’s
January 10, 2014 edition
The Pulse
Your regular check up on SCKMC activities Share your thoughts, story ideas, and comments by e-mail to claytonp@sckrmc.org.
First Baby of the New Year! Isaiah Sebastian was delivered by Dr. Schmeidler on January 7th at 9:01 p.m. He weighed 6 lbs 11 oz and was 21” long.
SCKMC Rewards Recruitment Leads Recruiting health care professionals to rural communities has always been a challenge for small clinics and hospitals. According to SCKMC Chief Executive Officer, Steve Perkins, Arkansas City and the surrounding area is not immune to what some have predicted to be a nationwide physician shortage of up to 90,000 by the end of the decade. "We are hopeful of being able to attract additional doctors either to one of our local clinics or to the hospital. We need more doctors with specialties like family practice, internal medicine, or pediatrics; that's probably our single biggest need in terms of growth. We are always also interested in specialties that could benefit a large part of our population," Perkins said. SCKMC has begun a new program with hopes that it's creative twist will provide an in-road to health care providers. "There are a lot of ways to recruit physicians and other health professionals, its proven to be better to find people who have a connection to the community," Perkins said. Perkins believes the medical center's, "Family and Friends Networking Program" will be able to find those with such a connection. "It's an opportunity to reach out into our community and ‘source’ or identify people that might be candidates to move to our community, and be part of our community as a healthcare professional. It's been commonly understood that attracting people that are familiar with or have some connections to the community are more likely to have longer term satisfaction," Perkins said. According to the hospital's website, the program will pay a "recruitment bonus" as high as $5,000 to anyone able to provide a lead that ends up in the permanent placement of a physician, specialist, mid-level practitioner, therapist, or registered nurse that relocates to the area in order to provide full-time healthcare services. "This is a way that we are pleased to partner with the community. The community has been tremendously supportive of us. As we look for ways to continue to grow and thrive, we need that continued effort," Perkins said. For more information on the medical center's "Family and Friends Networking Program" visit the hospital website at www.sckmc.org.
Welcome Dr. Walker – Orthopaedic Surgeon Damion Walker, D.O., of Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine at Cypress in Wichita, began seeing patients at SCKMC’s Specialty Clinic on Wednesday. Dr. Walker will have a weekly clinic and will be performing surgeries at SCKMC. He practices General Orthopaedics including trauma & fracture care, reconstruction including hips & knees, arthroscopy and total joint replacement. Dr. Walker received his medical education at University Of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his orthopaedic residency at Grandview/Kettering Medical Center in Athens, Ohio. He completed a trauma and reconstructive surgery residency at St. Louis University Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri. He is Board Certified by Osteopathic Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. The addition of Dr. Walker expands SCKMC orthopedic surgical services that are currently being provided entirely by Dr. Chris Siwek. Perkins said, "We are very pleased to have Dr. Walker joining our staff and broadening our orthopaedic offerings at SCKMC. We have been very fortunate for many years to have Dr. Siwek on our staff. He's been an incredibly vital part of our organization and continues to offer his orthopaedic services here. We feel that adding Dr. Walker will enhance our abilities to serve the community and retain more orthopaedic care locally.” Dr. Walker will be seeing patients at SCKMC's Specialty Clinic located in the Outpatient Services Building just east of the hospital; 6403 Patterson Parkway. Appointments for Dr. Walker's clinics may be made by calling his Wichita office requesting to be seen in Arkansas City: call 316-219-8299 (Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon).
Employee of the Month Lacy Colquhoun, Registered Nurse for the Surgery department, is the Exceptional Service Award winner for the month of January! She was nominated by a patient for her outstanding service and positive attitude. Pictured: Lacy (left) with Manager of Surgical Services, Laura Ramirez. If you would like to nominate someone for next month's award visit us at www.sckmc.org.
We’ve Got What It Takes to Get You On Your Feet Again.
Now Offering Expanded
Orthopedic Services Chris Siwek, MD Main Office: Private Practice, El Dorado KS Ark City Specialty Clinic Hours: Every Tuesday and Friday
Damion Walker, DO Main Office: Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine at Cypress, Wichita KS Ark City Specialty Clinic Hours: Every Wednesday
Orthopedic Procedures: •Trauma Fracture Surgery •Minimally Invasive Fracture Care •Shoulder & Knee Arthroscopy •Total Hip, Knee, & Shoulder Arthroplasty •Carpal Tunnel
Ortho Related Services: •Private patient rooms •64-slice CT •High Field 1.0 Open MRI •In/Outpatient Physical Therapy •Full Service Laboratory
Dr. Siwek and Dr. Walker are seeing patients at SCKMC's Outpatient Services Building Specialty Clinic located just east of the hospital; 6403 Patterson Parkway, Arkansas City, KS.
Find out more about our services at www.sckmc.org