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HEALTHY
LIVING
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SPRING 2011 $2.95
Surgeons and
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THE REGION’S
BEST STROKE
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MGH STEPS
IN TO SAVE
THIS GIRL’S
FOOT
page 50
SANDRA BULLOCK shows us how
to embrace our age and savor
health, happiness and success

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY LIME FOTO
DEPARTMENTS
2 Opening Thoughts
Tips for making the
most of your primary
care visit.
3 Life in General
The latest news
from MGH.
52 Employee Excellence
Who’s lighting the
hospital’s halls
54 Volunteer Services
Honoring those
who give their time
and talents.
55 Donations The MGH
Memorial Garden
commemorates
employees, physicians
and volunteers.
56 Community
Connections
Education programs
and support groups.
6
4
10
16
18
24
34
SPECIAL
Surgical Safety
Talented surgeons
and staff are
committed to
your safety every
day. Learn about
the many checks
already in place.
Stroke Care Now
A new affiliation at MGH puts
advanced neurological services within
reach for Grant County residents.
A Workout for Every Mood
Whether you’re rushed or stressed,
unmotivated or bored, here’s the perfect
workout to fit your mood.
Don’t Fail Your Heart
Answers to four questions about the
other cardiac condition: heart failure.
If Your Bones Could Talk
Bone up on the best orthopedic
advice you’ll ever receive, from
head to toe.
Healthy Travels
Do you have diabetes Don’t go on
vacation without these travel tips.
Do-It-Yourself Health
Here’s your guide to DIY health fixes—
and when to call in the professionals.
CONTENTS
FEATURES
38
42
46
49
50
Fighting Words
Ready to knock cancer out of the
ring First, learn the lingo.
Balancing Act
Managing your raging hormones
doesn’t end with your teenage years.
A guide for all ages and stages.
Giving & Getting
Four inspiring volunteers share their
stories behind the saying, “It’s better
to give than receive.”
Pursuing Excellence
These four staff members have
proved their commitment to quality
healthcare by earning certifications.
A Blessed Little Girl
When a young Haitian needed surgery
to save her foot, MGH stepped
in to help.
28
ON THE COVER
As America’s reigning sweetheart, Sandra Bullock
has been entertaining movie audiences for years yet never
seems to age. What are the Oscar winner’s secrets to staying
fit and fabulous past 40 We share four age-defying tips.
Vim & Vigor · SPRING 2011 1

Opening ThoughTs
Access to
Primary Care
Make a personal commitment to
help us help you make a positive
impact on your personal health
Access to primary care services is critical
to each of us in our Healthcare
Community. We need a primary care physician or nurse practitioner
to manage our total personal health. Since our bodies are very complex
and each of us is different, it is important that we have a physician or nurse
practitioner who knows our total health status.
Since many medical problems are interrelated, a single point of primary care is
very important to our total health management. By having a single point of primary
care, your healthcare expenditures may be reduced by early detection of
possible health problems and timely addressing of health problems that occur.
The goal of primary care is to improve your health status and keep you out of
the hospital. However, you, the patient, must actively participate in your care to
realize positive results by:
• Providing as much information as possible about your health during your
visit.
• Asking questions to ensure that you understand what you are to do.
• Making a commitment to take medications as directed and follow other directions
given to you.
• Showing up for your appointments. It is very sad if you do not show up for
appointments or call and cancel far enough in advance, subject to emergencies.
When this occurs, another patient misses the opportunity to take your
appointment time, thus delaying that patient’s access to primary care.
MGH continues to take steps to improve your access to primary care through
the following:
• Expanding our Hospitalist Program to enable primary care physicians to
remain in their offices and see more patients instead of having to come to the
hospital to see their inpatients.
• Recruiting new primary care physicians.
• Enhancing our computer systems and providing other tools to assist physicians
and nurse practitioners with managing your care.
So, make a personal commitment to help us help you. Together, we
can make a positive impact on your personal health.
Paul L. Usher, FACHE, CPA, FHFMA
President/CEO
Marion General Hospital
MArion GenerAl HosPitAl
President/Ceo
Paul L. Usher, FACHE, CPA, FHFMA
Chairman, Board of Directors
Joe Martin
President, Medical staff
Esther B. Fox, D.O.
Administrative Director/Medical staff services and
Community outreach
Ann Vermilion, MBA, FACHE
editor
Randy Deffenbaugh
Contributing Photographers
Eric Marshall
Carl and Allison Saathoff
ProDUCtion
editorial
V.P./Strategic Content: Beth Tomkiw
Editor-in-Chief: Shelley Flannery
Editors: Tim Condon, Sam Mittelsteadt, Matt Morgan,
Amanda Myers, Tom Weede
Copy Editor: Cindy Hutchinson
Design
Managing Art Director: Adele Mulford
Art Directors: Lisa Altomare, Rod Karmenzind, Monya Mollohan,
Kay Morrow, Tami Rodgers, Keith Whitney
Production
Senior Production Manager: Laura Marlowe
Ancillary Production Manager: Angela Liedtke
Imaging Specialist: Dane Nordine
Production Technology Specialists: Julie Chan, Sonia Washington
Circulation
V.P./Business Intelligence Group: Patrick Kehoe
Postal Affairs & Logistics Director: Joseph Abeyta
Client serviCes
V.P./Sales & Product Development: Chad Rose, 888-626-8779
V.P./Client Services & Strategy: Heather Burgett
Account Managers: Barbara Mohr, Andrea Parsons, Paul Peterson,
Todd Speranzo
ADvertisinG sAles
Advertising sales repre sentatives
New York: Phil Titolo, Publisher, 212-626-6835
Phoenix: Soliteir Jaeger, Associate Publisher, 888-626-8779
Mail Order: Bob Bernbach, RB Advertising Reps Inc., 914-769-0051
ADMinistrAtion
Vim & Vigor Founder: J. Barry Johnson
Chairman: Preston V. McMurry Jr.
President/Chief Executive Officer: Christopher McMurry
Chief Operating Officer/Financial Officer: Audra L. Taylor
President/Content Marketing: Fred Petrovsky
441 N. Wabash Ave., Marion, IN 46952-2690
If you prefer not to receive our magazine or other health and
wellness information from Marion General Hospital, please call us at
765-662-4849 or send your request to be removed from our mailing
list to randy.deffenbaugh@mgh.net.
Vim & Vigor, TM Spring 2011, Volume 27, Number 1, is published quarterly by
McMurry, McMurry Campus Center, 1010 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, Arizona
85014, 602-395-5850. Vim & Vigor TM is published for the purpose of disseminating
health-related information for the well-being of the general
public and its subscribers. The information contained in Vim & Vigor TM is not
intended for the purpose of diagnosing or prescribing. Please consult your
physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment and/or adopting
any exercise program or dietary guidelines. Vim & Vigor TM does not accept
advertising promoting the consumption of alcohol or tobacco. Copyright
© 2011 by McMurry. All rights reserved. Subscriptions in U.S.: $4 for one year
(4 issues). Single copies: $2.95. For subscriptions and address changes, write:
Circulation Manager, Vim & Vigor, TM McMurry Campus Center, 1010 E. Missouri
Ave., Phoenix, Arizona 85014.
2
Vim & Vigor • SPRING 2011

Life in General
Corporate Compliance/
Privacy Officer Named
Susan Smoker, R.N., MSN,
CPHRM
Susan Smoker, R.N., MSN, CPHRM, has
been selected to fill the position of MGH
corporate compliance/privacy officer. She
has begun her new duties.
Smoker joined MGH in 1979 as a registered
nurse in medical/surgical. Since
then, Smoker has worked in various leadership
positions in her 31-year MGH career,
all of which provided knowledge to help
her in her new role.
In addition to her new duties, she will
continue to serve as MGH patient representative
and risk manager.
Smoker received her Master of Science
in nursing from Indiana University-
Purdue University Indianapolis. She and
her husband, Mike, are lifelong residents
of Grant County.
New Physicians
Join MGH
John W. Carter, M.D.
Family Medicine Center—Marion
Family Practice
Novera Inam, M.D.
Marion Office
Family Practice
N. Nisa, M.D.
Family Medicine Center—Marion
Family Practice
Need a Doc
Call the MGH physician referral line
at 765-662-4781.
MGH Cancer Program Accredited for Three Years
Following a rigorous on-site physician evaluation, the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC) granted three-year
accreditation with commendation to the cancer program at Marion General Hospital.
The accreditation program sets quality-of-care standards for cancer programs and reviews them to ensure
they conform to those standards. Accreditation by the CoC is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily
committed to providing the highest level of cancer care.
For MGH patients and the Healthcare Community, the accreditation means:
• Comprehensive care, including a complete range of state-of-the-art services and equipment
• A team approach to coordinate the best available treatment options
• Access to prevention and early detection programs, cancer education and support services
• A cancer registry that offers lifelong patient follow-up
• Ongoing monitoring and improvements in cancer care
Most important, it means quality cancer care is available close to home. No need to travel and be away from
family and friends during a time of uncertainty.
To maintain accreditation, facilities with CoC-accredited cancer programs must undergo an on-site review every three years.
Vim & Vigor • SPRING 2011 3

Stroke Care
O
N W
Thanks to a network affiliation, the best stroke care in the region
is now available at
BY RANDY DEFFENBAUGH
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and
the leading cause of adult disability. Stroke is an equal
opportunity destroyer. With no regard to race, sex or
age, stroke can disable and cause death.
When it comes to stroke, you are in very capable hands
locally at Marion General Hospital. MGH is now a part of
the StrokeCareNow Network, the first network of its kind
in Indiana.
The StrokeCareNow Network makes the expertise of the
physicians of the Fort Wayne Neurological Center, the leading
provider for advanced neurological care in Fort Wayne,
virtually available to all MGH physicians and stroke patients
in real time.
• The Fort Wayne Neurological Center has been providing
neurological expertise to patients in the tri-state region for
more than 35 years.
• 11 board-certified neurologists at the center offer more than
250 years of combined neurological expertise.
• The Fort Wayne Neurological Center is actively involved
in cutting-edge research on stroke and other neurological
diseases.
• The creation of the StrokeCareNow Network allows neurologists,
using telemedicine and teleradiology, to extend their
expertise to patients in the tri-state region within their own
home communities.
TELEMEDICINE
What is it Many rural territories in the U.S. have a shortage
of neurologists and physicians experienced in the use of
clot-busting medications.
Fortunately, through the use of technology, highquality
video and audio can be transmitted between the
stroke specialist and the location of the patient experiencing
stroke symptoms.
Why is it important Neurologists are 10 times more
likely to make the correct treatment decision when using
telemedicine.
Also, the use of telemedicine decreases the time to start
stroke treatment.
“The use of telemedicine in the emergency room provides
the opportunity for a neurologist to speak directly to the patient
while visualizing them,” says Tammy Cornelious, MBA, R.N.,
CEN, MGH emergency department administrative director.
“Telemedicine also allows the nurse and physician at MGH
to communicate with the neurologist in front of the patient
and family,” she continues. “This interaction gives the patient
and their family the opportunity to provide input regarding
decisions involving their care.”
Stroke Statistics
• Approximately 795,000 Americans each year suffer a stroke.
• On average, a stroke occurs every 40 seconds.
• Stroke kills more than 137,000 people a year.
• Someone dies of stroke every four minutes on average.
• About 40 percent of stroke deaths occur in men, and
60 percent in women.
4
Vim & Vigor · SPRING 2011

TELERADIOLOGY
What is it Teleradiology uses standard network technologies
such as the Internet, telephone lines, wide area networks
or local area networks, and specialized software to quickly
and safely transmit a patient’s radiologic images (such as
brain scans), to another location to be read and interpreted by
specialists who are available 24/7.
Why is it important Teleradiology improves patient
care by allowing radiologists to provide services without
actually having to be at the patient’s location.
This is particularly important when subspecialists such as
MRI radiologists, neuroradiologists, pediatric radiologists or
musculoskeletal radiologists are needed, because these professionals
are generally only in large metropolitan areas.
TIME IS BRAIN
Every second counts when a patient is experiencing a
stroke. Early medical treatment can reduce the risk of death
or disability.
Telemedicine and teleradiology, and the close cooperation
of the network hospitals, help to quickly identify patients
who may benefit from treatment options beyond those available
at their local hospitals.
After a thorough evaluation by network specialists, a
patient can be efficiently transported to Fort Wayne for further
intervention and treatment, if needed.
Since its inception in March 2007, the StrokeCareNow
Network has quickly grown to a total of 20 tri-state (Indiana,
Michigan and Ohio) hospitals.
CALL
Education
Comes to You
If your organization would like someone to
speak about stroke and stroke care, please call
MGH Community Outreach at 765-662-4849.
MGH’s experienced emergency room physicians, nurses
and staff and clinical department members have been specially
trained in the detection and management of acute
stroke and use the same treatment protocols as the hub hospitals
(Parkview and Lutheran) in Fort Wayne.
The staff training and affiliation with the StrokeCareNow
Network has already had a positive effect on the lives of several
MGH patients.
“Since the inception of the StrokeCareNow Network, our
physicians have been able to intervene on several patients
who have had complete reversal of their acute stroke symptoms,”
says Tim Drinkard, D.O., MGH emergency room medical
director. “For the appropriate patient, this new technology
offers the highest level of care.”
The best stroke care in the region is now available locally,
close to home, at Marion General Hospital.
Sources: www.strokecarenow.com and www.strokeassociation.org
LESS THAN ONE IN TEN stroke victims get
to the hospital on time for a meaningful recovery.
KNOW THE SIGNS of stroke and act F.A.S.T.!
Facial weakness: Ask the person to smile.
Does one side of the face droop
A rm and leg weakness: Ask the person
to raise both arms. Does one arm drift
downward
S peech problems: Ask the person to
repeat a simple sentence. Are the words
slurred Is the sentence repeated correctly
Tim e is critical: If the person shows any of
these symptoms, time is important. Call 911
immediately … brain cells are dying.
These
stroke facts
are included
on signs
throughout
MGH.
Vim & Vigor · SPRING 2011 5

Surgical
MGH’s winning routine for thousands of patients each year
Go To
Faces You
Can Trust
Turn to page 8 to meet
our surgeons.
6
Vim & Vigor • SPRING 2011

Safety 3
by Randy deffenbaugh
To the millions of people who
need it each year, surgery
means reduction of pain and
symptoms, prevention of future
problems, and prolonged quality of life. In
extreme cases, surgery means continued
life for patients and the ability to spend
additional time with family and friends.
Even with the large number of surgeries
performed each year, when you face
the need for surgery yourself, it can instill
feelings of uncertainty and fear. There is
no need to be fearful when your surgery
is completed at Marion General Hospital.
You are in very competent and safe hands.
MGH’s surgery department performed
more than 2,650 surgeries in 2009. The
people behind the surgical masks are
highly skilled and trained individuals
dedicated to your safety and well-being
before, during and after your surgery.
The team includes registered nurses,
surgical technologists, patient care assistants,
anesthesiologists and surgeons. The
talented surgery staff has hundreds of
years of combined experience and the necessary
skills to safely guide you through
surgery 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
CheCk and CheCk again
Surgical safety is important at MGH.
One of the safety measures routinely
used begins in ambulatory surgery and
moves throughout your entire surgical
process. It is the “hand off” of information
from one staff member to another
that includes your identification, the
surgical procedure being informed, the
correct site of the procedure, and any
allergies you may have. This is routinely
completed to make sure you receive the
correct surgery at the correct site and are
not given medications you may be allergic
to. (See “3 Safety Checklists.”)
While in the operating room, MGH’s
surgical team further focuses on patient
safety and well-being by ensuring proper
positioning on the operating table,
strictly maintaining a sterile environment
in regard to instruments and
equipment, and anticipating the needs
of the surgeon and anesthesiologist.
Staff ProvideS BeSt Care
A commitment to safety and a gifted surgical
staff are the top reasons MGH is
able to provide you with the best possible
surgical care.
MGH has a modern, technologically
advanced surgery department. The
ambulatory surgery department is a ninebed
unit where patients are admitted
prior to surgery. The hospital maintains
and operates five surgical rooms, three
general surgical rooms, one room specially
designed for orthopedic cases, and
one room specially designed for cesarean
section deliveries.
Within the surgery department, there
are two endoscopy rooms for scope procedures.
Patients recover in a six-bed
post-anesthesia care unit, staffed by
professional nurses at all times.
Surgeons are an intricate part of
MGH’s surgical team. Without them,
modern-day medicine and the benefits
it affords would not be possible. With
their hands, they have the ability to save
a life or significantly improve the quality
of life.
Safety
Checklists
Surgery safety checklists have been in use
since 2009 in Marion General Hospital’s
operating rooms. They are proactive
measures to ensure your safety during
surgery. Initially developed by the World
Health Organization, the checklists have
been specifically adapted for MGH after
receiving input from surgical staff and
surgeons. The three checklists are on the
walls of each of MGH’s five surgical suites.
A staff member checks off each item as
it’s completed, similar to an airline pilot.
This helps MGH provide surgical patients
with a high level of safety and continuity
of care.
1. Sign-In Checklist
When first entering the room for surgery,
this acts as a prompt for staff to:
• Confirm your identity
• Mark the correct surgery site
(if applicable)
• Confirm your allergies (if applicable)
2. Time-Out Checklist
Just prior to surgery, this reminds staff to:
• Make introductions
• Reconfirm your identity and correct
surgery site or procedure
• Make sure you received an antibiotic
prior to surgery
3. Sign-Out Checklist
After surgery, this helps staff remember to:
• Verify the correct sponge, needle and
instrument count
• Confirm your specimens are labeled and
sent to pathology, lab, etc.
• Resolve equipment issues (if applicable)
Vim & Vigor • SPRING 2011 7

Meet Our
Gifted Surgeons
Michael A. Gunter, M.D.
• Experience: 24 years
• Medical school: Indiana
University School of Medicine,
Indianapolis
• Residency: Indiana University
Medical School, Indianapolis
Douglas A. Rex, D.O.
• Experience: 4 years
• Medical school: Pikesville
College, School of Osteopathic
Medicine, Pikesville, Ky.
• Residency and internship:
Grandview Hospital and
Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio
Michael A. Gunter, M.D.
Douglas A. Rex, D.O.
Robert F. Jackson I, M.D., FACS
• Experience: 39 years
• Medical school: Indiana
University School of Medicine,
Indianapolis
• Residency: Miami Valley
Hospital, Dayton, Ohio
• Internship: Methodist Hospital,
Indianapolis
• Undergraduate: Taylor
University, Upland, Ind.
• Board certified: Surgery and
cosmetic surgery
Robert F. Jackson I, M.D., FACS
Jeremy R. Wilson, D.O.
• Experience: 6 years
• Medical school: Midwestern
University, Chicago College
of Osteopathic Medicine,
Downers Grove, Ill.
• Residency and internship:
Metropolitan Hospital,
Michigan State University,
Grand Rapids, Mich.
• Undergraduate:
Purdue University,
West Lafayette, Ind.
Jeremy R. Wilson, D.O.
Edward L. Keppler, M.D.
• Experience: 30 years
• Medical school: Indiana
University School of Medicine,
Indianapolis
• Residency and internship:
Michigan State University,
Butterworth Hospital, Grand
Rapids, Mich.
• Board certified: Surgery
Edward L. Keppler, M.D.
Need a Doc
If you are looking for a surgeon, call
the MGH physician referral line
at 765-662-4781.
8
Vim & Vigor · SPRING 2011

Pursuing
excellence
MGH staff
raise their
level of care
by earning
professional
certification
By Randy deFFenBaugh
Four Marion General Hospital employees have proved their dedication to providing
our Healthcare Community with the highest level of quality healthcare. They have
chosen to further their education and advance their knowledge within their chosen
profession. This dedication is demonstrated by their commitment to study for and
pass professional examinations to become certified.
In healthcare, professional certification helps ensure excellence. At MGH, staff members
pursue this with enthusiasm.
Kimberly Himelick,
MBA, R.N.
Kimberly Himelick, MBA, R.N., critical
care, has earned the designation of
certified nurse manager and leader from
the American Organization of Nurse
Executives and the American Association
of Critical Care Nurses. “I love working at
MGH because of the people I work with,”
Himelick says. “Everyone you encounter
is friendly, professional and committed
to making a difference for the patients we
serve.” The 22-year MGH employee is a
graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University.
She and her son, Tyler, live in Marion.
Karen Stephan,
R.N.
Karen Stephan, R.N., critical care,
received certification as a critical care
registered nurse from the American
Association of Critical Care Nurses. “I
love working at MGH because the size of
the hospital allows me to get to personally
know my patients and co-workers,”
says the four-year employee. “MGH
also maintains a high level of technical
care, allowing me to have the latest and
best equipment to care for my patients.”
Stephan is married, has four children
and resides in Kokomo.
Amy Howard,
R.N., BSN
Amy Howard, R.N., BSN, critical care,
has received certification as a critical
care registered nurse after successfully
completing a nationally recognized exam
by the American Association of Critical
Care Nurses. “Certification gives me the
opportunity to expand my knowledge
and skills to provide better care to my
patients,” Howard says. The Indiana
University Kokomo graduate has worked
at MGH for seven years. She currently
attends Ball State University for her
master’s degree in nursing. She and her
family live in Upland.
Jamie Williams,
BSN, R.N.-B.C.
Jamie Williams, BSN, R.N.-B.C., educational
services instructor, has received
a nursing professional development
certification from the American Nurses
Credentialing Center, a subsidiary of
the American Nurses Association. “As
you can imagine, education and setting
goals is very important to me,” Williams
says. “Earning this certification was a
personal goal I set for myself to achieve.”
Williams is also a CPR instructor for
the American Heart Association and a
tuberculosis instructor for the American
Lung Association. The 10-year employee
and her husband, Geoff, and two children
live in Marion.
Vim & Vigor • SPRING 2011 49

A Blessed
Little girl
Born with a debilitating birth defect, young Bedonia travels
from Haiti to MGH so surgeons can save her foot
By Randy dEffEnBaugh
Eight-year-old Bedonia Michel’s young life has been
filled with many miracles. Her first came eight years
ago when she was only 4 days old.
Bedonia was born in Haiti with spina bifida, a birth defect
in which the backbone and spinal canal do not close before
birth. The surgery and expertise to correct her condition
were not available in her native country, so she and a missionary
nurse made the journey from Haiti to Indianapolis
to have corrective surgery.
How that initial trip came about was in itself a miracle.
The missionary nurse had to travel to the U.S. Embassy
in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital and largest city, to get a
medical visa for Bedonia. To confirm the nurse’s story, the
embassy staff member by telephone spoke directly to the
American pediatrician who was arranging for the necessary
surgery. After the call, the embassy worker quickly granted
the visa.
Bedonia’s second miracle followed when she and her father,
Rousvel, returned to America when she was 2 for follow-up
neurological evaluation and new braces for her feet.
InfectIon RequIRes suRgeRy
For years after her follow-up, Bedonia enjoyed a fairly typical
Haitian childhood. Then, two years ago, “she was taking
a simple walk barefoot in her yard when she cut her foot
on something sharp,” says Marilyn Hunter, M.D., a Grant
County pediatrician, family friend and frequent missionary
to Haiti. Because of the symptoms of her spina bifida,
Bedonia has no feeling or sensation below her ankles or on
the outside of her legs. “No one knew of the injury until her
bone was infected,” Dr. Hunter adds.
For two long years, Bedonia and her family dealt with the
infection as best they could in a country where medical care
is not nearly as advanced as the U.S. Bedonia was in and
out of several Haitian hospitals before the grim news came:
“The physicians in Haiti suggested her foot be amputated,”
Dr. Hunter says. “In the often rough and tough world she
has to grow up in, her life would have been much harder had
that happened.”
50
Vim & Vigor • SPRING 2011

‘God Bless You All’
When young Bedonia Michel returns home to Haiti after
Marion General Hospital surgeons saved her foot, what will
she miss most “I will miss the hospital and the doctors and
nurses because they did everything for me,” she says. The
feeling is mutual. In the 10 days Bedonia was at MGH following
REACHING OUT FOR ANOTHER MIRACLE
Once the diagnosis was made for the foot to be amputated,
her father, a hospital administrator in Haiti, sent out an
urgent e-mail to his friends asking if anyone could help save
Bedonia’s foot.
Shawn T. Swan, M.D., former chief of staff at Marion
General Hospital, was scheduled to go to Haiti on a mission
trip sponsored by Brookhaven Wesleyan Church in Marion.
The trip in January 2010 was a planned response to the
devastating earthquake that struck the country and left much
of the capital and surrounding region in ruin. Dr. Swan casually
asked Daniel J. Edwards, M.D., a local orthopedic surgeon,
if he would like to be a part of the team. The 24-year surgeon
had never been to Haiti before. His answer was yes.
So when Bedonia’s Haitian surgeons suggested amputation
in August 2010, Dr. Edwards agreed to do a second opinion
and subsequent salvage surgery at no cost. “In many ways,
Bedonia personified Haiti,” Dr. Edwards says. “She had such
a positive outlook on life despite her problems. I felt I was
blessed to take care of her rather than the other way around.”
TWO HURDLES REMAINED
Bedonia needed another medical visa to fly to Indiana and
receive the surgery, something that normally takes months to
obtain. Thanks to the involvement of friends, she received a
visa in just two weeks.
The final hurdle to save Bedonia’s foot was again the family’s
inability to pay. This time, Marion General Hospital
answered the call. Paul L. Usher, president and CEO,
explained to Dr. Swan that, based on her family’s income,
Bedonia would qualify for free care under MGH’s Patient
Assistance Program, and that MGH would be proud to
provide her care.
Bedonia and her mother, Estella, were on their way to
Indiana. Dr. Edwards completed the surgery at Marion
General Hospital.
“My part in Bedonia’s care was very small,” says
Dr. Edwards, who is quick to play down his role in the successful
surgery. “Like it was once said, I dress the wound,
but God heals. Also, without the generosity of many others,
including Marion General Hospital, none of it would have
been possible.”
surgery, the pediatric nurses fell in love with her. Spend just
a few minutes with the girl and you would know why. Her
smile and sincere appreciation for everything literally lights
up a room and warms the heart. Her final words to those
who helped her were, “Thank you and God bless you all.”
A MOTHER’S FAITH
AND REMARKABLE
COURAGE
Can you imagine leaving your native country
for the very first time and boarding a plane,
having never flown before Would you be
brave enough to fly to a foreign country, where everyone
speaks a language you don’t understand, and put
your trust in the sincerity and generosity of others
Estella Michel did just that when she took her
daughter, Bedonia, from Haiti to the U.S. for footsaving
surgery. She faced those challenges without
fear because of her trust and faith in God. “For myself,
what God does is marvelous,” she says. “It’s God who
gave me confidence in people I don’t know.”
Vim & Vigor · SPRING 2011 51

EMPLOYEE EXCELLENCE
Purpose
Worthwhile
work
Making a
difference
Who’s Lighting the Halls of MGH
Marion General Hospital
honors its employees
who embrace the spirit
of service excellence
through its Headlighter program.
Here is MGH’s most recent group of
employees who earned the distinction.
HEADLIGHTERS
• Beth Simmons, purchasing
• Carol Eddy, purchasing
• Dolores Kinch, family birthing center
• Melinda Davis, family
medicine center—Marion
• Todd Slusser, R.N., telemetry
• Cynthia Johnson, R.N., telemetry
• Jeanette Dobbs, R.N., telemetry
• Tracy Scheffer, R.N., medical/surgical
• Judi Ruley, R.N., CHF/anticoagulation
clinic
• Jesie DelosReyes, R.N., medical/
surgical
Featured Headlighter
Dolores Kinch, unit secretary, family birthing center, gives
a mother a lasting memory
As unit secretary, Dolores Kinch has many responsibilities to
help keep the family birthing center running smoothly.
She not only performs her duties well, but she also shows
compassion and generosity toward the patients who are
cared for in the center.
On one particular day, a patient who recently delivered
did not have enough money to purchase photos of her baby.
Kinch decided to purchase
some photos for the family so
they could have a visual record of
their newborn’s first days of life.
To read more about what
motivates Dolores Kinch to help others, see “A Very Personal
Connection.”
52
Vim & Vigor · SPRING 2011

A Very Personal Connection
The story behind Dolores Kinch’s touching gesture
Over the past 10 years, Dolores
Kinch has routinely gone above
and beyond in Marion General
Hospital’s family birthing center
to help patients and their families.
Kinch’s life started at MGH. She was delivered
near the very spot where she currently
works. At birth, however, her life took a different
twist than most. Her birth mother
made the difficult decision to give her up to
be adopted by a loving family.
Some would be bitter about such a choice,
but Kinch thinks differently. “I had such a
great life,” she says, “and I know my birth
mother did what she felt was best for me and
what would give me the best life.”
It’s not difficult to understand why she
would make such a comment when you
know she lives her life by Proverbs 3:5–6:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do
not depend on your own understanding.
Seek His will in all you do, and He will show
you which path to take.”
Her childhood was filled with happy
memories of family reunions and lots of love.
She describes her adoptive mother, who had
three miscarriages before receiving her, as
being “loving, kind, generous, a best friend,
and someone I could talk to.”
It was these past circumstances that compelled
her to buy photographs of a newborn
for a mother who couldn’t afford them. You
see, the mother was also giving up her child
for adoption.
“These ladies tug at my heart,” Kinch says.
“It’s not an easy decision, and if I can help in
any way to ease their pain, I want to be there
for them.”
Dolores Kinch, Marion General Hospital’s featured Headlighter, touches lives every day in
the family birthing center.
GRACE
AND
CONFIDENCE
We ask Dolores Kinch, unit secretary, family birthing
center:
“What would you do if you could not fail”
“We all need failure in our life,” she says. “It’s what makes you a
stronger person.”
But, “I would be a dancer,” she adds. “I am not graceful, but would
love to be in a musical like Grease or a ballet like Swan Lake. Just to
have that grace and confidence would be awesome.”
Instead, God gave Kinch a better gift than the gift of dance—the
ability to gracefully and confidently touch the lives of others.
Vim & Vigor · SPRING 2011 53

VOLUNTEER SERVICES
First Leaves,
First Impressions
A message from MGH Auxiliary president Phil Weck
CALL
Join Our Team
Call MGH Volunteer Services at
765-662-4753 to learn how you can
volunteer at MGH.
Phil Weck
Spring is a time of renewal. The grass turns
green and the trees come to life with new
leaves. The Auxiliary also experiences
renewal with two very special events.
The first is the Spring Luncheon at the Roseburg
Event Center on May 9. Members come together and
celebrate the past year’s accomplishments as well as
officially recognize those who have volunteered at
MGH. Past members have the opportunity to renew
and guests can become new members by paying $5
in annual dues. (Dues can also be paid at the MGH
gift shop.)
The second event, the Indiana Hospital Auxiliaries
Association Eastern Area Spring Meeting and
Luncheon, will be at MGH on May 19. This will be
the Auxiliary’s opportunity to host an important state
event and create a great first impression for those from
around the state who will gather at MGH.
Speaking of creating a great first impression:
I want to remind each volunteer that we are on the
front line of meeting and greeting the general public. We
are often perceived as the personality of MGH. As the
public’s initial contact, we often establish first impressions
of MGH. Our interactions may set the tone for their
entire visit.
A smile, a friendly greeting or a helpful action will be
what people remember long after they leave. Remember,
a simple smile is a free gift from you to the world that
everyone enjoys. A smile makes people feel good. So put
a smile on your face and pass it on to others.
Volunteers of the Month
November: Lew Snyder—“Volunteering is my attempt to repay MGH staff for the great care given to my family
during their stays in the hospital,” Lew Snyder says. The two-year MGH volunteer works as a courier, carrying mail
between hospital buildings. Before volunteering, Snyder taught biology at Oak Hill schools for 33 years. Since 1993,
he has also taught anatomy and physiology at Ivy Tech. “Teaching and volunteering keeps me young,” he says. The
Portland, Ind., native now lives in Converse with his wife, Barbara.
December: Janice Hanes—Janice Hanes is a new volunteer, with just one year of experience. Spend a moment
with her and she feels like a long-lost friend you’ve known for years. She is an excellent volunteer because she is
truly a “people person.” She and her husband, Art, have lived in the same home on the family farm for 46 years.
Hanes enjoys reading, knitting, dancing, going to church activities and being a gofer for her husband.
January: Demetrice Freeman—“I’ve always enjoyed the hospital atmosphere and meeting and helping people,”
Demetrice Freeman says. She can be found helping others while volunteering on the surgery floor of the hospital.
Prior to volunteering at MGH, Freeman, who is originally from St. Louis, worked as a secretary. Her interests outside
of MGH include cooking and attending church. She and her husband, Willie, have one daughter, Nicole.
February: Danna Gross—When entering the main lobby of MGH, Danna Gross’ warm, bright smile can be found
behind the information desk. MGH runs through her family’s veins. Her daughter, Liz Johnson, works in telemetry
and her husband of 50 years, Jim, retired from MGH protective services. “My daughter made me realize how much
the volunteers are needed and appreciated,” she says. “And I really enjoy being able to assist others and put a smile
on their face.” She and Jim and their dog, Benji, live near Matthews.
Lew Snyder
Janice Hanes
Demetrice
Freeman
Danna Gross
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Vim & Vigor · SPRING 2011

MGH Memorial Garden
Honoring former MGH employees, physicians and volunteers
DONATIONS
The Marion General Hospital Memorial
Garden, in the courtyard east of the
cafeteria, was built in memory of
former Plant Engineering Supervisor
Fred Gause and made possible by a generous
donation and support from the MGH Auxiliary.
The garden honors MGH employees, physicians
and volunteers who have passed away, by
displaying their names and departments
on engraved bricks set around the base of a
tranquil fountain.
Honored as of press time is Lois Walter,
volunteer.
Marion General Hospital
Endowment Fund
In 1994, the Marion General Hospital Endowment Fund was started to accept donations
to support the hospital’s mission and vision for our Healthcare Community. Donations to
the fund are sincerely appreciated. Call 765-662-0065 or mail to:
The Marion General Hospital Endowment Fund
Community Foundation of Grant County, Indiana Inc.
505 W. Third St.
Marion, IN 46952
CALL
Purchase
a Brick
Bricks to honor MGH
employees, physicians
and volunteers who
have passed away can
be purchased for a minimum
donation of $25.
Call Volunteer Services
at 765-662-4753
for more
information.
Vim & Vigor · SPRING 2011 55

Community ConneCtions
February to April 2011
Continuous
education
programs/
support
groups
Classes
DIABETES
Classes are offered
monthly. Physician
referral is required. For
more information, call
diabetes education at
765-662-4734.
PRENATAL
EDUCATION
Classes provided in
conjunction with
Family Service Society
Inc. Classes are held at
various times throughout
each month. Please
call 765-662-4945 or
visit www.mgh.net
for more information.
SmOkINg
CESSATION
This free five-class
series is cosponsored
by the American
Lung Association.
Call 765-662-4701.
support
Groups
(All support groups
are free)
FAmILy AFFAIR
POSTPARTUm
All postpartum families
are welcome. Babies will
be weighed. Specialspeaker
topics will
include nutrition, car
seats and postpartum
depression. Refreshments
will be served.
Call 765-662-4178.
Dates: Meets every
Tuesday
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: MGH Fifth
Floor, Room C
REFLECTIONS
Cancer support group.
Call 765-662-4533.
Dates: Meets the third
Wednesday of each
month
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: Progressive
Cancer Care, 831 N.
Theatre Drive
Community
serviCe
CAR SEAT SAFETy
Free service for parents
and caregivers
for inspection, fitting
and instructions on
proper installation of
a child car seat. (Both
child and car seat must
be at inspection.) Call
765-662-4722 for
appointment.
Time: By appointment
only
Location: MGH
Parking Garage, 441 N.
Wabash Ave.
onLine
Sign Up
For information
about any of our
programs, please
call the numbers
listed or visit
our website at
www.mgh.net.
56
Vim & Vigor • Spring 2011

Marion General Hospital
441 N. Wabash Avenue
Marion, IN 46952
Non-Profit Org.
US Postage
PAID
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QUICKer
IS
www.mgh.net
VHA Statistics
NATIONAL AVE.
MGH
Door to Doctor 1 hr. 10 min. 44 min.
Door to Admitted to Hospital 6 hrs. 2 min. 3 hrs. 8 min.
Door to Discharge 3 hrs. 27 min. 2 hrs. 9 min.
Fast Track (door to discharge) 1 hr. 56 min. 1 hr. 25 min.