Health system among Iowa s Top workplaces

IVER HEALTH SYSTEMS September 23, 2015 Health system among Iowa’s Top workplaces Great River Health Systems has been recognized as one of the best pl...
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IVER HEALTH SYSTEMS September 23, 2015

Health system among Iowa’s Top workplaces Great River Health Systems has been recognized as one of the best places to work in Iowa, according to a recent Des Moines Register survey. Great River Health Systems ranked 13th in the large-company category. This is the third consecutive year that Great River Health Systems has been named on the list. Last year, the health system ranked eighth. “Being recognized for three consecutive years as one of Iowa’s top 150 employers is a great achievement,” said Mark Richardson, president and CEO, Great River Health Systems. “We are proud of this recognition and the culture we have created. Even during a period of tremendous change and uncertainty in the health care industry, Great River Health Systems and its dedicated staff continue to live our EXCEL and STEEEP values every day.”

The Des Moines Register recognized companies and organizations in Iowa as top workplaces based solely on surveys about the workplace completed by their employees. The anonymous survey focused on six aspects of the workplace environment including: • Career – training opportunities and progression • Conditions – assessment of the working atmosphere and environment • Direction – assessment of the company’s values, leaders and strategy • Execution – assessment of how the company communicates and gets work done • Management – quality and managerial skills • Pay and benefits – assessment of associate compensation

EXCEL stands for: • Enthusiastically friendly • X-ceeds expectations • Caring and compassionate • Energetic teamwork • Leadership and professionalism

Those interested in careers with Great River Health Systems can visit www.GreatRiverMedical.org.

STEEEP stands for: • Safe • Timely • Effective • Efficient • Equitable • Patient-centered

New provider Wyatt Baxter, PA-C Emergency Department Medical education: Southern Illinois University

Caught in the act of providing GREAT service Deb Grogan, Great River Cancer Center “Deb replanted flowers at the cancer center entrance when the existing flowers looked terrible because of the weather.” Pat Mullahy, Plant Operations “Pat was working in our office when he noticed my broken file drawer. He fixed it on the spot without being asked.” Kayla Schmidt, Acute Care Center “Kayla took belongings that were left by a patient to Danville Care Center.” Bill Shanks, Environmental Services “The Environmental Services person at Great River Hospice House went home ill. There was a 60th anniversary party for a patient at 4 p.m. Bill came over when he finished working in the hospital at 2:30 p.m. to clean the family kitchen and great room. Kelsey Weitzel, Health Living Clinic “Kelsey quickly helped a patient with heart-related symptoms. She called Burlington Area Family Practice Center, got the patient an appointment and took her there in a wheelchair.”

Sex and menopause topic of Sept. 24 program

Sex and menopause is the topic of the eighth Red Hot Mamas program presented by Great River Health Systems. The program is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, in the Blackhawk Room on the lower level of Mercy Plaza. The speaker will be nurse practitioner Elisabeth Long, Great River Women’s Health. She will discuss the effects of menopause on sexual health, treatments, lifestyle changes and the importance of communicating with health care providers. A light supper and door prizes will be available at the free program. Reservations are requested. Please call 319-768-4070. Red Hot Mamas is a 10-week program that educates women about the physical and psychological changes that occur as they age, and helps them make informed health care decisions. Its parent company, Red Hot Mamas of North America Inc., recently received a Silver Award for its peri- and postmenopausal education program from the National Health Information Resource Center. Red Hot Mamas has been educating and engaging women, and health care providers, since 1991. For more information, please visit www. redhotmamas.org.

Safely dispose medicines Sept. 26

It’s important to properly dispose old medicines to reduce harm from accidental exposure or intentional misuse. Expired and unwanted prescription medicines in their original bottles will be collected from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, in the HyVee parking lot, 3140 Agency St., Burlington. These services also are offered: • Medical sharps, such as needles, will be accepted in sealed containers, and new red containers will be available • Glass thermometers with mercury can be exchanged for digital thermometers The collection event is sponsored by the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force, Des Moines County Public Health Visiting Nurses and the Des Moines County Regional Waste Commission. According to the Food and Drug Administration, you can follow these steps to dispose of most medicines in household trash: 1. Mix medicines (do not crush tablets or capsules) with an inedible substance such as dirt, kitty litter or used coffee grounds. 2. Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag. 3. Throw the container in your household trash. 4. Scratch out all personal information on the prescription label of your empty pill bottle or empty medicine packaging to make it unreadable, then dispose of the container. For more information, visit the Food and Drug Administration’s website HERE.

Health system sponsors local events Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Great River Area color run 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, Rodeo Park Fort Madison

Registration begins at 7:15 a.m. A “stroller boogie” for ages through 10 begins at 8:10 a.m. Participants should wear a white shirt. The entry fee before race day is $25 for adults and $10 for children. On race day, it is $30 and $12. Register at Eventbrite.com. For more information, call Big Brothers Big Sisters at 319-372-2595 or 319-526-3944 or email [email protected]. Bringing Joy Penny Drive Finale for Children’s Oncology Services Inc. 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, Southeast Community College fairgrounds, Burlington Help raise money to send kids with cancer to camp. There will be carnival games, prizes, raffle items and food. Pixar’s “Inside Out” will be shown at dusk. Walk to End Alzheimer’s Saturday, Oct. 10, Port of Burlington Click HERE for more information. Volunteers are needed to help with the walk: • Direct walkers along the path • Greet and thank people for coming • Hand out materials • Help set up the event • Help tear down • Help with activities Call the Alzheimer’s Association at 800-272-3900 or email [email protected].

Gift Shop specials in October, November, December

• Moonlight Madness – Come in for special sales between 10 p.m. to midnight Thursdays, Oct. 15, Nov. 19 and Dec. 17. • Morning Madness – Shop early beginning at 7 a.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month – Oct. 14 and 28; Nov. 11 and 25; Dec. 9 and 23. • Take 10 Sales – Take 10 percent off everything in the shop (excluding gum, candy, greeting cards and flowers) on the 10th day of every month.

Casual days

Employees purchase $2 stickers for the opportunity to wear jeans to work on designated Fridays. The next casual days and projects they benefit are: • Sept. 25 National Marfan Foundation • Oct. 2 United Way

EMPLOYEEINFORMATION Completing required education is your responsibility

Employees must complete required education before their certifications expire. Your training fees and time spent in training will be paid only if you complete education before expiration dates. Look under My Recertifications on NetLearning to find your required certifications and expiration dates.

Wellness screenings begin Oct. 1

Free WellEXCEL screenings for all employees and spouses are offered from Thursday, Oct. 1 through Wednesday, Oct. 21. Employees who are covered by medical plans 1, 2 or 3, or Health/HSA can earn significant insurance premium discounts of $500 to $1,000 per year depending on their elected coverage level: • Single – $500 discount • Family – $1,000 discount • Employee + 1 – $1,000 discount

If your certification expires, it is your responsibility to pay for training costs. The courses can be taken at Great River Health Systems or another facility. The health system’s employee prices are: • Advanced Cardiac Life Support – $150 • Basic Cardiac Life Support – $50 • Neonatal Resuscitation Program – $20 • Pediatric Advance Life Support – $150

To earn the discount, employees and enrolled spouses must meet at least three measurements of the health screening, be nicotine-free and get a flu shot by Friday, Dec. 4.

Regardless of the expiration date, employees are responsible for payment if: • You are required to take Emergency First Response and Choking but you choose to take Basic Cardiac Life Support (CPR). • You are required to take a live CPR class but you choose to complete it on the Internet through HealthStream.

Craft fair dates announced

Details were mailed to employees’ homes. Register online for a screening HERE.

The Annual Employee and Volunteer Craft Fair is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, in the Mercy Plaza lobby. Vendor spaces are limited to health system employees and volunteers who have made their products. Selling food and the resale of manufactured products are not allowed. Vendor registration ends Friday, Oct. 23, or when all spaces are taken. Registration forms are available in the Gift Shop or by emailing Michelle McGraw, Volunteer Services, or Beth Keltner, Gift Shop.

Transfer-mobility coaches contribute to success of Safe Patient Handling program The November 2013 introduction of transfer-mobility coaches led to an 18 percent reduction in patient-handling injuries in the last year. It is part of the hospital’s Safe Patient-handling Program. Transfer-mobility coaches receive specialized training to use and demonstrate safe patient-handling techniques and devices. They help staff make safe choices for the caregiver and the patient when providing patient care and transfers. Transfer-mobility coaches wear tags with the letters “TMC” attached to their name badges. They:

• Are role modes for consistently using equipment for all patient-transfer and mobility needs • Check and replace batteries to ensure equipment operates safely • Check equipment availability and ensure par levels for slings are filled • Communicate to leaders what processes are and are not working well • Continue learning, perfecting and teaching safe patient-handling skills • Participate in monitoring activities • Stop the line until a device or equipment is obtained

Transfer-mobility coaches are: Acute Care Center Ann Martin Michelle McConnell Shirley Nungaray Roy Patterson Susanne Prough Cortney Reed Jermaine Rooks Holly Seitz Nicolette Siefken Kristina Warth

Day Surgery Sara Dopler

Biomedical Engineering Kevan Allen

Digestive Health Center Laura Wehrle Jessica Zimmerman

Cancer Center Peggy Link Cardiovascular Care Unit Stephanie Barngrover Emily Hanger Maurica Taylor Corporate Education Meranda Anderson Barb Garcia Tiffany West

Diagnostic Imaging Sharon Fraise Mike Jasper Jennifer Parrott Bob Shipplett Marda Smith Holly Thielen Sheri Woolverton

Emergency Department Nicholas Collett Devin Juel Heart and Vascular Center Cinnamon Ague

Home Health Alyssa Hawk Dan Miller-Jacobs Hospice Helen Burger Mary Schwerin Intensive Care Unit Kelsee Dobler Cindee Franciskovich Amanda VanBuskirk Jenna Vorwerk Klein Center Kersty Garza Callie Reighard Tara Schroeder Medical Care Unit Taylor Messer Wendy Young Nursing Administration Nancy Burgus Ramona DeSotel

Pediatrics Unit Teresa Kurth Plant Operations Jim Franciskovich Rehabilitation Services Kayla Scheitlin Kristine Smothers Rehabilitation Unit Alora Brecount Eunia Campbell Donna Lewis Kimberly Southerland Superior Ambulance Cheyenne Griggs Surgical Services Tim Heckenberg Terry Starr Derek Wolkenhauer

Health system offers surgical technician training program

Surgery technicians are in high demand, and job growth is expected to continue rising through 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. To help meet the need, Great River Health Systems is offering a new in-house surgical technician training program for employees. Surgical technicians prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment and help physicians during surgeries. They must be willing to work evenings and nights, and be on-call. Training-program candidates will be required to complete a job-shadowing experience to confirm their interest. Classroom and clinical time – mostly during daytime hours – will be paid. Candidates must be willing to commit time outside work to study. If chosen for the program, they will sign a contract requiring repayment for training expenses if they don’t complete the program or don’t accept an offer of employment as a surgical technician. After the training program, participants will be prepared for the certification test after obtaining three years of work experience. If you are interested in the surgery technician training program, call or email one of the following people by Friday, Oct. 2: • Christy Ford, Human Resources, ext. 3753 • Fran Strauss, director, Surgical Services, ext. 3050 • Dean Hoschek, operating room manager, Surgical Services, ext. 3018

Prizes awarded in annual campaign Five employees won prizes in a drawing among donors to Great River Friends’ Annual Giving Campaign. Campaign chairwoman Michele Dyer, second from left, presented prizes to, from left, Shanna Ausburger, Maria Brockway, Janet Behrman and Patricia Penrod. Hannah O’Brien is not pictured. Donations through payroll deduction can begin anytime. Pledge forms are available in Human Resources.

New briefs

Great Person card drawing Sherry Welcher, Accounting, won the September A Great Person at Great River drawing. She was nominated by co-worker Alyssa Lanz, who wrote, “She took time out of her schedule to help me with a question. She is always willing to help others, and I appreciate it.” Both women received Heritage Medical Equipment and Supplies gift cards.

Verizon Wireless discount A Verizon Wireless representative will be in the Cafeteria from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15. The company offers a discount to Great River Health Systems employees.

NetLearning modules If you are having trouble viewing NetLearning modules, click the icon that looks like a torn piece of paper in the address bar.

Spread the word, not the flu! Part 2

The minor pain of a flu shot is nothing compared to the suffering influenza can cause. The flu can make you very sick for several days, and it can lead to hospitalization. Some people die from it. Don’t avoid getting a flu vaccine because you don’t like shots. A nasal-spray flu vaccine is an alternative for most healthy, nonpregnant people who are 2 through 49 years old. It is not offered by Employee Health, but it may be available at your health care provider’s office. Whatever little discomfort you feel from the minor side effects of the flu vaccine is worthwhile to avoid the flu.

Even if I get sick, won’t I recover quickly? Not necessarily. Influenza can be serious, and anyone can become sick with flu and experience serious complications. But even if you bounce back quickly, others around you might not be so lucky. Older people, young children, pregnant women and people with medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease and lung disease are at especially high risk from the flu. Kids, teens and adults who are active and healthy also can get very sick from flu and spread it to others. Some people can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, you can still spread the virus to others. Don’t be the one spreading flu to those you care about.

Annual flu clinic Oct. 19 to 23

The health system’s annual flu shot clinic will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19 to Friday, Oct. 23, in the Aspen Room. Flu shots also will be available from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays from Monday, Oct. 26 through Monday, Jan. 4, in Employee Health. A house supervisor can give flu shots to employees who cannot get one during the designated times. There is no cost to health system employees, physicians, nursing students and volunteers. Flu shots for spouses are $20. To be eligible for the WellEXCEL insurance premium discount, employees must get a flu shot by Friday, Dec. 4. All employees must receive a flu shot or sign a declination statement and turn it in to Employee Health by Monday, Jan. 11. If you don’t, you will be removed from the work schedule beginning Monday, Jan. 18, until you comply. If you decline a flu shot and are not allergic to the vaccine, you must take a mandatory NetLearning module by Sunday, Jan. 31. If not, you will be removed from the work schedule until the module is completed. The module will be available from Oct. 19 through midnight Jan. 31. If you are allergic to the flu vaccine, you must provide one-time documentation from your physician. You must sign a declination statement every year.

United Way campaign begins Information about pledging to support United Way is being distributed to all employees. Burlington/West Burlington United Way is a local organization that combines donations from thousands of people and distributes them to local nonprofit health and human services agencies. A local group of volunteers carefully screens, chooses and monitors the organizations that receive funding. Decisions are based on the impact organizations have on the community. The money pledged this fall will be given to 14 organizations that rely on United Way dollars to survive. They are: • Alcohol and Drug Dependency Services of Southeast Iowa

• Burlington Area YMCA • Burlington Stepperettes and Traveleers • Crime Stoppers of the Greater Burlington Area • Food Bank of Southern Iowa • Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois • Home Caring Services Inc. • Hope Haven Area Development Center • Iowa Legal Aid • Mississippi Valley Boy Scout Council • Partners: An Association Serving Persons With Disabilities • The Nest of Des Moines County • The Salvation Army, Burlington Corps • Young House Family Services

Return your pledge card, enter prize drawings The six health system departments that have the greatest percentage of returned United Way pledge forms will receive an extra pair of hands – and feet – for part of a day. President and CEO Mark Richardson and vice presidents Teresa Colgan, Tony Hayes, Jim Kammerer, Amy O’Brien and Todd Sladky will work in the winning departments. If more than six departments qualify, there will be a drawing. You are encouraged to return your pledge forms to Human Resources by Friday, Oct. 9, whether or not you choose to donate to United Way. Returning cards helps the health system verify that the United Way information was received. Department leaders don’t know if you donate, and participation does not affect job reviews. The names of employees who return their pledge cards by the deadline will be entered into drawings for: • Gift Shop certificate • Heritage Medical Equipment and Supplies gift card for logo wear or other items

• Lunch for six prepared by Mike AbouAssaly, M.D., in the new Healthy Living Clinic kitchen • Paid time off • Personal training session • Rock-climbing wall pass • Trip for four to Dairy Queen, Grandpa’s Ice Cream or Sassy Strawberry with Mark Richardson • United Way parking spot in the employee parking lot • Visa gift card The announcement or drawing for Shifting Shoes contest winners and individual prize drawings is scheduled at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, in the Cafeteria. Ice cream sundaes will be available from 2 to 2:30 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. in the Cafeteria. Ice cream bars will distributed during the night shift. Leaders from off-campus clinics can arrange ice cream bars with Nutrition Services.

United Way questions and answers What’s in it for me? One in two people in Des Moines County uses or is affected by at least one organization supported by United Way.

I don’t live in Des Moines County, so why should I support Burlington/West Burlington United Way? It’s important to support the community in which you work. Although Great River Health Systems provides excellent health care in southeast Iowa, the health of the community also depends on the effectiveness of human-service agencies and other support services that receive United Way funding. Even if you don’t use any of the 14 organizations supported by United Way, which provide services in a 40-mile radius of Burlington, donating to United Way helps build Burlington and West Burlington. A stronger community helps attract physicians and other health care providers, which helps ensure the success of the health system. If you don’t want your money to go to Burlington/ West Burlington United Way but still want to donate, you can note this on your pledge form. Your money will be sent to United Way or a similar agency in the community you designate.

How much should I give? You are encouraged to give as much as you feel you can afford. The health systems’ goal for every employee is at least $1 per pay period. That’s $26 a year – just 7 cents a day.

What if my spouse gives for both of us at work? Supporting United Way at both workplaces instead of making one larger donation helps both companies meet their campaign goals.

I give money to my church. Why should I also donate to United Way? Churches often refer members and other people seeking help to local human-service agencies that are supported by United Way.

Why should I give? • Each donation helps many people. • It’s affordable and tax-deductible. • It’s an easy way to make a difference in the community. • Organizations that receive money are chosen carefully. • The money stays in the community, making it a better place to live.

What happens if I don’t give to United Way? Participation does not affect your job. Because pledge forms are collected by Human Resources, your supervisor or director doesn’t know about your choice.

EMPLOYEEPROFILE John Thurman, D.O. Great River Family Practice Clinic Start date: Aug. 3 What I like about my job: Forming relationships with patients, staff, colleagues and everybody else What I wanted to be when I grew up: Professional basketball player, doctor or politician Hometown / Where I live now: Midland, Texas, and West Point, New York, are my hometowns. I live in Burlington now. Family: • Audrey, my wife of nearly 11 years • Jamal, our Rhodesian Ridgeback • Trooper, a beagle mix we rescued in January. We think he’s 17 years old. My younger sister and parents still live in Texas. Hobbies, pastimes, things I enjoy: Traveling around the world with Audrey, Army football, all things West Point, staying physically active, writing prose, spending time with and rescuing doggies, and living life to the max I helped a co-worker today by: Giving a smile and a hug Department I’d like to learn more about: Great River Sleep Disorders Clinic Favorite memory: Marrying Audrey in a castle. How cool is that? I’ll share photos with you if you don’t believe me – Castle Inn Riverside in Wichita, Kansas.

People would be surprised to know … I was an all-region viola player in high school. If I could, I would … Have been 6-foot-5 with a rocket arm for playing quarterback Most interesting thing on my desk: My own John Thurman bobblehead Weirdest thing I’ve eaten: Steak tartare at a Czech restaurant in Warsaw, Poland Proudest moment: Graduating from West Point and serving with my guys in Iraq Must-have guilty pleasure: Gelato in Rome – any flavor, thank you very much!