Eunice Smith Home celebrates 50th anniversary Oct. 15

Eunice Smith Home, 1251 College Ave. on the AMH campus, will celebrate its 50th anniversary with an open house from 1-3 p.m., Oct. 15. 

The public is welcome to tour the facility, and refreshments will be served. Staff members will be on hand to answer questions about the history of the facility, the campus and the Smith family.

“Eunice Smith Home has been an important part of this community for 50 years,” says Mark Jeffries, ESH administrator. “We look forward to the opportunity to welcome everyone to the campus and show them how our compassionate staff takes care of our residents.”

The 62-bed skilled nursing facility opened in 1966 and is named after Eunice Smith, who donated the land on which AMH was built in the 1930s. The nursing home site was part of the Elm Ridge estate where the Smith family lived. Ellen Smith Hatch, sister of the home’s namesake and co-founder of AMH, provided the land for the home to help realize “Miss Eunice’s” vision of long-term care services on campus, in addition to the care provided by the hospital. Eunice Smith died in 1955.

ESH offers occupational, speech and physical therapy, dietitians, resident activities, and the Memory Lane Secure Dementia Unit.

ESH was the first nursing home in the state to earn an “E for Excellence” award from the American Health Care Association and was most recently recognized as the best nursing home in the community for 2015 as part of the Alton Telegraph’s “Best of the Best” awards voted on by individuals from the community. In 2015, BJC entered into an agreement with Bethesda Health Group to manage the home. 

For more information about the open house, call 618-463-7330.

Eunice Smith Home, 1251 College Ave., on the campus of AMH, will celebrate its 50th anniversary with an open house from 1-3 p.m., Oct. 15. | Photo by Dave Whaley

Amy Wylie earns AMH September employee honor

Amy Wylie

Amy Wylie was named the September Employee of the Month.

Her co-workers say she always has a smile on her face, is kind and goes the extra mile to make sure patients and staff are well cared for. 

“She always puts the patients first and is, most of all, hard working,” they add. “Amy is a pleasure to work with day or night.” 

Sock it to ’em

Chemotherapy patients in the AMH Infusion Center won’t be getting cold feet anytime soon, thanks to the Kirlin’s Hallmark store in the Alton Square mall. 

Sara Bartz, store manager, recently donated 81 pairs of socks to the Infusion Center at AMH. The store’s customers bought the socks, or donated money toward the socks, during July for donation to the Infusion Center. 

Chemotherapy patients can often become chilly while undergoing treatment, so an extra pair of socks can be a great comfort. AMH thanks Kirlin’s Hallmark for its generosity and community service. 

Bobbi Abbott, Infusion Center, left, accepts 81 pairs of socks from Sara Bartz, manager of Kirlin’s Hallmark store in the Alton Square mall. | Photo by Dave Whaley

AMH staff recognized with Awesome cards

If you know of an AMH employee, physician or volunteer who deserves recognition, let AMH know by completing an “Awesome” form. Forms are available in the hospital waiting areas and at nurses stations. A member of the leadership team will present your honoree with an “Awesome” badge sticker. 

Completed forms may be dropped off at the information desk or sent to the development office. For more information, call Marlene Lewis, 618-463-7701.

Recent Awesome cards went to:

• Tammy Amizich, IMU
• Lue Wanda Bausily, MCU
• Indi Billings, MCU
• Cole Bugger, IMU
• Deny Chytil, MCU
• Bridget Denton, IMU
• Shannon Dorks, IMU
• Allison Hanks, IMU
• Crystal Joy, IMU
• Cassie Judkins, IMU
• Mary Ann Krewson, IMU
• Rachel Meuth, IMU
• Travis Moore, housekeeping
• Michelle Peden, ER
• Mary Schmidt, MD, hospitalist
• Gwen Schoenemann, cashier
• Lauren Sexton, housekeeping
• Judy Sibert, IMU
• Leo Stone, IMU
• Krystal Thomae, MCU
• Amanda Tisdale, IMU
• Emilie Vogelsang, IMU
• Lisa Winters, IMU

Babysitting 101 teaches important basics

Mallory Carter, left, and Alena Beilsmith, both 13 years old and from Brighton, Ill., get some practice during a Babysitting 101 class Sept. 10 at AMH. The class is facilitated by St. Louis Children’s Hospital and is designed to teach youngsters the basics of babysitting, including safety, first aid and the business of babysitting. Nearly 30 youngsters came to the event. | Photo by Rusty Ingram

Annual fund-raiser is a success

Morrison food and nutrition staff members at AMH were among dozens of vendors at the AMH White Cross Auxiliary’s annual fund-raiser held Sept. 10 at the Loading Dock in Grafton, Ill. From left are catering assistant Brenda Cason; chef Chad Crabtree; Bob Menichino, director of food and nutrition services; and Kay Wimer, retail manager. | Photo by Tim Mudrovic

Wah kicks off Diversity Week at BJH

BJH celebrated Diversity Week Aug. 29-Sept. 2. The week began with a workshop led by documentary filmmaker, author and poet Lee Mun Wah, who helped employees recognize covert discrimination and develop their listening and responding skills. | Photo by Scott Ragan

BJH to improve critical conversations in the ICU through participation in consortium

Carrie Sona

With a goal of improving care for critically ill patients and their families, BJH has been accepted into a prestigious collaborative sponsored by the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute and a grant to the Society of Critical Care Medicine.

Each facility participating in the consortium focuses on a unique aspect of ICU operations, then meets periodically with members to share results. BJH’s 4400 surgical/trauma ICU will work to improve its processes for conducting structured care conferences with patients and families.

“No one plans to land in an ICU,” says Carrie Sona, MSN, CCRN, CCNS, 4400 ICU clinical nurse specialist. “Most families are unprepared to make hard decisions regarding critical care of their loved one and often don’t have the documents prepared to guide their decisions.”

Sona adds that a surprisingly small number of ICU patients have completed durable power of attorney forms or living wills. The ICU team plans to investigate ways to ensure that the right conversations take place between the care team and patients and families early in their stay. Doing so will help the care team develop a clear plan of care based on the family’s desired outcomes. The goal is to have standardized conversations regarding care within 48-72 hours of admission.

“It’s about aligning care with their wishes,” says Sona. “We have the medical care figured out. But, we’re often inconsistent with setting realistic plans of care with families and assisting them with hard decisions.”

Brian Wessman, MD, is serving as BJH’s physician champion for the consortium and will help engage physicians in developing and implementing standards.

BJWCH technicians are surgical backbone

Surgical Technician Week was Sept. 18-24. Surgical technologists like, from left, Rosa Johnson, Deanna King, Vernon Lane, Verona Gregory and Raven Hecker gather needed instrumentation and supplies, keep vigilant in pursuing sterility of the room, and count and keep track of sponges, needles and supplies. They also anticipate the surgeon’s next request, and the tissue and specimens to be sent for further study are kept safe under their watchful eyes. | Photo by Kelly Pahl

BJWCH celebrates Environmental Services Week

Environmental Services Week was Sept 11-17. Thanks to the members of the BJWCH environmental services team including, from left, front row, Ashley Williams, Carla Cameron, Raymond Hunter and Carlos Harris; middle row, Ellen Chappell, Brandon Burston and Mylira Moss; and back row, DeMango Griffin and Darryl Leach, who maintain the cleanliness of the hospital for the safety of patients, guests and co-workers. | Photo by Cindy Weinstein

Employee flu shots coming soon

BJWCH occupational health (OH) will start providing seasonal influenza vaccinations to employees and volunteers Oct. 10.

For the 2016-2017 campaign, only the injectable form of the vaccine is acceptable. BJC will not provide, nor accept, the nasal spray method to meet this requirement. OH will have flu vaccines available for employees, physicians and volunteers in cafeteria conference room D at the following times:

• Oct. 10, 2-4 p.m.
• Oct. 11, 8-10 a.m.
• Oct. 12, 2-4 p.m.
• Oct. 17, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Oct. 18, 8-10 a.m. and noon-2 p.m.
• Oct. 19, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Oct. 20, 8-10 a.m. and noon-2 p.m.
• Oct. 24, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Nov. 3, 8-10 a.m. and 2-4 p.m.

OH also will have a roaming cart with seasonal flu vaccine, especially in the early weeks. Or you can call OH, 314-996-8337, to schedule a date and time. Employees and volunteers working nights or weekends may receive an influenza vaccine in the emergency department as long as patient volumes allow. 

Suffian will be missed

Daniel Suffian, BJC Behavioral Health peer support specialist, died June 20. 

Suffian had been the peer specialist at BJC Behavioral Health-Central since November 2014. During that time Suffian helped lead the consumer council and participated in assisting many clients in group and individual services. 

Suffian started working at BJC Behavioral Health with a strong desire to help others, especially those working on recovery. His supervisor, Paul Nims, says, “Dan was a scientist, a poet, a dog lover and a foodie. He was a wonderfully imperfect man and will be greatly missed.”

CHS celebrates success

BJC Corporate Health Services held its annual Employee Recognition Celebration in December. The event highlighted teams and individuals who contributed to the success of the organization in 2015. More than 100 CHS colleagues, business partners and guests attended the event, held at the BJC Learning Institute. Attendees enjoyed an evening of fun, including a reception, dinner, music trivia and an award ceremony.

Chrystal Norfleet, MA, BarnesCare Midtown clinic coordinator, received the ICARE award for her commitment to outstanding patient care and customer service. “Chrystal embodies each of the ICARE values,” says Patrick Venditti, BarnesCare executive director. “She has the gift of making every visitor to our clinic feel like they are the most important person she will serve that day.”

Robin Zieger, senior medical assistant in BarnesCare’s physical medicine and rehabilitation and sports medicine clinic, was named CHS Employee of the Year. Zieger exceeded all performance criteria for the award, which included customer service recognition, community service and skill-building requirements. “Robin is personable and caring with our patients,” says Angela Tripp, MD, MS. “She is reliable, hard-working and is always willing to help out her co-workers.”

Karen Miener, RN, manager, was recognized as CHS Leader of the Year. Miener manages the BarnesCare St. Peters clinic and the corporate health nurse team. In addition, she coordinates the CHS employee wellness program and has been instrumental in implementing the ICARE service program. “Karen is a great role model for our CHS clinical and administrative colleagues,” says Diane Palmer, RN, MHA, director of clinic operations. “She is dedicated to improving performance on all levels by developing and empowering her team.”

“We continue to make great strides as an organization due to the skill and commitment of our dedicated team of professionals like these award winners,” says Venditti.

Chrystal Norfleet, Robin Zieger and Karen Miener

Campus Renewal — time-lapse video shows rooftop construction

How does a million pounds of equipment make it to the roof of a building? Watch the April Campus Renewal video and listen to Annalise Regan to learn the purpose of the equipment and see it come together. Visit bjcconstruction.org.

Collecting admiration along the way

Kelly Shellogg

Kelly Shellogg, BJC Home Infusion patient accounts reimbursement representative, has been named the BJC Home Care Services March Employee of the Month. Shellogg, a patient accounts lead, is responsible for billing and collections for the Memorial Springfield contract.

Her nominator says Shellogg’s customer service skills are exemplary. “She treats each customer the way each of us would like to be treated, by listening sincerely and offering various solutions to the situation. Kelly holds herself to the highest degree of accountability and always makes herself available to assist co-workers with their tasks when needed. She is genuine in her desire to help others by sharing her knowledge.”

Hospice employee brings joy through music

Alison Cole, BJC Hospice music therapist, has provided many moving moments, not only for hospice patients, but also for family members in grief. For her efforts, Cole was named the BJC Home Care Services February Employee of the Month.

According to her nominators, Cole has an extremely compassionate heart and goes to great lengths to provide whatever session will be most meaningful for the person involved. “Alison wants to ensure that every patient and family who wants music support will receive it,” says her nominator, “yet she also protects her boundaries so she can always give 100 percent in each situation.”

Cole attends as many grief retreats and hospice memorial services as her heavy caseload allows; visits schools, churches and families; started a music volunteer program; and allows students to shadow her.

Her skills shined at a BJC Hospice Weavings retreat grief retreat for mothers who have lost a child. Cole asked each of the 26 mothers to name gifts that their child gave to them and gifts that they gave to their child. She then created a song that included all of the responses and performed it for the moms. Many of the mothers noted that the song was the most meaningful part of their weekend. 

“Alison brings joy and comfort to patients, families and participants at our grief support events. She is well respected by and works collaboratively with staff. She has a strong sense of personal responsibility and accountability for the quality of her work. Alison brings so many positive things to BJC Hospice, such as her warmth, respect, kindness and humility. We are grateful to work with and learn from her,” says Andrea Tritinger, MSW, LCSW, BJC Hospice grief support coordinator.

Alison Cole

New endocrinologist at Christian Hospital

Dr. Supraja Reddy

Endocrinologist Supraja Reddy, MD, has joined BJC Medical Group Specialists of North County. She joins Farid Roman, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist, and Susan Hofmann, ANP-BC, who specializes in endocrinology, along with physicians specializing in gastroenterology and neurology. Her office is located on the Christian Hospital campus in Professional Building 1.

Dr. Reddy received her medical degree from Deccan College of Medical Sciences in India in 2005. She completed a residency in internal medicine in 2013, a fellowship in geriatric medicine in 2014 and a fellowship in endocrinology in 2016. She is board certified in internal medicine, with a sub-certification in geriatric medicine, and is board eligible in endocrinology.

Dr. Reddy is passionate about providing excellent care for her patients and treating them with care and respect. In fact, during her residency, she was awarded Resident of the Year in Ambulatory Practice for her outstanding performance and professionalism in primary care. 

Dr. Reddy’s focus is achieving the best possible results for her patients. “I focus on providing my patients with health care services they need, including the appropriate test or procedure to manage and treat their conditions,” she says.

As an endocrinologist, she provides care for chronic conditions, including diabetes, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, obesity and pituitary disorders. She also manages patients’ concerns with male and female reproduction and performs procedures like thyroid ultrasound and fine needle aspiration to properly diagnose and treat her patients.

Dr. Reddy is a member of BJC Medical Group and is affiliated with Christian Hospital. BJC Medical Group Specialists of North County is at 11155 Dunn Road, Professional Office Building 1, Suite 109N, St. Louis. To make an appointment, call 314-953-8799.

Central Medical Group welcomes new provider

Kimberly Buck

Kimberly Buck, DNP, ANP-BC, a board-certified adult nurse practitioner, has joined Central Medical Group on the Barnes-Jewish Hospital campus.

Buck received her master of science in nursing degree in 2009 and her doctor of nursing practice from the University of Missouri St. Louis in 2014.

Buck is passionate about creating lasting health care partnerships with her patients. “My practice care philosophy is to deliver quality care to all patients by being an active listener, while encouraging the patients’ involvement in their own health care,” she says. “Quality care means delivering high quality, effective, yet compassionate care to improve my patients’ outcomes and, ultimately, optimize their overall health status.”

Buck has extensive experience in internal medicine and rheumatology and will practice with all of the physicians at Central Medical Group. Her practice will focus on providing primary care services and promoting wellness, in addition to providing care and treatment for patients’ chronic conditions and rheumatologic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and gout. She also provides trigger point injection and joint injection services.

Kimberly Buck is a member of BJC Medical Group and is affiliated with Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Central Medical Group is at 4921 Parkview Place, Suite 14 A, St. Louis. To make an appointment, call 314-454-8778.

Epic roadshow coming to Boone

On Sept. 7, BHC will become the first BJC facility to experience an Epic electronic health record roadshow. 

Titled “Hit the Road to Epic,” the roadshow event, sponsored by Health Information Partners (HIP), will provide a preview of the many great benefits a single-patient record will provide for patients and caregivers.

A team of Epic experts will demonstrate how Epic improves patient care by a documentation system that integrates and coordinates that care.

Where and when — The event will take place in conference rooms A, B and C on the hospital’s main floor. The schedule includes:

• 8-10 a.m., breakout demo sessions, repeating content offered in 20- to 30-minute intervals
• 10:30 a.m.-noon, main presentation with inpatient focus
• 12:30-4:30 p.m., breakout demo sessions with repeating content offered in 20- to 30-minute intervals
• 5-6:30 p.m., main presentation with inpatient focus
• 7-8:30 p.m., ambulatory focus for Boone Medical Group and private providers who will be moving to Epic

Breakout demo sessions include:

• Epic for providers: order sets, medication reconciliation and time savers in documentation
• Epic for nursing and ancillary clinical users: required documentation, navigators, flowsheets, orders management, care plans, patient education, patient reports, SBAR, treatment teams, worklists, barcode medication and blood administration
• Additional breakout groups: obstetrics, safety and quality (reports), executive and departmental leaders (reports), emergency department, schedulers
• Mobile technology and scanning information session
• Training information

Why — “The roadshow will provide real-life documentation of patient scenarios to see how patients move in and between areas of care,” says Ken Woodward, user adoption and communications lead for HIP. “All the vast capabilities of Epic cannot be demonstrated in a few hours. But we believe the roadshow will give Boone providers and employees a great introductory tour of Epic.”

CH president Rick Stevens hosted the hospital’s quarterly Community Leaders Breakfast Meeting Sept. 9 at Northwest HealthCare. Area leaders and community members gathered for an update on CH’s latest innovative programs and strengths and to learn the unique ways CH is serving the community beyond the walls of the hospital. | Photo by Bret Berigan

Endoscopy lab ribbon cutting draws 100-plus visitors

With staff and community leaders on hand, Christina Tiberghien, RN, center, cuts the ribbon at the endoscopy lab open house Sept. 8 to officially open the doors of the lab. The celebration drew more than 100 people and included tours of the newly renovated and expanded lab that now includes 15 private patient bays and four procedure rooms for upper and lower gastrointestinal procedures and pulmonary procedures. | Photo by Bret Berigan

Employee Town Hall meetings now in session

All team members are encouraged to attend a Town Hall meeting at their work location in September or October.

As a convenience, a condensed Town Hall video will be assigned in Cornerstone to all CH employees after the live meetings conclude for those who cannot attend one of the scheduled meetings.

Email your questions directly to rls1203@bjc.org.

Upcoming Town Hall meetings will be held:

• Sept. 26, 9:30-10:30 a.m., CH Atrium C
• Sept. 26, 2-3 p.m., CH Atrium C
• Sept. 27, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., CH night rounds
• Oct. 3, 10-11 a.m., CH Atrium C
• Oct. 3, 5:30-6:30 p.m., CH Atrium C
• Oct. 5, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., CH night rounds
• Oct. 6, 10-11 a.m., CH Atrium C
• Oct. 6, 3-4 p.m., CH Atrium C

Employee Mammo-thon is Sept. 28

Sign up for the Employee Mammo-thon if you’re due for a mammogram. The Mammo-thon will take place 
3-7 p.m., Sept. 28, at CH and NWHC. 

To register, call centralized scheduling, 314-653-4333.

Congrats to ‘Heart of a Hero’ award recipients

The Heart of a Hero program recognizes physicians, nurses, housekeepers, volunteers and other hospital staff who have been nominated by patients and their families. For more information, contact the Christian Hospital Foundation, 314-653-5162 or chfoundation@bjc.org.

Congratulations to the following employees awarded in August for their commitment to providing compassionate care and dedication to excellence:

• Jake Laurrell and Jane Lubiewski, emergency medical services
• Ravindra Shitut, MD, CH Orthopedic and Spine Surgeons

CH Auxiliary Group Travel shines a ‘Spotlight on Tuscany,’ Nov. 9-17, 2017

Learn about an upcoming CH Auxiliary Group Travel opportunity at 6 p.m., Oct. 4, in the Detrick Building Atrium at CH.

Highlights of the trip include: wine tasting in the Chianti region, a trip to a cheese factory, seven nights in the spa resort town of Montecatini Terme, a journey to Florence for a tour of the “cradle of the Italian Renaissance,” a stop in the medieval city of Lucca, a visit to the Academy Gallery and Michelangelo’s famous statue of David, and stops to see the Gothic Line, one of the Germans’ last lines of defense during WWII, the Museum of Liberation, WWII fortifications and bunkers, and more.

The price per person ($2,999 double occupancy) includes round-trip air fare from St. Louis, air taxes and fees/surcharges, hotel transfers, single hotel stay for seven nights and 10 meals.

For more information or to request a full-color, detailed brochure and trip registration form, contact Sheryl McClary, 314-653-5193 or smcclary@bjc.org.

Karen Manahan retires after 38 years

Karen Manahan

Karen Manahan, RN, Pain Management Center, retired Sept. 8 after 38 years of dedicated service.

April Employee of the Month ‘makes coming to work nice’

Mary Gebhart

Mary Gebhart, RN, BSN, home care staff field nurse, genuinely cares about her work, her patients and her co-workers, as if they were family. For example, on New Year’s Eve, when many were hurrying out the door to start the holiday, Gebhart worked late and made an extra skilled nursing visit to make sure a very ill patient got needed care. When her nominator commented that her New Year’s Eve visit was “above and beyond,” Gebhart said, “If it were my mom, I would hope someone would be there to do what was needed for her, regardless of the day.”

On a different occasion, Gebhart happened to overhear a conversation about a patient who needed attention and asked what she could do to help. Gebhart was named the April Employee of the Month.

Her nominator says Gebhart is “definitely a team player who consistently goes above and beyond with a caring attitude and a knack for being very thorough in her work and her care.”

May Employee of the Month makes breathing easier

Diane Schabke

Diane Schnable, physical therapy assistant, fought through many obstacles to get exactly what a patient needed. Because of serious lung conditions, the patient had a great deal of trouble breathing, which worsened when the patient had to walk. A motorized wheelchair would be a great solution, but was out of the question — until Schnable found someone who was willing to donate one.

After the patient began using the motorized wheelchair, the home care team noticed that the patient had discontinued the pursed-lip breathing that indicated struggles with pulling in air, the patient’s skin tone was good and the patient’s spirits were high. 

Schnable was named the May Employee of the Month. “This is an amazing example of how taking the extra step can make such a difference in our patients’ lives,” says her nominator.

June Employee of the Month is ‘jack of all trades’

Ed Damazyn

Ed Damazyn, pharmacy technician, is known to his co-workers as a jack of all trades due to his willingness and ability to help out with whatever his department needs — especially at times when the staff is shorthanded. He was named the June Employee of the Month.

Damazyn has gone above and beyond his normal duties as a driver for BJC Home Care Services by regularly helping out with outbound delivery tickets, pulling and stocking supplies, restocking IV supplies, and assisting with receiving duties. “Ed has been there to assist when we needed him the most,” a nominator says. “He always comes to work with an upbeat attitude and he keeps coming back with enthusiasm.”

Another nominator adds, “Ed puts our customers first by going out of his way to make deliveries, even after he has worked an exhausting eight-hour shift in the pharmacy. He exemplifies all that should be a good BJC employee.”

July employee of the month is a team player

Tracy Burke

Tracy Burke, July Employee of the Month and certificate of medical necessity (CMN) representative for BJC Home Care Services home medical equipment, uses her energy and focus to ensure appropriate documentation for BJC Home Care Services. 

Burke is known as a team player and has shown commitment to the organization by volunteering to take on the second CMN representative’s workload besides her own, when that person left for another BJC position. She covered both roles while the team sought to hire a replacement.

“Tracy is always gracious in helping others, regardless of her own workload,” says her nominator. “I am excited to nominate her as Employee of the Month for BJC Home Care Services.”

Ninth annual Employee Fun Run-Walk a success

Despite the weather, more than 150 people participated in Memorial’s ninth annual Fun Run-Walk, Sept. 17. Belleville Health and Sports Center manager Micki Classen has coordinated the event for the past nine years. The event featured a competitive 5K run, as well as 1-mile and 5K fun walks.

First-place finishers in each category received a $50 gift certificate to Running Start Store, second-place finishers received a $30 gift certificate to Curt Smith Sporting Goods and third-place finishers got a gift certificate to Hibbett Sports.

Congratulations to the winners:

Women's Division

19 and younger
First place: Bridget Weeks, 29:57
Second place: Erin Botkin, 32:32
Third place: Olivia Nicholson, 33.51

20-29 years
First place: Chloe Schlau, 23:04
Second place: Emily Lynn, 33:11
Third place: Lucy Lopez, 35:58

30-39 years
First place: Kathi White, 22:48
Second place: Meaghan Kingdon, 25:04
Third place: Sarah Luong, 27:22

40 to 49 years
First place: Dana Coughlin, 23:13
Second place: Angela Weeks, 30:54
Third place: Tina Cloin, 36:27

50 and older
First place: Ann Hampel, 27:23
Second place: Pat Mertens, 34:09
Third place: Stephanie Tweedy, 34:48

Men's Division

19 and younger
First place: Hayden Kingdon, 23:50
Second place: Andrew Thompson, 26:25
Third place: Wyatt Coughlin, 29:56

20 to 29 years
First place: Bryant Marquinten, 21:24
Second place: Reginald Edwards, 24:35
Third place: Brian Munie, 26:00

30 to 39 years
First place: Ryan Liberati, 56:14

40 to 49 years
First place: Craig Coughlin, 22:51
Second place: Scott Morrison, 22:56
Third place: Gino Liberati, 26:05

50 to 59 years
First place: Andy Nicholson, 31:20
Second place: John Carpenter, 33:48
Third place: Mitchell Needleman, 33:50

MH’s annual Fun Run-Walk, held Sept. 17, drew more than 150 participants this year. | Courtesy photo

Staff enjoy picnic

Employees at both MHB and MHE enjoyed a catered picnic meal Sept. 16, and employees who work at offsite locations received Subway gift cards, as one way Memorial’s administration thanks all staff for supporting the hospital’s mission of providing exceptional health care and compassionate service. | Courtesy photo

Resident joins OB team

MBMC partnered with Washington University School of Medicine and the WUSM department of obstetrics and gynecology to develop an OB community practice rotation. A model was developed that incorporates WUSM residents as part of the care team at MBMC.

The OB community practice rotation will include a six-week rotation of one third-year ob/gyn resident at a time. The resident will spend the first two to three weeks embedded in different practice settings under the supervision of a private ob/gyn physician. The resident will spend one week at a time with participating physicians and their offices and be actively immersed in the life of a private community ob/gyn physician. For the last three weeks of the rotation, the resident will be an active member of the OB inpatient care team under the supervision of the MBMC OB hospitalist.

“I’m very excited to join the team at Missouri Baptist Medical Center. It has been a true pleasure to work with the patients, physicians, nurses and the Childbirth Center staff,” says Jonathan Hirshberg, MD, MBMC’s first resident in the 2016 rotation.

Dr. Jonathan Hirshberg is MBMC’s first resident in the OB community practice rotation, a partnership with Washington University School of Medicine. | Photo by Elizabeth White

Continuing the legacy of caring

The MBSH Auxiliary has been helping patients, visitors and employees for more than 50 years, eventually growing to an 80-member force for charity and compassion that raises funds for the hospital and community. The most recent recipient of the Auxiliary’s generosity was the MBSH therapy and wellness department.

The therapy and wellness staff treats a diverse patient population that includes a growing number of pediatric patients. To meet the needs of these patients, the Auxiliary recently purchased a pediatric gait trainer and a wagon walker.

Kerri Wallace, MPT, says the gait trainer will allow children who are unable to walk on their own to get around safely and improve their skills in the early stages of walking. “It can decrease fall risk for patients whose legs are too weak to hold their body weight and strengthen their legs to improve their walking,” she says.

“The wagon walker will make walking fun for toddlers who otherwise are unwilling to walk and prefer to crawl,” she adds. The design of the walker inherently encourages forward movement in a straight line, which, Wallace says, will help children with balance and advance them past their toddling gait.

Adds Robin Butts, OTR/L, Therapy and Wellness Center manager, “With their generous donations, our wonderful hospital Auxiliary members have made it possible to purchase specialized equipment that improves treatment for our patients. We’re very grateful for their support.”

The MBSH Auxiliary holds benefits throughout the year to make annual donations to various departments that need new equipment. Other departments to receive help this year were cardiac rehabilitation, which received a Holter heart monitor, and labor and delivery, which received two pulse oximeter machines. The total value of the equipment for all three departments is $4,888.

MBSH Therapy and Wellness Center physical therapist Kerri Wallace makes strides with Makennah Luechtefeld in a new pediatric gait trainer. | Photo by Hannah Betke

Silent auction provides gift of relaxation

Thanks to a “Relax to the Max” gift basket provided by the MBSH Therapy and Wellness Center for the silent auction at Crawford Electric Cooperative’s recent charity golf tournament, several Crawford employees were treated to some well-deserved relaxation.

In addition to its other soothing contents, the basket included eight hours of corporate massage time. A Crawford Electric employee purchased the basket at the tournament and generously donated the corporate massage certificate to benefit co-workers.
The Cooperative arranged for Therapy and Wellness Center therapists Tammy Campbell, LMT, and Jennifer Brooks, LMT, to deliver the relaxing chair massages in two afternoon sessions at the office.

Crawford Electric Cooperative, the local Touchstone Energy Cooperative, annually has included MBSH to benefit from its charity golf event. Over the past several years, the Cooperative has provided four patient treatment stations in the Cancer Treatment Center and numerous pieces of medical equipment.

“We really appreciate Crawford Electric’s overwhelming support of MBSH to make excellent health care possible with the latest technology in our community,” says Robin Butts, Therapy and Wellness Center manager.

Licensed massage therapist Jennifer Brooks provides a chair massage in the Crawford Electric Cooperative office. | Photo by Genifer Cape

Beckmann appointed chief nursing officer and assistant administrator

Lauren Beckmann

Lauren Beckmann, RN, BSN, has accepted the position of chief nursing officer and assistant administrator at PHC. She replaces Barbi Berrong, who served in that position for nearly five years.

Beckmann began her role Aug. 15, following 10 years of working in several capacities at BJC, including human resources director, part of an internal consulting team, and director of patient safety and clinical performance improvement at PHC. Prior experience also includes a position at Experis Healthcare and partnering with PHC during the acquisition of Mineral Area Regional Medical Center.

An accomplished people leader and business partner, Beckmann has more than 25 years of experience in health care operations, consulting and leadership. Her experience includes continuous quality improvement, operations leadership, clinical performance improvement, health information technology and strategic planning. Beckmann has a proven record of developing and implementing business strategy, improving profits, enhancing efficiencies in workflow and driving new innovative solutions in the business. Her strengths include creativity and innovation, planning and organizing, enabling collaboration, and accomplishing goals to produce positive results.

Beckmann has a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Michigan State University, a master’s degree in management and organizational design/leadership from Webster University and a certificate in healthcare informatics from Southern Illinois University. She serves on the board of directors for the Healthcare Business Women’s Association. Beckmann and her husband, Joe, have two children, Kieffer and Kole, and live in Wildwood, Mo. 

“We are excited that Lauren has joined us,” says Tom Karl, PHC president. With more than 25 years of experience in a variety of health care leadership roles, she brings outstanding qualifications. Lauren will be an asset to Parkland Health Center and to our community. I have great confidence in her ability to lead.”

PHC Star Service Team Member ‘is consistently kind and helpful’

Bill Mund

Bill Mund was selected as the Star Service Team Member for August.

Mund, a housekeeper, has worked at PHC and one of its predecessors, Mineral Area Regional Medical Center, for 41 years.

The nomination from his peers reads: “Our Star Service Employee for August has been employed as a housekeeper for more than 40 years. He comes to work every day with a good attitude, is friendly, does a quality job, is consistently kind and helpful to others, and always greets those he meets in the hallway. He has an outstanding work ethic as he helps his team members keep our facility clean and sanitized.”

Mund says he likes everything about his job at PHC. “The people I work with are all nice,” he says. “It’s a good place to work.”

Progress West delivers record number of babies in July

PWH’s women’s services department had a busy July. The team had a goal of delivering 80 babies in July and finished the month with a record 84 babies delivered — eclipsing the hospital’s previous monthly record of 70 babies.

Congrats to Jane Bruegenhemke, PWH women’s services nurse manager, and her team on a great month.

From left are parents Matthew and Kari Skyles with big brother Mason and baby No. 80, Brody, and delivery nurse Cori Adler, RN. Brody is the grandson of Jill Skyles, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer for Barnes-Jewish St. Peters and Progress West hospitals. | Photo by Janie White

From left are Janie White, charge nurse; Jody Tharp, assistant nurse manager; Dr. Loria Lindsey; Cori Adler, RN; and parents Tiffany and Joseph Butler with Joshua Butler, baby No. 84 for PWH women’s services. | Photo by Scott Beck

Food and nutrition earns national honor

The food and nutrition services team notched a national honor: They placed among about 30 top locations nationally for growth.

Over the past year, they’ve served 15 percent more meals. The achievement placed the team in a prestigious group of “Platinum-Plus Accounts” for Morrison Healthcare, a national food and nutrition service company and BJC’s food service provider.

“The SLCH team’s commitment to enhancing patient satisfaction and dining experiences serves as a great example to all of us,” says Tim Pierce, Morrison Healthcare chief executive officer.

The team that offers food with a smile includes, from left, Dornell Baker, Lucretia Hellems, Erick Long, Sanda Rivera, Chandra Williams, Teresa Grimes, Maryann Wyatt and Linda Lentz. | Courtesy photo

Carra Tilley promoted to director

Carra Tilley

Carra Tilley, RN, MSN, has been promoted to director of perioperative services, after serving as interim director.

Tilley joined SLCH in 2006 as a staff nurse in the Ambulatory Procedure Center (APC). Since then, she has served as assistant manager and then manager of the APC, Dental Clinic, interventional radiology and vascular access; had oversight of same day surgery and the post-anesthesia care unit; and was program manager of perioperative services.

Tilley says each day is a new adventure, and there’s always something to learn. Her biggest priority right now, however, is the Children’s transformation system. 

“We owe it to ourselves and our patients and families to be the best we can be through continuous improvement. It’s all about doing what’s right for kids, better,” she says. “This effort will enhance our patient satisfaction, quality and safety, employee and physician engagement, culture transformation, and financial stewardship.”

Tilley has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Missouri St. Louis and a master’s degree in nursing from Webster University. She’s also learned in her roles at SLCH. “I’ve had the honor of serving in a perioperative services leadership role for the past three years,” she says. “I’ve learned so much from the frontline staff and side by side leaders.”

Attend the annual Employee Health Fair

Highlights of the annual Employee Health Fair include:

• free flu shots
• annual screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar
• Fitbit attendance prizes

All sessions take place on the 11th floor at the following times:

• Oct. 26, 5-11 a.m.
• Oct. 27, 2-8 p.m.
• Oct. 30, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Nov. 1, 5 a.m.-11 p.m.
• Nov. 2, 6 a.m.-1 p.m.

For more information or to volunteer, call Marsha Flowers, food and nutrition services, 314-454-4249.

Mobile platform, Saba, to replace Cornerstone

Saba will replace Cornerstone as BJC’s learning management system.

Saba will be live at SLCH Oct. 3. Inpatient unit teams will use Saba as part of a gradual rollout at SLCH. Employees in other departments can opt to explore Saba during this time.

Cornerstone will remain open through Dec. 15, so  Soarian training can be completed in a familiar system. This also allows employees to complete the BJC required courses by the Nov. 30 deadline.

Employees will complete learning assigned prior to Oct. 3 in Cornerstone. Beginning Oct. 3, new enrollments for SLCH-specific content and Children’s Hospital Association (“CHEX”) online courses will be managed in Saba.

New employee orientation also will be managed in Saba beginning Oct. 3.

Historical transcripts will transition to Saba after the Dec. 15 cut-off of Cornerstone.

Two Saba administrators will support staff in using the new system:

• Non-clinical departments: Dave Brewer, 314-286-0908
• Clinical departments: Dee Hacker, 314-286-0387

TRISL honored as ‘Partner in MS Care’

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has recognized The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis and TRISL outpatient physical therapist Cathy Luhman, PT, MSCS, as a Partner in MS Care. The honor acknowledges TRISL’s dedication to providing optimal care and support to people living with MS.

Luhman is a multiple sclerosis certified specialist. Her work providing the highest level of care to patients with MS was instrumental in securing the recognition for TRISL.

The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis’ Cathy Luhman, physical therapist, second from left, and Brendan Tanner, therapy operations director, right, accept the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Partner in MS Care recognition from Rebecca Fehlig, left, and Suzanne Carron of the MS Society. | Courtesy photo

Happy 104th birthday, Johnnie

It was an exciting day at VNRC Jan. 18, as Johnnie Rivere celebrated her 104th birthday.

Rivere, a resident at Village North since 2005, lives independently in her own apartment. She loves to smile, sing and talk with people about a variety of subjects. She plays cards and enjoys eating out at restaurants. 

She says there’s no secret to being 104, but she does say that she has lived her life treating people the way she would want to be treated. 

Village North threw a birthday celebration for Rivere, complete with friends, a piano player playing her favorite songs, balloons, a champagne toast and plenty of cake.

Johnnie Rivere celebrates her 104th birthday at Village North Retirement Community.
| Courtesy photo