partners magazine - december 2011

Winter 2011/2012

Mark Clement:

Five Years Into the Journey

A magazine of Rochester General Hospital Foundation

INSIDE:• NewarkWayneCommunityHospital EmergencyDepartmentBreaksGround

• HillHavenModernizationKicksOff

• HansfordLegacySocietyCelebrates

• CookingforaCureSupportsMen’sHealth

• TheSwitchtoElectronicMedicalRecords

• ModernizingtheILSFleet

Rochester General Health System President and CEO Mark Clement

lookinside:special

Gala photo album!

C o n t e n t sHill Haven Modernization Kicks Off ............................ 3

Mark Clement: Five Years Into the Journey .................. 4

Hansford Legacy Society .............................................. 6

A Message from Jim Digan ........................................... 8

Cooking for a Cure ...................................................... 9

The Switch to Electronic Medical Records .................. 10

Leaders from Past and Present Discuss Future of Healthcare .................................................. 11

A Message from Campaign Director Anthony Benedetti ..................................................... 12

RIT Names Head of Institute of Health Sciences and Technology ................................ 13

Modernizing the ILS Fleet .......................................... 14

Starlight Foundation .................................................. 15

Update from the Grants Office ................................... 15

Newark-Wayne Community Hospital ED Groundbreaking ................................................... 16

Newark-Wayne Community Hospital Foundation Gala ........................................................ 18

Newark-Wayne Community Hospital Golf Tournament ........................................................ 20

RGHS Newsroom ....................................................... 21

Winter 2011/2012

Rochester General Hospital Foundation Riedman Campus

100 Kings Highway SouthRochester, New York 14617

tel: (585) 922-4800 • fax: (585) 922-4889www.giveRGH.org

President, Rochester General Hospital Foundation

James P. Digan

EditorDerek DeSol

[email protected]

WritingMarty Aarons

Sara CraneDerek DeSolCarol Fisher

Susan Gawlowicz/RIT

PhotographyJeff BlackmanKeith Bullis

Brenda CohenRuth Crecca

A. Sue Weisler/RIT

DesignDalmath Associates

PrintingMercury Print Productions, Inc.

Please note that Partners is produced approximately three months in advance of when it is received by readers. Stories and events occurring after

production will be included in the next issue of the magazine. Partners welcomes comments from our readers. If an error has been made, please accept our apologies and notify the foundation office by

calling (585) 922-4800. Thank you!

RGHS President and CEO:Mark C. Clement

Chairperson:Katherine T. Schumacher

Vice Chairperson:Ethan L. Welch, M.D.

Treasurer:Roberta L. Van Winkle

Secretary:Kevin L. Overton, Esq

Medical Liaison:Cynthia Christy, M.D.

Josephine BraitmanTrent Bridges

David N. Broadbent, M.D.

Freddie L. CaldwellDonald S. Cameron

Kevin T. CannanKevin J. Casey, M.D.Charles T. Eagle, Jr.

Jack A. ErdleSamuel R. HustonGregory P. Kausch

Peter A. Kouides, M.D.Jeffrey Leenhouts

Carl J. LugerWilliam B. Mendick

Leonard Olivieri Ralph P. Pennino, M.D.

Michael Pichichero, M.D. Wanda Polisseni

Steven G. SchwartzDon Twietmeyer, Esq., CPA

John R. Valvo, M.D.Joseph S. Vasile, M.D.

Rochester General Hospital FoundationBoard of Directors

Save the Date!20th Annual Golf Classic

T O U R N A M E N T

Monday, August 15th, 2011Sodus Bay Heights Golf Club

PO Box 5711200 Driving Park AvenueNewark, NY 14513

PO Box 571 • Driving Park Avenue • Newark, NY 14513 • (315) 332-2323

Imagine no voice to communicate your love and appreciation, your joy or sorrow — your voice lost forever.

This is the story of DeMay Living Center Resident, Theresa Carlton. For almost 10 years, she lived without the ability to talk after a medical procedure left her speechless … until one day, a respiratory therapist thought he heard a whisper in her vocal cords. He brought in the Newark-Wayne Community Hospital speech pathology team who helped her regain her voice.

“I was living trapped in a box.There were so many things I wanted to say, but couldn’t.I felt like I was in a room without doors.”

Theresa isn’t alone. Thousands of people in our area suffer from illnesses that leave them unable to speak or swallow.

You can help make sure that patients, like Theresa, have access to quality health care in our community by donating to the Newark-Wayne Community Hospital Foundation.

Our rural hospital and nursing home take care of patients, regardless of the cost to treat them. When the hospital does receive insurance reimbursements, it’s often not enough to pay for leading-edge technology and other equipment that must be replaced and updated regularly to improve access to the best patient care. Your generous support will help grow a healthy community.

Sincerely,

Tonya TaylorExecutive Director, Newark-Wayne Community Hospital Foundation

Our Hospital Our Future

NEWARK-WAYNECOMMUNITYHOSPITAL FOUNDATION

www.giveRGH.org PARTNERS Winter 2011/2012 3

For over 40 years, Hill Haven Nursing Home has helped

improve the lives of senior citizens and adults in need of

long-term care. This summer, employees, residents and their

families gathered to celebrate the Hill Haven of the future.

On August 23, the community celebrated the kickoff of the

much-anticipated Hill Haven Modernization Project.

“Since 1967, residents have enjoyed extraordinary care and

warm, personal service. Today, we take a major step toward

a new era for Hill Haven. We are beginning to update our

home so our facilities can become as great as the people who

live and work here,” remarked Steve Ash, administrator of

Hill Haven, as he addressed the spirited crowd who joined

the celebration.

Known for an exceptional staff of care providers and

healthcare that is clinically integrated with Rochester General

Health System’s other affiliates, programs and services; Hill

Haven is beginning a series of upgrades, modernizations and

facility replacements that will take place over the next several

years. The improvements will be made in multiple stages –

a methodical process that will minimize inconvenience on

residents and allow them to experience the benefits of each

step as it is completed.

Aspirations for the new Hill Haven include in-house

overnight dialysis care and other medical services which

will greatly improve the quality of life for residents.

“The needs of our residents are changing. They are different

than they were when Hill Haven first opened and they will

continue to evolve over the coming years,” explained Kathy

McGuire, vice president of senior care for Rochester General

Health System. “By modernizing and rebuilding, we are

making sure Hill Haven remains a place where we can

accommodate the needs of our residents and ensure a

wonderful quality of life.”

Hill Haven Kicks Off Modernization Project

AnnaLynch,Esq.,JamesLittwitz,RGHSPresidentandCEOMarkClement,VPofSeniorServicesandLongTermCareKathyMcGuireandHillHavenExecutiveAdministratorSteveAshcelebratetheHillHavenModernizationProject.

4 Rochester General Hospital Foundation

Mark Clement: Five Years Into the Journey“We are delighted that Mark Clement is joining us,” said

outgoing Rochester General Health System (RGHS) (previously

known as ViaHealth) President and CEO Sam Huston upon

his retirement in 2006. Huston described his successor as “a

seasoned healthcare executive whose expertise and talent will

serve us well into the future.” He continued, “I am very

comfortable in entrusting to him the leadership of an

organization for which I have deep respect and affection.”

In September of 2006, five years ago,

Sam Huston and the RGHS Board

of Directors handed the reins of a

healthy organization to the former

president of Caritas St. Elizabeth’s

Medical Center in Boston,

Massachusetts. In Rochester, Clement

became the chief executive of a strong

health system that was nurtured back to prosperity under the

steady hand of Huston. “Sam provided the leadership that

was needed during a very difficult time,” Clement shared.

“It’s no secret that when he came on board, the system was

replete with financial challenges that threatened their ability

to carry out the very mission of Rochester General.”

In addition to Huston, Clement said he feels fortunate to

be able to count on a wealth of RGHS leaders from past

and present for historical perspective, community

endorsement and friendship. “Fritz Liebert comes to mind

instantly,” continued Clement. “He’s an icon in this

community who led RGH for nearly 40 years and helped

ring in the modern era of healthcare for our region.”

Clement arrived from Boston with one overarching

institutional goal: to go from good to great. “In healthcare, or

any line of work, you have to continue to grow, to adapt and

become better. It’s an approach that

we take every day at RGHS,”

he elaborated.

Over the course of his first five

years, Clement has become a steady,

visible presence in the local

community and throughout RGHS.

An avid cyclist, he has served as the

Honorary Chair of the American Diabetes Association –

Rochester Chapter’s Tour de Cure event. The past five years

have also presented personal milestones in the lives of

Mark and Mary, his wife of 32 years. “This is an exciting

time for us. We even became grandparents this year,”

beamed Clement, who welcomed his first grandchild, a girl,

this summer.

At Rochester General, the journey from good to great

continues. Rochester General Hospital (RGH) has remained

“...to have a great health system, you need to start

with a great team.”

Lefttoright:ClementwithBetsyMorse;RGHSBoardChairBobDobies,RGHSChiefofEmergencyServicesKeithGrams,M.D.,Clement,TomGolisanoandRickConstantino,M.D.dedicatingtheB.ThomasGolisanoPavilionandEmergencyCenter;ClementandJohnRiedmanattheRiedmanCampusopening;ClementwithRITPresidentBillDestler.

one of the nation’s elite heart hospitals, cited by Thomson

Reuters as one of the top 100 in the United States a total of

nine times, dating back to before Clement’s tenure.

However, it was also time to build upon the excellent

foundation entrusted to him by Huston and the board.

“One of the things I learned early in my career is in order

to have a great health system, you need to start with a great

team. As a team, we began to identify areas where we could

improve that would have a ripple effect on the health system

at large,” Clement reflected. By focusing on improving key

areas such as patient safety and quality, patient satisfaction

and team member (employee, physician and volunteer)

satisfaction, RGHS began to grow in both size and

reputation at an unprecedented pace. Today, it is the third

largest employer in Rochester – up from number five in

2006 – and continuing to earn and retain the trust of

the community.

While the system makes significant progress in areas such

as clinical quality, efficiency, service and patient access,

the passing of particularly special milestones has inspired

well-deserved celebration. In October of 2009, the

B. Thomas Golisano Pavilion and Emergency Center – a

project championed by Huston during his tenure as CEO –

opened to the public. Fittingly, Clement and Huston were

both on hand to celebrate the dawn of a new era in local

emergency medicine. In 2011, just two years after the grand

opening, that facility is on pace to be the second busiest

emergency department in New York State.

Barely two years later, in November of 2011, RGH celebrated

the historic launch of Care Connect, its electronic medical

record system. One of the most significant transformations in

the history of the hospital, Care Connect will improve patient

safety and clinical efficiency while providing physicians with

timely and accurate access to critical patient information.

Today, Clement oversees a health system that is ranked among

the top 100 integrated healthcare networks in the country

and receives national recognition in a myriad of areas. Of

recent note, in 2011 a healthcare analytics firm, the Delta

Group, recognized RGH as the number one hospital in New

York State for overall medical care. The same group also

recognized RGH as the number one hospital in New York

State and the number two hospital in the United States for

multiple cardiac services. In light of this encouraging

success, Mark and his team remain fixated on a “good

to great” approach. The focus remains on continual

improvement – victories are celebrated and opportunities

for improvement are doggedly pursued.

Those opportunities for improvement are the bedrock of the

upcoming capital campaign, aptly titled, TransformingCare.

The campaign is primed for a spring 2012 public launch and

Clement is already working to rally community support. He

explained, “This campaign is necessary for us to continue

to be the healthcare provider that the people of our region

need us to be. In order to do our jobs, we must continue to

improve and aim high.”

On his first five years, Clement speaks with feelings of pride

and excitement for the future. “Though our journey to

greatness will never end, the last five years have put us on a

wonderful path,” he beamed. “We’ve done so much and I

couldn’t be more excited and confident about our future.”

Lefttoright:ConstellationBrandsCEORobSands,ClementandPatrickRiggs,M.D.;ClementwithRGHSChiefofCardiacServicesandCardiothoracicSurgeryRonKirshner,M.D.;ClementwithWandaPolisseniandRGHPresidentBrianJepson;ClementwithRGHSteammembers.


What is the Hansford Legacy Society?

Named in honor of Jane and Van Buren Hansford, longtime

supporters of Rochester General Hospital, the Hansford Legacy

Society recognizes those who have made a commitment to

support Rochester General Health System’s (RGHS) future through

a bequest, charitable trust, gift annuity or other type of planned gift.

Why is the Hansford Legacy Society important?

Planned gifts are critical in supporting Rochester General Health

System – providing financial resources to invest in the facilities,

technology, equipment and people necessary to address the

healthcare needs of our community. Through the Hansford Legacy

Society, Rochester General is pleased to thank and recognize those

friends who have made the selfless commitment of a planned gift.

Through planned giving commitments, our friends are able to

maximize their ability to meet personal financial objectives – and

with some gifts, actually guarantee income during their lifetimes –

leaving an indelible legacy of philanthropy with Rochester General

Health System. Members are also invited to exclusive Hansford

Society events and receive special communications from Rochester

General Health System.

How can I join the Hansford Legacy Society?

You can make a…

• commitment through your will (bequest)

• retirement fund beneficiary designation

• gift that guarantees income for you and/or your family

(charitable trusts, gift annuities)

• a gift that helps you transfer assets to your heirs

(charitable lead trust)

Become a Member of the Hansford Legacy SocietyTo learn more about how you can leave an enduring legacy in

our community, contact Tim Maher, director of planned giving

for Rochester General Health System at (585) 922-5073 or by

email at [email protected].


Hansford Legacy Society Gives to the FutureA Message from Tim Maher, Executive Director, Newark-Wayne Community Hospital Foundation and Director of Planned Giving for Rochester General Health System

Although I have been a member of the foundation

team for nearly a year, I am thrilled to take on two

exciting new roles. As the new executive director

of the Newark-Wayne Community Hospital

Foundation (NWCHF), I look forward to supporting

the eastern stronghold of Rochester General Health

System (RGHS). Working with the warm,

generous and compassionate leaders of Wayne

County, we will help to bring the highest quality

healthcare to a very important part of our region.

There are some exciting transformations taking

place at Newark-Wayne, many of which you can

read about in this issue of Partners.

Additionally, I am eager to serve RGHS at large

as director of planned giving. In future issues of

Partners, this section will be dedicated to the work

being done in this area of our foundation. Across

our entire region, we have grateful, generous and

committed friends who want to give back to their

community health system while leaving an

enduring legacy. It is a true pleasure to work with

these community champions and help them give

joyfully while realizing the full extent of their

philanthropic aspirations.

This planned giving section will be dedicated to

offering additional information and advice that

I hope will inspire you to find new ways to give

back. Planned giving is a truly selfless endeavor –

they are gifts that will save and improve the lives of

people we will likely never meet.

I look forward to helping you build your legacy.


Hansford Legacy Society Gives to the FutureThe Hansford Legacy Society Dinner “The word legacy means something handed down from the past,”

explained Tim Maher, director of planned giving for Rochester

General Health System (RGHS). “It can also mean a gift. Tonight,

I find both definitions appropriate, because our patients are able to

enjoy more healthy days with their loved ones because of something

handed down from the past – planned gifts from friends like you.”

On September 13, friends of RGHS gathered at the Genesee Valley

Club to celebrate leaving a legacy in the spirit of philanthropy.

Attendees of the Hansford Legacy Society Dinner, invited because of

their commitment to leave a planned gift to Rochester General, were

greeted by RGHS President and CEO Mark Clement.

“To know that everyone here cares deeply enough about our work

to make a planned gift is a humbling piece of knowledge,” remarked

Clement as the evening’s program began. “We are here to respond to

community needs and, in order to do that, we need your help.”

One of the programs that is swiftly responding to growing community

needs is the robotic surgery program. Dr. John Valvo, chief of robotic

surgery for RGHS, explained the concept and benefits of robotic

surgery while also sharing the story of the program’s remarkable

growth and success. The program is a leader in a constantly changing

field. Currently, Rochester General ranks in the top four percent of

robotic surgery programs in the United States for patient volume.

Frequently, innovations such as the ones made in robotic surgery

are made possible through planned gifts – the decision to leave a

legacy of generosity.

“You have made the commitment to give now in order to save lives

later,” observed Maher. “We cannot thank you enough.”

Toptobottom:EthanWelch,M.D.,RGHPresidentBrianJepson,formerRGHFoundationBoardChairDonCameronand

HelenMarieCameron;NormaErdle,BrendaMossandJackErdle;JosephineBraitman,NYSSenatorJimAlesiandJoanneVanZandt;

BalDixit,DavidKluge,M.D.andBeverlyKluge

2011 has been a year of change, notably the

dedication of the new Riedman Campus,

located less than one mile from Rochester

General Hospital. In addition to housing

many of our shared services such as IT, finance

and purchasing, the Riedman Campus is

now home to the Rochester General Hospital

Foundation. It’s an exciting move that will

allow us to continue to ramp up our efforts

as we prepare to publically launch our

capital campaign.

In addition to our new home, our team

continues to take shape. In this issue of

Partners, I am proud to introduce two of our

staff members who will be taking on new roles

for the campaign. The first is Tim Maher.

Tim joined our team in December of 2010 as

an associate director of annual giving. This

fall, we were

proud to name

him the executive

director of the

Newark-Wayne

Community

Hospital

Foundation and

the director of planned giving for the

Rochester General Hospital Foundation.

In this issue and future issues of Partners,

Tim will provide updates on planned giving –

specifically, how you can give back to our

health system while also making responsible

investments for the future welfare of your

loved ones.

In this issue, I am also eager to introduce

Anthony Benedetti, our director of

development and now, also our campaign

director. Anthony joined our team in

February of 2010 as our director of annual

events and planned giving. He was later

promoted to director of development and

now, he is ready and eager to take on the

additional role of campaign director. As we

prepare for a spring 2012 public campaign

launch, Anthony will provide updates on the

campaign, our progress and how, together, we

are transforming care in our community.

Thank you for another extraordinary year.

I hope you enjoy this year-end issue of our

magazine and are as excited as I am for a

successful 2012.

A Message from Jim Digan President, Rochester General Hospital Foundation


“In addition to our new home, our

team continues to take shape.”

Same mission. Same team. New home.

Rochester General Hospital Foundation has moved. Our new address is:Riedman Campus100 Kings Highway SouthRochester, NY 14617

Our other information remains the same: Phone: (585) 922-4800Web: www.giveRGH.orgTwitter: @RGH_Foundationwww.facebook.com/RochesterGeneralFoundation

Cooking for a Cure:Raising Funds and Satisfying Appetites

Seven years after the inception of the robotic surgery

program at Rochester General Health System, friends and

supporters gathered at Max at High Falls for Cookingfora

Cure – a celebration of program’s remarkable progress and

an opportunity to raise funds for its successful future.

The program, helmed by Dr. John Valvo, has become one of

the most respected in the United States, serving as a model

for physicians around the country to study and emulate.

One of the areas in which robotic surgery is most effective

is the treatment of prostate cancer, which also served as

the motivation to hold CookingforaCure in September,

National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

Stressing the need for continued philanthropic support for

the program, Mark Clement, president and CEO of Rochester

General Health System addressed a special reception of the

program’s most loyal supporters. “Today, our robotic surgery

program is one of the top of its kind in the United States,”

Clement proudly stated. “However, the genesis of this

program was forged by the kindness of friends.”

More than 200 friends of Rochester General enjoyed gourmet

culinary creations from stations manned by Tony Gullace of

Max Rochester, Gerry Vorraci of 2Vine, Whitey Proietti of

Proietti’s Italian Restaurant and Michael Dugan of Dugan’s

Country Grill. Guests also enjoyed wine generously donated

by Constellation Brands. A daVinci robot and a surgical

simulator were on hand to give guests a peek of the work

being done by Rochester General’s surgeons.

At the end of the evening, after the plates had been cleared,

the dancing shoes kicked off and the auctions completed,

Rochester General Health System was one step closer to

expanding and improving its already nationally-recognized

robotic surgery program.


Max at High Falls Sept. 23, 20115:30 – 10:00 pm

SAVE THE DATECOOKING

CUREFOR

AEXPERIENCE OF ROCHESTER’S

TOP CHEFS Enjoy a night of great food, and help support the treatment of prostate cancer.

4 Exclusive C4C Partner:

Above,Toptobottom:ChefsGerryVorrasiof2Vine,WhiteyProiettiofProietti’sItalianRestaurantandTonyGullaceofMaxRochester;JohnValvo,M.D.,chiefofroboticsurgeryatRGHS;ChefMichaelDuganofDugan’sCountryGrill;AttendeesperusetheCookingforaCureauctionitems.

ThedaVincirobotdemonstratesitsdexeritywithaculinarycreation


On Saturday, November 5, Rochester General Hospital (RGH)

launched its new electronic medical record (EMR) system,

called “Care Connect.” The launch represents a milestone

step in converting the entire health system to this secure,

paperless and efficient system. The transition to electronic

medical records at RGH is just the beginning. Over the next

two years, the Care Connect project will convert the other

affiliates and practices of Rochester General Health System

(RGHS) from a combination of independent, paper-based and

computer-based patient record systems to a single,

fully-integrated electronic system.

In addition to RGH, nearly all ambulatory offices affiliated

with RGHS are actively using the “practice management”

portion of Care Connect. Six of the Rochester General

Medical Group (RGMG) practices, as well as the off-site

Nephrology office, are already fully active with the entire

system (practice management and ambulatory clinical

documentation).

Part of federal healthcare reform, EMR integration will

enhance the quality of healthcare, patient safety, efficiency

and overall effectiveness of treatment.

Protecting patient confidentiality while also granting

healthcare providers access when permitted by the patient

is a major attribute of the Care Connect system. All of the

information is encrypted and password protected, so access

to a patient’s information is strictly limited to those who are

authorized by the patient. Another precaution built in to

the Care Connect system protects against the loss of patient

information through a robust back-up system that is readily

available in the event of a computer malfunction.

To further enhance the appropriate sharing of patient

information, Rochester General Health System is partnering

with many community physicians to ensure they have, with

the patient’s permission, access to the patient’s current records.

Before this system was implemented, patient records would

typically be shared via fax after the patient granted permission.

With EMR, the patient can allow instant access to records

through the Greater Rochester Regional Health Information

Organization (RHIO). This information supports timely and

accurate information exchanges, which will reduce errors and

the need for unnecessary duplicate testing.

To improve clinical outcomes and quality of care on an even

greater level, RGH and the University of Rochester Medical

Center (URMC) have hired the same EMR vendor, enabling

easier information sharing between the two systems.

Dr. Robert Biernbaum, chief medical information officer for

RGHS, told the Rochester DemocratandChronicle, “If a

patient came to Rochester General Health System who had

been seen at the URMC emergency department and we had

patient consent, we would do a search ... and we would be

able to pull that visit information right up. It’s invaluable.”

The Historic Switch to Electronic Medical Records

Rochester General Hospital becomes first RGHS Affiliate to harness the paperless

efficiency of Electronic Medical Records

The room was filled with 50 of the most influential

Rochesterians in the past half-century of local healthcare.

Former board members of Rochester General Health System,

its predecessors and affiliates, all who have left a fingerprint on

today’s healthcare landscape, gathered at the Genesee Valley

Club on September 26 for the Rochester General Emeritus

Board Dinner.

The audience of leaders from the past and present received

an insider’s update from Rochester General Hospital President

Brian Jepson. Jepson discussed the projects and practices that

have set the hospital and health system apart from others, both

locally and nationally.

Former RGH Board Chair Sarah Liebschutz, Ph.D. was the

keynote speaker, providing a preview presentation of her new

book, “Communities and Health Care: The Rochester, NY

Experiment.” The book discussed the Hospital Experimental

Payment (HEP) program, a collaborative effort among local

hospitals to contain healthcare costs. Bill Clinton cited the

program in the 1992 presidential debates as a potential

blueprint to contain rising healthcare costs.

Taking place in the 1980s, many of the dinner’s attendees

were involved in the program on at least a tangential level.

Liebschutz’s presentation not only illustrated the change in

the local healthcare system and between then and now, it

clearly demonstrated the fundamental differences in the

economic structure of the Greater Rochester region.

In front of an audience comprised of many old friends and

colleagues, Liebschutz helped conclude the joyful reunion

with a session of spirited and positive discussion, thoughtful

questions and optimism for the future.

Leaders from Past and Present Discuss Future of Healthcare


RGHPresidentBrianJepsonandformerRGHBoardChair

SarahLiebschutz,Ph.D.addresstheroomofpastRGHSaffiliate

boardmembers.


It’s that time of year we all love

so well. We become energized

and invigorated by the changing

leaves, cooling temperatures, and

excitement and bustle of the

holidays. Although, to sound

intentionally clichéd, it is also

the time we are warmed by

the community spirit and

overwhelmed by the support

from friends, donors and

advocates like you.

I hope you have some time to

thumb through or read this issue of Partners. In it, we say

thanks to many champions of Rochester General Health

System and you’ll see examples of moments that have made

2011 truly special. We are fortunate to look back on these

moments with heartfelt gratitude while we look ahead with

refreshed determination.

Rochester General Health System is preparing to launch the

most ambitious – and necessary – campaign in our history,

the TransformingCare campaign. This campaign is going

to do more than support a single hospital, it is going to

help us gather the resources necessary to transform the way

healthcare is delivered across our region. All of our affiliates

and therefore, all of our patients, will see an improvement

in their care. From Rochester General Hospital to Newark-

Wayne Community Hospital, from our senior care facilities

to our outpatient locations and medical offices – this

campaign will change healthcare in our region for the better.

The foundation will continue to provide more information

as we build toward the TransformingCare campaign’s public

launch – targeted in spring of 2012. We’re looking forward

to sharing details on our goals and aspirations while also

illustrating the significant needs of the community that

inspired them. Those needs are the bedrock of this campaign.

We do not campaign simply because we feel it is time to

campaign – we campaign because our community, our

patients…yourfriendsandyourfamily need us to bring the

best possible healthcare to Rochester and the region.

As campaign director, I am excited to work with you as we

TransformCare together. Thank you for your generous

support. I wish a wonderful holiday season and happy and

healthy New Year for you and your loved ones.

A Message from Campaign Director Anthony Benedetti

“...we campaign because our community, our patients... your friends and family need us to bring the best possible healthcare.”


RIT Names Vice President/Dean of Institute of Health Sciences and Technology

Dr. Daniel B. Ornt has been named the first vice president/

dean of the Institute of Health Sciences and Technology at

Rochester Institute of Technology. He officially started his

position on December 1.

Ornt most recently served as the vice dean for education and

academic affairs at Case Western Reserve University School of

Medicine in Cleveland, OH. He has a combined 30 years of

experience in medical education programs at Case Western

Reserve University School of Medicine and at the University

of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.

As vice president/dean of the Institute of Health Sciences and

Technology, Ornt will head the institute’s three components:

RIT’s ninth college, the College of Health Sciences and Tech-

nology, the Health Sciences Research Center and the Health

Sciences Outreach Center. He will facilitate interactions with

colleagues and CEOs

at other academic

and healthcare related

institutions. Ornt will

report jointly to RIT

President Bill Destler

and RIT Provost and

Senior Vice President

for Academic Affairs

Jeremy Haefner.

“Dan is going to bring his enthusiasm. He’s going to bring his

knowledge about the medical environment,” says Destler.

“Already I can tell that his perspective will be incredibly

invaluable to us to get this really going in the right direction.”

“Dr. Ornt brings to the new Institute of Health Sciences

and Technology a creative and visionary mindset, which is

absolutely necessary as we train and prepare the healthcare

workforce of the future,” says Mark Clement, president and

CEO of RGHS.

The Institute of Health Sciences and Technology grew from

the RIT and Rochester General Health System Alliance and

opened in September. Destler and

Clement co-chair the institute’s

advisory board, consisting of faculty,

physicians, staff, trustees and students.

The institute will position the RIT-

RGHS Alliance as a contributing player

in the reform of the nation’s healthcare

system. Under Ornt’s leadership, the

institute will educate the next generation of healthcare

professionals, cultivate innovative research and address

community health needs. The RIT-RGHS Alliance was formed

in 2008 to produce technological solutions to healthcare

delivery and improve the efficiency of the “smart hospital.”

“I am honored to be selected to lead this new institute and

college focused on educating the healthcare workforce of

tomorrow and growing an already dynamic research effort

in the health sciences in the collaboration between RIT and

Rochester General Health System,” Ornt says. “I look forward

to reaching out to other healthcare related organizations

within the Rochester area to expand existing partnerships and

establish new programs that will benefit the citizens of our

community. It is with great pleasure that my wife and I return

to our hometown of Rochester.”

Ornt is a fellow of the American College of Physicians. He

has published extensively on aspects of renal disease and

disorders. He received his M.D. from the URMC in 1976

and a B.A. in natural science and chemistry from Colgate

University in 1973. He completed his internship and

residency at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont affiliated

with the University of Vermont College of Medicine and

a fellowship in nephrology at the University of Michigan

in Ann Arbor.

For more information about the RIT-RGHS Alliance, go to

www.rit.edu/rghs.

Dr. Daniel B. Ornt joined RIT on December 1

alliance news

“The institute will position the RIT-RGHS Alliance as

a contributing player in the reform of the nation’s

healthcare system.”


Department of Transportation helps ILS Modernize Transportation Fleet for Seniors

In late 2010, Independent Living for Seniors (ILS) received

notice from the New York State Department of Transportation

that they had won a grant for $162,080 for the purchase of

four new medical transportation busses to replace four of the

outdated vans in their fleet—each with over 200,000 miles on

them. On November 8, the four new busses arrived on the ILS

campus for the first time.

Just two days later, ILS received notice of a second grant from

the New York State Department of Transportation for $175,840

for the same purpose. This second grant will allow ILS to

continue to modernize its outdated fleet by replacing four more

vans with medical transportation busses.

This continued modernization is critical because ILS provides

regular transportation for all participants. Seven days a week,

door-to-curb assistance is provided for seniors to and from the

ILS facility and medical appointments. Due to physical limita-

tions, participants would otherwise have to rely on friends and

family for transportation. For many of them, such alternatives

are not available.

For the nearly 40,000 one-way trips the ILS drivers expect to

make each year, these new vans mean more efficient trips,

fewer interruptions in service due to repairs and more

comfortable travel accommodations for the patients served.

ILSPACECenterOperationsManagerJennWoltmaninoneofthenewbusses.


Starlight Foundation Helps RGH Care for Local ChildrenFrom the painted tiles to the colorful bubble towers rising from

the floor to the ceiling of the waiting room, the new Epstein

Pediatric and Young Adult Emergency Department at Rochester

General Hospital (RGH) creates a friendly environment for

children and young adults visiting with often-frightening

medical situations.

Though the cheery decorations and books help soothe nerves, by

far the most popular items in the pediatric emergency department

are the wall-mounted video game units installed in both the

waiting room and triage area. As a result of a generous grant

from the Starlight Children’s Foundation of NY*NJ*CT, Rochester

General Hospital was able to purchase these systems and install

benches in front of them, allowing both patients and family

members to play while waiting for medical treatment. With a

variety of games for both children and teenagers, the systems

have been in constant use since their installation.

The grant of $25,000 was presented to RGH staff in October.

It helped to cover the video game systems and two aquatic life

themed patient examination tables.

The mission of the Starlight Children’s Foundation is to help

seriously ill children and their families. Through over $100,000 in

grants in recent years, the foundation has helped touch the lives of

children treated at Rochester General Hospital and its affiliates.

“Their grants have helped to launch the Child Life Program,

provided much needed equipment to support children’s need to

play, and help us meet the ongoing needs of our patients with

monthly donations of craft supplies, teddy bears and more,”

explained Teresa Schoell, child life specialist at RGH. “Play is such

an important part of how children interact with the world around

them and our pediatric patients are having fun - fun that is funded

by Starlight!”

Grants from charitable

foundations,

corporations and

government agencies

have played a critical

role in the success of

Rochester General

Health System. The

past year has proven

to be no exception.

In addition to the grants

from the Starlight

Foundation NY*NJ*CT

and the New York State

Department of Transportation that are

highlighted in this issue of Partners, the

grants office of the Rochester General

Foundation has raised over $1.5 million

in support. These grants are benefitting a

broad range of RGHS affiliates and

departments, including, among others:

pediatrics, dentistry, the Office of

Community Medicine, the School-to-Work

Youth Apprenticeship Program, the

Behavioral Health Network’s School-Based

Health Centers and the new emergency

department currently being built at Newark-

Wayne Community Hospital.

Looking forward, the grants office will

continue to work to match funding

opportunities with RGHS initiatives that are

aligned with our mission and strategic

directives – especially those projects that

have been identified as priorities in the

upcoming capital campaign.

Ifyouoryourorganizationwouldliketo

supportRochesterGeneralHealthSystem

throughagrant,pleasecontactCarolFisher

at(585)922-4800oremailCarol.Fisher@

rochestergeneral.org.

Grants Update from Carol Fisher

RGHChildLifeSpecialistTeresaSchoellandStarlightFoundationRepresentativesLaurenBerningerandElizabethAgnello

“We stand here today on the dawn of a transformation, one that

will touch virtually every patient that enters this hospital for

years to come. I am excited and proud to begin this journey

with you,” beamed Mark Klyczek, the new president of Newark-

Wayne Community Hospital. His enthusiasm was mirrored

by the upbeat crowd of employees, supporters and community

members who came to help break ground on the most

anticipated capital project the hospital has seen in decades.

In addition to Klyczek, also on hand to help lead the ceremonies

were New York State Senator Michael Nozzolio; Village of

Newark Mayor Peter Blandino; Mark C. Clement, president and

CEO of Rochester General Health System; Robert Havrilla, chair

of the Newark-Wayne Community Hospital Board of Directors;

Reverend Tim Johnson, chair of the Newark-Wayne Community

Hospital Foundation Board of Directors and Tim Maher,

executive director of the Newark-Wayne Community

Hospital Foundation.

“Our current emergency department was built in 1971 to

accommodate 11,000 patient visits per year. In 2010, that

same emergency department saw over 21,000 patient visits,”

remarked Bob Havrilla, chair of the Newark-Wayne

Community Hospital Board of Directors. “While this is a

stunning testament to our emergency department team, it is

also a powerful indicator that we are addressing a very

significant community need.”

In addition to providing a much-needed boost to the local

emergency care infrastructure, the $13 million project will also

provide a new endoscopy suite to accommodate patient volume

that has grown by nearly five-fold in 2005, and a patient access

center to house central registration, pre-admission testing,

the lab draw/specimen collection department and a patient

reception area. The Electrocardiography (EKG)/

Electroencephalography (EEG) unit will also move to a new

space as part of the overall project.

“This hospital is, essentially, our eastern doorstep,” explained

Mark Clement, president and CEO of Rochester General Health

System. “More and more, it’s becoming a place where the

community can go and expect the kind of care they would

Newark-Wayne Community Hospital “Digs In” to Transform Emergency Care


Below:BobHavrilla,chairoftheNWCHBoardofDirectors;ReverendTimothyJohnson,chairoftheNWCHFoundationBoardofDirectors;MarkClement,presidentandCEOofRGHS;NYSSenatorMichaelNozzolio;AnnetteLeahy,retiredpresidentofNWCH;PeterBlandino,mayoroftheVillageofNewark;NYSAssemblymanRobertOaks;MarkKlyczek,presidentofNWCH;KeithGrams,M.D.,chiefofemergencyservicesforRGHS;PeterFenton,M.D.,chiefoftheNWCHEmergencyDepartment;BobDobies,chairRGHSBoardofDirectors;KathyMcGuire,seniorVPoflongtermcareandseniorservicesforRGHS

Newark-Wayne Community Hospital “Digs In” to Transform Emergency Care


nwch news

receive at our flagship, Rochester General Hospital, or any

of our other affiliates.”

The new emergency department is the centerpiece of

the hospital’s modernization project. When completed,

the project will facilitate shorter waiting times, increased

patient capacity, and the option of a fast track service for

non-emergency patients. New technology and greater

space will enhance the level of care, comfort and dignity

for patients and families. Ultimately, patients in Wayne

County will also benefit from improved access to the

specialized physicians at Rochester General Hospital

through telehealth technology.

“While this hospital has already undergone significant

changes to improve the level of care we provide, today

we kick off a visible and tangible transformation—one

that helped inspire the name of our upcoming capital

campaign” exclaimed Newark-Wayne Community

Hospital President Mark Klyczek as he shared the name

of the campaign, “Transforming Care.”

Community members can support this project and the

campaign by calling the Newark-Wayne Community

Hospital Foundation at (315) 332-2323 or by visiting

www.giveRGH.org.

“...we are addressing a very significant community need.” Above,toptobottom:PeterFenton,M.D.,chiefoftheNWCH

EmergencyDepartment,answersquestionsforthemediaafterthegroundbreakingceremony;ReverendTimothyJohnson,chairofNWCHFoundationBoardofDirectors,sharesfeelingsofexcitementandgratitudeduringthegroundbreakingceremony;NYSSenatorMichaelNozzoliospeaksduringapre-groundbreakingreceptionasRGHFoundationPresidentJimDiganandRGHSPresidentandCEOMarkClementlookon.


Friends of Newark-Wayne Community Hospital Swept Up in a Fantasy Tango

Dancers thrown in the air, a cheering crowd and feverish

enthusiasm for a long-awaited community project – no, this is

not a new kind of reality show – it was Fantasy Tango night at

the Newark-Wayne Community Hospital Gala. On October

15, nearly 300 friends of the hospital and of Rochester General

Health System came to Eagle Vale Golf Club for an evening of

food, friends and fabulous dancing.

Less than three weeks removed from breaking ground on the

new emergency department at Newark-Wayne Community

Hospital – the project that the gala proceeds will benefit – the

excitement was palpable.

“We are on the cusp of making some extraordinary changes –

changes that will ripple throughout this community,”

proclaimed Mark Klyczek, the new president of Newark-Wayne

Community Hospital. Formerly the administrator for the

DeMay Living Center of Rochester General Health System, an

assisted living facility adjacent to Newark-Wayne Community

Hospital, Klyczek assumed the role of hospital president in

September of 2011.

After the ceremonial program, guests participated in a live and

silent auction to further support the emergency department

project, which is the largest construction or renovation project

to take place at Newark-Wayne in over 20 years. They also

enjoyed a series of breathtaking tango demonstrations by a

team of dancers directed by Michelle Madore, the 2002 World

Exhibition Ballroom Dance Champion.

At the heart of the gala were the core sentiments of gratitude

and optimism for the future. Newark-Wayne Community

Hospital Executive Director Tim Maher perhaps best

summarized the evening when he said, “Tonight was a night of

celebration, both of the progress we have already made and the

challenges we will conquer together in the years to come.”


nwch news

20 Years of Golf, Friendship and Fundraising20th Annual Newark-Wayne Community Hospital Foundation Golf Classic

A record-breaking crowd, a milestone year and a new

emergency department on the way were the ingredients

of a memorable day at the 20th Annual Newark-Wayne

Community Hospital Foundation Golf Classic hosted on

August 15 at Sodus Bay Heights Golf Club. The weather

was kind to the 140 golfers who enjoyed a day on the

course, dinner, raffles and a silent auction to support

the new emergency department at Newark-Wayne

Community Hospital.

“With the help of a supportive and collaborative team,

this year’s Golf Classic was, by far, the best fundraising

tournament I have chaired in the past few years,”

remarked Nan VanEe, chair of the tournament and

member of the Newark-Wayne Community Hospital

Foundation Board of Directors.


FroM the rGhS news roomMark Klyczek Named President of Newark-Wayne Community HospitalOn September 12, Rochester

General Health System

appointed Mark F. Klyczek

president of Newark-Wayne

Community Hospital (NWCH).

With extensive experience in healthcare and financial

administration, Klyczek joined NWCH as administrator of the

DeMay Living Center in June 2010. Under his leadership,

DeMay Living Center opened a new short-term orthopedic

rehabilitation unit to enhance patient care. Regular surveys

and evaluations also illustrated an improvement in patient and

team member satisfaction.

“Everyone who works with Mark Klyczek is impressed by his

passion for advancing healthcare standards and administrative

goals, while still creating a positive environment for our team

members and the community they serve,” says Mark Clement,

president and CEO of Rochester General Health System.

“A thorough search process revealed that the ideal candidate

to lead Newark-Wayne was already a valued member of our

team,” says Robert Havrilla, chair of the NWCH Board of

Directors. “Mark Klyczek clearly stood out among a field

of highly qualified candidates, thanks to his unique

understanding of how Newark-Wayne can best serve the

community and his proven affinity for leadership in the

ongoing pursuit of excellence in healthcare.”

Prior to joining NWCH, Klyczek spent nine years in increasingly

responsible roles in Buffalo’s Catholic Health System, including

five years as administrator of the St. Catherine Labouré skilled

nursing facility within the Sisters of Charity Hospital

organization. He earned a Master of Science degree in Health

Services Administration from D’Youville College and a

bachelor’s degree in psychology from Canisius College.

“It’s impossible to work in western New York’s healthcare

community and not be profoundly impressed by the

consistent record of excellence achieved here at Rochester

General Health System,” Klyczek says. “I was delighted to join

the team last year and I’m proud to accept this new role with

Newark-Wayne Community Hospital.”

Dr. Peter Fenton Takes Lead of Newark-Wayne Emergency DepartmentDr. Peter E. Fenton, a board-

certified emergency physician,

has been appointed chief

of emergency services at

Newark-Wayne Community Hospital (NWCH) and

associate chief of emergency services for Rochester General

Health System. As chief of emergency services at NWCH, he

will oversee the medical services for the nearly 22,000 annual

patient visits accommodated at Newark-Wayne Community

Hospital’s emergency department (ED). He will also assume

a leadership role as the hospital begins the construction of its

new emergency department this fall.

“I am honored to have been offered this position,” remarked

Fenton. “This is a highly-successful organization that is

growing to meet the community’s needs. I’m pleased to be

able to lead the ED team during this exciting time.”

Previously, Fenton worked at Thompson Health, Unity

Health System and at Craven Regional Medical Center in New

Bern, North Carolina. He earned his Medical Degree at the

University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

in Biddeford, Maine. He completed his emergency medicine

residency training at the University of Rochester School of

Medicine and Dentistry.



Rochester General Hospital (RGH) has

been named an exemplar hospital

by the Institute for Healthcare

Improvement (IHI) for its work in

infection prevention. RGH is

participating in IHI’s ProjectJOINTS

(Joining Organizations in Tackling

Surgical Site Infection) initiative. The

IHI ProjectJOINTS initiative includes

57 hospitals in New York State, and

dozens across the country.

“We commend your practices,

specifically in alcohol skin prep,”

commented a representative of IHI in

a letter to RGH leadership. “We also

thank you for your willingness to help

your fellow ProjectJOINTS

participants. Your organization’s willingness to share your

invaluable hands-on experience with others will help make

hip and knee surgery safer for patients across the country.”

Rochester General Hospital has been recognized for developing

a comprehensive surgical site infection prevention plan in

orthopedic surgery. This plan utilizes the best available

evidence and translates that evidence into checklists and

protocols which can easily be implemented on all patients.

This has resulted reduction in orthopedic surgical site

infections of more than 50%.

“We are honored to be asked to collaborate with other

healthcare providers to help reduce hospital infection rates,”

said Dr. Edward Tanner, chief of orthopedics at Rochester

General Hospital. “This effort is all about providing the best

patient care possible.”

RGH Leadership Also Agrees to Share Infection Prevention Expertise

According to the latest report from CareChex, a division of

The Delta Group, Rochester General Hospital (RGH) ranks

first in New York State for OverallMedicalCare. The

CareChex 2011 study provides hospital rankings in both

medical excellence and patient safety categories.

These awards were based on an institution’s cumulative

performance across the most recent three years of public data.

The CareChex approach incorporates six peer-reviewed

methodologies, which address key components of quality

inpatient care, including mortality rates, complication rates,

patient satisfaction measures and patient safety indicators.

According to the CareChex 2011 Medical Excellence Award

Summary, Rochester General Hospital also ranks second in

the United States for MajorCardiacSurgery and first in New

York State for MajorCardiacSurgery and CardiacCare.

The CareChex 2011 Patient Safety Award Summary also ranks

Rochester General Hospital first in New York State for Major

CardiacSurgery and Coronary

BypassSurgery.

“This significant recognition

from CareChex is another

important indicator that our

dedicated efforts to deliver

unparalleled patient care and clinical outcomes to every

patient we serve, at every encounter, every time are paying

off,” said Mark Clement, president and CEO of Rochester

General Health System.

The work at Rochester General Hospital has also been

recognized by another well-respected national organization.

Once again, this year, Rochester General Hospital has been

named a Top 100 Integrated Health Network (IHN), by SDI,

one of the nation’s premier healthcare analytics firms. This

marks the fifth consecutive year that Rochester General has

received this designation.

RGH Ranked Nationally for Clinical Excellence

RGH Named an “Exemplar Hospital”

“...our dedicated efforts...are paying off.”

Rochester General Health System

(RGHS) has appointed Dr. William

Faber to the role of senior vice president

and executive medical director of

Rochester General Medical Group

(RGMG). Faber assumed his new role

on August 15.

Faber’s extensive past experience

includes the role of regional medical

director of the Chicago-based Advocate Medical Group. He

also recently served as medical director for credentials, peer

review and quality improvement education at Advocate

Physician Partners, a group of more than 3,700 physicians

that was recently recognized as the top integrated delivery

system in the United States.

As senior vice president and executive medical director,

Faber will lead the 42-practice medical group and facilitate

continued progress toward RGMG’s goals to improve upon

the group’s excellence as a healthcare provider.

“I was drawn to RGHS because of its record of quality

improvement and commitment to providing cost-effective

care and I am impressed with the values-driven,

courageous and business savvy leadership of the

organization,” Faber explained.

“Dr. Faber’s vast leadership experience and proven track

record in quality, process improvement, patient satisfaction,

system integration and financial growth initiatives make him

an ideal candidate to help lead RGMG,” says Mark Clement,

president and CEO of Rochester General Health System.

“He is an outstanding addition to our team.”

Faber received his Doctorate of Medicine and Master of

Arts in Medical Ethics degrees from Loma Linda University

and a master’s degree in health care management from

Harvard University.

rochester General Medical Group provides the highest quality care close to home through its 40 primary care and specialty practices in Monroe and Wayne Counties.

Dr. William Faber Joins Rochester General Medical Group Senior Leadership

Local metal artist Christine Knoblauch has a big heart and now, she is sharing it with the

patients of the Rochester Heart Institute at Rochester General Hospital. In a touching tribute

to her late ex-husband, Jeffrey Goff, formerly an RGH patient, his physician, Dr. Kevin Kozara

and his team, Knoblauch crafted and donated a beautiful steel statue in the shape of a heart.

The gesture is Knoblauch’s way of expressing thanks for the care her husband received during

his bout with throat cancer before he passed away in 2009.

“Everyone was wonderful, and specifically, Dr. Kozara, Patty Mutolo, Scott Lamarche and

Carolyn Cooksey absolutely went above and beyond. They really were fantastic,” explained

Knoblauch. “I hope that all the families who come through RGH feel the same care and

comfort that my husband, our children, Jeffrey and Gabriela and I felt.”

The sculpture is on display in the second floor waiting area which is connected to the Sands

Family Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit and the Przysinda Family Foundation Cardiac

Catheterization Suite, both key areas of the nationally recognized Rochester Heart Institute.

Local Artist Opens Her Heart to Rochester General Hospital

RGHS newsroom


PArtNerS

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Winter 2011/2012

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partners magazine - december 2011

Documents

foundation office

starlight foundation

ceo mark clementlookinside

rghs president

health sciences

digan editorderek

jim digan

grants office