Conemaugh Health System Employee Newsletter
CareNotes
August 2016
August is National Immunization Awareness Month
Learn more at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam.html
Conemaugh Memorial Awarded Advanced
Certification for Primary Stroke Centers
Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval®
and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced
Certification for Primary Stroke Centers. The Gold Seal of Approval® and the Heart-Check mark represent
symbols of quality from their respective organizations. Conemaugh Memorial underwent a rigorous onsite
review in June.
Joint Commission experts evaluated compliance with stroke-related standards and requirements,
including program management, the delivery of clinical care and performance improvement. “Conemaugh
Memorial has thoroughly demonstrated the greatest level of commitment to the care of stroke patients
through its Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers,” said Michele Sacco, M.S., interim executive
director, Certification Programs. “We commend Conemaugh Memorial for becoming a leader in stroke
care, potentially providing a higher standard of service for stroke patients in its community.”
“We congratulate Conemaugh Memorial for achieving this designation,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive
officer, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. “By adhering to this very specific set
of treatment guidelines Conemaugh Memorial has clearly made it a priority to deliver high quality care to
all patients affected by stroke.”
“We are pleased to receive advanced certification from The Joint Commission and the American Heart
Association/American Stroke Association,” said Dr. Todd Lynn, Director of Stroke Care at Conemaugh
Memorial. “The certification provides us with the opportunity to highlight the exceptional stroke care we
provide as well as to continually strive to advance our care even further.”
Established in 2003, Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers is awarded for a two-year period
to Joint Commission-accredited acute care hospitals. The certification was derived from the Brain Attack
Coalition’s “Recommendations for the Establishment of Primary Stroke Centers” (JAMA, 2000) and the
“Revised and Updated Recommendations for the Establishment of Primary Stroke
Centers” (Stroke, 2011).
Stroke is the number four cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the
United States, according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; someone dies of a stroke every
four minutes; and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.
conemaugh.org
August 2016
Conemaugh Health System Employee Newsletter
Conemaugh Physician Earns Prestigious National
Outstanding Resident of the Year Award
Dr. Shane Sergent, fourth year emergency medicine chief resident at
Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, has been nominated and selected as
the 2016 American Osteopathic Foundation/American College of Osteopathic
Emergency Physician (AOF/ACOEP) Outstanding Resident of the Year in
Emergency Medicine.
Each year, the American Osteopathic Foundation “recognizes and honors
osteopathic residents whose combination of clinical promise, leadership,
dedication, and commitment to osteopathic patient-centered care, separate
them from others.” Dr. Sergent will be recognized at AOF’s 2016 Honors banquet
in September in Anaheim, California.
“It is an extreme honor to be recognized as the Resident of the Year,” says Dr.
Sergent. “Being at Conemaugh has given me the opportunity to pursue my
personal and professional interests which certainly made me a competitive
nominee. I truly believe in the philosophies of osteopathic medicine and desire
to promote the profession while making a positive impact on mankind.”
“Dr. Sergent is an outstanding young physician and deserving of this prestigious award,” says Dr. Matthew
Perry, Program Director of Conemaugh’s Emergency Medicine Residency Program. “His leadership and
dedication to his learning and the care of his patients is extremely impressive. We are proud that he is part
of the Emergency Medicine Program at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, and that he will be staying
with us as an attending physician starting July 2016. We are truly lucky to have him in Johnstown.”
Dr. Sergent is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, where he earned a degree in Global and
Strategic Management with a minor in International Studies, and Classical and Ancient Mediterranean
Studies. He was enrolled in the Cell and Molecular Biology Masters program at Eastern Michigan
University. He then attended medical school at Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic
Medicine. He is currently pursuing a degree in Underwater Medicine at Stellenbosch University in
Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Dr. Sergent is an experienced researcher, has written numerous publications, and has received awards for
his research and national and international presentations. He is a member of the International Osteopathic
Medicine Organization (IOMO), American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM), American College
of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), American Osteopathic Association (AOA), and is the MSUCOM Clinical
Faculty member and the International Research Director for the medical elective. He is currently working
with four hospitals in the United States to establish international medicine programs to assist poverty
stricken areas.
Dr. Sergent is a volunteer physician for the Johnstown Police Department Special Emergency Response
Team (SERT), a camp leader for Laurel Lake Camp for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and a service
provider and leader for the Peru Mission Service, providing free health services to the region of La Libertad
in Peru.
conemaugh.org
August 2016
Conemaugh Health System Employee Newsletter
Conemaugh Connect UPDATES
Training
Training, which is in full swing beginning this month, is an extremely important initiative to help ensure
effective use and the successful end user adoption of our new Conemaugh Connect electronic health
record system!
Super User training - begins August 1
Role-Based training - begins August 15
Leader training - begins August 15
All End User training - begins August 29
Approximately 470 employees and provider Super Users throughout Conemaugh Health System will play
a very important role during go-live by offering at-elbow support to end users. In most cases, Super Users
will take their role-based training starting August 15, so that they can then provide in-classroom assistance
when end users are being trained, beginning August 29. All end users should be registered for training. If
you are not registered, please contact your manager.
In order to provide an environment conducive to learning, there are a few training ground rules:
1. Similar to IPE, you must arrive on time to class.
Individuals who are late will be sent back to his/her department.
2. All end users should have their e-learnings assigned in NetLearning and are required to view them
prior to in-classroom training. Those who have not will not be permitted to stay in class.
3. Because the training rooms are outfitted with computers for each user, food and drink
will not be permitted in class.
Conemaugh MyChart
As part of the Conemaugh Connect implementation, Conemaugh Health System’s patient portal will
transition from Follow My Health to Conemaugh MyChart, effective October 22, 2016. Conemaugh
MyChart offers patients the ability to schedule appointments, view and graph lab results, request
medication refills, send messages to physician offices, become a proxy for family members, and pay
physician office bills online. Current Follow My Health users will need to re-enroll for Conemaugh MyChart.
Stay tuned for more information about this process and how Conemaugh MyChart can help empower
users to become more engaged in their health and wellness!
Conemaugh Connect Go-Live
October 22, 2016
conemaugh.org
August 2016
Conemaugh Health System Employee Newsletter
Nason Hospital Maternity Staff
Utilizes Simulation Training
A special guest made an appearance at Nason
Hospital in Roaring Spring to help the hospital’s
maternity nursing staff increase education
and training for emergency situations. Noelle,
Conemaugh Health System’s birthing simulator,
provides staff the opportunity to practice reallife scenarios that are typically not experienced
on a daily basis. “Running drills with the patient
simulator is important so we are prepared to help
our patients,” says Sharon Hanlon, RN, Clinical
Nurse Coordinator for Nason’s maternity unit,
and a labor and delivery nurse for over 25 years.
“Before Nason Hospital joined Conemaugh, our
lessons were all on paper and discussing what
we would do in certain scenarios. Now, we are
able to provide our staff hands-on experience as part of training.” Nason Hospital’s maternity unit employs
19 nurses who help deliver over 450 babies per year. Experience with Noelle assists staff in developing
policies and procedures to care for pregnant women. “We have developed a new policy for imminent
delivery outside of our maternity unit, such as in the Emergency Department,” says Lori Smith, RN, RNC,
MSN, Service Line Director of Women’s / Child Health at Nason Hospital. “We run drills in various areas
of the hospital and identify areas for improvement. Simulation allows our staff to visualize the treatment
that needs provided so they are more comfortable with performing it when needed. This is very helpful
in situations such as CPR on expectant mothers, post-partum hemorrhage, and neonatal resuscitation.”
In addition to utilizing patient simulators, Nason Hospital maternity staff is benefiting from learning
conferences hosted by Dr. Adib Khouzami, Perinatologist with Conemaugh Physician Group – OB / Gyn.
The conferences provide Nason with in-depth education from basic care to understanding the needs of
high-risk patients. The additional training enhances the quality care already provided by Nason’s maternity
staff. “It’s all about patient care,” says Hanlon. “It is such an honor to be part of each mother’s delivery
as she welcomes her baby to the world.” “You have to love what you do,” says Smith. “Helping delivery
babies and caring for the mothers is always
exciting. Our goal is to be continuous learners
and enhance our skills so we can provide the
absolute best care for our patients.”
Photo (L-R): Rebecca Wertz, RN, Autumn
Claycomb, RN, Rachel Holmes, RN, Sue Turner,
RN, and Sharon Hanlon, RN.
conemaugh.org
August 2016
Conemaugh Health System Employee Newsletter
Conemaugh East Hills
Construction Update
• Site work continues including underground utilities
• Project on schedule
2017 Strategic Plan
The 2017 strategic plan is nearing
completion. After presentations by Service
Line Leaders in June, the draft plan was
shared at a joint meeting of system boards
and Duke and LifePoint leadership. The
plan will include initiatives for Quality &
Service, Organic Growth, Operational
Excellence, and High Performing Talent.
Information on the finalized plan will be
shared soon!
Conemaugh Home Health
has been nominated for the
Tribune-Democrat’s
Simply the Best contest!
Nominees published in
August 14 newspaper - voting begins!
Winners announced September 18.
Position Updates
Chief Financial Officer, Conemaugh Memorial
Linda Fanale has been promoted into the position
of Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center Chief
Financial Officer (CFO). Linda has been part of
the leadership team for five years. In addition,
based on the growth of the Conemaugh market, a
new position of Market CFO is being created and
recruitment for that position is underway.
Geriatric Inpatient Psychiatric Unit
Leah Sidone, RN, BSN has accepted the position of
Nurse Manager of the Geriatric Inpatient Psychiatric
Unit. Leah received her Bachelor’s Degree in
Nursing from Carlow University and was a staff
nurse on the Adult Psychiatric Unit . Leah can be
reached at (814) 534-1215.
Conemaugh Physician Group - Neurosurgery
Mark Satkovich, RN has accepted the position of
Conemaugh Physician Group - Neurosurgery Nurse
Manger at 1111 Franklin Street. Mark has years of
management and Neurosurgery specific experience.
He will also continue his role as Case Manger for
Neurosurgery inpatients. He can be reached at
(814) 534-5929.
conemaugh.org
August 2016
Conemaugh Health System Employee Newsletter
World Breastfeeding Week
August 1 - 7, 2016
Patient
Safety Fair
Breastfeeding Awareness Event
Friday, August 19, 2016
11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Johnstown Central Park
Program and breastfeeding information
tables, giveaways, and more!
Wednesday, August 31
10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Conemaugh Memorial
Medical Center
Main Campus, Atrium
Employee Recognition Dinner
September 12, 2016
The Annual Employee
Recognition Dinner is September
12, 2016 at the Pasquerilla
Conference Center. Employees
are invited at every five years of
service as well as all employees
with more than 25 years of
service.
This year’s thee is Nashville. We
encourage dressing as your
favorite Nashville and/or country
western star. Could we possibly
see Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson,
Minnie Pearl, Loretta Lynn, or
even Elvis? Your creativity always
makes for a fun evening! We
look forward to seeing you at this
event. THANK YOU for all your
years of dedication to CHS.
Did you know? Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Conemaugh Miners Medical Center,
Conemaugh Meyersdale Medical Center, Nason Hospital, and Conemaugh Physician Group collectively
have 914 employees with 25 or more years of service!
conemaugh.org
August 2016
Conemaugh Health System Employee Newsletter
Behind the Scenes
Special thanks to Dr. Richard Wozniak, Dr. Russell Dumire, Dr. Jeanne Spencer,
Dr. Matt Perry, and Dr. Saba Wassem for taking time from their busy schedules
to film interviews for Graduate Medical Education’s new recruitment video. The
video will be featured on GME’s new website. Stay tuned for more information!
conemaugh.org
August 2016
Conemaugh Health System Employee Newsletter
Service Excellence
TEAM Recognitions
8 Ashman
“We would like to express our deepest gratitude in the care and welfare our family member received. The
staff went above and beyond our expectations. We saw true dedication, patience, care, compassion, and
team work. If her caregiver was not available there was never a hesitation from another to step in and
lend a helping hand.”
-- Family of a Patient
10 Rose
“The entire staff on Rose 10 was professional, friendly and caring. They checked in on my husband to
make sure everything was okay and to answer any questions. The care he received was excellent.”
-- Family of a Patient
“Congratulations on scoring 100% for both pain related HCAHPS questions in February.”
-- Renee Gorba, Neuroscience Service Line
“The patient care was wonderful,
Everyone was so nice,
Treated me well. I was very
impressed. We would rather
travel to Johnstown than
Pittsburgh because of the
excellent care we received.”
-- A Patient from Butler, PA
conemaugh.org
August 2016
Conemaugh Health System Employee Newsletter
Service Excellence
TEAM Recognitions
Women’s Services
“We are told we sometimes come in contact with Angels and are unaware of it. Well, this we are sure
of, there are Angels working on the 5th floor of your hospital. We are so grateful for the great care that
was given to our daughter, and the kindness that was shown to her, my husband, and me. During our
daughter’s stay it was found that she had developed pneumonia from aspirating and needed oxygen and
breathing treatments. The nurse’s quick actions prevented a serious situation from becoming a fatal one.”
-- Family of a Patient
Conemaugh School of Nursing
In response to the ACEN’s directive to all diploma nursing programs to ensure that program lengths are
consistent with best practices and national guidelines, the School of Nursing has developed and approved
a revised nursing curriculum that decreases total credit hour requirements for program completion. The
faculty played an active role in reviewing, revising, designing, and approving the revised curriculum. The
faculty also proposed minor
revisions to the program philosophy,
student learning outcomes, and
program outcomes to ensure
consistency, clarify curricular
intent, and improve measurability
of identified outcomes. A total of
14% of the credits in the overall
curriculum and 23% of the
nursing credits were revised. The
Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
approved the revised curriculum on
July 23, 2015.
conemaugh.org
August 2016
Conemaugh Health System Employee Newsletter
Employee Picnic Fun!
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