IVER HEALTH SYSTEM

April 2019

Celebration of ServiceHealth system employees recognized for fifth to 45th anniversariesGreat River Health System recognized 302 employ-ees for service anniversaries at a March 20 dinner at PZAZZ! Conference Center. Awards are given for every five years of service. Forty-five employ-ees were honored for 30 or more years, and four reached 45-year milestones.

Read employees’ favorite memories throughout this issue of Great News.

Deb Hampton, 40 yearsRehabilitation Services

“My most memorable expe-rience was helping a young woman after she had a dev-astating stroke that affected all of her extremities and

speech. Although she was from another country and her family was far away, she had a loving and supportive fiancé.

“Throughout her rehab, she was concerned about other patients and me. Despite regaining only partial use of one arm and relying on a wheel-chair for mobility, she has maintained a positive attitude. She became a U.S. citizen, got married and had a beautiful little girl.

“This patient taught me more than I could have imagined about love and compassion, and the definition of strength.”

Kristine Hoschek, 45 yearsPostanesthesia Care Unit

“This is my first, last and only employer as an RN. I am fortunate to have spent my entire nursing career at Great River Medical Center!”

Linda Annegers, 40 yearsPre-Access

“Being part of the big move from downtown to the cur-rent facility is the most mem-orable experience and the greatest opportunity of my

career. I worked in ICU at the time. The first weeks were quite challenging as we learned new patient call, phone, pneumatic tube and computer sys-tems while taking the best care of patients. It was a great experience made much easier because of our great ICU team helping each other.”

Sharon Fraise, 40 yearsDiagnostic Imaging

“Although I had been work-ing in the X-ray department for only three weeks, my coworkers gave me a money tree as a wedding gift.”

Great River Health System is grateful for its 450 vol-unteers every day – and especially during National Volunteer Week April 7 to 13. Volunteers are active in about 35 locations and services.

Reasons for volunteeringVolunteers have many reasons for sharing their time with Great River Health System:• Desire to give back to their community• Exposure to health care careers• Job experience• Requirement for academic achievement and

recognition programs• Sharing knowledge and experience with others• Social needs• Staying active

Benefits of volunteering at Great River Health System• Challenge – Volunteers build, sharpen and share

their skills• Fitness and health – Flu shots, Great River Health

Fitness membership (must have 160 hours of service a year)

• Friendships – Connect with other volunteers and health system staff

• Meals – Free meal coupon when volunteering at least four hours in one day

• Recognition and fun – Annual recognition party; Great River Health System holiday dinner

• Reward – The satisfaction of knowing you are truly helping patients, families, visitors and staff is the most common reward shared by our vol-unteers.

What does it take to be a volunteer? Great River Health System volunteers go through the same process as people who are applying for a job. This includes submitting an application, and having an interview, brief health examination and background screening.

New volunteers complete orientation, and all volunteers attend updates on volunteering and the health system to ensure they have the knowl-edge and skills they need.

Learn about volunteering and apply to join our team.

Annual Volunteer Appreciation EventFor all active volunteers

4 to 6 p.m.Tuesday, April 9

Mercy Plaza lobby

Enjoy great appetizers, beverages and entertainment!

RSVP at Great River Gift Shop or call 319-768-3485.

Volunteers help improve patient, family and staff experiences

CIAOF PROVIDING GREAT SERVICE

CAUGHT IN THE ACT

Comments are from “You’re a Great Person at Great River” cards. Employees, patients and family members use the cards to recognize employees who show Great River Health Sys-tem’s values.

Andrew Monroe, Operating Room “On the day of an ice storm, Andrew cleaned the windshield of a man with a walker plus two coworkers’ windshields.”

Cathie Hanks-Sattler, Pediatrics Unit“On her day off, Cathie came to the hospital to start a difficult pediatric IV.”

Sue Perez, Home Health and Hospice“After working a 12-hour shift, Sue delivered a cot to the Klein Center for an elder’s family member.”

Toby Whitaker, Plant Operations“Toby escorted an elderly lady from the slip-pery parking lot into our clinic.”

Denise Hanks, Inpatient Rehabilitation“Denise took a patient to the gift shop so the woman could get a birthday card for her mom.”

Amy Noel, Klein Center“Amy brought in music to help calm an elder during testing.”

Katlin Crock, Patient Access“Katlin brought doughnuts to patients in our Pulmonary Rehabilitation class.”

Lacy Vaughn, Kid Zone“During the polar vortex, Lacy helped parents bring their children into the child care center.”

Brenda Coursey, 40 yearsHeart and Vascular Center

“My most memorable mo-ment was our first cardiac catheterization Aug. 14, 1984, performed by Dr. Lazar. There was extensive preparation

with many members of administration and med-ical equipment company representatives watch-ing. Everything went off without missing a beat!”

Chris Oleson, 40 yearsHome Health and Hospice

“One of my favorite memories was receiving the Leadership Excellence in Practice award last year. It was especially memorable because my

mother attended the ceremony thanks to a Great River Hospice volunteer who brought her in a wheelchair from Great River Klein Center. My mom passed away one month later. I have pictures and memories from that day that I will cherish forever.”

Lisa Ramsey, 40 yearsMaterials Management

“I was one of the first employ-ees to begin working at the new hospital, which opened April 4, 2000. I moved into the facility on Aug. 4, 1999,

and began setting up the warehouse in Stores. I had to wear a hard hat every day. In the begin-ning, I didn’t wander too far from the warehouse because I was afraid I would never get back!”

Todd Brissey, 30 yearsInformatics

“My most memorable mo-ments were being involved in and watching the teamwork that rallied during the im-plementation of four major software platforms.”

Three-year commitment turns into three decadesTony Hayes left a good impression on Great River Medical Center when he completed a yearlong administrative residency in 1986. Four years later, former President and CEO Glen Heagle called him about an opening for a vice president.

Hayes recalled parts of their conversations:Hayes: “I don’t know if you can get us out of Des Moines [where he was Director of Marketing and Planning at Mercy Medical Center]. Tammy loves her job. And she’s having a C-section on Monday.”Heagle: “Have the baby and call me in two weeks.”Hayes (two weeks later): “Is the job still available?”Heagle: “Yes.”Hayes (during the interview): “How many people are you interviewing?”Heagle: “One – you. If you don’t take it, then we’ll look for others.”Hayes: “I can only promise three years. Then we will probably move to a bigger town with a bigger hospital.”

After 29 years at Great River Health System, Execu-tive Vice President Hayes, will retire Friday, April 19.

Building a career and a hospital Instead of moving to a bigger town, Hayes remained in southeast Iowa and helped create a bigger hospital. He is the only administrator to help develop and then work in the health system’s new hospital and medical office buildings, which opened in 1999 and 2000.

Great River Health System purchased 83 acres of former farm ground in 1987 with the future in mind. It planted three buildings in the next seven years – a family medicine clinic in 1990, a cancer clinic in 1991 and an outpatient rehabilitation center and gym in 1994.

Until the early to mid-1990s, building a new hospital wasn’t a sure thing.

“The decision was to remodel the old hospital or build a new one,” Hayes said. “A consultant was

hired, and we learned it wasn’t going to cost much more to build new.”

The benefits of having an abundance of land for parking, future buildings and greenspace plus providing uninterrupted patient care at the exist-ing hospital helped leaders make the decision.

Increasing medical careFor most of his career, Hayes was the health sys-tem’s physician liaison. When be began, physicians worked independently.

“It used to be that the hospital was considered the doctors’ workshop,” Hayes said. “They oversaw their practices and did their own recruiting. Now, about 85 percent of physicians on our medical staff are employed by Great River Health System.”

During Hayes’ tenure, the health system has opened about 20 primary-care and specialty clin-ics and added more than 10 specialties, including:• Business health• Hospitalists• Infectious diseases• Interventional cardiology

VP Hayes to Retire

Continued on next page

• Nephrology• Pediatric dentistry• Pulmonology• Rheumatology• Vascular surgery• Wound and hyperbaric medicine

The health system’s medical staff has increased about 50 percent in the last 30 years through the addition of certified registered nurse practitioners, advanced registered nurse anesthetists and physician assistants. They work in primary care, the Emergency Department, operating room and specialty clinics.

“We are blessed to be the largest community in southeast Iowa – just far enough from Iowa City and Davenport. We provide patient access to many specialties we didn’t have before,” Hayes said. “It’s a completely different health care system than we had in 1990. Getting to be part of that growth has been very special.”

Not missing Monday morningsHayes and his wife, Tammy, who met when they were in fourth grade, are building a new house in West Burlington.

“It’s a ranch – to take us into our older years,” Hayes said with a smile. “Burlington is our home. This is where our friends are, and our two daugh-ters, their husbands, and our grandchildren live not too far north of us in Davenport.”

Hayes enjoys golfing, fishing and spending time at his family cabin on Lake of the Ozarks.

“I’m looking forward to going to the Ozarks and – if the fish are biting – not having to come home to Iowa Sunday night,” he said.

Hayes– continued

Darwin Cooley, 45 yearsPharmacy

“I remember taking breaks in the cafeteria at the old hospital. It was like one big happy family with stories, pranks, and much laughter

and camaraderie. We had a traveling trophy that was awarded when one of the group told a story that would embarrass themselves.

“I was the quiet one and avoided getting the Golden Shovel Award for some time – until I said something that landed me the trophy. The tradition ended shortly after that, and I still have the trophy as a symbol of the fun times with old friends at the BMC roundtable.”

Deborah Grogan, 30 yearsRadiation Therapy

“When the radiation clinic opened in May 1991, the family medicine clinic was the only other building on the West Burlington campus.

We were surrounded by corn and bean fields. I was the first RN in the department, and creating the position has been fun and challenging.”

Tereasa Wykert, 30 yearsHealth Information Management

“When learning how to use the Meditech software, the fresh-out-of-college instruc-tor told us to be gentle with

the keyboard even though we might get frustrat-ed. Within 10 minutes, the instructor was the one pounding on the keys in frustration!”

A free educational series Session 4:

Take Care of Your Eyes

Speaker:Jordan Gross, MD

Eye SpecialistsGreat River Medical Center

5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 25Wellness Plaza

Blackhawk Room, lower level1401 W. Agency Rd., West Burlington

Register HERE by Tuesday, April 23.

Betsy Cooper, 35 yearsPostanesthesia Care Unit

“I had been taking care of a gentleman with a prosthetic ear that didn’t fit well. He liked to play tricks. With a wink, he said, ‘Watch this.’ He

asked a student nurse if she would look at the back of his ear because it was itchy. When she did, the prosthetic ear came off in her hand. She screamed, threw down the ear and ran out of the room, leav-ing everyone laughing. I picked up the ear and he put it back on, ready for the next victim. The student nurse eventually came back and everyone had a good laugh about how he had livened up the day!”

Lori Plath, 35 yearsSurgical Services “We used to mark off the surgery schedule at noon for Christmas potluck dinners. The entire staff along with retired techs, nurses and

physicians enjoyed visiting with each other and reminiscing.”

Julie Brooks, 30 yearsHeart and Vascular Center

“The Heart and Vascular Cen-ter opened in January 2006. I had the honor of being part of the planning and design of a new state-of-the-art

department. I’m proud to be on the Heart and Vascular Center team!”

Outside the Box Shoes

Round-the-Clock Fundraiser7 p.m. Wednesday, April 17 to

1 p.m. Friday, April 19Great River Medical Center Lobby

• Cash and credit cards accepted• Payroll deduction is available for Great

River Health System employees.

Brands, sizes and styles vary. Shoes from these and other manufacturers may be available: Alegria, Bearpaw, Clarks, Dansko, Jambu, Kamik, Klogs, Merrell, New Balance, Skechers

$5 Jewelryand

Accessory FairLook great while supporting

Great River Friends!

9 a.m. to 6 p.m.Wednesday, April 3

7 a.m. to 3 p.m.Thursday, April 4

Mercy Plaza lobby

EventsParkinson’s Disease UpdateNoon to 2 p.m.Saturday, April 6Wellness Plaza, Blackhawk Room

The program will include information about treat-ments including deep-brain stimulation, medica-tion and surgery, and research. It will end with a 30-minute demonstration of Great River Health Fitness’ Delay the Disease exercise class for people with Parkinson’s.

The update will be presented by Royce Woodroffe, MD, a fifth-year neurosurgery resident at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He is a member of the design team for an intradural spiral cord stimulator: Iowa Patch 2.0.

The cost is $7, which includes a box lunch with a ham or turkey sandwich, fruit cup, chips, cookie and a drink.

Register by Monday, April 1. Call 319-768-4191.

CPR for Infants and Children (non-certified)6:30 to 8:30 p.m.Tuesday, April 2Great River Medical CenterRegistration is required.

First Friday ShareA support program for people who have experi-enced the loss of a loved one. 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 5 Friday, May 3Great River Hospice House

Group Diabetes Classes 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. MondaysBeginning April 8

10 a.m. to noon ThursdaysBeginning April 25

Stroke Support Group10 to 11 a.m.Wednesday, April 17Blackhawk Room

Blood Drive7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Tuesday, April 30Mercy Plaza lobby

Sponsored by Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, which provides all blood products for Great River Medical Center. Walk in or schedule an appointment by calling 319-768-3303.

Prenatal classesBaby-Care Basics6:30 to 9 p.m.Thursday, April 4Great River Medical CenterRegistration is required.

Childbirth Prep (condensed version)9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Saturday, April 6Great River Medical CenterRegistration is required.

Childbirth Prep4-week series6:30 to 9 p.m.Beginning Thursday, May 2Great River Medical CenterRegistration is required.

Big Brother, Big Sister9:30 to 11 a.m.Saturday, May 4Great River Medical Center Registration is required.

LettersHat and mitten driveOn behalf of the board of directors for the Burlington Community School District, I would like to thank you for your dona-tion of hats and mittens plus the cash donation of $897.70 for the students of Burlington Community Schools. Your gift is sincerely appreciated, and we thank you for all your support to the students.

— Patrick Coen, superintendent of schools

Thank you so much for your donation of hats, gloves and $161 to the Wapello Community School District for the nurse emergency fund/supplies. Your generos-ity is very much appreciated. We could not help our students and meet their needs without your continued support.

— Ann Moore, RN, BSN

Casual day contributionsThank you so very much for your dona-tion of $558.85 to Honor Flight of the Quad Cities. Your support is very much appreciated. We will use your kind gift to help send veterans to see the World War II memorial (and others) in Washington, DC.

— Your friends at Honor Flight,Art Petersen, treasurer

On behalf of the Des Moines County Humane Society, I would like to thank you for the $548.78 donation made by your staff through casual day. We truly appreciate your kindness and support of our efforts.

— Stacey Meyer, secretaryBoard of Directors

Call Orthopaedic Specialists today.Be seen by an orthopaedics professional within one day.

319-768-4970

Our specialties:• Ankle• Foot• Hand• Hip• Knee• Shoulder• Spine• Sports medicine

GreatRiverHealthSystem.org

EMPLOYEEPROFILEJohn FoxPharmacistPharmacy

Start date: June 11, 1997

What a typical day looks like for me:I verify medication orders; check for accuracy, interactions, allergies and appropriate dosing; pro-vide drug information to nurses and providers; and make IV medication. We share clinical duties such as pharmacokinetic (renal) dosing antibiotics, anti-coagulation (Coumadin) dosing, drug monitoring and responding to medical codes. I’m an Omnicell (drug dispensing system) and Cerner (electronic medical record) super user, so I take care of related issues. Hospital pharmacy is interesting and chal-lenging; I’m always learning something new.

What I wanted to be when I grew up: I was accepted into the pre-veterinarian program at Iowa State, but my brother got me interested in pharmacy.

Hometown / Where I live now: I was born in Kearney, Nebraska, and grew up in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Now I live in Hamilton, Illinois.

Family: • Wife, Kim• Sons, Cole, 22, and Will, 20• Daughter Megan, 16• Dogs, Molly, a mini golden doodle, and Maisy, a

pug-beagle mix (puggle)

I have an older brother who is a pharmacist and an older sister who is a nurse. My wife is a pharmacist and my father-in-law was a pharmacist.

Things I enjoy: Coffee in the morning, reading, fishing, camping, supporting my kids in their activities, watching movies and listening to music

If I could choose anyone, my mentor would be: I’ve always admired my parents for their work ethic and sacrifice they made while raising us.

People would be surprised to know:I’m a fish keeper – I’m into African cichlids. I find it relaxing. Studies have shown positive effects on blood pressure from watching fish. I suffer from multiple tank syndrome. When I got my fourth one, I had to promise my wife I would take one out of service – ha-ha!

Motto or personal mantra: Defy mediocrity.

Hidden talent: I make a mean meatloaf. I enjoy surprising my wife with new recipes when it’s my night to cook. All of my recipes start with “Dad’s World Famous…”

My biggest achievement: Being blessed as a father and raising my three kids. Also, graduating magna cum laude from phar-macy school, getting married the next week, and taking pharmacy boards the week after getting back from our honeymoon.