Focus Fall 2009 - Munson Healthcare

Inside:
•Cardiac surgery program
rated #2 in nation
•Stroke patient shares her story
•TV anchor dances for
mammography fund
Fall 2009
Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation
Paul Oliver Foundation
$1 Million Gift:
Debbie and Dan Edson are thanked by Birdie Schweikart, RN, Manager of Non-Invasive Cardiology.
TC Couple Makes $1 Million Gift to Munson Medical Center
Dan and Debbie Edson of Traverse
City live by the philosophy that those
who’ve been given a lot should give a
lot. It is part of what motivated them
to make a $1 million donation to
Munson Medical Center for a new
non-invasive cardiology suite.
The Edsons’ lead gift kicks off fundraising for a $2.3 million project
that will bring about the final step
in consolidating all heart services at
Munson into one location.
Debbie and Dan Edson
Below: The Edsons, with their son,
Jeremiah, daughters Jennifer and Julia,
and grandson William.
“We are truly grateful for the Edson family’s generosity,” said Des
Worthington, President and CEO of
Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation. “It is a pleasure to facilitate
gifts from a couple who cares so
much about the community and
enhancing health care.”
“We started out as two college kids
with no money,” Debbie said. “People
have always been helpful and kind
to us – you can’t pay people back,
but you can pay it forward, and we
think that’s how we need to live.
We’re honored that Munson can
use the help in this way.”
“We’ve always talked about doing something major to leave a legacy.”
Dan Edson, Traverse City
Julia and Dan Edson
at the Tour de France.
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Dan is co-founder of American Proficiency Institute (API), the second
largest lab testing company in the
world, headquartered in Traverse
City. He and a co-worker launched
the company from his living room
in 1990 when their employer, CAP
Computer Center, relocated to Chicago. During API’s first year, Dan
worked nights in the microbiology
lab at Munson and also worked for
a physician to help make ends meet.
Today, API has 16,000 clients worldwide, including about 2,000 hospitals
across the country.
Dan credits Munson with helping
him launch his career in microbiology with a lab services internship in
1972-73. “That year of training jumpstarted my career and provided me
with so much inspiration,” he said. “I
got so much encouragement from the
pathologists who told me I could do
anything and be anything.”
In 1977, while pursuing a graduate
degree at Michigan State University,
Dan developed the first screening
blood test for Legionnaire’s disease
and assisted investigators in linking
the disease to a hotel’s contaminated
cooling reservoirs. Thirty years later,
it is still among the work he is best
known for, and one of the reasons he
received the Michigan State University Distinguished Alumni Award.
Dan also has co-authored nearly 30
scientific publications on laboratory
quality assurance, including papers
credited with increasing patient safety
and saving U.S. hospitals nearly $50
million annually.
Munson Connections:
A Grateful Patient
Over the years, Dan has developed
friendships with numerous physicians who share his passion for
bicycling. “I’ve just been fortunate to
have them as friends. I’ve always been
enveloped by the Munson family.”
Those relationships became even
more important five years ago when
Dan needed aortic valve replacement
surgery at age 53. He was participating in the VASA in 2004 when he felt
something was terribly wrong, but
finished the race after his symptoms
Debbie and Dan Edson
went away. Later, while bike riding
in France with his family, he was
alarmed that he couldn’t keep up.
Completing the Heart Center:
How You Can Help
Back home, an echocardiogram
quickly revealed a severely damaged
heart valve. “It was a very sobering
moment,” he said. Dan had successful valve replacement surgery at
Munson and has regained his full
athletic ability.
The total cost for relocating Non-Invasive Cardiology to the ground floor
of the Heart Center is $2.3 million. The Foundation’s 2009 Year End Appeal
provides an opportunity to help raise the remaining $500,000 in donations
needed for the project.
The Edsons have three adult children
and a two-year-old grandson. Debbie works for the Traverse Bay Area
Intermediate School District as a
teacher consultant on a diagnostic
team that supports student success
in local districts.
Continuing Contributions
The Edsons previously supported
Munson with gifts to the new Emergency Department, Munson Hospice,
and the Smith Family Breast Health
Center. “We’ve always talked about
doing something major to leave a
legacy,” Dan said. “As the Heart Center was being completed, we learned
that there was still a need to complete
Non-Invasive Cardiology. This really
was the right fit for us.”
“Our role now is to give back and
do big things within our community.
We’re very fortunate to be in a
position to give back to Munson,
specifically.” Dan Edson, Traverse City
Non-Invasive Cardiology will move into the area vacated by the Emergency Department in 2007. Space will nearly double – from 4,200 square
feet to 8,000 square feet – allowing the expansion necessary to meet the
region’s growing need for non-invasive cardiology care.
Currently, the department is located a considerable distance from the
Heart Center. Heart patients who need non-invasive procedures are
transported through public hallways on gurneys. “Tests often have to
be done in multiple locations,” said Cardiovascular Services Director
Bob Stanton said. “Part of it may be in Radiology, then Non-Invasive
Cardiology, and then back to Radiology. This will allow us to do all the
procedures in one location.”
“Being in the same tower will make everyone – patients, families,
physicians, and staff – happier,” said Birdie Schweikart, RN, Manager
of Non-Invasive Cardiology.
Demand for cardiovascular services continues to rise due to an aging
population and increased prevalence of heart disease risk factors, such
as obesity and diabetes. The number of patients has increased by 5 - 6
percent annually during the past few years.
Non-Invasive Cardiology performs echocardiogram, electrocardiogram,
holter monitor studies, and other non-invasive tests that give cardiologists
an accurate understanding of heart function.
Clustering activities, staff, and equipment will enhance operational
efficiencies and increase patient satisfaction. Recent surveys showed
outpatients are dissatisfied because it is difficult to find Non-Invasive
Cardiology, whereas cardiology nursing units that have been moved
to the Heart Center report dramatically improved patient satisfaction.
For more information about how you can be involved, contact the
Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation at (231) 935-6482.
3
Munson Cardiac Surgery
Program Rated #2 in Nation
Munson Medical Center’s cardiac
surgery program has been rated #2
in the nation by CareChex, a national
medical quality rating system.
CareChex compares the quality of
hospital and physician care to national, state, and local standards using
a variety of measures. Ratings are
based on three years of federal data
comparing nearly 5,000 hospitals.
“This information affirms the quality of care our cardiac patients receive here at Munson,” said Kathleen
McManus, Senior Vice President at
Munson Medical Center. “Our heart
surgeons, cardiologists, OR, and
nursing staffs are dedicated to safe
and positive outcomes for our
patients.”
Munson Medical Center scored a
99.8 out of 100 in its overall ranking.
Munson’s program ranked higher
than Cleveland Clinic, Mayo
Clinic-St. Mary’s Hospital in
Rochester, Minn., and all other
hospitals in Michigan. Only
Avera Heart Hospital of Sioux Falls,
S.D., scored higher than Munson.
More than 4,000 cardiac patients
are treated annually at Munson
Medical Center, including more
than 600 open-heart surgery patients.
The major cardiac surgery clinical
category includes cardiac valve
procedures, coronary bypass
procedures, and major cardiovascular procedures.
Munson Named 2009
Top 100 Cardiovascular Hospital
Munson Medical Center has been
recognized as a Top 100 Hospital for
Cardiovascular Services by Thomson
Reuters for the sixth time.
Munson is the only hospital in
northern lower Michigan to receive
the award in 2009.
Thomson Reuters, a national health
care and information services organization, uses publicly available federal
data to rank hospitals based on eight
measures of clinical quality, performance, and operational efficiency.
Munson cardiovascular physicians
said an interdisciplinary team
approach, and a collaborative effort
to implement best practices based
on research-based medicine, is
behind the continued recognition.
4
“Physicians welcome the opportunity to improve outcomes for their
patients by benchmarking their
performance against that of their
colleagues, both in the hospital and
nationally,” said cardiologist Daniel
Bonifacio, DO, Cardiology Quality
Assurance Representative in
Munson’s Cardiology Services.
Munson Medical Center has partnerships with Cardiothoracic
Surgeons of Grand Traverse, Great
Lakes Cardiology, Grand Traverse
Heart Associates, and Northwest
Michigan Heart and Vascular
Specialists. The network’s cardiologists and surgeons see patients
in Alpena, Cadillac, Frankfort,
Gaylord, Grayling, Kalkaska,
Prudenville, Sault Ste. Marie,
and Traverse City.
Munson Healthcare Regional
Foundation Board of Trustees
Paul Schmuckal, Chair
Charles Havill, Vice Chair
Rev. Homer Nye, Secretary
Charlie Bumb, Treasurer
Desiree Worthington, President
Jon S. Armstrong
George Bearup
Lorraine Beers
Ross A. Biederman
Kyle A. Carr, MD
K. Douglas Deck, President and CEO
Munson Healthcare
Cindy Glines, MD
E. Philip Goethals
Edwin Ness, President and CEO
Munson Medical Center
Cathie L. Martin
Tom McIntyre, Chair
Munson Healthcare
Irene Nugent, Chair
Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital (POMH)
Dennis Pearsall
Royce Ragland
Bruce Reavely, Philanthrophy Chair
Edward J. Rutkowski, MD
Alice Shirley
Robert E. Snell
Bruce W. Soule
Sarah Trippe
Ron Yocum
Paul Oliver Foundation
Board of Directors
Phillip Meek, Chair
Johanna McClear, Vice Chair
Hallie Christian, Secretary
J. Chris Kantgias, Treasurer
Desiree Worthington, President
James Austin, Administrator, POMH
Jon S. Armstrong
Robert C. Foster
John Haddick
Gerald Jehle
Charles King
David Leavenworth
Richard T. Lewis
Christina MacInnes
Frederick Muller
Margaret Nelson
Irene Nugent, Chair, POMH
George Ryckman, DO
Munson Medical Center Opens Top Floor in Heart Center
The top floor of the Munson Heart
Center began accepting patients on
Nov. 17, making it the sixth floor to
open since January 2007 when the
Emergency Department moved into
ground floor space.
Thank You, Donors
Construction of the A Tower began
in 2005 after the Munson Healthcare
Regional Foundation reached its
$10 million fundraising goal in just
over a year’s time, thanks to
tremendous community support.
Patients recovering from stroke,
vascular, and some cardiac conditions
are now being cared for on what is
known as A7. Stroke patients being
admitted to Munson through the
Emergency Department no longer
have to leave the Heart Center for
their care.
“Consolidating Cardiovascular Services in one area helps our heart team
provide integrated and efficient care
for patients and their families,” said
Ed Ness, Munson Medical Center
President and CEO. “We want to
thank the community for its support
and patience as we’ve worked on this
multi-year construction project.”
The opening of A7 brings Munson to
its full complement of 391 beds. A7
has 29 beds configured in 21 private
rooms and four semi-private rooms.
Technology allows for heart data
from each patient to be monitored by
nursing staff outside of the room.
“The new unit provides a quieter
atmosphere for patients, an important aspect in recovery for all patients,
but especially for those who experience a stroke,” said A7 Manager Mary
Ramseyer, BSN, RN. “Patients who
have a devastating stroke require a lot
of equipment and often are supported
by many family members. The new
unit gives staff and families the
space they need to provide personal,
private care backed by the newest
technology.”
Patients and staff on A7 also can
claim “best view” status, with
commanding vistas of West Grand
Traverse Bay and Traverse City
out their windows.
Munson Heart Center Floors
1 Emergency Department and future home of Non-Invasive Cardiology
2 30-bed heart surgery unit
3 30-bed intensive care, and post-angioplasty/stenting unit
4 38-bed cardiology unit for heart failure, arrhythmia, and implant care
5 Mechanical
6 Cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology labs
7 29-bed stroke, vascular, and cardiac care
5
‘We Have Everything We Need Here’
Naomi Rhode is a top corporate motivational speaker. She’s been inducted into the Speakers Hall of Fame,
and both she and her husband, Jim,
are past presidents of the National
Speakers Association. Together, the
Rhodes founded a highly successful
international health care business in
Phoenix, Ariz.
In August 2008, Naomi suffered a
stroke immediately after landing
in Traverse City on her way to a
speaking engagement on Mackinac
Island.
She spent the next month at Munson
Medical Center.
The Decision to Stay
Naomi was ill before flying to Michigan, but her symptoms disappeared
by the time she was seen in an
emergency room in Phoenix.
After flying across the country, she
suddenly lost control of her left arm
while greeting friends Gary and
Kay Kaberle at Cherry Capital
Airport. As news of Naomi’s stroke
quickly spread to family and friends
around the country, her husband was
peppered with advice about moving
her to Mayo Clinic or a large hospital
in Detroit or Chicago. “Jim would say,
‘No, we have everything here. Everything here is personalized and caring
and competent, and we will stay here’.”
The Rhodes had the option of leaving
at any time because they belong to
MedjetAssist. “Wherever you are in
the world, if you have a health problem, they will charter a plane and fly
you to the hospital of your choice,”
Naomi said. “I had paid for that, and
still I chose to stay at Munson.”
A Rare Stroke
Naomi suffered a rare form of stroke
when her left vertebral artery dissected.
“This is something you do not want
to happen,” she said. “It was the
most challenging time of my entire
life. I was almost helpless. I couldn’t
see. I could still think, but I had
almost no voice. My hand was flopping, my leg was flopping, my face
was dropping, and I’m a professional
speaker. And yet, I was calm and I
was at peace and a huge part of that
was due to this wonderful staff.”
After six days on Munson’s stroke
unit, Naomi spent three weeks in inpatient rehabilitation. “I was amazed
at the total peace I felt during the
entire month,” she said. “I have
a strong spiritual faith, so I know
where that peace came from. What
made it real to me was the quality
of care I was getting.”
“Every time I come back to Traverse City, I think I’ll go back to Munson
and just peek down those halls and wonder who’s being taken very
good care of at that very moment.”
Naomi Rhode
Phoenix, Ariz.
6
Naomi Rhode
National speaker and former
Munson patient
“Each person was absolutely exceptional,” she said. “I realized that the
mission and vision statements of
this group of people had gone to
every level of care. Each person was
treating me like I was someone very,
very special.”
‘Good People’
“Good people are good to people and
obviously Munson has hired good
people. When I left Munson almost
a month later, I said, ‘I have not had
one negative experience in all that
time at Munson.’ It was fabulous. I really almost didn’t want to leave; I felt
safe here. There were even some tears
in some eyes when I left, and there
were certainly tears in my eyes.”
“This experience was not only personal, but very, very effective in diagnosing my problem and treating it,
and helping me not only recuperate,
but re-enter my world. They wanted
to know what I do on a daily basis. I
hold a microphone and walk around
the room, so they wanted to get me
walking. That was a personal touch
I really doubt you’d receive in a huge
facility in a large city.”
Contact Us
Desiree Worthington | President
(231) 935-6509
[email protected]
Carol Bliss | Executive Assistant
(231) 935-6482
[email protected]
From the stroke unit, to rehab, to
discharge, Naomi described her
care as “phenomenal.”
Munson Physician Assistant Jim
Frick has phoned Naomi several
times. “He’ll say, ‘It’s a Naomi Rhode
day around here. People are asking
about you. Just checking in.’ And
every time he did that I thought,
‘How many hospitals would care
about their patients that much?’
I think that’s very, very rare. I was
really privileged to be part of the
Munson family for one month of
my life, and I will never forget it.”
Wanting to “give back,” Naomi
taped a video about her experience.
To view, go to munsonhealthcare.
org/Naomi.
Munson Manor:
Support and Convenience
Jim Rhode spent a month living
at Munson Manor Hospitality
House while his wife recovered.
It became such a special place
for him, the couple stayed there
when they visited Traverse City
in August 2009.
“The people there became a
community,” Naomi said.
“They all had people who were
getting well over across the
street at Munson and they
became a kind of family of
support for him. He was with
me from eight in the morning
until 10 at night because he
didn’t have to hop in a car and
drive across the city. Munson
Manor is a huge part of the
family support system at the
hospital.”
Ruth Bloomer | Leadership Giving Specialist
(231) 935-6484
[email protected]
Nan Brown | Database/Research Specialist
(231) 935-6448
[email protected]
Julie Friley |
Annual Giving & Stewardship Coordinator
(231) 935-7668
[email protected]
Beth Karczewski |
Leadership Giving Specialist
(231) 935-7689
[email protected]
Shannon LeJeune |
Leadership Giving Specialist
(231) 935-7901
[email protected]
Melissa Wesolek | Development Assistant
(231) 935-2368
[email protected]
Sharon Wilkins | Department Secretary
(231) 935-7913
[email protected]
Kris Zimmerman | Data Entry Clerk
(231) 935-7909
[email protected]
More than 45,670 reservations
have been made at Munson
Manor since it opened in
November 2000, thanks to
$4.3 million in donor funds.
7
Nursing Scholarships Provide
Much-Needed Help to Working Students
Working and raising a family is hard
enough. Imagine trying to add college
courses to the daily mix. Life became
a little easier for 29 individuals who
received scholarships from the Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation
in 2009. Scholarships totaling $37,900
ranged from $500 to $2,000 for those
pursuing advanced education in
nursing and other critical medical
specialties.
Scholarships are used for tuition, fees,
and books. Many recipients work at
Munson Medical Center, Munson
Home Health, Paul Oliver Memorial
Hospital, and Kalkaska Memorial
Health Center.
“With the growing shortage of nurses,
physicians, and other clinicians, it
is highly advantageous to invest in
advancing the education of staff we
already have,” said Jim Fischer, MS,
MBA, RN, Vice President, Patient
Care Services. “We are very grateful
that we have community-supported
funds to help our staff realize their
goals and increase their expertise,
which in turn benefits our patients.”
Since 1998, 324 scholarships have
been awarded, for a total of $417,639
through the Sladek Nursing Scholarship Fund, the Eleanor Weaver
Porter Scholarship, the Carolyn
Wolf Memorial Scholarship, and
through the Munson Healthcare
Regional Foundation Immediate
Needs Fund.
A 2009 survey of former scholarship
recipients was done to determine
how scholarships impacted recipients and health care in our region.
Among the responses:
• 75 percent said the scholarship
allowed them to focus more on
their studies and worry less
about financing their education.
• 90 percent agreed or strongly
agreed that their work is valued
and matters to Munson and
its donors, since funds were
allocated toward their education.
• 75 percent indicated that receiv-
ing a scholarship helped them
feel more confident about achiev-
ing their educational goals.
What They Said
“This helped me make the decision to continue taking classes,
despite financial hardships.”
“My scholarship decreased stress related to financial worries and debt,
and improved my daily schedule.”
“I wish we could get more contributions to the Foundation as we push
for nurses to get higher education. Thanks for all you do!”
“Because of the scholarship, I was able to complete my Associates
Degree in Nursing, which is the first stepping stone in my career goals.
I am now able to perform a role helping those in our community.
This has been my dream.”
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2009 SCHOLARSHIP
RECIPIENTS
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Michelle Witkop, Traverse City
Master of Science Nursing (MSN)
Michele Fernandez, Interlochen
Vicki Harrington-Thomas, Mesick
Julie Hartl, Traverse City
Sara Hoye, Traverse City
Susan Kaap, Wellston
Marsha Nemetz, Traverse City
Cheryl Miller, Kingsley
Jacqueline Plamondon, Lake Ann
Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN)
Kristie Baker, Frankfort
Marianna Burns, Traverse City
Tricia Harvey, Central Lake
James Kelty, Lake City
Amy Krug, Traverse City
Nadesha Litton, Lake Ann
Elizabeth Mitchell, Kingsley
Loie Rainey, Traverse City
Jacqueline Shumaker, Bellaire
Alan Zywicki, Grawn
Renee Zywicki, Grawn
Jessica Zionskowski, Kingsley
Associates Degree in Nursing
(ADN)
Alisha Gabier, Traverse City
Maggie Malone, Traverse City
Melissa Moss, Lake Ann
Joan Olds, Mesick
Viktoriya Ray, Traverse City
Toby Slater, Traverse City
Sara Willams, Traverse City
Scholarships Allow Nurse to Excel: ‘I Felt Very Blessed’
Kathy said. “A lot of nurses are in
the same boat – they can’t quit their
job to go back to school. They think,
‘How can I do that? How can I fit
it in? How can I afford it?’ When I
found out there were scholarships
available, I decided I could do it. That
help was very, very appreciated.”
Kathy Jo Bellemore, FNP, MSN, BSN, RN
Years ago, Kathy Jo Bellemore was
a stay-at-home mom with two small
children. When her husband was
seriously injured, she suddenly
became the family breadwinner.
That’s when nurses caring for her
husband suggested she consider a
career in nursing.
“I started my nursing education at
age 30 – it just shows you what you
can do if you put your mind to it and
there are people to help,” she said.
For Kathy, help eventually came
in the form of scholarships from
the Munson Healthcare Regional
Foundation.
Today, at 53, Kathy is a Family
Nurse Practitioner working with
dialysis patients in Traverse City
and Kalkaska. After becoming an
RN, she earned a Bachelor of Science
in Nursing (BSN) from Ferris State
University and a Master of Science
in Nursing (MSN) from Michigan
State University.
“My husband is disabled and we
had two young children at the time,
so there were financial concerns,”
Scholarships can be used for books
and supplies. Kathy, for instance,
needed a computer, which was
essential to communicate in her
class. She couldn’t afford one. “Then
the scholarship came through –
it was a godsend, really.”
Kathy is especially grateful that funds
are available for staff who want to
advance their education.
“As a nurse, you can never stop
learning. The more you learn,
the easier it is to do your job.”
Kathy Jo Bellemore, FNP, MSN, BSN, RN
FOUNDATION FUNDS GRANTS
FOR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
The Munson Healthcare Regional
Foundation allocated more than
$276,000 in earnings from invested
funds for grants in the coming year.
The Foundation Board approved the
following allocations:
Munson Medical Center (MMC)
Nursing Education.........................$80,000
MSU College of Human Medicine
Traverse City Campus....................$50,000
Community Health Programs...........$41,063
• Healthy Futures
• MEDS Program
• Community Health Library
• Poverty Reduction Initiative
• Let’s Get Moving Northern Michigan
• Patient Transportation
• Youth WOW
MMC Pediatric Therapy Program.....$25,000
MMC Geriatric Assessment Clinic....$20,000
“It’s a challenge to go back to school
as an older student,” she said. “There
is a big learning curve. I felt very
blessed that there was something for
a middle-aged person struggling to
make ends meet. I appreciated the
opportunity to keep going with my
education.”
Kathy’s remaining goal is to become
certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner in Nephrology. She works closely
with Nephrologist Ahmet Sevimli,
MD, FASN, in a mid-level, collaborative position. “I feel like I’m learning
a lot every day. I enjoy the flexibility
and the responsibility with this
position – it was the help I received
that got me to this place.”
Munson System-wide
Clinical Education..........................$10,000
Patient Needs Funds.........................$10,000
MMC Medical School
Scholarships...................................$10,000
System-wide Pediatric Advanced
Life Support Training ...................$5,000
Mini Grants.......................................$25,000
Total.............................................. $276,063
9
‘Why We Give’
migratory songbird populations by
encouraging native plantings.
John and Gina Erb
When John and Gina Erb sat down
to make their estate plans, they had
a single goal in mind: to help their
community. “The community is our
family,” Gina said.
“We’ve both been very fortunate in
our lives, and this is one way to give
back for everything that has been
given to us,” John said.
The Erbs moved to Gills Pier near
Northport in 1998 after John retired
from his Chicago law practice, where
he specialized in civil litigation. Their
plans to retire in northern Michigan
accelerated when John developed a
heart condition at age 52.
“That long term plan was definitely
affected by our knowledge and experience with the excellent health care
available here, both on the Leelanau
Peninsula and in Traverse City,” he
said. “We enjoyed excellent health
care in Chicago, but we can honestly
say that the professional, convenient,
friendly care and attention we enjoy
here is even better. We wouldn’t trade
it for anywhere else.”
The Erbs quickly adapted to the
rhythms of northern Michigan, from
protecting fragile environments to
maintaining health care services.
John serves as president of the Leelanau Conservancy and Gina is president of Saving Birds Thru Habitat, a
group working to stem the decline of
10
Why Support Munson?
The Erbs included a significant gift
to Munson Healthcare in their estate
plans. “Supporting health care represents a long-term commitment to
something we believe in,” John said.
“I’ve had the good fortune to volunteer at Munson and work with dedicated, skilled, loving professionals
who throw everything they have into
their work. I am so happy to support
them in any way I can.”
A former Leelanau Memorial Health
Center board chair, John now serves
as vice-chairman of the Munson
Medical Center Board of Trustees. He
chairs the Advocacy Committee, and
serves on the board’s Quality, Governance, Strategic Planning, Executive
Development, and Compliance committees, as well as Munson’s Patient
Safety Council.
“I’ve completely failed at retirement,”
he said.
Estate Giving
“It is very easy to give from your
estate,” John said. “Just ask yourself,
‘What can I do that will benefit the
things I believe in and benefit the
people and places I love when I’m
gone?’ If you plan your estate appropriately, it is a simple way to provide
for yourself and also for the things
you want to support.”
“The biggest transfer of wealth from
one generation to the next is happening right now,” he added. “It brings
a responsibility to use some of that
prosperity to ensure that the institutions we’ve built will be there for
future generations, as they have
been for us.”
Thank You
Heritage Circle Members
Heritage Circle represents a list of
donors who have named Paul Oliver
Foundation or Munson Healthcare
Regional Foundation in their will or
estate plans to support Kalkaska
Memorial Health Center, Munson
Hospice, Munson Medical Center,
or Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital.
It also includes those who have made
a Charitable Gift Annuity or other life
income arrangement.
If interested in becoming a Heritage
Circle member, call Ruth Bloomer at
(231) 935-6484.
Anonymous
Jon & Mary Armstrong
George & Patricia Bearup
Gilbert & Annette Deibel
Jock & Sue Denio
George & Monon Dunn
Jim & Sue Dutmers
John & Gina Erb
Marilyn & Bernard Finn
Nancy Boynton Fisher
Phillip & Jane Goethals
Jane Hardwicke
David & Anne Harris
Roger & Mary Jane Jacobi
B. Jane Johnson
George & Barbara Kausler
Phyllis B. Klann
Wayne & Terry Lobdell
Robert & Janice McKee
Diantha Naftali
Roy & Kathy Olk
Richard & Clarine Olson
Sarah Elizabeth Pierson
Agnes M. Plagens
Marjorie E. Power
Robert & Barbara Rosso
Thomas A. Rutkowski Foundation
Joseph A. Watkins
Jay & Judy Zrimec
Cynthia Glines, MD
New Board Member Brings Medical Perspective to the Table
As a recently appointed member of
the Munson Healthcare Regional
Foundation Board of Trustees, she’s
gaining a whole new perspective on
the complicated nature of delivering
quality health care in a challenging
and ever-changing economic climate.
As a physician specializing in
Pulmonary and Critical Care
Medicine, Cynthia Glines, MD,
has been well acquainted with the
inner workings of Munson Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit
and other areas of the hospital.
Shari McLennan, MSN, RN
“It’s interesting to see the overall
needs of the community in terms
of health care, the facility needs at
the hospital, and the challenge of
supporting those needs financially,”
she said.
During 20 years of practicing at
Munson Medical Center, Glines
witnessed and participated in an
evolution of the way medicine
is practiced at the hospital and
within the medical community.
McLennan is in charge of Munson
Home Health Care, Munson Home
Services Private Duty, Munson
Hospice and Palliative Care, and
Munson Home Medical Equipment.
McLennan leads a staff of 400
employees who provide home
health care to residents across
Glines is married to urologist
Robert Hall, MD, and remains well
connected to the medical community.
She was asked to join the Foundation Board by past president Cathie
Martin. “It was presented to me as an
opportunity to serve, and I thought
perhaps I had something valuable to
offer as a board member,” she said.
Munson Home Health Has New President
25 counties. Munson Home Health
serves more than 1,000 patients
every day.
Shari McLennan, MSN, RN, is the
new president and chief executive
officer at Munson Home Health,
the largest provider of home health
services in northern Michigan.
“It’s been an amazing transformation, really,” she said. “When I began,
physicians did things their own way.
Now, there has been a transfer to
evidence-based medicine and adoption of best practices. It is no longer,
‘My way is best,’ but, ‘What is the best
way to do this and let’s do it that way.’
It’s made a huge difference in the way
medicine is being practiced.”
“Since Munson Home Health plays
such a vital part in our health care
delivery system, we sought a person
who not only had the right skills and
experience, but also a strong commitment to our region and the mission
of this organization,” said Doug
Deck, President and CEO of Munson
Healthcare. “We welcome Shari to
the Munson team.”
McLennan previously served as
chief operating officer at VitalCare
in Cheboygan. “Munson is well
thought of in the industry,” she said.
“There’s a strong skill set here among
clinical staff that allows us to care
for a wide variety of patients from
pediatrics to geriatrics, allowing
northern Michigan residents to
remain in their homes and receive
the care they need.”
McLennan has 23 years of experience
as a registered nurse in Michigan,
including work in acute care,
rehabilitation, and long-term care.
She continues to serve as president
of the Michigan Home Health
Association.
For more information on services
available at Munson Home Health,
call (231) 935-6520 or 1-800-2522065.
11
Jackson Update
“We’ve been able to cut back
to therapy once a month,” Tera said.
On a recent visit, Jackson gave his
occupational therapist Dawn
Brown a huge smile and delighted
technician Rita Lane with a highfive before shyly hiding his face in
his mom’s shoulder.
When Jackson Garrow celebrated his
second birthday on Sept. 2, he had
his cake – and ate it, too. “He loved
it,” his mom, Tera Garrow, said.
Jackson’s story was profiled in the
Spring edition of Focus, outlining
his multiple medical challenges and
his participation in Munson Medical
Center’s Pediatric Feeding Program.
At the time, Jackson was traveling to
Munson for feeding therapy twice a
week and his mother’s goal was for
him to enjoy birthday cake when he
turned two.
In late September, Jackson was
released as a patient from the
neurodevelopment clinic at DeVos
Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids
after a team of specialists evaluated
his progress. “He’s doing really well.
They don’t want to see us for a year,”
Tera said.
“It is really gratifying to see a child
make progress, and Jackson has
done extremely well,” Dawn said.
“His mom has done the hard work –
she deserves the credit for Jackson’s
success.”
Jackson is one of nearly 30 children who receive feeding therapy at
Munson Medical Center. A portion
of the donations received following
the article about the feeding program
were used to further educate Munson
therapists in feeding methods used at
DeVos Children’s Hospital. Munson
therapists have since implemented
changes that allow for even more
specific and measurable treatment.
“Our donors are having a direct
impact on patient care with their
support,” said Munson Healthcare
Regional Foundation President
Des Worthington.
To learn how you can help support
Pediatric Therapy Services, call
(231) 935-6482.
Donor Funds Provide Realistic Staff
Training with Simulated Infant
An infant’s mouth slowly turned blue
as nurses at Munson Medical Center
quickly worked to establish an airway.
It was a practice session with SimNewB,™ a realistic simulated newborn
purchased with donations to Munson
Healthcare Regional Foundation.
The “baby” will help staff practice
their response to infant and child
emergencies. It simulates a range
of newborn health complications
through computerized programs
developed by the American
Academy of Pediatrics
“We’re going to use it to train nursing
staff, obstetricians, nurse midwives,
12
residents, respiratory therapists,
and paramedics,” said Joy Clancy,
RNC, Regional Trainer for the
Neonatal Resuscitation Program.
“Thanks to our donors, this technology may help save an infant’s
life,” said Foundation President
Des Worthington.
SimNewB accurately represents a
full-term newborn that measures 21
inches long and weighs 7 pounds. It
features an anatomically accurate and
realistic airway, normal and abnormal breath sounds, and an extensive
ECG library that allows for different
heartbeats and realistic depth of CPR
compressions. Its umbilical cord has
Julie Adams, RN, NICU Resource Clinician
a life-like pulse that can be assessed,
cut, and catheterized for IV access.
A remote-control device can change
the baby’s status from moment to
moment and allows trainers to manipulate the baby’s “condition.” Staff
must respond appropriately for the
baby’s condition to improve.
To learn more about other pediatric
care funding needs, call the Foundation at (231) 935-6482.
Celebrity Dance-Off Supports Mammography Assistance
TV 7&4 news anchor Diana Fairbanks
has been using her heart – and her
feet – to raise funds for Munson
Healthcare Regional Foundation’s
Mammography Assistance Program.
In its second year, SwingShift and the
Stars features six local stars dancing
with professional partners to raise
awareness and funds for local nonprofit organizations. Last year’s event
raised $40,000 for local charities.
Fairbanks hosts 7&4’s monthly
“Buddy Check,” which focuses on
breast cancer prevention. Diana’s
mother is a 10-year breast cancer
survivor who benefited from early
detection. She firmly believes that
all women should be able to have
a life-saving screening.
“It’s wonderful that Diana chose
to benefit a Munson program that
obviously means a lot to her,” said
Des Worthington, President of the
Munson Healthcare Regional
Foundation. “We are blessed by
her decision to adopt this fund
as her cause.”
The Mammography
Assistance Program provides
mammograms for patients who do
not have the resources to pay for the
screening.
“During tough economic times,
more people are uninsured and
underinsured, and women often
put off having mammograms
even if they have risk factors,”
Worthington said. “Having annual
mammograms is the best way to
detect cancer at its earliest stage,
which increases the success rate
for treatment and survival.”
Last year, 104 patients obtained
screenings through the fund.
“This year, our goal, which is shared
by Diana, is to make sure anyone
who needs a mammogram in
our community will receive one,”
Worthington said.
Left: Diana Fairbanks dances with her
partner, Hans Benghauser.
Above: Jennie Minard, a breast cancer
patient and subject of a “Buddy Check”
segment, presented Diana with pink
roses following her dance routine.
“I have had very few moments in
my life more touching than that,”
Diana said.
The competition takes place at the
Traverse City Opera House. The
dance-off began in October and
ends Thursday, Dec. 31. Audience
members may vote for their favorite
couple online for a minimum
donation of $5.
To make a donation or reserve tickets, go to swingshiftandthestars.com.
To learn more about the Mammography Assistance Program, call
Breast Health Services Coordinator
Jane Rolf at the Smith Family Breast
Health Center at (231) 935-6691.
13
Classic Horse Show Helps
Women With Cancer
Sue Booth has never swung up into a
saddle, but she’s a veteran at shouting
encouragement and “riding from the
rails” as her daughter, Hadley, collects
ribbons and trophies at horse shows.
Providing those opportunities for
Hadley became more difficult after
Sue was diagnosed with a rare type of
Stage 3 breast cancer. She’s undergone
surgery, aggressive chemotherapy,
radiation treatments, and hormone
therapy. To further complicate matters, her husband is working in Washington State because he can’t find a
job here.
During the past few years, the family
has faced a series of health-related
challenges. Sue’s brother died of
cancer. Her son was diagnosed with
a bone disease, her husband spent
time in the hospital with septic shock,
and then her own battle began. When
Hadley, 10, asks her mom if she’s
going to get better, her answer is: “I
have really good doctors taking care
of me.”
Instead of dwelling on her prognosis, Sue decided to take the reins of a
huge project to help prevent another
mom from going through an ordeal
similar to hers. “If you’ve ever been
critically ill and people cared enough
to reach out to you and help your
children, you have to give back – you
have to pay it forward,” she said.
The Lope for
Hope Classic
Horse Show
and Auction
was held in
October at
Walton Ranch.
The nearly
$9,000 raised
Megan Kessel, 14,
through the
raised more than
event will ben$2,000 for the
Women’s Cancer
efit the Women’s
Fund. Each ribbon
Cancer Fund.
on her shirt repreThe fund prosented a donation
vides financial
she received,
including $1,000
assistance
from the Rotary
for items such
Club in Kalkaska.
as prosthetics,
wigs, transportation, childcare,
groceries, and utility expenses.
“I have a great network of family
and friends,” Sue said. “My girlfriend
approached me and suggested we do
a horse show. Horse people are very
committed and love to show their
horses.”
Response to the fundraiser was
“overwhelming,” Sue said. Mike
Walton generously donated his
Kingsley property, including an
indoor arena, and dozens of people
and businesses supported the event.
To donate to the Women’s Cancer
Fund, contact the Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation at
(231) 935-6482 or 1-866-927-6482.
Hearing Bells? It’s Good News
If you hear bells ringing near
Munson Medical Center,
something good is happening.
Patients at the Biederman
Cancer Center are encouraged
to “ring the bell” following their
last cancer treatment. And just
across the creek at the Munson
Healthcare Regional Foundation,
donors dropping off significant
gifts also are being encouraged
to ring the new “generosity”
bell in the lobby.
“It’s a fun way to celebrate the
great community effort that is
taking place,” said Julie Friley,
Annual Giving and Stewardship
Coordinator. “Many individuals
and groups have stepped forward
with fundraising efforts of their
own, and we want them to
know how much we value and
appreciate the work they do
that directly benefits patients
in our area.”
“It’s not fair that a little girl should have to lose her number one
fan because of this devastating disease. If we can keep one more
mom out there riding from the rails, that’s what we need to do.”
Sue Booth
Traverse City
14
Megan Kessel and Sue Booth
What Your Money Buys
Contributions to Munson assist patients in a variety of ways.
Your gift of $1,000 or more could provide:
A geriatric simulation suit for training nursing assistants and nurses
One NeoPuff used for safe infant resuscitation
Remembrance Run Draws Enthusiastic Crowd
Pain distraction equipment (TVs, iPods, or MP3 players)
The Traverse City Track Club raised a record
$22,000 for the Women’s Cancer Fund during the 2009 Remembrance Run at Timber
Ridge Resort in October. Established in 1997,
the fund has provided more than $400,000
to cover expenses incurred by women during
their battle with cancer.
One hundred $10 gas cards for patients who can’t afford to travel to appointments
Three-quarters of the cost of a glider or rocker for the NICU
Room and board for a two-week residential addiction treatment program
Your gift of $500 or more could provide:
Geriatric assessment for one elderly person
Training for one patient on how to use an insulin pump
Toys for the Pediatric Therapy Clinic
Diabetes educational materials for 100 patients
Your gift of $250 or more could provide:
Two stethoscopes to evaluate swallowing for the Pediatric Feeding Program
Certification of an RN in geriatrics
A mammogram for an uninsured patient
Healthy Futures education materials for 50 families with newborns
Kid’s Creek Restoration Project
Your gift of $100 or more could provide:
Volunteers helped landscape an area along
Kid’s Creek as part of Munson Medical Center’s
restoration project. The project is supported in
part by a $60,000 donation from the Edmund
and Virginia Ball Foundation. Project goals
include helping restore the flow of the creek,
as well as providing a restful place for hospital
visitors and staff to take a break.
New swaddling blankets for infants in the hospital
Training for one patient to learn home infusion for IV therapy
Ten $10 gas cards for patients who can’t afford to travel to appointments
A full cupboard of food for families staying at Munson Manor
Grainger Donates $10,000 to Pediatric Infusion Clinic
The Pediatric Infusion Clinic at
Munson Medical Center recently
received a $10,000 donation from
Grainger, an international maker
of industrial supplies.
When company representatives
Adan Roura and Paul Dowd toured
the clinic, they immediately saw the
potential for their firm. As a father
of young children, Roura said he
wanted to make difference for the
region’s youth.
“We are proud to be counted as
a major supporter of Munson’s
cancer clinic for children,” he said.
“Touring the cancer clinic was a
life-altering experience for me, as
I was taken aback by the number
of children who visit it. I am glad
that we were able to help the cancer
clinic with this donation and I look
forward to becoming personally
involved through volunteering.”
Grainger, in partnership with the
Grainger Foundation, selects charitable causes in communities where they
have a significant presence.
Grainger also provided significant
support for the Smith Family Breast
Health Center in Traverse City.
15
NONPROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID
TRAVERSE CITY MI
PERMIT #568
210 Beaumont Place • Traverse City, MI 49684
Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital is a
National Leader in Patient Satisfaction
Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital
(POMH) has been nationally recognized with a 2009 Summit Award by
Press Ganey Associates, Inc.
Summit Award winners have
achieved the extraordinary – ranking in the top 5 percent in the nation
for patient satisfaction for the past
12 consecutive quarters. Paul Oliver
is one of only 14 hospitals in the
country to receive a Summit Award
for emergency care. The only other
Michigan hospital named was Henry
Ford Wyandotte Hospital in Brownstown Township.
“Our thanks and congratulations are
extended to the entire Paul Oliver
staff for earning this prestigious
award, which recognizes what we
already know: Paul Oliver is best in
class,” said Chris MacInnes, an owner
and operator of Crystal Mountain
Resort and Spa in Thompsonville,
and a member of the Munson
Healthcare Board of Directors.
“This well-earned recognition
elevates Paul Oliver and the entire
Munson Healthcare System.”
The Summit Award was presented
during a ceremony in Washington,
D.C., on Nov. 17. Accepting the
award were Jim Austin, Administrator at Paul Oliver; George Ryckman,
DO, Medical Director of the POMH
Emergency Department; and Donna
Clarke, Director of POMH Outpatient Services.
Fundraising continues for an improvement project at Paul Oliver that
includes $1 million in renovations,
technology upgrades, and safety
improvements for better triage and
service to emergency patients, as well
as efficient care and monitoring of
acute patients.
Contributions to support the
project are being accepted by
the Paul Oliver Foundation.
For more information, contact
Des Worthington at 1-866-927-6482
or [email protected].
For more than 20 years, Press Ganey Associates, Inc. has been committed to providing
insight that allows health care organizations
to improve the quality of care they provide
and their financial performance. The company offers the largest comparative customer
feedback databases, actionable data, solution
resources, and unparalleled customer service.
Press Ganey currently partners with more
than 10,000 health care facilities – including
more than 40 percent of U.S. hospitals – to
measure and improve the quality of their care.