We Show Up for Each Other

Black History Month Focus: Aaron Ellison, MD

“Black History Month is about celebrating Black culture and appreciating the positive impact and numerous accomplishments of African-American people. It gives us an opportunity to remember our history so we can continue to push forward and grow from our past. Recognizing the achievements of what others have done before us can help motivate minorities to pursue their dreams and know that any career path is possible.”

As a member of the Greater Kansas City Medical Society, each year Dr. Ellison partners with Mission Vision Project KC that supports underrepresented minority students with mentorship programming that includes medical specialty selection, residency planning, financial guidance and board test preparation. Read more.

Employee of the Month: Lauren Jewell, RN, 4N Telemetry

Congratulations to Lauren Jewell, RN for 4N Telemetry, for earning Employee of the Month. According to her nominators: "Recently, Lauren really stepped up to help fill charge coverage not only on her own unit but on another unit as well and supported them. I reached out to Lauren asking if she would be comfortable charging a different unit with a higher level of care, when their charge nurse needed to leave. Lauren was more than willing to help support them and was recognized by staff for her support during those shifts. Lauren goes above and beyond every day to take care of not only their own patients, but everyone else's patients as well."

Pharmacist of the Year: Becky Bliss, PharmD, BCPPS

Becky Bliss, Pharm.D., BCPPS, Investigational Drug Services

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, was recently recognized as the Pharmacist of the Year by the Greater Kansas City Society of Health System Pharmacists (GKCSHP)! Becky’s nominators said she “maintains open lines of communication with her patients to make them comfortable and ensure excellent patient care” and “Becky is a mentor to me and encourages me to grow professionally.” It was also noted during the ceremony that Dr. Bliss is the first to receive both the GKCSHP Student of the Year and GKCSHP Pharmacist of the Year award. We are proud to have Becky at RMC!

Dr. David McKinsey and Dr. Joel McKinsey Coordinate 2023 ID Symposium

The Research Foundation will host the 2023 Infectious Disease Symposium Friday, April 21 at the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel. Dr. David McKinsey and Dr. Joel McKinsey are planning the symposium and will serve as moderators. The symposium, sponsored by the Bixby Institute, The Research Foundation, and Kansas City Southwest Clinical Society, offer physicians six AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ and nurses 7.5 contact hours. Features speakers include:

• Jared Frisby, DO: Metro Infectious Disease Consultants

• David S. McKinsey, MD: Metro Infectious Disease Consultants

• Jennifer A. McKinsey, MD: Children’s Mercy Kansas City

• Joel P. McKinsey, MD: Metro Infectious Disease Consultants

• Victoria A. Poplin, MD: University of Kansas Medical Center

• Lucas J. Volcelka, DO: Metro Infectious Disease Specialists Register for the symposium here or call 816-276-4218.

Take Your Child To Work Day: April 27th

We are excited to bring back "Take Your Child To Work Day" on Thursday, April 27th. This is a fun event for children 8- 13 years to experience a half day in the hospital and tour various departments, including pharmacy, radiology and Therapy. The event is capped at 50 children and sign-ups will be available in nursing operations/staffing office starting Friday, March 3. If needed, we will create a waitlist.

Recognize a Colleague for a Chance to Earn 5,000 Points for Yourself

HR Tidbit: Save Time with Doctor On Demand - and it's free in 2023! Eligible HCA Healthcare medical plan participants have access to the Doctor On Demand telemedicine service, which offers 24/7 primary care and behavioral health video visits from a smartphone, tablet or computer.

Through live video, board-certified doctors, licensed psychologists and psychiatrists review symptoms and medications, perform an exam and may recommend treatment, including prescriptions and lab work.

For 2023, medical and behavioral health visits are FREE for eligible colleagues.

Who is eligible? Doctor On Demand is available in 2023 to participants enrolled in the Well Care, Out-of-Area, Prime, Wichita Preferred and Far West PPO medical plans. This includes employees and covered dependents.

What types of conditions are covered? Doctor On Demand provides care for 90% of the most common health conditions affecting the mind and body. This includes colds, flu, sinus infection, cough and sore throat, fever, urinary tract infections, skin and eye conditions, anxiety and depression, stress, bruises and sprains, diabetes and more.

Get Started: Download the app now so you have it ready when you need it! Go to doctorondemand.com/hca.

Yvonne Brewington, VP HR, Conducted a Walk-A-Mile with members of the Radiology

Front Desk

"What an awesome walk -a-mile hanging out at the Radiology front desk area with Andrea Doudna and Brittney Holliday! Andrea has been with Research Medical Center for years, but recently moved to Radiology and Brittney came to us in August. Both seemed very confident in what they do and know how their positions help to make the process worry free for our patients that come in for their procedures. I learned a lot from them. They work well as a team and compliment one another. Thank you both for teaching me and making me feel welcome in your space."

Sophia Solomon, ACNO, Conducted a Walk-A-Mile with Ashley Russo from 3N/3C

"Thank you, Ashley Russo, for the opportunity to walk -a-mile with you and the 3 North/3 Central team. Ashley also had a nursing student from RCON. She demonstrated the proper way to change a central line dressing and perfectly explained ways to prevent a CLABSI. Ashley made personal connections with her patients and worked with the care team to help patients fulfill personal care goals. I was truly impressed by the way she mentored and cared for her patients."