Hospitals serve the Seacoast and Southern New Hampshire Markets

ROCHESTER, DERRY, AND PORTSMOUTH, NH– Frisbie Memorial Hospital, Parkland Medical Center, and Portsmouth Regional Hospital each were awarded an ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group’s spring 2022 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade released today, the top score in a national distinction recognizing the hospital system’s achievements protecting patients from harm and providing safe healthcare. Leapfrog assigns an ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ or ‘F’ grade to general hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections, and other harm to patients in their care.

Of the more than 2,600 hospitals graded nationwide, only 33 percent earned an “A” grade for meeting some of the industry’s highest standards.

“We are proud of our medical staff and support teams at Frisbie Memorial Hospital, Parkland Medical Center, and Portsmouth Regional Hospital for their unwavering commitment to our patients,” said Beth York, vice president of quality at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. “Independent reviews of our patient safety practices at all three hospitals help us evaluate our patient care against the best hospitals in the nation. Earning straight A’s at our hospitals is especially meaningful for our colleagues who are dedicated to providing high quality patient experiences, and to the communities we serve who count on our hospitals to provide the best possible care.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harms to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

“As our healthcare system continues to feel the strain of the pandemic, I thank the workforce and leadership of HCA New Hampshire hospitals for sustained commitment to patient safety, day in and day out,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “An ‘A’ Safety Grade is an outstanding achievement, and one that is not possible without a 24/7 effort by the entire healthcare workforce to protect patients from harm. This community should be proud.”

To see full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook, and via its newsletter.

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About Frisbie Memorial Hospital

Frisbie Memorial Hospital and its comprehensive network of medical providers are committed to delivering the highest quality care to residents of the Seacoast region. Through the adoption of best medical and surgical practices designed to improve the care and recovery of patients, Frisbie has been recognized as a leader in the areas of patient safety, hospital safety, surgical safety, and patient satisfaction. The private, tax-paying hospital is a member of HCA Healthcare’s Capital Division, one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare services. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

About Parkland Medical Center

Parkland Medical Center is an 86-bed regional acute-care hospital with a Level III Trauma Center located in Derry, NH. Established in 1983, the private, tax-paying hospital has become a leader in providing high quality healthcare services to its patients and is consistently recognized for exceeding state and national standards for healthcare quality measures. The hospital is a member of HCA Healthcare’s Capital Division, one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare services. In New Hampshire, HCA Healthcare Capital Division facilities include, Parkland Medical Center, Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Frisbie Memorial Hospital, Dover Emergency Room, and Seabrook Emergency Room. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

About Portsmouth Regional Hospital

Portsmouth Regional Hospital is a 234-bed acute care hospital located in Portsmouth, NH serving the Seacoast region’s residents in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. The private, tax-paying hospital is one of the area’s largest employers and is the only ACS Verified Level II Trauma Center on New Hampshire’s Seacoast. Portsmouth Regional Hospital is the Seacoast’s only comprehensive heart and vascular program, and its only 24/7 comprehensive neurosurgical and stroke clot retrieval programs for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Portsmouth Regional Hospital, along with Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester and Parkland Medical Center in Derry, is a member of HCA Healthcare’s Capital Division, one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare services. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

About The Leapfrog Group

Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information, they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog's other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections.

COAST impacted by economy wide staffing shortages

DOVER, NH- Due to an acute shortage of CDL-qualified operators, COAST regrettably has announced that they must suspend Saturday service on all fixed routes, ADA paratransit, and other demand response services, and must reduce the weekday frequency of service on Routes 40/43 (Portsmouth/Newington) and Routes 1/33 (Dover/Somersworth/Berwick). Saturday Route 7 On Demand service will shift to Tuesdays for the time being.

These changes will take effect beginning Saturday, May 21.

“We sincerely apologize for this inconvenience and want to reassure everyone that we are doing everything in our power to resolve the situation,” remarked Rad Nichols, COAST Executive Director.

Nichols added, “Like many of the other businesses and nonprofits in our communities, COAST’s ability to fulfill our mission is being impacted by economy wide staffing shortages. We are intently focused on regaining control of this situation as quickly as possible so that we can fulfill our promise to the communities, businesses, non-profits, and people we serve. We appreciate the region’s patience and loyalty.”

COAST is encouraging anyone with a CDL-license that wants to work for an employer that is focused on serving the community and providing an essential service, to please visit their website to learn more about the driving opportunities that are currently available and to apply.

Nichols emphasized, "COAST has always recognized that our staff is at the heart of what we do. We have worked tirelessly over the years to build a reputation as a positive, professional, and team-oriented place to work and we offer competitive compensation that includes a generous and diverse benefits package. Our staff come to work every day knowing they are serving their community and helping the Greater Seacoast to be a better place to live and work."

For a full listing of the upcoming service suspensions, please visit www.coastbus.org/https://coastbus.org/upcomingservicechanges.

About COAST

Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to champion and provide customer-focused public transportation with a commitment to excellence in safety and service. COAST is funded primarily by federal and local government support. COAST is governed by a board of directors representing the communities served, two regional planning commissions, and many local and state agencies. For more information, visit www.coastbus.org.

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Editor’s Note: Courtesy image attached. Photo credit: Erin Thomas

 

DOVER, N.H. – Wentworth Douglass Hospital has added former local journalists Doug Moon and Aaron Sanborn to its communications team, the department responsible for working with the media to ensure members of the community are informed of matters involving public health, the hospital, and its staff.

“Doug and Aaron are not only award-winning storytellers, but they’re both great people who are incredibly committed to their work,” said Adam Bagni, director of communications & community relations. “I’m extremely excited they’ll be using their unique talents to bring the hospital’s story to the community and the media.”

Moon has been named the organization’s video producer and will fulfill a wide variety of video and photography production needs to support the hospital’s communications, media relations, and social media. He has spent more than 20 years in journalism, most recent at WHDH-7 in Boston, and has won the prestigious Peabody Award and multiple EMMY Awards for his contributions as a producer, photographer, and editor. Moon also worked at WMAQ-5 in Chicago, and WISH-8 in Indianapolis.

"Storytelling has taken me a lot of places big and small, but I truly believe there's no greater place where the best of us comes together like a community hospital,” Moon said. “It's a real privilege to be able to tell stories in a place where patients know the names of their caregivers, not departments. The healing and caring that literally starts at the front door of Wentworth-Douglass Hospital is a story that everyone should know, and I'm just very lucky to have the chance to tell it with this team."

Sanborn has been named a communications, public relations, and social media specialist, and will assist in developing and coordinating the hospital’s strategic internal and external communications efforts. He will also fulfill a wide variety of public relations, media relations, and social media needs. Sanborn spent more than 13 years at Foster’s Daily Democrat and the Seacoast Media Group, working as a reporter and editor for the Portsmouth Herald, and the Exeter News-Letter. He replaces former WMUR-9 anchor/reporter Cherise Leclerc, who left the organization earlier this month for a management position at UMass Memorial Medical Center. Sanborn has won multiple awards from the New Hampshire and New England Press Associations for breaking news and feature stories.

“As both a resident of Dover, and as someone who has reported extensively on the area, I know the important role Wentworth-Douglass Hospital plays in the Seacoast community,” Sanborn said. “Amazing stories happen every day at the hospital, and I consider it a huge responsibility and privilege to be part of the team that tells those stories.”

About Wentworth-Douglass Hospital

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital (wdhospital.org) is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit charitable health care organization located in Dover, New Hampshire with a 115-year history of compassionate care and innovation. A member of the Mass General Brigham system, Wentworth-Douglass is strategically located in the heart of the Seacoast region of New Hampshire and Southern Maine, which it has served since 1906. The organization is a family of more than 3,500 employees, including more than 400 physicians and advanced practice providers dedicated to the health, safety, and well-being of the region’s residents and visitors. The organization includes a 178-bed hospital, more than 30 primary and specialty provider practices and clinic sites, multiple express and prompt care facilities, an ambulatory surgery center, several medical office buildings, The Works Family Health and Fitness Center, and the Wentworth-Douglass Foundation.

Somersworth, NH – David Wold's Piano and Organ Studio has come to Somersworth. In addition to the move, the studio is celebrating 30 years.

On Thursday April 14th, 2022 The Falls Chamber of Commerce held a Ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the momentous occasion. Joining the ceremony was the Falls Chamber of Commerce, the Mayor of Somersworth, Dana Hilliard, and a student of David's, Hannah.

"My heart has been in Somersworth for a long time," stated David Wold.

"In 1981 I graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in classical organ performance. After a little bit I went back and studied piano pedagogy which is the art of teaching piano. I opened my studio in 1991 and I've been going strong for over 30 consecutive years," continued David.

"My piano studio welcomes all ages and levels including beginners, and adults. I invite anyone interested in music and piano to call me at 603 828 6402," said David. 

After David's remarks, Mayor Dana Hilliard congratulated him on his success and thanked him for his continued commitment to the Hilltop City.

"Thank you, David, for locating in Somersworth and for your commitment to the Hilltop City. You're not only bringing your business to Somersworth but a commitment to the arts. We know over the last 2 years how rough it has been for all of humanity and the arts are what get us through. The arts are what inspire, the arts are what feed the soul, and the arts are certainly what feed the soul of the city. I could not be happier that not only have you come back to your roots of the Hilltop City, but that you have made a commitment to have your business here and expand here. I wish you many happy years of success both for your talent as an artist and expanding your personal training and talents to help inspire the next generation of great musicians. Thank you for choosing Somersworth," stated Mayor Dana Hilliard.

David Wold is a Teacher, Church Musician, Performer, and Concert Promoter/Producer in the Seacoast, NH area. His studio is located at 274 Green Street, Somersworth, NH. For more information call 603 828 6402

Rochester, NH – Cornerstone VNA, a local nonprofit home health provider, is pleased to announce the 6^th Annual Caregivers Connect, a special event that focuses on providing support to family caregivers. This free virtual event will take place on Wednesday, May 4, from 10:00am – 11:30am, and is generously underwritten by First Seacoast Bank.

Attendees will hear from funny motivational speaker, Kay Frances. At her energetic, upbeat presentation, family caregivers will be reminded to keep their sense of humor, manage their stress, and take care of themselves. The first fifty registrants will receive a copy of Kay’s book, “The Funny Thing About Stress” after their attendance is confirmed on the day of the event.

“We are incredibly happy to present our annual Caregivers Connect event, which will be virtual again this year to appeal to a wider audience. Our theme of ‘laughter is the best medicine’ will most surely resonate with our local family caregivers,” states Julie Reynolds, RN, MS, President/CEO, Cornerstone VNA. Janice Howard, Life Care – Private Duty Director at Cornerstone VNA adds, “In addition to the supportive and lively discussion, this event will assist our caregivers to experience a sense of camaraderie. It can be very comforting to know you are not alone in your journey as the caregiver of a loved one.”

To register for this special event or to learn more, call 800-691-1133 x1109 or visit cornerstonevna.org/caregiver22.

Cornerstone VNA currently serves Rockingham, Strafford, Belknap and Carroll Counties in New Hampshire and York County in Maine. The team at Cornerstone VNA provides award-winning care and support through five distinct programs: Home Care, Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Life Care-Private Duty, and Community Care. For 109 years, Cornerstone VNA has been committed to bringing services to people of all ages so that families can stay together at home, even when facing the challenges of aging, surgical recovery, chronic or life-threatening illnesses or end-of-life care. To learn more about Cornerstone VNA, visit www.cornerstonevna.org or call 800-691-1133.

DOVER, N.H. – A sensor that monitors heart failure was successfully implanted in three patients at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital Thursday, becoming the hospital’s first recipients of a device aimed at dramatically improving their quality of life and reducing their office visits and hospital stays.

The CardioMEMS sensor is implanted through a simple right heart catherization in a same-day procedure. The device, the size of a paperclip, allows the patients to monitor pressure changes that indicate heart failure 14-21 days before they begin feeling the effects of these changes. This allows clinicians to address pressure changes through simple adjustments to care, often without requiring an appointment with the patient.

Wayne Taylor is one of the first patients undergoing the procedure. He has been a patient at Wentworth-Douglass for more than five years.

“I’m so happy to be receiving the CardioMEMS device,” Wayne said. “I’m hoping it will help me stay healthy by letting the Heart Failure team know if I’m retaining fluids so they can make the best adjustments for my health. My cardiology team is fantastic. If it wasn’t for them, I feel I wouldn’t still be around.”

Dr. Greg Imbrie, of Wentworth Health Partners Cardiology, was the interventionalist who implanted the sensors.

“I’m excited because this will bring Wentworth-Douglass to the forefront of heart failure management on the seacoast,” Dr. Imbrie said. “Not only will patients benefit from the CardioMEMS device, but our hospital takes it a step further and provides patients with continued monitoring, education, and support to help them achieve the best possible outcomes.”

“I’m hoping for the improvement of quality of life for these patients. When you sit with them, they want to be spending time at home and they want to feel better. Sometimes we have to send them for more testing, this is going to allow them to stay at home, monitor their pressures, and we can guide them and make adjustments while they’re in an environment they’re comfortable with,” said Christine Oliveira, APRN, of the Heart Failure Clinic.

The Abbott’s CardioMEMS HF System was made possible at Wentworth-Douglass through the generosity of multiple donors raising $210,000, including David and Karen Della Penta and Vice Chairman of the Wentworth-Douglass Foundation Board of Directors, Richard Conley, and his wife Jan.

“My wife and I have focused on cardiology and heart failure because it’s one of the number one medical issues people are faced with and as we get older, we have many more friends encountering heart issues. We’re blessed to be in a position where we can take some of our savings and donate it to an organization like Wentworth-Douglass and have it applied directly to a situation that we’re familiar with and that we care about,” Conley said. “We want to make sure that we have the tools necessary to keep Wentworth-Douglass the best that it can possibly be.”

Those interesting in learning more about this program can visit the hospital’s website or contact the Heart Failure Team at the Center for Heart Health at (603) 609-6417.

Rollinsford, NH- Hand spinning enthusiasts and those interested in trying this ancient craft are invited to drop by Rollinsford’s historic Colonel Paul Wentworth House for “Spinning Sundays” beginning on Sunday, April 24. Subsequent “Spinning Sundays” will be held on the last Sunday of each month through September 25.

From 11 am to 1 pm the public is invited to drop in for a free “Learn to Spin” session. No advance registration is required and all materials will be provided. Or bring your spinning wheel, knitting, or other needlework project and enjoy the company of fellow fiber artists for a “Spin-In” from 1 to 4 pm.

The circa 1701 Colonel Paul Wentworth House is located on Water Street in Rollinsford, NH and is maintained by the nonprofit Association for Rollinsford Culture and History (ARCH) as an educational and cultural center. For more information, consult the ARCH website at www.paulwentworthhouse.org or send an email to paulwentworthhouse@gmail.com.

DOVER, N.H. – Wentworth-Douglass Hospital has opened a new Occupational Health Program, providing a comprehensive suite of services requested by area employers, filling a void in the community.

A major provider closed in the region last year and leadership at Wentworth-Douglass says they decided to start their own program after fielding many requests from area employers.

“Historically, Wentworth-Douglass has responded to community need and for many years this need was being well-served by a long-time market provider. However, when local services were closed, we started receiving phone calls from the community, so we responded. I’ve worked with Wentworth-Douglass for 34 years, and that’s what we’ve always done – we prioritize community need,” said Nancy Correia, Director of Urgent Care Services.

The new program offers pre-employment physicals, drug testing, immunizations and much more at two convenient locations attached to the Express Care facilities at 65 Calef Highway in Lee and 701 Central Avenue in Dover. Work-related accidents and injuries will be coordinated through our urgent care and emergency service programs.

“Stepping up to meet community need is yet another reason why Wentworth-Douglass is the hospital of choice in this area” said Dr. Lukas Kolm who serves as Medical Director for this new program.

Occupational Health Nurse Navigator, Tiffany Parker works directly with employers to create customized programs to meet organizational needs. “Our goal is to work directly with area businesses to fulfill their service needs and make it as easy as possible for their employees to access Occupational Health services,” said Tiffany Parker, Nurse Navigator for Wentworth-Douglass Occupational Health.

Interested employers can call (603) 609-6730 or visit wdhospital.org/occupationalhealth to learn more.

DOVER, N.H. – Wentworth-Douglass Hospital is proud to announce that 65 of its doctors have been honored among New Hampshire’s “2022 Top Doctors” in the March/April edition of New Hampshire Magazine.

These doctors represent 24 specialties across Wentworth-Douglass Hospital and Wentworth Health Partners physician practices and cover a wide range of medical needs from pediatrics to surgical care.

“Wentworth-Douglass has the most bright, compassionate, and devoted doctors on the Seacoast and I’m incredibly proud so many of them continue to get recognized,” said President & CEO Jeff Hughes. “Quite frankly, our entire roster of physicians deserves this accolade for not only how they’ve handled all the challenges related to the pandemic, but also for their unwavering commitment to the highest quality of care for our patients every single day.”

We’ve been incredibly fortunate to continue to attract some of the brightest doctors in the profession,

New Hampshire Magazine’s annual “Top Doctors” list is comprised by healthcare research firm Castle Connolly.  Physicians across the country are invited to participate in an annual survey and can nominate their peers in hundreds of specialty categories. After physicians are nominated, they are vetted through a rigorous screening process and selected for inclusion on the Top Doctors list at national and regional levels.

A full list can be found on the magazine’s website at http://www.nhmagazine.com/new-hampshires-top-doctors/.

About Wentworth-Douglass Hospital

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital (wdhospital.org) is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit charitable health care organization located in Dover, New Hampshire with a 115-year history of compassionate care and innovation. A member of the Mass General Brigham system, Wentworth-Douglass is strategically located in the heart of the Seacoast region of New Hampshire and Southern Maine, which it has served since 1906. The organization is a family of more than 3,500 employees, including more than 400 physicians and advanced practice providers dedicated to the health, safety, and well-being of the region’s residents and visitors. The organization includes a 178-bed hospital, more than 30 primary and specialty provider practices and clinic sites, multiple express and prompt care facilities, an ambulatory surgery center, several medical office buildings, The Works Family Health and Fitness Center, and the Wentworth-Douglass Foundation.

Rochester, NH – Cornerstone VNA is looking for volunteers to join their thriving ‘A Matter of Balance’ program as a volunteer coach.  This important program is designed to help people in the community manage concerns about falls and increase physical activity. 

The next volunteer coaches training will take place on April 25 and 26 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in the new Community Room at the Cornerstone VNA office on 178 Farmington Road in Rochester, NH. No previous experience is needed to become a volunteer coach. Once trained, volunteer balance coaches will be assigned in pairs to facilitate community programs that will take place over a 4-week period for 2 sessions a week at 2 hours each session. Volunteers are asked to facilitate at least two ‘A Matter of Balance’ programs per year.

During these sessions, volunteer balance coaches help participants become more confident about managing falls, identify ways to reduce falls, and lead exercises to help increase strength and balance. According to Judy Goodnow, Cornerstone VNA Volunteer Balance Coach, "Participants really enjoyed the class and felt that it helped with their balance and stability."

If you are interested in joining this notable volunteer team, please contact Katie Michaud, MS, OTR/L at kmichaud@cornerstonevna.org or 603-332-1133 x1186.  You can also find additional details at www.cornerstonevna.org/volunteer/.

Cornerstone VNA currently serves Rockingham, Strafford, Belknap and Carroll Counties in New Hampshire and York County in Maine. The team at Cornerstone VNA provides award-winning care and support through five distinct programs: Home Care, Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Life Care-Private Duty and Community Care. For 109 years, Cornerstone VNA has been committed to bringing services to people of all ages so that families can stay together at home, even when facing the challenges of aging, surgical recovery, chronic or life-threatening illnesses or end-of-life care. To learn more about Cornerstone VNA, visit www.cornerstonevna.org or call 800-691-1133.