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As we continue to fulfill our mission of extraordinary care

for every generation, we cannot ignore the significant eco-

nomic obstacles we were able to maneuver around during

fiscal year fiscal year 2013, or the fact that more challenges

are inevitable.

To thrive in this new climate of healthcare reform we have

had to make strategic adjustments to insure that we are

able to continue to be fiscally responsible and at the sametime maintain the utmost level of service to our patients

and their families.

Some of the challenges we faced in FY13 and increating our FY14 budget include:n The recent federal government sequester resulted in a

2% decrease in Medicare reimbursement which means$4.5 million less revenue each year from Medicare.

n Inpatient discharges trended below budget for most ofthe year, which generated $1.8 million less net incomethan anticipated.

n Covenants cost for employee benefits, primarily healthcare, rose by over six percent or $3.5 million.

Due to the actions of Covenant Leadership and hard work

of our employees, we were able to meet the challenges

and steady our course and end the fourth quar

May and June of 2013) we were able to get bac

In spite of these obstacles, Covenant remains fi

commitment to our community and its citizens

Our mission hasnt changed and neither has o

We continue to rank among the top ten perce

pitals nationwide in terms of patient satisfactio

ing the 90th percentile in customer satisfactio

quality ratings as compared to national bench

We will continue to work to find new ways to

financially strong, and maintain a continued fo

quality, customer satisfaction and employee en

Together, we can and we will, work through th

and challenges of healthcare reform.

A key piece of our mission depends

on you. In the 21st century, providing

extraordinary care to every generation

requires our patients and employees

to be actively engaged in decisions

impacting your healthcare.

Thats why we provide MyChart, a

high-tech computerized patient system

that provides you with the tools you

need to take a key role in your health

care, under the guidance and expert

advice of your primary caregiver.

Unfamiliar with the Service? Heres a quickintroductory snapshot of the benefits of MyChart:n It offers 24-hour access to your medical records.

n You can track your medical history, your childs or a parentfor whom you are the care provider (with permission).

n You can request or cancel an appointment, receive remindersfor important annual checkups, renew prescriptions from thecomfort of your home or the convenience of your smartphone .

n You can communicate with your physician about non-

urgent medical questions or test results.

n And,you can research medical conditions or get infmation on healthy living tips and classes available hat Covenant HealthCare.

Its all secure and its a free service.

Recently, Covenant took a step to further improve paaccess to medical records. This month we rolled out aservice offering MyChart to patients in the EmergenCenter. The service will officially be available in Octo

Now you will be able to see your after visit summary

discharge instructions everything you were given electronic form that you received at the hospital.

Getting started is easy. For more information or assisin enrolling in MyChart, see your primary care providIf you have questions, call the MyChart Patient Suppoat 583.6014, Monday through Friday during normal bhours, or email Lori Revard at lrevard@chs-mi.com.

Wed like to hear your thoughts on MyChart. Lets talk

ldren's Center News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

nGelderen Join Cancer Fight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

cer Prevention Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Need You on the Red Carpet! . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

3 Employee Picnic Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . 3

spice Holds Special Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

us on Our Physicians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

by Care 101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

venant Mailbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

ms of Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

utritionServicesstaffkeepthegrill

redupforthehotdogeatingcontest.

Extraordinary care for every ge

August 5,201

From the Desk of Mark Gronda, Chief Financial Officer/VP: MyChart

KEEP THE OPEN LINE OF COMMUNICATION GOING! Please share your thoughts about any topic of concerninterest in the Open Line forum by sending a message to the OpenLine group in Lotus Notes.

We will continue to

work to find new ways

to remain financially

strong, and maintain

a continued focus on

high quality, customer

satisfaction and

employee engagement.

NSIDE THIS ISSUE:

CEO Talks BudgetBy Spence Maidlow, Covenant HealthCare CEO

ovenant employees had a ball at the

013 Employee Picnic. This years theme

was, Take me out to the ball park.

ne of the highlights of this years

icnic was the hot dog eating contest.

ake a look inside on page 3 for

more scenes from the event!

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There are lots of exciting changes happening at the Covenant ChildrensCenter, including a new playground.

The new equipment and landscape is courtesy of a donation from theCovenant HealthCare Foundation.

Members of the Facilities Services department constructed sandboxesand raised bed gardens. Parent Alison Martin donated plants for thegarden, which included watermelon, cantaloupe, popping corn, cherrytomatoes, cabbage, strawberries and more.

I just have to say a GREAT BIG THANK YOU, said Center manager, LynWise. Our deepest gratitude to Carol Cottrell and the Foundation fortheir generosity and many thanks to Alison Martin, Facilities Services,including Jim Brown, Matt Dijak, Dave Worden and Ken Valley for theirhard work on the playground!

She points out that the new playground features allow the students tohave fun while theyre learning and in effect, bring the classroomoutside.

The sandboxes help to develop a childs cognitive skills and theplayground equipment helps develop their gross motor skills, she said.Mrs. Sue, helped the children with planting and they cant wait for theharvest! The playground and gardens look awesome thanks to theefforts of all of these caring people. They have our deepest gratitudeand the children are ecstatic!

There is other exciting news at the Covenant Childrens Center.TheCenter is currently pursuing a quality designation certification through

the Quality Child Care Initiative, endorsed by the Saginaw IntermediateSchool District. As a member of the Quality Child Care Initiative, theChildrens Center is committed to not only meeting state licensingstandards, but to go beyond providing safe and healthy care to alsoproviding care that supports all aspects of a childs development.

To achieve the quality designation, the center, in additionplayground, has purchased new books, educational mategames and a new curriculum. The Center has also made cthe physical environment in each of the classrooms in ordpromote optimal development at each age level. New chand climbers have been purchased, walls have been painrooms rearranged as recommended by the quality guidefree to stop by and check out the many improvements. Itin progress!

The Childrens Center is now accepting enrollment applicaPre-K program and for infants through three years of age. P

3.4130 or 3.4647 for information or to schedule a tour!

2

s Covenant employees, we see cancer affect the lives of

any, including our colleagues. Carmen VanGelderen,

patient Oncology manager and PICC Team manager,

as witnessed the fight against cancer every day, in her

ersonal and professional life. So, she decided to join

e fight and make a difference.

ot only did Carmen enroll in the American Cancer

ociety's Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3), but

he volunteered in the enrollment process as well.

PS-3 is a survey-based study used to find lifestyle,

nvironmental and genetic factors that cause or

event cancer.

When asked why she joined, Carmen responded

uickly, I firmly believe that many of the cancers

at we have diagnosed, especially in the past 10 years,

e related not just to smoking but to other extrinsic

ctors... But her motivation really comes from her

atients; I see day in and day out the medications that

e give and the devastating effects that they have on

e patients. And my firm belief is that, there's got to

e a better way.

Working at Covenant for 12 years, and in her position

r two years, cancer is a large part of Carmen's every

ay, in more ways than one. Both her father and grand-

other died of cancer, directly affecting how she prac-

ced nursing. She hopes that being a part of the study,omewhere along the line, somebody will find another

nnection that will help save somebody else.

With the CPS-3 study enrollment coming to our cam-

uses in August, Carmen encourages other employees

sign up, It's about our future. It's about saving our

ds.

o join Carmen in the fight, visit cancer.org/GLBRcps3

r more information on CPS-3 and enroll for CPS-3

ugust 8 from 2:00 pm - 5:30 pm at Harrison campus

August 13 from 10:00 am- 1:30 pm at Mackinaw

mpus.

Childrens CenterGets New Sandboxes!by Callie Hagen, Covenant Volunteer

Carmen VanGelderenoins the Fight

Against Cancery Hannah Maine, Covenant Volunteer

armen VanGelderen, Inpatient Oncology

Manager and PICC Team Manager

Left to Rightand Aiden Pa

explore the gScott Cozzolia break fromsprinklers to on the slide;

Zitouni jumpwith a hula h

Child Care Rates/Options for Employees

Number of days9 hoursor less

More than9 hours

Sick days/dar ye

2-day (minimum) $80.00 $110.00 0

3-day $115.00 $160.00 3

4-day $150.00 $210.00 4

5-day $185.00 $260.00 5

20% discount for each additional child

Drop-in rate: $5.00 per hour must call morning of for availability

Parents will be billed for the number of days they schedule their childrenany additional days added afterwards).

For Covenant employees who receive an excused absence (EA) at work, ac

will be credited and the day will not count against the childs yearly sick d

Local Hospitals Partner with ACS to EnrollParticipants in Cancer Prevention Study-3by Kristin Knoll, Staff Writer

The American Cancer Society, Covenant HealthCare and

St. Marys of Michigan are asking those who live and

work in the Great Lakes Bay Region to enroll and parti-

cipate in a national research study to help researchers

better understand the lifestyle, genetic and environ-

mental factors that cause or prevent cancer. This year,

people in the Great Lakes Bay Region can join the move-

ment to help create a world with less cancer and more

birthdays by enrolling in the American Cancer Societys

research study called Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3).

Who can join the study?The study is open to anyone in the United States and

Puerto Rico who is willing to commit to the studylongterm which means completing periodic follow upsurveys at home for the next 20-30 years, is between30 and 65 years old, and has never been diagnosedwith cancer (not including basal or squamous cell skin

cancer).

How can you participate?The enrollment process involves two steps. The first steptakes place at home, where participants complete adetailed survey. This survey will ask information onlifestyle, behavioral, and other factors related to health.

The next step takes place at a local enrollment event,where participants will be asked to read and sign aninformed consent, complete a brief written survey, pro-vide a waist circumference measurement and a smallblood sample (similar to a doctors visit, seven (7) tea-spoons total). The blood sample will be taken by a certi-fied, trained phlebotomist. Periodically, participants willreceive a survey at home to update their information.

What more can people do?Bring friends and tell everyone about this historic oppor-

tunity to save lives and be part of cancer prevention in

the local community and across the world. To learn

more, visit cancer.org/cps3 or call 1.888.604.5888.

To register forappointment,www.cancer.o

APPOINTMENAVAILABLE IN

Thursday, Aug

Covenant HeaHarrison Camp1447 N. HarrisoSaginaw, MI 482 pm 5:30 pm

Tuesday, Augu

Covenant HeaCancer Care Ce5400 MackinawSaginaw, MI 4810 am 1:30 p

Thursday, AugSt. Marys of MMain Campus, 800 S. WashingSaginaw, MI 48

9 am 12:30 p

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e talking to YOU! Mark your calendars for Thursday, August 15e Red Carpet Premiere Night as well as our new daytime event:

mpets & Croquet.

e faces of Covenant, it is important you are there to represent ourization, help support the worthy Covenant Foundation beneficiaries,

have a fun night out with co-workers, friends and family.

ovenant employees, you are able to purchase tickets for the Redet Premiere Night at a discounted rate of $80.

mpets & Croquet tickets may be purchased for $35 and tickets mayyroll deducted. This fundraiser is open to everyone and anyone

we encourage all staff and departments to join us! Make sure youAugust 15 off on your schedule ... we want to see you there!

2013 Employee Picnic Highlights

hany Warezak, RN, (white jacket on the left)

Main, Red Carpet Committee Member.

RED CARPET EVENTS!August 15, 2013Ladies on the Links

The exclusive event is for the serious female

golfer. Light breakfast and practice range

begins at 7:30 am at Apple Mountain in

Freeland with a shotgun start at 8:30 am.

Luncheon and awards ceremony following golf.

Crumpets & Croquet

This year, there is a new way to participate in Red Carpet. For those of

you who want to be part of the day time events, but golf is not your

cup of tea, join us for a different cup of tea wearing your most

festive wide brim hat of course! Women will have the chance to enjoy

summer refreshments on the lawn, a round of croquet followed by a

delicious lunch, as well as opportunities to indulge themselves.

Red Carpet PremiereA fun-filled evening of gourmet food and gaming events from 5:30 pm

through 11:00 pm at Apple Mountain in Freeland! Snappy casual dress

for this blockbuster bash of blackjack, with opportunities for auctions,

raffles, door prizes, and more!

August 16, 2013

Premiere Golf Classic

Full breakfast and practice range starts at 8:00 am followed by a shot-

gun start at 9:30 am. Did we mention you can also pick up pointers

while playing with a PGA golf professional at Apple Mountain, a 6,947

yard course with seven miles of continuously paved cart path? Dinner

and awards banquet to follow golf.

For information on tickets, sponsorship opportunities,

or how to participate, please call 3.7604.

Top Row, left to right: CovenVolunteers enjoy the picnic; E

contestants chowed down fo

victory at the hot dog eating

champion. Katie, COTA/L, Phy

Medicine & Rehab, walked aw

with the victory! Bottom Row

to right:Jamie, HR secretary

Jodi, HR Benefits Technician,

manned the Speed Pitch boo

Timothy, Applied Systems pu

best foot-long forward; Thro

right down the middle like a

Attendees launched floating sky lanterns in

301 Hospice patients cared for in the past 13

The James E. Cartwright Care Center creates a hofrom home environment for its hospice patients. O2013 they celebrated the lives of 301 hospice patiein the past 13 months.

The VNA Hospice Rejoice and Remember service the Cartwright Care residence in order to honor a

ber their past year of patients and service. In tune Cartwright Center's year round at-home and persoment, the staff members and volunteers mentionethe 301 patients individually, sharing memories anof hope and encouragement. Music specifically selthe occasion was performed while floating sky lanreleased into the sky, symbolizing the families conand endless memories.

After the organized service, the celebration contiguests were invited to join staff and volunteers stories and memories over refreshments provideVNA Hospice volunteers.

The Cartwright Care Center provides a warm andenvironment that is very personal and specific to evidual patient and the VNA Hospice Rejoice and RService honored the patients and the Center well.

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Red Carpet Admission and RaffleTickets:The 2013 Red Carpet Events aredrawing near, and again this year tickets

to the Premiere, 5:30 to 11 pm Thursday,August 15, are discounted for Covenant

HealthCare employees. Employee tickets cost

only $80, down from the $100 face value.Also, tickets for the new event Crumpets

& Croquet are for sale $35 per person.This event will feature summer refreshments,a round of croquet, lunch and indulgences

for women throughout the day.

Again this year raffle tickets are being soldfor a chance to win outstanding prizes, such

as a $1,000 gift certificate to Art Sample/

Fieges Interiors, $1,000 in cash, $300 in areadining gift certificates and so much more.

Cost is $5 per ticket (or five for $20).

Tickets for the Red Carpet Premiere, Crumpets

& Croquet, and the Red Carpet Raffle will beon sale from 10:30 am 2:00 pm on August 6

and 18. For more information on Red CarpetEvents, please call the Covenant HealthCare

Foundation at 3.7600 or go online to

www.covenanthealthcarefoundation.com.

Farmers Market Moves: Just a fewmore days until the Downtown FarmersMarket leaves its temporary location at the

Saginaw County Health Department, 1600 N.

Michigan. The market is here until August 8.It is open each day from 10 am until 3 pm in

the south end parking lot. Come and purchase

fresh fruits and vegetables along with other

goodies from the Downtown Farmers Market.If you have questions, call 758.3733.

Clinical Pastoral Education(CPE) Graduation Celebration:You are cordially invited to attend agraduation service and luncheon for our CPE

Chaplain Residents: Aaron Alvarez, ConnieLeininger, Caleb Walcott and Tricia Ware. The

service a grateful cele-

bration of their learning, growth, and pastoralcare is on Friday, August 16 in the Cooper

Chapel from 11:00 am to 11:30 am with a

luncheon at Horizons Conference Center at12:30 pm (cost is $12.50 per person). Please

RSVP for lunch to Bonnie at 3-6042 or

bjballard@chs-mi.com by Monday, August 12.

Mandatory TB Shots ThroAugust:It is important that aHealthCare employees, staff anare TB compliant. Those who wtake advantage of the 27 TB clito be TB compliant can visit Emat: 600 Irving, second floor, during scheduled hours:

TB TESTING OnlyTuesdays, 9:00 am - 11:00 am

TB READING OnlyThursdays, 9:00 am -11:00 am.

Currently, Covenant is at 94.16%

with required annual TB testingfor 100% compliancy. Employee

make every effort to become TB

ASAP. Please observe the specifihours so that we may better se

and promote Employee Health

TB testing should be made by aand only when there is no othe

by calling Jennifer Jarabeck at 3

Schultz at 3.4284, Pam Miller atSandy Lorenz at 3.6188.

SpiritualSnackfortheSoul...Letusbegratefultopeoplewho

makeushappy;theyarethe

charminggardenerswhomake

oursoulsblossom.

~MarcelProust

ovenant Connectionsis published the first andhird Mondays of each month for the staff andolunteers of Covenant HealthCare. If you havedeas or submissions on topics that you wouldke to see in future issues of CovenantConnections,lease contact the editor directly.

Shena Camese, Editor989.583.7653 Tel989.583.7667 FaxEmail: SCamese@chs-mi.com

Amy Quackenbush, Assistant Editor,

Graphics & Layout

O V E N A N T

4

Baby Care 101 is now offered in a weekend condensed

version. The Childbirth Education class is traditionally

offered in three week sessions, for two hours each week.

Many parents find it difficult to attend all sessions, and

miss out on important information regarding the care,growth and development of their baby. Therefore, we

are offering a one day weekend class on Saturday,

August 10, 10:00 am -3:00 pm at Covenant Andersen

Lecture Theatre. To register, call 3.4135. If you have any

questions, contact Heidi Churchfield at 3.4503.

Physicianof the Month

he physician of the month in August 2013

Joel Knaack, DOof hospital medicine.

oard certified in internal medicine, he

oined Covenant's Hospital Medicinerogram in October 2009.

omments from patients:

Excellent doctor. AAA+ rating.So caring, warm, and friendly.

Dr. Knaack was a definite plus in mytreatment and care.

Dr. Knaack was excellent. Great inter-personal skills, informative, and courteous.

ongratulations, Dr. Knaack!

Mr.Maidlow,

MynameisCharleneKluckandIaman

RNinSICU.Iwanttosharewithyouthe

extraordinary

carethatwasgiventomyRandy.

OnJune6,2013,mybrotherhaddriven

toSaginawfromSaultSaintMarie,Mic

higantocometo

Covenant.Hestatedthathehadnotbee

nfeelingwellandwouldlikemetobrin

ghimheretobe

seen.FromthetimewearrivedintheEC

C,mybrotherwasveryimpressedwith

thecarethat

hewasreceiving.Dr.DeibelandRNChriskeptusinformedofresultsandPOC

duringthetimeinECC.

MybrotherwasthenadmittedtoHICU#

660.Hewasfoundtobeverycriticallyill.

OnJune12,wedecidedto

removelifesupport.Thisaverydifcul

tdecisiontomake,butwedidnotwanth

imtosufferandhiscondition

wasprogressivelyworsening.Thiswasn

otaneasytimeformyfamilyandme,asI

hadjusthadasisterpass

awaysuddenlyinFloridaonMay25.

Fromthetimeofmybrotherbeingadmitt

edtoHICU,hiscarewasjustextraordina

ry,aswasthesupportformy

familyandmyself.

Iamthankfultoeveryonewhowasinvol

vedinthecareofmybrother.Iwouldlike

tonamesomeofthestaffthat

directlycaredformybrother: Stephani

e,RN, SICU;Whitney,RN,HICU;Erika,R

N,HICU;both7amand7pm

Lori,RN,HICU;Terry,RN,HICU; andJu

lia,NCA,HICU;DebbieDutton,HICUman

agerandDr.Shanawani.Iamso

thankfultoyouallforallthecare,compa

ssionandsupportthatwasgiventomyb

rotherandfamily.Wetrulyknow

thathereceivedthebestcarepossiblewi

ththebestemployees.

Iamtrulythankfultoyouall forallthesup

portthatIhavereceivedatthistime, and

forthesupportthatAudreyRupp

andco-workershavegivenmeinSICUdur

ingthistime.

Sincerely,

CharleneKluck