Baystate Health

"We've developed that improvement plan to enable us, when executed, to invest $1.2 billion over a five- to six-year period, reinvest in our people, reinvest in services and programs that our community needs, investing in technology, including digital, engaging partnerships with other healthcare organizations where we've got a truly remarkable community health center plan for Springfield. We've got a lot of opportunities to reinvest, and that's our goal: to take the headwinds head-on and be there for our community over the next 140 years," Peter Banko, President and CEO, Baystate Health. Recently Peter shared with Becker's Healthcare future plans to stabilize Baystate Health and continue our work of advancing care and enhancing lives. Read More: https://bit.ly/3YXUku1

A heartfelt congrats to Pamela Fournier, RN, recipient of the 2024 Noble Spirit Award, given at this year's Baystate Noble Ball hosted by the Baystate Health Foundation. Her commitment to delivering compassionate care and going above and beyond for her community shines through every day. This well-deserved recognition highlights Pamela’s unwavering dedication to improving lives and making a difference in healthcare. Please join us in congratulating Pamela. Read More: https://bit.ly/3Zlu4uY

"First and foremost, I am a mom to two beautiful teenage children who keep my heart whole and my world bright. They inspire me daily, both in my personal life and in the work I do for others. I have always been drawn to the health field, particularly working with children, but my true path to becoming a massage therapist began with the birth of my second child. He faced health challenges as an infant, and it was through caring for him that I discovered my passion for massage therapy. I was able to use therapeutic techniques to bring him comfort and relief, and from there, my desire to help other children grew. I realized that massage therapy offered a gentle, non-invasive way to help children manage pain and discomfort, and I was determined to pursue it as a career. To deepen my skills and knowledge, I continued my education, becoming a Reiki Master and studying aromatherapy. I also became certified in massage techniques tailored to specific diagnoses, including care for transplant patients, cancer patients, and those nearing end-of-life. These additional skills allow me to offer more comprehensive care to my patients, addressing both their physical and emotional needs. For the past six years, I have worked as the massage therapist for the Baystate Pediatric Palliative Care Team, where I am fortunate to serve children with serious medical conditions, as well as their families. Each day is different, and no two experiences are ever quite the same. What makes our program unique is that we extend care not only to our patients but also to their parents, helping to bring relief and support to the entire family during some of their most challenging times. The most rewarding aspect of my work is knowing that I can make a difference in the quality of life for each patient I see, bringing calmness, comfort, and a brighter day to those who need it most. The ability to touch the lives of both the children and their families is incredibly fulfilling, and I am honored to be part of a team that provides such compassionate, holistic care. However, this work also comes with its challenges, particularly the loss of patients. While we understand that loss is inevitable in palliative care, it never becomes easier. Losing a young patient is especially difficult, as it is a poignant reminder of how precious life is. Despite the sorrow, I find comfort in knowing that each child received the best care possible and that their days were made brighter by our team. The impact that each of them has on us is profound, and their memory stays with us as we continue to care for others." - Amberly Matt, LMT, Pediatric Palliative Care, Home Health & Hospice #MyBaystateStory

Teamwork and compassion are at the heart of everything we do. Recently, Sara Scagliarini, a dedicated patient care technician on Springfield 3 Oncology, exemplified this spirit when she discovered that one of her cancer patients was a veteran. Wanting to honor their service, Sara collaborated with Dr. Joseph Kimatu from Spiritual Services and worked with the Veteran Affairs office to make a meaningful gesture. Thanks to their teamwork, the Springfield 3 Oncology team was able to surprise the patient with a beautifully presented American flag. The moment was unforgettable, reminding us of the power of collaboration and thoughtful care in transforming the patient experience. A heartfelt thank you to Sara, Dr. Kimatu, and all involved for going above and beyond to deliver not just exceptional care, but exceptional humanity.

Congratulations to our newest PHIL Award recipient, Beth Levesque, a NICU respiratory therapist! The PHIL Award honors the unsung heroes in the respiratory profession who understand that each breath matters. Beth has been with Baystate Health for 25 years and is an essential part of life-saving patient care in the Davis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Recently her expertise, knowledge and exceptional respiratory skillset was noted during an external transport when she was able to assess and treat a baby and transport the infant safely to our PICU. Beth shares her knowledge and skillset with all healthcare givers in the NICU. She is always advocating her patients and family members and has gone above and beyond in the NICU making lasting connections with family members, ensuring they feel comfortable and confident with the care their baby receives in the NICU. Congratulations, Beth and thank you for the life-giving care you provide to some of our youngest patients!

We are honored to share that Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Baystate Noble Hospital, and Baystate Wing Hospital – all earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Hospitals that earn an ‘A’ grade excel in 22 evidence-based measures and earn a financial return by actively protecting patients from harm and improving outcomes such as reduced length of stay and mortality rates. “Our goal is to achieve high reliability in the healthcare delivery processes, leading to best possible patient outcomes, patient safety, and optimal caregiver and patient experience,” said Yvonne Cheung, MD, MPH, MBA, Chief Medical Officer, Baystate Health. “As we celebrate these achievements, Baystate Health will continue to do the work that will improve our ability to provide safe, quality care every day, and remain a leader in healthcare.” Congratulations to our teams across all three hospitals. This recognition reflects the unwavering dedication of our entire team to delivering exceptional, patient-centered care and upholding the highest standards of safety and quality in every aspect of healthcare.

Tune in as Peter D. Banko, President and CEO of Baystate Health dives into the importance of fostering community, supporting employee well-being, and balancing financial success with meaningful engagement. Listen to this special podcast episode with Becker's Healthcare:?https://lnkd.in/gbQRymKa

This Hospice & Palliative Care Month, we celebrate the incredible teams at Baystate Hospice, Pediatric Palliative Care, and all who provide care through our Division of Palliative Care. Thank you for providing comfort, dignity, and compassionate support to patients and families during life’s most challenging moments. Your dedication makes a lasting impact. Our team has provided hospice and palliative care in western Mass for the past 110 years, being welcomed into the homes of so many families who have trusted us with the care of their loved ones and friends. These past 11 decades also would not be possible without the providers, nurses, hospice aides, social workers, spiritual care counselors, volunteers, therapists, and bereavement support staff that have served our patients and families.

The PETAL (People Engaged to Aspire to Love) Award was created to recognize non-nurse employees for the wonderful care they provide. In October, Janet St. Germain, an Environmental Services Trainer in the Labor, Delivery, Recovery, and Postpartum unit at Baystate Medical Center, was nominated for a PETAL Award by a patient for her compassionate care during the patient’s multiple stays. In the nomination narrative, the patient shared: “Over three admissions I have spent roughly 50 days here at Baystate. During the large majority of those days Janet was my housekeeper. I was here for pregnancy complication and was struggling to be away from my daughter, her father and our puppy. Each day I was here for got harder and harder but Janet noticed me. She came into my room and made sure she acknowledged me as a person and gave me human contact other than just being checked by a nurse. Between each admission I had, she remembered our previous conversations and we grew a bond. She went above and beyond to make me feel taken care of as a person and a patient who was living here long term. She always completed her tasks and put her job first but gave me well needed human interaction. On days I was not feeling well or sleeping when she came by she made sure to not disturb me but let me lead and decided how much communication we had each day. Janet was a huge part of me staying sane and not being miserable during some of the scariest days of my life and I will be eternally grateful for to her for that.” Congratulations, Janet and thank you for the compassionate connection you made with this patient!

This past week, we celebrated Nurse Practitioner Week—a time to recognize the invaluable contributions of our nurse practitioners. We want to take a moment to thank these remarkable professionals for their dedication to delivering high-quality care, their compassion for patients, and their unwavering expertise, which make a profound difference in our community. With more than 385,000 licensed NPs in the U.S., these healthcare leaders play a critical role in nearly 1 billion patient visits annually. Their ability to connect with patients, provide comprehensive care, and offer support is nothing short of inspiring. Thank you to all nurse practitioners for going above and beyond every day—you are truly making a difference!