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NewsBrooks Golf Tournament set for July 31, 2009 Brooks Hospital and Elks Team up for HealthQuest New Diabetic Support Group Forming Auxiliary Continues Support of Hospital Brooks Kicks off Horatio & Julia Annual Fund Drive Tobacco Free is the Way to Be! Brooks Memorial Hospital Annual Report now available in pdf format (1MB) Surgical Ambassador Program now available at Brooks Pre-Operative Joint Education available at Brooks Brooks Launches "OK to Ask" Program about Hand Cleaning Brooks Diabetes Educator Receives National Certification Hospital Employees Collect Cell Phones for Soldiers BMH Impact Report (pdf) Brooks Recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Brooks Golf Tournament set for July 31The 16th Annual John A. Behr Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit Brooks Memorial Hospital is set to tee-off Friday, July 31 at Shorewood Country Club in Dunkirk. Registration materials for this two-person scramble tournament were sent out in mid-may, and the event islimited to 128 golfers.
Over the past 15 years the Behr tournament has raised over $283,000 to benefit the Dunkirk hospital, with this year’s proceeds benefiting the Brooks GI Lab. Earnings from the event will be used to purchase digital colonoscopes for use in detecting colorectal cancer. Dr. Joe Askar, surgeon and long-time hospital golf tournament supporter, has been named Honorary Chairperson for this year’s tournament. “I have two goals for this tournament” commented Dr. Askar, “To raise $45,000 needed for the purchase of this high-tech medical equipment, and to raise awareness about Colorectal Cancer.” “Routine colonoscopies provide the means for early detection of colorectal cancer, which is key to successful outcomes. I encourage everyone to support this worthy event, and to get regular colonoscopies.”
Dr. Askar and Lake Erie Regional Health System CEO Jonathan Lawrence accepted the Wal-Mart donation to the tournament. “Brooks Memorial Hospital is most grateful to Mr. Balentine and the entire Wal-Mart team for their contribution to our efforts in the fight against colorectal cancer,” said Mr. Lawrence. “Their generosity will benefit community members throughout our service area.”
Brooks Memorial Hospital is proud to announce that Wal-Mart has signed on as a Lead Sponsor for this year’s golf tournament, contributing $5,000 to the event. “Wal-Mart has a long tradition of community support,” stated Wal-Mart Manager Brad Balentine, “and we are pleased to be able to help out at this worthwhile event. I encourage other community businesses and organizations to support this tournament and our community hospital.”
For additional information about the upcoming golf event, contact Tournament Chairperson Desiree Coon at 363-7230. Brooks Memorial Hospital is an affiliate of the Lake Erie Regional Health System of NY.
Brooks Hospital and Elks Team up for HealthQuestBrooks Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce that the Dunkirk hospitals 2009 HealthQuest programs will be held at the Dunkirk Elks Lodge 922 located at 428 Central Avenue in the city. The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks has been an active fraternal and community service organization since 1868, with the Dunkirk Lodge recently celebrating their 100th anniversary. The partnership between Brooks and the Dunkirk Elks Lodge will help bring this series of free health education programs to the community in a central, comfortable setting.
The Elks have a long tradition of community service and are very active in our community. Their activities include the Elks National Scholarships, youth activities, support of the Friendly Kitchen, Rural Ministries, migrant workers, the Salvation Army, Boy Scouting, and much more. The Elks Lodge also honors our nation on Flag Day and throughout the year. “I am very pleased that the Elks have been able to partner with Brooks Memorial Hospital on these educational programs.” stated Elks Trustee Sheila Szymanski. “The HealthQuest program fits well with our mission and they are of great benefit to our community.”
This year’s schedule of nine programs includes several new topics including Sleep Apnea, Stress Testing, Multiple Sclerosis, Joint Replacement & Rehabilitation, Obesity, Vascular Medicine, Adult Immunizations, Digital Mammography and Alzheimer’s disease. The programs are held on the second Wednesday of each month, with most beginning at 7 pm (April program begins at 6 pm). No programs will be held in July, August or December. There is no cost for these programs, and light refreshments will be served. Reservations can be made by calling the Brooks Hospital Marketing Department at 363-7233 or 363-7230. Walk-ins are welcome.
January 14, 2009 – Sleep Apnea – 7 pm
February 11, 2009 – Stress Testing– 7 pm Dr. Richard Milazzo, Tom Sansone (Nuc Med) & Bob Davis (Respiratory Therapy) March 11, 2009 – Multiple Sclerosis – 7 pm
April 8, 2009 - Joint Replacements & Rehabilitation – 6 pm
May 13, 2009 – Obesity – 7 pm
June 10, 2009 – Vascular Medicine Updates – 7 pm
September 9, 2009 – Adult Immunizations – 7 pm
October 14, 2009 – Advances in Digital Mammography – 7 pm
November 11, 2009 – Alzheimer’s Disease – 7 pm
New Diabetic Support Group forming at BrooksBrooks Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce the formation of a new support group for the community’s diabetic population. The Dunkirk hospital’s Diabetes Educator, Linda Walters, RN, MSN, CDE will lead the group which will meet at Brooks on the last Monday of each month. The first meeting is scheduled for 6:30 pm, Monday, February, 23 in the 3A Classroom at Brooks. The February meeting will feature guest speaker Cyndy Schroeder RD CDN CDE with a presentation on “The ABC’s of Diabetes”. Ms. Schroeder, a nutritionist, is the director of the diabetes education program at Lifetime Health Medical Group in Rochester New York.
“I am very excited about the educational opportunities that this new support group will offer area diabetics.” commented Ms. Walters. “The Dunkirk/Fredonia area has been without this type of support for far too long, and there is a great need for the type of information that will be presented at our meetings.” For details about the new diabetic support group at Brooks, or to sign up, contact Linda Walters at 363-7296 or email lwalters@brookshospital.org.
Auxiliary Continues Support of HospitalThe Auxiliary of Brooks Memorial Hospital is continuing to support the hospital through education and monetary efforts. With the merger of BMH and Lake Shore Health Care Center and Tri-County Memorial Hospital into the Lake Erie Regional Health Care System the Auxiliary of BMH will continue to function as an agent of BMH.
In December the Auxiliary made its 2007-2008 donation of $35,000 to Brooks to purchase equipment and to refurbish the surgical waiting room on the second floor. New equipment is in the process of being purchased. Included in this purchase are portable cribs, a trauma stretcher, a centrifuge for the lab, a PT mat table, an epidural positioning device, a sleep adjustable bed and more.
The second floor waiting room has been completely re-done with a new floor, paint, blinds and leather furniture to make families more comfortable while they wait for family and friends having surgery. Also purchased was a chair for the newly refurbished Dialysis unit.
The Auxiliary of BMH is a volunteer organization whose primary purpose is to assist the hospital by providing funding for equipment and patient comfort programs. Funds donated by the Auxiliary are raised through book and jewelry sales held in the BMH lobby throughout the year, the membership drive, the Tree of Lights, the spaghetti dinner and the annual dinner dance-auction. In addition the Ready for School drive benefits area schools and students. Support is also given to the hospital’s Medical Explorer group and their goals.
In the future lobby sales will include Small Indulgences (costume jewelry) on February 5th and 6th and Books are Fun on March 19th and 20th. The Auxiliary will be hosting its next luncheon meeting on Wednesday January 28th noon at the White Inn. Mr. Jonathan Lawrence, the CEO of the newly combined hospital systems will be our guest. Please come and join the Auxiliary in welcoming him to our area. For reservations please call Joannaat 366-2973 or Maria at 679-0931. New members and donations are always welcome.
Brooks volunteer Millie Kolodziej assists Patsy Klemens, John Kellogg and Rosie Joy as they wait in the newly renovated Surgical Waiting Room.
Brooks Kicks off Horatio & Julia Brooks Annual Fund DriveBrooks Memorial Hospital’s annual campaign began in late October and is expected to continue through the end of the year. Donation requests for the Horatio & Julia Brooks Society have gone out in an effort to reach the Dunkirk hospital’s $50,000 fundraising goal. As of early December, the hospital has achieved 23% of this goal and is asking the community for its continued support.
Not-for-profit community hospitals like Brooks rely heavily on contributions from charitable individuals, especially in the current difficult economy. Anticipated State and Federal healthcare funding cuts will have a great impact on hospitals such as Brooks, making community support even more important.
Since its inception in 2002, the “Horatio & Julia Brooks Society” has raised more than $204,000 for Brooks and has helped to support many critical hospital projects. Contributions to the Horatio & Julia Brooks Society are held by the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation and are not used for general operating expenses at Brooks. These community donated funds are used to help purchase the capital equipment Brooks Memorial Hospital must have to remain at the forefront of healthcare technology.
Community residents are encouraged to help support Brooks Memorial Hospital and local healthcare by making a donation and becoming a member of the Horatio & Julia Brooks Society. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law, and several membership levels are available. Donations of $100 or more qualify for the “Member” level. “Golden Members” make donations of $250.00 or more, and “Distinguished Members” are at the $500.00 or more level. “1898 Club Members” contribute $1,000.00 or more.
If you would like additional information about the H&J Society, contact the Brooks Memorial Hospital Development Office at (716) 363-7230. To make an online donation, click here and you will be redirected to the Brooks Memorial Hospital Online Payment Center.
Brooks Smoking Cessation Program Receives RecognitionBrooks Memorial Hospital has been diligently working for the past 5 years to help people quit smoking. The hospital’s "Tobacco Free is the Way to Be!" program recently received a nod from the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) in its honor of this longstanding community health initiatives. The "Tobacco Free is the Way to Be!" program began in 2003, when hospitalized patients diagnosed with certain cardiopulmonary conditions were screened for a history of tobacco use and educated on tobacco cessation prior to discharge. This education consists of a brief one-on-one intervention to gauge whether the patient wishes to commit to quitting tobacco, along with helpful literature and a follow-up. If a patient expresses an immediate desire to quit, they are seen by a certified counselor and referred to the New York State Smokers’ Quitline. In 2006, the program was expanded to provide resources to all patients, hospital employees and community members. A grant provided by the Tobacco Control Coalition allowed the hospital to add free nicotine patches, gum and lozenges to its inventory of anti-tobacco aids. On January 1, 2007, Brooks became the first hospital in Chautauqua County to have a fully smoke-free campus. The “Tobacco Free is the Way to Be!” program is largely responsible for Brooks Memorial Hospital’s significant increase in tobacco cessation interventions. The facility’s rate for tobacco cessation intervention increased from 51 percent in 2003 to 87 percent in 2007. The hospital’s goal is to eventually reach and sustain a 100 percent rate. Members of the community who wish to receive more information on quitting smoking or tobacco can be referred through the hospital.
Click Here to view the write up in the 2008-2009 HANYS Community Initiatives Publication
Brooks Memorial Hospital Report to the Community for 2007 Now AvailableBrooks Memorial Hospital recently released its 2007 Annual Report to the Community. This report contains information about the hospital's financial performance during 2007, statistics on a variety of hospital services, and other hospital information. This report is available as a pdf file (1 MB), or you may request a hard copy by contacting the Brooks Memorial Hospital Marketing & Community Relations Department.
Surgical Ambassador Program now available at BrooksBrooks Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce the establishment of a new program for surgical patients and their families. The hospital’s new Surgical Ambassador program utilizes volunteer “ambassadors” to act as liaisons between hospital personnel and patients. The new Ambassadors address non-medical questions and concerns that patient or family members have while they are in the hospital and visit patients in their rooms while they are hospitalized. By asking direct questions, listening to the family and acting on behalf of the patient, the Ambassadors can improve communication and address potential issues while the patient is still in the hospital.
The position of Surgical Ambassador will be filled by volunteers who have received special training in customer service and communication. Ambassadors will be able to provide patients and visitors with linkages to hospital services such as waiting areas, meal service, and other information that they may need. They will also facilitate communication with nursing leadership so that any complaints can be addressed and resolved as soon as possible.
“We’re very excited about this new volunteer program” commented Surgical Services Nurse Manager Sallie Piazza. “By improving communication between patients, medical personnel and nursing leadership, we hope to enhance the surgical experience here at Brooks and increase patient satisfaction”
For information on becoming a Surgical Ambassador, contact BMH Volunteer Coordination Cindy Wlodarek at 363-7233. For more information on Surgical Services at Brooks Memorial Hospital, contact Sallie Piazza, RN, CNOR at 363-3968.
Brooks to offer Pre-operative Joint Replacement EducationBrooks Memorial Hospital is proud to announce the introduction of pre-operative total joint replacement classes. This program is a collaborative effort designed to provide information that will help the patient become an active participant in the pre-operative, operative and post-operative process of their total joint replacement surgery. This comprehensive program is patient focused and designed for individuals currently scheduled for total knee, hip or shoulder replacement, and those considering this type of surgery.
The educational content for this free program will include every aspect of the surgical and post-surgical process and will provide the patient with empowering information to help speed their recovery. Presenters at this informational class include Surgical Nursing Staff , Medical-Surgical Nursing Staff, Physical Therapy Staff, Registered Dietitians, as well as Social Work & Discharge Planning Staff. Topics will include preoperative paperwork, consent forms, health care proxy, the surgery itself, autologous blood donation, anesthesia and pain relief options, discharge planning, physical therapy, rehabilitation options and much more.
The Joint Education classes will be held at Brooks Memorial Hospital and are being held twice each month. For patient convenience, both morning and afternoon classes are being offered. Class size is limited and participants are encouraged to register early for their training class For more information about scheduled dates and times and registration, contact Brooks Memorial Hospital Surgical Services Nurse Manager Sallie Piazza, RN, CNOR at (716) 363-3968.
It’s OK to Ask at Brooks Memorial Hospital
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The National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE) announced that Linda Walters RN, BSN of Brooks Memorial Hospital achieved Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) status by successfully completing the Certification Examination for Diabetes Educators. Candidates must meet rigorous eligibility requirements to be able to take the Examination. Achieving certification status demonstrates to people with diabetes and employers that the health care professional possesses distinct and specialized knowledge, thereby promoting quality of care for people with diabetes. Currently there are 15,500 diabetes educators in the United States who hold NCBDE certification.