Mike's Musings

As we prepare to begin our new fiscal year on Friday, let's all reflect on the good things that we accomplished during our 2003-2004 fiscal year and commit to doing that same good and more in our 2004-2005 fiscal year. 

Our healthcare system is made up of many dedicated and qualified Associates, nurses, doctors and technologists ø all of whom do a wonderful job of working together to make a difference in the lives of our patients and their families.  Let's keep up the good work as we make the new year our best ever!

Mike Jackson

October observed as National

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

All facilities within the Ephraim McDowell Health system are observing October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the following activities: 

Pink Ribbons

Pink ribbons will be distributed for all Associates to wear during the month to help raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection.  Pink ribbons will also be available at most facilities for the public. 

Memory Tree

Memory tree displays will be set up in the lobbies at EMRMC, Russell County Hospital and Fort Logan Hospital.  Individuals may honor or remember a loved one who has been touched by cancer by writing their name on a pink slip of paper (provided at the display) and taping it to the tree.

Subway Fund-raiser

Subway restaurants in Danville, Harrodsburg and Lancaster are teaming with the Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation to raise funds for the Central Kentucky Cancer Program.  Each Tuesday in October, 10 percent of sales will be donated to the Foundation.  The four restaurants are also selling paper ribbons for a $1 donation.

Staff Accolades

Steve Davis, a radiologic technologist at Russell County Hospital, has completed a 12-month program to be certified as an ultrasound sonographer through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. 

Crystal Miller, who works in the laboratory at Russell County Hospital, has passed the registry exam for medical laboratory technologists offered through the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

Ephraim McDowell Diagnostic Center

Southtown Center, located at 101 Daniel Drive in Danville, has changed its name to Ephraim McDowell Diagnostic Center.  The new name reflects the comprehensive diagnostic services provided there, including Open MRI, mammography, X-ray, bone densitometry, EKG, holter monitoring and laboratory services.  In January, a new 16-slice CT scanner will be available at the Diagnostic Center, which also houses Behavioral Health Outpatient Services.

Two new physicians at EMRMC

Dr. Matthew A. Graves, whose specialty is pediatrics, has joined the staff of Danville Pediatrics.

Dr. Yasmeen Q. Imran, whose specialty is internal medicine, is joining the practice of Enlow & Shahzad Associates in Medicine.  She will begin seeing patients October 4.

Mission and Values

By Tim Noel, Chief Mission Officer 

One of my favorite authors, Frederick Buechner, describes vocation as Òthe place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.Ó  What we are doing in this little corner of the world certainly meets the second aspect of that definition, because every one of us contributes to the meeting of a profound need in the world.  My hope for you is that the meeting of that need also brings you great joy.  The work is hard, to be sure; it is made easier if we can do it with Òdeep gladness.Ó 

Sharon Dailey is new

CCU director at EMRMC

Sharon Dailey, R.N. has been named director of the Critical Care Unit and 5T at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center.  She will assume her duties October 4.  Sharon joined EMRMC in July 1996 as a staff nurse on 3W and most recently was admission nurse.  She is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University.

United Way Chili Challenge at EMRMC

The United Way RED team is challenging the BLUE and WHITE teams to a Chili Challenge on October 4 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Private Dining Room.  Associates who contribute to United Way at the participant level and above will judge the entries and vote for three awards: 

bowl-licking good (best flavor), too hot to handle (hottest) and unique way (most unique ingredient/taste).  Associates may also participate in the judging by making a one-time donation of $5 to United Way.

Depression Screenings 

Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center is offering free depression screenings on Thursday, October 7, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the McDowell Room.

Tooting Our Own Horn

Congratulations to the following departments at each facility that received a perfect 100 percent score to the question ÒWould you return for care?Ó for August 2004: 

EMRMC:  3E, 5T, 6T (OB and WH), TCU, Outpatient Behavioral Health, Pain Management Center, physical therapy and speech therapy in Outpatient Rehab Services; Outpatient - X-ray, mammography, CT scan, MRI, cardiovascular, ultrasound, cardiac cath. and nuclear medicine. 

Fort Logan:  OB and Non-OB inpatient services, ambulatory surgery and all outpatient services (laboratory, X-ray and mammography) 

Russell County:  Inpatient services, ambulatory surgery  and all outpatient services (physical therapy, mammography, laboratory, X-ray, CT and ultrasound) 

Health Resource:  McDowell Wellness Center, North Garrard Family Medical Center, Homestead Family Medicine, Stanford Medical Park and Danville Family Physicians

More capital money for EMH

All parts of the EMH system have shared in reduced capital budgets in recent years.  Due to a lot of hard work by Associates, we have turned the corner from the fiscal year 2003 loss of $4 million and project a positive net income this year, while less than budgeted.  During our new fiscal year, we intend to spend more on capital equipment.  The capital budgets for our three hospitals and all other entities are greater for fiscal year 2005 than the current fiscal year.  At EMRMC, we are investing $6 million in state-of-the-art technology that will enhance the care provided to patients.  The investment includes: 

á          Nearly $3 million in MRI equipment, including the Open MRI that opened in July at the Diagnostic Center and a new 1.5 Tesla magnet MRI that will become operational in mid-October at the Medical Center

á          A new 16-slice CT scanner, costing nearly $1 million, to be located at the Diagnostic Center

á          Picture Archiving Communication System, valued at approximately $2 million and expected to be operational next April

á          Talk Technology, costing $200,000, for transcribing radiology reports, anticipated to be operational by late October

Upcoming United Way events

October 7 - CEO Clark Taylor will dye his beard either blue and white or black and gold, depending on which colors receives the most ÒvotesÓ (donations to United Way)

 October 8 - EMRMC will wrap up this year's campaign with a party in the Private Dining Room from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.  One lucky Associate with the highest bid in a Silent Auction will earn the privilege of shaving Clark's beard. 

October 9 - Fort Logan Hospital will kick off their campaign with a Motorcycle Run.

Want to lose weight?

The next HMR¨ Weight Management class at McDowell Wellness Center begins October 12.  Learn more about this 12-week program and how it can help you lose weight at a one-hour orientation session, held each Monday at 5 p.m. or each Thursday at noon.  An orientation will also be at Danville Family Physicians on Sept. 30 at 6 p.m.  Associates may purchase HMR meal replacements without joining the program.  Call 936-9355 for more details.