Great River Friends Offers Scholarships for 2019-2020 ... · “If you’re not first, you’re last.” (Ricky Bobby, “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”) Given a chance,

IVER HEALTH SYSTEM

January 2019

Applications for Great River Friends schol-arships for the 2019-2020 school year are available now. Two types of scholarships are offered to students pursuing health care careers.

Applicants for high school scholarships must be seniors with minimum 3.0 grade point averages. They must live in or attend schools within Great River Health System’s service area (about 60 miles).

Applicants for continuing college student scholarships must have graduated from high schools in Great River Health System’s service area in the last 10 years and have completed at least one year of college. Students in grad-uate school may apply.

Scholarship applications must be post-marked or delivered by Friday, Feb. 15.

Great River Friends is a community of donors and volunteers that supports Great River Health System with the gifts of time, talent and treasure. For more information, please call Volunteer Services at 319-768-3340.

Great River Friends Offers Scholarships for 2019-2020 School Year

Deck the HallGreat River Health System employees, volunteers and friends caroled in the lobby and throughout the hospital Dec. 21.

Pulmonary and Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs Meet Accreditation StandardsGreat River Medical Center’s Pulmonary Rehabilita-tion program has been recertified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Re-habilitation (AACVPR).

Pulmonary Rehabilitation helps people with breathing problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, chronic bronchitis and interstitial lung disease, among other lung problems. With education and support, program participants: • Recover faster• Establish an exercise routine • Improve their quality of life

AACVPR-certified programs are recognized as leaders in the field of cardiovascular and pulmo-nary rehabilitation because they offer the most advanced practices available. Certification is valid for three years.

The medical center’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program also is certified by AACVPR. Cardiac Rehabilitation helps participants strengthen their hearts, learn about heart-healthy living and reduce fear by:• Establishing a personalized exercise program• Learning how to manage their conditions and

prevent other occurrences• Adjusting to the emotions that accompany heart

disease• Getting support services, if needed

Physician referral is required for pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation. For more information, call 319-768-4100.

McLaughlin Named EXCEL Service Hero

Melissa McLaughlin, Hospice, has been named an EXCEL Service Hero. An award cere-mony is scheduled at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7, in Great River Medical Center’s Cafeteria.

Criteria for the service hero award are based on the health systems’ philosophy of care. EXCEL stands for Enthusiastically friendly, X-ceeding expectations, Caring and compassion-ate, Energetic teamwork, and Leadership and professionalism.

McLaughlin’s nominationIn November, Melissa was the on-call nurse for Home Health and Hospice. She came to the hospi-tal for a hospice consultation, and she spent nearly two hours with the patient’s family and caregivers. Because the patient was hours away from end of life, the family chose not to move the patient to the Hospice House, meaning the patient never became a hospice patient, instead stayed at the hospital for his final hours.

When the family was ready to remove the pa-tient’s oxygen, Melissa returned to the hospital at the family’s request to support the them as their loved on passed away. Melissa is a service hero because she went above and beyond for a dying person and the family, although the person wasn’t a hospice patient.

Board member retiresLorrin “Butch” DeBlieck retired from Great River Health System’s Board of Directors in December. Has had served on the board since 2001.

No one likes to think about it, but some babies are born still. At Great River Medical Center, it happens about four times a year. An item procured by a 19-year-old Iowa Wesleyan University student will give grieving parents the gift of time.

In early December, Alexandra Reeves presented a Cuddle Cot to the hospital’s Women and Family Center. It consists of a refrigeration unit attached to a cooling blanket that slows the natural chang-es in the baby’s appearance. The blanket can be placed in a bassinet, which Reeves also donated.

Cuddle Cot was created in the United Kingdom, and it has been available in the U.S. for five years. The Kiwanis Club of Burlington donated $1,000 to help purchase the $3,000 unit.

“Spending time with babies who are born still is an important step in the grieving process,” said Ashlee Barnes, supervisor, Obstetrics Unit. “Having the Cuddle Cot will increase the amount of time parents can spend with the baby, and it will allow family members who live a distance away to see the newborn. It’s a very thoughtful gift.”

Reeves has donated Cuddle Cots to hospitals in Ottumwa and Pella, Iowa. The first was part of a project that helped her earn the Girl Scout Gold Award. It included establishing the Iowa Chapter of Forever Angels, an organization that creates burial gowns and pouches for infants made from donated wedding dresses. Reeves donated several gowns to the Women and Family Center.

Great River Medical Center also provides sets of flannel diapers, hats and mini-blankets donated by the Teeny Tears organization. One set is for the baby; the other is for the family. With permission, obstetrics staff create plaster casts of babies’ feet and provide a shadowbox for them and other mementos.

The hospital participates in the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep program in which professional photographers take portraits of stillborn infants. Remembrance photography is provided at no cost families.

Hospital Gets a Cuddle CotDonation gives grieving parents gift of time

Obstetrics Unit nurses accept a Cuddle Cot donated by Iowa Wesleyan College student Alexandra Reeves, third from left.

Casual day, school donations top $13,000Great River Health System employees donated $12,108 through casual day contributions in 2018. On designated Fridays, employees may wear jeans to work in exchange for $2 casual day stickers.

The money was given to about 20 organizations and services, including:• Alzheimer’s Association• Bridges Out of Poverty• Burlington Homeless Shelter• Great River Friends• Home Haven Development Center

Nearly $1,100 was donated in two casual days and in a Cafeteria donation box for the Burlington Community School District and West Burlington Independent School District. The money will be used to fulfill student needs through school nurses or social workers. Employees also donated hats, mittens, coats and other winter gear to the schools.

United Way pledges top $80,000Great River Health System employees and medical staff pledged to donate $83,000 through payroll deduction to Burlington/West Burlington United Way in the coming year. It’s the first time pledges have topped $80,000.

Through the local United Way, donations help fund 13 local health care and human service agen-cies that provide programs for area residents. Last year, more than 50,000 people in a 40-mile radius of Burlington received assistance.

Don’t let go of that New Year’s resolution to have a healthier lifestyle. We have your back. Commit to Fit is a 12-week program that will guide you in:• Trying new things in the gym• Finding fitness friends• Learning about nutrition• Doing interval training

Completed tasks will be tracked on a bingo-style card, and winners will be determined using a points system

Feb. 4 to April 27Register by Monday, Jan. 7$32 Health Fitness members / $40 nonmembers*

*No enrollment fee if you join Health Fitness in January!

Get more information by calling 319-768-4191

EventsGroup Diabetes Classes2:30 to 4:30 p.m. MondaysBeginning Jan. 7

10 a.m. to noon ThursdaysJan. 24

First Friday ShareA support program for people who have experi-enced the loss of a loved one.

5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4Friday, Feb. 1Great River Hospice House Stroke Support Group10 to 11 a.m.Wednesday, Jan. 16Blackhawk Room

Prenatal Classes

Childbirth Prep4-week series6:30 to 9 p.m.Beginning Thursday, Jan. 3Great River Medical CenterRegistration is required.

Big Brother, Big Sister9:30 to 11 a.m.Saturday, Jan. 5Great River Medical Center Registration is required.

Prenatal Breastfeeding Class6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29Great River Medical CenterRegistration is required.

Baby-Care Basics6:30 to 9 p.m.Thursday, Jan. 31Great River Medical CenterRegistration is required.

Childbirth Prep(condensed version)9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Saturday, Feb. 2Great River Medical CenterRegistration is required.

CPR for Infants and Children (non-certified)6:30 to 8:30 p.m.Tuesday, Feb. 5Great River Medical CenterRegistration is required.

LetterThank you so much for the gifts cards to benefit the Southeast Louisa Food Pantry in Wapello. Each year, we use the money you raised for our Christmas bags, which is in addition to our usual distribution of meal items during the month. Your generosity provides a Christmas meal for our cli-ents and seven Louisa County veterans.

Kathy Barrick

Casual daysJan. 4 Honor FlightJan. 18 Des Moines County Humane Society

A free educational series Session 1:

The Effects of Exercise and Aging

Speaker:Michael DeFranco, MD

Orthopaedic SurgeonShoulder and Sports Medicine Specialist

Great River Orthopaedic Specialists

5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31Blackhawk Room – Lower level, Wellness Plaza

1401 W. Agency Road, West Burlington

Register HERE by Tuesday, Jan. 29.

EMPLOYEEPROFILEPam GustafsonCoordinator, Business ServicesFamily Medicine

Start date:August 2005

What a typical day looks like for me:Here are a few things I do: Find coverage for people who have called in sick, code invoices for payment, coordinate time off requests for employees, enter pay-roll, manage providers’ monthly call schedules, submit documentation for veterans’ appointments and “put out fires” throughout the day. I love my job!

What I wanted to be when I grew up:A veterinarian

Hometown / Where I live now:Burlington

Family:• Husband – Scott, my high school sweetheart• Tyler, 27, daughter-in-law, Courtney, and 11-month

old granddaughter, Peyton• Nick, 26• Dog, Zoey

Things I enjoy:Playing with my granddaughter, going on vacation with our best friends, walking and sitting on the beach, and reading

My mentors:My mom and dad – hard-working people who made sure their five children had everything they needed before getting things for themselves

People would be surprised to know:I got my first tattoo at 57!

My motto or mantra:YOLO (You Only Live Once)

My favorite line from a movie or television show:“If you’re not first, you’re last.” (Ricky Bobby, “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”)

Given a chance, I would be this person for a day:A racecar driver

Who I root for:Iowa, Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears

The most recent app I’ve downloaded:Youversion, a Bible app

Hidden talent:If I tell you, it wouldn’t be hidden!

My biggest achievement:My sons! My husband and I are proudest when people tell us our boys are very nice young men who shake hands and treat people with respect!