Oct 28, 2016 | Downtown
I have had the opportunity to speak to many of you over the past two weeks about my recent decision to leave Mount Sinai Beth Israel. This was not a decision I took lightly as our incredible team has become like a second family to me. I am staying on until January 2017 so we still have many weeks to work together and, even after, I will still proudly watch the work that you all do to transform the Downtown network and our great hospital.
I am so pleased that my colleague – and friend –Jeremy Boal, MD, has been named as my replacement and President of Mount Sinai Downtown. In this role, Dr. Boal will oversee the creation and implementation of Mount Sinai Downtown, which includes a new Mount Sinai Beth Israel (MSBI) and an enhanced New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai.
With nearly two decades of experience in patient care and hospital management, I know he will be an exceptional leader. Please click here to learn more about Dr. Boal. We will both be making the rounds and hosting town halls to introduce him to our incredible team of staff and providers. I know you will enjoy working with him and look forward to helping make this a smooth transition.
Oct 4, 2016 | Downtown
Accelerated Bachelor of Science Degree – Phillips School of Nursing at Mount Sinai Beth Israel
Mount Sinai Health System announced Friday that the state Department of Education had approved the Phillips School of Nursing at Mount Sinai Beth Israel’s plan to offer an accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another discipline. The program can be completed in as few as 15 months. Applications are now being accepted and the first cohort of 40 students will begin in the spring. As a nurse, I am delighted that this program will offer individuals a fast-track to receiving their BS in Nursing.
Please continue to check in for additional updates!
Susan
Sep 16, 2016 | Downtown
I want to provide a few updates regarding our progress on the Mount Sinai Downtown transformation. At the end of 2016 or the beginning of 2017, we will be relocating the MSBI cardiac surgery program to Mount Sinai St. Luke’s hospital.
This new comprehensive Center of Excellence will utilize our world-class surgical teams and increase our ability to continue delivering the high quality care that our patients have come to know and expect.
This change in no way means we will be eliminating cardiac care in our Downtown network. We will continue to treat patients at our 24-hour cardiac catheterization lab on our Petrie campus, and operate an emergency heart attack and stroke program at MSBI. These services will be transferred to our new Mount Sinai Beth Israel hospital on 14th Street when we complete construction.
Also, this week we went to market on the sale of Gilman Hall and surrounding buildings, all of which are vacant. All net proceeds from the sale will be invested back into the Mount Sinai Downtown network to enhance services and further our mission of transforming and enhancing care for Lower Manhattan residents.
Lastly, as you know, water samples in some areas of the hospital recently tested positive for Legionella bacteria. We have been working with the New York State Department of Health, and repeat testing of our water system has showed a marked reduction in the presence of Legionella. However, low levels still remain in some of the tested samples. As we continue to monitor our progress, filtered water restrictions will remain in place for the Dazian, Karpas, Linsky and Silver buildings to ensure the health and safety of our patients and staff.
We have had one patient who has hospital acquired Legionella pneumonia. The patient is being treated with appropriate antibiotics and her condition is improving. Legionella is not contagious and cannot be transmitted person to person. The hospital remains fully open and safe for patients and visitors.
Please continue to check back for more updates.
Susan
Sep 1, 2016 | Downtown
I continue to receive questions from employees about job security. First, please know that Mount Sinai is the largest private employer in New York City and, on average, hires approximately 2,000 people each year. Mount Sinai is committed to offering all union employees other union opportunities within the Mount Sinai Health System at the same salary, including the downtown campus. We have already started delivering on this promise: over 150 employees have participated in 6 placement fairs and have all found positions at MSBI or in the system.
Mount Sinai is also committed to retraining and placing as many of our non-union and management employees within our system as possible. We will assist the few who cannot be placed with finding alternate employment. All graduate medical students and physicians-in-training are guaranteed spots in Mount Sinai’s highly ranked programs.
Joint Commission Advanced Certification
I am very pleased to share with you the great news that the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at MSBI was notified yesterday that the Shoulder Replacement and Spine Fusion Surgery programs were re-certified by the Joint Commission.
In addition, the Knee Replacement and Hip Replacement programs achieved Advanced Certification following a rigorous four day site visit by the Joint Commission last month. MSBI joins the ranks of only seven other institutions nationally that have earned this highest recognition by the Joint Commission for quality and safety in joint replacement surgery.
Congratulations to all staff who participated in this Joint Commission review and for the continued dedication of many departments who help our institution achieve these certifications!
Wishing you a Happy Labor Day!
Susan
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Downtown
As we navigate this time of change, I want to acknowledge that change isn’t easy. We need ways to manage our stress and pay attention to our personal wellness. In the spirit of supporting all staff, I’d like to announce the arrival of the Chi Cart to Mount Sinai Beth Israel. The Chi Cart creates time and space in our work areas for proactive stress reduction using aromatherapy, deep breathing techniques, music, etc.
Chaplains rotate the cart through various units and departments (clinical and non-clinical) three times a week, bringing wellness right into the workspace. All staff are welcome to join for 1 minute or 30! Chaplaincy and the Chi Cart can also be available for unit, department or adverse event-specific staff support by request to the Spiritual Care department. Please call the contact Spiritual Care and Education at 212-420-275 to schedule in your area.
The hospital and Mount Sinai Health System also provide multiple self-care resources to staff at no cost. They can be found in our MSBI Staff Wellness Brochure and also available in paper copy on our Chi Cart.
You are what makes MSBI great and your well-being is a priority to us. I encourage all staff to use these resources and take an active role in self-care and wellness.
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Downtown
I continue to get feedback from employees that they are still hearing the hospital is closing.
WE ARE NOT CLOSING!
Please encourage your colleagues to check in here for updates and information.
NYSPQC Obstetrical Improvement Project’s 2015 Quality Improvement Award
I am happy to announce that Mount Sinai Beth Israel is the recipient of the New York State Perinatal Quality Collaborative (NYSPQC) Obstetrical Improvement Project’s 2015 Quality Improvement Award. This award supports the goal of advancing improvements in identifying maternal hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders. Through the NYSPQC Maternal Hemorrhage and Hypertension Initiative, we have contributed to improving and ensure the quality of obstetrical care, as well as infant health and safety.
Thank you to our entire Labor and Delivery and Mother Baby Staff and Teams for their great work and collaboration with NYSPQC Obstetrical Improvement Project!
Hospital Operational Changes:
Medical/surgical consolidation updates as of Aug. 4th:
- 4 Linsky Neurology floor patients have been relocated to 9 Dazian Pod B
- 4 Linsky Neurology step down patients have been relocated to 9 Dazian Pod D
- 6 Linsky Family Medicine patients have been relocated to 8 Linsky
- CCU patients formerly on 9 Dazian have been temporarily relocated to 10 Dazian Pod A
I also want to shine some light on the work being done in Behavior Health, especially with our Opioid Treatment Program at 125th Street. I have asked Dr. Grant Mitchell, Chairman of Psychology Department, to provide us with an update below.
Thanks for continuing to check in,
Susan
Primary Care Unit at our OTP Program
Mount Sinai Beth Israel operates one of the first and now the largest opioid treatment program in the United States. In an effort to provide integrated health care to decrease morbidity, mortality and hospitalization rates, MSBI recently opened an integrated Primary Care Unit (PCU) at our OTP program at 125th Street. The Primary Care Unit (PCU) is supported by funding from New York State and 100 patients have already enrolled in the program. Primary care is provided to any OPT patient who is interested in selecting the clinic as their primary care provider. The PCU operates in the same location and hours as the clinic for the convenience of our patients. Patients are seen by appointment, but walk-ins are also welcomed. OTP staff employ case management techniques to maximize adherence with appointments. The program has attracted the attention of the NYC Commissioner of Health and Mental Health as well as the U.S. Surgeon General, both of whom visited the program since its inception.
U.S. Surgeon General Visits Model Opioid Treatment Center
The United States Surgeon General, Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA, recently visited the Mount Sinai Beth Israel’s Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) at East 125th Street, one of the hospital’s 11 licensed addiction treatment clinics, to get a first-hand view of a facility that is successfully addressing the nationwide opioid epidemic.
Dr. Murthy received an overview of the program and participated in a roundtable discussion with OTP leadership and staff about the growing abuse of opioids. He learned how Mount Sinai Beth Israel’s OTP—one of the first, and now the largest in the United States—is transitioning from centers that primarily provide methadone treatment to comprehensive outpatient programs that offer onsite, integrated addiction treatment, primary care, and behavioral health care. The East 125th Street OTP is the first Mount Sinai Beth Israel clinic to offer this comprehensive care.
Leadership and staff regularly meet with elected officials and community members to get updates and obtain input on how best to serve patient needs and we discuss how collaboration at the community level is a critical component of our success. Dr. Murthy’s visit was a wonderful opportunity to offer suggestions that may have the potential to influence national policy on opioid addiction treatment and serves as an example for others.
