March 14, 2014 Volume 22 Number 6 Foster Retires...2 Neal EOQ...3 A PUBLICATION FOR NORTH MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER EMPLOYEES CHECKUP Women s Hospital Celebrates Worth the Wait Campaign Ideas of Quarter...3 Hospice Art...4 Blood Drive...4 West Point EOY...5 Project Hope...5 Teen Volunteers...6 Summer Health Academy...6 Safety Survey...6 inside Staff and physicians from the NMMC Women s Hospital have been partnering with the March of Dimes to lower the number of babies born too soon. In December 2012, March of Dimes selected Women s Hospital to receive its Quality Improvement Service Package which helps hospitals reduce medically unnecessary (elective) inductions and cesarean deliveries scheduled before 39 weeks of pregnancy. Women s Hospital was one of only two hospitals statewide and 100 nationwide selected. Our percentage of unnecessary early deliveries has been reduced to zero at Women s Hospital, which means that more babies stayed in the womb longer. This is so important for a baby s growth and development, said Ellen Friloux, NMMC administrator for Women and Children s Services. Overall, this project saw a decrease in the proportion of babies born at 37 and 38 weeks and a corresponding increase in the 39-41 week range during the one-year period studied. The OB/GYN physicians at NMMC are committed to helping babies arrive as safely as possible. It has been shown that babies that make it to 39 weeks or longer have fewer risks than those born prior to that time, said local OB/GYN Ronald Young, M.D., While there will still be babies born prior to 39 weeks for fetal or maternal complications, we hope we can eliminate unnecessary elective deliveries prior to that time.
Dr. Foster Retires After 31 Year Career In July 1983 Dr. Jack Foster followed his heart to Tupelo, becoming only the second cardiologist in town. On March 4, he retired to pursue his heart s desire. A 1967 graduate of Hattiesburg High School, he earned a bachelor s degree in chemical engineering from Mississippi State University. He received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, completing an internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship there as well. At that time NMMC had only one cardiologist and one cardiothoracic surgeon. It seemed like a good opportunity, Dr. Foster said. Back then Tupelo was very similar to Hattiesburg, and it seemed like a good fit. They practiced with the internal medicine group which also included gastroenterologists and pulmonologists, and later became IMA-Tupelo, before striking out with two additional partners several years later as Cardiology Associates of North Mississippi. Their original clinic was in NMMC s East Tower before relocating to Gloster Creek Village in April 2001. I feel that I have been able to practice in the golden age of cardiology, Dr. Foster said. There has been tremendous development in technology, and it s amazing to see the advances. Back when I started we didn t specialize in interventional cardiology or electrophysiology everyone was in general cardiology, and we didn t have stents or internal defibrillators to shock the heart. We re doing things now that we would have never dreamed were possible. Dr. Foster believes the challenge now is to change the culture of after-the-fact medicine. We treat people after they already have developed a blockage, he said. Instead, we need to make lifestyle changes Staff members, including these registered nurses who worked with him at Cardiology Associates of North Mississippi, honored Dr. Foster on his last day of work, March 4. to prevent chronic conditions. We, as a culture, aren t as responsible for our own health as we should be. Dr. Foster is grateful for the people he has worked with and those he has treated over the years. It s pretty amazing to be in one place for 31 years, he said. I have enjoyed getting to know my patients and their families, and sometimes I ve treated two or three generations. The relationships are very special. In retirement he s looking forward to spending more time with family, which includes Dana, his wife of 44 years. They have four children son Owen in Tupelo; son Duncan in Gulfport; daughter Leigh and husband Kyle in Charlotte, N.C.; and daughter Kendall and husband Will in Guntersville, Ala. He also plans to spoil his six grandchildren three in Charlotte and three in Guntersville. His days will be filled with more fishing and gardening, along with activities at First United Methodist Church and volunteering at Helping Hands Food Pantry. March 14, 2014 Page 2
Neal Named NMMC s January EOM Bridget Neal, staff technologist at the Family Medicine Residency Center, was named Employee of the Month for January at North Mississippi Medical Center. Neal joined NMMC in 2008. She is a graduate of Lauderdale County High School in Rogersville, Ala. She studied at the University of North Alabama in Florence before transferring to Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Ala., where she earned an associate s degree in applied science. Coworkers complimented Neal s manner and demeanor with patients and coworkers alike. Bridget s attitude and work ethic is infectious, a coworker wrote in her nomination. Whether it is a team member who is having a bad day, a patient who is scared of needles or a physician who has had to tell a patient bad news, Bridget has a way about her that makes everything better. (Bridget) is definitely one of the shining lights in our clinic and is universally seen as a good will ambassador with our patients and their families, another coworker wrote. Bridget s smile is natural and is a warm, calming influence for those needing lab tests and X-rays. Neal praised her coworkers at the Family Medicine Residency Center when listing the things she enjoys best about her job. The best part of my job is getting to work with such wonderful people that I am blessed to call my friends, Ideas of the Quarter Selected Congratulations to the following employees whose ideas were recently selected as Idea of the Quarter for their respective facility. NMHS Ideas for Excellence of the Quarter 16,000 CSF Reward Points Stephanie McIlwain, Education, NMMC-Eupora Develop a Code Blue medication order set. Makes it easier on person entering the medications and is more efficient. Ideas for Excellence 4,000 CSF Reward Points Victoria Bolanes, Respiratory Services, NMMC-Tupelo Provide yellow adapters for air flow meters. Improves safety and quality for the patients by ensuring patients are hooked to correct air flow meters. Pictured are (from left) Dr. Mark Williams, NMMC Chief Medical Officer; Marshall Neal; Bridget Neal, January Employee of the Month at NMMC; and Rodger Brown, NMHS Vice President for Human Resources. Neal said. Everyone that I work with at FMRC goes above and beyond daily to provide great quality care for our patients. My coworkers set great examples and make me always strive to learn more, work harder, be kinder and find ways to take even better care of our patients. Neal and her husband Marshall have been married for 11 years and have lived in Belden for the past six years. They attend Macedonia Church of Christ in Florence, Ala. Regina Pyle, Respiratory Therapy, NMMC-Iuka Add screen option to medical record that allows therapist to see patients latest vital signs. Improves service as it allows therapists to be more efficient in patient treatment. April Reese, Emergency Department, NMMC-West Point Implement wireless keyboards with all computers. Wireless keyboards will eliminate some accidents, improving safety for employees. Sherry Lindley, North Mississippi Medical Clinics Adopt same code requirements as Centricity. Improves quality by standardizing requirements pertaining to users that are given authority to access systems. Page 3 March 14, 2014
Hospice Art Contest Winner Announced Caroline Thompson, fifth-grader at Booneville Middle School, recently won an art contest sponsored by North Mississippi Medical Center Hospice. A contest was held among local third- through fifth-grade art students to design the 2014 NMMC Hospice butterfly T-shirt. The shirts are sold as a fundraiser for the annual memorial service, as well as the NMMC Hospice Patient Assistance Fund. Thompson received a framed copy of her artwork and was recognized during her homeroom on Friday, Jan. 31. More than 200 entries were received for this contest. Her family was on hand for the presentation, including (from left) her father, Alan Thompson, and mother Lacy Thompson. Jamie Grissom, NMMC Hospice bereavement coordinator, (right) presented the award. The T-shirts Thompson helped design are being sold for $12. Visit www.nmhs.net/hospice.php for an order form. Employee Blood Drive Set for March North Mississippi Medical Center employees can donate blood at an Employee Blood Drive on March 18-19. Hours for the drive will be 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. both days. Prospective donors are asked to bring a photo identification card that contains both first and last names. Also, prospective donors can save time by filling out a quick and easy self-interview online on the day they wish to donate. Visit and click on Health History Questionnaire. Complete the survey and print out the form at the end and bring it with you when you donate. Each employee who completes a successful donation will receive 800 CSF Reward points and a meal voucher for the Food Court. Employees who sign up before March 15 and successfully donate will be eligible for a $200 Visa gift card and 100 extra CSF points. Employee donors will also be entered in a quarterly drawing for 5,000 CSF points. All donors will also receive donation points from United Blood Services which can be redeemed in UBS Hero Rewards Store and a UBS Mardi Gras T-shirt. Donating blood is safe, simple and saves lives. Every minute of every day, someone needs blood. Volunteers donate virtually all of this country s supply of blood for transfusion. People in good health who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate a pint of blood as often as every 56 days. Prospective donors can preregister online at www.bloodhero.com. Fill out the required fields, use sponsor code NMMC, select whole blood and then your donation time. You can also contact Debbie Craig in Employment Services at extension 3062 or email to preregister. Employees can also register to donate and fill out the Health History Questionnaire on the NMHS Intranet site. Click on B in the A-Z menu and Blood Drives for the site. Donors who have not preregistered can call (662) 255-7291 on the days of the drive to find out wait times. March 14, 2014 Page 4
Ivy Selected as NMMC-West Point EOY North Mississippi Medical Center-West Point recently selected Tamara Ivy, RN, of Same Day Surgery/Outpatient Services, as Employee of the Year. Ivy joined the NMMC staff in 1981 as a licensed practical nurse. She also had experience working as a medical-surgical charge nurse, relief supervisor and ICU nurse before transferring to her current position. After graduating from West Point High School, she earned her licensed practical nursing certification in 1980. She earned an associate s degree in nursing from Mississippi University for Women in Columbus and a bachelor s degree in health sciences from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. In 2012, she received a master s degree in health care administration and education from the University of Phoenix. Ivy is certified as a legal nurse, in tuberculosis skin testing and as an Advanced Cardiac Life Support instructor. She has served as a lead investigator pertaining to breast cancer. Tamara is a great patient educator who is always smiling, her nomination reads. She has a calm, patient attitude, and takes no shortcuts when explaining the different procedures. Ivy was commended for using all the patient resources wisely and participating in Surgery Committee meetings to assist in patient improvements. She also gets involved in patient health education, and health seminars in the school system and local churches, her nomination states. Ivy always assists as needed with community health activities. She has organized health seminars and fairs, provided breast health classes for the community, served as a reading buddy with West Point Schools Bright Horizons program and as a nurse mentor for Mississippi University for Women nursing students. The best part of my job is the unlimited opportunities to positively influence the lives of others, as well as the chance to gain unlimited wisdom and knowledge from others, she said. This job has taught me the importance of good health, and not to take life and individuals for granted. She is married to Charles Ivy, and has a goddaughter, Braxtynn, and many nieces and nephews. Ivy is an active member of Mount Hermon M.B. Church in West Point, where she serves as a deaconess, parish nurse and assists in the youth ministry. Ivy was selected from NMMC-West Point s four Employees of the Quarter for 2013. Other honorees were Tina Manley, RN; Paula Miller, RN; and Crystal Harville. Project Hope The NMMC Women and Children s Services Team took top honors for Most Money Raised during Festival of Hope held Feb. 28 at the Summit Center. The team, represented by (from left) Crystal Holcomb, Jerri Cutlip and Melissa Edwards, raised $4,175 to benefit area cancer, heart disease and diabetes patients through Project Hope. For more information about Project Hope, call (662) 377-3867 or visit www.projecthopems.com. Page 5 March 14, 2014
NMMC Seeks Teen Volunteers The Volunteer Services Department of North Mississippi Medical Center is seeking applications for its summer volunteer program. This program is designed for students who may be interested in pursuing a career in health care or who simply would like to make a difference in someone s life. Eligible students must have completed the ninth- 12th grades by June 1, 2014. Volunteer opportunities abound in many areas of NMMC, including nursing, cardiac rehabilitation, rehabilitation services (physical, occupational and speech-language therapy), infusion services, short stay surgery and clerical areas. Baldwyn Nursing Facility, Baldwyn Wellness Center, NMMC-Pontotoc and Pontotoc Wellness Center are also volunteer sites. Program dates are June 2-July 11. North Mississippi Medical Center will host its annual Summer Health Academy from 8 a.m.- noon June 2-6. Students who are interested in pursuing a health career and have completed the sixth, seventh or eighth grade are eligible. Participation is limited to 25 students who will be selected on the basis of academic achievement, community service and desire to enter a health profession. Students must also submit two letters of recommendation. Application deadline is Friday, April 11. NMMC s Summer Health Academy will introduce students to various careers in health care while reinforcing positive lifestyle choices. Participants will spend four hours each day with nurses and other health care professionals who are eager to share their The hospital s summer volunteer program allows students to make a difference through their service to this community, said Carla Enis, NMMC Volunteer Services director. Application deadline is March 31, and applications are available at area school guidance offices or from the NMMC Volunteer Services Department. Students are also required to submit a cumulative grade report with their application. Finalists will be interviewed and notified of selection. Students selected for the program will be assigned specific work hours and expected to keep their schedule with the exception of illness or vacation. For more information about the summer volunteer program, call Enis at (662) 377-3131 or 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-843-3375). Summer Academy Introduces Youth to Health Careers expertise and enthusiasm. Students will tour several nursing units at NMMC, as well as the Wellness Center. Because enrollment is limited, students will be able to interact one-on-one with nurses, physicians, radiologic technologist, pharmacists, physical therapists and other health care staff. The fee for Summer Health Academy is $75, which includes educational materials, a T-shirt, snacks and Friday lunch. Applications are available at area schools and by calling the NMMC Employment Services Department at (662) 377-3245 or 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-843-3375). Applications can also be downloaded from www.nmhs.net/youth_programs.php. Students who are selected to participate will be notified by April 30. Safety Culture Survey Eligible NMHS employees will receive a link to the safety culture survey, which began on March 10. The safety culture survey measures our system s commitment to safety on all levels, and highlights opportunities as we work towards becoming a high reliability organization. All responses will be anonymously submitted to an outside vendor, the Patient Safety Group, which will compile the results for NMHS. Please take the opportunity to participate in the survey and share your views about our culture of patient safety. March 14, 2014 Page 6