Hospitals

August 7, 2007
The Hospital is experiencing a very busy summer! A continued high number of new patients coming to the Hospital are straining the available resources as the numbers have reached over 250 new patients per month. Springfield has strived to see new patients within a short period of time with ten business days set as a target. This target is being relaxed so the wait times during a patient's visit are reasonable and the necessary time is available to conduct a thorough and quality exam.
The good news is that Springfield's request to the Joint Boards for a space utilization plan and construction of up to six new exam rooms and updated registration stations has been approved. We are moving forward and hope to get construction started this fall. Imperial Sir John Cinotto has been a very active and effective voice for Springfield and moved this request along. When completed this will help relieve the back up in our Outpatient Department. As the Pilot Marketing Program kicks off this Fall, this will become more critical, anticipating increased referrals as a result of the marketing effort.
During July we had representatives from our corporate offices at our Hospital. Peter Armstrong, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Joseph Melchiorre, Executive Administrator and John Cinotto, Board of Directors and liaison to Springfield, joined David Drvaric, MD, Chief of Staff Springfield, Phil Thomas, Chairman of the Springfield Board of Governors, and Mark Niederpruem, Administrator of Springfield Hospital and they visited Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford and Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. The meetings were held to discuss opportunities to work together to better meet the needs of children in a changing health environment and increase the number of children who would benefit from our services. Discussion with these organizations is necessary to explore all options, as Shriners in Springfield looks to reach out to more children.
Our volunteers have done it again! In 2006 they donated 17.348 hours to your Hospital and the drivers at the hospital performed 5775 runs. Our Temple drivers transporting patients to and from the hospital have put on 127,000 miles in only 7 months so far in 2007.Great Job!
You are always welcome to attend Board Meetings and view the operations of Your Hospital. The patient presentation by our Chief of Staff, Dr. Drvaric is always a highlight of the day!
If you know of a Child in need just have the parents call Shriners Hospital for Children, Springfield MA , at 800-322 -5905 or 413-787-2000 to make an appointment. It's that easy! Richard L. Wilson, PP

Hospitals
- Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of pediatric specialty hospitals, founded by the Shrine, where children under the age of 18 receive excellent medical care absolutely free of charge. There are 18 orthopaedic Shriners Hospitals, three Shriners Hospitals dedicated to treating children with severe burns, and one Shriners Hospital that provides orthopaedic, burn and spinal cord injury care. Shriners Hospitals are located throughout North America - 20 in the United States and one each in Mexico and Canada. These "Centers of Excellence" serve as major referral centers for children with complex orthopaedic and burn problems.

Chicago
- The Chicago Shriners Hospital is a leading Midwest children's hospital providing high quality pediatric orthopaedic surgery, plastic, reconstructive and craniofacial surgery and spinal cord injury care. Located on the northwest side of Chicago, the hospital is a short term, 60-bed facility that combines quality medical care with innovative education and research.
Philadelphia
- The Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia is a 59-bed pediatric orthopaedic hospital providing a complete range of specialized medical and rehabilitation services at no charge to children with orthopaedic problems or spinal cord injuries.
Sacremento
- Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California is a JCAHO-accredited medical center providing pediatric care in three specialty programs - orthopaedics, spinal cord injury treatment and rehabilitation, and acute burn treatment and rehabilitation.

Boston
- Shriners Hospitals recognize that the family plays a vital role in a child's ability to overcome an illness or injury. The Boston Hospital recognizes that each patient is part of a family unit that needs to be supported through interaction with the healthcare team. The patient and family are part of that team, and their participation is encouraged and supported. The Boston Shriners Hospital has a special program for siblings, as well.
Galveston
- The Galveston Hospital has been actively engaged in clinical and basic research since its opening. Research activities at the Galveston Hospital focus on five major areas: cardiopulmonary problems; metabolism; molecular responses to injury; wound healing; and long-term outcomes of burned children. The Galveston Hospital was a pioneer in developing special pressure garments, called Jobst garments, which burn patients wear to help reduce scarring.
Cincinnati
- Shriners Hospitals recognize that the family plays a vital role in a child's ability to overcome an illness or injury. The Cincinnati Hospital recognizes that each patient is part of a family unit that needs to be supported through interaction with the healthcare team. The patient and family are part of that team, and their participation is encouraged and supported.
Sacremento
- Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California is a JCAHO-accredited medical center providing pediatric care in three specialty programs - orthopaedics, spinal cord injury treatment and rehabilitation, and acute burn treatment and rehabilitation.