Volume 11, Issue 19                                                                                     September 12, 2003

 _{In This Corner    by Jon D. Smiley, C.E.O.}   

As we prepare for the fall and winter months ahead we are working very hard to bring continuity back to our Internal Medicine care at the hospital.  Earlier this week, the medical staff reaffirmed the need to have 24 hour a day, seven day a week availability of internal medicine physicians at the hospital. 

We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Lisa Anthony to the hospital for the next few months.  Dr. Anthony is a full time Internist who specializes in working a few months at a time in one location.  Please make her feel welcome.  She has already seen some very ill patients and worked many long hours in the ICU.   Dr. Rick George, an internist from Richland, has also agreed to work here from time to time - primarily on weekends.

Dr. Coke Smith and I are planning with the physician recruitment committee and our in house recruiter to bring more candidates to visit in the weeks ahead.  Our goal is to bring at least two new internists on board in the next few months.  

As we realize this significant need in our current medical staff roster, we also recognize that we have made significant progress in Family Medicine with the arrival of Dr. Martin Dubek and Dr. April Biggs over the summer. We also celebrate the recent one year anniversary of the practice of Dr. Al Yinug.   In two weeks Dr. Robert Kim will be here to begin his practice of adult and pediatric urology.  Dr. Kim's practice will be of significant benefit to the hospital and the community. 

ICU Nurses Complete Curriculum 

Five SCH Nurses have now completed the Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum (TNCC).  Wendy Veliz (inset) was the first to pass as noted in the last edition of the Community Highlights.  Four more nurses completed the course last week.  They are (left to right): Vivian Geangan, Cathy Finlayson, Agnes Ampil & Laura Martin. 

Education Department, Nursing Administration and everyone else in the hospital commend these nurses for their hard work in continued professional growth and development. 

Employee ER Visits and Emcare

submitted by Beth Gillette

The Emcare physicians group and the Premera/Blue Cross physicians group are not yet "on the same page" with reference to credentialing and simplifying the billing process.  That has caused some confusion for covered employees who have had Emergency Department visits in recent weeks. 

If you visit the ER you may have received, and may still receive a check from Blue Cross for the professional fee portion of your ER visit.  The check will be made out jointly to you and the Emcare Physician Group.  You will need to endorse that check send it with the Explanation of Benefits, send to 

Emcare Physicians

Dept W 82

POB 660446

You will also need to explain that you are a Sunnyside Community Hospital employee eligible for all employee benefits included in the Emergency Department.  Please contact the business office if you have any additional questions. 

Cafeteria Hours Changing

Please note new hours for the cafeteria effective Monday September 15th. 

Breakfast:  7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. 

Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

Dinner: 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Grill closes at 4:45 p.m. 

Please consult the memo or mox in your department for more information on these important changes. 

Busy Fall Calendar from Education 

If you need more information on any of the class offerings below contact Gabriella Barker, Education Coordinator. 

9/18/03 JCSN @ 1000-1130 hrs Re: Putting the pieces together- Self Assessment, Priority Focus,Process, & Tracer Methology

09/24/03 CPR - HeartSavers Class (1230 1530 hrs - only afternoon spots left, RSVP today)

09/19/03 Women's Rounds - Gynecological Cancer via Telehealth @ 0700-0800 in classsroom

09/24/03 Pediatric Rounds - Cystic Fibrosis via Telehealth @ 0800-0900 in M/S conf

10/15/03 New Concepts in Hemostasis Management @ 1200-1300 M/S conf (Part 2 of 3 series)

10/10/03 "JAR" speaker Dr Meridith Heick - Shriners Educational Programs in Peds via Telehealth @ 1200-1300 hrs in Classroom

10/16/03 JCSN @ 1000-1130 hrs Re: Realizing the Vision: Effective Leadership

11/11/03 New Concepts in Hemostasis Management @ 1000-1100 M/S conf (Part 3 of 3 series)

 Employee Activity Committee Planning for Busy Season

Here is a summary of all the fun plans coming up from the Employee Activity Committee. 

Above and Beyond Program - this new program will be a way to recognize outstanding efforts at customer service.   Nomination forms will be placed in each department.  Outstanding employee awards will be made quarterly.  Please join in and give a pat on the back to outstanding co-workers. 

Halloween Celebration.  An employee potluck will be held October 31 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  You are invited to wear some Halloween garb - shirt, tie, vest, sweatshirt etc., but not a full costume.  There will also be a pumpkin decorating contest.  Every department is invited to enter. 

Thanksgiving.  The employee/volunteer/medical staff dinner will be held Wednesday, November 12.   You will receive a coupon for this meal in your November 7th paycheck envelope.  Don't lose it!

Christmas.  Decorations should be visible by December 5th.  The Christmas Dinner for all staff will be December 11th. Watch for a coupon for this meal in your December 5th paycheck envelope.  The Children's Christmas Party will be Sunday, December 14th at 2:30 in the classroom.  For all hospital connected kids 12 and under.   

December 19th at 2:00 Christmas Dessert break.  Bring a holiday dessert to share.  A department wreath contest will be judged at that time. 

Secret Santa Program.  If you would like to be in the secret Santa giving and receiving program sign up with Penny Duren no later than November 20th. 

Thanks for your thoughtfulness 

Employee, Auxiliary & Volunteer support to help out with the Red Cross Blood Drawing last week was very strong.  Many thanks to all of the people who baked or brought cookies for those who were giving blood.   And of course we want to thank those who rolled up their sleeves and gave blood and all the people who were at the church to take care of them. 

The collections for the "Day of Sharing" project were turned over to the Lower Valley Crisis & Support Services.  The Business Office, Food Services and several other departments did a great job collecting donations for this month long project.  Thanks to every who gave generously.   The following letter was received from Ricki Tebaldi, Executive Director of Lower Valley Crisis & Support Services: 

"On behalf of our board of directors and staff, we gratefully acknowledge and thank you for your very generous donation of toys, clothes, towels, hygiene products, diapers, and kitchen appliances.  Your donations allow us to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and their families.  Your generosity is truly appreciated."

Employees Receive Translation Certification 

Our congratulations to the following employees who have completed our two part translation program.  The program consisted of a written and an oral test.  These 16 employees are receiving an in house certification award as well as additional financial compensation for their abilities and readiness to translate (English-Spanish) for our patients, families and other caregivers. 

        Gracie Arredondo            Eva Ayala

        Ismael Barraza                 Diane Cantu

        Celia Castaneda               Sheila Cerda

        Yesenia Correa                Mary Flores

        Alicia Garcia                    Miguel Martinez

        Luis Ortega                      Irene Patina

        Josie Perez                       Elena VanDoren

Anyone who didn't get a chance to take the test can do so in December.  Contact Lisa Garcia for more information. 

Hey Sports Fans!

submitted by Jim Schlenker 

For several years the hospital has fielded a bowling team.  Well, right now that team is down to two members, and we looking for three men who would like to join a Thursday night bowling league.  If you are interested please contact me. 

We bowl Thursday nights at 7:00.  The cost is $11 per week.  It is a lot of fun, so if you are looking for a night out and something to do come on and join. 

House Hunting? 

Stuff to Talk About on Break  

This is a picture of the new US $20 bill that will be finding its way out of the ATM and into your wallet in the next few weeks.  The government has printed about 900 million of the new bills.  They expect them to start popping up about the first of October. 

Auxiliary Plans for Busy Fall 

submitted by Charlene Maling 

Please allow me to say thanks to everyone for your generous support of our recent bake sale event.  There are other opportunities coming up to support the hospital and the Auxiliary efforts. 

We will have another jewelry sale October 16th, and a book sale December 18th.  There will be two payroll deduction periods available for each of these sales.  So, plan to do some of your holiday shopping right here at the hospital. 

Our Festival of Trees Event is such a neat way to start out the holiday season.  Please mark down the date of November 21st and try to attend.  The Auxiliary works very hard on these events, and your support by attending is very important to so many people who give of there time and talents for the hospital freely and without any payback other than a thank you. 

Also our annual poinsetta plant sale is not that far away.  The delivery is the first week of December.  The price remains at $8.50 per plant.   Please let me know if you need more information about any of these auxiliary events.  It will be my honor to represent the hospital and the auxiliary at the annual state conference for hospital auxiliary September 23-25 in Lynwood. 

Return to front page.