Robin D. Wittenstein, EdD, Acting President and CEO, Joseph Tutt, EMS Supervisor, Paul Visokas, EMS Supervisor, Nancy Hamstra, EMS Director, missing: Dennis O'Keefe, EMS Supervisor

On October 9, Nancy Hamstra, EMS Director and three EMS Field Supervisors: Dennis O'Keefe, Joseph Tutt and Paul Visoskas were invited to a special roll call at the 4th Precinct to receive Command Citations for their leadership, dedication, visibility and outstanding service. The invitation was extended by Captain Caroline D. Clark, Commanding Officer and Captain Steven H. Yablonsky, Executive Officer of the 4th Precinct. The EMS supervisors were recognized for their quick response time and their willingness to assist police and EMS units whenever requested. The Commanding Officers also expressed their appreciation for the professional working relationships the team has fostered between EMS and the 4th Precinct. In addition to the Command Citations, the Newark City Council issued Resolutions which were facilitated by Councilman Rice. Following the presentations, the Commanders declared October 9, 2009 as EMS Appreciation Day in the 4th Precinct!

UH Receives Award for Quality Improvement

	From left to right: Thomas Daly,VP and Chief Financial Officer, Deborah Dolny Korasic, RN, MA, CPHQ, QI Specialist, Dept. of Quality Improvement, Suzanne H. Atkin, MD, FACEP, FACP, Chief Medical Officer and Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, Robin D. Wittenstein, EdD, Acting President and CEO, Earl Lewis, Account Executive, Network Hospital Relations, Maryann Sakmyster, PhD, Director, Dept. of Quality Improvement, Roxanne Poon, RN, BS, CPHQ, QI Specialist, Dept. of Quality Improvement, Theresa Rejrat, RN, MA, Vice President/CNO for Patient Care Services, Vincent Barba, MD, MD, FACP, FHM, Medical Director, Dept. of Quality Improvement

University Hospital was pleased to accept the 2008 Horizon Recognition Award for Quality Improvement and Safety.

Betty Perez Wins “Silver Plate” Award

	Betty Perez, Director of Food and Nutrition

The International Food Service Manufacturers Association has selected Betty Perez, Director of Food and Nutrition Services, to be one of nine Silver Plate Award winners for 2009. Betty has won in the category of healthcare.

For the past 55 years, the Silver Plate Awards have been awarded annually to recognize operational excellence and industry achievement. Judging was held in Chicago, with selections made by last year’s Silver and Gold Plate winners and editors from leading trade publications, including Restaurants & Institutions and Chain Leader.

To know Betty is to love her!  A dynamic and creative leader in Food and Nutrition Services, Betty has dedicated herself for over 27 years to implementing an endless array of innovative and “out of the box” ideas for clinical, patient and retail services.

Betty’s success is very much related to her philosophy on life. “When you’re preparing food for patients, or the people who care for them, you’re nourishing both their body and soul. I feel an obligation to provide them with the very best – every single time. I strive for sheer excellence – but I couldn’t do this alone – I have an outstanding team that makes it all happen!”

Some of Betty’s innovations include: Patient Spirit Lifters, Cooking for Wellness,
High Five Customer Service Program, Biggest Loser Program, a weekly sushi bar, Off the Eaten Path, Once Upon a Vine and a wide range of festive, promotional, cafeteria-based events.

But Betty doesn’t stop there! This year, she, along with a team from EMS, transformed our hospital lobby into a winter wonderland. She has even managed to rally a group of volunteers to re-upholster over 300 cafeteria chairs. Is it any wonder why the Department of Food and Nutrition Services has earned the highest percentile ranking patient satisfaction scores in the hospital for the 4th quarter 2008!

Formal inauguration into the Silver Plate Society will take place on Monday, May 18, at a banquet hosted by IFMA. But the excitement really starts at UH, the week of April 13, when a production company will come to film Betty in the workplace. The video will be shown at the Silver Plates Awards’ presentation and focus on Betty’s many outstanding accomplishments in Food and Nutrition Services. Congratulations, Betty! We are VERY proud of you!

NJ Devils Come To NJ!!!

	Left to right (back row) New Jersey Devils: Colin White, Defensemen, #5, Travis Zajac, Center, #19 and Mike Rupp, Center, #17. (front row) A happy pediatric patient and Robin D. Wittenstein, EdD, Acting President and CEO, UMDNJ-University Hospital

On Monday, December 8, three members of the New Jersey Devils Hockey Team stopped by our Pediatric Department.  Team members personally visited with each child and presented them with hockey shirts, caps and calendars. Our most sincere thanks are extended to the New Jersey Devils for bringing joy and holiday spirit to our youngest patients. May you win every game!

The winners of the Five Star Service Program were formally acknowledged at the February 9th leadership meeting, conducted by Robin D. Wittenstein, EdD, Acting President and CEO.Do you know any of the winners? If so, why not take the time to congratulate them and then post the newsletter on your department bulletin board for all to enjoy.

Dr. Wittenstein congratulated each winner and then addressed the leadership team. “If you have ever been a patient, or had a loved one who was a patient, you know that healthcare can be very scary. And when you’re anxious, having somebody smile, say hello or offer to help, can make a world of difference. The Five Star Service winners have given patients, families, and visitors the kind of service we are committed to providing at The University Hospital. They truly reflect what service excellence is all about.”