Wow, Fall Harvest Gala tops $300,000

The photo shows the lobby of the Hotel Syracuse yesterday evening. That's the logo of Community General Hospital, as ice sculpture, in the center. The occasion was the Community General Foundation's Fall Harvest Gala where three individuals and organizations were recognized for their service to community.

Dr. David Halleran (in photo below, at right) was honored for his service to Community General Hospital and its Medical Staff. Specifically cited were his work as a surgeon, his humanity in caring for patients, and his focus on collaboration as a physician leader.

Also recognized was Onondaga Community College and its President Dr. Debbie Sydow (third from right) for the excellence of OCC's School of Nursing and its important role in our community.

Saluted for corporate citizenship was Excellus BlueCross BlueShield of Central New York, which has long supported health education, health planning, and quality improvement initiatives within the community. Receiving the accolade for Excellus was Dr. Arthur Vercillo, Regional President (fourth from left).

A special gift of $56,000 was presented by the Auxiliary to Community General Hospital by its President. John Stafford (at left).

With the Auxiliary, the Foundation raised $302,000!

I sincerely thank all who made the 2010 Gala such a success:

Diamond Sponsor

IBEW/ NECA

Platium Sponsors

Laboratory Alliance of CNY LLC

Pepsi

Gold Sponsors

Advanced OB-GYN

Bond Schoeneck & King PLLC

Excellus

Upstate Medical University

Welch Allyn

Silver Sponsors

Colon Rectal Associates

ConMed Corporation

Crouse Radio9logy Associates

Dr. David Halleran

Onondaga Hill Pathology

Practice Resources LLC & FamilyCare Medical Group PC

Realty USA

Rural Metro medical Services

Dr. & Mrs. Edward Schoenheit

SOS Syracuse Orthopedic Specialoists

Visual technologies

Also much appreciated were the many Bronze, Copper, and Patron Sponsors, along with individual donors. Your generosity is greatly appreciated! Thanks also to Foundation Chair Scott Matukas, Byrne Dairy (second from left), and Gala Committee co-chairs Rebecca Norr-Hartman, Welch Allyn (third from left) and Mark Re, RealtyUSA (second from right).

Go SU!

Community General Hospital employees salute Syracuse University!

Bacterium, beware

At a recent meeting of Community General Hospital's Quality Committee, Chairman Dr. David Tyler made the following comment after Sue Chamberlain concluded her report on infection control:

"If I were a bacterium, I would be very scared to see Sue in my neighborhood."

Sue Chamberlain, Community's Director of Infection Control Program at Community General Hospital will be honored November 1 by the Onondaga County Medical Society.

I have written many times about infection rates. Thanks to Sue -- and her colleague Dr. Mitch Brodey, Infectious Disease Officer -- Community's infection rates are well controlled, and our compliance with surgical infection protocols is strong.

The hospital's staff posts immunization rates that are among the best in the county, and compliance with hand washing policies by employees and physicians are consistently well above average.

Sue is routinely consulted for her infection control experience by the Department of Health and by other hospitals -- and now she will be honored by the Medical Society

I thank the Medical Society for recognizing Sue for her expertise and accomplishments.