In The Wright Loop | May 2014

In The Wright Loop A newsletter for the employees, residents and friends of The Wright Center.

May 2014 | Volume 3, Issue 2

Our Mission

The mission of The Wright Center is to continuously improve education and patient care in a collaborative spirit to enhance outcomes, access and affordability.

Our Vision

The Wright Center will integrate patient care delivery, workforce development and innovation to be the leading model of health care in America by 2017.

The Wright STREAM ~ “Success Through Responsive Education and Medicine” ~ Our Core Values

In This Issue

SERVICE We accept the obligation to uphold the public’s trust and rely on one another to serve our patients and our community.

TRUST & RESPECT We live and work with integrity and openness, valuing inclusiveness and diversity.

RESPONSIVE We continuously improve medical education, patient care and workforce development in response to those we serve.

EXCELLENCE We constantly pursue excellence and distinction for our community and each other.

ACCOUNTABLE We own our responsibility, do the work and share the results – good or bad.

MINDFUL Our actions are genuine and reflect the values and mission of The Wright Center.

Page 2 ~ Message from the President/CEO Page 4 ~ Patient Care Update Pages 6-7 ~ Graduation Update

Page 3 ~ Department Update Page 5 ~ Community Update Page 8 ~ Mark Your Calendars

Message from the President/CEO In The Wright Loop | May 2014 | Page 2

To capture the inspiring reflection of our new core values acronym, “The Wright STREAM: Success Through Responsive Education and Medicine,” a quotation of David Bohm, highlighted in Peter Senge’s writings on Learning Organizations, seems appropriate: “Most thought is collective in origin, although each individual does something with it. If collective thinking is an ongoing stream, ‘thoughts’ are like leaves floating on the surface and washing up on the banks. We gather in leaves, which we experience as ‘thoughts’ misperceived as our own because we fail to see the stream of collective thinking from which they arise. Collective learning is not only possible but vital to realize the potentials of human intelligence.”

After a particularly long Northeastern Pennsylvania winter, spring is finally here, bringing a palpable, inspiring force of renewal! Closure of our academic year is quickly evolving and bittersweet as we rejoice in success of our graduating residents and fellows while preparing to welcome our new learners. It’s a great time to stop and reflect as an organization on so many collective accomplishments this year that give testimony to delivery of our mission to continuously improve education and patient care in a collaborative spirit to enhance outcomes, access and affordability. If our everyday work performance exemplifies our commitment to promote our newly defined core values of Service, Trust & Respect, Responsive, Excellence, Accountable, and Mindful behavior, we will actuate our vision to integrate patient care delivery, workforce development and innovation to be the leading model of health care in America by 2017.

We should take special pride in the steady evolution of our patient-centered operations on our continuous journey to excellence, as well as the notable growth in our Wright Centers for Primary Care and community partnerships. We have welcomed over 65 new GME and clinical practice employees who bring new expertise and countless gifts! We have developed effective internal financial controls, enhanced accuracy and transparency in our GME and Medical Group financial reporting, grown our human resource and GME Departments, expanded our primary care residencies and received successful osteopathic accreditation of our new Geriatrics Fellowship, with an ACGME application in review. We have completed a consensus driven strategic plan and redefined our mission, vision and core values noted above through an inclusive process with governance, management and employees. We have made enormous strides in implementing a leadership program and are excited and ready to implement performance-based evaluation and compensation for all employees. Our first balanced, Wright Center scorecard, to be shared in the near future, captures organizational strategic alignment with quantified metrics to unify our collective daily work and guide this high-performance, outcome-driven, employment culture.

Continued organizational transformation to an authentic and joyful ever-learning culture will require meaningful value contributions from all of us. Everyone who works at The Wright Center has the potential and is called to embrace their inner leader regardless of their position. Don Schon’s Beyond the Stable State highlights, “We must become adept at learning and leading. We must become able not only to transform our institutions, in response to changing situations and requirements; we must invent and develop institutions that are ‘learning systems,’ that is to say, systems capable of bringing about their own continuing transformation.”

Leadership is Everything You Do. We each write our autobiographies every day with everything we do. Together, our stories and daily work performance define our collective organizational value and The Wright Center brand. Please stay mindful that our mission, vision and core values need to be demonstrated in all of our behaviors and actions and will be foundational to your evaluation. Any of us may contribute to the first or most lasting impression that someone in the community forms about The Wright Center. We should strive for excellence in all we do and promote a culture of service and “help when you can!”

Leaders are Effective Communicators. Meaningful, effective communication is really challenging as we grow our organization and evolve our communication enhancement strategy. We all must remember that listening and observing are as important as speaking. Electronic and social media venues bring new, unique challenges to the already challenged arena of communication. Basic rules of civility must be the foundation of all of our communication, and email etiquette especially needs mindful attention to purpose, scope, audience and tone. As we evolve and grow, striving to be excellent in our mission delivery and as an employer, it is crucial that organizational pride be exhibited in all of our communications.

Leaders Embrace Effective Change. Change is all around us in The Wright Center, in healthcare delivery and education, and in life. As we continue to grow and strive to deliver our mission to meet the ongoing and ever-changing needs of the patients, learners and communities we serve, we must build our collective adaptive reserve as an organization. This requires all of us to both nurture and develop the adaptive reserve and resiliency in one another so that we may also cultivate these in our departmental and provider teams, as well as in our learners and patients. While change can be scary or overwhelming at times, we need to recognize we can leverage our collective gifts and interdependence to better our care delivery and learning work environments, as well as outcomes. We all should be challenged to not only build integrated teams to meet goals and objectives, but also to empower one another and hold each other accountable in our individual and team-based efforts.

As President and CEO, I’m eagerly looking forward to our next academic year and the countless solutions to daily dilemmas and mission-driven, new, inspiring ideas bound to come forth from individual leaders and teams across all operational levels of The Wright Center.

Linda Thomas-Hemak, MD President/CEO

The inaugural class of The Wright Center’s Leadership Institute kicked off its first session on Wednesday, April 23.

The program offers participants formal training with six sessions on various topics related to leadership development. In addition to training sessions, the group is also developing an organizational project. More updates related to the project will follow as the group continues to plan.

The list of participants include: John Awad, Teaching Health Center Network Coordinator; Alycia Coar, Physician Assistant; Justine Fierman, Nurse Practitioner; Kate Gardner, Residency Program Supervisor; Kellen Kraky, Coordinator of Student Health Services; and Lindsey Riddell, Medical Case Manager Supervisor.

New Faces at The Wright Center

We would like to welcome the newest employees at The Wright Center: Olive Bautista, GME Specialty Supervisor; Catherine Chrusch, Medical Assistant at MVP; Rose Coupland, LPN at Clarks Summit; Megan Hickey, Clinical Administrative Assistant at MVP; Natalie Hoprich, GME Coordinator, Internal Medicine; Carina Levis, Case Manager; Poonam Patel, GME Specialist, Evaluations and Competencies; and Hayley Salansky, Clinical Administrative Assistant at MVP.

Have You Explored the Online Employee Portal?

Do you need to find an HR form but don’t know where to look? The online Employee Portal is your one-stop shop for helpful forms and information. In the Portal, you’ll find benefit information, discount forms, expense vouchers, FMLA forms, health insurance forms, incident reports, personal information forms, phone directories, policies, salary forms, scheduling forms, and tax forms.

The Employee Portal also features HR training videos and downloadable TWC logos and color guides. In addition to the Employee Portal, we have created program-specific portals for all current residents, fellows and faculty.

To get started, visit: www.thewrightcenter.org/human-resources/employee-portal

Softball Season Starts on May 25

Softball season is right around the corner we want to know who is interested in playing on the team this year. Games are played every Sunday at either noon, 1 p.m., or 2 p.m. at the Elm Street Park in Dickson City.

The first game will be played on Sunday, May 25. If you are interested in playing, contact Kellen Kraky at: krakyk@thewrightcenter.org

Update Regarding Vacation and Personal Days

Our vacation schedule ends on June 30, 2014, and all 2013-2014 vacation days needs to be utilized by June 30.

If you are unable to schedule the time off before June, our current policy allows one to carryover a maximum of five (5) days to be used by August 31, 2014. No vacation days will be carried beyond August 31.

Additionally, all Personal Days must be utilized by June 30, 2014. Failure to use the time off in the specified timeframe will result in forfeiture of time off. If you have vacation or personal days that need to be used, please work with your manager to schedule time off based on the needs of the business.

Questions? Contact Kellie Knesis, Vice President of Human Resources, at 570-343-2383, ext. 2011.

Department Update In The Wright Loop | May 2014 | Page 3

Leadership Institute Participants Announced

Volunteers in Medicine Lackawanna County Clinic Opens ~ WCPC Scranton Begins Transition of Services

On May 1, 2014, the Volunteers in Medicine Lackawanna County Clinic began seeing patients at the 640 Madison Avenue location, as part of a transition of services to meet the needs of the community in partnership with The Wright Center. Existing Wright Center patients are being referred/transferred to Scranton Primary Health Care Center to ensure they receive appropriate services for their existing care plan.

The initial operating hours for the the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic are: Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesdays from 1 to 5 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon. The clinic offers free primary and preventive care to working adult patients (18+) with an income of up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines who have no access to affordable health insurance or medical care.

Patient Care Update In The Wright Loop | May 2014 | Page 4

Appointments can be scheduled by calling 570-941-0630.

The Wright Center Offers New Smoking Cessation Services

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

We are now offering smoking cessation services at our three primary care locations. In partnership with TobaccoFree Northeast PA, our services include: • Tobacco education • Support/advocacy for clients that are ready to quit • Nicotine replacement therapy

We offer mental health services at our Mid Valley primary care location, as well as preventative mental health screenings at all of our locations.

Do you, or someone you know, want to quit smoking? The Wright Center can help you!

To get started, call to schedule an appointment with one of our Smoking Cessation Champions!

• Clarks Summit: 570-585-1300 • Mid Valley: 570-383-9934 • Scranton: 570-941-0630

The end of May may be approaching, but The Wright Center would like to remind you know that we practice mental health awareness throughout the year.

To learn more about Mental Health Month, visit: www.mentalhealthamerica.net/may To learn more about Mid Valley, visit: www.thewrightcenter.org/midvalley

On Tuesday, May 6, The Wright Center for Primary Care Mid Valley hosted its Wonderful Women event.

Approximately 75 people attended the event.

Wonderful Women is a community-based outreach program whose mission is to provide breast cancer resources to women and families who are currently facing or have been affected by breast cancer. Our hope is to enhance the lives of the women in our area by increasing awareness of breast cancer. Through education, prevention, and a strong support system, we seek to assure that those at risk and those affected by breast cancer have the support of family and friends as they go through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

The evening featured guest speaker Denise Cesare, President/CEO of Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, as well as mini manicures, giveaways, creative expressions and a cooking demonstration with Joe Caputo from Zuppa Delgiorno.

L-R: Mary Marrara, Ann Moskovitz, Linda ThomasHemak, MD, Kathy Moran and Joyce Lomma

Denise Cesare, President/CEO of Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania presents stories of cancer survivors in the Gallery of Hope.

2014 TCMC Commencement Features Speeches by Linda Thomas-Hemak, MD, and Fitzhugh Mullan, MD

On Saturday, May 10, The Commonwealth Medical College (TCMC) celebrated their most recent MD and MBS graduates at the annual commencement in Wilkes-Barre.

The event featured a speech by Linda Thomas-Hemak, MD, President/CEO of The Wright Center and founding TCMC Board Member.

L-R: Linda Thomas-Hemak, MD, & Fitzhugh Mullan, MD Photo Credit: Andrew Krech, cv11TCMCp2 & cv11TCMCp4

The commencement address was delivered by Fitzhugh Mullan, MD, who also received an honorary degree from TCMC. Dr. Mullan, a pediatrician by training, has enjoyed a medical career that has taken him from fighting brain drain in Sub-Saharan Africa, to advocating for primary care resources to the United States Senate, to treating the needs of the uninsured in Washington, D.C.’s inner city area. Focusing on community health, workforce issues, and many other challenges in the medical and public health policy, Dr. Mullan has continuously fought for health equity at home and abroad.

The Wright Center was privileged to have Dr. Mullan visit our Mid Valley location and meet some of our medical staff members on the Friday before TCMC’s commencement.

Community Update In The Wright Loop | May 2014 | Page 5

Mid Valley Hosts Wonderful Women Breast Cancer Outreach Event

37th Annual Graduation ~ Saturday, June 21, 2014

Graduation Update In The Wright Loop | May 2014 | Page 6

On Saturday, June 21, we will be celebrating the latest graduating class of residents and fellows. The event will take place at the Saint Mary’s Center (320 Mifflin Avenue) in Scranton. Cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m. and dinner begins at 7 p.m.

Cherif Abdelmalek, MBChB Teaching Health Center Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Fellowship, Hematology/ Oncology; Brookdale Univ.

Hospital & Medical Center; Brooklyn, N.Y.

Krupa Mathew, DO Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Fellowship, Infectious Diseases; Newark Beth Israel; Newark, New Jersey

Sitasravya Devathi, MBBS Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Hospitalist

Subanithya Dhamotharan, MBBS, MD Teaching Health Center Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Physician, LaFollette Medical Center; LaFollette, Tennessee

Khaled Elghonemy, MBChB Teaching Health Center Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Ambulatory Physician, St. John’s Medical Center; Longview, Washington

Nicholas Ierovante, DO Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Fellowship, Cardiology; WCGME; Scranton,Pennsylvania

Mark Jia, MD Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Hospitalist, Franciscan Health System; Tacoma, Washington

Amit Kakde, MBBS Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Hospitalist, Hospitalist Corporation of America; Tampa, Florida

Melad Kamel, MBChB Teaching Health Center Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Hospitalist

Prathiba Katta, MBBS Teaching Health Center Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Ambulatory Physician, Scranton Primary; Scranton, Pennsylvania

Rajni Khaira, MBBS Teaching Health Center Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Ambulatory Physician, Scranton Primary; Scranton, Pennsylvania

Snigdha Kurimilla, MBBS Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Hospitalist

Mina Makary, MBChB Teaching Health Center Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Hospitalist

Tsiala Mozaidze, MD Teaching Health Center Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Hospitalist

Arshjyot Narula, MBBS Teaching Health Center Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Ambulatory Physician

Bassel Noumi, MD Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Fellowship, Pulmonary/ Critical Care; Case Western Reserve; Cleveland, Ohio

Indupriya Pallekonda, MBBS Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Hospitalist

Roop Parlapalli, MBBS Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Hospitalist, Geisinger Community Medical Center; Scranton, Pennsylvania

Lekshmi Raghava, MBBS, MD Teaching Health Center Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Hospitalist, Mount Sinai Hospital; Baltimore, Maryland

Praveen Reddy, MD Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Hospitalist, Geisinger Community Medical Center; Scranton, Pennsylvania

Qi Shi, MD Teaching Health Center Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Academic Chief Resident, WCGME; Scranton, Pennsylvania

Arvind Vasudevan, MBBS Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Fellowship, Pulmonary/ Critical Care; Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Huimin Wu, MD Internal Medicine Residency Future Plans: Fellowship, Pulmonary/ Critical Care; George Washington University; Washington, D.C.

Isteaq Ahmed, MD Family Medicine Residency Future Plans: Hospitalist; Fairfield Medical Center; Lancaster, Ohio

Simon Grinshteyn, MD Family Medicine Residency Future Plans: Hospitalist

Sherin Philip, MD Family Medicine Residency Future Plans: Ambulatory Physician

Mark Samii, MD Family Medicine Residency Future Plans: Ambulatory Physician

Daanish Shaikh, MD Family Medicine Residency Future Plans: Hospitalist

Millicent Tiwaah, DO Family Medicine Residency Future Plans: Fellowship, Geriatrics; WCGME; Scranton, Pennsylvania

Imdad Ahmed, MBBS Cardiology Fellowship Future Plans: Fellowship, Electrophysiology; Yale School of Medicine; New Haven, Connecticut

Pranjal Boruah, MBBS, MD Cardiology Fellowship Future Plans: Cardiologist; Washington State

Parikshit Sharma, MBBS, MD Cardiology Fellowship Future Plans: Fellowship, Electrophysiology; Virginia Commonwealth University; Richmond, Virginia

Graduation Update In The Wright Loop | May 2014 | Page 7

This ceremony will mark the first class of Teaching Health Center graduates, as well as the first class of Family Medicine residents from Wilkes-Barre. Be on the lookout for a formal invitation soon, and congratulations to all of our graduates!

Mark Your Calendars Sunday, May 25 | 1st TWC Softball Game Weekly Games Played Sunday afternoons at Elm Street Park in Dickson City Monday, May 26 | Memorial Day Tobin Hall Closed Saturday, June 7 | Health Fair in the Park 9 a.m.-noon at Nay Aug Park, Scranton Saturday, June 7 | PurpleStride ~ Pancreatic Cancer 5K Walk/Run Race starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Lackawanna Valley Heritage Trail Thursday, June 19 | Orientation Begins Scranton, Pennsylvania Saturday, June 21 | TWC Graduation 6 p.m. at the Saint Mary’s Center Sunday, August 10 | KidFest 1-6 p.m. at Mid Valley

501 Madison Avenue | Scranton, Pennsylvania 18510 570-343-2383 | www.thewrightcenter.org