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The St. Vincent Charity Wellness Committee is focused on helping everyone keep their New Year’s resolutions. Each week we will be sharing helpful tips for sticking with some of the more common New Year’s resolutions. Up this week is the ever popular – weight loss! Here are a few basic facts and tips to get 2015 started on a healthy note.

There is no one perfect way to lose weight.  What works for one person may not work for another.  But there are some common practices that have helped people successfully lost weight and kept it off.

• 78% eat breakfast daily

• 75% weigh themselves at least once a week

• 62% watch less than 10 hours of TV a week

• 90% exercise on average at least 60 minutes a day

When these same people were asked how they lost weight almost everyone (95%) said that they modified their food intake and increased their activity level. The most common activity was walking! Basically, they ate less, or healthier, and were more active. 

Plan and Set Goals

To be successful you need to have a plan of how you are going to accomplish your goal. Goal setting is important –people who set goals were more likely to lose weight. Make the goal measurable and realistic. Support is an important weight loss tool as well. Support could be teaming up with a friend or family member, or letting those around you know your plan so they can be supportive and encouraging. 

Make good choices

• Eat regular meals and eat at home as much as possible.  Our bodies like to be fed every 3-4 hours. This keeps your metabolism running at its best.  When you eat at home you know what you are eating and how it was prepared. Restaurant food is notoriously high in calories and fat.

•  Track what you are eating. It is so easy to over eat in our supersized world. Keeping a food diary can help you get a handle on what and how much you are eating so you know what needs to be changed. This is easy to do with apps that are available on smart phones.A great, free app to try is My Fitness Pal. 

•  Limit your intake of processed foods. Read the label – if you can’t pronounce the ingredients put it back! If your grandparents wouldn’t recognize it as food you probably shouldn’t be eating it. 

• Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. They provide a lot of nutrients and are low in calories.

• Use smaller plates, bowls and glasses. This can work! Many studies have proven that people will eat less if given smaller plates. They will also drink less out of tall, skinny glass rather than a short, wide glass.

Join us as we continue our 150th anniversary celebration with a special tree lighting ceremony on December 3, 2014. This event is free and open to the public.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. on the front lawn of St. Vincent Charity Medical Center. Guests can enjoy children’s activities, hot beverages and holiday snacks, holiday music, giveaways, fireworks and, of course, the lighting of the tree. The lighting of the tree will take place around 6:55 p.m. following a formal program at 6:15 p.m. Speakers include David F. Perse, President and CEO of SVCMC and Chair of 150th Anniversary Celebration; Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA, Congregational Leader and Honorary Chair of 150th Anniversary Celebration.

Throughout the ceremony there will be roaming entertainment and performances by:

• Cleveland Municipal School District’s All-City Choir
• Fuller Sounds Handbell Ensemble of Rocky River Methodist Church
• Singing Angels Performing Chorus
• Saint Ignatius High School Circus Company
• Saint Ignatius Drum Line
• Mrs. Claus and Mr. Mint Stilt Walkers
• Saint Paschal Baylon Rascals

Free parking is available in the lot directly across from St. Vincent Charity, located at 2322 East 22nd Street.

Special events for the community are planned throughout the anniversary year. Complete information can be found at stv150.org.

Open enrollment of the Health Insurance Marketplace begins tomorrow—are you covered? The Northeast Ohio Outreach & Enrollment Council will have counselors available throughout NEO on Saturday, November 15, 2014 to help individuals and families get or renew coverage.

St. Vincent Charity Medical Center will have a navigator on site throughout the enrollment period to help people learn their options for health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace. The navigator will be at St. Vincent Charity on the following days:

November 20, 2014

9 am – 4 p.m.

November 25

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

December 2-5

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Beginning December 8th and through the remainder of the enrollment period:

Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

10 a.m. –  4 p.m.

October 30, 2014, Cleveland: At a time when Americans are fixated on the speculative threat of Ebola, Cleveland’s healthcare community wants to remind people to protect themselves against a tangible threat that kills 3,000 to 49,000 Americans annually – influenza.

The Focus On Flu campaign is supported by The City of Cleveland, the Cleveland Department of Public Health, Cleveland Clinic, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, The MetroHealth System, the Sisters of Charity Health System, and University Hospitals (UH). It is designed to inform residents about the real dangers of influenza, the importance of flu vaccinations and where to find flu shots or the nasal spray vaccine.

“We are all walking through a very difficult time and we know that Ebola is a very dangerous disease. However, there are many other infectious diseases and these are treatable and preventable. That is why I am asking each of you, if you have not yet, go and get your flu shot today,” said Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson. “Do your part!”

The best protection against the flu is vaccination. The CDC recommends an annual flu shot for everyone six months of age and older.

“Getting a flu shot is one of the best things that you can do for your health,” said Michael Anderson, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of University Hospitals Case Medical Center.  “It not only offers personal protection to an individual, it also helps stop the spread of the flu to other people – family members, friends, co-workers.  I cannot stress enough the importance of getting a flu shot.”

The Focus On Flu website (www.FocusOnFlu.org) will list local flu clinics being provided by each of the campaign’s partners, including free and reduced-cost vaccinations, in addition to important links and information about influenza.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu activity is still low for the 2014-2015 flu season, but flu cases often begin to increase in October and November, peaking in December, January and February. While each flu season is different and difficult to predict, over the last 30 years flu-associated deaths in the U.S. ranged from 3,000 to 49,000 people. The 2009-10 flu season, which included an outbreak of the H1N1 strain, resulted in 54,000 deaths from flu and pneumonia.

“Nearly 200,000 Americans are hospitalized each year because of the flu and less than half of all Americans get vaccinated. We need to protect our community against the highly contagious influenza virus,” said Toby Cosgrove, M.D., president and CEO, Cleveland Clinic. “As we prepare for a possible, but unlikely Ebola outbreak, we need to prevent the flu and flu-like symptoms, which will go a long way toward reducing public concern.”

In addition to getting vaccinated, preventive actions also can reduce the spread of influenza: Wash your hands often. Avoid close contact with sick people. Stay home from work or school if you are sick with the flu. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

“We need everyone in our community to help prevent the spread of flu,” said Akram Boutros, M.D., president and CEO of The MetroHealth System. “Coughing into your sleeve and constantly washing your hands helps, but the best way to avoid getting flu is to get flu vaccine now. We’d like to see the winter of 2014-15 become the healthiest on record.”

Terry Allan, Health Commissioner at the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, added, “High flu vaccination rates reduce worker absenteeism and missed school days. So getting vaccinated helps to sustain the productivity of our community. Get your flu shot today and be part of the solution.”

As of mid-August, the CDC reported that seven influenza vaccine manufacturers are projecting that as many as 151 million to 156 million doses of influenza vaccine will be available for use in the United States during the 2014-2015 influenza season. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu.

“Flu viruses are constantly changing. Each flu season, different flu viruses can spread, and they can affect people differently based on differences in the immune system. Even healthy children and adults can get very sick from the flu,” said Terrence P. Kessler, president and CEO of the Sisters of Charity Health System. “Join us in sharing the Focus On Flu message with your friends, family and neighbors. Help make sure all Clevelanders understand the dangers of influenza and the importance of flu vaccinations and frequent handwashing!”

ColdvsFlu_Infographic.pdf (1.73 mb)

More than 1,000 guests were in attendance at our Pizzazz gala on October 18, as Dr. David F. Perse, President and CEO, kicked off the yearlong 150th anniversary celebration.

Held at Public Auditorium, the biennial event set the stage for a remarkable celebration of a legacy that began on October 10, 1865. Founded by the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, St. Vincent Charity is the oldest private hospital in Cleveland. The history of Cleveland and St. Vincent Charity Medical Center are not independent of one another. A city is people; a hospital is people—the story of the past century and a half is the story of how these people have helped each other.

At our gala event, we were proud to present the Honorable Frank G. Jackson, Mayor of the City of Cleveland, with the St. Vincent de Paul Award, given to friends, supporters and community leaders who best exemplify the spirit of St. Vincent, an apostle of charity. "(Mayor Jackson), a native son of the Central neighborhood, through your work and your support, you have made lifelong friends here at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center," said Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA, Congregational Leader and Honorary Chair of the 150th anniversary celebration.

Also honored with the St. Vincent de Paul Corporate Award was KeyBank, represented by Christopher M. Gorman, President of Key Corporate Bank. "KeyBank’s support has benefitted not only our Pizzazz efforts, but also our internal programs and services as well as signature capital improvements," said Karam.

In addition to raising more than $750,000 to support St. Vincent Charity, the evening culminated with remarks and toast honoring the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine given by David F. Perse, MD, president and CEO. "The Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine have given this city so much--their mission, their prayer, their compassion and their devotion. We stand in awe and all we can say is, thank you for your devotion to your mission," said Perse.

Events are planned throughout the anniversary year. A Christmas Tree Lighting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3 on the front lawn of the hospital. The event is free and open to the public.

Complete information about the 150th anniversary can be found at www.stv150.org.

St. Vincent Charity Medical Center cares for patients with any infectious disease according to established protocol. In collaboration with public health officials, a team led by Infection Control and Richard Chmielewski, MD, Infectious Disease, has been following CDC guidelines in preparation for Ebola patients.

We understand what is required of our hospital, including staffing, training, equipment, supplies and facilities, whenever anyone comes to our hospital with what could be any infectious disease. As always, our primary concern is high-quality care and the safety of our patients, visitors, staff and community.

"For weeks we have been preparing through development of policies, participation in tabletop exercises and unannounced drills, and ongoing training of frontline staff," said Dr. Chmielewski. "We have also participated regularly in the broader public health initiative underway throughout Greater Cleveland."

Some of the specific plans for preparedness include:

• Training of all St. Vincent Charity Caregivers who provide direct patient care for potential Ebola patients.
• Assessments in our electronic health record to prompt inquiries about recent travel history to Ebola-affected areas for patients presenting with fever or flu-like symptoms.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Caregivers that includes gowns/bodysuits, face shields, masks and gloves.
• Repeated training on the donning and doffing (putting on and taking off) of PPE.
• Isolation room with negative pressure that does not allow air in or out.  
• Ongoing drills, tabletop exercises and training in the proper care of potential patient based on recommendations from both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Ohio Department of Health (ODH)
• Minimizing the use of unnecessary tests and blood draws.

United Way 2-1-1 First Call for Help is on the front line with other Northeast Ohio emergency management and public health officials and is available to answer the public's questions about Ebola. United Way 2-1-1 callers will be triaged according to CDC guidelines and referred to the appropriate local resources.

CLEVELAND, OHIO (October 8, 2014) — The Internal Medicine graduating class of 2014 has achieved perfection with 100 percent passing the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) exam.

“This achievement is evidence of our combination of a well-qualified physician faculty, exceptionally knowledgeable residents and a program structure that is conducive to high-quality learning,” said Keyvan Ravakhah, MD, director of the internal medicine residency program at St. Vincent Charity. “We are so proud of our residents and our faculty.”

St. Vincent Charity has a long history of medical education. In 1881, it conferred the first medical degree in Cleveland through Charity Hospital Medical College. It later merged with the Medical Department of Wooster University to form Western Reserve Medical Department, the precursor to Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

To this day, the Internal Medicine Residency program is affiliated with CWRU. As a teaching hospital, St. Vincent Charity has 52 internal medicine residents as well residents in addiction medicine, dentistry and podiatry.

“We are deeply thankful for our great faculty, attending physicians and coordinators who encourage, support and inspire us to follow their steps and do our best,” said Buthayna Dinary, MD, resident of the class of 2014 and currently a fellow in nephrology at University Hospitals.

ABIM was established in 1936 to answer a public call to establish uniform standards for physicians. Certification has meant that internists have demonstrated—to their peers and to the public—that they have the clinical judgment, skills and attitudes essential for the delivery of excellent patient care. Today, ABIM certifies approximately one out of every four physicians in the United States.

The Ohio Association of Physician Assistants (OAPA) is pleased to announce that Carla Streep O’Day, MD, Medical Director, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center Emergency Department, is the recipient of the association’s 2014 Hudson Award.The award is given to an individual who is considered to be outstanding based on deeds and actions promoting the physician assistant (PA) profession in Ohio.

Dr. Streep O’Day started her career as a social worker then attended medical school while raising her five children.She became the managing partner of Lakeland ER group that has staffed multiple ERs, all employing physician assistants and laying the groundwork for the PAs that are working today in northeast Ohio.She continues to practice in emergency medicine and, over the years, has been a supervising physician to over 150 PAs and a preceptor of many physicians and PAs.Dr. Streep O’Day has also served on the Ohio State Medical Board, the Rape Task Force and Task Force on Violent Crime and the EMS Advisory Board in Cuyahoga County.She is also active in the community volunteering for charity fundraisers and serving on the board of the Cleveland International Film Festival, helping to sponsor an emergency medicine based movie called “Code Black.”

She has always championed the physician-PA team concept and supported PAs, PA students and PA programs in Ohio.Her many contributions to the promotion and growth of the PA profession at the Medical Board, emergency departments and throughout the hospital culture are recognized and it is with great appreciation of her efforts that OAPA is presenting Dr. Carla Streep O’Day with the 2014 Hudson Award.

Formed in 1978, OAPA’s mission is to remove obstacles and provide the resources so Ohio physician assistants can continue to grow professionally while promoting quality, accessibility and cost-effectiveness in patient-centered health care.

CLEVELAND, OHIO (September 29, 2014) — Athletes, particularly school athletes, who

suffer injuries during the week can now take advantage of a service designed specifically for them. The Bump Clinic at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center is open from 10 a.m. to Noon on Saturdays at the St. Vincent Charity Diagnostic Imaging Center, 4400 Rockside Road in Independence.

Walk-in service is available for athletes in need of evaluation for concussions, sprains, strains and fractures. Because it’s located in an outpatient imaging center, patients can also get x-rays and referrals for further diagnostic testing.

Unlike similar clinics that are staffed by trainers, the Bump Clinic at St. Vincent Charity is staffed by a fellowship-trained and board-certified physician in sports medicine. George Friedhoff, DO, has held a number of sports medicine appointments, including team physicians for Ohio University, Otterbein University, Ohio Athletic Conference Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Championships, Nationwide Columbus Marathon, NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships, PGA President’s Cup and All-Ohio State Soccer Championships.

In addition to his work in the clinic, Dr. Friedhoff has special interests in overuse injuries for endurance athletes. As a medical orthopedist working in the Spine and Orthopedic Institute at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, he specializes in nonsurgical orthopedic treatments such as osteopathic manipulative treatment, osteoarthritis and acute/chronic back pain management. Athletes also have access to the experienced orthopedic and spine surgeons at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center.

For more information, call the clinic at 216-676-1234.

One month from today, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center kicks off its yearlong 150th anniversary at our signature gala, Pizzazz! If you haven't already sponsored a table, check out our opportunities here. Individual tickets are also available here.

Proceeds from our biennial fundraiser support the healing mission of St Vincent Charity Medical Center. Impoverished, sick and vulnerable people count on St. Vincent Charity Medical Center for life-transforming services every day. Our mission is to serve as an extension of the healing ministry of Jesus. Your support of our mission will heal individuals, families and communities.

St Vincent Charity Medical Center has been caring for Clevelanders for nearly 150 years regardless of ability to pay. In 2012, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center provided $9.2 million in community benefit through:

• Free and discounted care to those unable to afford health care
• Care to low-income beneficiaries of Medicaid and other indigent care programs
• Services designed to improve community health and increase access to health care

St. Vincent Charity Medical Center prides itself on combining clinical excellence with human compassion for all our patients. Our size gives us the freedom to provide that personal care at a lower cost. But our resources are stretched, particularly at a time when so many individuals are in need of care. Your support can make a tremendous difference in our ability to fulfill our mission.

Thank you for your interest in our work. With your help, we will carry on our faith-based legacy of high quality, compassionate care for all of God’s people for another 150 years.