an employee & physician centered publication of medical west

vol 7 issue 22 2016

HEALTH• JoinusforCRUNCH!• ToneYourArms• TheImportanceof• InfluenzaVaccinationfor

HealthCarePersonnel• GetSmartAboutAntibiotics

BESSEMER HEALTH CENTER

HOSPITAL2016ServiceAwards

Luncheon

FAMILY• MeetLorenLong• WelcomeNew

Employees• CelebratingImaging

Week• PatontheBack• RehabPTOuting• NovemberEmployee

oftheMonth

. . . . . . . INSIDETH ISWEEK’SISSUE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

NEWS• Thanksgiving&Iron

BowlFoodDrive• YMCAHolidayCraft

Fair• EventsCalendar

A L E T T ER F ROMKE I TH P ENN INGTONLast week we celebrated those who have reached milestones of caring for patients at Medical West. Employees who have been with us for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40+ years were invited to our annual Service Awards Luncheon. Employees were presented with a certificate and gift and were able to enjoy a catered lunch from Joe’s Italian. For a complete list of those recognized, see page 10.

In addition to honoring these employees, we also recognized and announced our 2016 Manager of the Year. Managers were asked to nominate a colleague that stood out to them the most – someone that truly represents each of the Medical West values and strives to continuously make a difference. I am proud to announce that Ginger Carroll was named the 2016 Manager of the Year.

Thank you to all who attended this year’s luncheon and to all of the volunteers that helped make it a success. We look forward to recognizing our next group of dedicated employees next year.

To all of our employees, thank you for your continued hard work and dedicated service. It truly takes a team to make a difference. You are greatly appreciated.

Thank you for all you do,

Keith Pennington, CEO and President

thanksgivingfood drive

Sponsored by Grace Church Bessemer & Medical West Hospital

& iron bowl

Please bring all non-perishable food items to the Marketing Office, Suite 202 in the POB

Now through November 16th

The department with the most donated canned/ non-perishable items will receive a pizza party!

Make sure your items are labeled with your department name as well as which football team they are representing: Alabama or Auburn!

All items will be donated to Grace Church Bessemer to make Thanksgiving boxes for those in our community that need them.

For more information please contact Emily Grahamat ext. 8500 or emily.graham@uabmw.org.

itemsneeded:• Green Beans

• Corn

• Yams

• Cornbread Mix

• Pinto Beans

• Cranberry Sauce

• Stuffing Mix

thedeta sil :

NEWSYOUR NEWSe m p l o y e e n e w s • e v e n t s c a l e n d a r • s p e c i a l a n n o u n c e m e n t s

 

 

Saturday December 3rd 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Member Vendor Fee – FREE Non-Member Vendor Fee - $25

For more information call:

205-426-1211 * tgalvez@legacyymca.org

LEGACY YMCA

NEWSYOUR NEWSe m p l o y e e n e w s • e v e n t s c a l e n d a r • s p e c i a l a n n o u n c e m e n t s

November/ DecemberEVENTS CALENDAR

November Birthday Breakfast Tuesday,November29th@8:00am(Civic Room) All employees with a November birthday are invited to join us as we celebrate your special day! Join us for breakfast and enter for a chance to win some great door prizes! Call ext. 8500 to RSVP.

YMCA Holiday Craft FairSaturday,December3rd(BessemerYMCA)Join the Legacy YMCA for their Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, December 3rd from 9am - 2pm at the Bessemer YMCA. For more information, call (205)426-1211.

Celebrating Accounting Week Monday,December5th-Friday,December8thThank you to the Accounting team members for your hard work and dedication to Medical West. We appreciate you!

Christmas Shopping Day Thursday,December1st(Civic Room)On Thursday, December 1st, stop by the Civic Room from 10am - 2pm to shop with some of our favorite vendors. Cash and credit cards accepted.

Employee Christmas PartyThursday,December8th(Civic Room) Join us for an Employee Christmas Party on Thursday, December 3rd from 2pm - 3:30pm (Day Shift) and 8pm - 9pm (Night Shift) in the Civic Room. Enjoy snacks, fellowship and get your picture taken with Santa!

Senior Care LuncheonFriday,December9th@11am(BessemerCivicCenter)Seniors ages 50+ are invited to our annualSenior Care Christmas Party. Guests will enjoy a free lunch provided by Medical West Food Services and entertainment by the RayReach Trio. To RSVP, please call (205) 996-WEST.

Jingle Bell RunSaturday,December10th@8am(RailroadPark,DowntownBirmingham)Join Medical West for a 5K Run/Walk benefiting The Arthritis Foundation on Saturday, December 10th at Railroad Park. For more information or to sign up, please call Marketing at ext. 8502.

Masquerade Jewelry SaleMonday,December12th-Tuesday,December13th(CivicRoom)Join us for a $5 Jewelry Sale on Monday, December 12th from 7am - 6pm and Tuesday, December 13th from 7am - 4pm. Cash, card and payroll deductions accepted. Proceeds benefit the Medical West Volunteers.

December Birthday Breakfast Thursday,December29th@8:00am(Civic Room) All employees with a December birthday are invited to join us as we celebrate your special day! Join us for breakfast and enter for a chance to win some great door prizes! Call ext. 8500 to RSVP.

November/ DecemberEVENTS CALENDAR

YOURa guide for a healthy YOU brought to you by the Medical West Health Rewards Program

HEALTHHEALTHAB

OUT

CRUN

CH

WELLNESS CENTER

Class sizes are limited, call TODAY to reserve your spot!205.481.7474

JOIN US FOR CRUNCH

FREE TO ATTEND!

30 MINUTE AB AND CORE CL ASS

MEDIC AL WEST WELLNESS CETNER

MONDAY - THURSDAY; 4 :30 p m AND 5 :15 p m

WHAT:

COST:

WHEN:

WHERE:

YOURa guide for a healthy YOU brought to you by the Medical West Health Rewards Program

HEALTHHEALTHThe FTS Glide is one of many fitness equipment machines that The Medical West Wellness Center has available for members to use. The FTS Glide offers resistance training with freedom of motion to increase core strength, balance, stability and coordination. This equipment is designed to sculpt your chest, back, shoulders, arms and abs. Here are 4 exercises you can do on this machine to tone your arms.

The Wellness Center’s Featured Equipment!

1. Bicep CurlsFirst adjust resistance by inserting pin at desired weight and then adjust pulleys to lowest setting. Face away from the unit and grasp a D-ring handgrip in each hand, palms up, arms extended at your side and step forward. Curl both arms up keeping elbows tucked in close to your ribs. Slowly return to start position and repeat this motion for 12 reps, three times.

� � � �

4 Exercises to Toned Arms!!

2. Isolateral Bicep CurlsFace away from the unit and grasp a D-ring handgrip in each hand, palms up, arms extended at your side and step forward. Curl one arm up keeling your elbow tucked in close to your ribs while keeping the other arm extended at your side. Slowly return to starting position and alternate exercise between arms. Repeat this motion for 12 reps, three times.

� � � �

3. Triceps ExtensionsFirst adjust one of the pulleys to the highest setting and clip both straps to it. Face the unit and grasp a D-ring handgrip in each hand with your palms up, hands at chest level and your elbows tucked in close to your ribs. Step backward and extend your arms down keeping your elbows tucked in close to your ribs. Slowly return to start position and repeat this motion for 12 reps, three times.

� � � �

4. Pull UpsGrasp pull-up bar with both hands. Starting in a hanging position, slowly pull your body up so that your head is level with the bar. Return to starting position and repeat this motion for 12 reps, three times.

� � �

To become a member at the Medical West Wellness Center or for more information, call 481-7474.

YOURa guide for a healthy YOU brought to you by the Medical West Health Rewards Program

HEALTHHEALTH

Joint  Statement  on  the  Importance  of  Influenza  Vaccination  for  Health  Care  Personnel  

 Influenza  is  a  serious  illness  that  can  lead  to  hospitalization  and  sometimes  death.      It  is  especially  dangerous  for  those  at  high  risk,  including  the  very  young,  the  elderly  and  those  with  other  chronic  health  conditions  and  compromised  immune  systems.    It  has  been  documented  that  health  care  workers  can  receive  and  transmit  the  flu  virus  to  and  from  their  patients  and  that  annual  vaccination  of  health  care  personnel  is  important  to  preventing  the  spread  of  the  virus,  thus  ensuring  a  safe  environment  for  patients.    Many  of  these  hospitalizations  and  deaths  can  be  prevented  by  the  widespread  use  of  influenza  vaccine,  essentially  “cocooning”  patients  from  potential  flu  transmission  by  health  care  workers.    The  CDC  estimates  that  200,000  Americans  are  hospitalized  each  year  with  the  flu  and  that  deaths  due  to  flu  have  ranged  from  3,000  to  49,000  deaths  annually.    The  following  organizations  have  developed  this  joint  statement  regarding  influenza  vaccination  of  health  care  personnel:      The  Alabama  Department  of  Public  Health  The  Medical  Association  of  the  State  of  Alabama  The  Alabama  Hospital  Association    Recommendation:    All  health  care  personnel  should  receive  the  flu  vaccination  annually  as  soon  as  vaccine  is  available.      This  advice  includes:   o Full  and  part-­‐time  employees   o Staff  and  licensed  independent  practitioners   o Individuals  involved  in  direct  patient  care      As  we  strive  to  provide  the  best  health  care  possible,  let’s  take  this  simple  but  important  measure  to  protect  our  patients!  

   Alabama  Department  of  Public  Health  Thomas  Miller,  M.D.,  State  Health  Officer    

 Medical  Association  of  the  State  of  Alabama  David  Herrick,  M.D.,  President        Alabama  Hospital  Association  David  Spillers,  Chairman

YOURa guide for a healthy YOU brought to you by the Medical West Health Rewards Program

HEALTHHEALTH

source: http://cdc.gov

Get Smart About Antibiotics Week is November 14–20, 2016. This annual observance is intended to engage health care providers, professional societies, advocacy groups, for-profit companies, state and local health departments, the general public, the media, and others in an effort to improve antibiotic stewardship in outpatient, inpatient, nursing home, and animal health settings. During this week, participants will raise awareness of the threat of antibiotic resistance and emphasize the importance of appropriate antibiotic use across all health care settings. Get Smart About Antibiotics Week coincides with the World Health Organization’s World Antibiotic Awareness Week and European Antibiotic Awareness Day (November 18). In addition to the United States and European Union, other participating countries and international organizations include Australia, Canada, and the Pan American Health Organization.

Antibiotic use is the single most important contributing factor to antibiotic resistance in patients. An estimated one third to one half of antibiotic use in humans is either unnecessary or inappropriate in selection, dosing, or duration of treatment. Each year in the United States, 47 million unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions are written in doctors’ offices, emergency rooms, and hospital-based clinics, which makes improving antibiotic prescribing and use a national priority. To prevent further emergence of antibiotic resistance while providing safe, high-quality patient care, antibiotics must be used appropriately. This means prescribing antibiotics only when needed and, if they are needed, using them judiciously and correctly.

Preventing the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant infections and protecting the nation’s health is a CDC priority. CDC has identified four Core Elements of Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship and will release a document on this topic during Get Smart About Antibiotics Week.

Get Smart About Antibiotics Week

HOSPITALYOURBESSEMER HEALTH CENTERHOSPITAL

r e n o v a t i o n s • o u r p a t i e n t s • h o s p i t a l s e r v i c e s • c o m m u n i t y i n v o l v e m e n tServiceAwardsMedical West hosted our annual Service Awards Luncheon on Friday, November 11th where we recognized employees who have 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40+ years of service at Medical West! For more pictures from the 2016 Service Awards Luncheon, check out our Facebook page.

10 YEARS

KarenBowensRebekahBrownKathyCanolesJasonCantrellTracyCarrollCarlChaffinAprilChapmanAprilCheathamEmanuelEberhartAshleyFeaginJenniferFetnerCassieGilreathDemetriosHolmesAmyHubbard

JoeyHubbardOteiaHughleySharonJerniganJackieJohnsonWindyJohnsonAliceKennedyGertrudeLassiterJenneneLoweBrandyLumpkinNaveenMasseyRebeccaMcCainMaryMcKeeverLindseyMorrisNeekaMurry

AmyNolenJerryO'DellBrendanPopeJanettePrattRalphPriceChadSherronChristineSmithEulaSmithSheniquaSmithJenniferWallyAnnettaWilliamsCassandraWilliamsJasonWilloughbyArteliaWright

15 YEARS

MichelleBarberSharonBurroughsSusanEdwardsMandyFranklinDeborahLambert

EmmerettaPippenDebbieSearcyDebraSullivanFayeTodd

PatsyViningBrendaWebbAmyWhiteGingerWilson

20 YEARS

CherylAndersonShelleyBeeryNaomiBillingsleyTywondaHarris

KimHeadrickJohnnieJohnsonVanessaJones

CherylLandefeldDebbieMcCallCindyRobbins

25 YEARS

KayMorrisonLoriSample

RobinSellers KristyWilliams

30 YEARS

ShannonBurns JohnnyMoore RobertaSeals

35 YEARS

RachelBooneJaniceCulpepper

AnetteEscottDoreenHenderson

PriscillaWilliams

40+ YEARS

DonniePinkardJohnnieRobertson LeonTerry

FAMILYYOUR FAMILYmeet your co-worker • employee of the month • bi r thdays • pat on the backs

MeetYourCo-WorkerLorenLong,Food&NutritionServices

Loren Long is a Registered Dietitian and has been with Medical West for over two years. Loren is from Memphis, Tennessee and received her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Masters of Science in Health Promotion from Mississippi State University. Prior to working at Medical West, Loren completed a Dietetic Internship at the VA Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee and worked as a dietitian with the Delicious Dietitian.

FunFactsAboutLorenLong:

1. Ihavebeenmarriedjustover3years

2. Myhusbandhasalawncare/landscapecompany

3. Iamaproudauntof3nephewsand1niece

4. Irancrosscountryandtrackincollege

5. IhavebeenonmissiontripstoBrazil,Guatemala,China,andthe

Philippines

6. Ilovetocook…andeat!

7. Iloveallthingspumpkin!

8. IdoJillianMichael’sRippedin30everymorning

9. IfIwasnotadietitian,Iwouldwanttobeacheforcaterer

10.MyhusbandandIleadabiblestudyatourhouseeachweek…

anyoneiswelcome!

FAMILYYOUR FAMILYmeet your co-worker • employee of the month • bi r thdays • pat on the backs

Raymond Clark, LabRaymond is from Fairfield, AL and will be joining us as a Lab Courier. In his spare time, he enjoys working out.

Allison Gaddy, ORAllison is from Jasper, AL and will be joining us as a Scrub Technician in OR. In her spare time, she enjoys going to concerts and various arts and crafts festivals.

Penny Lake, ERPenny will be joining us as an RN in the ER. She is from Odenville, AL and currently lives on a farm in St. Clair County. She enjoys spending time with her family in her spare time.

Ivory Mack, Patient AccessIvory is from Fairfield, AL and will be joining us as a Patient Access Rep. She is married with two kids, one girl and one boy. In her spare time, she enjoys quality time with her family.

Kelli McFarland, ICTKelli is from Birmingham, AL and will be joining us as a PCT on ICT. She has one son named Cameron who is 20 years old. She enjoys making natural skin care products in her free time.

Awondela Menifee, Patient AccessAwondela is from Birmingham, AL and will be joining us as a Patient Access Rep. She has one daughter and enjoys shopping in her spare time.

Whitney Pace, RadiologyWhitney is from Russellville, AL and will be joining us as a Radiology Technician. She has one brother and enjoys crafting in her free time.

Laura Pollard, ERLaura is from Hoover, AL and will be joining the ER as an RN. She is married to her husband, Josh, and they have two kids, Noah and Zoe. In her spare time, Laura enjoys reading, sewing and hiking.

Lindsay Torri, ERLindsay will be joining our ER as an RN. She is originally from Florence, AL but currently lives in Vance, AL. In her spare time, she enjoys being a baseball mom to her son, Davis.

Bryan Turner, ORBryan is from Vero Beach, FL and will be joining the OR as a PCT. In his spare time, he enjoys camping, fishing and playing basketball.

Sequoi Watters, 6ESequoi is from Selma, AL and will be joining 6E as an RN. She is married with three children. In her spare time, she enjoys going to church and spending time with her family.

MedicalWestWelcomestheNewestMembersofOurFamily!

meet your co-worker • employee of the month • bi r thdays • pat on the backs

FAMILYYOUR FAMILYmeet your co-worker • employee of the month • bi r thdays • pat on the backsMeetADepartment

CelebratingImagingServicesWeek

Medical West Imaging Services Department is comprised of the following departments; Radiology, CT, MRI, Ultrasound, Mammography, Vascular Lab, Nuclear Medicine, Echo, Cath Lab, Neuroscience and Sleep Center. The locations of Imaging Services include the Hospital, Medical West Imaging Center, FED and Clinics.

Imaging Services has 88 employees performing approximately 8500 procedures per month. We take pride in providing high quality imaging for inpatient, outpatient and emergency department patients. Our technologist, nurses, receptionist and transporters all work collaboratively to provide a positive experience for all of our customers.

National Radiologic Technology Week® is celebrated annually to recognize the vital work of Imaging Departments across the nation. The celebration takes place each year during the week that includes Nov. 8 to commemorate the discovery of the x-ray by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen on Nov. 8, 1895.

The week-long celebration calls attention to the important role medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals play in patient care and health care safety.

- Lee Morrison, Imaging Services Director

PatontheBackThe Staff of 4N, recently received a positive comment from a patient and their family.

“I recently completed my second semester clinicals at UAB West and wanted to thank you and your staff for the opportunity to learn and grow at your hospital. The nurses on 4 North were kind and helpful and I greatly appreciate their willingness to allow me to help care for their patients each week. Thank you, again, for sharing your facility and expertise with us. I know I will be a better nurse because of it.”

Thank you to the staff of 4N for making a difference. We appreciate you!

FAMILYYOUR FAMILYmeet your co-worker • employee of the month • bi r thdays • pat on the backs

RehabPTOuting

Mrs. May is the owner of This Olde House in McCalla. She started her business about 30 years ago. Her shop is full of beautiful furniture, jewelry, seasonal items, and trinkets. The shop is open every year from October to May. She had a stroke 10 days before they opened. Her rehab team took her on an outing with family to visit her store and daycare. We had lunch in the tea room (it was quite yummy). The children at the daycare came out to sing to her and her employees and friends enjoyed visiting with her. Her family was thrilled to have her visit. She hopes to be back at the shop after her recovery, but plans to hand over some of the responsibility to her employees.

IfyouhaveaPatontheBackoraspecialfeatureyouwouldliketoseeinournextissue,pleaseemailittocaroline.dahlen@uabmw.org.

Thanks for reading this week’s issue!

EMPLOemployee of the month

Leigh Banks

NOVEMBER 2016

congratulations to leigh banks for receiving our november employee of the month award. leigh exhibits each of the medical west values and we are honored to have her as part of our team. thank you leigh for your

outstanding performance and commitment to medical west!

MEDICAL WESTcongratulates our

M R I

IfyouhaveaPatontheBackoraspecialfeatureyouwouldliketoseeinournextissue,pleaseemailittocaroline.dahlen@uabmw.org.

Thanks for reading this week’s issue!