HSS ECHO - Jan 2018

ECHO

January 2018 Vol. 20 Issue 1

STORIES AND NEWS FROM THE HSS FAMILY

Holiday Roundup HSS Family Celebrates the Holidays

O

n Friday, December 15, more than 1,000 HSS family members gathered together to celebrate the holidays at the annual HSS

Holiday Party. The event took place at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan. Those in attendance

enjoyed a night full of fun, food and dancing.

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Ranawat Orthopaedic Conference Spreads Knowledge in India

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ver the past decade, great progress has been made in the field of joint replacement surgery with new technologies and innova-

tions leading to improved patient outcomes. To help educate and spread our vast knowledge in the field, several HSS surgeons recently participated in the Sixteenth Winter Meeting of the Ranawat Orthopaedic Conference (ROC) in Mumbai, India.

Dr. Michael Cross, Dr. Arun Mullaji, Dr. Chitranjan Ranawat, Dr. Gurava Reddy, Dr. Ravesh Maniar, Dr. Parag Sancheti and Dr. Amar Ranawat were all in attendance at the conference.

This year’s conference, which took place from January 4-6, focused on “Advances & Techniques In Joint Replacement Surgery & Arthroscopy.”

During the three-day meeting, nearly 1,000 orthopedic surgeons from around India attended educational sessions focusing on sports and arthroplasty.

The sessions were also live-streamed to another 2,000 individuals.

The meeting was chaired by Chitranjan S. Ranawat, MD, Attending Orthopedic Surgeon, along with Anil S. Ranawat, MD, Associate Attending Orthopedic Surgeon, and Amar S. Ranawat, MD, Associate Attending Orthopedic Surgeon. Michael B. Cross, MD, Assistant Attending Orthopedic Surgeon, and

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Inside

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2018 AAHS Annual Meeting New Chief of Primary Care Sports Medicine HSS Announces New Florida Outpatient Center Employee Safety Zone

Holiday Roundup CONTINUED FROM COVER Charla de Lupus Hosts Holiday Party and Talent Show

Employee Activities Committee Organizes Annual Toy Drive

Door Decorating Contest Showcases Creativity

In late December, the Charla de Lupus (Lupus

To help spread holiday cheer across HSS, the

Chat)® program hosted its Annual Holiday Party

Employee Activities Committee (EAC) once again

and Talent Show for kids, teens and young adults

ran their annual door decorating contest. HSS

with lupus, as well as their families. This event

family members were invited to form teams and

gives families impacted by lupus the opportunity

participate in a friendly competition to showcase

to celebrate the holiday season together and

their creativity. The event was organized by EAC

showcase their unique talents. During the talent

Co-Chair Christopher James.

show portion, several teens shared their personal

Decorated doors/areas were judged on content,

journeys of coping with lupus through spoken

presentation and creativity, and winners were

word poetry.

selected in four different categories. Congratulations

In addition to the talent show, the event featured

The Employee Activities Committee (EAC) once

to the winning groups, who all received a pizza party,

a host of activities provided by volunteers from

again organized a Hospital-wide toy drive to celebrate

and thank you to all who participated!

the Project Sunshine Hunter College chapter, food,

the holiday season. Toys were collected at various

raffles and a visit from Santa with gifts for the

locations across HSS, including in the main lobby,

families. This year, there were immersive activities

Radiology, Education and Academic Affairs and the

at the party designed to bring the snow indoors for

HSS ASC of Manhattan. Toys were distributed to our

the 120 in attendance, including “create-your-own

pediatric patients, as well as to those who attended

snow dough” and “turn yourself into a snowman”

the Charla de Lupus Holiday Party.

craft stations.

In lieu of a toy drive at the Long Island Outpatient

“It was a magical evening for our families impacted

Center, HSS family members decided to make

by lupus, and we were in awe of our patients’

a donation to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research

impressive talents shared on stage,” said Melissa

Hospital in Memphis, TN. According to Robin Brendel,

Flores, MPH, LMSW, Program Coordinator. “We

Administrative Director, Satellite Operations, everyone

would like to thank all HSS staff, volunteers and

at the Long Island OPC was very excited to donate to

sponsors who helped make this event possible.”

this worthy cause for a second year in a row.

A special thank you to the Department of Social

“2017 marks the 19th consecutive year for the HSS

Work Programs, Patient Access Services, the Employee Advisory Committee, the Employee

Employee Activities Committee’s Holiday Toy Drive,” said Mary Hargett, EAC Chair, who organized the

Activities Committee, the Department of Pediatric

drive. “Members of the HSS family once again

Rheumatology, Project Sunshine, Make-A-Wish, the

generously donated toys that filled several boxes

EnCourage Kids Foundation and SWIFT for helping

to brighten the holiday season for our pediatric

to make the event a success!

patients and other deserving children.”

Thank you to all who donated!

Clockwise from top left: Best “Classical Theme” Door, 6th Floor Inpatient Unit; Best “Winter Holidays” Door, 5th Floor Pediatrics, Orthopedics; Best “HSS Holiday” Door, Presurgical Screening; Best “Unconventional” Door, Dana Center, IT

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HSS Presents New Research at 2018 AAHS Annual Meeting

T

he American Association for Hand Surgery

Anum Lalani, MPH; Steve K. Lee, MD, Associate

(AAHS) held its annual meeting in early

Attending Orthopedic Surgeon and Director of

January in Phoenix, Arizona. With more

Research at the Center for Brachial Plexus and

than 1,400 members, AAHS represents a diverse

Traumatic Nerve Injury; and Scott W. Wolfe, MD,

mix of orthopedic surgeons, plastic surgeons,

Chief Emeritus of the Hand and Upper Extremity

general surgeons, microsurgeons, hand therapists,

Service and Director of the Center for Brachial

nurses and basic scientists. HSS was represented

Plexus and Traumatic Nerve Injury.

at the meeting, presenting leading research to those

Ranawat Orthopaedic Conference Spreads Knowledge in India CONTINUED FROM COVER Peter D. Fabricant, MD, MPH, Assistant Attending Orthopedic Surgeon, gave presentations and moderated sessions.

There was also an opportunity for former fellows

MRI Findings More Accurate than Radiographs for Patients with Certain Carpal Arthritis

who trained at HSS under Dr. Chitranjan Ranawat to

Researchers from HSS published a study that

work Dr. C. Ranawat has done over the years to share

HSS researchers investigated the best surgical

compared the accuracy of MRI and radiograph

his knowledge and educate others around the world.

method to improve elbow flexion after an upper

findings to determine carpal arthritis patterns

Many of the fellows he has trained are now leading

brachial plexus injury.

in the wrist.

surgeons throughout India.

in attendance on several different topics.

What is the Most Optimal Nerve Transfer for Brachial Plexus Patients?

The study looked at data from 12 patients who under-

The study’s results suggest that surgeons should

went a nerve transfer for elbow flexion reconstruction

consider taking a high-resolution MRI prior to joint

after a brachial plexus injury. The researchers found

preserving surgery in the wrist. This knowledge can

that the ulnar fascicular nerve transfer to brachialis

potentially change the surgical management of

and median fascicular nerve transfer to biceps

SLAC/SNAC osteoarthritis.

brachii motor branch appeared to have the most

Study authors included Danielle Christine Marshall,

advantages. With a lack of available literature on this

BA, Research Assistant; Schneider K. Rancy, BA;

specialized injury, this study provides valuable insight

Alissa J. Burge, MD, Assistant Attending Radiologist;

to surgeons who had no prior indication of the most

Hollis G. Potter, MD, Chairman of the Department

optimal nerve transfer for their patients.

of Radiology and Imaging; Scott W. Wolfe, MD,

Study authors included Natalia Fullerton, MD;

Chief Emeritus of the Hand and Upper Extremity

Eliana Saltzman, MD; Joseph T. Nguyen, MPH,

Service; and Steve K. Lee, MD, Associate Attending

Director of the Healthcare Research Institute;

Orthopedic Surgeon.

come together and present him with feedback. This unique opportunity provided great insight into the

Dr. Chitranjan Ranawat participated in a candle lighting ceremony, which traditionally marks the beginning of a prosperous and successful journey.

In Memoriam: Remembering Members of the HSS Family Dean O’Hare, Former Co-Chairman of the HSS Board of Trustees In early December, HSS was saddened by the loss of Dean O’Hare, who served as a Co-Chairman of the HSS Board of Trustees. Dean was an active member of our Board since 1991, contributing his leadership and expertise to HSS. In addition to serving as Chairman for 11 years, Dean worked on the Executive, Finance, Governance and Planning Committees and provided direct support to the Annual Benefit, the Autumn Benefit and the Capital Expansion Fund, among other endeavors. Through Dean’s leadership and guidance, as well as his experience in business and his firm commitment to quality healthcare, he helped lead HSS to become a top institution in the field.

“The entire HSS family extends our deepest sympathies to Dean O’Hare’s family and friends,” said Lou Shapiro, President and CEO. “He played a vital role in the evolution of HSS into a world-class institution for orthopedic and rheumatologic care, and we are grateful for his contributions.”

Dr. Parag Sancheti, Brenda C. Ventura, Dr. Michael Cross, Dr. K.H. Sancheti, Laura Robbins, Dr. Anil Ranawat and Dr. Peter Fabricant gathered together at the Sixteenth Winter Meeting of the Ranawat Orthopaedic Conference.

Dean Lorich, Associate Director, Orthopedic Trauma Service

Making Rounds

In December, the HSS family lost Dean Lorich, MD, a respected surgeon, teacher and friend to many.

Throughout his 18 year career, Dr. Lorich helped thousands of patients, including those who were impacted

News & Insights from Lou Shapiro, President and CEO

by crises abroad. He operated on soldiers who were injured in combat in Germany and led a relief effort in Haiti for victims of the 2010 earthquake.

Access “Making Rounds” at www.hssmakingrounds.com

While at HSS, Dr. Lorich served as a mentor in the Orthopedic Trauma Residency Program. Throughout

to read the below posts and more. I look forward to

his distinguished career, he received numerous prestigious awards including the Roger E. Joseph Prize

your comments.

for Humanitarian Medical Rescue Work in 2010 and the Philip D. Wilson Resident Teacher of the Year

– Lou Shapiro

Award in 2006.

“Dean was a superb, well-respected surgeon, teacher, colleague and friend to me and the entire Hospital

• HSS

for Special Surgery and NewYork-Presbyterian community,” said David L. Helfet, MD, Director Emeritus

• The Story We Are Writing Together

of the Orthopedic Trauma Service. “It is truly a great loss – throughout his 18 year career he impacted the

• Near and Far

lives of thousands of patients both near and far. On behalf of the entire Orthopedic Trauma Service, we

• 8,784 Miles

extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and patients.”

• Here We Go

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Save the Date: 2018 Town Hall Lou Shapiro, President and CEO, invites all HSS family members to attend the 2018 Town Hall forum, which will feature a presentation and

HSS Provides Support at Mets Fantasy Camp

A

s part of our larger partnership with the

with any injuries that occurred during games and

New York Mets, HSS was proud to serve as

to help players recover post-game. Having physical

the presenting partner of the 2018 New York

therapy available onsite was extremely important

Mets Fantasy Camp in Port St. Lucie, Florida this

because of the volume and demand of physical

video highlighting the many accomplishments

January. During the two-week event, HSS clinicians

activity the camp required.

of HSS.

Brian Goonan, PT, DPT, SFMA, ART, Physical Therapist, and Charles Fisher, PT, MPT, Assistant

HSS also led a Facebook Live with Brian and

Please pre-register for one of the following

former Mets player Mookie Wilson discussing

sessions via Halogen. All sessions will take

Vice President, Rehabilitation Medicine, supported

how players can better prepare for Fantasy Camp,

place in the Richard L. Menschel Education

players on and off the field.

the physical demands of the week and what the

Center. Regional locations, speak to your

Each day of the camp, players were given pre-game

Fantasy Camp experience was like. In addition, HSS

manager for details.

treatment and were led in a warm-up session intended

patient and Fantasy Camp participant Gary Pincus

We look forward to seeing you all there!

to help the athletes understand the importance of

did an Instagram story on HSS’s account to share

proper warm-ups before participating in an athletic

his experience.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21 9:30 am – 10:30 am

event. HSS clinicians were also available to assist

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23 11:00 am – 12:00 pm MONDAY, MARCH 5 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7 9:30 am – 10:30 am MONDAY, MARCH 12 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm TUESDAY, MARCH 13 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm MONDAY, MARCH 19 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Brian Goonan, PT, DPT, SFMA, ART, poses with 1986 World Series hero Mookie Wilson at the New York Mets Fantasy Camp.

New Medical Staff Andreas H. Gomoll, MD Andreas H. Gomoll, MD, is an Associate Attending Orthopedic Surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery specializing in joint preserving surgery of the knee, such as ligament reconstruction, realignment osteotomy, and meniscus and cartilage transplantation. If preservation is no longer an option, he also performs custom, patient-specific partial knee replacement.

Born and raised in Munich, Germany, Dr. Gomoll received his medical degree from Ludwig-MaximiliansUniversity Munich in 1997. He completed a post-doctoral research fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital before joining the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program at Massachusetts General Hospital. He subsequently completed a Fellowship in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine at Rush University in 2006. Prior to joining HSS, Dr. Gomoll served as Director of the Orthopedic Program of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Center for Regenerative Medicine and Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Gomoll has lectured and published extensively on the topic of biologic joint reconstruction and joint preservation through cartilage and meniscus transplantation. His main clinical and research interest lies in emerging technologies for joint preservation, most recently investigating the use of stem cells both in the lab and through randomized clinical trials.

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Dr. John DiFiori Joins HSS as New Chief of Primary Care Sports Medicine

H

SS is proud to welcome John P. DiFiori, MD,

head team physician for UCLA Department of

as the new Chief of the Primary Care Sports

Intercollegiate Athletics where he oversaw the

Medicine Service beginning on February 1.

“Our primary care sports medicine team helps our

care of more than 650 athletes in 24 NCAA sports and was on the sidelines with UCLA football and

patients determine how their sports injury should

basketball. Additionally, Dr. DiFiori serves as the

be best treated, which can be surgically or with

Director of Sports Medicine for the NBA, where he

alternative treatments,” said Todd J. Albert, MD,

works closely with NBA team physicians and advises

Surgeon-in-Chief and Medical Director. “Athletes

the league on all issues related to the health and

of all levels turn to us to get them back in the game,

wellness of NBA players.

and Dr. DiFiori has the experience and expertise that

“I’m honored to return to the East Coast and

will only enhance our commitment to delivering

look forward to leading this truly talented team

quality patient care.”

of sports medicine physicians,” said Dr. DiFiori.

Dr. DiFiori succeeds Brian C. Halpern, MD, who

“HSS has a long-standing commitment to the

served as Chief since 2011. Dr. Halpern pioneered

athletic community by offering the full spectrum

the non-operative approach to acute and chronic

of treatment options, from non-surgical care to

musculoskeletal problems and was the first

surgery to rehabilitation and recovery – it is a

investigator for the NCAA-Department of Defense

non-surgical fellowship-trained and board-certified

privilege to join this institution.”

Concussion study, which is the largest study ever

sports medicine physician at HSS. He will continue

In his practice, Dr. DiFiori will see patients of all

to be an integral part of the HSS sports service and

ages for the evaluation and treatment of sports-

“Recruiting distinguished physician leaders such as

will work closely with Dr. DiFiori moving forward.

related injuries. He is the lead author for the recently

Dr. DiFiori is how we continue to advance the quality

“Dr. DiFiori’s expertise in treating elite athletes is

published American Medical Society for Sports

of care practices and demonstrate commitment to

nationally recognized and we are excited to have

Medicine (AMSSM) Position Statement on Overuse

our clinical specialties,” said Lou Shapiro, President

him lead our team,” said Dr. Halpern.

Injuries and Burnout in Youth Sports. He also led a

and CEO. “Under Dr. DiFiori’s leadership, the service

distinguished scientific panel in the development of

will be the top choice for years to come for active

the NBA’s first-ever guidelines for youth basketball

individuals when they suffer sports-related injuries.”

participation, which were published by the NBA

Please join us in thanking Dr. Halpern and welcoming

and USA Basketball. In addition, he served as a site

Dr. DiFiori to the HSS family!

Prior to joining HSS, Dr. DiFiori was the Chief of the Division of Sports Medicine and Non-Operative Orthopaedics for the Departments of Family Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery at UCLA. He was also the

conducted on sports concussions.

Employee of the Month December 2017 – Jolin Lee Congratulations to Jolin, Employee of the Month for December! Jolin is a Respiratory Therapist who has been a member of the HSS family since 2012. During her time here, she has proven to be an outstanding employee and a great representative of HSS. Jolin has demonstrated an understanding that patient care comes first, and has proven time and time again that her judgment can be trusted. Her positive attitude and calm and reassuring demeanor always shine through in all of her patient care efforts.

A tireless worker who is always there for her colleagues, Jolin has often worked double shifts when teammates were sick and stays late to ensure that all patient duties are complete. Her patients and everyone around her benefit from Jolin’s dedication, kindness and reliability.

January 2018 – Kelly Moore Congratulations to Kelly, Employee of the Month for January! Kelly is a Pharmacist who has been with HSS since 2015. She always has a positive attitude while at work and offers to help out others when in need.

Kelly serves as an advocate to patients and constantly searches for safe and improved medication regiments. She works closely with colleagues in the Department of Nursing to discuss medications and assist with verification and safety of administration.

Described by colleagues as a breath of fresh air, Kelly is consistently happy, helpful and engaged.

She goes above and beyond to make sure the job gets done and is truly a team player and an amazing resource for those around her.

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Back in the Game

H

SS’s online patient forum – Back in the Game – now has more than 1,800 patient stories! The postings share how HSS helped

patients get “back in the game.” Every month we will include one of the stories that highlights the extraordinary care members of the HSS family provide.

Read how HSS helped Thomas Burchill of Westport, CT get back in the game.

In February 2016, as I was being transported by helicopter in remote Switzerland to the nearest hospital, I wondered

HSS Announces New Florida Outpatient Center

A

t HSS, providing world-class care to patients

is a collaboration between HSS, Tenet Healthcare

from across the country and around the

Corporation and their subsidiary United Surgical

world is our top priority. We are constantly

Partners International.

looking for ways to make our care more convenient

Florida is an important market to HSS for several

and available to those who need it most.

different reasons. It houses a population that is in

In January, we announced that HSS will be opening

need of the highest level of musculoskeletal care

an outpatient center in West Palm Beach, Florida

made available closer to home. With a high

to extend our care even further. This new location,

concentration of athletes and athletic individuals,

which is anticipated to open in late 2019, will include

there is a large population who will seek out the best

advanced diagnostics, ambulatory surgery, rehabili-

care. Additionally, it serves as a gateway to caring

tation and sports performance programs, and will

for international patients.

be staffed by HSS physicians, including current

We are excited to move forward with this new venture

members of our medical staff. This new venture

and bring HSS-level care to Florida residents!

what fraction of an athlete I would be after this accident.

Even though I’m in my early 50s, athletics and outdoor activities continue to be a passion and central part of my life.

Just hours earlier, I had hit a tree root system while backcountry skiing that tore my right knee and shoulder. As I would soon find out, the cost of the fall was shocking: I severed my ACL, tore my meniscus,

O

n January 4, the 2017-2018 Regional

Congratulations to the winning team, which

Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine

included Drs. Brent Gerlach, Stephanie Huang

Fellows participated in a game of Anesthesia

and Michael Singleton!

Jeopardy, which is an annual department event.

Three teams of three fellows each answered questions that were based on information presented at Anesthesiology AM Academic Conferences between August and December 2017.

and completely ripped out a piece of articulate

Victor Zayas, MD, Director of Pediatric

cartilage from my knee. The first doctor I saw said it

Anesthesiology; Sang Jo Kim, MD, Assistant

looked like I tried to tear my lower leg off but failed.

Attending Anesthesiologist; and Swetha Pakala,

On top of that, my right pectoral muscle had been

MD, Assistant Attending Anesthesiologist, created

torn clean free of my shoulder where it connects to

the questions and answers for the game. Dr. Zayas

the upper arm.

served as the host, while Drs. Kim and Pakala

I saw Dr. Warren within days of returning to the U.S., and he quickly put me at ease saying he had seen far worse come back to great success. That afternoon, he operated on my knee. The pectoral/shoulder operation would have to wait until August.

Exactly twelve months after the 2016 fall, I skied the ER5 Bowl in Lake Louise, site of the annual K2 Big Mountain Challenge, and two months after that I competed in the Lavaman Triathlon on the Big Island of Hawaii. My swim and bike times were almost exactly the same as when I did this race two years before, and my run time was only 12 minutes slower. I have plans for a lot more to come and think with more work I can be even faster than before.

I attribute my successful outcome to Dr. Warren’s knowledge and skill as a surgeon, the care and dedication of everyone at HSS from the operating room through to rehabilitation, and the institutional support provided by HSS with its world-class facilities. Their collective expectation is absolute success no matter the difficulty of the challenge, and I am thankful to have been in their care.

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Fellows Participate in “Anesthesia Jeopardy”

served as judges. Numerous members of the Anesthesiology Department attended the event to cheer on the teams.

Employee Safety Zone HSS Food & Nutrition Safety: Bo Chu Hong, Manager Next up in the Employee Safety Zone we are featuring Bo Chu Hong, Main Kitchen Manager, Food & Nutrition. She was gracious enough to answer some questions on how her team works together to keep each other safe. Many thanks, Bo! How do you engage your staff to keep safe?

We have an open dialogue and encourage our staff to feel comfortable bringing up unsafe work-related situations.

Do you have department huddles that cover safety?

I run a huddle and we bring up environmental/fire/code silver safety concerns.

During these huddles, we also address corrective action(s) to an incident.

How does your team work together to keep everyone safe?

The staff is encouraged to voice their concerns during those huddles. Any staff member that is not comfortable speaking up in a group setting can go to the manager and report any safety concern in a 1:1 session. Apart from this, we also work on keeping our physical environment safe by addressing: • FIFO (first in first out) rotation of food • Hand washing/Hand sanitizing • Storage temperature

Members of the Food & Nutrition team including, (back row l-r) Ramsaran Khemraj, Javier Galvez, Avianne Loubon, Boedeatte Bhagwandin, Yvette Sanderlin, Magaly Jara, Gilberto Flores, Carmen Rivera, Kayren Harrison, Kyonte Walker, (front row, l-r) Alice Gonzalez, Edlima Arcos, Nora Patino, Bo Chu Hong, Irma Orozco, Esther Agostini and Yesenia Correa

• Food service temperature • Spillage During high census days, we increase our staffing and work on supporting and balancing workflow to ensure that the staff is not overwhelmed by fatigue due to heavier workload.

How has the Body Mechanics Program affected the staff?

The Body Mechanics Program is a very valuable and powerful program. Whether it is a 1:1 appointment or a group session, this type of visual intervention is more meaningful to the staff because it brings the message home to them. The staff is able to make a connection and, therefore, can apply what they learn from the program.

What is the toughest part of their job?

Timeline stress. Since we are a time sensitive work group, we want our staff to work safely but NOT rush to get their job done to meet the timeline. Rushing is when an incident can and has occurred.

On high census days we make a point to huddle to address this concern and come up with supporting plans. Having a game plan allows us to manage timeline stress and reduce rushing as well as fatigue.

What are the most common unsafe act(s) that you see or hear about?

Pulling instead of pushing equipment, inappropriate postures during tasks and rushing when we are busy.

What do you do when an occurrence is reported?

Once an incident report is filed, the occurrence and corrective action is reviewed with the team. Sometimes the corrective action is an in-service and a follow-up to ensure the staff understands the corrective action plan.

What would you encourage more people to do?

I would like to see everybody stretch prior to start of shift to ensure their muscles are relaxed before they start a day full of activities. The staff needs to be a champion for THEMSELVES first before they can look out for the safety of others. I would also like to see everyone receive some form of stress management training or coaching.

What would make their job easier/safer?

At our huddles, I remind the team that they know their frontline better than anyone else. So, when they talk about their obstacles then we can proceed to look into a solution. Two things came up during huddles regarding making the job easier and equipment safer: 1. Buddying up staff to serve out breakfast trays became easier because now putting the tray together and serving out the tray is a shared responsibility instead of being done by one person. This improved efficiency – patients are getting breakfast in a timelier manner. It also reduced fatigue and length of time spent serving out breakfast.

2. Quarterly maintenance of equipment. Checking or greasing wheels so equipment is moving smoothly and is not hard to push which can cause strain to the body.

What makes them great at what they do?

Investing in your team is powerful. We are still a work-in-progress, but I am seeing more of my team members being proactive and engaged instead of being passive.

Empowerment is powerful and having positive team members results in their becoming a role model for others.

What do you all love most about your job?

We may be a department that is dedicated to serving food to our patients but we also provide a service to ensure we take care of our patients’ daily needs and keep them safe as if they are our own family members. Our patient safety services include taking care of monitoring food allergies, intolerances, dietary restrictions, religious restrictions and other personal preferences.

I love working with my team because they are committed to taking care of our patients. I am proud of their dedication, but most importantly for doing their personal best to take care of the safety of our patients each and every day.

We hope you not only enjoyed this feature, but were inspired by it!

If you’d like your department featured in the Employee Safety Zone, send us an email at EmployeeSafety@HSS.edu.

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Milestones Rehabilitation

movement” at the International Association for

HSS Rehab Grand Rounds program, “Proximal

• Robert Turner, PT, OCS, MS, OM, PMA®-CPT,

Dance Medicine & Science.

Hamstring Tendonosis.”

was appointed to the Interdisciplinary Spine

• Sherry Backus, PT, DPT, MA, and Erica Fritz, PT,

• Emily Weiss, PT, DPT, CKTP, and Nicholas

Committee and is a member of the Continuing

DPT, OCS, presented at the 29th Annual HSS

Maroldi, PT, DPT, traveled to Ghana to volunteer

Medical Education Committee for the North

Knee & Hip Holiday Course.

for the Foundation of Orthopedics and Complex

American Spine Society. Robert also presented

• Tiffany Chag, MS, RD, CSCS; Ioonna Félix, PT,

“From biscuits to bananas – understanding

DPT, OCS, SCS, CTPS; and Jessica Hettler, PT,

the potential for the foot and ankle through

DPT, ATC, SCS, OCS, Cert MDT, presented the

Picture This

Spine (FOCOS).

Welcome Rifat Ahmed, Marissa E. Akahoho, Amina A. Asamoa, Ross Bernhardt, Najiyyah Bowman, Ely Brovornik, Shentique M. Brown, Reina M. Buckley, Nicholette S. Cain-Ash, Courtney Carney, Robert V. Cegielski, Helen Chae, Angelic Cruz, Randi K. Desmond-Horowitz, Helen L. Do, Andre Doris, Caroline D. Dowling, Cassie Duprey, Jessica Durand, Samantha M. Fisher, Andreas H. Gomoll, Benjamin Gonzalez, Wildebrando Gonzalez, Simone Gruber, Thos Harnroongroj, Aysha R. Harris, Christopher Harris, Samantha L. Haughton, Tyeasha Holder, Danielle E. Insardi, Elaine Johnson, Emilia Jurska, Jessica Kahan, Zubin Kapadia, Blake T. Karavas, Susanne R. Katz, Hyemi Kim, Kerri Kinsella, Svetlana Kormansky, May Lam, Luz A. Lara, Christelle Lespinasse, Christian M. Lopez, Janet Marrero, Erica J. Milas, Joshua A. Miller, Mirtha L. Miro, Estella Mitchell, Susan Moromisato, Natasha Nassimian, Anessa Oscar, Agnes G. Pablo, Joshua R. Padilla, Allan Pang, Jane E. Pardo, Marcia Parris, Tatiana C. Pelegrina Perez, Cesar E. Pena, Melissa Petrice, Aaron J. Philander, Alexander Piacentini, Kelly Pino, Nicole Pizzolato, Kelsey Pladek, Kayla R. Pochintesta, Santita Poitier, Jessica Qiu, Sarah A. Ramirez, Colleen Rentenberger, Theresa Richmond, Daliah Ricketts, Eladia M. Rodriguez, Jennifer L. Rodzevik, Sophia D. Scott, Patrick S. Semenza, Rebecca L. Smith, Katherine Soto Perez, Joseph Sweeney, Jennifer N. Talevski, Brian A. Thomas, Pedro N. Tinnirello, Alex Torres, Amanda Triolo, Jeanifer C. Uwaechie, Justin J. Velazquez, Juan C. Vidal, Jurida Vulaj, Jeanne M. Webster, Thea Weingarden, Karol Wojciechowski

Compliance Helpline Reminder HSS patient Emily Regan of U.S. Rowing surprised our pediatric patients with a visit in early January, and she brought a very special item with her – the gold medal that she won in the last Summer Olympics! The kids were excited to meet Emily and try on the impressive medal.

Joint Commission Reporting Hospital for Special Surgery is committed to providing safe, quality care to all of its patients.

In the event you have a concern regarding the safety or quality of care provided by the Hospital or the Laboratory, you may report these concerns to the Joint Commission.

Please be assured that no retaliatory disciplinary action will be taken if an employee makes such a report. In addition, the Joint Commission has stated that your name will be treated as confidential information, and will not be shared with any other party.

The Compliance Helpline is a service for employees who wish to anonymously or confidentially report suspected violations of the Hospital for Special Surgery’s Code of Conduct, officially stated policies or relevant public laws and regulations. This includes concerns about patient safety.

The Helpline does not replace other resources available to you, including supervisors, managers and Human Resources staff, but it is an alternative channel available to you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is operated on our behalf by National Helpline Services, Inc., an independent firm.

The Compliance Helpline number is 888-651-6234.

All information will be kept confidential unless the law requires it to be shared with law enforcement authorities. Hospital for Special Surgery policy forbids any retribution or retaliation against an employee who reports a compliance issue in good faith.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Corporate Compliance office directly at x2398.

You may file your report in the following ways: 1. By email:

complaint@jointcommission.org

2. By fax:

Office of Quality Monitoring, 630-792-5636

3. By mail:

Office of Quality Monitoring The Joint Commission One Renaissance Boulevard Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

For fax and mail reports, submissions must be on a Quality Incident Report Form available on the Joint Commission website at www.jointcommission.org.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Executive Offices at x1236.

8

Editor:

Marisa DeFilipps

Executive Editor:

Rachel Sheehan

Editorial Committee:

Lisa Goldstein, Bruce Slawitsky, John Englehart

Next Issue:

February 2018 echo@hss.edu