McLeodNews-Dec-Jan2011

McLeodnewsDeCeMBeR 2010/JAnUARY 2011

c a r i n g i n t e g r i t yp e r s o n q u a l i t y

A project that took almost two years to complete has totally changed the way the Laboratory works at McLeod Regional Medical Center, as well as the way it is laid out. And the management and staff there are calling the change an overwhelming success, creating what they are calling “a culture of teamwork.”

Following the “lean” strategy that is beginning to be commonplace around McLeod for problem-solving, a com-mittee of four team members in the Laboratory took the lead on the project, after applying for the position and be-ing chosen by Sandra Bridgers, the Laboratory’s Administrative Director.

They were Teresa Norton, a medi-cal technologist and assistant manager of the Laboratory Information Systems; Lawanda Evans, a phlebotomist; Mary Brackett, a medical laboratory technician; and Steven Blue, a medi-cal technologist. Specifically chosen because they are not supervisors, the “lean team” worked with consultants from ValuMetrix, a “lean” division of

Johnson and Johnson, and architects from Design Strategies.

Although the process was difficult and long, the result is a “wonderful thing,” says Bridgers. “It was a horrible incon-venience for everyone. The staff did great under conditions that were unbe-lievable, but it was worth it in the end.”

Besides standardizing work proce-dures, the project included taking down walls and opening up work areas. “The renovation of the Laboratory got rid of islands and spaces that isolated instru-mentation and people,” Bridgers said.

“We are a better team because we removed barriers. Now you can see what’s going on. It’s much easier to work together, and you can see when someone needs help.”

The four members of the “lean team” managed the project in four phases. Dif-ferent areas of the Laboratory were relo-cated within the existing space and had to be continually operational. Diagnostic work for patients could not be discon-tinued or postponed during renovations.

They conducted detailed Rapid Improvement Events that included video-taping the work of staff members to doc-ument the steps required in processing samples of blood and other body fluids. They used stopwatches to time each process and drew maps that showed the path that the samples took in the Laboratory and how staff members moved around from station to station.

“Everything was data driven,” said Teresa Norton. “If we thought we would get a reduction in turnaround time by doing ‘X,’ we wanted to test it. We would look at the numbers. Does this change make it better or worse?”

One of the processes that was exam-ined was the turnaround time on what the Laboratory staff calls the “morning run.” Most blood samples for inpatients are drawn in the early morning so that results are available for physicians as they start seeing patients.

Because of their studies, the team

(Please turn to page 3)

Members of the “lean team” in the Laboratory at McLeod

Regional Medical Center led a project that has transformed

its physical layout and the way team members work.

They are (L to R) Teresa Norton, Mary Brackett, Steven

Blue, and Lawanda Evans. Although change of that

magnitude was difficult, team members have had positive

reactions to the changes and are supportive of ongoing

improvements.

Morale high for clinical effectiveness changesLaboratory completes two-year project

McLeod news l Dec. 2010/Jan. 2011Page 2

McLeod Newsis published by

McLeod Marketing / Public Information.

Celia Whitten, editor (777-2695 or [email protected])

Sidney Glass, photographer

www.McLeodHealth.org or www.mrmc.McLeodHealth.org

service The Value of the Person

Courtesy

Aesop, the famous Greek slave and writer of fables, once said, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Michael Worthy and Mac and Lee Gandy, volunteers at the McLeod Hospice House, have made that idea their motto.

For a year, Michael, Mac, and Lee have served the patients at the McLeod Hospice House in their own unique way — by baking cookies. (The boys also are connected to the Hospice House through their mothers, who work there.)

Michael, son of Ray and Pam Worthy, is a seventh-grader at Sneed Middle School. He began volunteering at the McLeod Hospice House a year ago, baking and distributing warm cookies to the patients and their families.

“My favorite part about volunteering at the Hospice House is making the cookies for the patients,” he said. “It’s a comfort to them. It soothes their hearts. The warm cookies make the patients feel at home.”

Mac and Lee, sons of Tag and Michelle Gandy, admired Michael’s work at the Hospice House and decided to help make cookies for the patients.

Mac is an eighth-grader at Southside Middle School. He loves bringing joy to patients. “When I pass out the cookies, I feel like I am really making a difference in the patients’ lives,” he said.

Lee, a sixth-grader at Briggs Elemen-tary School, finds fulfillment in the hap-piness the cookies bring to the patients. “My favorite part about volunteering here is making each patient happy,” he said.

These boys have seen how a simple act can transform lives, leaving lasting impressions on McLeod Hospice House patients and family members.

Last summer, Ellen Hearne, Associate Vice President of Medical Services, witnessed the service of these boys first-hand. Her father, Joe Abbott, was admitted to the McLeod Hospice House in mid-July after enduring nearly four years of bladder cancer and three surgeries.

Before he arrived at the Hospice House, Mr. Abbott’s nausea prevented him from eating at regular intervals, and he had little or no appetite. A few days after Mr. Abbott’s arrival, Lee came into his room with a plate of warm chocolate-chip cookies.

Mr. Abbott called him over to the bed and asked, “Are you being good?” When

Lee told him “Yes,” Mr. Abbott said, “That’s good, because God is watching you.”

He then took two cookies and a glass of milk and enjoyed them with Ellen. A week

later, on July 26, Mr. Abbott passed away. Lee’s act of kindness not only gave Mr. Abbott such pleasure in his final days but also gave Ellen a precious memory of sharing cookies and milk with her father.

Serving others, in great or small ways, should be our top priority because, as Aesop said, all acts of service and kind-ness are cherished.

At McLeod, our vision is to be “The Choice for Medical Excellence.” That vision begins with service excellence, in which a friendly smile, a kind word in the hallway, or a warm greeting all reflect a servant’s attitude.

Each day, we have the opportunity to fulfill our vision by demonstrating acts of service to patients, their family members, and visitors. Therefore, like Michael, Mac, and Lee, we should each find our own unique ways to serve.

Thank you, Michael, Mac, and Lee, for being exemplary stewards of service to our McLeod Hospice House patients and family members.

­—­Meredith­Mahon,­Coordinator­of­Publications,­

Quality­and­SafetyStory contributed by Ellen Hearne, Associate Vice President, Medical Services

Hospice house volunteers (L to R) Lee Gandy, Mac Gandy, and Michael Worthy meet in the Hospice House kitchen with Ellen Hearne of Medical Services where they prepare fresh cookies for patients and family members. The boys’ special treat meant a lot to Hearne last summer when she was able to share cookies with her father while he was a patient.

Simple act transforms patients’ lives

McLeod news l Dec. 2010/Jan. 2011

Awards and Recognition

Page 3

Jenny HardeeNursing AdministrationMcLeod Medical Center DarlingtonAwarded McLeod Merit Award,September 14, 2010

Ruby HodgesVolunteer AuxiliaryMcLeod Medical Center DillonAwarded McLeod Merit Award,November 10, 2010

Betty CollinsVolunteer Auxiliary

McLeod Medical Center DillonAwarded McLeod Merit Award,

November 10, 2010

Jill NelsonVolunteer AuxiliaryMcLeod Medical Center DillonAwarded McLeod Merit Award,November 10, 2010

Mary Frances TylerVolunteer Auxiliary

McLeod Medical Center DillonAwarded McLeod Merit Award,

November 10, 2010

changed some staffing schedules and processing procedures to streamline the workload and get the results to patient charts by 7 a.m. “We had only about 80 percent done by 7, but we’re up to 95 to 100 percent now,” Norton said.

Turnaround times for tests are posted every day so that staff can see how they are doing — where they are meeting goals and where they need improvement.

Improvements continue through new processes that were put in place. Supervisors circulate through the department and can tell more easily when team members need help and whether they are working according to standardized proce-dures. A bulletin board features improvement suggestions that staff make. These suggestions are reviewed weekly by super-visors who initiate studies and post the status of the change.

Supplies are stored with inventory cards so that they can be ordered appropriately, without a lot of extra inventory taking up storage space. Maintenance and calibration of the Laboratory’s instruments are now done at night on the third shift when the workload for processing samples is less busy.

“The instruments are ready for the heaviest workload in the morning,” said Terry Bailey, a medical technologist who serves on the advisory board.

Collection trays used by phlebotomists to collect samples have been standardized with the same supplies. As part of their “standard work,” phlebotomists re-stock the trays at the end of their shift for those coming in on the next shift.

Work stations are standardized with diagrams that show where equipment should be placed, and notebooks show the steps required for running tests, if questions arise.

Evelyn Derry, a medical technologist who used to work in the Hematology section, now works in the Core Laboratory, where the Hematology and Chemistry section have been

Before its lean renovation, the Lab at McLeod Regional Medical Center was dark and closed in (top photo). By removing walls, the Lab is brighter and has now been opened up so that every-one can see what is going on and who needs help to prevent

work backlogs. Work stations in the center of the room can easily be moved to new arrangements, and places for instru-ments, equipment, and supplies have been laid out and labeled (bottom).

Laboratory lean project(continued from page 1)

blended together. She really likes the changes that have been made. “Being able to make suggestions makes you feel like you’re actually a part of it,” she said. “They always give a response to your suggestion.”

Derry likes the openness of the space, being able to work with other team members, and upgrading her skills. “I like having the opportunity to do something different,” she said. “I can use skills that I learned (in school) but didn’t get to use on a regular basis. Now I can use them more often.”

After re-organizing and renovating the Laboratory, team members were surprised to learn that they were no longer crowded. “In fact, we ended up with extra work space,” Bridgers said. “We will be able to utilize that space for ad-ditional testing.

“The renovations have improved morale,” she said, “because we have such a better work environment.”

McLeod news l Dec. 2010/Jan. 2011Page 4

News BriefsAs part of our continued growth and enhancement

to McLeod services for our patients, Ravenel street has become a one-way street on the campus of McLeod Regional Medical Center. This change means that only one-way traffic will be allowed entry from Cheves Street to the west side of the McLeod campus. see adjacent map for the specific route that will be allowed.

During the current phase of construction of the west Parking Deck, employees, patients, physicians, and visitors will be able to enter the McLeod campus from Cheves street on Ravenel street. However, drivers who normally exit McLeod property on Ravenel street will need to use Evans Street, Griffin Street, or John Street as their exit route.

To view a more-detailed campus map, visit http://www.mcleodhealth.org/PDF/McLeodCampusMap.pdf.

Parking deck construction affects Ravenel Street traffic patterns

The Mammography Department at McLeod Medical Center Darlington recently received a perfect score on its Federal Mammography Quality Standards Act inspection by the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control. The hospital’s Mammography Department has also been awarded a three-year term of accreditation by the American College of Radiology.

“Receiving a score of 100 percent on our recent inspection of the Mammography Department is an honor for McLeod Darlington,” said Traci Hubbard, Director of Radiology. “This perfect score indicates that we have an excellent staff here in the Mammography Department. Our staff strives daily to provide the best patient care and deliver the highest qual-ity images possible to the region and our community.”

Inspector Joylin Davis of SC DHEC commended McLeod

Darlington for the friendly, professional assistance provided by the staff during the inspection. “I enjoy coming to the McLeod Darlington facility because the quality control and documentation is always in perfect order and easily acces-sible,” she said.

“A major part of the MQSA survey is the review of the documentation for our mammography equipment, which is handled by the Mammography staff,” Hubbard said. “They have performed an excellent job and should be applauded for their outstanding performance this past year.”

This is the ninth consecutive year that the Mammography Department of McLeod Darlington has received a score of 100 percent. “I would like to congratulate Lynette Griffin and Keisha Andrews on a job well done,” Hubbard said. “I appreciate the dedication and hard work that they give each and every day.”

In 2008, McLeod Darlington installed a digital computed radiography reader at the hospital. The CR digital reader offers the benefits of digital mammography to women in the area. Instead of traditional film processing, the CR digital reader provides the medical center with digital film processing.

Digital mammography holds many benefits — extremely clear and detailed images with improved contrast and signifi-cantly less time required to process the images compared to traditional film imaging. The digital image also administers a lower radiation dose, and digital mammography may detect some lesions which could be missed by a conventional film system.

Staff of the medical center also benefit from the ability to store and send digital images electronically, which cannot be lost or misplaced.

In addition to offering digital technology, McLeod Darlington continues to get women in and out of the facility for an annual mammogram in less than 30 minutes.

Lynette Griffin (L) and Keisha Andrews of the Mammography Department at McLeod Darlington are celebrating their most recent perfect score on their accreditation inspection. They have received a 100 percent score for nine years in a row.

Darlington mammography gets perfect score

McLeod news l Dec. 2010/Jan. 2011

MCLeoD VALUes in ACTion

Page 5

THE VALuE OF

Caring

New officers for the Volunteer Auxiliary at McLeod Medical Center Dillon were installed at the group’s annual meeting. Serving in leadership roles for the upcoming year will be Beth Rouse, President; Patti McInnis, Vice President; Christine Carmichael, Treasurer; and Linda Dutton, Secretary. Thelma Ann Burns and Jan Austin will serve as Directors. The meeting was held November 10 at Twin Lakes Country Club in Dillon.

Through its volunteer efforts, Hospital Auxiliary members promote McLeod Dillon. They operate the Pink Dogwood gift shop and give of their time at hospital functions.

Support by the Volunteer Auxiliary provides items that

Dillon volunteers elect new officers

McLeod Dillon Administrator Debbie Locklair (R) congratulates

new officers of the Volunteer Auxiliary. They are (front, L to R)

Beth Rouse, President; Patti McInnis, Vice President; Linda Dutton,

Secretary; Thelma Ann Burns, Director; Jan Austin, Director; and

Christine Carmichael, Treasurer. Dillon members Terri Holliday

(back, L) and Betty Stout, who are officers in the state auxiliary,

also congratulated the new leaders.

Outgoing members of the Community Advisory Board at McLeod Medical Center Dillon were thanked by Administrator Debbie Locklair (center). They are (L to R) Roger Sloan, Brenda Arnette, Dan Bozard, and John Braddy.

improve the hospital experience for both patients and their family members. Proceeds from the gift shop and annual fundraisers have been used to purchase medical equipment and other items that enhance patient care for McLeod Dillon. Auxiliary members have established a scholarship fund to encourage deserving individuals in Dillon County to further their education in health-related careers.

During the past five years, the Volunteer Auxiliary has raised almost $60,000 for various projects. This year, they generously pledged $25,000 to the “One Vision, One Future” campaign for the Emergency Department expansion.

McLeod news l Dec. 2010/Jan. 2011Page 6

MCLeoD VALUes in ACTion

THE VALuE OF

Person

Clinical departments were busy from July to September trying to raise their patient satisfaction scores. That hard work resulted in excellent care for our patients as well as recognition of those efforts. Professional Research Consultants, the company with which McLeod contracts for patient satisfac-tion surveys, compares results quarterly and annually and presents awards that reflect improvements.

The Striving for Excellence Award was presented to NICU, whose director is Jeanie Elmore. For supporting the needs of patients and staff in the NICu unit, the Striving for Excellence Partner Award went to Respiratory Care, under the leadership of Kay Davis.

The Medical/Renal unit 4 East,

under the direction of Catherine Godwin, received the Breakthrough Service Award. Living the Values awards went to Children’s Hospital, under the leadership of Linda Pate, and to the staff of McLeod Dillon, led by Debbie Locklair. The Cultivating Loyalty Award went to Oncology Services, managed by Pam Elliott.

Striving for Excellence AwardDuring the past quarter, NICU

achieved a score of 77.8 percent, with patients answering “excellent” to the overall quality of care question, an 18 percent increase. This score shows that they care for not only the clinical needs but also the emotional needs of their customers, with nearly 8 out of 10 of

their customers saying that the quality of care here is excellent.

NICu moved above the 60th percen-tile nationally, when compared to similar nursing units at more than 300 other hospitals in the PRC database.

Striving for Excellence Partner Award

This award goes hand-in-hand with the first award. It is given to the depart-ment that has contributed to the success of the team receiving the Striving for Excellence Award.

“There is one group we couldn’t live without, and that’s the Respiratory Therapy team,” said NICu director Jeanie Elmore. “They are absolutely outstanding. When we have a pre-term

Showing off their PRC patient satisfaction awards are (L to R) Pam Elliott of Oncology Services, Catherine Godwin of 4 East, Debbie Polson of Respiratory Care, Jeanie Elmore of NICU, and Linda Pate of the Children’s Hospital.

Patients recommending McLeodto their family and friends

McLeod news l Dec. 2010/Jan. 2011 Page 7

MCLeoD VALUes in ACTion

THE VALuE OF

Quality

Striving for Excellence Award Team that improved overall quality of care nicuStriving for Excellence Partner Award Team that contributed to success of Respiratory Care team winning striving for excellence Award Breakthrough Service Award Team with the most improvement 4 East/Medical/Renal in percent of patients ranking the hospital as 9 or 10Living the Values Award Team with highest combined ranking Children’s Hospital on 4 questions that address Value of Person McLeod Dillon Cultivating Loyalty Award Team with greatest contribution to overall 5 East/Oncology performance in patient loyalty

baby in delivery, a respiratory therapist is right there, working side-by-side with the doctor and nurse.

“They are able to help us meet our best-practice goal of getting the patient to the NICu within 12 minutes, because the therapists are right there to immedi-ately intubate and begin medications to enhance the baby’s lung functions.”

Breakthrough Service AwardThe Breakthrough Service Award

is based on a question required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Patients are asked to rate their hospital on a scale of zero to 10. The award goes to the McLeod department with the most improvement in the percent of their patients who rank the hospital as a 9 or 10. Based on their patients’ experiences from the previous quarter, 4 East had a 14.3 percent increase in the hospital’s rating score, with nearly 8 out of 10 patients rating McLeod as the “Best Possible Hospital.”

Living the Values AwardIn the survey, patients are asked if

doctors, nurses, and staff consistently demonstrate courtesy, consideration, respect, friendliness, understanding, and caring, qualities that figure into the Value of the Person.

Children’s Hospital had a com-bined national ranking above the 80th

percentile. In fact, 96 percent of their patients reported that both the doctors and nurses always treated them with courtesy and respect.

In addition, McLeod Dillon was pre-sented the Living the Values award at the staff Mission Awareness Day retreat. They received recognition for improving the customer experience. Their scores in the “Would Recommend” question in-creased 11 percent to an all-time high of 77.5 percent of patients answering “Yes, Definitely.”

Cultivating Loyalty AwardNothing speaks to a quality experi-

ence better than loyal patients whose experience was so positive that they are eager to tell their friends and family that McLeod is the best. That’s why the Likelihood-to-Recommend questions are such important indicators of the patient perspective. These two scores are combined to create the Cultivating Loyalty Award.

Oncology Services made the greatest contribution to our overall per-formance in patient loyalty. Oncology Services achieved a score of 85.5, with nearly 9 out of 10 of their patients say-ing that they will definitely recommend McLeod Health to others.

McLeod Dillon teams members share in the excitement of receiving the Living the Values Award. They are (L to R) Rachel Gainey of Public Information/Communications, Madge Hamer of the Lab, Kathryn Arnette of Security, Loretta Lambert of the Pharmacy, and Cindy Causey of Human/Mission Services.

McLeod news l Dec. 2010/Jan. 2011Page 8

MCLeoD VALUes in ACTion

THE VALuE OF

integrity

Even with gift-buying season here, almost 500 team members at McLeod Health are having an easier time with their family budgets this year.They have graduated from Financial Peace university at McLeod and are experiencing more than $1.5 million in personal financial improvement.

To expand this benefit to more people, McLeod is now offering several options, including the ever-popular traditional weekly classroom-based program, alternating Saturday sessions, and new “blended-learning option” sessions. Those alternatives are great

l You and your spouse both want to participate in the Financial Peace course and are available weeknights. The classroom-based evening program is the most popular and may be right for you.

l You work evening shift and every other weekend but really want to improve your finances. Alternating Saturdays or the blended-learning mid-day program may be right for you.

l You’ve not signed up for McLeod Financial Peace because your spouse is not available to attend during the traditional program times, and you want him/her to take the course with you. You may want to try the Alternating Saturdays program.

l You’ve not signed up for McLeod Financial Peace because child care or scheduling has been a challenge for you. The blended-learning option provides the flexibility you need to complete the program and change your financial future!

Still not sure if Financial Peace University is right for you? Call the Human Resources Service Center at 777-2595 for information on participating in the first session without any obligation to enroll or continue the remainder of the program.

Which Financial Peace program is right for you?

Evening classes Saturday mornings Daytime blended learning

2-hour sessions;meets weekly

4-hour sessions; meets every other week

45-minute sessions;meets weekly *

Tuesday evenings, 6-8 pm, Florence

Alternating saturdays,8 am-12 noon, Florence

wednesdays, 12:15-1 pm, Florence

Jan. 18-April 12 Jan. 8-April 2 Jan. 12-April 13

* High-speed internet required to access videos in the blended-learning option.

for anyone with scheduling difficulties!Financial Peace classes consist of 13

basic lessons teaching you how to make your money work for you! Principles are taught through viewing videos by radio talk-show host and best-selling author Dave Ramsey, followed by confidential,

non-invasive, small-group discussions led by McLeod trained facilitators.

In the evening program, you will view and discuss one lesson per class. On alternating Saturdays, you will cover two lessons.

The new blended-learning option allows you to watch the video lessons at home with your family through online streaming video. You will then come together with other participants for weekly workshops to discuss the material and get questions answered by one of the McLeod facilitators.

The best part is that Financial Peace university is being offered free of charge to eligible McLeod employees who graduate (attendance at discussion times is required). If you have to miss a session due to a planned vacation, illness, or work schedule conflict, your facilitator will work with you to provide opportunities to make up any session you are unable to attend.

To register for any of the Financial Peace programs, call the Human Resources service Center at 777-2595. Call now to reserve your slot. space is limited!

New Financial Peace options availableClasses begin in January; students in daytime class can view videos at home

NEW!

McLeod news l Dec. 2010/Jan. 2011 Page 9

COMMuNitY EVENtSMcLeod Hospice: Grief Support Group (Call 777-2007.)

Wed., Dec. 29, 12 noon, McLeod Hospice HouseMobile Mammography unit Screenings (Call 777-2095.) Mon., Jan. 3, 9 am-4 pm, Williamsburg County Public School District, Kingstree Tues., Jan. 11, 8:30 am-3:45 pm, Pate Medical Associates, Bishopville Thurs., Jan. 20, 8:30 am-4 pm, McLeod Family Medicine Johnsonville Tues., Jan. 25, 8:30 am-4 pm, McLeod Family Practice TimmonsvilleDiabetes Center: Support group (Free; call 777-6000.)

Mon., Jan. 10, 6:30-7:30 pm, Medical Park East, Suite 290, conference room

SPECiAL OBSERVANCESDecember is: Safe Toys & Gifts Month, Drunk and Drugged Driving

Prevention MonthJanuary is: Cervical Health Awareness Month, National Glaucoma

Awareness Month, Thyroid Awareness Month, National Birth Defects Prevention Month, National Radon Action Month

Jan. 2-8 — Diet Resolution Week, National Folic Acid Awareness WeekJan. 23-29 — National Nurse Anesthetists Week, National Medical Group

Practice WeekTues., Jan. 25 — National Intravenous Nurses’ Day

LOOkiNG AHEAD

training programsPee Dee AHEC: Advanced 12-Lead EkG interpretation (Call 777-5343.) Thurs., Jan. 6, 9 am-4:15 pm, Family Medicine Center, classrooms A & BPee Dee AHEC: Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms! (Call 777-5343.) Tues., Jan. 11, 9 am-12:15 pm, Family Medicine Center, classrooms A & BPee Dee AHEC: Prevention of urinary tract infections: An update (Call 777-5343.)

Tues., Jan. 11, 1-3:15 pm, Family Medicine Center, classrooms A & B

McLeod university: Crisis Prevention Tues., Jan. 18, 8 am-3 pm, McLeod Pavilion, 5th floor auditorium (Free; contact ASingletary @McLeodHealth.org or 777-5731)

sAVe THe DATe!

Heart AffairHealth Fair

kohl’s Safe Seats 3rd thursdays in Florence (monthly) Thurs., Jan. 20, 4-7 pm, Kohl’s parking lot, Florence 3rd tuesdays in Myrtle Beach (quarterly)

Tues., Feb. 22, 3-6 pm, Kohl’s parking lot, Myrtle Beach

(Free; bring child & child safety seat.Call 777-5021 for information.)

Friday, February 49 am-2 pm

McLeod Medical PlazaCommunity education

& screenings for risk factors for heart disease

Held in conjunction with Go Red for Women events

Tracie Foster of the McLeod Resource Center makes sure a car seat is installed correctly at the first Kohl’s car seat check at Myrtle Beach.

McLeod news l Dec. 2010/Jan. 2011Page 10

McLeod Regional Medical CenterRehabilitative Services

Congratulations to Kimberly Morris and husband James on the May 24 birth of their baby boy. Matthew James weighed six pounds.

Congratulations to Shauna Krawiec and husband Andy on the August 16 birth of their new baby girl. Lauren Julianna weighed seven pounds, eight ounces.

Best wishes to Chris Lane and Meg on their marriage that took place on September 25. We wish you the best of luck!

information SystemsCongratulations to Carrie Linerode,

who has earned the global credential of Project Management Professional. With the credential, Carrie is one of 393,413 PMP-certified individuals worldwide. To receive the credential, individuals must have a minimum of five years (or 7500 hours) of project management experience, 35 hours of project manage-ment education, and pass a 200-ques-tion examination.

Business ServicesOur condolences to Cathy Carter

on the death of her father, who also was Joyce Bullard’s father-in-law, and to June Kelly on the death of her step-father. Our prayers are with you during your time of loss.

Respiratory CareSympathy to Kristen Stone on a

death in her family.Congratulations to Amy Cunningham

on her marriage to John Hardy and to Jessica Graham on her marriage to Mitchell Woodberry. Best wishes to all!

Human ResourcesCongratulations to Susan Brauss

on the October 18 birth of a beautiful granddaughter, Mia Elizabeth Ginfreda.

Thanks to our Benefits team on their hard work for enrollment on behalf of all McLeod employees.

Child Development CenterOur sympathy to Merla Anderson

on the recent death of her brother.

urgent Care Darlington/FlorenceCongratulations to Stacey Erwin

on successfully completing Advanced

Cardiac Life Support and to Anna Bingaman on completing the Instructor course for Basic Cardiac Life Support.

Emergency ServicesOur condolences to our team

members who had deaths in their families — Kelley Cassady, her father; Kyla Sawyer, her grandmother; and Ernestine Ashley, a family member.

Congratulations to our team members who completed the Trauma Nurse Core Course — Meg Gliarmis, Jessie Hickson, Beverly Rhodes, Krystal Laird, Kate Haselton, Betty Walker, Lauren Pittman, Patrick McDougal, Robyn Moore, Patricia Atkinson, and Julie Powell.

RadiologyBest wishes to Tammy Sansbury

and Cam Morris, who were wed on September 25, and to Anna Patel, who was married earlier this year.

Congratulations to Chris Newman on passing the ultrasound registry and to the radiologic technologists who passed the diagnostic registry.

Congratulations to Jameek Fryson on the August 5 birth of his son, Jameer.

Children’s Hospital/PiCuCongratulations to Angelena Goda

on becoming a certified asthma educa-tor!

Congratulations to Trish Powell on passing her RN boards and to Pam Strickland on becoming certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support!

Best wishes to Joshua Morgan on his recent marriage to Nikki Jones Morgan (Emergency Services).

Our condolences to Dr. Carl Chelen on the recent death of his mother.

LaboratorySympathy goes out to our team

members who have had deaths in their families — Barbara Meeks, her brother; and Shannon Renwick and Nancy Fine.

Family Medicine CenterCongratulations to our team for

being recognized by the National Com-mittee for Quality Assurance as a level-two Patient-Centered Medical Home, a health-care setting that facilitates part-nerships between patients, physicians, and, when appropriate, family members.

4 East/RenalCongratulations to Jodie Clark and

husband Jeremy on the birth of their daughter, Jameson Bellemi.

Our sincere condolences to Barbara Ford on the death of her father, to Darrell Quick on the death of his grand-father, and to Kiki Gregg on the death of her grandfather.

Employee/Occupational HealthCongratulations to Octavia Williams

Blake on being named the Young Professional of the Year by the Young Professionals of Florence.

Thanks to our team for successfully implementing our new software system, SYSTOC.

micuCongratulations to our nurses who

recently completed ACLS — Jenny Sandoval, Jolene Osorio, Krisetta Howell, Rhonda James, Lindsey Coward, April Jackson, Barkha Patel, Linda May, Susan Goodall, Stacy Gulledge, and Rokiah Mumford.

tscuCongratulations to our ACLS instruc-

tors Maranda Knight, Stuart Sarvis, and Wesley Jacobs.

Our condolences go to Tonja Tart on the recent death of a loved one. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Congratulations to Danielle Grooms, Nicole Casey, Howard Brigman, and Lindsey Grainger on completing their TNCC certification.

Environmental ServicesCongratulations to Bertha Stuckey

on the birth of a new grandbaby girl.Congratulations and best wishes to

Sharon Bailey on her marriage to the Rev. James Hudson.

Diabetes CenterOur deepest sympathies go to

Debbie Thomas on the death of her husband, Buddy.

HospiceOur sympathy is extended to our

team members on the death of their loved ones — Lorraine Caughman, her brother; Dan Garrison, his mother; and Jackie McCray, her brother.

MAking RoUnDs

McLeod news l Dec. 2010/Jan. 2011 Page 11

McLeod Medical Center DarlingtonEnvironmental Services

Our sympathy is extended to Joanna Ervin and her family on the death of her mother on October 31.

AdministrationCongratulations to Traci Hubbard

and Jenny Hardee on passing the Certi-fied Hospital Preparedness Examination. We are so proud of you!

Congratulations to the Mammography staff on their re-certification with a perfect score by the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Nursing AdministrationOur condolences to Donna

Weatherford of the Operating Room on the death of her mother, to Iris Johnson of the Lab on the death of her mother, and to Frances Wheeler of the Medical/Surgical unit on the death of a brother and another loved one.

Congratulations to Jenny Hardee of Nursing Administration on receiving a McLeod Merit Award.

LaboratoryOur condolences go to Iris Johnson

on the recent death of her mother.

RadiologyWe celebrated National Radiology

Week with food, games, and prizes. Thank you for all you do!

Congratulations to Lynette Griffin on a perfect score on the DHEC mam-mography inspection. Way to go!

McLeod Medical Center DillonRadiology

Our sympathy to Felecia McDaniel, whose mother recently died.

Cardiopulmonary ServicesCongratulations to Pricilla McRae,

Ida Jacobs, Aubrey (AY) Arnette, and Cynthia Pernell for awards received at the Service Awards banquet and for your years of dedication and service at McLeod Dillon.

Cardiopulmonary Services prepared a breakfast drop-in for all hospital staff members and physicians for Respiratory Care Week. This year’s theme was “Respiratory Care Rocks!”

The staff provided games and educa-tional opportunities for the drop-in. Erica Gibson and Sammy Pressley won two of the games.

Penny Badgett was voted Therapist of the Year by employees and physicians. Congratulations, Penny.

Our sympathy goes to Penny Badgett on the death of a family member.

LaboratoryCongratulations to Spring Lewis on

passing her exam to become an LPN.Congratulations to our team members

who were recognized at the Service Awards banquet — Doris Brantley, 30 years of service, and Madge Hamer

and Jermaine Washington, five years of service.

AdministrationCongratulations to Reanna

Henderson of the Hospitalist Program for her hard work in passing the exams to become a Certified Professional Coder and a Certified Professional in Healthcare Management. Way to go!

Octavia Williams-Blake, Director of Employee

and Occupational Health, recently

was named Young Professional of the Year by the Young

Professionals of Florence. Rob Campbell of Carolina First Bank,

which sponsored the award, presented it to Williams-Blake at the

group’s Tux and Chucks fundraiser in October.

Teresa Ervin (center), a nurse in NICU, was sworn in as a new member of the Florence City Council in November. With her are (L to R) her sons Charlie and Lavon, her daughter Cacie, her husband Lavon (behind), Mary Grant, president of the Northwest Florence Neighborhood Council, and Judge Taft Guiles. Ervin, who represents north-west Florence, joins McLeod team member Octavia Williams-Blake (above) on the Florence City Council.

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McLeodnewsi N S i D E

McLeodnews

DeCeMBeR 2010/JAnUARY 2011

Morale high for ‘lean’ changes, page 1service excellence, page 2Accolades: Merit Awards, page 3news Briefs, page 4McLeod Values in Action, pages 5-8 CARing: Locklair, group improving children’s lives, page 5 PeRson: Patients recommending McLeod, page 6 QUALiTY: Patient satisfaction awards, page 7 inTegRiTY: new Financial Peace options available, page 8Looking Ahead, page 9Making Rounds, page 10Staff recognized in community, page 11