VM Inside

Fall Edition Virginia Mason Foundation Newsletter

Inside this issue

Impact of Philanthropy | Donor Spotlight: Jim Lansciardi | Transforming Heathcare | Your Dollars at Work | What's Happening at Virginia Mason | Events |

 

IMPACT OF PHILANTHROPY:

Working Together for a Healthier Community
The Puget Sound area is an amazing community and when communities like ours come together, great things happen. Verizon Wireless recently partnered with Virginia Mason’s Digestive Disease Institute to help fund a pilot study in the area of obesity and weight management. Philanthropy is a strong part of Verizon’s culture.

Since 2000, the company has donated to 56,000 non-profits and Verizon employees have donated 6.8 million volunteer hours. One of Verizon’ main philanthropic focus areas is health care; specifically looking at ways to alleviate chronic diseases, like obesity, through health information technology that educates and empowers patients. The pilot study will help lay the groundwork for the creation of a Center of Excellence for Overweight and Obese Patients at Virginia Mason’s Digestive Disease Institute.

The Center will provide a multi-specialty care team to coordinate an evidence-based, personalized approach to sustainable weight loss. The study will pull together information and review the success of support groups, healthy eating education, cooking and exercise tips, online support as well as guidance from medical experts. Support from Verizon Wireless for this pilot study will not only help Virginia Mason patients improve their lives and their health, but will also have a broader impact on the well-being of our entire community. 

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DONOR SPOTLIGHT:

A Tribute in Honor of a Caring Mother and Team Medicine
Jim Lansciardi’s mother Marilyn was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August 2011. Marilyn was a vivacious woman who loved her family. She also loved to sing, dance and had a wonderful sense of humor. Her son recalls fondly that she was making jokes until the moment she passed away in April 2014.

Jim Lansciardi with his mother, Marilyn

When Marilyn was first diagnosed, she was referred to Virginia Mason, specifically to Vincent Picozzi, MD. “What always stood out to me, and to my mother, was the great care and how consistently friendly everyone at Virginia Mason was and is. Everyone is so sincere – from nurses, to valets, to the folks who check you in,” Jim says. The treatment for her cancer brought Marilyn and Jim to Virginia Mason frequently. “She always looked forward to her visits to Floor 2,” Jim says. “She really liked the nurses and the staff. My mom would put on earrings and perfume to go to her appointments – it was more like visiting friends!” That kindness extended to Jim, too. He appreciated being able to joke around with the nurses and staff. The friendly, welcoming atmosphere was something that was greatly appreciated, especially when coping with the illness of a loved one.

Dr. Picozzi was a favorite of both Marilyn and Jim. “Dr. Picozzi always made my mother smile. He could make her laugh – and even sing!”  On one occasion, Dr. Picozzi and Marilyn were talking about various songs they knew. Dr. Picozzi sang a few lines of one particular song, Marilyn followed up with another few lines and the two of them finished out the song in beautiful harmony. “The whole office started clapping at the end! It was fabulous! My mother loved it and so did I,” Jim recalls. “I am so grateful that Dr. Picozzi was my mother’s physician and for the care she received from the staff.”

Jim knew he wanted to set up a tribute fund in honor of his mother at Virginia Mason because of the care she received during her illness, as well as his own gratitude to the physicians and staff. Jim says, “I want to help others. By creating this fund, I feel like all my mother went through was not in vain. It was the right thing to do.” 

Jim hopes the tribute gift in honor of his mother will inspire others to give as well. “I might not have millions to give, but I can still do a lot and help others. I am committed to giving every year for the next twenty years.” He sees this as something that will encourage even more people to donate and get involved. 

When Jim retires, he wants to spend more time fundraising and helping people battling pancreatic cancer. He is proud of the legacy he has built in honor of his mother and thankful for the care she received at Virginia Mason. 

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TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE:

A Place for Reflection and Respite

In our journey to transform the delivery of health care for the patients we serve, we know how important the involvement of a patient’s family and loved ones is both in the care we provide and the overall healing process. To facilitate this while patients are in the hospital, each of our Jones Pavilion patient rooms have a separate space designed specifically for families and loved ones. This space allows them to be present, while also being comfortable and supported themselves.

As part of our new Oncology Unit on Level 18 of the Jones Pavilion, we added another element to support the families and loved ones of our patients. We created a meditation space, designed as a place of respite, quiet and solitude. Privacy screens allow patients and their families to pray or have time for personal reflection in a sheltered environment. In one section of the space, the flooring has been designed to point towards Mecca and a bar for a prayer mat has been included. The furniture, artwork, and special amenities have all been selected and fashioned for focus, peace, and balance. The view of downtown Seattle and Puget Sound also allows patients and their families to look outward while focusing inward. 

This meditative space is made possible by the proceeds of the Virginia Mason Gift Shop, whose revenue is used to meet the needs of our patients. It opened together with the new Oncology Unit in early October.

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YOUR DOLLARS AT WORK:

Virginia Mason Foundation Donor Support Brings Improved Patient Safety Technology

At Virginia Mason, patient safety is purposeful and the highest priority when serving our patients. Donor support is helping to take our vision of safety to the next level with improved reporting software. All Virginia Mason staff members are empowered to report safety concerns via a “Patient Safety Alert” (PSA).  The concern can be anything from a tripping hazard to something more serious. These alerts are entered into an internal online database. Once an alert is submitted, an investigation is completed and corrective actions established. 

The new reporting software will help take safety alert reporting at Virginia Mason to the next level. The new technology will make it easier and quicker for staff to submit alerts. Medical center leadership will be able to
analyze the data and look for trends in real-time while responding faster to potential situations.We are excited to implement this new technology system that will create even greater safety for the patients in our care. This would not be possible without the generosity of our donors and friends.  We thank you for supporting our commitment to safety and to providing remarkable health care.

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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT VIRGINIA MASON:

Virginia Mason to offer Surgical Warranty
In early September, Virginia Mason announced it will be offering a surgical warranty on complete hip and knee replacements. As the first health system in Seattle, and one of the first in the United States to offer such a warranty, Virginia Mason’s program will help protect patients and their insurance companies or employers from incurring additional costs for treatment of surgery-related complications. 

"Health care costs must be tamed," said Gary S. Kaplan, MD, Chairman and CEO of Virginia Mason. "We view our surgical warranty as a significant step in that direction. Offering this assurance speaks to the skill of our surgeons and of their team, and of our willingness as an organization to stand behind their work."

The surgical warranty is part of a bundle-service contract available to insurance companies and businesses. The warranty will cover the full range of care, including diagnosis, surgery and rehabilitation in the event of an avoidable surgery-related complication. “This is quite an innovation, and something every patient and every purchaser has the right to expect in health care,” Dr. Kaplan said. “In many ways we are blazing a new trail here.”

 

EVENTS:

Boeing Classic Celebrates 10 Years

Scott Dunlap, 2014 Boeing Classic

Scott Dunlap won this year’s Boeing Classic title in an exciting sudden-death playoff. The tournament had a record-breaking crowd of 94,000 spectators, and was supported by 1,000 volunteers, 64 of whom have helped all 10 years. Over the last decade, the Boeing Classic has raised more than $5 million dollars for local charities. This year’s proceeds will benefit the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason.

This year’s Boeing Classic added a new event called the Snoqualmie Showdown. The event was a tournament between Fred Couples/Steve Ballmer and Rick Neuheisel/Mitch Levy. Created in partnership with Sports Radio 950 KJR Radio and promoted by the Mitch in the Morning radio show, fans could purchase tickets to watch the showdown and bid on being an official scorer for the event. Jim Young, Virginia Mason Health System Board Chair had a winning bid to be a scorer.

Mary & Chuck Kastner, Grapes on the Green

Grapes on the Green
Grapes on the Green 2014 drew a crowd of 300 guests to The Golf Club at Newcastle on August 22. This year patient speakers Mary and Chuck Kastner shared their personal experience of how autoimmune diseases have impacted their lives, highlighting the importance of the work being done at the Benaroya Research Institute. The event raised a record-breaking $550,000 to support BRI’s mission to find the causes and cures to eliminate autoimmune diseases.

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