APPETIZING
Healthy Food Fair
Saturday in Baltic / 5
FORE A GOOD CAUSE
Registration open for Windham
Golf Classic May 15 / 7
HospiTell
The William W. Backus Hospital
VOL. 44, NO. 13
Windham Community Memorial Hospital
backushospital.org • windhamhospital.org
MARCH 27, 2015
Quilts with quotes
Griswold seamstress continues
to provide encouragement,
comfort for cancer patients
Jeanne Chabotte, left of quilt, recently presented an inspirational quilt to Lisa Bazinet, RN, OCN,
Regional Nurse Manager, Oncology Services, right of quilt, along with many of the Backus
Hospital staff on A-2. Chabotte has made nearly 2,000 lap quilts for patients over the
years. The quilts provide warmth and comfort during treatment and contain pockets,
inset, for inspirational notes.
A weekly newsletter for East Region employees, volunteers, patients and friends.
STORY,
PAGE 5
HOSPITELL
2
Gift Shop
BACKUS
Items of the Week
Spring fashions
3/4 sleeve tunic or top.
Assorted colors!
WINDHAM
$38.95
Easter secret sale
Now through April 2 at the Auxiliary to Windham Hospital Gift
Shop, pick an egg from the basket
and get anywhere from 10% to 45 %
off. Some exclusions apply.
BACKUS GIFT SHOP HOURS:
MON. - WED. / 9:30 A.M. – 7:30 P.M.,
THURS. - FRI. / 9:30 A.M. – 6:30 P.M.,
SAT. / 9:30 A.M. – 4 P.M., SUN. / 1 – 4 P.M.
WINDHAM GIFT SHOP HOURS:
MON. - FRI. / 9 A.M. - 4 P.M.
Backus Auxiliary scholarship
applications due Friday by 5 p.m.
The Backus Hospital Auxiliary has begun accepting applications for its annual Merit Scholarship for high school graduates pursuing post-secondary
study in a medical field. Using a minimum pool of $10,000, the auxiliary will
award at least two scholarships to qualified applicants.
To be eligible, an applicant must:
n Be an employee or volunteer at Backus Hospital, or the child, grandchild,
stepchild or foster child of same.
n Be a high school graduate by June of this current academic year, or a high school graduate, or a
former scholarship winner, or a previous applicant.
n Enroll in an accredited post-secondary school.
n Plan to pursue study in a health-related field.
n File an application between now and Friday,
March 27, before 5 p.m. Applications are available
online at backushospital.org and in the Backus Hospital Gift Shop.
n Provide all required credentials (official transcript, letters of reference,
essay).
n Appear before the Scholarship Committee for a personal interview.
n Agree to verify to the Scholarship Committee how the grant has been used.
All received applications remain the property of The William W. Backus Hospital Auxiliary and cannot be returned.
Windham facilities staff rises to the occasion
Thank you to the Windham Hospital facilities staff for their hard work and
quick thinking during a power outage in Willimantic on March 13. After noticing a potential operational issue, staff was able to quickly respond to the situation. The transition was seamless and patient safety was never comprised.
Great work to all!
— Andrew N. Ellis,
Regional Director of Facilities and Operations, HHC East Region
Upcoming Auxiliary
vendor sales
About HospiTell
HospiTell is published each Friday by
the Communications Departments of
The William W. Backus Hospital and
Windham Hospital. Employees, medical staff and volunteers can have HospiTell e-mailed to their homes by
sending a request to
[email protected]
To submit news:
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: 860-892-6964
Deadline: Wednesdays at noon
March 27, 2015
Backus: Edwards Kool Kreations will
be the featured dealer for the next Backus Auxiliary vendor sale Friday,
March 27, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the MOB/cafeteria alcove. Items include artisan, organic and goat milk soaps,unique designs and more.
Windham:
Bag Ali will be the featured dealer for the next Auxiliary
to Windham vendor sale Wednesday, April 15, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
in the atrium.
All sales by each auxiliary benefits the host hospital!
March 27, 2015
HOSPITELL
3
Preventive Medicine Initiative taking hold
Dear Colleagues,
Backus and Windham hospitals have
been doing population health management
for many years, well before it became a popular buzzword.
But with our new Preventive Medicine Initiative, we are taking our community health
outreach to another level.
I have been using this column to update
you on the implementation of our strategic
plan — a new model of care on the labor
and delivery unit at Windham; the opening
of our new Backus Family Health Center in
Ledyard; new surgical robots; state-of-theart radiation therapy treatment technology;
and now the Preventive Medicine Initiative.
While this project doesn’t include attention-grabbing
robotics or cute babies, it is no less important. In fact, it
has the potential to become a state and national health
care model.
Tonight, March 27, at our annual Backus Bennies donor
recognition event, we will be honoring the Edward and
Mary Lord Foundation for their donation to help launch
this project that we hope will reduce hospitalizations,
readmissions and unnecessary emergency visits.
The goal is to keep people healthy, or at least better
manage existing conditions. And a lot of this can be done
outside the walls of our hospitals.
The Preventive Medicine Initiative brings structure and
science to our population health management and community outreach activities. It includes several components, some of which are already underway.
In collaboration with the Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network, we have launched a pilot initiative
that integrates behavioral health services into the primary
care setting. We’ve done this by embedding a licensed
clinical social worker in our health centers in Colchester
and Norwichtown.
This is important because a high number of patients
who utilize health care services on a regular basis also
have mental health issues. But in our traditional system,
patients who are referred by their primary care providers
to a behavioral health professional rarely follow up on
their appointments. In our new model, if a primary care
provider believes a patient can benefit from behavioral
health services he or she can introduce the patient to the
social worker on the spot. This social worker
may do an assessment right there and then,
and help the patient manage his or her follow
up care. She is a true member of the care
team, and if early results are any indication,
we will be expanding this pilot to other health
centers throughout Hartford HealthCare.
The Preventive Medicine Initiative also includes a partnership with Hartford HealthCare’s Integrated Care Partners in which they
embed nurse care managers into Backus
health centers. These specially trained nurses
work with the care team to identify patients
who are high utilizers of health care services
on a repeated basis, and then actually coordinate their care in partnership with patients
and their providers. In many cases, what we are finding is
that these patients have manageable conditions, and with
the appropriate care coordination they can become
healthy, productive members of society.
Another exciting part of the Preventive Medicine Initiative is a plan to add an advanced practice nurse and licensed clinical social worker to work alongside the
Hospitalist and Care Management teams to focus on inpatient and emergency department strategies.
Data shows a small number of patients use a large
amount of health care services, and in many cases they
are seeking care for conditions that are manageable. In
concert with the hospitalists, the APRN and LCSW would
work with these patients in the hospital and in the community to ensure that they have primary care providers,
appropriate specialists and care plans that are more likely
to be followed through on.
The Preventive Medicine Initiative — which also includes medication management, community education
and screenings, focused efforts on widespread conditions
like diabetes and more — is an innovative approach that
will put us at the forefront of population health management. But more importantly, it will improve the health of
our communities that we are so privileged to serve.
That’s all for now,
Dave’s
Desk
Dave
Backus is on Facebook at facebook.com/backushospital
HOSPITELL
4
The Backus
Birthing Center
decided to celebrate Spring in a
unique way by
taking a few of
the hundreds of
photos sent to
them by appreciative parents
and turning
them into spring
flowers and displaying them on
the walls of the
nursery.
LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR HEALTH.
Free Community Education Program
A 2-part series on
Alzheimer’s
Disease
Presenter:
Kristine Johnson
Alzheimer’s Association
Wednesday, April 8, 6:30 - 8 pm
1
Know the 10 Signs of
Alzheimer’s Disease
Wednesday, April 22, 6:30 - 8 pm
2
Keeping Connected
in the Unconnected
World of Alzheimer’s
Disease: A Workshop
for Caregivers
Free and open to the community.
....................................................
Backus Hospital Main Lobby Conference Rooms
326 Washington Street, Norwich, CT
Pre-registration required; please call
860.892.6900.
March 27, 2015
Windham
Paramedic Program
celebrates 20 years
This year, the Windham Hospital
Paramedic Program celebrates 20
years of service.
On St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1995,
the Windham Hospital Paramedic Program received its first call. Two years
earlier, community leaders and hospital personnel recognized the need for
an advanced life support emergency
medical service in the area, and with
the assistance of Dr. David Cowger,
and RN/Paramedic Diane Badstuebner, Windham Hospital established its
Paramedic Program.
From those humble roots, the program has expanded and grown to become a role model and leader of
emergency medical services in Connecticut.
— Bill Muskett, NREMT-P, RRT,
EMS Program Manager
Celebrating GI Nurses
and Associates Week
March 23-27 is GI Nurses and Associates Week. Thank you to the Backus
team for all you do:
Sandy Carignan
Carol Cote
Julie Freyer
Heather Gerl
Robin Goulart
Donna Grabarek
Tim McComiskey
Debra Savage
Mary Schoon
Deanna Vescovi
Roxanne Wasilko
A special thanks also goes to the
nurses in the Windham Surgical Services Department who provide this
care to our patients as well.
Windham cancer support
group meets weekly
Windham hosts a weekly cancer
support group on Wednesdays from
5:30 - 7 p.m. in the Johnson Room. For
more information or to pre-register,
call 860-456-6770 or 855-494-INFO.
March 27, 2015
HOSPITELL
5
Cancer quilts offer words of encouragement
A Griswold woman is stitching a little hope and comfort into the lives of
Backus cancer patients.
Over the past 10 years, Jeanne
Chabotte has made nearly 2,000 lap
quilts for patients to use for warmth
and comfort during treatment. Now
her work is on display for all to see in
Radiation Oncology and the A-2 unit
at Backus. Each quilt has several
pockets for inserting notes with inspirational quotes to help patients get
through their day.
Chabotte says she began quilting
for cancer patients because a number
of family members and friends
who’ve battled the
disease said they
were often cold
during treatment. She says she hopes
the inspirational sayings will show
patients that they’re not alone in
their fight against cancer.
“If patients are having good day or
a bad day, I hope they can share their
experiences, maybe take some of the
pain away for other patients,”
Chabotte says.
Lisa Bazinet, RN, OCN, Regional
Nurse Manager, Oncology Services,
says the quotes were originally put in
the quilts by the unit coordinator, but
patients have taken it upon themselves to add inspirational sayings on
their own. It’s their way of paying it
forward, she says.
“It’s like a family here for patients,
especially for those you come back
for treatment over and over. It’s just a
little something to brighten-up their
day,” Bazinet says. “And, sometimes
it’s the little things that matter most.”
Bazinet says if patients are not
physically able to get their inspirational quote, one can be provided to
them by the staff.
Chabotte, who is retired, has received donations for the quilts but
does incur some of the costs herself.
COVER
STORY
Quilt quotes
n “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.”
n “Cancer is a word, not a sentence.”
n “Time is shortening. But every day that I challenge this cancer and
survive is a victory for me”
It’s a labor of love though, she says.
“Making the quilts is my way of giving care and love to patients,”
Chabotte says.
For more information or to make a
donation of materials or money,
please email
[email protected]
The Backus Healthy Community Initiative
JOQBSUOFSTIJQXJUI
The Sprague Community Center
presents
Family Healthy Food Fair
...............................
Saturday, March 28, 2015 11 am - 2 pm
Sprague Community Center
22 West Main Street, Baltic
...............................
Chefs from Local “Just Ask” 3FTUBVSBOUTr'FBUVSJOH)FBMUIZ
'PPE4BNQMFTGSPNIrene’s Restaurant, Yantic River Inn,
Illiano’s, & Olde Tymes Restaurants
$PPLJOH%FNPOTUSBUJPOTr)FBMUIZ'PPE4OBDLT
r%PPS1SJ[FTr#BMMPPOBOJNBMTGPSDIJMESFOPGBMMBHFT
FREE and open to the Community.
Come and join the fun and learn about healthy foods!
'PSNPSFJOGPSNBUJPODBMM
HOSPITELL
6
News and notes
from the
Discount movie tickets
n Discount Lisbon Landing Digiplex
movie tickets are available through
Cathy Saunders in Diagnostic Imaging
or Donna McLaughlin in Food and Nutrition. The theater has recently
changed hands and is now CarMike
Cinemas, and we are pleased to offer
the tickets for $7.50.
March 27, 2015
EAG weekly prize
winner for March 27
n Lisa Weber — CONNCare
CONGRATULATIONS!
Call Cathy Saunders at ext. 2105
to collect your prize.
About the EAG
n The EAG is a small team of employees who plan and coordinate
fun and discounted activities for all
employees. Contact the group by emailing Donna McLaughlin at
[email protected].
Next ‘Thin’s In’ program begins April 6
Backus Café Menu
Whatever your weight loss goals
are, “Thin’s In” weight reduction program will give you the tools you need
to lose weight and maintain healthy
eating habits. Learn the importance
of combining proper portions for nu-
tritious and healthy eating.
“Thin's In” instructor Dianne Rubin
combines balanced eating and behavior modification, which will leave you
feeling mentally and physically satisfied and healthier.
Classes run for 10 weeks and begin
Monday, April 6, at the HHC East System Support Office, 11 Stott Ave. in
Norwich. The program costs $130.
Registration is required by calling
860-442-2280.
SATURDAY, March 28
fish n' chips / bratwurst hoagie w/onions & peppers / beef vegetable soup / sicilian
blend vegetables / french fries
SUNDAY, March 29
pork chops / potato skins / soup du jour / green beans / mashed potatoes ./ garlic
bread
MONDAY, March 30
ENTREES: chicken cordon bleu / tortellini and broccoli alfredo / shepherd's pie /
SOUPS: senate bean / tomato bisque / SIDES: herbed cauliflower / bermuda blend
vegetables / mashed potatoes / garlic bread
TUESDAY, March 31
ENTREES: poppy chicken salad / tortilla crusted tilapia / eggplant parmesan /
SOUPS: white bean stew / chicken and wild rice / SIDES: fiesta corn / broccoli florets / rice pilaf / garlic bread
WEDNESDAY,
April 1
ENTREES: pepperoni and sausage stromboli / oven fried cod / roast turkey dinner
with stuffing and gravy / SOUPS: loaded potato / cream of broccoli / SIDES: normandy blend vegetables / steamed corn / basmati rice / mashed potatoes
THURSDAY, April 2
ENTREES: roasted butternut salad / buffalo chicken tenders / baked manicotti /
SOUPS: chicken white chili / vegetable / SIDES: malibu blend vegetables / harvard
beets / french fries
FRIDAY, April 3
ENTREES: build your own burger / grilled tuna melt / macaroni and cheese / SOUPS:
seafood chowder / soup du jour / SIDES: sicilian blend vegetables / creamy spinach
/ jasmine rice / french fries
DAILY FARE: A variety of hot paninis, cold wraps and pizza specials are available on a rotating basis
The Backus cafeteria is open daily from 6:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Hot food is served from 6:30 - 10:30 a.m.; 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; and 5 - 6:30 p.m.
HOSPITELL
March 27, 2015
7
Windham Golf
Classic May 15
The 20th annual Windham Hospital Golf Classic will be held on Friday, May 15, at the Golf Club at
Windham at 184
Club Road, in North
Windham.
Registration for
an individual golfer
is $175; twosome is
$350; threesome
$525; and a foursome $700. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. The morning shotgun start is
at 8 a.m. Afternoon start is 1 p.m.
To see a complete listing of sponsors, and Golf Classic information,
visit www.windhamhospital.org/
golf or call 860-456-6911, email
[email protected] or
fax 860-456-6192.
Local legislators took a tour of the school-based health center at Windham
High School on March 23. Windham Hospital partners on three health
centers located at Windham High School, Windham Middle School and
the Barrows STEM. Pictured from left are: Hartford HealthCare East Region
Vice President of Operations Cary Trantalis, State Rep. Susan Johnson (D49th District), State Sen. Mae Flexer (D-29th District), Kathy Nelson, APRN,
and school-based health center coordinator Lynne Weeks.
ENTREE: homestyle or buffalo chicken mac and cheese / eggplant rollatini / SOUPS
pasta fagioli / soup du jour / SIDES: chef’s choice / brussel sprouts / SANDWICH:
spinach and pesto panini
TUESDAY, March 31
ENTREE: herb crusted top round of beef / cherry cobbler / SOUPS: butternut bisque /
soup du jour / SIDES: roasted sweet potato wedges / roasted acorn squash / SANDWICH: beer battered cod grinder with lettuce, tomato and tartar sauce
WEDNESDAY,
April 1
ENTREE: grilled salmon with pineapple salsa / swedish meatballs over egg noodles /
SOUPS: chicken tortellini / soup du jour / SIDES: egg noodles / sautéed asparagus /
SANDWICH: reuben melt with corned beef, sauerkraut and thousand island on rye
THURSDAY, April 2
ENTREE: sweet and sour pork over rice / shepherd’s pie / SOUPS: white bean, bacon
and kale / soup du jour / SIDES: white rice / sweet and spicy green beans / SANDWICH: buffalo chicken sliders with crumbled blue cheese, lettuce, tomato and ranch
FRIDAY, April 3
ENTREE: fish tacos / american chop suey / SOUPS: seafood chowder / soup du jour /
SIDES: chef’s choice / SANDWICH: hot sausage and pepper jack grilled panini
SATURDAY,
April 4
ENTREE: general tso’s chicken over rice / SOUP: chicken and rice / SIDES: brown rice /
caribbean blend vegetables / SANDWICH: eggplant marinara grilled panini
SUNDAY, April 5
ENTREE: meat or vegetable calzone / SOUP: beef barley vegetable / SIDES: buttered
pasta / sliced carrots / SANDWICH: grilled chicken cordon bleu panini
BREAKFAST: Served weekdays only and includes a variety of hot items including oatmeal, cream of wheat,
yogurt bar, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, homefries and a breakfast sandwich (Selection varies by day)
Sumner Cafeteria Menu
MONDAY, March 30
The Sumner Cafeteria open from 6:30 - 10:30 a.m.; 11:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.; 2 - 2:30 p.m. and 3 - 6:30 p.m.
Hot food is served from 6:30 - 9:30 a.m.; 11:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.; and 5 - 6:30 p.m.
HOSPITELL
8
March 27, 2015
GENERAL STORE
General Store is a free classified ad section for the benefit of
East Region employees, retirees, medical staff and volunteers.
We welcome your submissions by the hospital Intranet, fax (860-892-6964), mail or by e-mailing [email protected].
The deadline for submissions to be included in each Friday’s HospiTell is Wednesday at noon.
HospiTell will include community events for not-for-profit organizations based in eastern Connecticut that are open to the
public and free of charge. We do not accept ads for real estate, firearms or personal ads. Please do not list hospital phone numbers or
hospital e-mail addresses for responses. You must submit your item weekly if you want it to appear more than one week.
To have HospiTell e-mailed to you, or for questions about the General Store, please call Ginny James, Backus Corporate
Communications, at 860-889-8331, ext. 4211, or e-mail her at [email protected].
FOR SALE
WHITE SAMSUNG GALAXY S4 — For AT&T network, excellent condition, $130, pictures available.
Call 860-367-5268.
WANTED
ARTISTS — FACES at FAHS (Fine Art and Craft Exhibit and Sale at the Finnish American Heritage Society) is seeking artists and crafters for a Saturday,
Oct. 3 event at the Finnish Hall, 76 North Canterbury
Rd., Canterbury. Indoor/outdoor spaces, $30 (postmarked on or before Friday, July 31), free admission,
handicapped accessible. Call 860-974-2760 or email
[email protected].
EVENTS
ANNUAL LENTEN FISH AND CHIPS DINNER — Friday, March 27 from 3:30-7 p.m. at St. James Church,
Preston. Fresh cod fish, baked or fried, coleslaw,
French fries, D’Elias fresh bread, homemade
desserts. Call ahead for take-out at 860-889-0150.
LENTEN FISH AND CHIPS — Fridays through April 3
from 4:30-7 p.m. at Saint Joseph Church, 120 Cliff St.,
Norwich. $9, full meal, $7, one piece meal and
chowder is $4.
GRISWOLD EXERCISE PROGRAM — The exercise
program will be held every Tuesday and Thursday, 67 p.m. at Griswold Elementary School Cafeteria. The
class features low impact aerobics, weights, Pilates. Bring your own mats and weights.
Backus cardiac support
group meets April 8
The Backus Cardiac Disease
support group will host its next
session on Wednesday, April 8,
from 6-7 p.m. in the hospital’s library.
The support group is open to
anyone who needs support in
managing cardiac disease. If you
have questions, please call 860889-8331, ext. 2128.
The group meets on the second
Wednesday of every month.
FUNDRAISER AT THE GARDE ARTS THEATRE — Friday, March 27, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free admission, all
ages, food, DJ, prizes, basket raffle, more. Proceeds to
support the New London STEM Magnet and New
London High School Drug and Alcohol Free After
Graduation party for the Class of 2015.
FAMILY HEALTHY FOOD FAIR — Saturday, March
28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sprague Community Center,
22 West Main St., Baltic. Backus Healthy Community
Initiative in partnership with Sprague Community
Center presents chefs from local “Just Ask” restaurants. Food samples, cooking demonstrations,
healthy snacks, door prizes, balloon animals, free
admission. Call 860-882-6595 for more information.
SPAGHETTI DINNER & BASKET RAFFLE — Saturday,
March 28 from 4-8 p.m. at Central Village Fire House.
All proceeds benefit Sandra Bryant Foular’s medical
expenses in the fight with Pancreatic Cancer. Raffles,
spaghetti, salad, bread, drinks, dine in or take out,
adults $10, children $5. For tickets call Kerri at 860823-7160.
NFA WINE TASTING — Saturday, March 28, 6-8 p.m.
in the atrium at NFA, Norwich Free Academy. Advance tickets, $20, at the door, $25, light refreshments, free gift to the first 100 paid tickets. Call Lori
at 860-886-1463 or email
[email protected].
LAKE OF ISLES FAIRWAY 5K AND KIDS 1 MILE
DASH — Sunday, March 29, 9:30 a.m. All proceeds
benefit Preston Parks and Recreation. A post-race
awards ceremony will follow with a cash prize to top
finisher. For information call 860-889-2482, extension 113. Register at www.runsignup.com/Race/CT/
NorthStonington/LakeofIsleFairway5K.
ADVENTURES IN LIFELONG LEARNING — Monday,
March 30 at Three Rivers Community College, Norwich. Please register for the Spring semester of enrichment classes for those over 50 years of age. The
Spring reception and registration is Friday, March 27,
1:30 p.m. at Three Rivers Community College in
room F-117, free refreshments. For information visit
http://www.threerivers.edu/Div_WorkforceEducation/senior.shtml or email [email protected].
POWER OF PURPLE LUNCHEON — Wednesday, April
1, noon to 2 p.m. at Langley’s Restaurant, Waterford.
The Power of Purple is an ongoing campaign against
domestic violence created by a partnership of The
Rose Conrad Memorial Fund of Safe Futures and
Hadassah of Eastern CT. For more information contact Sheila Horvitz at 860-884-8945.
DREAM CHASERS — Friday, April 3, 6-9 p.m. at The
Art Space Gallery, 35 Chestnut St., Norwich. Grand
opening, Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Art
show sponsored by Bully Busters and Norwich Youth
Action Council, food, guest speakers, open mic. Call
860-373-8630.
BENEFIT BINGO — Friday, April 10, doors open at 4
p.m., game starts at 6:30 p.m. at Foxwoods. Proceeds
benefit Boy Scout Troop 73 in Lisbon. $15 admission
package, tickets must be purchased in advance. Call
860-367-3892, 860-204-0478, 860-710-5919 or email
[email protected].
TB testing schedule
n Monday, March 30
7 a.m. - noon
main lobby conference room 3
Backus TB testing concludes Monday
Backus is once again testing employees for TB exposure. We are continuing to use the T-Spot method.
Backus employees whose birthdays
fall between the months of January
and April must complete this requirement during one of the sessions being
held in the month of March. Employ-
ees will have their blood drawn by a
phlebotomist at one of the scheduled
sessions. The Employee Health Nurse
will be provided the results within a
few days, and any positive results will
be communicated to the employees
and options discussed. The final session in Monday, March 30.