Spirit of Southeast Management Award Recipients

Volume 32, Number 11 NOVEMBER 2012 SEhealth.org
Spirit of Southeast Management Award Recipients
Eric Robbins, R.Ph., assistant pharmacy director, and
Nancy Voelker, BSN, RN, nurse manager in Recovery, have both
received the O.D. Niswonger Spirit of Southeast Management Award.
The awards were presented by SoutheastHEALTH President and
CEO Wayne Smith at a ceremony held on Sept. 28.
Eric Robbins, R.Ph.
Eric has been part of our Southeast team for nearly 30 years. The
nominations on his behalf cite his willingness to assist staff from other
departments with medication information, his upbeat attitude and his
outstanding leadership skills.
One coworker said, “Eric is the epitome of what a good manager should
be. He is able to juggle the demands of the assistant director position with the
everyday demands of making sure medications are delivered appropriately
throughout the Hospital. He has participated in the streamlining of medication
reconciliation and has contributed much to the Medication Safety Committee
as well. He also took on the major project of preparing the Pharmacy for
conversion to the new Siemens system.”
Another person said, “Eric was my first supervisor at Southeast. I learned
a great deal from him – work hard, patients come first, work hard... He had high
expectations of me, but not any higher than what he expected from himself. He
is the type of employee that every work place wants and needs.”
There’s more: “Eric is always approachable with any problem. He never
makes anyone feel stupid or incompetent and always makes you feel like you
are the ONLY person he is working with and your problem is the MOST important
thing he has to do. He also is very considerate of his staff, willing to cover for
other pharmacists taking time off, even if it means the night shift. Eric gives 100
percent in everything he does. He has earned the respect of all those he works
with.”
Here’s another comment: “Eric’s work as a pharmacist is that of perfection.
He is the hardest working boss I have ever had. He is always early, stays late
every day and works every shift when needed – yet still has a smile on his face
and is whistling a happy tune. He is dedicated to Southeast,
quality care, patients and his staff. He is a joy to work with.”
And now this final comment: “Eric has seen many changes
in the Pharmacy department – from being closed at night
to being a 24-hour pharmacy, from faxed doctors’ orders
to electronically scanned orders and so many more. He has
adjusted to these changes well. He is always ready to do what is
best for the Pharmacy as a whole and he makes sure everyone
else is on board when changes are made so that morale stays
high and staff work together… and if Eric receives this award,
ask him to sing ‘It’s Impossible to Suck a Cadillac Up Your Nose,
It’s Just Impossible!’”
Eric said he doesn’t think of himself as management.
“I am a pharmacist first. Mostly, I am a co-worker. I treat
everyone as a co-worker,” he said.
Spirit of Southeast Nomination Forms may be found
on the Compass: Departments > Spirit Boosters
Eric Robbins, left, and Nancy Voelker accept the Niswonger Spirit of Southeast Management
Award from President and CEO Wayne Smith.
Nancy Voelker, BSN, RN
The nominations for Nancy, who has been part of the Southeast family for
more than 20 years, cite her knowledge, her commitment to patients and her
dedication to Southeast.
One coworker commented, “Nancy is a strong, dependable, hard-working,
dedicated nurse manager and team player in the Perioperative area. The staff
and physicians respect her and allow her to politely lead them in the appropriate
direction on all issues. She is well liked by all her staff and treats each of them
fairly.”
Another person said, “Nancy is a godsend. She never brings me a problem
that doesn’t already have a solution. She thinks outside the box and is the first
to make management rounds and make sure patients and families are well
informed with all their questions and concerns addressed in a timely manner.”
Here’s another comment: “Nancy is the first to take up the slack when
staffing issues arise. She guides and protects her staff so that they shine
because she shines. When a physician has an issue, she immediately provides
follow up and closes the loop by getting back to the physician in a diplomatic
way – providing win/win encounters.”
There’s more: “When I transferred to Recovery, Nancy welcomed me
and was very helpful and kind. She’s like that with everyone…whether it’s a
pediatric patient or adult, Nancy is caring and thoughtful.”
Now this last comment: “Nancy loves her patients, her department and the
Hospital. She told me during her annual evaluation that she feels privileged to
work in a profession and at a Hospital where she feels valued. She absolutely
loves what she does!”
Nancy told her colleagues gathered in the cafeteria that she was “very
humbled” by the recognition. “I love every one of you. There’s not a day that goes
by that I don’t feel like every one of you are family.”
Find the ‘Winning Word’ & See a Movie on Us!
Thanks to everyone who participated in the “Winning Word” contest! Congratulations go out to KARRIE
FARMER, of Medical Telemetry, for winning last month’s contest! Karrie deciphered the clues and found
the winning word – Grammy – in Helen Manning’s retirement feature on page 5 of the October InforMed.
Karrie’s name was randomly chosen from among the correct answers to win a $30 gift card to Wehrenberg
West Park Ciné. Now it’s your chance to win! Read the clue to a word used somewhere in an article in this
issue – find the word and you’ll have a chance to see a movie on us. Once you decipher the clue and find the
word, call the Winning Word contest line at 986-6615 and tell us what the word is and in which story you
found it. This month’s clue:
Winnie the Pooh’s pink, curly-tailed friend.
Call 986-6615 by midnight on Friday, Nov. 2, to be eligible for this month’s contest!
SoutheastHEALTH THE Difference IS HOW YOU’RE TREATED

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“Bee” in the Know!
Payroll and W-2 Available Online
Payroll stubs and W-2 documents for all employees are going online. As an employee, you will have the ability
to access your payroll stubs and W-2 documents online or via email. Southeast will no longer be printing
these documents to be handed out.
Benefits of this new system include:
$ You will automatically receive a secure email copy of your pay stub or W-2
$ Online access to review all past pay stubs or W-2
$ Print your current and previous pay stubs at your convenience
$ Access to your emailed pay stub or W-2 via smartphone
Employees who do not have access to a computer will have the ability to use the employee kiosks
located on the first floor of the Hospital to access and print your online documents.
If you have not registered for the new system by Nov. 2, contact the Information Systems Help Desk
at 651-5517. To access your information online, go to the Compass and click on the MHC Payroll Self Service
link, then sign in with your login credentials provided by Information Systems.
Holiday Meals Scheduled
Christmas will be here before we know it and so will the annual Employee Christmas
Dinner! Six serving times are scheduled as follows in the Harrison Room over the
course of four days, from Monday, Dec. 3, through Thursday, Dec. 6.
Monday, Dec. 3 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 3 from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 4 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 5 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 6 from 1:30 a.m. – 3:30 a.m.
Thursday, Dec. 6 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
In response to employee comments from previous meals, this year employees
working at offsite locations may select one of these meal times which will be held at
our West Campus on Nov. 27 and 28.
Tuesday, Nov. 27 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov 28 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m
Wednesday, Nov 28 from 4:30 p.m – 6:30 p.m
HealthPoint staff in Cape and Jackson will continue to enjoy meals at their
locations.
Sign-up sheets have been circulated to employees at the off-site locations and
employees at the Hospital will begin to sign up on Nov. 1. As in past years, employees
will receive a meal ticket that will also be used for door prize drawings.
Port Cape is catering the event and will be serving delicious meals of chopped
BBQ Boston butt, fresh rosemary chicken, Belaire potatoes, seasoned green beans,
rolls, fresh broccoli salad, garden salad, cheesecake and “death by chocolate” cake.
InforMed is a monthly publication for YOU –
the employees of SoutheastHEALTH
1701 Lacey Street, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Corporate Communications Manager:
Sally Owen
Publications Coordinator: Mark Bliss
Editor: Delain Stafford
Designer: Renée Shandy
Please address all communications
& article suggestions to editor Delain Stafford
at dstafford@SEhealth.org or call 986-6616.
Run/Walk & Bone
Marrow Registry
Drive Tomorrow
Thousands of patients with leukemia, lymphoma,
severe sickle cell and other life-threatening diseases
need marrow donor transplants. You can help
save a life by joining Be the Match Registry®, the
national marrow donor program. It takes only about
15 minutes and a cheek swab sample to join the
national registry of potential donors.
The Cape Girardeau County Area Medical
Society Alliance will hold a marrow registry drive
on Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Osage Centre from 8
a.m. to noon in conjunction with the Alliance’s
Halloween-themed Monster Match 5K Run/Walk.
SoutheastHEALTH is the presenting sponsor.
Donor registrations also will be taken today,
from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Auburn Place hotel. To sign
up, you must be between the ages of 18 and 44, be
willing to donate to any patient in need and meet a
few simple health guidelines. There is no charge to
sign up. For more information, call 314-348-5650.
New Cancer Center
Executive Director
Kevin Rush,
MHA, R.T., (R) (T)
(ARRT), FASRT, has
assumed duties as
executive director
of the Southeast
Cancer Center. He
succeeds Judy Aslin,
MSN, RN, NEA-BC,
who became vice
president and chief
nursing officer in
November 2011.
Rush most
recently was interim
executive director of Cancer Services, Laboratory
and Institutional Review Board and director of
Radiation Oncology for Indiana University Health
Bloomington Hospital.
“Kevin brings with him a number of years’
experience and is a great communicator and team
builder which will serve us well as we reach out
into communities with our cancer program,” Aslin
said. “Kevin was drawn to Southeast because of
the patient experience at our Cancer Center. That
in itself is testimony to Kevin’s leadership style.
Many, many staff members were included in the
interview process and Kevin was far and away the
top candidate among those interviewed.”
His previous affiliations include service as
chief radiation therapist at Cancer Centers of the
Carolinas, Greenville, S.C., and St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.
Cardiovascular
Consultants
Expands Services
in Perryville
SoutheastHEALTH
and Cardiovascular
Consultants have
expanded their
partnership with Perry
County Memorial
Hospital and are now
offering additional
clinic hours and
services to Perryville
and the surrounding
area.
Existing
cardiology services,
provided by Billy A.F. Hammond, MD; Allen L.
Spitler, MD (pictured above with a patient); and
Kenneth W. Retter, MD; have been offered each
Wednesday in Perryville at Perry County Memorial
Hospital. Now, cardiologist Steven J. Carr, MD,
also provides clinic hours on Tuesdays from
9 a.m. to noon. Dr. Carr specializes in radial (wrist)
catheterization and complex peripheral arterial
disease management in addition to general
cardiology services.
Having more hours and services available
close to home will provide added convenience for
Perry County residents, especially those dealing
with peripheral arterial blockages. “Dr. Carr’s
expertise in interventional peripheral arterial
disease provides diagnosis and catheter-based
treatment of blockages in the arteries of the legs
which can cause disabling pain with walking and
other daily activities,” Dr. Hammond says.

PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS
Congratulations to the
SoutheastHEALTH 2013 Photo
Calendar Contest winners!
Pictured clockwise from upper left...
January – “Cardinal in my Garden”
ERIKA SCHEIBE, 5H Surgical
February – “Life in the Himalayas”
JULIE ROBINSON, Emergency Services
March – “Pond at Sunset in Benton, Mo.”
CHRISTINE L. FADLER, CVC
April – “Bryce Canyon, Utah”
DANIELA KANTCHEV, Psychiatric Unit
May – “Motherly Love”
TERRI STUCKEY, Infusion Services
June – “Boat Dock in Honfleur, France”
KAREN HEURING, Resource Team
July – “The Moose is Loose”
JESSICA KING, Marketing & Web Services
August – “Shoreline View, Big Sur, Calif.”
MARK BLISS, Corporate Communications
September – “Tower Rock, Wittenberg, Mo.”
STEVE WINDEKNECHT, Env. Services
October – “Cape County Barn & Rainbow”
DANIEL BUCKENMYER, CVC
November – “Chipmunk in Colorado”
AMY J. O’REAR, Resource Team
December – “Merry & Bright”
DANI DUNN, Obstetrics
Thanks to all who voted online
to help choose the winners
for this year’s contest!
Entries are being returned
via interdepartmental mail.
If you haven’t received yours, please
call Marketing at 986-6613.
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HEALTHPOINT FITNESS HOLIDAY
ENROLLMENT SPECIAL
During this holiday season, join HealthPoint
Fitness for a $10 enrollment fee when you bring
in 10 canned goods for our Holiday Food Drive!
HealthPoint can help you and your family stay
fit through the holidays…each new member
receives two personal training sessions and a 30
minute consultation with a
HealthPoint dietitian. And,
your donation will help needy
families in our community!
For more information, call
986-4400 (Cape) or 243-2211
(Jackson), or go online to
SEhealth.org/HealthPoint.
MY FAVORITE THINGS SALE
Tuesday, Oct. 30, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Harrison Room
The Auxiliary’s “My Favorite Things Sale” is back!
Used home décor, collectibles, linens, glassware,
and other household items will be for sale. If you
have items you would like to
donate for the sale, you can bring
them to the link entrance or to
the Harrison Room on Monday,
Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Proceeds will benefit Auxiliary
projects.
OCTOBER AUL RETIREMENT
REPRESENTATIVE MEETINGS
Thursday, Nov. 8, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
2 West Conference Room (Administration
hallway)
Brad Wehrfritz, our retirement representative
from AUL, will be available to meet with employees
to answer questions about your investment
options and help you plan for your retirement
goals. To schedule your personal consultation,
contact Kristina LaGarce in Human Resources at
Ext. 5127 or by email at klagarce@sehealth.org.
Did you know that you can find
everything you need on the Compass
to make healthy meal choices in the
Hospital cafeteria?
Simply click on the Menu button
on our Compass homepage and then
select Shining Star Café Menu. You will
have the option to view all the cafeteria
menus for each day of that week. Click
any menu option to see nutrition facts
for that item.
You also can see a nutritional
summary for your entire meal by
selecting all the items you plan on
choosing and then clicking the “View
Selected Items Report” button. In
addition, the menus show which items
are designated as vegetarian, vegan
and wellness options.
The menus are updated weekly.
HEALTHY COOKING: HEALTHY
THANKSGIVING DINNER SIDE DISHES
Monday, Nov. 19, 6 – 7:15 p.m.
HealthPoint Plaza – Cape
Start some new family traditions
by lightening the calorie load
in this traditional holiday
meal. Flavor won’t be spared
and you will have something
extra to be thankful for. Join
HealthPoint Nutritional Services
Coordinator Raina Childers, MS, RD, LD, for this
healthy cooking class. Cost is $3 for HealthPoint
members and $5 for non-members. Call 986-4440
to register.
SOUTHEAST WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
CENTER INFORMATIONAL SESSION
Tuesday, Nov. 27, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
HealthPoint Plaza – Cape
The Southeast Weight Management Center
offers a comprehensive program that can be
tailored to the unique health and weight loss
needs of individuals with any type of weight
condition. The Center offers both surgical
and non-surgical options, as well as a
dedicated team of physicians, surgeons,
nurses, dietitians, health educators and
fitness trainers that help make losing
weight and becoming healthier a
rewarding experience. Learn more
by attending the free informational
session. To register, call 986-4406.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Thursday, November 22
SEE SOUTHEAST’S ENTIRE
CALENDAR OF EVENTS ONLINE
AT SEhealth.org
Don’t Forget
to Attend a
SoutheastHEALTH
Employee Meeting
Be sure to attend one of the upcoming
employee meetings! Get the latest news on
our strategic direction, finances, growth and
more. The meetings are not mandatory, but
you are encouraged to attend so you will
have current and accurate information about
SoutheastHEALTH.
Tuesday, Oct. 30
8 a.m. Data Center
10:30 a.m. HealthPoint – Jackson
1 p.m. Laundry
4:30 p.m. West Campus Medical Plaza
Wednesday, Oct. 31
7:30 a.m. Harrison Room
2 p.m. Harrison Room
4:30 p.m. West Campus Medical Plaza
6 p.m. Harrison Room
Thursday, Nov. 1
8 a.m. HealthPoint – Cape
10 a.m. Harrison Room
1 p.m. Business Office
3 p.m. Harrison Room

The
Shining
I
Star
Café
n Southeast Hospital’s newly remodeled cafeteria,
“Fresh Inspirations” is more than just a new sign
on the wall. It reflects a new philosophy of serving
freshly made food and creating a dining experience
for everyone from employees to visitors.
“We don’t buy anything pre-made,” says J.D.
Webster, director of Food & Nutrition Services at
Southeast and one of two Executive Chefs. The
bright green paint and modern signage convey an
upbeat feeling in the Shining Star Café.
A Vital Service
Webster says the cafeteria is a vital service.
“You can’t live without food,” he notes. And the café
goes through a lot of food each year – 65,000 pounds
of ground beef, 31,000 pounds of lettuce and 8,900
pounds of chicken tenders.
The cafeteria, which is part of Food & Nutrition
Services, has about two dozen employees –
everything from cooks to cashiers, who now sport
colorful uniforms which were unveiled at the end
of September. “We now have the full chef regalia,”
Webster notes. Each uniform color identifies a
different work station. Red is worn by those who
grill food, black is for the kitchen cooks, white is for
servers, green is for salad bar staff, brown is worn
The newly-remodeled cafeteria boasts a fresh,
updated feel to enhance the dining experience.
At right, Sodexo resource manager Jerome O’Keefe
shows the new serving area for hot entrées.
The café goes Through a loT
of food each year, including 65,000
pounds of ground beef,
31,000 pounds of leTTuce and 8,900
pounds of chicken Tenders.
by those who work the “Innovations” station where
food is made to order. Cashiers wear tunics. It’s all
part of the dining experience, Webster says.
All Cooked Up
There’s no shortage of mealtime. “We are
open for breakfast, lunch, supper and late night
(1:30 to 3:30 a.m.), Webster notes. “We start cooking
at 5 a.m.” Breakfast is served, starting at 6 a.m.
The café serves up an average of 35 breakfast
sandwiches and 38 omelets a day. “We cook 35
pounds of bacon and 15 pounds of sausage every
morning.” The cafeteria crew bakes fresh biscuits
three times each morning.
The café recently began offering waffles,
serving more than 500 in the first month alone.
Webster says the food is always fresh. “From the
time it is cooked to the time it is sold is no longer
than 15 minutes,” he adds.
You won’t find any frozen pizzas here. “Our
pizzas are hand tossed and hand rolled,” he points
out.
A Huge Shopping List
The cafeteria has a huge shopping list. “We
order in 700 pounds of produce three times a week.
Café staff members from
left: (front row) Grill Cook
Brandon Olson, Relief
Cook Angela Stephens,
Cashier Debbie Slinkard,
Cook Terri Mayberry,
Cashier Sherry Welker;
(second row) Executive
Chef Kelly Fields, Deli
worker Sharon Nelson,
Director J.D. Webster,
Clinical Nutrition
Manager Rebekah
Crowder, Retail Manager
Nick Brown and
Innovations Cook Jesse
Bosecker.
We order in over a ton of produce every week,”
Webster says. That includes produce for patient
meals. But the majority of the produce is used in the
cafeteria which has an extensive salad bar.
“We have over 35 items on our salad bar. We
make our own fried onions, potato salad, tuna salad
and chicken salad every day,” he notes. The café uses
plenty of bananas too, some 360 pounds a week.
The café dispenses over 400 gallons of
beverages a month, not counting bottled drinks.
It goes through 58 cases of bottled drinks a week,
Webster says. With 24 bottles in a case, that’s 1,392
bottled drinks each week.
Pleasing the Customers
Customers of the Shining Star Café like their
desserts too. “We sell on average 130 pieces of pie
and pieces of cake and dessert bars every day,”
Webster points out. “We sell 87 of the large cookies
every day.”
Since taking over as director in June, a whole
new Food & Nutrition Services management
team has been put in place. The café staff tries to
accommodate the dining desires of every customer,
he says. “If we have it available, we make it. Our job is
to please the customer 200 percent.”
Geese to Raccoons, Everything was
Fair Game for Hospital Meals
When Southeast Hospital first opened its
doors, paying the grocery bill often was
difficult. Hospital supporters routinely donated
everything from butter to meat or money to pay
the grocery wholesaler.
Church groups stepped in to help, offering
to can fruits and vegetables grown in the
Hospital gardens. With 25 cents of every Hospital
dollar going to food (a main dish frequently
served patients was 10-cents-a-pound bologna),
donations of foodstuffs were eagerly accepted
by the Hospital.
In 1929, five hunters were apprehended
with illegal game. Two contraband geese, two
raccoons and 29 quail ended up in the Hospital’s
cooking pots.
The Hospital operated a chicken coop in
its early years to provide a steady supply of eggs
and poultry for patient meals. The chicken coop
also allowed the Hospital to take poultry in lieu
of money for patient bills.
Patients often would pay their bills by
turning over a dozen live hens, a piglet or boxes
of sweet corn or tomatoes to the cashier.
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Here are a few exercises to give your
brain a boost. See if you can figure out
these word puzzles . . .
1.
3.
2.
Brain teasers can
help the mind
stay sharp. Like the
muscles in your
body, your mind
strengthens with
daily stimulation
and can atrophy if
neglected and not
used. Studies have
shown that time
spent stimulating the
brain can help stave
off mental decline.
th
Special guests
attending the
Auxiliary celebration
were former
Volunteer Services
Directors Carolyn
Turner (left) and
Charlotte Sargent
pictured here with
current Director Don
Fisher.
Auxiliary Celebrates Anniversary
& Honors Volunteers
The SoutheastHEALTH Auxiliary saluted its 75th anniversary at the Volunteer
Appreciation Banquet on Thursday, Sept. 27, at Drury Lodge in Cape Girardeau.
The Auxiliary’s rich history was highlighted, and volunteers reaching
service levels were awarded commemorative hours pins. Two volunteers were
recognized for outstanding contributions: Shirley Waterman received the
Ilena Aslin Service Award and Jane Grimm was honored as the recipient of the
Margaret Foster Roberts Spirit Award.
At the event, (pictured
at right) Auxiliary President
Judy Brown presented a
“check” to SoutheastHEALTH
President and CEO
Wayne Smith. The “check”
represents the $1.03 million
worth of volunteer labor
provided by Auxiliary
members over the past
12 months. Volunteers
contributed more than
54,000 hours of service to
SoutheastHEALTH, staffing
everything from waiting
rooms to the gift shop.
The Auxiliary was
founded in 1937 to foster
good will and provide
financial support for Southeast Hospital. Please make sure to let our volunteers
know how valuable their time and talents are and show your appreciation for
their assistance.
ANSWERS ON BACK PAGE
Auxiliary Hosts November
Fundraising Events
Professional Fashion Uniforms Sale
Friday, Nov. 9, in the Harrison Room from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Shop this large selection of colors and styles from brands including Baby
Phat, Cherokee, Carhartt, Dickies, Koi and Grey’s Anatomy. Cash, major credit
cards and checks accepted for payment, and payroll deduction is available for
purchases of $25 or more.
Scrapbook Crop
Saurday, Nov. 10, in the Harrison Room from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Join organizer Lisa Wiggins, RN, and other scrapbook enthusiasts to
work on your scrabooking projects. Bring your own supplies and the Auxiliary
will supply the work tables. You’ll have fun and be able to share ideas and
techniques. The $5 donation fee supports the Auxiliary’s state project.
Gold Refinery
Thursday & Friday, Nov. 15 & 16, in the Hospital Lobby
Need holiday cash? Turn your unwanted gold into money at this sale
that benefits Auxiliary projects.
da Vinci Sale
Thursday & Friday, Nov. 15 & 16, in the Lobby
High-quality educational items for geniuses of all ages will be offered at
this unique sale. Just like Leonardo da Vinci, interesting products relating to
future technology, natural and practical science and art and design will expand
minds and enrich lives.
Christmas in
the Gift Shop
The elves could easily fill
Santa’s sleigh with all of the
beautiful offerings from the
Auxiliary’s Wishing Well Gift
Shop in the Hospital Lobby.
Stop in to see the newly
arranged shop with its open
concept and beautiful displays.
And remember, employees
enjoy a 15% discount on
most gift items and no tax is
charged!
Don’t miss the adorable
items for little ones in the
Gift Shop’s back room.

Banish your
Holiday Stress at
HealthPoint
With the holidays approaching in just a few short
weeks, it’s a good time to focus on some ways to
find the calm in the storm.
HealthPoint in Cape and in Jackson offers
a variety of group exercise classes that provide
participants with a lasting sense of well-being and
calm, a perfect remedy to combat the hustle and
bustle of the holiday season.
The Cape location line-up includes
BODYFLOW©, a Les Mills program that combines
elements of yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates to build
flexibility and strength while leaving participants
feeling centered and calm. Controlled breathing,
concentration and a carefully structured series of stretches, moves and poses
create a holistic workout that brings the body into a state of harmony and
balance. The final 10 minutes of the workout deliver the mental and physiological
benefits of meditation to enhance the effects of the exercises conducted during
the session.
Both locations offer a variety of yoga classes available throughout the day
and evening, including some beginner-level classes. Each class experience is
designed to help increase flexibility and strength and concludes with some time
for final relaxation and reflection.
The team at HealthPoint invites everyone to embrace a new, calmer
approach to the upcoming holiday season. Check out the online group exercise
schedule for each location at SEhealth.org/HealthPoint.
SoutheastHEALTH
WOW Passport
Deadline Approaching
Calling all employees participating in the WOW Passport
program: the 2012 year is wrapping up and it’s time to get your passports turned
in. Raina Childers, nutritional services coordinator at HealthPoint Fitness, will be
collecting WOW Passports this year and, with the assistance of Human Resources,
will be distributing WOW Bucks. The deadline to turn passports in will be Jan. 31,
2013. This is the last year for WOW Passports and no passports will be accepted
after this date. Employees can drop WOW Passports off at HealthPoint Fitness,
attention to Raina Childers, or send them to Raina Childers by Hospital mailer.
Get to Know the Performance
Improvement Department
The Performance Improvement (PI) Department is a part of Quality
Management. Its purpose is to assist the departments of SoutheastHEALTH
in their improvement efforts by providing a structured approach to solving
problems. “As an organization, we have to make sure we are using our most
precious asset, our people, in the most effective manner possible,” says
Performance Improvement Manager Richard Crowley, ASQ CSSBB.
The Performance Improvement Department has recently developed tools
that will help the organization prioritize the work load of both PI and the rest
of the organization. “These tools are designed to assure the right things are
being worked on at the right time, while at the same time, not overloading the
departments with improvement projects,” Crowley says.
When a department has a problem that needs to be addressed, they
can complete a “Project Proposal Document” to request a PI facilitator be
assigned to that problem. The proposed project would then be reviewed by
the PI Committee. Once approved, a PI facilitator will work with the appropriate
people to organize the project and guide the project team until the project is
completed.
If you’re unsure if the project would be approved by the PI Committee,
contact Crowley at rcrowley@sehealth.org or 331-6025 to discuss the
problem. PI has created a “Scoping
Questionnaire” which will help
determine if the problem needs
a formal team or if it may be
best handled by the department,
with PI serving as a consultant.
Contact Crowley for a copy of the
questionnaire.
“Please don’t hesitate to ask
PI for assistance with any of these
documents,” Crowley says. “Our
goal is to support you in making
SoutheastHEALTH the best hospital in
the region.”
Perception is Reality
It’s often been said that perception is reality, and that’s never been
truer than when it comes to consumers’ opinions of healthcare. “At
SoutheastHEALTH we know the importance of staying on top of consumers’
perceptions and opinions, ensuring that our messages are getting heard
and that we’re meeting the needs of our community,” says Marketing
Manager Keith Whitworth.
In 2009 and again this spring, we conducted a Consumer Perception
Study, a survey of 800 consumers throughout southeast Missouri and
southern Illinois regarding their perceptions and utilization of Southeast
and our competitors. Professional Research Consultants, a healthcare
marketing research firm, conducted the surveys the first two weeks of
May. “In order to prevent skewed results, the surveys were conducted
anonymously,” Whitworth says. “Participants did not know the survey was
being conducted for SoutheastHEALTH.”
Some highlights of the survey include:
• When consumers were asked to name the first hospital that comes to
mind, Southeast Hospital was mentioned most often by consumers,
more than any other hospital in the area.
• Southeast Hospital was mentioned most often when asked to identify
the hospital they prefer for their health care needs.
• Most of those surveyed choose their preferred hospital based on
quality care.
• Consumers viewed us as the best hospital for maternity care,
cancer care, heart problems, open heart surgery, major surgery,
minor emergencies, pediatrics, stroke care, outpatient surgery,
gastrointestinal problems and diabetes care.
• Survey participants were asked to determine which hospital is best for
eight quality-related attributes. Southeast was cited most often for six
of the eight including overall quality of care, nursing care, friendly/
caring staff, variety of specialists, physicians on medical staff and
receiving quality awards.
The Marketing Department is in the process of studying the results
in order to develop and implement marketing strategies and identify and
monitor consumer perception trends.
“We must continually develop strategies in order to differentiate
ourselves in the marketplace,” Whitworth notes. “Therefore, it is important
to measure consumer perceptions, attitudes and utilization of healthcare
facilities in order to develop or refine our marketing strategies.”
Kohl’s Cares for Kids Benefits
Youth Diabetes Programs
Are you dreaming of Christmas? The latest Kohl’s Cares for Kids merchandise can
help make your Christmas shopping a little easier this year! Ease the hustle and
bustle of your holiday season by picking up these classic children’s books and
coordinated plush toys for the kids on your list. All net profits from the sale of
the items at the Kohl’s store in Cape Girardeau will be donated to the Kohl’s Youth
Diabetes Care Network, a service of the Southeast Diabetes Center.
New items this season include “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Night before
Christmas,” “The Velveteen Rabbit,” and “Aesop’s Fables,” as well as an online
exclusive book, “William the Curious,” and plush frog. Each book and related toy
costs only $5, which is both easy on the budget and a small price to pay to help
area children manage their diabetes.
Two Good Housekeeping cookbooks – “Christmas Cookies: 65 Recipes for
Classic & New Holiday Treats” and “Chocolate! Favorite Recipes for Cakes, Cookies
and Pies” – plus a CD of Christmas music, “Best of the Best,” and boxed Christmas
cards also are available for $5.
Even if you don’t have children to buy for this Christmas, the Kohl’s toys
are great gifts for Toybox, Toys for Tots and other charities that collect donations
during the holiday season, and the CD and cookbooks make great gifts for adults!
7

8
New Faces
Regional Systems welcomes Scott Blair, CPA,
manager of Regional Accounting Systems, and
Corrie Vassalli, regional senior staff accountant.
Accounting has hired Katie Lorberg as a
physician practice analyst.
Adrian Porter is a systems analyst for
Information Systems.
Elizabeth Hawkins, RN, joins the Emergency
Department.
Pediatrics has hired Betty Fitzpatrick, RN.
Lafeezia Cassel, RN, and nurse assistant Lydia
Solesbee join Medical Telemetry.
Cardiovascular Consultants welcomes health
information techs Lauren Mais and Ashley
Stratman, CMAA, and Masey Hengst, LPN.
Ben Schlenker is a cardiovascular tech in the
Cath Lab.
CPC has hired monitor tech Jamey Courtney
and nurse assistant Hannah Terry.
Rebbecca Atkinson joins SPCU as a nurse
assistant.
Neuro welcomes nurse assistant Erica Brown.
Emily Lawrence is a nurse assistant in 5H
Surgical.
Physician Billing has hired Kara Schumaker as
an administrative assistant.
Surgery welcomes administrative assistant
Bailey Rodgers.
Jennifer Heuring joins Human Resources as
an HR assistant.
PERSONAL GLIMPSES
WHERE I LIVE: Jackson
MY FAVORITE TRAVEL LOCATION: The beach
NAME: Larry Vandergriff
DEPARTMENT:
Primary Care West
LENGTH OF SERVICE AT
SOUTHEAST: 32 Years
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT MY JOB:
The people I work with
WHEN I’M NOT WORKING
I LIKE TO: Do landscaping and
yard work
FAMILY LIFE: Wife Rhonda
and son Justin
IF I COULD HAVE DINNER WITH ANY FAMOUS PERSON IT
WOULD BE: The Apostle Peter. He was a man of faith who
also had the ability to stick his foot in his mouth – I can
relate!
MY GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT: I don’t know – it hasn’t happened
yet!
FAVORITE FOOD/BEVERAGE: Chicken and dumplin’s; prime rib;
BBQ pork steak... it’s all good!
FAVORITE SPORT: Baseball
FAVORITE MUSIC: Broadway Show Tunes
FAVORITE TV SHOW/MOVIE: Being Human – It’s a perfect blend
of horror and humor!
THE TOP ITEM ON MY BUCKET LIST: To visit New York at
Christmas
Janice Robertson is an administrative
assistant in Patient Registration.
HealthPoint – Cape welcomes lifeguard
Shelby McCord and group fitness instructor Annie
Wolpers, AFAA.
Dave Walton joins the Float Team as a patient
sitter.
Environmental Services welcomes
housekeepers Teresa Jones and Lexi Poole.
Christopher Keppner joins Facilities
Management as a boiler operator.
Food & Nutrition Services has hired tray passers
Jasmine Roby, Jhay Smith, Thomas McCallister,
Daniela Johnson and Tammy Wallace, dishroom
staff Devon Simpson and Brittany Wilferth, cooks
Kimberly Piper and Sarah Cook, and caterer
Amber Terbrak.
Notes of Thanks
I would like to thank the Hospital for the Retirement
Reception. Coworkers, special friends and family
all in one place! A day of hugs, good wishes and
reminiscing with laughter! Oh – what a wonderful
day! May God bless and keep each of you
in His loving care.
Happy Trails,
Helen Manning
Housekeeping
Thanks to everyone for the wonderful retirement
party and all of the good times through the years.
There have been some really great times and also
some sad times when you cry along with your
patients – but that’s what makes you a good nurse.
God bless everybody. I will miss you all!
Helen Cook
NAME: Shirley Simmons
DEPARTMENT: Business Office
LENGTH OF SERVICE:
27 years
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT MY JOB:
Staying busy and all the
friends I’ve made over the
years
WHEN I AM NOT WORKING I LIKE
TO: Go fishing and sit in my
backyard and watch my cats
do funny things
FAMILY LIFE: husband John,
3 stepchildren, 5 sisters, 3 brothers and lots of nieces and
nephews
WHERE I LIVE: Jackson
MY FAVORITE TRAVEL LOCATION: Tunica, Mississippi
IF I COULD HAVE DINNER WITH ANY FAMOUS PERSON IT
WOULD BE: Barry Manilow – I love his songs!
MY GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT Finding the right man to spend the
rest of my life with.
MY FAVORITE FOOD AND BEVERAGE: Light beer and mashed
potatoes and turkey
MY FAVORITE SPORT: NASCAR racing
MY FAVORITE MUSIC: Country
FAVORITE TV SHOW/MOVIE: NCIS
Pizza to Go!
Take the worry out of dinner on Fridays and call
ahead to Lacey’s On The Hill to order a freshly-made,
oven-ready 16” pepperoni, two-cheese, veggie, beef
or sausage pizza for only $8. Or order a specialty
pizza for $9. These delicious pizzas will be ready to
take home and bake for a quick, easy meal. Please
place your order two hours ahead by calling Lacey’s
at 339-1199 or Ext. 6003.
Lacey’s is now open Monday through Friday
from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Lacey’s is closed on weekends.
Hey Baby!
SoutheastHEALTH employees welcome the following
new additions to their families:
Kayla Lynn, of Recovery, and Josh Whitworth,
welcomed a daughter, BraeLynn Marie, 9 lbs.; 7 oz.;
20 inches; on Sept. 11.
Sherri Welker, of Pre-Surgery Testing, and
Steve Welker, welcomed a daughter, Lindy Virginia,
7 lbs.; 8 oz.; 21 inches; on Sept. 13.
Kelly Birk, of the Campus Health Clinic, and
Josh Birk, welcomed a son, Cort Foster, 4 lbs.; 7 oz.;
17 inches; on Sept. 14.
Emerson McDowell-Hill, of the Laundry, and
LaShanda Daniels, welcomed a son, Kamren Layton,
5 lbs.; 8 oz.; 19 inches; on Sept. 22.
TOP ITEM ON MY BUCKET LIST: To try to live every day to its
fullest
BRAIN GAMES ANSWERS: 1) black overcoat 2) quarterback 3) keep in touch