Editor - Charlie Ambrus
Send information for publication at least
one week in advance, on disk (all text
format) or by email if possible, to:
Charlie Ambrus
DeGraff Memorial Hospital
445 Tremont St.
North Tonawanda, NY 14120
Phone: 690-2005
Fax: 690-2300
cambrus@kaleidahealth.org
Intranet: KaleidaScope
www.kaleidahealth.org
www.chob.edu
www.vna-wny.com
T
ELE
G
RAFF
Recent WOW's
The entire MRU Staff
Patricia Brousse, MRU
Anne Bucholz, MRU
Monica Harvey, MRU
Judy Hirschbeck, MRU
Shareen Morris, MRU
Patricia Starr, MRU
Marge Stoelting, MRU
Melissa Winger, MRU
Gail Rishelle, Housekeeping
Radiology Rays
All of the Radiology Departments throughout Kaleida Health are currently in the
process of transitioning to a PACS (Picture Archiving Communicating System)
environment. This is a computerized system that is able to deliver images to
authorized individuals anywhere at anytime. This has been an ongoing project
for the past several months lead by Dr. Kenneth Pearson, CEO of WNY Radiology
Associates, John Mycek, Corporate Imaging Director for Kaleida Health, and
representatives from each Radiology Department within Kaleida Health. This
system will completely change the way that technologists and radiologists take and
review images, and will also change the way that new studies are performed within
the department.
Training at DeGraff has already started and will continue until the medical and
nursing staff have been introduced to the system. Within the hospital, images will
be available on a computer system in the Emergency Department and on all nursing
units.
With a newly remodeled Imaging Department, the system has been fully
operational since May in the Radiology Department, the Emergency Room (ER)
and the Special Care Unit (SCU). Buffalo General Hospital has been operating with
PACS since December 2003.
The Department would also like to say goodbye to Jim Wells, Elaine Beaudoine and
Donna Todino who have decided to pursue other employment interests. We wish
them much success.
We would like to welcome Renee DiPiazza who has accepted a midnight position,
and Kim Milks who has accepted a per diem position.
We would also like to welcome Lisa Rivera and Melissa Cappello to our clerical staff.
DeGraff's Imaging Services Department is proud to announce the certification of
one of our Nuclear Medicine technologists. Mary Drescher has been an employee
since 1973. Mary has worked in the Nuclear Medicine Department since 1991. She
recently passed the American Registry examination, which designates her as a
Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist.
Congratulations Mary!
Recognizing our Troops Overseas
DeGraff Memorial Hospital in North Tonawanda is leading an effort to recognize the
people of our community who are serving our country in the Middle East. During
this time of conflict, many of the men and women in the armed forces are overseas
for long periods of time facing hostile forces.
One serviceman is Andrew Kornacki, an infantryman currently serving in Baghdad.
His mother, Diana, is a nurse at DeGraff. Diana and her husband Gary have been
instrumental in organizing this effort. They encourage DeGraff employees to share
the names of family members in active duty overseas.
We have asked local business owners to donate raffle items of which the proceeds
will go towards supporting our troops. Raffle tickets can be purchased in the
gift shop. The American Legions Posts in the Tonawandas have made monetary
donations as well. Also, candy bars donated from Fowlers and Platters are on sale in
the gift shop with the proceeds going towards this cause.
Anyone who wishes to contribute can drop off donations at DeGraff. Please contact
Cindy Fredricks in Administration at 690-2004 to make arrangements. There
are many items our service people can use such as AT&T phone cards, books and
magazines, music CD's, movie DVD's, and First Aid items. Drop boxes are located in
the cafeteria and other areas of the hospital.
We will then make arrangements to send these donations to our service men and
women. We also encourage people to send cards and letters to show our family members
and friends that we love them and support their efforts on behalf of our country.
Tonawanda Chamber of Commerce Clambake
DeGraff is once again the chosen charity this year for the Tonawanda Chamber
of Commerce Clambake. We will be earmarking the funds for the Radiology
Department. The date is Wednesday, August 18th from 4:00 p.m.10:00 p.m. at the
Shores Restaurant. Please start getting the word out as we are looking for a strong
showing from the DeGraff and Kaleida family. Tickets are $35.00 and will be
available soon in administration. More information is yet to come, but start getting
ready for an event that has proven to be a great time for all those in attendance.
Please plan to come out for a fun evening of clams, chowder, buffet, beverages,
music and raffles. We've always experienced great support from the corporate
offices and all other sites, so make sure to get your tickets early!
ATM Machine Installed
at DeGraff
Recently, an M&T Bank ATM Machine
was installed in the main lobby of the
hospital (East Lobby adjacent to the
entrance to ambulatory surgery also
where the post office box was). Since
Chris Lane's arrival, he has been
inundated with requests for an ATM.
Because of the recent change in Kaleida
banking to M&T, we were able to
convince the bank that this would be a
great location for an ATM.
The ATM will provide employees and
visitors a convenient way to access cash
when they need it. Please remember that
this machine is owned by M&T and fees
will be charged for using this machine
if you are a non-M&T customer. M&T
has been on-site recently to sign on new
customers, and they will be here again
soon.
If the machine is not adequately utilized,
we may lose the privilege of having
it on site. For additional information
or if you would like to speak to an
M&T representative, please call Debbie
Abelson at x2012.
