OMCNews The Right Care, Right Here July 2009 www.ozarksmedicalcenter.com Issue 1:8 Excellence in Governance OMC board member receives state honor JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. The Missouri Hospital Association has presented a 2009 Excellence in Governance award to Kenneth Joplin, board member of Ozarks Medical Center, in recognition of his contributions to the health care community. Joplin was one of six board members statewide honored during a June 11 presentation at MHA's annual Leadership Forum in Branson, Mo. He has been a member of the Ozarks Medical Center Board for 25 years, serving as treasurer from 1988 to 1989, as vice chair from 1989 to 1994 and as board chair from 1994 to 2006. Kenny has been a passionate advocate for quality health care for all, without regard to a person's ability to pay, said David M. Zechman, president and chief executive officer of Ozarks Medical Center. He knows that his hard work affects the care his family, friends and neighbors receive. He's genuinely dedicated to ensuring Ozark Medical Center is providing quality care to the entire community. Joplin has been active in the community. He is has been a member of the Greater West Plains Chamber of Commerce for 39 years and has served on the boards of the Economic Development Corporation and the Industrial Development Authority. He was a member of the West Plains Rotary Club for 14 years and has served on the local board for the American Cancer Society. See Joplin, page 4 OMC Board of Directors member Ken Joplin, left, recently received a 2009 Excellence in Governance Award from the Missouri Hospital Association. With Joplin is OMC President and CEO David Zechman, right. Representatives from the OMC Board of Directors and OMC administration were present at the MHA awards ceremony. From left, Chief Operating Officer Jeannie Looper, board member Kevin Gleghorn, board Chairman Greg Beykirch, board member and Excellence in Governance award winner Ken Joplin, board member Judy Ingalsbe and OMC President and CEO David Zechman.
Ozarks Medical Center 2 Relay For Life OMC teams participate in Howell County event Several teams from Ozarks Medical Center participated in the Relay For Life of Howell County event on June 5 and 6. The allnight event raises funds for the American Cancer Society. Top of page: OMC Rehabilitation Services campsite featured ribbons made by OMC Physical Therapist Theresa Speake. Above left, OMC relay participants and their families take to the track. From left, Olivia Russell; Christy Russell, RN; Judy Harden, LPN; Bill Harden; Susan Kenslow, AOCNP; and Ruby Russell, RN. Above center, OMC Chief Nursing Officer Marcia Robson, her daughter Lauren and OMC Community Representative Jennifer Smith enjoy the relay events. Above right, OMC Cardiology Director Tim Kimball was part of the Timmy and the Heartbreakers team. Right, The OMC Women s Health Services department relayed in honor of Mindy Hughston, a former OB nurse and current OMC volunteer, who is undergoing cancer treatment. Pictured from left are team members Debbie Conn, Ashley Peacock, Mindy Hughston, and Melissa Peacock.
Ozarks Medical Center 3 The OMC Women's Services Department, which provides obstetric and gynecology services, has been ranked in the 99th percentile for patient loyalty for the fifth quarter in a row by the national firm, Press Ganey. Pictured from left, Linda Ackridge, Housekeeping; Linda Surritte, Unit Secretary; Debbie Conn, Registered Nurse (RN); Joanna Patillo, Nurse Manager; Barb Wilson, Certified Surgical Technician; Shannon Wright, RN; Samantha Johnston, Surgical Technician and Secretary; Cathy Driscoll, RNC and Lactation Consultant; LaDonna Sullivan, RN. OB Department ranked in 99th percentile for 5th consecutive quarter For the fifth quarter in a row, Ozark OMC OB Nurse Manager Joanna difference in care between facilities. Medical Center's obstetrics and Patillo said a great staff, including Many of our patients say they are so gynecology department, Women's nurses and physicians, is the key to glad they came here, she said. We Services, has been ranked in the 99th patient loyalty. She said the department have a good team that is all dedicated to percentile for patient loyalty, turnover is very low with combined providing the right care, right here. They according to information collected by nursing experience of more than 200 want to be proud of where they work. the national firm Press Ganey. years. They take their work to heart and want Press Ganey partners with more every patient to have a great than 7,000 health care organizations Our OB Department truly has experience. including nearly 40 percent of U.S. been proven to be one of the OMC also provides some special hospitals to measure and improve best in the nation. services that sets it apart including their quality of care. This ranking providing a birthday cake for the family Marcia Robson means that OMC's OB Department of new arrivals, providing a free meal to achieved a near-perfect score for the Chief Nursing Officer fathers and having a full-time lactation past five quarters in a row when consultant on staff. benchmarked against other facilities in Our staff is extremely dedicated to Our patients really seem to enjoy the Press Ganey data base. quality patient care, she said. It is the friendliness of the staff and the way OMC is very proud to be a leader wonderful to know our patients are so they care for them as a person, Patillo in obstetrical care, said Chief Nursing happy with the care they receive here. said. They feel like the staff becomes a Officer Marcia Robson. To achieve We will keep striving to do our best to part of their family and many comment this ranking consistently over more maintain this level of patient loyalty. they would like to take the nurse home than a year is an amazing honor. Our Patillo said it is common for patients with them. OB Department truly has been proven who have been in other OB For more information, call 417-256- to be one of the best in the nation. Departments to comment on the 9111 ext. 6440.
Ozarks Medical Center 4 Stephanie James is OMC s new wellness coordinator Stephanie James recently joined James is certified by the American Ozarks Medical Center as its new wellness College of Sports Medicine as a certified coordinator. health fitness specialist and is currently The Illinois native is responsible for the working to receive her Wellcoaches comprehensive health promotion program Certification. for OMC s employees. This includes I am looking forward to starting new wellness initiatives; programs such as programs and projects and getting to Walk of Wellness and Move It, Lose It; know the employees at OMC, James wellness coaching; and maintaining said of her new position. wellness data. She also conducts the She said exercise classes for annual wellness screenings for employees would be beginning soon. employees. In her free time, James enjoys playing James received an associate s degree on volleyball and softball recreational from Lakeland Community College in leagues, watching University of Illinois educational interpreting or sign language football and the St. Louis cardinals, and and a bachelor s degree from Eastern running. She recently ran her first half Illinois University in physical education marathon and is looking forward to with a concentration in exercise science. running more in the near future. She continued her education at Eastern Stephanie James James office is located at Ozark Illinois, earning her masters degree in Works, an affiliate of Ozarks Medical kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise science. Center. To reach her, call 417-257-5972 or ext. 5972. Since 1985, MHA's Excellence in Governance award has been given annually to hospital board members for their dedication to exceptional health care. Award recipients are chosen by MHA's district council presidents. Other award recipients include Lola Griffey, board treasurer of Excelsior Springs Hospital; David G. Hacker, DDS, board chair of Citizens Memorial Healthcare in Bolivar, Mo.; Mary Hunkeler, board member of Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City, Mo.; W. Joseph Privott Jr., Ph.D., board member of BJC HealthCare and Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis; and Jack Robinson, board member of Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia, Mo. The Missouri Hospital Association is a notfor-profit association in Jefferson City that represents 153 Missouri hospitals. In addition to representation and advocacy on behalf of its members, the association offers continuing education programs on current health topics and seeks to educate the public, as well as legislative representatives, about health care issues. Gainesville Open House Gainesville Medical Clinic hosted an open house on May 15 in honor of Family Nurse Practitioner Madalyn Hicks, left, a full-time medical provider at the clinic. With Hicks is Clinic Supervisor Vicki Sheppard.
Ozarks Medical Center 5 OMC elects 2 new board members zarks Medical Center OMC. His office is located in the Southern Board of Directors Hills Shopping Center right next to Randal's Orecently welcomed Barber Shop. local businessman Travis Smith Smith is married and has three children and Certified Public Accountant who attend West Plains schools. Bill Wood as its two newest board Wood, a CPA, brings with him to the board members. more than 30 years of financial experience. The 15-member, volunteer He moved to West Plains in 2003 and works board is made up of physicians and for Schultz, Durham and Rapp, PC as an dedicated community members accountant and business manager. and is responsible for the direction Wood graduated from the University of of the organization. Iowa in Iowa City and before coming to West Smith, a West Plains native, said Plains spent 15 years in public accounting he is looking forward to serving as a and 12 years as Chief Financial Officer of a connection between the general manufacturing and construction company in public and the board of directors. the private sector. My grandfather was on the Wood said he was excited about the board for almost 20 years and opportunity to serve on the board of directors served as chairman during some of after having a positive experience at OMC. that time, he said. I want to My mother was hospitalized at OMC continue this family legacy of and she had a great experience here, he bettering West Plains and Howell said. She had wonderful things to say about County. the organization and the people at OMC. Smith said he is excited about He said he is looking forward to giving being a part of the Emergency back to the health care organization and to Department expansion and the community. assisting in the growth and I hope my experience over the years will development of OMC. bring helpful assistance to the board. We've come a long way in the Wood is a member of the Missouri past 50 years, Smith said. OMC Society of Certified Public Accountants and is continually adding services that the AICPA. He serves on the West Plains in the past could be only obtained in Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Springfield. OMC has done a lot to progress to and is a member of the Classic Cruisers Car Club and the providing every conceivable service for the needs of Rotary Club. the general public. He and wife Nancy have two grown children, a son who A graduate of West Plains High School, Smith went lives in Oklahoma and a daughter in Florida. They also have on to receive his undergraduate degree from the three grandchildren and a fourth on the way. University of Missouri in Columbia and his education OMC Board Chairman Greg Beykirch said he is looking certification from Missouri State University. forward to working with Smith and Wood. He manages Southern Hills Shopping Center in I am very pleased both Travis and Bill have agreed to West Plains. In addition, he is a freshmen football serve on the OMC Board of Directors, he said. They each coach and the Sprint Coach for the West Plains High bring unique qualities to the board that will be of great School Track Team. He has been part of several large assistance to the organization as it strives to bring the best in community projects, serving the West Plains Library quality health care to the community. Board during construction of new library building and Other board members include: John McCormack, MD, serving as chairman of the Pool and Pavilion Vice-Chairman; Gary Duggins, Treasurer; Ken Joplin, Committee that built the new pavilion and pool in Secretary; Charles Morgan, MD, Chief of Staff; Kevin People's Park. Gleghorn; Judy Ingalsbe; Travis Morrison; Christopher Smith adds that he is always accessible to listen to Nicholas, MD; Roger Shaw, III, DVM; Marge Slayton; Jason any concerns, questions, ideas or comments about Spurling, MD; and Alex Watson, MD.
Ozarks Medical Center 6 Employee Health and Fitness Day Several OMC employees took part in an afternoon w a l k i n h o n o r o f Employee Health and Fitness Day on May 20. The group took several laps around the Shaw M e d i c a l B u i l d i n g, enjoying fresh air and e x e r c i s e. N a t i o n a l Employee Health & Fitness Day is the third Wednesday in May each y e a r. A d m i n i s t e r e d annually by the National Association for Health and Fitness, the day promotes the benefits of physical activity. Behavioral Healthcare host conference on co-occurring OMC Behavioral Healthcare hosted a conference on co-occurring disorder treatment programs on June 3 at its West Plains facility. Representatives from treatment facilities from around the state attended the event. The term cooccurring disorders refers to an individual having a substance abuse disorder and a mental health/ psychiatric disorder, at the same time. The program was part of the Missouri Foundation for Health grant received by BHC to develop integrated treatment for these disorders. According to BHC Director Carol Eck, co-occurring Disorders are very common, affecting approximately half of the 185 patients BHC treats each day. Presenting at the conference were Dr. Kenneth Minkoff and Dr. Christine Cline, who are both experts on co-occurring disorders from California. From left are Cline, Eck, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Tom Nixon and Minkoff. For a free Directory of Physicians call 417-257-6735 OMCNews is a produced and published by the Ozarks Medical Center Public Relations Department. For more information, call 417-257-6737 or e-mail Shandi.Brinkman@ozarksmedicalcenter.com