Brenda Adams of Randolph, a nursing assistant/ward secretary at the NMMC Behavioral Health Center. Adams joined the NMMC staff in 2002.

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November 8, 2013 Volume 21 Number 23 NMMC EOM...2 Retina...3 Halloween.

recognized by NMMC s Stars Online program for outstanding performance throughout the year.

customers and co-workers. The All Stars were honored at a banquet Nov. 6. Hospice...5 Safety Hero...5 Live Well.

..8 Brenda Adams of Randolph, a nursing assistant/ward secretary at the NMMC Behavioral Health Center.

, a licensed physical therapist assistant with NMMC- Hamilton Rehabilitation Services.

Brasfield has worked at NMMC since 2004. Jeannie H. Miller of Hamilton, Ala.

1 November 8, 2013 Volume 21 Number 23 NMMC EOM...2 Retina...3 Halloween...4 A PUBLICATION FOR NORTH MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER EMPLOYEES CHECKUP NMMC All Star Team Announced These employees were recognized by NMMC s Stars Online program for outstanding performance throughout the year. NMMC launched Stars Online in 1999 to recognize employees who exhibit extraordinary care and concern for their patients, customers and co-workers. The All Stars were honored at a banquet Nov. 6. Hospice...5 Safety Hero...5 Live Well...6 Pontotoc EOQ...6 Employee Recognition...6 Chest Pain Center...7 inside Service Pins...7 Dr. Hill...8 Brenda Adams of Randolph, a nursing assistant/ward secretary at the NMMC Behavioral Health Center. Adams joined the NMMC staff in Elizabeth Johnson of Hodges, Ala., a licensed physical therapist assistant with NMMC- Hamilton Rehabilitation Services. Johnson joined the NMMC-Hamilton staff in Mitch Brasfield of Rienzi, a system specialist with Facility Operations at. Brasfield has worked at NMMC since Jeannie H. Miller of Hamilton, Ala., a certified family nurse practitioner at NMMC-Hamilton Emergency Department and Nursing Home. Miller joined the NMMC staff in Dana Hutchinson of Tupelo, an admission/ discharge specialist at Med Serve. Hutchinson first joined NMMC in 2003 as a posting secretary in Surgical Services. Eddie Moye of West Point, security manager at NMMC- West Point. Moye has been employed by NMMC since Continued on page 2

NMMC All Star Team Continued from page 1 For more information about NMMC s Stars Online program, call (662) 377-3900 or 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-843-3375). Debra J.

Brenda Rolison of Ripley, a registered nurse and case manager with NMMC Home Health. Rolison joined the NMMC staff in 2006.

Pathology Secretary Receives EOM Honor Sue Hawkins, Pathology Department secretary, was named North Mississippi Medical Center s Employee of the Month for September.

Pathology is like one big happy family. We always pull together and help one another. Whether it is personal or work-related, we know we can count on each other.

2 NMMC All Star Team Continued from page 1 For more information about NMMC s Stars Online program, call (662) or THE DESK ( ). Debra J. Reese of Prairie, a phlebotomist/clerk in the NMMC-West Point Pathology Department. Reese first joined the staff in 1975 as a ward clerk in nursing. Brenda Rolison of Ripley, a registered nurse and case manager with NMMC Home Health. Rolison joined the NMMC staff in Janice Walker of Tupelo, a certified nursing assistant with the Inpatient Hospice Unit. Walker joined the NMMC staff 20 years ago. Pathology Secretary Receives EOM Honor Sue Hawkins, Pathology Department secretary, was named North Mississippi Medical Center s Employee of the Month for September. Hawkins is a graduate of Tupelo High School and has worked at NMMC for 19 years. What I love most about my job is working with all these great people, Hawkins said. Pathology is like one big happy family. We always pull together and help one another. Whether it is personal or work-related, we know we can count on each other. Sue has the highest job integrity and work ethic, a coworker wrote in her nomination. She is able to deal with any issue in an exceedingly sincere and professional manner while administering extraordinary customer service. She has done a fabulous job in building relationships with our staff, clients and NMHS departments. I can say, without hesitation, that Sue is one of the finest employees in our department, another coworker wrote. She possesses a can-do attitude and she is always willing to learn new things. That s Judy Harrison (l), Pathology administrative director, congratulates Sue Hawkins on earning the September honor. not my job is not in her vocabulary as she takes ownership of any and all issues, whether they be customer service related or process issues. She and her husband Mike have two sons Wesley, 21, and Scotty, 18. The family resides in Tupelo and attends St. James Catholic Church. November 8, 2013 Page 2

IMA-Tupelo Offers New Retina Screening IMA-Tupelo recently became one of the first primary care physicians offices in Mississippi to screen for diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness in

3 IMA-Tupelo Offers New Retina Screening IMA-Tupelo recently became one of the first primary care physicians offices in Mississippi to screen for diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness in American adults. Vision loss can usually be prevented with early diagnosis and treatment but, unfortunately, more than 50 percent of diabetic patients go unscreened. Eye exam was the one component of diabetes care that we were struggling with, explained Lee Greer, M.D., a gerontologist with IMA-Tupelo and North Mississippi Medical Center s chief quality officer. A lot of other things were within our control, like blood work and nutrition counseling, but making sure patients get an eye exam was out of our control. Dr. Greer says many diabetic patients were forgoing eye exams because of insurance coverage, transportation issues or inability to take off work for another appointment. This was our biggest opportunity to improve diabetes care within our practice, Dr. Greer said, and we had to look for an innovative way to address it. We are specifically targeting patients who have not been able to get to their local eye specialist for one reason or another. IMA-Tupelo recently purchased the Intelligent Retinal Imaging System (IRIS), a specialized camera and software system that takes a digital image of the retina. The image is presented to an ophthalmologist for interpretation and, if needed, referral for further evaluation. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. A healthy retina is necessary for good vision. Diabetic retinopathy causes blood vessel changes at the back of the eye, and these changes are likely to cause damage related to bleeding or retinal detachment, making diabetic retinopathy the leading cause of blindness in working aged patients, Dr. Greer said. If we can identify these changes early, we can possibly avert catastrophic injury and possibly even regain some of the lost vision. Patients need not have their eyes dilated for the screening, which is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurers. For more information, call IMA-Tupelo at (662) or THE DESK ( ). Radiologic technologist Gloria Harper conducts a diabetic retinopathy exam using new IRIS equipment at IMA-Tupelo. Page 3 November 8, 2013

Halloween Happenings Tammy Bishop (from left), Deanna Wright, Susan Bouchillon, Stephanie

to (from left) Lisa Ellis, Morgan Smith, Cassie Garth and Christy Holloway. Dr.

Deanna Nabors shared their affection at West Tupelo Medical Clinic for 101 Dalmatians, Toy

Hanna Hollis (front, from left), Nicole Cherry, Angel Long, Amanda Reynolds, (back, from

4 Halloween Happenings Tammy Bishop (from left), Deanna Wright, Susan Bouchillon, Stephanie Magee and Shay Hall portrayed the Wizard of Oz characters at Outpatient Rehabilitation Services. Pirates of Caribbean made an appearance at West Tupelo Medical Clinic on Halloween thanks to (from left) Lisa Ellis, Morgan Smith, Cassie Garth and Christy Holloway. Dr. Bonnie Basler, Dr. Julie Palmer and Dr. Deanna Nabors shared their affection at West Tupelo Medical Clinic for 101 Dalmatians, Toy Story and Where's Waldo. Hanna Hollis (front, from left), Nicole Cherry, Angel Long, Amanda Reynolds, (back, from left) Michelle Pettit and Tequita Miller sported Disney costumes at West Tupelo Medical Clinic on Halloween. Marketta Bowen, Ashley Scates, Jackie Taylor, Windy Stewart, Tedrick Vaughn and Bethany Ray were assorted Disney characters for Halloween at West Tupelo Medical Clinic. Dr. Kevin Johnson, Mary Chance-Peeler, CFNP (Sleeping Beauty), Dr. Deanna Nabors (Where s Waldo) and Dr. Will Jennings celebrated Halloween at West Tupelo Medical Clinic. Continued on page 5 November 8, 2013 Page 4

Hospice Seeking Gift Donations For Patients, Families North Mississippi Medical Center Hospice program is currently accepting donations of items and funds to prepare care baskets for hospice patients

5 More Halloween Happenings Continued from page 4 South Madison Medical Clinic Staff dressed up as characters from the Wizard of Oz. The Wellness Center staff in Tupelo treated members to a Halloween parade around the indoor track. Hospice Seeking Gift Donations For Patients, Families North Mississippi Medical Center Hospice program is currently accepting donations of items and funds to prepare care baskets for hospice patients both at home and in NMMC s inpatient hospice unit, as well as bereaved families throughout 18 counties in north Mississippi. Hospice patients are those with a life-limiting illness whose life expectancy is measured in weeks or months, not years. Each December, the Hospice staff and volunteers compile and deliver more than 100 care baskets. Suggested items include: Snack food items such as raisins, nuts, cookies, snack crackers and microwave popcorn Bottled water, hot chocolate and tea mix Regular and sugar-free candy, including chocolate Personal care items (larger than trial size) such as shampoo, lotion, toothbrushes and toothpaste Boxes or individual packs of tissue Bookmarks Notepads Handmade items (especially from children) New Christmas ornaments or decorations Pill dispenser boxes Music CDs Monetary donations to purchase special needs for patients, as well as containers and packaging for the baskets. Items and donations may be delivered now through Monday, Dec. 9, to the NMMC Hospice office located in President Plaza at 422A President St., Tupelo. For more information, call Chris Maynard at (662) or THE DESK ( ), or cpmaynard@nmhs.net. Names Patient Safety Hero For October October s Patient Safety Hero is Sandra Marlin. She is a certified registered nurse anesthetist. As part of the time-out process, Marlin noted that the documentation in the electronic health record did not match the consent form or the history and physical for the surgical procedure to be performed. She stopped the line until the issue could be clarified. This reiterates the value of a properly performed time-out. The Patient Safety Council developed the Patient Safety Hero award to recognize one employee monthly for outstanding contribution to patient safety within and one quarterly from each community hospital and the clinic system. All employees identified through the Good Catch system and confirmed by the patient safety council as making significant contributions to patient safety are eligible for the award. Winners receive 1,600 CSF Reward points and name recognition at monthly and quarterly safety council meetings. Page 5 November 8, 2013

Time For Annual Live Well Health Plan HRA Survey Dates: November 1-30 Accessible from any PC with internet access home, work, public PCs The LiveWell Health Plan HRA Survey opens Nov.

6 Time For Annual Live Well Health Plan HRA Survey Dates: November 1-30 Accessible from any PC with internet access home, work, public PCs The LiveWell Health Plan HRA Survey opens Nov for health plan participants (employee and spouse) who completed their Biometrics timely and were a member of the plan as of Sept. 1. The survey can be accessed on Emplink by employees by clicking on the big red apple. Employees and spouses can also access at and also clicking on the big red apple. Employees Live Well Health Plan participants with completion of Biometrics & HRA receive a $25 per pay period discount effective in January. Participation is voluntary and confidential. Biometrics include height, weight, blood pressure and fasting lab screening (glucose, total cholesterol - LDL, HDL, triglyceride). You must have completed the biometric process and be an active, enrolled member of the LiveWell Health Plan as of Sept. 1 to be eligible. Spouses Spouses covered by the Live Well Health Plan are also eligible to participate. Each participating spouse is eligible for a $25 per pay period discount effective in January on the spouse and/or family employee premium. Participation is voluntary and confidential. On-Leave Employees & Spouses Employees on an approved leave must contact NMMC- Tupelo Employee Health within 14 days of returning from leave to be eligible to complete the HRA. The Biometric components will be entered for you in the HRA in November so that you can complete the Personal Wellness Profile. For information regarding your Biometric data, contact NMMC Employee Health at (662) For more information regarding the HRA survey, call Charlotte Pratt, benefits and compensation manager, at (662) Bowen Named NMMC-Pontotoc Employee Of The Quarter Derek Bowen, landscape technician with Facility Operations, has been named Employee of the Quarter at North Mississippi Medical Center-Pontotoc. Bowen has worked at NMMC-Pontotoc since Derek is a multi-talented individual, a coworker wrote in his nomination. He is a quiet performer. He has taught the other landscape tech pruning techniques, when and how to apply fertilizers and other landscape duties. Because of his many talents and work ethic, many projects that might otherwise be contracted out are done in-house. He always wants to learn new things and works with our system technicians to become more proficient in electrical, plumbing, and heating and air conditioning work, his nomination noted. Bowen and his wife Vanessa reside in Okolona and attend Friendship Baptist Church of Aberdeen. His parents are Leslie and Debbie Bowen. He is a member of the North-South Skirmish Association. Bowen enjoys woodworking, arts and crafts, wood burning and playing video games in his spare time. The thing that I enjoy most about my job is the people I work with, Bowen said. There is always a smiling face around to make you feel better about your day. Employee Recognition November is Home Care Month November 3-9 is National Radiologic Technology Week November 16 is National Philanthropy Day November 8, 2013 Page 6

7 New Chest Pain Center Saves Lives North Mississippi Medical Center recently opened a 24-hour Chest Pain Center in the hospital s Heart Institute. The unit is equipped with the latest diagnostic technology to help cardiologists determine if the patient has already suffered a heart attack, is in danger of a heart attack, or if the chest pain is not heart-related. The Chest Pain Center works like this: a patient who comes to the Emergency Department at NMMC or another facility is examined by the Emergency Department physician. The patient has blood tests and an EKG, a test that records the heart s electrical activity through 10 small electrode patches attached to the skin of the chest, arms and legs. If the patient s EKG is abnormal, indicating poor blood flow to the heart, the patient is admitted to the hospital. If the EKG and lab tests are normal, the patient is no longer having chest pain or has a low risk for heart problems, the patient is moved to the Chest Pain Center for observation. In about half of all cases, early symptoms precede a heart attack, explains Barry Bertolet, M.D., a cardiologist on staff at NMMC s Heart Institute. We want people to go to the ER and, if needed, they will be transferred to the Chest Pain Center for a rapid but thorough evaluation to see if the issue is heart-related or something else. If the issue is heart-related, we may be able to The following named employees recently received service pins in recognition of service milestones. Five Years NMMC-Eupora Ruth Cobb, Juanita Woods Kelly Bergmann, Tara Serio, Kelly Swords NMMC-West Point Valerie Acker, Alicia Ryals Ten Years Clinics Betty Self, Stephanie Steele, Robert Stewart NMMC-Eupora Laura Narmour NMMC-Hamilton Patty Shotts Service Pins Awarded prevent a heart attack. If, however, heart disease is ruled out, then the patient s doctor can get on to the business of finding out the reason behind the pain. Typically patients spend less than six hours in the Chest Pain Center, which allows adequate time for observation without the expense of a hospital admission. Many patients are relieved to find out their chest pain is not heart-related, while others are fortunate to find out early on that theirs is. We recently had a patient sent to our Chest Pain Center from another hospital s Emergency Department with an initial complaint of chest pain, Dr. Bertolet says. Her initial EKG was normal, as were her lab results. And by the time she arrived here, her chest pain had subsided. The cardiologist felt the patient was at high risk for heart disease and did a cardiac catheterization, where he discovered one blood vessel completely blocked and another with 95 percent blockage. This patient had a critical, life-threatening heart issue, Dr. Bertolet says. If she had been sent home after initial tests, she would have died. Our goal is to prevent heart attacks by further evaluating issues that might otherwise be overlooked or put off until another day. For more information about the new Chest Pain Center or other services provided by the NMMC Heart Institute, call THE DESK ( ) or visit Tanya Adair, John Armstrong, Peggy Begley, Tammy Burks, Kathy Davis, Tracie Grammer, Patricia Jarrett, Dorothy Jones, Gregory Kovalick, Jacqueline McMillian, Mildren Parks, Samantha Penson, Jenni Rogers NMMC-West Point Willie Sanders Fifteen Years Clinics Amy Buckley, Rhonda Clark, Jill Merritt, Sharon Mitchell NMMC-Eupora Robert Clark, Amy Hood, James Rico NMHS Debbie Craig, Voncile Pruitt Continued on page 8 Page 7 November 8, 2013

Jacqueline Bell, Lisa Davis, Brenda Duncan, Charles Emens, Sonya Pippins, Barbara Thompson Twenty Years Clinics Tangi Donaldson, Pamela Wesson NMMC-Hamilton Clara Allison, Charlotte Newell NMMC-Iuka

8 Jacqueline Bell, Lisa Davis, Brenda Duncan, Charles Emens, Sonya Pippins, Barbara Thompson Twenty Years Clinics Tangi Donaldson, Pamela Wesson NMMC-Hamilton Clara Allison, Charlotte Newell NMMC-Iuka Melissa Odom Melvin Justice, Harry Rodgers, Tommy Timmons, Bettye Witherspoon NMMC-West Point Carolyn Johnson, Doris Scott Service Pins Awarded Twenty-Five Years NMHS Rhonda Keltner, Bernice Smith, Jessica Stamps Cathy Beard, Joyce Cantrell, Jeffrey Minor NMMC-West Point Sherry Acker Thirty Years NMMC-Iuka Mary Ann Eley Sandra Cochran, Gary Harper, Steve Landrum Thirty-Five Years Betty Brown, Amy Easley, Melissa Enlow Dr. Hill Earns Recognition From AAFP J. Edward Hill, M.D., a family physician and faculty member at NMMC s Family Medicine Residency Center, was awarded the 2013 John G. Walsh Award by the American Academy of Family Physicians at its annual meeting in San Diego. Established in 1973, the John G. Walsh Award is one of the highest honors bestowed by the AAFP. Hill began his career in the rural Mississippi Delta where he practiced for 27 years in a full-service practice. He developed a maternal health program that lowered the fetal mortality rate from one of the highest in the United States to below the national average. He served as director of the Family Practice Residency Program at NMMC from 1995 to 2001 and again from 2008 through June Hill served in a variety of leadership positions in several medical organizations, including chairman of the board of trustees and president of the Mississippi State Medical Association, president of the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians and president of the Southern Medical Association. He also served as chair of the council of the World Medical Association from 2006 through A member of the AAFP since 1970, Hill served on the Task Force on Clinical Policies for Patient Care, the Special Task Force on Student Interest in Family Medicine and as the Mississippi AFP delegate to the AAFP Congress of Delegates. He also served on the Commission on Membership and Membership Services for several years. Hill was elected three times to the American Medical Association Board of Trustees and became chair in He was elected president-elect in 2004 and assumed the presidency in June Previously, he also served as an AMA delegate to the Mississippi State Medical Association and as vice chair of the AMA s Council on Legislation. A board-certified family physician, Hill received his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Mississippi, Jackson. He completed his family medicine residency while serving as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy and as a general medical officer in a naval destroyer group. Designed to recognize long-term commitment, rather than any single significant contribution, the Walsh Award is given on the basis of dedicated, effective leadership toward furthering the development of family medicine. The Walsh Award is not an annual award, but is given at the discretion of the AAFP Board of Directors. November 8, 2013 Page 8

CHECKUP. inside. National Cancer Survivors Day Celebration Held. June 19, West Point Service...2. Pontotoc EOQ...3 NMMC EOM...

CHECKUP. inside. National Cancer Survivors Day Celebration Held. June 19, West Point Service...2. Pontotoc EOQ...3 NMMC EOM... June 19, 2015 Volume 25 Number 12 West Point Service...2 Pontotoc EOQ...3 A PUBLICATION FOR NORTH MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER EMPLOYEES CHECKUP National Cancer Survivors Day Celebration Held NMMC EOM...4