July 2008

Kidney-transplant patient Carlos Garcia, 18, of Torrance is transported by gurney to an ambulance that will move him from the former hospital to the new Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

Now Open! The waiting is over! The Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Westwood officially opened for patient care on Sunday, June 29, following the relocation of more than 275 hospital patients and 60 psychiatric patients to the new structure across the street from its predecessor. With the help of more than 2,100 staff members and a contracted hospital moving company, the relocation was completed in seven hours and involved the transportation of critical-care and acute patients by shuttles, ambulances and mobile intensive-care units. One patient was moved every two minutes. "It took the dedication of our doctors, nurses and support staff to accomplish this phenomenal effort," said Dr. David Feinberg, Chief Executive Officer for the UCLA Health System. "We now have an exceptional building in which to provide the best patient experience to the community and the world for many years to come."

Déjà Vu. The UCLA Health System is preparing again for a strike, after the University of California received notification from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union of its intent to hold a five-day job action among service employees at UC campuses and medical centers. The strike is expected to begin on or around July 14. AFSCME's patient care technical employees had planned to strike UC campuses and medical centers June 4-5, but called off the strike after the state Public Employment Relations Board agreed with UC concerns that a strike could jeopardize patient and public safety. Both sides returned to the bargaining table on May 30, but have been unable to negotiate a new contract. AFSCME represents a wide range of university employees, including Radiology and Surgery technicians, Respiratory therapists, Security officers and Environmental Services custodians.

Open Forums. SM-UCLA & OH Chief Administrative Officer Posie Carpenter will host another round of Open Forums on July 31. These informal gatherings provide an opportunity for you to meet our hospital's chief executive and hear updates on finances, moves, the rebuilding project and other issues affecting our hospital and the UCLA Health System. Each forum also includes a question-and-answer session. Listed below are the remaining Open Forums for 2008. Mark your calendars and plan on attending. Breakfast or lunch will be provided.

HIPAA Training. Remember that all staff members, including volunteers, must complete the new HIPAA Education and Training Program no later than AUGUST 18. To take the survey, click here. Staff members who need a hard copy of the survey should contact their manager or Human Resources. Volunteers should contact the Volunteer Office at ext. 94614 for assistance.

Tasteful Remodel. Look for a new "Organic Foods" section in Café Santa Monica when the remodeling project is completed this summer. Plans call for the project to be finished in early August. The renovation will include new seating, flooring and counters within the cafeteria, as well as a reconfiguration of the serving areas. New flooring, tables and chairs also will be installed in the Physicians' Lounge. The project also included renovation of adjacent restrooms, which was completed earlier this year. When the remodeled Café Santa Monica is fully functional, it will contain recycling bins for cans, bottles and newspapers as part of a new green initiative being launched at our hospital. Café Santa Monica also is recycling food waste under a joint venture with the city of Santa Monica.

Newsmakers. Welcome aboard to Pattie Jakel, who joins SM-UCLA & OH as Clinical Nurse Specialist for our Solid Oncology Unit on 4 SWW. Pattie arrives from our Westwood campus, where she was a CNS for the Clinical Research Center … Congratulations to Anila Ladhani, who has been appointed CNS for our Geriatrics Unit on 3 Tower. Anila recently obtained her master's degree and certification from UCLA and is the first CNS to be hired from within our current nursing staff at SM-UCLA & OH … Michael Baca has been named Director of Central Services for the UCLA Health System. He also will be responsible for Receiving and Laundry and Linen Services.

Fee Increase. To help offset operating losses from our subsidized employee parking program, our hospital will be increasing parking fees beginning Sept. 1. The new rate will be $63/month, which remains commensurate with rates in both the Santa Monica and Westwood communities. The increase will be implemented for all employees except those staff members whose bargaining units are currently in negotiations with the University of California system. Fee increases for those staff members will be based on final agreements negotiated with their bargaining units.

Relay for Life. Just one hour. That's how long we need you to take the baton at the "Relay for Life" event sponsored by the American Cancer Society. The event will begin at 9 a.m. on July 26 and end 24 hours later at Crossroads Elementary School in Santa Monica. SM-UCLA & OH will be sponsoring a team at the event and seeks staff members, volunteers and their family members to cover various shifts. Participants can stay for an hour or 24 hours, or do something in between. If you cannot attend but want to support our team, titled "Faith, Hope & Love," make a donation. All proceeds benefit ACS services for cancer patients and their families. To join the SM-UCLA & OH team or for more information, open this file, email Ishara Bailis or call her at ext. 94560.

Where Are They Now? More SM-UCLA & OH departments have moved to new locations as part of our transition-planning efforts to more efficiently utilize the limited office space within our medical center. The most recent transitions are noted below:

Rideshare Rewards. Tired of paying astronomical gas prices? Join SM-UCLA & OH's Rideshare program today – and reap both savings and rewards! If you carpool, vanpool, ride the bus, bicycle or walk to work, you may receive up to four free meal coupons per month, plus be eligible for monthly drawings. Stop by Human Resources today for details or email Kyle Bartell.

Books Without Borders. SM-UCLA & OH is joining forces with the UCLA Medical Alumni Association to launch "Books Without Borders," a donation program designed to support Afghan and Iraqi medical professionals by collecting used medical textbooks. The program seeks medical and basic science textbooks and pocketbooks with a publishing date of 2005-08. The drop-off location is our Physician Lounge on 1 Tower. Open the attached flyer for more information. Please note that collections end Aug. 1.

Masters of Disaster. UCLA Health System is seeking employees to become members of its Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART). Please view the accompanying file for more information about the requirements for this vital role. Interested employees should email Kurt Kainsinger or call him at ext. 63873.

Drawing Winners. Infection Control congratulates Nursing's Susanne Gillespie and Soon Hong and Environmental Services' Maria Gaona, who each won a pair of movie tickets for participating in the recent Contact Precautions survey.