KEEPING UP

Bolano Avendt Child Gray Leavitt Bricker Center — Nampa.

PRESIDENTS/CEOS

Trinity Health and some of its facilities have made these changes:

Nancy Hollingsworth was to retire May 26 as president and chief executive of Saint Agnes Health of Fresno, California. Her retirement comes as Saint Agnes Health and Saint Alphonsus Health System of Boise, Idaho, restructure. Those two Trinity Health subsystems are organizing as a single region to better share resources, according to a statement from Trinity Health.

Mercy Serves

From page 1

The program is funded by ServeOhio, the state’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. Working full-time or parttime shifts, volunteers receive a stipend, a monetary award to pay for schooling or school debt, health insurance and other benefits.

Mercy Health — Cincinnati reports that from September 2021 through August 2022:

Close to 1,900 patients were provided with information about substance use or referrals to treatment.

More than 300 patients reported a change in knowledge or behavior regarding substance use.

Almost 100 patients were admitted to a local treatment program.

Nearly 1,000 referrals were made for other social determinants of health such as housing, food and insurance coverage.

Since the program began, 51 AmeriCorps members, ages 18 and up, have signed on with Mercy Serves. Tikierra Thompson manages the program. “What drew me to this work is the mission behind the program, what it stands for,” she said. “I’ve been in education for over 20 years, in classrooms and in administration, and I’ve had students who worked at Mercy hospitals, so I have been privileged to see the work Mercy is doing in the community.”

From all walks of life

Thompson hosts the program’s orientation, helps train the volunteers for three to four weeks and oversees some of the professional development sessions. This year, Mercy Serves has four AmeriCorps volunteers. What they have in common is a desire to serve. “The volunteers come from all different careers, interests and backgrounds, and they are mission-oriented,” Thompson said. “They do not have to be interested in medical careers to apply, though some are. A few previous volunteers have gone on to medical school.”

Mercy Serves members are available to work with patients who have substance use disorder issues and crises, and they also speak with anyone coming to the emergency room with health or social challenges or looking for resources that could benefit their health in some way. “Our members are there to be of service,” Thompson said, “but also to provide the human touch, be a listening ear.”

Courtney Unkrich signed up for the program because she wanted to do something for her community. “When I joined in 2021, I’d left medical school because I real- ized that was not where my path lay, but my interest in health care meshed well with the Mercy Serves opportunity,” she said.

Unkrich recalled that every day in the emergency department was different. “You encounter a lot of scenarios, meet a lot of different people,” she said. “Patients with substance use issues range on a scale of readiness to make changes. Some are just not having it — you come in and start talking and they’re just not ready. Other people tell you they need help. They want to talk, and I got to be that resource.”

Offering the human touch

Sometimes, Unkrich was able to provide different kinds of assistance. “The human touch is missing a lot for some people, and I could sit down and say, ‘I’m here for you. Would a Jell-O cup or a blanket be something you need?’ Other times, I’d just ask about their day or have a simple conversation about their grandchildren. Sometimes, patients would tell me they were glad they came in because they met me, and during follow-up later I would get a text saying, ‘I’m still sober.’”

With other volunteers from her cohort, Unkrich developed and acquired funding for homeless care kits for patients. The kits included feminine hygiene products, hand sanitizer, deodorant, a toothbrush and paste and nonperishable food items such as granola bars and applesauce. “We also provided a list of community resources,” she said. “I was happy to see that the kits are part of this year’s program as well.”

‘I’ve been there’

Adrian Burns is part of the sixth group, which commenced in September 2022. Burns joined the program for a personal reason. “I’m really passionate about Mercy Serves because I’m in recovery from alcohol,” she said. “I am able to relate to patients on that level because I’ve been there, and I want everyone to be able to experience freedom from alcohol and drugs like I have.”

In the early weeks of the program, Burns hadn’t yet met with any patients dealing with substance use issues. “I do advanced care planning training, and otherwise try to fit in at the emergency department where I’m needed, checking to see if I can offer a warm blanket or a referral to mental health treatment,” she said.

“An emergency department can be scary, and most people don’t want to be there,” she added. “I’m glad I can be a smiling face and provide a human-to-human interaction. I’m really excited to see where this year takes me, and what relationships I will build.”

Saint Alphonsus President and Chief Executive Odette Bolano now becomes president and chief executive of the new regional entity. She will lead a restructured management team. To support the transition, David Spivey is joining the Saint Agnes team as interim president and market leader. Spivey was interim president of Trinity Health’s St. Mary’s Health Care System of Athens, Georgia.

Trinity Health noted in the statement that Saint Agnes’ and Saint Alphonsus’ names will not change and the boards of directors for each will remain separate. The statement said this is the latest regionalization for Trinity Health. The system already has merged ministries in several regions, including Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and New York.

Clint Child to president of Saint Alphonsus Medical Center — Nampa, Idaho. He was chief nursing officer for the Saint Alphonsus Health System of Boise, Idaho, and chief nursing officer and vice president of operations for the Nampa hospital. He also was interim president of the Nampa hospital from October 2017 to February 2018. Child replaces Travis Leach, who was the Nampa hospital’s president since February 2018. Misti Leavitt succeeds Child as chief nursing officer and vice president of operations for Saint Alphonsus Medical

Alison Avendt to president of Mercy Health — Perrysburg Hospital of Perrysburg, Ohio, effective June 19. She was chief operating officer at McLaren St. Luke’s Hospital of Maumee, Ohio. She will succeed Andrea Gwyn, who had been president of both Mercy Health — St. Anne Hospital in Toledo, Ohio, and Mercy Health — Perrysburg Hospital. Gwyn now will focus on St. Anne Hospital.

CommonSpirit Health has made these changes: Tim Bricker to president of CommonSpirit’s southwest division, which is made up of Dignity Health facilities throughout Arizona and Nevada. Bricker had been interim president. Dr. Jason F. Gray now is interim president of CHI Mercy Health of Roseburg, Oregon. He succeeds Kelly Morgan, who is retiring. A national search is underway for the permanent president and chief executive. Gray is chief medical officer of CHI Mercy Health.

Dr. Dean Kindler to interim regional president and chief executive of Ascension Michigan’s Southwest Region while continuing in his roles as regional chief medical officer and regional Ascension Medical Group vice president for that region. He succeeds Dr. Thomas Rohs, who departed from the role.

GIFT

The St. Joseph Healthcare Foundation of Bangor, Maine, has received a bequest of $9 million from the estate of the late John Marshall Webber, a longtime Bangor resident and past supporter of St. Joseph Healthcare. According to a foundation release, the funds will enhance inpatient and surgical care facilities. Webber was a Marine Corps veteran. He died in October.

JOB POSTING: SENIOR DIRECTOR, MINISTRY FORMATION

CHA seeks candidates for the position of senior director, ministry formation.

The Catholic health ministry is the largest group of nonprofit health care providers in the nation. It is comprised of more than 600 hospitals and 1,600 long-term care and other health facilities. To ensure vital sponsorship and a vibrant future for the Catholic health ministry, CHA advocates with Congress, the administration, federal agencies, and influential policy organizations to ensure that the nation’s health systems provide quality and affordable care across the continuum of health care delivery.

This position is responsible for leading, designing and implementing ministry formation strategies, programs, and training to meet the needs of the members. This individual possesses knowledge and practical application in theology, spiritual development and facilitation; and has exceptional presentation skills. Through thought leadership and subject matter expertise, this person will collaborate with key stakeholders to develop and measure integrated formation throughout their ministries, including assisting with the implementation of projects related to Catholic identity. Additionally, this position is responsible for convening ministry formation executives to facilitate the sharing of successful practices in these areas and coordinating responses to member needs.

Some travel is required.

CHA seeks candidates who are practicing Catholics with a minimum of five years working in a leadership position in ministry formation or mission integration at a local, regional or national health care level with proven leadership experience in management or supervision, and experience and ability to present educational and conceptual information to both large and small groups.

This position requires a master’s degree in theology or related field.

Interested parties should direct resumes to Attention:

Cara Brouder

Senior director, human resources

Catholic Health Association

For consideration, please email your resume to HR@chausa.org

CHA offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package. To view a more detailed posting for this position, visit the careers page on chausa.org.