St. Catherine of Siena Hospital
Community Service Plan 2023-2025
Approved by the Board of Trustees on December 14, 2023 50 Route 25A Smithtown, NY 11787
(631) 862-3000
chsli.org/st-catherine-siena-hospital
Mission Statement
We, at Catholic Health, humbly join together to bring Christ’s healing mission and the mission of mercy of the Catholic Church expressed in Catholic health care to our communities.
St. Catherine of Siena Hospital Service Area
St. Catherine of Siena Hospital is a 296-bed, not-for-profit, community hospital and has served the residents of Smithtown for more than 50 years. St. Catherine of Siena Hospital’s primary service area is Suffolk County. The chart below defines the zip codes and municipalities (towns) comprising St. Catherine of Siena Hospital’s service area.
Demographics
Suffolk County’s total population as of 2020 is 1,481,362 (47.2% male; 50.8% female). Those ages 15-44 represent 35.4% of females; 36.7% of males; ages 60 plus represent 23.7% of males and 25.6% of females; those 18 years and older represent 78.8% of males and 79.8% females. The region is predominately White at 65.3% with 7.7% Black/African American and 4.4% Asian. Hispanic or Latino represent 22.4% of the population,1 about a four percent increase from the last report.
Geographic description
Suffolk County is 2,373 square miles and is the second largest county in New York. Catholic Health’s (CH) three hospitals in the county service this easternmost county in New Yok State and the county is divided into 10 towns: Babylon, Huntington, Islip, Smithtown, Brookhaven, Southampton, Riverhead, East Hampton, Shelter Island and Southold.2 Suffolk County is an area of growing diversity, cultures, and population characteristics.
1U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census 2https://www.ny.gov/counties/suffolk
Socioeconomic information
In terms of household income, 35.2% of the population earns less than $74, 999 with 15% of that group earning less than $34,999 annually. Of the population, 8% of those under 18 years of age live in poverty, while 6% of those ages 18 to 64 live in poverty and for those ages 18 -34, 6.7% live in poverty.3
The percentage of the population (5 years and over) that speaks a language other than English at home is 30.3%, with Spanish the dominant foreign language spoken 14.7% followed by other Indo/European languages 8.7% and Asian languages 5.1%. In terms of education, for those age 25 and over, 89.4% are high school graduates or higher, 31.9% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The percent of the total population uninsured is 4.2%. Of that percent, non-citizens represent 32% of the uninsured. Hispanic/Latino represent 42.1% of the uninsured followed by Black/African American 10%, White 63.9%, Asian 6.5%. Of the uninsured, 37.6% earn less than $74,999 household income and 9.1% earn under $25,000 household income. Approximately 9.6% of the total noninstitutionalized population is disabled. By race/ethnicity, 10.6% of the Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander population is disabled, 13.6% of the American Indian/Alaska Native population is disabled, 10% of the White population is disabled, 9.6% of the Black/African American population is disabled, and 7.2% of the Hispanic/Latino population is disabled. Native American/Pacific Islanders account for less than one percent of the county’s population.4
Income – one social determinant of health – precludes individuals from low-income communities from accessing preventive and/or medical care due to their difficulty to afford co-payments/deductibles (if insured) or care at all if they are uninsured. The inability to afford co-pays and deductibles consistently rises to the top as a barrier to health care on Long Island Health Collaborative’s (LIHC) Community Health Assessment Survey year and after year. The median household income in the past 12 months by race is $107,422 (White), $85,840 (Black), $91,711 (Hispanic/Latino). Mean income in the past 12months, per capita by race is $50,352, $33,170 and $28,414, respectively.4 According to research conducted by the United Way of New York’s ALICE report,5 Long Island residents are earning wages that do not cover life’s basic costs. As of 2020, 31.5% of Long Island households fall below the set income threshold needed to live and work, which equates to 130,599 households in Nassau County and 171,921 households in Suffolk County, struggling to afford these basic needs.
Key Health Partners
Partnering with community-based organizations is the most effective way to determine how the health priorities will be addressed As part of our collective impact strategies to promote health and well-being for residents in our communities, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital has strong relationships with local and regional community-based organizations, libraries, schools, faith-based organizations, the local health department, local fire departments and municipalities that support and partner with us to reduce chronic disease, mental health and substance misuse, and to promote health equity. Some of St. Catherine’s partners include: the LIHC, the Suffolk County Department of Human Services, Catholic Charities and Catholic Faith Network (CFN).
3U.S. Census Bureau, 2016-2020 American Community Survey, Five-Year Estimate
4U.S. Census Bureau, 2016-2020 American Community Survey, Five-Year Estimate 5https://www.unitedwayli.org/ALICE2020
Public Participation
St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, along with Catholic Health’s other five hospitals, worked with the LIHC and the Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDOHS), and dozens of community-based organizations, libraries, schools and universities, local municipalities, and other community stakeholders to produce the CHNA. SCDOHS representatives offered input and consultation, when appropriate, regarding the data analyses conducted by the LIHC and DataGen. Top, high-level findings include a continued prevalence of chronic disease incidence, particularly heart disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer. Further, surging rates of mental health and substance misuse issues among all demographic categories was found, with disparity seen among youth, and low-income communities of color continuing to experience a higher burden of disease overall. In 2022, members of the LIHC reviewed extensive data sets selected from both primary and secondary data sources to identify and confirm New York State Prevention Agenda priorities for the 2022-2024 Community Health Needs Assessment cycle. Data analysis efforts were coordinated through the LIHC, which served as the centralized data return and analysis hub.
Results of Community-Wide Survey
Primary data was obtained from a community health needs assessment sent to individuals and a similar survey to community-based organization leaders6. Additionally, we looked at results from two qualitative studies to round out our primary data.7 Secondary data was derived from publicly-available data sets curated by DataGen into its proprietary data analytics platform, CHNA Advantage ™, offering 200 plus metrics to determine health issues within Suffolk County.8 As such, priorities selected for the 2022- 2024 cycle remain unchanged from the 2019 – 2021 cycle selection, and the selected health disparities in which partners are focusing their efforts rests on the inequities experienced by those in historically underserved communities and communities of color.
Community Health Priorities for 2023-2025
Primary data and secondary data demonstrate that residents living in Suffolk County are experiencing poor mental health status. The 2021 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation County Health Rankings examining Suffolk County in Quality-of-Life Health Outcomes demonstrates an average of 4.0 poor mental health days per 30 days in Suffolk County.9 Mental health issues have soared in the past two years, spurred in part, by the effects of the pandemic. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s COVID-19 Household Pulse Survey (April 23, 2020 – October 26, 2020), a New York State Health Foundation analysis found that more than one-third of adult New Yorkers reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, with racial and ethnic groups of color as well as low-income New Yorkers, reporting the highest rates of poor mental health.
6Community Health Assessment Survey (CHAS) assessing responses from individuals, summary report and survey instrument (Appendix A) CBO Survey Analysis 2022, assessing responses from community-based organization leader, summary report and survey instrument (Appendix B)
7Qualitative Analysis of Key Informant Interviews Conducted Among Community-Based Organization Leaders (Appendix C)
Long Island Libraries: Caretakers of the Region’s Social Support and Health Needs: Qualitative Analysis (Appendix D)
8Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS), New York State Prevention Agenda dashboard, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), Extended Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (eBRFSS), New York State Community Health Indicators by Race/Ethnicity Reports, Community Health Indicator Reports, Prevention Quality Indicators, CDC Places, and U.S. Census Bureau. The CHNA Advantage™ data analytics platform includes these and other state and national level indicators. It also encompasses social risk measures offered by Socially Determined, Inc.
9https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/new-york/2021/compare/snapshot?counties=36_059%2B36_103
However, the 18 – 34- year-old age group reported the highest rates (49%) of poor mental health.10 High school students (grades 9 through 12) fared just as badly. A number of studies found poor mental health along with suicide ideation intensified during the pandemic for high schoolers. An April 2022 analysis of data from the 2021 Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey revealed that 37.1% of students experienced poor mental health during the pandemic, and 31.1% experienced poor mental health during the preceding 30 days.11 The pandemic made a bad situation worse, especially for youth, as mental health issues and suicides were already increasing prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.12 13 14 15 With the shortage of mental health care workers and the lingering psychological effects of the pandemic, mental health services remain a top priority for the region.
The county also saw an uptick in opioid-related overdoses and deaths after having made some gains prior to the pandemic. As of 2019, Suffolk County still exceeds the New York state benchmark of 15.1 in overdose deaths per 100,000 due to opioids. According to data provided by Suffolk County’s Department of Health, the rate of opioid overdoses is currently 19.6. In addition, emergency department visits involving heroin overdoses is extremely high in the county. As of 2019, the Suffolk County rate is 47.2 compared to New York State’s benchmark of 31.1 per 100,000 population.16
Another health disparity identified in primary and secondary research is adult obesity. According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s County Health Rankings for Suffolk County,17 27% of the population (18 and older) reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m.18 In 2019, The New England Journal of Medicine studied projected adult obesity in the United States by 2030 based on today’s obese and overweight adult populations.19 By 2030, the obesity epidemic is projected to impact nearly 1 in 2 adults.
According to the New York State Department of Health, obesity is a significant risk factor for many chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, stroke, heart disease and certain types of cancer. The prevalence of chronic diseases is persistent in the county. Nationally, communities of color experience higher rates of chronic disease. Using diabetes as an example, the American Indian/Alaska Native population represents 14.5 percent of adults 18 or older who are diagnosed with diabetes followed by Black, non-Hispanic at 12.1% and Hispanic overall at 11.8% in the United States. Asians and Whites experience the disease at 9.5% and 7.4% respectively.20 Health providers report that many individuals delayed preventive care and routine screenings due to the pandemic, leading to more complicated cases and unfavorable outcomes. Chronic diseases are preventable conditions sensitive to lifestyle (diet/physical
10https://nyhealthfoundation.org/resource/mental-health-impact-of-the-coronavirus-pandemic-in-new-yorkstate/#:~:text=The%20proportion%20of%20New%20Yorkers,health%20throughout%20the%20survey%20period 11https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/su/su7103a3.htm? s_cid=su7103a3_w 12https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6630a6.htm
13https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/mental-health.htm
14Weinberger, A. et al. (August 2017) Trends in depression prevalence in the USA from 2005 – 2015: widening disparities in vulnerable groups. Psychological Medicine, 1-10 15Bitsko, R et al. (2018) Epidemiology and impact of healthcare provider-diagnosed anxiety and depression among US children. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 1-9.
16https://webbi1.health.ny.gov/SASStoredProcess/guest?_program=/EBI/PHIG/apps/opioid_dashboard/op_dashboard&p=ch& cos=47
17https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/new-york/2022/measure/factors/11/map
18https://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/prevention/injury_prevention/information_for_action/docs/2021-02_ifa_report.pdf
19https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsa1909301
20https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/health-equity/diabetes-by-the-numbers.html
activity) habits but hampered by the obstacles presented by social determinant of health factorsincome/employment, race/ethnicity, food access, housing/neighborhood location, and level of education. The county and hospitals identified in this report through collaborative efforts and facility-specific programming acknowledge and address these determinants regularly.
St. Catherine of Siena Hospital Interventions, Strategies and Activities
Priority Number One: Prevent Chronic Disease
Goals and selected interventions concentrate on Focus Area 4: Chronic Disease Preventive Care and Management, with additional programming addressing other focus areas.
Interventions, Strategies and Activities:
1. Live Better Awareness Campaign: Promote healthy eating and food security by increasing skills and knowledge to make healthy food and beverage choices. The goal is to decrease the percent of children and adults with obesity in low-income communities.
Process measures:
On April 11-13, 2023, registered dietician Sabrena Reid from St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, presented “Nutrition for Performance” to 450 middle school students in the Smithtown School District. School athletes learned about the importance nutrition plays in overall health, both physically and mentally.
On March 6, 2023, as part of a Lenten project, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital employees participated in a Meals of Hope Food Packing and Distribution event, combining soup ingredients – a total of 10,000 meals. The soup packages were delivered to local parish outreaches and shelters in Smithtown and surrounding areas.
March 29 – May 3rd, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital hosted a Living Healthy Workshop Series in partnership with RSVP. We had eight registrants participate.
March 29 at the Smithtown Library, registered dietician Alyssa Morando presented on “Mindful Eating for a Healthy Weight.” We had 15 registrants participate.
In October, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, in collaboration with the Suffolk County Department of Health, hosted a Diabetes Prevention Program. The program will last a full year. 13 registrants have signed up.
2. Free blood pressure screenings are provided at hospital awareness events, local public libraries, community outreach events, street fairs, parishes, with clinical support.
Process measures:
St. Catherine of Siena Hospital regularly provides free blood pressure (BP) screenings in the community, including the Smithtown Senior Center on February 21, 2023, April 18, 2023 and June 20, 2023, August 15, 2023, October 17, 2023 (with a total of 155 BPs); the Smithtown Street Fair on June 5, 2023 (25 BPs); Kings Park Day on June 17, 2023 (25 BP screenings); Go Red for Heart Month on February 3, 2023 (25 BPs); HIA-LI Trade Show on May 25, 2023 (12 BPs) and Cinco de Mayo on May 5, 2023 (15 BPs); on May 6th at the Bloom Florecer Wellness Event, 30 BPs were provided; May 7th Healthy Sunday event was hosted at St. Joseph in Kings Park (23 BPs); On July 16, Healthy Sunday event was hosted at St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Melville (19 BPs); On July 19th, blood pressure screenings were offered at C-Town in Central Islip 25 BPs); On Aug 6th, a Healthy Sunday event was hosted at Our Lady of Martyrs in Centerport ( 23 BPs). On November 5th, a Healthy
Sunday event was hosted at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Centerport and eight flu vaccinations were administered.
3. The hospital hosts educational forums and provides BMI screenings for all attendees.
Process measures:
In partnership with the Suffolk County Department of Health, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital hosts the Diabetes Prevention Program, a one-year evidence-based workshop series. The workshop series began in October 2023 and will run through September 2024; 12 registrants have participated so far.
On May 19th, vascular surgeon Lisa Terrana, MD, provided free vascular screenings to the community, 20 registrants.
On May 10th, St. Catherine’s stroke coordinator provided a presentation to thirty students at Commack High School regarding stroke awareness
On Ma y 24th, Dr. Frank Bonura presented a virtual lecture on menopause, in collaboration with Huntington Library, with 35 participants.
On June 5th, Dr. Alexander Epelbaum presented a virtual lecture on benign prostate disease, in collaboration with Huntington Library, with 30 participants.
On October 11th, Geraldine Hayes, PT, provided a presentation “Exercises for Seniors (sitting and standing), at St. Patrick’s Church “Something for Seniors,” with 50 participants.
On October 24th, Genetics Counselor Jessica Kenney provided a presentation “Truth and Myths: Genetics and How It Impacts Our Health,” at Huntington Library with 25 participants.
On November 8th, Dr. Frankenberger provided a presentation “Non-Surgical Options for Neck and Back Pain,” via a virtual lecture with Huntington Library, 50 participants.
On Nov 16th, vascular surgeon Lisa Terrana, MD, provided free vascular screenings to the community, 20 registrants.
On Nov 21 and 28, registered dietician Sabrena Reid, provided educational information regarding diabetes awareness, proper nutrition, educating 50 attendees.
4. Collaboration with local supermarkets (local schools and/or businesses/organizations), to either provide a registered dietician (RD) or work with an appointed employee of the selected facility to offer free education onsite. The RD will distribute materials related to healthy nutrition and weight management. In addition, hospital staff to provide BMI and blood pressure screenings to identify individuals at-risk of any chronic diseases.
Process measures:
On March 29 – May 3rd, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital hosted a Living Healthy Workshop Series in partnership with RSVP. We had eight registrants.
On April 11-13, 2023, registered dietician Sabrena Reid from St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, presented “Nutrition for Performance” to 450 middle school students in Smithtown School District. School athletes learned about the importance nutrition plays in overall health, both physically and mentally.
On July 19, 2023, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital Breast Health Education Coordinator and our Community Outreach Manager provided 20 blood pressure screenings at C-Town Supermarket in Central Islip.
On September 19th, registered dietician Alyssa Morando provided in-person presentation on “Striking Out Strokes with Nutrition,” 10 participants attended.
5. Healthy Sundays: BP and BMI screenings, flu vaccinations, health education and referrals to follow up care.
Process measures:
St. Catherine of Siena Hospital’s nursing staff participated in several Healthy Sundays, providing blood pressure screenings, as well as educational information on signs and symptoms of stroke. The Healthy Sundays took place at St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Huntington on July 16, 2023 (19 BPs), 2 referred to follow-up with primary care MDs; Bloom Florence Wellness Event in Yaphank on May 6, 2023 (30 BPs);St. Joseph in Kings Park on May 7th ( 23 BPs); St. Hugh of Lincoln Church on April 30 (17 BPs); Church of St. Joseph in Kings Park (23 BPs); Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Centerport on March 5, 2023 (10 BPs); Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Centerport on Nov. 5, 2023 (administered eight flu vaccinations). St. Catherine hosted a free drive thru flu vaccination on Sept. 23rd with 57 vaccinations administered.
6. The hospital collaborates with local school districts to identify appropriate opportunities to introduce chronic disease education and prevention for grades K-12.
Process measures:
On April 11-13, 2023, registered dietician Sabrena Reid from St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, presented “Nutrition for Performance” to 450 middle school students in Smithtown School District. School athletes learned about the importance nutrition plays in overall health, both physically and mentally.
On May 10th, St. Catherine’s stroke coordinator provided a presentation to 30 students at Commack High School regarding the signs of stroke.
On December 14th, six St. Catherine staff members from various specialties, will be participating in a Health Care Careers Day at Smithtown High School West to talk to students about opportunities in health care.
7. Promote a walking opportunity for Long Islanders to access local beach boardwalk at no-cost and provide educational information regarding tick prevention, sepsis, stroke prevention, healthy eating.
Process measures:
During the month of May, on every Tuesday, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital hosted Boardwalk of Wellness at Sunken Meadow State Park. Nurses conducted 30 blood pressure screenings and coached more than 100 attendees about tick prevention, sepsis, stroke prevention and healthy eating.
We hope to plan a Walk with a Doc in collaboration with LIHC in April 2024. The walk will be led by St. Catherine Hospitalist Program Director Dr. Robert Courgi.
8. Offer free, monthly support groups for community members living with lupus, diabetes, Parkinson's disease.
Process measures:
The hospital’s Parkinson’s disease support group met monthly from January to June 2023, with a total of 765 attendees.
New stroke support group to begin week of October 30th
9. Walk Safe with a Doc and Talk with a Doc
Process measures:
In collaboration with the LIHC, for Walk with a Doc there have been 42 combined walkers and for Talk with a Doc there have been a total of 185 combined attendees.
The Walk Safe with a Doc will be rescheduled at the Hospital in Spring 2024. The walk will be led by St. Catherine Hospitalist Program Director Dr. Robert Courgi.
Priority Number Two: Promote Well Being and Prevent Mental and Substance Use Disorders
Goals and selected interventions concentrate on Focus Area 2: Mental and Substance Use Disorders Prevention , with additional programming addressing other focus areas.
Interventions, Strategies and Activities:
1. Continue to distribute Catholic Health’s (CH) Mental Health Substance Use Disorder Services Guide to CH community partners at all outreach events, including hospital health fairs and Healthy Sunday’s events. The guide is available as a download from the CH website.
Process measures:
To address the opioid epidemic and substance abuse, we offer medically supervised chemical dependency and detoxification services. Our services were shared via a letter that was distributed to 75 Suffolk County Superintendents. In addition, the hospital offers a Sherpa Program, which is a free service provided by Family & Children’s Association. Sherpa comprises recovery coaches trained to meet with overdose survivors and their families in the Emergency Department. The team directs people to treatment, offers encouragement and follow-up. Through St. Catherine of Siena Hospital’s Sherpa program, two patients were successfully counseled.
On September 8th, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital partnered with Horizons Counseling Center for a Family Fun Wellness Event in recognition of National Recovery Month.
From January 2023 – November 2023, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital had three referrals for a Sherpa.
From January 2023 – November 2023, 105 Naloxone nasal spray prescriptions have been given.
2. Provide education about prescription drug and safe drug disposal at Horizons Counseling Center and local precinct:
Process measures:
The hospital, in collaboration with Horizons Counseling Center, hosted a Family Fun Day in Smithtown on September 8th, in honor of National Recovery Month.
3. Provide population with information about the signs and symptoms of mental health and substance abuse issues.
Process measures:
We distribute our mental health guide at all community events. It is also available on our website. St. Catherine’s staff has provided CH mental health guides at summer street fairs at Kings Park and Smithtown.
4. Offer free smoking cessation programs in collaboration with the Suffolk County Department of Health
Process measures:
St. Catherine of Siena Hospital has plans to collaborate with the Suffolk County Department of Health in hosting Learn to be…Tobacco Free classes in the Spring 2024.
5. Provide a free postpartum support group to help new mothers address issues that may be facing in a supportive environment led by an experienced clinician.
Process measures:
St. Catherine of Siena Hospital has a weekly, free postpartum support group that focuses on breastfeeding concerns. From January 2023-November 2023, there have been 43 participants.
6. Offer an education conference for health care professionals.
Process measures:
As part of our ongoing relationship with local EMS providers, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital hosted two EMS dinner and lecture series. On March 15, 2023 the topic presented was “Stroke Education Update” and on May 24, 2023, the topic presented was “Sleep Well, Live Better.” At each lecture, approximately 45 EMS providers were in attendance.
On May 10, May 31 and June 7, 2023, Dr. Arif Ahmad presented to medical staff about permanent solutions to acid reflux with minimally invasive surgical procedures. Approximately 20 staff attended each session.
On December 13th, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital will host a third dinner and lecture at Stonebridge Country Club in Smithtown. Dr. James Ryan, Director, ED, to discuss “Transport Decisions in Acute Stroke” and Dr. Jeffrey Richmond to present “Emergency Orthopedics.”
7. Promotion of all programs, events, education offered by collaborative members that speak to the prevention of mental and substance use disorders. Posts in Long Island Health Collaborative (LIHC) weekly communications newsletter, social media postings, cross promotion of member events, programs on all media platforms. Promotion on Catholic Faith Network (CFN) and CH social media, website, and community-targeted publications.
Process measures:
St. Catherine of Siena Hospital posts information on its website and promotes through social. The hospital also relies upon the Long Island Health Collaborative (LIHC) to disseminate information about the importance of proper nutrition and physical activity among the general public to assist Nassau residents in better managing their chronic diseases and/or preventing the onset of chronic diseases. The hospital also relies upon the LIHC to disseminate information about mental health prevention and treatment services and programming, as well as relevant information about substance misuse. Dissemination of information is achieved through the bi-weekly Collaborative Communications e-newsletter, which is sent to 588 community-based organization leaders, and strategic use of social media platforms. These efforts are ongoing.
Priority Number Three: Promote a Healthy and Safe Environment
Interventions, Strategies and Activities:
1. Connect older adults and people with disabilities with evidence-based falls prevention programs such as, Stepping On or A Matter of Balance.
Process measures:
On April 3, 2023, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital hosted a Moving for Arthritis and Better Balance, of which 15 registrants attended. The program focuses on slow, flowing movements, breathing, as well as low impact form of exercise to improve physical condition, flexibility and balance. In addition, a Chronic Disease SelfManagement Workshop was held on March 29, April 5, 12, 19, 26 and May 3, 2023 and 8 registrants participated.
On October 2nd, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital hosted a second Moving for Arthritis and Better Balance workshop with 20 registrants. This is done in collaboration with RSVP and the Smithtown Library.
Priority Number Four: Promote Healthy Women, Infants and Children
Interventions, Strategies and Activities:
1. Provide pre- and post-lactation support with International Breastfeeding Lactation Consulting leadership. The hospital will provide free, hospital-based support groups for expectant and new mothers to increase and promote successful breastfeeding. As a designated Baby Friendly facility, the first hospital-based facility in Suffolk County, St. Catherine of Siena is committed to educating community members about the benefits of breastfeeding – the most optimal feeding for newborns.
Process measures:
From January 23-November 2023, several pre- and post-lactation support groups have been hosted at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, including Warm Line Lactation Support: 24 registrants; Prenatal Breastfeeding: 77 registrants; and Breastfeeding support group: 34 registrants.
Priority Number Five: Prevent Communicable Diseases
Interventions, Strategies and Activities:
1. Offer free flu vaccinations at events in underserved communities, at Healthy Sundays outreach, hospital health fairs and other community venues.
Process measures:
Free drive-through flu vaccination for community members was hosted September 23, 2023 with 57 vaccinations administered.
On November 16th, 12 members of the Commack Fire Department were vaccinated by SCS staff.
On November 13th, 15 members of the Smithtown Fire Department were vaccinated by SCS staff.
Living the Mission
The CH mission is the driving force behind all community outreach activities. In addition to the interventions summarized above, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, along with the Catholic Health skilled nursing facilities, Catholic Health Home Care, and Good Shepherd Hospice, provide additional outreach programs that emphasize the health care ministry of the Catholic Church and social determinants of health.
Interventions, Strategies and Activities:
1. Virtual education series streaming on YouTube, that provides short videos on various topics
• We launched the program with a six-part “Diabetes Education” series describing different topics related to diabetes such as, Meal Planning, Foot Care, Dining out Tips, and more.
• A second nine-part series on Keeping Your Child Safe at Every Age was added.
• Catholic Health also offers an ongoing Health Tips series discussing topics such as Stroke vs. Aneurysm, What You Need to Know about C-Sections, and Prostate Cancer Awareness, among others.
2. Broadcast health-related television shows for the public in collaboration with Catholic Faith Network provide education and prevention lectures to improve knowledge related to specific diseases and conditions, preventive care, and up-to-date treatment options.
• There are 20 shows posted across 10 months with Catholic Health President and CEO, Dr. Patrick O’Shaughnessy, and a Catholic Health cardiologist, Dr. David D’Agate. The “Stronger Together” series with Dr. D’Agate discusses topics such as Cardiac Health, Sleep, Fertility, and Access to Care. The shows with Dr. O’Shaughnessy and Monsignor Jim Vlaun bring the latest in research and information on medical procedures and advancements.
3. Promotion of all programs, events, and education is on the CH website and all CH social media outlets, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
• This includes the promotion of all education, healthy recipes, health tips and support groups. Some of these include education on how to stay hydrated during the summer, facts on various cancers and screening, children’s health and more.
4. Lectures in Catholic schools, local libraries, and other community organizations.
• In collaboration with the LIHC, for Walk with a Doc, there have been 6 events with a total of 42 walkers and for Talk with a Doc there have been 6 events with a total of 185 attendees.
• There was a lecture on preventive cardiac health at the Nassau County Police Department, which 35 people attended.
5. Community Outreach Screening Buses
• The buses travel across Long Island to different community-based organizations to provide free health screenings, including blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index and glucose. From January to November, the mobile buses team screened 6,172 people.
6. Healthy Sundays
• In this volunteer program, we partner with different community organizations to provide BP and BMI screenings, flu vaccinations, health education and referrals to follow up care. From January to November, the Healthy Sundays teams screened 1,462 people.
7. Toy Drive: Corporate teams collected 745 toys for the Gerald Ryan Outreach Center in Wyandanch
Dissemination of the Plan to the Public
The St. Catherine of Siena Hospital Community Service Plan will be posted on the hospital’s website at https://www.chsli.org/st-catherine-siena-hospital/about/community-health. Copies will be available at local free health screenings and can be mailed upon request.
By encouraging friends and neighbors to complete the LIHC Wellness Survey online or at local screenings, the Community Health Needs Assessment will help St. Catherine Hospital continue to develop ways to best serve our community.
Conclusion
The Community Service Plan is intended to be a dynamic document. Utilizing the hospital’s strengths and resources, St. Catherine’s, along with community partners, will work to continue to best address health disparities and needs. The hospital will strive to improve the overall health and well-being of individuals and families by expanding free health promotion and disease prevention/education screenings and programs in communities where they are most needed. St. Catherine of Siena Hospital is committed to continue to develop ways to best serve the community.