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December 13, 2006; PHYSICIAN JOINS MEDICAL STAFF OF REHABILITATION HOSPITAL
Helen Hayes Hospital has announced the appointment of Ferne R. Pomerantz, M.D. to its medical staff. Dr. Pomerantz will serve as Director of Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation at the physical rehabilitation hospital in West Haverstraw.
Dr. Pomerantz joins the hospital from Westchester Medical Center where she served as Medical Director of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Prior to that, she served in a range of rehabilitation capacities at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, The Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, Mt. Sinai Medical Center and Elmhurst General Hospital Center.
Dr. Pomerantz brings a very strong background in the field of rehabilitation medicine, specifically in the area of spinal cord injury. She is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Spinal Cord Injury Medicine and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. In addition, she is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation at New York Medical College in Valhalla. She has lectured extensively to rehabilitation residents at Mt. Sinai and Long Island Jewish and presented talks at various department’s lecture series at New York Medical College, as well as doing community outreach talks for the local community.
Dr. Pomerantz received her undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton and her medical degree from the M.D. Sackler School of Medicine in Tel Aviv. She completed an internship in internal medicine at North Shore University Hospital and a residency at the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine in New York City where she also served as chief resident.
At Helen Hayes Hospital, Dr. Pomerantz will direct spinal cord injury rehabilitation services. Working closely with a interdisciplinary treatment team, she will manage the care of all inpatients on the spinal cord injury unit. In addition, she will be providing outpatient medical care to this patient population.
John Pellicone, M.D., Medical Director states, “We are extremely happy to welcome Dr. Pomerantz to Helen Hayes Hospital. She brings a wealth of expertise in the management of spinal cord injury, which is one of the most devastating injuries an individual can sustain. Utilizing the latest technology and equipment available here at HHH, she will be able to help our patients make the fullest possible recovery.”
Each year, the physical rehabilitation hospital helps hundreds of individuals who have sustained both traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord injuries to make the fullest possible recovery. Intensive physical and occupational therapy, along with medical and rehabilitation nursing care and an array of specialty services, is provided on a specially designated inpatient spinal cord injury rehabilitation unit.
Dr. Pomerantz resides in Scarsdale, New York with her husband, son and daughter.
October 25, 2006: HOSPITAL TO HOST BLOOD DRIVE
Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw will host a Blood Drive on Wednesday, November 8, 2006, from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM in the hospital’s auditorium.
Hudson Valley Blood Services, which operates the drive, has declared an emergency blood shortage. There is a critical need for donors in the Hudson Valley region. All eligible donors are urgently encouraged to come out and donate blood. All donors will receive a small gift in appreciation of their donation. Fasting is not necessary.
Employees, volunteers, visitors, and community members are invited to donate blood. An appointment is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Donors should be healthy, between the ages of 17 and 75, weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated blood in the last 56 days. People over the age of 75 may also participate by presenting a physician’s letter of approval.
For further information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 845-786-4229.
October 23, 2006: Hospital Seeks Female Volunteers For Research Study Into Bone Loss
The Helen Hayes Hospital Clinical Research Center in West Haverstraw is currently recruiting women to participate in a new research study examining treatments for osteoporosis.
To be eligible for the study, a woman must be postmenopausal, in general good health, have osteoporosis as determined by bone mineral density tests or prior osteoporosis related fractures, and either on no treatment currently or on the medications Fosamax or Actonel for at least one year.
Individuals who qualify and participate in the study will receive free treatment with the osteoporosis medicationForteo. Forteo reduces the risk for spine and other non-spine fractures in postmenopausal women. Participants will be reimbursed for time and travel.
For additional information about this study or to learn more about bone health, contact a research nurse: Nancy Barbuto R.N. @ (845) 786-4804, Lillian Woelfert R.N. @ (845) 786-4828, or JoAnn Cruz R.N. @ (845) 786-4802.
October 20, 2006: Rehabilitation Hospital Breaks Ground for New Child Care Center
Helen Hayes Hospital, the state’s largest specialty physical rehabilitation hospital, recently hosted a ground-breaking ceremony to kick-off the construction of a new child care center on the hospital’s campus in West Haverstraw. The new building, which is expected to be completed in 2007, will replace the hospital’s current child care center facility.
On a bright and sunny day, children from the hospital’s child care center were joined by their parents, hospital and child care center board members, hospital staff and members of the community to mark this special occasion. The kids, dressed in plastic hard hats and equipped with brightly colored plastic shovels, threw the fist shovelfuls of dirt on their future home.
Hospital CEO Magdalena Ramirez thanked the many people who have been involved in getting the project up and running. “Today, we have one of the very best child care centers in the state,” she said, “and the new center will enable us to accommodate more children and broaden our already excellent program. For the staff and the community, it is so important to have this center on our campus and we are committed to creating a bright and spacious building which will provide the children with a safe, secure, nurturing and creative environment.”
The hospital’s current child care center, which opened in 1987, cares for 55 infants through pre-schoolers. Approximately 60% are children of employees, with the remaining children coming from the community. The new facility will enable the center to expand to 75 children. The center has been recognized as having a very low staff turn-over rate, promoting the provision of high quality child care.
“We have long dreamed about having a beautiful new building for the children,” Ramirez stated, “and today that dream is one step closer to reality.”
September 13, 2006: HOSPITAL TO HONOR FORMER PATIENTS
Helen Hayes Hospital will host its 106th annual “Honors Assembly” on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at 1:30 PM at the hospital in West Haverstraw. The event, which is taking place during National Rehabilitation Week, recognizes patients who have made outstanding progress in their physical rehabilitation programs over the past year. Sixteen individuals from the New York Metropolitan region will be honored for triumphing over disability and for their contributions to the community.
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.
The Honors Assembly has been held every year since the hospital was founded in the year 1900. During the early years, when the hospital was predominantly a pediatric facility and housed its own school, the event served as a graduation, marking the scholastic and physical progress of the young patients. The famous actress Helen Hayes MacArthur made it a point during her long association with the hospital to attend the event every year and personally present the diplomas and special awards to each patient.
Today, the Honors Assembly 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. It is a moving and inspiring ceremony, unique to the hospital.
In addition to family members and friends, the award recipients will be joined by hospital staff and volunteers, local dignitaries, former honorees, members of the community and the hospital’s Board of Visitors and Foundation.
Attached is a list of all Honors Assembly awardees. The public is invited to attend. A reception immediately following the ceremony will take place in the Noyes Conference Center.
September 13, 2006: HOSPITAL RECRUITS VOLUNTEERS FOR GIFT SHOP
Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw is currently recruiting new volunteers to staff its Gift Shop. Flexible hours are available and no previous retail experience is required. Gift Shop volunteers enjoy a pleasant environment while contributing a valuable service to hospital patients and visitors. Volunteers receive a full orientation to the hospital and the Gift Shop, as well as retail training.
Helen Hayes Hospital is the state’s largest physical rehabilitation hospital, helping individuals recover from traumatic injuries and disabling diseases. All proceeds from the Gift Ship support patient programs and services.
For additional information on the Helen Hayes Hospital Gift Shop, or to volunteer, call 845-786-4210.
September 12, 2006: PHYSICIAN JOIN MEDICAL STAFF OF REHABILITATION HOSPITAL
Helen Hayes Hospital has announced the appointment of Jason P. Greenberg, M.D. to its medical staff. Dr. Greenberg will serve as Director of Stroke Rehabilitation at the physical rehabilitation hospital in West Haverstraw.
Dr. Greenberg joins the hospital from Winston Salem, North Carolina where he served as Assistant Professor of Neurology at North Carolina Baptist Hospital and Wake Forest University in the Division of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases and the Program in Rehabilitation. In addition, he served on the Institutional Review Board at the University and as Assistant Medical Director of the hospital’s brain injury rehabilitation unit.
Dr. Greenberg brings a strong background in the field of neurology research. As co-investigator on a number of studies funded by the National Institutes of Health and private foundations and organizations, he is involved in the study of new treatment modalities and medications to enhance recovery from stroke. His work has been widely published in a number of professional journals and books and he has served as a reviewer for the Journal of Neurological Sciences, the Journal of Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair and Stroke.
A native of Indiana, Dr. Greenberg received his undergraduate degree from Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania and his medical degree from the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. He served as an internal medicine resident at Brown University/Roger Williams College of Medicine and was co-chief resident of neurology at the Boston University Affiliated Hospitals program. Dr. Greenberg went on to clinical and research fellowships in Neurology and Radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, as well as additional training in Clinical Effectiveness at the Harvard School of Public Health.
At Helen Hayes Hospital, Dr. Greenberg will direct stroke rehabilitation services and will also conduct a range of clinical research protocols on stroke. “I am very pleased to join the stroke rehabilitation team at Helen Hayes,” says Dr. Greenberg. “The resources for individuals with stroke at this hospital are tremendous and I look forward to using them and working closely with my colleagues from all disciplines to enable patients to maximize their recovery.”
John Pellicone, M.D., Medical Director states, “We are very happy to welcome Dr. Greenberg to Helen Hayes Hospital. He is a highly skilled neurologist with a tremendous amount of expertise in the care and rehabilitation of individuals with stroke. This expertise, paired with his work in stroke research, will benefit our patients and be a strong asset to the rehabilitation care provided at Helen Hayes Hospital."
Each year, the physical rehabilitation hospital helps hundreds of individuals with stroke to make the fullest possible recovery. Intensive physical, occupational and speech therapy, along with medical and nursing care and an array of specialty services, is provided on a specially designated inpatient stroke rehabilitation unit.
August 15, 2006: HELEN HAYES HOSPITAL FOUNDATION GALA SCHEDULED
The annual Helen Hayes Hospital Gala, a benefit for the physical rehabilitation hospital in West Haverstraw, will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2006 at the Pearl River Hilton in Pearl River, New York. Sponsored by the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation, the theme of this year’s Gala is “Starlight Ballroom.” Two individuals will be honored with the Helen Hayes MacArthur Award at the event, which begins with a cocktail reception at 4:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 5:00 p.m.
Receiving the 2006 Helen Hayes MacArthur Award at this year’s Gala will be Sister Mary Eileen O’Brien, President of Dominican College and retired Port Authority Police Department Lieutenant John McLoughlin. Past recipients include Montel Williams, Governor George Pataki, Christopher Reeve, Rosie O’Donnell, Dikembe Mutombo, Lily Tomlin, Arthur Ashe, John Hockenberry, and Edward James Olmos.
Sister O’Brien is being honored for her commitment to expanding educational opportunities in the healthcare professions. Through her dedication and leadership, the College is at the forefront in the training of nurses, therapists and other healthcare providers, who are in tremendous need nationwide.
A former hospital patient, Lt. McLoughlin is being honored for his unselfish, heroic actions on September 11, 2001 and for his philanthropic community efforts. Over his years of inpatient and outpatient therapy at HHH, Lt. McLoughlin, played by the actor Nicolas Cage in the recently released World Trade Center movie, was an inspiration for numerous other patients dealing with adversity in their lives.
The Gala is held annually to honor the achievements of individuals who help and inspire other people to live their lives to their fullest potential. This commitment is shared by the staff of Helen Hayes Hospital, who work each day toward the singular goal of helping patients achieve maximum independence. The presentation of the Helen Hayes MacArthur Award is a highlight of the Gala evening. The Award was established by the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation to honor the hospital’s namesake, First Lady of the American Theater Helen Hayes MacArthur.
The Gala is the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation’s major fund-raising event. Tickets are $275 and opportunities for sponsorships and advertising space in the Journal are still available. In addition, donations are being accepted for silent auction prizes. For additional information about the Gala, contact the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation Office at 845-786-4365.
July 17, 2006, 2006: AQUATICS PROGRAM OPEN TO COMMUNITY
Exercise in warm water pool offers many benefits
The Aquatics Program at Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw is available to anyone in the community who would like to exercise in the hospital’s state-of-the-art warm water pool, which is heated to 92-94 degrees. The pool has steps with bilateral rails and specialized hydraulic lifts to ensure access for individuals of all abilities, and also offers a flat floor divided into depths of 5’, 4 ’ and 2’ 9” to accommodate comfortable exercise for individuals of all heights.
Therapy staff are certified to offer the Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program (AFAP), to help individuals with arthritis, or other joint problems, to maintain and/or improve their health and well being. An AFAP instructor leads participants in slow, gentle exercise routines. AFAP classes meet twice per week and take place at several times on Tuesdays and Thursdays and at 5:00 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Individuals who simply wish to exercise within the warm water pool may participate in the hospital’s Aquatic Exercise Program. Participants perform their exercise routines independently during 45-minute sessions, and may bring a personal aid for assistance if needed. Sessions are offered on a two or three time per week basis, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The goal of aquatic exercise is to decrease pain and discomfort, while simultaneously increasing physical fitness and relaxation. Warm water immersion lessens the effects of gravity, providing buoyancy and reducing weight-bearing stress on joints, often enabling participants to perform exercises they are unable to do on land. Benefits of aquatic exercise include increased flexibility, strength, coordination and balance, as well as improved circulation. Individuals who can benefit from aquatic exercise include those with back pain, arthritis, joint replacements and neurological conditions.
Neither program is covered by insurance, nor is a physician referral required for participation. Individuals may enroll on a monthly or yearly basis. A lifeguard is on duty at all times. Participants have use of the locker rooms and must wear aquatic shoes when using the pool. For additional information, or to register, call Judy Berenson, C.T.R.S., Aquatics Director at 845-786-4457.
June 1, 2006: HOSPITAL TO HOST BLOOD DRIVE
Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw will host a Blood Drive on Tuesday, June 20, from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM in the hospital’s auditorium. The Drive will be operated by the Hudson Valley Blood Services
All eligible donors, including employees, volunteers, visitors, and community members are urged to donate blood. As blood supplies are dangerously low, the need for donations is great. An appointment is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Donors should be healthy, between the ages of 16 and 76, weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated blood in the last 56 days. People over the age of 76 may also participate by presenting a physician’s letter of approval.
For further information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 845-786-4229.
June 1, 2006: HOSPITAL TO ACCEPT USED NEEDLES
Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw will be accepting used needles, lancets and syringes from Rockland County residents on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 from 10:00 AM until Noon and 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the hospital’s loading dock. This service is part of the Rockland County SHARPS Disposal Program, operated by a coalition of county hospitals and nursing homes, and is free of charge.
Any Rockland resident who uses SHARPS in the home is eligible to participate in this county-wide program. This includes individuals with diabetes or other medical conditions, such as cancer or allergies, requiring medication by injection.
The SHARPS Disposal Program is an environmentally responsible method to dispose of unwanted needles, lancets and syringes, which are a potential danger to sanitation workers and the environment when disposed of improperly. Residents must place the used items into an approved container, which may be obtained from a surgical supply house or pharmacy. When the container is full, it should be closed and brought to one of the collection sites.
SHARPS are collected every month at a designated hospital or nursing home. For additional information on the SHARPS Disposal Program, a schedule of collection sites, or the drop-off at Helen Hayes Hospital, call the Department of Health at 845-364-2615.
May 23, 2006: PHYSICIAN JOINS MEDICAL STAFF OF REHABILITATION HOSPITAL
Helen Hayes Hospital has announced the appointment of Dr. Patricia Falivena to its medical staff. Dr. Falivena began seeing outpatients beginning this month at the physical rehabilitation hospital in West Haverstraw.
For the past 13 years, Dr. Falivena has had a private practice in general adult and adolescent neurology, specializing in epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. She has also served as a member of the active staff at St. Clare’s Hospital in Denville, New Jersey, and prior to that, was an assistant professor of neurology at the University of Cincinnati. Currently, Dr. Falivena serves as the program chairperson and vice president of the New Jersey Academy of Neurology.
Dr. Falivena received her undergraduate degree from The George Washington Uniersity in Washington, DC and her medical degree from The University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey. She completed a Fellowship in Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and a Residency in Neurology at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in New York City.
At Helen Hayes Hospital, Dr. Falivena will be seeing patients with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, and epilepsy. Along with overseeing their medical care, she will be able to refer patients to physical and occupational therapy, aquatic therapy and other services available at the rehabilitation hospital, all provided with the goal of helping patients achieve an optimal level of comfort and function.
“We are very happy to welcome Dr. Falivena to Helen Hayes Hospital,” says John Pellicone, M.D., Medical Director. “She brings a wealth of expertise in the neurology field and patients will benefit from her compassionate care.”
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Falivena, call 845-786-4097
April 28, 2006:EXPANDED COVERAGE FOR CARDIAC REHABILITATION APPROVED
hospital cardiologist plays critical role in advocating for new guidelines
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced expanded coverage for cardiac rehabilitation services to three additional groups of patients. Marjorie King, M.D., a board certified cardiologist who serves as Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation at Helen Hayes Hospital, as well as President of the American Association of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR), strongly advocated for the new policy and played a pivotal role in affecting the change.
Coverage for outpatient cardiac rehabilitation will now be provided to Medicare beneficiaries who have had a heart valve repair or replacement; percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary stenting; or heart or combined heart-lung transplant. Previously, Medicare only covered outpatient cardiac rehabilitation for patients with angina, heart attack or bypass surgery. In announcing the change, CMS stated that cardiac rehabilitation should be comprehensive and include medical evaluation, exercise, education and nutrition services. Patients will be covered for two to three sessions per week for 12 to 18 weeks, and potentially longer based on need.
“This is a tremendous advance for our cardiac patients,” states Dr. King. “ The CMS decision affirms what we have known for some time: that rehabilitation and appropriate treatment is fundamental to improving a cardiac patient’s quality of life. The previous guidelines had not been updated in over 20 years, so it was time for benefits to correspond to the advances we have made in medical care. Through evidence-based care, we know that outpatient cardiac rehab improves patient outcomes.”
In her role as President of AACVPR, Dr. King worked closely with a coalition of professionals to advocate for the change in cardiac rehabilitation benefits, developing Association position statements and traveling to Washington, DC to share information on the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation. “Ultimately, we need to ensure that cardiac patients have access to the care they need to get better,” explains Dr. King.
Along with its inpatient cardiac rehabilitation program, Helen Hayes Hospital provides comprehensive outpatient cardiac rehabilitation services at the physical rehabilitation hospital in West Haverstraw, as well as at it’s satellite site at Nyack Hospital. Rehabilitation programs are tailored to a patient’s needs and goals and include monitored exercise, education and risk factor modification focused on stress, diet, smoking and blood pressure and cholesterol control. Upon completion of the program, patients are reevaluated to measure their functional gains and to provide a prescription for ongoing exercise, which can be pursued in the HHH Wellness Center. Services are provided by a board certified cardiologist, exercise physiologist, nurses, physical therapists and registered dieticians.
In 2003 (the latest year for which full statistics are available), 910,000 individuals died due to cardiac disorders, with 83% of deaths occurring in individuals over 65 years of age. In 2006, it is estimated that heart disease will cost $403 billion health care dollars.
April 10, 2006: GOLF OUTING SCHEDULED
event will benefit physical rehabilitation hospital
The North Rockland Lions Club, in conjunction with the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation, is sponsoring the Robert E. Byrne Golf Outing on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 at the Phillip J. Rotella Golf Course in Thiells, New York. The outing will benefit adapted sports programs at Helen Hayes Hospital, one of the country’s leading specialty physical rehabilitation hospitals, as well as local charities designated by the Lions Club.
For a contribution of $175, golfers are treated to greens fees, use of a cart, brunch, as well as a cocktail reception, dinner, prizes and awards, silent auction, and the chance to win a Cadillac in a “Hole in One,” compliments of Poughkeepsie Chevrolet & Cadillac. Golfers of all abilities are welcome to participate. Prior to the outing’s tee-off time of 11:00 a.m., Jason Birnbaum of Mitchell Spearman Golf will treat golfers to a chipping and putting clinic.
Guests not wishing to golf are welcome to attend the cocktail reception and dinner, which takes place at Kruckers Picnic Grove in Pomona, at a cost of $60. During the dinner, The North Rockland Lions Club, along with members of the Byrne family, will present recognition awards to a volunteer from Helen Hayes Hospital and a volunteer member of the Lions Club.
Helen Hayes Hospital is dedicated to enabling individuals of all abilities to lead active, healthy lifestyles and encourages this through their support of adapted sports and recreation programs. Such endeavors are incorporated into the rehabilitation program, and continue once patients are discharged back to the community. Exposure to new leisure activities, as well as re-introduction to activities favored prior to being injured, speeds the recovery process and demonstrates that living a full and enjoyable life is within reach. Adapted sports and recreation programs include gardening, kayaking, hand cycling, snow skiing, golf and sailing.
For additional information on the golf outing on June 14, or to register, call the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation at 845-786-4365.
April 6, 2006: ADAPTED GOLF WORKSHOPS & OUTINGS SCHEDULED
Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw has announced the schedule for the upcoming season of its GolfAbility program. GolfAbility is an adaptive golf instruction program to teach the basics of golf to individuals with disabilities.
Seven GolfAbility workshops and two GolfAbility outings have been scheduled to run from May through September. The workshops will take place at the GolfAbility center, which is located on the campus of the physical rehabilitation hospital. The center consists of a 1300 square foot synthetic putting green with six cups and three accessible netted tee areas. Participants will learn how to use appropriate adaptive golf equipment, including single-rider carts. A single-rider cart is a specially equipped golf cart that allows a disabled golfer to play seated or standing, directly from the cart, and can be driven right on to the green. The two outings will take place at a local golf course.
All workshops will be conducted by Joyce Fried, LPGA, who will be assisted by recreational therapists. Sessions will start with a group lesson and then participants will break into small groups to practice concepts learned during the lesson as well as building on skills learned in previous sessions. The cost of each workshop is $15 per golfer. The GolfAbility programs will take place from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and each workshop will be limited to 14 participants. Dates are as follows.
Workshops: May 15, June 5, June 19, July 10, July 24, August 7 August 21,
Outings: June 12 and September 11
Information on cancellations due to weather conditions can be obtained by calling 845-786-4484 after 1:00 p.m. on the day of a scheduled program.
GolfAbility is open to individuals who may have played prior to acquiring a disability and individuals who are new to the sport. The program seeks to prevent golfers from giving up the game due to injuries, orthopedic impairments, cardiopulmonary disease, stroke, arthritis and other age related conditions. It also seeks to encourage people of all abilities to take up the sport, including individuals with spinal cord injury or amputation.
GolfAbility has been made possible through support of the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation and the North Rockland Lions Club.
Pre-registration for workshops is required and participants must complete a GolfAbility application form in advance. The $15 registration fee should be made payable to the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation. Participants may register for as many workshops as they wish, but priority will be given to new participants. Checks received after a class has been filled will be returned. Registered participants will be called one week prior to each workshop to confirm acceptance status.
For additional information or an application form, call Eileen Andreassi at 845-786-4113.
April 5, 2006: SPRING ADAPTED SPORTS & RECREATION PROGRAMS
Helen Hayes Hospital is offering information on several adaptive sports and recreation activities to take place this spring and summer. All are designed specifically for individuals with physical disabilities.
Adaptive Sailing - workshops will take place on Wednesday, April 26 and Wednesday, May 3 from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm at Helen Hays Hospital. Members of the Nyack Boat Club will offer an introduction to sailing for individual with disabilities. On Friday, May 19, there will be an adaptive sailing clinic at the Nyack Boat Club, as part of their annual Tappan Zee Regatta, which takes place on May 20-21. Members of the US Paralympic sailing team will be on hand, there will be an expo of adapted sailing information and individuals will be able to sail using modified boats and equipment. For information, call 845-786-4113.
Adapted Gardening Workshop - scheduled for Saturday, May 20 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the hospital in West Haverstraw. The program, which is being sponsored in cooperation with the Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland County, will provide an overview of spring planting, adapted tools and techniques and practice planting flowers in beds. Registration is $5.00 For information, call 845-786-4113.
Adaptive Kayak and Paddling Clinic - scheduled for Wednesday, May 24, 2005 from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. The program is offered by Atlantic Kayak Tours and will take place at their Annsville Creek Paddlesport Center, located at Annsville Circle in Peekskill, on the Hudson River. Atlantic Kayak staff will provide instruction on how to adapt and modify equipment to ensure successful and safe paddling. There will also be a lesson on basic paddling techniques. Participants will then have the opportunity to try out the kayaks and their newly learned paddling skills by going out on the water, under the supervision of trained and certified coaches. Pre registration for this workshop is required and the fee is $15.00 For information, call 845-786-4113.
Handcycling – a free handcycling clinic will be held in conjunction with United Spinal on Wednesday, June 14 at 3:30 p.m. at the hospital. Participants will be able to view the latest in handcycling equipment and will be able to try out the sport, which offers a terrific workout. Pre-registration is required. For information, call 845-786-4225.
Adaptive Softball – a game is scheduled for Wednesday, July 19 at 4:00 p.m. at the rehabilitation hospital in West Haverstraw. The United Mets softball team, associated with United Spinal, will provide a lesson on how adapted softball is played. Tem members will bring adapted equipment and participants will play a full game. Pre-registration is encouraged. For information, call 845-786-4113.
GolfAbility - is an adaptive golf instruction program to teach the basics of golf to individuals with disabilities. GolfAbility workshops are scheduled for: May 15, June 6 & 19, July 10 & 24, August 7 & 24. Workshops are $15 per session. GolfAbility outings will take place on a local golf course and are scheduled for June 12 and September 11. For information on the workshops or outings, call 845-786-4113.
For information on any adaptive sports program, call Eileen Andreassi in the Recreational Therapy Department at Helen Hayes Hospital at 845-786-4113.
April 3, 2006: HELEN HAYES HOSPITAL PROSTHETIC ORTHOTIC CENTER OFFERS CRANIAL REMOLDING ORTHOSIS
Helen Hayes Hospital announces that its Prosthetic Orthotic Center now offers cranial remolding helmets for the treatment of plagiocephaly.
Plagiocephaly is an unusual flattening of a baby’s head due to pressure on the still soft skull. It may be characterized by a flattening on one side or the entire back of the head, and possibly an asymmetric forehead and ears. Diagnoses of plagiocephaly have risen dramatically since the institution in 1992 of the “Back to Sleep” program, which has been effective in preventing sudden infant death syndrome. The additional time that babies spend in car seats and other supine positions places them at increased risk of developing plagiocephaly, which is also common in premature and multiple births. Cranial remolding helmets work to redirect the child’s natural head growth toward greater symmetry. This is accomplished by maintaining contact over the prominent areas of the cranium, allowing room for growth in the areas of flattening. The cranial orthosis can be used in children from three to eighteen months of age. Typically, the child wears the helmet for three to four months.
Cranial orthoses are FDA approved and have been prescribed by pediatricians for the treatment of plagiocephaly for over 25 years. The first article written about cranial remolding orthoses to treat plagiocephaly was written by Dr.’s Clarren, Smith and Hanson in 1979 in a study done at the University of Washington.
A physician’s prescription for the device is required. ABC certified orthotists in the Helen Hayes Hospital Prosthetic Orthotic Center will measure the child, then fabricate a custom-made cranial remolding helmet to meet the child’s individual needs. The device will then be fit to the child and adjusted as the child’s head reshapes.
For additional information on cranial remolding helmets, insurance coverage, or to schedule an appointment, call the Helen Hayes Hospital Prosthetic Orthotic Center in West Haverstraw at 845-786-4122, or in Poughkeepsie at 845-471-3703. Services are provided at both locations.
March 27, 2006: EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR NEW YORK STATE DESIGNATED STROKE CENTERS SCHEDULED
The New York State Department of Health and Helen Hayes Hospital are co-sponsoring a one-day educational conference, “New York State Department of Health Stroke Center Designation Project: An Update for Designated Hospitals,” on Thursday, May 11, 2006 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the physical rehabilitation hospital in West Haverstraw. The program is open to staff of New York State Designated Stroke Centers, including physicians, nurses, emergency room personnel, therapists, case managers and others.
The conference focuses on bringing together healthcare professionals at the Designated Stroke Centers across the state for the purpose of sharing experiences, relaying the most recent data and laying out plans for the future. Updates on evidenced based practice and a discussion of operational issues at rural, urban, upstate and downstate centers will take place.
The conference will begin with a keynote address by Dr. Antonia Novello, New York State Commissioner of Health, who will speak on Stroke in New York State: the Individual and Public Health Impact. Physicians and nurses specializing in stroke, from facilities across the state, will present on an array of subjects, including: advances in acute management of stroke; emergency response to acute stroke; secondary stroke prevention; educating the public about stroke; the role of rehabilitation in stroke recovery; nursing strategies to improve outcomes; the role of telemedicine and outcome measures. Department of Health staff will also speak on progress made during the first two years of the stroke center designation project.
Continuing education credits will be granted. Tuition is $100 per person, which includes continental breakfast and lunch. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. For additional information, or to register, call 845-786-4225.
In August 2004, Dr. Antonia Novello, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, established designated stroke centers statewide to improve the standard and access to quality of care for patients with a presumptive diagnosis of stroke.
Founded in 1900, Helen Hayes Hospital is one of the nation’s premier physical rehabilitation hospitals, offering an extensive continuum of care and an array of specialty services to individuals with stroke, enabling them to resume active and healthy lives.
March 27, 2006: HOSPITAL HOSTS ART EXHIBIT
Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw is hosting an exhibit, entitled “An Array of Genres in Oil,” featuring the paintings of John B. Fragale. The exhibit will be on display in the Atrium from April 3 through 30, 2006.
A resident of Bardonia, Mr. Fragale has been painting for many years and specializes in both landscape and portrait paintings. He has a diversified background in the artistic field, including positions in stage designing, graphic arts, and as an art instructor. He has exhibited his paintings at the IBM Gallery of Arts & Sciences and Lever House in New York City, as well as in several venues within Rockland County. At Helen Hayes Hospital, he will be showing an array of portraits and landscape works in oil.
The exhibit at the physical rehabilitation hospital is open to the public on a daily basis and is free of charge. For additional information, call the Public Relations office at 786-4225.
March 27, 2006: HELEN HAYES HOSPITAL PROSTHETIC ORTHOTIC CENTER OFFERS CRANIAL REMOLDING ORTHOSIS
Helen Hayes Hospital announces that its Prosthetic Orthotic Center now offers cranial remolding helmets for the treatment of plagiocephaly.
Plagiocephaly is an unusual flattening of a baby’s head due to pressure on the still soft skull. It may be characterized by a flattening on one side or the entire back of the head, and possibly an asymmetric forehead and ears. Diagnoses of plagiocephaly have risen dramatically since the institution in 1992 of the “Back to Sleep” program, which has been effective in preventing sudden infant death syndrome. The additional time that babies spend in car seats and other supine positions places them at increased risk of developing plagiocephaly, which is also common in premature and multiple births. Cranial remolding helmets work to redirect the child’s natural head growth toward greater symmetry. This is accomplished by maintaining contact over the prominent areas of the cranium, allowing room for growth in the areas of flattening. The cranial orthosis can be used in children from three to eighteen months of age. Typically, the child wears the helmet for three to four months.
Cranial orthoses are FDA approved and have been prescribed by pediatricians for the treatment of plagiocephaly for over 25 years. The first article written about cranial remolding orthoses to treat plagiocephaly was written by Dr.’s Clarren, Smith and Hanson in 1979 in a study done at the University of Washington.
A physician’s prescription for the device is required. ABC certified orthotists in the Helen Hayes Hospital Prosthetic Orthotic Center will measure the child, then fabricate a custom-made cranial remolding helmet to meet the child’s individual needs. The device will then be fit to the child and adjusted as the child’s head reshapes.
For additional information on cranial remolding helmets, insurance coverage, or to schedule an appointment, call the Helen Hayes Hospital Prosthetic Orthotic Center in West Haverstraw at 845-786-4122, or in Poughkeepsie at 845-471-3703. Services are provided at both locations.
March 8, 2006: HELEN HAYES HOSPITAL RESEARCHERS AWARDED MAJOR OSTEOPOROSIS GRANT FROM NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
The world renowned osteoporosis research team at Helen Hayes Hospital, New York State’s premier physical rehabilitation and research facility, has been awarded a further five year $2.5 million osteoporosis research grant by the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin diseases (NIAMS), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The hospital’s researchers were awarded this current grant to study how parathyroid hormone rebuilds bone structure that is destroyed by the devastating bone-wasting disease osteoporosis. Parathyroid Hormone (Teriparatide), which was approved for treatment of osteoporosis by the Food and Drug Administration in 2003, is the only osteoporosis medication currently available that actually rebuilds bone and reverses the damage caused by the disease. Lead investigator Dr. Robert Lindsay explains it this way. “As bone mass is lost the structural components of bone are also lost. This change in bone architecture is a major reason for the bone fractures that result from osteoporosis. That teriparatide restores the architecture of bone is clear, but how it does so is still not fully understood. This grant will allow us to study, in humans, the ways in which teriparatide stimulates the formation of new bone tissue. This has the potential to benefit all patients who have osteoporosis today and give us insight into other ways that treatments could benefit bone, potentially leading to a cure for this debilitating disease.”
The award-winning osteoporosis group, led by Dr. Robert Lindsay, includes other internationally renowned investigators at Helen Hayes Hospital including Dr. Felicia Cosman, Dr. David Dempster and Dr. Jeri Nieves.
The team at HHH has spent several years studying parathyroid hormone (teriparatide), and the researchers are recognized as pioneers in their knowledge about its effects on bone. In a paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine* earlier this year, on a study led by Dr. Felicia Cosman, the group showed that parathyroid hormone uniquely stimulates the formation of new bone, and does so even in patients previously treated with alendronate (Fosamax), currently the most commonly used treatment for osteoporosis. Dr. Lindsay noted, “This study is an exciting and logical follow on to that paper. Here we are examining how parathyroid hormone affects cells in bone in women with osteoporosis.” Dr. Jeri Nieves, who will spearhead the statistical analysis of this new study, noted that, “this study is carefully designed to yield the maximum information. One exciting feature is that all participants receive free treatment and medical care throughout the study.”
The group at Helen Hayes Hospital has been in the forefront of osteoporosis research, supported by the National Institutes of Health for almost 20 years, with ground breaking research into the structural changes occurring in bone as osteoporosis develops, as well as into strategies for treatment of the disease. In addition, Helen Hayes Hospital coordinates the New York State Osteoporosis Prevention and Education Program (NYSOPEP), for which Dr. Nieves is the principal investigator and Dr. Lindsay a member of the State Advisory Council. The investigators are faculty members of Columbia University. Dr. Cosman is medical director for the National Osteoporosis Foundation and Dr. Lindsay serves as a Foundation board member. In addition to research, the osteoporosis programs at Helen Hayes Hospital include an inpatient post hip fracture rehabilitation service, bone density screening, and an outpatient metabolic bone disease clinic, particularly for osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a disease of the skeleton in which the bones become weak and break easily. Osteoporosis causes more than 1.5 million bone fractures each year in the USA alone, and as the population of baby boomers ages, the problem will only become greater. It is estimated that as many as 40 million Americans have or are at risk of osteoporosis. In 2002, it was estimated that $18 billion was spent treating Americans with osteoporosis-related fractures. These fractures, especially fractures of the hip, can result in death, loss of independence, and are one of the leading reasons women enter nursing homes in the United States.
To learn more about this and other studies at Helen Hayes Hospital, call 845- 786 –4804.
*Cosman et al NEJM July 2006
March 7, 2006: REHABILITATION HOSPITAL TO SPONSOR ADAPTED GOLF WORKSHOP
Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw, New York will sponsor a half-day educational program, “Tee Off Time for Adaptive Golf: playing, teaching, establishing a program,” on Monday April 10, 2006 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The program is designed for professionals who teach golf, or are involved with adaptive opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities, including PGA and LPGA pros, therapeutic recreation specialists, physical and occupational therapists and parks and recreation staff.
Helen Hayes Hospital’s GolfAbility specialists will share their expertise on what is involved in setting up an adaptive golf program, including options for funding. They will discuss individuals who may benefit, including those with spinal cord injury, amputation, stroke, arthritis and other mobility impairments, and how these individuals can best be accommodated on the course. Participants will learn about adaptive equipment which is available, including single rider carts, and will able to try out adaptive techniques, skills and equipment during the hands-on session of the program.
Program instructors will be: Eileen Andreassi, CTRS, Director of Recreational Therapy, Helen Hayes Hospital; David Wickes, CTRS, Recreational Therapist, GolfAbility Coordinator, Helen Hayes Hospital; and John Stuart, Instructor, Eastern Amputee Golf Association. Recreation Therapists will receive three continuing education units (CEU’s) for attendance. In addition, the LPGA has approved the course for two non-LPGA certification units (CU’s) and PGA credits are pending.
This program is free of charge. Space is limited and registrations will be accepted on a first-call basis. To Register, or for additional information, call 845-786-4200
GolfAbility is Helen Hayes Hospital’s instructional program to teach the basics of golf, and promote golf as a rewarding leisure activity, to individuals with disabilities and mobility impairments. The program encourages individuals with disabilities who have never considered golf to take up the game and also seeks to prevent golfers from giving up the game due to injury, illness or age related conditions. GolfAbility is funded through the continuing support of the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation and the North Rockland Lions Club.
Helen Hayes Hospital is one of the nation’s leading specialty physical rehabilitation hospitals, helping to restore mobility and independence to individuals recovering from catastrophic injuries and chronic debilitating illnesses, enabling them to move on to active and productive lives.
February 7, 2006: HOSPITAL TO HOST OSTEOPOROSIS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
The New York State Osteoporosis Prevention and Education Program (NYSOPEP) headquartered at Helen Hayes Hospital will be offering comprehensive Bone Health Education Seminars this spring. The seminars will be repeated on four dates:
- Monday, March 6. 2006
- Tuesday April 4, 2006
- Tuesday, May 16, 2006
- Tuesday, June 13, 2006
All programs will take place from 10:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the physical rehabilitation hospital in West Haverstraw.
The seminars are open to hospital patients, as well as individuals in the community who have already had a bone mineral density test or are interested in learning more about the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Participants will learn what their bone density test results mean, how to promote healthy bones and how to reduce the risk factors for osteoporosis and fracture. The most current information about nutrition, exercise and medications available for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis will also be discussed.
The Bone Health Seminars are free of charge and open to the public. Pre-registration is required. For additional information, or to register, call 845- 786-4701.
January 19, 2006: HOSPITAL TO HOST BLOOD DRIVE
Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw will host a Blood Drive on Tuesday, February 7, 2006, from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM in the hospital’s auditorium.
Hudson Valley Blood Services, which operates the drive, has declared an emergency blood shortage. In particular, there is a critical need for donors with O- and B- blood types. All eligible donors are urgently encouraged to come out and donate blood. All donors will receive a free total cholesterol screening. Fasting is not necessary.
Employees, volunteers, visitors, and community members are invited to donate blood. An appointment is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Donors should be healthy, between the ages of 17 and 75, weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated blood in the last 56 days. People over the age of 75 may also participate by presenting a physician’s letter of approval.
For further information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 845-786-4229.
January 19, 2006: HOSPITAL RECRUITS VOLUNTEERS FOR GIFT SHOP
Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw is currently recruiting new volunteers to staff its Gift Shop. Flexible hours are available and no previous retail experience is required. Gift Shop volunteers enjoy a pleasant environment while contributing a valuable service to hospital patients. Volunteers receive a full orientation to the hospital and the Gift Shop, as well as retail training.
Helen Hayes Hospital is the state’s largest physical rehabilitation hospital, helping individuals recover from traumatic injuries and disabling diseases. All proceeds from the Gift Ship support patient programs and services.
For additional information on the Helen Hayes Hospital Gift Shop, or to volunteer, call 845-786-4210. |
