Quarterly Employee Newsletter
Volume 2, Issue 5, 4th Quarter,2013
E m p l o y e e
E n g a g e m e n t
HealthONE Physician Care and HCA Physician Services, Continental Division
Inside this issue:
From the Chief Executive Officer:
Improving Communication
2
Happy Fall to everyone in the Continental Division!
Business Development
2
Human Resources’ Corner
3
Occ Med Update
3
As we roll into the last part of 2013, I wanted to thank everyone for participating in our Employee Engagement survey. We had a very good turnout this year. Now comes the question: what do we do with the information that we received from you?
New Employees
4
Physician’s Corner
5
Risk Management
5
Broncos Tickets
5
Facility Spotlight
6
Provider & Practice
7
Did You Know??
7
Beautiful Cause
8
Physician Accolades
9
Physician Accolades
10
Email Brandi Radella to nominate an employee for the Spotlight section of the Newsletter. We want to hear from you!! brandi.radella@healthonecares.com
From the survey, we determined the top opportunities that need to be addressed. Employees 1. Kept well informed 2. Pay is competitive 3. Seek opinions of others 4. Clear picture of direction 5. Actions taken from last survey Providers 1. Kept well informed 2. Efficient work processes 3. Support work/life balance 4. Actions taken from last survey 5. Clear picture of direction We are working hard to address these opportunities. One of the common themes that we have across both employees and providers is
our need to improve in our communications. This newsletter is one of those methods that we use to keep everyone informed on what we are doing throughout the division. Another initiative that we are implementing are Town Hall meetings at each of our hospital campuses. Thanks to Linda Reynolds at Front Range Internal Medicine for this great idea! I have had the opportunity to meet with several hundred of you in these forums. It is a tremendously helpful and informative process for me to learn about you and your concerns (and your favorite songs)! We want to take this information and learn from it on how we can improve the workplace. We will host these Town Hall meetings each quarter at each hospital campus. I also appreciate all of the feedback from those of you who filled out our online survey on how you wanted to be communicated with.
Todd Evans CEO Continental Division
We learned the top three communication mediums are: 1. Email 2. Regular Staff meetings 3. Town hall meetings We will continue to work on being better in all of these forums. Thank you for all of the hard work that you have done at each of our locations! Without you, we would not have accomplished everything that we have in 2013. -Best, Todd
Employee Engagement
Page 2
Improving Communication Amongst Staff Avenues of Communication The following programs began as a result of the Employee Engagement survey feedback requesting more ‘voice’ in the workplace. The EAG (Employee Advisory Group) provides a forum for employees to voice concerns affecting them in their workplace, share ideas and suggestions for improvement, and work collaboratively with management to continuously improve the work environment. The HOCS EAG meets monthly to discuss concerns brought to the group and to promote activities for employee involvement. Please contact any of our members with questions or concerns you wish to have addressed. Presently, the Denver Physician Services EAG Chairperson is Sharon Watts, who is now working at Potomac Primary Care. Our new scribe is Melanie Johnson, who works
in our Medical Review office at Division. Please contact Sharon or Melanie for more information on the EAG or how to become a member, they are always excited to recruit new committee members! You may also contact the EAG via the email box HOCS Clinics EAG or contact a member of the EAG.
Juracek, Nancy Rohr, Stephanie Shany and Celeste Tucker. Their recent satisfaction survey produced 308 responses of which the committee members are sorting through at present. Thank you to all who participated in the surveys, and we look forward to releasing YOUR responses.
The EAG “Gotcha” Program allows recognition of our coworkers for a job well done. Monthly, nominations are reviewed by the EAG and a winner is chosen. A special thank you to all who have been nominated for going above and beyond and to those who nominated them!
Aurora Denver Cardiology Associates recently began their Employee Advocate Program as a way to improve communication between management and employees. An employee advocate was chosen, by their co-workers, from each location and CBO. These individuals are someone to whom you may bring questions, concerns, ideas and suggestions. Employee advocates then meet monthly with Ina Roberts, Director of ADCA, to discuss the topics brought to them and translate them into improvement.
Our Employee Engagement Survey Committee provides an additional outlet for voicing satisfaction, issues, concerns, recommendations, etc. via electronic survey. The committee consists of Edie
Business Development Announcements for June - September ‘13
New Providers June ‘13: Anna Cardinell, NP, Rocky Mtn Ped Surgery at PSL Paul Raford MD, Occ Med & Primary Care-Float Pool Michael Kenner, MD, Aurora Den Cardio Assoc New Providers July ‘13: Kara Alexandrovic, MD, Metropolitan OB/GYN Vanessa Gilliland, MD, CO Complete Health for Women Bethany Slater, MD, Rocky Mtn Ped Surg at PSL Kenneth Tompkins Jr, MD, CO Internal Med Specialists Pamela Havlen, MD, Skyline Internal Med at PSL
Sara Corr, MD, Centennial Primary Care Nicole Cyr, AuD, Rocky Mtn Ped ENT Associates Christopher Smith, MD, CO Internal Medicine Specialists Leslie Tschan, PA, Orthopaedic Physicians of CO
Samuel Rougas, MD, Aurora Denver Cardiology Associates Benjamin Yang, MD, Aurora Denver Cardiology Associates Lori Muffly, MD, Colorado Blood Cancer Institute Reid Goodman, MD, Aurora Nurse Midwives
New Providers Aug ‘13: Ted Lin, MD, Occ Med & Primary Care-Float Pool Michelle Ellis, NP, Mountain Vista Women's Care Janna Chibry, MD, Heartland Women's Group at Wesley Lauren Kauvar, MD, Aurora Nurse Midwives
New Providers Sept ‘13: Lucy Esberg, MD, Aurora Den Cardio Associates Diane Yang, MD, Lone Tree Internal Med & Ped Rachel Kulick, CNM, Midwifery Group at Swedish Barbara Jones, NP, Rocky Mtn Ped Surgery at PSL
Employee Engagement
Page 3
Human Resources’ Corner Announcements for June through Sept ’13 New Managers: Luke Orander is the Practice Manager at Rocky Mtn Peds Surgery Departures: Tom Fender transferred to the Kansas City market Lars Kjerengtroen transferred to the Mtn Division Maria Herrera has termed Anniversaries 40 Years: Arthur Heller, Orthopaedic Physicians of CO 25 Years: Vickie Mallon, Aurora Outpatient Rehab 20 Years: Cheryl Fay, Mtn Vista Women’s Care 15 Years: Margaret Gerard, Float Pool, Outpatient Rehab Steven Atkins, Orthopaedic Physicians of CO Andrew Hajde, Managed Service Organization
10 Years: Angela Bleeker, Lone Tree Internal Medicine & Peds Lennart Abel, Behavioral Health Physicians Saundra Kay, Rocky Mtn Pediatric Surgery Kimberly Batton, Kansas Physician Group Sylvia Ludemann, Neurosurgery Center of CO 5 Years: Florence Webster, Mtn Vista Women’s Care Frederick Rolingher, Colorado Limb Consultants Christy Mero, Lone Tree Internal Medicine & Peds Lanna Mauro, Lone Tree Internal Medicine & Peds Kimberly Farrell, Summit Women’s Care Camdyn DePlonty, Rocky Mtn Ped Hemotology Onc Cindy Hayes, Colorado Limb Consultants Veronica Mandonado, Metropolitan OB/GYN David Wise, Float Pool, Outpatient Rehab Donna Williams, Rocky Mountain Ped Hand Surg
Kristy Rutherford, Colorado Limb Consultants DeWonia Davis, Potomac Primary Care Cheryl Canale, Orthopaedic Physicians of CO Veronica Mosqueda Gonzalez, N.Suburban Occ Med Russell Gimbel, Centennial Occ Med Tanya Hilfer, Rocky Mtn Ped Hemotology Onc Kristin Shipman, Rocky Mtn Ped Surg Giancarlo Barolat-Romana, Barolat Neurosciences Roberta Barolat-Romana, Barolat Neurosciences Georgette Koroloff, Barolat Neurosciences Nancy Vigil, Barolat Neurosciences Jessica Manzano, Kansas Physician Group James Smith, Kansas Physician Group
Edie Juracek HR Manager
New Hires: See the following pages to view the employees new to Physician Care through September 2013. -Edie Juracek
HealthONE Occupational Medicine As a commitment to our community, HealthONE Occupational Medicine Clinics provide over 3,000 flu vaccinations to corporations and their employees each year. Our commitment begins with vaccinating our own HealthONE employees. We are committed to educating the public about the benefits of the flu immunization and ensuring that the vaccine is widely accessible. Pictured above: Dusten Dean, DeAndra DeanCarter, Donna Tomerlin
Growing public awareness regard-
ing the dangers of influenza has created a great demand for flu shots. Every fall, millions of people across the nation get vaccinated since it's still the very best way to stay protected from the flu. Whether you're at high risk of complications from the flu, looking to reduce health care costs for your company, or just wanting to stay healthy this flu season, we encourage you to learn more about the flu vaccine.
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Employee Engagement
N E W E M P L O Y E E S
Last Name Gregg
First Name Ramona
Process Level Desc Rocky Mountain Pediatric Hand
Position Description Clinic Front Office
Hire Date 06/10/2013
Anderson
Carol
Englewood Occupational Medicine Rad Tech Registered
06/18/2013
Cornett
Anitra
Metropolitan OB/Gyn
Medical Asst II
06/18/2013
Townsend
Leslie
Orthopaedic Physicians of CO
Coord Front Office
06/20/2013
Lansverk
Victoria
Denver Center for Bariatric Med
Coord Case Care
06/25/2013
Alexandrovic
Kara
Metropolitan OB/Gyn
Physician
07/01/2013
Castro
Sonia
Managed Service Organization
Medical Asst II PRN
07/01/2013
Chibry
Janna
Heartland Women's Group at Wes OB/GYN - 26048
07/01/2013
Gilliland
Vanessa
Colorado Complete Health for Wo Physician
07/01/2013
Slater
Bethany
Rocky Mtn Pediatric Surgery
Physician
07/01/2013
Jaramillo
Victoria
Centennial Outpatient Rehab
Clinic Front Office
07/08/2013
Lumley
Heather
Managed Service Organization
Medical Asst II PRN
07/08/2013
Smith
Charles
Managed Service Organization
Financial Analyst
07/08/2013
Bennett
Simrit
Occupational Health Services
Patient Account Rep
07/15/2013
Chua
Rochelle
Aurora Denver Cardiology
Medical Asst II
07/15/2013
McAtee
Elizabeth
Denver Center for Bariatric Med
Coding Auditor/Trainer I
07/15/2013
McVicker
Teri
Occupational Health Services
Patient Account Rep
07/15/2013
Rose
Denise
Rocky Mountain Pediatric Hand
Rad Tech Registered
07/15/2013
Tompkins Jr
Kenneth
Colorado Internal Medicine Spec
Physician
07/15/2013
Havlen
Pamela
Skyline Internal Medicine
Physician
07/16/2013
Platek
Sylvia
Managed Service Organization
Clinic Front Office PRN
07/16/2013
Pearston
Elizabeth
Centennial Primary Care-Denver
Medical Asst II
07/17/2013
Cyr
Nicole
Rocky Mountain Pediatric ENT
Audiologist PRN
07/18/2013
Corr
Sara
Centennial Primary Care-Denver
Physician
07/22/2013
Lowman
Diane
Colorado Internal Medicine Spec
Medical Asst II
07/22/2013
Rojas
Maria
Colorado Internal Medicine Spec
Clinic Front Office
07/22/2013
Smith
Christopher
Colorado Internal Medicine Spec
Physician
07/22/2013
Tschan
Leslie
Orthopaedic Physicians of CO
Physician Asst
07/22/2013
Campos Romero
Maribel
Whole Family Health at Belmar
Clinic Front Office
07/29/2013
Easterby
Debra
Heartland Womens Group at Med
Med Off Spec - 26225
07/29/2013
Little
Danell
Aurora Denver Cardiology
Patient Account Rep
07/29/2013
Rodriguez
Petra
Midwifery Group @ Swedish Med
Medical Asst II
07/29/2013
Finney
Cheryl
Centennial Primary Care-Denver
Lead Biller EMC
07/30/2013
Fenly
Jessica
Front Range Internal Medicine
Clinic Front Office
08/05/2013
Lacabe
Danielle
Rocky Mountain Pediatric Hand
Coord Case Care
08/09/2013
Blackwell
Sara
Orthopaedic Physicians of CO
Rad Tech Registered
08/12/2013
Robles
Evelyn
Metropolitan OB/Gyn
Medical Asst II
08/14/2013
Noland
Cindy
Kansas Physician Group
Med Off Spec PRN - 26331
08/19/2013
Thomas
Bejoy
Mtn Orthopedic Trauma Surgeons Coord Case Care
08/27/2013
McMillan
Sunny
Managed Service Organization
08/28/2013
Kirkham
Ashley
Heartland Women's Group at Wes RN - 26048
09/01/2013
Yang
Diane
Lone Tree Internal Medicine &
Physician
09/01/2013
Johnson
Morgan
Rocky Mtn Pediatric Surgery
Coord Marketing
09/09/2013
Kulick
Rachael
Midwifery Group @ Swedish Med
RNS Midwife-Cert-E
09/23/2013
Ross Miller
Karyl
Colorado Limb Consultants
Medical Asst II
09/25/2013
Bunting
Natalie
Heartland Women's Group at Wes Med Off Spec - 26048
09/26/2013
Ellison
Catherine
Aurora Denver Cardiology
Medical Asst II
09/27/2013
Orander
Luke
Rocky Mtn Pediatric Surgery
Mgr Practice II
09/27/2013
Jones
Barbara
Rocky Mtn Pediatric Surgery
RNS Practitioner E
09/30/2013
Weigant Flinn
Kathleen
Kansas Physician Group
Coder CPC Spec - 26331
09/30/2013
Medical Asst II PRN
Employee Engagement
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P hys i c i a n ’s C o r n e r What time is it? You guessed it…it’s time for the 6th Annual Medical Emergency Drill! We have requested all of the practice administrators of HealthONE Physician Care to pick one of the suggested office emergency scenarios (or invent their own that might better suit their specialty) and target getting it done within the first two weeks of December. Every scenario that we have suggested through the years is modeled after a real occurrence. We have covered everything from: sudden cardiac events to severe allergic reactions to patients fainting in locked bathrooms to evacuations due to smoke and fumes to armed intruders
demanding drugs or prescription pads. This led our safety coordinator to expand “Ed’s Emergency Flip Chart” to the top 12 emergency scenario procedures “at-a glance” with every site receiving a copy. The goals here are to make sure all of our temporary, new and established employees know what to do in an emergency, whether or not there is a physician/provider/ manager in the office, how to get help, where the AED and any needed supplies are kept, and that all of these supplies are usable and in-date. These events are intended to be fun and informal. Staged reenactments, sometimes done as a surprise with no notice, and with pictures of the
events, are great learning experiences. Meetings and discussions work well also, especially when the scenario chosen is very complex or unique. Each year we all learn a lot from these various experiences, but one thing is crucial and common to all emergencies: The first person on the scene often thinks they are in over their head or they do not want to make a mistake, so may shy away from action. That is understandable, especially when the thinking is “I am managing a crisis!” If your first thought is “We have a problem. We need some help here. Call 911. Go get the AED and some oxygen while we assess the vitals.
Alan Burgess, M.D. Medical Director, Occ Med & Primary Care
Grab Ed’s Flip Chart.” then you are off and running as a team. -Alan Burgess, MD
Risk Management / Safety An engaged employee is one who is fully involved in and enthusiastic about their work. Patient and employee safety is one of our most important missions. All of us are extremely busy and it’s easy to bypass a step or two in the interest of time constraints. Don’t be the person that doesn’t want to put on a face shield and utility gloves when cleaning instruments. If you feel there is an unsafe situation in your practice, call or e-mail Ed or Nancy. We are here to help. We welcome questions. Whether it is what to do if
you have a blood borne exposure or have concerns on what type of personal protective equipment you should wear for a certain procedure. Regarding blood borne pathogen exposures: Dr. Updike, our Employee Health Medical Director, is updating the drug regimen for post exposure prophylaxis, ensuring that all of our Occ Med Clinics are up to speed with the new protocol. Occurrence Reporting: According to our safety manual, an occurrence report should be filled out when “anything out of the ordinary, which
results in the potential for or actual injury to a patient, visitor or staff member or damage to facilities or property”. Remind your coworkers that a report should be filled out; the reporting process is online now so it is easier than ever. A report can be filled out by anyone in the clinic, not just by the manager and the purpose is to refine our “best practices”. The reporting is by no means meant to be punitive. It takes all of us to ensure a safe environment for our patients, visitors and coworkers.
Ed Soulliere Safety Coordinator
-Ed Soulliere
Go Broncos!! Congratulations to the winners of the Broncos tickets! Michelle Crone at Breast Cancer Consultants won three tickets to the HealthONE suite plus a parking pass. Dr. Martin
Kalevik at LODO won two tickets, and Pam Rampi at Breast Cancer Consultants has also won 2 tickets to the game. We had tremendous participation and thank each of you for trying your luck!
Pictured left: Margaret Ireland, Valerie Curtis and Todd Evans drawing for the tickets.
Employee Engagement
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HealthONE Facility Spotlights HealthONE Acute Rehab Services provides acute care rehab to aggressively help individuals progress toward their recovery after a serious injury or illness. We offer a continuum of care from inpatient to outpatient rehab services to meet a variety of needs.
help patients reach their maximum level of functioning enabling them to return home. Our interdisciplinary teams include rehab nursing, physical, occupational and speech-language therapies lead by our Physiatrists (physicians specializing in rehab).
Our acute rehab programs specialize in the treatment of posttrauma, stroke, brain injury and neurological care utilizing an intensive team approach to
The purpose of rehab is to restore physical, sensory, and mental capabilities that were lost due to injury, illness, disease, or assist the patient to
REHAB LOCATIONS Swedish Acute Rehab 501 E. Hampden Ave. Englewood, CO 80113 303-788-5963 www.swedishhospital.com 17 beds
compensate for deficits that cannot be reversed medically. Each rehab program is tailored to the individual patient’s needs to achieve maximum independence. With a focus on outstanding patient outcomes and a high discharge rate to home, our rehab teams are proud of the unique service they provide. Swedish Acute Rehab was ranked in the top 10% of rehab facilities in the United States
Spalding Rehab 900 Potomac St. Aurora, CO 80011 303-363-5146 www.spaldingrehab.com 40 beds including a Neuro-Rehab Controlled Stim Unit
These HealthONE hospitals are four of 1,099 in the U.S. earning the distinction of Top Performer on Key Quality Measures for Rose, Sky Ridge, North attaining and sustaining excelSuburban and The Medical lence in accountability measure Center of Aurora Recognized for performance. The ratings are Safety, Quality and Patient Care based on an aggregation of accountability measure data reToday, HealthONE announced ported to The Joint Commission that four of its hospitals - Rose during the 2012 calendar year. Medical Center, Sky Ridge Medical Center, North “We understand that what matSuburban Medical Center and ters most to patients at our The Medical Center of Aurora - hospitals is safe, effective, comwere named Top Performer on passionate care. That’s why Key Quality Measures® by The HealthONE has made a commitJoint Commission, the leading ment to positive patient outaccreditor of healthcare organi- comes through evidence-based zations in America. care processes. We are proud of
We have three convenient locations and 70 beds to meet the HealthONE System acute rehab needs, which are listed below.
Spalding at P/SL 1719 E 19th Ave. 6B Denver, CO 80218 303-839-6293 www.spaldingrehab.com 13 beds
the efforts of our physicians and staff that brought the distinction of being a Joint Commission Top Performer on Key Quality Measures,” said Sylvia Young, CEO of HealthONE and HCA’s Continental Division. Four HealthONE Hospitals Named Top Performers by The Joint Commission:
according to UDSMR (Uniform Data System for Medical Rehab). Spalding Rehab, celebrating 45 years as the first licensed acute rehab in Colorado, was nominated for the third consecutive year for Best of Rehab by Rehab Management Magazine.
About HealthONE HealthONE is the largest healthcare system in the metro Denver area with more than 10,000 employees. As part of the HealthONE family, The Medical Center of Aurora, Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, This is the first year that The Spalding Rehab Hospital, Rose, Medical Center of Aurora has Sky Ridge, Swedish, North been named a Top Performer, Suburban, Presbyterian/St. the third year for North SuburLuke’s Medical Centers work ban, Sky Ridge and Rose . together to provide a higher In addition to being included in level of care. In addition, our family of services includes four this year’s release of The Joint Commission’s “Improving Amer- hospital outpatient emergency departments and numerous ica’s Hospitals” annual report, ambulatory surgery centers, Rose, Sky Ridge, North Suburban and The Medical Center of occupational medicine & rehab clinics, diagnostic centers, phyAurora are recognized on The sician practices, radiation oncolJoint Commission’s Quality ogy centers, and AIRLIFE DENCheck website: VER, which provides critical care (www.qualitycheck.org). The Top Performer program will be air and ground transportation across a 10-state region. featured in the December issues of The Joint Commission -Jill Thompson, HealthONE PR Perspectives and The Source.
Employee Engagement
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Provider Spotlight 5280 is the Denver, Colorado city magazine with more readers than any other local magazine in Colorado. One of the annual cover stories is the community feature "Top Doctors", listing Denver’s toprated physicians by specialty, “the city’s best physicians, as chosen by their peers”. In this year’s August issue, “334 of the very best physicians Denver has to offer, in 95 specialties” were recognized. Eleven of our Denver physicians were named in total:
Mindy Banks - Rocky Mountain Pediatric Kidney Center Jerry H. Greenberg - Aurora Denver Cardiology Associates Steven R. Leonard - Rocky Mntn Pediatric Heart Surgery Thomas M. Li - Advanced Internal Medicine Jeffrey V. Matous - Colorado Blood Cancer Institute David Mellman - Denver Internal Medicine Susan A. Moison - Consultants in Obstetrics and GYN Sheri Poznanovic - Rocky Mntn Ped ENT Associates Benjamin A. Ross - Rocky
Mntn Ped Neuro & Sleep Med Steven S. Rothenberg - Rocky Mntn Pedc Surgery at P/SL Julie D. Zimbelman - Rocky Mntn Ped Hematology Onc The Wichita Business Journal yearly features the “Best Doctors” list. Compiled for over 20 years, Best Doctors conducts an extensive physician survey to identify the doctors that other doctors trust most. It’s the largest ongoing, peer-reviewed survey in the medical industry. As a result, they have a proprietary database of more
than 53,000 medical experts in over 450 specialties and subspecialties worldwide. Best Doctors are reviewed and elected by their peers, clinically and academically accomplished, affiliated with national and global centers of excellence, leading medical practitioners, and researchers and teachers. This year, one of our Wichita physicians were named: Calvin G. Olmstead - Neurology Associates of Kansas Congrats to our doctors for this achievement!
Practice Spotlight It is always a pleasure to recognize a valuable member of our Physician Care community, and this quarter we would like to take a moment to highlight an exceptional practice with an exceptional team. Lone Tree Internal Medicine & Pediatrics is a refreshing blend of modern day medicine and old fashioned care. A vital part of the physician staff responsible for this complete approach to caring for families is Dr. John D. Scala. This seasoned family physician provides care for all ages from infancy to mature adult, and he naturally recognizes the unique scenarios of every
individual he treats. Along with Dr. Scala, Dr. Yang, Catherine Mennick, NP, and practice manager Angela Bleeker, the Lone Tree team prides themselves on being the primary care home for all of their patients, and believe that an educated patient has the best chance at optimal health. For this reason, they feel it is paramount to provide the resources and education to allow their patients to make the best lifestyle and health care decisions. Regardless of age or condition, this group is committed to providing for your primary care needs. We would like to congratu-
Pictured above (from left to right): Diane Yang, MD, Catherine Mennick, NP, and John D. Scala, MD
late this impressive team for their successes to date, and wish them a prosperous and healthy road forward in this growing practice.
10103 RidgeGate Parkway, Aspen Building, Suite G21, Lone Tree, CO 80124.
Sami Stokes, FO, Skyline Internal Medicine
Oct Front Desk Utilization: 2688 requests, 2383 covered, 89% Utilization
www.lonetreeimandpeds.com
D i d Yo u K n o w ? ? Congrats to the Float Employees who transferred to clinics full time! September: Tiffany Thoreson, MA, Lonetree Internal Medicine
Terri Kippes, MA/FO, Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery Chrissy Romero, FO, Rose Medical Center October: Joe Burner, MA, Aurora Denver Cardio Assoc
Tiffany Gash, FO, Colorado Internal Medicine Jennifer Alamillo, FO, Centennial Occupational Med
Oct MA Utilization: 1577 requests, 1437 covered, 91% Utilization
Employee Engagement
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It ’s a Beautiful Cause Denver SafeHouse On behalf of EAG (Employee Advisory Group) and Denver SafeHouse, we would like to thank you for your contributions. An entire carload of donations were collected , including bed linens, toys, clothes, food, cooking supplies, personal items and gift cards. Denver SafeHouse serves victims of domestic violence and their children through both an emergency shelter and a non-residential Counseling and Advocacy Center. All of the women, children and youth who come to SafeHouse Denver have access to a full range of bilingual programming, including individual counseling, group sessions, advocacy and safety planning. Pictured left (from left to right): Amanda Chavez, Donations Coordinator at Safehouse Denver, Melanie Johnson, Office Coordinator, and Elizabeth Lochtefeld, Sr. Administrative Assistant - Sales
Out of the Darkness Community Walk Liisa Anderson, Surgery Scheduler at Specialized Vein Care, along with her family, participated in a community walk raising funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to remember their son’s friend, Travis, who took his own life 5 years ago as a high school junior. This year's walk was the best ever for Travis' team with 37 walkers and $1,485 raised thus far. The total of the ‘13 walk has yet to be calculated, but the ‘12 South Metro, Out of the Darkness Community Walk raised over $126k. Half of the net proceeds benefit our community by:
Pictured Above: Participants of the
Community Walk for the American Providing the suicide awareness training, More Than Sad: Teen Depression to Colorado high schools Foundation for Suicide Prevention Providing funding for ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) Providing the peer leader/suicide awareness training - Sources of Strength - to multiple Colorado High Schools Providing community suicide awareness trainings– safeTALK with funds raised from this year's walk, we can continue to support the initiatives above and the work of the AFSP Colorado Chapter.
2013 Komen Denver Race for the Cure The 2013 Komen Denver Race for the Cure event took place September 29, 2013 at the Pepsi Center. Thank you to all who participated in this meaningful and critical cause. Just about everyone has been touched by breast cancer - through personal experience, supporting family or friends with the disease, or caring for our HealthONE patients. The race event raised $2 million that Breast Cancer is the most common type of cancer treated at HealthONE hospitals.
will be used to support uninsured or under-insured breast cancer victims in This year, HealthONE was a sponsor of the Denver Race for the Cure, which raises the Komen Denver 19-county service money for education, screening, and treatment in our community, while also area & fund breast cancer research. supporting national research for a cure.
Trebol Colorado Shootout Tina Crosley’s, Patient Account Representative at Aurora Denver Cardiology Associates, daughter competed in the Trebol Colorado Shootout Tournament sponsored by HealthONE. Her team won the U14 Bronze 1 girls division. Tina stated, “...what great things HealthONE is sponsoring. What a great thing HealthONE did to make these kids feel special. I know my daughter felt special.” Pictured right: Participants of the Trebol Colorado Shootout Tournament
Employee Engagement
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Physician Accolades Fox 31 Denver Article: Spinal pacemaker’ helps some with chronic pain By: Brook Wagner For children and adults living with chronic pain, life can seem hopeless. That’s how Greenwood Village teenager Ashlee Lipinski felt after a knee injury and subsequent surgery left her with searing pain across her body. “It was something you couldn’t get away from,” said Ashlee. “It was disheartening.” Ashlee dislocated her knee while doing a simple household chore - emptying the dishwasher. She had surgery, but the burning pain intensified and spread. She was diagnosed with a mysterious illness called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, or RSD. It causes the nervous system to misfire impulses, resulting in shooting pain. “We couldn’t go to the mall, walk the dogs,” Said Ashlee’s mother, Kim Lipinski. “We couldn’t do Improving Children’s Concussion Outcomes By: Karen McAvoy, Psy.D. Children who return to school too quickly after a concussion may heal more slowly, face lingering symptoms and have trouble focusing on schoolwork. Thanks to research and advocacy happening here in Colorado, children across the U.S. will be better equipped to return to school after a head injury. In October, the American Academy of Pediatrics released new recommendations for how and when students should return to the
anything because it made her sore.” For this athletic, outgoing teenager, life virtually stopped. Then, Ashlee’s mom had an idea. What if a procedure that had helped her own neck pain, might help her daughter, too? “I had hope that she could be normal again…have a normal life as a kid and teenager; every mom’s dream,” Kim said. So Ashlee made an appointment with her mom’s doctor neurosurgeon Giancarlo Barolat. “This girl was in agony. She was a good student, very athletic, and she had to give up on everything,” Barolat said. “Her life was nothing.” For 30 years, Barolat has focused on fighting pain with a pacemaker. Not the kind we associate with the heart - but for the nerves. The pacemaker is half machine, half battery; a metal device that fits in the palm of your hand. In a relatively non-invasive classroom. The recommendations, which were recently featured in The New York Times, were based on the REAP concussion treatment and management guidelines developed at Rocky Mountain Youth Sports Medicine’s (RMYSM) Center for Concussion. RMYSM is affiliated with Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children in Denver. The four essential elements of REAP include: R - Reduce physical and cognitive, or mental demands. E - Educate the student athletes, families, educators, coaches and medical profes-
procedure, Barolat implants a neurostimulator on the spine, nerves, or under the skin - at the source of the pain. He can then direct the current, and even wake the patient during surgery to find the right spot. The procedure is reversible, the pacemaker can be adjusted, and more devices may be added. “This is not the doctor doing something to the patient. This is the doctor and the patient working together,” said Barolat. One of his main goals is to provide an alternative to pain medication or major surgery. “We’re basically trying to eliminate the bad signals and let the good signals go through,” Barolat said. He figures, about 75 percent of his patients, like Ashlee, get 50 to 75 percent pain relief. Barolat says the neurostimulator can also help people with chronic headaches and back pain; patients who have
Giancarlo Barolat, M.D.
not responded to conventional treatments. Insurance often covers at least a portion of the surgery. Still, he’s clear, it does not work for everyone. It did work for Ashlee, who just started college. She plans to study medicine, so she can help others in pain. In the meantime, she has some advice: “Don’t give up. You will find something that will change your life, that will make it better.”
sionals on all of the potential symptoms. A - Accommodate for the student athlete academically. P - Pace the student athlete back to activity, play and learning. RMYSM treats sports injuries in kids of all ages. Dr. McAvoy is director of the Center for Concussion at RMYSM. She is considered a national authority on concussion treatment in children and adolescents and has served on a concussion panel for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Her research and advocacy has led to the
Karen McAvoy, Psy.D.
development of national guidelines for concussion management in children and adolescents.
Learn more about REAP: www.rockymountainhospitalforchildren.com
Employee Engagement
Page 10
Physician Accolades RMHC and our CV surgery team Colorado Baby Gets Heart Surgery From Doctor Who Invented Procedure DENVER (CBS4) - A baby boy is recovering from open heart surgery after being born with lifethreatening heart defects. CBS4 Health Specialist Kathy Walsh met Issac Foster and the doctors who operated on him. In fact, one of the doctors invented the procedure. Dr. Hisashi Nikaidoh was in Denver for the delicate operation. The procedure was named after him and Issac was his 25th case. Issac is an inquisitive, adorable baby. He looks like a healthy 8-month-old, but his use of oxygen gives him away. “He is a pretty sick little boy,” his mother Amy Foster said. Isaac was born with a combination of severe heart defects. Two major vessels were reversed, he had a hole where he shouldn’t,
and a valve that was too narrow. “He’s just all boy, and a little warrior is the way I kind of see him,” his father Tom Foster said. Isaac’s fight has just begun. The Fosters of Steamboat Springs came to Denver for Issac to have the open heart surgery. “I’m scared to death for him,” Tom said. “It is what it is, but we’re in good hands,” Amy said. Issac was in the hands of Nikaidoh and pediatric heart surgeon Dr. Steven Leonard. They worked together for 20 years in Dallas. They were in the operating room at the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children. Nikaidoh supported Leonard as he performed the so called “Nikaidoh Procedure.” “My first patient, he had this operation when seven years of age. He’s now either 34 or 35,” Nikaidoh said. It was a complicated combination of operations switching the arteries, mak-
Pictured above: Issac Foster (credit: CBS)
ing surgical moves and repairs, and replacing the narrow valve with the jugular vein from a cow. It took more than six hours. The doctors emerged optimistic. “He’s very stable and looking very good right now,” Leonard said. Isaac’s parents know there may be problems ahead, but they have big plans for him. “Just like any other little boy, playing and having fun,” Tom said. Tom and Amy have been by Isaac’s side the whole time. He is still in the pediatric intensive care unit, but he’s off the ventilator and doing well.
Steven R. Leonard, M.D. http://rmpediatrichearts.com/
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