Volume 11, Issues 17 August 13, 2004
In This Corner by Jon D. Smiley, C.E.O.
In this issue we welcome new employees, recognize years of service for several more, and also announce the search for the next employee of the quarter.
When we moved the Community Highlights to a web-only publication there was some concern that the news would not be getting out to all members of the hospital staff.
So to those of you who do get the news, I hope you will refer people to the website, or if needed, make a copy of the newsletter from your computer to share with others in your department.
We do value the work of every member of the team, and I think this issue does an especially good job of focusing on different aspects of being employed here.
We are very fortunate to have a fairly stable base of employees. In the last recognition luncheon in particular I noted that Cindy Rasmussen has been with us in three different departments over her 20 year career.
Our board is very supportive of the employees of this hospital. That is why I am so pleased when we can point to many of you with outstanding service awards. A newcomer, at only about 12 years in my present post - I want to say again to all the new employees and those getting five and ten year pins that we want you to be successful and happy in your employment at Sunnyside.
One step we are taking is an updated salary survey. We will compare our salaries with those of other hospitals in the region and around the state to make sure we remain competitive. The board believes in attracting and retaining the brightest and the best to provide the quality of care our patients and families deserve.
So happy anniversary or welcome aboard - whatever the case may be in your own employment. Please keep up the good work and bring back your smile and your hard work to every shift. Please remember that our customer satisfaction is must be at the highest level to allow us to continue the privilege of caring for the people of this Valley.
50 Years of Service Honored at Luncheon
submitted by Lisa Gray
Five employees with a combined total of 50 years of service where honored at our 2nd Quarter Employee Anniversary Luncheon.
Cindy Rasmussen, RN received a 20 year pin. Cindy is currently working surgery. Peggy Krueger, RN received her 10 year pin. Peggy is a fulltime House Supervisor. Cindy Johnston from Fiscal Services received her 10 year pin. Janie Alaniz, from Surgical Services received a 5 year pin. Martha Costilla, from Imaging received her 5 year pin.
Left to right: Cindy Rasmussen, Cindy Johnston, Peggy Krueger, Martha Costilla and Janie Alaniz. (Click on photos for larger image.)
New Employees Welcomed at Orientation
Left to right; Alisa Anderson, Sylvia Alvarez, Sergio Tovar, and Serrina Walker
Alisa - lives in Mabton and works in Med/Surg. "I am from a family of 12. Seven brothers and four sisters. We are from El Campo, Texas. My mother raised all of us herself and I love her so much. She is 71 years old and lives with my older brother in Las Vegas. I myself have three children - son Karl (24), LaQuisha (22) and Alishia (18). I am also a grandmother - my daughter-in-law Vivian has a six month old, Mary Kate. I am also proud to have my son back in the US after spending two years in the Army fighting overseas."
Sylvia - works in Admitting and lives in Sunnyside. "I have lived in Sunnyside all my life. I enjoy working with the public."
Sergio - works in Social Services and lives in Mabton. "I graduated from Mabton HS, moved to Seattle to attend the UW. I lived in Seattle the past seven years. I recently finished Grad School at the U. and am excited about the move back home."
Serrina - works in the OR and lives in Naches. " I graduated from Sunnyside HS and moved away. After graduation I went to BCC and then YVCC. I have been married for seven years and have two boys - and now I commute."
Who will the Next One Be?
Submitted by Monica Saenz
The Employee Relations Committee is seeking nominations for the next employee of the quarter. To be considered it should be one of our co-workers who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in providing excellent customer service.
If you believe in our motto, "in a word, Quality", then you understand that to provide excellent customer service day in and day out is a challenging job.
We all work very hard in registering patients, providing meals, providing direct care to those who are ill or hurting. It is a team effort that allows us to care for the people that come to the hospital.
One way each of us can do a little bit more for the team is to take a moment to think about someone who has done an outstanding job, and might not have been recognized widely.
Please send your nominations to the Employee Relations Committee no later than August 20th. Contact me in Admitting if you would like to know more, or contact the Employee Committee member from your department.
Golf Tournament Above Par Again!
submitted by Carol Allen
The 12th Annual SCH Foundation Golf Tournament was a big success. The checks are still coming in and bills are still being paid, but thanks to our golfers and sponsors we had another good year.
Photos from the tournament are posted on the hospital website. The Bliesner family team was low gross winner again this year. Congratulations to Gene, Mary Ann and their two golfing sons for doing such an awesome job.
In addition to golfers and sponsors I would also like to salute the people that worked so hard to help put the tournament on again this year including Lloyd Heeringa, Jim Sides, Heather Allen, Hannah Glockner, Jan Garcia, Victoria Cabellero, Eilene Crooker, Nancy Hultberg, Lisa Gray, Jim Schlenker, Debbie Amos, Lonnie Montiel, Kathy and Tom Lathen.
Hospital
Sets Senior Project Day
Sunnyside Community Hospital is planning a special day in
the hospital for incoming High School Seniors preparing to do their year long
senior project career study. The program will be Monday August 23 from
9:15 until 2:30 at the hospital classroom.
“We have lots of interesting careers and employees willing to mentor these seniors,” said Special Projects Coordinator Sandra Linde. “The idea behind this program is to reach out to those students who think they are interested in healthcare projects, but also to be a resource to those seniors who haven’t found a project yet,” Linde said.
A letter was mailed to all the incoming seniors at Sunnyside High School, but Linde said the program is also open to seniors in Grandview and other Lower Valley school districts. To reserve a spot, students should call 837-1313. Space is limited and students will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
All those in attendance will receive lunch as guests of the
hospital. Dr. Harlan Halma, a
Sunnyside High School graduate, and local family practice physician, will speak
to the seniors at lunch. Dr. Halma
will talk about growing up in the Valley and what led him toward a career in
medicine.
At press time more than 20 students had already signed up for the program. Sandra is also still looking for departments and employees willing to mentor students about jobs in their area of interest. Contact Sandra by phone if you are interested in making sure your department is included in this excellent community outreach and service.
Another Top Ten List
Congressman Doc Hastings is asking healthcare what the issues are that makes our job difficult. Two years ago the Congressman asked hospitals in the district for the same type of grassroots feedback. Last week at a meeting in Pasco he specifically thanked our hospital for contributing lists to him. He said changes in the "market basket" formula for calculating hospital expenses were the result of those kinds of contributions.
As Congress prepares a new budget and healthcare bill the congressman is inviting us to give him feedback again. If you would like to get the message to the congressman about issues making it harder for us to provide healthcare to the Valley please send your list to Community Relations by September 1. The lists will be put together and sent on to Washington.
This
was only a test... 
The recent unannounced hospital disaster drill was judged as very successful during a de-brief the same afternoon. Phone tree response was very good, and several employees who had just gone off night shift also returned when called or paged.
The disaster committee is continuing to evaluate ways to make the system run better so that even during times of disaster we can provide excellent care and very good customer service.
One thing that was noted was that people were appreciative of the learning opportunities that were made by those evaluating the drill. There was a spirit of learning from the drill rather than criticizing those who may have forgotten what room to report to, or where certain things were supposed to be taken.
One of the "victims" is on the front page of the newsletter. The picture included above is the same one that ran in the Daily Sun News coverage of the drill. Thanks to everyone who responded, volunteered, and did their best to keep the focus on quality even during a disaster.
Phase Four: Needleless System at SCH. An in-service will go from unit to unit August 25, 26 and 27. Contact Gabriella Barker for more information, or check the flyer in each nursing unit.
Women's Health Grand Rounds is also scheduled via telehealth. Or contact Gabriella Barker.
Oncology Grand Rounds every second Friday of the month via Telehealth.
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.
Shirts Coming Soon!
Our new hospital shirts have arrived and will be distributed shortly. Each employee received the opportunity to order one shirt courtesy of the hospital. If you ordered additional shirts you will need to pay for those at the time of pick up.