RESEARCH MEDICAL CENTER
Above All Else IN THIS ISSUE PG 2 WELCOME NEW PROVIDERS WELCOME NEW LEADERS EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
MARCH 2021
Integrity Compassion Always Respect Excellence
Hello Research Family, March is a very significant month for Research Medical Center. On March 13th of 2020, we admitted our first COVID-19 positive patient. Since that day, I have watched this team be put to the test as COVID-19 spread across the globe. Through
PG 3 ACS LEVEL 1 TRAUMA VERIFICATION HCA RECOGNIZED AS A WORLD'S MOST ETHICAL COMPANY MULTIPLE MYELOMA MONTH PG 4 VACCINE UPDATE PG 5 WORKPLACE WELLNESS HAPPENINGS PG 6 RMC'S VACCINE CLINIC RECOGNIZED BY COMMUNITY TRANSITION TO PLAIN LANGUAGE HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY CODES PG 7 VIRTUAL CARE OPPORTUNITIES
PG 8 THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
PUBLISHING TEAM: Kimberle Bovard Manager of Marketing (816) 276-9475 kimberle.bovard@hcamidwest.com
facebook.com/researchmedicalcenter
it all, you dug deeper into your commitment to caring like family and providing high-quality care to our patients. One year later, we are approaching the other side of the curve. We have administered more than 10,000 vaccines and our number of COVID-19 positive inpatients has decreased significantly over the past few months. March is also a big month for our trauma services team. At the end of February, our trauma team hosted a two-day survey for American College of Surgeons (ACS) Level 1 Trauma verification. I'm proud to share that we passed with no deficiencies and will receive our official notification letter after the ACS Verification Review Committee completes the final survey report later this month. See more on page 3. As we move into spring, I challenge you to consider what is working well and what we can move away from as we begin to prepare for a post-COVID world. Be sure to share your creative ideas with your leader. A commitment to continuous improvement is one of the many ways we can better serve our patients and colleagues. Enjoy the sunshine! Warm regards,
Ashley McClellan, FACHE, MHA, MBA Chief Executive Officer
2 Welcome New Providers Robert Frobenius, lll, DO – Emergency Medicine Leslie Fields, MD – Hospitalist Brian Haas, DO – Hospitalist Aruna Rokkam, MD – Oncology Alexandra Roman, MD – Hospitalist Cole Spresser, MD - Hospitalist
Welcome New Leaders
Yvonne Brewington VP Human Resources
Effective March 22, 2021, Yvonne Brewington will be joining the Research Medical Center Family as Vice President of Human Resources. Yvonne currently serves as Vice President of Human Resources at HCA’s Menorah Medical Center. Yvonne joined Menorah Medical Center in 1998 as an administrative assistant. In 2000, she was promoted to human resources coordinator where she began her HR career. From 2000 through 2006 she received additional promotions within HR to progress her to her first leadership role in 2007 becoming the Director of Human Resources at HCA’s Belton Regional Medical Center. In 2012, she was selected to be a participant in the HCA Mid-America Division Leadership Institute Program. Through her current leadership, Menorah Medical Center has seen some of its lowest turnover and record employee engagement. Welcome to the RMC Family, Yvonne!
Employees of the Month Research Medical Center
Research Brookside Campus
Research Psychiatric Center
Lisa Bland PBX Operator
Dawn Stephens Health Club Coordinator
Kevin Baker EVS Tech
Lisa is always positive. She is hardworking and helpful. Lisa is always the first to offer to cover open shifts, this really helps the PBX department run smoothly.
Dawn is compassionate and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Specifically, she picked up a couple of inpatient shifts to help serve as a resource staff. This really helped the BKS team!
Kevin is one of the frontline workers that truly exemplifies excellence. He works diligently and always keeps a positive attitude. Kevin also keeps patients top of mind.
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3 RMC Receives American College of Surgeons (ACS) Level 1 Trauma Verification On February 22 and 23, our trauma team hosted a two-day survey for ACS Level 1 Trauma verification. We passed with no deficiencies and will receive our official notification letter after the ACS Verification Review Committee completes a final survey report. RMC is only 1 of two facilities in the region to be an ACS verified Level 1 Trauma Center. ACS Level 1 verification is considered the gold-standard of trauma care. Congratulations!
HCA Healthcare Recognized as a World's Most Ethical Company For the 11th time, HCA has been recognized as a World’s Most Ethical Company. “We owe it all to our incredible colleagues, especially those working on the front lines,” said Sam Hazen, chief executive officer of HCA Healthcare. “This acknowledgement underscores that, even when faced with a threat to public health and safety like that of a pandemic, we are committed to doing what’s right for our people, our patients, our communities and other stakeholders.” To learn more, visit Facebook.com/ResearchMedicalCenter.
Experts in Oncology - Multiple Myeloma Month Tim Thompson is a cattle farmer in Allen County, KS. Tim began to notice bone pain in his spine and chest while doing daily activities. After a few weeks, his pain became unbearable and he checked-in to the ER at Allen County Regional Hospital. After completing lab work, Tim was diagnosed with plasma cell leukemia, an aggressive form of multiple myeloma. Under the care of hematologist and medical oncologist Frank Slovick, MD at Research Medical Center, Tim received intense chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. During his treatment and through his recovery, Tim’s significant other Suzan stayed in our on-campus patient and family townhomes so she could be close by. It has been more than 365 days since Tim's bone marrow transplant and his bone marrow biopsy is NEGATIVE! Tim celebrated his 63rd birthday on Mar. 5 and is excited to take on calving season with his family. RE S E AR C H M EDICAL C ENTER • A P UB LI CATI ON FOR STA FF, P H YS I CI A N S A N D FRI E N DS
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Hope has arrived. This is how a pandemic ends.
COVID-19 Vaccines are now available. Since the onset of COVID-19, you have gone above and beyond to care for others during uncertain times. Though not mandatory, receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is the safest and most effective way to beat the virus. Together, we can build healthier tomorrows. Custom forvisit people to get more To learn CTA more, hcamidwest.com. information or sign up.
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WORKPLACE STRESS AND
HAPPENINGS
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Church of the Resurrection Facebook Group for Healthcare Workers: • The purpose of this new Facebook group is to provide messages of hope, support, and encouragement to healthcare workers in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic - in a place many of us already are: social media! COR will offer encouragement weekly within this group. • The group can be found here: http://bit.ly/3bwg7BD
MULTUPLE MYELOMA AWARENESS MONTH COVID-19 TIME CAPSULE - OPEN HOUSE FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 11:30 AM MEETING ROOM 1, CAFETERIA CULTURE COMMITTEE MARCH TEAMNESS TUESDAY, MARCH 16 AND WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM RMC CAFETERIA
Church of the Resurrection FREE Counseling for Healthcare Workers:
ST. PATRICK'S DAY TREAT WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17
• COR has worked to get free counseling support for frontline medical workers (not just COVID workers). It is up to 8 free tele-health counseling sessions with licensed counselors. • The online form can be found here: cor.org/care/ counseling Church of the Resurrection Healthcare Worker Support Group is Starting
TACO BOUT AN EXCELLENT TEAM PROGRESSIVE CARE UNIT / 4W THURSDAY, MARCH 18 VIRTUAL: RMC INTERNAL FACEBOOK PAGES DOCTORS' DAY TUESDAY, MARCH 30 COVID-19 FIRST-DOSE VACCINE CLINIC WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7 FROM 1 - 5 PM THURSDAY, APRIL 8 FROM 7 - 11 AM AND 1 - 6 PM FRIDAY, APRIL 9 FROM 7 - 11 AM AND 2 - 5 PM
• This group will meet bi-weekly on Mondays from 4:005:00 pm starting on March 22nd for 5 sessions. The specific dates are: March 22nd, April 5th, April 19th, May 3rd, and May 17th. • Beyond connecting over experiences, topics of interest would be: coping strategies, self-care strategies, mindfulness strategies, dealing with quarantine/social isolation, managing fears around contracting COVID, managing fears around the possibility of infecting loved ones • Sign up here: http://bit.ly/3qq6IQc RE S E AR C H M EDICAL C ENTER • A P UB LI CATI ON FOR STA FF, P H YS I CI A N S A N D FRI E N DS
6 RMC's Vaccine Clinic Recognized by Community Member RMC was featured in the KC Star’s “Letter to the Editor” section, with positive feedback from a recently vaccinated community member.:
Transition to Plain Language Healthcare Emergency Codes We are participating in a nationwide effort to move to Plain Language Healthcare Emergency Codes. Given that colleagues may work at more than one hospital, standardization of emergency codes should make it more clear for us to respond to emergencies. We plan to convert to using Plain Language Emergency Codes on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. If you have questions about this, please contact Nisha.Mills@hcahealthcare.com.
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7 HCA EMPLOYEES
Your Options for Convenient Virtual Care If we’ve learned anything from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s how to best use technology to add convenience and efficiency to our lives. As an HCA Healthcare employee, you have access to various telemedicine services – some of them free of charge. The next time you need healthcare, consider these virtual care options.
Free to employees and their dependents
Doctor On Demand
Care Navigator
HCA Healthcare medical plan participants, including employees and covered dependents, have 24/7 access to primary and behavioral health care through Doctor On Demand.
This digital platform routes individuals to the most appropriate HCA care setting, which might include a virtual visit, emergency room, physician appointment, Nurses On-Call or CareNow Urgent Care.
• Features board-certified doctors, licensed psychologists and psychiatrists who review symptoms and medications, perform exams, and treat and diagnose patients, which may include prescriptions and lab work • Available to participants enrolled in medical plans offered as an HCA Healthcare benefit • Provides care for 90% of the most common health conditions affecting the mind and body, including colds, flu, sinus infection, cough and sore throat, fever, urinary tract infections, skin and eye conditions, anxiety, depression, stress, bruises, sprains, diabetes and more
• Ensures a standardized, convenient, digital solution for those seeking care • Available 24/7 • Features virtual physicians who can treat such conditions as allergies, minor burns, cold and flu, cough, sore throat, sinus issues, rashes and skin conditions, bladder infections and pink eye • Guides you to the appropriate site of care within our network should you need inperson care
• Requires applicable copays for medical visits; behavioral health visits have a $0 copay
• Free to employees and their dependents covered by an HCA medical plan (3-4 ID required to confirm coverage)
Learn more at HCAhrAnswers.
Learn more at HCACareNav.com.
CareNow Virtual Care
Primary Care Physicians
Our CareNow urgent care clinics offer virtual visits for some conditions that do not require an in-person exam or emergency care.
Don’t forget your own primary care physician, whether that’s through HCA Healthcare or another provider. Many physicians developed virtual options during the pandemic and have continued this service as an added benefit to patients.
• Available during normal hours of operation (check specific locations’ hours) • Allows individuals to sign up online; a CareNow representative will ensure an inperson visit isn’t required and then provide access for a virtual appointment
Check with your physician’s office about virtual visit options and pricing.
• Offers insurance or cash payment options Learn more at CareNow.com.
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THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION 2020 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS
The Research Foundation awarded more than $313,000 in scholarships to nursing students attending Avila University, Research College of Nursing, and William Jewell College during the 2020-2021 academic year. Undergraduate nursing students preparing for their junior and senior years in the three nursing programs were eligible to apply. Scholarships were awarded based on academic performance and/or financial need.
CONTINUING EDUCATION SYMPOSIUMS
The Research Foundation partnered with Kansas City Southwest Clinical Society and the The Ed Bixby Institute for Postgraduate Medical Education to host two virtual symposiums in 2020. The Hoeper Primary Care Symposium is hosted annually with moderation by Dr. Sam Hoeper, Jr. and Dr. Anne Sly. The second symposium, the Hematology/Oncology Symposium for Primary Care Providers, was moderated by Dr. Stephanie Graff. Funding for symposiums is provided by the J.B. Reynolds Foundation and the Research Medical Center Medical Staff.
VERDA’S PLACE
The Research Foundation collaborates with Bra Couture KC to make Verda’s Place available to low income cancer patients. Located in the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center at Research Medical Center, Verda’s Place supports lymphedema services, prosthetics, assistance with utilities, food cards, medications, nutritional supplements, and comfort items. In 2020, 54 cancer patients received assistance through Verda’s Place.
YOUNG TRAFFIC OFFENDERS PROGRAM
Young Traffic Offenders Program (YTOP) strives to change habits of young drivers by forcing them to confront the consequences of careless driving. Traffic offenders are sentenced to attend and learn from the perspective of health care professionals, crash victims and law enforcement.
THINKFIRST OF GREATER KANSAS CITY
The Research Foundation’s injury prevention program, ThinkFirst of Greater Kansas City, discussed how to prevent injuries during the 2019-2020 academic year. More than 29,000 students were educated before Kansas City metro area schools closed due to the pandemic. ThinkFirst educates youth about preventing traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries by discussing safe driving, seat belt usage, sports and recreation safety, helmet usage, water safety, and avoiding violence.