“Our committee worked diligently to create the guidelines to provide a healthy environment for our patients, our associates, volunteers and physicians,” says committee member Tina Ahn, Chief Development Officer and VP, Seton Foundation. “It was also our goal to eliminate any secondhand smoke from cigarette, cigar or pipe so everyone on our two properties could breathe clean air.”

According to the American Heart Association, smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death in theUnited States. Chronic disorders associated with smoking include coronary heart disease due to atherosclerosis, heart attack (myocardial infarction) and stroke. The Centers for Disease Control estimate 443,000 people die prematurely from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke each year. Approximately 38,000 people die annually from heart and blood vessel disease caused by other people’s smoke. Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or at work increase their risk of developing heart disease by 25–30 percent.

Clean air was not the only goal of the 11-member committee. While demonstrating their commitment to improving the health of patients, associates and the community, the committee also hopes to increase hospital involvement in treating nicotine addiction.

“We are providing many resources to associates who wish to quit smoking,” says Irwin Shelub, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Seton. “We offer pulmonary rehabilitation and also an excellent smoking cessation guide available on our Intranet.”

Smoking is prohibited on all hospital property including patient rooms, medical office buildings, and all hospital entrances and exits.

Help with quitting smoking

The DCHS Medical Foundation is expanding its footprint along the California coast. The DCHS Medical Foundation, a statewide medical foundation established by Daughters of Charity Health System and headquartered in San Jose, CA, was formed in April 2012.

The Family Medicine Associates of San Jose (FMASJ), consisting of 12 physicians, joined the DCHS Medical Foundation on December 28, 2012. The board-certified family physicians at FMASJ have provided medical care to South Bay residents since 1977. The group also serves as the teaching faculty for the O’Connor Hospital Family Medicine Residency program, which is affiliated with Stanford University.

“We are excited to be part of DCHS Medical Foundation,” says Robert Norman, MD, FMASJ president and director of the residency program. “This partnership strengthens our ability to offer a medical home to our patients while providing fully integrated continuity of care.” More than 10,000 patients receive a full spectrum of medical services at their San Jose location.

The FMASJ practice includes preventive health visits for all ages; acute care; management of chronic diseases; minor surgical procedures; maternity care, coordination of subspecialist care, and more. Areas of expertise include women’s health and obstetrics, newborn and pediatric care, sports medicine, and treatment of headaches, depression, HIV/AIDS and geriatrics.

Also partnering with the DCHS Medical Foundation are George Smith, MD, of Active Medical Group of Northern California in Daly City, and W. Brian Joyce, MD, of Morgan Hill Medical Associates in Morgan Hill. Dr. Smith is board certified in internal medicine and pain medicine. Dr. Joyce is also board certified in internal medicine.

In Southern California, All Care Medical Group and Allied Healthcare Providers Medical Group, both located in Huntington Park, are also now affiliated with the DCHS Medical Foundation. All Care is a multi-specialty medical group initiated in 1948 consisting of approximately 25 physicians, employees and independent contractors representing specialties including internal medicine, dermatology, urology, general surgery, orthopedics, pediatrics and more. Allied Healthcare Providers Medical Group is the Independent Physician Association (IPA) of All Care and was started in 1984.

Craig Kaner, currently CEO of All Care Medical Group and Allied Healthcare Providers Medical Group, has also taken on the role of the DCHS Medical Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer for Southern California. Kaner has served as administrator for All Care and Allied Healthcare Providers since 1982. Kaner is a seasoned executive with experience in operations, financial management, human resources, team building, and business development. He received his MPA in Health Services Administration from the University of Southern California.

According to Ernie Wallerstein, President and CEO of DCHS Medical Foundation, all of the new members fit into their vision of facilities who provide person-centered care. “We are seeking physician partners who provide quality care and share our values and deep-rooted commitment to serving the diverse communities where the Daughters of Charity sponsor hospitals.” offers Wallerstein. “We have found those values and level of commitment in the physicians comprising our newest affiliations.”

Benefits to physicians joining the foundation are far-reaching, according to Wallerstein. “As a new and exciting venture, the DCHS Medical Foundation offers physicians an opportunity to create the organization from the ground up. They have a voice in how we will accomplish our shared goals of achieving optimal patient outcomes while achieving cost-savings and true integration.”

“We are pleased to be moving forward in our relationship with Ascension Health,” said Robert Issai, President and Chief Executive Officer, Daughters of Charity Health System. “This affiliation agreement will create significant opportunities for us to work with Ascension Health and benefit from their strategic expertise in many areas.”

DCHS is sponsored by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Province of the West. Four other Provinces of the Daughters of Charity, together with what is now the Congregation of St. Joseph, were the original Sponsors of Ascension Health when the health system was formed in 1999. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Alexian Brothers also now participate in Sponsorship of Ascension Health Alliance.

“Daughters of Charity Health System and Ascension Health have a common commitment to serve all with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable,” said Robert J. Henkel, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ascension Health and Executive Vice President, Ascension Health Alliance. “This agreement will strengthen Catholic healthcare through our shared Mission.”

A Joint Advisory Committee will be formed consisting of representatives from both organizations. According to Issai, this committee will provide a platform for ongoing dialogue and strategic planning to enhance delivery of quality inpatient and outpatient care throughout California. “An affiliation agreement provides the necessary structure for DCHS to form collaborative relationships to create more efficient person-centered care for the people in our California communities,” he added.

Specific terms of the affiliation agreement are confidential.

About Ascension Health Alliance:
Ascension Health Alliance (www.ascensionhealthalliance.org) is the nation’s largest Catholic and nonprofit health system. Ascension Health Alliance is transforming healthcare by providing the highest quality care to all with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable. Last year Ascension Health Alliance, through its subsidiary Ascension Health, provided more than $1.3 billion in care of persons living in poverty and community benefit programs. Its Mission-focused Health Ministries employ more than 122,000 associates serving in more than 1,400 locations in 21 states and the District of Columbia. Other Ascension Health Alliance subsidiaries focus on a wide range of service areas, including treasury management services, venture capital investing, global mission support and medical engineering services.

About Daughters of Charity Health System:
Daughters of Charity Health System (DCHS) is a regional health system spanning the California coast from the San Francisco Bay Area to Los Angeles. Its hospitals include: Seton Medical Center, Daly City; Seton Coastside, MossBeach; O’Connor Hospital, San Jose; Saint Louise Regional Hospital, Gilroy; St. Vincent Medical Center, Los Angeles; and St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood. DCHS was formed in response to the healthcare needs of the people of California. Every day, more than 8,000 associates and physicians serve patients and their loved ones, providing quality, compassionate care – body, mind and spirit. For more information on DCHS, please visit http://www.dochs.org/.

             The Supreme Court’s decision that the Affordable Care Act, including the individual mandate, is constitutional will help to ensure that all people living in California have access to health insurance coverage while curtailing the cost shifting that has plagued the healthcare system for decades.   

            “Living in a state with a significant number of people living below or near the poverty line, this decision is transformative and profoundly important for Californians,” said DCHS President & CEO Robert Issai. “The Affordable Care Act is the most significant advance in the provision of healthcare in the last 50 years, and we are grateful to President Obama and Leader Nancy Pelosi for demonstrating courageous leadership.”

            The ruling is critically important to efforts by Daughters of Charity Health System to find new ways of collaborating with community stakeholders in providing compassionate, quality care; reducing healthcare costs; and improving the patient experience. “We are working with other providers and community groups to help create comprehensive and coordinated systems of care to address chronic illnesses and disease early to promote wellness and keep people out of the hospital,” said DCHS Chief Public Policy Officer Conway Collis. “Working in this way to help implement the Affordable Care Act is at the heart of our mission.”

About Daughters of Charity Health System: 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.