ST. VINCENT CHARITY PODIATRY RESIDENTS STEP OUT WITH CLEVELAND EMS. 

This past October saw a group of St. Vincent Charity podiatry residents participate in ride-alongs with Cleveland Emergency Medical Service (EMS) first responders. Taking part in a total of five shifts meant being first on the scene to medical emergencies in all areas of Cleveland, and gave residents the chance to experience real-life drama where it happens, from residential neighborhoods and apartments, to transitional housing, and even where there are no homes at all, as in the case of the homeless. Depending on their nature and circumstances, some calls even required the accompaniment of Cleveland fire fighters and/or police.

If residents’ responses are any measure, the ride-alongs were insightful and humanizing, affording a newfound appreciation for the hard work involved, and a more complete worldview about what goes on outside of the hospital, in the city of Cleveland and beyond. 

“There were more serious and less serious emergencies, but either way, I’m in awe of the sheer bravery of first responders,” said Erin Younce, postgraduate year three, podiatry resident. “It’s a job for extraordinary people. I’m accustomed to patients coming to me, not vice versa. I now have an entirely new perspective.”

“For me, it was interesting to see where patients are coming from,” said Joshua Fisher, postgraduate year one, podiatry resident. “It lets you realize what some patients are going back to once they leave the walls of St. Vincent Charity, and how fortunate we are to have the opportunity to make our patients’ lives a little better in some way or fashion.”

NEAR-LIFELONG CONNECTION TO ST. VINCENT CHARITY HAS BEEN LIFE-SHAPING EXPERIENCE FOR DOCTOR.

From shadowing hospital physicians as a Cathedral Latin High School student, to meeting his future wife, to attaining his current position as Director of the Division of Anesthesia, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center has been a steady and influential presence in the life of Dr. John Bastulli for more than four decades.

“It feels as though I have always been connected to St. Vincent. I had opportunities to practice at other hospitals, but felt drawn to St. Vincent as the faith-based provider in the city,” Dr. Bastulli said. “The Sisters of Charity truly live their mission to extend the healing hand of Jesus to every individual, irrespective of socioeconomic status. These are not just words, but something that is exemplified in this hospital every day.”

Dr. Bastulli believes that faith-based providers have a growing role with the evolution of health care and rapidly changing reimbursement structures. With greater emphasis on disease prevention and management, health care becomes more complicated for those with limited economic means and a lack of access to primary care. 

“The Sisters and St. Vincent are in lockstep with the changing focus to population health management,” Dr. Bastulli said. “They demonstrate a rock solid commitment to improving the quality of care to all patients and provide all caregivers with the resources necessary to provide quality health care.” 

With that belief as guidance, John and wife Lorene—a St. Vincent Charity Hospital School of Nursing graduate and caregiver until 1987—recently made a generous donation to St. Vincent Charity’s capital campaign. The funds are earmarked for the medical offices on W. 25th Street across from Saint Ignatius High School, a collaborative project between the school and St. Vincent Charity to provide essential health care services to a desperately underserved community. 

“Many people in this neighborhood are of limited economic means and without access to health care services, especially primary care,” said Dr. Bastulli. “This center provides the care the community needs, where the community needs it.”

The collaboration also affords students at the school—which the Bastulli’s sons attended—community outreach service opportunities, not unlike those the doctor himself was blessed with as a high school student.

 “It provides these young men the opportunity to experience how individuals less fortunate than themselves struggle on a daily basis,” Dr. Bastulli said, “and helps raise another generation of health care workers and leaders who are connected to and engaged in the community.”

Dr. Bastulli was recently inducted into the Society of St. Luke for his exemplary service to the hospital and community. The honor recognizes his sense of responsibility, compassion, and steadfast love for the practice of medicine and the sense of community that is fostered through caring for others.

Since joining St. Vincent Charity Medical Center in 1998, Dr. Bastulli has also served as the Medical Director of Surgical Services, he is president of Cleveland Anesthesia Group, and in 2012 was named Physician Director of External Affairs, a role in which he assists the medical center in the areas of physician recruitment, business development, and medical staff affairs, as well as advocating with organizations like the Academy of Medicine of Cleveland & Northern Ohio, the Ohio State Medical Association, and the Ohio General Assembly.

ST. VINCENT CHARITY PODIATRISTS TREAT THE HOMELESS WITH EQUAL PARTS DIGNITY AND HEALTH CARE.

 “Hello, my friend. Come and sit down.” 

For many entering Public Auditorium on a cold Saturday in January, the words are both familiar and welcome. It’s the greeting they hear from the team of doctors, residents, and students from St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, there taking part in the 25th Homeless Stand Down, an annual event held for Cleveland’s homeless.

While the team’s mission is to provide medical care for the feet of the homeless, before the day is over, the greatest gifts they will bestow on many of the 1,500 in attendance are simple compassion and dignity.


 Since the event’s inception in 1990, members of the St. Vincent Charity Department of Podiatry have volunteered to serve at the annual event, where their medical screenings begin with washing the feet of the men, women, and children who come seeking care, food, clothing, and other necessities.

“I am always struck by the image of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, which symbolizes the humility and charity of Christ,” said Dr. Michael Canales, who has assisted with Stand Down for 12 years now.  “As we treat each attendee, it reminds us of our call to service and the need to look at them not only as patients, but as members of the human race.” 

“Beyond the medical treatment we provide,” Dr. Canales continued, “sometimes it is simply respecting the dignity and value of each person, talking to them, and giving them hope that provides the greatest relief.” 

Third-year resident Dr. Erin Younce said taking part in Stand Down helps participants embrace the value of mission-based care.  “It changes our perspective about homeless people,” she said. “Seeing them, treating them, and talking with them opens our minds and gives a better sense of our shared humanity.”

Of course, the event also has practical benefits, providing clinical experience for residents and students, and much-needed care for the homeless. Because they average more than 5 hours per day on their feet, are exposed to the elements, and lack access to adequate socks, shoes, and hygiene facilities, the vast majority of the homeless experience foot or health issues, some of which can be life threatening.  

“The feet are a window into a patient’s health,” Dr. Canales said. “Besides the obvious foot issues, we can also see systemic issues with circulation, peripheral neuropathy, alcoholism, and diabetes. This assessment can often save lives.” 

ST. VINCENT CHARITY MEDICAL CENTER AWARDED ADVANCED CERTIFICATION FOR PRIMARY STROKE CENTERS.

St. Vincent Charity Medical Center announced that it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers. The Gold Seal of Approval and the Heart-Check mark are symbolic representations of quality from their respective organizations. 

To earn the recognition, St. Vincent Charity underwent a rigorous onsite review in early February 2016. Joint Commission experts evaluated compliance with stroke-related standards and requirements, including program management, the delivery of clinical care, and performance improvement. 

“St. Vincent Charity has demonstrated an exceptional level of commitment to the care of stroke patients by achieving Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers,” said Wendi Roberts, RN, MS, TNS, CLNC, executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, The Joint Commission. “We commend them for being a leader in the identification, intervention, and treatment of stroke care for patients. Certified primary stroke centers consistently set a higher standard of care for stroke patients in their communities.”

 “We are pleased to receive Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers from The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association,” said Dr. David F. Perse, president and CEO of St. Vincent Charity Medical Center. “The certification provides us the opportunity to highlight the exceptional stroke care we provide and continually strive to advance even further.” 

Stroke is the number five cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States, according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, someone dies of a stroke every four minutes, and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.