75 North Country Road, Port Jefferson, NY 11777 • 631.473.1320

Mather Hospital Reaches Finals – 4 of 7 Categories in LIBN Healthcare Heroes Competition
October 23, 2008

Port Jefferson, NY - It was a proud day for Mather Hospital and its honorees at the 2008 Long Island Business News Healthcare Heroes Awards breakfast, held at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury in October. Mather was represented by its distinguished honorees in the categories of: Community Outreach, Physician, Healthcare Professionals, and Volunteer. Mather finalists and their fellow honorees were all featured in a special edition of Long Island Business News in October. The goal of the competition is to recognize excellence, promote innovation and to recognize the tireless efforts of men and women who contribute to the healing of everyone on Long Island. You can read about Mather honorees’ achievements below.

Photo (from left): Michael Fracchia, MD - Physician; Galo Burbano, CRNA - Community Outreach; Louise Grinere - Volunteer; Metzi Shea, RN, Gary Berstein, MD, Salim Matar, MD; Stephen Coccaro, MD - Community Outreach; Mather President Kenneth Roberts, Sr. VP Kevin Murray, VP Wayne Shattes – Healthcare Professionals



LIBN Healthcare Heroes 08
Community Outreach

Mather Hospital - Volunteer Medical Team:
Dr. Salim Matar, MD; Dr. Stephen Coccaro, MD; Dr. Kris Sauer, MD; Dr. Gary Bernstein, MD; Karen J. Tuzzolo, RN, CNOR; Sharon Watklevicz, RN; Irma Rivera, RN; Metzi Shea, RN; Galo Burbano, CRNA

Tatiana Franco-Rosero was a 28-year-old mother of two young boys in Guayaquil, an impoverished city in Ecuador, living what doctors there had told her would be her final months. A mysterious mass growing on the roof of her mouth had made it increasingly difficult to eat. She’d lost 20 pounds and there was no way to receive the treatment she needed in her own community.

Fortunately for the young mother, the Volunteer Medical Team at John T. Mather Memorial Hospital in Port Jefferson believes that “community” is no longer is defined by geographical boundaries. Traveling with a larger group of volunteers through Healing the Children Northeast, Inc. and Blanca’s House, the doctors and nurses from Mather met Tatiana last September in her hometown.

“When I met Tatiana, the tumor had eroded the roof of her mouth and entered the nasal cavity,” recalls Dr. Salim Matar, a leading ENT surgeon at Mather Hospital. “The advanced state of her condition prevented us from proceeding in Ecuador, so we made arrangements to bring her here.”

A series of highly complex surgical procedures, unprecedented in Suffolk County, was performed during an eight-hour session on Saturday, January 26. “Removing the tumor resulted in a big space up into the sinuses,” explains Dr. Stephen Coccaro, M.D., of Suffolk Plastic Surgeons, P.C., and on staff at Mather, who performed the reconstructive surgery.

“After Dr. Matar removed the tumor, my job was to reconstruct the roof of her mouth by ‘borrowing’ muscle tissue from the left temple.”

“In all my years as a nurse, I’ve never seen surgery like this performed,” says Mather Hospital’s Director of Surgical Services Karen Tuzzolo, RN, CNOR. “It was an amazing procedure.”

Also critical to Tatiana’s improved health were Volunteer Team Leader Galo Burbano, who is a certified registered anesthetist at Mather and who served in the critical role of translator. Metzi Shea, RN, opened her home to Tatiana while she stayed in the United States and Irma Rivera, RN, who is fluent in Spanish, helped the young woman feel comfortable and better understand the procedures. Dr. Gary Bernstein, MD, a Mather gastroenterologist, also contributed to her overall treatment, as did anesthesiologist Dr. Kris Sauer, MD, and Sharon Watklevicz, RN.


LIBN Healthcare Professional Heroes
Joint Nominees: Kenneth Roberts, President; Kevin Murray, Sr. Vice President;
Wayne Shattes, Vice President

Mather Hospital is proud to nominate its, President, Kenneth Roberts, Sr. Vice President, Kevin Murray and Vice President, Wayne Shattes as a team for LIBN’s Healthcare Professional Hero Award.

A realization of its namesake and shipbuilding founder’s dream, John T. Mather Memorial Hospital opened its doors in 1929 as the first community not-for-profit hospital in the Town Of Brookhaven. It had 54 beds.

Today, with 248 beds Mather Hospital is anchored as a cornerstone of the community. With its signature services and array of community healthcare programs, Mather serves tens of thousands of patients each year and remains at the forefront of community healthcare.

Running a hospital in the 21st century brings challenges that no one could have possibly anticipated in 1929. However, in the face of today’s increasingly complex and treacherous medical, political, and regulatory landscape, Mather Hospital continues to provide high quality healthcare to its patients and serve as a principle employer in the community. And, while most hospital’s struggle to stay financially solvent, under the leadership of Roberts, Murray and Shattes, Mather has maintained an impressive record of financial stability.

“All three of these administrators share the same passion for our hospital and our patients,” says Mather’s Public Affairs Vice President Marlene Israel, “and they adhere to a fiscal and administrative discipline that ensures the availability of quality hospital care in this community.”

With its history of providing premier healthcare services, such as the Fortunato Breast Health Center and the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Unit, which reach out far beyond its geographical community, in 2008, Mather Hospital marked the one year anniversary of Long Island’s first and only Transitional Care Unit (TCU). Following a competitive New York Department of Health application process, Mather Hospital was designated as the first hospital on Long Island and one of the first five hospitals in New York State, to implement a Transitional Care Unit (TCU).
The Unit is designed to provide a higher level of physical and occupational therapy for patients requiring more specialized care. It also makes it possible for patients to receive more focused care for the second half of their acute care stay, before being discharged home or to a skilled nursing facility.

Mather Hospital Board Chairman Kenneth Jacoppi added that, “New initiatives like the TCU, enable Mather Hospital to continually improve upon the delivery of patient care in our community. We’re very proud to be the only hospital on Long Island chosen by New York State to have a TCU.”

As a result of the high quality care these men strive to make available to the community, Mather continues to receive the support of local legislators. “They are a very strong administrative team,” says State Senator Ken LaValle. “They are extremely effective in running an efficient hospital in the community and in providing healthcare to the thousands of people who walk through their doors each year.”

“Ken Roberts and his team are savvy and business smart, while having the instincts and insights of humanitarians,” says New York State Assemblyman Steve Englebright. As part of their vision to not only provide high quality healthcare, but to foster and maintain a hospital culture that provides an excellent patient experience, Roberts and his leadership team have recently embarked Mather Hospital on an ongoing “Voyage to Excellence.”

“Our first and foremost priority is high quality patient care,” Says Israel. “But, right along with that is the quality of a patient’s overall experience during their stay with us. We are very proud of the service we provide and our reputation in the community. However, to stay at the top of our game and at the forefront of patient care, we as a hospital need to continuously anticipate and meet the ever changing needs of our patients and our staff. And that’s what our ‘Voyage to Excellence’ is all about – transforming our hospital’s culture into an even more proactive and mutually supportive environment that’s increasingly in tune with the needs and perceptions of our patients and our employees. Through the implementation of several specialized ‘Excellence’ teams, every employee in the hospital will have an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing betterment of Mather Hospital’s future. I applaud Ken Roberts, Kevin Murray and Wayne Shattes for having the foresight and insight to put measures in place for meeting the needs of tomorrow, today.”


LIBN Physician Hero
Nominee: Michael J. Fracchia, MD

Mather Hospital is proud and privileged to nominate Michael J. Frachia, MD, for LIBN’s Physician Hero Award. Dr. Fracchia has been a member of Mather’s medical staff since 1989 and is currently Director of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Fracchia is also Director of Surgical Education for Aesculap Implant Systems (a worldwide leader in surgical implants).

Most, recently, and the focus of this nomination, Dr. Fracchia has performed Mather Hospital’s and New York State’s first total hip replacement utilizing the new METHA (Metaphyseal Total Hip Arthroplasty) Prosthesis.

Decades ago, when joint replacement surgery was new, there were different factors that determined how long a hip replacement implant would last. Some of the earliest implants failed because the metals were susceptible to breakage or the plastics quickly shattered. Because of improvements in the strength of the hip replacement prosthesis, the strength of the fixation of the implant and with improvements in sterile technique and medical treatment of infections, hip replacements tend to last very well once implanted.

And today, with the arrival of this new prosthesis and procedure, hip replacement surgery has truly become minimally invasive. “This implant is about four inches in length while a traditional full hip replacement prosthetic is eight inches,” explains Dr. Fracchia. “This new prosthetic requires a smaller incision, there’s less blood loss and it reduces the risk of fat emboli (very small fat globules) detaching from the bone marrow into the bloodstream. And, because you preserve so much more bone, if another replacement is needed in years to come, the patient has the option of a traditional full hip replacement – it’s a great benefit to patients.”

Dr. Fracchia has also performed a LIVE telecast of a total knee replacement done through a small, quad sparing incision with the aid of computer navigation. He is considered one of the world leaders in this technique, and has co-authored the operative technique for the minimally invasive navigated Columbus Total Knee Arthroplasty. He has presented this technique and taught hundreds of surgeons in this country, and in Europe. Recently, he completed an instructional video for surgeon training, and has designed a smaller implant for use in the MIS technique. He also uses computer navigation for arthroscopically aided anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions.

According to a colleague who is an authority in the field of prosthetics, “Dr. Fracchia isn’t just ahead of the curve, he IS the curve! He awaited the availability of the prosthetic with great anticipation, and is one of the first in the country to use it.” Dr. Fracchia has been a pioneer in the field of computer navigation – one of only a few top surgeons in the country who worked in developing the use of the navigation system for the best patient outcomes.

Dr. Fracchia is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon. He received his medical degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1984, and completed his Internship at North Shore University Hospital in 1985. He obtained his Orthopaedic Surgical training at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City, and completed his residency in 1989. Dr. Fracchia’s credentials and associations include:

• Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery since 1991
• Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery
• Director, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, J. T. Mather Memorial Hospital
• Attending, Mather Hospital and St. Charles Hospital & Rehabilitation Center
• Courtesy Attending, Southampton Hospital
• Director of Surgical Education for Aesculap Implant Systems
• N.Y. State Medical Society
• Suffolk County Medical Society
• Suffolk County Delegate to the N.Y. State Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons
• Diplomat of the National Board of Medical Examiners


LIBN Healthcare Heroes 08 - Volunteer Hero
Louise Grinere, Volunteer

Mather Hospital is proud to nominate Selden resident Louise Grinere for LIBN’s Volunteer Heroes Award. As liaison of the Mather Hospital Thrift Shop, Grinere has transformed the traditional outlet into more of a boutique. She joined the Mather auxiliary as thrift shop liaison in 2001. Since then she has increased annual revenues from $57,000 in 2001 to $140,000 in 2007. These proceeds have helped fund the purchase of a various pieces of medical equipment, including a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber, an ultrasound machine and an digital MRI.
Under Grinere’s leadership, the thrift shop has become a favorite shopping destination in the Port Jefferson area. It boasts a dazzling jewelry counter, well-known dinnerware patterns and crystal merchandise, houseware items, electrical items (all tested to ensure working order) a huge selection of books, toys, men’s, women’s and children’s departments, and a special section dedicated to vintage clothing.
Given carte blanche upon assuming responsibility of the thrift shop, Grinere presented a plan to reorganize and reconfigure the shop. Her plan included creating more space for sale items, replacing old shelves with clothing racks and redefining work space that made selling easier. Month by month, significant increases were seen.
Grinere’s visionary instincts also resulted in a more organized, consumer friendly shop. “People comment on the way the shop looks, the interesting items they find, and the availability of affordable designer clothing,” she said. “We have repeat clientele who spread the word and, as a result, bring us new customers.
Grinere and her staff of about 35 volunteers always think of the customer first. As a self-proclaimed “shopper’s shopper” she always asks herself what would a shopper like to see? Second, she applies what she learned from years of working in the business office of the Half Hollow Hills Community Library. And, she thinks like the big retailers do. She’s implemented savvy marketing techniques with special sales and discounts throughout the year; clearly organized the shop with well delineated departments; maintains shopper appeal by mandating that all items are removed from the store after one month; and created a sense of exclusivity, with the introduction of a designer’s only boutique.
Even with sales numbers that for-profit retailers envy in this difficult economy, Grinere still aims higher. “We will continue to explore new and innovative ways to sell our merchandise, because we think anything can be achieved,” she said.
In addition to the fun on the runway at the Thrift Shop’s annual Fashion Show, held at Majestic Gardens in Rocky Point, more than 50 baskets were raffled off, courtesy of the Shop, and more than $4,500 was raised for Mather Hospital.

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