Pediatric Patient Delights in Van Donation, Outings

Care Update
Fall 2009
Pediatric Patient
Delights in Van Donation, Outings
Pediatric patient Phoenix
Weaver of Nixa is thrilled to
be able to board the family
van and go to the doctor
as well as shopping and to
movies with her parents and
seven-year-old brother.
The outings are now
possible due to the generosity
and efforts of many people
who were involved in seeing
that Phoenix’s family received Phoenix Weaver
the wheelchair-accessible
1994 Dodge. Phoenix became a
Phoenix’s grandparents
quadriplegic and ventilator depen- moved into the family garage to
dent when the top three vertebrae help care for her, and she also
of her spine were shattered in
receives in-home nursing care 16
a Dec. 3 car crash soon after
hours a day.
she had surgery to treat Chiari
Medical transit companies are
Malformation, an
reluctant to
The family of Phoenix Weaver
abnormality in
transport the
extends
warmest
thanks
the lower part
child due to the
to
everyone
who
has
so
of the brain that
high liability
generously contributed time,
controls balance.
risks of moving
energy
and
resources
to
assist
Unable to
her fragile body
them
and
their
daughter.
move or breathe
and temporarily
on her own, she
disconnecting
must have assistance with everyher medical equipment.
thing from eating and brushing
When Oxford employees
her teeth to playing with dolls and learned that John Vacey of Nixa
games.
had donated the van to Oxford
“She’s adapting well and is
Hospice in memory of his parents,
pretty content as long as someThomas W. and Doreen C.Vacey,
body’s there to play along with
they suggested that it be given
her,” said her mom, Cassie Whatley. to Phoenix’s family, and Vacey
and Oxford enthusiastically
agreed.
To make sure the van
was in top condition and
to help with licensing and
insurance costs, Oxford
employees made donations
and organized several fundraisers, including a yard sale
that relied heavily on help
from Republic High School’s
Air Force JROTC. Republic
Price Cutter allowed the use
of its parking lot, and McAlister’s Deli provided tea at a very
minimal cost.
The sale netted over $1,600,
and more than $3,200 was
raised altogether. Sunshine
Auto also discounted labor, and
United Access and its employees
donated labor and parts.
Fundraisers with food donations from Bob Evans, Panera
Bread, Shoney’s, Ziggie’s Cafe
and Cedars Restaurant also
generated funds to help the
family.
“I can’t tell you how much all
this means to us,” said Whatley,
who emphasized that the van
will make it possible not only for
Phoenix to go for doctor visits
but for the whole family to enjoy
outings together as well.
Join GriefShare
for Comfort, Hope
Oxford offers a series of
ongoing GriefShare seminars
and support groups for people
grieving the loss of someone close.
The program is sponsored by
caring people who understand
loss and want to offer comfort
and encouragement during this
difficult time.
Each session includes a video
seminar and small group discussion time.
Participants may join at any
time during the series.
For more information, please
call Bereavement Coordinator
Renee Jenkins, MSW, at 800-7496555.
Caring Program Offers
Continued Support
Hospice care usually begins
when patients are diagnosed with
a life expectancy of six months
or less, and Medicare coverage
is available throughout the time
period.
But what happens if an illness
goes into remission and the patient
no longer qualifies for hospice?
“The main objective of our
Continuing Touch program is
to provide support for patients
and families after they no longer
qualify for hospice services,” said
Oxford Hospice Chaplain Franklin
Reagan.
“Our chaplains, social workers
and an intern stay in touch with
patients and families through periodic visits, phone calls and cards
to continue our relationship with
them and let them know we care.”
Oxford Team Supports
Kidney Foundation
Oxford Special
Projects Analyst Chuck
Mathews and Senior
Programmer Analyst Steve
Fortner were the Oxford
HealthCare team for the
National Kidney Foundation’s May 30 Kidney Walk
at Phelps Grove Park.
Oxford’s team raised
Chuck Mathews and Steve Fortner
$405, with proceeds
going toward patient and community services, public and professional
education programs, kidney research and patient advocacy.
2
Dance and Swing
at Snowball
Senior Prom
Dance and swing to the
sounds of Tommy Dorsey, Frank
Sinatra, Duke Ellington and Count
Basie at The Snowball Senior
Prom, a complimentary winter
social for senior adults, to be
presented by Oxford Outreach
from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday,
Dec. 5.
Wayne Glenn, The Old Record
Collector from KTXR-FM, will DJ
the event at the Meyer Center,
3545 S. National, where you can
sway, dance, hum and even sing
along to classic big band hits.
If you’re shy about stepping
out on the dance floor, you can
always enjoy refreshments, meet
new friends and savor the special
social time. You might also enjoy
getting a few dancing tips and
a little coaxing from the dance
instructors who will be on hand
to answer questions and show
you some easy dance moves.
The crowning of king and
queen attendees will highlight
the evening, with judging for the
competition based on nominees’
community service activities.
King and queen nomination
forms are available at Oxford’s
offices, 3660 S. National and
1550 E. Sunshine, and the Meyer
Center, 3545 S. National, or by
calling 1-800-749-6555.
Reservations are not required.
For more information about
the event or about Oxford
Outreach, please call 1-800-7496555.
Oxford Outreach Names
Inaugural Advisory Board
Oxford Outreach — Reaching Beyond Ourselves,
a new arm of Oxford HealthCare, recently appointed
its inaugural advisory board to a one-year term.
Members will serve as community liaisons and
will assist with program planning for the outreach
initiative that gives caring people opportunities
to enhance the lives of patients, their families and
others in the community through volunteer-sponsored events.
Board members are: Bonnie Bell, President of
Sales and Talk-Show Host, Meyer Communications;
Sen. Norma Champion (R)-30; Roy Holand, MD,
Bonnie Bell
Sen. Norma Champion
Ferrell-Duncan Clinic; and Stephen Visio, President,
Executive Data Control Inc.
“We appreciate our new advisory board
members for accepting the challenges of launching
and leading Oxford Outreach.Their strong community service backgrounds and business expertise
will help assure the program’s success,” said Sheila
Boutwell, Community Outreach Coordinator, who
oversees the program.“This economy makes it hard
for people to get help, so we want to put as many
resources as possible toward helping people in
need.”
Roy Holand, MD
Stephen Visio
Sheila Boutwell
Help Oxford Outreach
Enhance the Lives of Others!
Are you a caring person who
is seeking an opportunity to help
others?
Would you like to use your
special talents to help your
community?
You are invited to join Oxford
Outreach’s team of volunteers
to help make a difference in the
community.
“Any person with a heart
to serve and a desire to make a
difference in the lives of others
is a potential member of Oxford
Outreach,” said Sheila Boutwell,
Community Outreach Coordinator.
“If you enjoy interacting with
patients and caregivers, helping
with special projects and events
or providing office support, a
meaningful volunteer experience
awaits you at Oxford Outreach,”
she said.
“For example, you might install
Lifeline equipment in patient
homes, mow a lawn or do small
projects around the house, host
a booth at a community health
fair or take time to bring comfort
and inspiration to patients and
families.
“Every volunteer is a vital
part of our ongoing community
service, and we want each one to
be able to use their special talents
in a fulfilling way.”
3
If You Fall at Home . . .
Be Prepared to Access Help
as a necklace or bracelet, even
According to the Center for
while bathing, and, when pressed,
Disease Control and Prevention,
each year in the United States more it activates two-way voice contact
with a caregiver who sends help
than 30 percent of adults ages 65
immediately.
and up experience a fall.
“Oxford’s service is unique
About a third of those who fall
sustain sprains, strains, broken bones because calls are answered locally,
and Oxford’s professionals have
and head injuries that can reduce
ongoing contact with clients and
mobility and independence and
familiarity with
increase the risk
each one’s health
of an early death.
It’s important to
status,” noted
The National
be able to access
Bowers.
Safety Council
help in case you
“You always
also reports that
fall at home.
receive personalhalf of all falls
— Shallina Bowers
ized attention,
occur at home.
Oxford Regional Director
and your medical
“Obviously,
and personal contact information
it’s important to be able to access
help in case you fall at home— espe- is always handy—whether you call
for help because of a fall or for any
cially if you’re a senior adult who
accident, injury or illness.”
lives alone,” said Oxford Regional
Lifeline also gives you peace
Director Shallina Bowers.
of mind. If you happen to have a
Oxford’s Lifeline gives you help
medical emergency while you’re
at the push of a button.
The Lifeline button can be worn at home alone, you don’t need to
When pressed, Oxford’s Lifeline
button activates voice contact with a
health professional, who sends help
immediately.
worry about whether you’ll be
able to reach a phone—help is at
your fingertips.
To subscribe to Lifeline Medical
Alert or to receive a complimentary home care or safety
assessment, please call a Care
Coordinator at 417-883-7500 or
1-800-749-6555.
Columbia Ribbon Cutting
Marks Six-County Expansion
Columbia Area Chamber of
Commerce ambassadors, Oxford
representatives and local visitors gathered at Oxford’s new
Columbia office for a ribbon
cutting and open house Oct. 7, in
recognition of the recent expansion of Oxford to Boone and five
surrounding counties in central
Missouri.
The new office at 1400 Heriford
Rd., Suite 104, offers a full range
4
of home care services, including
Medicare home health care, private
duty and state-funded nursing and
personal care services, medication
supervision, housekeeping, laundry,
meal preparation, therapy, telemonitoring and Lifeline Medical Alert.
Oxford finalized an agreement
with University of Missouri Health
Care for the acquisition of Sinclair
Home Care, effective July 1, and
moved the office to the new
location Aug. 26.
With the expanded services,
Oxford is in the process of hiring
additional nurses, therapists and
aides in Audrain, Boone, Callaway,
Cooper, Howard and Randolph
counties.
Columbia-area residents
can contact Oxford regarding
services or employment by
calling 573-474-1530 or 1-800749-6555.
Boomer Tips
Can Enhance
Your Lifestyle
Seeking ways to relieve
back pain and stress or
complications from diabetes
or other chronic illnesses?
Want to boost your bank
account or investment
knowhow?
Tune in to Boomer News
& Views at 3 p.m. Mondays on
KWTO 560 AM.
Each week the show
features area professionals—
often in the fields of health care
and finance— who provide
insightful ideas on becoming
healthy, wealthy and wise.
Plus, you’re always welcome
to join the conversation and
call in with questions to get
answers on topics such as:
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Spa treatments for stress
relief
• Therapeutic massage
• Cosmetic dentistry
• Decoding Medicare ABCs
• Investments and family fun
• Avoiding “Ponzi” schemes
• Coping with the economic
downturn
• Managing sudden wealth
Previously aired programs
are also accessible at
OxfordHealthCare.net.
SBJ Names Kim Sisk
a Most Influential Woman
Springfield Business Journal
honored Oxford Executive Director
of In-Home Services Kim Sisk as one
of 20 Most Influential Women in
Southwest Missouri during a special
banquet Sept. 25 at University Plaza
Hotel and Convention Center.
Sisk began in home health care
as a caregiver and now oversees the
largest In-Home Services program in
Missouri, where she is responsible
for 900 employees who care for
almost 2,000 patients throughout
26 Missouri
counties.
She is also
expanding her
program to six
more counties.
“Oxford is
very proud of
Kim and deeply Kim Sisk
appreciates her
outstanding contributions to the
quality of health care,” said Oxford
President Karen Thomas.
Local Media Spotlight
Therapy Pal Pumpkin
Pet therapy pal
the July 28 Branson
Pumpkin is often
Daily News “Foura highlight of the
legged Friends
day for people
Help Seniors”
she and Oxford
includes a segment
Hospice Chaplain
about Pumpkin;
Cliff Rawley visit
and TAME pet
on routine rounds
magazine’s fall issue
to area hospitals
reveals her life story
Pumpkin with Ilene Gott
and senior residenas a twice rescued
tial facilities.
dog who was born in Fontana, Calif.,
The companionship and joy she and now carries her own busioffers recently attracted local media ness card and enjoys a “tail with a
attention: a Christian County Head- happy ending”—being well loved
liner News feature July 24 is all about by the Rawleys and many Oxford
“The Mascot of Oxford HealthCare”; employees, clients and friends.
Boomer News Thanks Sponsors
Boomer News & Views radio
show, which airs Mondays at 3
p.m. on KWTO 560 AM, extends
special thanks to these sponsors
for their generous support:
Croley Insurance
Discovery Center
Grove Pharmacy
John Morse, Merrill Lynch
McKesson Corporation
5
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE
PAID
SPRINGFIELD MO
PERMIT # 107
3660 S. National, Ste. 300
P.O. Box 10939
Springfield, MO 65808-0939
WHAT’S INSIDE
Pediatric Patient
............................. p 1
Senior Prom
............................. p 2
Oxford Outreach
............................. p 3
Lifeline
............................ p 4
Boomer Tips
............................ p 5
To honor a
loved one and
enhance the lives
of others, please
consider a gift to
Oxford Hospice.
Memorial and tribute gifts to Oxford Hospice are wonderful ways
to honor loved ones while making a positive impact on the
lives of people who are coping with terminal illness.
All gifts directly help patients and their families who need
assistance with basics such as groceries, utilities, funeral expenses
and travel for loved ones to attend a funeral.
To make a donation or for more information, please contact:
CoxHealth Foundation
417-269-7150
coxhealthfoundation.com