Hudson Valley Hospital Center Employees Recognized for Years of Service and Perfect Attendance

Cortlandt Manor, NY - (May 18, 2012) – President of Hudson Valley Hospital Center John C. Federspiel was honored for 25 years of service at a special ceremony on May 17 that honored dozens of employees for their dedication and longevity. More than 200 employees were also honored for perfect attendance.

Federspiel, who started as CEO of the Hospital in 1987, is credited with having turned around a struggling facility that was in deeply in debt into a state-of-the-art center for medicine in the Hudson Valley.

“If it wasn’t for John’s excellent leadership and tremendous vision, I don’t think any of us would be here today.  Since he started, HVHC has grown from a small community hospital facing bankruptcy into this extraordinary, state-of-the- art facility,’’ said Jeane Costella, Vice President of Human Resources at HVHC.

Under his leadership the hospital’s patient satisfaction rate climbed to 97 percent and HVHC in 2006 received national attention, receiving the Press Ganey Success Story Award, followed in 2007 by the Forbes Enterprise and Westchester Magazine’s 10 Best Places to Work awards. In 2010, the Hospital received the Westchester County Association’s APEX award for Economic Development Leadership.

While Federspiel’s 25 years of service put him ahead of most employees in terms of longevity, there were still several employees who surpassed him when it came to years of service.

Joan DeFlavis, an employee in the Food and Nutrition Department, has been with the Hospital for 45 years.

“Joan started here on September 1, 1967 and has worked in the Food & Nutrition Department for her entire career,’’ said Costella. “Joan has been an extremely dedicated and reliable employee for 45 years.  Patients often ask that she come visit because they like her so much.’’

Federspiel said he was most impressed by the more than 200 people who were recognized for perfect attendance. He said given the small size of the hospital – 1,300 employees – this was a very large percentage of employees and was reflective of the Hospital’s great employee satisfaction rating.

Employees serving 5 to 45 years were honored at the ceremony. The following were among those honored:

45 Years
Joan DeFlavis, Food and Nutrition

35 years
Kenneth Whalen, Emergency Department; Catherine Bischoff, Laboratory, Lorraine Blair, Fiscal Administration.

30 Years
Susan Lepore, Administration; Margaret Perpetua, Laboratory; Jennifer Albanese, Patient Accounts.

25 years
John Federspiel, Administration; Ann Molyneaux, Admitting; Pamela Oliveri, Cardiac Rehabilitation; Catherine DeMaio, Laboratory; Ian Morrow, Laboratory; Margaret Tetro, Receiving and Stores; Mary Alfaro, Surgical Services, Erich Schnitzer, Surgical Services.   

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Hudson Valley Hospital Center is dedicated to serving the health care needs of the community and to providing quality, comprehensive medical care in a compassionate, professional, respectful manner, without regard to race, religion, national origin or disease category. Offering state-of-the-art diagnostic treatment, education and preventive services, the Hospital is committed to improving the quality of life in the community.  In fulfilling this mission, the Hospital will strive to continuously improve the care provided and develop and offer programs, facilities, systems and alliances that most effectively respond to community health care needs.  Hudson Valley Hospital Center is located on Route 202 (1980 Crompond Road) in Cortlandt Manor, New York. Call 914-737-9000 or visit www.hvhc.org

Hudson Valley Hospital Center’s “Art of Having a Baby” Maternity Fair

Register today for workshops!

Cortlandt Manor, NY - (May 8, 2012) – Mother’s Day comes once a year, but being a mother is a 365 day-a-year-job. And mothers can use all the help they can get.

That’s where Hudson Valley Hospital Center’s 2^nd Annual “Art of Having a Baby” Maternity Fair comes in. Whether you are already a parent, pregnant or just planning a family, it’s a day that should not be missed.

On Sunday, May 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Hospital’s lobby will be filled with more than 30 vendors offering services from child care to photography to the latest in baby furniture and gadgets. The day will also feature tours of the hospital’s Maternity Department and workshops to educate parents on how to choose a birthing style that is right for them; nutrition in pregnancy and the importance of breastfeeding. Parents can talk to physicians and midwives who will be on hand to answer questions and there will be a children’s corner with activities for the little ones.

“Last year’s “Art of Having a Baby” Maternity Fair was a huge success, and this year’s fair will be even better,’’ said Sabrina Nitkowski-Keever, Director of Maternal Child Health at HVHC. “Our primary goal is to prepare expectant parents with important information they will need in planning their baby’s birth, but there will be many fun surprises as well. There will truly be something for everyone.’’

At the top of the list is a workshop by Child safety expert Allison Rhodes, founder of Safety Mom, who will discuss ways to keep children – from infants to teens – safe. Rhodes has appeared on many national television shows including The Today Show, Fox & Friends, CNN International, CNBC Squawk Box, Good Morning America and The Doctors. She has addressed topics from household hazards to sports injuries and cyberbullying. Peekskill Police will offer car safety seat demonstrations.

The main event will be a Maternity Fashion Show hosted by WHUD’s Kacey Morabito Grean of “Kacey in the Morning” and sponsored by Kohl’s Department Store. There will be light lunch, giveaways and raffle prizes, including a crib and mattress worth more than $500 donated by I Luv My Kids in Cortlandt Manor.

The day will have a historical twist as well with a special exhibit on the “History of Having a Baby.” The exhibit will highlight maternity during the Hospital’s 120-year plus history with displays and photos from different eras and the dramatic changes in child birth customs over the decades.

Other sponsors of the day’s events are Tutor Time Childcare Learning Centers, Margaret Rizzuto Photography and the Westchester Medical Practice.

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Hudson Valley Hospital Center is dedicated to serving the health care needs of the community and to providing quality, comprehensive medical care in a compassionate, professional, respectful manner, without regard to race, religion, national origin or disease category. Offering state-of-the-art diagnostic treatment, education and preventive services, the Hospital is committed to improving the quality of life in the community.  In fulfilling this mission, the Hospital will strive to continuously improve the care provided and develop and offer programs, facilities, systems and alliances that most effectively respond to community health care needs.  Hudson Valley Hospital Center is located on Route 202 (1980 Crompond Road) in Cortlandt Manor, New York. For physician directory assistance please call 800-482-HVHC or visit www.hvhc.org.

Hudson Valley Hospital Center Helps to Change Infection Prevention Policies in ICUs

Cortlandt Manor, NY - (May 15, 2012) –  Hudson Valley Hospital Center was one of six hospitals in Westchester to participate in a nine month study that has changed the way hospitals work at  reducing infection rates in intensive care patients.

The New York State Health Department sponsored study, published this month in the American Journal of Medicine, concluded that bathing patients in an antiseptic called chlorhexidine significantly reduced the rates of central line bloodstream infections in ICU patients. As a result of the study, the procedure is now recommended by the Centers for Disease Control as a way to reduce central line infections.

“The nurses in the ICU were all very excited about the positive results,’’ said Barbara Savatteri, RN, CIC, Director of Infection Control/Employee Health at Hudson Valley Hospital Center, who led the study at HVHC. “Not only are our patients doing well, but this data will be very helpful to hospitals nationwide. A lot of work, by a lot of people went into this study.’’

Savatteri said that from April 1, 2008 through December 1, 2008, HVHC used 2 percent solution of chlorhexidine to bathe patients and during that time bloodstream infection rates were cut by 50 percent. She said during the post study period, results were even more dramatic with a 0 percent rate of infection.

The findings are significant, according to the American Journal of Medicine, because bloodstream infections acquired through central venous catheters are a major risk for hospitalized patients. Reducing rates, it concludes, not only saves lives, but significantly reduces hospital stays, reducing the cost of healthcare.

“Our multiple hospital, 3-phase study demonstrates that chlorhexidine bathing is simple, well-tolerated infection control intervention that seems to significantly reduce central venous catheter associated bloodstream infection in intensive care unit/respiratory care unit settings,’’ the study concluded, according to the American Journal of Medicine.

The complete study can be found online at http://www.amjmed.com

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Hudson Valley Hospital Center is dedicated to serving the health care needs of the community and to providing quality, comprehensive medical care in a compassionate, professional, respectful manner, without regard to race, religion, national origin or disease category. Offering state-of-the-art diagnostic treatment, education and preventive services, the Hospital is committed to improving the quality of life in the community.  In fulfilling this mission, the Hospital will strive to continuously improve the care provided and develop and offer programs, facilities, systems and alliances that most effectively respond to community health care needs.  Hudson Valley Hospital Center is located on Route 202 (1980 Crompond Road) in Cortlandt Manor, New York. Call 914-737-9000 or visit www.hvhc.org

“Local History and Color” exhibit opens at Hudson Valley Hospital Center

Cortlandt Manor, NY - (May 9, 2012) – If your soul is longing for a simpler time when swimming in the local pond and drying off under the sun were the ultimate summer entertainment, then you must visit “Local History and Color,” the latest exhibit at Hudson Valley Hospital Center’s Art for Health Gallery.

“Local History and Color” celebrates the works of five local artists with very different styles, but one thing in common: the enthusiasm they bring to their work through the use of color. On exhibit from May 4 –September 3, are the works of local artists Robert and Andrew Barthelmes; Cheryl Vlachos, Phyllis Smith and Carol Carpentieri.

The exhibit is currently on display in the lobby and in Hospital’s main corridors. An opening reception will be held on Friday, June 1 from 4-6 p.m. in the lobby. The exhibit will also be a featured stop on a tour of local art galleries as part of Peekskill Open Studios June 2-3. The weekend long celebration of art features visual and performing arts by more than 100 artists in their studios, performance spaces and 15 special exhibitions in galleries and other venues throughout Peekskill, NY.

“We are very excited to be part of the Peekskill Open Studios tour this year,’’ said Suzanne Ashley, curator of the Hospital’s Art for Health program, which consists of 13 fine art galleries throughout the hospital. “Robert Barthelmes’ Finktown with its historic look at Peekskill is particularly relevant. We are very fortunate to have all these talented artists on exhibit.’’

Robert Barthelmes “Finktown” is a series of watercolors that tells the story of Peekskill’s neighborhoods during the artist’s childhood in the 1940s and 1950s. “Finktown” is a snapshot in time of an area around lower Main Street and is named for John Fink, the man largely responsible for the development of the area. The series celebrates the simple working class neighborhoods that flourished throughout the northeast during that time.

“In reality it was an ordinary place, but by illuminating these scenes of life there, Finktown is brought back, and it becomes, however fleetingly, a rich extraordinary place,’’ said Barthelmes, who is now retired after a 31-year career as creative director with Conde Nast Publications.

The work of Andrew Barthelmes, Robert’s son, is also on display, and while it too celebrates street life, it does so in a more modern and urban style. The younger Barthelmes received his BFA from the School of Visual Arts in 1996 and been in several group and solo shows in the New York area.

Cheryl Vlachos is an accomplished American Oil and Watercolor painter. Vlachos’ landscapes have a surreal quality and she is considered one of the new school of Hudson River Painters. A Cortlandt Manor resident, Vlachos work has been exhibited in many galleries in New York City, SoHo and throughout Westchester, Connecticut and Rhode Island. She as been a professional art director and graphic designer and is an art teacher for adults and children.

Phyllis Smith, a painter and photographer, describes her intricate paintings as “complex, deliberate and precise microcosms found close to the earth.”  Smith’s work is rooted in nature and she uses her skill as a painter to delve deeper into subjects she often initially discovers through her photography. A native New Yorker, she returned to complete her fine arts degree in 1998 after a career as an advertising production manager. Her work has been exhibited throughout New York, Westchester and Connecticut.

Carol Carpentieri describes herself as “self taught” saying her age has allowed her to shed inhibitions and express herself joyfully through art. Her whimsical work explores her world through a variety of medium from oil and acrylics, watercolors to sculpture. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Carpentieri lives in South Salem where she enjoys gardening. Her work has been exhibited at the Katonah Museum.

The “Art for Health” program seeks to display the works of both emerging and established artists. It is unique because of its scale and the quality of the artwork that it brings to a hospital setting. “Art for Health” now has more than 350 pieces of fine art on display.  Many of the works are by artists who have exhibited in museums and galleries internationally. Most of the artworks are donated. In 2010, “Art for Health” received a community service award from ArtsWestchester.

For more information on the “Art for Health” or to make a donation, contact the Foundation of Hudson Valley Hospital Center at 914-734-3526.

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Hudson Valley Hospital Center is dedicated to serving the health care needs of the community and to providing quality, comprehensive medical care in a compassionate, professional, respectful manner, without regard to race, religion, national origin or disease category. Offering state-of-the-art diagnostic treatment, education and preventive services, the Hospital is committed to improving the quality of life in the community.  In fulfilling this mission, the Hospital will strive to continuously improve the care provided and develop and offer programs, facilities, systems and alliances that most effectively respond to community health care needs.  Hudson Valley Hospital Center is located on Route 202 (1980 Crompond Road) in Cortlandt Manor, New York. Call 914-737-9000 or visit www.hvhc.org

Lakeland/Panas Lacrosse “Sticks it to Cancer”

Cortlandt Manor, NY - (May 3, 2012) – More than 500 people are expected to fill the stands at Lakeland High School on Friday, May 4  for the annual Charlie Murphy Cup game between Lakeland/Panas and rivals Yorktown High School.

While the two high schools may be rivals on the field, everyone will be working toward one goal on that night– fighting cancer. Members of the Lakeland/Panas team will be raising money for the Cheryl R. Lindenbaum Cancer Center at Hudson Valley Hospital Center throughout the season.  Team members will be collecting donations at the game and Hudson Valley Hospital Center will be selling “Light up the Night with Hope” necklaces for $5. The game starts at 7 p.m.

Bruce Lindenbaum, a longtime Hospital supporter whose wife the cancer center is named for, will be speaking before the starting line up. Lindenbaum, who used to play for the Yorktown Cornhuskers, said that everyone, no matter which team they support, should support the cancer center.

“It’s something that we should all get behind,’’ he said.

The Booster Club suggested a fundraiser for the new cancer center because so many members’ lives have been touched by the disease. The team has dedicated its season to the memory of Mrs. Carolyn Conroy, who died of uterine cancer in 2008 and whose two sons were former players.  The entire team will be wearing teal shoelaces to honor her memory since teal is the color designated for uterine cancer.

MSG Varsity will be filming the game, which has become a well known tradition between the rivals for the past decade.

Upcoming team fundraising events include a golf outing at Hollowbrook Golf Club on June 26^th. For more information, visit http://www.lprebels.com/

Follow Hudson Valley Hospital Plastic Surgeon on Trip to Ghana

Cortlandt Manor, NY - (May 4, 2012) – When Dr. R. Michael Koch traveled to Ecuador two years ago to do plastic surgery, he and his team of surgeons were greeted by more than 700 children all hoping to undergo life changing procedures. He expects a similar scene tomorrow when he lands in Ghana. 

Dr. Koch, a board certified plastic surgeon with HVHC’s Institute for Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, will be traveling to Accra in Ghana with the Health and Humanitarian Aid Foundation from May 4 to May 13 to do reconstructive surgery on children and adults.

Follow Dr. Koch’s travels on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HudsonValleyHospital

“Reconstructive surgery is just not available either because local doctors don’t have the expertise or people cannot afford it,’’ said Koch. “If you are poor, there is just no medicine available.’’

Koch said that he has done several such missions, traveling to Vietnam, Ecuador and Columbia in past years. On his trip to Ghana with the Health and Humanitarian Aid Foundation he expects to perform surgeries on cleft palates, cleft lips and other facial deformities as well as micro surgery to save limbs.

“You never know what you will encounter. Sometimes you end up doing the unexpected. You do whatever you can to help, ’’ he said.

In addition to performing surgery at the 37^th Military Hospital in Accra, surgeons on the trip will work to train local doctors and medical students to try to improve medical care in Ghana after they leave.  A separate team with the HHAF will distribute donations of fortified rice and other staples as well as work on wells to provide clean drinking water for the local residents. The HHAF has completed more than 65 surgical missions in Ghana.  To find out more about HHAF visit http://hhafonline.org/home

Dr. R. Michael Koch is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery with the New York Group for Plastic Surgery and specializes in cosmetic surgery, breast surgery and microsurgical reconstruction. He received his plastic surgical training at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles and also completed an additional yearlong Fellowship in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery at the Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

Born in London, raised in Perthshire, Scotland, and transplanted to Southern California, Dr. Koch attended the University of California at Santa Barbara (BA 1989) and Hahnemann University School of Medicine (MD 1993). To learn more about the Institute for Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, visit www.hvhc.org.

Hudson Valley Hospital Center Featured on new MTV Show

See preview of tonight's show

Cortlandt Manor, NY - (April 30, 2012) – When baby makes three, how do cross-cultural couples and their families deal with the new arrival?

That’s the premise of an MTV reality TV show that was shot at Hudson Valley Hospital Center. The first episode, scheduled to air on April 30, focuses on a couple who had their baby at Hudson Valley Hospital Center in Cortlandt Manor.

Johanna and Manuel Gonzalez of Yorktown gave birth to a son Manuel on February 2 at the Hospital. The show follows the days leading up to the birth and drama between the couple’s families and the excitement of the new arrival.  The show also follows Manuel in his job in Food Services at HVHC.

“Quiero Mi Baby” is a spin off to the popular MTV’s Tr3s series “Quiero Mis Quinces” and “Quiero Mi Boda.” MTV Tr3 series has won several Imagen awards for the positive portrayal of Latino culture. The family-oriented series follow families at milestones in their lives.

“A lot of planning and preparation went into the shooting of this show here at Hudson Valley Hospital Center,’’ said John C. Federspiel, President of Hudson Valley Hospital Center. “It was really exciting for everyone at the Hospital, not only because it was an opportunity to show the dedication of our top-notch Maternity staff and our physicians, but because one of the parents is one of our own employees.’’

The birth itself provided plenty of drama as little Manuel took more than 30 hours to arrive with the crew anxiously following every twist and turn in the labor and delivery.

“It was a really wonderful experience for everyone involved,’’ said Sabrina Nitkowski-Keever, Director of Child Maternal Health at Hudson Valley Hospital Center. “I think the crew was really surprised and amazed at all that we do for our patients and how much preparation and work goes into the delivery of a baby. We were really impressed at the crew’s dedication and their patience in documenting this very moving life event.’’

Manuel Gonzalez said he and Joanna have not yet seen the entire show and are very excited to watch it on Monday.

“We really don’t know what to expect,’’ he said “We can’t wait to see how it all came out.’’

Some of the Hospital staff will be getting together to watch the episode. Several staff members have cameos in the show including employees on the hospital’s 3 South nursing unit and in Food Services.

Federspiel thanked the staff for their cooperation. “The staff did a great job on working with the family and the MTV crew to insure everyone’s safety and privacy.’’

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Hudson Valley Hospital Center is dedicated to serving the health care needs of the community and to providing quality, comprehensive medical care in a compassionate, professional, respectful manner, without regard to race, religion, national origin or disease category. Offering state-of-the-art diagnostic treatment, education and preventive services, the Hospital is committed to improving the quality of life in the community.  In fulfilling this mission, the Hospital will strive to continuously improve the care provided and develop and offer programs, facilities, systems and alliances that most effectively respond to community health care needs.  Hudson Valley Hospital Center is located on Route 202 (1980 Crompond Road) in Cortlandt Manor, New York. For physician directory assistance please call 800-482-HVHC or visit www.hvhc.org.

Hendrick Hudson Students Tour Hudson Valley Hospital Center Labs

Cortlandt Manor, NY - (April 30, 2012) – Histology, hematology, microbiology: words that Hendrick Hudson High School students learned about in class came to life during a recent tour of the laboratory at Hudson Valley Hospital Center.

Two groups, totaling more than 20 students, from the schools' “Project Lead the Way” program visited the lab on April 20 and 27 to learn about laboratory science as part of a college-level science elective offered to students in grades 9-12.

Laboratory Director Sue Hyatt explained to students the different types of analysis conducted at the lab and showed them the latest equipment used to analyze blood and tissue during the tour.

Jeanine Hall, who teaches principles of biomedical science, said that the visit helped students to visualize what they had been learning in class.

“The students had a very enlightening experience – the hands-on nature of the lab tour was wonderful,’’ said Hall.

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Hudson Valley Hospital Center is dedicated to serving the health care needs of the community and to providing quality, comprehensive medical care in a compassionate, professional, respectful manner, without regard to race, religion, national origin or disease category. Offering state-of-the-art diagnostic treatment, education and preventive services, the Hospital is committed to improving the quality of life in the community.  In fulfilling this mission, the Hospital will strive to continuously improve the care provided and develop and offer programs, facilities, systems and alliances that most effectively respond to community health care needs.  Hudson Valley Hospital Center is located on Route 202 (1980 Crompond Road) in Cortlandt Manor, New York. For physician directory assistance please call 800-482-HVHC or visit www.hvhc.org.

Think Pink, Live Green” is the inspiration for Organic Healing Garden at Hudson Valley Hospital Center’s Cancer Center

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Cortlandt Manor, NY - (April 25, 2012) – You are what you eat is an old truism, but it’s taken on a new life at Hudson Valley Hospital Center, where an organic garden was dedicated today to nurture a new approach to cancer care.

Hudson Valley Hospital Center has teamed up with Breastcancer.org, a global non-profit organization, to promote a health campaign called “Think Pink, Live Green.”  The brain child of Breastcancer.org president and founder Dr. Marisa C. Weiss, “Think Pink, Live Green” stresses the importance of lifestyle changes, including healthier eating, as a way to help prevent breast cancer and improve the health of those already diagnosed with the disease.

“Dr. Weiss’ ideas were very much in tune with our philosophy of treating the whole patient at our new Comprehensive Cancer Center,’’ said John C. Federspiel, President of Hudson Valley Hospital Center. “By creating an organic garden we hope to nurture this philosophy, and what better partner to have in this endeavor than Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, a leader in the organic, farm to table movement.”

With direction from Stone Barns, the Hospital has built and designed an organic garden of herbs and vegetables that will be used to educate and nourish cancer patients as well as serve as a place of relaxation and contemplation for cancer patients and their families. Produce from the garden will be used in nutrition education/cooking classes with cancer patients. Whatever is not used by the Hospital will be donated to a local food pantry.

“As an educational nonprofit, Stone Barns Center is pleased to be a part of this project that promotes healthy eating and holistic thinking,’’  said Jill Isenbarger, Executive Director of Stone Barns Center.  “Our hope is that it provides another avenue to discuss the importance of locally grown, organic food while also being a source of enjoyment for the hospital and its patients.  

Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture is a non-profit farm and education center located in Pocantico Hills, New York. Stone Barns operates an 80-acre four-season farm and is working on broader initiatives to create a healthy and sustainable food system. Through its Growing Farmers Initiative, children’s education programs, and diverse public awareness programs, the Center aims to improve the way America eats and farms.

The Hospital unveiled its garden on April 25 with a visit from Dr. Weiss, a renowned breast cancer oncologist, who spoke about her “Think Pink, Live Green” program. Through Breastcancer.org and numerous public appearances, Dr. Weiss shares her message with audiences around the country. Everything is on the table: what we eat, drink, breathe, take, and use from the kitchen, pantry, cleaning shelf, and medicine chest; how we handle stress, sleep at night, make reproductive choices, treat ourselves, and interact with others. All these factors affect the inside environment within our bodies and may increase our risk of developing breast cancer.

 Breastcancer.org is the world's leading online resource for breast health and breast cancer information and support— reaching 28 million people globally over the past 11 years.

“Contrary to popular opinion, most breast cancers aren’t inherited,” said Dr. Weiss. “Only 10 percent of breast cancers are caused by your genes. This means there’s a lot you can do to lower your risk of developing breast cancer. The healthy lifestyle changes you make today can reduce your risk tomorrow.”

As a renowned leader in the field of breast cancer and author of four critically acclaimed books on breast cancer, Dr. Weiss is frequently called on by both print and broadcast media and has been a repeat guest on ABC’s Good Morning America, NBC’s TODAY, CNN’s medical features, and The Dr. Oz Show.

The “Seeds for Health” Garden at Hudson Valley Hospital Center is a community project with local volunteers helping to plant and care for the garden under the direction of Stone Barns gardener Laura Perkins, a Peekskill resident.  Myra Marsocci, owner of Shades of Green garden design and a member of the Peekskill Garden Club, assisted with the garden’s design. The Hospital’s engineering department built the 24X36 garden. Funds to purchase materials for the garden were donated by Kohl’s Department store as part of its Associates in Action National Go Green Event and Lumber was donated Dain’s and Sons Lumber. Students from Peekskill Middle School are growing vegetable starts for the garden. Volunteers from Eisai Oncology helped to ready the garden for planting.

 “The Hospital is very interested in spreading this important health message, and the best way to do that is to invest the community in this project and the philosophy it represents,’’ said Federspiel.

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Hudson Valley Hospital Center is dedicated to serving the health care needs of the community and to providing quality, comprehensive medical care in a compassionate, professional, respectful manner, without regard to race, religion, national origin or disease category. Offering state-of-the-art diagnostic treatment, education and preventive services, the Hospital is committed to improving the quality of life in the community.  In fulfilling this mission, the Hospital will strive to continuously improve the care provided and develop and offer programs, facilities, systems and alliances that most effectively respond to community health care needs.  Hudson Valley Hospital Center is located on Route 202 (1980 Crompond Road) in Cortlandt Manor, New York. Call 914-737-9000 or visit www.hvhc.org

Walter Panas High School students volunteer at Hudson Valley Hospital Organic Healing Garden

Cortlandt Manor, NY - (April 20, 2012) – Students from Walter Panas High School  helped Hudson Valley Hospital Center put the finishing touches on its organic garden for healing scheduled to open April 25.

Eight students from the high school helped fill the garden planters with topsoil and spread mulch in preparation for the big day. Volunteers were Corey Dean, Robert Bruce, Esteban Baquero, Priten Shah, Marissa Offenbacher, Kevin Carrol, Lynne Cherchia and Dawn Bruzzese.

The Organic Garden for Healing, part of the Hospital’s Cheryl R. Lindenbaum Cancer Center, will hold two special events on April 25 to dedicate the garden. The day’s events will start at 8:30 with a breakfast presentation featuring special guest speaker Dr. Marisa Weiss, President and Founder of Breastcancer.org followed by a dedication of the garden at 11 a.m.

Organic Garden for Healing will serve as the classroom for Hudson Valley Hospital Center’s Seeds for Health program, an educational and therapeutic program for cancer patients and their families. The program stresses the importance of nutrition in healing and the therapeutic value of gardening in managing stress and reducing anxiety.

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Hudson Valley Hospital Center is dedicated to serving the health care needs of the community and to providing quality, comprehensive medical care in a compassionate, professional, respectful manner, without regard to race, religion, national origin or disease category. Offering state-of-the-art diagnostic treatment, education and preventive services, the Hospital is committed to improving the quality of life in the community.  In fulfilling this mission, the Hospital will strive to continuously improve the care provided and develop and offer programs, facilities, systems and alliances that most effectively respond to community health care needs.  Hudson Valley Hospital Center is located on Route 202 (1980 Crompond Road) in Cortlandt Manor, New York. Call 914-737-9000 or visit www.hvhc.org