At MidState Medical Center, our mission is to improve the health and healing of the people who live and work in our community. In fulfilling that mission, we believe that our role goes beyond providing care to the sick. It also means helping our neighbors strive for total wellness throughout life, whether that’s giving them the tools they need to prevent chronic disease or ensuring that the resources that will help our community thrive are in adequate supply.

Community needs assessment.

Every three years, MidState, in partnership with United Way of Meriden and Wallingford, conducts an assessment to understand the community’s needs and uncover any gaps in services. We gather feedback from various community members, including residents, opinion leaders and agency workers who know the needs of the community firsthand.

We completed our latest assessment in May 2012 and are currently partnering with community organizations to address the needs that we identified in the assessment. For example, we found that the rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes among our community members are higher than the state’s average, so we’re focusing our efforts on physical activity and diabetes risk reduction. Other organizations are also using the results of the assessment to improve various areas of need.

Community support.

MidState continues to provide significant free healthcare to our community. This year, we provided more than $13 million in charity medical care, and our physicians and other clinical staff members have reached hundreds through free screenings, support groups and educational seminars. In addition, our geriatric outreach worker logged thousands of visits with area seniors, providing consultation, blood pressure checks and other health services. Finally, we continue to offer our staff advanced training and professional development opportunities to ensure that our community continues to receive the best care possible.

A message from the Chief of Medical Staff

The past year has been a time of growth and maturity for MidState Medical Center. We have expanded our partnership with Hartford HealthCare, and trust is building throughout our entire system. As many of our leaders and medical teams network and collaborate with each other, we are growing more integrated. And more importantly, we've come to share a common vision: to deliver and coordinate quality care that is close to home.

Two huge initiatives are underway that will ensure this vision becomes reality—and position us at the forefront of healthcare reform. The first one is creating a medical foundation so that all physicians, who were employed by their local hospital organizations, will now be joined under—and employed by—the Hartford HealthCare system. Being part of a single group, under one tax ID, will allow us to all truly be one to deliver coordinated and integrated care. We'll be able to share medical records and conduct all transactions with greater transparency.

The second initiative involves the clinical integration of care. Through shared information technology, our physicians will ensure best practices and consistent benchmarking. This means that wherever you go in our system, you can expect to receive the same quality of care.

As an oncologist and leader of this hospital, I am passionate about influencing the direction of patient care…and making a difference in the lives of our patients and in this community. At MidState Medical Center, we continue to strive to give the best care that we can give. For early detection of cancer, we offer a risk assessment program. This helps families with multiple incidences recognize what they're susceptible to—and how to improve their lifestyles. Through collaboration with Hartford HealthCare, patients and their loved ones can get connected to expert cancer care at any time by calling Cancer Connect. We've also created a wonderful cancer patient program. It not only provides excellent oncology care, with a state-of-the-art radiation department, it also offers a fantastic wellness program to further strengthen the minds and bodies of our cancer survivors, particularly through music, massage and yoga.

As we move forward with our partnership with Hartford HealthCare, MidState Medical Center remains deeply committed to influencing change—and delivering a higher state of healthcare.

Rajani Nadkarni, MD
Chief of Medical Staff

Making urgent care more convenient for patients.

Ankle sprains. Fevers. Dog bites. Back pain. Illnesses and injuries like these often require a trip to the emergency room, where long commutes and even longer wait times can make an already stressful experience even more traumatic.

A desire to reduce the anxiety associated with a trip to the ER, along with a commitment to making the experience more convenient, led MidState Medical Center to extend the reliable care of their Meriden MediQuick Urgent Care Center to a location in Cheshire last November. Now, instead of going to a hospital for illnesses and injuries, residents of Cheshire and surrounding towns can drop in to the center without an appointment and be seen—quickly—by an on-site physician with years of emergency room experience. The center always has the ability to do an x-ray and is equipped to handle all but the most severe medical emergencies.

Conveniently located on South Main Street, the 2,400-square-foot facility has ample parking and five exam rooms. Extended hours—the center is open from 8 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. seven days a week—offer even more convenience.

Multidisciplinary approach, massage therapy and boutique provide a higher level of care and comfort for patients with cancer.

While undoubtedly a problem of the body, cancer, with all the fear and uncertainty it brings, can affect a person's mind and spirit just as powerfully. So it makes sense that an integrated approach—one that addresses the psychosocial aspects along with the medical—would make cancer easier for patients to tackle. That's the idea behind the newly renovated Palladino Family Cancer Center at MidState Medical Center, where patients receive the best medical treatment—and can also enjoy a stress-relieving massage or shop for necessary supplies, like clothing or personal care items, right on the premises.

A multidisciplinary approach addresses the body.

A multidisciplinary approach to cancer offers myriad benefits for patients, most notably, a course of treatment designed by experts from multiple specialties—pathology, radiology, oncology and the like—each of whom relies on unique expertise to inform an effective plan of action. With the opening of the Palladino Family Cancer Center, these experts, along with the state-of-the-art equipment they rely on to diagnose and treat various cancers, are now in close proximity. This integration makes for exceptionally effective care. Indeed, MidState has been awarded the American College of Surgeons' highest accreditation for a community hospital not conducting a teaching program. In 2011, the hospital received the ACOS Outstanding Achievement Award, one of only two hospitals in Connecticut to earn the distinction.

An integrative therapy room relaxes the mind.

The restorative effects of massage are well documented and are perhaps no more welcome than after a taxing round of chemotherapy or radiation. That's why MidState opened an integrative therapy room in the Palladino Family Cancer Center. Here, post-treatment, patients can enjoy a relaxing massage, reflexology or Reiki session in the center's spa-like atmosphere. The idea is to reduce anxiety in those undergoing cancer treatment, to calm their minds while their body heals.

Our Auxiliary Boutique soothes the spirit.

Cancer patients often need to be fitted for a wig or prosthesis while undergoing treatment. To ensure that they can do so comfortably and privately, MidState opened the Auxiliary Boutique in the Palladino Family Cancer Center. The gift shop offers clothing and head coverings, nonmetallic deodorant for those undergoing radiation, inspirational books and jewelry that can brighten a patient's day.

Providing cancer patients with all the help they need.

When you think about cancer, unpleasant side effects like nausea, hair loss and fatigue probably come to mind. But just as formidable are the tension, anxiety and confusion that accompany a cancer diagnosis—and they can be just as tough to fight. Fortunately, support groups help lessen these negative emotions, and research has shown that there is a link between group support and greater tolerance of cancer treatment.¹ At MidState, we believe that a higher state of patient support means offering our patients access to as much help as they need to reach the best possible outcome.

"Bosom Buddies" Breast Cancer Support Group.

Open to all patients, our Bosom Buddies Breast Cancer Support Group is for mature women who are battling metastatic disease or a recurrence of breast cancer. Led by our oncology social worker and nurse navigator, the support group is a wonderful place to discuss the important issues that are on your mind. The group meets monthly, and each quarter we present educational topics of interest such as nutrition and exercise.

Prostate Support Group.

Our Prostate Support Group is a place for men who are battling prostate cancer, together with their wives, to learn about and discuss important and sensitive issues related to overcoming their disease. Co-facilitated by two nurses—one of whom specializes in urologic health and can answer technical questions—the sessions are held every other month and last about 1.5 hours.

Cancer Survivorship Clinic.

Cancer patients have numerous questions—questions that don’t stop just because treatment is over. MidState’s Cancer Survivorship Clinic is designed to answer these questions and to help those who have finished their treatment understand what to expect going forward. The clinic covers the long-term effects of their treatment, what to expect health-wise, how to cope after the treatment is over, diet, spirituality and more. With the patient’s permission, we also provide a survivorship care plan that summarizes their treatment all in one place for convenience and is also sent to their primary care physician.

Music therapy.

Music has been shown to reduce the pain and anxiety that cancer patients experience and as such is offered at MidState in two forms. Our certified music therapist works with individual patients or groups to express their feelings, either in conjunction with our art therapy program or as a standalone therapy. We also offer live performances once or twice a day, where patients and their families can hear a musician play in the oncology suite.

Providing high-tech cancer care for patients.

When it comes to receiving radiation therapy, patients want shorter treatment times. More comfort. Improved accuracy. And greater safety.

Thanks to the Elekta Infinity Radiation Therapy System, they can get precisely what they want—and more.

That's because this advanced system is just one of the latest technologies offered at the Palladino Family Cancer Center at MidState Medical Center. Available since March 2010, the Elekta Infinity Radiation Therapy System allows clinicians and doctors to better treat and target tumors more aggressively than before.

Designed with a sophisticated feature known as Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), the system administers radiotherapy treatments in just five minutes or less. With such a short treatment time, patients can be more comfortable. So it's easier for them to remain still longer which, in turn, increases the chances for more accurate—and safer—sessions. It even minimizes damage to the healthy tissue surrounding the tumor being treated.

Focus on cancer.

Cancer is a formidable foe, and one that requires all of us working together to beat. MidState's higher state of health education focuses on keeping patients abreast of their cancer risk, reducing that risk, helping them through treatment if they do get cancer and enhancing the healing process.

Cancer Risk Assessment Program.

Up to 10 percent of all cancers are genetic. Fortunately, we have advanced tests that can screen for them. This means that, rather than treat cancer, we can help prevent disease from occurring in the first place. MidState's Cancer Risk Assessment Program is for those who are considered high risk for breast, colon, ovarian and other genetic cancers. Patients can self-refer or be referred by a gynecologist or primary care physician. We offer testing, usually a simple blood test, which is typically covered by insurance, to determine risk. We then follow up with patients whose tests indicate a potential issue to help them reduce their risk.

Nurse navigator.

From risk awareness to prevention to treatment and after-care, there is a lot to know about cancer. Our experienced and caring nurse navigator helps remove some of the burden by answering questions, scheduling appointments, coordinating care and otherwise making sure patients and their families can navigate through the cancer assessment and treatment process with ease. Think of her as a personal guide to wellness and healing.

Songwriting clinic for cancer survivors.

Our annual songwriting workshop is a favorite among cancer survivors, offering them a chance to turn their experience with cancer into art. During the workshop, survivors work with our board-certified music therapist to explore healing through words and music.

Gary Tansino, MD

Personalizing medicine for cancer patients.

Cancer care for patients has changed enormously in 23 years. That's the overwhelming impression you get when you discuss patient care at MidState Medical Center with Dr. Gary Tansino.

"We certainly have come a long way," says Tansino. "For instance, back in 1989, there was no radiation therapy for patients on site. They had to travel to neighboring hospitals to receive treatment. And although there were a number of services to treat cancer here, none of them was coordinated in a single, cohesive program."

Today, MidState Medical Center is designated as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Center by the American College of Surgeons (ACOS), the highest level of achievement for a hospital of its size. Not only does MidState provide inpatient and outpatient oncology services including radiation therapy, it also provides outpatient infusion services, inpatient oncology care as well as many support services, including complimentary therapies such as massage and yoga.

"Over the years, I've seen cancer care grow from a general approach with very little personalization to complex, fully specialized treatment paradigms that incorporate multiple disciplines," shared Tansino. "In fact, at MidState, we've developed specialty conferences for breast, lung, urology and gynecology." These specialty conferences meet on a regular basis and bring together oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and other necessary specialists to review, evaluate and recommend treatment plans for different types of cancers—for each individual patient.

This is making cancer care at MidState truly personalized medicine. Tansino says, "Every tumor is not the same. Every cancer affects every patient differently. As physicians, we no longer view just part of the puzzle. We all come together to review cases from every angle so we can see the entire picture and recommend the best treatment plan."

With so many advances occurring in so many areas of cancer care, i.e. drugs, chemotherapy, radiation and genomics, it's critical to be able to consult with specialists in these particular areas. Not only do the specialty conferences allow for this interaction, but so does the ongoing integration with Hartford HealthCare.

Tansino says, "Our cancer program will be combined with other cancer programs at other hospitals that are now in our network. This means we will be able to leverage best practices, share intelligence and access innovative cancer research being conducted by larger hospitals in this network."

And, as a result, deliver a higher state of cancer care for patients in the community.

A higher standard for doctor-patient relationships.

Aside from parent-child and husband-wife relationships, no other bond is more important to an individual's life than the doctor-patient one.

Especially for cancer survivors, like Steve Heiligman.

A Cheshire resident since 1988, Steve Heiligman was diagnosed with a tumor in his caecum in 2007. That was when his primary care doctor referred him to Dr. Tansino, a specialist in oncology at MidState.

From the start, Steve was impressed with Dr. Tansino's "nice bedside personality." And over the years, through several bouts of cancer, Steve's initial feelings for Dr. Tansino have grown. "Of course, he's my doctor, so I see him quite often for treatments and check-ups. I never feel like I'm rushed through my appointments. He always spends as much time as I need…sometimes just to talk. And he freely consults with other specialists on my behalf. In fact, when he recommended that I have a stem cell transplant, he consulted with a specialist—and referred me to him—to make sure it was the right treatment for me."

Steve shares how he's grown to trust Dr. Tansino implicitly. "He is so thorough. He takes notes at every single appointment I have with him. He not only jots down the concerns and questions my wife and I have, but he also dictates them for my file immediately following our appointments and communicates everything to his staff. I know both he and the nurses in his office are giving me the care and attention I need to get through this…and stay on a good path."

The confidence Steve has in his doctor has been inspired by other actions as well. Not too long ago, he was feeling down when he learned that his myeloma had returned. Steve recalls, "During an appointment at that time, Dr. Tansino asked me how I was doing…and I admitted to him that I wasn't doing very well. To my surprise, he had tears in his eyes as he listened to me. It was then that I sensed his true compassion for me and knew, without a doubt, that he cared about me. It was the reassurance I needed to get through that particular challenge."

Currently in remission, Steve sums up his relationship with Dr. Tansino. "Getting the news that you have cancer is never easy to hear. You just hope you get a good doctor who can help you." Dr. Tansino has certainly done that, and more.

Gerard Fumo, DO

Increasing cancer research—and hope—for patients.

"The field of oncology is very exciting. Not only are we seeing dramatic changes in this area of medicine, but these changes are also resulting in greater cure rates for cancer patients," says Dr. Gerard Fumo, cancer specialist at MidState Medical Center.

It's this type of evolution in oncology that beckoned Fumo to enter the field while he was in training at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda more than 10 years ago. Since joining MidState Medical Center, Fumo says that cancer care has become incredibly complex and specialized. And research has been extremely important in getting where we are today.

That's why Fumo is proud to be directing a new comprehensive research program at MidState. While research has been part of the hospital for many years, this single initiative will increase the number of clinical trials for all major malignancies that will be available to cancer patients right here in this community.

Fumo explains, "Until now, many cancer clinical trials were mostly conducted at major medical centers in a few large cities across the U.S. This required patients to travel long distances if they wanted to take part in promising new treatments. Now, they won't have to travel just to have access to novel agents or exciting new drugs."

MidState's clinical trials will range from government-sponsored studies to cooperative sponsorships to those funded by private pharmaceutical companies. Fumo says, "Not only will these studies allow us to test new drugs, but the trials will also help us measure the impact that new therapies have on the quality of life of cancer patients."

The availability of new research will allow MidState to fill a need for more local clinical trials as well as provide greater opportunities for learning. "One person's cancer is very different from another person's cancer," shared Fumo. "More research will allow us to see which treatments are effective and which ones lead to better outcomes for our patients. Of course, our hope is to find a cure. But, if we don't, the next best thing is for us to discover ways to treat cancer as a chronic disease so that people can easily manage it…and still live many quality years."

Survey highlights a higher state of patient satisfaction at MidState.

In a recent patient satisfaction survey conducted by Press Ganey, the industry's recognized leader in healthcare performance improvement, MidState Medical Center received high rankings from patients who received treatment here in 2012.

Surveyed on a wide range of quality-related performance topics, patients indicated that MidState demonstrated a higher quality of care in several areas. Specifically:

• MidState was ranked in the 94th percentile for friendliness and courtesy of nurses.
• Physicians' personal concern for patients' questions and worries outranked the Connecticut and national averages.

To view complete charts of our survey data, click on the links in this article. Or for more information regarding quality and patient satisfaction, please visit midstatemedical.org/patientsafety.

Hospital Quality Alliance	Data by Scores	Publicly Reported Measures

MidState Medical Center ended the year with another solid operating surplus of $24.3 million (or 10.2% of net revenue). MidState's inpatient volumes increased .9% over the previous year, while the state overall dropped about 2%. Additionally, visits to the Emergency Department increased by 4.2% this year.

Of note, in 2012 we had another significant improvement in our investment in the malpractice captive insurance company. That improvement was due to better than expected outcomes, as well as improvements in the investment returns of the company. This had a favorable impact on our operating results. Also in 2012, our community-based oncology practice became part of MidState Medical Center. This also had a favorable impact on operations.

Fiscal year 2012 marks 13 years of consistent operating surpluses for the hospital. This is quite an achievement in this industry. Operating surpluses allow MidState to reinvest in new facilities and new technology for our communities.

Statement of Revenue and Expense	Hospital Expenses

Our leadership takes great pride in MidState Medical Center. Pride in the facilities that our patients and their families visit every day…pride in the technology and outcomes that our physicians are able to provide to those in need…and pride in the level of care our colleagues provide to the community every day.

Corporate Officers

Lucille A. Janatka President and CEO
Cindy L. Russo Sr. Vice President Operations	Ralph W. Becker Vice President of Finance, CFO	Robert H. Van Heiningen Vice President Human Resources
Harold P. Kaplan, MD Vice President Medical Affairs	Catherine W. Stevens Vice President Patient Care Services	Maryanne M. Volkringer Vice President Business Development

Our leadership takes great pride in MidState Medical Center. Pride in the facilities that our patients and their families visit every day…pride in the technology and outcomes that our physicians are able to provide to those in need…and pride in the level of care our colleagues provide to the community every day.

Board of Directors  

Bruce C. Eldridge Chairman of the Board Chair, Governance Committee	Carl D. Grant Vice Chairman of the Board	Lucille A. Janatka President and CEO
Rajani Nadkarni, MD President of Medical Staff	Richard Smith, MD Vice President of Medical Staff	Joseph E. Mirra Chair, Development Committee
Marcia B. Proto Secretary Chair, Quality and Credentialing Committee	Lewis Levin Member-At-Large	Giovanna T. Weller Member-At-Large

James N. Smith Member-At-Large	James L. Pellegrino Member-At-Large	Irfan S. Chugthai, MD Member-At-Large
Frederick (Chris) Ulbrich III Member-At-Large	Christopher W. Beale Member-At-Large

Our leadership takes great pride in MidState Medical Center. Pride in the facilities that our patients and their families visit every day…pride in the technology and outcomes that our physicians are able to provide to those in need…and pride in the level of care our colleagues provide to the community every day.

MidState Medical Board

Our leadership takes great pride in MidState Medical Center. Pride in the facilities that our patients and their families visit every day…pride in the technology and outcomes that our physicians are able to provide to those in need…and pride in the level of care our colleagues provide to the community every day.

Standing Committees

Our leadership takes great pride in MidState Medical Center. Pride in the facilities that our patients and their families visit every day…pride in the technology and outcomes that our physicians are able to provide to those in need…and pride in the level of care our colleagues provide to the community every day.

Corporators  

Our leadership takes great pride in MidState Medical Center. Pride in the facilities that our patients and their families visit every day…pride in the technology and outcomes that our physicians are able to provide to those in need…and pride in the level of care our colleagues provide to the community every day.

Directors Emeritus

Dr. Sherwin Borsuk wins Crystal Obelisk Award.

At last year's Annual Meeting, MidState was pleased to name Sherwin Borsuk, MD, as the winner of the 2011 Crystal Obelisk Award. The Crystal Obelisk Award recognizes noteworthy service to the community's healthcare delivery system. Recipients over the past 20 years have been honored for the positive impact they have had on the mission of MidState Medical Center.

Dr. Borsuk joined the medical staff of Meriden-Wallingford Hospital in 1978, specializing in diagnostic radiology. Since then, he has provided leadership and service to the hospital in a variety of areas in addition to running his own practice.

During his tenure, Dr. Borsuk has served as co-chair of the Informatics Committee, chair of the Pension Committee, a member of the Development Committee, co-chair of the Medical Division of the Annual Appeal, as well as a member of the Joint Conference, Pharmacy & Therapeutics, Product Analysis and PHO Steering Committees. He has served on the board of governors and the board of directors. He also chaired the Project Oversight Committee. In 2001, he received a Resolution of Appreciation in recognition of his service in the planning, construction and move to MidState's current location on Lewis Avenue. Dr. Borsuk has also contributed his time and talents to a wide variety of community and professional organizations over the years.

Above all, his commitment to the hospital continues. In 2011, he became an active member of the board's Quality Committee, which sets quality goals and establishes, monitors and assesses measures of performance, quality of care and clinical safety. And until his retirement in early 2012, he provided excellent diagnostic radiological services and was instrumental in bringing the latest technologies to MidState.

As a mentor and a quiet champion for quality who has made significant contributions to the advancement of healthcare in this community, Dr. Borsuk is a worthy recipient of the Crystal Obelisk Award.

Physician recognition awards.

In December 2010, MidState announced the winners of its annual Physician Recognition Awards at the annual medical staff meeting. These three physicians have demonstrated both clinical excellence and an outstanding commitment to serve their patients and their community. On March 9, 2011, family, friends and colleagues honored them at our annual Physician Recognition Awards reception. In earning these awards, this year's winners join a distinguished group of MidState physicians.

Click on the physicians below to read more about the physicians and their recognition.

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David Ross-Russell, MD

The Matthew Campione Community Service Award

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Nirmala Ramadhar-Persoud, MD

The Joseph Goodman Clinical Collaboration and Teamwork Award

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Charles Kim, MD

The Daniel Kahn Clinical Quality Award

MidState earns NICHE Recognition for excellence in elder care.

Every stage of life brings with it physical and psychological changes. But the diminished ability in older age to resist or combat disease presents enormous challenges to the elderly, as well as to the medical professionals who treat and care for them.

MidState is proud to have received the NICHE designation this year in recognition of the high level of geriatric nursing care provided here every day to our elderly patients. NICHE is the acronym for the initiative, Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders, adapted by the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing to set standards and extend best-practices recommendations for geriatric nursing to medical institutions.

In the U.S. today, about 50 percent of hospitalized patients are in the 65-and-over age group. As the general population grows, highly effective, compassionate nursing care for this group will be increasingly in demand. MidState is now one of only four hospitals in Connecticut granted the NICHE designation and joins the NICHE Network of about 300 hospitals nationwide.

MidState Medical Center named Most Wired hospital in the nation for third consecutive year.

For the third consecutive year, MidState Medical Center has been named one of the Most Wired hospitals in the nation by Hospitals & Health Networks, the journal of the American Hospital Association.

MidState has been participating in the Most Wired survey for over five years. The survey is administered in cooperation with the American Hospital Association, McKesson Corp. and the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives.

What makes a Most Wired hospital different? Most Wired hospitals show better outcomes in patient satisfaction, risk-adjusted mortality rates and other key quality measures. More than 1,500 hospitals completed the Most Wired survey, which focuses on how hospitals use information technology (IT) to improve quality, customer service, public health and safety, business processes, and workforce issues. According to the survey results, Most Wired hospitals "leverage the adoption and use of health information technology to improve performance in a number of areas." They are "focused on expanding and adopting IT that protects patient data and optimizes patient flow and communications."

In addition:

• Ninety-three percent of Most Wired hospitals employ intrusion detection systems to protect patient privacy and security of patient data, in comparison to seventy-seven percent of the total responders.
• Seventy-four percent of Most Wired hospitals and fifty-seven percent of all surveyed hospitals use automated patient flow systems.
• Ninety percent of Most Wired hospitals and seventy-three percent of all surveyed use performance improvement scorecards to help reduce inefficiencies.
• One hundred percent of Most Wired hospitals check drug interactions and drug allergies when medications are ordered as a major step in reducing medication errors.

"These accomplishments are especially important because they align with the government's current objectives for ‘meaningful use’ in the field of information technology. By aligning with the ‘meaningful use’ objectives, we can ensure that MidState is following best practices when it comes to information technology in health care, practices that ultimately benefit the quality and safe care of our patients," said Director of Information Services Jennifer Comerford.

This accomplishment will be featured in an issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine.

MidState honors 2012 employee and team of the year.

With a long list of dedicated MidState employees to consider, choosing one particular person and one team to recognize with special honors each year is difficult at best. This tradition is now in its 18th year, and candidates for Employee and Team of the Year are nominated by hospital employees, with the final selection made by an independent panel.

Del-Lor Lisitano, clinical informatics consulting analyst and a woman with her own long history at the hospital, was honored as Employee of the Year during a ceremony at MidState's Horwitz Conference Center. With high praise from Lucille A. Janatka, president and CEO of MidState, for her passion, hard work and absolute commitment to the hospital, Lisitano graciously received the award amid enthusiastic audience applause.

Lisitano graduated from the Meriden Nursing School in 1976, subsequently remaining with Meriden and MidState. In 36 years of nursing, as her career demonstrates, a talented person can clearly accomplish a lot. Lisitano has held positions ranging from a medical-surgical nurse, operating room nurse and director of Digestive Health. Currently, she applies her expertise to supporting computer systems used by physicians and nurses to document patient care.

Recognition for team of the year during the ceremony went to MidState's Family Birthing Center staff of 70 members, whose commitment to helping moms bring healthy babies into the world ushers in daily celebrations of life. The team's patient-focused care and consideration extends to baby, parents and family, and is based on fostering principles of infant care that ensure our smallest patients' future health.

The Family Birthing Center has incorporated the World Health Organization's Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI), which promotes breast-feeding education as key to good infant health. This year, the team's efforts resulted in increasing the rate of mothers who "room in" with their infants, allowing more opportunity for skin-to-skin contact as recommended by the BFI. The center also joined the March of Dimes premature-birth-prevention campaign this year, along with other area hospitals.

The center's team was commended for its energetic, conscientious and effective efforts toward improving patient outcomes. In addition, the honest, respectful approach to patient care practiced by each of its 70 members was acknowledged as playing a critical role in the current rise in patient satisfaction at MidState.

Efforts of MidState Auxiliary result in a higher state of giving.

Some groups say they make a difference in the community. But the MidState Auxiliary proves it—time and again. Through the dedication of its members and volunteers, the MidState Auxiliary conducts a wide variety of activities, ranging from plant sales and wreath drawings to bus trips and golf tournaments, to raise money to better the lives of patients in the community.

Over the past decade, the group's efforts have raised thousands of dollars to upgrade hospital equipment and enhance patient programs and services. Recently, the Auxiliary's fundraising efforts resulted in the opening of the Auxiliary Boutique. Located inside the Palladino Family Cancer Center, the Boutique is a separate gift shop where cancer patients can privately shop for items they may need—and can't find elsewhere—such as special clothing and head coverings, nonmetallic deodorant and inspirational books and jewelry.

Other major contributions made by the Auxiliary include:

• a $300,000 pledge to expand the Emergency Department; and
• $160,000 to purchase the hospital's Patient Education System.

For details about the MidState Auxilary—and how you can become part of a higher state of giving, call 203 694 8393 or visit midstatemedical.org.