MDNews - Central New York

ST. JOSEPH'S HEALTH IS ONE OF SEVEN IN THE NATION TO RECEIVE MITRAL VALVE REPAIR REFERENCE CENTER AWARD St. Joseph's Health has received the Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award from the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Mitral Foundation for a demonstrated record of superior clinical outcomes resulting from evidence‑based, guideline‑directed degenerative mitral valve repair. Only seven organizations in the country received the designation. The Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award was developed to identify, recognize and promote the nation's leading medical centers for mitral valve repair surgery. "The Mitral Valve Repair Reference Award further proves that St. Joseph's Health is one of the premier heart care facilities in the country," says Philip Falcone, MD, Chief Medical Officer at St. Joseph's Health. "Improving heart health in communities near and far has always been a primary focus at St. Joseph's Health. With this prestigious award, we have proven that St. Joseph's Health is committed to delivering the widest range of cardiac services and the highest level of care to our patients." The recommended treatment for degenerative mitral valve disease is mitral valve reconstruction, as opposed to valve replacement with a bioprosthetic or mechanical valve, because valve repair is associated with improved survival rates and fewer long‑term complications. Many patients who would benefit from repair receive replacement valves, with higher rates of death or complications within five years after surgery. St. Joseph's Health earned the award for meeting specific quality achievement measures at a set level for a designated period of time. Participating in this recognition program demonstrates adherence to evidence‑based treatment guidelines as well as an ongoing commitment to reporting and measuring quality and outcome metrics specific to mitral valve repairs. "This award once again reflects our team's commitment to clinical excellence," says Charles Lutz, MD, Program Director of Cardiac Surgery at St. Joseph's Health. "The Mitral Valve Repair Reference Award is a highly selective award. This recognition truly sets our cardiac surgery team apart from other hospitals in our region and across the country." The Mitral Foundation's Scientific Advisory Board, a multidisciplinary group of leaders including cardiologists, imagers and surgeons from around the country, developed the criteria applied in the evaluation of candidate centers. "We are pleased to recognize St. Joseph's Health for their commitment to patients who need mitral valve repair," says Robert O. Bonow, MD, Professor of Cardiology at Northwestern University and Past President of the AHA. "Choosing the right hospital for heart surgery is one of the most important healthcare decisions that patients and their referring physicians must make to insure best outcomes. The Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center award identifies hospitals with excellent processes and outcomes and gives patients and cardiologists the information necessary to make these important decisions when mitral valve surgery is required." St. Joseph's Health is one of only 8 hospitals in the nation to be named an American Heart Association Center of Excellence, one of America's 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery according to a national study by Healthgrades, and it received the highest performance rating for heart bypass surgery by U.S. News and World Report. St. Joseph's Health was also recently named one of the nation's 50 top performing hospitals by Fortune and IBM Watson Health. For more information, visit everybeatmatterssjh.org. More information about the American Heart Association and Mitral Foundation Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award is available at heart.org. OSWEGO HEALTH TRANSFORMS MENTAL HEALTHCARE WITH NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY IN CITY OF OSWEGO Although mental illnesses are recognized as urgent health challenges, they are often neglected, and the people affected go unnoticed. Resources and funding allocated to mental health are almost nonexistent in many health systems around the world. Fewer than one in five people receive treatment. When mental health services do exist, they are often not adequate or appropriate. They are rarely integrated well with other health services, and the stigma attached to mental health issues keeps people from seeking care. It is a silent epidemic, and those suffering are often not able to demand action. Oswego Health is committed to improving the mental health for Central New York residents and thanks to a $13 million transformational grant from the New York State Department of Health and support from community members and local organizations, the Lakeview Center for Mental Health and Wellness, located at 29 E. Cayuga Street, Oswego, opened on January 25, 2021, with all inpatient and outpatient services now fully operational. As the only behavioral health services inpatient and outpatient provider in Oswego County, Oswego Health has constructed this new Center specifically to provide this specialized care. The health system has renovated 42,000 square feet of a former grocery store, which now to features 32 inpatient beds. "Patients will find the new location offers a welcoming, soothing and healing environment that includes secure outdoor spaces and comfortable interior areas," says Behavioral Health Services Associate Administrator, Jody Pittsley, RN. "Also, to assist those who utilize these services to become healthier overall, primary care services will be available onsite." This new Center, which is a short drive from the Oswego Hospital Emergency Room, is located near beautiful Lake Ontario and truly will provide an environment of healing unlike any other behavioral health facility in the area. For more information about Oswego Health, please visit oswegohealth.org. n MEDICA L BRIEF S 2 2

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