St. Catherine of Siena Fined $2.6 MILLION By Office of Inspector General

The following statement can be found on the Office of Inspector General’s web page under the heading Kickback and Physician Self-Referral: 

“After it self-disclosed conduct to the OIG (Office of Inspector General), St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center (St. Catherine), New York agreed to pay $2,596,014 for allegedly violating the Civil Monetary Penalties Law provisions applicable to physician self-referrals and kickbacks.  The OIG alleged that St. Catherine contracted with a physician owned professional services company.  The company received remuneration that was not consistent with fair market value and received payments for services that were not performed under the contract.” 

A second Long Island hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip was assessed a $55, 018.50 fine. St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center and Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center are affiliates of Catholic Health Services (CHS) of Long Island.  

CHS Vice President for Public & External Affairs, Chris Hendriks, released a statement earlier this week acknowledging the settlements agreed to by the two local hospitals.  The statement also provided information about the incidents.  “St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center of Smithtown, Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center of West Islip and CHS settled with the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  These arrangements with physicians involved administrative duties and did not affect patients in any way.  Patients at all times received the full, complete and high quality care they have come to expect from CHS hospitals. “

St. Catherine Hospital’s penalty was the result of contracting with a physician group and compensating that group for services that were not provided.  According to Chris Hendriks, the settlement was the result of an internal investigation performed by CHS. “In keeping with our commitment to compliance and our institutional values, we promptly informed the appropriate federal and state regulators of the facts we found.” 

Ms. Hendriks ( in a phone conversation earlier today)  declined to name the physicians group and indicated that a financial agreement had been reached between the physician group and St. Catherine of Siena Hospital.   The terms of the agreement are not expected to be disclosed.  

Ms. Hendriks restated the Catholic Health Services commitment to excellent patient care and compliance with federal and state regulations.  

Around Town

The big news around town this week was voter approval of the Smithtown School District’s transportation referendum.  Voters in the district showed strong support for returning transportation to the almost 1,500 students who were cut when residents approved new guidelines in May. 

Residents approved the newest proposal on Monday, September 19, 2011, by almost 3,515 votes.  Smithtown School District released vote tallies showing 4,629 residents in favor of returning to transportation guidelines in place during the 2010-2011 school year, and 1,114 opposed to returning to the previous guidelines.

The District expects to return transportation to students by October 11^th.  

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Another big event in the news this week was Kings Park In The Know’s, (a coalition to stop and prevent substance abuse), attempt to break a world record for yo - yoing.  The event, “Kings Park in the Yo”, was held on the Kings Park School District’s Football Field.  While they may not have broken the world record, they were successful in getting almost 1,000 people to show up.  The community sent a clear message of support for programs that work to prevent children from getting involved in drugs.

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Other news - The Smithtown Town Board will participate in a county program offering incentives to business to help stop the “blight and flight” that the town is experiencing in its business district.  The Kings Park Civic Association has been extrememly active in pursuing landlords and business owners in Kings Park that the association has identified as being detrimental to the safety and well being of the community.  More on this next week.

Off To College - New Opportunities And New Challenges

by Stephanie Healion

September signifies the end of summer, the start of a new school year and the inevitable approach of the cold weather.  For new college freshman, September means beginning a brand new stage of their lives.

The teenagers who opt to leave home and go away to college are ultimately choosing an unfamiliar environment with its own community to get involved in.  With this comes a full host of challenges to be taken on, such as meeting new friends, discovering interests, and adjusting to a new routine that blends school and sociality.

Jenna, who attended Gettysburg College as a freshman in 2007, says that one of the hardest parts about living at school was sharing a space with people.  “It was hard trying to get sleep living on a floor of partiers,” Jenna said.  “But after a while, I learned to ignore what was happening outside my bedroom door at night.”  When asked whether or not staying home and commuting to school would have been easier, Jenna answered that each choice has its own challenges.  “If I stayed home and commuted, I would have slept and ate better…but I would have struggled making friends and staying connected on campus,” Jenna said.

Despite taking the initiative to choose a school far from home, it can be difficult for incoming freshman to remain open-minded in a new environment.  It takes time to adjust to the changes that dorm life has to offer, and remaining open-minded during this can lead to meeting new people and getting further involved in campus activities.

Tim, an Oneonta freshman in 2006, clearly remembers how he dealt with being away at school.  “I loved being on my own, but it was the hardest part and the best part.  I got so caught up in making my own life that I didn’t balance things.  I partied a lot instead of going to class.  It didn’t work out well.”  Tim says he did learn from this though.  “I learned how to be independent and how to take care of myself,” he said.  “I dealt with consequences for my mistakes, but they made me who I am now.  I don’t regret anything.”

Dr. William Gustafson, the Associate Provost for Student Success at C.W. Post, Long Island University, has one big piece of advice for the new freshman of 2011.  “Stay connected.  The primary issue for freshman is figuring out what it means to now be in college.  No two students are the same.  It’s important for them to have someone to talk to about being successful throughout college, for someone to ask them how it’s going and how they can help you.  Talking to counselors helps with that stress within the transition from high school to college by having a plan created for them that helps balance everything out.”

Being on one’s own for the first time can be daunting, especially when faced with new responsibilities such as going to class, homework, and other activities that require commitment.  Balance is an important factor when handling an entirely new schedule.  It is important to set aside enough time for the necessary things, such as schoolwork and studying, while also having ample down time to not get stressed and overwhelmed.  Each college has counselors that are meant to help with this, and talking to them is a great way to learn how to hone and perfect this balancing act.  It may be tricky at first, but accomplishing this balance will lead to a more stress-free environment and help freshman embrace college life.

Going away to college is an exciting time for any teenager.  Challenges await, but so do amazing opportunities and interesting people.  Staying open-minded and learning to balance a new routine will be helpful in making college into a home away from home.

Vote "Yes" On Smithtown's School District's Transportation Proposition

Vote “Yes” In Smithtown School District’s Transportation Referendum

Smithtown Matters supports a “yes” vote in today’s transportation referendum.  The 2011 -2012-school year is the first year that I do not have a child enrolled in a k-12 program. I do not have a grand child enrolled, and most of my friend’s children do not have transportation issues.  And yet, I will be voting a resounding “yes” in today’s school district’s referendum.

Why?  I, like many others in the district, share a concern that elections are the glue that holds our democracy together. I also believe that overturning unpopular results sets a bad precedent.  I am appalled at the number of people who stated they didn’t understand the proposition and unintentionally voted the opposite of what their interests were.  And, I too am horrified by spiraling cost, taxes and unemployment ravaging the lives of many residents.

So why vote “Yes”?

The new transportation proposal does nothing to increase costs this school year, it does, however, provide for safe transportation for our district’s students.  A “yes” vote will allow parents peace of mind knowing that their child is not fighting the traffic and crossing North Country Road (or other dangerous roads) carrying a back pack and musical instrument.  A “yes” vote will reduce traffic at and around schools by eliminating the need for parents to chauffeur their children to school.

At a Board of Education meeting, earlier in the year, I sat near a woman who told me how the new policy would impact her life. She had recently learned that her child would not be provided district bussing and would now be crossing a highly trafficked street to and from school.  The mother was frightened. The child’s father leaves for work very early in the morning.  If the district policy remained in effect she would drive her child to school (increasing traffic at the school) but to do so she would have to wake and bring along her severely handicapped child. There was no one who could stay with him and she could not afford to hire someone. She would have to repeat the procedure in the afternoon when school ended each and every school day. This is just one family’s story.

Yes, Smithtown’s Board of Education needs to do a better job of informing voters about referendums but voters need to do be more responsible in there actions.  It is the voter’s responsibility to ask questions before elections, keep informed, and vote. 

In a democracy the ability to vote is power.  But, it is the people who arm themselves with information and facts that truly hold the power because they can make a difference. Be powerful, educate yourself on the issues and vote.

I’m voting “yes” and urging you to do so because it makes sense.

Pat

ASK ROSIE

Smithtown Matters is pleased to include a new column “ASK ROSIE”.  Rose, will be doing a weekly column addressing and infoming Smithtown on ways to make the most out of their hair care budget.  

ASK ROSIE…

Has summer taken its toll on your hair? Try some simple tips that will make your hair look and feel healthier during the seasonal change.

When you shampoo use tepid water.  Cooler water retains moisture in the hair and also adds extra shine.  Hot water will make treated hair dry, brittle and prone to breakage.

Need a quick color fix but don’t want to break the bank.  Ask your stylist for a color glaze which will restore color and shine while blending in gray or washed out hair.

Condition every time you shampoo!  Make sure your cleansing regimen includes products for color treated hair.  Products not specific to color treated hair may be high in alkalinity and strip your hair of nutrients and color. (Try Redkens’ color extend line.)

Use leave in spray conditioners.  These conditions protect your color from harmful sun and impurities in the environment.

Have questions? Send them to Ask Rosie at News@SmithtownMatters.com

Rosie is a professional Stylist/Colorist at Celestial Hair Gallery in Smithtown.  She has worked in the Smithtown area for over 20 years.