Hospital

Gary Havican

Catholic Health has named Gary Havican as its Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, effective February 5, 2024. In this role, Havican will oversee the operations of Catholic Health’s six hospitals, its employed medical group, and its Home Care and Hospice services, according to a press release.

“We are thrilled to welcome Gary to Catholic Health. His track record for raising the bar in health care operations will greatly strengthen our commitment and efforts to deliver exceptional care at a consistently high standard system-wide,” said Catholic Health President & CEO Patrick M. O’Shaughnessy, DO, MBA. “Gary’s proven know-how in operational leadership, combined with his skills in physician relations, will be instrumental in driving Catholic Health’s continued expansion and commitment toward becoming the premier health system on Long Island.”

Havican brings over 27 years of experience in system leadership to Catholic Health, serving most recently as the President of Hartford HealthCare’s central region, part of a Connecticut-based $5.6 billion multi-hospital system. During his tenure, Healthgrades recognized his hospitals for outstanding patient experience, and the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded them 5-star ratings. He was also instrumental in the expansion of Hartford HealthCare’s MidState Medical Center and the creation of its Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute, a hospital within a hospital dedicated exclusively to orthopedics and musculoskeletal care.

“I look forward to working with Catholic Health’s outstanding team of health care leaders and innovators, building on the exceptional momentum already in motion in its delivery of consumer-centric compassionate care in every patient encounter,” said Havican. “Dr. O’Shaughnessy’s commitment to growth across the health system during these challenging times is what inspired me to join this team of health care visionaries, and to extend Catholic Health’s outstanding services to more Long Islanders.”

Prior to Hartford HealthCare, Havican worked at Middlesex Health where he held progressively responsible positions, and served as Vice President for Strategic Planning and Ambulatory Operations. Havican holds advanced degrees, including an MBA and a Doctor of Health Sciences.

A rendering of the new Ronald McDonald House building to be constructed in Stony Brook.

Ronald McDonald House Charities NY Metro (RMHC NYM) announced on Feb. 1 that it will break ground for a new Ronald McDonald House in Suffolk County on April 17, having raised more than $23 million for the project.

“We are thrilled to have achieved this milestone as we push toward making the dream of a Ronald McDonald House a reality for Suffolk County families,” said Cynthia Lippe, who is heading the fundraising effort. “We thank those who have supported us and urge others to join us in this most noble of efforts.”

The new, three-story, 60,000 sq. ft. Ronald McDonald House will be located within walking distance to Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and will be the only one in Suffolk County. It will join two family rooms located at Stony Brook, in the Children’s Hospital (opened in 2013) and the Hospital NICU (opened in 2022). The house will include 30 bedrooms that include ensuite bathrooms, a communal dining room, a movie theater and fitness room, administrative offices and a great room designed with children in mind.

“The Suffolk County Ronald McDonald House has been a vision of ours for many years and is needed to help so many families who travel from the farthest ends of Suffolk to find the medical care their children need,” said Matt Campo, CEO of RMHC NYM. “We’re thrilled to see the end in sight and get ready for construction next year.”

“The new Ronald McDonald House will provide a safe, secure and comfortable environment for families of children who are hospitalized at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital,” said Carol Gomes, chief executive officer of Stony Brook University Hospital. “We are grateful for our long-standing partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities NY Metro. The facility underscores Stony Brook Medicine’s commitment to offer exceptional care to meet the needs of our patients and their families.”

About Ronald McDonald House Charities NY Metro 

Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro (RMHC NYM) provides free lodging, meals, and emotional support to keep families seeking medical treatment for their sick children near the care they need and the families they love.

Dr. Frank Gress

The prestigious award Master of the American College of Gastroenterology was recently awarded to Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Chief of Gastroenterology and Director of Interventional Endoscopy, Frank Gress, MD, at the 2023 American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Scientific Meeting in Vancouver, Canada.

The title of “Master” is an honorary designation granted by the ACG, recognizing significant career achievements in clinical practice, research, education, and service to the field of gastroenterology. Recipients are considered leaders and influencers, contributing to the ACG’s mission of promoting the highest standards in patient care and digestive health.

“I am humbled and honored by this award,” Dr. Gress, a resident of Smithtown, said. “This award not only reflects on my efforts but on those of our entire gastroenterology team at Mount Sinai South Nassau. We are focused on advancing the field—and on the care we provide to our patients we see each and every day, keeping them as our primary focus.”

“We applaud Dr. Gress for his leadership, exemplary career in gastroenterology, and development of Mount Sinai South Nassau’s gastroenterology and interventional endoscopy programs,” said Adhi Sharma, MD, President of Mount Sinai South Nassau. “He is truly dedicated to improving patient care and educating our residents and fellows and is respected by his peers and valued by his patients and their families, both for his insight and compassion.”

Dr. Gress is Program Director, Gastroenterology Fellowship at Mount Sinai South Nassau. He also serves as the lead for therapeutic endoscopy for the Mount Sinai Health System on Long Island and is Professor of Medicine (Gastroenterology) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Board certified in gastroenterology, Dr. Gress has contributed significantly to advancing interventional gastroenterology, and especially endoscopic ultrasound for diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal conditions.

He completed his medical degree at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and completed residency training in internal medicine at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, NY. He completed two fellowships, one in gastroenterology and hepatology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center/The Brooklyn Hospital Center in Brooklyn, and another in advanced therapeutic endoscopy at Indiana University Medical Center (IUMC) in Indianapolis, Indiana.

It was at IUMC that Dr. Gress developed his interest in the emerging technology of endoscopic ultrasound (a minimally invasive procedure to assess diseases of the digestive tract and other nearby organs and tissues). He has contributed significantly to advancing the technology from a diagnostic modality to an interventional platform. This includes techniques for fine needle aspiration (to remove fluid or tissue samples for biopsy) and endoscopic ultrasound-guided (EUS) celiac plexus block (to control pain associated with chronic pancreatitis) as well as EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (a technique used to reduce pain associated with pancreatic cancer).

In addition to his vital clinical endoscopic research, Dr. Gress has contributed to developing guidelines and programs for advanced endoscopy training. He has published more than 100 original research articles in peer reviewed journals and numerous invited book chapters and editorials, and has edited two highly regarded EUS textbooks: Endoscopic Ultrasonography 4e and the Atlas of Endoscopic Ultrasonography 3e, and co-edited another textbook on pancreatic disease, Curbside Consultations of the Pancreas. He also has helped educate the community during the hospital’s annual colon cancer awareness media briefing, urging the public to undergo colonoscopy screenings based on age and family history.

Dr. Gress has extensive clinical and research experience in pancreatic disease, gallbladder/bile duct diseases, esophageal disorders, and the endoscopic diagnosis and management of GI malignancies. He has participated in numerous multicenter and collaborative studies involving such areas as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (a procedure used to identify the presence of stones, tumors, or narrowing in the biliary and pancreatic ducts), endoscopic surgical techniques, and pancreatitis.

Dr. Gress has served in leadership roles with all the national GI societies, including the ACG, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and the American Gastroenterological Association, as well as with the American College of Physicians. He currently serves on the ACG Innovation and Technology Committee and is the ACG Governor, representing Long Island, and is past president of the New York Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

About Mount Sinai South Nassau

The Long Island flagship hospital of the Mount Sinai Health System, Mount Sinai South Nassau is designated a Magnet® hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for outstanding nursing care. Mount Sinai South Nassau is one of the region’s largest hospitals, with 455 beds, more than 900 physicians and 3,500 employees. Located in Oceanside, New York, the hospital is an acute-care, not-for-profit teaching hospital that provides state-of-the-art care in cardiac, oncologic, orthopedic, bariatric, pain management, mental health, and emergency services and operates the only Trauma Center on the South Shore of Nassau County, along with Long Island’s only free-standing Emergency Department in Long Beach.

In addition to its extensive outpatient specialty centers, Mount Sinai South Nassau provides emergency and elective angioplasty, and offers Novalis Tx™ and Gamma Knife® radiosurgery technologies. Mount Sinai South Nassau operates the only Trauma Center on the South Shore of Nassau County verified by the American College of Surgeons as well as Long Island’s only free-standing, 9-1-1 receiving Emergency Department in Long Beach. Mount Sinai South Nassau also is a designated Stroke Center by the New York State Department of Health and Comprehensive Community Cancer Center by the American College of Surgeons; is an accredited center of the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Association and Quality Improvement Program; and an Infectious Diseases Society of America Antimicrobial Stewardship Center of Excellence.

For more information, go to www.mountsinai.org/southnassau.

Today is Wear Red Day, supporting the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” movement, which raises awareness about cardiovascular disease in women. And in honor of the nationwide movement, Stony Brook Medicine rocked their red gear to make a heart of their own during American Heart Month. Each year millions of people unite for a common goal: the eradication of heart disease and stroke.

Mather Hospital. Photo by Jim Lennon

Mather Hospital, 75 North Country Road, Port Jefferson recently announced in a press release it is changing the name of its physician practices from Harbor View Medical Services, PC to Mather Medical Group.

“This name change better connects Mather’s medical practices with the hospital’s excellent community reputation. We look forward to having our physician practices continue to provide the same high-quality service to the communities we serve as Mather Medical Group,” read the press release.

Mather Hospital is rated a five-star hospital by CMS (the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services), a top 250 hospital nationally by Healthgrades, and consistently receives top A ratings for patient safety from the Leapfrog Group, among many other recognitions and accolades. 

Stony Brook University Hospital

The Stony Brook Heart Institute at Stony Brook University Hospital is expanding its advanced treatment options for those with high blood pressure. The Heart Institute is among the first in the nation to perform ultrasound renal denervation — a groundbreaking, minimally invasive technique to treat high blood pressure for those with resistant hypertension. Resistant hypertension is a form of elevated blood pressure that does not respond to lifestyle changes or medication.

“Our first renal denervation patient had been treated for high blood pressure for many years and was looking to reduce the number of medications as well as the side effects,” says John Reilly, MD, interventional cardiologist at Stony Brook Medicine, Chief of Cardiology at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, and was the principal investigator at Stony Brook Medicine for the technology used in the procedure. Dr. Reilly performed the first case at Stony Brook University Hospital. “The procedure, lasting about 75 minutes, went smoothly and I’m happy to report that the patient went home the very same day.”

The new technology that was used in the procedure is specifically designed to rein in the blood pressure of those with resistant hypertension. Called the Paradise® Ultrasound Renal Denervation (RDN) system and approved by the FDA on November 7, involves applying ultrasound energy in the renal artery to ablate the nerves that run just outside the artery. This ablation interrupts the nerves communicating between the kidneys and central nervous system, which brings the blood pressure under better control. Stony Brook University Hospital is the first on Long Island to use this specific technology and was one of only a select number of centers nationwide to have participated in the RADIANCE CAP trial that demonstrated the safety and effectiveness prior to FDA approval.

“Durable and effective therapy for hypertension that may reduce the need for life-long treatment with medications is a milestone in the treatment of this disease,” says Robert Pyo, MD, Director, Interventional Cardiology and Medical Director, Structural Heart Program at Stony Brook Medicine and Associate Professor, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. “In the hands of our expert Heart Institute team — everyone from our cardiac researchers, imagers and interventional cardiologists — we are continuously seeking the most innovative solutions for our patients.”

Over 122 million Americans have high blood pressure (HBP), which is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease including heart attacks and stroke. Reducing blood pressure by 10mmHg can reduce the risk of stroke by 27%. Three quarters of Americans with HBP do not have their condition under control, and twenty percent of those Americans whose blood pressure is uncontrolled do not respond to lifestyle modification or medications, and up until now had no other treatment options.

“Pioneering research allows Stony Brook University Hospital the ability to offer patients additional options when their current treatments are not working,” said Hal Skopicki, MD, PhD, Co-Director, Stony Brook Heart Institute and Chief, Cardiology at Stony Brook Medicine and Ambassador Charles A. Gargano Chair, Cardiology, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. “It is an exciting and transformative time both for cardiovascular patients and the medical community.”

“Our ever-growing program continues to raise the bar for cardiovascular care on Long Island, allowing us to provide our community with a full array of options to diagnose and treat the most complex of cardiovascular conditions. Renal denervation is a unique opportunity to treat patients with hypertension and represents an entirely different treatment form for hypertension that is resistant to medical treatment. I couldn’t be prouder of our team that remains focused on delivering the best-in-outcomes for our patients,” says Apostolos Tassiopoulos, MD, Chair, Department of Surgery; Chief, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Stony Brook Medicine and Professor of Surgery, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University.

To learn more about the Renal denervation (RDN) procedure and the team at the Stony Brook Heart Institute, visit heart.stonybrookmedicine.edu

About Stony Brook Heart Institute:

Stony Brook Heart Institute is located within Stony Brook University Hospital as part of Long Island’s premier university-based medical center. The Heart Institute offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary program for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. The staff includes full-time and community-based, board-certified cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons, as well as specially trained anesthesiologists, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, surgical technologists, perfusionists, and other support staff. Their combined expertise provides state-of-the-art interventional and surgical capabilities in 24-hour cardiac catheterization labs and surgical suites. And while the Heart Institute clinical staff offers the latest advances in medicine, its physician-scientists are also actively enhancing knowledge of the heart and blood vessels through basic biomedical studies and clinical research. To learn more, visit www.heart.stonybrookmedicine.edu.

Photo courtesy of Mather Hospital

Mather Hospital, 75 North Country Road, Port Jefferson officially opened a new Cardiac Rehabilitation Program on Jan. 16 designed to help those who have suffered a major cardiac event such as a heart attack regain their overall physical, mental, and social functioning.

Studies show that individuals who have recent cardiac events and who participate in cardiac rehabilitation realize many benefits including increased life expectancy; reduced hospitalization; improved function, exercise capacity, mood and overall quality of life; a strong correlation between number of cardiac rehabilitation sessions and long-term results; and improvement of modifiable risk factors such as physical activity, dietary choices, stress levels and more.

The program, which is housed in the Frey Family Foundation Medical Arts Building on the Mather campus, is tailored to meet individual needs, combining education and exercise in a supportive environment. 

Conditions treated include recent myocardial infarction (heart attack); ercutaneous coronary intervention (stent); coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG); chronic stable angina; heart failure (systolic); cardiac transplantation; and valvular heart surgery.

After an initial evaluation, Mather Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation service guides patients through a 12-week program that includes exercise training with continuous ECG or heart monitoring, educational classes on heart health, and nutrition counseling.

Their team includes experienced cardiologists, registered nurses, physical therapists, registered dietitians, and licensed social workers. Together, they provide  a thorough health assessment and set up a personalized treatment plan to maximize a patient’s recovery and return to well-being. 

Learn more at matherhospital.org/cardiacrehab or call 631-775-2456.

Matt Campo, CEO of RMHC NY Metro receives a check from Chris Murray/Vice President of Marketing at Island Federal. Photo courtesy of Island Federal

Island Federal Credit Union (Island Federal) closed out 2023 by donating to Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro (RMHC NYM) to support their work with families that have a child receiving emergency medical care.

Island Federal donated $20,000 to support the construction of a new Ronald McDonald House at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. Also, through the generosity of its employees and members, Island Federal presented more than 10 boxes of toys and games for families staying at RMHC NYM facilities to make their children’s holiday a little more enjoyable.

“Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro does an amazing job serving families who have seriously ill children, both at their house in New Hyde Park and at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital through their Family Rooms,” said Chris Murray, VP/Marketing, Island Federal. “When we heard that they were launching a capital campaign to build a new Ronald McDonald House at Stony Brook Hospital, we were anxious to help.”

“We have seen the number of families that we serve in Suffolk County continue to grow and so a new Ronald McDonald House at Stony Brook Hospital is essential to supporting families there,” said Matt Campo, CEO, RMHC NY Metro. “This new house will provide comfort and overnight accommodations just like our New Hyde Park house, offering the parents and siblings of these children a temporary haven in a secure and comfortable environment among other families sharing a similar burden.”

Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro (RMHC NYM) provides free lodging, meals, and emotional support to keep families seeking medical treatment for their sick children near the care they need and the families they love.

Photo courtesy of SBU Hospital

For the second year in a row, Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) has achieved the highest level of national recognition as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals from Healthgrades, a leading resource that evaluates approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide. This achievement places SBUH among the top 1% of hospitals nationwide reflecting its commitment to exceptional patient care. SBUH is the only hospital on Long Island to be ranked among the 50 Best Hospitals. As part of this ranking, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital also shares in this recognition.

“Stony Brook’s steady increase in rankings — from the top 250 since 2015, to the top 100 since 2019, and now the top 50 for two years in a row is a reflection of our steadfast commitment to bring the best in care to our patients,” says William A. Wertheim, MD, MBA, Interim Executive Vice President, Stony Brook Medicine.

“The exceptional care found at Stony Brook is only possible when a hospital commits to the highest standards of quality and continuous improvement throughout the organization,” says Carol A. Gomes, MS, FACHE, CPHQ, Chief Executive Officer, Stony Brook University Hospital. “I am grateful to our physicians, nurses and all our healthcare professionals for their dedication to excellence.”

To determine the top hospitals for 2024, Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for more than 30 conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide. The 2024 Healthgrades analysis revealed significant variation in hospital performance, making it increasingly important to seek care at top-rated programs. From 2020-2022, if all hospitals, as a group, performed similarly to America’s 50 Best Hospitals, 176,124 lives could potentially have been saved.

“Healthgrades commends Stony Brook University Hospital for their leadership and continued dedication to high quality care,” says Brad Bowman, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Data Science at Healthgrades. “As one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals, Stony Brook University Hospital is elevating the standard for quality care nationwide and ensuring superior outcomes for the patients in their community.”

Stony Brook University Hospital has also been recognized with national Healthgrades Excellence Awards, five-star (the highest level) national ratings and New York State top five rankings for several specialties.

  • Cardiac Care Excellence Award™ (2015-24) and Five-Star Distinction for Heart Attack (2022-24) and Heart Failure (2014-24)
  • Neurosciences Excellence Award™ (2016-24) and Ranked #2 in New York State for Neurosciences (2024)
  • Cranial Neurosurgery Excellence Award™ (2020-24) and Five-Star Distinction (2020-24) for Cranial Neurosurgery (2020-24)
  • Stroke Care Excellence Award™ (2016-24), Five-Star Distinction for Treatment of Stroke (2015-24) and Ranked #2 in New York State for Stroke Care (2024)
  • Gastrointestinal Care Excellence Award™ (2024), Five-Star Distinction for Treatment of GI Bleed (2024) and Ranked #4 in New York State for Gastrointestinal Medical (2024)
  • Critical Care Five-Star Distinctions for treatment of sepsis (2015-24), pulmonary embolism (2024) and Respiratory Failure (2021-24)

To learn more about how Healthgrades measures hospital quality and access a patient-friendly overview of how Stony Brook rates, visit Healthgrades.com.

 

Mather Hospital. Photo by Jim Lennon

Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson announced on Jan. 23  that it is one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals for 2024, according to new research released by Healthgrades, a  leading resource consumers use to find a hospital or doctor. This achievement puts Mather Hospital in the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for overall clinical performance and reflects Mather Hospital’s commitment to exceptional patient care. Mather Hospital has received the America’s 250 Best Hospitals Award for two years in a row (2023-2024).

“This recognition highlights Mather Hospital’s commitment to clinical excellence and patient safety,” said Executive Director Kevin McGeachy. “Together with Northwell Health we are continually investing in the future of health care for our communities, from recruiting the highly skilled physicians, the construction of our new advanced Emergency Department, and our commitment to advanced technology such as robotically assisted surgical systems. Congratulations to the entire Mather team for this achievement.”

To determine the top hospitals for 2024, Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for more than 30 conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide. Unlike other hospital studies, Healthgrades ratings are based solely on what matters most: patient outcomes. The 2024 Healthgrades analysis revealed significant variation in hospital performance, making it increasingly important to seek care at top-rated programs. From 2020-2022, if all hospitals, as a group, performed similarly to America’s 250 Best Hospitals, on average, 178,402 lives could potentially have been saved.* 

“Healthgrades commends Mather Hospital for their leadership and continued dedication to high quality care,” said Brad Bowman, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Data Science at Healthgrades. “As one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals, Mather Hospital is elevating the standard for quality care nationwide and ensuring superior outcomes for the patients in their community.”  

Consumers can visit Healthgrades.com to learn more about how Healthgrades measures hospital quality and access a patient-friendly overview of how we rate and why hospital quality matters here. 

*Statistics are based on Healthgrades analysis of MedPAR data for 2020 through 2022 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only. Click here to view the complete 2024 America’s Best Hospital Awards Methodology.