Volume 11, Issues 19 September 10, 2004
In This Corner by Jon D. Smiley, C.E.O.
We will have another Women's Health Night event at the hospital September 23rd. A group of employees led by Sandra Linde and others is preparing for this Women's Health Night. I hope you will help out where you can, and make plans to attend or invite others in your life to attend as appropriate.
The night will include some of the no charge testing that we have done in past years. Dr. Marc Meininger has also agreed to present an educational program again at 5:30 p.m. Dr. Meininger's programs have been very well received over the past four years.
There will be something for women of all ages to do and enjoy. A special healthy cooking demonstration will also be presented by a local chef I can personally vouch for - my lovely bride, Mary.
This is a season of exciting change around the hospital. Our new Internal Medicine physicians have all arrived. Dr. Ellen Ang and Dr. Sandra Wilson are now in place at Valley Internal Medicine at 1000 E. Edison across the street from the hospital. Dr. Coke Smith and Dr. Francesco Vinci have begun the hospital based physician practice. On the days when either Dr. Smith or Dr. Vinci are not available the two clinic internists will rotate IM call at the hospital. That means that coverage will be either in the hospital - or available on call at all hours.
The hospital board is very excited about this increase in our specialist coverage at the hospital. I hope you will be too. It will mean our referring physicians will have options in getting care and consult for their patients. It will mean quicker coverage and care for our patients in many departments of the hospital.
Dr. Ellen Ang Dr. Sandra Wilson Dr. Francesco Vinci Dr. Coke Smith
Employee Recognition
for the Quarter
Michael Poteet from the Kitchen was this week recognized as the Employee of the Quarter. One employee is selected every quarter from those nominated for special recognition. Mike was saluted for his hard work and his friendly and positive attitude to all employees and customers, patients and families that come to the kitchen.
This photo was taken from the employee picnic last month.
ACLS Skills Verification and ACLS Review - September 17. 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. Michael Day, RN, Northwest Med Star. Two separate classes designed to help increase your professional awareness and growth regarding ACLS certification information & complete your ACLS renewal certification. Contact: Gabriella Barker for information.
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing - October 7-8, Good Shepard Hospital in Hermiston. Registration Deadline is September 30th. This is a 14 hour seminar with CEU available. Instructor is Michael Cobb a police officer with 22 years experience and a faculty member with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation International Advisory Committee.
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.
Help Out an Ill Co-worker. The Nurses in ACU are organizing an effort to take evening meals to a co-worker and her husband. This nurse has been very ill for sometime as many of you know, and continues on the road to recovery. If you would like to help out please see Judy in Ambulatory Care.
Women's Health Night September 23rd. Your assistance is requested. Please see Linda Garner or Sandra Linde if you are interested in helping out with this important event. We especially need volunteer help from persons who can do needle sticks to draw blood for cholesterol screens.
New Polo Shirts. The word is that the new shirts can be worn where appropriate any shift any day. We are also encouraged to wear them on Fridays. Jeans are not permitted under current dress code rules.
September New Employee Orientation
Left to right: Silvia Llamas,. Melissa Taylor, Rubi Carachure, Amanda Guy, & Cory Leishman
Silvia - Lives in Sunnyside and works in the Family Birth Center. Formerly worked for Mid Valley Clinic. Silvia has five kids. Two of her girls live in Bellingham. She attends YVCC in the Medical Assistant Program. She has a cat named Tiger and a puppy named Sheepdog.
Melissa - Lives in Zillah and works in Surgical Services. Recently relocated with family from Idaho. Enrolled in YVCC RN program. Melissa worked in the travel industry for 15 years before deciding to shift careers. She is very excited about being at the hospital and having an opportunity to learn and care for patients.
Rubi - Lives in Grandview and works in the Laboratory. Rubi has a toddler at home. She wrote in her new employee fact sheet, "I really want to thank Jim Grettner for giving me a chance to enter the Laboratory team. I am really loving it. I enjoy meeting new people. And happy birthday to Jim from everyone in the Lab."
Amanda - Lives in Outlook and works in Med Surg. Just moved back to the Valley after living nine years in Oregon. She worked for St. Elizabeth's in Baker City.
Corey - A second year student in Imaging at YVCC in the Radiology Sciences Program. "I try to stay happy by being a little goofy. I am commonly referred to as Corney or Corky."
Women's Health Night September 23rd
submitted by Sandra Linde
We are very excited as plans come together for our fall Women's Health Night. It will be September 23rd from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Highlights this year will include another chef demonstration with Mary Smiley. In addition to being the spouse of our CEO, Mrs. Smiley runs a very successful local catering business called "To Dine For". She will give to demonstrations with samples at 4:30 and 6:30.
Dr. Marc Meininger will make a public presentation on the latest news in Women's Health. Dr. Meininger has been a popular presenter every year. His presentation will be in the cafe at 5:30.
Cholesterol and blood sugar screens will be done free of charge. Blood pressure checks will also be done. The Mammography Department and the Bone Density Department will also have an open house for interested visitors.
Ready for Hospital Day!
Dr. Jon Allen and Maureen (left) are ready for a trip to Hospital Day at UHS Kansas City later this month. Maureen made the table top display representing the fruits of the Yakima Valley. Dr. Allen will be discussing training options in Sunnyside for osteopathic medical students entering their third year.
(Click on image for larger picture.)
Relay for Life Team Getting Set
If you would like to show your support for "Relay for Life" you can soon. The Rebels with a Cause team will be selling refrigerator magnets and car magnets. The purple ribbon magnets will be sold for $5 for the car size and $2.50 for the fridge size. All proceeds going to the team effort for the 2005 Relay. See Coleen Goulet if you would like to buy a magnet.
The team is also preparing a bowling tournament October 23rd at Valley Lanes in Sunnyside. It will be a "no tap" tournament, four person teams, $21 per bowler. Contact Ed Smolak or Yolle Widdows-Guizar for entry information.
Diabetes Walk
If you like to walk, join in with others from the hospital supporting the Diabetes Walk October 2nd in Richland. You are invited to make a contribution to local Diabetes education and patient care and walk through Howard Amon Park in Richland. Contact Sandra Linde for more information and to sign up to walk.