March 13, 2015 Volume 25 Number 5 MIS Leaders...2 Run for Your Buns...2 NMMC EOM...3 Focus Card Winners...3 Ideas for Quarter...4 Press Ganey Comments...4 Service Awards...5 Summer Health Academy...6 Neurosurgery Donation...6 inside A PUBLICATION FOR NORTH MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER EMPLOYEES CHECKUP Camp Bluebird Planned For Adult Cancer Patients Camp Bluebird, a special camp for adults who have been diagnosed with cancer, will be held April 24-26 at Fellowship Christian Camp at Crows Neck in Tishomingo. Camp Bluebird, which is cosponsored by North Mississippi Medical Center and the AT&T Pioneers, provides campers with a few days of rest, recreation and the opportunity to share experiences, said Camp Bluebird director Cheri Nipp, an occupational therapist with North Mississippi Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Campers are encouraged to participate in a variety of activities ranging from arts and crafts to educational programs. Each camper in the medically supervised camp will be assigned a counselor, who is an NMMC staff member or Telecom Pioneer. Counselors complete a special training session prior to their participation. Camp Bluebird has quite a loyal following. Many of our campers and counselors come back year after year because the experience helped them at a time in their lives when they needed it, and they also enjoy spending time with the many special friends that they have made, Nipp said. The cost of the camp is $55 per person. Scholarships are available to those who qualify for financial assistance. All campers will sleep on bunkbeds in cabins and must bring their own toiletry items, linens, comfortable clothing and walking shoes. The registration fee includes meals, a Camp Bluebird T-shirt and any materials needed for special programs or activities. Anyone interested in registering for Camp Bluebird may visit www.nmhs.net/camp_bluebird.php or call (662) 377-4049 or 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-843-3375).
NMMC Announces MIS Leaders North Mississippi Medical Center s Management Information Services department has recently been restructured with new leadership roles. Slayton Austria, who was named as vice president and chief information officer in September 2014, has restructured and added to the MIS management team to improve customer service. Wiggins Donny Wiggins has been named director of Business Systems Operations and will oversee operations for financial management systems, supply chain, business intelligence and development. Wiggins has more than 20 years of health care information technology experience. He received his bachelor s degree from Arkansas State University in 1990 and a master s degree from the University of Phoenix in 2007. He spent his early career working as a programmer, analyst and manager. For 10 years he worked at St. Jude Children s Research Hospital, the last five as the Deputy Chief Information Officer. He previously served as vice president of software development at SedgwickCMS, and most recently worked as senior director of financial applications for a health care management company. He and his wife, Vicky, have a daughter, Peyton, and a son, Jackson. Rachael Hill has been named director of Clinical Systems Operations and will oversee operations for ambulatory, ancillary, hospital systems and clinical applications support. Hill has held various positions, including cardiology nurse and continuing education Hill Garvin coordinator, during her 24-year tenure at NMMC. The past 17 years have been in clinical information systems. Hill earned an associate s degree in nursing from Itawamba Community College in 1992 and a bachelor s degree in nursing from Mississippi University for Women in 1994. She and her husband, Ken, have a 16- year-old daughter, Karli, and an 8-year-old son, West. Greg Garvin has been named director of Technical Operations and will oversee operations for customer service, cable infrastructure, network, telephony and system administration. He has 26 years experience in computer science with four years in programming, seven years in computer systems administration and 15 years in system administration management. Garvin began his career as an Intelligence Analyst in the United States Navy stationed at Fort Meade, Md., working in the National Security Agency. After an honorable discharge, he began working for the City of Memphis as a computer programmer. He joined the NMMC staff 23 years ago, serving various roles in Management Information Services. He holds a bachelor s degree from the University of the State of New York. He and his wife, Kelli, have two daughters, Kelly and Madison. March 13, 2015 Page 2
Hanskiewicz Named NMMC EOM Paula Hanskiewicz, radiologic technologist and ultrasound tech with the Radiology Department, was selected North Mississippi Medical Center s Employee of the Month for January. Hanskiewicz has worked at NMMC for 26 years. She has worked at NMMC s Center for Digestive Health for the past 13 years. She is a graduate of South Pontotoc High School and earned an associate s degree in radiologic technology from Itawamba Community College in Fulton. Hanskiewicz also earned ARDMS certification in ultrasound. In her nomination, Hanskiewicz was cited by coworkers as being a compassionate and hardworking employee. She is the epitome of the perfect employee, one coworker wrote in her nomination. She is dedicated, dependable but most of all caring to patients and her fellow employees. Her dedication to her job shines through each day by the smiles and calm demeanor of her patients. Paula s job as an ultrasound technician is the kind of job that demands energy and endurance, and she has plenty of both, another coworker wrote. Paula is always professional and respectful no matter what is thrown her way. She empathizes with her patients, making them feel more comfortable and less nervous. Paula genuinely cares about her patients, and it shows every day. Hanskiewicz, a cancer survivor, said she loves helping patients every day. Congratulations to the employees listed who turned in their second quarter patient satisfaction Focus Card, complete with personal key driver information, to win an NMMC meal ticket! Ten staff winners were identified in a random drawing for Food Court meal tickets at Main Unit with an additional two at the Women s Hospital. Winners should watch for their meal ticket to arrive via courier within one week. If you do not receive your meal ticket, please contact Laquita Harris at ext. 3724. Paula Hanskiewicz is congratulated on her Employee of the Month recognition by David Elliott. What I love most is being blessed to have the opportunity to do God s will to serve each patient with respect, love and compassion, she said. The gratitude is overwhelming. Being a part of their lives and to make a difference means the world to me. Hanskiewicz said that the best part of her job is the people she works with in Radiology and at the Center for Digestive Health. Everyone strives to give the best quality care that is infectious, she said. I m very blessed and grateful to be a part of that. Being a cancer survivor, and also having a child who is a cancer survivor, has really given me a sight of the patient s side. Hanskiewicz and her husband Albert s family includes two sons 19-year-old Spencer and 23-year-old Andrew, and daughter-in-law Erika. The family resides in Mooreville and attends St. James Catholic Church. Congratulations to Focus Card Winners The winners are: Michelle Nelson, Women s Hospital Short Stay Amanda Teem, Ultrasound Tech, Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic Hollie Moffatt, Education Department Susie Chunn, Radiation Oncology Bryn Brazile, Ambassador Services David Friloux, Post Acute Rehab Mike Baughman, Laundry Operations Cindy Hardy, Facility Operations Doug Liles, Facility Operations Lyle Robinson, Facility Operations Rita Holman, Laundry Operations Loralei McGee, Education Department Page 3 March 13, 2015
Ideas for Quarter Selected Congratulations to the following employees whose ideas were recently selected as Idea of the Quarter for their respective facility and LEAN/Innovative Idea of the Quarter. NMHS Ideas for Excellence of the Quarter 16,000 CSF Reward Points Roy Price, Respiratory Services, Use Carina ventilators in the Emergency Department and Recovery Room for patients needing mechanical ventilation or BIPAPS. This idea improves financial results and saves time for employees. Ideas for Excellence 4,000 CSF Reward Points Stephanie Prestage, Respiratory Services, NMMC- Eupora Have containers to hold respiratory supplies in Press Ganey Comments Does the care you provide drive positive or negative patient comments? How do patients and their family members view your actions? Here are some recent comments from patient satisfaction surveys: Positive Comments Awesome experience during a very difficult time. Dr. Menefee and Dr. Agarwal are kind, caring, compassionate doctors. We are blessed to have them. Dr. Gabe Rulewicz is equally so. I cannot praise enough the nurses and staff on all the floors, especially the hospice wing. Dr. Greer and Dr. Harris were also wonderful. Marlana, my Labor and Delivery nurse, was fantastic. She took exceptional care of me during the entire process! Karen, the lactation consultant, is invaluable to your facility. She encouraged me and helped me to have the knowledge and confidence to nurse my newborn. Wendel, the CNA, ensured my needs were met. She was great! Just wanted to comment about these two RNs: Hillary and Shauna. They were very responsive to my needs and made me as comfortable as possible. patient rooms when not in use. This idea improves quality, financial and the safety of our patients. Jessica Kitchens, Pathology Department, NMMC- Tupelo Adding a note to the results of Beta Strep cultures as to whether they are preliminary or final. This idea improves safety and quality for the patients. April Morgan, Food and Nutrition, NMMC-West Point Eliminate outdated educational resources in the library. This idea improves quality. Lean/Innovative Idea of the Quarter 2,000 CSF Reward Points Becky Dorough, Nurse Practitioner, Garfield Clinic Coordinate Home Health orders to have labs on a specific day. This idea improves financial results by decreased cost and waste of medication. They went above and beyond their duties as RNs. (6th floor) Negative Comments My stay was good. Doctors did their job, but I didn t receive follow-up details for an appointment. I should have received that in writing with my dismissal. Also, a follow-up of foods to eat, things I could do and not do. I was threatening a heart attack. Patients listen to doctors when they get these warnings. I was never given a follow-up appointment. I had to call two weeks later. I was worried about it. I did have an experience with a doctor but I don t remember his name. I asked him to call my niece; she wanted to talk to him. He said he didn t have time, he was behind. Mixed Comments I was admitted to room #5529. The room was great, great view. A wonderful staff on all shifts. I have nothing but praise for these people. (Corners and under furniture and windows could be cleaner; found object left from previous people). March 13, 2015 Page 4
Service Awards The following named employees recently received service pins in recognition of service milestones. Five Years Behavioral Health Center Roger McGee Baldwyn Nursing Facility Melissa Ford, Mikki Gilliland Angala Bryan, Lisa Thompson HeathWorks! Abigail Wallace NMMC-Eupora Dionne Lenoir NMMC-Pontotoc Tammy Cooper, Shonda Houser, James Huffstatler Shamela Bell, Stephanie Bogan, Andy Brazeal, Yana Elzie, Kelli Hollingsworth, Tarsher Macon, Kerri McDaniels, Tammy McMullan, Whitney Miller, Edmond Quillen, Stephanie Scruggs, James Stanzell, Trina Sykes, Justin Winfrey Women s Hospital April Vaughn Ten Years Denna Abbott, Tara Kilgore NMMC-Eupora Sharon O Briant NMMC-Pontotoc Annie Walker Rose Boone, Derrick Buchanan, Carla Enis, Torrie Moffett, Lori Myers, Ron Richardson Women s Hospital Joan Helton, Christi Jenkins, Cassie Lann Fifteen Years Acclaim Brenda Hendrix Center for Digestive Health Amanda Childs Triana Stephens NMMC-Iuka Emily Wadkins Tracie Floyd, Dianne Huddleston, Laurie Jones, Alesia Kendrick, Martha Langley, Cynthia McDaniel, Debbie Rye, Patricia Strong, Tammy Sullivan, Mary Tolbert, Amy Wilson NMMC-West Point Susie Bash, Eddie Moye Twenty Years Beverly Bagley, Kay Edwards, Deborah Lofton NMMC-Iuka Gregory Meeks Patty Burks, Waydean Cooper, Terri Hughes, Sharon Lee-Polk, Eddie Mink, Michael Phillips, Penny Posey, Sharin Ragin Twenty-Five Years Mary Belew, Marchell Graham, Sharon Patterson Women s Hospital Janet Whiteside Thirty Years Collette Dixon Thirty-Five Years Mike Dozier Forty Years NMMC- West Point Debra Reese Page 5 March 13, 2015
Summer Health Academy Scheduled North Mississippi Medical Center will host its annual Summer Health Academy from 8 a.m.- noon June 1-5. 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 10. 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 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 technologists, 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. Neurosurgery Donation On Friday, Dec. 19, employees from North Mississippi Neurosurgical Services delivered presents to two residents at North Mississippi Regional Center. This is an annual tradition that honors the neurosurgeons. Presents are purchased with funds donated by the clinic employees. (Back row, from left): Dr. Louis Rosa, Sharin Ragin, Dr. Eric Dahl, Cynthia Ivy, Ashley Deweese, Ronda Stewart, Brad Carter, Ty Walton, (front row, from left) Tracy Wilburn, Devin Fancher, Kinsley Frazier, Ashley Frazier and Jamie McAdams. March 13, 2015 Page 6