For every patient, in every encounter A
By growing in every aspect of patient experience and quality, Catholic Health is becoming the most preferred choice on Long Island.
Catholic Health’s foundational strength is its covenant with the communities we serve. We are committed to delivering health care in a way that respects the innate preciousness of every life we encounter. Our faith and bedrock values are what build trust, giving us a unique credibility with the people of Long Island. They count on us to treat every patient we care for at the highest level.
True to our Catholic Health mission, in 2023 we helped to restore many thousands of Long Islanders to health, not only through exceptional medical or surgical treatment, but also through our community outreach efforts, inclusive of free health screenings and our Food is Care program.
Catholic Health is strong and getting stronger. You will see that as you read through this annual report. For us, health care is a ministry and your support is vital to our shared interest in better health for all Long Islanders.
On behalf of our Board of Directors, thank you for believing in Catholic Health. Your support helps us to help the people of Long Island.
The past year was one of both challenge and achievement for our health care system and the industry as a whole. However, Catholic Health anticipated industry-wide headwinds and ably pivoted to make major advances on our strategic goals—growing our ambulatory footprint, enhancing our inpatient facilities, introducing new therapies and earning several high recognitions.
We’re opening new access points that are attracting a greater percentage of health care consumers on Long Island. Our team of clinicians, technicians and supporting staff will ensure that every interaction with Catholic Health results in a positive experience. By providing exceptional care, ease of access and an unmatched patient experience across multiple channels, Catholic Health is securing lasting loyalty.
In parallel, Catholic Health’s campaign theme— Dedicated to Better is raising awareness of our services, our signature commitment to compassionate care and of our high level of excellence.
In these pages, you’ll see how Catholic Health is consolidating gains, increasing our reach and securing our position by providing world-class medical and surgical care to the people we hold most dear—friends, family and neighbors on Long Island.
On behalf of each of our 17,000 health care heroes, thank you for all your support.
Patrick M. O’Shaughnessy, DO, MBA President & CEO Catholic Health
Salvatore F. Sodano Chairman, Board of Directors Catholic Health
Social Workers like Delaney Wahib, LMSW, at The Cancer Institute at Good Samaritan University Hospital, assist patients every step of the way through their cancer journey, from scheduling tests and treatment to all levels of support.
“Dedicated to Better means executing our duties and responsibilities at the highest level of both reliability and effectiveness. We embrace an ethic of safety checks and back-ups to ensure our delivery of services is always correct, deliberate, positive and effective.”
Ihab Ibrahim, RPH, Pharm-D, MBA Chief Operating Officer, Mercy Hospital Winner of Catholic Health’s 2023 Scollard Leadership AwardIn a landscape where health care consumers have multiple choices, loyalties shift depending on one’s personal experience and word of mouth. The key to retention is quality as well as that indispensable element of true caring. Catholic Health brings that combination together like no other health care provider in our market. It’s what makes us unique.
We’re always aiming higher.
In 2023, we began publicly proclaiming our “dedication to better,” an open declaration of our all-in commitment to delivering health care at the highest levels of quality, safety and high reliability—all in support of providing the best possible patient experience across every service area.
Every day, we raise the bar—because in health care, there is no finish line. As we reach each new milestone, we set still higher goals for tomorrow. Our commitment shows in the way we talk to our patients and their families. It shows in our attention to all the many details that go into delivering exceptional care and treatment.
And it shows in our never losing sight of the fact that every life we encounter matters.
That ongoing dedication to excellence is getting real results. Our patient satisfaction scores are climbing across every patient touch-point within our health care system. Catholic Health’s strategic objective is to be recognized as the premier health care system on Long Island. Our doctors, nurses and all supporting staff are committed to making that vision a reality.
Catholic Health’s “dedication to better” is earning the trust and loyalty of Long Islanders in every community we serve. Every patient. Every time.
Catholic Health’s Dedicated to Better campaign has dramatically raised awareness, both of our services and of our level of excellence.
In 2023, Catholic Health dramatically expanded its services, opened new facilities, initiated exciting new therapies and earned several high recognitions. The year’s major milestones fortify our resolve to push excellence in health care ever higher.
In Centereach, we opened Catholic Health Ambulatory & Urgent Care, our best-in-class outpatient facility, with a number of vital specialties all under one roof for easy access to “one-stop” coordinated care. Our Centereach hub is expected to serve 50,000 patients annually with comprehensive services, from primary care to specialized care, including diagnostic imaging. The newly constructed 63,000 squarefoot complex also features Catholic Health’s first Urgent Care unit for walkin patients in need of immediate care.
We opened an additional Ambulatory Care site in Riverhead in January of 2024, placing access to Catholic Health services at its furthest point east. Our ambulatory strategy is changing the face of health care on Long Island, moving from hospital-centric care to health-centric care, designed to preempt disease before patients may require hospitalization.
Arthur Bretton
Mercy Hospital opened its new Family Care Center, providing crucial health services to disadvantaged mothers and children.
Construction continues on target for Good Samaritan University Hospital’s new Patient Care Pavilion. The six-story, 300,000-square-foot structure represents a $500 million dollar investment in quality inpatient care. When it opens in mid 2025, the pavilion will feature a 75-bay Emergency Department, 16 high-tech operating rooms and three floors of private patient rooms.
St. Charles Hospital and St. Catherine of Siena Hospital have each commenced construction on expanded Emergency Departments, which will greatly enhance our ability to care for distinct patient populations. In addition, we’re renovating Mercy Hospital’s Emergency Department, all part
Assistant Vice President, Food Services
of a coordinated effort to greatly enhance our ability to care for distinct emergency patient populations.
Our investment in Master Facility Planning will yield modernizations across our hospitals in a number of areas in the coming years.
In 2023, Catholic Health implemented Hello World, a comprehensive text messaging platform for patient engagement, streamlining communications, scheduling, bill pay and family updates.
We deployed OneView, an interactive patient technology, to enhance care team interaction and patient services.
Catholic Health implemented Epic’s Dorothy and Comfort modules to enhance support of our Home Health and Hospice workflows.
Catholic Health’s web-based Find-A-Doc tool launched an enhanced physician search and direct appointment scheduling feature, now integrated across all access points.
We’ve also placed 62 kiosks across 35 locations to expedite patient check-in and enhance operational efficiency.
Winner of Catholic Health’s 2023 Scollard Lifetime Achievement Award
“Dedicated to Better means embracing our I-CARE values, never settling for second best. It means giving our patients, their families and visitors, and all of our employees, the highest level of care and respect, while always delivering warm, friendly service. Our Catholic Health culture fosters a spirit
of caring, compassion and commitment—every minute, every hour, every day.”
Good Samaritan University Hospital’s Patient Care Pavilion is on pace to complete construction in 2025.
Catholic Health Ambulatory & Urgent Care opens in Centereach.
Top chef Tom Colicchio’s Root & Sprig eateries are upgrading food options for employees and visitors alike. Launched at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center ® in 2023, Root & Sprig will open at Mercy, St. Charles and St. Joseph hospitals in 2024.
Catholic Health is unique among health care systems. As Long Island’s only faith-based provider, we proceed from a sacred commitment to our foundational mission to bring Christ’s healing love to all we encounter.
In every interaction—with patients, their families and with each other—we draw upon our deep Catholic roots and values. They inspire and sustain us as we dispense compassionate care to every life we touch.
2023 milestones:
Both medically and socially, Catholic Health is there for our communities. In 2023, our core commitment to mission resulted in a number of major milestones:
• Awarded over $18M in total grant funding, including over $7.7M in opioid treatment funding.
• Performed minimally-invasive interventions to correct congenital heart defects in four children from underserved countries, in partnership with the Gift of Life organization.
• Provided more than 4,000 individuals free health screenings throughout Long Island through our Healthy Sundays parish outreach and mobile health bus programs.
• Opened the Mercy Hospital Family Care Center, utilizing $7.33M in grant funds from the New York State Department of Health Transformation Grant, as well as an additional $1.315M gift from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to assist with construction. This project enabled ambulatory specialty clinics to move from the hospital setting into our new stateof-the-art medical office building, which will treat more than 9,000 patients annually.
• Awarded the American Hospital Association Grassroots Champion Award for Community and Government Advocacy.
• Awarded the 2023 HANYS Community Health Improvement Award for food insecurity efforts.
• Created funding opportunities for close to $1.4M in food insecurity support.
Antonio Gordon, DMS, MSN-RNC, ThMVice President,Pastoral Care and Mission Formation
• Opened a community garden with Smile Farms to grow fresh produce for patients in need.
• Collaborated with Island Harvest to Stamp Out Hunger.
• S creened more than 121,500 patients using the Hunger Vital Signs Assessment.
• Provided more than 3,000 meals to patients and families and delivered more than 10,000 medicallytailored meals to homebound patients through a pilot program with God’s Love We Deliver.
• Raised over $90,000 for cancer research through the Empire State Ride.
• L aunched the Health and Harmony Program in partnership with the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame.
• Sponsored the Suffolk County Marathon, supporting local veteran support services.
• O ffered free heart health education to more than 300 Nassau County police officers and prostate screenings to the Suffolk County Police Department.
• Committed to a concentrated effort to expand support for Long Island’s Hispanic communities, encompassing free health screenings, bilingual health educational events, food programs and crisis support.
“Dedicated to Better means seeing every patient, every family member and every one of our colleagues as a child of God. We are all in need of spiritual support and the highest level of respect and compassion. That’s what Catholic Health stands for.”
Sean Levchuck, MD, Chair of Pediatric Cardiology, St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center ® with 7-year-old Symphany from Belize, all smiles after repairing a hole in her heart. The procedure was performed gratis as part of Catholic Health’s ongoing partnership with Gift of Life International to treat children from developing countries.
Mercy Family Care Center opened in July 2023.
Catholic Health is the only comprehensive health care system shaped by the spirit of Long Island. Founded in faith more than 100 years ago, rooted in mission and tethered to our communities, Catholic Health is a highly integrated health care delivery system. We deliver exceptional medical and surgical services, which are always infused with a healthy dose of compassion and respect for human dignity.
Financial performance:
$4.3 billion
Total assets
$3.2 billion
Net revenue
Third largest employer on Long Island with more than 17,000 employees
6 Acute care hospitals— more than 1,900 certified hospital beds
• St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center ®, Roslyn
• Mercy Hospital, Rockville Centre
• St. Charles Hospital, Port Jefferson
• St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, Smithtown
• St. Joseph Hospital, Bethpage
• G ood Samaritan University Hospital, West Islip
2,900+ Catholic Health Physician Partners
Catholic Health volumes in 2023:
85,756 Hospital admissions
5,028 Newborn deliveries
373,083 Home care visits
68,066 Ambulatory surgeries
24,537 Inpatient surgeries
Payor mix: 43.1% Medicare
8.3% Medicaid
48.6%
Non-governmental payers
4 Cancer Institute locations
14 Outpatient rehabilitation locations
20 Multispecialty ambulatory care locations
Home Health service
Good Shepherd Hospice
488,030 Ambulatory outpatient visits
234,194 Emergency Department visits
157,499 Hospice days of care
133,363 Rehabilitation visits
Data presented here reflects the total economic and community benefit provided by Catholic Health’s six hospitals, as compiled by the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) from a variety of federal and state sources.
Economic activity:
$5.177 billion
generated by our hospitals through jobs and the purchase of goods and services is part of the 9.6% of the state’s entire gross domestic product generated by all New York hospitals.
Jobs generated:
23,000
Hospitals and health systems, often the largest employers in communities, generate many more jobs and are top ten private sector employers in every region of New York. The Catholic Health system is no exception.
Catholic Health hospitals rely on state and federal funding
Tax dollars generated:
$772 million
Catholic Health generates significant tax dollars and stimulates the economies of local communities in which it serves.
50 percent
Community benefits and investments:
$285 million
Adhering to our charitable mission, Catholic Health hospitals cover the cost of care provided to people in need; subsidize care and services to low-income, elderly and under-served communities; and continuously invest in many community-health initiatives.
Reimbursements from Medicaid and Medicare
Half of Catholic Health’s patient service revenue comes from Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements, which do not cover the cost of care. This underpayment is driven by large volumes of inpatient and outpatient services provided to individuals covered by these public insurance programs.
Ann Cella, MA, MEd, RN, NEA-BC Senior Vice President, Patient Care Services/Chief Nursing Officer St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center ®“Dedicated to Better means delivering exceptional care in every aspect of everything we do. Excellence is a daily goal. It’s what Catholic Health commits to every day.”
Catholic Health’s mission to provide care and treatment at the highest level is reinforced by an attention to detail that produces exceptional outcomes. Our unique brand of compassionate care is recognized by independent agencies as top-of-list, as our many awards and honors so testify.
St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center® is nationally ranked in no less than eight adult specialties, an increase from five in previous years. These include Heart & Vascular; Diabetes & Endocrinology; Gastroenterology & GI Surgery; Geriatrics; Neurology & Neurosurgery; Orthopedics; Pulmonology & Lung Surgery; and Urology. St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center ® was also rated high performing in Cancer.
Catholic Health’s flagship hospital was also ranked as high-performing in 16 common adult procedures and conditions: aortic valve surgery, heart bypass surgery, heart failure, colon cancer surgery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, heart attack, hip replacement, hip fracture, kidney failure, knee replacement, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery and stroke and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
Good Samaritan University Hospital joined the national rankings for Obstetrics & Gynecology and is rated high performing for congestive heart failure, diabetes and stroke.
St. Catherine of Siena Hospital is rated high performing for heart failure and pneumonia. Mercy Hospital is rated high performing for diabetes and hip fracture.
St. Charles Hospital is rated high performing for hip replacement.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center ® received CMS’s 5-Star rating for overall quality for the fourth time in a row. St. Charles Hospital received a 4-Star rating.
Magnet ® recognition for Nursing Excellence
St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center ® and Good Samaritan University Hospital have been recognized for excellence in nursing care, an honor less than 10% of hospitals in the U.S. have earned. St. Francis is the only hospital in Nassau County to be so designated four times. Good Samaritan is the only hospital on the south shore of Suffolk County to earn this distinction.
Leapfrog Group’s Safety Grades
St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center ® and St. Charles Hospital have each earned “A” Grades for Safety by the Leapfrog Group in Washington, DC (Fall 2023). St. Francis has now earned 22 “A” Grades, the most of any hospital in New York State in the 10 years since Leapfrog started safety scoring. St. Francis has also been named to Leapfrog’s list of Top Hospitals in the nation for the past two years.
Chairman, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Newell Robinson, MD, holds the TAVR implant. Catholic Health performed close to 800 TAVRs in 2023, more than any other health care system on Long Island.
In 2023, Good Samaritan University Hospital received verification as a Level I Trauma Center for Adults by the American College of Surgeons. The achievement recognizes Good Samaritan’s ability to treat patients suffering from traumatic injury at the highest level of quality.
American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Get with the Guidelines ®
All six Catholic Health hospitals are recognized for excellence in stroke care.
St. Charles Hospital is a Get with the Guidelines ® Stroke Gold Plus facility and St. Francis Hospital, Good Samaritan University Hospital, Mercy Hospital, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital each hold Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Honors. Additionally, all six Catholic Health hospitals made the Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll. Good Samaritan also received the Association’s Target: Stroke Honor Roll Advanced Therapy Award.
Honored by the American College of Cardiologists (ACC)
In 2023, St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center ® achieved Center of Excellence designation from the American College of Cardiologists. In earning the ACC HeartCARE Center™ designation, St. Francis is one of only two hospitals in New York State—and the only hospital in the downstate region—so awarded by the ACC.
Relatedly, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) in collaboration with the American College of Cardiologists (ACC) has twice given St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center ® 3-stars, their highest rating. The 2022 and 2023 honors reflect managing patient safety and real-world outcomes related to heart valve repair. Additionally, the STS has given 3-stars for St. Francis for coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Catholic Health’s cardiologists and heart surgeons have earned a world-wide reputation for cardiovascular expertise. Our team of experts uses superior technology, advanced imaging techniques and ground-breaking procedures that deliver unparalleled care—and save lives.
That high level of care is now available across Long Island, as Catholic Health has placed the services of St. Francis Heart Center on the campuses of most other Catholic Health hospitals. That includes bringing St. Francis’s top cardiovascular experts to our Ambulatory Care facilities and other hospitals across Long Island, making it easier to access outstanding cardiac care. Similarly, all Catholic Health cardiology practices are now part of St. Francis Heart Center.
Excellence the world turns to
Our interventional cardiologists are regularly invited to speak at cardiovascular conferences in Europe and Asia. Many feature live telecasts of angioplasty procedures performed at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center ® .
Achievements in 2023:
• St. Francis Heart Center opened at St. Joseph Hospital for Diagnostic Catheterization and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, performing over 400 cases. Electrophysiology services are expected in 2024.
• Opened the St. Francis Heart Center Chest Pain Center at Mercy Hospital.
Clinical trial leader
• Added St. Francis Heart Center interventional cardiologists at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital.
• Developed a joint Cardio-Oncology program at St. Francis, Mercy and Good Samaritan University hospitals—designated a “Center of Excellence” by the International CardioOncology Society with Gold status.
• Brought Aortic Disease Program to Catholic Health Ambulatory Care sites in Commack, Westbury, Patchogue and Centereach.
• Implemented a system-wide cardiogenic shock initiative, supporting early identification and rapid transport to St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center ® for advanced care.
St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center’s DeMatteis Cardiovascular Research Institute had a stellar year with over 50 new research projects, yielding over 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts published including a St. Francis first, New England Journal of Medicine publication led by Ziad Ali, MD, DPhil regarding the Ilumien IV trial. Chairman of Cardiology, Richard Shlofmitz, MD, is the highest enrolling investigator in this trial. Research highlights include first-in-man use of the TELLTALE guidewire system for electro surgery for leaflet modification during TAVR, highest enroller in drug-coated balloon trial for in stent coronary artery restenosis, further development in non-surgical treatment of valvular heart disease and device development for treatment of patients with heart failure.
19,647 Cardiac catheterizations
5,712 Coronary angioplasties
1,923 Open heart surgeries
774 TAVRs
2,609 Electrophysiology cases
930 AICDs
1,021 Pacemakers
Catholic Health’s St. Francis Heart Center is participating in
70 research projects
Additionally, Jaffar Khan, MD, PhD was the winner of the 2023 Linnemeier Young Investigator Award at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) Conference in San Francisco.
Top medical students at New York Institute of Technology’s College of Osteopathic Medicine are selected to enter a year-long mentoring program with cardiovascular researchers at St. Francis, gaining invaluable insights into advanced technologies and leading-edge research trials.
Richard Shlofmitz, MD Chairman, Cardiovascular Services
“Dedicated to Better means reaching higher today than you did yesterday. Catholic Health is on the leading edge of research, most especially in the area of minimally invasive interventional cardiology. That’s producing dramatically positive results for our patients across Long Island.”
At Catholic Health, we believe quality cancer care requires tending to both the physical and emotional aspects of the disease. The Catholic Health Cancer Institute, available at four locations on Long Island, adopts a multidisciplinary approach, where clinical teams work alongside support and pastoral care staff to treat the patient in their entirety—body, mind and soul. This individualized level of care makes a profound difference, fostering a patient journey that is easier, stronger and anchored in compassionate support.
Clinical trials are pushing the boundaries
Catholic Health is one of the few sites in the U.S. to be involved in a trial investigating a cancer vaccine that targets the epidermal growth factor. CIMEvax, a vaccine first developed in Cuba, offers new hope to patients, particularly those with head, neck and lung cancers.
Through our affiliation with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Catholic Health is combining this vaccine with immunotherapy to give patients, whose cancer has reappeared or progressed after standard therapy, their best chance at survival.
“Many complex surgeries can now be performed via minimally invasive techniques. Laparoscopic and robotic surgery allow for smaller incisions. That means less risk of infection, less pain and a much faster recovery.”
Gary Gecelter, MD Chairman,Surgical Services
“No two cancer patients are the same. Not everyone will need surgery; not everyone will need chemotherapy or radiation therapy. We bring together all the specialized disciplines to examine each case from every oncologic perspective, then come together as a unified team to design a customized strategy that best serves each patient.”
Bhoomi Mehrotra, MD Chairman, Cancer Services16,924 Radiation treatments
38,011 Infusion treatments/visits
The Catholic Health Cancer Institute is involved in a number of proprietary trials with Roswell Park, enabling us to bring next-generation scientific advancements to Long Island. Every day, we are advancing new treatments, expanding the boundaries of cancer care through our implementation of novel therapies. One new trial is focused on the combination of immunotherapy with additional targeted therapies, aimed at putting even advanced cancers into remission.
open oncology clinical trials
Bhoomi Mehrotra, MD, with Dilip Patel, MD, Vice Chair of Hematology & Malignant Hematology Services, St. Francis Hospital.Catholic Health uses best-in-class radiation therapy to reduce or eradicate prostate tumors. Christopher Atalla, MD, Director of Men’s Health, Good Samaritan University Hospital (left) and Johnny Kao, MD, Chairman, Department of Radiation Oncology and Director, The Cancer Institute at Good Samaritan University Hospital.
In 2023, Catholic Health expanded its exceptional cancer services across a number of areas:
• Developed a joint Cardio-Oncology program, which has been awarded “Center of Excellence” by the International CardioOncology Society with Gold status. Cardio-Oncology services are now offered at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center ® , Good Samaritan University Hospital and Mercy Hospital.
• Mercy Cancer Program re-accredited under the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer (CoC).
• Received National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) certification for Mercy Hospital (its first), plus re-accreditation for St. Catherine of Siena Hospital.
• Recruited 13 newly employed providers in multiple specialties to support new programs and expand existing programs. These include surgical oncology, colorectal surgery, breast surgery, medical oncology, cardio-oncology and minimally invasive gynecologic oncology surgery.
• Finalized architectural development of three new surgical and medical oncology ambulatory sites to support growth in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
• Reorganized our clinical research structure system-wide, enrolling 150 patients in 22 active clinical trials. Also opened the first clinical trial at Mercy Hospital, first GOG Foundation gynecologic research study at Good Samaritan University Hospital, and additional pharmaceutical industry sponsored clinical trials.
“Dedicated to Better means treating every patient like a member of your own family. It’s one thing to provide medicine, it’s another to provide life-building nourishment, both spiritually and medically. That’s the Catholic Health difference!”Darcianne Lawyer, RN St. Joseph Hospital Winner of Catholic Health’s 2023 Pinnacle Award for Engaged Caregiver
At Catholic Health hospitals across Long Island, our specialists respond when patients present with urgent cerebrovascular disease, such as a brain aneurysm or stroke. We deliver the fastest and most accurate treatment when every second counts. We have the expertise to treat strokes, brain tumors, spine disorders and a variety of neuromuscular and neurovascular disorders with minimally invasive procedures as well as complex surgeries.
Catholic Health’s neurosciences team also helps patients who require diagnosis and treatment for blood vessel malfunction, or any abnormality that can occur in the brain, spinal cord and neck. Our neurosurgeons, neurologists and neurointerventional specialists are among the best on Long Island. Post procedure, our neuro rehabilitation experts assist patients toward full recovery.
In 2023, Catholic Health enhanced its portfolio of neurosciences services:
• C atholic Health opened a new Pain Management Center at Mercy Hospital.
• Two new neurosurgeons were recruited for St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center ® and Mercy Hospital.
• Mercy Hospital and St. Charles Hospital have implemented Telestroke, enabling rapid virtual examination of suspected stroke patients, including review of imaging, and immediate recommendations for/against the administration of a clot-busting drug or endovascular treatment.
• G ood Samaritan University Hospital achieved Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke recertification and also Disease Specific Certification for Spinal Surgery.
• St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center ® has been ranked one of the best hospitals in the nation for Neurology & Neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report (2023–2024).
• U. S. News also rated Good Samaritan University Hospital and St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center® high performing in Stroke (2023–2024).
• Standardized system-wide use of tenecteplase (TNKase), an advanced blood thinner to treat stroke clot, which can be administered within seconds and as a single dose.
“Catholic Health uses the latest technologies for acute and chronic neurological and neurosurgical conditions. Our multidisciplinary approach produces superior outcomes.”
Bruce Mayerson, MD Chairman, Neurosciences Service Line
1,963
Stroke patients in 2023 includes:
219
Given rtPA (clot dissolving drug)
1,848
Neuro biplane cases
“Door-to-needle” time cases
The time from the arrival of a stroke patient in emergency to initiation of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) drug therapy.
Under 60 minutes:
89% average in NYS
95% Catholic Health
Kimon Bekelis, MD, Chairman of Neurointerventional Services for Catholic Health, visits patient post neuro procedure at Good Samaritan University Hospital.
Gary Gecelter, MD, Chairman of Surgical Services, performs GI surgery.
Catholic Health has taken dramatic steps towards aligning the Gastro/GI specialty across our system.
“We are recruiting highly skilled and specialized gastroenterologists across Catholic Health to provide for the needs of all patients with complex gastrointestinal problem,” says Christopher DiMaio, MD, System Co-Chair of Digestive Disease Services.
Whenever possible, Catholic Health’s GI surgeons use minimally invasive techniques, such as laparoscopic and robotic surgery, to remove tumors in the esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, pancreas, liver and bile ducts. This allows for smaller incisions, less pain, less risk of infection, less risk of hernia and a much faster recovery.
“When surgery is a necessary part of the treatment strategy, I can say with certainty that Catholic Health is second to none,” says Chairman of Surgical Services Gary Gecelter, MD.
“Screenings and early detection are key,” adds Dr. DiMaio. “We now have advanced tests to determine the existence of a cancerous mass at stages much earlier than in years past. That’s making it easier to treat cancer and produce more positive outcomes.”
10,674 Elective endoscopies
692 Colorectal/lower GI surgeries
In 2023, Catholic Health accomplished the following milestones in Gastro/GI:
• Hired three new GI physicians, expanding St. Francis Hospital’s employed GI Department to a group practice of six.
• Intensified recruitment efforts for St. Charles Hospital, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, Good Samaritan University Hospital and Mercy Hospital.
• Developed a distinct GI Playbook to align all system access points.
• Built GI outpatient practice capabilities into the new Merrick Ambulatory Care site in support of expanding Mercy Hospital services and included GI ambulatory endoscopy capabilities at the Centereach Ambulatory Care hub.
• Planning to do GI procedures in the Centereach space in 2024.
• Received accreditation to open our second endoscopy room at the Lake Success Ambulatory Care hub.
• St. Francis Hospital is ranked among the best hospitals in the country for Gastroenterology & GI Surgery by U.S. News & World Report (2023–2024).
Catholic Health’s highly-recognized orthopedic experts are leaders in the treatment and diagnosis of conditions affecting the body’s muscles, bones, joints, ligaments and tendons. Offering the latest in minimally invasive surgical procedures for joint replacement and sports injuries, we return many patients home to convalesce the same day of their surgery.
Beyond our full spectrum of adult services, we also work with local schools to screen athletes, not only treating but preempting sports injuries. Catholic Health also offers state-of-the-art care for orthopedic hand/ wrist conditions and injuries as well those for the foot and ankle, including the most advanced methods in replacement surgery.
Achievements in 2023:
• Opened multiple new Ambulatory Care sites focused on orthopedics.
• Recruited six new providers in Orthopedics and Pain Management.
• Hired a new service line administrator to develop/support new programs to grow Catholic Health’s orthopedics and pain presence throughout Long Island.
Richard D’Agostino, MD, Co-Chair of Orthopedic Services, performs knee arthroscopy.
• St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center ® was once again ranked one of the best hospitals in the nation for orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report.
“Catholic Health is a leading health care system with great expertise in robotic assisted joint replacement and outpatient joint replacement. Our expert surgeons aim to minimize or wholly by-pass the need for hospitalization.”
Douglas Petraco, MD Co-Chair, Orthopedic Services
8,702
Total orthopedic procedures includes:
2,875
Total joint procedures
314
Total revision procedures
1,258
Total orthopedic spine procedures
Frank DiMaio, MD, MBA Director/Advisor, Catholic Health Physician Partners Orthopedic Surgery
“Dedicated to Better means committing to orthopedic excellence across our physician enterprise. That includes Catholic Health’s employed physicians as well as its voluntary fellowship trained subspecialists in joint replacement, spine surgery, sports medicine and pain management. Our hand/foot and ankle specialists round out our world-class comprehensive musculoskeletal service line across our six hospitals on Long Island!”
In January of 2023, the maternity team at Mercy Hospital welcomed four sets of twins within two weeks.
Catholic Health’s commitment to Mother-Baby Care is stronger than ever at Mercy, St. Charles and Good Samaritan University hospitals. In 2023, a number of enhancements were made to this vital service line:
• Opened new Mother-Baby Unit at Good Samaritan University Hospital, setting a new standard for exceptional maternal care with 39 private rooms, each equipped with the most current technologies and finest amenities.
• Recruited nine OB/GYN physicians and three pediatric physicians.
• Fiat Pregnancy Support: 89 calls and 36 referrals made to Catholic Health; finalized collateral as part of the Diocese of Rockville Centre launch.
“At Catholic Health, patients are at the center of all we do. Our goal is to improve the patient journey throughout our health system. Catholic Health leads other systems because it outperforms on quality and is a physician-led organization.”
Anthony Ardito, MD Vice President, Primary Care Services• Established the Women’s Cardiac Wellness Program, a joint program between obstetrics/gynecology and cardiology providing cardiac assessments to pregnant women and women anticipating pregnancy. Treated over 200 unique patients, with close to 500 visits, since inception.
• G ood Samaritan University Hospital nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report for Obstetrics & Gynecology (2023–2024).
• Prepared and submitted application for Children’s Hospital Designation at Good Samaritan University Hospital.
“Catholic Health is committed to ensuring excellence in obstetrical outcomes for all women who desire or experience pregnancy. Our Maternal Fetal Medicine division, a subspecialty of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, is dedicated to providing the highest level of obstetric care, prenatal consultations, and ultrasound services while advancing the care of women during and after pregnancy.”
John Vullo, DO Associate ChairmanCatholic Health
Women’s Health Service Line Chairman, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Good Samaritan University Hospital
• Recruited 14 new employed primary care physicians, plus three gastroenterologists and two endocrinologists.
• L aunched a Functional Medicine Program, the only program on Long Island to provide high-end, tailored medical care to patients for weight loss and oncology rehabilitation.
• E xpanded partnership with The Bristal Assisted Living to include
nine facilities in Nassau and Suffolk counties, as preferred provider.
• Established nine new Outpatient Diabetes Education Centers, bringing our total to 14.
• Established an Employee Diabetes Program, including free medication and supplies for eligible employees. Nearly 300 employees participated in 2023.
Catholic Health is innovating effective ways of opening new access points to health care, most especially for the underserved. Our Community Outreach and Health Equity initiatives give everyone a fair opportunity to attain their highest level of health. Plainly, people have different circumstances, which contribute to health outcomes. Economic and social factors can present obstacles to good health. We’re working to change that by eliminating preventable or correctible health disparities.
One of Catholic Health’s newer initiatives is our Food is Care program to address food insecurity. Every patient who enters any of our emergency rooms is screened for food insecurity. Those identified leave with a food-to-go bag to keep them healthy while social services procure long-term nutritional support.
Our ongoing Healthy Sundays program sends outstanding Catholic Health clinicians to convenient locations, such as parishes, synagogues, mosques and more, to conduct free screenings and provide health education.
We’ve expanded our community screenings to include weekday visits to senior centers, libraries, schools, community centers, as well as large-scale community events. Our Mobile Clinical Units are “exam rooms on wheels” where
we test blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels and body mass index, and provide free vaccines. When our clinicians detect potential health issues, we guide the patient to one of our Bishop McHugh clinics or Family Care centers, or wherever the patient can be treated safely, effectively and with full respect.
To amplify our outreach efforts, Catholic Health also offers a Speakers Bureau to place our bilingual clinical leaders at community events. Request for speakers and a list of topics can be found on our website.
“Catholic Health has made great strides on its Health Equity journey in 2023! The launch of the Health Equity Leadership Council, the completion of the written Health Equity Strategic Plan, and the education of over 1,800 new employees at system orientation all combines to strengthen our full commitment to Health Equity on Long Island.”
Lawrence Eisenstein, MD, MPH, FACP Chief Public & Community Health Officer Catholic Health2023 Community Outreach programs:
• Healthy Sundays events screened 1,400+ patients free of charge in 2023.
• Community Outreach buses performed 6,500+ screenings across Nassau and Suffolk, including COVID screenings in 2023.
• Dentists handled 5,500+ visits at the Stephen B. Gold Dental Clinic for Medicaid and special needs patients.
• Bishop McHugh Health Centers treated 1,000+ patients, most of whom were uninsured.
• Family Care Center at Mercy Hospital handled approximately 9,000 visits from pregnant women and children in 2023.
• The health care system’s charity care write-off is in excess of $93.5 million
Jennifer Gray, DO Medical Director, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation St. Charles Hospital
“Dedicated to Better means being there for our patients, every step of their health care journey. It’s not enough to simply treat their condition—you also need to be an advocate, always providing genuine support and empathy for what they are going through. Not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s more effective at fostering positive results.”
The support Catholic Health receives from our donors fortifies our core faith in human kindness inspired by a loving God watching over all of us. Our donors are nothing short of miraculous.
Financial contributions are only the tip of the philanthropic spear. Catholic Health’s donors consistently contribute their time and talent, serving as Catholic Health’s ambassadors and problem solvers whenever the need arises.
The gifts Catholic Health receives enable us to enhance, expand and strengthen our state-of-the-art facilities, equipping our teams with ever more advanced technologies. The donor families and foundation trustees who contribute to specific programs, clinical areas, specialty labs and research efforts are literally changing the lives of thousands of patients, every day.
We are blessed and humbled by this generosity.
One of the characteristics that has always set Catholic Health apart from other health care systems is that we are faith-based. We view health care as a sacred mission and we see our patients in their totality— possessing a body, mind and spirit. Our donors share this core commitment to caring for the whole person and reflect it in the many varied and imaginative ways in which they support us. Whether it be capital funds to support the renovation of one of our emergency rooms, a major gift to invest in our outstanding nursing professionals, or contributions that support outreach projects in underserved communities, our donors recognize the dignity and humanity of every individual we serve.
We thank all our countless donors and friends. You help us to help so many.
Catholic Health donors made 45,744 individual gifts in 2023. Every gift is a vote of confidence in our dedicated care teams. Our donors enable Catholic Health to give our very best—to every patient, every time. Highlights from the 2023 fundraising year include:
$240,000 donated by the Marilyn Lichtman Foundation in support of equipment, programs and staffing for Catholic Health hospitals, home care and hospice services in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
$1,850,000 in combined giving for Nursing Leadership and Education programs across all Catholic Health hospitals, hospice units and home care services. This financial support includes a generous gift of $1,000,000 from the Donald and Barbara Zucker Family Foundation in support of the St. Francis Hospital Endowment for Nursing Leadership & Education.
$2,000,000 in generous support from the Denihan and Boisi families to launch a new Center for Functional Medicine and Optimal Health. These gifts will enable next-generation patient navigation services to proactively address patient wellness and ensure timely and convenient scheduling of care for individuals and their families within the Catholic Health system.
Over $2,500,000 donated toward Emergency Department expansion and enhancement projects at Mercy Hospital, St. Charles Hospital, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital and Good Samaritan University Hospital. This includes a generous $1,000,000 gift from the Ganzi Family Foundation in support of emergency services within Good Samaritan’s new patient pavilion, currently under construction.
$3,250,000 in grants from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to ensure health care access for the vulnerable and under-served, to fund workforce development initiatives, and to support patient-centered programs aimed at improving the quality of care and outcomes across Catholic Health.
$5,000,000 to St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center ® from Wilbur and Dorothy Breslin and family to launch a new Cardiology Innovation Research Endowment. This new, permanently endowed fund will empower St. Francis cardiology clinicians and researchers to grow our leadership position in cardiac care regionally, nationally and internationally.
Good Samaritan University Hospital received its largest-ever gift to name the Stroke & Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island after longtime south shore resident and Long Island business icon Gary H. Richard and family.
Peggy Maher Chief Development Officer, Catholic Health
Vice President, Development, St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center ®
“Dedicated to Better means partnering with individuals who’ve had a unique experience with Catholic Health and are inspired to give back. It is our special privilege to share in the life-changing moments of healing that lead to extraordinary philanthropy. That helps us to help others!”Empire State Ride Long Island starts in Oyster Bay Village.
Samantha Higgins
Transporter, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital
Winner of Catholic Health’s 2023 Pinnacle Award for Patient Safety
“Dedicated to Better means always looking out for the patient’s welfare. Every member of the team plays a role in that mission, whether it’s clinical staff or support staff. It’s all about the patient.”
The Empire State Ride Long Island. Participating in NYC’s iconic St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Catholic Health
Board of Directors
Salvatore Sodano, Chairperson
Thomas Christman, Vice Chair
Regina Piscazzi, Secretary
Robert Zuccaro, Treasurer
Patrick O’Shaughnessy, DO, President & CEO
Jerry Balentine, DO
Peter Dagher
Debra DelVecchio
Rev. Lee Descoteaux
Hon. Vito DeStefano
Rev. Jason Grisafi
Joseph Mattone, Esq.
Rev. John McCartney
Susan O’Hara, RN
Peter Quick
John Romanelli, MD
Ronald Shindel
Andrew Zucaro
Catholic Health
Corporate Members
Most Rev. John Barres
Rev. Lee Descoteaux
Rev. Eric Fasano
Sister Mary Lou Kelly, CIJ
Sister Noreen Murray, FMM
Most Rev. Luis Romero
Sister Catherine Sheehan, DW
Richard J.J. Sullivan, Jr.
Rev. Msgr. James Vlaun
Most Rev. Andrzej Zglejszewski
Catholic Health sponsored the 2023 Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. The blessing of the animals at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center ® .992 North Village Avenue
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
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.