Read the full issue of Kids First.

KidsFirst
Fall 2012
• A publication of the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York
Miss America Celebrates
Miracles at CCMC
KidsFirst
Michael Dowling
President and CEO
North Shore-LIJ Health System
Arthur Klein, MD
Senior Vice President for Children’s Services
Regional Executive Director, Western Region
North Shore-LIJ Health System
Chief of Staff
Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical
Center of New York
Kevin McGeachy, FACHE
Executive Director
W
e hope that you enjoyed your summer and are having a pleasant
fall. Thank you to all who have continued to support our
important work keeping children safe and making their lives
better when illness befalls them. Our summer was busily spent preparing for
the opening of our new inpatient facility in the first quarter of next year.
While we have spent a great deal of time working with our staff, parents on
our Family Advisory Committee, children who have been patients and our
Kevin Dwyer
Senior Vice President
Chief Development Officer
North Shore-LIJ Health System Foundation
leadership designing what the space will look like and what amenities will be
Kevin Carraccio
Vice President of Development
Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical
Center of New York
In our current inpatient facility, we are installing a pediatric exclusive cardiac
Barbara Mlawer
Associate Director of Communications
present, we have simultaneously spent considerable time ensuring that quality
and safety is at the heart of all we do. A number of facility enhancements in
the new and existing buildings will be key to our future efforts in this area.
catheterization laboratory for minimally invasive diagnostic and treatment
procedures. This facility was made possible in large part due to the generosity
of one of our community members — Jay Goldman — who has been
extremely helpful to us in recent years.
We are also very excited to be the only children’s hospital in New York that
was chosen to participate in a safety and quality collaborative being led by a
consortium of children’s hospitals in Ohio. This federally funded work group
Terence Lynam
Vice President
Public Relations
Brian Mulligan
Assistant Vice President
includes 25 children’s hospitals across the nation and was launched earlier this
year. It is an ongoing forum where qualitative measures will be evaluated and
implemented to increase safety and quality across many areas of the hospital.
Lastly, we are so pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Charles
Schleien as our chairman of pediatrics. Dr. Schleien, in conjunction with our
chief quality officer Fiona Levy, MD, will be integral to moving many of our
quality, safety and research endeavors forward. You can read more about him
on page 3.
Kids First is a joint publication of the Public
Relations Department and the Foundation of the
North Shore-LIJ Health System Foundation.
For more information about making a contribution
to support the Steven and Alexandra Cohen
Children’s Medical Center of New York, please call
516-465-2562 or visit giveccmcny.org.
2
Kids First I Fall 2012
Again, we thank you for your partnership as we work to continually improve
the quality of care and level of service offered in your children’s hospital.
Arthur Klein, MD
Regional Executive Director, Western Region
New Chair of Pediatrics to Expand
Academic and Research Initiatives
C
harles Schleien, MD, MBA, has
joined the Steven and Alexandra
Cohen Children’s Medical Center
(CCMC) of New York as Chair of Pediatrics.
He will focus on expanding the scope of academic and research programs at CCMC, as well
as extending the reach of its clinical subspecialties within the New York metropolitan region.
Before joining CCMC in May, Dr. Schleien
was executive vice chairman in the
Department of Pediatrics at the Columbia
University College of Physicians and
Surgeons, and professor of pediatrics and
anesthesiology at New York Presbyterian
Hospital/Columbia University. He is past
director of the Division of Pediatric Critical
Care Medicine, which he founded upon his
arrival at Columbia in 1999. Dr. Schleien
also served as medical director of the pediatric intensive care unit at the Morgan Stanley
Children’s Hospital of Columbia University.
A longstanding member of the American
Heart Association–Emergency Cardiovascular
Committee, he was instrumental in formulating
the international pediatric guidelines in CPR. His clinical interests include cardiopulmonary
resuscitation, neuroresuscitation, pediatric
bioethics and pediatric administration.
“Joining the Cohen Children’s Medical
Center and the vibrant North Shore-LIJ
Health System is a very exciting opportunity
for me,” said Dr. Schleien. “I am proud to
be part of an institution that is nationally
recognized as a leader of clinical excellence
in pediatric medicine.”
In his first year, Dr. Schleien will be working with the hospital’s physicians and administrators to grow and extend the reach of
clinical service offerings in key subspecialties
within the community, develop the pediatrics
curriculum for the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ
School of Medicine and refine the residency
program to foster more mentoring in scholarly
activities and research. CCMC’s pediatric training program is one of the largest in the United
States, developing a significant proportion of
Our Children
Need Your Help
the pediatricians
and pediatric subspecialists who are
the future of this
medical field.
“To have an
imprint on the
budding teaching
programs of Cohen
Children’s Medical
Center will be
a tremendous
Charles Schleien, MD,
accomplishment,”
MBA
said Dr. Schleien.
“I am looking
forward to helping the hospital raise its
academic stature through the new medical
school and residency training programs.”
Dr. Schleien previously served as director
and fellowship director of pediatric critical
care medicine in the Department of
Pediatrics at the University of Miami/Jackson
Memorial Medical Center and professor of
pediatrics and anesthesiology at the
University of Miami School of Medicine. Dr. Schleien received his medical degree
from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine
and a Master of Business Administration
from Columbia University. He completed a
pediatric residency at Texas Children’s
Hospital and Baylor University Affiliated
Hospitals in Houston, as well as an
anesthesia residency and fellowship in
pediatric critical care medicine at
The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.
Dr. Schleien is also beginning a major
recruitment effort for leadership to assist
him in expanding the hospital’s clinical
research endeavors. “We have very strong
research programs in cancer and hematology,
immunology, cardiology and infectious
diseases,” said Dr. Schleien. “Now we are
looking to leverage the resources of our
large and comprehensive healthcare system
to strengthen our abilities in genetics,
personalized medicine and health outcomes.”
Regardless of what is happening in
the world — politics, the economy,
even the weather — our children
need food, shelter, medical care
and love. Have you ever thought
about helping the children in our
community? There is one simple way
to do this without affecting your
current lifestyle: Include a gift
(“bequest”) in your will for Cohen
Children’s Medical Center.
Some of our community members
who have included a gift have done
so after reflecting upon the loving
care their child received, to honor
a spouse who helped to build the
Hospital decades ago, to thank a
doctor or nurse for quality care
and to memorialize a beloved
family member.
Every child is unique, and every
situation is unique. If you would like
to discuss a way to make a difference
and help our children, contact
Alexandra Brovey, senior director of
gift planning, at 516-465-2610 or
[email protected].
On behalf of our children,
we thank you!
The best way to stay up-to-date on all of the developments at Cohen Children’s Medical Center is to follow us on Facebook
at facebook.com/CCMCNY.
Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York I 3
More than Just the
ABC’s: Schools Rock at
Community Fund-Raising
Back-to-school is an
exciting and hectic time for
children and their teachers. New
books, new backpacks, new lunch
boxes and new clothes — all
popular and must-have items on
any back-to-schooler’s list. But for
an increasing number of students,
their teachers and their principals,
back-to-school time also means
the start of a new or recurring
fund-raising program.
4
Kids First I Fall 2012
S
“
choolchildren are powerful fund-raisers,” said Kevin McGeachy,
executive director of Cohen Children’s Medical Center
(CCMC). “Whether the child himself or herself, a brother
or sister or a classmate has had an experience here at this hospital
or another hospital, they recognize the importance of helping the
community care for the community.”
Part of that helping is raising funds to support the critical services
that children need when they have to spend time in the hospital.
From pet therapy programs, where dogs come to visit children in the
hospital, to in-house bingo and holiday parties, to new pieces of technologically advanced equipment for the intensive care units, the services
that each and every dollar raised provides are so important to the
hospital and the community members who will be the recipients.
Schools are increasingly some of the strongest partners in hospital
fund-raising to meet current real-time needs.
“Kids know what they would like the hospital to be like if they
were to have to go there,” said Mr. McGeachy, “and they want to help
make it that way for the kids who need it each and every day.” And
children are often the most creative fund-raisers. “They have all the
energy in the world,” said Kevin Carraccio, vice president of development for CCMC, “and they look at things from a fresh perspective
when they take on a cause.”
Two examples came to mind when school fund-raisers were recently
the topic of discussion at a hospital staff meeting: Old Bethpage
Elementary School and Sewanhaka High School.
Old Bethpage Elementary School
A Broadway-style performance of “The Lion King” was performed
at the school with the professionalism and grace of children who have
trained with the experts for years. Mrs. Dubrow’s and Mr. Sidito’s thirdgrade classes captured the audience with their poise, articulation and
stage presence beyond their years. The costumes, stage design and
special effects were worthy of the acclaimed Broadway production.
Even more impressive was the charitable donation of more than
$8,000 presented to CCMC at the conclusion of the show. These funds
were raised by the students to support their local children’s hospital.
Several of the students had been patients and understood, along with
their parents, the importance of supporting a charity that could impact
them personally if they ever needed specialized medical care.
Making a donation boosted their self-esteem and helped the students
realize they can make a difference in someone’s life. The pride they
felt from knowing they had helped other children who were sick or
injured was an important learning experience and can be accomplished by children of any age, using a variety of fund-raising ideas.
Sewanhaka High School, National Honor Society and Key Club
A positive experience with the Division of Pediatric Cardiology and
Angela Romano, MD, at CCMC was the inspiration for Sewanhaka High
School students Marilyn Bird and Rachel Trifon to organize a fund-raising
event on February 7, 2012: the “Heart to Heart Fashion Show.”
Their organizational skills and dedication produced a professionally
styled runway fashion show. The music, production and choice of
dresses and tuxedos played to a packed and beautifully decorated gym
that generated awareness in the community about the services and
expertise of the pediatric cardiologists at CCMC and raised a total of
$8,000 that will enhance programs in the Children’s Heart Center.
“We welcome the involvement of the community at all levels, but
especially when we can reach groups and people we wouldn’t traditionally have much contact with, such as schools,” said Mr. Carraccio.
“Whether a school or an individual class participates in Miracle Jeans
Day or a dress-down event where participants pay $5 to wear jeans
for the day, or they organize a fashion show, a dance marathon, a
sleepover movie night, a change drive or a school play or
concert, there are so many ways schools and teachers
can become involved in investing in the very
institution that is there to protect them.”
DO YOU WANT TO HELP US FUND-RAISE?
If you would like more information or would like
to organize a fund-raiser at your school, please
call Patty Forgione at 516-465-2562.
Children Helping Other Children
Children are naturally empathetic. When
given the opportunity, they want to help
others, especially other children whom they
can easily relate to. Encouraging youth to
become involved with charitable giving at
an early age teaches civic responsibility,
respect for others, compassion, selflessness
and how to turn those values into action.
Simple Fund-Raising Ideas
That Really Work
Hosting parties, creating events, offering
goods and services and asking friends and
neighbors to give their time and talents to
a worthy cause are all fun and easy ways
for kids to help raise money for Cohen
Children’s Medical Center.
Here are a few fun ideas to try:
◾◾ Host a scrapbooking party.
◾◾ Plan a neighborhood yard sale
or block party.
◾◾ Hold a car wash.
◾◾ Plan a “Game Day.”
◾◾ Hold a “Loose Change Day” once
a month.
◾◾ Start a can/bottle drive.
◾◾ Launch a sports tournament.
◾◾ Raise funds through a walk-a-thon.
◾◾ Open a lemonade stand.
◾◾ Run a bake sale.
◾◾ Host a “Zumba Night.”
◾◾ Plan a talent/variety show.
The possibilities are endless, limited
only by your creativity. Every dollar you
raise makes a difference in the lives of
the families we serve.
Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York I 5
US News Ranks CCMC Among
America’s Best Children’s Hospitals
F
or the sixth consecutive year, the
Steven and Alexandra Cohen
Children’s Medical Center (CCMC)
has been ranked among the best children’s
hospitals in the nation in US News & World
Report’s 2012–13 “America’s Best Children’s
Hospitals” survey.
US News surveyed 178 pediatric centers to
obtain clinical data in 10 specialties and
asked 150 pediatric specialists in each specialty where they would send the sickest children. CCMC placed among the top 50
hospitals in seven different pediatric specialty
areas surveyed in the magazine’s 2012–13
rankings, specifically cancer; diabetes and
endocrinology; neonatalogy; nephrology;
neurology and neurosurgery; pulmonology;
and urology. The hospital was ranked 16th in
the nation for pediatric urology, its highest
placement in the survey. “Being ranked for six straight years as one
of the nation’s best pediatric hospitals is no
small feat,” said Charles Schleien, MD, MBA,
Chair of Pediatrics. “This recognition is a
tribute to the excellence of clinical care that
our physicians and nurses provide to our
patients and families every day. We aspire to
achieve recognition in all 10 specialty areas that
are reported by US News and will always strive
to improve our rankings in every specialty.”
The US News rankings are based on a hospital’s reputation, medical outcomes such as
death and infection rates and care-related
indicators such as patient volume, nurse
staffing and availability of specialized programs. The magazine’s “Best Children’s
Hospitals” edition is accessible online at
usnews.com/childrenshospitals. “This year, the US News & World Report
rankings put a great deal of emphasis on
measurable clinical outcomes and the adoption of best practices within the institution,”
said Kevin
McGeachy, CCMC’s
executive director.
“It is a tremendous
achievement for a children’s hospital that
is less than 30 years old to be nationally
recognized for the high quality of very
specialized clinical programs. We are grateful
for the hard work of our staff and for the
generosity of our donors, whose support
enables us to provide cutting-edge medicine
and unique services that many hospitals
cannot afford to do. It is a great service
and comfort to our community to have a
renowned children’s hospital in their area.”
EXPECT THE BEST CARE. For more information
on the services and specialties available at
Cohen Children’s Medical Center, please call
718-470-3000.
New York Magazine “Best Doctors 2012” Edition
Recognizes CCMC Pediatric Specialists
Seventeen pediatric specialists at Cohen
Children’s Medical Center were listed in
New York Magazine’s “Best Doctors 2012”
issue. The list is compiled annually based
on peer-review surveys conducted by
Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., a New Yorkbased research and information company.
“We are proud of the number of physicians and the wide expanse of medical and
surgical subspecialties represented on this
prestigious list,” said Charles Schleien, MD,
MBA, Chair of Pediatrics. “The hospital is
very fortunate to have these esteemed
physicians on staff. They make an important contribution to the standing and reputation of the institution.”
Through peer-review surveys, licensed
physicians vote for those doctors in the
New York metropolitan area whom they
view as exceptional. Participating physicians are asked to nominate those doctors
who, in their judgment, are the best in
their field, taking into account professional
qualifications, including education,
6
Kids First I Fall 2012
residency, board certification and hospital
appointments, as well as important soft
skills in working with patients, such as
listening and communicating effectively,
demonstrating empathy and instilling
trust and confidence. “One of our overriding directives is to
find, attract, develop and retain the top
physicians,” said Kevin McGeachy, CCMC’s
executive director. “The overall excellence
that these physicians bring to their departments is a tremendous asset and will help
us grow and develop new clinical, academic
and research initiatives that will attract the
top medical talent to the medical center.”
CCMC physicians listed by specialty are
shown below:
Adolescent Medicine
◾◾ Linda Levin Carmine, MD
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
◾◾ Carmel Foley, MD
Clinical Genetics
◾◾ Martin Bialer, MD, PhD
Pediatrics
◾◾ Maurice Chianese, MD
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
◾◾ Vincent Bonagura, MD
Pediatric Cardiology
◾◾ Rubin Cooper, MD
◾◾ Angela Romano, MD
Pediatric Endocrinology
◾◾ Graeme Frank, MD
◾◾ Phyllis Speiser, MD
Pediatric Gastroenterology
◾◾ Jeremiah Levine, MD
◾◾ James Markowitz, MD
Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
◾◾ Jeffrey Lipton, MD, PhD
Pediatric Infectious Disease
◾◾ Lorry Rubin, MD
Pediatric Neurology
◾◾ Joseph Maytal, MD
◾◾ Robin Smith, MD
Pediatric Rheumatology
◾◾ Beth Gottleib MD
Pediatric Surgery
◾◾ Stephen Dolgin, MD
Jim Furyk Invitational Golf Event Benefits Art Therapy Program
On July 12, PGA golf
professional Jim Furyk joined
golfers at Deepdale Golf Club
for the Children’s Miracle
Network Hospitals Jim Furyk
Invitational. Mr. Furyk works
with Children’s Miracle
Network Hospitals to raise
money with his Miracle Birdie
program. Mr. Furyk held a golf
clinic to show participants why
he is the 2010 FedEx Cup
champion and the 2010 PGA
Player of the Year. After a
round of golf, lunch was
concluded with a “question
and answer” session where
Mr. Furyk discussed his
experience as a professional
golfer. All funds raised benefited
the Child Life and Creative Arts
Therapy programs at Cohen
Children’s Medical Center.
Thank you to Mr. Furyk for his
participation and to all who
attended this fantastic event!
Miss America Celebrates Miracles with CCMC
S
ince 1994, Rite Aid’s annual Miracle Balloon campaign and other
fund-raising projects have raised more than $50 million for
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH). The creativity
and commitment from senior management on down to the store level
is evident in the multitude of events the company does for CMNH.
This year the campaign ran from April 1 to May 19. During this time,
Rite Aids across Long Island and the five boroughs of New York City
sold Miracle Balloons for Cohen Children’s Medical Center (CCMC).
Although Miracle Balloon donations were taken at all Rite Aid locations, there were a few stores that stood out for their fund-raising creativity. Carlos Barillas, manager of Rite Aid 10640 in Huntington,
along with his store associates, held a petting zoo in their store parking lot with entry proceeds going to the CMNH campaign. Rite Aids
in Suffolk County collaborated and held a one-day indoor volleyball
tournament to raise funds and awareness for CCMC and CMNH.
Other examples of fund-raising events include a Par 3 golf tournament, garage sales, car washes and bake sales.
The campaign culminated with a visit from Miss America 2012,
Laura Kaeppeler. She, along with Rite Aid executives and store managers, gathered together at the Rite Aid in Grand Central Station in
Manhattan to present their fund-raising check of $348,880 to CCMC.
CCMC patient Molly shared her inspiring story with everyone in
attendance and signed autographs alongside Miss America. Molly
also got to wear Miss America’s crown! Many thanks go out to Rite
Aid and its associates for all their hard work and support for CCMC
and CMNH.
The current Miss America, Laura Kaeppeler, draws a picture with
a patient during an art therapy session.
Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York I 7
CCMC Makes the Holidays Brighter
for Children in the Hospital
W
e look forward every year to the holiday season and
to the literally hundreds of community groups, schools
and families who donate toys to Cohen Children’s
Medical Center for the children who are here for the holidays
and receiving care instead of in their own beds enjoying the holidays
with their families.
As the holiday season quickly approaches and toy collections
begin, we thought it would be a good time to share guidelines on
the types of donations that are in need.
TOY DONATIONS
Many people do not realize that some toys can actually be harmful
to children when they are sick. Here are the guidelines for toys that
we can give to our patients:
◾◾ Items must be new and in their original packaging. Stuffed animals
will be accepted if they are new with their tags on.
◾◾ All items must be unwrapped; this allows us to quickly identify
the appropriate toy for each child. We will gladly accept a donation
of gift wrap paper.
◾◾ No latex balloons. Mylar balloons are OK.
◾◾ Toys must not have a violent theme (no “M”-rated games,
guns, swords).
◾◾ Avoid toys with many small parts that can be removed,
swallowed or inhaled. Also, avoid toys that break easily or have
sharp edges or protrusions.
◾◾ Painted toys must be nontoxic. Any glue or paint in craft kits
must also be nontoxic. This information must be on a tag or on
the item’s packaging.
◾◾ Due to varying dietary restrictions, food and candy can’t be
given to patients.
◾◾ For infection-control purposes and to maintain patient privacy,
donations will be accepted in the main lobby and distributed to
patients according to their developmental needs.
Here are a few ideas for donation items:
◾◾ Crayola crayons and markers, glue sticks and packages of construction
paper and watercolor paper for use in our art therapy program
◾◾ Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Apptivity Case: iPad Edition
◾◾ Legos and K’nex building toys
◾◾ Rattles for infants
How to Schedule a Donation Drop-Off
Because we receive so many generous donations around the holidays,
we ask that you schedule a time to deliver donations when they are bulky.
Please call the Child Life Office at 718-470-3005 and press option #2
to schedule your delivery date. Small donations may be left with the
security officer in the main lobby. Be sure to include a completed donation
form from our Web site at bit.ly/Rjvk9g.
Of course, you can always make a donation on our Web site at
giveccmc.org or by using the envelope in this issue of Kids First.
Thank you for making the holidays brighter for our patients
and their families. Please accept all our warm wishes for a
safe and happy holiday season!
8
Kids First I Fall 2012
WE’RE HAPPY TO ACCEPT YOUR DONATIONS. To find our wish list on the Toys “R” Us
Web site, visit toysrus.com/wishlist/index.jsp and search for our
wish list number: 30903169.
Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York I 9
Turning Tragedy into Prevention
T
he Jason F. Gruen Research
Foundation was founded by Susan
Gruen Helsinger after her son, Jason,
died in 1985 from an undetected heart condition while he walked into class at Manhasset
High School. Congenital heart defects are the
most common type of birth defect. They affect
eight out of every 1,000 newborns. Each year,
more than 35,000 babies in the United States
are born with congenital heart defects, but
with advances in technology and the ability
to screen for these issues, many times they
can be treated before problems arise.
Recognizing this, and after the tragedy
that took her son’s life, Ms. Helsinger started
the foundation to keep Jason’s memory alive
and to fund research in pediatric cardiology
and explore why children die suddenly.
Funds are now provided to conduct free
heart screenings in local school districts.
Echocardiograms screen for heart
abnormalities and when detected by
pediatric cardiologists at Cohen Children’s
Medical Center (CCMC), the families are
informed so that they can pursue further
evaluations and treatment.
The most recent screening was sponsored
by the Jason F. Gruen Research Foundation on
May 12 and administered by Rubin Cooper,
MD, chief of Pediatric Cardiology at CCMC.
It was open to all eighth-grade Long Beach
Middle School students planning to participate in district sports. More than 200 students
have now been screened over the past four
years in Long Beach. This is an extremely
important program that has received a great
amount of attention and many awards.
For more information, please visit
thejasongruenfoundation.org.
The Starlight Children’s Foundation and the Billie and
George Ross Foundation Fund New Comfort Room
T
he Starlight Children’s Foundation
recently funded a major renovation
of the Radiology Comfort Care Room
with funds donated by Billie and George
Ross. This specially designed room provides
a comfortable and peaceful environment with
soothing colors, inspirational quotations and
an occasional shooting star across the “sky”
painted across the ceiling. The room, along
with an iPad generously donated as part of
this extraordinary gift, enables the children
to refocus their attention away from the
medical tests being performed.
Starlight has been a generous friend to
Cohen Children’s Medical Center for many
years, as reflected by the renovation of a
playroom; donations of Wi-Fi Fun Centers,
laptops, Pillow Pets and many other smilegenerating items; the Great Escapes program
— a gathering of patients at a variety of
fun venues outside of the hospital, such as
bowling, baseball games, movies and other
fun activities — and the Bridge to the Arts
program, which funds museums to visit the
hospital and provide patients with education
and hands-on experiences highlighting
artists, musicians and science.
Before their donation for the renovation of
the Radiology Comfort Care Room, Billie and
George Ross had a significant impact on the
quality of medical care provided to the most
critically ill newborns. Their donation of a
10
Kids First I Fall 2012
Left to right: Nancy Mendelow, board member, Starlight Children’s Foundation of NY/NJ;
Charles Schleien, MD, MBA, Chair of Pediatrics; Billie and George Ross; and Elaine Siver,
executive director, Starlight Children’s Foundation of NY/NJ.
Bronchotron (a portable ventilator for ICU
transport units) has saved the lives of countless babies who have been delivered at other
hospitals and then transferred to Cohen
Children’s Medical Center for the level of care
and technology required to save their lives.
The Billie and George Ross Foundation
also funded the Neonatal Stabilization Unit,
located adjacent to the delivery rooms at LIJ
and equipped with the most sophisticated technology available, enabling neonatal specialists
and their teams to provide the most advanced
care to babies within moments of birth.
This collaborative effort is appreciated by the
children, their families and the healthcare professionals who use the new room every day.
Kids’ Wellness
Get a Flu Shot Now to Stay Healthy
A
sk anyone who has ever suffered
through it: The flu hits much harder
than a cold — and can linger for up
to two weeks. That’s up to 14 days of fever,
cough, body aches, severe headache and
extreme fatigue — not to mention possible
complications, such as pneumonia.
To avoid being sidelined by a flu bug this
year, there’s one simple step you can take:
Get a flu shot.
Getting vaccinated for flu every year is
the single best way to keep the virus away,
according to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC). And the time to get
your shot is now. In fact, the CDC recommends getting vaccinated as soon as shots
become available in your community —
and ideally before December.
Vaccinating early gives your body time to
develop virus-fighting antibodies well before
flu season is in full swing.
Get Vaccinated Today
Consider the toll flu takes on your body —
long-lasting fever, discomfort, tiredness and
missed days of work, school and normal
activity — and then schedule your flu shot.
Experts recommend the vaccine for everyone
ages 6 months and older. Infants have a high
risk for serious flu, but they’re too young to
be vaccinated. Vaccinations are especially
important if you are at high risk for serious
flu-related complications. This group
includes those who are pregnant or have a
chronic medical condition (such as asthma,
diabetes or heart disease), or live with someone who does.
Take Steps to Prevent the Flu
These hygiene habits can help protect your
family against colds and flu:
◾◾ Wash hands thoroughly after wiping your
nose and before eating.
◾◾ Always sneeze or cough into a tissue, then
throw it away at once. If no tissue is available, cough into a sleeve.
◾◾ Clean kitchen counters and other
surfaces, such as doorknobs and phones,
with a disinfectant.
How to fight the Flu
Here are a few tips to follow if you get the flu:
◾◾ stay home and rest until your fever has
been gone for at least 24 hours;
◾◾ drink lots of fluids; and
◾◾ take over-the-counter medications to relieve
fever, aches, pains, congestion and coughing.
If you have a fever higher than 102
degrees, persistent vomiting or very swollen
glands in your neck or jaw, it’s time to see a
doctor. You should also call your doctor if
any of these flu symptoms last more than
10 days or get worse instead of better: fever,
sore throat, headache, chills, cough, body
aches, fatigue and diarrhea.
Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York I 11
Our Community Gives Back
Purchase a Holiday
Aflac Duck to Benefit
Pediatric Cancer
T
Left to right: Tom Souzzi, former Nassau County
executive; Ralph Nappi, president North Shore-LIJ
Foundation; Kevin McGeachy, executive director of
CCMC; Elizabeth Imperial, Aflac broker coordinator;
Brian White, Aflac broker development coordinator;
Jeff Lipton, MD, chief, Hematology/Oncology and Stem
Cell Transplant at CCMC; Kevin Carraccio, vice president
of development for CCMC; Megan Stiles, assistant
director of development for CCMC; Patrick Ruhle,
Aflac regional manager
he benefits of a generous 2011 holiday
season were received in July as members
of Aflac presented a check of $17,457.37 to
benefit pediatric cancer research at Cohen Children’s
Medical Center, as well as to support the Inaugural
Les Nelkin Pediatric Cancer Survivors Day that took
place in September. The funds were raised through
Aflac’s partnership with Macy’s. Each year Macy’s
sells special, limited-edition Holiday Ducks to benefit more than 50 hospitals around the country that
are dedicated to pediatric cancer research and care.
The adorable Aflac duck is available at more than
670 Macy’s stores nationwide. A 6-inch version is
available retailing for $10 and a 10-inch version for
$15, with all proceeds benefiting the participating
hospital nearest to where the duck was purchased.
To date, the Holiday Duck Donation program has
raised $67 million toward children’s cancer
research. Please consider purchasing a Holiday
Duck this holiday season to support these
important programs!
The Honeysuckle Foundation for Children with Cancer
A
licia Giacalone’s life changed January 15,
2002, when an MRI discovered a tumor
lodged in her spine. After the tumor was
removed, doctors learned that it was in fact cancerous. At age 6, Alicia was diagnosed with
peripheral neuroectodermal tumor, or PNET, and
she began 17 cycles of chemotherapy and 25
cycles of radiation, both over the course of just
one year. Alicia shared that while it may have
been a tough time, there isn’t a single thing she
would change about it. “I have the greatest mother a person could ask for, and the other patients
and staff became like another part of my family.”
While she was in the hospital, Alicia set up
a “jewelry store” in her room, which raised
$1,000 in the first week. The ability to use
the money she raised to help other children
with cancer excited Alicia. As a result, Alicia,
12
Kids First I Fall 2012
with the help of her mother, Rene, developed
the Honeysuckle Foundation for Children
with Cancer, which for nearly10 years has
supported the psychosocial program at
Cohen Children’s Medical Center (CCMC).
The financial support provided to the
psychosocial program enabled psychologist
Meg Tippy to provide the patients with the
emotional and social support they deserve.
As a result of the great strides Dr. Tippy and
the psychosocial program have made with our
patients, CCMC is now receiving increased
interest from interns, externs and fellows who
want to work at CCMC. The growth of the
program is exciting as it allows more patients
to be treated at CCMC, and it would not have
been possible without the initial support of
the Honeysuckle Foundation.
Lauren, Rene and Alicia Giacalone.
23rd Annual NLD for Pediatrics Golf Classic
N
ew Leadership Division for Pediatrics
(NLD) of the North Shore-LIJ Health
System is a fund-raising and awareness committee that was established in 1985
and is dedicated to supporting special programs for hospitalized children. The major area
of interest remains the Child Life and Creative
Arts Therapy program, which promotes positive experiences for patients, their siblings, their
parents and often their classmates. Child Life is
the lifeblood of a children’s hospital and uses
trained, master’s-prepared specialists who
incorporate play, art, music, horticulture and
animals into the treatment plan for each child
and family. All activity focuses on diminishing
the stress and trauma that can be associated
with illness and hospitalization.
Over the past 27 years, NLD has donated
more than $10 million to Child Life for staffing
and expanding playrooms and has provided for
the purchase of several pieces of critical medical
equipment used in treatment. Child Life is heavily reliant on philanthropy for its sustenance and
growth each year. NLD has been one of the pillars of support for these critical services.
The 23rd Annual NLD Golf Classic took
place on August 13, 2012, at Fresh Meadow
Country Club and Deepdale Golf Club. The
event raised more than $286,000 for the
Child Life programs at Cohen Children’s
Medical Center in New Hyde Park and North
Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. The
2012 Gary M. Sherman Humanitarian Award
was presented to Cari Quinn, RN. Ms. Quinn
has been a nurse with the Health System for
25 years and has served as the chief nursing
officer for Pediatrics for the past 10 years.
NLD touches tens of thousands of lives every
year through its members’ tireless dedication to
improving the welfare of children and their
families. The organization provides patients
with family-centered and compassionate care.
Zumba for a Cause!
Andrea Baron-Yurkew and her husband, Michael, created the Jordan
Yurkew Memorial Fund after their son lost his battle to a very rare and
aggressive lymphoma at the age of 13. With the support of their family
and friends, the Jordan Yurkew Memorial Fund has collectively raised
$15,000 through fun and creative events, with their most recent
Zumbathon at Oheka Castle proving to be not only a fun workout but
also a huge success, raising $8,000! Two hundred and fifty individuals
attended the event on June 12, 2012, and danced like royalty for pediatric cancer research at Cohen Children’s Medical Center (CCMC) with
some of the area’s most exciting Zumba instructors.
Their previous two events consisted of “Oldfield Idol,” where
Oldfield Middle School (OMS) teachers and administrators sang their
hearts out for a packed audience. The events were coordinated with
the help of the OMS students, including Jordan’s younger sister,
Danielle, who has become an advocate for the importance of funding
pediatric cancer research.
Get Involved!
Fund-raising events are not only fun, but every dollar raised truly impacts the care we can provide for patients
and their families. CCMC relies on the support of the community to keep our facilities and technology up-to-date.
If you are interested in hosting a fund-raiser to benefit CCMC, please call Patty Forgione at 516-465-2562.
Be as creative as you’d like! Turn something you love to do into a fund-raiser today!
Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York I 13
Team Cohen Children’s
Medical Center Takes on the
New York Marathon
C
ohen Children’s Medical Center (CCMC)
has been awarded 25 spots in the 2012 ING
NYC Marathon on November 4, 2012. The
runners were sponsored through North Shore-LIJ
Health System’s partnership with the Rudin
Organization, designed to return healthcare to the
lower west side through the development of the
Lenox Hill Comprehensive Care and Emergency
Center. Interested participants from North Shore-LIJ
were entered into a drawing for these coveted spots;
the only criterion for eligibility was that each participant had to commit to raising at least $2,500 for an
area of their interest at CCMC. In addition, two entrants
in the CCMC contest won spots of their own in the
marathon, but joined Team CCMC anyway! Team CCMC 2012 participants represents many
different hospitals and departments from throughout
the health system, including executive administration,
North Shore-LIJ Studios, Huntington Hospital,
Staten Island University Hospital and Lenox Hill Hospital.
The complete roster includes Patti Adelman, Patricia Allen,
Kevin Beiner, Michael Brecher, Leigh Briscoe-Dwyer,
Julia Cleere, Thomas Crews, Patricia Farrell,
Jordan Gitlin, Robert Hoell, Jasmin Jose, Leyla Edwards,
Aaron Lipskar, Lauren Lundy, Benjamin Maltz,
Joseph Moscola, Theresa O’Donnell, Randy Howard,
Todd Schuster, Jamila Shivers, Dennis Skahill,
Michael Snak, Travis Boucher, Gerard Vitale,
James Wescott and Jonathan Wetzel.
SUPPORT THE CCMC NYC MARATHON RUNNERS! To learn more about each of the runners
and the causes at CCMC that they are raising money to support, please visit bit.ly/PDgb24.
14
Kids First I Fall 2012
Help Us
Build the
Future
Consider a
Charitable Gift
Annuity
You receive fixed payments for life in
exchange for your gift of $10,000
or more. We provide medical care
to children. It’s a win-win scenario!
Jayden Zambrano was born at 22 weeks gestation, weighing just
1 pound, 2 ounces. Over the course of five months an expert team of
dieticians, neonatal nurses and discharge planners helped him gain
weight so he could go home. Now 3, Jayden has a healthy appetite
and loves filet mignon with mushroom sauce!
To receive a no-obligation illustration,
please contact Alexandra Brovey,
senior director of gift planning, at
516-465-2610 or [email protected].
We know you are concerned about your financial future.
So are we. We give you income for life in exchange for your gift to one
of the nation’s best children’s hospitals.
Rates are based on the age of the annuitant in the year of funding.
Current rates* for a one-life annuity are as follows:
NorthShoreLIJ.plannedgifts.org
Our generous friends who establish
a charitable gift annuity or who
Age
Rate
62
5.0%
For example, if you are
66
5.3%
68 years old and you establish a
$10,000 charitable gift annuity,
you will receive $540 (5.4 percent
of $10,000) per year for life,
and you may also be eligible to
claim a charitable tax deduction
of approximately $2,300.
70
5.6%
include a gift in their wills are invited
73
6.0%
to membership in the Payson
76
6.5%
Wharton Legacy Society.
81
7.5%
86
8.5%
90+
9.5%
*Rates are subject to change; please call to confirm rate.
Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York I 15
NORTH SHORE-LONG ISLAND JEWISH HEALTH SYSTEM INC.
Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York
269-01 76th Avenue
New Hyde Park, NY 11040
Non-Profit Org
U.S. Postage
PAID
NSLIJHS
899M
Need to find a doctor? 888-321-DOCS
Monster’s Kids
Annual Cocktail Party
Friday, December 7, 7 p.m., Fresh Meadow Country Club, Lake Success
Hosted by Lisa and Tim Goettelmann and Kristen and Dan Denihan
T
his event is sure to be a festive beginning to the holiday season — a gala
evening of fine food, open bar and live
auction with fabulous sports and vacation packages. All proceeds will benefit Cohen Children’s
Medical Center (CCMC).
Founded in 2009 by Tim Goettelmann
(Lacrosse Magazine’s Person of the Year and MLL
All Time Leading Goal Scorer) and wife, Lisa,
along with friends, Kristen and Dan Denihan,
Monster’s Kids has provided funds to enhance the
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Plans are also
under way to renovate the third floor playroom
to create a fun space with the latest electronic
activities, creative arts and music therapies, all
designed to be age-appropriate and diminish
some of the fears and anxieties that can
accompany a hospital visit.
Monster’s Kids plans to designate
future fund-raising efforts to support the
Division of Development and Behavioral
Pediatrics. There is an increased need for
financial assistance to offer the highest level
of evaluation and treatment of children with
autism, ADHD and neurodevelopmental and
behavioral disorders.
Chefs Cook
for Kids
Wednesday, November 14, 7 p.m.
Glen Head Country Club, Glen Head
Hosted by: NLD for Pediatrics
The Annual Chefs Cook for Kids
epicurean and wine tasting event
invites prominent Long Island and
New York City chefs to team up and
create delicious samplings of their
favorite recipes. A silent auction
heats up the evening with exotic
trips, vintage wines and certificates
to Long Island’s renowned restaurants. Chefs Cook for Kids is one of
the two signature events held annually by NLD for Pediatrics, one of the
longest established fund-raising
groups supporting CCMC and the
Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy
programs.
Don’t miss this event!
For more information or to purchase
tickets for Chefs Cook for Kids, call
Patty Forgione at 516-465-2562 or
visit support.northshorelij.com/
chefscook.
Get your tickets today! For ticket information, visit
support.NorthShoreLIJ.com/monsterskids.
Please recycle this publication.
NORTH SHORE-LIJ HEALTH SYSTEM HOSPITALS: COHEN CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER OF NEW YORK • FOREST HILLS • FRANKLIN • GLEN COVE • HUNTINGTON •
LENOX HILL HOSPITAL • LONG ISLAND JEWISH MEDICAL CENTER • NORTH SHORE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL • PLAINVIEW
SOUTH OAKS • SOUTHSIDE • STATEN ISLAND UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL • SYOSSET • ZUCKER HILLSIDE • AFFILIATE: NASSAU UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER