THE GOOD SAMARITAN NEWSLETTER

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1 THE GOOD SAMARITAN NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2014 The parable of the Good Samaritan speaks of a charitable individual who saved the life of an injured stranger. It exemplifies strong ethics and it is central to the Bon Secours Mission, to give Good Help to Those in Need. CAMPAIGN NEWS Earlier this fall, Cardinal Timothy Dolan blessed our new Emergency Department. As one of the few remaining Catholic acute care hospitals in the Archdiocese of New York, his visit celebrated the ministry to which we dedicate ourselves every day. Community contributions to Good Samaritan's Capital Campaign continue to help make the Emergency Department expansion and renovation possible. Many friends of the Foundation were present for the Cardinal's remarks and the blessing. $23,700,000 Vincent Abbatecola, a longtime friend of our Foundation was moved by Cardinal Dolan's words. "The Cardinal's visit should be a strong indication to our community of the importance placed on Good Samaritan Hospital by His Eminence, and it should inspire those served by Good Samaritan to wholeheartedly support its mission," he said. The presence of clergy serving the many faiths who joined us for the Cardinal's visit added to the significance of this Continued

2 CAMPAIGN NEWS continued from previous page occasion. Good Samaritan's robust Pastoral Care Group has strong ties to clergy throughout the community, and our administration is committed to serving the wide-ranging spiritual needs of our patients. Rabbi Yaakov Feldman, a member of our Pastoral Care team who attended the blessing, experiences this commitment daily. He said, "The administration does everything possible to accommodate all patients' religious needs. For example, at orientation for new nurses, I lead a 45-minute presentation that teaches them about Orthodox Jewish patients' needs. From top-level administrators to every Good Samaritan staff member, the importance of providing all patients compassionate care, regardless of faith, is vital, and it occurs here each day of the year." Our Capital Campaign continues to support the Emergency Department. Advances in medicine happen very fast, and our investment in them must be ongoing to ensure that when you and those you love come to us for emergency medical care, you will receive nothing less than state-of-the-art. We encourage you to become a part of our Capital Campaign today. From our Good Samaritan family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Christopher S. Banks has joined us as Vice President for Philanthropy. Chris has an extensive and diverse background in fundraising, marketing, government relations and strategic planning. He most recently served as Vice President for Development and External Relations for Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in Patchogue, NY. As we welcome Chris, we would like to express gratitude to Stacey Kirschenbaum for her exceptional work as the Foundation's Executive Director. Stacey graciously continues to work closely with Chris during a period of transition. Please join us in wishing Stacey well and in welcoming Chris to the Bon Secours family. You may reach Chris at Christopher_Banks@bshsi.org (845) office (845) cell Please join us in supporting the future of health care in our community by contributing to Good Samaritan's Capital Campaign.

3 ADVANCES IN MEDICINE Faith-full care guides Good Samaritan By Sister Fran Gorsuch, CBS, Director of Community Initiatives Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center The holidays are a time when it is especially meaningful to reflect upon faith regardless of your religion. At Good Samaritan, our faith-based services improve lives both within and beyond the Medical Center. The mission of Bon Secours, our parent organization, is where it all starts: Good Help to Those in Need. This mission began in 1824 in Paris, France when a small group of nuns, The Sisters of Bon Secours, cared for the ill in their homes. It has endured wars, epidemics and times of great despair and it remains strong. Good Samaritan is an integral part of a faith-based community that provides a continuum of care to facilitate health in mind, body and spirit. As one component in this community, we partner with wide-ranging groups of clergy, government organizations and non-profits to ensure that everyone in our region has access to resources that can help them achieve optimal health. We serve diverse needs because we care for people holistically. When the hierarchy of human needs is not met, health-related problems arise: if health care, housing, employment or nutrition fail, people become ill. So while much of Good Samaritan's work is visible once people are sick, a great deal of our work centers on preventative care on building healthy communities. Also central to our faith-based health care system is connecting with people in need wherever they are: at home, at shelters and on the streets. Together with our partners, especially Good Samaritan Home Care, we help at-risk groups adopt healthy lifestyles, from preventing diabetes and heart disease to building spiritual and emotional health. And we do not wait for people to come to us; we seek out those who require care. We do not presume to know what people need, either. Instead, we listen so we can provide service at necessary levels. When at-risk populations achieve optimal health, the entire community benefits. In Luke's Gospel, Jesus asks his disciples to go into the highways and byways. Like them, we go to serve the people who are in need. Continued

4 ADVANCES IN MEDICINE Faith-full care guides Good Samaritan Continued from previous page Nurturing relationships with local organizations that serve diverse groups is key to our success. Catholic Charities is among those organizations, and Bon Secours Charity Health System CEO Dr. Mary Leahy and I are board members of that group. Here, we work with clergy of all major religions to reach people needing support. Our goal is not to promote dependence, but to make self-sufficiency possible. For instance, Catholic Charities assists people on the verge of homelessness, perhaps by helping to pay a month's rent. Our strong relationships with clergy of other religious denominations benefit services inside the Medical Center, too. (Please read Rabbi Feldman's remarks in Campaign News.) At Good Samaritan, our faith-based services improve lives both within and beyond the Medical Center. The mission of Bon Secours, our parent organization, is where it all starts: Good Help to Those in Need. with a hospital of our size. Helping people with special needs develop job skills and helping ensure that people have access to nutritious food are just two examples of our efforts toward realizing that vision. The Good Samaritan Community is highly regarded as a trusted source of medical care to those with health insurance and financial means. To those without financial means, we are more than a medical safety net our faith-based health system is a mechanism that advances health and self-sufficiency. When you visit Good Samaritan, you'll see doctors and nurses whose life's work is to provide hope and healing. But please also remember that our mission reaches beyond our doors and extends throughout the community. Building healthy communities is a multifaceted vision that extends to areas one may not initially connect We invite you to support Good Samaritan's faith-based mission. Please join us in supporting the future of health care in our community by contributing to Good Samaritan's Capital Campaign.

5 IN GOOD HEALTH Defend yourself against the flu By Adrienne Wasserman, M.D., Medical Director Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center Emergency Department The holiday season is in full swing, and flu season is right here with it. Defend yourself and your family against the influenza virus by taking three essential steps: get vaccinated, take everyday precautions and see your doctor if you experience symptoms. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and feeling tired. Some people also have vomiting and diarrhea. It is possible to have the flu without a fever. Most cases of the flu will go away on their own after a week. Antibiotics are not an effective treatment, and may even be harmful. Antiviral medications are available by prescription for the flu, but the degree to which they make a significant difference is unclear. See your primary care physician for advice if you experience flu symptoms. If you do not have a doctor, our Physician Referral Service (1.800.HELP.IN.5) can help you find one close to your home. You may also find a doctor through our online Physician Locator. Typically, the flu does not warrant coming to the Emergency Department (ED). Situations that might call for a visit, however, include worsening symptoms like trouble breathing. Very young children and the elderly are the two age groups most at risk for severe symptoms that require immediate attention. If the patient's primary care physician is not available, a doctor in our ED can provide care. Just do it get vaccinated Everyone older than six months should get an annual flu vaccine from his or her doctor. It is your best defense against the virus. While there are many different flu viruses, a vaccine will protect you against some of the common strains. Continued

6 IN GOOD HEALTH Defend yourself against the flu Continued from previous page Take everyday precautions to stop germs from spreading Keep germs at bay by making these precautions habits: Avoid contact with others who are sick and limit contact with others if you are sick. If you have flu symptoms, stay home for 24 hours after your fever is gone (except to get medical care). Your temperature should be normal without needing to take fever-reducing medicine. Defend yourself and your family against the influenza virus by taking three essential steps: get vaccinated, take everyday precautions and see your doctor if you experience symptoms. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue out after use. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth. See your doctor when symptoms appear As soon as flu symptoms appear, see your doctor if you have asthma, diabetes or lung or heart problems. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs. These drugs cannot be purchased over-the-counter. Antiviral drugs may lessen symptoms and possibly shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent complications, and they can make the difference between a milder illness and one that is very serious. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated like sinks, remote controls, light switches and doorknobs. Take antiviral drugs exactly as prescribed. These drugs work best when started within two days of getting sick. That is why it is best to see your doctor once you experience symptoms. Please join us in supporting the future of health care in our community by contributing to Good Samaritan's Capital Campaign. Good Samaritan Foundation 255 Lafayette Avenue, Suffern, NY Phone: (845) Fax: (845) GSH_Foundation@bshsi.org