Seton Medical Center

Health System reaches agreement with SEIU-UHW

DCHS Staff — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:13:12 +0000

May 1, 2012

The Daughters of Charity Health System (DCHS) and Service Employees International Union–United Healthcare Workers (SEIU-UHW) today reached agreement on a new three-year contract covering nearly 2,600 employees in six DCHS hospitals in California: O’Connor Hospital, San Jose; Saint Louise Regional Hospital, Gilroy; Seton Coastside, Moss Beach; Seton Medical Center, Daly City; St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood; and St. Vincent Medical Center, Los Angeles.

The agreement comes after several months of discussions and achieves the goal – set by both sides – to develop a fair and reasonable contract,” according to Stephanie Battles, DCHS vice president of human resources.

“We can all feel proud about this new agreement, particularly in these challenging times for health care in our state and across the nation,” said Battles. “The agreement protects the interests of our associates and the financial health and safe and efficient operation of our hospitals.”

SEIU-UHW membership ratified the agreement yesterday.

“We want to acknowledge the bargaining teams for their good-faith efforts during our contract discussions,” said Battles. “We also wish to thank all of our employees for their ongoing and valuable contribution in service to our patients and the communities we serve.”

National Healthcare Decisions Day is April 16, 2012

DCHS Staff — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:34:02 +0000

Join Americans across the country in making your future healthcare decisions known to family, friends, and healthcare providers.

Fill out an Advance Directive and save your loved ones the agony of making end-of-life decisions for you. For more information about Advanced Directives and Advanced Planning go to www.nhdd.org.

Completing a simple form assures your needs will be met and provide you with peace of mind.

You may also download a copy of A Catholic Guide to Critical End of Life Decisions: Advance Directives by

Fr. Gerald Coleman, SS, vice president, Corporate Ethics, Daughters of Charity Health System.

Available in: English/Spanish | Tagalog | Korean

Daughters of Charity Health System Establishes Medical Foundation

DCHS Staff — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 07:55:58 +0000

Daughters of Charity Health System (DCHS), a regional health system with hospitals spanning the California coast from the San Francisco Bay Area to Los Angeles, announced today formation of the DCHS Medical Foundation.

A patient-centered care delivery model that optimizes access and the provision of high-quality, integrated care, DCHS Medical Foundation is partnering with the physicians and associates of San Jose Medical Group (SJMG) to kick start and launch foundation operations.

The DCHS Medical Foundation will initially comprise over 200 primary care and specialty physicians offering medical, surgical and related health care services through several existing multi-specialty, community-based clinics in San Jose.

Ultimately, to preserve and enhance health care services locally, the DCHS Medical Foundation will expand and serve DCHS communities statewide in collaboration with local medical staffs at DCHS hospitals.

“With health care reform comes a new culture and the demand for closer collaboration and partnerships between hospitals and physicians,” said Robert Issai, President & CEO of Daughters of Charity Health System. “Coordinating and integrating hospital and physician clinical services through the DCHS Medical Foundation furthers our Mission and serves the best interests of our patients and the communities we serve.”

“Using the latest technology, and keeping our focus on the pending changes required by health care reform, the DCHS Medical Foundation will serve as one of the ways that we will move forward positively into the future,” said Dean Didech, MD, pediatrician and president of San Jose Medical Group.

“As they always have, our patients will receive coordinated, integrated health care that will meet their needs – body, mind and spirit,” he added. “Our partnership with the DCHS Medical Foundation will be transparent to our patients and staff. We don’t expect any effect on our day-to-day operations, delivery of care, or treatment plans.”

Also announced today are the appointment of Ernie Wallerstein as CEO of the DCHS Medical Foundation and the appointment of three additional directors to the DCHS Medical Foundation Board: Colman Ryan, MD, a cardiologist on the medical staff of Seton Medical Center, Daly City, Calif.; Mike Stuart, chief financial officer for DCHS; and Anjali Sagdeo, MD, a San Jose Medical Group internist. Previously, the initial three board members were announced: Sr. Marion Bill, DC, Health Councillor, Daughters of Charity Province of the West; S. Daniel Higgins, MD, member, DCHS Board of Directors; and Issai.

“There is widespread excitement about this partnership,” said Wallerstein. “The DCHS Foundation is an opportunity to change the way health care is delivered. It’s an opportunity to improve patient outcomes in a cost effective manner across the entire state of California.”

About Daughters of Charity Health System (DCHS):

Daughters of Charity Health System (DCHS) is a regional health system spanning the California coast from the San Francisco Bay Area to Los Angeles. DCHS hospitals include Seton Medical Center, Daly City; Seton Coastside, Moss Beach; O’Connor Hospital, San Jose; Saint Louise Regional Hospital, Gilroy; St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood; and St. Vincent Medical Center, Los Angeles. DCHS was formed in response to the health care needs of the people of California. Every day, more than 7,000 associates and physicians serve patients and their loved ones, providing quality, compassionate care – body, mind and spirit. For more information about DCHS, please visit www.dochs.org.

About San Jose Medical Group:

Established in 1955 and serving 125,000 patients annually, San Jose Medical Group currently has offices in the Willow Glen area at 625 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose; the Good Samaritan area at 2585 Samaritan Drive, San Jose; and the Eastern foothills near Highway 680 and McKee at 227 N. Jackson Avenue, San Jose. The Medical Group also operates an Urgent Care Walk-In Clinic in the Willow Glen clinic at 625 Lincoln Ave., San Jose. For more information about the San Jose Medical Group, please visit www.sanjosemed.com.

Interim CEO Named

DCHS Staff — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:55:49 +0000

Taps 40 Year Healthcare Executive

Daughters of Charity Health System and Seton Medical Center today announced that Mr. James Schuessler has been named Seton Medical Center’s Interim President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

A retired Officer of the United States Army Medical Service Corps, Mr. Schuessler has for the past 40 years held various positions as hospital and health system president and CEO for numerous nonprofit organizations, most recently as President & CEO of Savoy Medical Center in Mamou, Louisiana.

“For the past four decades Jim has made significant contributions to healthcare and the communities he has served including the expansion and operational excellence of large and complex hospitals and health systems,” said Robert Issai, President & CEO of Daughters of Charity Health System and acting CEO at Seton Medical Center. “With his proven track record and deep understanding of our values and Mission, he is uniquely qualified to take the helm of one of our most complex healthcare ministries and we are pleased to be able to welcome him to our organization,” Issai added.

During his tenure as CEO of St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson, Wyoming, Mr. Schuessler led turnaround of a struggling $87 million special hospital district. Previously, Mr. Schuessler oversaw a $200 million expansion and renovation project while serving as President and CEO of All Saints Health System in Fort Worth,Texas. He has spearheaded the formation of a 550-member physician medical group that aligned physicians with more than 25 managed care companies and increased hospital admissions by an average of 13.6% over four years.

“Seton is a vital member of the San Francisco Bay Area healthcare community that is deservedly proud of its well-earned reputation for excellence. With a background in promoting teamwork, working collaboratively with physicians and overseeing expansions while supporting clinicians and staff to provide the highest quality of patient care, I am confident Jim will propel Seton’s quest for service excellence,” said Issai.

Mr. Schuessler, who will formally start at Seton Monday April 9, 2012, said, “I am honored and excited to join the Seton team and look forward to working with them to further our shared mission of healing. These are challenging times for hospitals and health systems, and I have a deeply held commitment to draw on my years of experience to help position Seton for a strong and successful future.”

Mr. Schuessler received his Masters in Health Care Administration from George Washington University and his Bachelor of Science and Distinguished Military Graduate degree from Bucknel lUniversity in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Susan, have three adult children.