News Archive
Each year Providence associates, volunteers and friends partner with the American Heart Association to support the fight against our country’s No.1 and No. 3 causes of death: heart disease and stroke. Our participation in the annual Heart Walk not only raises awareness, but also raises significant funds to support a variety of AHA research and educational programs. As the year-round Cause Sponsor for the American Heart Association, our Providence family takes fundraising to heart. This year, in addition to their daily commitment to this ministry, our team captains from across the entire network lead exceptional fundraising efforts including bake sales, raffles, and selling the red, gold and silver hearts.
At the time of their Bank Day, Providence presented the American Heart Associaton with a check for $15,128.30...and the funds kept coming in! Thanks to the GENEROUS hearts of our donors, Providence raised OVER $15,400!!
With over 900 walkers registered, the Providence team filled the stands at Getterman Stadium, and cheered in celebration of the honored heart survivors. Thank you to all who participated!
Providence Health Center is proud to announce that Tom Ikeda, PT, CHT, is recognized as a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT). This credentialing signifies that Tom has achieved the highest level of competency in the profession—providing Providence patients with the highest level of hand therapy care.
The complex anatomy of the arm and hand requires a high level of skill by therapists with advanced expertise in upper extremity rehabilitation. In order to take the qualifying exam issued by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission, Tom completed a minimum of 5 years of therapy experience, including 4,000 hours of direct patient care dedicated to hand therapy. Our hands and arms play a vital role in day to day activities: work, extra cirricular acitives and self care. Tom explained that when someone is unable to perform daily activities due to injury or disease, such as arthritis, it can alter independence and affect quality of life. “My goal is to work with each patient to increase function for daily living skills, enhancing range of motion and ultimately, quality of life,” Tom said.
Click here for more information about Providence Rehabilitative Services.
When faced with surgery, many patients ask: How long will I have to be in the hospital? What are the risks? What is the recovery time? Will I be in much pain? The latest advancements in laparoscopic technology now make those answers very easy...alleviating many fears associated with surgery.
In May, Todd Moffatt, M.D. successfully performed Providence’s first cholecystectomy, or gallbladder removal, through a single incision, using the latest advancements in technology and technique: the next generation Covidien SILS™ procedure requires only a single incision in the belly button, resulting in the potential for no visible scar. Shortly after, Dr. Moffatt performed Waco’s first single incision sigmoidectomy—resection of the lower colon.
By reducing the four ½-inch or smaller incisions associated with traditional laparoscopic surgery to just one incision, the SILS™ procedure results in reduced complications, wound pain and length of hospital stay. This next generation of a minimally invasive approach also means that patients can get back to their normal pace of life, quicker. In fact, Dr. Moffatt reports that his sigmoidectomy patient went home the next morning with the need for only minimal pain medication.
Providence surgeons offer patients the widest range of SILS™ procedures including: colectomy (resection of the colon: sigmoidectomy and right hemicolectomy), appendectomy (removal of the appendix), and cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder), omentectomy (removal of the omentum), and port-a-cath procedures for dialisys; and, other specialties are in the process of being trained to perform single incision laparoscopic surgeries….just another example of our commitment to compassionate, excellent care!
For more information about Covidien SILS™ procedures, go to www.sils.com/bellybuttonsurgery.
The commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) has granted Three-Year Accreditation with Commendation to the Cancer Program at Providence Healthcare Network.
A facility receives a Three-Year Accreditation with Commendation following the onsite evaluation by a physician surveyor during which the facility demonstrates a Commendation level of compliance with one or more standards that represent the full scope of the cancer program (cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research, commuity outreach and quality improvement). In addition, a facility receives a compliance rating for all other standards.
The Accreditation Program, a component of the CoC, sets quality-of-care standards for cancer program and reviews the programs to ensure they conform to those standards. Accreditation by the CoC is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to providing the highest level of quality cancer care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance. To maintain accreditation, facilities with CoC-accredited cancer programs must undergo an on-site review every three years.
Receiving care at a COC-accredited cancer program ensures that a patient will have access to:
- comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the art services and equipment
- a multispecialty-team approach to coordinate the best treatment options
- access to cancer-related information, education and support
- a cancer registry that collects data on type and state of cancers and treatment results and offers lifelong patient follow-up
- ongoing monitoring and improvement of care
And, most importantly,
- Quality care close to home
To view the full press release, click here.
For more information about the Commission on Cancer visit www.facs.org/cancer.index.html.
For more information about the Providence Cancer Program visit www.providence.net/medical-services/cancer-care.html.
Last year, more than 4,000 babies were born in McLennan County. Thankfully, most were born healthy…but not all. In Texas, 1 in every 7 babies is born premature. Babies who survive a premature birth may suffer lifelong consequences. The March of Dimes is dedicated to reducing premature births, birth defects and infant mortality. Because of the importance children to healthy communities, Providence is proud to partner with the March of Dimes as a year-round sponsor for March for Babies and their Signature Chefs event in the fall! And, On April 9, Providence associates, families and friends gathered at Legends Crossing to participate in the 2011 March for Babies walk.
Our Providence team showed just how much we care about healthy babies, as we surpassed our $10,000 fundraising goal and raised OVER $11,290...and the money is still coming in! Thank you Providence for your commitment to excellence!
Stay tuned to the June/July issue of the Spirit for more pictures from this great event!
The Annual Associate Awards Banquet, hosted March 3, 2011, by the Providence Human Resource Department, was dedicated to the recognition of 263 associates who, together, have worked 2,725 years of service to Providence and our Daughters of Charity!
Each year, Providence honors the associates who have completed years of service to the ministry in five-year increments. This year, 132 associates are celebrating their 5th anniversary; 59 associates are celebrating their 10th anniversary; 28 associates are celebrating their 15th anniversary; 20 associates are celebrating their 20th anniversary; 9 associates are celebrating their 25th anniversary; 6 associates are celebrating their 30th anniversary; 5 associates are celebrating their 35th anniversary; 1 associate is celebrating her 40th anniversary; and, one special individual, Jan Howard, our EEG tech, set a new service record as she celebrates 50 years of service.
For a complete list of our honorees, click here.
The evening of celebration continued as President and CEO Kent Keahey announced the 2011 Associates of the year. The associates chosen by their peers are:
Kathleen Rimlinger, Providence Home Care
Mary Garcia, Providence Park
Evelina Petrenko, Providence DePaul Center
Sarah Pyle, Providence Health Center
Annetta Wilkerson, Providence Clinics
Receptions hosted in honor of each Associate of the Year will take place throughout the month of March.
Providence Health Center, which became one of the Texas Cord Blood Bank’s donor sites in 2009, recently reached a medical milestone, having collected more than 1,000 donations of life-saving cord blood for the statewide repository. The Texas Cord Blood Bank, a division of the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center, is a non-profit program established by the Texas legislature in 2001 to collect umbilical cord blood, which can benefit patients, usually children, suffering from a number of potentially fatal diseases.
“We have a wonderful partnership with the Texas Cord Blood Bank and Providence is very proud to provide these lifesaving services to our patients. We strive to make a difference in the lives of those we are called to serve,” Donna J. Robinson, RN, BSN, director of the Women and Newborns Center, said.
To celebrate this success, representatives from South Texas Blood and Tissue Center delivered refreshments to the Providence labor and delivery team.
To read the full press release, click here.
To view the Foxx 44 KWKT newscast, click here.
In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy, Providence hosted its 26th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Celebration on January 17. This very special celebration included the presentation of the colors by Boy Scout Troup No. 476, the Pledge of Allegiance and special music by Jonathan Ford, VP of Marketing and Public Policy. Each year, Providence holds an essay writing contest for the 5th graders at Brook Avenue Elementary. This exercise encourages the students to think critically about Dr. King’s message of peace and justice and about how his legacy impacts them. This year’s first-place winner, Savannah Trevino, was awarded a $100 gift card to Toys-R-Us for the purchase of a new bicycle!
Keynote speaker Rev. Joe A. Carbajal, Senior Pastor of Mighty Wind Worship Center, spoke on Martin Luther King’s legacy—one of equal rights and human dignity. He challenged the audience to think of their role in fulfilling Dr. King’s dream: “The question today is not ‘did Martin Luther King, Jr. do his part in keeping the dream alive?’….the question is “are we doing our part?’” Rev. Carbabjal said.
His dynamic message ended with one of his favorite quotes from Dr. King: “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.”
Following the message, the celebration continued with refreshments prepared by our Nutritional Services and served by our Providence volunteers.
Kah’Mari Davis was born Saturday, January 01, 2011 at 3:14 p.m. She weighed 7 lbs. and 13 oz. In celebration of her arrival, Sr. Cecile Matushek, Vice President of Mission Affairs, and Melanie Hejl, RN, presented proud mom, Brandy Glinski, a gift basket filled with bathing accessories and toys for the new infant. The basket was generously donated by Providence Volunteer Services.
On December 15, Providence employees, volunteers and friends enjoyed a delicious Christmas meal. Our Nutritional Services prepared a Christmas feast, of ham, turkey and all of the necessary trimmings! Sr. Cecile Matushek and Sr. Marie Therese Sedgwick presented employees and volunteers with a 2011 pocket calendar. Stay tuned to the next issue of the Spirit of Providence for more photos of this special celebration!
On Monday, December 13, our Partners in Education from Brook Avenue Elementary, visited the health center to spread holiday cheer throughout our halls. Following the caroling they gathered for a special lunch and Christmas craft.
The Providence Foundation recently hosted its’ annual Benefactors Mass at our Providence Park Chapel to honor and thank the Founders Society for their support. The Founders Society is made up of individuals and businesses that give $1,000 or more annually to the Providence Foundation in order to support the Providence Healthcare Network’s mission of providing quality healthcare services with particular attention to the sick, poor and vulnerable.
This holiday season, our Providence family gave an amazing gift to our Waco community. During the annual Food for Families food drive, Providence Healthcare Network collected 4,185 pounds of non-perishable food items. This topped our donation from last year by almost 700 pounds! These generous donations help stock the shelves of the Caritas food pantry which provides food to those in need year-round.
The spirit of giving continued during our toy drive on December 3. From stuffed animals and dolls to basketballs and board games, our Providence family donated several hundred items that will benefit the Mission Waco Toy Store. The Mission Waco Toy Store offers struggling parents the opportunity to purchase new toys at an 80% discount. Thanks to our generous donations, hundreds of Waco community families will be blessed this year!
Thank you to our environmental services team who worked together to collect all of the food and toy donations from each department, and to our DME team who delivered the food donations to KWTX.
When the Waco Tribune Herald polled 10,000 of its readers to find the “Best in Waco,” we were pleased that Providence and so many of its physicians were chosen! Thank you for voting us the best in the Trib’s first annual Readers’ Choice Awards.
Providence Healthcare Network continues to expand its primary care physician network with the addition today of Doctors Jeff Arnold, Robert Wilcox, and Patricia Wilcox. Doctors Robert and Patricia Wilcox will continue to practice at their clinic located at 6614 Sanger Avenue, and Dr. Jeff Arnold will join them in December. Appointments with Dr. Robert Wilcox or his wife, Dr. Patricia Wilcox, can be made through their office at 254-752-2300. Appointments with Dr. Arnold can be made at his current number, 254-776-8008.
In July, Providence first announced plans to grow its existing primary care physician clinic network to 40 doctors by the summer of 2011, and 60 doctors within the next three years. Providence is creating partnerships with independent primary care physicians and specialists to improve coordination of care within the healthcare network and the expanding physician network will be a doctor-led and professionally-managed physician enterprise strategically aligned with the Providence Health Alliance.
"Three months into the expansion plan", said Vice President of Physician Operations, Alan Tindell, "we are very excited that Doctors Jeff Arnold, Robert Wilcox, and Patricia Wilcox have decided to be a part of our growing network at Providence. Our goal is to give Central Texans a choice of dedicated physicians and to develop new and innovative approaches to impact the overall experience patients have in Providence clinics and in the Providence Healthcare Network. This addition of three primary care physicians is simply one more step toward the fulfillment of our goal."
"Today, I personally welcome Doctors Jeff Arnold, Robert Wilcox, and Patricia Wilcox as they join our team of physicians," said Kent Keahey, President & CEO. "The patient-doctor relationship is essential and Providence is committed to ensuring that the residents of Central Texas will continue to have access to the healthcare services they need. We are committed to recruiting high quality doctors and creating an environment where physicians define how care is best delivered to patients."
Each year providence employees, volunteers and friends partner with the American Heart Association to support the fight against our country's No.1 and No. 3 causes of death: heart disease and stroke. Our participation in the AHA's annual Heart Walk not only raises awareness, but also raises significant funds to support a variety of AHA research and educational programs.
This year, in addition to their daily commitment to this ministry, our 25 team captains from across the entire network lead exceptional fundraising efforts including bake sales, raffles selling the red, gold and silver hearts, and the 2 newest fundraising ideas: custom Emergency Department T-shirt sales and Dunk an Administrator! Due to the excellent efforts of our team captains and everyone's participation in the fundraisers...fundraising was a HUGE success! We had a goal of $15,000 and we far exceeded that goal by raising a total of $19,457.37!
Congratulations!
Please join us for the AHA Heart Walk
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Baylor's Getterman Softball Stadium
8:30 AM
The Heart of Texas Regional Advisory Council (HOTRAC) assisted in training the Providence Health Center staff on setting up the new Alternate Care Site (ACS) tent today from 9:00 AM until approximately 1:00 PM. These tents are primarily used during emergencies or disasters but can also be used for patient overflow, triage, quarantine, etc. Each tent is equipped with a generator, air conditioning, and lighting and can accommodate up to eight patients comfortably. HOTRAC has purchased two ACS tents and is in the process of purchasing a third ACS tent for our region. Providence Health Center will house the only ACS tent in McLennan County.
For more information, please call Eileen Bohannon at (254) 751-4072 or Meredith Dieterich at (254) 751-4817.
Through a grant funded by the Providence Foundation, Providence Park is now the only facility in Central Texas that offers residents Dakim BrainFitness.
Used by thousands of retirement centers across the country, it is the best brain fitness program available to help exercise the brain and minimize mental decline among seniors. "Speaking on behalf of the Providence Foundation, we are pleased and gratified that our generous donors here in central Texas have once again shown their support of the Providence mission, by donating over $10,000 for the purchase of two Dakim Brain Fitness Systems and allowing for the establishment of this vital program for our Providence Park Residents," said Dave Guyer, Executive Director and Vice President of Development- Providence Foundation. Dakim BrainFitness constantly adjusts to each user's needs providing the perfect balance of challenge and success.
It is fun and easy to use for seniors who want to maintain their cognitive abilities. Unlimited residents can register to use Providence Park's three Dakim BrainFitness units and by rotating two of the units between floors, over 300 Providence Park residents participate.
Five family medicine doctors who have long worked for Hillcrest Health System have decided to join Waco's other hospital system. The move will temporarily gut Hillcrest's Bosque Clinic. It has seven doctors, five of whom are moving to Providence Healthcare Network. Those physicians are Drs. Scott Blattman, Todd Blattman, Keith Horner, Gerard Marroquin and John Shelton. The doctors did not return a call the Tribune-Herald made to their office Friday afternoon seeking comment about their decision. Providence's vice president for physician operations, Alan Tindell, said the doctors accepted offers from Providence on Friday.
Hiring them is part of Providence's recently announced plan to double the number of primary care physicians it employs or has close ties to within three years, he said. "We're very excited they have joined us," Tindell said. "We think they are a great addition." Exactly when the doctors will make the switch has not been decided. They are in the process of working out certain contractual obligations with Hillcrest, officials said. But for the next couple of weeks at least, patients who have appointments scheduled with those doctors will be able to see them at the Bosque clinic, Hillcrest CEO Glenn Robinson said. After that, Hillcrest will make sure patients who want to remain with Hillcrest can get an appointment at the clinic, Robinson said. Some of those visits will be handled by the two physicians who are staying there. Plus, Hillcrest is looking at hiring more doctors, as well as possibly moving some doctors from its other clinic locations there, he said.
There are no plans for Scott & White physicians to move to the clinic, Robinson said. Hillcrest and Scott & White, which is based in Temple, entered into a partnership last year. Scott & White has about 25 primary care physicians in McLennan County. "Patients should not see any disruption in their care," Robinson said. "Their appointment times will be just as fast and friendly." If patients decide they want to follow their physician to Providence, Hillcrest will ensure the smooth transition of their records, Robinson said. All a patient has to do to have records sent elsewhere is fill out a form, he said. "We want to do what is right for the patient," Robinson said. Hillcrest is disappointed to see the doctors leave, Robinson said. Calling them "very good physicians," he said they have worked for Hillcrest for a number of years. Asked why the doctors left, Robinson said that was a question they would have to answer. But he said he was not worried about Providence recruiting away other Hillcrest physicians.
Hillcrest operates 10 clinics, which will be left with 33 physicians, Robinson said. He noted that Hillcrest has had a strong primary care network for 25 years and said many of the doctors who are remaining have a long tenure with the hospital system. "I'm very grateful for their commitment," Robinson said. Once the doctors complete the switch to Providence, they will work out of a building located at 342 Richland West Circle, across from Providence Health Center. The building used to house a group of neurosurgeons and is being renovated for use as a family medicine clinic, Tindell said. Providence will continue to work toward expanding its primary care network, Tindell said. Primary care is a category that includes family medicine physicians, internal medicine doctors and pediatricians.
The addition of the five Hillcrest physicians will bring the number of primary care doctors Providence employs to 18. Sixteen additional primary care physicians are affiliated with Providence, meaning they work there primarily or exclusively. Providence eventually wants to have 60 primary care doctors who are either employed by the system or affiliated with it. The timeline for that build-up is three years, officials said when the plan was announced in late July. Providence decided to beef up its primary care network after employing a consulting firm to help it evaluate the changing business landscape, officials have said. Not only is national health care reform expected to increase the demand for primary care physicians, but Providence wants to remain competitive in the wake of Hillcrest joining forces with Scott & White, they have said.
By Cindy V. Culp, Waco Tribune-Herald Staff Writer
Providence Health Center
September 2, 2010 | 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Classroom 1 & 2
Speaker: Nancy Lewis RN,Diabetes Educator
The purpose of this activity is to educate the Registered Nurse learner on the pathophysiology, current and emerging medications and treatment modalities in order to appropriately care for the patient with diabetes in the hospital setting. Thereby enhancing the quality of care for patients with diabetes.
Providence Healthcare Network is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Texas Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
This activity provides 5.58 contact hours.
To receive CNE credit, you must attend the Entire program and complete the Evaluation at the end of the activity. Participants arriving more than 10 minutes late cannot receive CNE credit.
FEE: Non-PHN Employee $50.00, PHN Employee $0.00
REGISTRATION: Please call Education Department at (254)751-4799 for additional information or registration.
The Texas Healthcare Trustees recently recognized select Texas hospital trustees for excellence in governance or continuing excellence in governance.
Sr. Marie Therese Sedgwick, a member of the board at Providence Healthcare Network, received her award of excellence at the Texas Healthcare Trustees Annual Conference, July 29-31, in San Antonio. The award recognizes individuals serving on hospital/health system boards who achieve knowledge and skills in governance and strive to keep that knowledge current through education and the practice of effective governance.
“Hospitals and health care systems rely on their trustees and governing boards to make decisions that affect their future,” said Peggy Allison, president of the board of directors for the THT Foundation. “Recognition indicates a commitment to practicing the most important aspects of trusteeship – community stewardship, leadership, dedication to effective governance, collaboration, vision, commitment and service,” she said.
“Recognition for achieving these standards assures those whose health and livelihood depend on the existence of a thriving health care institution that the governing board members are well prepared for their roles,” noted Stacy Cantu, CAE, chief executive officer of the Texas Healthcare Trustees. “It indicates that a trustee not only is concerned with the quality of health care being delivered, but also demonstrates accountability in governance responsibilities.”
Texas Healthcare Trustees encourage, recognize and reward best standards of hospital governance. To be considered for trustee recognition, applicants must demonstrate commitment to set governance standards. Those standards include a commitment to the hospital and the community; meeting fiduciary duties and governance obligations; a commitment to governance; educational development; exemplifying ethical leadership; and continually improving and assessing performance.
About the Texas Healthcare Trustees
Texas Healthcare Trustees is an affiliated organization of the Austin-based Texas Hospital Association. THT members serve on the governing boards of hospitals and health systems. THT has approximately 450 hospital/health system governing boards representing nearly than 4,000 trustees. For more information about THT, visit www.tht.org.
Providence Health Alliance announced today that the expansion of the Providence primary care physician network will be a significant focus over the coming months and years. In order to ensure and enhance patient access to primary care physicians in the greater Waco region and offer additional choice to patients in the community, Providence plans to grow its existing 13 employed and 16 affiliated primary care physician clinic network to 40 physicians by next summer and 60 physicians within the next three years. In addition, Providence is creating partnerships with independent primary care physicians and specialists to improve coordination of care within the healthcare network. Providence has been working with the nationally recognized firm, Navvis and Company, for more than eight months to develop and implement this physician strategy. The physician network will be a physician led and professionally managed physician enterprise strategically aligned with the Providence Health Alliance. This strategy will provide physicians a value proposition that addresses income, lifestyle and professional satisfaction of physicians. Equally important the strategy will:
- Ask physicians to govern and lead the physician enterprise
- Engage physicians in the leadership and strategic decision-making of the healthcare network
- Attract and retain high quality physicians who are dedicated to work with Providence to realize the quality and efficiency gains that result from physician involvement in all aspects of patient care
- Develop new and innovative approaches to positively impact the overall patient experience
- Address the anticipated increases in demand for primary care services under healthcare reform consistent with community needs
Tim Martindale, M.D., a Primary Care Physician and current member of the Providence physician network, said “I am very excited about this renewed commitment by Providence Healthcare Network to build on and strengthen the existing physician medical community. Providence has always been a physician friendly environment but I believe this new leadership structure will create an environment that will attract the best physicians resulting in the best medical care for our community.”
“The care delivered by primary care physicians has always been important to people’s health and well-being,” said Gary Barbin, M.D., a Providence Internist and former Providence Healthcare Network Board member. “Under healthcare reform, accessible, patient-centered primary care services will be required to achieve improved quality, better care coordination and lower costs.”
Over the next four years, millions of currently-uninsured Americans will be enrolled in health plans, and the newly-insured are expected to seek to establish primary care physician relationships. This comes at a time when the nation is facing a shortage of primary care physicians, and the healthcare needs of an aging population are increasing.
“The patient-doctor relationship is essential. We want to ensure that the residents of Waco will continue to have access to the healthcare services they need,” said Kent Keahey, President and CEO. “Providence is committed to recruiting high quality doctors and creating an environment where physicians define how care is best delivered to patients.”
Four primary objectives frame Providence’s strategy to enhance primary care for the community by:
- Creating an integrated physician enterprise where physicians actively participate at all levels of leadership and decision-making regarding patient care, as well as health system growth and development.
- Developing a practice environment that attracts and retains top quality doctors by balancing work and lifestyle needs, offering fair and appropriate compensation, and rewarding success.
- Providing highly capable professional management. Providence is delighted that Alan Tindell, MBA, CMPE, has recently chosen to be part of this vision and has accepted the position of Vice President, Physician Operations. Alan spent more than 18 years providing professional management services to physician organizations in the Central Texas area.
- Inviting participation by any primary care physician that shares Providence’s mission, values and vision for access to the highest quality, cost-effective, patient-centered care.
- “One of the core principles of healthcare reform is to expand everyone's access to appropriate, coordinated care and primary care is a key focal point for new, transformative models of patient care," said Kent Keahey. “We believe this expanding physician enterprise will bring greater value to both patients and doctors, and enrich our community as a whole.”
The Providence Healthcare Network today announced plans for a major expansion of the Providence Women and Newborns Center. The 18-month, $6.5 million renovation project will create an impressive new look for the front of Providence Health Center with an expanded lobby and a dedicated express elevator to the Women & Newborns Center on the 5th floor. The project will also involve the renovation and updating of the Labor and Delivery area, as well as enlarging and updating all postpartum rooms. Finally, the project will significantly enlarge the neonatal nursery which will offer high Level II capabilities. The nursery will have the capability to address the needs of virtually all sick newborns.
The project will be financed entirely with hospital reserves and philanthropic gifts and is expected to commence in August with a completion timeline of approximately 18 months. The local architect firm for the project is RBDR, PLLC. The lead architect is Bernadette Hookham, AIA. Construction management for the project will be CMCT, Ltd., Mike Jackson, President, and John East, Vice President. Local contractors will be utilized to the maximum extent possible.
Click here to read the article that ran in the Waco Tribune Hearald.
With a mission of caring for the whole person—mind, body and spirit, Providence DePaul Center now offers specialized in-patient care for seniors. On July 1, donors, employees, physicians, and long-term care providers gathered at the new DePaul Center Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit for a celebratory open house featuring the newly renovated facilities and patient rooms.
While reducing the number of regular adult beds from 34 to 24, and adding the 16-bed geriatric unit was part of a strategic restructuring plan, the inspiration behind the transition is much greater. According to Pat McNeill, Director of Community Relations, the Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit fills a unique need for seniors. Before the unit's opening, the two closest facilities that provided specialized treatment for seniors were located in San Antonio and McKinney. Seniors can now receive psychiatric and medical care right here in Waco.
Under the medical direction of Dr. Jason Boley, a team of highly skilled medical doctors, psychiatrists, licensed therapists and nurses will together navigate the care of seniors who are experiencing uncharacteristic behaviors such as grief, depression, isolation, or changes in mood, interests and hobbies. To meet both medical and psychiatric needs, our patients are seen by a medical doctor as well as a psychiatrist. All nurses are trained to meet both the medical and psychiatric needs of our patients.
Sylvia Ferrill, Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit Manager, states that through therapeutic activities and medication management, it is their goal to not only ease the care-giving troubles that many family members and nursing home professionals experience, but to also help patients resume life as it was before...to re-establish each patient's level of normalcy. Furthermore, we help patients feel as comfortable as possible and the daily activity schedule and the décor of the unit help create a familiar and home-like environment. Each patient's bed is made complete with a hand-made quilt donated by the Knitters and Quilters Club. Our patients are able to take the quilt home as a special keepsake.
Even though the unit has been open for just a few weeks, our Geriatric Behavioral Health service line has experienced an incredibly positive response. With referrals coming in from throughout Central Texas, this new service is not only a gift to our Waco community, but also to our surrounding neighbors.
In addition to the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and LAP-BAND procedures, Providence now offers Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. This procedure offers patients a less invasive alternative to gastric bypass; and by providing three surgical options, we can tailor our treatment plan to better meet patients' needs. We also believe in providing more than just a surgical solution: with pre and post op counseling, personalized nutrition programs, ongoing support groups and follow-up care, it is our goal to promote safe and lasting weight loss.
The Comprehensive Bariatric Center at Providence is now accepting Medicare. Surgical weight loss is truly changing the lives of many Central Texans; for more information about services provided by The Comprehensive Bariatric Center at Providence, please contact Program Coordinator Melissa Green at (254) 751-4300.
Providence Healthcare Network is pleased to announce that the Texas Department of State Services will be presenting the Stroke Center at Providence with a Certificate of State Designation as a Primary (Level II) Stroke facility. This presentation is combined with a proclamation read by Mayor Virginia Dupuy highlighting May as Stroke Awareness Month and is scheduled for Monday, May 10 at 2:00 p.m. in the Providence InProv Café.
Each year, about 780,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, which is the nation's third leading cause of death. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 45 seconds and someone dies of a stroke every 3.1 minutes. Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States, with about 4.7 million stroke survivors alive today.
With those statistics in mind, Providence Health Center has assembled a team of top professionals armed with the latest technology to give hope to those who experience a stroke. As Waco's first certified Primary Stroke Center, Providence Health Center is committed to providing Waco and the surrounding areas with evidence-based stroke care that meets national standards. Our interdisciplinary Stroke Team will insure patients are rapidly evaluated for treatment and receive all appropriate care to improve outcomes. Providence is a leader in increasing community awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke and sharing the importance of seeking immediate medical attention.
Media interviews are available upon request.
The Providence Human Resource Team proudly announces the 2010 Employees of the Year Receptions which are now taking place to honor the four employees chosen this year by their peers. Please join us in congratulating these outstanding employees when you see them. The Reception details are as follows:
Hospital: Tuesday, March 23rd at 2:30pm in the Auditorium
The Home Care and DePaul Center Receptions were held yesterday.
The Providence Park reception was held last week.
The four employees receiving this prestigious honor are as follows:
Chosen by his peers, representing the Providence HomeCare and Durable Medical Equipment Store, Michael Houpt was announced as the 2010 Employee of the Year! Michael began as a Field Representative at our Medical Equipment Store in 2001. From the beginning, it was obvious that Michael was a very hard worker and had a desire to do an outstanding job. Co-workers share that Michael always has new ideas and ways to improve processes; and, because of his desire to become more involved in the ministry, he was promoted to Service Coordinator. Recently, another promotion to expanded Michael's duties-and, today, he serves as our Buyer and Service Manager. On a personal note, Michael loves the University of Texas . . .is very organized and some say he has the neatest office in the place! He has three kids . . .and you'll find him at the Whitney High Football field on Friday nights cheering on his son! Congratulations Michael.
Lelisa Johnson was chosen by her peers as the 2010 Employee of the Year for Providence Park. Even though her title is Unit Clerk, her role is much broader. Lelisa is a Certified Nursing Assistant with a big smile and an energetic personality that is infectious to everyone around her! Her co-workers share that she keeps them organized with her 24-hour reports that are ready when they arrive . . .so, they can go right to work with patients. At breakfast, Lelisa enjoys delivering trays-and, her delivery ALWAYS includes that famous smile of hers. Doctors tell us that Lelisa has an excellent rapport with family members . . .and, they find that many families request her when needing to make a doctor's appointment. Serving on several committees and work groups at Providence Park, Lelisa was chosen as the very first employee to learn the new information system-and, it is this willing attitude and display of excellent customer service that has made her more than worthy to be our 2010 Employee of the Year!
The employees of our DePaul Center chose Lori Strain as their 2010 Employee of the Year. As accolades were read about Lori during her award presentation, it was obvious why the student body of Midway High chose her to be their Panther mascot-she is bubbly and full of smiles! Joining our staff in August of 2000, Lori has dedicated her entire nursing career to our DePaul Center. Co-workers share how obvious it is that Lori loves her job . . .and, how remarkable she is with children. One of the things that makes Lori so successful is her ability to demonstrate unconditional positive regard for each patient and co-worker regardless of the circumstances at hand. It's no secret that mental health nursing is very challenging . . .and yet, in Lori's words, it is a "greatly rewarding ministry!" Lori has been married to her husband, Brad, for 18 years. Their daughter, Spencer, will soon be 15; and, their son, Brady, is 9. Lori's dedication to the FISH! Philosophy is just another reason why her peers have honored her as their selection for the 2010 Employee of the Year at the DePaul Center!
