The VitaLink - Maury Regional Healthcare System

THE VITALINK
Maury Regional Medical Center January 2013 Vol. XXXII, Issue 1
MRMC recognized for knee and
hip replacement quality care
Maury Regional Medical Center (MRMC) has
been designated as a Blue Distinction® Center+ for
Knee and Hip replacement by BlueCross BlueShield
of Tennessee (BCBST). The designation is awarded
to hospitals demonstrating outstanding expertise
and efficiency in delivering specialty care resulting in
better overall outcomes for patients.
“This is the second year that Maury Regional has
been recognized for our knee and hip replacement
services and we are the only facility in Middle
Tennessee recognized as a Blue Distinction® Center+
in the latest BCBST ratings,” said Administrative
Director of Orthopedic Services Carey Albright.
According to BCBST, the goal of the Blue
Distinction® Center+ designation is to help patients
find quality specialty care. To be considered, medical
facilities must submit clinical data establishing that
they meet objective, evidence-based thresholds
for clinical quality. The Blue Distinction® Center+
designation is awarded
only to facilities whose
overall experience and
aggregate data meets
criteria established
in collaboration with
expert clinicians’ and
leading professional
organizations’
recommendations.
“We have
physicians, nurses and
therapists who are
committed to providing
outstanding care to
Orthopedic surgeon Scott McCall,
M.D., is pictured discussing a knee
replacement procedure with a patient.
knee and hip replacement patients. I am immensely proud of the
outcomes we help patients to achieve and I am pleased to have
(See “Knee and hip replacement” on page 6)
First Stop Urgent Care opens on MRMC campus
Residents in Maury County and the surrounding area
now have a new option for urgent care services since First
Stop Urgent Care opened its
doors January 2. The new
facility, managed by Family
Health Group (FHG), is
located at 1218 Trotwood
Avenue on the MRMC
campus.
“This facility provides
a convenient option for
individuals unable to see
their primary care physician
who have conditions that
aren’t serious enough for an emergency department visit,”
said Medical Director Brian McMurray, M.D. “Not only
will this be more convenient
for the patient, but also much
less expensive than visiting
an emergency department.”
The facility is open seven
days a week from 8 a.m. until
7 p.m. FHG has engaged
Team Health to provide
the physicians, physician
assistants and nurse
practitioners to treat patients.

THE VITALINK
NEW EMPLOYEES
EMS
John Cooper
Miranda Davenport
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Danisha Wiggins
FOOD & NUTRITION
Nelida Honaker
Kayla Johnson
HOME SERVICES
Carolyn Womack
NURSING
Jonah Deschaine
Kayla Fleeman
Ariel Holt
Brigette Karpati
Miranda Reynolds
Melinda Wray
PHARMACY
Amanda Lippert
PHYSICAL MEDICINE
Robert Allen
QUALITY SERVICES
Brian Oakley
SECURITY
James Hanna
SLEEP CENTER
Angela Hetherington
(Continued on next page)
Otwell honored with
leadership award
The Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence
(TNCPE) has named retired MRMC CEO Robert Otwell
as the recipient of the 2013 Ned R. McWherter Leadership
Award. The award annually recognizes an individual
who exemplifies outstanding leadership in the pursuit of
performance excellence and has furthered performance
improvement beyond the boundaries of his organization.
“From the day he arrived in Tennessee, Robert had a
vision of bringing world class health care to Maury Regional
Medical Center,” said Jim Duensing, chairman of the board
for TNCPE and CFO of Caterpillar Financial Services
Corporation. “His commitment to quality has literally saved
ROBERT OTWELL lives and improved the well-being of citizens in and around
Middle Tennessee.”
Otwell retired in November after serving nearly eight years as MRMC’s CEO.
During that time, he led the organization to national prominence and multiple
honors, including:
•Baldrige Best Practice Recognition for Strategic Planning
& Workforce – 2012
•Thomson Reuters Top Health System – 2011 & 2012
•Thomson Reuters 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospital – 2011
•Quest Award for High Value Health Care – 2011
•Premier Award for Quality – 2009 & 2010
•Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospital – 2007 & 2009
•TNCPE Excellence Award – 2009
Prior to joining MRMC, Otwell led North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo,
which was honored with the 2006 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the
nation’s highest award for quality. North Mississippi Health Services was selected to
receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2012.
The McWherter Award is named after the 46th governor of Tennessee, who was
instrumental in TNCPE’s founding in 1993. Otwell will accept the award at the 20th
Anniversary Excellence in Tennessee Awards Banquet in Franklin on February 20.
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Editor: Rita Williams
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Writers: Michele Tankersley,
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Proofreader: Jan Varnado
1224 Trotwood Avenue
Columbia, TN 38401
Ultrasound receives reaccreditation
The American College of Radiology has awarded a three-year term of
reaccreditation for obstetrical, gynecological, general and vascular ultrasound
services at MRMC following a recent survey.
“The reaccreditation exemplifies the excellent care our sonographers and
radiologists provide to the patients at Maury Regional. It is also a testament to
the excellent technology we are fortunate to have in our imaging department. I
appreciate the work the team did to achieve the reaccreditation,” said Imaging
Director Pam Williams.
Accreditation is awarded to facilities for the achievement of high practice
standards following a peer review of the practice. Evaluations are conducted by
board-certified physicians and medical physicists. The accreditation term continues
until February of 2016.
—2—

THE VITALINK
NEW EMPLOYEES
(Continued from previous page)
TRANSPORTATION
Sean Finn
URGENT CARE CLINIC
Elizabeth Birnbaum
Sofia Brewington
Laura Fish
Tiffany Hill
Andrea Kemp
Danielle Morgan
Amanda Pitts
April Welch
PROMOTIONS
Tunisia Chaney, from registrar to
billing specialist,
Admitting/Registration
Lisa Church, from food service
associate II to supervisor,
Food & Nutrition
Jackie Gibbs, from cardiovascular
tech, Nursing, to manager, Supply
Chain
Jessica Hughes, from student
nurse tech to nurse extern,
Nursing
Julie Lewis, from imaging
technologist to lead imaging
technologist, Imaging
Kevin Slone, from nurse tech,
ACC, to patient care assistant/
phlebotomist, nursing
BIRTHS
Alex Barberi, Information
Technology, and his wife, Calista,
welcomed Adara Grace Barberi on
November 16. She weighed 7 lbs.
and 4 oz.
Leadership Maury visits MRMC
Members of Maury Alliance’s Leadership Maury program visited MRMC on
December 20 to learn more about health care services that are available in the
community. Following a presentation by CEO Alan Watson, class members toured
the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Emergency Department (ED), Pharmacy
and Women’s Floor. Nurse Manager Jessica Kincaid is pictured with class members
during their visit to the ED.
Visit evaluates Planetree journey
In January, MRMC hosted a site visit by consultants who assessed the
medical center’s journey toward full Planetree designation.
The visit, held January 8-11, allowed focus groups of employees, physicians,
volunteers, former patients and members of the board of trustees to share
information about the steps MRMC has taken toward becoming a more patientcentered
organization using the Planetree model.
“The Planetree consultants were very impressed by the obvious excitement
they witnessed when talking to employees about our Planetree journey. We look
forward to using the results from our focus groups to become more patientcentered
in the future,” said Planetree Coordinator Joan Stephens.
Since July 2011, nearly 1,800 employees and volunteers have attended
a Planetree Retreat. Some of the projects developed through the use of the
Planetree model include the piano in the lobby, the new food pantry, linen
cabinets in waiting areas offering blankets and pillows for family members, and
the current renovation of the chapel.
IN MEMORY
Kathy A. Dale passed away on
December 28. She worked at
MRMC from 1989 to 2009 as
a housekeeping specialist in
Environmental Services.
Nurse earns certification
Jennifer Laws, a registered nurse in Endoscopy, has
obtained certification in medical-surgical nursing, according
to Nurse Manager Judy Culberson.
Laws earned the certification from the Medical Surgical
Nursing Certification Board.
—3—
JENNIFER LAWS

THE VITALINK
Celebration Bell holds significance
for cancer patients and staff
The sound of a bell can often evoke a sense of joy
within the human spirit. Whether it’s a church bell calling
the faithful to worship, or a sidewalk Santa reminding
us that Christmas is just around the corner, the sound is
special.
For Henry Phillips and others who have fought the
same fight as him, the sound of a bell ringing at MRMC
holds a very special significance. It is a reminder that they
are overcomers, victors and survivors. Here, it means that
each has won another battle in their personal war against
the enemy cancer.
On December 12, Phillips rang the Celebration Bell
to mark the completion of his last round of radiation
treatment for prostate cancer. Phillips is one of more than
150 patients who have celebrated in this way since the first
bell was rung at MRMC on August 21, 2012.
“Ringing the bell was the end of the first phase of my
treatment. Looking around the hallway at the doctors,
nurses, technicians and receptionist who had worked
so closely with me let me know that I had made lifelong
friends. These friends gave me moral support, answered
questions about my condition and generally encouraged
me during my treatments,” Phillips said. “I do not know
of another place in Middle Tennessee where such detail
is given to a patient’s care. I would recommend Maury
Regional to anyone who needs the special care that I
received.”
Radiation Therapy Director David Thomas said the
adoption of MRMC’s Celebration Bell occurred after
Radiation Therapist Kathleen Robertson learned about its
growing popularity at other medical centers throughout the
world.
“I’d been looking at the World Wide Radiation
Therapists Facebook page and saw that the Celebration
Bell was getting a wonderful response internationally,”
Robertson said. “We talked about it for several weeks and
came to the conclusion that if it brightened the spirits of so
many in so many places, it could do the same here.”
Thomas said the sound of the Celebration Bell brings
joy to staff members as well as patients and their families.
“Staff will sometimes come running out from their
rooms when they hear the bell. When a patient rings the
Celebration Bell you can see a look of accomplishment
on his or her face that is rewarding for the entire staff,”
Thomas said.
MRMC patient Henry Phillips is pictured ringing the
Celebration Bell with encouragement from Radiation Therapy
staff members (l-r) Jeremy Winningham, David Thomas,
Kathleen Robertson, Brett Miller, Jana Andrews, Shellie Johns,
Warren Davis, Sue Hodge and Dr. Michael Sattasiri.
MRMC launches Coping with Cancer support group
Coping with Cancer, a new support group for cancer
patients began on January 21. The group will meet for a
period of six weeks at the Cancer Center at Columbia Mall
in the Cancer Resource Center.
The mission of the group is to support those who
are diagnosed with cancer and to provide them with an
opportunity to share their frustrations, fears and feelings.
Meetings are facilitated by Emily McKnight, a lifelong
resident of Maury County who has a master’s degree
in counseling and human development from Vanderbilt
University. Her experience includes counseling in the areas
of grief, caregiver support and divorce.
—4—
“Maury Regional is proud to be able to offer this
new free service to those who have been diagnosed with
cancer,” Director of Infusion and Women’s Imaging Dana
Salters said. “There is a tremendous range of emotions
that come with being told you have cancer. Many patients
benefit greatly from being able to share what they are going
through with others and hear from other patients about
how they have coped with similar challenges. It creates a
bond and a support system like nothing else I have ever
seen.”
For more information or to register for an upcoming
session, call 931.490.7192.

THE VITALINK
Church, Massey
retire from MRMC
Masel Massey retired
on December 12. She was an
associate I in Environmental
Services and had worked at
MRMC for more than 20 years.
“Masel served in
many areas of the hospital
throughout her long and
meaningful career. She was
a terrific team member who
always went out of her way to
help anyone whenever it was
called for. She will be missed
by all of us in Environmental
Services. We wish her
happiness as she begins this
new part of her journey,”
said Environmental Services
Director Mike Short.
Free COPD screening offered to community
MRMC offered a free
screening for chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) on December 15.
The event was attended by
48 community members. Dr.
Maura Lipp, a pulmonologist
on the medical staff, provided
an overview of COPD.
Respiratory Care staff members
performed screenings for
oxygen saturation and
breathing function. Blood tests
were also offered for alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, a genetic disorder that can
cause lung disease. Pictured above, respiratory therapists Mike McCormack and
Tabatha Brooks calculate spirometry results for a screening participant.
Donna Church retired on
December 21. She was a buyer
in Pharmacy and had been
employed at the medical center
for more than 28 years.
“Donna’s knowledge and
expertise in pharmaceutical
purchasing has been invaluable
to Maury Regional. I appreciate
her years of service and
dedication to the pharmacy
and the medical center,”
said Pharmacy Director Jeff
Binkley.
Church is pictured with Binkley.
NICU staff members Lindsey Hill, Sara Lindsey and Dacia McEvers are pictured
with some of the gifts the NICU presented to their first patients of 2013.
Medical center welcomes first arrivals of 2013
Staff members on the Women’s Floor presented gifts to the first babies to
arrive at MRMC in 2013. The Mother/Baby Unit welcomed the new year’s first
baby with an array of gift items. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) also
presented gifts donated by NICU staff members to the families of the first boy
and first girl to be patients in the unit this year.
—5—

THE VITALINK
MAURY REGIONAL HEALTH CARE
FOUNDATION
News
FOUNDATION FUND WILL
SUPPORT FOOD PANTRY
A “Friends and Family Nutrition Fund” has been
created through the Maury Regional Health Care
Foundation to support the medical center’s new food
pantry for recently discharged patients who are struggling
to afford food for themselves and their families. MRMC is
the first medical center in Tennessee to have a food pantry
for patients in need.
Food and Nutrition Assistant Director Jerry Coulter’s
concern for the health of recently discharged patients
who live below the poverty level led him to spearhead the
project with Dietitian Keri Howell.
“In July, we started forming a group of medical center
employees that have a similar passion and quickly received
approval from administration,” Coulter said. “In November,
we were able to partner with Second Harvest Food Bank in
Nashville and we feel this gives us a good sustainable start
to this worthy initiative.”
Donations to the food pantry fund will be used to
acquire nutritious food items to supply the needs of
patients. “Through our partnership with Second Harvest
Food Bank, we are able to purchase food at a very
affordable price to assist patients in need, but the need
continues to grow,” Foundation Executive Director Joe
Kilgore said.
Donations for the food pantry fund should include
“Family and Friends Nutrition Fund” on the check’s
memo line or in the comments section online. For more
information, call Kilgore at 380.4075.
Pediatric patients benefit
from donations
Each year, Patient Access staff members collect
toys, books and personal care items to be given
to Pediatrics patients and their family members
to make their stay in the hospital easier.
Approximately 340 items were collected during
the most recent drive. Pictured presenting the
donations to Pediatrics staff member Macie
McKee, RN, (far left) are (l-r) Susan Stockard,
Misty Kelley (kneeling) Carlene Messick, Glenda
Jimenez, Tunisia Chaney and Pam Rummage.
Knee and hip replacement
(Continued from page 1)
been recognized by BlueCross BlueShield of
Tennessee,” said Chief Executive Officer Alan
Watson.
MRMC offers a wide array of inpatient
orthopedic services, from minimally invasive
outpatient procedures to comprehensive knee,
hip and shoulder replacement. Outpatient
services for orthopedic patients include
physical therapy and home health care.
Pictured with some of the food pantry items are (l-r)
Disability Liaison Kimberly Wanasek, Coulter and Howell.
American Red Cross Blood Drive
Monday, February 25
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Auxiliary Conference Room
Presenting donors have a chance to win a $1,000
gift card from a home improvement store!
To schedule an appointment, visit the MRMC
intranet or redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor
code MRMC19.
—6—

THE VITALINK
INTRODUCING
POWERED BY
PEOPLE
The People Council
is excited to announce
the NEW employee recognition system – Powered
by People. This new recognition system will be live
and available to all employees in early February.
Additional communications regarding
the program will be sent to employees via
e-mail prior to its launch. As well, there
will be an informational booth set up in
the cafeteria on February 6 to provide
demonstrations and answer questions
regarding this interactive system.
Powered by People is an employee
awards and recognition platform created
to recognize employees based on MRMC’s
Values: Patient Focused, Respect, Integrity,
Dedicated and Enthusiastic. With Powered by
People, you will have an opportunity to earn points
that can be redeemed for name brand merchandise
of your choice!
Powered by People includes recognition
programs such as:
Extraordinary Peers—Employees can recognize
their peers for demonstrating the organization’s
values.
Achieving Excellence—Managers can recognize
employees with an e-card or points for
demonstrating the organization’s values.
Celebrating You—Employees can send an
e-card to a co-worker to celebrate birthdays,
anniversaries or to simply say thank you.
Service Champion—Employees can recognize
co-workers who display patient-focused
behaviors. The monthly and annual service
champion
winners will be
recognized with
points they
can use toward
merchandise
of their choice.
(Service
champion
nomination
forms are still available on the MRMC intranet
at Forms/MRMC forms/Service Champion
nomination form.)
Service Anniversary Recognition—When
achieving certain milestone anniversaries, you
will now have your choice of awards to select via
Powered by People.
Several “Savvy Social Security
Planning” sessions will be offered
to employees in February. Watch
for more details from Human
Resources.
We are Powered by People! Thank you for
extraordinary efforts and excellent care!
FEBRUARY CALENDAR OF EVENTS
February 4
NEW EMPLOYEE ORIENTATION: 8
a.m., Auxiliary Conf. Room, call 380.4017
February 5
NEW EMPLOYEE ORIENTATION: 8
a.m., Auxiliary Conf. Room, call 380.4017
February 5
DIABETES EDUCATION GROUP:
11:30 a.m., PDR1, call 540.4324
February 9
EXPECTANT PARENT CLASS –
COMPREHENSIVE COURSE: 9 a.m.-3
p.m., call 490.7046
February 9
FREE TOUR OF LABOR & DELIVERY:
3 p.m., call 490.7046
February 12
FREE BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK:
9:30-10:30 a.m., Columbia Senior Center,
call 490.4600
February 12
FREE SEMINAR “AND BABY MAKES
THREE:” 6 p.m., Auxiliary Conf. Room,
call 840.4446
February 16
EXPECTANT PARENT CLASS –
LAMAZE: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., call 490.7046
February 18
BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP:
5:30 p.m., call 540.4166
—7—
February 23
EXPECTANT PARENT CLASS – JUST
FOR SIBLINGS: 9-11 a.m., call 490.7046
February 23
EXPECTANT PARENT CLASS –
INFANT CPR: 12-2 p.m., call 490.7046
February 25
BLOOD DRIVE: 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Auxiliary
Conf. Room
February 28
OSTOMY SUPPORT GROUP: 10 a.m.,
First Floor Conf. Room, call 490.4600
February 28
HEALTHY HEARTS EDUCATION
GROUP: 6 p.m., Annex, call 381.1111,
ext. 4343

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U.S. Postage
PAID
Columbia, TN 38401
Permit No. 710
KUDOS FOR CAREGIVERS
Pam Anderson
Jewell Bedford
Martha Belew
Mark Breece
Dianna Butt
Henry Canaman
Karen Castellon
Kenneth Church
Suzanne Collins
Milinda Cothran
Judy Culberson
Wilson Daniel
Alma Davidson
Annette Dixon
Denice Fort
Aaron Gignilliat
Angie Harden
Sandy Hayes
“My mom had her last chemo
treatment last week and Suzanne was
amazing! She truly is a wonderful
nurse who has her heart into her job.
We have had such amazing nurses
throughout this journey and want to
thank everyone for taking such great
care of my mom!”
“The ED visit was great because of
the care each of you gave. Art and
Wade were fantastic…Shannon was
magnificent!”
Faith Hendrix
Todd Holt
Shannon Kelley
Anna Khadzhi
Judy King
Jen Leonberger
Starr McNeese
Deborah Melton
Tonya Moore
Art Peach
Ashley Peden
Cathy Porter
Becky Roberson
Marcia Rutherford
Timothy Shelton
Georgette Smith
Emma Tate
Shannon Taylor
Charina Tijing
Lisa Trimble
Kimberly Wanasek
Henrietta Weaver
Ann Westmoreland
Paula Wilt
Mike Young
“One of our vendors was very complimentary
of MRMC, beginning with the shuttle ride
from the parking lot. In the elevator, Tony
said hello and wished her a Merry Christmas.
She was especially grateful to Jewell, who
assisted her with charts and made her visit
such a pleasant one. She stated that she visits
a lot of hospitals and has never been treated
with such kindness and compassion.”
THE VITALINK
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MAURY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
1224 Trotwood Avenue
Columbia, Tennessee 38401
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