CHECKUP. inside. Sesame Street Characters Visit NMMC Rehab Center. October 12, Wellness Center Benefit...2. Bariatric...3. Fitness Challenge...

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1 October 12, 2012 Volume 20 Number 20 Wellness Center Benefit...2 Bariatric...3 CHECKUP A PUBLICATION FOR NORTH MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER EMPLOYEES Sesame Street Characters Visit NMMC Rehab Center Fitness Challenge...4 Dr. Clark Retires...5 Sanders EOQ...6 CPM Fever...6 ER Visit...6 Breast Cancer Awareness...7 Employee Recognition...7 inside Sesame Street Live friends Elmo and Cookie Monster dropped by North Mississippi Medical Center s Outpatient Rehabilitation Center to visit with pediatric patients and staff before their performances of Elmo Makes Music at the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo. For more information about NMMC s pediatric rehabilitation program, call (662) or THE DESK ( ) or visit

NMMC Wellness Center Benefit Does a Body Good Full-time NMMC employees are eligible for a significant membership discount and partial reimbursement of Wellness Center dues.

Melissia McCoy, RN, BSN School Nurse, Okolona School District Melissia McCoy usually does evening aerobics classes among her favorites are Boot Camp, Step Mania and Zumba.

My favorite part right now is that they continually add different options to help with being healthier, like Mighty Muscles for kids so they have their own time to work out, she said.

Jerry Blalock NMMC-Tupelo Paramedic/Assistant Supervisor Jerry Blalock has been a member since the Wellness Center opened in Tupelo. He varies his workouts between weight lifting and circuit training.

Lisa Townsend Transcriptionist, NMMC-Pontotoc Since joining Pontotoc Wellness Center four months ago, Lisa Townsend enjoys 45-60 minutes of cardio and 15-20 minutes on weights three to four days each

I also like the fact that it is a stress reliever! Twana Miller Office Manager, Child Care Center Twana Miller joined the NMMC-Tupelo Wellness Center 10 years ago.

2 NMMC Wellness Center Benefit Does a Body Good Full-time NMMC employees are eligible for a significant membership discount and partial reimbursement of Wellness Center dues. For more information about this benefit, call your local Wellness Center. Here s what some employees have to say about their Wellness Center membership. Melissia McCoy, RN, BSN School Nurse, Okolona School District Melissia McCoy usually does evening aerobics classes among her favorites are Boot Camp, Step Mania and Zumba. She also plays basketball, uses the track or lifts weights. My favorite part right now is that they continually add different options to help with being healthier, like Mighty Muscles for kids so they have their own time to work out, she said. I definitely work out for health reasons and yes, it makes a difference! Jerry Blalock NMMC-Tupelo Paramedic/Assistant Supervisor Jerry Blalock has been a member since the Wellness Center opened in Tupelo. He varies his workouts between weight lifting and circuit training. Blalock enjoys having a variety of things to do and says he has seen overall better health since joining all those years ago. Lisa Townsend Transcriptionist, NMMC-Pontotoc Since joining Pontotoc Wellness Center four months ago, Lisa Townsend enjoys minutes of cardio and minutes on weights three to four days each week. During that time she has lowered her cholesterol and strengthened her muscles. Not only am I getting fit, but I have more energy and feel better about myself, Townsend said. I also like the fact that it is a stress reliever! Twana Miller Office Manager, Child Care Center Twana Miller joined the NMMC-Tupelo Wellness Center 10 years ago. Three days a week she does circuit training and runs. In addition to Wellness Center classes twice a week, she also runs at least three to four times a week on the cross country course at Saltillo High School. The Wellness Center is close enough to my job that I am able to go on my lunch break and work out. Plus they offer a lot of classes I take part in, like Zumba, R.I.P. and Weight Watchers, she said. I also enjoy the Day Spa services. I think the Wellness Center is a wonderful benefit for employees. Since joining the Wellness Center, Miller has lost 30 pounds. When I started going to the Wellness Center I could not run one lap around the track without being out of breath she said. I am now running 5K races and enjoying being able to run with my children. It is amazing how much better I feel. Amy Clements Ultrasound Technologist, NMMC-Iuka Amy Clements joined the NMMC-Iuka Wellness Center in January 2005 and really appreciates the convenience. I do my best to go at least three times a week and usually work out at least an hour she said. Within five months of joining the Wellness Center, Clements lost 60 pounds and has maintained that weight loss for seven years. Cheryl Stephens Secretary, Health Care Foundation of North Mississippi Cheryl Stephens has been a Wellness Center member in Tupelo for 13 years. She enjoys walking, Boot Camp and Muscle Cut classes, and lifting weights. I appreciate the friendliness of the staff and their willingness to help, Stephens said. Continued on next page October 12, 2012 Page 2

Denise Heard Business Services Director, NMMC- Pontotoc Denise Heard rejoined Pontotoc Wellness Center in 2011.

She enjoys being a team member in competitions like Lighten Up, and she particularly enjoys foot massage!

Bariatric Center Celebrates 5 th Anniversary Several North Mississippi Medical Center employees were among those celebrating the fifth anniversary of NMMC s Bariatric Center in September.

For more information about the NMMC Bariatric Center, call (662) 377-SLIM (7546) or 1-866-908-9465.

3 Denise Heard Business Services Director, NMMC- Pontotoc Denise Heard rejoined Pontotoc Wellness Center in Monday through Saturday her fitness regimen includes walking on the track and treadmill, riding the stationary bicycle, stairclimbing, exercising on the Precor and then lifting weights. She enjoys being a team member in competitions like Lighten Up, and she particularly enjoys foot massage! Not only has Heard lost 25 pounds (and counting), but she has also lowered her blood pressure since she started exercising regularly. Bariatric Center Celebrates 5 th Anniversary Several North Mississippi Medical Center employees were among those celebrating the fifth anniversary of NMMC s Bariatric Center in September. Since the center opened in 2007, hundreds of area residents have lost a combined total of 32,000 pounds and gained a second chance at life. For more information about the NMMC Bariatric Center, call (662) 377-SLIM (7546) or Tiffany Byars, RN, of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, has lost 70 pounds and dropped from a size 20 jeans to a size 12 since having laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery in July Linda Bramlett of Accounting, Debrah Pender of Business Services and Dorie Crouch of Accounting all had laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Bramlett, Pender and Crouch have lost a combined total of 260 pounds so far. Susan McComic (center), RN, a Community Health nurse with West Point Schools, enjoyed visiting with Bariatric Center staff members Cherri Cox, RN, and registered dietitian Laura Mills. McComic has lost 127 pounds since having weight loss surgery in June Page 3 October 12, 2012

Wellness Center Holds Fitness Challenge North Mississippi Medical Center employees finished strong in the NMMC

Twenty-two men and 14 women competed for best finish times in events including tire flip, rowing, tire pull,

For information about upcoming fitness events, contact your local Wellness Center or call 1-800-THE DESK

Hank Boerner urges Outpatient Rehab s speech therapist Dana Hobby on in the tire pull event.

4 Wellness Center Holds Fitness Challenge North Mississippi Medical Center employees finished strong in the NMMC Wellness Center Fitness Challenge on Sept. 29. Twenty-two men and 14 women competed for best finish times in events including tire flip, rowing, tire pull, tire run, chin ups, jump rope, sit ups, dumb-bell haul and trail run. For information about upcoming fitness events, contact your local Wellness Center or call THE DESK ( ). Clinical pharmacist Lori Eschete of Surgery competes at the push up station. Hank Boerner urges Outpatient Rehab s speech therapist Dana Hobby on in the tire pull event. Anita Monroe, an MIS analyst, won the women s division of the Fitness Challenge with a time of 17:25. George Stone, a fitness instructor at the Wellness Center, won second place in the men s division with a finish time of 18:22. October 12, 2012 Page 4

Dr. Clark Retires After 35-Year Career Dr. Doug Clark has spent the majority of his 35-year career at North Mississippi Medical Center in dark rooms interpreting X-rays and complex radiology studies.

5 Dr. Clark Retires After 35-Year Career Dr. Doug Clark has spent the majority of his 35-year career at North Mississippi Medical Center in dark rooms interpreting X-rays and complex radiology studies. But after retiring Sept. 28, he hopes to spend more time at a local fishing hole or with family. A West Point native, Dr. Clark attended the University of Mississippi in Oxford before graduating from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson in He completed an internship at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, followed by residency training at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. He then served two years in the U.S. Army at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. A friend from his residency program, Dr. Jim Trapp, was practicing in Tupelo and offered Dr. Clark the opportunity to join him, Dr. John Blakey and Dr. Dan Brasfield. When he joined NMMC s medical staff in July 1977, he was one of 11 new physicians added that year, bringing the total physicians to 75. Several of his cohorts from UMMC including Drs. John Sanders, Ben Buchanan and Roger Lowery were also on staff here. There was no CT scan, and a primitive ultrasound machine, Dr. Clark said. At that time radiation therapy was done with cobalt in the Radiology Department. Back then X-rays were all done on film, which sometimes caused delays, required ample storage space and were prone to being misplaced. Shortly after he came, NMMC acquired its first CT scanner. The turnaround time for a CT scan in the Emergency Room has dramatically improved, he said. Scanners have gotten faster and faster, thanks to computer innovation. It used to take about two minutes to get one image. Now we can do the whole chest and abdomen in one breathhold, and we get the image very quickly. Dr. Clark witnessed numerous changes during his tenure and says computers are mostly responsible not only because of processing power and storage capability, but also because they made the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) possible. Dr. Clark first saw PACS technology demonstrated at a national meeting in Chicago when the military launched it using satellites. I had a vision to tie our Dr. Doug Clark (center) celebrated his retirement with Radiology Department staff members, including (from left) Gordon Hollingsworth, Linda Michael, Kathy Watson, Carolyn Whitfield, Rhea Warren and Dianne Worthey. hospitals all together and be able to view images from anywhere at any time, he said. Dr. Clark also played a key role in developing NMMC s Breast Care Center, which opened at Women s Hospital before relocating to its current home. A mammogram used to be a long process with a huge anxiety interval, he said. Now time between screening mammogram, follow-up mammogram, breast biopsy and appointment with the surgeon is only a matter of days. Digital mammograms are another innovation, as is the computer-assisted diagnosis program that helps radiologists look for calcifications on mammograms. Dr. Clark served on NMMC s board of directors from , including a stint as vice chairman from His tenure includes service on multiple board committees and terms as chairman of the external development committee, planning and marketing committee, and property and construction oversight committee. He also served as chairman of the medical staff in Now that he s retired, he hopes to fish and work on his cabin at Pickwick Lake. He plans to volunteer for a local food pantry and share his expertise with residents at NMMC s Family Medicine Residency Center. He may also be drafted as handyman for wife Grace s new business venture, Borrowed Thyme, which offers catering and carry-out meals and specialty items. The Clarks hope to travel and spend more time with family, which includes twins Chris and Sally, daughter Kelly and their families. They also have seven grandsons and one granddaughter, plus another granddaughter on the way. Page 5 October 12, 2012

Sanders Named NMMC-West Point EOQ Laquante Sanders, RN, has been selected as North Mississippi Medical Center- West Point s most recent Employee of the Quarter.

Additionally, she is a Certified Health Education Specialist. Sanders joined the hospital staff in 2004 and works in Same-Day Surgery.

She takes time to listen and address all concerns of the patient and family members, her nomination reads. She follows up with patients to make sure their needs are met.

6 Sanders Named NMMC-West Point EOQ Laquante Sanders, RN, has been selected as North Mississippi Medical Center- West Point s most recent Employee of the Quarter. A graduate of West Point High School, she completed her bachelor s degree in nursing in 2004 and earned a master s degree in health education in Additionally, she is a Certified Health Education Specialist. Sanders joined the hospital staff in 2004 and works in Same-Day Surgery. Co-workers say she is conscientious, demonstrates excellent customer service, shows compassion and models a high level of integrity. She takes time to listen and address all concerns of the patient and family members, her nomination reads. She follows up with patients to make sure their needs are met. She is dedicated to her job and demonstrates impeccable work ethics. The best part of my job is spending time with my patients and getting to know each of them on a personal level, Sanders said. I also have a special bond with my co-workers that allows us to work together as a family. She is married to Marlon Pruitt and has a son, Cameron Farmer, and a daughter, Braxtynn Pruitt. She is a member of Mt. Herman M.B. Church in West Point and Delta Sigma Theta sorority. Catch the CPM Fever! The clinical nurse educators and support staff have been providing an educational workshop on the Clinical Practice Module (CPM). This software is embedded into Sunrise Clinical Manager (SCM) with evidence-based content to help guide patient care and documentation. Trainers include (front row, from left) Alicia Gardner, RN; Barbara Pulse, RN; Natalie Dickerson, RN; Mindy Forsman, RN; Cera Bates, RN; Edee Dull, data analyst; Shana Cummings, RN; (second row, from left) Megan Bray, RN; Pam Robbins, RN; Ashley Henson, RN; Amanda Sullivan, RN; Karen George, RN, director of Nursing Practice; Candyce Little, RN; and Amanda Braddock, administrative assistant. Noel Geno (seated, center) returned to NMMC s Emergency Department on Sept. 27 to thank individuals like Paul Bailey, RN; paramedic Dusty Curry, Emily Fowler, RN, and paramedic John Goldman, who helped save her life after a motorcycle accident July 1. The 18-year-old from Tupelo showed them a scrapbook compiled by her grandmother that chronicles the accident and her subsequent treatment. Geno suffered multiple fractures throughout her body, including every bone in her face, after being thrown off the motorcycle onto boulders in a nearby ditch. After being stabilized in NMMC s Emergency Department, she was flown by medical helicopter to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Between July 1-28, Geno underwent 16 surgeries for injuries sustained in the accident. The staff was amazed at her progress and thankful for the opportunity to see her doing so well only a few months after the accident. October 12, 2012 Page 6

Nurse Mentorship Academy Students Sought North Mississippi Medical Center is seeking area high school seniors for its Nurse Mentorship Academy, Jan. 29-March 29.

7 Nurse Mentorship Academy Students Sought North Mississippi Medical Center is seeking area high school seniors for its Nurse Mentorship Academy, Jan. 29-March 29. Phase I of NMMC s Nurse Mentorship Academy will meet from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays for eight weeks. Tuesdays will be nursing education and mentoring. Thursdays will feature guest speakers, life skills and job shadowing. Participants will be provided a uniform (scrubs and lab jacket) and T-shirt. Interested students should apply before Nov. 2 and must be 18 before June 30, Applications are available in high school guidance offices and the NMMC Employment Services Department, or by visiting Twenty students will be selected to participate in the program. Applicants must submit an application, 250-word essay, two letters of recommendation, high school transcript and ACT score (if applicable). Participants who successfully complete Phase I of NMMC s Nurse Mentorship Academy advance to Phase II, which is Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training during the summer. Upon completion of the course, students are eligible to take the Certified Nursing Assistant examination. The program ends with a pinning ceremony and celebration at NMMC. Students who become certified are then employable in the field of nursing and are at a great advantage to succeed in an LPN or RN program of their choice. The NMMC Nurse Mentorship Academy is made possible by a grant from the Bower Foundation. For more information, call (662) or (662) Three-year breast cancer survivor Donise Smith (center) of North Mississippi Medical Clinics Central Billing Office put together breast health materials for coworkers, including (from left) Katina O Neal, Beth Riley, Shelia Logan, Danielle Hill and Tracy Tallant. Smith wants to make sure everyone knows the risks and warning signs for breast cancer. Employee Recognition October is National Credit Union Week October is National Pharmacy Week October is Healthcare Quality Week October is Healthcare Facilities & Engineering Week October is Pastoral Care Week October is Respiratory Care Week Page 7 October 12, 2012

Caldwell Medical Center Departments

Caldwell Medical Center Departments Surgery Medical / Surgery Same Day Surgery Lab Education Administration Special Care Unit Women s Center Admission Emergency Services Radiology Cardiac Rehab Admission