IN PULSE Vol. 38 No. 7 | News from Waldo County General Hospital | February 2018
Maine Cancer Foundation Awards Mid-Coast Public Transportation, in collaboration with Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital, Two-Year Cancer Patient Transportation Grant The Maine Cancer Foundation has awarded a two-year grant of $49,866 to support improved access to treatment for cancer patients residing in Knox and Waldo counties. Mid-Coast Public Transportation, Pen Bay Medical Center (PBMC) and Waldo County General Hospital (WCGH) are collaborating to establish an expedited process to identify, refer and schedule cancer patients who need assistance in securing transportation for medical treatment, as well as to raise awareness in the community about these transportation supports. Individuals do not have to be a patient of PBMC or WCGH to be eligible for this program; it is
open to any resident of Knox or Waldo County in need of transportation assistance to secure needed cancer treatment. In 2017, over 500 people received a new cancer diagnosis at PBMC or WCGH. As challenging as this news is, for many, fighting cancer is only half the battle—accessing and paying for treatment is the other part. Multiple visits are generally required to diagnose, stage and treat cancer. For the majority of Waldo and Knox County cancer patients, a round trip of 20-48 miles is required for treatment. However, many patients need to travel to larger hospitals outside of the Midcoast for diagnosis, staging or treatment.
The Cancer Patient Transportation Assistance Fund at Mid-Coast Public Transportation will be used to provide arranged or reimbursed transportation for each patient and an escort to and from medical appointments, in the most resource-efficient manner that meets each patient’s individual needs. The project will also establish standardized shared work flows for referral, intake, scheduling and data collection among project partners to ensure program sustainability and success.
Rob Fowler, RN with Deece Ruggles, RN
Rob Fowler, RN and Clae Seekins with Eric Bishop
Deece Ruggles, RN wins Daisy Award
Eric Bishop is the Sunshine Award winner
Deece Ruggles, house supervisor, was honored at the January colleague celebration as the Daisy Award Honoree of the Quarter. “There was a patient in ICU that was being readied for transfer to MMC. This patient had a large family with little financial means to be with their loved one once transferred to Portland. Deece made a point of keeping this family informed of their loved one’s condition at all times plus made sure they had any assistance we were able to provide to help them get to Portland (i.e. gas card, discounted hotel and called ahead to make sure it was available). I believe Deece provided this family with the extra support needed during this challenging time.” The goal of the Daisy Award, which is awarded quarterly, is to recognize extraordinary nurses who make an enormous difference in the lives of people by the work they do every day.
Eric Bishop is the Sunshine Award winner for January. He works in MSU at Waldo County General Hospital. “He is very compassionate with his patients. At times plays guitar for our swing bed program and for his patients when he has some down time. I have heard from many of his patients that they enjoy it and that he makes a positive difference in their stay with us. Eric is upbeat and encouraging with his patients. He always greets them with a smile. We are lucky to have him as a team member here at WCGH.” The Sunshine Award was developed by the Nursing Department Partners Council and recognizes nursing staff who report to a nursing director and support nurses in providing direct patient care. This award recognizes the extraordinary contribution that nursing support staff make every day in the lives of our patients and their families.
Nominate a nurse: www.wcgh.org/daisyaward Nominate support staff: www.wcgh.org/sunshineaward
WCGH Chapel Dedication and Chaplain Installation Waldo County General Hospital held a dedication of its Chapel on January 23. Reverend Jean Ashland was installed as the Chaplain. For more information about Spiritual Care Services at WCGH, please call 207-338-2500.
WCGH Welcomes New Years Baby
Rosemarie Dudley, her sister, Barbara Cunningham, and neighbor Marilyn Wing knit more than 200 hats and mittens to be donated to area school children so they don’t have to be cold this winter. Photo: Rosemarie Dudley (left) and Susan Dupler, RN, Belfast Public Health Nurse.
Say hello to Waldo County General Hospital’s New Year’s baby, Rebecca. Congratulations to her parents, who welcomed her on January 5!
Pet Therapy at WCGH Meet Scout, the WCGH therapy dog. Scout and her owner, Mary Moran, MD are now seeing patients on the Swing Bed Unit. Dr. Moran and Scout join Marge Stickler and her therapy dogs, Theo and Nikki, as part of the pet therapy program at the hospital. Pet therapy is currently only offered to patients on the Swing Bed Unit. Photo (left to right): Deb Patten, Scout, Iris Piersiak and Mary Moran, MD.
Community Health & Wellness Briefs Registration required for all events, please visit journeytohealth.coursestorm.com or call 921-3950 Am I Hungry?® A Mindful Eating Program Maybe you’ve attended weekly meetings, eliminated entire food groups, logged your food and exercise into an app, or any of a thousand other so-called “solutions.” Where has that gotten you? Are you frustrated, feeling guilty or even more focused on food than you were before? There may be one expert you haven’t listened to yet – you! Join Certified Health & Wellness Coach Hester Kohl for this eight-session class to learn
about mindful eating; how to identify when you are full, eating mindlessly or with your emotions; and learn practical tools and strategies to help you make the best decisions for you. $80 registration fee is required. Mondays, February 26 – April 16 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Biscone Medical Building 119 Northport Avenue, Belfast
Start Your Own Microgreens Once you have learned all about microgreens, we are certain you will want to grow them yourself. Kate Hall, owner of Graze, will guide you in this four-week gardening class as you plant your own microgreens. Each week you will learn about the health benefits of your new garden as you watch it grow. $25 registration fee is required. Tuesdays, February 27 – March 20 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Lincolnville Community Building 18 Searsmont Road, Lincolnville
Save the Date - May 19 Healthy & Well Women’s Conference Point Lookout, Northport This year’s conference will focus on empowering women to take charge of all aspects of their wellness from nutrition to finances. Join us for a full day of education and exploration. You will leave with new connections, confidence and a renewed commitment to your personal growth.
Coastal Healthcare Alliance Annual Report
Coastal Healthcare Alliance Pen Bay Medical Center & Waldo County General Hospital
Annual Report 2017
The PBMC and WCGH 2017 annual report is now available.
Population health at WCGH has created “Survival Care Bags” for those in need coming to the ED this winter. The kits include a hat, gloves, socks, hand warmer, water, chocolate bar, granola bar and hygiene supplies. Kits will be distributed by departments as needed. Shown here from left to right are Valerie Curtis, Amanda Richards, Lisa Reed, Stacey Hall, Susan Dupler and Ashley Hoffman.
Want to join the Aid?
Please visit http://bit.ly/2CSrGCr to read the report online.
Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America.
To join the Hospital Aid, our auxiliary group, please call 921-6707 for an application, give your name and address or email us at inquires@wcgh.org. A membership fee of $15 per year is required to join the Hospital Aid, which assures that you are notified of all Aid events and receive the hospital’s newsletter.
WCGH Aid Silver Tea The 2017 Hospital Aid Silver Tea was held in December at the Deborah Lincoln House in Belfast. The event raised more than $1,000 for Waldo County General Hospital Aid projects and services. In the fall of 2017 the Aid and the community contributed a total of $5,000 including: • • • •
$500 in gas cards to WCGH Oncology Department $500 in gas cards to WCGH Women’s Health $1,600 to Hospice Volunteers of Waldo County $2,400 to Cardiac Rehab Scholarship Fund at WCGH
As we reflect on the past year, we celebrate the support of our community partners. We are grateful for your continued commitment to the programs and services at Pen Bay Medical Center, Waldo County General Hospital, Knox Center, Quarry Hill and the Sussman House. Your efforts help us raise funds to strengthen the excellent healthcare available in our communities.
Thank you!
We could not do this work without your compassion and generosity. Happy Holidays to you and yours, The Pen Bay Waldo Healthcare Foundation Board Members and Staff
For more information about the Pen Bay Waldo Healthcare Foundation, please visit www.penbaywaldofoundation.org or call 207-921-6713. Coastal Healthcare Alliance | A Member of MaineHealth
Meet our team of Certified Nurse Midwives. Stephanie Cole, Katie McCormick, Danielle Pelletier, Clara Buescher and Cindy Dublin-Morin Waldo County General Hospital Women’s Health will host a series of provider meet & greets beginning in April. Learn about the services we offer, including well woman care, perimenopause and menopause care, family planning services, pregnancy and postpartum care. Tours of the Birthing Unit will be available.
Dates: Time: Location:
April 11, July 18 and October 17 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. WCGH Women’s Health Office Cobb Medical Building, Suite 108