A Newsletter of the Greater Hazleton Health Alliance

JI(jJl Staff Appreciation iJaU'97 ...The administration of Hazleton General Hospital expressed

its appreciation to employees, board of directors, medical staff andauxiliary for their dedicated efforts and professionalism by hostingthe Eleventh Annual Staff Appreciation Day on July 25.

Employees who helped to make the day a success include: E.Richard Moore, Greg Kuntz, Janet Richie, Margo McGilvrey, JaneKanyock, Dan Vrana, Barbara Massa, Mary Lou Kurtz, MelanieZacharias, Andrea Molino, Mary Lou Bravin, Becky Schaffer,Martha Ciekalsky, Ruth Huges, Clarence Culp, Mary RoseValiant, Bonnie Riley, Pat Bitel, Peggy Rolland, Andrea Andrews,Linda Rohde, Christine Swankoski, Barbara Kalena, RosemarieMichalesko, Tim Farley, Nancy Buehler, Janis Pupach, LarryKreischer, Teresa Zavitsky, Fred Polli, Dave Pogar, CherylCurcio, Mary Sue Currier, Jane Kehler, and Mary Ellen Cortese.Also, assisting were the maintenance, security, housekeeping,and human resources departments.

A sincere "thank you" goes out the members of the HGH dietary staff who prepared the meals under the direction of AnnUsiak, manager; Dave Otter, supervisor; and Nancy Matyas, clinical dietician and Sunny Warholic, clinical dietician.

Congratulations to our cake decorating winners. First place was secured by the housekeeping department. The dietary depart-ment cake took second place.

Serving lunch are (L-R) Teresa Zavitsky, dietary aide, Fred Polli,pharmacist and Dave Pogar, pharmacy manager.

JlSflMCMission Week '97 ...« Mission week is a time for us to reflect on our mission as health care professionals, renew our body, mind and soul, and learnmore about our Bernardine Fransican heritage.This year we learned about the founding of Saint Joseph's Hospital. A variety ofevents took place throughout the week including: prayer services, mission puzzle, mission video, employee recognition dinner, andClareFest - A Celebration of Service. ClareFest was celebrated to honor all of the employees for their dedication and service to thehospital.

Thank you to all of the employees who helped make the day a success including Bernard C. Rudegeair, Jeffrey Sackrison, PatWard, Dot Sweet, Tim Malchitsky, Paul Slocum, Rick Flynn, Tami Frable, Lisa Wolk. Pat Patcrick, Sandy Sackrison, Dottie Burrell,Cheryl Bubrowski, Tom Tornkeiwicz, John Pellock, Bob Pecile, Joe Caso, Mike Bogansky, Mike Kempchinsky, Bill Desuso, TonyPalina, Chris Keuhn, Ed Burke, Sue Farley, Mary Ann Montz, Cindy Kardisco, Sf. Celinia, Sr. Francesca, Lynn Wall, Janet Richie,Beth Turoski, Chris Belusko, Barbara Howard, Theresa Wilkinson, Ann Dolan, Sandi Kulick, Debbie Ladigan, Rhonda Koscuk,Bldg. & Grounds Dept., Plant Operations and Food and Staff.

----------------------------- -Roasting _ Contest Is Still On! -the corn - -for - It is not too late to submit your -- -ClareFest _ creative name for the newsletter to us. If _was John: your entry is picked you will receive a :Pellock _ $25 gift certificate to the Laurel Mall. _and Bob : Just write a name or two down on a sheet :Pecile - of paper and send it to Jennifer -fr~11Ithe : Bachman, HGH Public Affairs Depart- :Pant _ ment. The deadline is Monday, -Operations _ -Dept. - September 15. -- -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••: Department News :• •• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Laboratory - HGHCongratulations to:Albert Garnett, who passed hisphlebotomy registry andJennifer Hoffman, who passedher medical technologycertification.

Maintenance - HGHCongratulations to RonaldWalper and Ann Carsia,patient accounts, on theirmarriage. They were marriedon May 16. Best Wishes!

Operating Room-HGHCongratulations to Mary LouPurnell, CST, and her husbandRich who are the proudparents of a baby girl CandiceMarie, born on August 2.

Physical Medicine &Rehabilitation - HGH &HSJMCMichele Manley, OTRJL, hasjoined the HSJ OccupationalTherapy Dept. as Supervisor.Michele, along with EricaNemetz, OT, andSheriMattey, OT, will provideoccupational therapy on aninpatient and outpatient basis.

Melissa Yurich has joined theHGH Physical Therapy Dept.as a staff physical therapist.Melissa is a graduate ofPhiladelphia College ofPharmacy & Science.

Dennis Ganc, HSJ FitnessCoordinator married DeborahJ. Fish on August 23. BestWishes Dennis and Deborah!

Radiology - HGH & HSJMCNancy Buehler, Rt (R) M.S.Manager, attended theAmerican HealthcareRadiology Administrator'sAnnual Meeting inMinniapolis, MN.

David Peel, Rt (R)(CT),recently attended a CTSeminar on "ComputedTomography" in Santa Fe,New Mexico.

Sandra J. Sackrison, MHA,R.T. (R)(M)(QM) receivednotification from theAmerican Registry ofRadiologic Technologists, St.Paul, Minesota therepresentative of TheAmerican College ofRadiology and The AmericanSociety of RadiologicTechnologists that she hassuccessfully completed theQuality ManagementAdvanced CertificationExamination.

On February 10, Lawrence S.Lisnock, BS, RT (R) assumedthe duties of RadiologicTechnology Program Directorof the School of RadiologicTechnology at the Hazleton-Saint Joseph Medical Center.

Welcome to the new freshmenradiologic class:Tina GaladeChristopher HalcovichHeather HintzenMichele KutchmarickDarlene VanBlargan

Stroke Assessment Screening ...On July 25, a stroke assessment screening took

place at HSJMC and sixty community members tookadvantage of the free service.

The program was coordinated by Ruth Hughes,Manager of Education, HGH; and Paula Triano,Education Coordinator, HSJMC.

Dr. Larry Antolick assisted with the screeningprocedures. A special "thank you" to Dr. Antolick forhelping the project succeed.

Dr. LarryAntolickchecksthecarotidartery ofacommunitymember.

Occupational Health ProgramGoes to White Cap ...

The Occupation Health Program located at HSJMC held aHealth Fair on June 26 for the employees and their families ofthe White Cap Corporation.

Under the direction of Joe Aquilina, marketing representa-tive, a variety of services were offered from both HGH andHSJMC including: blood pressures, pulse oximetry, body fatanaylsis and hearing screenings. Also, a representative withinformation on diabetes, radiology services, Hi-Tech Home Care,Senior Choice, Insurance, Women Services and the MedicalLibrary were available for the community. The volun-teensprovided face painting for the children who attended.

Robert Clark, HGH Paramedic Coordinator, gives the employeesof White Cap a peak at our new paramedic unit.

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--HGH Employees of theMonth ...

AugustEugene Rybarczyk,

an employee at HGH forsix years, is a transporter.

Eugene was nomi-nated by a person whostated, "Eugene treats thepatients with respect,dignity, and adds a specialouch in making them feel

comfortable. He oftenappears a bit over-whelmed by his tightschedule, but never loses abeat; never loses hiswonderful, delightfuldemeanor."

JulyDaniel Leshko, RN, an

employee at HGH for fiveyears, is a registered nursein the emergency room.

Daniel was nominatedby patients mother whostated, "Daniel took wonder-ful care of my daughterwhen she was treated in theemergency room. To thisday my daughter tellseveryone who will listenabout the nurse who savedher life."

---------------------Congratulations to the winners whoparticipated in the open house tours of the

Fitness Center, Freeland Primary CareClinic, and various other departments:

Linda PlesceHGH, Patient Accounts

&

Gerald LeshkoHSJMC, Linen Services

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Welcome New Employees

Lynn C. Bevans, Telephone OperatorEleanor Bloss, RNPamela DiBuo, RNKathleen Fogarty, Clinical Systems AnalystBeth Graham, Medical Technologist/Lab.Peter Harahus, Senior ProgrammerNancy Harrison, Data Processing ManagerBeth Harter, Nursing AideKarl Hinterleiter, EMT !ParamedicGeorge Joseph, PC AnalystJohn T. Klein, EMTDonna Knelly, Telephone OperatorJohn Malia, RNIMHUDelcy Moyer, EMTHelen Noon, RNHeather Pendal, Nursing AideDorothy Piacente, Telephone OperatorPatricia A. Raeder, Nursing Aide/TransporterJohn Regula, Director, Information ServicesChristine Swankoski, Human Resources InternKimberly Valentine, Clerk Typist/RadiologyRobert Walsh, EMTSandra Webber, Clerk Typist/Radiology

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Lisa Baron, Food Service AideSylvia Buchman, CNA Skilled UnitConstance Delman, CNA Skilled UnitJeffrey Jones, LPN, 3 Med/Surg.Kimberly Kessler, CNA Skilled UnitLisa Kmieciak, LPN, 3 Med/Surg.Cynthia Krazewski, Med. Assist at

Dr. Lobitz's OfficeMichelle Manley, OT SupervisorTim Matushonek, SecurityBridget Meehan, Surgica Tech.lORChris Moran, SecurityAnthony Palina, Maintenance Tech.George Petru ski, SecurityTim Quinn, Utility WorkerAngela Scatton, Home Health AideJeanette Shafer, Health & Fitness AideLaurie Shaffer, RN, 3 Med/Surg.Joyce St. Clair, Unit Clerk, TelemetryEdward Washko, CourierMichelle Yurista, CNA Skilled Unit

-La Leche League Donates Book

ToMaternit~ UnitThe La Leche League's local chapter presented

Theresa Wilkinson, RN, nurse manager, and JenniferRuck, RN, with the revised edition of TheBreastfeeding Answer Book, written by the LLLLeaders Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, and Julie Stock,IBCLC.

Presenting the book to Jennifer and Theresa are from (L-R) LisaMyhre, Kimberly J. Slusser and Michele Hebal.

O1l;etcomeeNem ePlt1J8ician ...John Haber, D.O.

John Haber, DO, is a native of Hazleton and a graduateof Hazleton Area High School. He received his Doctor ofOsteopathy from New York College of Osteopathic Medicinein 1993. After graduating, he completed his Internal Medi-cine residency through the Scranton-Temple ResidencyProgram at Mercy Hospital in Scraton.

Working previously in both private and emergencyroom settings, Dr. Haber treats patients in the emergencyrooms at both HGH and HSJMC. He is a member of theAmerican Medical Association, American OsteopathicAssociation, Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical AssociationSigma Chi, and American College of Osteopathic FamilyPhysicians.

GHHA?Questions &

Answers •Q. Why was Freeland chosen for van service? Will

it expand to other communities?A. The patient transportation van service was

launched at the end of March. It was started because our1995 Community Health Needs Assessment revealed thattransportation was a problem, particularly for seniorcitizens. The Alliance leased a van and put it on the road togauge community response. Freeland was chosen because ofits distance from Hazleton and because there are threeprimary care physicians practices there. The trial programhas been so successful that GHHA will purchase a van andexpand the service to the entire community in the very nearfuture.

Q. What is the situation with HSJMC and taxes?A. Both Hazleton General Hospital and Hazleton-

Saint Joseph Medical Center are not-for-profit corporations.Because of the services we provide to the community bothhospitals are clearly tax exempt. The tax exempt status ofboth hospitals has been challenged by the Hazleton AreaSchool District. Both hospitals have appealed the decisionof the Board of Assessment to the Luzerne County Courts,where the cases are pending. However, a number of yearsago, Saint Joe's made the decision to voluntarily pay taxeson properties that are not directly related to it's healthcare orreligious missions. Both HGH and HSJMC have retainedlegal counsel to present their cases in court.

Q. Is "net income" the same as profit?A. As previously stated, both hospitals are not-

for-profit. This means that any "net income" or "rev-enue over expenses" is reinvested in each organizationto enhance and continue their respective missions.Unlike "for-profit" hospitals and corporations, we donot have stockholders or Board members to whomprofits are distributed. Members of our Boards servestrictly on a voluntary, non-paid basis.

~Meet Joe KogelThe Pastoral Outreach Department at HSJMC brings Joe Kogel, former journalist, award-winning writer, and cancer

survivor to speak to employees, family, and community members on September 22 at Genetti's. His one-man show entitledLife and Depth, will begin at 7:30 p.m.

A donation of $5 to reserve your seat can be sent to Pat Paterick, Pastoral Outreach, HSJMC by September 1 forthose who are interested in attending this inspirational seminar.

Don't miss out on this opportunity.4

-Information Services Update ...

The new organization ofthe consolidated I.S. depart-ment has been shared withdepartment managers. Thetransition of staff and func-tions will be phased in alongwith the conversion to the newcorporate computer system. Akey component will be theHELP DESK: a single point ofcontact for reporting problemsand requesting services.Support activities will betracked closely to ensure rapidresponse and quality service.

I. S. staff and keypersonnel from user depart-ments have begun coretraining for the new corporatesystem. Project workgroupsare busy designing processesand procedures, and thecorresponding system specifi-cations that will be used tobuild the new applications.Testing should start by the endof the year, and user trainingwill begin shortly after that.An executive Steering Com-mittee has been establishedand meets monthly to directthe Project and monitor itsprogress. Following theransition of base systems at

both hospitals to the newsystem in the spring of 1998,additional applications andenhancements will be quicklybrought on-line. These will bemore directly focused onclinical care delivery andelectronic patient records.

Cabling for the newtelecommunications networkwas recently completed at theHGH campus. All of thedepartments and the mainte-nance staff are to becommeded for their excep-tional patience, understanding,and cooperation during theinconvenience. The cabling atHSJMC is currently underway;the same successful process isanticipated. When we are ableto connect all workstations to

the network, we will bedeveloping a sophisticatedoffice automationenvironment. E-mail and on-line scheduling are high onthe wish lists.

The department will becelebrating NationalHealthcare InformationSystems week in mid-Novem-ber. Several contests are beingplanned, so start gatheringinformation related to I.S.activities to try and win.HINT: How many miles ofcable were used to support thenew network?

Carmen Pagan hasresigned from the staff torelocate with her family toMichigan. She was currentlythe Senior Systems Analyst foradministrative and financialapplications, and a key playerin the new GHHA systemconversion project. Her lastday was August 8, and shewill be missed by her co-workers within the departmentand throughout the Alliance.

The coming year is fullof challenges and changes forI.S. and for all the systemsusers throughout the Alliance.Keep watching for updates,and for opportunities to bepart of an active user commu-nity.

~ejfivat 0/~reej '97

*

This year marks thetenth anniversary of theHazleton HealthcareFoundation's Festival of Treesand several options areavailable for employeeparticipation and support ofone of our most successfulfund raising events in ourcommunity. Employees arewelcome to volunteer theirtime to work at one of themany various booths atFestival of Trees '97 to be heldat Genetti's Best Western Hallof Presidents, November 22through November 25. Someof these booths include theKid's Korner, SnowflakeShop, Sweetland, Holiday GiftBaskets, Evergreen, and ournew Craft Corner. Depart-ments/individuals candecorate a tree available insizes 4 112', 6 112' and 7 112',decorate a wreath, garland,topiary, or wall tree or donatea holiday gift basket/trickytray. Also, another option foremployees is donating bakedgoods to the Sweetland booth.Such items include cupcakes,brownies, cookies, or candy.

This year the moniesraised will benefit our newParamedic Unit which will beon display during the OpeningNight Reception to be held onSaturday, November 22, 1997.

For any additionalinformation contact theDevelopment Office at450-4941.

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. ..•....... ~~~~~~::::..::..~(' ..r": .

Spec-iaL ..Get a head start on

those extra winterpounds! Start yourfitness program today, soyou can enjoy the holidayfoods later.

Join or renew for 3months membership atany time during themonth of September andreceive an extra monthfree!I All you need to do I

is call or just stop in,present this coupon whenyou join and we'll helpyou take the first step onthe road to a new you.HGH & HSJMC employeediscount for 3 months is:New Membership $]00Renewal Membership $70

459-3467

Coupon valid from September1, 1997 to September 30,1997 Membership must bepaid in full when presenting

this coupon..._------_ ..check us out onthe Internet atwl1.Jw.gbba.org

~ou will fin3 avariet~of information about tbevarious services an3

programs tbat HazletonGeneral Hospital an~Haz.leton-Saint] osepbMe~ica{Center offer.

•....

[Romanian cJludenls»:eFainl goe's

Anda Lariu, and Emese Molnar, both 21 years-old, visitedthe U.S. through an opportunity provided by the CatholicNursing School - St. Joseph in Cluj, Romania. They are thirdyear nursing students who have plans to not only learn abouthow nursing is different in the US. but, to see and do everythingfrom shopping to experiencing the Outdoor Opera in DelawareYalIey to visiting Arizona.

With the help of two Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, SisterSandra and Sister Roberta, Anda and Emese were given theopportunity of a life-time to enhance their careers innursing. Their main goals in bringing the nursing students to theUS. was for them to see how professional nurses act andcommunicate. Also, they wanted them see the variety of optionsnurses have in health care in the U.S. such as: home health,hospice, hospital, physicians, schools, occupational health andpreventive healthcare teaching. In Romania, nurses primarilywork in hospitals only and preventive healthcare is an unknowncommodity.

Emese and Anda were overwhelmed by the number ofsupplies and medications that are available for patients. Also,they were astonished by the supermarkets and the variety offoods available, because they shop at an outdoor market whereyou get what you can get.

They are visited the US. for six weeks and stayed in theHazleton Area from August 10 - 16 at the home of Dr. and Mrs.Joseph Laczi.

Pictured are (L-R) Jst row - Anda Lariu and Emese Molnar. 2ndrow - Sister Sandra, Rhonda Koscuk, and Sister Roberta.

EMPLOYEE GOLFTOURNAMENT

SATURDAY,OCTOBER I I

SUGARLOAF GOLF CLUB

WATCH FOR DETAILS ...

LAUk>2)f <uUTTo)fTOsPE.AK.AT .ALLD.A~

CO)f52k>2)fC2 ...The Greater Hazleton Health AlIiance wilI present the

"Women Together" AII Day Conference scheduled for Saturday,October 4, 1997. According to Jane A. Kanyock, chairperson,and Sandy K. Sackrison, vice-chairperson of the Conference, the"Women Together" program combined Hazleton GeneralHospital's Women's Task Force and Hazleton-Saint JosephMedical Center's Womankind programs. The new name,"Women Together ...Building a Better Community" representsthe combined efforts of both hospitals in providing qualityeducation programs addressing a variety of health related topicsto our community. This year's luncheon keynote speaker wilI beLauren Hutton, model and actress, who wilI speak about themany issues facing women today. One of the world's mostlegendary models, Ms. Hutton has suddenly swept back into thelimelight, igniting an astonishing revolution in the way media isportraying women in their 40's and 50's. In addition, JordanaGreen, WBRE-TY's Eyewitness News Health Beat reporter, willbe serving as the breakfast keynote speaker for the Conference.Anyone else interested in receiving a brochure, should contactBarbara Howard at 459·4592. The Conference will be held atHazleton Area High School with registration and breakfastbeginning at 7:00 a.m.; the Conference will conclude at 2:00p.m. All schedules are outlined in the brochure; the fee for theConference is $20 per person with a registration deadline ofSeptember 19, 1997. Attendees are encouraged to register earlyto accommodate all participants. All registrations will beprocessed in the order they are received via mail.

CONGRATULATIONS ...

Mary T Alimeccom, RN, Cardiac Testing Supervisor - HSJMC,and James Boyle, LPN, Telemetry Nurse - HGH, have beennominated to the Leadership Hazleton Board of Directors. Bothare Leadership Hazleton graduates and serve on the JuniorLeadership Hazleton Steering Committee, in which Mary is theChairperson.

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-GREATER HAZLETON

HEALTH ALLIANCEHazleton General Hospital700 East Broad Street(717) 450-4357

Hazleton St. Joseph Medical Ctr,687 North Church Street

(717) 459-4444

Hazleton, PA 18201

II MEMORANDUM II

DATE: September 12, 1997

FROM:

All EmployeesHazleton General HospitalHazleton St. Joseph Medical Center

Bernard C. Rudegeair, PresidentlGHHA ~E. Richard Moore, Executive VP/GHHA $-. M

TO:

As one of the steps in our process of assessing the continuing development of theGreater Hazleton Health Alliance (GHHA),we have engaged the services of MoreheadAssociates, Inc. of Charlotte, NC to conduct an opinion survey among the employees of bothhospitals.

The purpose of the survey is to learn how the men and women of HGHand HSJMCfeelabout both their respective hospitals and our Alliance. The results of the survey will be usedas a tool to guide future decisions regarding employee relations policies and practices,patient services and the delivery of health care services to our community.

Participation in the survey is voluntary. However, everyone, in all departments and atall levels, is encouraged to take part. Survey participants will remain anonymous andresponses will be confidentially processed and statistically evaluated by MoreheadAssociates, Inc.

The opinion gathering phase of the survey will take place in mid or late October.Morehead's processing will occur in November and December. Survey results will bepresented to GHHAAdministration in early January, 1998. It is expected that survey feedback will be provided to the staffs of each hospital beginning in the spring of 1998. Majorissues will be identified and addressed.

More detailed information will be provided to you by the Human Resources staff andthrough your department or division heads over the next few weeks.

Please make every effort to participate in this process. Your frank and honestopinions and suggestions are vitally important and we value them a great deal.

cc: Core GroupDivision HeadsDepartment Heads