St. Francis Medical Center

Health System reaches agreement with SEIU-UHW

DCHS Staff — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:17:43 +0000

May 1, 2012

The Daughters of Charity Health System (DCHS) and Service Employees International Union–United Healthcare Workers (SEIU-UHW) today reached agreement on a new three-year contract covering nearly 2,600 employees in six DCHS hospitals in California: O’Connor Hospital, San Jose; Saint Louise Regional Hospital, Gilroy; Seton Coastside, Moss Beach; Seton Medical Center, Daly City; St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood; and St. Vincent Medical Center, Los Angeles.

The agreement comes after several months of discussions and achieves the goal – set by both sides – to develop a fair and reasonable contract,” according to Stephanie Battles, DCHS vice president of human resources.

“We can all feel proud about this new agreement, particularly in these challenging times for health care in our state and across the nation,” said Battles. “The agreement protects the interests of our associates and the financial health and safe and efficient operation of our hospitals.”

SEIU-UHW membership ratified the agreement yesterday.

“We want to acknowledge the bargaining teams for their good-faith efforts during our contract discussions,” said Battles. “We also wish to thank all of our employees for their ongoing and valuable contribution in service to our patients and the communities we serve.”

National Healthcare Decisions Day is April 16, 2012

DCHS Staff — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:20:15 +0000

Join Americans across the country in making your future healthcare decisions known to family, friends, and healthcare providers.

Fill out an Advance Directive and save your loved ones the agony of making end-of-life decisions for you. For more information about Advanced Directives and Advanced Planning go to www.nhdd.org.

Completing a simple form assures your needs will be met and provide you with peace of mind.

You may also download a copy of A Catholic Guide to Critical End of Life Decisions: Advance Directives by

Fr. Gerald Coleman, SS, vice president, Corporate Ethics, Daughters of Charity Health System.

Available in: English/Spanish | Tagalog | Korean

Daughters of Charity Health System Health Benefits Resource Centers Observe CalFresh Awareness Month

DCHS Staff — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:15:04 +0000

Lynwood, CA – Four Daughters of Charity Health System (DCHS) hospitals will join together with community partners to observe CalFresh Awareness Month in May. St. Vincent Medical Center, Los Angeles; St. Francis Medical, Lynwood; O’Connor Hospital, San Jose; and Saint Louise Regional Hospital, Gilroy, will join forces to introduce Californians to CalFresh, the new name for the Food Stamp Program. The effort, which centers on Los Angeles County, will be coordinated through each hospital’s Health Benefits Resource Center (HBRC).

“This combined effort is expected to increase access and participation in food assistance and reduce hunger,” explains Lydia Ramirez, director, Health Benefits Resource Center, “Los Angeles County is the second largest and most populated county in the nation, so we will reach a large number of community members in need of these services.”

The Health Benefits Resource Center, located in each of the four Daughters of Charity-sponsored hospitals, is a one-stop information and referral service. “We assist children, teens, seniors and families in need with vital information concerning affordable care and appropriate health benefits,” offers Tiffany Huerta, manager, Community and Business Services, Daughters of Charity Ministry Services Corporation. “We provide enrollment assistance for insurance programs such as Healthy Families, MediCal, Medicare and California Kids.”

Additionally, HBRC associates work in tandem with medical professionals, social service agencies, churches, schools and parishes to perform ongoing outreach to educate their communities. Classes, events and activities promoting wellness and healthy families are provided by HBRC to community members, free of charge.

The month-long public awareness campaign, spearheaded by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), is a collaboration by DPSS, the US Department of Agriculture, California Department of Social Services, and more than 25 community partners, including Daughters of Charity Ministry Services Corporation.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will participate in proclaiming May as CalFresh Awareness Month on April 24. Kick-off for the campaign will occur on April 25. To learn about more month-long events, including activities onsite at the four Daughters of Charity hospitals, go to www.dpssbenefits.lacounty.gov.

Daughters of Charity Health System Establishes Medical Foundation

DCHS Staff — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 07:55:24 +0000

Daughters of Charity Health System (DCHS), a regional health system with hospitals spanning the California coast from the San Francisco Bay Area to Los Angeles, announced today formation of the DCHS Medical Foundation.

A patient-centered care delivery model that optimizes access and the provision of high-quality, integrated care, DCHS Medical Foundation is partnering with the physicians and associates of San Jose Medical Group (SJMG) to kick start and launch foundation operations.

The DCHS Medical Foundation will initially comprise over 200 primary care and specialty physicians offering medical, surgical and related health care services through several existing multi-specialty, community-based clinics in San Jose.

Ultimately, to preserve and enhance health care services locally, the DCHS Medical Foundation will expand and serve DCHS communities statewide in collaboration with local medical staffs at DCHS hospitals.

“With health care reform comes a new culture and the demand for closer collaboration and partnerships between hospitals and physicians,” said Robert Issai, President & CEO of Daughters of Charity Health System. “Coordinating and integrating hospital and physician clinical services through the DCHS Medical Foundation furthers our Mission and serves the best interests of our patients and the communities we serve.”

“Using the latest technology, and keeping our focus on the pending changes required by health care reform, the DCHS Medical Foundation will serve as one of the ways that we will move forward positively into the future,” said Dean Didech, MD, pediatrician and president of San Jose Medical Group.

“As they always have, our patients will receive coordinated, integrated health care that will meet their needs – body, mind and spirit,” he added. “Our partnership with the DCHS Medical Foundation will be transparent to our patients and staff. We don’t expect any effect on our day-to-day operations, delivery of care, or treatment plans.”

Also announced today are the appointment of Ernie Wallerstein as CEO of the DCHS Medical Foundation and the appointment of three additional directors to the DCHS Medical Foundation Board: Colman Ryan, MD, a cardiologist on the medical staff of Seton Medical Center, Daly City, Calif.; Mike Stuart, chief financial officer for DCHS; and Anjali Sagdeo, MD, a San Jose Medical Group internist. Previously, the initial three board members were announced: Sr. Marion Bill, DC, Health Councillor, Daughters of Charity Province of the West; S. Daniel Higgins, MD, member, DCHS Board of Directors; and Issai.

“There is widespread excitement about this partnership,” said Wallerstein. “The DCHS Foundation is an opportunity to change the way health care is delivered. It’s an opportunity to improve patient outcomes in a cost effective manner across the entire state of California.”

About Daughters of Charity Health System (DCHS):

Daughters of Charity Health System (DCHS) is a regional health system spanning the California coast from the San Francisco Bay Area to Los Angeles. DCHS hospitals include Seton Medical Center, Daly City; Seton Coastside, Moss Beach; O’Connor Hospital, San Jose; Saint Louise Regional Hospital, Gilroy; St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood; and St. Vincent Medical Center, Los Angeles. DCHS was formed in response to the health care needs of the people of California. Every day, more than 7,000 associates and physicians serve patients and their loved ones, providing quality, compassionate care – body, mind and spirit. For more information about DCHS, please visit www.dochs.org.

About San Jose Medical Group:

Established in 1955 and serving 125,000 patients annually, San Jose Medical Group currently has offices in the Willow Glen area at 625 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose; the Good Samaritan area at 2585 Samaritan Drive, San Jose; and the Eastern foothills near Highway 680 and McKee at 227 N. Jackson Avenue, San Jose. The Medical Group also operates an Urgent Care Walk-In Clinic in the Willow Glen clinic at 625 Lincoln Ave., San Jose. For more information about the San Jose Medical Group, please visit www.sanjosemed.com.