UR Medicine Launches Tuition-free Nursing Education Program

To combat the region’s nursing shortage, the University of Rochester Medical Center and School of Nursing today announced an innovative program to provide tuition-free nursing education for 33 students per year, with the first cohort expected to enroll in fall 2023.

Docs Who Dunk Plunge Into Lake Ontario To Benefit Special Olympics

The largest Rochester Docs Who Dunk team raised $3,000 as a team in the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics. Besides the doctors, there were representatives from nursing, medical assistants, finance, and public health. Part of the reason it’s the largest team is there was representation from three different healthcare organizations for the first time: Highland Family Medicine, Anthony Jordan and Rochester Regional!

Kudos

Here are some physician KUDOS that were taken from Hot Comments during the past several months.

Highland Hospital: Looking Towards Fall and Winter

As I write this column Highland census is high as it has been for many weeks. Although we are seeing fewer and much less severe cases of COVID, its effects are still lingering. Some patients who could be returning to nursing homes are still in our hospital because they remain testing positive or because nursing home beds are full. Patients who have postponed elective surgeries are now filling our ORs. And with the Fall, comes the concern for the flu, which could be more pernicious this year since masking requirements have been lifted in more and more places. We also must be on the lookout for monkeypox and the unexpected polio outbreak in New York. But we have faced the worst of times and we have the strength and commitment to face whatever comes our way.

Cindy Becker Plans to Retire as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Highland Hospital

Cindy Becker, Highland Hospital’s Chief Operating Officer and Vice President, has announced that she will be retiring from her position in December of this year to spend more time with her family. “After 34 years at Highland Hospital, and 23 years as Chief Operating Officer, I’ve decided that it is time to transition from my role,” said Becker. “I have thought long and hard about this, and while it is still surreal to write, I will retire on December 2 of this year.” Becker has been employed at Highland Hospital since 1988 and Vice President and COO since 1999. During this time, the hospital grew significantly – from an average of 50 to 60 patients in 1999 to nearly 24,000 discharges, 43,000 emergency department visits, and 14,000 operating room cases in 2021. The hospital occupancy now regularly meets or exceeds its licensed 261-bed capacity.