‘Awesome’ employees

If you know of an employee, physician or volunteer who deserves recognition, complete an “Awesome” form. Forms are available in the hospital waiting areas and at nurses stations. A member of the leadership team will present honorees 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:

• Jessica Miller, emergency department
• Joe Kuehn, laboratory
• Kaylee Fritts, MCU
• Kandice Adams, MCU

Support Foundation with a Schnucks eScrip Community Card

Make a contribution to the Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation at no cost to you by signing up for the eScrip program at Schnucks. The eScrip fund-raising program will contribute up to 3 percent of your grocery purchase to the Foundation each time you shop and swipe your card. The more you shop, the higher the contribution. 

It’s easy to do:

• Call Jeanne Truckey, development, 618-433-6047, or visit Schnucks and request an eScrip Community Card. Activate your card by calling 800-931-6258 or by visiting www.escrip.com/schnucks.jsp. The organization name is Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation.
• Present your card to the cashier every time you shop at Schnucks. You can pay for your groceries any way you choose. A swipe of your card generates contributions from Schnucks to the organization.

By using your eScrip card, you can help Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation and AMH stay current with technological advancements and reach out to members of the community with health screenings and programs.

In 2014, more than $300 was donated to the Foundation through this program.

New award recognizes non-nursing staff

Exemplary patient care is a team effort. To show its appreciation for non-nurse team members who help deliver extraordinary care to patients and families, BJH is launching the BEE Award.

The BEE (Being Exceptional Everyday) Award is an extension of the DAISY Award, a nationwide program that recognizes nurses based on nominations received from patients, families or staff.

Those eligible for the BEE Award include patient care technicians, student nurse technicians, unit secretaries, respiratory therapists, physical therapists and other non-nurse team members.

Awards will be issued quarterly, with recipients selected by the BJH retention committee. 

For more information, contact Diane Cash, chief retention officer, diane.cash@bjc.org or 314-747-3345.

Longnecker named Siteman Cancer Center vice president of oncology services

Christina Longnecker

Christina Longnecker, a medical administrator with degrees in law, business administration and nursing, has been named vice president of oncology services for Siteman Cancer Center at BJH and Washington University School of Medicine. She had been serving in that role on an interim basis for the past nine months.

Longnecker is responsible for strategic planning, budgeting, and operational and clinical quality related to the delivery of cancer care services at Siteman’s main location on the Washington University medical campus and at three satellite locations in the St. Louis region. She also will oversee the Siteman Cancer Network, an affiliation with regional medical centers that’s aimed at improving the health of individuals and communities through cancer research, treatment and prevention. Longnecker was selected after a national search.

“Christi brings to her role not only prerequisite skills in health and business administration, she also brings the experiences and heart of a nurse,” says Robert Cannon, BJH president. “She started her career caring directly for people, a focus that will continue to serve the patients of Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Siteman Cancer Center.”

Longnecker works with the leadership teams at BJH and WUSM and across clinical departments to establish processes and infrastructure to achieve the highest standards of patient care. She reports to Cannon and Timothy Eberlein, MD, Siteman’s director. 

Longnecker succeeds Trish Lollo, who was named president of Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital last year.

In 2007, Longnecker joined BJH as manager of the liver, kidney and pancreas transplant program, later becoming an inpatient clinical nurse manager and patient care services director for oncology. She served in the latter role from 2012 to August 2016, when she was named interim vice president of oncology services.

Carrot toppers: BJSPH and PWH honor fruit and veggie challenge winners

BJSPH and PWH held a fruit- and veggie-eating contest April 3-30. Team members tracked the servings of fruits and vegetables they ate each day over the contest’s four weeks. The team with the highest total received café vouchers, and one participant from each hospital was randomly chosen to win a vegetable spiralizer.

The winning team was “Me n Mimi Eaten Veggies.” BJSPH surgical charge nurse Mimi Ross’ team ate a total of 658 fruits and veggies during April. The randomly drawn winners were Stacey Brouk, BJSPH, and Jami Headrick, PWH.

Surgical charge nurse Mimi Ross displays her cafe voucher prize. Ross’ team ate 658 fruits and veggies during April. | Photos by Linda Smith

Jami Headrick displays her Veggetti Pro Table Top Spiralizer.

Stacey Brouk holds her Veggetti Pro Table Top Spiralizer.

BJSPH-PWH Auxiliary offers scholarships

Scholarships for 2017-2018 from the BJSPH/PWH Auxiliary are available to any St. Charles County resident who has completed 20 hours of credit in a human health-related field at an approved United States college or university. Students who have been awarded this scholarship in the past are ineligible. Eligible students may apply for a scholarship by submitting an application by July 7.

For more information, call Carol Conner, 636-922-9052.

Farewell celebration for Deb Venable is June 23

Deb Venable

Deb Venable, BJSPH/PWH volunteer supervisor, is retiring June 23. Venable has been instrumental in the growth and support of the volunteer program since 2014 and has served since 1980. 

A farewell celebration is planned for June 23 in the BJSPH Healthwise Conference Room. Stop by between 1 and 3 p.m. for cake and punch and to wish her well.

Diane Fix, former BJSPH/PWH community outreach senior coordinator, has returned to serve as volunteer supervisor.

PRC awards BJWCH for excellence

Professional Research Consultants (PRC) has recognized BJWCH with five Excellence in Healthcare Awards. The hospital earned:

• Top Performer Award to endoscopy for scoring at or above the 100th percentile for overall quality of care percent “excellent” scores.
• 5-Star Awards to the emergency department, pain management, and Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation (STAR) for scoring at or above the 90th percentile. 
• 4-Star Award to inpatient services for scoring in the 75th through 89th percentile.

PRC performs more than 2 million patient surveys each year for health care organizations across the country, including BJC. Annually the organization recognizes hospitals that score exceptionally well in patient surveys with the Excellence in Healthcare Awards. The 2017 awards represent data collected from patients discharged between January and December 2016.

“The PRC awards are a credit to our employees and physicians and the outstanding service you provide to patients,” says Trish Lollo, BJWCH president. “You are the foundation of our hospital and I am so grateful for your commitment to our patients.”

Watch for information about plans to celebrate BJWCH’s PRC Awards July 26.

How does your garden grow? Better with help from BJWCH!

Employees are invited to a gardening Lunch and Learn, from 12:30-1 p.m., June 29, in Conference Room D. Bring your lunch, enjoy samples and learn about healthy, seasonal eating from speaker Caryn Dugan, STL Veg Girl.

A $2,000 grant from the BJC Help for Your Health Committee funded an employee garden located in the courtyard, as well as monthly lunch and learns for employees that highlight gardening and healthful eating.

Brandon to join BJC Behavioral Health

Teresa Brandon

Teresa Brandon will join BJC Behavioral Health July 10 as the new director of clinical operations. Brandon will fill the position previously held by Terri Gilbert, who retired May 31 after a 43-year career.

Brandon comes to BJC from Hopewell, where she served as executive vice president of clinical operations. While at Hopewell, she led the organization to financial viability and built and opened a new children and adolescence center. She served as an expert resource for requirements related to clinical practices, licensure, regulatory, and practice issues for certification and licensure of regulatory boards and funders, and overall operations. In her role at Hopewell, Brandon also managed compliance and training, outpatient services, adult and youth services, and residential services.

Prior to Hopewell, she worked for the Department of Mental Health in compliance and system management. Brandon has also held various leadership roles for Burrell Behavioral Health in both Springfield and Columbia, Mo.

“Teresa will work closely with me to help us define the operational structure required to ready BJC Behavioral Health for the future,” says Barbi Berrong, BJC Behavioral Health vice president. “We are fortunate to have found someone with Teresa’s technical expertise, proven success, and innovation and compassion for the population
we serve.”

BJC Corporate Health Services recognizes Moore and Palmer for excellence

Karen Moore and Diane Palmer

Karen Moore, DNP, APRN, ANP, BC, received the 2016 BJC Corporate Health Services ICARE Award. Moore, a nurse practitioner at BarnesCare, was nominated for the award by her colleagues for consistently exemplifying ICARE behaviors to patients, visitors and fellow employees. The ICARE behaviors include Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.

“Karen is a dedicated clinician and a role model for our entire team,” says Tom Kibby, MD, MPH, BarnesCare chief medical officer. “She recognizes positive actions in others and is always looking to share her knowledge by teaching others new clinical skills.”

Diane Palmer, RN, MPH, director of clinical services, was awarded the 2016 BJC Corporate Health Services Leadership Award. Palmer has been a driving force in the implementation of daily huddles and several process improvement initiatives, all aimed at improving clinical outcomes and the patient experience. As a result, patient and client satisfaction scores reached all-time highs in 2016, and BarnesCare was recognized again by the National Association of Occupational Health Professionals as a model program.

A 37-year veteran of BJC, Palmer previously received the Leadership Award in 2002. “Diane’s commitment to the patients and clients we serve is second to none,” says Patrick Venditti, Corporate Health Services executive director. “The energy and enthusiasm she brings to each challenge inspire confidence and teamwork and create opportunity for our clinical teams to consistently succeed.”

Bob Mete and Julia Reinbold

Mete, Reinbold join BJC corporate finance team

The BJC corporate finance team has two new directors, Bob Mete and Julia Reinbold.

Mete has been named director of financial planning and analysis (FP and A), filling the role previously held by Elizabeth Lawson. Lawson recently became vice president of finance at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters and Progress West hospitals.

In this role, Mete will be responsible for FP and A activities, including overall budget and multi-year model coordination, cost accounting, business decision support and other ad hoc analysis activities.

Mete most recently served as executive vice president and chief financial officer for John Volpi & Co., and has a background in the manufacturing and banking industry. He has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree in business administration from DePaul University–Kellstadt Graduate School. Mete reports to BJC finance vice president Larry Kayser.

Reinbold is the new finance director responsible for the shared services hospital accounting team. In this role, she will be responsible for the accounting and financial reporting for BJC’s hospitals.

Reinbold has spent most of her career at Express Scripts, where she had a variety of progressive finance leadership roles, including five years as corporate accounting director. Most recently, she served as the vice president of finance at Castlewood Treatment Centers. 

Reinbold earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Maryville University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Reinbold reports to BJC finance vice president Lori Schreiner.

Hospice holds recruitment event for new hospice house

Many RNs and CNAs attended a special event at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital Feb. 7 to learn about opportunities with the innovative, compassionate BJC Hospice team.

Guests enjoyed door prizes, learned about the new BJC hospice house, Evelyn’s House, opening in May 2017, and met with BJC Hospice staff.

Situated on the campus of BJWCH, Evelyn’s House will have many guest- and family-friendly amenities and comforts, including 16 private guest suites for adults, teens and children; dedicated music and expressive therapy rooms; family kitchen and café; leading edge communications and safety; and much more.

For more information about Evelyn’s House, visit bjchospice.org/evelynshouse — or, to learn about available positions at Evelyn’s House, visit bjc.org/jobs.

Heather Fleming, RN, Barnes-Jewish Hospital bone marrow transplant, right, looks at a rendering of Evelyn’s House with BJC Home Care Services recruiter Christine Kaiser. | Photo by Kelly Pahl

Kids on Track keeps mid-Missouri’s youth active over the summer

For the sixth year, Kids on Track, a community youth program sponsored by BHC, Boone Medical Group and the Boone Hospital Foundation, is bringing the joy of physical activity to mid-Missouri children.

The Kids on Track program encourages youth, age 12 and younger, to be physically active by accumulating 26.2 miles of physical activity. They can complete the marathon at their own pace over the course of the summer by walking, running, biking or even roller skating.

This year, nine area towns are participating in the event: Ashland, Boonville, Brookfield, Centralia, Columbia, Hallsville, Macon, Mexico and Moberly. The program has come a long way from 2012, when it began in Columbia, growing and gaining popularity with children and families alike.

Each town has its own kick-off event in May where participants receive a printed “track” to record their progress over the summer. Each town also has its own finale event in August where participants receive a free T-shirt and medal for their success in being active over the summer. 

To further encourage children along the way, local businesses become “Mile Sponsors.” These businesses sponsor a different mile along the 26.2 mile “track” and reward the kids for their progress.

“Even though the program is targeted at youth, Kids on Track really gets the entire family moving and making better choices as a family,” says Erin Wegner, who has coordinated the program since 2012.

BHC, Boone Medical Group and the Boone Hospital Foundation are once again sponsoring Kids on Track, bringing the joy of physical activity to mid-Missouri children. | Courtesy photo

Kids on Track keeps mid-Missouri’s youth active over the summer

For the sixth year, Kids on Track, a community youth program sponsored by BHC, Boone Medical Group and the Boone Hospital Foundation, is bringing the joy of physical activity to mid-Missouri children.

The Kids on Track program encourages youth, age 12 and younger, to be physically active by accumulating 26.2 miles of physical activity. They can complete the marathon at their own pace over the course of the summer by walking, running, biking or even roller skating.

This year, nine area towns are participating in the event: Ashland, Boonville, Brookfield, Centralia, Columbia, Hallsville, Macon, Mexico and Moberly. The program has come a long way from 2012, when it began in Columbia, growing and gaining popularity with children and families alike.

Each town has its own kick-off event in May where participants receive a printed “track” to record their progress over the summer. Each town also has its own finale event in August where participants receive a free T-shirt and medal for their success in being active over the summer. 

To further encourage children along the way, local businesses become “Mile Sponsors.” These businesses sponsor a different mile along the 26.2 mile “track” and reward the kids for their progress.

“Even though the program is targeted at youth, Kids on Track really gets the entire family moving and making better choices as a family,” says Erin Wegner, who has coordinated the program since 2012.

BHC, Boone Medical Group and the Boone Hospital Foundation are once again sponsoring Kids on Track, bringing the joy of physical activity to mid-Missouri children. | Courtesy photo

Rick Stevens hosts brown bag meetings in departments

In a continuing commitment to providing effective communication, CH president Rick Stevens is visiting
CH departments throughout June with informal brown bag meetings that include either breakfast, lunch or a snack, depending on the scheduled time. 

Department employees are encouraged to ask questions or have discussions with Stevens.

To schedule a brown bag meeting in your department, contact Sheryl McClary, sheryl.mcclary@bjc.org.

Ellen Kehe, RN, far right, asks Rick Stevens a question during the 10th floor patient care team brown bag meeting, June 1. | Photo by Bret Berigan

CH employees retiring

• Shu Jane Yu, MS, RD, LD, CDE, CNM, retired May 31 after 40 years of service.
• Beth Fauser, lab supervisor, retired June 2 after 39 years of service. 
• Faye Williams, RN, retired June 8 after nearly 37 years of service to CH.
• Patricia “Pat” Goymerac, RNFA, CNOR, cardiothoracic surgical services, retired May 31 after 24 years of service to CH.
• Sgt. Elvin Ledet, CH security, retired May 31 after 24 years of service.

From left, Shu Jane Yu, Beth Fauser, Faye Williams, Patricia Goymerac and Sgt. Elvin Ledet

Christian Hospital 2020

The Christian Hospital 2020 campaign, introduced this spring, continues to evolve as a way to share the constant improvements underway at CH — as well as CH’s commitment to patients, colleagues and the community. 

Check out the Christian Hospital 2020 video and stories of care, revitalization and innovation at ChristianHospital2020.org.

Foundation seeks nominations for Legacy Leaders Dinner

The CH Foundation will host the eighth annual Legacy Leaders Dinner Oct. 26 to celebrate the community. The event will be held off campus for the first time at Norwood Hills Country Club.

The CH Foundation’s Legacy Leaders Committee is seeking nominations from physicians, nurses, administrative and other staff to recognize a CH physician or community members for the following awards:

• The Paul F. Detrick Legacy Leadership Award honors an individual whose impact and commitment has left a legacy in the North County community.
• The Community Vision Award recognizes an organization or community member who has created economic opportunities to further the North County area’s presence in the region.
• The Physician of the Year Award is bestowed upon a physician who has dedicated much of his/her career to serving the patients at Christian Hospital with compassion and expertise.

To nominate a community member, organization and/or physician, provide a narrative of 300 words or less about the nominee and how he/she meets the desired criteria to Mindy Copp, Mindy.Copp@bjc.org, by June 26. 

Four-legged therapists visit CMR to bring smiles and lift spirits

Birdie, with owner Toni Corona, left, and Treasure, with owner Rev. Beverly Jo (B.J.) Arnold, right, are regular visitors to CH’s comprehensive medical rehab (CMR) unit, where they bring smiles and lift patients’ spirits twice a month. All are CH volunteers and registered and trained through Support Dogs Inc. CMR integrates inpatient nursing with rehabilitation therapies in one area to provide patient care in a convenient and comfortable setting with maximum efficiency. | Photo by Bret Berigan

A new home for BJC Home Care in Sullivan

BJC Home Care Services in Sullivan, Mo., moved to a new office closer to Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital and celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 21. The new office is at 113 Progress Parkway. | Courtesy photo

BJC Home Care Services holds annual awards banquet

Dr. Bernard Shore and Kim Voelker

The annual BJC Home Care Services awards banquet was held the evening of Nov. 3 at Royale Orleans. More than 100 employees attended, enjoying the Mardi Gras-themed celebration, complete with masks, feathers and beads.

In total, 26 five-year employees, 20 10-year, seven 15-year, six 20-year, 11 25-year, three 30-year, four 35-year employees and three 40-year employees were recognized. Also honored were  the Team of the Year, orthopedic team; Employee of the Year, Kim Voelker, PT; and Leader of the Year, Bernie Shore, MD. The evening ended with a traditional champagne toast.

The orthopedic team took the BJC Home Care Services Team of the Year award. | Photos by Diane Straub

Clements honored for enthusiasm, dedication

Ryan Clemets

Food and nutrition supervisor Ryan Clements was honored as May Employee of the Month for her enthusiasm and dedication.

“She has been instrumental in the cafeteria’s success. She gets along well with everyone,” says Stacey Fraley, food service director. Fraley notes sales and customer satisfaction have both increased under Clements’ supervision.

Clements has been employed at MH for one year. Her job responsibilities include supervising the cafeteria and contributing to a positive and productive atmosphere in the food and nutrition department.

“Ryan does whatever it takes to make sure patients and customers are taken care of. She goes above and beyond to help her co-workers with anything they need,” says supervisor Andrea Herrmann.

The most rewarding part of her job, says Clements, is “helping to nourish the sick and feed heroes in our community.”

Memorial Hospital Belleville’s Center for Diabetes Education recognized

MHB’s Center for Diabetes Education has again been recognized by the American Diabetes Association as meeting the national standards for diabetes self-management education. The Center has been recognized since 2006.

Recognized programs ensure that patients receive quality education by following the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support.

MBH’s outpatient program, referred to as Diabetes Self-Management Training, is staffed by certified diabetes educators Marilyn Cron, RN, MSN, CDE, and Angela Weeks, RD, LDN, CDE.

Germaine is STEMI T-shirt contest winner

MH patient care tech Kasey Germaine’s design won the recent STEMI T-shirt design contest. The contest, organized by Jill Houba, RN, CEN chest pain coordinator, involved the MH cardiac cath lab (CCL), emergency medical services (EMS) and emergency department (ED). The contest was meant to show how the CCL, EMS and ED work as a team when caring for STEMI patients. 

STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction) is a type of heart attack that can be deadly without prompt care. Germaine, who is working toward a degree in graphic and web design, was recognized at a chest pain committee meeting. 

Memorial Hospital STEMI procedure calls for EMS teams to notify the ED that they’re on the way to the hospital with a STEMI patient. The CCL is notified and an interventionist is on standby. Every month, two STEMI team members will be randomly selected to win a T-shirt featuring Germaine’s design.

Learn more about early heart attack care, signs and symptoms at http://www.memorialheartvascular.com/early-heart-attack-care.

With the winning STEMI T-shirt design are Kasey Germaine, left, and Jill Houba. | Courtesy photo

Robyn Plager

Plager ‘is a team player’

Robyn Plager, unit secretary, earned the April Employee of the Month award. “Robyn will never know how much she means to us,” says her nominator. “She is always willing to go above and beyond. Robyn is a dedicated worker and has a strong degree of selflessness. She is a team player and is always willing to do things for the nurses and managers on the floor. We couldn’t do this
without her!”

Mary Ainley

Ainley makes things run smoothly at MBMC

Mary Ainley, advanced modality technologist, earned the MBMC May Employee of the Month award. Her nominator appreciated Ainley’s help during a challenging night of call. “It is great to have such a helpful resource make things run more smoothly,” her nominator says. “Mary always takes time out of her own schedule to help or answer a question. I appreciate her going the extra mile.”

Other co-workers also rave about her teamwork. “I work in nuclear medicine and take call in the evenings,” one colleague says. “Mary always checks on us when we get called in to make sure we have help. She offers to get ER patients for us or send images and information to VRC. There have been times in the past when I’ve had to call a code in the middle of the night and Mary immediately came to help and got the crash cart. It definitely makes the midnight call less stressful, knowing that Mary is there to help us.”

Another co-worker adds, “Mary is a bit of sunshine in the nighttime hours. She truly understands the meaning of teamwork.”

2017 Kids-on-Track kicks off

The kickoff for the 2017 Kids on Track program took place May 22 at the MBSH walking track. More than 100 children with their parents and families marked the beginning of the challenge. This year, the new, online registration process has drawn more than 165 participants. 

Children age 18 and younger are encouraged to participate in a regimen of physical activity equal to a full 26.2-mile marathon throughout the summer. They can do it at their own pace, in their own style by running, walking, biking or skating. On reaching certain mile-markers, participants are eligible for special gifts and prizes from local businesses. 

Area businesses providing the mile-marker gifts and prizes include Bourbon Medical Office, Clark’s Pharmacy, Condition One CrossFit, Five Loaves Natural Food Store, Frick’s Market, Heartland Farms, Kyle Hulsey-Farmers Insurance, MBSH Therapy and Wellness Center, McDonald’s, Meramec State Park, Subway, Sullivan Clinic, and Sullivan Farmer’s Market.

This year, there will be a Halfway Point Walk celebration, June 30, at Heartland Farms in Bourbon. By that time, participants will have reached the 13-mile mark of their journey. 

The finale event is Aug. 12 at Sullivan High School, when all participants will complete the last mile of the marathon. 

Although the program has begun, children can still register to participate by calling the Sullivan Clinic, 573-468-1999, or visiting MissouriBaptistSullivan.org/Kids. Each child receives a participant packet to get started. For more information, call 573-860-6000.

Participants in the Kids on Track program take the first lap of their exciting summer marathon at the KOT kick-off event. | Courtesy photo

Alyssa Trautman

Alyssa Trautman is Star Service Team Member for May

Alyssa Trautman has been selected as the Star Service Team Member for May. Trautman, a registered dietitian, has worked in the dietary department at PHC for three years. 

The nomination from her peers reads in part, “Our May Star Service employee is always pleasant to talk to, positive and goes above and beyond to find an answer to something she doesn’t know. She is kind to patients and always has a smile. She provides excellent dietetic services at all times, and is always willing to help in the kitchen if needed. If she gives her word, she follows through. She is also an active member of our health literacy team.”

Trautman sees patients in the hospital and teaches a class in the Huckstep Heart and Lung Center. She says she enjoys providing education and helping solving patients’ problems.

Carrot toppers: BJSPH and PWH honor fruit and veggie challenge winners

BJSPH and PWH held a fruit- and veggie-eating contest April 3-30. Team members tracked the servings of fruits and vegetables they ate each day over the contest’s four weeks. The team with the highest total received café vouchers, and one participant from each hospital was randomly chosen to win a vegetable spiralizer.

The winning team was “Me n Mimi Eaten Veggies.” BJSPH surgical charge nurse Mimi Ross’ team ate a total of 658 fruits and veggies during April. The randomly drawn winners were Stacey Brouk, BJSPH, and Jami Headrick, PWH.

Surgical charge nurse Mimi Ross displays her cafe voucher prize. Ross’ team ate 658 fruits and veggies during April. | Photos by Linda Smith

Jami Headrick displays her Veggetti Pro Table Top Spiralizer.

Stacey Brouk holds her Veggetti Pro Table Top Spiralizer.

BJSPH-PWH Auxiliary offers scholarships

Scholarships for 2017-2018 from the BJSPH/PWH Auxiliary are available to any St. Charles County resident who has completed 20 hours of credit in a human health-related field at an approved United States college or university. Students who have been awarded this scholarship in the past are ineligible. Eligible students may apply for a scholarship by submitting an application by July 7.

For more information, call Carol Conner, 636-922-9052.

Farewell celebration for Deb Venable is June 23

Deb Venable

Deb Venable, BJSPH/PWH volunteer supervisor, is retiring June 23. Venable has been instrumental in the growth and support of the volunteer program since 2014 and has served since 1980. 

A farewell celebration is planned for June 23 in the BJSPH Healthwise Conference Room. Stop by between 1 and 3 p.m. for cake and punch and to wish her well.

Diane Fix, former BJSPH/PWH community outreach senior coordinator, has returned to serve as volunteer supervisor.

Red noses in Children’s OR

The SLCH operating room team celebrated Red Nose Day in May to help children and have fun. Proceeds benefit children and young people in the U.S. and some of the poorest communities in the world. | Courtesy photo

PNDP graduates honored

New Professional Nurse Development Program graduates include, from left, front row, Kathleen Lyon, Tera Gombas, Angela Brown, Nicole Arnold, Michelle Brown and Nicole Fischer; middle row, Caroline Peterson, Jeanne Vogt, Stefani Session, Sierra Wood and Brittany Aaron; and back row, Carol Campbell, Rebecca Anderson, Natalie Kirchhofer and Jennifer Harshany. | Courtesy photo

Scholarship winners announced

The 2016 Susan Goddard Nursing Scholarship winners, with Peggy Gordon, vice president, far left, are, from left, Peyton Dunne and Monica Young of SIUE; and Alexzandra Hillyer, Saint Louis University. Goddard, now retired, was a nursing leader at SLCH for 37 years. A hospital endowment was established to support the annual scholarship. | Courtesy photo

SLCH Safety Stop celebrates 10 years of helping families

SLCH Safety Stop crew members celebrated their 10th anniversary. The team includes, from left, Libby Anvender, Desiree` Williams, Diane DuBois, Jane Adler, Rita Taylor, Brittany Kaiser, Jill Wiethuchter, Kelly Eyermann, Gina Francis and Abbey Iffrig. Whitney Kohlmeyer, Jeanette Mattingly and Bridget Tomic are not pictured. Safety Stop has provided 28,000 safety consultations, free of charge, made possible thanks to gifts to the SLCH Foundation. | Courtesy photo

New medical leaders named for info systems

Dr. Margaret Lozovatsky

Margaret Lozovatsky, MD, FAAP, was named SLCH chief medical information officer and BJC chief medical information officer for child health.

She was previously medical director of information systems and a pediatric hospitalist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Dr. Lozovatsky will work to ensure the Epic electronic health record and other clinical systems will best serve the needs of pediatric patients across SLCH and BJC.

In addition to her chief medical information officer role, Dr. Lozovatsky will serve as physician lead for the Pediatrics Computing Facility, and will have a role in the WU Institute for Informatics. She’ll also continue clinical work as a pediatric hospitalist in the WUSM department of pediatrics.

Dr. Lozovatsky will start in her new position July 1.

Dr. Lozovatsky earned her medical degree from the University of Wisconsin, a bioinformatics degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin and a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Marquette University.

She completed her pediatric residency at Rush University Medical Center, was a quality fellow at NorthShore University HealthSystem in Chicago, and served as an advisor on the Epic MD Advisory Council at NorthShore. 

She is a fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics, a member of the Epic Physician Advisory Board and informatics liaison to the American Medical Association Professional Satisfaction and Sustainability Advisory Committee.

Dr. Kevin O'Bryan

Kevin O’Bryan, MD, was named SLCH assistant chief medical information officer.

Dr. O’Bryan earned his medical degree from the University of Michigan in 2010 and his MSCI degree from Oregon Health Sciences University in 2017.

He completed his pediatrics residency at Washington University, was chief resident at Washington University in 2013-2014 and
served as clinical informatics fellow at Washington University from 2014-2016.

He received the Unsung Hero Award from the WUSM department of pediatrics in 2016.

Alyssa Kimutis

Heart Center employee earns Daisy Award

Alyssa Kimutis, Heart Center, earned a Daisy Award.

The patient’s parent shared what happened: “I believe the greatest acts of generosity and kindness are those done without the expectation of acknowledgment. At some point during the day I noticed my son’s door was closed. Crouching down and looking through the pane of glass, I saw Alyssa sitting by his side, gently holding his hand and talking to him. She knew we as parents were attempting to provide comfort, and stepped in when we couldn’t. No prodding by us, no recognition for her actions, Alyssa simply did what was right.”

Alexis McCoy

McCoy earns Life Saver award

Alexis McCoy, food and nutrition, earned a Life Saver award for patient safety.

McCoy noticed that a patient was about to eat a food item that contained an ingredient listed as one of the patient’s food allergies. She made sure a safe selection was served instead.

“I’m the type of person who always reads ingredients on food labels, plus I have a 2-year-old at home I’m always watching out for, when it comes to what’s eaten,” McCoy says.

Linda Hayes

Linda Hayes, RN, general medicine, receives distinction

Linda Hayes, RN, 7 East, received the monthly President’s Award from Joan Magruder, SLCH president, May 26. Hayes earned the award for her daily efforts in helping her colleagues, as well as her actions that resulted in a lasting memory for a parent. Hayes also recently received the Excellence in Patient- and Family-Centered Care Award.

Post-Dispatch honors SLCH flight nurse

Transport team flight nurse Jeff Ottenlips was one of 10 nurses honored by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in its special Celebrate Nurses section. More than 300 nominations were received. With Ottenlips is Stefanie Leonard, RN, assistant nurse manager. | Courtesy photo

Monster truck makes kids smile

John Carlton, facility services, saw a friend’s child go through a lot while a patient at SLCH. The experience inspired Carlton to help sick kids. 

On his own time, Carlton created a custom SLCH monster truck. He visited units in April, steering the remote-controlled vehicle to bring donated toys and stuffed animals to grateful patients and families. 

“What a neat thing for him to do, to make those kiddos happy,” says Kelsey Workman, RN, Heart Center.

John Carlton, facility services, enjoys helping sick kids, like Ethan, age 6. Carlton created a custom SLCH monster truck and used it to deliver donated toys and stuffed animals to grateful patients and families. | Courtesy photo

Diebling moves to new HealthSouth role

Tara Diebling

TRISL CEO Tara Diebling has been named CEO of HealthSouth’s Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital, beginning Sept. 17. Cardinal Hill is a 232-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Lexington, Ken.

“During Tara’s leadership tenure with TRISL, she has proven her dedication to patients and staff members, while upholding our company’s beliefs in delivering quality health care in the most appropriate, safe, patient-centered environment,” says Troy DeDecker, HealthSouth regional president. “In addition, she has served as a resource and defined the true meaning of being a partner with leaders and staff at BJC HealthCare and Washington University.”

Diebling will continue to oversee the rehabilitation hospital, as well as the upcoming opening of 35 rehabilitation beds at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital, which will increase TRISL’s market presence to 131 beds. In the meantime, a national search is underway to name a new CEO.

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