TBHC Times - February 2024

TBHC

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THE EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER OF THE BROOKLYN HOSPITAL CENTER

FEBRUARY 2024

President’s Message: A NEW DIRECTOR FOR SPIRITUAL CARE

I am delighted to announce the appointment of Father Francis Joojo Obu-Mends, a distinguished member of the Spiritan international religious missionary congregation, as the full-time Chaplain and Director of the Gary G. Terrinoni Spiritual Care Department.

Father Francis, a board-certified healthcare chaplain accredited by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains since 2013, has been an integral part of TBHC for several years, previously serving in a part-time capacity. Originally hailing from Ghana, Father Francis brings a wealth of academic, pastoral and spiritual care experiences from his extensive background in Africa, Europe and the United States. His affable, calm and self-giving personality, coupled with his extensive experience, will undoubtedly enhance the hospital’s commitment to providing holistic and compassionate care to patients, their families and also staff.

Father Francis’ academic journey is marked by graduate degrees in philosophy, theology, anthropology and sociology of health. Father Francis further enriched his skills through clinical pastoral education at Queens Hospital in Jamaica, Queens.

Father Francis’s previous experience as a healthcare chaplain includes tenures at the former Peninsula Hospital in Rockaway Queens, the former Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, and Maimonides Medical Center, also in Brooklyn. His dedication to the field is exemplified by his role on the board-certification team of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains for many years.

While rooted in the Catholic faith, Father Francis is a trained interfaith chaplain. He emphasizes an ecumenical and team-player approach to spiritual care, showcasing his relational and linguistic skills. Fluent in English, French, Spanish, German and conversant in several Father Francis Joojo Obu-Mends other languages, Father Francis embodies a diverse and inclusive approach to his profession.

Weekly Schedule of Services At the Patrick F. Adams Family Multi-Faith Chapel Open to all, including staff!

Mondays, 8 to 8:20 am Spiritual refueling for the week Wednesdays, 12:30 to 1:30 pm Non-denominational Christian prayer service Thursdays, 2 to 3 pm and 6 to 7 pm A chaplain is available for one-on-one spiritual care and conversation. Call to schedule an appointment. See below.

Fridays, 1:30 to 2 pm Muslim Jummah prayer First Friday of the Month, 3 pm: Catholic Mass Contact: 718.250.8572; cell: 917.451.0472 SpiritualCare@tbh.org; tbh.org/SpiritualCare

TBHC Has Excellent Breast Imaging Services The ability to better see inside the body has been one of the most miraculous medical developments over the past 50 years.

In fact, the American Cancer Society reports that breast cancer rates have declined by 40 percent, largely because of the improvements in early detection.

“Digital mammography, breast ultrasound and MRI (magnetic resonance) scans help TBHC radiologists spot early cancers,” says Natalie Igel, MD, Chair of Radiology (shown here, reviewing scans). Stereotactic (mammography guided), ultrasound- and MRI-guided biopsies remove suspicious

tissue for analysis, all on an outpatient basis. “We also enable surgeons in the OR find abnormal breast lesions to remove with the help of image-guided needle localizations,” she adds.

The majority of the breast imaging is done in the newly renovated Breast Imaging Center, located on the 2nd floor of the hospital. “We are among the best in Brooklyn,” says Dr. Igel without hesitation.

Anyone from the community (or the staff!) can make an appointment directly. Ask your primary care doctor if you need a referral. Call 250.6304 to make an appointment.

RSV Vaccines at TBHC Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious. Infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV and need hospitalization. Vaccines are now available to protect vulnerable populations and TBHC has them for:

Adults Over 60

Adults 60 years and older may receive a single dose of RSV vaccine. Older adults should talk with their healthcare provider about whether RSV vaccination is right for them. Even if you had RSV infection in the past, RSV vaccination can help prevent future occurrences. There is no specific length of time that you need to wait after having RSV infection before you can receive an RSV vaccine, but generally, if you have a moderate or severe illness, you should wait until you recover. If you have a minor illness, such as a cold, you can get an RSV vaccine.

Eligible patients may walk into TBHC’s Outpatient Pharmacy to receive the RSV vaccine at any time during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 7:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 3 pm).

No appointment is required. Or call 718.250.RX00 (7900) for more information.

Pregnant People

People who are 32 through 36 weeks pregnant should get one dose of maternal RSV vaccine to protect their babies. Babies born to pregnant people who got an RSV vaccine at least 2 weeks before delivery have protection and, in most cases, should not need an RSV immunization later. Eligible patients may walk into TBHC’s Outpatient Pharmacy to receive the RSV vaccine at any time during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 7:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 3 pm).

No appointment is required. Or call 718.250.RX00 (7900) for more information.

Infants and Young Children

Eligible patients (infants younger than 8 months of age who are born during – or who are entering – their first RSV season and some children age 8 through 19 months who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease and entering their second RSV season) may receive RSV vaccine through TBHC’s Children’s Health Center and Pediatric program. Infants and young children MUST be existing TBHC patients to be eligible to receive the RSV vaccine. Call 1.833.TBHC.NOW (833.824.2669) for more information.

TBHC also has Covid, flu, monkeypox, polio and school-required vaccines. See tbh.org/vaccine.

Rounds 1) World AIDS Day is commemorated every year on December 1, and this year, as is traditional, TBHC wore red to mark the day. “We look forward to the day that HIV is not a public threat,” says Carlene Vesprey, Executive Director of the PATH Center at TBHC. “In the meantime, everyone can be part of the call to end the stigma and raise awareness, especially about PreP, medication that we provide to prevent HIV for those at high risk.” TBHC also offers free HIV testing with sameday results. Visit www.tbh.org/locations/path-center for more info.

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What a wonderful time of year at TBHC! Throughout December, we enjoyed participating in toy drives and several health events. 2) Nursing students from Benjamin Banneker Academy and 3) Helen Fuld College of Nursing were among those spreading holiday cheer with toy donations for kids in need.

Monthly Blood Drives TBHC hosts monthly blood drives and the next one is Thursday, February 15, from 12 noon to 6 pm.

You can help answer the call for the City’s blood emergency, as announced by New York Blood Center. You can also invite your friends and family, as the blood drive is open to employees and the community alike. The drives take place in the cafeteria. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome, space permitting. Please remember to eat and drink before donating, and bring your donor ID card or an ID with your name and photo.

It only takes one hour to donate, and a single donation can save multiple lives. Roughly one in seven hospital admissions require a blood transfusion. Those in need include: cancer patients, accident, burn, or trauma victims, transplant recipients, surgery patients, chronically transfused patients suffering from sickle cell disease or thalassemia, and many more. To make an appointment at TBHC’s blood drive, click here.

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TBHC

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