January 3, 2012
Bert Fish Medical Center has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in nuclear medicine as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Nuclear medicine is a branch of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive material, ingested by the patient, to diagnose and treat a variety of disease, including many types of cancers, heart disease, and certain other abnormalities within the body.
The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report they can use for continuous practice improvement.
The ACR is a national professional organization serving more than 34,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.
November 21, 2011
For the fourth year, the Bert Fish Medical Center Foundation honored a long-time supporter with The Philanthropist of the Year award. This year the Foundation paid tribute to Cheryl and Avrohm Faber at an awards dinner on Wednesday, November 16, at Sugar Mill Country Club.
A part of Bert Fish Medical Center since Avrohm joined the medical staff as a surgeon in 1978, the Fabers have supported the local community and Bert Fish Medical Center for more than 30 years. This award recognizes them for their professional and philanthropic dedication to improving and providing for the health of the community. Combining the gifts of time, money and a caring spirit, they have committed themselves to helping the hospital succeed.
Past recipients are Bob and Jackie Herchek, Pete and Jerry Tyrrell, and Charles and Elaine Meyer. Each one illustrates the unique way donors can support the healing mission of Bert Fish Medical Center.
The Philanthropist of the Year award is given in conjunction with National Philanthropy Day, the special day set aside to recognize and pay tribute to the great contributions that philanthropy—and those people active in the philanthropic community—have made to our lives, our communities and our world. The award honors those with a proven record of exceptional generosity who, through direct financial support of Bert Fish Medical Center, demonstrate outstanding charitable responsibility; and whose generosity encourages others to take philanthropic leadership roles.
The Bert Fish Medical Center Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Bert Fish Medical Center, accepting gifts on behalf of the community hospital. The Foundation works to fund both present and future equipment and program needs.
October 18, 2011
Bert Fish Medical Center has received the award for the Best Hospital Workplace in the state by the Florida Hospital Association (FHA). This award recognizes and honors hospitals that have “gone the extra mile” to enhance employee satisfaction and engagement. The award is part of the FHA’s annual Celebration of Achievement in Quality and Service Awards, a program that highlights excellent personal and organizational efforts achieved within the Florida hospital community.
“I am very proud to accept this award on behalf of the great staff at Bert Fish Medical Center,” said hospital CEO Steve Harrell. “The patient is at the center of everything we do, and regardless of what else is going on in healthcare we can never lose sight of the people who care for our patients. Our programs designed around caring for the caregiver have received statewide recognition and the engagement of our staff continues to improve with each survey. We are fortunate to have a great team, and we value each of them and the work they do.”
The Best Hospital Workplace award is one of sixteen awards presented at the annual banquet, held this year at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek on Thursday, October 13, and is a team award recognizing the accomplishments of the entire institution. Bert Fish Medical Center received the award in the small hospital category for hospitals with fewer than 150 licensed beds.
Bert Fish Medical Center, the largest employer in Southeast Volusia with more than 700 employees, focuses on blending the patient experience and the employee experience to create an environment of wellness, healing, trust and positive recognition. Through a partnership with Planetree, a not-for-profit organization based in Derby, Connecticut, partnering with health care organizations across the globe to advance patient-centered approaches to care, Bert Fish Medical Center has created several programs that promote employee morale and workplace satisfaction including formalized recognition programs, workplace events, and employee health initiatives.
In 2009, two years after the Planetree philosophy was implemented, an employee survey showed that 99% of employees surveyed reported “I like the work I do” and 94% reported “overall, I am a satisfied employee.” Paired with a staff retention rate for 2010 of 84%, these numbers show that Bert Fish Medical Center employees are focused on providing passionate and purposeful patient-centered care.
To be considered for Celebration of Achievement in Quality and Service Awards, hospitals are required to complete a nomination form stating the award they wished to be considered for and clearly demonstrate how they meet the judging criteria. The specific criteria for the Best Hospital Workplace award include a review of staff retention, employee satisfaction, and patient experience. Hospitals must also illustrate a potential applicability in other hospitals and exemplify the creativity, scope and implementation of the strategy, program or initiative highlighted. Nominations are judged by out-of-state, non-FHA member judges to ensure fairness and adequate expertise.
