Inova Health System Marks Earth Day with Tree Plantings, Educational Fairs
April 29th, 2010
Falls Church, VA – On Thursday, April 22, Inova Health System celebrated Earth Day at its hospitals with a variety of activities for employees and patients. Educational fairs and tree plantings with executive leaders were held at Inova Alexandria, Inova Fairfax, Inova Fair Oaks, Inova Loudoun and Inova Mount Vernon hospitals. Inova’s employee “Green Teams” gave away more than 3,000 native tree seedlings and collected hundreds of canned food items to donate to local food banks. Watch video of Earth Day activities.
Barbara Doyle, CEO, Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, and her staff plant a tree in honor of Earth Day 2010.
At Inova Loudoun Hospital, employees are turning surgical blue wrap – the protective covering used to wrap sterilized instruments in the operating rooms – into tote bags.
Patients at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children decorated flower pots and received seedlings to grow.
Check out additional photos on Inova’s Facebook page.
Last year Inova switched to using recycled content paper exclusively, saving 3,500 trees per year, and reduced its medical waste by 50,000 pounds. Also in 2009, Inova’s hospitals recycled 130 tons of commingled recyclables (paper, plastic, metal and glass) a month, which equates to saving three acres of standing forest.
Inova has made a commitment to pursue sustainable ways of approaching each aspect of its business – from new construction to monitoring the energy use, waste and recycling involved in day-to-day operations.
Inova is a charter member of Practice Greenhealth (the nation’s leading organization for healthcare institutions that have made a commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly practices) and is a founding organization of the National Capital Region Sustainable Healthcare Alliance. Our hospitals won awards at CleanMed 2009, a global conference for healthcare’s environmental leaders.
Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.
Inova Health System Offers Skin Cancer Screenings
April 27th, 2010
Inova Dermatologists Will Offer Free Screenings in Recognition of Skin Cancer Awareness Month
Inova Health System is offering skin cancer screenings during the month of May, in recognition of National Skin Cancer Awareness Month.
According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, with more than 1 million people in the U.S. being diagnosed with the disease this year. Of those 1 million, nearly 70,000 will battle the most deadly form of skin cancer, melanoma.
Inova dermatologists will offer skin cancer screenings at Inova Alexandria, Inova Fairfax, Inova Fair Oaks and Inova Loudoun hospitals. Medical experts will not only screen patients but provide education and follow-up treatments, and teach patients about how to perform self-exams.
“As many gear up for more outdoor activities in the warmer months, Inova wants to educate the community at these screenings about skin cancer protection and detection,” said Kirsten Edmiston, MD, Inova Cancer Services. “Early detection can make a difference in the course of treatment and the chance of survival.”
To schedule a free skin cancer screening at one of the following locations, please call 703-750-8812. Patients will be seen by appointment only.
Inova Fair Oaks Hospital
May 1
9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Inova Alexandria Hospital
May 8
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Inova Fairfax Hospital
May 15
8:30 a.m.- 11:45 a.m.
Inova Loudoun Hospital
May 22
9 a.m.- noon
Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.
Inova Health System Recognized by Local Conservation Organization for ‘Going Green’ Program
April 27th, 2010
Inova Awarded 2010 Elizabeth S. Hartwell Conservation Award
Falls Church, VA – Inova Health System is the proud recipient of the 2010 Elizabeth S. Hartwell Conservation Award, presented April 24 at the Elizabeth Hartwell Eagle Festival in Lorton.
Rob Hartwell and Daniela Horsman, board members of the Elizabeth S. Hartwell Education Fund, present the award to Seema Wadhwa, Sustainability Engineer for Inova Health System, and David Goldberg, Administrator of Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children.
The Elizabeth S. Hartwell Environmental Education Fund recognized Inova for its dynamic “Going Green” program and its commitment to the community. David Goldberg, Administrator, Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children, delivered the event’s keynote speech, “Nature is the Key for Healthy Children.”
Betsy Snow (center), Senior Director of Clinical Services, Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children, plays percussion with kids at the festival.
Named after Elizabeth Hartwell, a leading environmentalist and advocate for protecting the Mason Neck Peninsula and its resources, the Elizabeth S. Hartwell Fund works to preserve the peninsula and educate the public about the area’s environmental treasures.
The day-long Eagle Festival at Mason Neck State Park in Lorton included bird banding, pony rides, and raptor and bald eagle viewing.
Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.
Inova Fairfax Hospital’s Team Raises $55,000 for March of Dimes
April 20th, 2010
Hundreds Come Out to ‘March for Babies’
With purple pom poms in hand, Team Inova Fairfax Hospital, with close to 450 members, led the way at this year’s March for Babies on April 18 in Reston. The hospital’s team raised more than $55,000 for the March of Dimes. Watch video of the event.
Among the ‘marchers’ were doctors, nurses and staff from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children. The neonatal mortality rate for infants born at the hospital is among the lowest in the nation.
Inova Alexandria, Inova Fair Oaks and Inova Loudoun hospitals also have Level III NICU’s for high-risk infants requiring specialized care and observation.
Money raised at March for Babies allows the March of Dimes to fund research and education about premature birth and how to prevent it. Premature birth is the number one cause of newborn death and endangers the lives of more than half a million babies each year in the U.S.
Inova Health System Celebrates Earth Day, Marks Progress of ‘Going Green’ Initiatives
April 19th, 2010
Activities Include Planting Garden for Pediatric Patients, Tree Plantings, Tree Seedling Giveaway
Falls Church, VA – On Thursday, April 22, Inova Health System will celebrate Earth Day at its hospitals with a variety of activities for employees and patients. Inova Alexandria, Inova Fairfax, Inova Fair Oaks, Inova Loudoun and Inova Mount Vernon hospitals will hold educational fairs, give away 4,000 native tree seedlings and hold tree planting ceremonies with the hospitals’ executive leaders at the following times and locations:
Inova Alexandria Hospital – 12:15 p.m., front lawn near gazebo
Inova Fair Oaks Hospital – 3 p.m., between Main Entrance and Medical Office Building #3620
Inova Fairfax Hospital – 12:30 p.m., lawn in front of the Comprehensive Addiction Treatment Services entrance (Blue Entrance)
Inova Loudoun Hospital – Noon, South Entrance of Medical Office Building #44055 (across from The Birthing Inn entrance)
Inova Mount Vernon Hospital – 3 p.m., Green Entrance
From 2 to 4 p.m., our young patients at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children will help plant the Garden of Hope, a vegetable garden that will provide therapeutic activity for patients and serve as a springboard for discussions about healthy eating. The garden planting will take place at the 5th Floor Child Life Courtyard.
Media is welcome to attend these events – please contact Jeanne Mayer at 703-645-2769 or jeanne.mayer@inova.org in advance.
Inova has made a commitment to pursue sustainable ways of approaching each aspect of its business – from new construction to monitoring the energy use, waste and recycling involved in day-to-day operations. With the goal of establishing an environmental program that contributes to a safer and healthier environment for our patients, employees and community, Inova hired a Sustainability Engineer in 2008 and has employee “Green Teams” at each hospital.
Last year Inova switched to using recycled content paper exclusively, saving 3,500 trees per year, and reduced its medical waste by 50,000 pounds through education and program evaluation. Also in 2009, Inova’s hospitals recycled 130 tons of commingled recyclables (paper, plastic, metal and glass) a month, which equates to saving three acres of standing forest.
Inova employees have developed creative ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. At Inova Loudoun Hospital, employees are turning surgical blue wrap – the protective covering used to wrap sterilized instruments in the operating rooms – into tote bags. Hospital units also compete for “Oscar Awards” – or, rather, Oscar the Grouch awards – for reducing their waste.
Additional changes Inova has made in recent years include:
- Adopting a purchasing policy promoting environmentally preferable products
- Using Green Seal cleaning products
- Hosting Farmers Markets at the hospitals
- Adding preferred parking for carpools and hybrid vehicles
- Incorporating a ”green” construction policy for future construction projects, including the use of LED lighting in the new parking garage at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital
- Holding educational events for employees, looking at such topics as how to make homes more energy-efficient
Inova is a charter member of Practice Greenhealth (the nation’s leading organization for healthcare institutions that have made a commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly practices) and is a founding organization of the National Capital Region Sustainable Healthcare Alliance. Our hospitals won awards at CleanMed 2009, a global conference for healthcare’s environmental leaders. Knox Singleton, CEO, Inova Health System, will be part of the featured panel for CleanMed 2010, to be held in Baltimore in May.
Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.
Inova Health System Launches Spine Navigator Program
April 14th, 2010
Multi-Disciplinary Team to Guide, Treat Patients with Neck and Back Pain
Fairfax, VA — Inova Health System has launched a system-wide spine navigator program, as part of the Inova Spine Institute.
Patients across the region can now call one phone number and receive assistance from a registered nurse and the spine navigation team specially trained to guide patients with neck and back pain to a network of spine specialists for treatment.
“Back pain is one of the main reasons people visit their physicians,” said Al Ganjei, MD, Medical Director, Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation, Spine Services, Inova Health System. “Unfortunately, millions of people who seek treatment for neck and back issues never experience lasting relief. The goal of the Inova Spine Institute is to offer personalized spine care and education that will provide faster and long-lasting relief.”
Spine Institutes are located at Inova Alexandria, Inova Fairfax, Inova Fair Oaks and Inova Mount Vernon hospitals, to ensure that patients have timely, coordinated, convenient access to quality care and the resources they need to reach optimal outcomes with the goal to return to their daily routine.
The Inova Spine Institute has entry points throughout Northern Virginia for patients with any type of spine issue. Its multidisciplinary approaches and advanced technologies can treat the most challenging types of spine disorders.
To contact a member of the navigation team or for more information about the Inova Spine Institute, call 703-750-8885 or visit inovaspine.org.
Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.
Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children, Fairfax High School Develop Student Observership Program
April 13th, 2010
Select Students Will Shadow Hospital Staff and Physicians for Class Credit
Falls Church, VA — Beginning this spring, physicians and staff at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children will continue Inova Health System’s tradition of healthcare education and training by welcoming a select group of students from Fairfax High School. Eleven students who are interested in healthcare will have the opportunity to shadow and observe doctors, nurses and other hospital staff.
“Inova is very interested in establishing and growing relationships with young people in our community,” said David Ascher, MD, Chairman, Department of Pediatrics, Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children. “By bringing high-school students into the hospital, we can show them opportunities in various healthcare careers and hopefully inspire those who want to go into medicine to follow those dreams.”
“This is a rare and wonderful opportunity for these students. This is not television. These are real doctors, real patients with their families, and life-changing glimpses into potential careers,” said Steve Smith, Fairfax High School Human Anatomy and Physiology teacher.
Each student in the observership program will spend 15 hours at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children and will visit individually to allow for a one-on-one experience. The students will round with a Hospitalist team to expose them to medicine and interact with medical students. For example, a student’s five-hour day might begin by attending morning report with a hospitalist and then going to hospital rounds and sub-specialty rounds. He or she may have lunch with a medical student or resident to discuss the medical profession and how to become a successful pre-med student.
Fairfax High School staff selected the student observers, focusing on those who have a serious interest in medicine. The students will be required to record what they learn at the hospital through journaling, and then write a research paper and presentation about their experiences.
Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.
Inova’s Military to Medicine Program Expanding Nationwide
April 9th, 2010
Program Offers Job Training, Advancement to Military Families
Falls Church, VA – Inova Health System’s Military to Medicine program is hosting a national launch event on Tuesday, April 20, at the National Press Club to announce that the program will be providing healthcare training and career opportunities to military families across the country. Military to Medicine began as a recruitment initiative in partnership with the Army Reserve Employer Partnership Office and the Department of Defense in 2008. Now, the program is extending its services nationwide to more fully support the nation’s military families while also addressing the national healthcare workforce shortage.
“We’re honored to offer healthcare training and career opportunities nationwide to the extended military family, including military spouses, wounded warriors and other service members transitioning to civilian employment,” said Daniel Nichols, Executive Director, Military to Medicine. “There are more than 650,000 military spouses stationed in the U.S. Nearly 80 percent of these spouses want a career, but frequent relocations make this difficult. We’re here to make sure they have the training and skills necessary for portable careers in healthcare.”
WHAT:
Military to Medicine National Launch Event
WHERE:
National Press Club
13th Floor, First Amendment Suite
529 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20045
WHEN:
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
11 a.m. to noon
WHO:
Jay Lambert, Executive Director,
Claude Moore Charitable Foundation
Dr. Ed Hatrick, Superintendent,
Loudoun County Public Schools
Brigadier General Leslie Purser, Deputy Chief,
Army Reserve
Knox Singleton, CEO
Inova Health System
In its first year, Military to Medicine served 1,200 members of the extended military family. These numbers are expected to jump to 3,200 in 2010, and expansion plans mean that the program could provide services to as many as 30,000 in coming years.
To log onto a live Webcast the day of the event, visit www.militarytomedicine.org and register.
Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.
John Cochran, MD, Named Medical Director of Inova Cerebrovascular Services
April 7th, 2010
Physician Brings More than 20 Years Experience to New Role
Falls Church, VA – John W. Cochran, MD, FACP, has been named Medical Director of Inova Health System Cerebrovascular Services. In his new role, Dr. Cochran will provide overall medical direction for Inova Health System’s Cerebrovascular and Stroke programs and Inova Fairfax Hospital’s Neuroscience and Stroke Units. Dr. Cochran will also serve in a medical leadership capacity to oversee cerebrovascular coverage, cerebrovascular quality council and all medical issues related to care for the neuroscience population across Inova Health System.
“We’re pleased Dr. Cochran will be leading our efforts to strengthen our stroke and neuroscience services throughout Inova Health System,” said Robert Theis, Executive Director, Inova Health System Neurosciences. “Dr. Cochran’s expertise and years of proven leadership will allow us to better serve stroke and neuro patients who come to us seeking care.”
Dr. Cochran has held a number of leadership positions at Inova including president of the Medical Staff, Chair of Medicine, and Chair of Medical Ethics Committee at Inova Alexandria Hospital. Dr. Cochran is currently the Medical Director of Neuroscience and Stroke and Medical Director of the Neurodiagnostic Laboratory at Inova Fairfax Hospital. He is Chair of Operation Stroke for Northern Virginia and Medical Director of the 28-bed Inova Fairfax Hospital Stroke Unit, which was recently named the best stroke program in Virginia and ranked in the top five percent nationally by HealthGrades, an independent healthcare ratings organization.
Dr. Cochran is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the VCU School of Medicine. He has been Principal Investigator on more than 75 studies in a variety of areas including stroke, headache, sleep, pain, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Dr. Cochran attended Pennsylvania State University and Thomas Jefferson University Medical School of Philadelphia. He trained in Internal Medicine and Neurology at Rush University in Chicago. Dr. Cochran is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Neurology, Clinical Neurophysiology and Sleep.
Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.
Inova Blood Donor Services, Washington Capitals Hold Record-Breaking Blood Drive
April 2nd, 2010
Sterling, VA — Inova Blood Donor Services and the Washington Capitals teamed up for their third blood drive on Saturday, March 27, shattering the record for most units collected at a sports team-sponsored blood drive in the DC Metro area. A total of 609 units of blood were collected from more than 640 Caps fans, beating last fall’s record of 459 units.
“The Capitals are proud of our partnership with Inova Blood Donor Services. Thanks to such a great fan base, our Caps/Inova blood drives are among the largest one-day drives in the DC Metro area. We thank the IBDS staff for their continued support and dedication, which has helped make the Caps blood drives such a rousing success as our fans turn out to help the community,” said John Greeley, Vice President, Washington Capitals.
“We far exceeded our goal and I could not be more proud — not only of the IBDS staff but also of the dedication of the Caps fans,” said Terri Craddock, Director, Inova Blood Donor Services. “Thank you for another great blood drive.”
Though this blood drive has the potential of saving more than 1,825 lives, blood drives like this don’t happen every day. IBDS needs more than 200 units a day to keep up with the growing demand of blood and blood products in the DC Metro area. While 38 percent of the population is eligible to donate, less than five percent actually do. Blood donations support trauma patients, surgery patients, newborns, cancer and transplant patients, and others.
To schedule your appointment or to learn more about Inova Blood Donor Services, visit inova.org/donateblood or call 1-866-BLOODSAVES (866-256-6372).
Inova Blood Donor Services is part of the award-winning not-for-profit Inova Health System, which consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes and mental health and wellness centers. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. The mission of Inova Blood Donor Services is to provide a safe and adequate blood supply for patients in the diverse community it serves.
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