Called to improve communications
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (NY) - August 24, 2008
Section: Business - Page: 1E

How I Did It
By Sean Dobbin, Staff writer

A patient at Rochester General Hospital pushes the nurse call button in his room, and within moments, pagers on the hips of nearby nurses, aides and technicians go off. As a caregiver enters the patient's room, a sensor in her badge disengages the call and a green light goes on outside in the hallway to indicate that the person is receiving care.

The system is quick, efficient and silent — eliminating the noisy overhead pages that would constantly ring out through hospital halls.

Special Care Systems LLC has been installing these nurse call systems in area hospitals and nursing homes since 2002. Founders Ann and Myron Kowal of Webster saw the need for a communications company that specialized in health care systems.

There were "distributors that did some nurse call systems, and also security and fire and wander prevention." said Ann Kowal, president of the company. "They weren't all health care. They had a wide range."

The eight-person staff of Special Care Systems in Webster focuses solely on health care communications. In addition to the nurse call systems, a large portion of their business comes from personal emergency response systems, which they have installed in a number of independent senior communities, including Cherry Ridge at St. Ann's Community in Webster and The Highlands in Pittsford. These systems allow seniors to call for help using a button on their wrists from anywhere on the grounds.

Having worked in nursing homes as an optician, Kowal was able to use her contacts to establish a client base. She attended networking events throughout Webster, eventually becoming president of the Webster Chamber of Commerce, a position she stepped down from in June. In 2007, Special Care Systems' revenues reached $1.3 million.

As the company grew, her husband broke away to start another company, Response Care LLC. The two businesses now work in conjunction to provide health care systems to area caregiving facilities.

"She's the consummate professional," said Bob Bourg, vice president and administrator at St. Ann's Community. "She delivers on time, she tells you what's going to happen and makes it happen."

Key tip
"Keep going. You always have a little self doubt or fear, but don't let it overtake your drive to keep moving forward and to perceive a positive outcome."