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HELEN HAYES HOSPITAL RECEIVES ACCREDITATION
WITH COMMENDATION FROM JOINT COMMISSION
Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw has received Accreditation
with Commendation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation
of Healthcare Organizations. This is the highest level of
accreditation awarded by the Joint Commission, an independent,
not-for-profit organization which is the nation’s oldest
accrediting body.
The Joint Commission’s on-site survey
of the hospital occurred in June. Along with a thorough inspection
of the physical facility, surveyors reviewed the quality of
patient care and staffing and interviewed patients and staff.
Evaluating the hospital’s overall performance against
Joint Commission standards, the surveyors awarded the hospital
a score of 97 out of a possible 100 points.
"Receiving Accreditation with Commendation
is a significant achievement, one that recognizes exemplary
performance by Helen Hayes Hospital," says Dennis S.
O’Leary, M.D., president of the Joint Commission. "The
organization should be commended for its commitment to providing
quality care to the people in its community."
Formed in 1951, the Joint Commission is dedicated
to improving the quality of the nation’s healthcare
through voluntary accreditation. The Commission stimulates
organizations to meet or exceed quality standards through
accreditation and the teaching of quality improvement concepts.
Helen Hayes Hospital is the largest and most
comprehensive physical rehabilitation hospital in New York
State. It provides both inpatient and outpatient care to individuals
recovering from traumatic injuries and chronic illnesses,
including stroke, spinal cord and head injuries, multiple
sclerosis, orthopedic disorders, cardiac and pulmonary conditions
and cancer. Specialized services include a Prosthetic Orthotic
Center, Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Osteoporosis
Center and aquatic therapy and pain management programs.
"We are extremely pleased to have achieved
this designation," states Magdalena Ramirez, Helen Hayes
Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer. "Accreditation
is a voluntary process, but one that we welcome as a continual
quality improvement mechanism. As a truly comprehensive center
specializing exclusively in physical rehabilitation, our medical,
nursing and therapeutic staff have access to the latest equipment,
enabling them to provide exceptional patient care, and helping
our patients to regain functioning and mobility and to return
home and resume their lives. Helen Hayes regularly achieves
some of the nation’s highest patient satisfaction and
patient outcome scores. Receiving Accreditation with Commendation
is another measure of our excellence as a premier provider
of physical rehabilitation care and reflects our commitment
to our patients."
HOSPITAL APPOINTS NEW PHYSICIAN TO
EXPAND PARKINSON’S DISEASE REHABILITATION PROGRAM
Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw has
appointed Rossella Cavaliere, M.D. to its medical staff as
an attending physician in the Department of Neurology.
Dr. Cavaliere received her medical degree from
the University of Bologna, Italy. She completed an internship
in internal medicine at the Metropolitan Hospital Center,
a neurology residency at St. Vincent’s Hospital and
Medical Center of New York, and fellowships in neurorehabilitation
at the Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and Movement Disorders
at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York.
Dr. Cavaliere is a Diplomat of the American
Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is a member of the American
Academy of Neurology.
At Helen Hayes Hospital, Dr. Cavaliere will
be expanding the Parkinson’s Disease rehabilitation
program, caring for patients on both an inpatient and outpatient
basis. The program offers evaluation and treatment of medical
complications associated with the disease, including cognitive
issues, gait, posture, balance, stiffness, speech and swallowing
disorders, tremors, bowel and bladder problems, pain and sleep
difficulties. In addition, medication regimens for Parkinson’s
can be adjusted and optimized as needed.
For additional information on the Parkinson’s
Disease rehabilitation program, or to reach Dr. Cavaliere,
call 845-786-4459.
HOSPITAL CARDIAC REHABILITATION PROGRAM
AWARDED CERTIFICATION
Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw has
been awarded Program Certification for its Cardiac
Rehabilitation and Wellness Program by the
American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
(AACVPR). Certification recognizes those programs rigorously
reviewed by a national board and found to meet the outlined
essential requirements for standards of care. The Cardiac
Rehabilitation Program at Helen Hayes is the only one to receive
certification in Rockland County.
According to the AACVPR, cardiac rehabilitation
programs are designed to limit the physiological and psychological
effects of cardiac illness, reduce the risk for sudden death
or relapse, control cardiac symptoms, stabilize and/or improve
the patient’s condition, and enhance the patient’s
quality of life. The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Helen
Hayes is multifaceted, utilizing three components to attain
these goals: an inpatient cardiac rehabilitation program,
an outpatient service, and a Wellness Center.
The inpatient program serves about 500 patients
a year, who are admitted directly from an acute care hospital
following open heart surgery or complications after a heart
attack. The program consist of intensive physical and occupational
therapy, as well as nutritional and psychological counseling
and medical management. Approximately one quarter of the hospital’s
inpatients move on to the cardiac outpatient rehabilitation
program, with the remainder of outpatients being referrals
from community physicians. Outpatients, who come an average
of three times a week for three months, benefit from monitored
exercise, educational sessions on diet, stress reduction and
cholesterol management, and life-style modification instruction,
including smoking cessation. Finally, the Wellness Program
is designed to provide ongoing support through exercise sessions
supervised by a trained therapist. Exercise routines are tailored
to an individual’s goals, fitness level and medical
condition. Participants must be referred by their doctor.
"The range of cardiac rehabilitation services
we offer here at Helen Hayes Hospital is one of the most comprehensive
in the nation," explains Marjorie King, M.D., Director
of Cardiac Services. "What we are doing works, as evidenced
by both this prestigious certification and by national, independent
studies which review the outcomes of our patients." These
studies show that three months following discharge, 100% of
Helen Hayes Hospital cardiac patients are living in the community,
compared to 96% nationally, Of that 100%, a full 96% are living
independently, capable of caring for themselves without assistance.
The AACVPR is a national, multi-disciplinary
association dedicated to the improvement of clinical practice,
promotion of scientific inquiry, and advancement of education
for the benefit of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation
professionals and the patients they serve. For more information
about the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Helen Hayes Hospital,
call 845-786-4486.
HOSPITAL AWARDED NIH GRANT
RENEWS SPECIALIZED CENTER OF RESEARCH IN OSTEOPOROSIS DESIGNATION
Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw, New
York has been awarded a five year, five million dollar grant
by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant renews
the hospital’s designation as a Specialized Center of
Research (SCOR) in Osteoporosis, joining Harvard Medical School
as one of only two such centers in the country. The Center
at Helen Hayes is the only site in the nation to hold this
designation continually for 15 years.
The grant will allow scientists at the Helen
Hayes Hospital Regional Bone and Clinical Research Centers
to continue and expand research projects which have been ongoing
for ten years, which involve novel methods of studying the
causes, methods of prevention and potential treatments of
Osteoporosis, a disease which causes weakening of the bones
and a loss of bone mass. Scientists are currently involved
in the study of Parathyroid Hormone (PTH), as a possible treatment
for osteoporosis. The medication has been shown to dramatically
increase bone mass and hopefully reduce the risk of osteoporotic
fractures, even in individuals with severe cases of the disease.
Osteoporosis research at the hospital is a
coordinated endeavor among research scientists and physicians
who examine mechanisms at the cellular and molecular levels.
Clinical studies examine various regimens and protocols in
both men and women with osteoporosis. In addition to new medications,
researchers look at new combinations of drugs.
One of the first sites to study Osteoporosis,
the Center at Helen Hayes Hospital holds an international
reputation for excellence in osteoporosis research. Scientists
have published the results of landmark studies on the use
and effects of estrogen replacement on bone loss, the development
of new medications and the effects of dietary supplements
on Osteoporosis.
Robert Lindsay, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of Internal
Medicine and Director of the Clinical Research Center at Helen
Hayes Hospital, is the primary investigator. Dr. Lindsay also
serves as President of the National Osteoporosis Foundation.
He is joined by a senior research team at Helen Hayes, including
David Dempster, Ph.D., Felicia Cosman, M.D., Jeri Nieves,
Ph.D., and Carmelo Formica, Ph.D.
Osteoporosis is a serious health concern worldwide.
In the United States alone, osteoporotic fractures are expected
to increase from 250,000 in the 1980’s to 650,000 by
2050, resulting in direct health care costs of $240 billion.
With the aging of the baby boom population, the disorder is
expected to affect one in two women and one in five men.
"We are extremely honored and pleased
to be designated as a Specialized Center of
Research in Osteoporosis by the NIH,"
states Dr. Lindsay. "It is a reaffirmation of the tremendous
work we are doing to help prevent and treat this debilitating
disease."
MacArthur Park Dedicated
Ribbon is cut on a magnificent addition to the hospital campus
On Tuesday, August 17th, hospital staff, local dignitaries
and numerous hospital supporters and friends gathered under
a spacious white tent at Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw
for a morning ceremony dedicating the recently completed MacArthur
Park. Joining the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer
and local dignitaries in cutting the ribbon to the Park was
actor James MacArthur. The Park was named in honor of the
hospital’s namesake and Mr. MacArthur’s mother,
the famed actress Helen Hayes MacArthur.
The new addition to the hospital campus has
been a joint effort of many individuals. Funds raised by the
hospital’s Classic Race and the HHH Foundation, along
with donations from the Italian American Social Club of West
Haverstraw and a grant secured by Senator Joseph Holland,
made the Park possible.
Guests were treated to the breathtaking view
of the Hudson River, visible from every area in the Park.
Along with the view, potted plants and flowers and cedar trellises
complete the overall landscape. All can be enjoyed from the
benches placed strategically around the area.
During a brief ceremony at which the plaque
honoring the donors was unveiled, Ms. Ramirez talked about
the inspiration for the Park. "It was planned to accommodate
both recreational and therapeutic purposes," she stated,
"and as you can see, that concept is now a reality. The
fact that this park has been made possible as a result of
a joint public, private and community partnership makes it
very special for all of us here at Helen Hayes Hospital."
James MacArthur, visiting the hospital with
his wife and son specifically for the dedication, shared his
family’s joy in returning to his native Rockland, and
the many memories the region holds. "I know how special
this hospital was to my mother," he said. "There
is a vibrancy here and an indomitable spirit among the patients
and staff. I am thrilled that through this beautiful new Park,
the MacArthur name is now joined to the Helen Hayes name."
In thanking everyone for their generosity,
Niles M. Davies, Jr., President of the HHH Foundation, pointed
out, "The Park will truly benefit the patients who come
here for rehabilitation and I thank everyone for their efforts
in making it a fitting tribute to Mrs. MacArthur’s work
here."
In order to further benefit patient and research
programs at the hospital, the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation
is offering for purchase engraved bricks and bench plaques
for MacArthur Park. The bricks and plaques will commemorate
this new addition to the facility and can be purchased in
memory of or to recognize an individual or business. For additional
information, contact the Foundation office at 845-786-4365.
HOSPITAL DAY CARE CENTER ADDS COMPUTER
LAB FOR KIDS
The TLC Learning Center, a licensed day care
center at Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw, has added
a computer lab to its range of services. The new computers
are available for use by the children enrolled in the Toddler
(ages 3 - 4) and Preschool (ages 4 - 5) programs. TLC is the
only day care center in Rockland County that has a state-of-the-art
computer center geared especially to young children.
A separate computer classroom has been created
to house the new equipment. The computers are specifically
configured for ease of use by children as they are both touch-screen
and mouse driven. They feature an age-appropriate selection
of software, including games and learning programs, for children
of different abilities.
"We are very excited about this new program
and are proud to be the leader in providing this quality of
service to our children," states Kathleen Martucci, President
of the TLC Board and Director of Personnel at Helen Hayes
Hospital. "This is proving to be a banner year for TLC.
In addition to the computer center, we installed a brand new
playground and are in the process of submitting our application
for National Association of Education for Young Children (NAEYC)
certification."
The TLC Learning Center serves up to 52 children,
from infancy up to five years of age. It is open to children
of hospital employees, as well as children from the community.
For additional information on the center, call Vicki Griffin,
Director, at 845-786-4595.
HOSPITAL TO HONOR FORMER PATIENTS
Helen Hayes Hospital will host its 99th annual
"Honors Assembly" on Wednesday, June 9, 1999 at
1:30 PM at the hospital in West Haverstraw. The event is held
every June to recognize patients who have made outstanding
progress in their physical rehabilitation programs over the
past year. Twenty individuals from throughout the New York
Metropolitan/Hudson Valley region will be honored for triumphing
over disability and for their contributions to the community.
The keynote speaker will be Sarah Will, Paralympic gold medalist
and member of the United States Disabled Ski Team.
The individuals receiving awards have been
nominated and selected by the hospital staff. In all instances,
the award recipients have demonstrated determination, strength,
hard work and courage in the face of very challenging circumstances
and obstacles. Through physical rehabilitation, they have
regained functioning and independence to the greatest degree
possible and have acted as role models to other individuals
with disabilities.
This year’s keynote speaker, Sarah Will,
is a native of Rockland County and has participated in the
Paralympic Games in Albertville, Lillehammer and Nagano, taking
home eight gold medals and one silver medal in monoskiing.
Ms. Will serves as a monoski instructor at major ski centers
all over the country and acts as a spokesperson for the General
Motors "Barrier Breakers" program for individuals
with physical disabilities. She has been featured in numerous
television shows and advertisements and is involved in off-road
mountain biking programs for the disabled. A paraplegic as
the result of a skiing accident, Ms. Will used the power of
rehabilitation to resume an active, independent and inspirational
life.
The Honors Assembly has been held every year
since the hospital was founded in the year 1900. It is designed
to acknowledge the significant benefits that rehabilitation
can have on a person’s life and to acknowledge Helen
Hayes Hospital’s commitment to helping individuals live
their lives to the fullest potential.
In addition to family members and friends,
the award recipients will be joined by hospital staff, local
dignitaries, community members and members of the hospital’s
Board of Visitors and Foundation.
Attached is a list of all Honors Assembly awardees.
The public is invited to attend this very inspirational and
moving event. A reception immediately following the ceremony
will take place in the Club Room.
HOSPITAL APPROVED FOR THREE YEAR DEMONSTRATION
PROJECT FOR PROVISION OF SUBACUTE REHABILITATION SERVICES
The Hospital Review and Planning Council of
New York State has approved Helen Hayes Hospital for a three
year Demonstration Project involving the provision of subacute
rehabilitation services in a 25 bed, skilled nursing unit.
The Demonstration Project will provide vital data on the following:
whether patients who receive comprehensive rehabilitation
services within an acute rehabilitation facility will attain
higher levels of functioning and lower post-discharge utilization
of medical services; whether patients will be discharged to
the community at higher rates; and whether their reported
rates of satisfaction with services provided will be higher
than those patients who receive similar services in other
provider settings. This demonstration project is the only
one of its kind in New York State.
In considering and approving the hospital’s
application for the demonstration project, the Hospital Review
and Planning Council noted Helen Hayes Hospital’s expertise
as a nationally renowned specialty physical rehabilitation
facility, serving patients of all ages from the entire metropolitan
region. Council members expressed the advantages of enabling
a patient to receive the full continuum of rehabilitation
care in one facility, reducing disorientation and maximizing
the potential benefits of therapy.
This provision of this new level of service
will enable Helen Hayes Hospital to provide the full continuum
of rehabilitation services, including inpatient acute, subacute,
Day Hospital and ambulatory rehabilitation care. All patients
in the subacute program will receive therapy services and
regular direct, individual contact with the specialty physicians
required for their medical and rehabilitative needs. In addition,
access to the hospital’s host of specialty programs,
such as the heated pool, Center for Rehabilitation Technology
and Prosthetic Orthotic Center, will be available on an as-needed
basis, further enhancing the level of care available. Active
discharge planning and patient/family education will be provided
to maximize independence.
It is expected that over the three year project,
a sufficiently large sample size of patients will ensure a
valid evaluation of outcomes. Working with the New York State
Department of Health, Helen Hayes will compare the outcome
of these admissions with regional and national standards and
with admissions to skilled nursing facilities. As it currently
does with its inpatients, the hospital will utilize the Functional
Independence Measure (FIM) instrument of the nationally-recognized
Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation (UDSMR) for
data collection, outcomes monitoring and benchmarking. The
FoneFIM, used to assess the patient’s status 90 days
following discharge, will also be utilized, along with Press-Ganey
Patient Satisfaction surveys. Helen Hayes Hospital internationally
renowned research staff will participate in data collection
and statistical analysis.
"As the largest medical rehabilitation
hospital in the state, Helen Hayes is ideally suited to conduct
this important project," states Magdalena Ramirez, Chief
Executive Officer. "We believe we can enhance the quality
of life for these patients while substantially reducing long-term
costs and future hospitalizations."
HELEN HAYES HOSPITAL ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION
CHANGES ITS NAME
The Helen Hayes Hospital Citizens Advisory
Council, Inc., which was established in 1981, has formally
changed its name to the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation, Inc.
The
voluntary organization, which is incorporated
in the state of New York as a not-for-profit, acts in a fundraising
and public advocacy role for Helen Hayes Hospital, the largest
and most comprehensive physical rehabilitation hospital in
New York.
Over its 18 year history, the Foundation has
been instrumental in assisting the hospital with the development
of important programs and services. Through sponsorship of
the annual Gala and a variety of other events, the Foundation
has raised funds which have enhanced patient services, allowed
for the purchase of specialized equipment and supported ground
breaking, internationally renowned research. Later this summer,
the group will host a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony
for a new outdoor leisure and recreation area at the hospital,
culminating several years of fundraising activity. Named MacArthur
Park, the new facility has a spectacular view of the Hudson
River.
Foundation members, who hail from around the
Hudson Valley, also act as advocates for the physical rehabilitation
hospital by helping to publicize hospital programs and services.
In discussing the reason for the name change,
Niles M. Davies, Jr., President of the Foundation says, "The
organization is dedicated to helping the hospital further
its mission of providing excellent rehabilitation services
and improving the quality of life for individuals who face
the challenges of physical disability. We felt the new name
more accurately represented our role in this endeavor."
"Helen Hayes Hospital is truly fortunate
to have the support of the Foundation as it pursues this mission,"
explains Magdalena Ramirez, the hospital’s Chief Executive
Officer. "Foundation members are very generous with their
time and efforts and play an active role in supporting hospital
initiatives. All of us at Helen Hayes look forward to continuing
this close relationship, which is invaluable to our patients
and our community."
Following is a listing of Foundation members:
Niles M. Davies, Jr.(Congers) PresidentJohn
Panebianco, (Valley Cottage) Treasurer
Philip Fey, J.D., Ed.D., (Suffern) Vice President Sheldon
S. Horowitz, (New City) Secretary
Milton S. Herman (Monroe)Mark Rothenberg (New City)
Eric Kohlmeier (New City)Jill Sagarin (Seacaucus, NJ)
Bert Rappaport (Upper Nyack)Dennis Salemo (Stony Point)
Frank Reed (Carmel)
HOSPITAL NAMED STATE COORDINATING SITE
FOR NEW YORK STATE OSTEOPOROSIS PREVENTION & EDUCATION
PROGRAM
Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw has
been designated as the Coordinating Center and as the Central
New York Regional Center for the New York State Osteoporosis
Prevention Education Program (NYSOPEP) by the New York State
Department of Health (DOH). The NYSOPEP program is an outgrowth
of the Osteoporosis Education Bill, designed to educate the
general public, patients and healthcare professionals about
lifelong prevention and the importance of early detection,
diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, and to promote excellence
in diagnosis, prevention and treatment through education.
As the Coordinating Center, Helen Hayes Hospital
will develop educational materials, establish model training
programs, develop appropriate web site links between the DOH,
National Osteoporosis Foundation and other resources, and
coordinate an Osteoporosis Advisory Council. These initiatives
will be coordinated with regional NYSOPEP sites at the Hospital
for Special Surgery in New York City, SUNY Stony Brook, SUNY
Health Science Center at Syracuse and the Western New York/Rochester
Regional Osteoporosis Resource Center. Helen Hayes Hospital
will also serve as a regional NYSOPEP site, initiating regional
support groups and educational programs.
A disease which causes weakening of the bones
and a loss of bone mass, osteoporosis is a serious health
concern worldwide. The disorder puts individuals at greater
risk of fractures of the hip, spine, and wrist, leading to
chronic pain and disabling conditions. Up to 30% of individuals
who sustain a hip fracture may require long-term nursing home
care, and only 20% fully regain their prefracture level of
independence. In New York State alone, it is projected that
2.6 million men and women over the age of 50 will have osteoporosis
by the year 2015. By that year, the annual cost of treating
fractures related to osteoporosis is expected to rise to $1.1
billion.
Helen Hayes Hospital is internationally recognized
as a leader in the research and treatment of osteoporosis.
It is one of only two sites in the country designated as a
Specialized Center of Research (SCOR) in Osteoporosis by the
National Institutes of Health, and the only site to hold this
designation continually for 15 years. Scientists have published
the results of landmark studies on the use and effects of
estrogen replacement on bone loss, the development of new
medications and the effects of dietary supplements on Osteoporosis.
For additional information on the NYSOPEP program,
call the Helen Hayes Hospital NYSOPEP office at 845-786-4772.
HOSPITAL APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Ron Zecchin has been appointed Director of
Finance at Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw, reports
Richard Buhowski, the hospital’s Chief Financial Officer.
Mr. Zecchin brings over twenty-five years of
experience in the field of health care finance. He joins Helen
Hayes from the Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital, where
he most recently served as Director of Finance for ten years.
In his new capacity, Mr. Zecchin will oversee
general accounting, payroll and accounts payable functions
at the hospital.
Helen Hayes Hospital is the largest, most comprehensive
physical rehabilitation hospital in New York State, helping
individuals with disabling illnesses and injuries regain function
and mobility.
HOSPITAL SEEKS PARTICIPANTS FOR RESEARCH
STUDY
Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw is
currently recruiting participants for a research study on
new treatments for preventing stroke.
Entitled VISP - Vitamin Intervention for Stroke
Prevention - the research seeks to determine if a daily multivitamin
tablet with high doses of certain vitamins will keep people
who have had a stroke from having another stroke or heart
attack.
To qualify for the study, participants must
have had a stroke within the last 100 days.
The principal investigator of this study is
Laura Lennihan, M.D., the Chief of Neurology at Helen Hayes
Hospital. The project is sponsored by the National Institute
of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, a division of the National
Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Service.
Stroke is the nations’s third leading
cause of death, killing nearly 200,000 Americans every year.
Approximately one third of all stroke survivors will have
another stroke within five years.
For additional information on this research
study, or to be screened for participation, call Laura Tenteromano,
R.N., at 845-786-4854.
HOSPITAL LYMPHEDEMA PROGRAM ACCEPTING
PATIENTS
The Helen Hayes Hospital outpatient rehabilitation
program for individuals with
Lymphedema is currently accepting new patients.
Lymphedema is a swelling of a body part, most often an arm
or leg, which is caused by an abnormal accumulation of lymph
fluid.
The short-term, intensive program seeks to
provide relief to individuals experiencing swelling and pain
in an arm or leg due to Lymphedema or vascular stasis. Individuals
with this condition encounter a loss of mobility and functioning.
Through an individualized treatment program, patients will
be taught to manage Lymphedema on a daily basis and will receive
training in skin care and self bandaging techniques. A garment
will be fit prior to completion of the program. This treatment
regime helps to restore swollen limbs to near normal size.
Every patient will be treated by an occupational
therapist certified in the techniques of Manual Lymph Drainage
(MLD) and Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT).
Individuals with malignant or non-malignant
conditions that result in severe swelling, pain and immobility
are candidates for the Lymphedema program. For further information,
contact Terry Berg at 845-786-4358.
HOSPITAL OPENS SATELLITE PROSTHETIC/ORTHOTIC
OFFICES
Helen Hayes Hospital announces the opening
of two new off-site Prosthetic Orthotic clinics. The clinics,
which opened on Wednesday, April 7, 1999 in Marlboro and Poughkeepsie,
New York, have been established in conjunction with the Taconic
Developmental Disabilities Service Office (TDDSO), which is
operated by the New York State Office of Mental Retardation
and Developmental Disabilities.
The two locations will serve as satellite sites
for the hospital’s main Prosthetic Orthotic Center,
which operates out of the rehabilitation hospital in West
Haverstraw. The Marlboro, Ulster County site is located at
Milton Day Habilitation Center, and the Poughkeepsie, Dutchess
County site is located at the Noxon Road Program Center. Services
will be provided at both locations every Wednesday to consumers
of the TDDSO.
Helen Hayes Hospital board certified prosthetists
and orthotists will be available to meet with TDDSO consumers
for evaluations and fittings. The design and fabrication of
the devices will take place at the hospital’s dedicated,
7,000 square foot prosthetic and orthotic facility in West
Haverstraw.
Helen Hayes Hospital’s Prosthetic Orthotic
Center is the most comprehensive such facility in the New
York-Hudson Valley region. The Center specializes in the custom
design, fitting, and fabrication of a variety of devices,
including sports knee and post polio bracing, myoelectric
prostheses and traditional pediatric and adult prosthetic
designs. The highly trained staff work personally with each
patient to check the fit and comfort of every device, in addition
to educating the patient and any necessary family members
or caregivers in the proper use and care of the prosthesis
or orthoses. Specialized devices can be constructed for recreational,
occupational or other life-style activities. Approximately
95% of prosthetic devices are produced utilizing state-of-the-art
CAD-CAM (Computer Aided Design - Computer Aided Manufacturing)
technology. The service treats adults and children with disabilities,
including cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy,
scoliosis, spinal bifida and amputation
For additional information on the new satellite
centers, or Helen Hayes Hospital’s main Prosthetic Orthotic
Center, call 845-786-4122.
HOSPITAL APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS
Ginalaura Virgintino Harris has been appointed
Director of the Admission Referral Center at Helen Hayes Hospital
in West Haverstraw.
Ms. Harris joins Helen Hayes from Hackensack
University Medical Center, where she served as Network Coordinator
for the Outpatient Adult Clinic. She brings a wealth of experience
in a range of healthcare settings, including hospital, managed
care and homecare. In her position at Hackensack, Ms. Harris
supervised referrals from physicians and managed care, and
educated hospital staff on issues related to the affects of
managed care on referrals and admissions. A nurse for 19 years,
Ms. Harris has also held positions with Physicians Health
Services and US Homecare.
In her new position, Ms. Harris will manage
the operations of the Helen Hayes Hospital Admission Referral
Center, overseeing all inpatient admissions to the facility.
Along with a team of referral specialists and coordinators,
she will work with referring case managers, discharge planners,
social workers, physicians and managed care organizations
to ensure that referrals are processed timely and accurately
and that the admission process works smoothly for both the
patient and the referral source.
Ms. Harris received her undergraduate degree
from Pace University and her masters in health care administration
from Long Island University.
" I look forward to working with the many
healthcare professionals who refer patients to Helen Hayes,"
states Ms. Harris. "The hospital is widely known as a
center of excellence in physical rehabilitation and we want
to make sure we can reach out to all those who can benefit
from our care."
A resident of Orangetown, New York, Ms. Harris
can be reached at the hospital at 845-786-4585. |
