Volume 11, Issue 22 October 22, 2004
In This Corner by Jon D. Smiley, C.E.O.
We have a new doctor in our midst. Bac Nguyen has received his Doctorate of Pharmacy Degree from Idaho State University.
Bac has been studying and working toward this accomplishment while maintaining his job here over the past four years. We are all extremely proud of his accomplishment, and offer our commendation for a job very well done.
There is more about Bac in today's edition.
I believe that we have a strategic asset, not a deficiency in being a small rural hospital, in a somewhat isolated location. Accomplishments like that of Bac reinforce that belief to me.
Do you know what that asset is?
We are small enough to know each other, appreciate each other's similarities and differences, and small enough to know that we must depend upon each other to get the job done.
In a bigger hospital setting personal accomplishments are noted by a few and pass by the wayside because there are just so many people.
Here at our hospital we can all take pride when someone does work above and beyond the call of duty. That is what Bac has done, and I think that is what each of us has the ability to do if we truly believe in patient and family centered care.
What we must ask ourselves at the start of each shift is what is important? Why am I here? How can I help someone else do there job a little better? How can I make someone's day?
Hand Washing Stops Spread of Germs
submitted by Sheila Robinson
The simple act of washing your hands can be your best protection against the spread of germs that would cause the flue or any other illness.
By now, the shortage of flue vaccine has even become part of the debate between the Presidential candidates. So, I trust you are aware that the hospital (like everybody else) has had to drastically alter plans about giving flue shots.
The last update I received from the County Health Department was there is no vaccine available. So, until that changes we may all be waiting, or looking elsewhere to find flue shots. The lines at many stores have been very long, and were probably good places to be exposed to all sorts of germs.
In addition to washing your hands, you should cover your face if you need to cough. (And wash your hands again if you cough or sneeze.) It is very important to remind your children and other family members of the same precautions. Many flue bugs spread through schools because kids are a little more tight knit that many of us more reserved adults.
The mass vaccination program that had been planned for the Tri Cities ran out of vaccine in less than two days. So, wash up, cover up, and be careful throughout this flue season.
You can also keep an eye out for "for profit" flue shot clinics at places like Costco and other stores. They will be posted from time to time. (I found out about a couple of clinics after the fact.) The lines will be long so be prepared to sit or stand and wait it out with everyone else.
If the situation changes here at the hospital I will post announcements on our internal email system.
October New Employees Welcomed
Left to right: Karen Manuel, RN, Surgical Services, Gus Davila, Plant Services, Antonia Rodriguez, Laboratory. Please click on the photo for a better views of our newest employees.
Karen lives in Liberty Lake (near Spokane). She works part time in Sunnyside and part time for a group of orthopedic surgeons in Spokane. She has two adopted sons. The oldest is in the Marines and the youngest is a freshman at WSU!
Gus lives in Outlook, though he was born in Prosser. He is also a graduate of Sunnyside High School. Gus is married. He and his bride have three kids - aged 19, 16 and 14. He loves to fish and hunt.
Antonia lives in Sunnyside. She and her husband have five daughters. She formerly worked for FWC. She's lived in Sunnyside for 20 years.
SCH Halloween Celebration
The second annual pumpkin carving contest will be Friday, October 29th in the classroom. Pumpkins need to be done and placed in the classroom Friday morning prior to the potluck. An all staff potluck luncheon will be served from 11:30 to 1:30. Please bring a dish to share according to your last name:
A-K entree L-P salad R-Z dessert
Please come to the potluck and vote for your favorites. Everyone who came last year had a wonderful time, and we hope you will enjoy again.
Auxilary News
More fun ways to shop and help the auxiliary raise money for health care scholarships. The next auxiliary jewelry sale with extended hours will be October 26th in the classroom 7am to 6pm! Start putting away Christmas presents now, or just find something nice for your self or your sweetie!
The Auxiliary is also planning for the annual Festival of trees celebration November 19th. It's a fun way to start getting into the holiday spirit. Beautiful specially decorated Christmas trees, lots of yummy food to sample, and time to visit with lots of friends from the hospital and around the community.
The annual poinsettia sale deadline for orders is November 12th. You can get lovely holiday floral for $8.50 a plant - pink, red or white blooms. Contact Charlene Maling for more information.
Sunnyside Community
Hospital has a new doctor – but this one is a doctor of pharmacy. Thuha
Nguyen, better known as “Bac”, has completed his Doctor of Pharmacy Degree
from Idaho State University.
Bac completed the
doctoral program as a part time student over the past four years.
He did this while maintaining fulltime employment at the hospital working
with the hospital’s other pharmacist Arie Van Wingerden.
“It was a lot of work,” Bac said, “because it is a very extensive program. It can be done in two years, but I took four because of my job here at the hospital and my obligations to be with my wife and children.”
The advanced degree
program required considerable training outside the hospital.
Some of that training (called clerkships) was done in six-week intervals. At those times the work doubled up for Arie who said he was
glad to support Bac’s effort.
“I think it shows that the hospital is committed to helping all employees who want to continue their education and get better at what they do,” Arie said.
As a doctor of pharmacy Bac won’t actually be prescribing medications or seeing patients. But he will continue to be a tremendous resource to the physicians and staff of the hospital and the patients that we work together to care for.
Congratulations Bac on a job well done. The hospital will host a reception on Wednesday, October 27th from 2.00-3.30 pm at Sunnyside Community Hospital’s Café. Please join us as we celebrate Bac’s professional accomplishment.
New Student Volunteers in OB and ER
submitted by Carol Allen
I'd like to welcome three new volunteers: Tyssyna Van Wingerden, OB; Kasi Puentes, OB; and Miguel De La Mora, ER (pictured with Dr. Grant Schmidt.) . These are students from Sunnyside Christian , Sunnyside and Granger High Schools. Please say hello and let them know how happy we are they've joined us! (Click on image for larger photo.)
Current Issues in Maternal, Infant & Childcare 18th Annual NW Regional Conference, Nov 4-5 in Spokane. No late fees if registered by November 1st. For registration information call (800) 442-8533. Sponsored by Inland NW Regional Perinatal Center, Deaconess & Sacred Heart Medical Centers.
New
Web-Based Training Course from
CDC Smallpox Vaccine
Storage and Handling. The class is free of charge. Click on the
link for more information or contact Gabriella
Barker.
Monthly MedStar Classes in 2005. Free monthly classes via TeleHealth. 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on the 4th Monday of each month starting in January. All the classes offer CEUs from the AACN. You must register at least one week in advance to obtain CEUs. Contact Gabriella Barker or MedStar's Michael Day for more information.
Relay for Life - Bowling & Baking
The Hospital's RELAY FOR LIFE team is starting a bake sale fundraiser with HALLOWEEN. On Friday, the 29th, the bake sale will be held in the front lobby of the hospital between 9:00am and 12:00noon. We would be glad to take baked goodie contributions from anyone willing to participate. Bring your baked goods to Penny Duren by 8:00 a.m. on the 29th for pricing. And, be sure to check out the sale and buy, buy, buy! It's all for a good cause - THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY. Thanks.
The Rebels with a Cause Bowling Tournament is this Saturday, October 23rd at Valley Lanes. If you have not signed up to participate there may still be room. Contact Yolle Widdows or Ed Smolak for more information. You can also stop by Valley Lanes Saturday afternoon to help out and enjoy the fun.
More sweet treats for a good cause - the butterbraids sale for the rebels concludes early next month. If these are more to your liking see the sign up sheet near the dining room or contact Coleen Goulet in Imaging. There will be butterbraid samples to try at the bowling tournament.
United Way Coming Up
submitted by Yolle Guizar-Widdows
It is the time of year for the United Way Campaign again. Once again it is my honor to be helping out in the community and circulating United Way information to some area businesses.
Our loaned executive Michael McKay will visit our all staff meetings on October 27th in support of the hospital United Way campaign coming up very soon.
Thank you to all of you who support United Way with your donations every year. If you have never pledged before I hope you will consider doing so this year.
Holidays
in the Café 
submitted by Jean Clary
It is our great pleasure to serve you every day in the Cafee, and we have two extra special days coming up as we prepare for the holidays. Our annual Employee Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners are something we enjoy serving and we know you appreciate this special gift from the hospital to each of us.
You will receive coupons for these special meals in your paycheck/direct deposit receipt envelopes November 3rd and December 1st. The Thanksgiving lunch is Wednesday November 17. The Christmas lunch is Wednesday December 15th.
You must have the coupon to enjoy these meals. If you are not working on either of those days you can use the coupon to pay for another meal of your choice during other café hours. But, please note the expiration date on each coupon.
Deadline nears for Christmas Care Packages
Ruth Hagensicker (Food Services) is gathering items for a Christmas Care Package to send to troops in Iraq. (Her brother is one of many guard members called back into fulltime duty and serving overseas.)
The package will be shipped out of the hospital November 1st. If you would like to contribute to the cause here , there are Christmas cards posted on the bulletin board across from the Cafe. Please sign all the cards, as they will be sent with the gifts and packages.