Mercy Tyler Hospital

Mercy Wound Care pioneered focused wound healing as a specialty in Northeast Pennsylvania. Tomorrow (Thursday, August 5) at 3:00 p.m. this important service will become part of Mercy Tyler Hospital, Tunkhannock, PA, serving residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania's Endless Mountains Region..

Please join us for this Grand Opening event. There will be ample time for photos and interviews with Mercy Tyler Wound Care principles and refreshment.

Mercy Tyler Wound Care is located on the second floor of the hospital, located on Route 6, just north of Tunkhannock, PA.

Mercy Tyler Hospital Prepares for Wyoming County Fair

August 3, 2010


Seated from left are: Donna Molinaro, RN, Mercy Wound Care education specialist; Natalie Sickler, corporate compliance officer at Mercy Tyler Hospital; Angela Cook, RN, central supply supervisor and Gayle Gipson, Mercy Tyler s director of education. Standing from left are: Carol Berry, RN, vice president of nursing at Mercy Tyler; Brenna Coolbaugh, quality manager; Denise Gieski, Mercy Tyler s president and ceo; Susan Reese, director of volunteers; Ron Coolbaugh, plant engineering manager and Diane Grasso, executive administrative assistant. Committee members absent from photo include: Brigid Montieth, regional director physician practice and wound care director; Bob Williams, Mercy Special Care Hospital administrator; Karen Killian, emergency department and MICU nurse manager; Marsha Shaw, director of pharmacy; Tasha Mease, RN, ER nurse; Robert L. Glicini, M.D. and Leon Sidorek, DPM.

Labor Day in Wyoming County means it s time for the annual Kiwanis Wyoming County fair. Every year Mercy Tyler Hospital provides blood pressure checks, education and homemade cookies sold by the hospital s auxiliaries.

This year the booth will feature the Mercy Wound Care program soon to be launched at Mercy Tyler. The theme is Taking Care of the Skin You re In.  The Mercy Tyler Planning Committee for the Fair met recently to ensure that attendees have a great experience.

The group is creating materials, ordering supplies, getting the booth ready and recruiting volunteers to staff the booth during the multi-day event. The Kiwanis Wyoming County Fair runs from Wednesday, September 1 to Monday, September 6. Last year over 1,300 visitors to the booth had their blood pressure checked.

Mercy Tyler Remembers Friends

July 16, 2010


Family and friends gathered recently on the grounds of Mercy Tyler Hospital to remember seven friends of the hospital. Six trees and two benches were dedicated during a brief ceremony led by Sister Marie Parker, RSM, vice-president of mission for Mercy Health Partners.

Seated L-R: Diane Shelly, with grandson, Dayton; Jean Landis; and Mary Jo Ervine. Standing: Kimberly Hawk, daughter of Betty Lou Woods and son, Devon; Melissa Kandrovy, daughter of Dr. Shelly with daughter, Logan; Bill Penek, representing the Wyoming County Master Gardeners, who donated a tree in memory of Dr. Landis; Denise Gieski, president and CEO of Mercy Tyler Hospital; Gail James; Holly McDonnell; Alison Walsh; Joan Walsh; Judy Mead, board member and Kevin Cook, president and CEO of Mercy Health Partners.

The Board of Trustees of Mercy Tyler Hospital held a Tree Dedication ceremony held recently to honor seven deceased friends of the hospital. Six trees were donated in memory of: Raoul Walsh, former President and CEO of Tyler Memorial Hospital; William McDonnell and Betty Lou Woods, members of the Tyler Memorial Hospital Board of Directors; W. Dayton Shelly, M.D.; L. Laverne Landis, M.D. and Donald James, lay chaplain. Two benches, to be placed among the trees, were donated in memory of Clayton Ervine, patient. Mark Mitchell, chair of the Mercy Tyler Board of Trustees, welcomed the group and spoke of the unique contributions made by each of those being remembered. Sister Marie Parker, RSM, vice-president of mission for Mercy Health Partners, led the families and guests in a brief service of remembrance.

Mercy Earns Blue Distinction for Cardiac Care

July 14, 2010


Marking the designation of Mercy Hospital, by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, as a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care is, front and center, Mercy Health Partners  President and CEO, Kevin Cook. At top, from left are: John P. Lundin, medical director of Mercy Hospital s Electrophysiology Laboratory; Christopher J. Dressel, M.D., Mercy s chief of Cardiology and Lear von Koch, M.D., Mercy s chief of Cardiovascular Surgery.

Mercy Hospital has been designated a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care by the Blue Cross, Blue Shield Association. According to the American Heart Association 1.2 million Americans will experience a first or recurrent heart attack this year alone. The Blue Distinction enables patients or their loved ones a point of reference when choosing a facility for heart care.

Nationally, Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care have demonstrated a commitment to quality care, resulting in better overall outcomes for cardiac patients. Each facility must meet stringent clinical criteria which were developed in collaboration with the recommendations of expert physicians and medical organizations, including the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). Each designated facility is subject to periodic reevaluation as criteria continue to evolve.

Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care must provide a full range of cardiac care services, including inpatient cardiac care, cardiac rehabilitation, cardiac catheterization and cardiac surgery including coronary artery bypass graft surgery. To date there are more than 410 Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care designated across the country.

Mercy Health Partners President & CEO, Kevin Cook noted that the hospital is gratified by the continued recognition of its heart program regionally and nationally. This distinction by Blue Cross Blue Shield is one more assurance to the community that world-class heart care is available right here at Mercy Hospital,  he said. We salute the many clinicians and associates who dedicate themselves to achieving such exceptional results for those who place their trust in us for their heart care. 

Mercy Health Partners  heart program boasts many regional firsts. In 1965 the Intensive care concept was introduced at Mercy with the first coronary care unit in the region. That same year the first cardiac monitor was introduced at Mercy Hospital. In 1970, Mercy was the first hospital in Northeastern Pennsylvania to perform a cardiac catheterization. They did eight that first year. Northeastern Pennsylvania s first open heart surgery was performed at Mercy in 1971.

In 1979, Dr. Lear Von Koch, an associate of world renowned heart surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey, came to Northeastern Pennsylvania to practice heart surgery. By 1994, 25,000 cardiac catheterizations were performed at Mercy. In 1995, Doctor Koch performed his 5000th coronary artery bypass surgery. Mercy s interventional electrophysiology lab, treating patients with abnormalities in their heart s electrical system, opened in 1996. In 2001, Mercy performed its 45,000 cardiac catheterization. Today, Mercy s cardiac catheterization laboratory averages hundreds of cardiac interventions annually. In 2002, Mercy performed its 200,000th cardiac procedure.

More recently Mercy completed the renovation of their Electrophysiology Lab and unveiled an innovative Outpatient Cardiac Catheterization Lab. Mercy is one of the few hospitals in the United States to have been named by Thomson Reuters as one of the Top 100 Hospitals in the US for Cardiovascular Care for four consecutive years.

Catholic Healthcare Partners Ranked one of the Nation s Top 10 Health Systems for Quality and Efficiency for 2nd Year in Row

June 23, 2010
Catholic Healthcare Partners (CHP) was named for the second year in a row as one of the nation s Top 10 Health Systems for clinical quality and efficiency by Thomson Reuters. The award recognizes the 10 health systems across the nation that have set the national benchmarks for excellence in balanced performance,  according to Jean Chenoweth, senior vice president, Performance Improvement and 100 Top Hospitals Programs for Thomson Reuters.

Researchers from the Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals program analyzed the clinical quality and efficiency of 255 health systems to identify the top 10. Selection to the list is based solely on objective statistical data and uses only peer-reviewed methodologies to assure transparency.

Mercy Health Partners (MHP) of Northeastern Pennsylvania, is one of nine CHP regions and is composed of Mercy Special Care Hospital, Nanticoke, Mercy Hospital, Scranton and Mercy Tyler Hospital, Tunkhannock. Data on the clinical and efficiency outcomes from Mercy Health Partners hospitals are included in the data studied by Thomson Reuters.

Mercy Health Partners President and CEO, Kevin Cook discussed the significance of this achievement and its implications for the residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Across the Mercy Health Partners system there is a clear and consistent commitment to delivering clinical excellence within a patient-focused environment and one of the ways we live out our mission is by constantly working to provide quality care right here at home,  he emphasized.

The entire Mercy family is proud of our part in this national recognition, and as we grow, we want to let this great community know that the constant pursuit of excellence is fundamental to our clinical culture and to our mission. 

We are honored to be recognized for the second consecutive year as a Thomson Reuters Top 10 Health System,  said Michael D. Connelly, president & CEO, CHP. We are delighted at this recognition of our continuing efforts to improve and enhance clinical quality and patient safety. Thomson Reuters  affirmation of the efforts of our front-line clinical staff, physicians and every person who works every day to make CHP hospitals and care facilities excellent in every regard should feel especially proud of these results. We feel this recognition affirms our healing ministry in a most personal and professional way. 

Chenoweth added Top 10 health systems outperformed their peers by a wide margin. They provided better care, saved more lives, had fewer medical complications, and made fewer patient safety errors  even though they treat sicker patients, on average. They set the standard for the industry. 

Top 10 health systems had 12.3 percent fewer mortalities, 13.2 percent fewer complications and 5.4 percent better patient safety than peer systems. In addition, patients returned home sooner with average lengths of stays more than a half day shorter than similar systems, and with better longer-term outcomes.

The Thomson Reuters study assessed all US health systems with two or more short-term, general, non-federal hospitals. Researchers looked at eight metrics that gauge clinical quality and efficiency. These include: Mortality, medical complications, patient safety, average length of stay, adherence to clinical standards of care (evidence-based core measures published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services), 30-day mortality rate, 30-day readmission rate and HCAHPS patient satisfaction. Three of the criteria are new for this year  both 30-day measures and patient satisfaction.

Mercy Health Partners is licensed for over 300 beds, employs approximately 1,700 associates and serves a network of more than 700 physicians throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. The healthcare system is served by 400 volunteers. Mercy Health Partners and its mission of service has been an integral part of Northeastern Pennsylvania for over 100 years.

Catholic Healthcare Partners is the largest health system in Ohio and one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the U.S. With $5 billion in assets, CHP employs 38,300 associates in more than 100 organizations, including 34 hospitals which serve the healthcare needs of people in Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Pennsylvania and contiguous states. True to our mission, in 2009 CHP provided more than $348 million in targeted community benefit. CHP actively lives our values by committing to comprehensive benefits, including health care coverage for all regular associates, and by paying competitive wages, including a just wage that exceeds state and federal minimums.

Thomson Reuters is a leading provider of information and solutions to improve the quality and cost of health care.

To read more about the study and the winners, please go to Thomson Reuters  website at www.100tophospitals.com/top-health-systems/.

Mercy Tyler Honors Volunteers

June 16, 2010

Robert Lewis, the Mercy Tyler Volunteer of the Year is congratulated by Denise Gieski, Mercy Tyler Hospital president and CEO (left) and Susan Reese, volunteer director.

Receiving awards at the recent Mercy Tyler Volunteer Luncheon held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Tunkhannock were L-R: Harriet Walton, Helen Reynolds, Ellie Roberts, Denise Gieski, Mercy Tyler Hospital president and CEO, Michael Gaylord, Alfreida Mowry-Lott, Beverly Quinn, Agnes Dickson, Robert Lewis, June Wood, Jill Jones, Enid Ball, Susan Reese, volunteer director, David Cole and Marion Little. Absent were Dennis Dibble, Patti Dibble,Tammy Fitch, Stanley Decowski, Pat Benet, Doris Brown and Onalea Lane. Mercy TYler volunteers donated a total of 15,900 hours to the hospital last year.

What do the numbers 100, 500, 1000  even 22,000 have in common? They each represent hours donated to Mercy Tyler Hospital by one of the hospital s 92 volunteers. Each year the hospital sets aside a special day to honor its volunteers at a luncheon held in their honor. At this year s event, held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Tunkhannock volunteers were honored for between 100 and 22,000 hours of service..

Joyce Enders, RN, BSN, MS, Mercy Tyler director of cardiac rehabilitation was the featured speaker and gave a presentation on cardiac health. Awards were presented by Mercy Tyler President and CEO, Denise Gieski to the following volunteers: 100 Hours: Dennis Dibble, Patti Dibble, Agnes Dickson, Tammy Fitch. 500 Hours: David Cole, Marion Little, Beverly Quinn 1,000 Hours: Stanley Decowski 2,000 Hours: Patrick Bernet, Jill Jones, Alfreida Mowry-Lott 3,000Hours: Enid Ball 4,000 Hours: Doris Brown 5,000 Hours: Michael Gaylord, Helen Reynolds, Ellie Roberts 8,000 Hours:: June Wood 10,000 Hours: Harriet Walton 22,000 Hours: Onalea Lane

The combined hours donated by all volunteers for the past year was 15,900 hours.
The Volunteer of the Year award went to Robert Lewis, Tunkhannock, for his "prompt, courteous and excellent attitude to both visitors and staff alike.  Volunteers who accumulate 4,000 hours or more receive the President s Lifetime Achievement Award, which this year was presented to Ellie Roberts and Doris Brown, both of Tunkhannock. This brings the total number of Lifetime awardees to 19.

Denise Gieski, expressed her gratitude to the volunteers for their dedication and faithful service. Our volunteers are an integral part of our healing team and I appreciate the thousands of hours they share with us all year long. We are truly blessed by their service. 

For information about the Mercy Tyler Volunteer Program, please contact Susan Reese, director at 996.1276.

Urogynecologist Barbara Plucknett, MD To Present Incontinence Talk

June 15, 2010

Urogynecologist Barbara Plucknett, MD will present information on Female Incontinence at Mercy Hospital s McGowan Conference Center on Wednesday, June 30th. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m.

According to Dr. Plucknett, female urinary incontinence is more common that most people realize and also much less age dependent. A significant percentage of the population deals with some form of urinary incontinence, and women are twice as likely to have it as men,  she said. Adding, and while the rates of incontinence in women does increase with age, younger women also deal with this problem.  Dr. Plucknett noted that approximately 50 percent of older women suffer some form of urinary incontinence.

The public is invited to attend. After Dr. Plucknett s presentation there will be time for questions and answers. Light refreshment will be available.

Kevin Feifer Named Mercy Development Manager

June 15, 2010

Regional Director of Development and Marketing for Mercy Health Partners, Gladys Bernet has announced that Mr. Kevin Feifer will serve as Development Manager for the health system. Mr. Feifer s fund raising experience includes four years of service as campaign director for the United Way of Wyoming Valley. Prior to that, he served for two years as their leadership giving manager.

At the United Way of Wyoming Valley, Mr. Feifer was responsible for overseeing all activities of the annual campaign that raised nearly $5 million. His duties included administration, campaign development and coordination of over 100 campaign accounts. He produced and analyzed fund raising data for staff and campaign volunteers and was heavily involved in training.

Mr. Feifer worked with volunteers on the United Way s Community Planning and Allocations Committee. He was one of only 20 participants selected from over 1300 local United Ways across the country to participate in a young leaders training conducted by United Way of America. He was a 2008 Leadership Wilkes-Barre graduate.

Mr. Feifer is a graduate of Penn State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. He currently resides in Kingston, PA.

Mercy Entrance Construction Update

June 14, 2010
Watch this short clip of the construction occurring to the Mercy Tyler's main Entrance

Mehoopany Auxiliary of Mercy Tyler Hospital presents gift

June 14, 2010


Kevin Feifer, Mercy Tyler development manager; President and CEO of Mercy Health Partners, Kevin Cook, Mercy Tyler President and CEO, Denise Gieski; Beryl James, Mercy Tyler volunteer and widow of Charles James; Christel Tesluk, president of the Mehoopany Auxiliary and Walter Reinmiller, Mercy Tyler volunteer and widower of Irene Reinmiller.

The Mehoopany Auxiliary of Mercy Tyler Hospital recently presented a gift of $2,500 to the Tyler Health Foundation toward the hospital s new emergency department. The donation was given in memory of deceased members, Irene Reinmiller and Charles James. Mrs. Reinmiller and Mr. James both served the hospital and the auxiliary faithfully for many years. Kevin Feifer, development manager for Mercy Tyler Hospital expressed the hospital and the Foundation s gratitude for the generous gift. Our auxiliaries and volunteers are the heartbeat of our hospital and we are so grateful for their contributions of time, talent and treasure,  he said.

The Tyler Health Foundation, which was not part of the merger between Mercy Health Partners and the former Tyler Memorial Hospital, raises funds in support of Mercy Tyler Hospital. The Foundation is currently seeking donations for the new Mercy Tyler emergency department scheduled to begin in 2011.

The auxiliary has also funded new volunteer uniforms ($785.00) and a new refrigerator/freezer in the hospital gift shop ($2,069.00). These combined gifts total the largest donation by the Mehoopany auxiliary in its history.

Mercy's Diabetes Fair June 23rd

June 10, 2010


Diabetic Fair Planners from Mercy Diabetes Center are, seated, from left: Anthony Perry, MD, director of the Mercy Diabetes Center and Karen Papi, MSRD, CDE. Standing, from left are: Judith Severson, CRNP and Jacquelyn Sporing, MS, RN, CDE, educational coordinator. Gregory Borowski, MD and Helen Pickering, RD, CDE, LDN, both presenters at the event, were absent when photo was taken.

SCRANTON - The Mercy Diabetes Center at Mercy Hospital Scranton will hold their annual Diabetes Fair on Wednesday, June 23 in the McGowan Conference Center, located on the second floor of the patient tower. The event will take place from 8:45 a.m. until Noon. Planners for the event have structured a series of presentations around helping diabetics take control of their condition and enjoy life. Participants will enjoy visiting with Fair vendors and talking with diabetes educators from Mercy Diabetes Center.

Mercy Healthcare Foundation Holds Annual Meeting

June 10, 2010


Members of the Board and staff of the Mercy Healthcare Foundation recently held their Annual Meeting at the hospital. Seated, from left are: Renee Gregori Zehel, M. Kerry Armillay and Michele McGowan. Stand, from left are: Sr. Marie Parker, RSM, vice president of mission services, Mercy Health Partners; Gladys Bernet, regional director of marketing and development for Mercy Health Partners; Kevin Feifer, manager of development for Mercy Health Partners; Tara Grossi, development specialist for Mercy Health Partners and Mary Lou Burne, board member.

SCRANTON-The Board of Directors of the Mercy Healthcare Foundation held their annual meeting recently at the Mercy Hospital. During the meeting the group elected officers to one year terms and discussed plans for the coming year.

Elected to one year terms were Chairperson, Michele McGowan, of Kings College; Vice Chairperson, Renee Gregori Zehel, of Marywood University and Secretary/Treasurer, M. Kerry Armillay, of Northeast Regional Oncology Centers (NROC).

In addition to officers, members of the Mercy Healthcare Foundation Board include Sr. Kathleen Smith, RSM, PhD, BCC of The Catherine McAuley Center, Scranton; Mary Lou Burne, of the Family To Family Program, Scranton; Gary Drapek, executive director of the Lackawanna County United Way, Scranton, and Sr. Jane Frances Kennedy, RSM, Dallas, PA.

Mr. Kevin Cook, president of Mercy Health Partners serves as an ex officio member of the Board. Mrs. Gladys Bernet, regional marketing and development director of Mercy Health Partners also serves.

In addition to the election of officers the meeting also included discussions concerning community outreach program and strategy for the coming year.

Anyone wishing additional information concerning the Mercy Healthcare Foundation should call the Foundation at 570-340-5902.