Bon Secours Community Hospital Sponsor of Port Jervis Fitness Loop

Officials and representatives of the agencies that brought the Fitness Loop official signage to Port Jervis: Orange County, Healthy Orange, Bon Secours Community Hospital, the Port Jervis Recreation Commission, Mayor Potter’s Office and the Office for the Aging. 

On Thursday, May 16, the Port Jervis Fitness Loop officially opened with a ceremony held outside Bon Secours Community Hospital, 160 East Main Street.

The Fitness Loop, a designated Orange County Trail, is marked every ¼ mile by oval white signs. The entire loop is 2.25 miles long, and continues down East Main Street to Jersey Avenue, down Jersey Avenue to Pike Street, up Pike Street to East Main Street, and past Bon Secours Community Hospital.

“Many people walk this loop already,” said Port Jervis Mayor Russell Potter. “And with the official marking of it hopefully we can bring more attention to the need for exercise and a healthy lifestyle in town. The path of the loop travels through the heart of town, it is well lit, and well patrolled.”

Jason Rashford, Director of Building Healthy Communities for Bon Secours Community Hospital, added that the hospital is offering an enhancement to the fitness loop with the addition of free blood pressure screenings and BMI (body mass index) monitoring.   “Beginning in June, community members can stop by Bon Secours Community Hospital on Wednesdays from 9 to 11 AM to pick up a fitness tracker, and have their blood pressure and BMI screened and logged”, Rashford stated.

The ceremony opened with comments from the agencies that brought the Fitness Loop official signage to Port Jervis: Orange County, Healthy Orange, Bon Secours Community Hospital, the Port Jervis Recreation Commission, Mayor Potter’s Office and the Office for the Aging.

“This was the result of a great collaboration between Bon Secours Community Hospital, Orange County, the City of Port Jervis and other agencies,” said Bob Dietrich, director of the Orange County Health Department’s Community Health Outreach.

Bon Secours Community Hospital, a member of the Bon Secours Charity Health System, is located at 160 East Main Street in Port Jervis, NY. For additional information call (845) 858–7000 or visit: www.bonsecourscommunityhosp.org

Schervier Pavilion Celebrates National Nursing Home Week

Colorfully costumed Polish Dancers, several social get-togethers including a Mothers’ Day tea, a visit by a popular entertainer, an International Day sampling and a car show were among the many events that occurred at Schervier Pavilion during the celebration of National Nursing Home Week, May 12 – 19.

However, the events are not out of the ordinary for the skilled nursing facility, which is part of the Warwick Campus of Bon Secours Charity Health System.

“Therapeutic recreation,” said Kari Call, “is essential to the quality of life and the quality of care of individuals receiving health and human services.” Call, a certified therapy recreation specialist (CTRS) serves as Director of Recreation at Schervier Pavilion. Her job is to provide recreation resources and opportunities for the residents seven days a week. “We publish a calendar every month that’s filled with interesting and entertaining events for our residents throughout the day as well as some evenings.” she reported.

On Monday, May 13, Schervier Pavilion staff and residents assembled for an opening ceremony hosted by Administrator Lisa Brocky who conducted a special employee and resident recognition program. She began by introducing two residents, Camille Dennono and Ernestine Freisinger, both over age 100 and members of Schervier Pavilion’s Century Club. Brocky then gave out special recognition awards to various departments and to 14 long-term employees for their high standard of dedication, compassion and generosity towards co-workers, residents and their families.

Warwick Mayor Michael Newhard also attended the event and issued a proclamation, declaring this week National nursing home week.

National Nursing Home Week was established by the American Health Care Association to honor those who promote quality of care at nursing home facilities, including residents, family members, volunteers, community, and staff. According to the Association, the theme for this year’s celebration, “Team Care,” is meant to recognize residents and patients in long term and post-acute care settings, the dedicated staff who care for them, and the value of care planning where everyone “pitches in” for optimal outcomes.

“I would like to take this opportunity during National Nursing Home Week,” said Brocky, “to thank all those who provide dedicated and compassionate service for our most vulnerable seniors and persons with disabilities. Thanks to their skill and dedication, we are able to help each resident achieve the highest level of independence possible.”

Schervier Pavilion, a member of the Bon Secours Charity Health System, is a 120-bed skilled nursing facility licensed by the New York State Department of Health. Dedicated to the highest standard of health care excellence, its full range of services, such as its therapeutic recreational program, are designed to respond to each individual’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

In addition to quality long term care services, Schervier Pavilion also offers a wide range of short-term (sub acute) care needs. Its sub acute services include IV therapy, Rehabilitation therapy and wound care. These services afford residents the ability to recuperate for a short time in the sub-acute unit of the facility and then return to the community where they can resume a more independent life. In some cases, they can then enter Schervier Pavilion’s Day-At-A-Time, an innovative medical adult day care program that provides nursing services, medication administration, ongoing evaluations, and stimulating activities tailored to each individual’s needs and abilities.

Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center RN Named Hudson Valley Magazine Top Nurse

Sherry Berbit, RN, BSN, MS, CADC Is Recognized As Top Nurse At Hudson Valley Magazine’s

2013 Excellence in Nursing Awards

Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center chemical dependency RN, Sherry Berbit was recognized as “Top Nurse” at the 2013 Hudson Valley Magazine Excellence in Nursing Awards. Held on Wednesday, May 8th at the Grandview in Poughkeepsie, NY, this sixth annual event pays tribute to the area’s top nurses. 

“Please join me in congratulating Sherry for this prestigious award and recognition.  Her concern for her patients, her compassion, her skills and her holistic approach to excellent patient care are hallmarks of our best nurses at Bon Secours Charity and we are very proud of Sherry’s dedication and service,’’ said Philip Patterson, CEO of Bon Secours Charity Health System.

Ms. Berbit was selected from hundreds of nominations made from peer groups as far north as Albany, into Westchester and as far west as Sullivan County.  Twenty Top Nurse nominees are chosen by a committee of medical professionals and editors of the magazine. The twenty nominees and Top Nurse Award are announced at a dinner paying tribute to nurses during National Nurses Week.

In her 25 years of nursing practices, Sherry has always exemplified Bon Secours Charity Health System’s mission to provide Good Help to Those in Need®.  With the onset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the mid 80’s, Berbit recognized that most people who tested positive for HIV/AIDS had no idea where to turn for help. She led in the local management of the epidemic, often presenting to the Rockland County legislature to ensure funding and services to an underserved population. She also presented at local, state and national conventions through the Talking To Kids About AIDS program. Many of Berbit’s patients first diagnosed in the 80s and 90s are still alive and well, and keep in touch with Sherry, grateful for the lifeline they were given by her.

While working in the chemical dependency and  acute psychiatry departments at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Sherry advocates for the hospitals most challenging patients to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and dignity. She believes that her patients come first even if it means helping them on her own time. She has the compassion and kindness to truly understand her patient’s vulnerabilities and believes that her job is the best job in the world.

Committed to educating her fellow nurses and colleagues about the management of behavioral health patients, Sherry was instrumental in developing the hospital’s Behavioral Rapid Response Team, an innovative service that assists nurses on all units to effectively manage the challenges of psychiatric or addicted patients. She is often the first on the scene in frightening situations where she employs effective techniques to help diffuse tense situations while always maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment.

In addition to Sherry Berbit, Bon Secours Charity Health System is also celebrating the nomination of Dawn Chester, a Med-Surg Nurse at St. Anthony Community Hospital, as one of the top 20 nurses in the Hudson Valley.

Bon Secours Charity Health System Thanks Volunteers

Last year volunteers at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Suffern, NY; St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick, NY and Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, NY donated 48, 248 hours of their time in service.

On April 22 these three hospitals of the Bon Secours Charity Health System invited volunteers to a Recognition Luncheon held at the picturesque Wallkill Country Club in Middletown, NY. It was an opportunity for Bon Secours Charity Health System senior administrators to express their gratitude to the many dedicated men and women, ranging in age from high school students to senior citizens, who donate their time and energy.

In a departure from previous volunteer events, this special day was organized as a theme luncheon in tribute to the famous child movie actress Shirley Temple, 85, and The Good Ship Lollipop, a song featured in her first film, “Bright Eyes.” And there was a surprise visit by ”Shirley Temple,” as played by luncheon coordinator Andrea Studnitzer, who handed out lollipops to all the guests.

Penny Mann, system director of volunteers, acted as emcee for the day and told her audience of volunteers that they were essential to the success of the Bon Secours Charity Health System and that their service had resulted in immeasurable savings in resources that can be employed to provide the best possible healthcare in each community where they serve. “Our hospitals are the good ships and you are the bright eyes,” she said.

Philip Patterson, CEO of Bon Secours Charity Health System, first joked that he had never heard of Shirley Temple but then told a mostly senior audience that it was his grandmother’s favorite actress. On a more serious note, however, he thanked and praised the volunteers for their valuable service to the community. “We appreciate all that you do,” he said.

Jeff Reilly, senior vice president/administrator Bon Secours Community Hospital and St. Anthony Community Hospital, echoed those sentiments. “We could not survive without you,” he said. “You are the heart and soul of our organization.”

Deborah Marshall, vice president of public relations, marketing and strategic planning for Bon Secours Charity Health System, praised the volunteers for the important roll they play in helping to control expenses, which in turn, enables the organization to provide more services and maintain the highest quality healthcare. “We receive all kinds of honors,” she said, “and today, we honor you.”

The Above and Beyond award of excellence for the year went to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center volunteer Sam Yellen who stayed at the hospital and worked around the clock during Hurricane Sandy. “Helping other people is what I do best,” he said.

Volunteers Peggy Costic from Bon Secours Community Hospital, John Jelonek of Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center and Lucy Fischetti of St. Anthony Community Hospital received special awards and gifts for having served the most hours in their local hospitals last years.

During and at the conclusion of the event guests participated in a raffle for gift certificates and merchandise provided by local business.

“It’s wonderful that they do this for us,” said Patrick Colman of Warwick, a longtime volunteer at St. Anthony Community Hospital.

Home Depot Volunteers Build Healing Garden at St. Josephs Place Skilled Nursing Facility

Port Jervis, NY  (April 19) – Early in the morning on Thursday, April 18, a team of 32 skilled Home Depot employees, primarily from Matamoras, Pennsylvania along with volunteers from Home Depot stores in Newton and Riverdale, New Jersey, arrived at St. Josephs Place long-term care facility at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, NY.

At the end of the day, what they accomplished will provide residents of that facility with a furnished roof top garden featuring a pond, waterfalls, flower beds, a 30 foot long pergola, tables with umbrellas and many other amenities. The Home Depot workers generously offered their time and service, without compensation. And on May 16, the Bon Secours Community Hospital Foundation will host a dedication and blessing ceremony for the St. Josephs Place Healing Garden at 5:30 p.m.

The Healing Garden project was made possible through fundraising efforts along with a Bon Secours Health System, Inc. Mission Fund Grant for Healthy Community and a generous Home Depot Foundation Community Affairs Grant. As a result the Bon Secours Community Hospital Foundation was able to raise $56,000 for the Friends of St. Joseph’s Place initiative.

All fundraising efforts and implementation of the project have been lead by Dick McKeeby, a Foundation Board Member and Chair of the Friends of St. Joseph’s Place Committee, in cooperation with St. Josephs Place Family Council. Local corporate donors and vendors include Highland Associates, Home Depot and Royal Furniture.

Residents will also soon be able to enjoy additional improvements to the facility including renovations of the shower area and the purchase and installation of 48 new flat screen televisions. There are also plans to update furniture in the residents’ common area.

St. Josephs Place long-term care at Bon Secours Community Hospital is a 46-bed skilled nursing facility that provides professional care in an interdisciplinary approach to meeting the medical, personal, spiritual and social needs of each of its residents.

For more information, please visit http://bschs.bonsecours.com/our-services-long-term-care-st-josephs-place.html

Tuxedo School District visits the Garden of Hope at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center

Today at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center (a member of the Bon Secours Charity Health System), we had the privilege of hosting a group of “kinderGARDEN” students to assist in preparing and maintaining our Garden of Hope.

The students learned various skills such as planting seeds that included chard and sow pea.  Other accomplishments include tilling of the soil, watering seeds and overall care of a small garden.  Lessons learned today may help shape the interests of students for their future hobbies and possibly even careers!

We would like to take this time to thank the Tuxedo School District for visiting and helping maintain the garden, as well as acknowledge our garden coordinator Anne Meore for all of the hard work and dedication she shows on a daily basis.

Bon Secours Community Hospital Celebrates Opening of Newly Renovated Medical/Surgical Unit

On Thursday, April 4, Bon Secours Community Hospital celebrated the grand opening of its $3.8 million newly renovated Medical/Surgical Unit with a reception and ribbon cutting ceremony.

The state-of-the-art facility, made possible by a Heal New York grant along with additional funding from the Bon Secours Community Hospital Foundation, features 31 beds and 20 private rooms, each with its own bath and shower, climate control and flat screen television.

The new Medical/Surgical Unit’s comfortable accommodations along with the latest medical technology are designed to assist the certified nursing staff in providing the highest quality care for patients while they are in recovery.

“I’m very excited about the opening of this brand new Medical/Surgical Unit,” said Jeff Reilly, senior vice president/administrator Bon Secours Community Hospital and St. Anthony Community Hospital. “This is another step in the improvements at our Port Jervis facility to meet the needs of our community.”

After a brief welcoming ceremony, followed by an invocation and blessing, Port Jervis Mayor Russell Potter joined Bon Secours Charity Health System executives and Bon Secours Community Hospital administrators for an official ribbon cutting.

“This is a big plus,” said Mayor Potter, “not only for the people of the City of Port Jervis but for everyone in the entire area.”

The celebration concluded with all of the guests invited to a reception with refreshments served in the hospital’s cafeteria.

Bon Secours Community Hospital, a member of the Bon Secours Charity Health System, is located at 160 East Main Street in Port Jervis, NY. For additional information call (845) 858–7000 or visit: www.bonsecourscommunityhosp.org

Bon Secours Community Hospital to Participate in National Healthcare Decisions Day April 16

Information Sessions to Explain Importance of Advance Directives 

Port Jervis, NY  (March 28) – Your decisions matter.

On Tuesday, April 16, Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, NY will join with health care facilities, health care professionals, chaplains, the legal community, and others throughout the nation to participate in a collective effort to highlight the importance of making advance healthcare decisions and to provide tools for making these decisions.

The public is invited to Information sessions at the hospital, which will be held that day from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the first floor cafeteria atrium. Patients and their families will have an opportunity to correct misunderstandings about advance healthcare planning and advance directives, ask questions and, if they wish, complete their own advance directives.

Ultimately, National Healthcare Decisions Day strives to provide much-needed information to the public, reduce the number of tragedies that occur when a patient’s wishes are unknown, and improve the ability of healthcare facilities and providers to offer informed and thoughtful guidance about advance healthcare planning to their patients.

“As a result of National Healthcare Decisions Day, many more people in our community can be expected to have thoughtful conversations about their healthcare decisions and complete reliable advance directives to make their wishes known,” said Barbara Dwyer-Anderson, director of Social Work Services at Bon Secours Community Hospital.  “Fewer families and healthcare providers will have to struggle with making difficult healthcare decisions in the absence of guidance from the patient. And healthcare providers and facilities will be better equipped to address advance healthcare planning issues before a crisis and be better able to honor patient wishes when the time comes to do so.”

Bon Secours Community Hospital, a member of the Bon Secours Charity Health System, is located at 160 East Main Street in Port Jervis, NY. For additional information call (845) 858–7000 or visit: www.bonsecourscommunityhosp.org

Second Annual June Tent Party To Be Held June 1st

Event Co-Sponsored by St. Anthony Community Hospital and Warwick Valley Rotary Now Offering Journal Ad and Sponsorship Opportunities

WARWICK, NY (March 17) – Mark your calendars.

The second annual June Tent Party, co-sponsored by St. Anthony Community Hospital and Warwick Valley Rotary will be held from 6-10 p.m., Saturday, June 1, on the picturesque Great Lawn at Mt. Alverno Center in Warwick, NY.

This year’s event, chaired by Leo Kaytes Jr., invites guests to dress in casual chic attire for the evening while enjoying cocktail-style dining, dancing under the stars and live musical entertainment provided by the popular Jeremy Langdale Band.

Tickets are $75 and all proceeds will benefit St. Anthony Community Hospital and Warwick Valley Rotary. Sponsorship and Journal opportunities are currently available. For more information or to purchase tickets, journal ads or sponsorships, contact the Bon Secours Warwick Healthcare Foundation Office at 845-368-5151 or visit www.bschsf.org/warwick.

St. Anthony Community Hospital, a member of Bon Secours Charity Health System, is a non-profit hospital providing emergency, medical, surgical and obstetrical/gynecological acute care services to residents of southern Orange County, New York and Sussex County, New Jersey.

The Warwick Valley Rotary Club is a member of Rotary International and committed to a mission of community service.

What if you could prevent even one family from hearing the words “you have cancer”?

Register Today……Save a Life Tomorrow!

www.cps3hudsonvalley.org

What if you could prevent even one family from hearing the words “you have cancer”?

Cancer Prevention Study-3

This year, you can fight back against cancer by enrolling in the American Cancer Society’s new research study called the Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3). By joining CPS-3, you can help researchers better understand the genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that cause or prevent cancer, which will ultimately save lives.

Who can join the study?

The study is open to anyone who:

• Is between 30 and 65 years old
• Has never been diagnosed with cancer (not including basal or squamous cell
  skin cancer) 

How can you participate?

Step 1: Register

Schedule your enrollment appointment time and location by going to www.cps3hudsonvalley.org 

Step 2: Attend the enrollment session shown below. Only takes 25 minutes!  At enrollment you will sign a consent form, complete a brief survey, provide a waist circumference measurement, and give a small blood sample. 

May 14^th, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center – 11:30am-5:30pm

Step 3: Complete Follow-up Surveys

Complete periodic surveys sent to your home every few years to update your information for the next 20 to 30 years.

For more information, contact Danielle.Heller@cancer.org visit cancer.org/cps3 or call toll free at 1-888-604-5888.

Additional information on our cancer programs found at Bon Secours Charity Health System, please visit our website at http://bschs.bonsecours.com/our-services-cancer-programs.html