Orthopedic surgeons, Leroy Cooley, MD, Kenneth Ortega, DO, Margaret Albanese, MD, Madana Vallem, MD, and Maureen Quattrone, RPA-C, have joined Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s (FSLH) Adirondack Community Physicians (ACP) medical group. They are accepting new patients at their office located at 1903 Sunset Avenue, Utica, and can be reached at (315) 797-1212. In addition to these orthopedic specialists, ACP employs four general surgeons and 38 primary care providers located throughout the community.

On Wednesday, February 15, Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare (FSLH) will host a free CPR education class at 6pm in AC Conference Rooms 1 and 2 at the St. Luke’s Campus, 1656 Champlin Avenue, Utica. Those interested in learning how to do CPR, administer choking relief or operate an automated external defibrillator (AED) are invited to attend.

Reservations for this class are required. Please call (315) 624-4913 by Wednesday, Feburary 8, to reserve your seat.

Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare (FSLH) is pleased to make the following staff announcements.

Sharon Palmer has been named director of Project Management and Support Services for

Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare.In her new role, Sharon continues to be responsible for the coordination of all construction projects for our organization by working closely with Facilities Management. She retains responsibility for space allocation and way finding and also has oversight of the Security Department.

At their annual holiday gathering in December 2011, the Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare (FSLH) Volunteer Association presented the hospital with a $100,000 donation.

Funds are raised through the Volunteer Association’s gift shops - Acorn Gifts at the St. Luke’s Campus and the Gift Gallery at the Faxton Campus. The Volunteer Association also coordinates vendor sales throughout the year to raise funds to support the hospital.

In 2011, Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare (FSLH) received $155,000 in grants from the United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area to expand patient care and improve availability of services. Funding was provided to the OB Care Center (OBCC), the FSLH Dental Health Center’s annual Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) Program and the Central New York (CNY) Diabetes Education Program.

OB Care Center’s Patient Navigator Program

The Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare (FSLH) Volunteer Association recently announced the 2012 officers for its Board of Directors.

Jane Gwise has been named president of the Volunteer Association and has served as vice president and member-at-large. Gwise began volunteering more than twenty years ago at Faxton Hospital serving on the Faxton Council. She currently volunteers in the Outpatient Infusion Unit in the Regional Cancer Center at the Faxton Campus.

On Wednesday, January 18, Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare (FSLH) will host a presentation and discussion on blood donation. The free session begins at 5pm in the Weaver Lounge on the first floor at Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Avenue, Utica.

Linda Belton, an account manager for the American Red Cross Biomedical Services, will present. She will discuss the impact and need for donation, eligibility requirements and the donation process.

The children of Oneida, Madison and Herkimer counties will have something to smile about at thethirdannual Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) event to be held on Saturday, February 4, 2012, from 9am to 1pm. Children between the ages of 4 and 10 who do not have a dentist are eligible to participate in the event and will receive preventive treatment including an exam, cleaning, sealants and fluoride varnish.

In November of 2011, Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s (FSLH) Infection Prevention Department was invited to attend the New York Organization of Nurse Executives (NYONE) Annual Leadership Conference in Tarrytown, New York. At the conference, they were awarded a best practice award in the Central New York Region for their Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) Reduction Team. Since implementing this team, FSLH has seena 25 percent overall reduction of UTIs and the rate continues to decline.