News Releases
ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL PARTNERS WITH CURA HOSPITALITY TO INTRODUCE EXCEPTIONAL NEW DINING EXPERIENCE
Fresh New Approach Focusing on Patient Satisfaction is First-of-its-Kind in Western Pa.
PITTSBURGH, PA, April 15, 2008—St. Clair Hospital has partnered with Cura Hospitality, a leading specialist in healthcare and acute care dining, to provide a fresh new approach to food services—one that focuses on patient satisfaction, while delivering exceptional dining experiences for hospital guests and staff. The new offering is the first-of-its-kind for a hospital in this region and part of a national trend toward fine dining for hospital patients.
Cura combines a fresh approach to food preparation that supports local agriculture, with clinical expertise in providing healthy menus that speed the healing process. The company was one of the first healthcare food providers in the U.S. to eliminate trans fatty acids from its menu, for example, and prepares all of its foods fresh, many of them from scratch.
Through a Menu Concierge, St. Clair hospital patients will have their dining orders taken in person, with the assistance of a skilled clinician focusing on each patient’s specific health and dietary needs as well as their personal preferences.
“Our partnership with Cura demonstrates our overall commitment to continually improving patient care and satisfaction,” says Joan Massella, administrative vice president, chief nursing officer at St. Clair Hospital. “This new approach to food service supports our excellence in clinical care, while providing a greatly enhanced dining experience for patients, guests and staff.”
“St. Clair Hospital is leading the way among hospitals in this region and nationally in transforming its approach to dining,” says Mitch Possinger, president and founder of Cura, a member of the Eat ‘n Park Hospitality Group.
St. Clair Hospital and Cura Hospitality are partnering to make $2 million in capital improvements for the new dining operation which will also include a concept café for retail dining in the hospital with offerings such as fresh dough pizza, cooked-to-order Asian food, freshly grilled items and wholesome take-out, as well as the Barista Café, a gourmet coffee house and fresh fare eatery.
As part of the partnership, Cura clinicians meet regularly with hospital staff to design food choices that will help speed the healing process for post-operative and post-injury patients. Cura also assists in identifying nutritionally at-risk patients and recommends pro-active plans to help keep them nourished.
