined by the Sisters of St. Francis when they brought their “City of Healing” to Bucks County in 1973 and remains constant today and as we plan for the future.
CEO SEARCH
Nadine Udall Fischer
St. Mary Leadership is actively engaged in a national search for the healthcare visionary who will lead St. Mary into the future. We are looking for someone who is community-minded and who has a thorough understanding of healthcare now as well as a vision for the future. We are confident that the right person will be selected by the end of April, 2016
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continued on page 4
Mindy & Dr. Richard Goldstein
Donors
POODLE SKIRTS
AND BOBBY SOCKS
T
Hop to it, Saturday April 16th
he 2016 St. Mary Health Spring Gala is rapidly approaching. On April 16th the gymnasium at the Bucks County Community College’s Newtown campus will be transformed into an American Bandstand-rivaling sock hop for one night of fundraising fun to benefit the St. Mary Cancer Center.
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FOCUS WINTER 2016
A publication for donors and friends of St. Mary Medical Center
To receive an electronic version by email, register at: StMaryFoundation.org/focus FOUNDATION STAFF
Mark Erhard, Interim Vice President Foundation Director of Planned Giving 215.710.2719 • merhard@stmaryhealthcare.org Mary Jo Howell, Database Coordinator 215.710.2613 • mhowell@stmaryhealthcare.org Lisa Juris, Event & Communications Coordinator 215.710.2644 • ljuris@stmaryhealthcare.org Joann Kunigonis, Administrative Assistant 215.710.6117 • jkunigonis@stmaryhealthcare.org Kathryn O'Connor, Manager of Annual Giving FOCUS Editor 215.710.5894 • koconnor@stmaryhealthcare.org Karen O’Donnell, Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations 215.710.5791 • kodonnell@stmaryhealthcare.org Heather Procaccino, Director of Development and Major Gifts 215.710.2243 • hprocaccino@stmaryhealthcare.org Mary Romspert, Manager of Foundation Operations 215.710.2440 • mromspert@stmaryhealthcare.org Margie Zimmerman, Foundation Board Affairs Coordinator 215.710.2054 • mzimmerman@stmaryhealthcare.org
ANGELS GUARDIAN
IT ALL BEGINS WITH THE HUMAN TOUCH Our doctors, nurses and colleagues spread their healing wings
A
s we welcome the arrival of Spring with longer days and warmer weather, the St. Mary Foundation would also like to take a moment to celebrate what makes St. Mary such a wonderful place to work and receive care — the people!
Though we appreciate the work our dedicated physicians and colleagues do every day, there are a few official dates coming up to help us honor and thank them.
The first date, March 30th, marks the annual observance of National Doctors’ Day. At St. Mary and in facilities all across the country, physicians perform vital diagnosis, care and treatment every day. Our doctors keep us and our families healthy, deliver our newborns, help us recover from illness and injury, and so much more. Celebrating National Doctors’ Day is one small way we can show gratitude to the talented men and women who play such an essential role in our daily lives.
In May, we have two overlapping week-long celebrations. The first, National Nurses’ Week is observed from May 6 through May 12. Beginning with the National Recognition Day for Nurses and ending on Florence Nightingale’s birthday, this week is dedicated to honoring the tireless commitment of nurses across the country to caring for the sick and injured and promoting wellness.
There are so many amazing nurses at St. Mary serving in roles from administrative directors to education and patient care. They can be found throughout the main hospital campus as well as off-site locations. No matter how or where they serve, nurses are an integral part of everything we do at St. Mary. With a week full of events, we acknowledge and express our appreciation for all these indispensable individuals do every day.
The second celebration occurring at this time is National Hospital Week, which occurs from May 8 through May 14. This week is set aside to acknowledge everything that makes St. Mary exceptional. With a full schedule of events we honor our rich history, state-of-the-art technology and facilities and, most importantly, the thousands of professionals who dedicate their lives to serving the healthcare needs of our community in a variety of ways. We recognize and appreciate all of our St. Mary colleagues and their contributions to promoting health and wellness in our community.
SAYING THANK YOU One Summit Square 1717 Langhorne-Newtown Road Suite 300 Langhorne, PA 19047
Please call the Foundation at 215.710.2591 if you wish to be removed from this mailing list. 2
TO YOUR
GUARDIAN ANGEL
As we salute our hardworking physicians and colleagues in the upcoming months, we invite everyone in the community to join us. If a physician, nurse or any St. Mary colleague made your experience with St. Mary especially meaningful, these celebrations provide the perfect opportunity to reach out to say thank you with a contribution in their name to the Guardian Angel program. With a donation of any amount, we will present each named colleague or physician with a certificate and pin along with any special message you wish to include.
If you wish to make a contribution in celebration of a special physician for National Doctors’ Day, nurse for ‘ National Nurses’Week or any St. Mary colleague for National Hospital week, please use the enclosed envelope, visit our website at StMaryFoundation.org or contact Kat O’Connor at 215.710.5894
AMBASSADOR
CIRCLE
T
CANCER IS DOWN
RELIEF BREATHING A SIGH OF
Learning the latest in detection and treatment for lung cancer
he St. Mary Foundation Ambassador Circle met for its final meeting of 2015 at noon on December 4th at the Northampton Valley Country Club. After a warm welcome and opening prayer, Len Franckowiak introduced Jeanette Bernacki, BSN, MSM, Interim Service Line Administrator for Oncology at St. Mary. Since beginning her career with St. Mary in 2001, Jeanette has worked in several different roles and now oversees operations and strategies for the Cancer Program. She came to present information to the group on new options for detecting and treating lung cancer.
Lung cancer is responsible for more deaths than any other cancer in both men and women due in large part to more than half of all lung cancers only being detected once they have reached a late stage of development. This late detection significantly limits treatment options while decreasing survival rates. However, there is hope for early detection and increased survival.
A nationwide study showed that screening high-risk patients with low-dose CT scans (LDCT), lung cancer deaths were reduced by 16-20%. The high-risk population is defined as individuals between the ages of 55 and 77 who have smoked one pack of cigarettes per day for the last 30 years or previously smoked this amount but quit within the last 15 years and are not currently showing any symptoms of lung cancer. Based on the findings of this study, the United States Preventative Services Task Force has given LDCT a grade B rating, deeming it as a covered preventative cancer screening.
LDCT has been offered at St. Mary since May 2014. This year, a multidisciplinary lung cancer team was developed to create a program to facilitate identifying, evaluating and following these high risk patients. Program staff will work with primary care physicians to educate and emphasize the importance of smoking cessation as well as the risk and benefit of lung cancer screenings with all patients, especially those considered high risk.
FOR THE COUNT
T
Fighting the good fight in and out of the ring
hrough a networking group for professional fundraisers, the Make-a-Wish Foundation’s Philadelphia chapter reached out to the St. Mary Foundation to help a young man achieve his goal of assisting women fighting breast cancer.
Bassil Hafez is a professional mixed martial arts fighter who lost his mother to breast cancer six years ago. He understands how crippling this diagnosis can be for a woman and the importance of a strong support network. Having witnessed his mother’s fight with the disease, he also knows firsthand the struggles it can cause for the whole family, both emotionally and financially.
Bassil’s mother is at the core of his passion for, and compassion towards, issues facing women diagnosed with breast cancer. “My mother was a fighter and taught me to never give up. Helping others is my way to keep her legacy alive.” He wants local women diagnosed with breast cancer to know they are not alone and to help them in their fight.
On Saturday, February 27, Jeannette Bernacki, Director of the St. Mary Cancer Center and Diana Arronenzi, Breast Care Coordinator, welcomed Bassil to the Cancer Center to meet with two women and their families to share insights, stories, and hope. He encouraged them all to stay strong, never give up and made a contribution that will directly impact their lives. Bassil Hafez is a wonderful example of the ripple effect an individual can have a on the community around him. The St. Mary Foundation is grateful to be able to work with the Make-a-Wish Foundation, as well as other area non-profits to make meaningful connections that improve lives in our community. The St. Mary Cancer Center and Breast Center offer women access to a full array of services and state-of-the-art care to make all aspects of breast health evaluation — medical, educational, psychosocial, and support — available in one convenient location.
Among this population, a number of patients who undergo LDCT will be found to have lung nodules. Appropriate evaluation is needed to determine the best course of action for further screening or intervention. Brooke Liebfried, RN, BSN, joined St. Mary as the Lung Cancer Care Coordinator in September. As part of the lung cancer team, Brooke navigates patients through screening and diagnostic pathways. From detection to diagnosis, treatment – including the latest in surgery, chemotherapy and radiation techniques – to follow-up care, the Lung Cancer Care Team at St. Mary is committed to providing the best care options for everyone in our community. For more information on the St. Mary Lung Screening program, please visit our website at StMaryHealthcare.org
Bassil Hafez, Jeannette Bernacki and Diana Arronenzi with families at the St. Mary Cancer Center
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St. Mary Rehabilitation Hospital
LETTER FROM NADINE UDALL FISCHER continued... OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU
St. Mary remains committed to providing state-of-the-art healthcare in Bucks County which is evidenced by our recent and ongoing initiatives.
Richard & Kimberly McFillan with baby Maggie in NICU
1. St. Mary Rehabilitation Hospital – This one-of-a-kind facility in Bucks County is a 50 bed inpatient acute rehab center for patients who have suffered strokes or other brain or spine injuries, and has been at or near capacity since it opened in 2014. As Bucks County residents choose to remain in Bucks County as they get older, St. Mary is here to meet the healthcare needs specific to an aging population.
2. Emergency Department Expansion – Through our most recent capital campaign, Expanding on Excellence, St. Mary expanded its Emergency Department to accommodate 100,000 annual visits. St. Mary provides the only Trauma Center to Bucks County as well as a 24/7 Bristol Myers-Squibb Pediatric Emergency Care Center.
3. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU and CHOP Partnership) – Last year, St. Mary and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) announced a partnership that places CHOP emergency care specialists within the Bristol-Myers Squibb Pediatric Emergency Care Center at St. Mary, the only one of its kind in Bucks County, providing 24/7 specialized care for patients age 18 and under. For those situations requiring more intensive treatment, the partnership ensures that St. Mary pediatric patients will have direct access to CHOP’s main hospital in Philadelphia. Last year, more than 17,000 children were treated at St. Mary in the pediatric emergency care center.
St. Mary’s newly renovated, state-of-the-art NICU features private bays, a private lactation room, and a family sleeping room, all designed to meet the needs of families with babies requiring special care — such as those born preterm, critically ill babies, and those with congenital conditions requiring specialized treatment. About 2400 babies are born annually at St. Mary and about 5.5% of those infants required critical care in the NICU. St. Mary is the only hospital delivering babies in Lower Bucks County. CHOP specialists will also become part of a team that has provided highly specialized care at St. Mary since its NICU was first established more than 25 years ago.
New Emergency portico
4. Private Bed Strategy and Population Health – Our vision to provide 100% private beds to our patients is becoming a reality as we renovate each floor. In a healthcare market that is already “over-bedded,” St. Mary chose not to build patient towers, but instead focused on healthcare programs that center on Population Health with the goal of keeping people out of the hospital. For people who need inpatient care, patient rooms will be private – for better comfort, privacy and visitor accommodations which lead to better patient outcomes.
These achievements are the result of our strong partnership with the community. As we move into a new model of healthcare, the Foundation and philanthropic support of St. Mary will be vital to St. Mary's long-term success. All of us at St. Mary are grateful for your continued dedication.
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Thank you! Nadine Udall Fischer Chair, St. Mary Medical Center Board of Directors
Bristol-Myers Squibb Pediatric Emergency Care Center
AN EVENING AT
ST. MARY
TAKING IT TO
HEART
Highlighting the many “firsts” for St. Mary cardiac care treatments
A
group of supporters and community members were invited to the Foundation’s Evening at St. Mary program on February 23 to learn about the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) program.
The evening began with welcoming remarks from Foundation Interim VP, Mark Erhard. He spoke briefly regarding the number of changes and improvements to the cardiovascular treatment options at St. Mary over the years; crediting support from the community with making all of them possible. Mark then introduced Richard T. Leshner, DO, FACC, Chief of Cardiology at St. Mary.
Dr. Leshner continued the topic of ever-evolving cardiovascular care services, highlighting the many “firsts” St. Mary has experienced since establishing Bucks County’s first cardiac catheterization lab in 1991. Since then, the county’s first open-heart surgery, abdominal aortic stent graft, cardiac brachytherapy, biventricular ICD implant, minimally invasive carotid stent procedure, and many other cardiac milestones have all taken place right here at the St. Mary Heart & Vascular Center. Many enhancements — to both the physical hospital campus and the technology used to care for patients — have also occurred here in the past twenty-five years of cardiac care.
Talented cardiologists, electrophysiologists, cardiac and vascular surgeons from the nation’s top medical schools perform a wide range of advanced procedures at St. Mary supported by specialty nurses and technologists. Thanks to this talented team, thousands of patients each year receive exceptional treatment and follow-up care delivered with skill and compassion. Best of all, our patients receive this care close to home.
The evening’s next speaker was George P. Heyrich, MD, President-Elect for St. Mary Medical Staff. Dr. Heyrich explained one cardiac condition that the team at St. Mary is well-prepared to treat is severe aortic stenosis, or a narrowing of the aortic valve opening that prevents normal blood flow. This can be an age-related condition or caused by a birth defect, rheumatic fever or radiation therapy. Regardless of the cause, patients with severe aortic stenosis often see a significantly reduced quality of life. Difficulty breathing after just a few steps or while lying down, chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeat, palpitations, fatigue, dizziness and fainting are among the symptoms experienced by patients with this condition.
The standard treatment for cases of severe aortic stenosis is an open-chest valve replacement surgery. Studies have shown that without valve replacement surgery, patients suffering from this condition will not survive more than an average of two years beyond the onset of their symptoms. Unfortunately, many patients are ineligible or considered too high-risk for surgery due to age, illness or other complicating factors. But, Dr. Heyrich reported, there is hope for these patients.
Model of transcatheter aortic valve
The latest St. Mary cardiovascular milestone is the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure. TAVR allows the heart and vascular team to replace a diseased aortic valve without open-heart surgery. This minimally-invasive procedure delivers and installs a balloon-expandable heart valve via catheter through an incision in the leg or between the ribs. Once in place, the new valve begins to function immediately as a normal, healthy valve. The TAVR procedure can quickly increase quality of life for these previously ineligible patients. Recovery from TAVR takes just days compared to several weeks for the traditional open-heart surgery. It should come as no surprise that St. Mary was the first hospital in Bucks County to perform this procedure. The TAVR procedure was demonstrated using an animated video as well as a 3-D heart model and sample transcatheter heart valves. After the presentation, Dr. Heyrich took questions from the audience about the procedure, its eligibility criteria and results. The evening concluded with Mark once again thanking the group for attending and for their support.
If you would like to learn more about the TAVR procedure at St. Mary, watch the animated procedure video, find expert physician commentary and a patient testimonial, visit StMaryHealthcare.org/TAVR.
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FLASH BACK 2015
Before we break out our poodle skirts and bobby socks, letterman’s sweaters and leather jackets, we would like to take a moment to think back to the 2015 St. Mary Country Gala. Relive last year’s fun in pictures at StMaryFoundation.org/gala2015. As our guests celebrated into the evening with western music and line dancing, they also provided essential financial support to the St. Mary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit expansion project through their participation in the live and silent auctions.
Among the jewelry, sports and music memorabilia of the silent auction, was an exciting opportunity for a ride-along with the St. Mary Emergency Medical Services crew in their state-of-the-art ambulance. Lisa M. Nocera, MD, a pain management physician with St. Mary’s Langhorne Physician Services, was the highest bidder on this item. When asked afterward about her experience she was happy to share her thoughts.
POODLE SKIRTS AND BOBBY SOCKS continued... The live auction at last year's gala was just as unforgettable as Dr. Nocera’s ride-along experience! By raising paddles at various bid levels, guests generously contributed over $50,000 in a matter of minutes! These funds were then used to purchase specialized bottle warmers for St. Mary's tiniest, most vulnerable patients — the babies in the NICU. Proceeds from the entire 2015 St. Mary Country Gala were used to support the NICU renovation project which was completed in June. With a theme rooted in both pop-culture and fundraising, the St. Mary Foundation and event chairs, Dr. Richard and Mindy Goldstein, promise the 2016 Let’s Go to the Hop Gala will be an equally exciting event. To get the full sock hop experience, guests are encouraged to dress in a 50’s retro style, kick off their shoes and twist, slide and watusi the night away. Danny and the Juniors will perform their hits “At the Hop,” “Rock and Roll is Here to Stay,” and more, LIVE!
Proceeds from the Let’s Go to the Hop Gala will support the St. Mary Cancer Center to fund advances in cancer treatments. The event will feature a silent auction that includes another EMS Ride-Along package as well as a cash raffle with a $15,000 Grand Prize! Sponsorship opportunities and tickets for the event are still available. For more information visit our website at StMaryFoundation.org/2016gala or contact Lisa Juris at 215.710.2644.
“As the winning bidder on this item, I had the opportunity to ride along with a wonderful team of knowledgeable, compassionate emergency responders. I accompanied them on a house call and was able to see, firsthand, the process of caring for patients on the ‘pre-hospital’ side as well as the transition into our care upon arrival in the Emergency Department. A guided tour of the emergency facilities was also provided.
I saw the struggles and triumphs of the dedicated first responders and I have since reimagined how our hospital interactions with them can ultimately benefit patient care. In over 20 years of being a physician, I never had the opportunity to ride in an ambulance and it was definitely an unforgettable experience!”
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St. Mary EMS staff and ambulance
2016 GALA
2015 Live Paddle Auction: Ed Breen, Co-host of the 2015 Gala with Patricia Crocker, Nurse Manager NICU, and Melinda West, Nurse Manager, Labor & Delivery
LIVE PADDLE
AUCTION
Foundation Board members who have completed their terms: Charlie Minter, Greg Hayes, Charlene Schwartz, and Howard Hopenwasser
A POWERFUL NIGHT
Holding our breath in fighting cancer
A
paddle auction will be conducted to raise funds for a Deep Inspiration Breath Hold Device. This computer controlled technology is used for patients undergoing radiation for left-sided breast cancer and select lung cancers. Breath hold techniques can cut radiation exposure to nearby organs during treatment. The device allows patients to clearly understand how and when to control their breathing by providing instant feedback ensuring that the treatment area is lifted fully away from the heart and lungs.
As cancer cure rates are increasing, patients are living longer and it is increasingly important to avoid latent side-effects of radiation to vital organs. Continuing to add new technology, like the Deep Inspiration Breath Hold Device, to the advanced treatment options available at St. Mary will help us better serve our patients and provide the best possible outcomes.
TO RECOGNIZE OUR GIVING HEROES
S
President and Planned Giving Society members save the day upport from the community makes wonderful things possible at St. Mary. Thanks to the generosity of so many individuals this year we were able to undertake and complete many necessary renovations and upgrades to better care for those we serve. Their gifts helped save and improve life for thousands of people in Bucks County; people they may never know.
Dan Moen, St. Mary Health Interim President & CEO
On November 19th, the St. Mary Foundation recognized some very special supporters, who gave in excess of $5,000 or named St. Mary in their estate plans, for what they truly are...heroes. Against a backdrop of a Gotham-like cityscape and a dining room decorated with a bit of comic book POW!, Todd Buch, Foundation Chair, welcomed and thanked the assembled guests for their attendance and, most importantly, their support. The recent Neonatal Intensive Care Unit renovation and expansion project would have been impossible without the selflessness and generosity of our donors. In a short video, two families expressed their appreciation for the specialized care their children received during their stay in the NICU as well as for the donors whose contributions ensured this care was available close to home.
Everyone, in their own way, is capable of being a hero. It is in working together we can truly do something super. If you would like more information on how you can support St. Mary, please contact Heather Procaccino at 215.710.2243. 7
PORTRAITS IN
PHILANTHROPY
ABOVE SELF
29 YEARS OF SERVICE The Goldsteins redefine commitment
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fter earning his medical degree from Johns Hopkins and training in surgery at The Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, Dr. Richard Goldstein served in the Navy from 1982-1986. His final duty station was at the Naval Hospital in Philadelphia. Richard and his wife Mindy loved the city but with a growing family they needed the suburbs.
Dr. Goldstein began his association with St. Mary Medical Center on July 1, 1987. The Goldsteins’ personal connection with St. Mary runs deep since eight of their twelve children were born here. Later, Mindy’s father gained a new lease on life at St. Mary through a double valve replacement surgery skillfully performed by Dr. Todd Nixon. He was originally told by another hospital there was nothing they could do to help but send him home to die. Dr. Goldstein’s professional association includes his role as president of the medical staff from 2001-2003, service on numerous committees, and the establishment of a joint venture endoscopy center with St. Mary, one of the first of its kind in the country.
Over the past 29 years, while raising their family and building his medical practice, the Goldsteins have come to appreciate the importance of advanced medical care that is locally available. With two disabled children who often need extensive medical attention, the proximity and availability to acute care is critical.
“There is a correlation between philanthropic support and the availability of advanced lifesaving technology and equipment. Philanthropic support combined with visionary leadership has fueled growth and expanded services that establish St. Mary as the preeminent hospital in Bucks County. We want
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Mindy and Dr. Richard Goldstein
to continue the tradition of physician and community support by chairing the 43rd Annual Gala. We are pleased to have had the opportunity to attend numerous hospital and foundation functions, donate to two capital campaigns and to have sponsored several Community League events,” explain Dr. and Mrs. Goldstein. The St. Mary Gala is a community building enterprise which brings together the medical staff, administration and community members to celebrate the mission and vision of St. Mary Medical Center. The money raised is always put to good use and this year we can all support the Cancer Center.
PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT and the AVAILABILITY OF ADVANCED LIFESAVING TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT.” “There is a correlation between
As a St. Mary physician who also lives in Bucks County, Dr. Goldstein feels a sense of ownership and pride being associated with the hospital. “It is my hope that all community members, as well as medical staff members, embrace St. Mary as their own,” he says. The Goldsteins feel the gala is a wonderful way to connect with other physicians and community members while having a lot of fun and supporting a worthy cause.
A HEALTHY
MENU
WITH GLOBAL
F
FLAIR
Top chef from the Netherlands spices things up at St. Mary Café
Chef Roel Houben
resh, healthy, innovative and delicious: These adjectives describe the food in the Café at St. Mary Medical Center. Sodexo is a worldwide leader in food service and facility management who operates our Café. They have an annual month long event called The Global Chef program. This year they sent Chef Roel Houben of the Netherlands on tour to select facilities around the United States where he celebrated cultural diversity through food and shared his cooking expertise and cultural heritage. St. Mary was selected to participate. As part of Sodexo’s Top Chef Team, Chef Houben develops recipes and supports other facilities in the Netherlands to train their teams and drive new programs. To be selected as a host site a Sodexo facility needed to demonstrate innovation in food service, meal preparation and delivery all while ensuring tasty healthy food choices. They also needed to be recommended by their regional vice president over hundreds of locations.
Chef Steve Samson, Chef Roel Houben and Bill Leffler
Terri Rivera,VP Mission and Community Health with Sr. Eileen Hennessy, Sr. Gertrude Carocci, and Sr. Patricia Warman
Bill Leffler, Chef Steve Samson and the entire Café team work very hard to PROMOTE AND DRIVE WELLNESS INITIATIVES at St. Mary through the Café. Bill Leffler, Chef Steve Samson and the entire Café team work very hard to promote and drive wellness initiatives at St. Mary through the Café. They strive to educate and generate dialogue around healthy choices. They recently introduced Steam Garden which is a new concept offering customers an entrée choice of healthy, flavorful ingredients which are steamed to order. The customer then selects from sauces and crunchy toppings to enhance their meal. This is one of the reasons why St. Mary Medical Center was chosen as one of eight Sodexo facilities to host Chef Houben this year. He was at St. Mary for a total of 3 days and generated 2 days of menus for our Café.
As a special treat on Thursday, March 3rd, Chef Houben prepared an elegant and delicious dinner for the Sisters of St. Francis, St. Mary board members and members of the senior team. The menu featured Norwegian delicacies such as sliced smoked salmon on toasted crouton with celeriac and lobster foam, mustard soup with wild mushrooms and truffle cream, veal tournedos with warm caraway sauerkraut, cranberry and potato cream along with chocolate mousse with fresh strawberries for dessert. During the evening raffle tickets were sold to win a gift basket full of healthy snacks and a Fit Bit provided by Sodexo. The $500 raised will be donated to the Fatima Food Bank and the Back Packs for Kids program.
St. Mary's Café Food Production Supervisor, Chris Palko and Chef, Steve Samson
Bill Leffler stated that he and his team continually strive for enrich the lives of customers, colleagues and visitors at St. Mary by providing broad selections of healthy, wholesome and delicious foods affording opportunity to make nutritious choices.
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TRANSPORTING OUR
LITTLEST PATIENTS
St. Mary provides child safety restraints to EMS partners
T
he St. Mary Foundation received a grant from a private foundation to provide one Ambulance Child Restraint (ACR) to each of our 11 community non-profit EMS partners to help safely transport children of all sizes in their ambulances. Earlier this year, these EMS partners sent representatives to St. Mary to receive the unit and to learn how to use the device safely.
Prior to this grant, the EMS vehicles in the St. Mary catchment area were only equipped with adult-sized stretchers to transport ill or injured patients. If a child required transport in an ambulance, often the child would need to be restricted in an adult-sized restraint, secured by an adult’s arms, or, if below twenty pounds, placed in the infant’s own car seat which may have been damaged — all of which were unreliable situations and could cause additional injury. An Ambulance Child Restraint (ACR) can be used for children weighing 4-99 pounds in four adjustable settings so only one unit is needed per vehicle. The device is easily re-packaged after use, washable and secured in an ambulance.
The implementation of an ACR in at least one ambulance in all EMS stations in the St. Mary service area will ensure the safe transport of all ill or injured children thereby reducing risk of further harm to the patient.
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FIND FABULOUS ITEMS at the Re-newed, Re-freshed Thrift Shop
The Community League’s renovated Thrift Shop re-opened in the Pine Watson Shopping Center in early February. After a month’s closure to clean out, spruce up, and consolidate two storefronts into one very special one, shoppers are thrilled with the re-arranged shop. There is a new floor in the entire space, fresh paint, great display racks so shoppers can find things more easily, storage bins, improved lighting, and a re-wired computer and phone system. Customers and volunteers agree, the end result is terrific!
THE COMMUNITY LEAGUE CARES (Community Aid Refurbished Equipment Store) to have Grand Opening Soon
The second storefront adjacent to the Thrift Shop in the shopping center in Langhorne will be opening soon as perhaps the only place in the region where people can get wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and other medical equipment at no charge. People who no longer need these items are asked to donate them to the store. The items will be cleaned and re-freshed, then given to those in need.
OFF WE GO – Out & About Trips for Spring Will Be Entertaining, Educational, and Fun!
The tour will start with the six-story stone main house. Then guests will move on through the beautiful, terraced gardens containing Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller’s impressive collection of 20th-century sculpture. Artists represented include Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore, Alexander Calder, Louise Nevelson, and David Smith.
Children from the Child Development Center enjoyed the annual Easter Egg Hunt on March 23, 2016.
Everyone is invited to join the Community League on its Spring 2016 adventures. They are:
SPRING INTO FASHION Has ‘50s Theme
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Taste of Philadelphia Market Tour at Reading Terminal Market & City Kitchen Cooking Demonstration Indulge in the mouth-watering aromas and learn more about the vibrant Reading Terminal Market! On this 75-minute food-writer-led walking tour you’ll learn about the fascinating 114-year history of the market. Following the tour, there will be a cooking demonstration in the market’s cozy City Kitchen.
Afterwards, lunch will be enjoyed waterfront at Red Hat on the River in nearby Irvington, New York. This renowned French-American bistro is on the Hudson River and supports local purveyors offering the highest quality sustainable fish and meats. The 3-course lunch features artfully plated seasonal menu items.
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Enjoy Spring Lake Historical Society's Annual House Tour Spring Lake, New Jersey, is often called the gem of the Jersey Shore. Experience all that Spring Lake has to offer with an exclusive inside look at six stunning homes during the 37th annual house tour.
Following the tour, lunch will be served at the award-winning Black Trumpet, signature restaurant of the Grand Victorian Hotel.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Step Through The Garden at Mill Fleurs This property and gardens are some of the most beautiful hidden gems in Bucks County. The 1742 Grist Mill and Saw Mill on the sometimes raging Tohickon Creek are tucked away and not visible from the road.
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Tour Kykuit in the OUT SOLD Hudson River Valley Kykuit is home to four generations of the Rockefeller family beginning with John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil. Now a historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, this preeminent Hudson River Valley landmark has been meticulously maintained for more than 100 years.
EASTER EGG HUNT
The rich plant collections have been arranged into a seamless whole, making visitors want to look closer at their form, color, texture, and scale.
To support the St. Mary Foundation’s annual gala, this year’s Community League Spring Into Fashion Show will also have a ‘50s theme. Guests will be able to see vintage clothing that was worn in the ‘50s and compare those articles to today’s fashions. There will be a live band during the cocktail hour playing hits from the era, raffle baskets with wonderful themes like: “Night on the Town” and “For the Man in Your Life,” and vendor tables. St. Mary colleagues will join professional models to walk the run-way following the delicious dinner served in the ballroom at Spring Mill Manor in Ivyland. Tickets are $55/person and a table for 10 costs just $500. Tickets can be purchased online at communityleague-stmary.org or call Eileen Moser at 215.767.4842.
SHOP THE BEEHIVE!
Items are always changing in the Beehive Gift Shop. Stop in often to see the latest merchandise. Delivery of flowers is available on the St. Mary campus and in the area, too!
And, remember — you can shop online — 24/7 at communityleague-stmary.org.
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NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE
One Summit Square, Suite 300 1717 Langhorne-Newtown Rd. Langhorne, PA 19047
PAID
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WINTER 2016
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StMaryFoundation.org
PLANNED GIVING:
WHAT’S NEW? WRAPPING UP YOUR GIFT
IRA ROLLOVER: A TAXWISE DONATION.....
In December 2015 Congress approved and the President signed the Charitable IRA Rollover into tax law.
By not including Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) in Adjusted Gross Income a donor can potentially avoid the loss of exemptions, deductions, credits and phase outs, the alternative minimum tax, the 3.8% surtax on net investment income and the increase in Social Security premiums for Medicare Part B and Part D.
IN ADDITION: Many IRA account holders do not have mortgage interest or state and local taxes deductions. The total amounts of their deductions are not sufficient to itemize on their taxes. Therefore, it makes sense to use the IRA rollover option for gifting. By not having to report income in essence they receive a “100% deduction” for their QCD. The cost of the gift is lower due to the additional tax savings.
MUST BE 70½: IRA owners’ age 70 ½ and older qualify for the QCD. A QCD can be made only if the distribution is made on or after the date the IRA owner actually reaches age 70 ½. DIRECT TRANSFER REQUIRED: Donors must make a direct IRA transfer to St. Mary. Many IRA custodians have online forms to complete the rollover.
WHAT’S NOT NEW BUT ALWAYS A TAX WISE PLANNING OPPORTUNITY? IRA BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION: Perhaps the easiest way to create a Legacy gift is by designating St. Mary as beneficiary of all or part of your IRA and leave other, less tax-burdened assets to your heirs. We will receive a gift and they will receive more from your estate. A simple call to your IRA custodian can create your St. Mary Legacy.
For a no obligation, personal Charitable Gift Annuity calculation, or information on additional planned giving options, contact Mark Erhard, Director of Planned Giving by email at merhard@stmaryhealthcare.org or 215.710.2719