June 2021

Moving Forward

The one year anniversary of our first patient in the COVID-19 pandemic has come and gone. Over the past year we have experienced the first surge, then a brief respite in the summer before the more serious second surge in the fall that we hoped would never happen. But the quick availability of vaccines has given us new hope and a path to a brighter future. Still we aren’t there quite yet. New strains of the virus have produced more challenges. And we still need more people to be vaccinated. As physicians and health care providers, I am calling on you to help us in this quest. Please encourage your patients to get the vaccine. Reassure them of its safety and efficacy and that the sooner more are vaccinated, the sooner we can get closer to normal.

Highland Among Top Hospitals Nationwide for Not Ordering Unnecessary Tests

Highland Hospital has been named among the top hospitals nationwide in a new study that looked at unnecessary hospital tests and procedures. The Lown Institute Hospitals Index ranked Highland fourth among nearly 3,200 facilities nationwide, just behind Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston; and West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger, N.D.

J. Chad Teeters, M.D., M.B.A. Named CEO at Noyes Health

The Noyes Health Board of Directors has selected J. Chad Teeters, M.D., MBA, as its new president and chief executive officer. He succeeds Amy Pollard, R.N., BSN, MPS, who retired in April after a decade leading Nicholas Noyes Memorial Hospital and its related health care entities. Teeters served as chief of Highland Hospital’s Cardiology Division from 2009 to 2020, and also has served for three years as executive medical director for Accountable Health Partners (AHP), a clinically integrated network of hospitals, University of Rochester medical faculty and community physicians.

Highland Hospital Offers New ‘SuperPulsed’ Laser System for Treatment of Patients with Kidney Stones

Highland is focused on quality patient care by investing in our facilities and our technology. In fact, Highland is the first hospital in the Rochester region to offer the Olympus Soltive™ Laser System, a new option for treating patients who suffer from kidney stones. Soltive is a laser technology that enables physicians to provide quicker and more efficient stone removal, which may translate to shorter procedure times and less patient discomfort. This improved laser technology will allow Highland physicians to more effectively treat patients requiring lithotripsy.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council Announced

One of the actions Highland is taking to foster a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion is the formation of a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Council. Co-chaired by Shawntia Washington, MS-NLA, RN, Director of Nursing, Emergency Department, Observation Unit, Family Maternity Center, and Ambulatory Services and Amy S. Galiana, Chief Human Resources Officer.