In Roads
Inside information for the employees of Mercy Medical Center
Some Facts about Diabetes – One of the Leading Causes of Death in the U.S. November is American Diabetes Month – a good time to take a harder look at this disease which is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Let’s examine the numbers: • • •
In 2012, nearly one in ten Americans had diabetes. One in three Americans had a condition called prediabetes. Without lifestyle changes to improve their health, between 15 and 30 million people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five years.
If you apply those numbers to Dignity Health, that means as many as 18,000 of our employees could have prediabetes, and within five years, as many as 5,000 of those employees could develop type 2 diabetes. Diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. Type 1 or juvenile-onset diabetes causes the body’s immune system to attack and destroy the cells in the pancreas that make insulin, a natural hormone that helps the body control glucose levels in the blood. Type 1 diabetes comes on quickly and usually affects children and young adults. It can be controlled with insulin injections. WithType 2, or adult-onset diabetes, the body becomes unable to produce enough insulin for its needs and/or the body's cells become resistant to insulin's effect. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 percent of
NOvember 14, 2014
the diabetes cases in the U.S. It also can be controlled with medication, and there are ways to help prevent it.
“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.” - George Washington Carver
The best way to prevent type 2 diabetes is through healthy eating and regular physical activity, which for someone with prediabetes, could cut by half the risk of developing the disease.
Fill your plate with superfoods
If you or any of your friends or family members have any form of Diabetes, we offer a free community Diabetes Management class. The classes are held on the first Tuesday of every month from 3:00 - 4:00pm at the Education Center, on the second floor of the Mercy Outpatient Center (2740 M Street).
Each of the next several In Roads will feature a different superfood and its health benefits.
Dark Chocolate
Call the Mercy Education Center at 209.564.4384 to find out more about the class. ME RC
Y ME DIC
AL CE NT ER
Diabete s Class What wil l I learn at the Dia betes Week 1
Class?
• What is • Testing Diabetes? Your Blo Home od Sug ar at • Know • Safe Your A1c Numb Use of Sharps er Week 2 • High Blood Sug • Low Blood Sug ar • Oral ar Dia • Insulin betes Medic ines Week 3 • Health y Eating • Exe for Dia rcis • Manag e and Diabet betes es • When ing Sick Days You Can ’t Eat Week 4 • Taking Care of • Red You r Fee uce • Travel Your Complic t ations • Stay and Diabetes Safe • Res ources Informatio for Diabetes n
These co urses are designe how to d to he comfort lp educ ably ma ate tho nage an se with d live wit diabetes h their on disease.
Classes are held at: Mercy Outpatie nt Cent Educat er ion Cent er 2740 M , 2nd Fl oor Street Merced, CA 95 340
3:00pm - 4:00pm The first Tuesda y of ever y month . These cl asses ar e free an any wee d you ca k. n start at
Call the Mercy Educat 209.56 ion Cent 4.4384 er at to find week th out the at is be current ing taug class ht.
While researchers aren’t positive that eating chocolate will make you thinner, the heart benefits of dark chocolate have long been recognized. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties may help offset the calories. And some scientists believe chocolate’s caffeine could increase your metabolic rate. Still, stick to small pieces that will curb cravings without overloading your body with sugar.
Frequently Asked Questions From the 2014 Open Forums
Q:
Isn’t word of mouth from satisfied patients the best advertising? How can we talk about improving our patient experience when our staff are overworked, exhausted, don’t get breaks, etc. Don’t you understand that it’s how we are able to treat our patients that makes all the difference?
A:
Operation Christmas Child by Janice Wilkerson, Director of Mission Integration
I would like to invite you to put a smile on the face of a less fortunate child. “Operation Christmas Child” is a project of Samaritan’s Purse and is a ministry outreach to children all over the world that live in some of the most povertystricken environments. Shoe boxes are filled with items for a boy or girl in a specific age range. Many of our departments have chosen this as their “Christmas Sharing” project, or you can participate on your own. Shoe boxes along with instruction sheets are now available for pick up in the Spiritual Services office on the Garden Level (down the hall from the Garden Cafe) and due back by November 20. If you are interested give me a call at 564-5007 or email me at: Janice.Wilkerson@dignityhealth.org For more information about this project, go to Samaritanspurse.org and you will find some of the most heartwarming stories from children around the world that have received a shoe box. It’s hard to believe a shoe box can change a person’s life, yet it has.
Positive word of mouth from patients is absolutely essential, and our patient satisfaction surveys and comments demonstrate that we are doing well – but of course we can always do better. And that’s why we have our new patient experience plan which will help ensure that we do everything possible so that every patient has a positive experience. As noted in the answers to questions six and seven above, we have many efforts underway to address staffing issues where they arise. Our advertising complements and supports our patient satisfaction efforts. Our Hello humankindness TV spots speak directly to the commitment we have to treating patients differently, with a focus on their personal needs and care. And the ads introduce people who may not have experienced Dignity Health’s care to our organization so they consider us as a place to receive care when they have a choice.
Perioperative Services Week • November 9-15 This week we would like to recognize and honor the perioperative staff for their commitment and dedication to safe patient care. Thank you to all the staff in: Cardiac Catherization Lab Endoscopy Main Operating Room Pre-admitting Pre-Op/PACU Mercy Outpatient Surgical Services (MOSS) We appreciate all that you do! -From your Director, Clinical Managers, & Perioperative Educator
Meet Lyat Silveira, our new Market Development Rep
Gift Shop News Employee Discount Week
Mercy’s Relay for Life Team
November 16—22
If you aren’t able to join Mercy’s Relay for Life team, maybe you can help our team reach our goal of raising $2,400.
20%
Christmas is here at the Gift shop! Stop by and find the perfect gift: • Williraye Studio Christmas • Willow Tree Christmas • Official NFL cell phone holders, and wallets for men/women (NY Giants, Raiders, Cowboys, 49ers)
We are currently doing 2 fundraisers: •
See’s Candy (orders due Nov. 26th)
•
Popcorn Palace (orders due Nov. 24th)
See the items you can order through each fundraiser in the attachments of the email In Roads was sent with. You can send your orders by email to lindsey.gallagher@dignityhealth.org or come to Administration and turn in your order to Lindsey Gallagher. If you would like to join our Relay for Life team, sign up by clicking on the link below:
Mercy Medical Center would like to welcome Lyat Silveira; Market Development Representative. Lyat comes from Hinds Hospice where she worked in the Community Relations and Fund Development Department forming key relationships with physicians and hospitals. In her new role Lyat will develop and sustain close connections and communication between community physicians and Mercy Medical Center. “It’s an honor to be part of such a strong team. I’m looking forward to working with our physicians and community in maintaining a strong bond with Mercy Medical Center.” Lyat holds a Bachelors Degree in Legal Studies and is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Organizational Development and Leadership. She grew up in Oakdale and now resides in Atwater with her husband Bruno, son Bronx and puppy Mila. Lyat can temporarily be reached at 209.564.4448.
Be Sure to Enroll for Benefits by Midnight on Friday
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_ id=68346&pg=team&team_id=1703510
Open enrollment closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14. If you have not yet enrolled for benefits, just log in to My Health on the Dignity Health Total Rewards Portal. On My Health, you can: • • • •
Learn about changes to your benefit options and/or payrolldeducted contributions Select and confirm your coverage for 2015 Remove or add eligible dependents Participate in a Health Care or Dependent Care Spending Account for 2015.
If you need more information, consult the interactive Open Enrollment Guide. And if you still have questions, don’t hesitate to call the Dignity Health Benefits Service Center at 1-855-4754747, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Employee Scholarship Applications The Volunteers of Mercy are offering two $500 scholarships for Mercy employees who are taking coursework to further their careers in the healthcare field. Applications are available from Janice Wilkerson in Mission Integration and at the Lobby desk. Completed applications must be returned by 5:00 pm November 21, 2014.
Red Velvet Christmas Mercy Medical Center’s employee Christmas party
Saturday, December 6, 2014 Pavilion @ Merced Fairgrounds (Across from the building we used last year)
No Host Bar 6:30pm - 11:00pm Dinner served by EspaĂąas 7:00pm - 8:00pm Dancing 8:00pm - 11:30pm Seats are limited to 520 guests this year! Employees may get one ticket for themselves and purchase one guest ticket for $5.00. Tickets are available at Mercy Medical Center Administration, HR, and the Family Care Clinic. You do not need a ticket if you plan on coming to dance after dinner. Tickets will not be collected after 8:30pm. Tickets will be available beginning Tuesday, November 18
Bring a toy to donate to the Merced Fire & Kops for Kids
If your department is looking for a Christmas project, this would be a great one to donate to because it goes directly to the children most in need in our community!
Merced’s Operation Holiday Toy Drive seeks donations by Rob Parsons - rparsons@mercedsunstar.com
Christmas toy donations this year are down and requests for assistance are up, an official with the Operation Holiday Toy Drive campaign said Tuesday. The joint effort between the Merced County Sheriff ’s Department and the county Human Services Agency has been an annual tradition for more than 10 years, but the campaign has been struggling to achieve its goal this year, according to program cocoordinator C.J. Jones. “It’s the economy; we’re a little slow this year, and we’re getting more requests than we have before, too,” Jones said Tuesday. Jones said she has processed more than 350 requests for Christmas assistance this year. “And I still have a
big stack on my desk waiting for me,” she said. Jones said the holiday toy drive has collected nearly 200 toys for children since last week, and that includes a second push that was made Tuesday at the County Administration building on M Street, when an additional 50 or 60 toys were collected. Last year, the program helped more than 1,100 families, including providing toys to more than 500 area foster kids. Officials are seeking new, unwrapped toys as well as nonperishable foods and donations of money. The campaign typically has trouble collecting donations for children up to 3 years old as well as for children ages
11 to 19. “Those are the toughest ages to buy for and we always need help with that group,” Jones said. Campaign supporters have been known to dip into their own pockets to help the cause, but are hoping for more help from the community. Donation barrels are located at the Human Services Agency, 2115 Wardrobe Ave.; the Family Resource Center at 1573 W. Main St.; the Mental Health Department at 480 E 13th St.; and the Public Health Department at 260 E. 15th St. through Dec. 20. For more information, contact Deputy Delray Shelton at (209) 725-3949 or C.J. Jones of the Human Services Agency at (209) 385-3000, ext. 5285.
Celebrate a life
Celebrate a Life provides an opportunity to pause, remember and honor friends and family with a Reflection Ceremony & Christmas Tree Lighting followed by a Caroling Performance and Refreshments.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
5:30pm - Reflection Ceremony & Tree Lighting Mercy Cancer Center • 3850 North G Street • Merced
6:00pm Caroling Performance & Refreshments Mercy Medical Center Main Lobby • 333 Mercy Avenue • Merced
All gifts will benefit an ENT(Ear, Nose & Throat) Navigation System for Mercy Medical Center Tree Top Tribute For a gift of $1,000, the donor will receive a replica of the Tree Top Ornament. In addition, those honored will be recognized during the Holiday Season on our Electronic Donor Wall in Mercy’s Main Lobby and be recognized in our Reflection Program.
Tribute For a gift of $100, those honored will be recognized during the Holiday Season on our Electronic Donor Wall in Mercy’s Main Lobby and be recognized in our Reflection Program. A special name tag will be hung on our Trees for the honoree.
Light Up A Life For a gift of $500, those honored will be recognized during the Holiday Season on our Electronic Donor Wall in Mercy’s Main Lobby and be recognized in our Reflection Program. A special name tag will be hung on our Trees for the honoree and the donor will receive a Celebrate a Life engraved *ornament.
Honor For a gift of $50, those honored will be recognized during the Holiday Season on our Electronic Donor Wall in Mercy’s Main Lobby and be recognized in our Reflection Program. A special name tag will be hung on our Trees for the honoree.
Celebration For a gift of $250, those honored will be recognized during the Holiday Season on our Electronic Donor Wall in Mercy’s Main Lobby and be recognized in our Reflection Program. A special name tag will be hung on our Trees for the honoree and the donor will receive a Celebrate a Life engraved *ornament.
Star Light For a gift of $25, those honored will have a special name tag hung on our Christmas Trees during the Holiday Season with recognition on our Electronic Donor Wall in Mercy’s Main Lobby and, be given recognition in our Reflection Program.
*Ornaments will be mailed to your home after the holiday season to adorn your tree in the coming year.
For more information call the Mercy Foundation at (209) 564-4200.
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Mail your gift to: Mercy Foundation 2740 M Street • Merced, CA 95340 Your contribution is tax-deductible according to IRS regulations. Tax ID#77-0035928
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PAYMENT METHOD Enclosed is a check payable to: Mercy Medical Center Foundation
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