ProMedica Health System: INSIDE

Connect to Grant Opportunities on myProMedica

If you’re interested in collaborating in new and different ways to meet current and emerging health and wellness needs in our community, talk with your supervisor and then share your ideas with the grants department. The grants department continuously connects medical professionals and staff across ProMedica with grant opportunities to support building community collaborations, implementing evidence-based solutions, piloting innovative responses, and sharing program results. Now it’s easier than ever to learn more and connect with the grants department on myProMedica at http://my.promedica.org/grants.

More than 180 grant-funded projects are in progress across our health system at any given time, addressing a variety of health and wellness needs. Visit the web page to learn more about how the grants department operates and submit your grant ideas online. The information provided will help guide you through the grants application process—from developing your idea to drafting your proposal. You’ll also find examples of grant-funded programs that range from better meeting the health and wellness needs of the underserved in our community to bringing groundbreaking medication therapies to chronically ill patients—all made possible through various funding partners and the commitment of ProMedica staff and community resources.

Available resources on the grants department’s page on myProMedica include:

   • Online form to submit grant ideas for consideration
   • Outline of pre- and post-award activities in the grants process
   • Directory of recent grant awards with project directors’ contact information
   • Links to online and downloadable grants resources and documents

If you have questions about grants, please contact the grants department at grants@promedica.org.

Applause, Applause

Diamante Awards Recognize ProMedica

ProMedica received northwest Ohio’s 2010 Diamante (Diamond) Award earlier this month. This annual award is given to a corporation or community agency that provides exemplary dedication and service to the Latino community in northwest Ohio.  ProMedica received the award for providing broad-based and culturally diverse services and activities to the community for several years. Awards were also presented to individuals who provided outstanding leadership in support of the northwest Ohio Latino community.

To celebrate the profound and lasting influence that Latinos have on American history, values and culture, the Diamante Awards were established in 1989 by IMAGE of northwest Ohio, a Latino advocacy group. Today, the awards program represents a unique collaboration between Owens Community College, Bowling Green State University, Lourdes College and The University of Toledo, which collaborate on grant applications and raise scholarship funds to aid students within the Latino community.

FH Takes First Place at Pizza Palooza

Chef Denny Siebert and Carla Dunsmoor, director, dietary services, accept the Pizza Palooza first-place trophy from Alan Sattler, president, FH.

Flower Hospital (FH) took first place in the corporate pizza bake-off at the Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce and Sylvania Area Joint Recreation District’s Northwest Ohio Pizza Palooza at Centennial Terrace on July 23 – 24. The FH dietary department created a special pizza for the competition, made with spinach, mint, roasted yellow peppers, calamata olives, and sopresatta. Funds raised from the event benefitted the Chamber of Commerce and Joint Recreation District. Click to download a copy of the FH Pizza Palooza Prize-winning Recipe.

TCH River Dragons Place at Dragon Boat Festival

This year’s annual Toledo Dragon Boat Festival kicked off early Saturday morning, July 24. The festivities centered around a three-heat race, involving more than 40 teams from the Toledo area. All participating teams contribute to Partners in Education, an organization that supplements the Toledo Public School system, supporting various programs and activities for area students.

Since the festival’s onset in 2001, Toledo Children’s Hospital (TCH) has sponsored a 22-person team to “paddle it out” on the waterfront, completing a 440-meter sprint down the Maumee River. This year’s team, led by Captain Chris Cavaliere and Steersman Richard Munk, MD, consisted of 25 employees, family members and friends, including TCH President Kevin Webb, PhD. Both Dr. Munk and paddler Marjorie Bauer could boast participating for all nine years!

The TCH River Dragons placed 3^rd in Division C overall, with some of the best times the team has ever recorded—2:16, 2:06 and 2:01 in the final heat. The TCH team is proud to represent ProMedica and Toledo Children’s Hospital in the community, and welcomes new paddlers every year. The team was awarded this year’s Legendary Team award for participating all nine years. This award and all previous awards are displayed in the “boat room” on the 5^th floor, pediatrics, of TCH.

September 2010: AHA Workforce Observances

ProMedica strives to recognize employees, physicians and volunteers throughout the year. The time and talent you give to your profession helps to advance our Mission to improve the health of individuals and families in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.

Please take a moment to share special thanks with your coworkers in the following professions, which are celebrating American Hospital Association (AHA)-designated workforce observances during the month of September:

Sept. 12 – 18: Assisted Living Week

Health Care Environmental Services and Housekeeping Week

Nephrology Nurses Week

Sept. 15: Neonatal Nurses Day

Sept. 19 – 25: Rehabilitation Awareness Celebration

Surgical Technology Week

ProMedica sincerely appreciates the contributions of these employees to our Mission and Values to serve patients and their families, as well as the community! View the 2010 AHA Workforce Observances calendar for a complete list of workforce observances, designated by the AHA for 2010.

Donation Supports Little Sisters of the Poor

It’s a place that more than 70 area seniors call home—Sacred Heart Home in Oregon. The residence, operated by Little Sisters of the Poor since 2004, offers skilled nursing care and assisted living facilities. On June 25, ProMedica donated 22 skilled-nursing bed licenses to the facility to enhance the level of care provided to its residents.

Little Sisters of the Poor’s Sacred Heart Home

“As a Mission-driven organization, we are committed to supporting organizations like Little Sisters of The Poor, which are dedicated to improving the quality of life for needy seniors in our communities,” says Gladeen Roberts, RN, PhD, FACHE, president, Nursing Center of Excellence, ProMedica.

Ohio law holds every county to a limited number of nursing home beds, which must be licensed by the Ohio Department of Health. Although the purchase price for a single bed license varies in northwest Ohio, the donation from ProMedica to the Little Sisters of the Poor is valued at more than $330,000.

“ProMedica’s gifting of the bed licenses is a significant donation that exemplifies the generous community support towards the Mission of the Little Sisters,” says Bill Thees, chairman, Little Sisters of the Poor Advisory Board. “This donation allows the Little Sisters the means necessary to help more elderly poor live out their golden years at the Sacred Heart Home.”

“Thanks to this generous donation by ProMedica, we are now able to continue the work of our founder, St. Jeanne Jugan, who is a role model for those who care for the poor, the sick and the aging,” says Mother Cecilia Mary St. Patrick of Sacred Heart Home.

Congratulations, Healthcare Heroes

Countless patients and their families already think of Ann Kujawa, MSN, RN, OCN, administrative director, ProMedica Cancer Institute, as a hero. On June 24, the Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio officially recognized Ann as one of five 2010 Healthcare Heroes for her extraordinary contributions to health care in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.

Ann Kujawa, MSN, RN, OCN

Ann became a nurse to help others, understand what made people ill, and learn to intervene to support their needs. Over the span of her 26 years of service to health care in northwest Ohio, she has proven herself to be a visionary and exemplary leader, focused on implementing positive changes in the lives of cancer patients, their clinical outcomes and their overall personal well-being.

The Second Annual Healthcare Heroes Recognition Ceremony honored 47 candidates, distinguished for their courage and ability to do extraordinary things, who serve as models for others, and tirelessly give of their time, talent and expertise to improve health. Congratulations to this year’s award nominees and recipients, and special thanks to Ann and these other outstanding individuals from ProMedica who were nominated as Healthcare Heroes candidates—Danielle Barrow, MD, FACOG, obstetrician/gynecologist, ProMedica Physician Group; Vicki Cobb-Boes, administrative director, ProMedica Air; and Kevin Webb, president, The Toledo Hospital and Toledo Children’s Hospital.

To learn more about the Healthcare Heroes recognition program and this year’s recipients, including Ann, please visit the “2010 Healthcare Heroes” page on the Toledo Business Journal’s web site.

FH Farmer’s Market Days Bring Season’s Best

Selling fresh baked breads, whole grain baguettes and bread bowls, Flower Hospital’s (FH) dietary department joined local farmers from Hoen’s Orchards of Delta, Ohio, and Eshleman’s Fruit Farm of Clyde, Ohio, for the first Farmer’s Market Day of the year at FH on June 24.

Deb Carter, inpatient pharmacy manager, FH, purchases fresh produce from Eshleman Fruit Farm at Farmer’s Market Day at FH on June 24.

With a steady flow of customers, Paul and Ann Sprigg from Eshleman’s Fruit Farm sold an assortment of fresh fruits, including apricots, black raspberries and sweet cherries. Alongside the Spriggs, Toni Hoen sold a variety of homegrown vegetables, including sugar snap peas, Swiss chard, zucchini, and the best seller of the day, candy onions—a sweet onion variety—fresh from the field.

“We’re very proud of today’s event,” says Laurie Syring, chief clinical dietitian, FH. “It’s great to support our local growers and offer such a beautiful array of delicious and healthy produce to our employees and the community at large.”

As the sun shined and birds chirped, more than 100 attendees walked away with fresh produce in their hands and smiles on their faces. “It’s clear to see that our presence is appreciated here at Flower,” says Paul of Eshleman’s Fruit Farm. “Everyone has shown great interest in our goods and we’re happy to provide them with our fruit.”

As the sale came to an end, it was apparent that the fruit and vegetables were quite popular. “I’m definitely leaving with much less than what I arrived with, and I’m very grateful for that,” says Toni of Hoen’s Orchards. “There is no doubt that I will be back!”

Positive feedback from vendors and attendees is a sign of more good things to come at upcoming Farmer’s Market Days. “Through this event, we are aiming to promote healthy eating and living,” says Laurie. “If this year’s sales continue to prove successful, we are going to increase the amount of vendors next year and, we hope, the number of interested attendees.”

Sponsored by the FH Auxiliary, future Farmer’s Market Days will be held the third Thursday of every month through October from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the cardiac/pulmonary parking lot, directly behind the Inn Between Cafeteria.

Applause, Applause

Give Them a Hand!

Congratulations to the following individuals, recognized at the June 30^th Management Town Hall leadership team meeting for making noteworthy contributions to the community and/or ProMedica:

   • Tim Jakacki, president, Bixby and Herrick Medical Centers, for facilitating the strategic
     planning process with Lenawee Intermediate School District and adapting a successful school
     strategic plan.

   • Cyndy Kern and Lori Brenner, 8^th floor, The Toledo Hospital, for the reduction of 0.44 days in
     length-of-stay over two months, which serves to proactively prepare patients before their
     discharge.

   • Sean Baney and Joe Purtee, ProMedica Transportation Network, recognized in the Applause,
     Applause section of last month’s Inside, for receiving the 2010 EMS Star of Life Award for their
     professionalism, rapid response and treatment of a critically injured teenager.

   • Dave Hamen and Aaron Sage, Sports Care, recognized in the Sports Care Heroes Save
     Toledo Man’s Life article in last month’s Inside, for performing CPR to save a heart attack victim
     while they worked as athletic trainers at Whitmer High School.

August 2010: AHA Workforce Observances

ProMedica strives to recognize employees, physicians and volunteers throughout the year. The time and talent you give to your profession helps to advance our Mission to improve the health of individuals and families in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.

Please take a moment to share your special thanks with your coworkers in the following professions, which are celebrating American Hospital Association (AHA)-designated workforce observances during the month of August:

Aug. 1 – 31: Neurosurgery Outreach Month

Aug. 23: Health Unit Coordinator Day

ProMedica sincerely appreciates the contributions of these employees to our Mission and Values to serve patients and their families, as well as the community! View the 2010 AHA Workforce Observances calendar for a complete list of workforce observances, designated by the AHA for 2010.

ProMedica Midwife Makes a Difference

In June, Laura Kemp, certified nurse midwife, from the North Central Women’s Health Center in Fostoria, spent one week in Hinche, Haiti, as a volunteer with Midwives for Haiti, an organization dedicated to training skilled birth attendants to care for women who would otherwise have no medical care during pregnancy.

Laura, second from right, on her mission trip to Haiti in June as a volunteer with Midwives for Haiti.

“I had been considering a mission trip for some time when I received an e-mail that the need in Haiti had increased following the earthquake and they were seeking more volunteers for their program,” says Laura. “It was then that I knew I had to do it.”

Despite the conditions being more challenging than anticipated—including the damaged infrastructure, extreme heat, lack of access to running water, and no electricity or supplies—Laura was able to do more than she imagined possible in one short week. She assisted with high-risk births at a hospital, assessed pregnant women at a satellite prenatal clinic in a remote church, and treated babies and children for infections in orphanages, all while using translators to help teach these skills to Haitian birthing attendants.

“Everyone was so grateful for my services and all donations,” Laura says. “I wanted to make a difference for a couple of women, and I think I did.”

In Haiti, more than 75% of women do not receive any type of medical care during their pregnancies and typically deliver at home on their own, resulting in high infant and maternal mortality rates. The goal of Midwives for Haiti is to have nurse midwives from the United States teach lifesaving skills to local birth attendants (nurses and other healthcare workers), who can then care for women in their communities.

For more information about Midwives for Haiti, please visit www.midwivesforhaiti.org.

Circle of Care Campaign

ProMedica’s Circle of Care campaign continues this month. This annual campaign is designed to give employees the opportunity to participate in an impactful initiative to enhance patient care through an investment in our foundations.

This year, we are proud to announce the new ProMedica Family Fund. This fund is special and unlike other funds that have previously been available through the foundations. All contributions to this fund will be collected and made available for ProMedica employees who are undergoing family and financial hardships, who have demonstrated a great need for assistance. Please consider supporting this new fund and helping your coworkers in need.

Employees may contribute to Circle of Care in a number of ways—cash, check, credit card, or a pledge through earned time off or payroll deduction. To help us support ProMedica’s efforts to go green, please consider making your gift or pledge on our secure web page, http://my.promedica.org/circleofcare. You can also print this 2010 Circle of Care form or pick up a copy from your foundation’s executive director.

For more information about the Circle of Care campaign, call your hospital or business unit’s foundation office.

Congratulations, 2009 Employee of the Year Joel Oswald!

Joel “Ozzie” Oswald, a cook in the Flower Hospital (FH) dietary department, is ProMedica’s 2009 Employee of the Year! Randy Oostra, DM, FACHE, president and chief executive officer, ProMedica, and Charlie McDowell, chief human resources officer emeritus, ProMedica, recognized all of the Employee of the Year nominees and presented this prestigious annual award to Ozzie at the Management Town Hall leadership meeting on June 30 in Maumee.

Charlie McDowell, Joel Oswald and Randy Oostra

“Ozzie is a terrific employee,” says his nominator, Alan Sattler, president, FH. “He always has a good attitude and a nice comment for whomever he is working with. He is the jack of all trades in the dietary department, handling vending, cooking, ordering, and stocking duties with ease. Ozzie also helps other departments when they need it.

“And, just as importantly,” Alan concludes. “Ozzie is fun to work with—quick with a joke or a smile. He’s truly an asset to the organization.”

Each candidate for the award received their hospital’s or business unit’s 2009 Employee of the Year award and was nominated to receive the system-wide honor because they consistently produce outcomes of the highest level, contribute to our Mission and Values, and distinguish themselves in many ways.

Front Row: Charlie McDowell, Jill Dawson, Joel Oswald, Toni Bratt, Randy Oostra; Back Row: Kris Thomas, John Janas, Nancy Denison, Amanda Lickert; Not Pictured: Dennis Doogs, Kelley Grzywinski, Steve Weber

The other 2009 nominees included: Toni Bratt, registered nurse, interventional radiology, The Toledo Hospital; Jill Dawson, parent instructor/lactation consultant, newborn intensive care unit, Toledo Children’s Hospital; Nancy Denison, registered respiratory therapist, respiratory therapy, ProMedica North Region; Dennis Doogs, environmental service tech, lead, environmental services, Fostoria Community Hospital; Kelley Grzywinski, EHR team leader, electronic health records, ProMedica Physician Group; John Janas, analyst II, information technology operations, Paramount Health Care; Amanda Lickert, surgical technologist, surgery, Bay Park Community Hospital; Kris Thomas, radiologic technologist, ARRT, radiology, Defiance Regional Medical Center; and Steve Weber, athletic trainer, Sports Care, ProMedica Continuing Care Services.

Congratulations to our 2009 Employee of the Year, Joel “Ozzie” Oswald, and to each of the other nominees! Read more about their accomplishments in the “Employee Recognition” section of the “HR & Payroll Services” department page on myProMedica (http://my.promedica.org).

Employees at Bixby and Herrick Medical Centers Make Promise

Due to many challenges facing ProMedica North Region, such as loss of market share, high unemployment rates in the area, and low quality and patient satisfaction scores, employees of Bixby and Herrick Medical Centers decided to make a promise to the community to provide improved service, quality and excellence to their patients.

The Bixby and Herrick employees were asked to sign the promise statement, because a signature acts as a bond and a commitment,” says Tim Jakacki, president, Bixby and Herrick. “The employees enthusiastically signed the promise because they want to provide excellent care to their neighbors, friends and family.”

Initial advertisements to promote this Promise Campaign publicly included nearly 1,100 signatures, showcasing the ProMedica North Region employees’ deep dedication and connection to the community.

A second advertisement was designed to help the community understand that these employees not only work, but live and play in local communities. These advertisements feature a photo of an employee in both a hospital and community setting with quotes such as, “I live by you, and by my promise to care,” and “Even if you weren’t my neighbor—I’d promise to treat you like one.”

Some people say they wear their heart on their sleeve, and North Region employees will soon be wearing their heartfelt promise on their sleeve as a further extension of the Promise Campaign. Each employee at Bixby and Herrick will receive a T-shirt and other items imprinted with the promise statement to help them remember the promise they made to their patients. Additionally, a video of the employees signing the promise statement and sharing what the promise means to them will run on the digital message boards in both hospitals and on the “North Region” facilities page on myProMedica (http://my.promedica.org).

Throughout ProMedica Health System, customer satisfaction is a top priority, which starts with the care our employees provide. When our employees are engaged and committed to this objective, we can meet and exceed our patients’ expectations.

ProMedica Takes Aim at Reducing Bloodstream Infections

Across Ohio, a new statewide initiative to reduce the number of bloodstream infections from central venous line (CVL) catheters is helping 53 participating hospitals focus on their patient care processes and procedures. Within ProMedica, the initiative is just one of many steps that have been taken over the past five years to help its acute care facilities focus on reducing bloodstream infections and improving patient safety.

According to Brian Dick, corporate director, infection prevention and control (IP&C) for ProMedica, the focus on central line-associated bloodstream infections really began in 2005 with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s 100,000 Lives Campaign. “Preventing central line infections was just one portion of that campaign,” Brian says, “but, the entire focus was on improving patient safety in the acute care setting.”

Ohio on the CUSP began in October 2009 as a two-year initiative supported by the Ohio Hospital Association and the Ohio Patient Safety Institute. CUSP—which stands for comprehensive unit-based program—was designed to help drive infection rates to below one per 1,000 central-line days. As a participant, ProMedica monitors and reports hospital progress as new processes are rolled out on individual units. At Flower Hospital (FH), for example, the CUSP model was first implemented in the ICU.

ProMedica’s four metro-Toledo hospitals—The Toledo Hospital, Toledo Children’s Hospital, FH and Bay Park Community Hospital—have had CVL teams in place for a few years now. In addition to using consistent procedures—such as hand washing; caring for the insertion site properly; and wearing masks, sterile gloves and gowns when inserting the line—new processes are continuously researched and implemented.

Brenda Dubilzig, RN, infection preventionist, IP&C, says some of the new processes include determining how to implement daily monitoring of line care, educating patients about infection prevention, and ongoing education of staff about the use of insertion checklists and carts. In addition, all metro-Toledo hospitals submit surveillance data to the National Healthcare Safety Network for comparing infection rates nationally, and all report infection rates on the business unit dashboard.

Prior to the Ohio initiatives, ProMedica North Region has been involved in the Michigan Keystone project and has consistently achieved zero bloodstream infections. Ohio on the CUSP evolved from the Michigan Keystone project.

Sports Care Heroes Save Toledo Man’s Life

Sports Care athletic trainers Dave Hamen, ATC, and Aaron Sage, ATC, typically treat the injuries that athletes sustain in the game—it’s not every day they’re called to respond to the victim of a massive heart attack. But, on May 26, that’s what Dave and Aaron did, saving the life of Jay Linch, a spectator at a Whitmer High School varsity baseball game in Toledo.

The Linch Family congratulates Aaron, fourth from left, and Dave, third from right, after they received the PCCS Local Hero Award from Allison Avendt, former vice president, rehab services, PCCS, and current vice president support services, The Toledo Hospital, far left, and Gladeen Roberts, PhD, RN, FACHE, former president, PCCS, and current president, Nursing Center of Excellence, ProMedica, center, for their life-saving efforts.

When Jay suddenly collapsed, the Sports Care athletic trainers responded quickly with a defibrillator and their knowledge of CPR to stabilize the patient until emergency crews arrived.

“The heart attack was a tremendous emotional impact on my life,” says Jay. “I am a very lucky individual to have been at a Washington Local Schools event with defibrillators on site. It is an amazing thing to have been saved thanks to Aaron and Dave.”

On June 18, the Linch Family was present, joined by a representative from the Toledo Division of the American Heart Association (AHA) and local television news crews, as Aaron and Dave received ProMedica Continuing Care Services’ (PCCS) Local Hero Award in honor of their dedication, teamwork, critical thinking, and rapid response during this difficult situation.

According to the AHA, a victim’s chance of survival from sudden cardiac arrest falls 7 – 10% for every minute of delay between collapse and defibrillation if CPR is not provided. Research shows that bystander CPR can double or even triple survival rates. Sudden cardiac arrest can also be reversed if the victim is treated with an electric shock to the heart via a defibrillator within a few minutes.

Applause, Applause

ProMedica Employees Recognized by OHA

Kate Schwan, Georgia Morrow, Jeff Osborne, and Doug Mangas

Hospitals across the state of Ohio gathered to honor 75 nominees for this year’s Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year Award, presented by the Ohio Hospital Association (OHA) on June 15 at the recognition dinner in conjunction with the association’s annual meeting in Columbus. In addition to honoring all 75 nominees for being their hospital’s choice for this distinction, OHA presented the award to Karen Buchman, RN, from Salem Community Hospital, and recognized four finalists.

Among the esteemed group of finalists were Doug Mangas, CRT, respiratory therapist, Defiance Regional Medical Center, and Kathleen Schwan, CCLS, MRC, CRC, child life specialist and clinical coordinator, Toledo Children’s Hospital. Jeff Osborne, trauma registrar, Lima Memorial Hospital—a joint venture with ProMedica—and Georgia Morrow, RN, IBCLC, coordinator of the Mothers’ Milk Bank of Ohio and lactation education specialist at Grant Medical Center, were the other two finalists.

Every Ohio hospital was invited to nominate one person for the Health Care Worker of the Year award, created in 1996 to honor a hospital employee who demonstrates leadership, reflects the values and ideals of Ohio’s health care facilities, goes above and beyond the call of duty, gives back to the community, and has overcome odds to succeed. A complete list of all 75 award nominees is available on the OHA web site.

Springfield Firefighters and PTN Team Members Honored

Last December, on teenager Bri Mullinger’s walk to school, an Amtrak train clipped her as she and a friend crossed the tracks. In March, during a ceremony in Columbus, Springfield Township firefighters and paramedics, including ProMedica Transportation Network (PTN) Paramedics Sean Baney and Joe Purtee received 2010 EMS Star of Life Awards for their professionalism, rapid response and treatment of the critically injured girl.

The Ohio Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians sponsors the annual EMS Star of Life Awards. Dozens of nominations submitted described exceptional pre-hospital care; dedicated firefighters, EMTs and police officers; and pride in community service. This marks the first time Springfield Township fire and rescue personnel have received a Star of Life award. ProMedica is fortunate to have such dedicated professionals on our team.

Kevin Webb Achieves ACHE Service Award

Kevin Webb, PhD, FACHE, president, The Toledo Hospital and Toledo Children’s Hospital, achieved the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Service Award in recognition of his commitment of volunteer service to the health care management profession, his local chapter and the ACHE.

The ACHE Recognition Program celebrates affiliates’ contributions to the health care management profession. Recognition is bestowed at three levels, based on a range of specific volunteer activities that demonstrate leadership and contributions to furthering professional excellence.

Bay Park Recognized for Environmental Programs

Due to their commitment to creating a healthier environment through pollution-prevention efforts, Bay Park Community Hospital (BPCH) was recently awarded a Partner for Change Award at the Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards in Baltimore. BPCH also received the Partner for Change award in 2009.

“We are honored to have our environmental accomplishments recognized for a second year in a row,” says William Mueller, president, BPCH. “Bay Park is committed to reducing our environmental impact and we are continually monitoring our progress to improve our performance. Receiving this award is confirmation that we remain on the right track.”

The Partner for Change award recognizes health care facilities that continuously improve and expand upon their mercury elimination, waste reduction and pollution prevention programs. At a minimum, applicants for this award must be recycling 10% of their total waste, have a mercury elimination program in place with a plan for total elimination, and have developed other successful pollution prevention programs.

TTH Breast Care Center Nationally Recognized

The Toledo Hospital (TTH) Breast Care Center has been recognized by a national organization for its commitment to providing high-quality Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology dedicated to breast imaging. It is the only center in Ohio with a three-year accredited Dedicated Breast MRI System, according to the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Magnetic Resonance Laboratories (ICAMRL).

“This designation raises our visibility across the nation as a Center of Excellence and will help attract the industry’s leading physicians and technologists to the region,” says Robin Shermis, MD, radiologist and medical director of TTH Breast Care Center.

In order to qualify, a center must undergo a comprehensive self-evaluation process, which includes submitting detailed information on all aspects of laboratory operation and actual case studies. The data is reviewed to determine quality compliance and is approved by the ICAMRL Board of Directors.

Congratulations, Lose Healthy Challenge Winners!

At the ProMedica Employee Wellness Program Lose Healthy Challenge weigh-ins in June, more than 140 ProMedica employees had successfully maintained their weight loss or lost more since the last weigh-in in March. More than 115 employees continued to lose—an additional 639 pounds. Congratulations to everyone who successfully completed the challenge—you’re all winners for making positive lifestyle changes to improve your health and wellness!

Kudos to Defiance Regional Medical Center (DRMC)—winners of the Healthy ProMedica traveling trophy for having the greatest percentage of Lose Healthy participants who successfully maintained their weight loss—and winners of the grand-prize drawing—Karen Billmaier, claims, Paramount Health Care (32-inch Flat Screen TV with DVD Player and Exercise DVD—Value $550) and Greg Black, patient transport, The Toledo Hospital (One-year Membership to Local Gym/Fitness Center—Value $500).

July 2010: AHA Workforce Observances

ProMedica strives to recognize employees, physicians and volunteers throughout the year. The time and talent you give to your profession helps to advance our Mission to improve the health of individuals and families in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. View a list of national workforce observances, designated by the American Hospital Association (AHA) in 2010.

July 2 – 9 marked Nurses in Staff Development Week. We thank all of the nurses who dedicate their time and talent to staff development at ProMedica.

New Excellence in Governance Award Presented

At the annual ProMedica Board Recognition dinner on Thurs., May 6, Randy Oostra, DM, FACHE, president and chief executive officer, ProMedica, announced the first winners of the new Excellence in Governance Award: John “Jack” T. Rogers, Bryan A. Rogers and (posthumously) Sam Carson.

The new ProMedica award recognizes a current or former board member who genuinely embodies our Mission and Values; gives freely of their time and expertise, with measurable outcomes that have significantly improved the lives of others; and, through dignified service to others, has inspired colleagues or future leaders to govern with integrity, respect and compassion.

Accepting the first Excellence in Governance Award is Jack Rogers (second from left). The new award was presented by (from left) ProMedica President and CEO Randy Oostra; Joe Napoli, chairman, Advocacy, Public and Government Relations Committee; and Larry C. Peterson, chairman, ProMedica Board.

A current member of the Wildwood Medical Center Board and Wildwood’s Foundation Board, Jack Rogers has been instrumental in ProMedica governance for more than 20 years, including decisions regarding: the joining of Flower Hospital (FH) with The Toledo Hospital (TTH), the launching of the Renaissance project on the campus of TTH/Toledo Children’s Hospital, the expansion of FH’s ER and 8th-floor medical-surgical unit, Perrysburg Medical Center, and the development and expansion of Wildwood Medical Center.

Sam Carson

Carson served on a variety of TTH and ProMedica boards and committees, serving from 1959 – 2004. In fact, 75 of his 94 years were dedicated to bettering our community through service! His Excellence in Governance Award was given in loving memory of his legacy.

Bryan A. Rogers

As the former administrator/president of The Toledo Hospital from 1972 – 1991, Bryan Rogers (who was unable to attend) was honored for laying the foundation for much of what is now ProMedica, including: ProMedica Physician Group and the building of the two office towers at TTH; ProMedica Continuing Care Services (e.g., Wound Care Center, Caring Services, OccuHealth, Express Care, and Sports Care); the first of our institutes; and our own insurance company, Paramount.

At the May 6th dinner, 361 board members were honored for their Giving Spirit, the event’s theme. In 2009, they collectively gave more than 21,500 hours of service through philanthropy-based volunteerism and board meeting attendance, in addition to their very generous support of our foundations.

Let Us Help You Grow Your Ideas

Sometimes big change grows from small ideas … Employees are the roots of ProMedica, and Got Ideas? Grow Change is a new way for you to share ideas to make the organization stronger—starting in your own department. Got Ideas? is changing the way our process works to give you more opportunities to share your ideas and take your involvement to the next level.

Under the new process, if you have an idea to improve something in your department, you could be invited to test that idea with your coworker and manager. If your idea is successful, it will be shared with other departments and hospitals or business units. The farther your idea goes, the bigger your award grows—from movie tickets up to $10,000!

When you have an idea to improve something in your department:

   • Send it to us. Go to the Got Ideas department section of myProMedica (http://my.promedica.org).

   • We will send you a receipt with instructions for what to do next.

   • Work with your department manager and coworkers to evaluate and implement the idea.

   • If your idea is successfully implemented, enjoy a free movie on us!

   • Watch the possibilities grow … Awards up to $10,000 will be given for cost-saving ideas that get implemented across the hospital or business unit, or the entire system.

For more information, click to visit the Grow Change resource page. The Got Ideas? Employee Involvement Program is open to all ProMedica employees, excluding Management Town Hall members. If you have questions, talk with your supervisor or call 419-291-4362.

OHA Celebrates ProMedica Award Nominees

The Ohio Hospital Association (OHA) will celebrate the following ProMedica nominees for the 2010 Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year Award at the OHA Recognition Dinner, Tues., June 15. The award is given to one exceptional health care worker from an Ohio hospital or health system each year. Our nominees are among an esteemed group of 75 health care workers nominated for this honor. Click to view a complete list of nominees for the 2010 Health Care Worker of the Year Award.

Jean Brogan
Corporate Director, Logistics, Materials Management
ProMedica

As ProMedica’s corporate director of logistics, Jean Brogan uses her real-world health care purchasing experience, which began nearly 40 years ago as a storeroom clerk, to accomplish the massive undertaking of standardizing products across our integrated delivery network. This accomplishment is especially crucial at a time when quality and cost savings are more important than ever to the health care industry. Her commitment to employee and patient safety, and superior clinical results, is exemplified in her decision-making every day. Jean’s leadership of various system-wide councils has supported achievement of historic materials management goals. As a recent example, from May – December 2009, ProMedica recycled more than 422,000 pounds of material through the involvement of the Recycling and Sustainability Council.

Sharon Costello, RN
Staff Educator and Customer Relations Coordinator, Medical-Surgical Department/Intensive Coronary Care Unit
Fostoria Community Hospital

From traveling to Mexico to provide medical care for those in need to creating a program at her church giving free community health screenings, Sharon embodies the values of integrity, teamwork and compassion in the care that she delivers to her patients and community every day. Sharon Costello, RN, has worked exceptionally hard to succeed in nursing and her contributions to the profession are countless over the span of her more than 40-year career. She goes above and beyond her job duties to provide quality health care to those who need it most.

James Fenn, RN, EMT-P
Manager, Trauma & Disaster Services, Emergency Center
Flower Hospital

James “Jim” Fenn has been a member of the Flower Hospital (FH) family for two years. In this short time, he has become an integral and respected member of the Emergency Center staff. Jim is known around the hospital as an authority on disaster management, and he has been recognized by hospital leadership for his optimistic outlook, warm personality and a consistent commitment to his patients and coworkers. Responsible for managing trauma services and disaster planning, Jim has led FH to an exceptional level of preparedness. He makes sure each of his colleagues is on the same page and that everyone is thoroughly committed. “When disaster strikes, you’re either prepared or you’re not—not being prepared isn’t an option,” he says.

Ireatha Hollie, RPh
Pharmacist, Pharmacy
Bay Park Community Hospital

A pharmacist for ProMedica for 41 years, Ireatha “Ivy” Hollie, RPh, is an advocate for patients at Bay Park Community Hospital and throughout the community. She is dedicated to serving others with compassion and leads with excellence. Steadfast in her commitment to integrity in health care, Ivy lives her personal mission to improve the lives of others through education and empathy on a daily basis. Graduating from The University of Toledo School of Pharmacy, she was the only black female in her class and is committed to showing women and minorities that they have what it takes to succeed.

Doug Mangas, RRT
Respiratory Therapist, Cardiopulmonary Department
Defiance Regional Medical Center

Doug Mangas, RRT, has been an incredible asset to Defiance Regional Medical Center (DRMC) for the past 19 years. When asked to describe Doug, his coworkers tend to use the same words: kind, passionate, helpful, empathetic, and intelligent. These are the qualities that make him the person who not only fellow employees want to work with, but that patients request when they come to DRMC for tests and other health care needs. His knowledge, charisma and professionalism make him stand out. He is committed to delivering the best patient care possible and to continuous improvement of health care processes.

Nancy Rank
Patient Representative, Patient and Family Services
The Toledo Hospital

Nancy Rank has been a member of The Toledo Hospital (TTH) family for 33 years. A well-loved member of the staff, Nancy is known as a graceful, genuine and sincere individual. She is renowned by hospital leadership and staff alike for her friendly personality, optimism and endless devotion to our patients. Serving as a liaison between patients, patients’ families and TTH, Nancy goes above and beyond to ensure that patients’ needs are met and that they are comfortable and confident while in our care. “As a patient representative, I will go to any measure to fulfill any needs a patient may have. I will not stop until the patient is happy. Once the patient is satisfied—so am I,” she says.

Kathleen Schwan
Child Life Specialist and Clinical Coordinator, Child Life
Toledo Children’s Hospital

Kathleen “Kate” Schwan has been employed with ProMedica for more than 28 years. As a respected member of the staff, Kate’s coworkers admire her devotion and dedication to the young patients and their families. In addition, she is esteemed by Toledo Children’s Hospital leadership for her compassion and unwavering ability to exceed expectations. As an integral member of the hospital’s Child Life program, Kate is an eager participant on several committees that strive to improve programs for the benefit of children and their families, including the Patient- and Family-Centered Care Steering Council. “My patients and their families are my top priority, always. It feels good to help others—no matter what the call of duty may entail.”