East Alabama Health News: National Recognition

CONTRIBUTED BY EAST ALABAMA HEALTH

OPELIKA —

East Alabama Health is stepping out in recognition once again. Both Laura Grill, president and CEO of EAH, and the organization itself were recently recognized.

EAH’S GRILL RECOGNIZED

Laura Grill, president and CEO of East Alabama Health (EAH), has been included in the 2023 “Women hospital presidents and CEOs to know” list as released by Becker’s Hospital Review.

This list honors female hospital executives for their dedication to bettering their hospitals for patients and providers alike.

“It’s an honor to have been nominated and recognized for this list,” Grill said. “I believe this recognition really speaks more to the outstanding team we have at EAH than it does to me. Our organization is filled with excellent people, and that is what I think makes us successful.”

The presidents and CEOs featured on the list are responsible for growing their hospitals, fostering positive workforce cultures, expanding services and facilities, increasing provider and patient satisfaction levels and more.

Of the 177 women on

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from A1 artists to sell their goods. The event was sponsored by Isaac’s Lemonade, which was on site selling different flavors of its iconic lemonade.

Other goods were for sale, including drawn pictures, handmade earrings, cork keychains and stickers.

The heat didn’t deter the young sellers, or the community for stopping by.

One boy brought his little horse by to raise money and had made stickers to sell. He demonstrated his lasso the list, Grill is one of only three CEOs from Alabama to earn recognition.

Grill served in various roles within EAH before stepping into her current position as president and CEO in 2018, becoming the first woman in the organization’s history to hold the office.

During Grill’s time as CEO, she has guided the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic and has overseen the development of new patient care services in Lee, Chambers and Randolph counties, most notably the Auburn Medical Pavilion.

She currently serves on the board for the Alabama Hospital Association. She also serves on several other boards including Blue Cross skills.

Other girls painted with palettes of different colors.

Clay earrings were for sale by a group of children from 4th grade up through ninth grade.

One business, Bratty Brigade Designs, was selling all kinds of jewelry.

East Alabama Mental Health had a table set up as well with information and resources.

There was music pumping and lots of fun for the community.

“Isaac received so much support from the community,” said Lexie Symone, Isaac’s mother, who helped him

Blue Shield of Alabama, the Business Council of Alabama, the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind Foundation, the Auburn Research and Technology Foundation and AmeriFirst Bank. She has also served on the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Endowment Committee and on the boards of Habitat for Humanity — Lee County, Affiliate and the Chamber of Commerce of Opelika.

EAH EARNS CERTIFICATION

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has recognized East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients receiving transcatheter valve repair and replacement procedures. EAMC was awarded start Isaac’s Lemonade. “They’ve helped him build his brand from the ground up. I know there are so many children like Isaac that have parents like me who want their child to be their best self but sometimes may need a little extra help in doing so. It means so much to us to try to bring as much exposure to their business as possible.

“I feel like it is important for us adults to help support the children because the children are our future. We have to learn to pass the torch. Kids are so creative and intelligent. All they need is [an] opportunity.”

Transcatheter Valve Certification based on evaluation of the staff’s ability to meet standards for multidisciplinary teams, formalized training, shared decision-making and registry performance.

"This certification is an example of the great care that can be provided when healthcare providers work as a team,” said Joseph Martinez, M.D., a cardiovascular surgeon at EAMC. “This certification process helped us look further into our existing processes to find ways to improve and fine tune the care that is being home," Martinez said.

The ACC’s Transcatheter Valve Certification is an external review and certification process that pairs with established national clinical databases to monitor patient safety and real-world outcomes related to transcatheter valve therapies.

Participation in established national clinical databases such as the STS/ACC TVT Registry is required for hospitals interested in achieving Transcatheter Valve Certification.

The certification uses established national delivered.

Valve Certification learn best practices for implementing evidencebased medicine to support patient-centered decision-making and can track key performance metrics to better identify opportunities for improvement.

“Gaining ACC Certification for our Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement program is a great accomplishment not only for the hospital, but for our community as well,” said Scott Reames, M.D., a physician at Pinnacle Cardiovascular Associates in Opelika.

“This has translated into a safer, more effective and a more comprehensive healthcare plan delivered for the patient right here at clinical measures to support clinical decisions, and links process improvement to patient outcomes. Hospitals that achieve Transcatheter

“This certification not only allows recognition for growing our local cardiovascular services in a safe and efficient way, See EAH, page A5