St. Lukes Cornwall Hospital

WELCOME
Special Bulletins
Physicians on the Move
News

Welcome to the St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital Physician Portal, designed to offer fast, easy access to patient, hospital and other information you need.

This site offers quick links to the Meditech Gateway, SLCH and Hudson Valley Imaging PACS systems and Medical Library, as well as our Medical Staff Directory, hospital phone numbers and news about your colleagues, hospital services and more. Be sure to check the Special Bulletins tab for timely information and advisories.

If you have suggestions that would enhance the usefulness of this resource, please e-mail thermann@slchospital.org. Thank you for your service and dedication to St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital.

New Services at the Littman Cancer Center
Scheduling services at SLCH’s Center for Sleep Medicine in Cornwall just got a lot easier. Physicians can now access the Physician Order Form online at stlukescornwallhospital.org/center_for_sleep_medicine.php, or send an email directly to the Center’s scheduling desk: sleepscheduling@slchospital.org. St. Luke’s Cornwall Center for Sleep Medicine is conveniently located at our Cornwall campus (19 Laurel Avenue). Sleep studies are covered by most insurance plans and often do not require a referral. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (845) 458-4899.

New Services at the Littman Cancer Center
Phase two of the Littman Cancer Center, the infusion suite, will be completed on the Cornwall campus in early spring and will offer expanded infusion capabilities, private treatment spaces and comfortable areas for socialization. Recent additions to the cancer center's service roster also include digital mammography, mastectomy fitting, genetic counseling, nutritional counseling and dietary services, aftercare and Lymphedema treatment, and the intensive support of Patient and Volunteer Navigators and Cancer Concierges. Additionally, yoga and other complementary services and alternate therapies are available. To access these services, call the specified number on the web-based service directory, or the cancer program's main number,
458-4544.

SLCH Now Offers Elective Angioplasty!
St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital was recently granted approval by the DOH to perform life-saving elective angioplasty at its Newburgh campus, and on January 7, SLCH performed its first elective routine. The approval capped an exciting year for the hospital’s top-rated cardiac program … More Details

Jonathan Clyman, Ph.D., CGC – a board-certified genetic counselor
is now providing genetic counseling in association with the Littman Cancer Center, evaluating the hereditary cancer risk for patients and their families, and providing information on genetic testing and other cancer-screening options. Additionally, Dr. Clyman is available to test and counsel patients for genetic disorders that aren’t cancer related. To refer a patient or discuss the genetic counseling and testing process, call Dr. Clyman at his Littman Cancer Center office at 458-4749.

Center for Physical Therapy at All Sport Fishkill
SLCH has launched a new Center for Physical Therapy at the All Sport Health and Fitness Club at 17 Old Main Street in Fishkill. Center Supervisor John Guerriero, PT, and the staff of licensed physicial and occupational therapists offer a range of comprehensive services, including strength training, orthopedic and sports therapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, traction, custom hand splinting and foot orthotics. For more information or to make an appointment, call 896-6978 (MYPT).

PHO Payment Reminder
The deadline for submission has been extended
to December 31, 2009.

Save the date for SLCH’s Office Managers Breakfast!
January 15, 2010
8 a.m.
Johnes-Holden Home
11 Balmville Road, Newburgh, NY 12550

November 6, 2009 PHO ALERT
On October 12, 2009, the PHO organizational committee hosted a physician informational meeting to discuss the formation initiative. Based upon favorable feedback, we are now ready to move forward. Once approved by the NYSDOH, the PHO network will become a non-exclusive Independent Practice Associate (“PHO/IPA”) and will work with a clinical integration consultant to develop and implement a multi-specialty clinical integration plan; the PHO/IPA will then begin working to procure managed care contracts with area payers. Download PHO Alert here.

Excel Urgent Care Extends Hours
Excel Urgent Care, located at 1004 Main Street in Fishkill, has extended its hours:
Weekdays, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Weekends, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The urgent care center is operated by Dr. Tony Ruvo of MedExcel; practitioners at that location are Clement Landanno, MD, and Pat Moscato, PA. Most insurance plans are accepted and a sliding fee schedule is available for those without health coverage. For information call 765-2240.

Quick View, Flu
DOH snapshot of New York state influenza activity, week ending October 17, 2009. Includes overview of flu types and subtypes from positive tests, as well as recommended antiviral medications. More Details

Flu Report
DOH in-depth review of New York state influenza activity, week ending October 17, 2009. The report includes analysis of office visits to reporting doctors, “syndromic surveillance” of statewide ER visits, hospitalizations and deaths. Overall, influenza activity appears to be increasing. More Details

Gurinder Mehar Receives SLCH Physician Leader Award
SLCH has named Gurinder “Juggie” Mehar, MD, its 2009 Physician Leader of the Year. The honor was bestowed October 20, at a reception in honor of Dr. Mehar’s outstanding service to the hospital and community; the hospital also paid paid tribute to Dr. Jerry Neri and recognized the 25 new physicians who joined the hospital’s medical staff in the past year. More Details

Pre-Admission Testing (PAT)
Pre-Admission Testing (PAT) has relocated to temporary quarters in the south wing of the Main Level in Newburgh. Patients can access PAT by way of the Main Lobby, and will be directed accordingly by Information Desk staff and signage.

PAT will occupy the temporary space throughout the course of the Ambulatory Surgery Unit renovations, which will continue through late spring.

Thank you for your patience and support as we work to build a better hospital.

Cornwall Radiation Oncology Services Opens at SLCH Campus
Cornwall Radiation Oncology Services (CROS), has, for the first time, brought advanced TomoTherapy cancer treatment technology to Orange County. The new radiation oncology center is located in the new, $23 million Littman Cancer Center on the Cornwall campus of St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital. For more information on Cornwall Radiation Oncology Services, call (845) 458-9000. More Details

Can You Hear Me Now?
For the convenience of our physicians, we’ve enhanced Verizon cell phone coverage in the Newburgh ED and OR.

Important information from the DOH on how to pre-register your practice for the H1N1 vaccine:

Adult Vaccine

Pediatric Vaccine

Pediatric and Adolescent Neurology Services Are Now Available to Your Patients
Sarala Devi, MD, is now seeing patients three Fridays per month and every other Wednesday, at the Cornwall Medical Pavilion, 21 Laurel Avenue.

Her office can be reached at (845) 695-6884.

Cancer Treatment Center Makes News
The Cancer Treatment Center due to open at SLCH’s Cornwall campus this fall, is the subject of a feature article published July 29 in the Go Healthy section of the Times Herald-Record. The article highlights the hospital’s progressive and comprehensive approach to care, including revolutionary TomoTherapy radiation oncology, expanded chemotherapy facilities and supplemental services.

More Details

Physician Hospital Organization Moving Forward
The formation of a Physician Hospital Organization (PHO) continues to move forward as members of the newly formed Executive Committee explore options and review strategies that have helped similar organizations operate successfully.

More Details

Center for Sleep Medicine Accepting Appointments
The St. Luke’s Cornwall Center for Sleep Medicine at our Cornwall campus is now open and accepting appointments. Medical Director is Arun Argawal, MD, FCCP, FAASM, Medical Director of the Sleep Center. Dr. Agarwal is board-certified in sleep medicine and brings extensive experience to the position. He will be available at the Center Thursdays for any case discussions.

More Details

Discount on Calcium Scoring Heart Test Extended
Due to overwhelming response, SLCH will continue to offer cardiac calcium scoring at the reduced rate of $75 through December 30, 2009. The 10-minute test is the most effective, noninvasive way to obtain information about the presence, location and extent of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries, and accurately identify the presence of early Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).

More Details

	Welcome Family Practitioner Vijayalakshmi Rampam, MD Vijayalakshmi Rampam, MD has joined the SLCH medical staff, providing care for adults and children at her Newburgh practice, located at 357 Fullerton Ave. Dr. Rampam, who completed a residency in family practice at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, offers vaccinations for school, sports and camp as well female pelvic exams and treatment for anxiety and depression. Office hours are Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. She offers extended weekend hours on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. She accepts all major insurances as well as Medicare, Affinity Health Plan and Hudson Health Plan. To make an appointment, call 561-1560.

	Newburgh-based Internist Amanda Mohabir, MD Amanda Mohabir, MD, has joined the medical staff of St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in association with Dr. Paul Saladino of Cross Valley Health and Medicine. She provides primary adult care — include H1N1 vaccinations and routine women’s health exams — at the practice’s Newburgh office, located at 407 Gidney Avenue, Suite B. She welcomes new patients and accepts most insurance plans. Extended hours available -- appointments can be made by calling 561-7075.

	Ob/Gyn Joins Women’s Medical Care of Hudson Valley Sabina K. Cherian, MD, has joined the SLCH medical staff, providing Ob/Gyn services through Women’s Medical Care of Hudson Valley, PC. She is treating women of all ages at the practice’s Newburgh office (9 Hudson Valley Professional Plaza), welcomes new patients and accepts most major insurance plans. Appointments are available by calling 561-0990.

	Spine Surgeon J. Esteban Cuartas Joins Ortho Team J. Esteban Cuartas, MD, has joined the New Windsor practice of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, PC, – Drs. Gina Del Savio, Barry Hyman and John Uhorchak – and is accepting new patients. Dr. Cuartas’ training and experience includes a General Surgery internship and Research Fellowship at Yale School of Medicine, a residency in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Miami’s Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine and a Fellowship in Spine Surgery from The Spine Institute of New York at Beth Israel Medical Center. Appointments are available by calling 561-8060.

	Medical Oncologist Fauzia Paracha Opens New Office Fauzia Paracha, MD, has launched a solo practice and is now seeing patients at offices in Newburgh (327 Fullerton Ave.) and Cornwall (21 Laurel Ave.). Appointments are available by calling 562-6240. Dr. Paracha, who has earned a reputation for excellence in our community, completed her residency in internal medicine at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan and a fellowship in hematology and oncology at Montefiore Medical Center. She welcomes new cancer patients.

	New Primary Care Physician in Harriman Dr. Gurinder Mehar’s new associate, Internist Sonal Parmar, MD, is now seeing patients at new offices in Harriman – 95 Maher Lane (River Road). Appointments are available by calling 827-5600. She completed her internal medicine residency at New York Downtown Hospital in Manhattan and is welcoming new primary care patients.

	Podiatrist/Wound Care Provider Jean Chen-Vitulli, DPM. Jean Chen-Vitulli, DPM, has joined the New Windsor practice of podiatrist Dr. Louis Cappa, Medical Director of the St. Luke’s Cornwall Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine. More Details

	Breast Reconstruction Surgeon Michael Rosenberg, MD Michael H. Rosenberg, MD, FACS, a leading breast reconstruction surgeon, has joined the hospital’s expanded cancer program. More Details