’s
August 4, 2017
The Pulse
Your regular check up on SCKMC activities Share your thoughts, story ideas, and comments by e-mail to claytonp@sckrmc.org.
Landrush Adds New Event for 2017
SCKMC Board Holds Retreat
With only a few weeks left before this year’s SCKMC Landrush, the medical center’s planning committee is completing the final details for a new event. The hospital fundraiser began in 2015 with a 5K, 12-obstacle race and expanded in 2016 to include a Kids 2K with six obstacles. For 2017 the event is expanding once again to include an approximately ten-mile cycling event which includes the original 12 physical obstacles. “The idea was brought up by a member of the committee after seeing someone ride their bicycle along the trail following last year’s event,” said Clayton Pappan, SCKMC’s Director of Marketing. Cycling event participants will begin at the bicycle trail entrance located on the corner of Sixth Street and Lincoln Ave, beside the soccer complex in Ark City. The race route follows the bike trail to Chestnut Ave and then North on Eighth Street past Skyline and connecting to 61st Road which leads to the hospital. Once at the hospital cyclist will ride the final 5K section, completing each obstacle along the way. “We’ve worked closely with the team at Spoke ‘N Things (the local cycling shop) to get an understanding of what riders are looking for. We want to make this both a fun and challenging event for cyclist of all skill levels,” Pappan said. The SCKMC Landrush will take place on August 26th at the hospital grounds. Opening ceremonies will begin at 8:45 a.m. with the first event beginning at 9:00 a.m. and concluding with the cycling event at 11:00 a.m. There will be a free spectator area which includes food trucks, local vendors, bouncy houses and more. More information including a link to online registration can be found at http://www.sckrmc.org/sckmc-landrush.
The SCKMC Board of Trustees held a “mini-retreat” on Thursday, July 27th to begin re-evaluating the organizations long term strategic plan. The retreat was facilitated by Audrey Dunkel, Senior Director of Financial Advocacy for the Kansas Hospital Association, and lasted approximately three-hours. The goal of the retreat was to identify overall strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing the medical center both now and within the next several years. Through the discussion five major topics were identified as “strategic areas” crucial for continued growth: financial stability, strategic growth, quality care/patient safety, culture and talent, and community relationships. The board discussed several ideas pertaining to each topic such as the hospital’s current payer mix as it relates to financial stability, market share distribution and strategic growth, availability and access to primary care providers for quality care, competitive hurdles within regional recruitment of clinical and ancillary staff, and building recruitment networks within local organizations to retain talent located with the community. “It really just dovetails into the Quorum study. Everybody understands that we don’t know what is going to happen with healthcare going forward, but reimbursement and building relationships are in my mind what will benefit us the most. We need to keep our ears to the ground and vet every possibility for additional revenue sources,” said Virgil Watson, SCKMC’s Chief Executive Officer. In the upcoming months, the SCKMC Board of Trustees will focus on each of the major topics to discuss goals and develop strategies that will serve as the foundation of the management team’s long term plan.
The Pharm Forum with Homer Mah, D.Ph. August Employee of the Month Congratulations Shelia Thurber - Nutritional Services, for being named the SCKMC Exceptional Service Award winner for August. Shelia was nominated by a coworker for making a difference to one of our guests during a stressful time. Shelia was presented with a certificate of appreciation by hospital CFO Holly Harper and will also have a special parking spot reserved for her throughout the month. Great job Shelia!
People will sometimes ask how to manage poison ivy, oak, or sumac. I advise washing the affected area with soap and water as soon as possible. Calamine lotion, oatmeal baths, topical analgesics can help with discomfort and itching. Topical OTC hydrocortisone can help with mild symptoms but it may not help with severe cases. Oral antihistamines may not help because the itching is not due to histamine release. If needed, prescription topical corticosteroids can be used if symptoms are moderate to severe. If your symptoms are more widespread, prescription oral steroids are recommended.
Saturday, August 26th – Patterson Park, Arkansas City Opening Ceremony 8:45 a.m. - First Race Starts at 9:00 a.m. Free Spectator Area – Food & Beverage Vendors – Entertainment for All Ages
Extreme Obstacle 5K • •
12 Obstacles Prizes by Age Category
Kids 2K Fun Run • •
6 Obstacles Open to Ages 8 - 14
Obstacle Bike Race • •
New for 2017! On Road / Off Road Race + Obstacles
The funds raised will benefit South Central Kansas Medical Center and our mission to serve within the community. All money raised will be used as the foundation of growth and development for the services we provide, such as equipment purchases, physician recruitment, and program enhancement.
www.sckmc.org for registration information Obstacle photos are representative only. Obstacles are subject to change without notice.