The Sturdy Report

Summer 2020

COMMITTED TO OUR COMMUNITY,

NOW MORE THAN EVER.

STURDY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL | 211 PARK STREET P.O. BOX 2963 ATTLEBORO, MA 02703-0963 | STURDYMEMORIAL.ORG
 President’s Corner
2020 Summer Report
Dear Friends,
As a community hospital, our top priority has always been the
health and safety of our patients, employees, and community
members. And as we all continue to face the challenges of
the COVID-19 pandemic, our commitment to provide you with
safe, high quality healthcare remains steadfast.
We understand that you may be apprehensive about
returning to your physician’s office or the Hospital for your
healthcare needs. But when you find that you are ready, you
will notice that things look a little different around here.
And that’s because we’ve implemented a number of measures
to keep you and your loved ones safe, including:
MASKING
Everyone entering our facilities; employees, patients, and
visitors alike, are required to wear a mask while in the
building, unless unable to do so due to an approved exemption
from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
SCREENING
Whether you are visiting our hospital, one of our practices,
or urgent care centers, you will have your temperature
taken and be screened for symptoms of respiratory illness.
HAND HYGIENE
We have hand sanitizers throughout our facilities which
allow patients and staff to clean their hands easily. We
encourage everyone to wash their hands with warm water
and soap frequently.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
We’ve implemented creative practices to ensure social
distancing for patients. This includes pre-registration for
appointments and the use of virtual waiting rooms until your
provider is ready to see you. Our waiting areas have been
rearranged, and in some locations we’ve installed Plexiglas
and floor decals to identify where you should stand.
We are proud to be a part of this community and
are grateful for your continued support. Stay safe,
stay well, and come to us when you need our care.
Joseph FX Casey, President & CEO
CLEANING
Our Environmental Services Team conducts frequent,
thorough and enhanced cleaning throughout the Hospital
and our off-site facilities. This includes disinfecting exam
rooms and equipment and all common touch points, including
hallways, waiting rooms, restrooms, and door knobs.
INFECTION CONTROL
The Hospital has a fully staffed Infection Control
Department led by an infectious disease physician and
an expert team of medical providers and nurses. We’ve
enhanced our infection control policies to further reduce
the spread of germs and appropriately care for patients
with suspected and confirmed COVID-19.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
We’ve been diligent in obtaining appropriate PPE for our
staff. We have a sufficient supply on hand and follow strict
guidance from the Centers for Disease Control regarding
appropriate usage.
TELEHEALTH
We continue to use TeleHealth for patients as appropriate.
This platform provides a secure way to consult with a
provider while in the comfort of your home.
 Highlight: NEW STURDY PROVIDERS & COO

Sturdy welcomes new providers

To further accommodate the health needs of our community, Sturdy
Sturdy Memorial Associates
Memorial Associates expanded services and hired new providers, all of welcomes new COO and
whom are now accepting new patients and offering TeleHealth visits. Director of Operations

AIDA MORSE, MD is a Pulmonologist at the newly created Pulmonary Associates of Sturdy Memorial Associates has
Attleboro located at 671 North Main Street. Dr. Morse received her medical degree welcomed Blair Bisher to the role
from University of Pennsylvania Medical School and previously spent time doing of Chief Operating Officer. Since
clinical work at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, MA. March 2020, Bisher has assumed
responsibility for overseeing more
than 20 of our practice locations
and over 100 of our medical
providers.
SAMUEL EVANS, MD has joined Dr. Morse as a Pulmonologist
at Pulmonary Associates of Attleboro. He received his medical Bisher brings with him extensive
degree from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine and previously experience in healthcare
practiced within the Lifespan Physician Group. management, strategy, and
operations. Prior to joining
Sturdy Memorial Associates he
worked for Beth Israel Deaconess
Medical Center as Director of
JESSICA MANYAN, DO joined North Attleborough Medical Center as a Family
Ambulatory Operations in the
Medicine physician. Dr. Manyan received her medical degree from University of New
Division of General Medicine
England Osteopathic Medicine. She joins us from Kent Hospital where she was the
and Primary Care. He is well
UNECOM/Kent Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program Director.
versed in enhancing patient
access, expanding service lines,
and operationalizing TeleHealth
JAYNE PINCUS, MD, PHD is an Internal Medicine physician at services.
Attleboro Medical Associates. Dr. Pincus joins us from Connecticut
where she was a primary care physician in a small private practice Bisher received his undergraduate
for over 30 years. She received her medical degree from the Albert degree from University of
Einstein College of Medicine and her PhD in Biochemistry from the Massachusetts and his Masters in
State University of New York at Stony Brook. Health Care Administration from
Pfeiffer University.

Felicia Fontaine joins Bisher in the

management of Sturdy Memorial
CHARU JAIN, MD is an obstetrician/gynecologist at Sturdy Memorial Associates
Associates as the Director of
at Plainville. Dr. Jain received her medical degree from Ross University School of
Operations. Fontaine has worked
Medicine and previously practiced medicine in New York.
as a Practice Manager for over
15 years at Sturdy Memorial
Associates at Plainville. In her
new role, Felicia will be assisting
the Chief Operating Officer with
DIANA CALOGRIAS, MD is an obstetrician/gynecologist at managing strategic operations
OB/GYN Associates of Attleboro. She received her medical and working with leadership to
degree from Medical College of Lodz and previously practiced implement new processes within
medicine in New York. the Sturdy Memorial Associates
network.
Amazing medicine. Closer than ever.
In the months Prior to COVID-19, Sturdy HOW TELEHEALTH WORKS
Memorial Hospital and Associates treated
1. Call your Sturdy Memorial
very few patients via video visits. By mid- Associates primary care office
May, that number was well over 10,000. or provider to review your
And while the disruption caused by the symptoms and request a video
visit. Based upon your situation,
pandemic is unlike anything most of us
they will determine if a TeleHealth
have ever experienced in our lifetime, it visit will work for your needs. If
has led to innovation and increased use of so, your TeleHealth appointment
digital technologies such as TeleHealth. will be scheduled.

2. Confirm your appointment.

As a community healthcare provider, TeleHealth
has been an initiative for some time, but successful
implementation was moving slower than hoped for.
When COVID-19 peaked, health concerns around the
pandemic combined with the fact that doctor’s offices
were essentially off-limits, led to the rapid adoption
of virtual medicine throughout the country, and
right here locally.
“As the public health crisis continued to escalate,
we knew we needed a way for our patients to have
access to their medical providers, shares Blair Bisher,
Chief Operating Officer, Sturdy Memorial Associates.
“TeleHealth enabled our providers to connect with
their patients safely during this crisis allowing
for effective management of chronic conditions,
monitoring of vulnerable patient populations, and
provided a way for patients to consult with their
provider for acute medical conditions.”
“As a provider, the technology
allows us to see our patients
in their home giving us a whole
new perspective”
SHARON MULLANE, MD
Primary Care Physician at
Sturdy Memorial Associates at Plainville
William Mendes, 67, a resident of Plainville and a
patient at Sturdy Memorial Associates at Plainville is
diabetic, “According to the guidelines, my age and my
medical condition put me in the high risk category for
COVID-19 making a virtual visit the perfect option,”
shares Mendes. “It kept me out of the office, saved
significant time and allowed me to talk with my
doctor about my concerns and issues with managing
my blood sugar levels. He was able to adjust my
medication, stabilizing my levels and helped me get
back to feeling good.”
Patients and providers both agree that TeleHealth
has been a welcomed addition to the care services
offered by Sturdy. However, both acknowledge the
importance of in-person care. “As a provider, the
technology allows us to see our patients in their
home giving us a whole new perspective,” explains
Sharon Mullane, MD, Primary Care Physician at Sturdy
Memorial Associates at Plainville. “And in situations
where an office visit is not necessary to provide care,
it’s a great option. But there are things that we, as
providers, look for when a patient is in the office for
a visit. Is their gait different? Do they have abnormal
abdominal distention? Is there a lump or a bump that
was not there previously? We can’t always tell this on
a virtual visit,” shares Mullane. “Additionally, there
is a level of trust that comes from in-person visits.
Virtual visits are a perfect complement to office visits,
combined it allows us to successfully care for our
patients no matter where they are.”
“The future of TeleHealth at Sturdy is still evolving,”
states Bisher. “Without question, The COVID-19
pandemic accelerated the use of this technology to a
new and exciting place, I am hopeful we can keep the
momentum going.”
Your primary care office or
provider will schedule your
appointment and email you the
time and a link for your video
visit. We are currently using the
Zoom platform, which is HIPAA
compliant, for these calls. There
is an app available for download
on Google Play and the App
Store. While the app may make
the experience easier, it is not
required.
3. Video chat. Your TeleHealth
visit on Zoom will work much
like a FaceTime or Skype call.
On the date and time of your
scheduled visit, you will use the
link provided to start your visit.
When your visit begins, you will
see yourself and your provider on
the screen. Your provider will see
the same.
TeleHealth works for a wide
variety of basic primary care
concerns — colds, skin problems,
urinary tract infections,
migraines, diabetes or asthma.
In addition, it’s ideal for follow-
up visits and to check in for
medication refills.
It is not appropriate for severe
problems or emergencies —
in those instances, an in-person
office or emergency department
visit may be warranted.
#WeAreSturdy

Coming
together
in a time
of crisis

“You were there before this

situation. You are there for us
right now and you will be there
for us after. Thank you.”
Pat
 “Thankful for all that you
do, yesterday, today, and
tomorrow, too!”
Sarah

“Courageous, inspiring and awesome — that is who you all are. No matter
your role or position, if you are working in a hospital or on the front lines,
your self-sacrifice is heroic. Thank you for what you do will never be enough.”
Bill
 Highlight: BREAST HEALTH PROGRAM
Breast MRI
Imaging is an integral part of the Breast Health
Program at Sturdy Memorial. It’s a critical tool
for annual screening and early detection of
breast cancer. This year, to further broaden
our spectrum of breast care, we invested in the
addition of Breast MRI.
“Breast MRI is an advanced technology that can assist in enhancing the
quality of care for patients,” shares Greg Soares, MD, Chief of Imaging at
Sturdy Memorial Hospital. “The inclusion of this imaging service provides
an added benefit to our community and reflects our commitment to
enhancing our care services at Sturdy Memorial Hospital.”
WHAT IS BREAST MRI?
When used in conjunction with mammography and breast ultrasound,
Breast MRI can aid in the detection of breast cancer and other
abnormalities in breast tissue. “Breast MRI is intended to be used in
addition to a mammogram and is not considered to be a replacement,”
shares Heather Hardie, MD, radiologist at Sturdy Memorial Hospital.
The American Cancer Society recommends that women with a high risk
of breast cancer can be screened with breast MRI in addition to an annual
mammogram to detect cancer. It is recommended that women of average
risk continue with annual screening mammograms, unless otherwise
advised by a physician.
HEATHER HARDIE, MD
Board Certified Radiologist at
Sturdy Memorial Hospital
ASMA LATIF, MD
Board Certified Oncologist and Hematologist at
Sturdy Hematology and Oncology Associates
COLETTE WHITBY, MD, FACS
Board Certified Surgeon at Attleboro Surgical Group
COMMON USES OF BREAST MRI
“The images created by breast MRI provide a detailed look at the breast
and can be used to screen for cancer, stage a diagnosed cancer, provide
insight into proper treatment, and aid in pre-surgical planning,” explains
Colette Whitby, MD, surgeon at Attleboro Surgical Associates. Your
provider may refer you for a breast MRI due to the following:
• You are considered at high risk for developing breast cancer.
• There is a need for further evaluation of abnormalities found by
mammography or breast ultrasound.
• You have dense breast tissue.
• To determine if breast implants are damaged or leaking.
• To evaluate the size and location of breast cancer lesions.
• To determine whether a lumpectomy or mastectomy is appropriate.
• To look for additional tumors or suspicious tissues in the breasts
after a cancer diagnosis.
• To determine the effectiveness of treatment.
• To monitor tissue around a previously treated site.
THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY AND AMERICAN COLLEGE
OF RADIOLOGY RECOMMENDS A SCREENING MRI AND
MAMMOGRAM FOR THE FOLLOWING:
• You have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, which increase the risk of
developing breast cancer.
• You have a first degree relative with a BRCA1 or BRCA 2 mutation.
• You have a greater than 20% lifetime risk of breast cancer based
upon family history and other factors.
• You have had radiation treatment to your chest between the
ages of 10-30.
• You have a genetic disorder such as Li Fraumani syndrome,
Cowden syndrome, or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcab syndrome or have
a first degree relative with the syndrome.
CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITY
“We are excited to be able to offer this technology to our patients and our
community,” says Asma Latif, MD, Director of Breast Oncology at Sturdy
Memorial Hospital. “Previously, if a patient needed a breast MRI, they were
referred out to another provider. By offering breast MRI at Sturdy, we are
providing our patients with a more comprehensive continuum of care.”
If you have a higher-than-average risk of breast cancer because of family
history, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about starting annual
mammograms at a younger age and using other screening tools, such as
MRI or ultrasound, to maximize the opportunity for early detection.
“Breast MRI is an advanced technology
that can assist in enhancing the quality of
care for patients”
GREG SOARES, MD
Chief of Imaging at Sturdy Memorial Hospital
Thank you to all our donors. We’re able to fulfill our mission and serve our community with your
continued generosity, encouragement and support. Together, WE ARE STURDY.

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