Neurologist Raul Guisado, MD, and Karen de la Cuesta, RN, MS, NP-C, will present a one hour lecture entitled Stroke 101: Recognize the Signs and Act in Time. Beginning at 5:30 pm, cholesterol, glucose and blood pressure screenings will be available to participants. The presentation, a part of the Living Well Community Lecture Series, will take place from 6:30 – 7:30 pm. The event will be held in the Medical Office Building (MOB) Auditorium at O’Connor Hospital, 2101 Forest Avenue, San Jose.

According to the National Stroke Association, sponsors of National Stroke Awareness Month, stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. annually; almost 800,000 strokes will occur this year; and approximately 55,000 more women than men will experience a stroke. The estimated direct and indirect cost of stroke in the U.S. in 2010 was $73.7 billion.

“Knowing the warning signs of a stroke can save a life,” says de la Cuesta, stroke program coordinator at O’Connor Hospital. “Using the acronym FAST, 80% of strokes can be identified.”

FAST stands for:
F – Face Ask a person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A – Arm Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S – Speech Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is his speech slurred or strange?
T – Time If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately
The presentation will include stroke warning signs and symptoms, along with recovery and prevention tips. Stroke prevention guidelines include:

• Know blood pressure
• Identify atrial fibrillation (Afib)
• Do not smoke and control alcohol use
• Know cholesterol levels
• Control diabetes
• Manage exercise and diet

For more information on preventing strokes and learning about stroke care, go to the National Stroke Association website at: www.stroke.org. To register for Stroke 101: Recognize the Signs and Act in Time, please call 800 220-0182. Refreshments will be served.

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.”

“Nonprofit hospitals and clinics of all types and sizes are looking for ways to ensure viability and financial stability in these challenging economic times,” said James F. Dover, President & CEO of O’Connor Hospital. “During an extensive discernment process, we asked ourselves many questions, including in what ways could we better serve the residents of Santa Clara County. Working with the Indian Health Center will help the Family Health Center to fulfill its goal of improving lives by providing quality primary and preventive health care services.”

O’Connor Hospital and the Indian Health Center both have a long-term presence in Santa Clara County and compatible mission and values, including a commitment to care for all members of the community, especially the underserved.

Founded in 1977, the mission of the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley (IHC) is to help ensure the survival and healing all members of the community by providing high quality, comprehensive health care and wellness services.

“Serving the community by providing high-quality, culturally competent health and wellness services is our primary mission,” said Liz Hunt, Chief Executive Officer for the Indian Health Center. “We are passionate about making sure that everyone has access to health care when they need it. Working with O’Connor’s Family Health Center will help continue to provide much-needed health services to a population that often goes without health care.”

The O’Connor Family Health Center, located across the street from O’Connor Hospital, sees patients of all ages. Health care providers in the O’Connor Family Health Center include faculty-physicians, resident-physicians, and physician assistants. The Family Medicine Residency Program will continue its teaching affiliation with O’Connor Hospital and Family Medicine Associates (FMA). O’Connor Hospital will maintain oversight of training the Family Medicine residents and will continue to recruit new residents to the program each year, and the Indian Health Center will operate the clinic.

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

“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 (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.

Taps 40 Year Healthcare Executive

Daughters of Charity Health System and Seton Medical Center today announced that Mr. James Schuessler has been named Seton Medical Center’s Interim President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

A retired Officer of the United States Army Medical Service Corps, Mr. Schuessler has for the past 40 years held various positions as hospital and health system president and CEO for numerous nonprofit organizations, most recently as President & CEO of Savoy Medical Center in Mamou, Louisiana.

“For the past four decades Jim has made significant contributions to healthcare and the communities he has served including the expansion and operational excellence of large and complex hospitals and health systems,” said Robert Issai, President & CEO of Daughters of Charity Health System and acting CEO at Seton Medical Center.   “With his proven track record and deep understanding of our values and Mission, he is uniquely qualified to take the helm of one of our most complex healthcare ministries and we are pleased to be able to welcome him to our organization,” Issai added.

During his tenure as CEO of St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson, Wyoming, Mr. Schuessler led turnaround of a struggling $87 million special hospital district.  Previously, Mr. Schuessler oversaw a $200 million expansion and renovation project while serving as President and CEO of All Saints Health System in Fort Worth,Texas.  He has spearheaded the formation of a 550-member physician medical group that aligned physicians with more than 25 managed care companies and increased hospital admissions by an average of 13.6% over four years.

“Seton is a vital member of the San Francisco Bay Area healthcare community that is deservedly proud of its well-earned reputation for excellence.  With a background in promoting teamwork, working collaboratively with physicians and overseeing expansions while supporting clinicians and staff to provide the highest quality of patient care, I am confident Jim will propel Seton’s quest for service excellence,” said Issai.

Mr. Schuessler, who will formally start at Seton Monday April 9, 2012, said,  “I am honored and excited to join the Seton team and look forward to working with them to further our shared mission of healing.  These are challenging times for hospitals and health systems, and I have a deeply held commitment to draw on my years of experience to help position Seton for a strong and successful future.”

Mr. Schuessler received his Masters in Health Care Administration from George Washington University and his Bachelor of Science and Distinguished Military Graduate degree from Bucknel lUniversity in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.  He and his wife, Susan, have three adult children.

March 16, 2012 – Ascension Health Alliance, the parent organization of Ascension Health, and Daughters of Charity Health System (DCHS), a regional health system with 22 sites, including six hospitals, providing patient care on the California coast, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) intended to lead to DCHS to becoming part of Ascension Health.

“Daughters of Charity Health System shares Ascension Health’s commitment to serve all with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable,” said Anthony R. Tersigni, EdD, President and CEO of Ascension Health Alliance. “Both organizations are committed to providing quality, compassionate care to the whole person – body, mind and spirit.”

DCHS is sponsored by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Province of the West. Four other Provinces of the Daughters of Charity, together with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth, were the original Sponsors of Ascension Health when the health system was formed in 1999. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Alexian Brothers also now participate in Sponsorship of Ascension Health Alliance.

“We are excited to sign a Memorandum of Understanding,” said Robert Issai, President and Chief Executive Officer, Daughters of Charity Health System. “Joining Ascension Health will strengthen DCHS and Catholic health care while continuing our mission of providing comprehensive, excellent health care that is compassionate and attentive to the whole person.”

Due diligence will occur in the coming weeks and months. There is no specific schedule for reaching a definitive agreement, but the organizations anticipate completing the process by year end. Specific terms of the MOU and the agreement are confidential.

About Ascension Health Alliance:
Ascension Health Alliance is the nation’s largest Catholic and nonprofit health system. Ascension Health Alliance is transforming health care by providing the highest quality care to all with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable. Last year Ascension Health Alliance, through its subsidiary Ascension Health, provided more than $1.2 billion in care of persons living in poverty and community benefit programs. Its Mission-focused Health Ministries employ more than 121,000 associates serving in more than 1,400 locations in 21 states and the District of Columbia. Other Ascension Health Alliance subsidiaries focus on a wide range of service areas, including treasury management services, venture capital investing, global mission support and medical engineering services. Another subsidiary, Ascension Health Care Network, a joint venture with Oak Hill Capital Partners, provides an alternative funding source for the acquisition of Catholic hospitals and other health care provider entities.

About Daughters of Charity Health System:
Daughters of Charity Health System (DCHS) is a regional health system spanning the California coast from the San Francisco Bay Area to Los Angeles. Our hospitals include: Seton Medical Center, Daly City; Seton Coastside, Moss Beach; O’Connor Hospital, San Jose; Saint Louise Regional Hospital, Gilroy; St. Vincent Medical Center, Los Angeles; and St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood. DCHS was formed in response to the health care needs of the people of California. Every day, more than 8,000 associates and physicians serve patients and their loved ones, providing quality, compassionate care – body, mind and spirit.

Our first Daughters of Charity Health System annual report in 2002 told the story of our founders St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac, and also our pioneer Daughters of Charity and how they carried their good works across the continents.  In this 10th anniversary annual report, we cherish our legacy and continue their voyage of providing compassionate care to those we serve.