CHE's 2007 Community Benefit Annual Report by Catholic Health East

Catholic Health East Our Mission...

Catholic Health East is a community of persons committed to being a transforming, healing presence within the communities we serve.

To effect this mission: • We treat all persons whom we serve and with whom we work with respect and compassion, calling forth their best human potential; • We provide a full range of services that support healthy communities, including quality medical care and holistic approaches to healing body, spirit and mind; • We collaborate with others who share a common mission and vision; • We continually seek ways to assure access to services to persons most in need; • We identify and develop leaders in Catholic health ministry; and • We advocate public policies and initiatives, particularly those in the area of healthcare, that ensure quality of life for all.

OurVision...

Core Values...

Inspired by our Mission and committed to our Core Values, Catholic Health East will achieve excellence in all we do, creating a system that empowers communities and individuals to achieve optimal health and quality of life.

Reverence For Each Person

We believe that each person is a manifestation of the sacredness of human life.

Community

We demonstrate our connectedness to each other through inclusive and compassionate relationships.

Justice

We advocate for a society in which all can realize their full potential and achieve the common good.

Commitment To Those Who Are Poor We give priority to those whom society ignores.

Stewardship

We care for and strengthen the ministry and all resources entrusted to us.

Courage

We dare to take the risks our faith demands of us.

Integrity

We keep our word and are faithful to who we say we are.

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

Message from

Sponsors Council Coordinator, Board Chair and CEO Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D. Coordinator CHE Sponsors Council

Jacquelyn S. Kinder, Ed.D. Chairperson, Board of Directors Catholic Health East

Robert V. Stanek President & CEO Catholic Health East

Earlier this year, amid a festive atmosphere of balloons, glowing candles and hundreds of colleagues and well-wishers, Catholic Health East commemorated the 10th anniversary of its “birth” as a health system. Founded on January 8, 1998 by the coming together of Eastern Mercy Health System, the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany Health System and the Sisters of Providence Health System, Catholic Health East is now one of the largest health systems in the United States, employing 50,000 people in its health care facilities located in eleven states stretching from Maine to Florida. A very special part of the 10th anniversary celebration involved the recognition of CHE’s Sharing the Heritage contest winners. This contest invited colleagues from throughout the System to share their personal expressions and thoughts on how they live out the Catholic health care mission and ministry in their daily lives. The feelings that our colleagues shared about their personal journeys, and why they choose to work in Catholic health care, are truly inspiring...and say a great deal about who we are as an organization, and our commitment to our communities. Darlene Morocco, R.N., B.S.N., a nurse manager at St. Mary's Health Care System, Athens, Ga., summed it up by saying “I thank God for Catholic health care because in this very difficult world we live in, Catholic health care is a constant that comforts a community and lets them know they will be there for them in their time of rejoicing, in their healing and in their pain and suffering.” Admittedly, we do live in difficult times. We are witness to incredible changes in the health care industry throughout the

United States. The pace and intensity of change is swifter and stronger than anything we have experienced in our professional lives. Among the trends that keep health care leaders “up at night” are: the growing cost and complexity of technology and IT infrastructure...the need to constantly improve quality and patient safety...continuing shortages in the labor supply...challenges to our not-for-profit status...Federal and state pressures on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements... and the travesty of nearly 47 million Americans living without health insurance. While the “business” side of the industry requires our constant attention, the spiritual dimension that animates Catholic health care is a source of motivation, comfort and support for our colleagues, patients and residents, and their families...and makes a tangible, measurable difference in the health of our communities. As Darlene stated, “Catholic health care is a constant that comforts a community and lets them know we will be there for them...” That constant, spiritual dimension goes far beyond the great work that our colleagues accomplish in our operating room suites and nursing units and emergency departments and business offices and therapy rooms and kitchens and laboratories and storerooms in which they work. Through the dedication and determination of our system-wide network of community benefit initiatives—such as the homeless outreach programs, mobile health clinics,

parish nursing programs, transitional housing services and substance abuse programs—Catholic Health East is able to reach beyond the walls of our facilities to make a real difference in the lives of people in need. In 2007, our health care system accounted for about $278 million in community benefit programs and services, nearly a five percent increase over the prior year, and more than double the amount provided when the system was founded ten years ago. And standing behind these numbers are incredible stories. Stories of lives lost...and lives saved. Stories of redemption...and resurrection. Stories of despair...and hope. Our Mission calls upon us to assure access to care for those most in need, and our Core Value of Commitment To Those Who Are Poor implores us to give priority to those whom society ignores. These imperatives come to life throughout the following pages, as our health care providers share personal stories of individuals and families whose lives have been touched by our community benefit initiatives. These vignettes are representative of the thousands upon thousands of daily encounters that our caregivers and volunteers have with people in need. We thank our Sponsors, colleagues, physicians, volunteers, auxilians, board members and donors throughout Catholic Health East for making a difference in the lives of so many…and for being a transforming, healing presence in the communities we serve.

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

Our Health Ministry:

Catholic Health East Sponsors and Organizations

Catholic Health East Catholic Health East Sponsors Regional Health Corporations and Congregation of the Sisters, Joint Operating Servants of the Immaculate Agreements Heart of Mary Scranton, Pennsylvania

Franciscan Sisters of Allegany Allegany, New York

Catholic Health System Buffalo, New York

Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph Hamburg, New York

Holy Cross Hospital Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Hope Ministries Newtown Square, Pennsylvania

Lourdes Health System Camden, New Jersey

Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Maxis Health System Carbondale, Pennsylvania

Sisters of Providence Holyoke, Massachusetts Sisters of St. Joseph St. Augustine, Florida Sisters of Mercy of the Americas: Mid-Atlantic Community Merion, Pennsylvania New York, Pennsylvania, Pacific West Community Buffalo, New York Northeast Community Cumberland, Rhode Island Regional Community of Baltimore Baltimore, Maryland

BayCare Health System Clearwater, Florida

Mercy Community Health West Hartford, Connecticut Mercy Health System of Maine Portland, Maine Mercy Health System of Southeastern Pennsylvania Conshohocken, Pennsylvania Mercy Hospital Miami, Florida Mercy Medical Daphne, Alabama Pittsburgh Mercy Health System Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

Saint Joseph’s Health System Atlanta, Georgia Sisters of Providence Health System Springfield, Massachusetts St. Francis Hospital Wilmington, Delaware St. Francis Medical Center Trenton, New Jersey St. James Mercy Health System Hornell, New York St. Joseph of the Pines Southern Pines, North Carolina St. Mary Medical Center Langhorne, Pennsylvania St. Mary’s Health Care System Athens, Georgia St. Peter’s Health Care Services Albany, New York

Catholic Health East Supportive Health Corporations Allegany Franciscan Ministries Global Health Ministry Stella Maris Insurance Company, Ltd.

Allegany Franciscan Ministries

Marcus Gatto (left), a client advocate attorney for FIAC, and Miguel Milanes, Allegany Franciscan Ministries’ regional vice president, work together on the grant that funded the program which helped Ernesto.

Improving Access for Those in Need With the help of grant funding from Allegany Franciscan Ministries...Ernesto was also able to stay in touch with health care professionals.

Ernesto, a Cuban immigrant in Miami, was homeless. In February 2007 Ernesto was 49 years old, HIV positive and living on Miami Beach. He had no family and was unable to work. All of his possessions fit into a plastic garbage bag. Worried about his health, Ernesto’s homeless friends convinced him to go to Camillus Health Concern, a leading provider of primary health care services to the homeless and low-income populations of Miami-Dade County. Camillus provided for some of Ernesto’s immediate needs and referred him to Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center (FIAC). When Ernesto first spoke with FIAC’s attorney, he did not know the status of his Social Security Income (SSI) application. He had entered the United States in 1980 and was qualified for assistance, but he had never received anything. FIAC contacted the Social Security Administration, identified his status and monitored his case. FIAC also provided all of Ernesto’s immigration documents and critical medical evaluations. One of the greatest obstacles for Ernesto had been his inability to contact anyone because he lacked a phone and a physical address. With the help of grant funding from Allegany Franciscan Ministries, FIAC was able to provide Ernesto with a cell phone so that he could maintain constant communication with his attorney. Ernesto was also able to stay in touch with health care professionals.

In late 2007, Ernesto was approved to receive $623 per month ($7,476 annualized) in SSI benefits and $1,800 in retroactive benefits. He also received Medicaid to help him maintain his health, which has an annualized 2007 average value of $6,980. One of the first things Ernesto did upon receiving his payment was to buy a sturdy backpack instead of the plastic bag he normally used to carry around his possessions. For just this one client, with the help of Allegany Franciscan Ministries, FIAC was able to secure $16,256 worth of annualized and retroactive benefits in 2007. Allegany Franciscan Ministries provided a $50,000 grant to Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center (FIAC) in 2007 to provide legal representation to immigrants so that they can obtain health and other public benefits to which they are entitled.

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

BayCare Health System

Jalitza holds her tiny baby, Jeiko, whose life was saved thanks to BayCare’s St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital and the Rotary International’s Gift of Life Program.

Photo: The Tampa Tribune

The Gift of Life

Now, more than 100 children from countries such as Kosovo, Bosnia, Iraq, Cuba, Uganda and Panama have come to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital for life-saving surgery.

Jalitza and Felix were overjoyed at the birth of their son, Jeiko. His two sisters doted on him—finally, a brother! Their happiness turned to worry when, after just two days, baby Jeiko’s heart began to beat erratically. Jeiko was diagnosed with truncus arteriosus, a rare type of congenital heart disease characterized by a single blood vessel arising from the right and left ventricles, instead of the normal two. Without surgery he probably would not survive. If that news wasn’t bad enough, the other news was worse—there were no surgeons in their home country of Panama who knew how to perform the corrective surgery. That’s when St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa, Fla., and “Gift of Life” stepped in. “Gift of Life” is a worldwide Rotary International Service Program which helps needy children in foreign countries obtain openheart surgery in the United States. St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital became the first Florida hospital to participate in the “Gift of Life” program back in 1996. Now, more than 100 children from countries such as Kosovo, Bosnia, Iraq,

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

Cuba, Uganda and Panama have come to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital for life-saving surgery. Jeffrey Jacobs, M.D., and Harald Lindberg, M.D., donated their services to perform the life-saving surgery on six-month-old Jeiko. The Rotarians gave the hospital $5,000 to help fund the surgery— a fraction of what the procedure typically costs. Jeiko literally received the gift of life. His parents received the gift of hope for their son. Nurse Practitioner Heidi Hess, along with her husband, began the “Gift of Life” program at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. “The patients aren’t the only people who benefit from the ‘Gift of Life’ surgeries,” Hess said. “These children are ambassadors for our country. The life and joy that they take back to their families and friends at home convey a message stronger than words.”

Catholic Health System

Cozetta pictured with her three children (from left to right), Nathaniel, Teyannah and Kalah.

There’s No Place Like Home

“Gerard Place has helped me keep my family together and given me the confidence to make it on my own.”

They say there’s no place like home, but for 37-year old Cozetta, just the thought of moving into her own apartment puts a big smile on her face. For the past year, she and her three children have been living at Gerard Place, a 14-unit transitional housing program that helps homeless, single-parent families achieve self-sufficiency. Founded by the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in Western New York, Gerard Place has not only given Cozetta a nurturing environment to raise her children, but caring friends and a dedicated staff who are giving her the support and encouragement she needs to build a new life for her family. “Gerard Place has helped me keep my family together and given me the confidence to make it on my own,” she said. After struggles with substance abuse and difficulty caring for her children, Cozetta was determined to turn her life around and create a loving, stable home for her family. Situated in a former Catholic school, Gerard Place provides each family with a fullyfurnished, two bedroom apartment and a variety of life skills and training classes to give single parents the tools they need to support their families.

While Cozetta was moving into Gerard Place, associates from the Catholic Health System (CHS), through their “Voice of the Associate Survey,” told system leaders they wanted to do more to help local organizations whose mission and values mirrored those of CHS. From there, the system’s Community Involvement & Outreach Task Force was formed and a two-year long relationship with Gerard Place and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul began. During the past year, CHS associates have raised more than $84,000 to support both groups and help people like Cozetta have a chance at a better life. The next step for Cozetta will be moving into her own apartment, while associates from CHS will begin the next phase of their community outreach efforts by volunteering their time and talents at Gerard Place and St. Vincent de Paul to personally make a difference in the lives of those in need throughout the community.

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

Global Health Ministry Left: Julio and his father attend a clinic in Guatemala in 2005. Julio, 5, was severely malnourished and in need of nutrition in order to grow and thrive.

Right: Julio surprises the GHM team with his progress just 18 months after his first visit. He had gained weight and was responsive. He pleases the team with his exuberant smile and playfulness.

Helping Hands… to Distant Lands

Julio was now six years old, still small, but growing and responsive...and best of all, he smiled as he left the clinic.

October 2005 The child was the first patient of the day in Horcones, a small village about an hour and a half outside of Esquipulas, Guatemala. He looked to be only one-and-a-half years old, shrunken in his father’s arms. His eyes were large with mistrust and fear. His father said that the boy was actually five years old, and that he would not eat because his teeth were bad—this child was suffering from severe malnutrition.

April 2007 There was no mistaking Julio and his father when they walked into the room—the father in his white cowboy hat and the small wideeyed child nestled in his arm. A cheer went up from the team members who had been in Horcones just 18 months earlier. This was a child they had never expected to see again. The boy was frightened, but had appropriate reactions which had been missing the first time around.

The doctor welcomed the boy and his father, listening as the father explained that the child was smaller than even the younger children in the family. The little boy, Julio, never even uttered a sound. He sat on the table, drawing his small, shrunken arms close to his body and hiding his head, a picture of abject misery, enduring the touch of the physician in stoic silence.

Julio was now six years old, still small, but growing and responsive. When a team member blew bubbles at him, he tried to catch them. When she hit a balloon to him, he hit it back. Julio could play, and best of all, he smiled as he left the clinic.

The child was severely malnourished, full of parasites and anemic. The medical team had some things to help: a food mixture guaranteed to help him gain weight, Gatorade for rehydration, medicine for parasites, and vitamins for nutrition. There was also advice—the child needed shoes to protect against re-infection.

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

Since 1989, Global Health Ministry has sent teams of healthcare professionals to provincial villages and distressed urban areas in Latin America and the Caribbean to help people with little or no access to professional healthcare. Founded as Global Outreach, today's Global Health Ministry has served thousands of children and adults in Guatemala, Peru, Jamaica and Haiti through the dedicated work of hundreds of volunteers.

Holy Cross Hospital

A proud Daniel gathers some of the vegetables he harvested from his garden.

Encouraging Healthy Eating Habits for Children The goal of the program is to improve poor nutrition...utilizing traditional classroom and experiential learning techniques, such as on-site school vegetable gardens.

Danny has suffered from hyperactivity since he was a baby. Since then, his parents have had to be very careful to control his sugar intake. At home, there are rarely sugary snacks, but at school his parents had less control...until the Growing Healthy Kids program arrived. In 2007, Holy Cross Hospital’s Community Outreach Department, with the support of a grant from the Health Foundation of South Florida, implemented the Growing Healthy Kids program in five lower income parochial elementary schools. The goal of the program is to improve poor nutrition and physical inactivity with kindergarten through 4th grade students utilizing traditional classroom and experiential learning techniques, such as onsite school vegetable gardens. “My son loved the garden and would take me two or three times a week to go look at the plants. Even when we went to Mass on the weekends, my husband and I would have to walk past the garden so that my son could check on the vegetables,” says Danny’s mother Maria. “In the spring, just

before school let out, my husband made a space in our yard so that Danny could have his own garden. Every time my husband goes to Home Depot, he takes Danny with him so that they can pick something out in the garden center to plant in his garden. This month he picked eggplants and his family enjoyed arugula salad at dinner! He is very excited about plants and gardening—and very proud that we are all eating what he is growing!” Danny’s eating habits have changed. He eats carrot sticks and grapes for snacks and asks for milk with dinner instead of juice. When he is thirsty he gets a glass of water! At school, Danny is making wiser choices, as well— he now packs milk in his thermos and is sure to include a veggie from his garden.

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

Lourdes Health System

Two years of therapy have given Tina hope for Nicholas’ future.

Early Intervention Provides Hope for Developmentally Delayed Children

Nicholas seemed like the perfect baby. Born on Valentine’s Day, he slept well and didn’t cry much. But when placed on the floor, he seemed unable to move and unaware of his surroundings. When Nicholas failed to meet his six-month milestones, his mother Tina called the pediatrician. By Christmas he still couldn’t sit up by himself, and was having seizures. Shortly after Nicholas’ first birthday, they went to a hospital for tests. “An overnight stay became four days in the hospital,” Tina said. “He was having seizures left and right.”

“I’m very thankful for everything Lourdes has done for us. All of Nicholas’ therapists are wonderful. They’re my family.”

Nicholas eventually was diagnosed with a chromosomal abnormality called Isodicentric 15. Diagnosed in only several hundred people worldwide, individuals with this syndrome have an extra chromosome. The syndrome is characterized by speech and sensory disabilities, as well as seizures, attention deficit and anxiety disorders, low muscle tone, delayed growth and behavior challenges. Tina reached out to Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center’s Child Development Services, which offers comprehensive early intervention treatment to children under age three with developmental delays. Funded through the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Lourdes provides physical, behavioral, occupational and

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

speech therapy, family training and social services in the child’s home. More than 650 infants and toddlers receive therapy annually. Through Lourdes, Nicholas, now three, has received physical and occupational therapy twice a week, as well as speech and music therapy. Lourdes helped the family secure funding for equipment and medical care, as well as for Tina to attend a conference on Isodicentric 15. Lourdes colleagues also presented the family with Christmas gifts last year. Bobbi Donados, L.S.W., part of Nicholas’ Lourdes team, said he has improved dramatically during more than two years of therapy. “There’s been this burst of development. It’s been encouraging,” Donados said. Tina, who with her husband John also has a five-year-old, Nathan, credits Lourdes for putting Nicholas on the road to a future where he will walk and talk. “I’m very thankful for everything Lourdes has done for us,” she said. “All of Nicholas’ therapists are wonderful. They’re my family.”

Maxis Health System

Rebekah (left) and Margie are thankful for the support that SibShops offers to siblings of special needs children.

Supporting the Siblings of Special Needs Children “Sibshops gives siblings a chance to express their emotions and connect with others who are experiencing the same situations while having fun.”

Rebekah, 13, is an independent seventh grade student best described as an over-achiever. She is an honor student, a teen leader at the local YMCA, and training to receive a black belt in karate. In addition to her ongoing personal accomplishments, her home life is unique— Rebekah’s younger brother, John Michael, is autistic. When asked what she would like others to know about what it is like to have a brother with a disability, Rebekah replied, “It has its ups and downs like any other sibling relationship would, but a bit more complicated.” Rebekah did not know any other children who had a brother or sister with special needs before she began attending the Sibshops Program, hosted by Maxis Health System’s Tri-County Human Services Center in Carbondale, Pa. Sibshops is a nationally-affiliated program for children between the ages of five and 14 who have a sibling with special needs. It is a peer support group conducted in a recreational setting. Monthly meetings include a mix of games, refreshments and discussion activities which give participants an opportunity to learn more about their sibling’s disability, and discuss how it in turn affects them. According to Margie Cosgrove, autism program coordinator at Tri-

County, “Siblings of kids with special needs may experience feelings of guilt, jealousy and isolation, as well as other emotions. Sibshops gives siblings a chance to express their emotions and connect with others who are experiencing the same situations while having fun.” Tri-County Human Services Center received the 2007 Northeastern Pennsylvania Nonprofit and Community Assistance Center’s First Place Award in the category of Children and Youth for its work with Sibshops. The Center held its first Sibshops meeting at the Carbondale YMCA in October 2006. Since that time, a second group has been formed in a neighboring community to meet the needs of more local children. Rebekah feels she has learned a lot from her experience with Sibshops, “I have become more accepting of John Michael’s differences. Also, it has made a difference in my life because it has helped me to realize I am not alone.”

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

Mercy Community Health

Hazel has availed herself of many of the services in the Mercy Community Health continuum of care and is surrounded here by friends she has met along her journey: Top Row L-R: Cathy London from the Adult Day Care Program; Jackie Holcomb, therapeutic recreation director; Elizabeth Acosta, L.P.N. Bottom Row: Gene and his mother, Hazel.

Serving Evolving Needs “I’ll never forget that as we were leaving, after moving her into the apartment, she said to me: ‘This is really great. Thank you for getting me in here’.”

Hazel first came to know Mercy Community Health in 2002, when her son Gene brought her in for an exploratory conversation about Adult Day Care. “We wanted to give her things to do that she could enjoy,” Gene said. Adult Day Care allowed Hazel to retain her independence without being or feeling alone. Transported to and from the program, she would participate in recreational activities in a safe, supportive environment, socialize with friends, then at day’s end, return to her own home. In time, Hazel came to need additional services. Gene and his family considered what would serve his mother best, and chose to move Hazel into The Frances Warde Towers Apartments—just a few floors above the Adult Day Care area. While he may have fretted over making the right decision, Hazel ultimately put his mind at ease. “I’ll never forget that as we were leaving, after moving her into the apartment, she said to me: ‘This is really great. Thank you for getting me in here.’” As a resident, Hazel was able to continue taking part in the Day Care program. Gene saw his

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

mother treated like family, and believed there was a reason Hazel connected with them in this way. Years earlier, Hazel, too, had been a caregiver. He finds Hazel remarkable for her “tremendous ability to offer comfort to others.” In January 2004, Hazel entered the skilled nursing unit at Saint Mary Home. Once again, both she and her son appreciated the deep sensitivity of the professionals they encountered. A professor of organizational behavior, Gene is a trained observer. “Often, when you’re taking care of others, there’s a tendency to treat people the same—to not have time to truly get to know them as individuals. That’s not been our experience at Saint Mary Home. People there have always been available to Mom.” In this way, Gene and Hazel have seen Mercy Community Health’s Core Value of Reverence for Each Person realized in its full continuum of care.

Mercy Health System of Maine

With the support provided by the McAuley Residence, Kerri has acquired skills that allow her to build a strong, nurturing relationship with her son Quentin.

A New and Exciting Future “The best thing about McAuley is you develop really good relationships... I see this place as a second family, and my son feels safe here.”

When 21-year-old Kerri came to McAuley Residence two years ago, one of her first concerns was where she would live when she left. That’s not surprising, considering the road Kerri took to McAuley. Kerri became pregnant when she was 15 years old. She battled mental illness for a number of years, spending time in and out of psychiatric facilities, and lived in a number of group homes. After living with her parents in southern Maine for two years, Kerri decided she needed to learn how to become more independent. “I couldn’t be an adult because my parents had to parent me and my son,” Kerri says. “That’s when my therapist found McAuley.”

Kerri says the environment at McAuley has allowed her to bond with her son in ways that were never before possible.

McAuley Residence, a department of Mercy Hospital, is a transitional housing program for women in crisis. In addition to offering support, shelter and safety, McAuley encourages women to make life-long changes to better themselves and their children. The goal is to help women develop the skills they need for self-sufficiency.

This spring Kerri and her son transitioned from McAuley to a home of their own. The support and skills she received at McAuley have opened up doors to a new and exciting future. She has dreams and aspirations for her life, and now she has the ability to make them reality.

“The best thing about McAuley is you develop really good relationships with the women in the house,” she says. “They’ll always be special to me. I see this place as a second family, and my son feels safe here.”

“We have bonded so much better now that we are alone and together. McAuley is such a huge part of that,” she says.

“The one big thing I learned over the past two years is that I’m not abnormal because of my mental illness,” she says. “I feel prepared but I know I’ll need outside support. I’m very excited to be on my own,” Kerri says. “This is the next step in my growth. I’ve got lots of potential and lots of time.”

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

Mercy Health System of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Nazareth Hospital’s van service transports patients (like Mary Therese, shown above in green hat) to and from their hospital appointments. More than 13,000 patients used this free service in 2007.

On the Road to Good Health

The physical therapy helped speed her recovery, and Nazareth’s van service helped her maintain her independence.

Nazareth Hospital serves many elderly, as well as younger, low-income persons in the community, who need help getting to and from the hospital. To ensure these patients had access to the health care they needed, Nazareth launched a free van service in 1995. The van service transports patients to and from hospital-based services such as radiology, lab and rehabilitation, as well as transporting patients to their homes after an inpatient stay. The service received such favorable reviews from the community that an additional van was soon added to address the increased demand. “Hospital outpatient services also benefit from the van service,” says Mary Ann Carter, vice president of mission and community outreach, “because there are fewer test cancellations and patients arrive in a timely manner.” In 2007, over 13,000 patients used Nazareth’s free van service. One such patient was Mary Therese. An elderly woman who lives alone, Mary Therese needed help getting to Nazareth Hospital Center for Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation for her physical therapy appointments following

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

surgery and radiation for breast cancer. “The drivers are very kind and gentle. They help me on and off the van and even walk me to my door,” says Mary Therese. A staff member at the Center connected Mary Therese with the van service. The van picked her up and dropped her at home twice a week for about three months. According to Mary Therese, the van service was very prompt, and prevented her from having to “stand out in the weather” with her walker waiting for a bus. The physical therapy helped speed her recovery, and Nazareth’s van service helped her maintain her independence. “I like to go to the store and other places myself—my niece works and can’t always take time off to bring me to all my appointments,” Mary Therese explains. “The van service was nice—I like going myself.”

Mercy Hospital of Miami

Francisco receives follow-up care and a clean bill of health at St. John Bosco Clinic in Miami.

Giving the Uninsured a New Chance at Life

“The people at the clinic were very kind, attentive, respectable and helpful. They made me feel important and probably saved my life.”

Francisco immigrated to Miami from the Dominican Republic in 1992 and found a modest amount of success working odd jobs as a carpenter in Coconut Grove. He earned enough to enjoy a lifestyle unavailable in his native country, but when a serious medical condition quickly developed, things took a turn. Persistent rectal bleeding rendered him unable to work and, unfortunately, his limited income made it impossible to afford even the most basic health insurance. He began to fear the worst. Desperate to find out what was wrong, Francisco began to search for someone or someplace that would help him. His numerous phone calls went unanswered and if he did receive a response, he was turned away because of his inability to pay. He began to sink into a depression and was close to giving up when he learned about the St. John Bosco Clinic (SJBC). His spirits brightened as he realized that this just may be the answer to his prayers. SJBC is a parish-based primary care program staffed by volunteer physicians, support staff and Mercy Hospital employees. The Clinic provides free health care to disadvantaged children and adults who are underinsured and underserved. Through SJBC, Francisco was referred to Mercy Hospital where they performed a colonoscopy,

which revealed a malignant mass in his large intestine. The hospital’s doctors recommended immediate surgery. Once again, Francisco could not afford treatment and once again SJBC was there to help. Working in partnership with La Liga Contra el Cancer, SJBC arranged for Francisco to have the necessary procedure, free of charge, at Mercy Hospital. Today, Francisco has made a full recovery and continues to receive follow-up care from SJBC’s primary care clinician. He is on the job hunt and back to enjoying good times with his family. But he has not forgotten all that SJBC has done for him. “The people at the clinic were very kind, attentive, respectable and helpful. They made me feel important and probably saved my life. I tell everyone I know what a wonderful resource SJBC is, especially for those who don’t have insurance.”

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

Mercy Medical

With the support of Mercy Medical’s pediatric hospice care, Jennifer was able to bond with Noah at home during his too-short life.

Photo: Elizabeth McGonagle Graham

Pediatric Hospice Care Supports Families “Knowing he would die was so painful; I can’t imagine how we would have gotten through this without Mercy’s pediatric program.”

Since 1998, Mercy Medical’s pediatric home care has served more than 850 children. It was the first and one of the only programs in the area that solely focused on delivering home health care, palliative care and hospice care to children. Jennifer and Brad know first-hand the enormity of this benefit. They were expecting their second son when at a routine 20-week ultrasound, they were told their unborn infant was missing part of his heart. “I knew something was terribly wrong. A high-risk pediatric cardiologist diagnosed our baby with hypoplastic left heart syndrome,” explained Jennifer. In hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the left side of the heart is underdeveloped. This heart defect is usually fatal within the first hours or days of life, unless otherwise treated. “We couldn’t put our son through multiple surgeries, trauma and incredible pain with such a slim outcome. And terminating my pregnancy was not an option,” said Jennifer. “We decided to let nature take its course, which was the hardest decision we have ever made. Noah was born on August 6. Knowing he would die was so painful; I can’t imagine how we would have gotten through this without Mercy’s pediatric program.” Upon Noah’s birth at a local hospital, he was admitted into

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

Mercy’s pediatric hospice care. After a two-week hospital stay, they brought Noah home. Amanda Manning, Mercy’s pediatric nurse, visited every day to assess baby Noah and help Jennifer, Brad and Conner, 6, cope with medical and emotional issues. “We had no intentions of bringing Noah home because we thought he would pass away within hours of birth,” Jennifer said. “Honestly, if not for Amanda, I don’t think I could have brought Noah home. We didn’t know what to expect or what would happen from day to day. Having Amanda was a reassurance. Everyday she would assess Noah, and tell us of any changes. Being at home allowed us to know Noah and to bond with him. I would have regretted not having Noah here in our home, in his home, even if only for a short while.” Noah lived for another three weeks at home and passed away early one Monday morning, about 3 a.m. “When Noah died, all I could do was pick up the phone and call Amanda. She came over in five minutes,” Jennifer said.

Pittsburgh Mercy Health System

Ron (left), recipient of the Mercy Behavioral Health Spirit of Self-Determination Award, works out on the treadmill as part of his daily fitness regime with the assistance of Monroe Coleman, a Mercy Behavioral Health counselor.

Helping Patients Take Charge of Their Health “Ron set a lofty goal and stuck to his plan. His achievement is remarkable.”

Ron has lived at Mercy Behavioral Health’s Village in the Park Community Living Arrangement for 28 years. He has been employed at Life’s Work for the past 23 years. Over his lifetime, Ron has struggled with serious medical conditions, including congestive heart failure, all exacerbated by his excessive weight.

to cardiologist Michael Haggerty, M.D. “His enlarged heart has been reduced in size by 5-6 mm, a very significant reduction in medical terms.”

In March 2006, Ron decided to take charge of his health. Under the supervision of his physician and with the help of Monroe Coleman, a Mercy Behavioral Health (MBH) counselor, Ron determined his ideal body weight and set goals to reach it. His strategy entailed planning and cooking nutritious meals, coupled with regular exercise.

Ron’s fitness regime includes daily walks, sometimes alone, other times with friends and staff. In inclement weather, he opts for a workout on his treadmill or along with a videotape in his apartment.

Ron’s persistence paid off.

His success has also inspired others to adopt healthier lifestyles. Notes Christine Audi, MBH medical liaison, “Ron set a lofty goal and stuck to his plan. His achievement is remarkable.”

In a year and a half, he has lost 100 pounds. As a result, many of his health conditions have improved dramatically, including a reduction in the number of medications he now requires.

Ron’s effort to change his life was recently recognized by Mercy; he was nominated by Christine and later selected as the 2007 recipient of Mercy Behavioral Health’s Spirit of Self-Determination Award.

“Ron’s dedication has improved his cardiac condition,” according

When asked how he feels, Ron smiles broadly and enthusiastically replies, “Like a whole new person!”

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

Sisters of Providence Health System

Judy Mealey, N.P., Mercy Medical Center, has helped Greg navigate through various health issues and learn about managing his diabetes.

Learning to Cope, Inspired to Thrive “I’m so grateful to Judy for helping me along the way. I truly believe that Judy saved my life.”

For many years, Greg lived his life on his own terms. After a stint in the Marines, he launched a successful career in the hospitality industry, working his way up from chef to restaurant management. Life was good...until his drinking caught up with him. While in a hospital detox program, Greg was diagnosed with severe diabetes. Unable to return to work, he eventually ended up in a homeless shelter, where he met Judy Mealey, N.P., nurse manager of Healthcare for the Homeless at Sisters of Providence Health System’s Mercy Medical Center. “It felt like my world was caving in,” he says. “I lost my home. I lost my job. And it was such a struggle just to stay sober. It seemed impossible to manage my diabetes on top of everything else.” Mealey understood how overwhelmed Greg felt and worked to establish a rapport with him. She helped him navigate a number of health issues, including infections, treatment for a serious wound and several hospitals stays. Once these issues were cleared up, Greg was ready to learn about diabetes and how to manage it.

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

“He has made tremendous progress,” says Mealey. “He has worked hard to embrace a healthier lifestyle through diet and exercise, and he understands the importance of checking his blood sugar level and taking his medication on schedule.” Greg’s motivation to improve his life has provided dramatic results. In addition to returning to a home in the community and losing weight, he no longer needs to take insulin shots. “That was a huge turning point for me, because it shows that I can still benefit from making the right choices about my health,” Greg says. “I’m so grateful to Judy for helping me along the way. I truly believe that Judy saved my life.” For her part, Mealey credits Greg for being motivated to improve his health. “Once patients understand how much control they have over their own health, they are more apt to use the information we’ve provided. The results often speak for themselves in terms of improved health.”

St. Francis Hospital

The Center of Hope helped Ramón get a better life for his family. From left to right: Graviel, Ramón, Alejandro, Eleazar and Antonio.

Giving Hope to Families in Need

All he has ever wanted was to give his family a better life than he ever had, and the Center of Hope has helped him achieve his dream.

Ramón was born in Mexico. His mother had 14 children, but three died at birth because proper medical care was scarce. Ramón only received a first-grade education. When he was eight years old, his father taught him how to work the land. Poverty and hardship overwhelmed the family. Ramón worked for his father until he was 18, and then crossed the border into the U.S. He worked in the California tomato plantations and built trailer homes for a while. When INS raided, he fled to Pennsylvania, where he worked in the mushroom industry for 15 years. In 1987 he received his work papers and later, his permanent residence visa. While still in Mexico, Ramón had married Martha and had two children. Martha died of pneumonia shortly after the birth of their second child. They could not get the proper medical attention, and the hospital was too far away. While Ramón was working in the U.S., Martha’s younger sister, Eleazar, took care of the children. Several years later, on one of his annual visits to Mexico, Ramón married Eleazar and more children were born. Eventually, Ramón saved enough money to bring his family to the U.S. Without guidance, it was difficult for the family to get around and

understand American culture. Desperate and overwhelmed, they didn’t know where to turn. When Eleazar became sick, Ramón’s coworker told him to “Go see Mireya Ingram at the Center of Hope.” Ramón found the staff at St. Francis Hospital’s Center of Hope to be very helpful. Not only did they provide needed medical care for his family, they also processed his Medicaid, provided financial assistance, made referrals for immigration services and counseled him on how to acclimate to American culture. Today, Ramón owns a threebedroom home and works seven days a week in the mushroom industry. His two older children are married and have children of their own. As Ramón looks back at his accomplishments, he credits the Center of Hope for helping him succeed. All he has ever wanted was to give his family a better life than he ever had, and the Center of Hope has helped him achieve his dream.

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

St. Francis Medical Center

Alex stands next to a statue of St. Francis. He believes that he is alive today because he was blessed and considers each day to be a second chance at life.

Blessed to Be Alive

Alex, 43, had just attended church services with his five children. Afterwards, a nurse from St. Francis Medical Center, which provides monthly health education, was speaking about diabetes and hypertension. As Alex heard the words “silent killer,” he started to listen more intently. He listened as the nurse explained the signs and symptoms of stroke and the necessity to take aspirin and call 9-1-1 if any symptoms appeared.

“I am a blessed man; not a lucky man... It’s been eight months and I feel like a different person.”

When Alex awoke the next day, he felt deeply fatigued, as if his limbs weighed a ton. He saw the nurse’s card on his bedside table from the day before and remembered her message. “Stroke can appear differently in different people.” He told his wife he was afraid and asked her to get him aspirin and call 9-1-1. When the ambulance arrived, he asked to be taken to St. Francis. He still remembers the tears and anguish of his family as he left their home. He tried to reassure them but he, too, was frightened. While being triaged, Alex was told that his blood pressure was seriously elevated at 210/110.

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

Before he knew it, he was inside the Center’s 64-slice CT scanner and meeting the stroke program director. The doctor told him that he was a lucky man and Alex immediately disagreed. “Doctor,” he said, “I am a blessed man; not a lucky man.” He still believes, to this day, that he was given a second chance. He describes this chance as the “toll of the bell,” an opportunity to use his life wisely. Today Alex takes his medication, doesn’t work long hours and has changed his habits and behavior. “My wife only cooks healthy foods, encourages me in my exercise routine and takes my blood pressure every day. It’s been eight months and I feel like a different person.” Alex thinks back about that Sunday in church and knows that God was the force that led him to that health seminar. God sent him the St. Francis nurse to enlighten him and to, ultimately, save his life.

St. James Mercy Health System

Marilyn and her husband, James, leave St. James Mercy’s rehab facility, where Marilyn made a full recovery from a fall that had left her on life support and unable to walk.

Making a Difference with Charity Care

“I never could have made it without you... May God bless each of you for the kindness you’ve shown.”

Marilyn and James always had an active lifestyle. Although they couldn’t afford traditional health insurance and didn’t qualify for Medicaid, they were fortunate... Marilyn hadn’t needed to see a doctor in years and James was in good health. But because someday the need would arise, they applied for Charity Care at St. James Mercy Health System. Marilyn and James didn’t need assistance the first year they were in the program. “But then in September 2006, that all changed," she said. Marilyn fell off a ladder while trimming trees and shattered five vertebrae, broke five ribs and her pelvis, and sustained spinal cord damage that left her paralyzed. After spending almost a month on life support in a trauma center, she was transferred to a large urban hospital. James regularly drove the 240 miles round trip to visit her. One day on his way to the hospital he fell asleep at the wheel, totaling their car and suffering a spinal fracture, from which he later recovered. After three months, Marilyn was released and given a one-in-amillion chance of walking again. Upon returning home, she entered St. James Mercy’s rehab facility to learn how to adjust to life in a wheelchair. And she found herself on an unbelievable road to recovery.

“A wonderful result has come through all this,” said Marilyn. “God has been so incredibly good to me and I have had a miracle... I can now walk!” She started walking a year after her accident, and has been walking ever since. Marilyn and James have resumed many of their activities, although she now avoids ladders. It was the Charity Care program that gave them the means to continue her treatment, as well as keep their house, and the support of St. James Mercy physicians and staff to literally get Marilyn back on her feet. Charity Care is so important— and often a lifesaver—because it puts patients at ease so they can focus on recovery. “I never could have made it without you,” she said in a letter to St. James. “May God bless each of you for the kindness you’ve shown.”

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

St. Joseph of the Pines

BackPack Pals is a popular outreach program that enables children in need to take home healthful foods every Friday afternoon to have over the weekend. Pictured is student Keith with St. Joseph Social Worker Raymond Esteves, an active volunteer associate with the BackPack Pals program.

‘BackPack Pals’ Helps Hungry Children

“I thought this would be a good way to give back to the community...I feel as though I am making a difference in someone’s life.”

BackPack Pals, a program of Moore County Schools, was created to meet the needs of children known to have little or nothing to eat over a weekend. It began in December 2005 in just one school for 25 students, with a grant from St. Joseph of the Pines, Bayer Crop Science and a donation from a Moore County Family Trust Fund. “We at St. Joseph’s were just coming off our first annual school supply drive, co-sponsored by the volunteer services and pastoral care departments,” said Jeralie Andrews, director of volunteer services for St. Joseph’s. “Because of the generosity of associates, volunteers and residents in the retirement communities on our campuses, in addition to supplies, monetary donations were quite substantial,” she said. At the same time, Moore County Community Schools was embarking on a national BackPack Pals program. “Since we raised so much money on the drive and were able to channel thousands of supplies right into the classrooms,” said Andrews. “We realized that giving $1,000 for BackPack Pals was a great way to introduce the organization to another worthy community benefit cause on the local level.” That school project has come a very long way. From its roots when only 25 children in one school were being served, to the

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

2008 school year with more than 400 children throughout the county being able to take home nutritious food each Friday to fill their stomachs over the weekend, St. Joseph of the Pines continues its monetary support of the program. However, it is the health system’s associate volunteer troop that feeds the activity. “I thought this would be a good way to give back to the community—a community where I grew up and where my children are growing up,” said Michelle Jones, medical records director for St. Joseph’s. “I feel as though I am making a difference in someone’s life." Each week, two St. Joseph associates collect the backpacks and drive them to the food bank where they are filled, then return them to the school. “My students are eager to get their backpacks on Friday. It is a comfort to them to know they will have food over the weekend,” says one second grade teacher.

Saint Joseph’s Health System

Gloria shows off her new smile thanks in part to Mercy Care Services Dental Coordinator, Dr. Steve Lyzenga.

Giving People Something to Smile About

“I try in every way I can to give back the love, care and hope that everybody at Mercy Care gives me.”

Staff at one of Saint Joseph’s Mercy Care Services’ mobile health clinics first met Gloria in 2003. She had been homeless and on the streets or in shelters for three years. “I had a job I loved—actually two jobs—and a home and a little savings account. But I got very sick and lost absolutely everything,” says Gloria. Since Gloria presented with a number of complicated health issues and major dental problems, she was sent to Mercy Clinic Downtown where she could receive more comprehensive health care services and her dental care together at one site. A health care plan was created for her that included dental restoration. Gloria recalls, “My stomach used to hurt so bad, it just doubled me over. Part of the reason for that was my bad teeth. It was hard to chew and digest my food.” Though still on disability, Gloria’s overall health has improved. Her engaging smile is a testament to that. Says Mercy Care Services Dental Coordinator Dr. Steve Lyzenga, “Gloria’s front teeth were decayed to the gum line. We’ve come a long way in restoring her wonderful smile. Additionally, her general health is no longer being

impacted by the dental problems. So Gloria’s feeling better on all counts.” Created in 1985 and sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy and Saint Joseph’s Health System, Mercy Care Services provides an integrated system of primary health care, education and social services reaching thousands of persons in need throughout Atlanta each year. Its dental program includes a staff of paid and volunteer dentists, dental assistants and dental hygienists practicing at two state-ofthe-art service sites. The program offers preventive, primary and restorative services and oral surgery to persons of low income, the homeless and HIV-positive patients. “I try in every way I can to give back the love, care and hope that everybody at Mercy Care gives me,” says Gloria. “And most of all, I thank them for the joy of being able to smile again!”

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

St. Mary Medical Center

David gets weighed in at St. Mary Medical Center, where he attended the eightweek KidShape® health education program, resulting in a loss of 75 pounds in just twoand-a-half years.

Taking Aim at Childhood Obesity

“I used to be out of breath when I walked, ran or took physical education in school. I changed the way I eat. I walk more now. I’m happier now.”

At 14, David knew he wanted—and needed—a change. The young man and his family attended the eight-week KidShape® health education program offered through St. Mary Medical Center, in Langhorne, Pa. Over the next two-and-a-half years, David lost 75 pounds, guided by the healthy lifestyle habits developed in the KidShape classes. “I used to be out of breath when I walked, ran or took physical education in school. I changed the way I eat. I walk more now,” says David, now 17, whose body mass index (BMI) now falls in the healthy-weight category. “I’m happier now.” St. Mary Medical Center, in collaboration with the Neshaminy School District, has helped more than 180 children and their families. Based on surveys from the participants, their vegetable and fruit consumption has increased; added fat and sweet consumption has decreased; physical activity has increased; and self-esteem has improved. Childhood obesity is at epidemic proportions and is associated with increased risk of Type II diabetes, arthritis, asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol. The KidShape program provides families with tools and information to make better choices about diet and physical activity. The goal is to promote healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

St. Mary is committed to improving the health of everyone in its community, with special attention to those who are poor and those affected by ethnic and racial health disparities. In 2007, St. Mary expanded the KidShape program to include two Catholic elementary schools in impoverished and ethnically-diverse neighborhoods. The classes are offered for children from six through 14 years old whose BMI is in the 85 percentile or higher. The children—accompanied by their parents or guardians—attend a two-hour interactive session each week. The funfilled classes provide nutritional information, promote physical activities and build self-esteem and social support. Each child receives an individualized meal plan, as well as a binder and journal to record goals, physical activity and eating habits. St. Mary’s KidShape team is composed of a program coordinator, dietitian, mental health professional and two physical education specialists. KidShape is free of charge to anyone needing financial assistance.

St. Mary’s Health Care System

Pictured from left: James Brown, M.D., medical director of St. Mary’s Hospital Services, and Sherry Morgan, L.P.N., from St. Mary’s Hospice House.

Providing Dignity at the End of Life Because of the compassion, care and aggressive case management provided by St. Mary’s Hospice staff, Willie was able to spend his last months on earth in comfort and peace, surrounded by people who cared about him.

Willie was 53, homeless, and nearing the final stages of AIDS when he was admitted to St. Mary’s Hospital in March of 2007 for complications related to his HIV infection. Willie had a brother in another state, but he was unable to provide the level of care Willie needed, so when it was time for discharge, Willie had nowhere to go. Worse, Willie needed hospice care to control his symptoms, but since he was homeless, he could not receive home-based hospice care. Nor were his symptoms severe enough to qualify him for admission to an inpatient hospice house.

care at the personal care home until the state funding kicked in. Since he was no longer homeless, St. Mary’s Hospice Services was able to admit Willie for home-based hospice care, and used its Charity Care Fund to cover the expense.

Unwilling to discharge Willie to the indignity of pain, suffering and deterioration on the streets, James Brown, M.D., medical director of St. Mary’s Hospice Services, talked to the owner of a personal care home who agreed to take Willie in if someone would cover the cost of his care. Georgia has a state-funded program that would cover Willie’s expenses, but it would take about two months to complete the enrollment process. What was he to do in the meantime?

From March 29 to May 18, Willie was a St. Mary’s Hospice patient. Once his state-funded coverage began, the state picked up his care through another provider until August, when his symptoms began changing rapidly. After a short hospitalization he was admitted to St. Mary’s Hospice House, where he died comfortably two days later.

Acting on its Values—Commitment to Those Who are Poor, Compassion, and Reverence for Each Person— St. Mary’s agreed to pay for Willie’s

Because of the compassion, care and aggressive case management provided by Dr. Brown and St. Mary’s Hospice staff, Willie was able to spend his last months on earth in comfort and peace, surrounded—maybe for the first time in his life—by people who cared about him.

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

St. Peter’s Health Care Services

Joe, a patient at St. Peter’s ALS Center, now gets around with the help of a portable wheelchair, allowing him to live more independently.

Compassionate, Specialized Care Offers Independence, Dignity to Patients

“They have given me tremendous support in dealing with day-today and long-term issues. I visit the center every four months or so and every time I leave happier and betterinformed.”

With the portable wheelchair on loan from St. Peter’s Regional ALS Center, Joe can get the assistance he needs to sit in the yard with his dog, Georgia, go food shopping and maintain some independence. At 50 years old, Joe is entering his ninth year as part of a long decline caused by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the progressive neuromuscular condition also known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” “The ALS center has really been a godsend for me,” said Joe, who makes quarterly trips to St. Peter’s ALS Center in Albany for counseling, physical therapy and for lung function testing. “They have given me tremendous support in dealing with day-to-day and long-term issues. I visit the center every four months or so and every time I leave happier and better-informed. My nurse, Barbara Adams, is a very special person to me.” As the center celebrates its 20th anniversary, it presents a remarkable story of how a small group of dedicated professionals, family members and volunteers built a center that is a national model. St. Peter’s Health Care Services established the ALS Regional Center in 1988 as part of its mission to increase public understanding and support for ALS patients and their families. The

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007

center provides both medical and emotional support for ALS patients and their families. Because support services and equipment loans are not generally covered by health plans, the ALS Center is financed mostly by St. Peter’s subsidies and by dedicated fundraising efforts. The ALS Center raised more than $270,000 in 2007 to provide people with ALS and their families with a comprehensive and specialized blend of services and resources. “We’ve come a long way since 1988,” said Karen Spinelli, R.N., who helped create the Center. “We’ve become much better at managing symptoms, respiratory care and education.” Joe offers this advice to future patients: “It will be a difficult journey ahead, but they will be supported and helped out by family and friends. There are compassionate specialists and organizations out there, like the ALS Center, who can offer both the specialized medical services they will need to make a hard journey better. Most importantly, they need to stay positive and pray often.”

CHE Overview / Statistics 2007 Cost of Care for the Poor

$ 69,825,628

25.1%

Cost of Community Benefit Programs

$ 96,278,283

34.7%

Unpaid Costs of Medicaid Programs

$ 111,812,164

40.2%

TOTAL

$ 277,916,075

100%

Cost of Care for the Poor includes the cost of charity care granted in the provision of care for uninsured patients who qualify for free care, uninsured patients who qualify for discounts and low-income underinsured patients who qualify for discounted or forgiven charges for amounts that are the patient’s responsibility.

2007 Community Benefit Care for Cost Mix Unpaid Costs the Poor

of Medicaid Programs $111,812,164

$69,825,628

25.1%

40.2%

Cost of Community Benefit Programs includes community health education such as classes, support groups, and self-help programs; community-based clinical services such as screenings, one-time or occasional clinics, free clinics

Community Benefit Programs $96,278,283

34.7%

and mobile clinics; health care support services; cash, grants and in-kind goods and services donated without compensation; and volunteer service hours of health system employees. Unpaid Costs of Medicaid Programs includes shortfalls related to Medicaid, State Children’s Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP), public and/or indigent care (medical programs for low-income or medically indigent patients) and local and state government programs that reimburse health care providers for persons not eligible for Medicaid.

Overview of Key Catholic Health East Services* Number of Facilities 33

Staffed Beds 7,825

Long Term Acute Care Hospitals

155

Long Term Care (Hospital-Based & Freestanding Facilities)

3,307

Assisted Living Facilities

831

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

866

Psychiatric and Rehabilitation Facilities

295

Home Health/Hospice Agencies

1,510,351 visits

Medicaid Managed Care Programs

2.0 million (covered lives)

Acute Care Hospitals

*As of December 2007

Catholic Health East Community Benefit Annual Report 2007