ike many concerned citizens around the world, Jaime Rivera, M.D., has beenriveted by the dramatic new reports coming out of North Africa and theMiddle East over the past year as a wave of political unrest has swept throughthe region. “Ever since it all started in Tunisia, I’ve been following the protestsin that part of the world and the ongoing struggle for freedom and social

justice,” says Dr. Rivera. “This is a very important time in world history.” In a small way, Dr. Rivera adds, he now feels like a part of this history. In earlyNovember, he performed a life-changing surgical procedure on Belgassem Ali, a 22-year-old Libyan freedom fighter who suffered a gunshot wound to his abdomen duringa skirmish with Moammar Gaddafi loyalists. Ali is one of 22 injured Libyan fighterscurrently receiving care at Spaulding North Shore at the request of the Libyan NationalTransition Council—which took control in Libya after Gaddafi was overthrown inAugust—with support from NATO and the U.S. government.

Positioned for SuccessNSMC IMPROVES PATIENT SAFETY WITH NEW PICC PLACEMENT TECHNOLOGY

Long-time IV therapy nurse Maureen Lawler, R.N., couldn’t be more enthusiasticabout the new electrocardiogram (ECG)guidance technology now being used at SalemHospital to place peripherally inserted centralcatheters (PICCs). “This is a major stepforward in how we deliver care,” says Lawler,Clinical Leader of the NSMC IV therapyteam. “This new technology allows us to placea PICC line in a manner that is faster, safer andmore cost-efficient than our previous method.”Salem Hospital, which went live with the newPICC system in November, is the first hospitalin New England to employ this newtechnology. Union Hospital is expected totake this same step in coming months. “PICC lines are safe, reliable intravenouslines that allow patients to receive medication,blood products, nutrients, chemotherapy andother IV fluids essential to their treatment,”says Kathy Jones, R.N., Nurse Manager for IVTherapy. “They are placed in the arm using a

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Jaime Rivera, M.D., (left) reunites with his patient, Belgassem Ali, several weeks post-surgery. Ali is oneof 22 Libyan fighters currently receiving care at Spaulding North Shore.

nsmcNow!THE NEWS OF NORTH SHORE MEDICAL CENTER

DECEMBER 2011–JANUARY 2012

IV therapy nurses Gail Koontz, R.N., and NancySabogal, R.N., using the new Sapiens PICC lineguidance system.

LFREEDOM TO HEALWOUNDED LIBYAN FIGHTERS RECEIVE CARE AT SPAULDING NORTH SHORE AND SALEM HOSPITAL

Point of Care TestingPerformance Improvement TeamLisa ColeBarry Jones

Simulation & Criticalinking in CardiovascularNursing PlanningCommitteeNancy CrottyLisa Herlihy

Surgical Report CardOngoing ProfessionalPractice Evaluation (OPPE) TeamMarc Rubin

Union Hospital ProcessImprovement – RoomTurnover TimeYolanda CuretNancy Payne

NSMC Leadership onPartners Network Teams

Endicott Pear Tree Historic Preservation TeamDavid King

Patient Financial Services:Network HealthCommonwealth CareTransition TeamDebra Murphy

Elbia RodriguezMelanea SotoDebra Torto-DiScipioSandy VotanoWashington WhiteBertil WolfLaurie WoodsLaurie Young

NSMC Teams

Only team leaders are noted.For entire team listing, pleasevisit NSMC Connect.

Anatomic Pathology/Histology StaffCheryl CunhaLucy Urim

Birthplace Unit Based Practice CouncilMichelle Capello

Cardiac Rehabilitation TeamLynn Walton

Cardiac Surgery Unit (CSU)Nurse Practice CouncilElaine MelloAlicia Richardson

Emergency DepartmentTransformation TeamSteven Browell

NSMC Individual Award Recipients

Alicia BearssReginald BoulwareMary Ellen BrennanMelissa BruningShaun CambraKimberly R. CarafaColleen CarewHeather A. CarlsonCarlos CedanoAlain ChaouiJane ClarkeSuzanne DevoeLisa DigiovanniKathleen DoughertyLee Anne FredericksJeremy FreitasPatty GordonJames HelpsMaura Hines ClouserAnkit KansagraLisa KingKevin KoshyStephen KosterCelia MacarioAnthony MattiaJean McCathernLori McKearneyJean MonahanMary Ellen MurphyMike O’ConnellKim PappasDuncan PhillipsSheryl RazneyChristina Roberto

Infusion Clinic MedicationAdministration Check (MAK)Implementation TeamAl McCarthyDiane MenascoRoxanne Worob

Inpatient Child Psychiatry Mental Health CounselorsGarrett Sidmore

Interventional Radiology (IR)Inventory Standardization Project TeamMargaret Houghton

Management Advisory GroupLorrie KeatingRalph McHatton

Modifier 59 TeamGina MannionSusan Raviv

North Shore PhysiciansGroup Compensation Model Development TeamSteven KapfhammerSharon LucieTom MooreScott Stirling

NSPG Medical AssistantCouncil Lindsay Gainer

Paint DepartmentJim Cassie

he Partners in Excellence Award honors those individuals and teams who havegone “above and beyond” in their efforts to serve the Medical Center, PartnersHealthCare and, most importantly, the patients we serve. “Each of this year’s award recipients has played an important role in helping

NSMC to create a Culture of Excellence that continuously strives to improvequality and efficiency, eliminate safety events and provide a perfect patient experience,”says NSMC President and CEO Bob Norton. “They, along with their colleagues from acrossour community, have shown that by working together toward a common goal we can achievepowerful results.” Award recipients received certificates and pins at the 16th Annual Partners in Excellence awardceremony held on the Salem Campus. This year, 17 teams and 42 individuals from NSMC werehonored by their colleagues for quality treatment and service; leadership and innovation; teamwork;operational efficiency; or outstanding community contributions. Additionally, awards were presented to two Partners network teams with NSMC leadership and 15 network teams featuringNSMC membership.

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A YEAR OF EXCELLENCEEMPLOYEES HONORED AT 2011 PARTNERS IN EXCELLENCE CEREMONY

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1. Award recipients Patty Gordon of Strategyand Decision Support, and Renee Comeau ofPerformance Improvement. 2. AwardRecipients John Brennan of SupportServices, and Mary Ellen Brennan of theWomen’s Center. 3. Award recipients DavidO’Brien, Margaret Houghton, Arthur Legereand Duncan Phillips. 4. Members of theNSPG Compensation Model Developmentteam: Jennifer Powell, Christine Broyer,Scott Stirling, Steve Kapfhammer andLorraine Ghostlaw. 5. Members of the CSU Nurse Practice Council team: AliciaRichardson, R.N., Jennifer Noon, R.N., Eileen Hillick, R.N., and Julie Sulzinsky, R.N. 6. Award recipients Mary Ellen Murphy, R.N.,and Sheryl Razney, R.N. 7. Members of theInpatient Child Psychiatry Mental HealthCounselors team: Alisa Alvarez, GarrettSidmore and Jennifer Ryan. 8. Awardrecipients from Food and Nutrition:Washington White, Colleen Carew and Shawn Cambra. 9. Members of the AnatomicPathology/Histology team: Amanda DeSantis,Jaime Lantagne and Faith Edionwe-George.10. Members of the Modifier 59 team: SusanRaviv, Ledia Mignault, Shirley Richard andGina Mannion. 11. Award recipients AnaisAcevedo, Ellen Wayman and April Crane. 12. Members of the Paint Department team:Rodney Dahlgren, Jim Cassie and Dave Fishelson.

All photos left to right.

“Because of our proximity to SpauldingNorth Shore, a number of specialists atNSMC have been involved in the care of theLibyan patients,” says Mitchell Rein, M.D.,Senior Vice President for Medical Affairsand Chief Medical Officer. “In addition to Dr. Rivera’s surgery, a number ofconsultations have taken place, particularlyin the areas of psychiatry, neurology andorthopedics.” Staff members who work insuch areas as dietary, environmental servicesand security have also been actively involvedwith the Libyan patients. Soft-spoken and serious, Ali is a collegestudent majoring in political science back in his homeland. Speaking through atranslator, he explained that his injuryoccurred when he and a small group ofother Libyan freedom fighters were “trappedby Gaddafi’s militia early one morning andcame under gunfire.” Several sufferedgunshot wounds, his through the buttocksand abdomen causing serious damage to his

Freedom to Heal continued from page 1

small intestine and colon. After receivingan emergency colostomy at a nearbyhospital, Ali found himself bound for theUnited States to receive additional careseveral months later. “I was asked to see if Belgassem would be a good candidate for a colostomyreversal, essentially reconnecting his colonso that he could get rid of the colostomybag and lead a better life,” says Dr. Rivera.A series of tests showed that he was a goodcandidate and Dr. Rivera successfullyperformed the procedure in the Salem OR.After seven days of recovery on theDavenport 7 med/surg unit, Ali wasreturned to Spaulding for furtherrehabilitation. “This surgery will dramatically improvemy life,” says Ali. “I feel like I have had thevery best care available here in the UnitedStates and I’m very grateful to everyoneinvolved.”

To help the Libyanpatients feel morecomfortable duringtheir stay at SpauldingNorth Shore, the staffhas made every effortto accommodate theirreligious and culturalneeds. Nowhere is thismore evident than inthe area of food andnutrition. “After doing myusual dietaryassessment of eachpatient, we developed amenu that incorporatesa lot of the differentfoods, spices andingredients that they typically eat,” says Registered Dietician Lamis Sleiman.“They understand we can’t do things exactly as they are done back home but theyappreciate us trying.” A native of Lebanon who speaks Arabic, Sleiman asked to work with the Libyanpatients when they first arrived and has played an important role in translatingtheir dietary needs for the kitchen staff. She continues to meet with the groupregularly and has gotten to know many of them on a more personal level. “These men have been through some very hard times and have a lot of sadstories,” says Sleiman. “But they are also very positive and upbeat and incrediblyappreciative for all the care they are getting.”

CULTURALLY SENSITIVE CARE

NSMC dietician Lamis Sleiman has been working closely with theLibyan patients to develop a menu that meets their cultural needs.

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nsmcNow!THE NEWS OF NORTH SHORE MEDICAL CENTER

Follow Us!

Do you have news or ideas to share? Let us know. Contact editor Bill Ewing at 978-354-2161 or wewing@partners.org. NSMC Now! is produced by NSMC’s Department of Communications and Public Affairs.

Julie Bunn, R.N., Salem Hospital, Emergency DepartmentIn her role as Clinical Leader in the Salem Hospital EmergencyDepartment, Julie Bunn teaches a variety of classes for both new andexperienced nurses—not only in her department, but throughout theorganization and beyond. Known by her students as being both nurturingand supportive, Bunn’s quietly reassuring demeanor and deep knowledge ofher subject matter have made her an invaluable resource to the nursingcommunity at NSMC and—thanks to classes she teaches at otherhospitals—across New England. In acknowledgement of her dedication toteaching, Bunn washonored this pastNovember by the

Massachusetts Emergency Nurses Association as therecipient of their 2011 Nurse Educator Award. “I love to teach because it gets me out into thecommunity to meet other nurses and helps me keep myown skills current,” says Bunn, who in addition to her jobat NSMC, is also on the Board of Directors of theMassachusetts Emergency Nursing Association and chairof their Pediatric Committee. A nurse at Salem Hospital for more than 37 years—thelast 29 in the Emergency Department—it is safe to say that Bunn has a lot of practical nursing experienceto share with her students. “I was always drawn to emergency medicine because it’s so fast paced and no twodays are the same,” she explains. “You always have to be on your toes because you never know what’s goingto walk through the door.” Prior to joining the Emergency Department, Bunn worked for 10 years in the Salem Hospital ICU. Aresident of Salem, she enjoys traveling, bowling, golfing and spending time with her three grown children.

“I love to teach becauseit gets me out into thecommunity to meetother nurses and helpsme keep my ownskills current.”[

nsmcPeoplelocal anesthetic and can remain in place fordays, weeks and even months. These lineskeep patients on schedule for theirintravenous therapy and blood draws whileavoiding the pain of multiple needle sticksthat would ordinarily be necessary.” Traditionally, a PICC line is inserted intoa vein in a patient’s upper arm above theelbow and advanced across the chest until itreaches the superior vena cava (SVC), oneof the largest veins in the body locatedabove the heart. To ensure that the PICCline is positioned correctly, a chest X-ray hascommonly been required, a step no longerneeded with the new technology. The new Bard Sapiens Tip ConfirmationSystem, as it is called, which has been usedin Europe for more than a decade andincreasingly in the United States, combinesultrasound for vein assessment and access,magnetic PICC tip tracking and anelectrocardiogram for final confirmation oflocation in the chest. “Nurses can now ‘see’the PICC line as it is inserted, receivingimmediate and continuous feedback as itenters the SVC and is securely positioned,”explains Lawler. “The data from the ECG reading is farsuperior to the traditional X-ray,” addsJones. “Now we know, right at the bedside,where the PICC line is located, eliminatingthe need for an X-ray and any timeassociated with getting it processed and readby a radiologist.” The new system also helpsNSMC meet safety guidelines set by theJoint Commission around reducing X-rayexposures for both patients and clinicians. Approximately 85 percent of the 800-plusannual PICC line insertions performed atSalem Hospital are expected to be doneusing the new Sapiens technology.

PICC Lines continued from page 1

AchievementsMegan Ellis, R.N.C., and Christie Steele, R.N.C., of the Birthplace, recently passed their certification examsin inpatient obstetrics qualifying them for R.N.C. status.

Kim Foisy, R.N., had her manuscript, “Thou Shalt Not Fall! Decreasing Falls in the Post-OperativeOrthopedic Patient with a Femoral-Nerve Block,” accepted for publication in a future issue of MEDSURGNursingmagazine.

Dianna Mishel, R.N., M.S.N., of the Birthplace, has graduated from Boston College with a master’s degreein nursing. She successfully passed her nurse practitioner exam and is also certified as a sexual assault nurseexaminer.

Terry Newell, R.N., C.R.N.I., of the Union Hospital IV therapy team, has successfully passed the InfusionNurses Society exam and is now a certified registered nurse in infusion therapy.

Employee Assistance ProgramThe Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is aworkplace-based consultation, short-termcounseling, information and referral program foremployees and their families. The EAP offersassistance with all types of personal, family orwork-related concerns. For more informationcall 866-724-4327 or visit eap.partners.org.

Nevins Named Finalist for Compassionate Caregiver AwardSuzanne Nevins, R.N., a neonatal nurse in the Special Care Nursery at NSMC for morethan 36 years, was recognized this past November as a finalist for this year’s prestigiousSchwartz Center Compassionate Caregiver Award given by the Boston-based KennethB. Schwartz Center. The finalists were selected by a review committee based on howwell they embody the characteristics of compassionate care, including effectivecommunication and emotional support, mutual trust and respect, involving patientsand families in healthcare decisions and treating patients as people, not just illnesses.Approximately 100 caregivers from throughout New England were nominated this year.

NANCY PETERSEN, MDNorth Shore Physicians Group1 Hutchinson DriveDanvers, MA 01923Tel: 978-739-6975; Fax: 978-739-0303In Practice With: Christopher Coffey, MD, Kalinda Dennis, MD, Patrice Fox, MD,John Gelinas, DO, Justine Gelinas, DO, Joel Heller, MD,Patricia Malone, CNM, MPH, Mary Hayes McCaffrey, MD, PhD,Allyson Preston, MD, Marina Rabin, MDClinical Background:Medical School: Albany Medical College, 1979Residency: Albany Medical Center Hospital, 1983Board Certified: Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1990Clinical Interests: Menstrual Disorders, Abnormal PapSmear, Menopause, Gynecological Surgery (MinimallyInvasive), Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy, LaparoscopicHysterectomy

SMITA KOHLI, MDNorth Shore Medical Center 81 Highland AvenueSalem, MA 01970Tel: 978-354-2551In Practice With: Natasha Awais, MD, Jessica Benedetto, MD, Radu Botnaru, MD,Kelly Burdge, MD, Justin Byrne, MD, Aixa Caraballo, MD, Judith Fokum, MD, MPH, Michelle Gochioco, MD, SatyaGollamudi, MD, Jacinta Grant, MD, Joseph Karpicz, MD, SwatiKodali, MD, Monika Merchea, MD, Joseph Miaskiewicz, MD,Lucas Mikulic, MD, Prashanth Mopala, MD, Marie Ngom, MD, Aazim Omer, MD, Michail Orlov, MD, Eric Pound, MD, Joe Qiaoxin Yang, MD, PhDClinical Background:Medical School: Topiwala National Medical College, 2006Residency: Mount Auburn Hospital, 2011Board Eligible: Internal Medicine

BOJAN ZORIC, MDSports Medicine North Orthopaedic Surgery, Inc.1 Orthopedics Drive, 2nd floorPeabody, MA 01960Tel: 978-818-6350; Fax: 978-818-6355In Practice With: Ira Evans III, MD, Joseph Evans, DO, David Fehnel, MD,Peter Fitzgibbons, MD, Dorothy Kurtz, DPM, StevenMattheos, MD, Clay Miller, MD, Sharmila Mudgal, MD, MPH,James O’Holleran, MD, Richard Ozuna, MD, Kaipo Pau, MD,Jeffrey Polansky, MD, Peter Prokopis, MD, Jeremy Shore, MD,John Sledge, MD, Jonathan Uroskie, MD, Robert Wood, MDClinical Background:Medical School: University of California School of Medicine,Los Angeles, 2002Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital, 2007Fellowship: Vail Valley Medical Center, 2008Board Certified: Orthopedic Surgery, 2010Languages: Croatian, Spanish, SwedishClinical Interests: Hip, Knee, Shoulder

HOSPITAL MEDICINE

Meet OurNew Physicians

MONIKA MERCHEA, MDNorth Shore Medical Center 81 Highland AvenueSalem, MA 01970Tel: 978-354-2551In Practice With: Natasha Awais, MD, Jessica Benedetto, MD, Radu Botnaru, MD,Kelly Burdge, MD, Justin Byrne, MD, Aixa Caraballo, MD,Judith Fokum, MD, MPH, Michelle Gochioco, MD, SatyaGollamudi, MD, Jacinta Grant, MD, Joseph Karpicz, MD,Swati Kodali, MD, Smita Kohli, MD, Joseph Miaskiewicz, MD,Lucas Mikulic, MD, Prashanth Mopala, MD, Marie Ngom, MD,Aazim Omer, MD, Michail Orlov, MD, Eric Pound, MD, Joe Qiaoxin Yang, MD, PhDClinical Background:Medical School: St. George University School of Medicine,2008Residency: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, 2011Board Eligible: Internal Medicine

NATASHA AWAIS, MDNorth Shore Medical Center 81 Highland AvenueSalem, MA 01970Tel: 978-354-2551In Practice With: Jessica Benedetto, MD, Radu Botnaru, MD, Kelly Burdge, MD,Justin Byrne, MD, Aixa Caraballo, MD, Judith Fokum, MD,MPH, Michelle Gochioco, MD, Satya Gollamudi, MD, JacintaGrant, MD, Joseph Karpicz, MD, Swati Kodali, MD, SmitaKohli, MD, Monika Merchea, MD, Joseph Miaskiewicz, MD,Lucas Mikulic, MD, Prashanth Mopala, MD, Marie Ngom, MD,Aazim Omer, MD, Michail Orlov, MD, Eric Pound, MD, JoeQiaoxin Yang, MD, PhDClinical Background:Medical School: Fatima Jinnah Medical College, 2001Residency: North Shore Medical Center, 2011Board Eligible: Internal Medicine

JAMES KRAUS, DMDSalem-Peabody Oral Surgery, Inc.6 Essex Center Drive, Suite 12Peabody, MA 01960Tel: 978-531-1450; Fax: 978-531-9984In Practice With: Bart Blaeser, DMD, MD, Vera Drecun Cooke, MD, DDS,George Hatzigiannis, DMD, MD, Daniel Magalnick, DMD,Charles Todd, DMD, MD, DMScClinical Background:Medical School: Tufts University School of Dental Medicine,2006Residency: Tufts Medical Center, 2010Fellowships: Royal Children’s Hospital, 2011; Royal MelbourneHospital, 2011Board Eligible: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

HAYLEY MOAK-BLEST, DOLynn Community Health Center269 Union StreetLynn, MA 01901Tel: 781-581-3900; Fax: 781-586-0305In Practice With: Toryalai Amiri, MD, Kristen Cotter, MD, MPH, ReaganCrowley, CNM, Scott Early, MD, Eileen Fisk, MD, MercedesFreije Ibanez, MD, Hanna Haptu, MD, Alexy Kochowiec, MD,Marc Levine, MD, Nicholas Mayper, MD, ElizabethMcGovern, MD, Sokharith Mey, MD, Mark Miller, MD, MPH,Sini Ninan Poulose, DO, Joyce Prophete, MD, AnnaRabkina, MD, Sharlene Selvaratnam, MD, Marc Sibella, DO,Yvonne Smikle, MDClinical Background:Medical School: Nova Southeastern University ofOsteopathic Medicine, 2008Residency: University of Massachusetts Memorial HealthCare, 2009Board Eligible: Family Medicine

HOSPITAL MEDICINE HOSPITAL MEDICINE

ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY

PETER FITZGIBBONS, MDSports Medicine North Orthopaedic Surgery, Inc.1 Orthopedics Drive, 2nd floorPeabody, MA 01960Tel: 978-818-6350; Fax: 978-818-6355In Practice With: Ira Evans III, MD, Joseph Evans, DO, David Fehnel, MD,Dorothy Kurtz, DPM, Steven Mattheos, MD, Clay Miller, MD,Sharmila Mudgal, MD, MPH, James O’Holleran, MD,Richard Ozuna, MD, Kaipo Pau, MD, Jeffrey Polansky, MD,Peter Prokopis, MD, Jeremy Shore, MD, John Sledge, MD,Jonathan Uroskie, MD, Robert Wood, MD, Bojan Zoric, MDClinical Background:Medical School: Brown University School of Medicine, 2004Residency: Rhode Island Hospital, 2009Fellowships: Rhode Island Hospital, 2010; Brigham andWomen’s Hospital, 2011Board Eligible: Orthopedic SurgeryClinical Interests: General Orthopedics, Hand and UpperExtremity Surgery, Trauma

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THE PHYSICIAN FINDER REFERRAL SERVICE 877-NSMC-MDS (877-676-2637) NSMC.PARTNERS.ORG

LINDSAY FOSSETT, MDNorth Shore Medical Center 81 Highland AvenueSalem, MA 01970Tel: 978-354-3500; Fax: 978-744-8412In Practice With: Andrew Barton, MD, Steven Browell, MD, Anne Chung, MD,MPH, Jenai Beland Cohen, MD, Dan Hennessy Dolan, MD,Joseph Dooley, MD, Racquel Duval, MD, ChristopherHashikawa, MD, Lawrence Hulefeld, MD, Richard Jackson, MD, Thomas Javery, MD, Everett Lyn, MD, Marisela Marrero, MD, Regan Marsh, MD, John Michael, MD,Robert McLaughlin Miller, MD, Jon Moussally, MD, JoshuaResnick, MD, Phillip Rice Jr., MD, Morris Rivera, MD,Nicholas Ross, MD, Bennett Shamsai, MD, MPH, TeresaSkarulis, MD, Eugene Smith, MD, Patrick Stevens, MD, Sarah Tibbetts, MD, Michael Walger, MDClinical Background:Medical School: University of Pennsylvania School ofMedicine, 2005Residency: Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 2011Board Eligible: Emergency Medicine