A round‐up of JHF news, events, milestones, publications, and more. 

March 2015

THE WINDOW

Inside this issue 

Latest JHF‐Creative Nonfiction Partnership Documents Hardships, Hope for Those Struggling with Mental Health Challenges 

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JHF Board of Trustees Approves $240,000 in Grants 

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HPV Vaccination Initiative Spreading Cancer Prevention Message in Local Communities, Hot‐Spotting Neighborhoods with Low Rates 

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JGenesPgh, Magee‐Womens Hospital Host Symposium to Educate Community about Jewish Genetic Diseases, Proactively Fight Breast and HPV‐Related Cancers 

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Consumer Listening Sessions Uncover Ways to Support Activated Patients, Chart Course Ahead for CHIA 

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JHF Sponsors March 2 Arts and Lectures with Sherri Fink, MD 

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24 Staff from Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital, Green Home Graduate Perfecting Patient CareSM University  

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QI2T Health Innovator Fellows Explore User‐Centered Design, Launching Start‐Ups; Final Pitch Competition on April 14 

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Carnegie Mellon University Challenges Students to Talk About the Culture of Rape 

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Karen Feinstein Talks Leveraging NRHI’s National Network, Capitalizing on Payment Reform Initiatives during Board Meeting 

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JHF Co‐Sponsors Conference to Highlight Israel’s Innovation Economy, Explore New Opportunities for Partnerships 

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JHF Medical Advisor Visits Emek Medical Center, Sees Learning from Emek’s Palliative Care Team’s JHF Visit in Action 

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PCRC Helps Patients Achieve End of Life Goals 

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Coro Fellows Learn About Western PA’s Mental Healthcare System with JHF, Staunton Farm Foundation 

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Louis Plung’s Community, Philanthropic Work Honored during Yeshiva Schools Dinner 

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Recruiting Open for Patient Safety Fellowship 

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JHF Happenings  24 

Inaugural Fellowship on Death and Dying Concludes with Students Crafting Plans to Change Education, Policy, Culture around End-of-Life

TheJewishHealthcareFoundation’s(JHF)andHealthCareersFutures’(HCF)inauguralFellowshiponDying&Dying:TheElephantintheRoomcametoasuccessfulconclusiononMarch30,resultinginseveralcommunityactionplansandanengagednetworkofalumniFellows.

TheFellowship,modeledafterJHF’sClosureCommunityConversationsandcurriculum,providedanopportunityfor20graduateanddoctoralstudentstoconfrontend‐of‐lifeissuesthattheywillfaceintheircareers—issuestheyarerarelyexposedtointheirprograms.

OverthecourseofsixsessionsfromJanuarythroughMarch,theFellowsexploredthemanymedical,legal,social,cultural‐familial,andspiritualaspectsofdeathanddyingthroughfacilitatedconversationsandtoursoflong‐termserviceandsupportcenters.ThesessionsoccurredattheQI2TCenter,AlleghenyGeneralHospital,Children'sHospitalofPittsburghofUPMC,FamilyHospiceInpatientCenter—Canterbury,andtheUrsulineSupportServices’GoodGriefCenterforBereavementSupport.CoreFellowshipfacultyincludedJHFConsultantsJonathanWeinkle,MDandTamaraSacks,MD;COO/CPONancyZionts;andProgramManagerRobertFerguson.

InMarch,theFellowsvisitedFamilyHospiceandPalliativeCare

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atUPMCCanterburyPlacetodiscusscommunityresourcesandoptionsatendoflife,metattheGoodGriefCentertodiscusscaregivers’andfamilymembers’experienceswithdeath,dying,andgrief,andthenconvenedattheQI2TCentertocreatecommunityactionplansthatenhanceend‐of‐lifecare.

AtFamilyHospiceandPalliativeCare,theFellowslearnedthathospiceisaphilosophy,notjustaninsurancebene it,andisnormallywherethepatientis.Theyalsodiscussedthedifferentlevelsoflong‐termservicesandsupportsavailableaswellasbarrierstoaccessingthem,includingfundinggapsandreimbursementchallenges.ThesessionwasledbyFamilyHospice&PalliativeCareCo‐ChiefMedicalOf icerChrisHughes,MD;InpatientUnitSupervisorAmyJacobs,RN;andDeniseStahl,MSN,executivedirectoroftheUPMCPalliativeandSupportiveInstitute.

AttheGoodGriefCenter,Fellowssharedandlistenedtostoriesaboutthevariouswaysthatfamiliescopewithgrief,andhowtosupportinformalfamilycaregiversinadditiontopatients.ThesessionwasfacilitatedbyJHFConsultantNinaButler,EdD;DianaHardy,MSCPNCC,LPC,directorandclinicalinstructorofGoodGriefCenterforBereavementSupport;RabbiRonSymons,directorofLifelongLearninganddirectorofTikkunOlamattheCenterforJewishSocialJustice;andAnthonyTuro,executivedirectorofUrsulineSupportServices.

Butlerexplainedthat“theendoflifeislearningaboutlife”anddescribedhowsheorganizesthecommunityaroundcaregiversandfamilieswhoneedhelpthroughactiongroups,websites,andresources.Thegroupalsodiscussedtheimportanceofunderstandingthatpeoplegrievedifferentlyindifferentways.NancyZiontsencouragedFellowstobegindevelopingtheirownnetworksindifferentcommunitiesandexplainedthattheoverallgoalisnotjustthehealthofthepatient,butalsothehealthofthoseleftbehind.

Inresponsetotheend‐of‐lifechallengesthattheywitnessed,theFellowscraftedplanstochangeeducation,policy,andattitudesintheirprogramsandcommunities.Theactionplansunveiledduring

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INAUGURAL FELLOWSHIP ON DEATH & DYING SESSIONS

1.Introduction&OverviewofDeathandDying:QI2TCenter

2.AdvancedCarePlanning&LegalAspectsofDeathandDying:AlleghenyGeneralHospital

3.Ethical&SpiritualAspectsofDeathandDying:Children'sHospitalofPittsburgh

4.CommunityResources&OptionsatEOL:FamilyHospiceInpatientCenterCanterbury–Lawrenceville

5.Caregivers’&FamilyMembers’ExperiencewithDeath,Dying,andGrief:GoodGriefCenterforBereavementSupport

6.CommunityActionPlans:QI2TCenter

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Rabbi Ron Symons, director of Lifelong Learning and director of Tikkun Olam at the Center for Jewish Social Justice, and JHF Consultant Nina Butler, EdD, describe the various ways families cope with grief during a fellowship session at the Good Grief Center.  

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theFellowship inaleincluded:

Creatingsystemdefaultsandyearlyroutinestohelppeopleuseadvancecareplansas“living”documents

Providingtrainingonadvancecareplanningconversationswithpatientsaspartofstudents’corecurricula

Creatinganend‐of‐liferesourceguidebookforincominghealthcarestudents Developingadvancecareplanningcentersinthecommunity,wherepeoplecanengagein

conversationsaboutend‐of‐lifetopicsandaccessresources

Duringtheclosingremarks,NancyprovidedwaysfortheFellowstocontinuetheirengagementwithJHFinordertoimplementtheseactionsplansandstayconnectedwithoneanother.Intheirevaluations,theFellowsindicatedthattheyplacedahighdegreeofimportanceandcon idenceinimplementingtheseplans.

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JHF Program Manager Robert Ferguson describes how palliative care improves quality of life throughout the treatment cycle of terminally ill patients.   

Guided by Jonathan Weinkle, MD (center), Fellows develop community action plans to change education, policy, and attitudes about end‐of‐life care.  

During the finale of the Fellowship on Death and Dying, JHF COO/CPO Nancy Zionts leads a discussion on end‐of‐life issues that Fellows encountered.  

Fellows identified four major components in creating a patient‐and‐family‐centric model for end‐of‐life care.  

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Latest JHF-Creative Nonfiction Partnership Documents Hardships, Hope for Those Struggling with Mental Health Challenges

Overthepasttwelveyears,JHFandCreativeNon ictionhavepartneredonanthologiesexploringcriticalissuesofpatientsafety,quality,workforcedevelopment,andend‐of‐lifecare.DuringaJHFBoardmeetingonMarch24,theFoundationunveileditslatestcollaboration:SameTimeNextWeek:TrueStoriesofWorkingThroughMentalIllness,acollectionof18essayswrittenbyproviderswhohavetreated—andsometimes,experienced—profoundpsychiatricchallenges.

“Inanygivenyear,asmanyasoneinfourAmericansstrugglewithadiagnosablementalillness,”JHFPresidentandCEOKarenWolkFeinstein,PhD,saidduringthemeeting,whichfeaturedselectreadingsfromSameTimeNextWeekandaTEDTalk‐stylepresentationonstorytellingbyCreativeNon ictioneditorLeeGutkind.“Weoftenhearofthephrase‘severeandpersistentmentalillness.’Soweasked:doesmentalillnesshavetobepersistent?Thisanthologyisacelebrationofthosewhohavegoneontohavesatisfyinglives.”

Twolocal,distinguishedactors,CynthiaDoughertyandLeonZionts,performedreadingsfromtheanthology.Amongtheselectedworks:“I’mNotaNounEither”(featuringapsychotherapistwhoseekstocreateasupportnetworkforpatientsfollowinghisownexperienceswithpsychosis)and“Jeannie”(recountingapreviouslycatatonic,non‐speakingyoungwoman’sbreakthroughinspeechtherapy).

JHFandCreativeNon iction’spastcollaborationsincludeRageandReconciliation,SilenceKills:SpeakingoutandSavingLives,BecomingaDoctor,BecomingaNurse,andAttheEndofLife:TrueStoriesAboutHowWeDie.Morethan500peoplefromaroundtheglobesubmittedessaysforSameTimeNextWeek,Gutkindnotedduringhispresentation.Suchtrue‐lifeaccountsinjectnarrativeintocomplextopics,resonatingwithspecialistsandthegeneralpublicalike.

“Creativenon ictionistruestories,welltold,”Gutkindsaid.“Ourworld—computers,genetics,brainmapping,illness—iscomplicated,overwhelming.That’swhyreadersneedastory—tograspinformationinawaythat’srelatable,compelling,andmoreeasilyremembered.”

JHF’s Creative Nonfiction partner, Lee Gutkind, describes the power of story during the March 24 Foundation Board meeting. When Gutkind reads texts, he highlights storytelling portions with a marker. Texts pass the “Yellow Test” if they feature substantial storytelling elements. Other media — including his guilty pleasure, Law & Order — also hook audiences with powerful stories.   

Acclaimed local actors Cynthia Dougherty and Leon Zionts performed select readings from Same Time Next Week: True Stories of Working Through Mental Illness, the latest collaboration between JHF and Creative Nonfiction.  

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JHF Board of Trustees Approves $481,000 in Grants

OnTuesday,March24,theJewishHealthcareFoundation(JHF)BoardofTrusteesapprovedthreenewgrants,includingaone‐yeargranttoPittsburghFilmmakersforPublicSourcetoaddhealthcareexpertiseandcoveragetotheirinvestigativereportingteam,agranttoCreativeNon ictionforpublicationofavolumeofpersonalnarrativesdocumentingindividualsuccessstorieswhereseverementalillnesswasnot“persistent”,andagranttodevelopanewJHFChampionsprogramthatwillenhancetheskillsofregionalcommunityhealthworkers(CHWs)toimprovethehealthoutcomesforseniorslivinginthecommunity.

CommunityHealthWorkers:BetterServingOurCommunity’sSeniors

TheFoundationhasfundedanumberofeducational/Championsprogramstostrengthentheeffectivenessofthehealthworkforce:PhysicianChampions,NurseNavigators,PharmacyAgentsforChange,EMSQualityLeaders,LongTermCareandMA/LPNChampions.TheseChampionspursueprojectstoimprovequalityintheirowndomains.

ThegrantapprovedbytheJHFBoardofTrusteeswillsupportJHF’snewestChampionsprogram—theCommunityHealthWorker(CHW)ChampionstoenhancetheskillsofCHWstoimprovethecareforcommunity‐dwellingseniors.

JHFperceivesCHWsasavitalcomponentoftheU.S.healthcaresystem,improvingpopulationhealthandloweringhealthcarecostsbyreducingemergencyroomvisits,hospitalizations,andinstitutionalizations.Theyalsofreeclinicalteammemberstopracticeatthetopoftheirlicense.

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DEVELOP A STANDARDIZED TRAINING CURRICULUM & SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL TO ENHANCE CHWS’ SKILLS, HELP SENIORS AGE IN PLACE

USE PREDICTIVE MODELING TO IDENTIFY FACTORS THAT LEAD TO HOSPITAL & NURSING HOME ADMISSIONS FOR SENIORS

PILOT-TEST TRAINING CURRICULUM & SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES

SUBMIT FOUNDATION’S CHW MODEL TO PA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR STATEWIDE ADOPTION

COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS CHAMPIONS

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“By2050,”saysDr.Feinstein,“thenumberofpeoplewhoareovertheageof65willbealmostdoublewhatitwasin2012;andthepossibilityofseniorsandtheirsubstantialhealthcareneedsoverwhelminghospitals,nursinghomes,andtheelderly’sownmiddle‐agedchildrenorotherfamilycaregiversisveryreal.

“ThereistremendousopportunitytouseCHWstohelpslowtherateofage‐relateddeclineinvulnerableseniorsbyensuringthattheyhavetheresourcestheyneedastheyageinplace–includingconnectionstocommunityresourcesandhelpwithnavigatingthehealthcaresystemwhennecessary.”

This irstphaseofthegrantwillbeginfollowingastatewideinvitation‐onlySummitonCHWsthatJHFisholdinginApril2015inHarrisburg,PA,thegoalofwhichistooutlineelementsofastandardizedCHWtrainingcurriculum,certi ication,andreimbursement.Then,JHFwillcreateanadvisorygroupofexpertsinseniorservices, irsttoidentifythefactorsthatpredicthospitalandnursinghomeadmissionsforseniors,andsecond,todevelopacompetency‐basedCHWtrainingcurriculumandservicedeliverymodelfocusedonpreventinghospitalizationsandavoidableinstitutionalization.

PittsburghFilmmakersforPublicSource:CultivatingInformed,EmpoweredHealthcareConsumers

PublicSource,wascreatedin2011tocultivateinformedcommunitiesacrossPennsylvania.Itisbecomingaleadinginvestigativenewsorganization,providingPennsylvaniacitizenswithbalanced,analytical,andin‐depthinformationonselected“hot”topics.Theirstoriesreachmillionsofreadersthroughtheirownwebsiteandemailnewsletter,andthewebsitesandairwavesofmorethan40mediapartnersacrossPennsylvania.Itsnewestpartner,theKaiserFamilyFoundation,willpublishPublicSource’shealthcare‐relatedstoriesintheiremailnewsletter,KaiserHealthNews,hasnationalreach.

ThisgrantwillenablePublicSourcetobringonresourcesinordertodeliverin‐depthstoriesonhealthcare‐relatedissuesthataffectthewell‐beingofallPennsylvanians,withthegoaloffacilitatinginformedandempoweredconsumers.

BringingtheChallengesofSeriousMentalIllnessintotheMainstream

CreativeNon iction(CNF),throughitsjournalandbooks,createsengagingnon ictionprosetoexplorecomplicatedtopicsthroughcompellingnarrative.JHFandCNFhavecollaboratedonsixanthologiesoverthepasttwelveyears,advancingtheFoundation’sagendaconcerningpatientsafetyandquality,workforce,andend‐of‐lifeissues.

Mostrecently,JHFandCNFcollaboratedonavolumethatfeaturesexamplesofprogressonprofoundpsychiatricchallengesfromtheperspectiveoftheprofessionalswhotreatsuchdisorders.Hundredsof

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compellingessaysweresubmittedforthisnewestbook,SameTime,NextWeek.Thisgrantsupportsthepublicationofacompanionvolumethatwillfeaturestoriesofseriousbutnotpersistentmentalillnessfromtheperspectiveofpatientsandfamilies.

“Together,”notedJHFPresidentandCEOKarenWolkFeinstein,PhD,“thesecreativenon ictionworkscanhelptoreducethestigmaofseverementalillnessanddemonstratethatseverementalillnessdoesnotequatetoanintractablecurse.Itispossibletochangethetargetfrompersistenttotransitory.”

HPV Vaccination Initiative Spreading Cancer Prevention Message in Local Communities, Hot-Spotting Neighborhoods with Low Rates

InFebruaryof2014,JHFandnumerouslocalpartnerslaunchedacommunity‐widecampaigntoprotectourregion’skidsandyoungadultsfromdevelopingHPV‐relatedcancersthatcanbepreventedwithasafe,three‐dosevaccineavailableatlittleornocostthroughinsuranceortheFreeVaccinesforChildrenprogram.Ayearintothismulti‐stakeholdereffort,onMarch12,2015,theFoundationhosted28membersoftheHPVvaccinationinitiativeadvisorycommitteeforameetingintheQI2TCenter.Healthcareprofessionals,communityorganizationleaders,educators,collegestudents,andGrandmotherPowervolunteersdiscussedaccomplishmentsandchallengesfromtheinitiative’s irstyearandcraftedstrategiestobringthecancerpreventionmessagetoevenmoreneighborhoodsin2015.

BillIsler,presidentofTheFredRogersCompanyandHPVadvisorycommitteeco‐chair,kickedoffthemeetingbyannouncingfundingfortheproject.InadditiontoagrantfromJHF,theFoundationhasreceivedgrantssupportingtheHPVvaccinationinitiativefromtheU.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices,Of iceoftheAssistantSecretaryofHealth;theGrableFoundation;andtheEyeandEarFoundation.Thecommitteethenreceivedanupdateonmarketingeffortsforthecampaign,whichincludethedevelopmentoflogosforthe

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Grandmother Power members Eileen Lane (left), and Barbara Greenberg educate the community about the HPV vaccine at a Pitt Volunteer Fair on January 14.  

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campaignandforGrandmotherPower;twobrochures,oneaimedatparentsofadolescentsandoneaimedatour“catchup”group(youngadultswhohadnotgottenthethree‐doseserieswhenyounger);anHPVPittsburghmicrosite(www.hpvpittsburgh.org)thatfeaturesinformationontheHPVvirusandvaccine,FAQs,newsandresources,andwaysthatpeoplecantakeactiontopreventcancerintheirowncommunities;andanumberofitemstobeusedatoutreachevents,includingabrandedtablecloth,tabletopposters,andgive‐aways.

AdvisorycommitteemembersthenshowcasedtheireffortstoboostHPVvaccinationrates.GrandmotherPowercommitteeco‐chairsEileenLaneandCecileSpringertalkedaboutthelocalchapterofGrandmotherPowerestablishedtomobilizegrandmothers,andwhatthey’vedoneandhaveplannedtoconveyinformationonthevaccineandstressitscancer‐preventingpowersthroughcommunityoutreachevents.UnderagrantfromJHF,PlannedParenthoodofWesternPennsylvaniadevelopedatwo‐lessonHPVmoduleformiddleandhighschoolstudentsthatwillbetaughtto1,700youththroughPlannedParenthood’sschool‐basededucationprogram.Themoduleisalsoavailablefree‐of‐chargetootherinstitutionsandorganizationswishingtoteachtheirteensand/oryoungadultsaboutHPVandprevention.

HPVprogramcoordinatorSueSteeleandJHFprogramassociateBrandiKellyareholdingeducationandoutreachsessionsathealthfairs,communityevents,andparentingcenters.TheUniversityofPittsburgh’sSchoolofPharmacystartedaprojectthatwillsurveymorethan500collegestudentsontheirvaccinationstatusandknowledgeofthevaccine,andcreateofa ive‐stationoutreachactivityforstudenthousingresidentsinanefforttoencouragestudentstovisitStudentHealthoranotherhealthcareproviderifthey’venotyetreceivedthethree‐doseHPVvaccination.TheWomenandGirlsFoundationhasformedateensub‐committeewithyouth‐servingorganizationmembers,andtheyarealsohostingteenmessagingworkshops,reachingoutviasocialmedia,andplanningacontestinthefallwhereyouthwillcreatetheirownYouTubevideostoutingthebene itsofHPVvaccination.

Theadvisorycommittee’sotherco‐chair,AlanFinkelstein,MD,afamilyphysicianonthefacultyofthe

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JHF has created a variety of marketing materials to increase awareness for the HPV vaccination initiative, including water bottles, posters, brochures, lip balm, and Grandmother Power aprons.  

UPCOMING HPV VACCINATION EVENTS IN THE COMMUINITY

April1:WellnessExpoattheCommunityCollegeofAlleghenyCounty—NorthCampus

April8:McKeesport1stStepsParentingProgram

April10:Sto‐RoxFamilyCenter

April10:MiddleandhighschoolvolunteerfairattheAlleghenyCenterAllianceChurch

April15:PlumSeniorCenter

April16:SteelValleyFamilyCenter

April23:LawrencevilleFamilyCareConnection

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UPMC‐ShadysideFamilyMedicineResidencyProgram,introducedToddWolynn,MD,ofKidsPlusPediatrics,whoreviewedresultsfromasurveyoflocalfamilymedicinephysicians,obstetricians/gynecologists,andpediatriciansconductedinpartnershipwiththeAlleghenyCountyMedicalSociety.Thesurveyrevealedthatparentsarelargelyreceptivetovaccinatingtheirchildrenonceprovidersinitiateaconversation,butparentsoftenenterthedoctor’sof icewithlittlepreviousknowledgeoftheHPVvaccine.

Thecommitteeagreedthatprovidersshouldemphasizethecancer‐preventingpowersoftheHPVvaccine,andbundleitwithvaccinesthatchildrenmustreceivetoattendschoolratherthansettingitoffasavaccinetobeconsidereddifferently.

Asub‐committeeoftheHPVadvisoryhasbeencollectingdatafrominsuranceproviderstouseasabaselinefortheprojectandtoidentifytheneighborhoodswiththelowestHPVvaccinationrates.Followingapresentationbythedatasub‐committee,HPVadvisorymembersdividedintogroupsanddiscussedhowtheycouldcombatlowvaccinationratesinthecommunitieswheretheyliveandworkbyassessinghowpeopleobtaintheirhealthinformation,identifyingwidely‐usedcommunicationchannelsandgatheringspots,partneringwithtrustedneighborhoodleadersandorganizations,andworkingtomakethevaccinationseriesmoreaccessibletoworkingparents.

JGenesPgh, Magee-Womens Hospital Host Symposium to Educate Community about Jewish Genetic Diseases, Proactively Fight Breast and HPV-Related Cancers

OnMarch8,morethan100menandwomen—fromteenstogreatgrandmothers—gatheredatMagee‐WomensHospitalofUPMCforafreesymposium,“IInheritedWhat???YouandYourGenes:TheExplosiveNewWorldofGenetics,”thatprovidededucationonJewishgeneticdiseasesaswellastheimportanceofearlyinterventioninpreventingbreastcancerandHumanPapillomavirus(HPV)‐relatedcancers.

JHFConsultantandJGenesPghDirectorDodieRoskies,MPH,organizedtheeventandalsomoderatedapaneldiscussion.JHFservesasthe iscalagentandisanadvisorycommitteememberforJGenesPgh,whichraisesawarenessaboutAshkenaziJewishgeneticdiseasesandprovidesinformationandscreeningtoat‐riskyoungadults.TheprogramwaslaunchedwithfundingfromJHFaswellasThePittsburghFoundationandtheLawrenceandRebeccaSternFamilyFoundation(whichservesasanongoing

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JHF Program Associate Brandi Kelly (far left) facilitates a breakout session among HPV advisory committee members to identify outreach strategies for communities with low vaccination rates.  

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funder).

ApproximatelyaquarterofJewishindividualsareacarrierforatleastoneofanumberofpreventableJewishgeneticdiseases.Attendees,includingsomenewly‐diagnosedindividualsandothersconsideringgettingtestedfortheirsttime,learnedmorethroughpresentationsandapaneldiscussionfeaturingKaraLevine,MS,LCGC,ageneticcounselorforGeneDx;DavidN.Finegold,MD,professorofPediatricsandHumanGeneticsattheUniversityofPittsburghSchoolofMedicine;HaroldC.Wiesenfeld,MD,ObstetricsandGynecologyatMagee‐WomensanddirectorofPitt’sDivisionofReproductiveInfectiousDiseases;SueSteele,programcoordinatoroftheFoundation’sHPVvaccinationinitiative;andRachelGolden,educationambassadorofBrightPink.

LevineemphasizedthatthebesttimeforparentstobescreenedforJewishgeneticdiseasesisbeforeconception.ShecalledeffortstoincreaseawarenessofandscreeningsforJewishgeneticdiseasesagreatsuccessstory.ThankstotheworkofRoskies,JewishgeneticscreeningsarecoveredbybothUPMCandHighmarkinsuranceplans.

Dr.Finegoldsaidwe’re“inthemidstofarevolution”inJewishgeneticscreenings.Next‐generationsequencingprovidesawealthofdatathatcanempowerpatients,allowingthemtobecomeexpertsintheirowngenes,buthestressedtheneedtomatchpublicknowledgewithtechnologicaladvances.

Dr.WiesenfelddiscussedtheimportanceofboysandgirlsgettingvaccinatedagainstHPV,whichisresponsibleforaround90%ofcervicalcancersaswellaslessernumbersofvaginal,vulvar,anal,throat,andpenilecancers.ThevaccinereducestheriskofdevelopingHPV‐relatedcancersby99%,Dr.Wiesenfeldnoted—andit’srecommendedforboysages11‐21andgirlsages11‐26.TheGardasil9vaccine,recentlyapprovedbytheFoodandDrugAdministration,could

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Kara Levine describes the critical importance of getting screened for Jewish genetic diseases. 

(L‐R) Dodie Roskies, MPH, a Foundation consultant and director of JGenesPgh, moderates a panel featuring Kara Levine, MS, LCGC, a genetic counselor for GeneDx ; Rachel Golden, education ambassador of Bright Pink; Sue Steele, program coordinator of the Foundation’s HPV vaccination initiative; and  David N. Finegold, MD, professor of Pediatrics and Human Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  

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preventevenmorecancercasesbecauseitprotectsboysandgirlsfromninestrainsofHPV(apreviousversionofGardasilprotectsagainstfourstrains;theotheravailablevaccine,Cervarix,protectsagainstthetwostrainsthatcause70%ofcervicalcancers).

SueSteelethenspokeabouthowlocal,grass‐rootsgrandmothersareraisingawarenessabouttheHPVvaccineandhelpingpreventcancerbyjoiningGrandmotherPower.Aspartofalarger,JHF‐ledinitiativetoboostHPVvaccinationrates(seepage8),grandmothersarehostingcommunityeventstoeducateandactivatetheirneighbors.

GoldenexplainedhowBrightPinkempowerswomentobeadvocatesfortheirownhealththrough“BrightenUp”educationalworkshopsandanewAssessYourRiskonlinetool.Boththeworkshopsandthetoolaredesignedtoraiseawareness,particularlyamongthe52millionwomenintheU.S.betweentheagesof18‐45,abouttheimportanceofpreventionandearlydetectionofbreastandovariancancers.Patientswhoknowtheirfamilyhistoryandriskfactors,Goldensaid,cantakeproactivestepstopreservehealth.

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Through educational workshops, online risk assessment tools, and outreach, Bright Pink raises awareness among young women about the importance of prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancers.  

Harold C. Wiesenfeld, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology at Magee‐Womens and director of Pitt’s Division of Reproductive Infectious Diseases, explains that the HPV vaccine is recommended for boys ages 11‐21 and girls ages 11‐26 and prevents 99% of HPV‐related cancers.  

Genetic counselor Carina Perilman (left) and Dodie Roskies meet with Michael Feinberg and Molly Smooke during a community screening event held on March 31 at the Hillel‐Jewish University Center. 

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Consumer Listening Sessions Uncover Ways to Support Activated Patients, Chart Course Ahead for CHIA

Overthepastfewmonths,PRHIstaffmembersandconsultantRev.SallyJoSnyder,directorofadvocacyandconsumerengagementfortheConsumerHealthCoalition,haveblanketedPittsburghcommunitiestouncoverthevalues,concerns,andaspirationsofpatientsinahealthcarelandscapede inedbyunprecedentedaccesstoinformationandcollaborationwithprovidersontreatmentdecisions.ThegoaloftheeightlisteningsessionswastounderstandhowPRHI’sCenterforHealthInformationActivation(CHIA)canhelpconsumersengagedintheirownhealthcareandproviderscultivaterelationshipsfoundeduponmutualexpertise,shareddecision‐making,andrespect.

OnMarch24,Rev.SnydermetwithFoundationstafftochartnextstepsforCHIAanddiscusswhatshelearnedaboutthecurrentstateofpatientactivationinthePittsburghregionduringthelisteningsessions,whichtookplaceattheCenterforInclusionHealth(twosessions),theConsumerHealthCoalition,EastLibertyPresbyterianChurch(twosessions),theJewishCommunityCenterofGreaterPittsburgh—SouthHills,theKinglseyCenter,andSto‐RoxCommunityCenter.

Rev.Snyderoutlinedkeyelementsofactivatedpatients.Manyofthe107consumerswhoparticipatedvoicedadesireforproviderstocontextualizehealthinformationandexplaindiagnoses,treatments,andtestresultsfreeofmedicaljargon.Theyalsoviewtheirprovidersaspartofalargerhealth“team”ofwhichtheyareakeymember,andthatmayincludesocialworkers,pharmacists,insurers,nutritionists,friendsandfamily,YMCAs,SilverSneakersclubs,andplacesofworship,amongothers.Withtheriseofhigh‐deductibleinsuranceplansthatshiftcoststoemployees,consumerscravehealthcarecosttransparency.Anumberofconsumerssaidtheyusetheinternet,phoneapps,andotherself‐monitoringhealthITproductstoguidetheirhealthcaredecisions—thoughvalidatingthequalityofat‐timescon lictinginformationcanbeachallenge.

(Con nued from page 11)

PRHI staff and consultant Rev. Sally Jo Snyder, director of advocacy and consumer engagement for the Consumer Health Coalition, conducted eight listening sessions to better understand the state of patient activation in Pittsburgh. Participants met with Rev. Snyder at the Consumer Health Coalition (left) and the Kingsley Association, among other locations.  

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“Thedaysofthepassivepatientareover,”Rev.Snydersaid.

KarenFeinsteinstateditanotherway:“Consumerscreatenetworksofhealthintelligencetogleanhealthinformation,pullingfrommultiplesourcestogetwhattheyneed.Itprovidesreinforcementtobehealthy.”

InJuly,CHIAwillholdaneventtosparkapatientactivationmovement,startinginPittsburgh.Selectpatientactivists,healthcareproviders,techentrepreneurs,academics,policymakers,practicereformers,open‐informationadvocates,andmarketinganddesignspecialistswillconvergetostudytheDNAofsuccessfulsocialmovementsandapplythosemethodsinourregion.

JHF Sponsors March 2 Arts & Lectures with Sherri Fink, MD

“FiveDaysatMemorial”anexcellentdepictionofthedif icultdecisionshealthprofessionalsmakeeverydayaboutlifeanddeath

Duringa ive‐dayperiodintheaftermathofHurricaneKatrina,hundredsofpatientsweretrappedinMemorialHospitalinNewOrleansbytherising loodwaters.Therewasnowater,nopower,temperaturessoaredabove100degrees,andthemedicalstaffwastoldthatthetimelydispatchofoverwhelmedrescueresourcestoMemorialHospitalwasnotforthcoming.

Ayearlater,theLouisianaattorneygeneralchargedaphysicianandtwonurseswiththemurderoffourpatients—hechargedthemwithinjectingthesepatientswithlethaldosesmorphineandanothersedative.Thecriminalcasewaseventuallydroppedandchargeswereexpunged.

InherNewYorkTimesbestsellingbook,FiveDaysatMemorial:LifeandDeathinaStorm‐RavagedHospital(Crown,2013),authorSheriFink,MD,tellsthisstory.TheFoundationsponsoredaliteraryeveningwithDr.FinkonMarch2atCarnegieMusicHallaspartofthePittsburghArts&LecturesSeries.

“WhenJHFwaspresentedwiththeopportunitytosponsortonight’slecture,”notedKarenFeinsteinduringher

JHF Trustee Deb Caplan, with author Sheri Fink, MD and Karen Feinstein.  

Karen Feinstein with Stephanie Flom, executive director of Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures. 

(Con nued from page 12)

(Con nued on page 14)

 14 

 

introductionofDr.Fink,“Ithoughtofthemedicalsigni icanceofthistragicsituation(thehurricane)inthecontextofthedif icultdecisionshealthprofessionalsmakeeverydayaboutlifeanddeath.

“Thebookoffersinsightsintothechallengeofweighingtherelativecostsandbene itsoftwonegativeactions:permittingapatienttoendureextremesufferingforaperiodoftimebeforeaninevitabledeathversustheequallytroublingdecisiontohelpthepatientendtheirlifegentlyandpainlessly.Thisterrible“Sophie’sChoice”isn’tlimitedtonationalcatastrophes.Itoccurseveryday.Itisthesubjectaroundwhichwehavestillto indresolution—andinwhichJHFisactivelyengaged—tomakepeacemorally,spirituallyandlegally,and inallyperhapstoestablishguidelinesofwhenapatientcouldelectinduceddyingattheendoflife.”

SheriFinkisawinneroftheNationalBookCriticsCircleAwardfornon iction,theRidenhourBookPrize,theJ.AnthonyLukasBookPrize,theLosAngelesTimesBookPrize,theSouthernIndependentBooksellersAllianceBookAward,theAmericanMedicalWritersAssociationMedicalBookAward,andtheNASWScienceinSocietyJournalismBookAward.Fink’snewsreportinghasbeenawardedthePulitzerPrize,theNationalMagazineAward,andtheOverseasPressClubLowellThomasAward,amongotherjournalismprizes.Aformerreliefworkerindisasterandcon lictzones,FinkreceivedherMDandPhDfromStanfordUniversity.Her irstbook,WarHospital:ATrueStoryofSurgeryandSurvival(PublicAffairs),isaboutmedicalprofessionalsundersiegeduringthegenocideinSrebrenica,Bosnia‐Herzegovina.SheisacorrespondentattheNewYorkTimes.

24 Staff from Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital, Green Home Graduate Perfecting Patient CareSM University

Twoaf iliatesoftheSusquehannaHealthSysteminWellsboro,PA,havenewly‐mintedgraduatesofPRHI’sPerfectingPatientCareSMUniversity.Twenty‐fourtotalstafffromSoldiersandSailorsMemorialHospitalandTheGreenHome,anearbyskillednursingandrehabilitationfacility,engagedinreal‐timeLeanqualityimprovementandsafetytrainingfromMarch17‐20.

PRHISeniorQualityImprovementSpecialistsStacieBonenberger,MOT;JenniferCondel;andAnneliesePerry,MS,guidedagroupthatincludednurses,materialsmanagementstaff,paramedics,therapists,surgeons,and inancepersonnelastheylearnedLeanconcepts,observedcurrentwork lows,andidenti iedopportunitiestostreamlinecareandservices.Theyexaminedblooddrawsintheemergencydepartment,handwashinginintensivecare,medicationpasses,andthecleaningofpatients’and

Sheri Fink, MD, author of “Five Days at Memorial” speaks to a packed Carnegie Music Hall.  

(Con nued on page 15)

(Con nued from page 13)

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residents’rooms,amongotherprocesses.

JanieHil iger,presidentofSoldiersandSailorsMemorialHospital,becameaPPCgraduateduringatrainingsessionthatPRHIconductedlastyear.Afterthatexperience,shelauncheda5S(sort,setinorder,shine,standardize,andsustain)contesttospurqualityimprovementfacility‐wide.

“Westrivetobeahigh‐reliabilityorganization,andthatrequireseveryonetolearnnewtoolstoenhancequality,safety,andcustomersatisfaction,”Hil igersaidwhilekickingoffthisyear’sPPCUniversity.“Thejourneythatwe’retakingwithPRHIprovidesuswiththosetoolsandwillchangeourorganizationbytransformingthewaythatwework.”

QI2T Health Innovator Fellows Explore User-Centered Design, Launching Start-Ups; Final Pitch Competition on April 14

The2015QI2THealthInnovatorsFellowshiprevvedupinMarch,with30multidisciplinarygraduatestudentsengagingwithlocalexpertsincreatinguser‐centeredproductsandservicesaswellasnavigatingthelegaland inancialaspectsoflaunchingtechcompanies.ThefellowsalsocontinuedtopartnerwiththeirclinicalandentrepreneurialmentorsastheydeveloptheirownITproductstocultivateempowered,informedhealthcareconsumers.

OnMarch3,thefellowsdiscussedproductdevelopmentwithJessicaTrybus,afacultymemberatCarnegieMellonUniversity’sEntertainmentTechnologyCenterandCEOofSimcoachGames,andlearnedhowtotakeconceptstothemarketplacefromDavidKalson,chairoftheEmergingBusinessGroupatCohen&Grigsbylaw irm.

TrybusdescribedhowSimcoachworkscloselywithclientcompaniestodevelopsimulationgamesthateducateandtrainemployees.Sheandherstaffinvolveclientsascontentexpertswhode inegameobjectivesandmeasurementsofsuccess.ShesaidthatSimcoachtakesanagile,iterativeapproachtodevelopment,creatingaminimallyviableproductandthenuser‐

(Con nued from page 14)

New PPC University graduates from Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital and The Green Home. 

Jessica Trybus, a faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center and CEO of Simcoach Games demoes some of her company’s interactive, educational products.  

(Con nued on page 16)

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testingwithclientstore inethegame.

TrybusdemoedseveralSimcoachgamesforthefellows,includingonethathelpsgrocerystoreclerkslearnproperbodymechanicstoavoidrepetitivemotioninjuriesandanotherthatsimulatesinteractionswithpatientstoimproveclinicians’communicationskills,bedsidemanner,andmulti‐taskingability.

“Gamescanbehighlyeffectivecoachingtoolsbecausethey’renotpassive,”Trybussaid.“Ratherthandrillingeducationintoyou,theycanmotivateyoutoengageandmakepositivechanges.”Kalsonexplainedhowheadvises ledglingITcompaniesthroughtheirlifecycle,fromstartinguptosecuringintellectualpropertyrightsandcapitaltocommercializingideas.Heencouragedfellowsto inda“pain”inthemarketplace—aproblemthatcurrenttechnologyandcompetitorsdon’tsolve—andconnectwithlocalacceleratorsthatprovideearly‐stagefunding.

OnMarch17,JodiForlizzi,PhD,aprofessoratCarnegieMellon’sSchoolofDesignanditsHuman‐ComputerInteractionInstitute,exploredhowconsumersaretakingcollectiveactionandchangingbehaviorthroughcrowdandsocialcomputing.Withunprecedentedaccesstodataandonlinenetworks,consumersareabletomorecloselyexaminetheirchoicesandbenchmarkagainsttheirpeers.

Dr.Forlizzithenshowedhowsheandhercolleaguesdesignedaservicetoempowerconsumersandpooltheircollectivewisdom.Sheco‐foundedPratter,awebsitethatallowsconsumerstoshareandcomparemedicalcostsacrossspecialties,caresettings,andgeographicalregionsthroughasecurewebportal.Withhigh‐deductibleinsuranceplansincreasinglyshiftingcoststowardspatientsandfamilies,Dr.Forlizzisaid,Prattersupportspricetransparencyandinformeddecision‐making.

OnMarch31,fellows ine‐tunedtheirproductpitchestoapanelthatincludedBryanKaplan,seniorvicepresidentof

(Con nued on page 17)

David Kalson, chair of the Emerging Business Group at Cohen & Grigsby law firm, explains steps that entrepreneurs can take to maximize the value of their innovations.  

(L‐R) Fellow Chendi Cui; Jodi Forlizzi, PhD, a professor at Carnegie Mellon’s School of Design and its Human‐Computer Interaction Institute; and fellow Tao Long at the QI2T Center. Dr. Forlizzi engaged fellows in a conversation on how consumers are taking collective action and changing behavior through crowd and social computing.  

(Con nued from page 15)

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Intermedix;JustineM.Kasznica,chairoftheInnovationPracticeGroupatSchnaderHarrison,SegalandLewisLLP;andLaurieMizrahi,presidentofMizrahi,Inc.

Pleasejoinforthe2015QI2TFellowship inaleonApril14,whensixteamswillpitchtheirproductstoadistinguishedpanelofentrepreneurs,clinicians,andconsumeradvocatesfortheopportunitytowina$5,000prize,andyou’llbeabletovoteforthe“audiencefavorite.”ToRSVPfortheevent,contactCatherineMutungabyApril7.

Carnegie Mellon University Production Confronts Culture of Rape

JHFstaffjoinedcommunitymembersandstudentsonMarch18towatchtheCMUSchoolofDrama’sproductionofSteubenville,atheatricalpiecethatexplorestheroleofsocialmedia,society,andthegeneralcultureofrapeinAmerica.SteubenvillerecountstheSteubenville,Ohiocaseinvolvingthreeminors—JaneDoe,TrentMays,andMa’LikRichmond—inwhatisconsideredtobeAmerica’s irstlive‐tweetedrape.

TactfullyperformedbyZachFifer,MollyGriggs,andColinWhitney,Steubenvilleallowedtheaudiencetoexplorethecontextoftheincident,thesocialmediaaftermath,andtheproceedingtrialandadjudicationoftheminorsinvolvedinthecase.Thecast,directedbyEleanorBishop,integratedaliveconversationwithCMUstudentsonhealthysexualinteractionsandsomeofthesocialconstrictsthatmakewomenfeelobjecti iedanddegraded.

TheperformanceconcludedwithavoluntaryinteractivediscussionwithPittsburghActionAgainstRape(PAAR).

Bishopledthediscussion,askingaudiencememberstore lectonthepresentation.ManyexpressedshockatdetailsoftheSteubenvillecase,revealedthroughtheuseoftrialtranscriptsandtextmessagesfromthestudentsinvolved.Studentsre lectedonhowdif icultitwastowatchaclassmateportraytheexperiencesuchaviolentandpersonalassault.Oneyoungmanadmittedthathe“tearedup”watchinghisfriendcryonstage.AyoungwomansharedthatshefelttherapecultureinAmericahasbecomeso

(Con nued from page 16)

Steubenville, a Carnegie Mellon University School of drama production, asks viewers to reflect on the role of social media and campus culture in sexual violence.  

(Con nued on page 18)

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commonthatindividualsarebecoming“desensitizedtotheexposureofrape.”Shenotedthatshe“didn’tknowoneclassmateorwomenwhohadn’tbeenobjecti ied,degraded,orassaultedinsomeway.”

ThediscussioncontinuedwithanotheryoungmanstatingthattheSteubenvilleproductionmadehimfeelthatheispartoftheproblem.Heexplainedthatalthoughhedoesn’tsupportrapeorobjectifyingwomen,hehastreatedwomendisrespectfullyinthepast.Hechallengedtheaudiencetohelponeanotherandchangetheculturesothatdiscussionslikethisarenolongerneeded:“Whensomeoneistalkingaboutawomanlikethat,youhavetotellthemtostopandthatit’snotOKtotalkaboutanindividuallikethat.”

Thefactthatoneinfourcollegewomenwillexperiencerapeorsomedegreeofsexualassaultatsomepointintheirlivesisunacceptable.JHFisfocusedonbringingcampusrapetotheforefrontofdiscussionsinordertofacilitateconstructiveactiononmyriadfronts.Ourcollegesanduniversitiesneedtoensurethattheyaredoingallthattheycantodetercampussexualassault,andthatstudents’concernsareheardandsexualassaultallegationsaretakenseriously.Thereneedstobeanendtobystanderinaction,and,acrossmultiplestakeholders,wemustworktocreateanenvironmentwherestudentsneverhavetocopewithsuchtraumain irstplace.

CMU’sSchoolofDramahitthemarkwiththisproductionandignitedpassioninitsaudiencetodosomethingaboutthecultureoncampuses.

Karen Feinstein Talks Leveraging NRHI’s National Network, Capitalizing on Payment Reform Initiatives during Board Meeting

OnMarch19,KarenFeinsteintraveledtotheOmniShorehamHotelinWashington,DC,foraNetworkforRegionalHealthcareImprovement(NRHI)Boardmeetingduringwhichmembersdiscussedhowemergingfederalprioritiesalignwiththeroleofregionalhealthimprovementcollaboratives,includingPRHI.NRHImembersalsooutlinedstrategiestogrowitsnetworkof30‐plusmulti‐stakeholderorganizations,continueservingasakeyresourceforpolicydecisions,andadvancethe“TripleAim”ofprovidingpatientswithlower‐cost,higher‐quality,andsatisfyingcare.

Dr.FeinsteintookpartinapaneldiscussiononleveragingNRHI’snationalnetworkwhichalsofeaturedSanneMagnan,MD,PhD,presidentandCEOoftheInstituteforClinicalSystemsImprovement(ICSI);CraigBrammer,MA,CEOofTheHealthCollaborative;andTomEvans,MD,presidentandCEOoftheIowaHealthcareCollaborative.TheBoardalsodocumentedtheprogressofNRHI’sCollaborativeHealthNetwork(CHN),aRobertWoodJohnsonFoundation‐supportedpeernetworkwherememberscanaccessresourcesandsharedisruptiveideasontopicssuchaspatientengagement,datameasurementandtransparency,andintegratedprimarycare.TheCHNnowhasmorethan160members,includingNRHIaf iliates,

(Con nued on page 19)

(Con nued from page 17)

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communityhealthleaders,foundations,andpolicy‐makers.

JHF Co-Sponsors Conference to Highlight Israel’s Innovation Economy, Explore New Opportunities for Partnerships

Israel,muchlikePittsburgh,hasemergedasanexusforbreakthroughsinhealthIT,research,andthedevelopmentofmedicaldevicesandpharmaceuticals.OnMarch26and27,JHFproudlyco‐sponsored“GlobalVenturingIsrael:MedTechandInclusiveInnovation,”aUniversityofPittsburghconferencedesignedtoshowcaseIsrael’sinnovationeconomyandforgenewlinksbetweenTelAvivandourregion.

TheGlobalVenturingIsraeleventfeaturedanoverviewofIsrael’smedicaltechnologysector,presentationsfromIsraelistart‐upsworkingonventuresrangingfromaroboticexoskeletonthatallowsparalyzedindividualstowalkto

blood‐basedbiomarkersfordiagnosingAlzheimer’sdisease,anetworkinglunch,andapaneldiscussiononinclusiveinnovation.TheconferenceispartofanewGlobalVenturinginitiativewithintheInternationalBusinessCenteratPitt’sGraduateSchoolofBusiness.Throughtheinitiative,localacademic,business,andcommunityleaderswilllearnfromindividualsandorganizationsthatarecatalyzingglobalcommerceandexplorejointresearchandeconomicdevelopmentopportunities.

Dr.Feinsteinprovidedwelcomingremarksfortheconferenceduringaninvitation‐onlyInvestorShowcaseatUPMC’sCenterforConnectedMedicine.AlongwithJHF,otherGlobalVenturingIsraelsponsorsincludedtheAfrican‐AmericanChamberofCommerceofWesternPennsylvania,theDavidBergCenterforEthicsandLeadership,GlobalPittsburgh,InnovationWorks,Israel&Co,theJewishFederationofGreaterPittsburgh,LaunchPitt,theRobertoClementeMBAAssociation,theUniversityofPittsburgh’sLibrarySystem,UPMCEnterprises,UrbanInnovation21,theUrbanRedevelopmentAuthorityofPittsburgh,VibrantPittsburgh,andtheWorldAffairsCouncilofPittsburgh.

(Con nued from page 18)

A paralyzed individual walks at the Global Venturing Israel event thanks to the ReWalk Personal System. Developed by Israeli‐based ReWalk Robotics, the ReWalk exoskeleton uses powered hip and knee motions to give mobility to those with spinal cord injuries.  

Karen Feinstein welcomes academic, business, and community leaders to the Venturing Israel conference.  

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JHF Medical Advisor Visits Emek Medical Center, Sees Learning from Emek’s Palliative Care Team’s JHF Visit in Action

JHFConsultantTamaraSacks,MD,metwithleadershipfromClalit’sEmekMedicalCenterinAfula,Israel,onMarch25tolearnmoreaboutEmek’sPalliativeCareService.ThePalliativeCareService,createdin2014,aimstoimprovethequalityoflifeforpatientsandfamiliesconfrontingseriousillnessbyfocusingontreatmentgoals,symptomassessmentandmanagement,andenhancingthehospitalstaff’sknowledgeofpalliativecareprinciples.

EhudPaz,MD,aspecialistinInternalMedicineandIntensiveCare,servesasthedirectorofthePalliativeCareService,andKziaCohen,RN,MSc,istheCenter’snursingcoordinator.InMayof2014,Dr.PazandMs.CohenwerepartofaJHF‐sponsoreddelegationfromEmekMedicalCenterthattraveledtotheU.S.tolearnhowbesttoimplementandexpandtheirpalliativecareservices.WhileinPittsburgh,thedelegationmetwithmanyleadersinend‐of‐lifeandpalliativecare,andreviewedmaterialsdevelopedbytheFoundationtoimproveend‐of‐lifecare,includingtheWQED‐produceddocumentaryTheLastChapter;theClosureeducation,planning,andoutreachprogram;andAttheEndofLife:TrueStoriesAboutHowWeDie,aJHF‐commissionedcollectionofcreativenon‐ iction.

Duringhertrip,Dr.SacksvisitedwiththePalliativeCareServiceteamandLarryRich,directorofDevelopmentandInternationalPublications,toheartheirexperiencesinimplementingpalliativecare.

(L‐R) Kzia Cohen, RN, MSc, nursing coordinator of Emek Medical Center’s Palliative Care Service; Larry Rich, Emek’s director of Development and International Publications;  JHF Consultant Tamara Sacks, MD; Dr. Sacks’ husband Ellis Berzon, MD,  an anesthesiologist and chronic pain doctor; and Ehud Paz, MD, a specialist in Internal Medicine and Intensive Care and director of Emek’s Palliative Care Service.  

A look at the Jezrael Valley, from atop Mount Gilboa.  

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Dr.SacksalsometwithOrnaBlondheim,MD,CEOofthehospital(wholedlastyear’sdelegationtotheU.S.),touredtwointernalmedicinewards,andmarveledattheviewoftheJezraelValleyfromMountGilboa.

Primary Care Resource Center (PCRC) Helps Patients Achieve End of Life Goals

Whileexploringreasonsforreadmissions,IndianaRegionalMedicalCenter’s(IRMC)PCRCteamdiscoveredthatanunexpectedlyhighnumberofpatientsweredyingduringahospitalreadmission.

Pullingtogetherdatafromhospitalrecords,newspaperobituaries,andothersources,theIRMCteamfoundthatoveranine‐monthperiod,19%oftheirpatientshaddied,including24of57patients(42%)duringtheir30‐dayreadmission.

ThethreetargetdiseasesinthePCRCproject(COPD,heartfailure,andacutemyocardialinfarctions)areassociatedwithelevatedmortality,soinsomewaysthe indingswerenotsurprising—andlikelytoberoughlytrueofpatientsinallthePCRCs.Andyetthedataraisethequestionaboutwhetherpatientsandfamilieswouldhavepreferredtoavoidreadmissionsinwhichthepatientdiedhadtheyknownaboutandbeencomfortableusingsupportivealternatives.

Howcanwefashionaspecialsafetynetaroundchronicallyillpatientsandtheirfamiliestohelpthemthinkthroughtheirgoalsandpreferences,andtoensurethattheyhaveaccesstosupportiveserviceswellbeforetheirinaldaysoflife?Thesafetynetincludespalliativecareconsultationsaimedatrelievingsymptoms,pain,andstress(appropriateforanystageofaseriousillness);hospiceservices;andadvancedirectivestohelppatientscommunicatetheirwishestofamilymembersandmedicalproviders.

Alsovitalistheabilitytoturnpatientwishesintomedicalorders.ThisiswherethePennsylvaniaOrdersforLife‐SustainingTreatment(POLST)comesin(POSTinWestVirginia).ThePOLSTassistshealthcareproviders—includingphysicians,nurses,andemergencypersonnel—tohonorpatients’wishesregardinglife‐sustainingtreatmentsinemergencysituations.Itmustbe illedoutbyadoctorinconsultationwithapatient.Itsuseisvoluntary.

ThisisthesafetynetthatwehopeallPCRCpatientscanaccess.EachPCRChospitalhasdevelopedoristheprocessofdevelopingpalliativecareservicesthataimtobeanintegralpartofPCRCofferings.

AsIRMCcaremanagerDonnaScanlon,RN,notes,thePCRCcanbetheidealsettingforintroducingtheseprograms:“Alotofourpatientsareelderly.Oneofthebene itstothePCRCisthatwegettoknowour

(Con nued on page 22)

Pennsylvania Advance Care Directive Must be notarized in WV, but not in 

Pennsylvania 

 22 

 

patientsalittlebetter.Onceyouestablisharelationship,thenit’seasiertohavesomeofthemoredif icultconversationsthatdealwithendoflifecare.It’snotalwaysaneasydiscussion,butIthinkthatyouhavetohavearelationshipbeforeyouevenbegin.”

Tosupportplanningefforts,PRHIhasmadeavailable,withgrantsupport,theservicesofTamaraSacks,MD,apalliativecarephysicianandJHF’smedicaladvisoronpalliativecareandend‐of‐lifeissues.JHFhasalsomadeitsClosureend‐of‐lifeplanningprogramavailableonanas‐neededbasistothePCRChospitals.JHF’sClosureprogramisa6‐modulelearning,community‐organizing,andplanningforumtohelporganizationssetupend‐of‐lifecareappropriatefortheirparticularcommunity.Itsgoalistorede inequalitycareforpeoplewithlife‐threateningillnessbyraisingexpectationsandempoweringthemtoseekahealthcareexperiencethatalignswiththeirvalues,beliefsandwishes,aswellastheirhealthstatus.

 

Coro Fellows Learn About Western PA’s Mental Healthcare System with JHF, Staunton Farm Foundation

OnMarch23,JHFandtheStauntonFarmFoundationhosted12FellowsinPublicAffairsfromthePittsburghCoroCenterforCivicLeadershipforameetingthatexaminedhowwellthecurrentmentalhealthcaresystemmeetstheneedsofwesternPennsylvanians.

JHFProgramManagerRobertFergusonandJoniSchwager,executivedirectoroftheStauntonFarmFoundation,hadalunchdiscussionwiththeCorofellowsintheQI2TCenterthatfocusedonmentalhealthcarestakeholders;the inancing,delivery,andpromotionofmentalhealthservices;theimpactofmentalhealthcareonotherqualityoflifeindicators;andspeci icindividual,community,andlegislativeactionsthatcouldimprovethesystemofcareforthosewithmentalhealthissues.MichaelSider‐Rose,PhD,seniordirectorofprogramsandlearningdevelopmentforthePittsburghCoroCenter,reachedouttoJHFandtheStauntonFarmFoundationtoset

(Con nued from page 21)

Staunton Farm Foundation Executive Director Joni Schwager (far left) and JHF Program Manager Robert Ferguson (far right) lead a discussion on western Pennsylvania’s mental healthcare system with fellows from the Pittsburgh Coro Center for Civic Leadership.  

 23 

 

upthemeeting.

Louis Plung’s Community, Philanthropic Work Honored during Yeshiva Schools Dinner

CongratulationstoJHFBoardofTrusteesTreasurerLouisPlung,whowasselectedasthehonoreeforthe71stAnnualDinnerofYeshivaSchoolsheldonMarch17attheWestinConventionCenter,Downtown.KarenFeinsteinservedaschairfortheevent,whichsupportsYeshivaschools.

Mr.LouisPlungisanaccountingconsultant,communityleader,andremarkableindividual,amanwhosekindnessislegendary,saysadeclarationfromYeshivaSchools.HehasmadeatremendousdifferenceinJewishphilanthropy,especiallyinPittsburgh,andhasbeenaspecialfriendofYeshivaSchoolsformanyyears.

Recruitment Now Open for the 2015 Patient Safety Fellowship

JHF,PRHI,andHealthCareersFuturesarenowrecruitinggraduatestudentsforthe2015PatientSafetyFellowship.TheFellowshipwilltakeplacethissummeronWednesdaysfrom3:30‐7:30pmonthefollowingdates:June3,10,and24;July8,22,and29;andAugust5.

Throughstructuredconversationsbetweenexemplarsandgraduatestudentswhoaspiretoimprovehealthcare,Fellowswillgainskillsto“seewithneweyes”toidentifyproblems,learnpatientsafetyprinciples,anddeterminehowtoovercomeorganizationalchallenges.FellowslearnandapplythePittsburghRegionalHealthInitiative’sprocessimprovementmethodology,PerfectingPatientCareSM.

Pleaseencouragegraduatestudentsofhealth‐related ields,includingbutnotlimitedto:medicine,nursing,pharmacy,occupationalandphysicaltherapy,socialwork,dentistry,healthlaw,healthpolicy,publichealthandbusiness,toapplyonlinebyApril20.

Louis Plung at the 71st Annual Dinner of Yeshiva Schools. 

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JHF Happenings

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, from JHF. Steven Albert, PhD, from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, talks to the Health Careers Futures Board on March 11 about aging needs in our region. 

On March 5, the Foundation’s aging team was invited to tour the Wilkinsburg facility of Community LIFE, a Program for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) which coordinates medical care for the nursing home‐eligible elderly and helps participants remain independently at home. During the visit, Community LIFE learned more about JHF’s work in RAVEN and vision of primary care that allows seniors to age in place successfully. In 2013, Community LIFE was honored with a Bronze Award at the Fine Awards for Teamwork Excellence in Health Care for its Honoring Choice program, which helps provide patient‐centered care and develop comprehensive care plans that meet participants’ goals.