Clinic Receives
Grant Supporting New Electronic Health Record System
 The Hartford
Foundation for Public Giving awarded Wheeler Clinic $195,000
to support the clinic’s implementation of a new electronic
health record (EHR) system. The grant will help defer the cost
of the $800,000 project - a fully integrated health record
and general ledger system that will significantly enhance the
quality of client care.
“Wheeler
Clinic has doubled its size and tripled its budget since 2000,” said
Susan Walkama, LCSW, president and chief executive office of
Wheeler Clinic. “Increased
demand for services, coupled with more rigorous federal guidelines
and
compliance
regulations, requires the clinic to operate as efficiently
as possible to sustain the high level of services we offer
to the community.”
 The
PsychConsult EHR software developed by Askesis Corporation
is a state-of-the-art program that integrates the clinical
workflow from the client’s initial call to discharge.
The system will improve the clinic’s continuity of care,
providing detailed, real-time information that provides staff
with a comprehensive picture of the client’s treatment.
Susan said, “Wheeler
Clinic is very grateful to the Hartford Foundation for Public
Giving for supporting this important initiative. It will significantly
impact the efficiency and coordination of client care across
the agency.”
Devoted to
improving the quality of life in the region, the Foundation
provides grants and other support to a broad range of nonprofit
organizations, helps donors make effective charitable giving
decisions, and brings people together to address important
community issues. Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is
the community foundation for the 29-town Greater Hartford region,
dedicated to improving the quality of life for area residents.
The Foundation receives gifts from thousands of generous individuals
and families, and awards grants to a broad range of area nonprofit
organizations. For more information about the Hartford Foundation,
visit www.hfpg.org or call
860-548-1888.
Donna
Zaharevitz is a Hartford Business Journal "Healthcare
Hero"
 Donna
Zaharevitz, a peer counselor from the Hartford Office of Adult
Recovery Services and Bettor Choice Gambling Treatment Program
was awarded the “Healthcare Hero” award by the
Hartford Business Journal. The clinic nominated Donna for her
outstanding advocacy efforts to raise awareness about the devastating
effects of problem and compulsive gambling. Donna has also
spearheaded the Connecticut movement for passage of the Comprehensive
Problem Gambling Act - the first Federal bill that will provide
funding and additional support for research, prevention and
treatment of problem/compulsive gambling. Donna has engaged
legislative support for the bill by inviting Congressman Joe
Courtney, who has become a sponsor of the bill, to meet gambling
recovery services clients who shared heart wrenching stories
of the impact of their addiction. She has also shared her own
story on Capitol Hill, traveling to Washington in September
to testify in support of the legislation.
The
annual Health Care Heroes Awards recognize those individuals
and organizations who epitomize the spirit embodied in the
word “hero,” whether they are doctors, nurses,
physical therapists, mental health clinicians or community
outreach programs. The magazine strives to educate the business
community and general public about these achievements, and
bring needed recognition to the quality of health care services
and innovation present in the state.
The
magazine will honor all six Healthcare Heroes at a special
luncheon January 28, 2010.
Things
are looking very positive for the bill on Capitol Hill. Senators
Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Sam Brownback (R-KS) agreed to introduce
the Comprehensive Problem Gambling Act in the Senate. Senator
Merkley is a senior member of the Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
Committee (HELP) and will be well positioned to help the bill
move through the Senate.
To
learn more about the Bettor Choice Gambling Treatment Program
of Wheeler Clinic call (860) 523-9788 or visit our webpage.
Pictured above: Susan Walkama,
LCSW, president and chief executive office of Wheeler Clinic,
recognizes Donna at a recent staff event.
 Wheeler
Clinic Receives Toys From the Dan Orlovsky Foundation
The
wishes of children from the Wheeler Clinic Safe Home came
true this year thanks to a generous donation by the Dan Orlovsky
Foundation. Dan Orlovsky, a former University
of Connecticut quarterback, currently plays for the Houston Texans
National Football League team.
“I joined the NFL in 2005, but I have never forgotten
my roots,” said Orlovsky, a native of Shelton. “Christmas
is such a special time of year, and I feel privileged to have
the ability to give back to my community. No child should go
without something under the tree, so I am very happy to make
sure the children of Wheeler Clinic’s Safe Home feel cared
about this Christmas.”
Susan Walkama, LCSW, president and chief executive
officer of Wheeler Clinic said, “We are delighted the
Dan Orlovsky Foundation is supporting the children served by
our Safe Home
program. These children are going through a very challenging
time in their lives, and they need lots of nurturing and support
in order to heal.  Fulfilling their wishes at Christmastime is
a wonderful way to bring much-needed joy to these youngsters.”
Orlovsky
formed the foundation in 2006 to “enrich the
lives of Connecticut’s youth by providing leadership, guidance
and an opportunity to reach their goal line.” The foundation
has donated computers to a local hospital, provided food and
clothing for needy families, and supported the purchase of handicap-accessible
vehicles, and more.
Wheeler Clinic's Safe Home provides a safe, structured and nurturing
environment for boys and girls, aged birth to twelve, who have
been removed from their homes by the Department of Children and
Families for the first time due to suspected abuse or neglect.
The Department of Children and Families funds the Safe Home.
Learn
more about Wheeler Clinic's congregate care programs.
Visit
the Dan Orlovsky Foundation website.
Commitment
to Quality Shines During Joint
Commission Accreditation Visit
Every three years
Wheeler Clinic undergoes a challenging, comprehensive evaluation
by the Joint Commission to renew its status as an
accredited behavioral health organization. Commission members
visited the clinic for the 2010-2013 accreditation survey this
past October, assessing the clinic’s compliance in a variety
of areas including medication management, environment of care,
performance improvement, information management and many more.
After their visit
one surveyor stated, “Wheeler Clinic
is the poster child for a well-run, high quality behavioral health
organization.” This is an exceptional outcome given the
hundreds of rigorous national performance standards the Commission
establishes.
“We seek accreditation because we believe it is important
to demonstrate our commitment to our clients’ safety and
the quality of their care,” said Susan Walkama, LCSW.
The Joint Commission is the national evaluation and certifying
agency for nearly 15,000 health care organizations and programs
in the United States, including hospitals, hospice services,
nursing homes, laboratories, rehabilitation centers and behavioral
health care organizations.
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