Med West Press

Med West Press
an employee & physician centered publication of medical west
vol 5 issue 8 2014
04.14.14
a letter from keith pennington
Approximately 10 weeks ago, a number of Medical West employees embarked on a
journey of weight loss and fitness when over 190 employees signed up to participate in
Scale Back Alabama, a statewide weight loss contest. Employees strived to reach their
weight loss goals by attending weekly weigh-ins, hospital wellness activities and Lunch and
Learns.
Official weigh-outs were held last week and Medical West lost a grand total of 782 pounds!
We had 36 employees lose ten pounds or more! This is our best participation to date. I am
so proud of everyone’s dedication to improving his or her health.
Congratulations to the following teams for having the highest percentage of weight loss1st Place- Team Cell-U-Light
Pam Acker, ED
Anna George, ED
Nicole Cofield, ED
Alana Smith, ED
2nd Place- Drop It Like it’s Hot!
Russ Patterson, Pharmacy
Mark Newton, Pharmacy
Tim Crosby, Pharmacy
Priscilla Williams, Pharmacy
Congratulations to the following individuals for a successful job as well!
Individual with Highest Percentage of Weight Loss: Cindy Robbins, Lab
Group Fitness Winner: Justin Miller, Accounting
Your hard work has definitely paid off. Check out this issue of MWP for even more wellness
activities and programs! Way to go Medical West!
Thanks for all you do,
Keith Pennington, CEO and President
features
pg. 2
YOUR HEALTH
Scale Back Alabama: Health Tip
Week 10
pg. 7
MEET YOUR CO-WORKERS
Nora Rodriguez, ED
pg. 9
SCALE BACK
ALABAMA
UPDATE
Congratulations to
our Winners!
your health
healthtip
week10
“Myth Busters”
“I am not losing
“Carbs are bad and if
I eat carbs I’ll gain
weight.”
Did you know that fruits and
some vegetables are sources of
carbohydrates? Carbohydrates are food
sources that the body breaks down
to glucose to use for enegery. Cookies and fruit are both
broken down in the body to glucose. The difference is that
fruit provides vitamins the body needs to function, fiber to
keep you full and water to hydrate your body, with very few
calories, while cookies provide saturated fat and sugar that
add up to excess calories. To learn more about carbohydrates,
visit http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/carbs.
html
“I’m going to do a colon
cleanse to get rid of all the
toxins in my body.”
If you don’t want your body to be filled
with junk, stop putting junk in it! Colon
cleanses are intended for those preparing
for a medical procedure, such as a
colonoscopy. Many people believe that by
performing some type of cleanse they will
eliminate bacteria and waste from their body. While they do
remove waste products, they also remove the “good” bacteria
your gut needs. The human body is very smart, and it is able
to remove waste and “bad” bacteria on its own. There is
very little evidence to support the use of colon cleanses, and
they have even been found to have negative effects on the
body. The best way to “cleanse” your body is by filling it with
natural, healthy items like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
weight because the
exercise is causing
my muscles to grow.”
Many people believe a
reason they gain pounds during a weight loss program
is because the increase in physical activity is building
muscle mass. This is a common misconception. While a
sudden increase in physical activity will boost muscle, it
will not be to the extent of gaining multiple pounds. In
fact, the more muscle you have, the more calories your
body will burn. Body-builders who are on strict diets and
want to “bulk up” in a short period of time usually gain
only about one pound of muscle per week. The average
person who is walking, rolling, running or using weights
more frequently probably won’t gain a pound of muscle
per week. So, if you are trying to lose weight and can’t
seem to shed the pounds, reevaluate your diet for hidden
calories.
“I can eat protein
to lose weight”
High protein diets are not
the answer to weight loss.
Protein is found in many of
the foods we eat everyday
such as meats, legumes
(dry beans and peas), eggs, nuts, seeds, milk, and milk
products. It is recommended to limit protein to 15-25%
of your daily calories. Most of us eat more protein than
we need every day. When you get more protein than you
need, your body breaks it down and stores it as ---FAT! A
balanced diet is still the best way.
(Source: www.scalebackalabama.com)
Ninth Annual Golf Tournament a Success!
The ninth annual Medical West Golf Tournament was a huge success! Thank you to all of our volunteers and
sponsors for participating and helping us raise funds for the Western Health Services Foundation. With your help
we were able to raise over $32,000.00.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Platinum
UAB Health System
RICOH
Warren Averett, LLC
VIVA
Cabaniss, Johnston, Gardner, Dumas & O’Neal, LLP
Shoals Ambulance
Sims Architectural Studios
Medical West
Robins & Morton
Silver
Regional Paramedical Service
Doster Construction
Account Management Services
Hardy Construction
Bronze
HealthSpring
Buffalo Rock
Noland Health
Bright Future Electric
Plantation Manor
BL Harbert
Crews & Associates
Team Sponsorships
Highlands Digital Media
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department
Regional Paramedical Services
ING
Hole Sponsorships
Johnson Development
Urology Centers
Vitas
Evans Meats
The Outsource Group
State Farm
Southern Peroperative
Bessemer Chamber of Commerce
Central Fire
Trustmark Bank
Legacy
Tent Sponsorships
America’s First Federal Credit Union
Oasis
AccuReg
Thank you to our volunteers!
Kathy Bradley
Kathy Headley
Tracey Jackson
Jennifer Fetner
Scott Crawford
Cari Jackson
Angie Jacks
Sherri Franklin
Penny Vance-Colburn
W
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Welcome
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Please join the Hospitality
program in welcoming and
congratulating our newest
employees/members! We
are thrilled to have these
individuals as part of
our Medical West team.
Captioned below is some
personal information on
these individuals and where
they will be working. Please
take an opportunity to
welcome them as valued
team members!
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Taresha is from Ensley, AL and will
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be working as a Scrub Tech. She
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Carey McG
Joannie Bartlett, Surgical
Services
Joannie is from Brookwood, AL
and will be working as a Scrub
Tech. She enjoys reading, camping
and directing the Tri County
cheersquad. Joannie has been
married for four years and has
two girls and three stepsons.
Justin Brown, Surgical
Services
Justin is from Birmingham, AL and
will be working as a PCT. He enjoys
watching the Florida Gators, working
out and volunteering.
Marcy Campbell, Surgical
Services
Marcy is from Helena, AL and will
be working as an RN. She enjoys
watching her boys play football
and basketball. Marcy is married
to her husband, Chad, and they
have two boys: Owen (age 9) and
Tyler (age 19).
LaPressa Coleman, 6B
LaPressa is from Fairfield, AL and
will be working as an RN. She
enjoys reading and spending
time with her grandchildren and
family. LaPressa has four children
and six grandchildren.
Nancy DeMotte, Surgical
Services
Nancy is from Waynesboro,
MS and will be joining us as an
RN. In her spare time, Nancy
enjoys reading and writing
poetry. She is author of Poems
for Contemplation, available on
Amazon.com and at Books-AMillion and Barnes & Noble! She
also enjoys spending time with
her husband, daughter (age 27)
and two sons (ages 40 and 44).
Alex Drake, Emergency
Department
Alex is from Hueytown, AL and
will be joining us as an RN in the
Emergency Department.
enjoys working, reading, learning
new things and spending time
with her family. Taresha is married
and has four children (ages 10, 16,
18 and 20).
Shaunita Graham, E/S
Shaunita is from Brighton, AL
and will be joining us as an E/S
Assistant. She enjoys photography
and spending time with her
mother, stepdad and two brothers.
Crystal Grant, E/S
Crystal is from Birmingham
and will be joining us as an E/S
Assistant. She enjoys shopping,
reading, and having fun with her
family. Crystal has three children:
two boys and one girl – Jasmine,
Joshua and Ja’Quez.
Kimberly Hamilton, Bessemer
Family Health Center
Kimberly is from Oak Grove
and will be working as an Office
Manager. She enjoys reading,
(continue on next page)
(continued from previous page)
singing, and cooking. Kimberly
is married to her husband,
Ryan, and they have two boys,
Mike and Jacob.
Tiffany Jones, Business
Office
Tiffany is originally from
Chicago, IL and moved to
Alabama when she was
younger. She enjoys spending
time with her two horses, one
donkey, two dogs and three
cats. She has no children, just
pets (at present). :)
Carey McGhinnis, Case
Management
Carey is from Gadsden, AL and
will be working with us as an
RN Case Manager. She enjoys
cooking and has a maltipoo
dog named Macy.
Ashley McLean, OR
Ashley is from Tallassee, AL and
will be joining us as a Nursing
Student. She enjoys shopping
and spending time with her
family and friends. Ashley is
married to her husband, Brian,
and they have a dog named
Oliver.
Sophia Miller, Materials
Management
Sophia is from South
Carolina and will be working
as a manager. She enjoys
photography, traveling and
volunteering. Sophia is married
with three children and four
grandchildren.
Bre Murphy, Clinics
Bre is from West Blocton,
AL and will be working as a
Medical Office Assistant Float.
She enjoys going to the beach,
fishing, shopping, going to the
lake, and spending time with
her boyfriend, Nick, and their
dog, Bear.
Jennifer Pettway, Business
Office
Jennifer is from Montgomery
and will be joining us as a
Customer Service Rep. She
enjoys reading and traveling
with her husband.
Mary Riley, Pharmacy
Mary is from Oak Grove, AL and
will be working as a Technician
in the Pharmacy. She enjoys
going to her small farm with her
husband and two kids: Braelynn
(13) and Breanna (9).
Derex Rutledge, Geriatric
Psychology
Derex is from Montevallo, AL
and has joined us as a Social
Worker. He enjoys writing Gospel
Music, singing in the choir,
and sports. Derex also enjoys
spending time with his beautiful
wife and beautiful daughter.
Stephanie Stinnett, Trace
Crossings Health Center
Stephanie is from Abernant and
will joining us as a Medical Office
Assistant. She enjoys hunting,
fishing and watching football.
Stephanie is married to her
husband, Chris, and they have a
son, Caige, and a daughter, Lilie.
Meggan Smith, Lab
Meggan is from Birmingham,
AL and will be joining us as
a Phlebotomist. She enjoys
football, any physical activities
and reading. Meggan has three
boys: ages 1,3 and 10.
Jennifer Yeager, OR
Jennifer is from Bessemer,
AL and will be working as an
Educator/ Quality Coordinator.
She enjoys crafting and fishing.
Jennifer has a sister, Joyce, and a
daughter, Allison.
LUNCH
&LEARN
when?
Thursday, April 17th from 12:00 pm
until 12:30 pm
TOPIC?
Budgeting & Time Value of Money
Has bugeting ever been a problem for
you? Are you always looking for a little
extra money to set aside? Thursday we will
have Frank Laxson, the Medical West ING
Representative here to give us some tips
on budgeting. Also, Frank will give us some
insights of the vaule of a dollar. You won’t
want to miss this!
where?
Civic Room - Level C
All who attend will receive 5 HP's!
facility UPDATE
Lots Happening at Medical West!
OB/GYN Suite
Phase 2 of the OB/GYN renovation has begun! This phase includes a breakroom and bathroom for employees as well
as new patient rooms and a small waiting area for patients.
Subway
Construction will begin the end of this month!
Cafeteria
This past weekend new panels were added to the walls. Tile flooring and a new salad bar will be coming soon!
Emergency Department
Last week the ED received hardwood flooring. In the coming weeks their nursing station will also be renovated.
Employee of the Month Nominations
If you would like to nominate a deserving coworker for Employee of the Month, please submit your nomination
no later than this Friday, April 18th. You may pick up the form from Marketing and fax it to 481-8503 or email to
carnone@uabmw.org.
W E L C O M E A B OA R D
SIDDHARTH SINGH, MD
cardiovascular services
Siddharth Singh, MD, is originally from New Delhi, India and has joined our
Cardiovascular Services Team. He is primarily at UAB but will be in the call rotation with
our Medical West Cardiologists. He received his Medical Degree from All India Institute
of Medical Sciences and completed his internship and residency at the Mayo Clinic in
Rochester, MN. Dr. Singh completed his fellowship with the University of Alabama at
Birmingham.
We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Singh to our team!
meet
your
co-workers
nora rodriguez
emergency department rn
Name: Nora Rodriguez
Department/Position: ER/RN
Education Background: Wallace State
How long have you worked here? 10 months
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
My heart’s desire is to love people for who they are, where they are.
I have three sisters and a brother. I fall in the middle.
I am a mom to two teenagers and have the best of both worlds - one daughter and one son.
I want to be known as a philanthropist (mission yet to be established).
I have yet to meet a travel destination I didn’t like but I strongly prefer Caribbean weather. In my
mind, I’m a native.
I find enjoyment in teaching, helping others and watching them grow.
I would like to take my kids on 3 mission trips before they graduate high school.
I would like to obtain my private pilot’s licence and own an airplane.
I love sunrises and sunsets.
Music is always in my head. There is a song for everything.
Scale Back Alabama is a Wrap!
Congratulations to all of our Scale Back Alabama participants on a job well done! The 10-week
program is now complete and we are thrilled to report that Medical West lost a grand total
of 781.8 pounds! We had 36 employees lose 10+ pounds --- way to go!
Congratulations to our Winners!
Group With the Highest Percentage of Weight Loss:
• First Place (Winners of $100 each)
Team “Cell-U-Light” Anna George, Pam Acker, Nicole Cofield and Alana Smith
• Second Place (Winners of $50 each)
Team “Drop It Like It’s Hot!” Russ Patterson, Mark Newton, Tim Crosby and Priscilla Williams
Individual With the Highest Percentage of Weight Loss (Winner of $50)
Cindy Robbins, Lab
Group Fitness Drawing Winner (Winner of a $50 Academy gift card)
Justin Miller, Accounting
walk@
day
lunch
Sponsored by
11:00 am until 1:00 pm - medical west hospital parking lot (located in rear of building)
Join us for exercise, free blood pressure & B.M.I. screenings, giveaways & door prizes! All are welcome to attend!
all medical west employees will receive 10 hps for participating!
APRIL
check out our social medica sites to stay up-todate on everything happening at medical west!
schedule
OF EVENTS
APRIL 16,23,30
Farmer’s Market • 9am - 4pm on
Level C
APRIL 15
Senior Care Luncheon • Bessemer Civic
Center • 11:00 am • Guest Speaker Dr. Chambers
APRIL 17
Lunch & Learn • Civic Room • 12:00 pm
“Budgeting & Time Value of Money”
presented by Frank Laxson, Medical
West ING Rep.
APRIL 18
PATIENT
QUOTES
“I was recently admitted for a week on the fourth
floor. The nurses doctors, PCTs, and everyone were
wonderful and very attentive. I could not ask for
better care and compassion.”
- Submitted by a Facebook User
Employee of the Month Nomination
Deadline
APRIL 21-25
Celebrating Volunteer Week
APRIL 28 - MAY 2
Celebrating Lab Week!
APRIL 29
April Birthday Breakfast • Civic Room
• 8:00 am
Please call ext. 8500 to RSVP
apatontheback
A special congratulations to Dr. Hickman for being asked to be the guest
speaker at Miles College’s Diversity Day celebration. Dr. Hickman spoke to
the graduating class about how integrity and character are the true keys to
success. Way to go Dr. Hickman!
waytogo