Of interest this summer

Here are interesting notes for the summer.

First
The newest OB/ GYN physician on the medical staff at Community General Hospital was himself born at Community.

Last month Fadi Makhlouf, MD, joined the staff and the medical practice of Howard Weinstein, MD, and Edith Westphal, MD.

With offices in Liverpool and downtown Syracuse, the practice provides OB/ GYN services for women in Onondaga and Oswego counties. Dr. Makhlouf's medical degree is from St. George’s University School of Medicine, and his residency training in obstetrics and gynecology was at the University at Buffalo. Dr. Makhlouf is a junior fellow of the America College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Before he returned to Syracuse, Dr. Makhlouf was with OB/GYN Associates of Ithaca, NY.

Second
Last week 10 college interns at Bristol-Myers Squibb delivered “positively pink” packages to the Wellspring Breast Center at Community General. The packages include educational and inspirational materials to help women combat breast cancer.

The students toured Wellspring and met with its staff to learn more about the services available at the Wellspring Breast Center.


Third
This month Community welcomed 38 junior volunteers who are with us during the summer, helping others.

These area high school students are volunteering more than 250 hours each week through early September. They are from Fabius-Pompey, West Genesee, Marcellus, Baldwinsville and Fayetteville-Manlius high schools.

As they assist others, the young people get to see first-hand the variety of health careers. They are volunteering in departments such as the diagnostic center, radiology, pharmacy, physical therapy and Wellspring Breast Center.

Welcome to all!

The memorial service

On June 24 more than 70 attended a memorial service for two employees: Wendy Ryan, who passed away on May 28, and Toni Long who passed away on May 30. Each died suddenly, and their colleagues at Community General Hospital were shocked and saddened at the double loss.

Wendy Ryan was a registered nurse on the orthopedic floor, a part of the Community family for 26 years. Toni served as a respiratory therapist for 33 years -- she was also a respiratory clinical instructor at Onondaga Community College for 18 years.

At the memorial service, fellow nurses and family members read scriptures and paused to remember and celebrate their lives spent helping others. The service was conducted by the Rev. James Carey, who has long been associated with the Roman Catholic Diocese chaplaincy program at Community General.

Douglas Smith of the Food Service Department wrote a poem to honor the memory of Toni Long. Doug asked me to read his poem in memory of both employees at the service.

She gave
Until she had nothing
Left to give.
Sharing her own;
To give knowledge and life.
Now in a better
Place.

- Douglas P. Smith
June 9 2009