2015 Spring Personal Blessing

A publication of BLESSING HOSPITAL Spring 2015
Sky’s the Limit
Learn how the Blessing Rehab
team made the sky the limit for
two patients and their families. Pages 2, 6
Helping people survive and
thrive after a hip fracture.
Page 10
Blessing recognized for
reducing early birth
complications.
Page 14
PBLESSING
ersonal
Published four times a year by the Public
Relations & Communications staff of
Blessing Hospital. Personal Blessing
provides general information on health
related topics. It is not intended to be a
substitute for professional medical advice,
which should always be obtained from your
physician.
The Blessing Health System
Mission Statement:
To improve the health of our community.
The Blessing Hospital
Vision Statement:
Blessing will be the leader in quality
patient and family centered healthcare.
In partnership with our community,
patients, staff, students, volunteers, and
physicians, we will create and support
a culture of excellence and financial
sustainability.
We will be recognized as the:
• Provider of choice for our patients
• Employer of choice for our staff
• Partner of choice for our physicians
• Healthcare educational provider of
choice
For more information, contact:
Blessing Hospital
Broadway at 11th & 14th Street
PO Box 7005
Quincy, IL 62305-7005
(217) 223-8400, extension 4192
BlessingHealthSystem.org
Personal Blessing is sent to residents of the
Blessing Hospital service area using a purchased
mailing list. If you no longer wish to receive
Personal Blessing, please email your request,
name and complete address to
steve.felde@blessinghealthsystem.org, or call him
at 217-223-8400, ext. 4191.
Happy 140th anniversary,
Blessing Hospital!
By Maureen Kahn, president/CEO, Blessing Health System
On the eve of opening the $70-million Moorman
Pavilion, featuring 52 state-of-the-art single bed
rooms, Blessing Hospital also celebrates its first
patient rooms.
On May 10, 1875, a citizens committee known as the Relief
Association used $12,000 it raised to open a 19-room hospital, called
Blessing Hospital, with space for 30 patients on a tract of land donated
by a prominent Quincy couple, Sarah and Mathias Denman.
Much has changed over the past 140 years, including the
knowledge, technology and skill used to heal the human body.
One very important element has not changed: Blessing Hospital was
built to, “provide relief for the poor during the approaching winter.”
One-hundred-forty years later we remain true to our founding
principle, providing healthcare to all in need, regardless of ability
to pay. During 2013 (the last year for which audited figures are available),
Blessing provided nearly $15 million in free healthcare: more than
$8 million in Charity Care, healthcare to those who stated before
receiving care that they could not afford the care they needed; and an
addition $6.7 million in care to those who stated after receiving a bill
for their care that they could not afford it. The Affordable Care Act is
reducing those numbers a bit, but not eliminating the need.
In addition to its role as non-profit community-based healthcare
provider, Blessing has also brought some notable “firsts” to the region
over the past 140 years:
• The Blessing Hospital Training School for Nurses (now the BlessingRieman College of Nursing) was on the list of the first programs
accredited by the Illinois Department of Registration and
Education in 1909.
• In 1946, Blessing became the first civilian hospital in Illinois to use
penicillin.
• Blessing Hospital opened the region’s first Renal Dialysis
department in 1971.
• In 1983, Blessing Hospital was among
the first downstate hospitals to offer
Computed Tomography (CT) scanning.
• The Blessing Hospice became the first
Medicare-certified hospice program in
Illinois in 1983.
• In the summer of 1997, Blessing Hospital
brought the region its first, 24-houra-day, seven-day-a-week medical
helicopter service when it partnered
with Air Evac.
Continued on page 5
The
Gift
Blessing Intermediate Care Unit nurse Laura Zanger and
Dave Landacre get some fresh air during his hospital stay.
D
ave Landacre knows about hospital care.
Over the years he has survived a truck
accident and a brain aneurysm.
“This time, it was different,” the 58-year-old Pike
County, IL, resident said.
On November 21, 2014, Dave collapsed at home.
A diabetic reaction left him unresponsive and on a
ventilator in the Blessing Hospital Intensive Care
Unit. He regained consciousness in six days. He
was in the Intensive Care Unit from November 2126 and the Intermediate Care Unit from November
26-December 1.
Dave was impressed with the care he received
from each staff member in both departments. But
of all the people involved in his care, he says one
stands out – Laura Zanger, RN, Intermediate Care
Unit.
“I had many great nurses, but Laura is probably
the best nurse I’ve had in my life, except my wife,”
Dave stated. “It was an absolutely incredible
experience.”
Dave’s wife, Deb, has been a nurse at Blessing for
more than 30 years.
“It’s not because I am a nurse here,” Deb said of
the nursing care her husband received. “I think they
do this for everybody. I’d trust any of them with my
life. Everyone was instrumental in Dave’s recovery.”
“I take care of all patients the way I would want
my family members cared for, with the dignity that
every human being deserves,” Laura said.
Dave and Deb’s appreciation of Laura includes
her clinical and personal skills.
“I was in severe pain,” Dave recalls. “Her goal
on Day 1 was to get my pain under control. She was
focused on it and she did it. That was a big deal for
me.”
Laura’s focus on pain stems from a personal
experience.
“I was deeply touched by the way nurses on the
5400 oncology unit at Blessing took care of my late
father,” she said. “Seeing their work reinvigorated
my commitment to helping address patient’s pain
physically, emotionally and spiritually.”
“Laura took the time to take Dave outside,” Deb
observed. “She was very kind and generous. It’s the
little acts of kindness that mean so much.”
“Nursing is not a career,” Laura observed.
“Nurses who approach patient care as a career are
miserable and so are their patients.”
“Nursing is a vocation and a gift,” she declared.
“Every nurse I admire delivers care in this way.”
Personal BLESSING
1
Bill Hansen and Blessing Rehabilitation Services:
The
making of a
MIRACLE
“It’s a miracle!”
People use that proclamation
to describe everything from an
underdog sports team winning the
big game, to a student passing a
difficult exam, to an infant sleeping
through the night for the first time.
Most of the events people use the
word “miracle” to describe really
aren’t miracles at all.
Among the definitions of the
word miracle is, “…a surprising
and welcome event that is not
explicable by natural or scientific
laws and is therefore considered to
be the work of a divine agency.”
Based on that definition, it is
more than proper to use the word
miracle to describe Bill Hansen’s
life.
“We were told he might never
talk again,” said Bill’s mother,
Cindy. “He’s come further than
anyone ever expected.”
“He’s a living, breathing
miracle,” added Denise Sangoi,
occupational therapist,
Rehabilitation Services, Blessing
Hospital.
The tragedy
Bill’s life changed forever on
April 7, 2013. He was 22-years-old
and riding his motorcycle near his
home in Canton, Missouri, when
he had an accident resulting in a
traumatic brain injury.
“The neurologist explained that
2
Personal BLESSING
his injury was like Shaken Baby
Syndrome,” Cindy recalls. “His
brain was violently shaken back
and forth inside his skull.”
For 27 days Bill lay in a coma in
Blessing Hospital. He remembers
little about his stay at Blessing.
But Bill’s family remembers the
time vividly.
Bill’s mother Cindy, his father,
Rich, and his older brother, Matt,
live in Iola, Wisconsin, seven hours
from Quincy.
“All through that night, as we
packed and got ready to leave for
Quincy, we received phone calls
from Blessing, keeping us updated
on everything going on with Bill,”
Cindy recalled. “Everyone at
Blessing was wonderful. We made
many friends at the hospital that
we keep in touch with.”
Bill awoke from his coma,
and once medically stable, spent
eight challenging weeks in
Blessing’s nationally accredited
Rehabilitation Department.
“My husband and I decided it
was in Bill’s best interest not to
move him to Wisconsin for care,”
Cindy stated. “We are very glad
we made that decision. I don’t
know if he would be where he is
today without the care he got at
Blessing.”
Members of the Blessing
Rehabilitation Services team
remember Bill’s early days in
therapy.
“We needed a mechanical lift
to move him,” said Deann Gosney,
RN.
“He was unable to follow onestep commands,” stated Stephanie
Neiswender, speech pathologist.
“He suffered severe language
and cognitive (brain processes)
deficits.”
“He was agitated, non-verbal
and non-cooperative,” Kiran Datar,
physical therapist, said. “Those are
the effects of a brain injury.”
“I told him, ‘You trust me. I
trust you. We’re on the same road
together,’” recalled Denise. “Once
we established that trust, we began
making progress.”
Members of Bill’s family played
key roles in his recovery.
“His mom, from Day One,
accepted everything and went in
with an open mind, wanting to
know what she could do to help
him,” Denise continued.
“I’m not one to cry,” revealed
Cindy. “I just kept believing he was
going to get better.”
“Bill’s brother, Matt, was a big
help,” added Kiran. “For a while,
Bill would listen only to Matt.”
“Matt helped build a fire
underneath me,” Bill said.
With trust built between Bill
and his caregivers, and his family’s
support, everything changed
several weeks into his therapy
On top of the world! From left to right: Matt Hansen, Kiran Datar, Bill Hansen and Denise Sangoi on the
Skydeck of Willis Tower in Chicago after climbing 2,109 steps.
and Bill began to make progress
that team members describe as
“amazing.”
“In 29 years of nursing I have
never come across anyone who
worked as hard and succeeded
as much as Bill,” said Deann. “I
learned a lot from him.”
“He ended up doing the highest
level tasks we have,” exclaimed
Stephanie. “He met all of my
goals.”
John DeGuzman, MD, medical
director, Blessing Rehabilitation
Services, describes Bill’s recovery
as “excellent,” thanks to the
support of his family’s support and
the care provided by his Blessing
Rehabilitation team.
“His family support made
all the difference,” said Dr.
DeGuzman. “They encouraged Bill
to participate and work with the
therapists. And the therapists and
staff were great advocates.”
Bill’s hard work earned him a
discharge date of July 24, 2013. As
most patients do, Bill was going
to get a wheelchair ride off of the
unit and to the main door of the
hospital.
“He was kind of bummed about
that,” recalled Matt. “So Kiran told
Bill to be ready to walk out of the
hospital.”
On the day of Bill’s discharge,
staff from throughout the hospital
that had played a role in his
recovery – from the caregivers of
the four nursing units Bill had been
on during his three month stay at
Blessing to the housekeepers who
also served those units - people
Bill had touched during his stay at
Blessing - lined the main hallway
in Rehabilitation to cheer him on
as he walked down the hall and
out of the door to resume his life.
“People were cheering and
clapping,” Matt described. “I was
crying because all of these people
cared enough to be there for us.”
“There wasn’t a dry eye
anywhere,” Denise added.
“I don’t know that you would
get something like that anywhere
else,” said Cindy of Bill’s discharge
celebration.
The challenge
After challenging him for
eight weeks with daily physical
therapy exercises, Kiran posed
one more challenge to Bill before
discharge. He invited Bill to join
him in Chicago in November 2014
to climb the 103 flight of stairs
to the famed glass skydeck of
the Willis Tower for the annual
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
benefit called, “SkyRise Chicago:
The world’s tallest indoor stairclimbing event.”
Kiran admits today the he
forgot he had mentioned the event
Personal BLESSING
3
to Bill in July 2013. Bill did not
“I was ready to give up at about “We saw that guy at the top,”
forget.
the 50th floor,” he recalls.
Matt continued. “He came up and
“I can never back down from a
That’s when Denise stepped in. shook Bill’s hand and said that if
challenge,” Bill exclaimed.
“I pulled him over and told him he had not run into Bill, he would
Back in Iola, as Bill continued
it’s not about how long it takes to
have given up.”
therapy he also trained for the
get to the top. It’s about enjoying
“His motivation and
Willis Tower challenge in the
the journey and finishing with a
enthusiasm are contagious,” Denise
hospital stairwell. He began by
smile,” she said.
observed.
climbing the hospital’s six flights
“He forgot whatever time goal
“It’s that attitude that helped
of stairs six times each therapy day. he had set for himself and just
get him where he is today,” Matt
Bill’s training
added.
ended when
he was able
The
to complete
more than 17
future
repetitions of
Bill
the six flights
continues
of stairs to
therapy today
equal that of
in Wisconsin
the Willis
to improve the
Tower and do
function of
it in less than
his right hand
50 minutes.
and arm. His
Then,
goals are firm,
more than a
but without
year after his
a deadline:
discharge,
Bill wants to
Bill called
continue his
Kiran to make
recovery and
arrangements
again be able to
to meet in
Good luck, Bill!
work full time.
Staff who had the chance to know Bill Hansen during his more than threeChicago on
One goal,
month-long recovery and rehabilitation at Blessing Hospital lined the halls
November 2,
however, has a
to cheer him on as he was discharged back to his family home in Iola,
2014.
definite, nonWisconsin.
Kiran was
negotiable
surprised to get
deadline.
the call, but then, not really.
focused on finishing, and finishing
“I know what I’ll be doing
“We see so many people go
strong,” Denise stated proudly.
November 1, 2015,” he said.
home and just quit,” he stated.
Bill also motivated others along So do all the people who know
“Bill’s not a quitter.”
the way to the top of Willis Tower. Bill Hansen. They know he’ll be
Bill, Matt and Cindy met up
“We met this heavy set guy, all smiling from the Skydeck of Willis
with Kiran and Denise at Willis
red faced and sweaty, sitting down Tower in downtown Chicago after
Tower on November 2, 2014, Even
in the stairwell,” Matt recalled.
having climbed its 103 flights of
with his training, the 2,109 steps
“Bill walked up to him and said, “81 stairs.
of the Willis Tower proved to be
weeks ago, I was in a coma. If I can “We accepted what his future
grueling for Bill.
do this, so can you.”
might be, but Bill kept pushing,”
Cindy concluded. “He’s a miracle.”
4
Personal BLESSING
Continued from inside cover
Those are just a few of the
ways Blessing Hospital has
ensured it was improving the
health of our community over the
past 140 years.
We will celebrate our
anniversary this year in a number
of ways, including opening
Mooman Pavilion. You are invited
to join the celebration. See the
back cover of this magazine for the
date and time.
Finally, I am pleased to
announce the hiring of a new
leader has been selected for
Blessing Hospital.
Elliot Kuida (pronounced KWEEda) will join Blessing Hospital on
April 1 as Chief Operating Officer
(COO). Kuida will be responsible
for all of the Hospital’s operations.
His expertise is needed as I have
also assumed the role of president/
chief executive officer of Blessing
Health System.
Kuida brings over 28 years of
leadership experience within a
health care setting. For the past
18 years, he has held executive
positions at Martha Jefferson
Health Services, Charlottesville,
VA. His most recent position
was Chief Operating Officer,
responsible for daily operations
of Martha Jefferson Hospital, a
176-bed non-profit community
hospital. He also served as
President of Martha Jefferson
Medical Enterprises, a physician
practice management company.
I hope to see you at the Moorman Pavilion open house!
Maureen Kahn, RN, MHA, MSN
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Personal BLESSING
5
THE GAME’S
NOT OVER
Surviving a stroke
A connection exists between
sports and faith. Anyone who
has seen a baseball game has
witnessed a player make the sign
of the cross before a key at-bat,
or as he approaches home plate
after hitting a home run. Football
players often take a knee in the end
zone after scoring a touchdown
and look skyward.
While those demonstrations
of the sports and faith connection
may appear superficial at times, the
Tom Niemann family of Canton,
MO, knows the connection has the
power to change lives.
“We can do anything we
set our minds to,” said Tom’s
wife Meleia, a college basketball
standout. “We’re warriors and
competitors. We will not be
defeated without giving it our best
effort!”
“Life’s a game and the game’s
not over,” added Tom, a former
major league baseball player.
“We’re just changing our offense.”
6
Personal BLESSING
That attitude played a key role
in Tom’s comeback from the stroke
he suffered last spring.
Tom is one of the last people
anyone would expect to suffer a
stroke. He’s athletic; a member of
the Kansas City Royals baseball
team for more than three years
in the early 1980s. He remains
fit at 53 years old, the owner of a
construction company.
“Tom was the picture of
health,” Meleia stated. “He had just
had a complete physical, including
a stress test. Tom doesn’t smoke
and his cholesterol level is good.”
Nonetheless, on March 24,
2014, Tom suffered a stroke on a
job site.
“I fell down on my knee and I
could not get up,” he recalls. “It
just went from bad to worse.”
One of Tom’s employees called
Meleia.
“He was conscious but couldn’t
talk,” she said upon her arrival at
the job site. “I could tell right away
Tyler Niemann (at left in
photo) and his dad, Tom,
play catch, a milestone on
Tom’ road to recovery
from a stroke.
his right side was drooping.”
Tom was taken to Blessing
Hospital, the region’s only
nationally accredited Primary
Stroke Center. For an unknown
reason, one of the major arteries
in his neck - the left carotid artery
- developed a tear. A blood clot
formed because of the tear, broke
off and moved into Tom’s brain
causing the stroke.
An assessment in the Blessing
Emergency Center showed that
Tom was a candidate to receive
the blood clot-busting drug
tPA. Immediately after receiving
the drug Tom was flown to
Barnes Hospital in St. Louis for
a Thrombectomy, a procedure to
remove the blood clot from his
brain that caused the stroke.
“Tom’s outcome would not
have been as good as it was if he
hadn’t had the care of the stroke
team in the Blessing Emergency
Center” stated Jill Stegeman*,
Tom’s sister. “The Barnes physician
said the speed with which Tom
was diagnosed and moved through
Blessing’s Emergency Center and
on to St. Louis contributed to the
success of his surgery. They were
very impressed.”
The road to recovery
“A doctor at Barnes told us
Tom would be lucky to regain 30
percent of his normal function,”
Meleia recalled. “Knowing our
strength and faith, I knew we were
capable of going beyond that.”
Three days after his
surgery, Tom was back in
Quincy - a patient of Blessing
Hospital’s nationally accredited
Rehabilitation Department. While
the Niemanns have several family
members who work for Blessing
Hospital, Meleia said that fact did
not influence the family’s decision
to return from Barnes to Blessing
for rehabilitation.
“Everyone’s concern was Tom,
not loyalty to Blessing Hospital.
We wanted the best for him,” she
said.
“We’re very glad we came back
to Blessing,” Meleia continued.
“When you are working with local
people, they take a strong, personal
interest in your care and in the
family. In a big environment, you’re
just another body.”
Tom needed a lot of care.
“I couldn’t walk or speak
and my right hand was in a fist,”
recalled Tom.
“From my initial contact with
Tom, his motivation to recover and
intense work ethic were noted,”
said Jennifer Engelmeyer, physical
therapist. “These factors, along
with his diagnosis, made him a
prime candidate to use our ceiling
lift and track system to improve
his walking and balance. We place
a patient in a harness and hook the
harness to a lift in a track system
on the ceiling. The patient can
walk without an assistive device
such as a cane or walker, because
they are supported by the lift, and
are better able to relearn their
balance reactions and improve
their walking pattern with this
device. Tom improved immensely
with this use of this.”
“But when his rehab was all
done, it was Tom’s personality,
family support, motivation and
work ethic that has taken him as
far as he has come today,” Jennifer
concluded.
While Tom was working to
recover, his son Tyler was playing
in his senior baseball season at
Canton High School. Tom had
been Tyler’s baseball coach since
T-ball.
Tom worked so hard on his
rehabilitation that he was granted
a pass to go see one of Tyler’s
games. Tyler hit two home runs in
that game.
“It was good,” Tom said with a
smile on his face.
Other members of Tom’s
very large family also helped him
Personal BLESSING
7
The Niemann Family
along his road to recovery. As
many as 20 relatives gathered in
the Blessing Hospital cafeteria
weekly to continue the tradition of
Sunday family dinner during Tom’s
hospitalization.
The road leads home
On May 2, 2014, after six
weeks of rehabilitation, Tom was
discharged from Blessing. He
returned home and continued his
recovery, relearning how to throw
a ball with Tyler, and shooting
baskets with his daughter-athlete,
Tori.
“Tom worked extremely
hard, and you could see the
determination and motivation in
his face every therapy session,”
said Mandy Megee, occupational
therapist. “When I saw a video
of him and Tyler throwing the
baseball in their yard after he went
home, it brought tears to my eyes
and gave me another reason to love
what I do.”
8
Personal BLESSING
“I was so impressed with the
commitment of Meleia to Tom’s
recovery,” said Lori Murphy,
speech pathologist. “She and
their children assisted Tom with
home practice assignments, truly
working as a team, which I think
expedited his recovery.”
“The care Tom got in the
Rehabilitation department was
second to none,” said Tom’s sister
Jill. “I’ll never forget the final
meeting we had with everyone
who participated in his six
weeks of rehab. It was the most
comprehensive and informative
sharing experience. We didn’t even
realize half of what went on behind
the scenes on Tom’s behalf.”
Today, more than a year after
the stroke, Tom continues working
on his balance, a few speech issues
and getting stronger with a goal of
returning to work full time.
“He is a lot further than 30
percent,” said Meleia, recalling
what the doctor at Barnes had told
them the day Tom suffered his
stroke.
“The support of our family and
friends was amazing! Tom had
people praying for him all over
the country and world,” Meleia
continued. “Prayer is a powerful
thing, and we needed everything
we could get. We knew from the
start that with faith, family and
friends we would get through this.
We are so thankful.”
Meleia and Tom are grateful
for one more thing – their Air
Evac membership. Their $55 year
membership fee saved tens of
thousands of dollars on Tom’s care.
“I never thought we would need
the membership,” Meleia said. “I
just wanted to support the service.
Now, we are their best advertisers.
We tell everyone they should
support Air Evac.”
* Jill Stegeman is a Blessing Hospital employee.
ORIGINAL
MEMBER OF
BLESSING
CANCER
CENTER TEAM
RETIRES
Sam didn’t go to medical or nursing school, but
patients seemed to feel he was as much a part of their
care team as the doctors and nurses at the Blessing
Cancer Center.
“A patient’s husband called me to find out
what Sam’s schedule was,” said Jo Fuller, Blessing
Hospital. “His wife wanted to schedule her
treatments at the times Sam was at the Center.”
Sam is a 14-year-old border collie. He was the
first pet-assisted therapy dog at the Blessing Cancer
Center, serving since the Center opened in 2003.
Sam retired in December 2014, due in part to his own
battle with cancer.
Pet-assisted therapy provides an essential
nonverbal connection that has been proven to be
beneficial in the healing process. Scientific studies
have shown that this complimentary therapy
provides benefits in patient comfort, progress and
recovery. Pet-assisted therapy is a source of hope,
unconditional love and communication that all
humans need to enhance quality of life.
“He is so wonderful, compassionate
and caring,” said Marty
Didriksen, a Blessing Cancer
Center volunteer who served
as Sam’s handler. “He would
sit in front of the patient while they were getting
treatment. He smiled at them. He really, truly smiled
at them. He cared. He listened. They loved him and I
love him, too.”
When people found out about Sam’s cancer, his
owner, Mary Welk, learned how much he meant to
patients of the Blessing Cancer Center.
“I had no idea how many people he helped,” Mary
said. “I have been friended on Facebook by people
I don’t know but who know Sam, and stopped by
people on street who ask about Sam. I am very proud
of him.”
“If I can learn one thing from Sam, it is if someone
comes to you with a burden, look them in the eye,
smile and share their burden with them,” Mary
concluded with a tear in her eye.
Upon Sam’s retirement, Mary received a memory
book from Marty with reflections on Sam’s service
from patients and Blessing Cancer Center caregivers.
While another dog is now providing pet-assisted
therapy at the Center, messages in the memory book
show the new dog has big paws to fill:
“Thank you for sharing Sam with us. I’m so sorry
to hear about his illness. He is such a special puppy
and you are in our thoughts and prayers.”
Personal BLESSING
9
G E R I A T R I C
B L E S S I N G
RETAIN
Carol Rankin is a 70-year-old
grandmother of four.
“I don’t consider myself
geriatric,” said the West Point, IL,
resident.
Carol attends exercise class
regularly, swims, bikes and loves to
B L
travel. But last July, she broke her
F aR
left hip when she slipped carrying
heavy object.
“I could not believe it. I did not
think I was a typical candidate for a
broken hip,” she stated.
As active as she is, Carol is not
alone in suffering a bone fracture.
One-half of all women and onequarter of men will experience
a fracture in their life time. The
leading cause for this situation
is the bone-weakening disease
Osteoporosis.
Making the situation even
worse for older Americans is the
fact that one in four people who
suffers a hip fracture dies as a result
of complications from the injury.
One-quarter of those that survive
a hip fracture are no longer able to
live independently.
Hip fractures are expected
to skyrocket by 12 percent by
2030. To improve the likelihood
of surviving and thriving after a
hip fracture, Blessing Hospital
Orthopedic Services has created the
“Break Free” program.
Break Free is a standardized
approach to fracture care in the
elderly. It has all healthcare
providers working toward the same
care goals from the time the patient
10
Personal BLESSING
F R A C T U R E
G E R I A T R I C
P R O G R A M
FREE
F R A C T U R E
REGAIN
P R O G R A M
DECREASE
arrives at Blessing Hospital until
care physicians and the hospitalists
they leave. Those goals are:
on the Blessing Hospital Medical
• to get the patient to surgery
Staff to elevate the level of fracture
within 24 hours,
care provided through the co• get them up and moving quickly management model.”
after surgery, and
In addition to the physicians,
• begin addressing their
other providers including nursing,
EOsteoporosis
S S I N toGreduce
G the
E R
I
A
T
R I C
risk of
physical and occupational
A
C fractures.
T U R E P R O G Rtherapy,
A M pharmacy, the emergency
future
“By reaching these goals,
department, and the anesthesia
evidence shows patients have
department play key roles in
the best chance to retain their
helping patients reach their Break
strength, regain their mobility and
Free care goals.
decrease the risk of complications,” While Carol felt she had
said Emily Ver Meer, RN, MSN,
no apparent risk factors for
Administrative Coordinator of
Osteoporosis, in talking with her
Orthopedic Services, Blessing
healthcare providers she related
Hospital.
that her father, when he was in his
Break Free brings together the
mid-80s, broke his hip. That fact
patient’s primary care provider and put Carol at increased risk for a hip
the orthopedic surgeon who repairs fracture.
the fracture to ensure a patient’s
Carol was pleased with the care
care goals are met.
of her broken hip. With pain she
“This cooperation is the
described as “9” on a scale of 10, her
hallmark of a successful program,”
husband, Dennis, brought her to
said Rena Stewart, MD, orthopedic the Memorial Hospital Emergency
surgeon, Quincy Medical Group
Room in Carthage, IL.
and Medical Director, Break Free.
From there
“There was a willingness,
buy-in and tremendous
cooperation from
primary
she was transported to Blessing
Hospital for surgery the next
morning. Two days later, Carol
was transferred back to Memorial
Hospital for five days of inpatient
rehabilitation. Physical therapy
continued on an outpatient basis
for six weeks.
As healthy as she is, Carol’s
recovery from a broken hip took
time. She says participating in a
good physical therapy program is
key to recovery.
“Every week I can do things I
could not do the week before,” she
said. “I set little goals for myself.
I celebrated when I could tie my
own shoes and put my own socks
on. Now, I am working on getting
into and out of the car like I used
to.”
“I am not satisfied with ‘good
enough,’” Carol continued. “I am
depending on full recovery. That is
what I am pushing toward.”
She also sees Matt Bruns, nurse
practitioner, Quincy Medical
Group, to reduce the risk of
future fractures by addressing her
Osteoporosis.
Dr. Stewart
was
involved
with a
program similar
to Break Free when
she was Assistant
Professor and Chief of
the Section of Orthopedic
Trauma, Division of Orthopedic
Surgery at the University of
Alabama-Birmingham.
“Break Free brings together and capitalizes upon the strengths we
have in the Quincy medical community,” she continued. “It allows the
care we provide to geriatric fracture patients at Blessing Hospital to
meet national and international standards of care. And there is a real
need in our region, with our large number of elderly residents.”
Hip fracture: Reduce your risk
The bone-weakening disease
Osteoporosis is a leading
contributor to hip fracture. The
problem is that most people do
not know they have Osteoporosis
until they sustain a fracture.
Preventive measures include
getting enough calcium in
your diet, and taking vitamin
D supplements daily after
discussing the idea with your
primary health provider. For
women past menopause and not
taking estrogen, the National
Institutes of Health recommends
1,500 milligrams (mg) of calcium
daily. For those taking estrogen,
the recommendation is 1,000 mg.
Middle-aged men should take
1,000 mg daily.
Women at menopause should
consider having a bone density
test. A bone density test is used
to measure the bone mineral
content and thickness of the
bone. This measurement can
indicate decreased bone mass,
a condition in which bones are
more brittle and more prone to
break or fracture easily. A bone
density test is used primarily to
diagnose Osteoporosis and to
determine fracture risk.
The Blessing Breast Center
performs bone density testing.
A doctor’s order is required. For
more information, call the Center
at (217) 223-8400, ext. 4290.
Carol Rankin is back to exercise class after breaking her hip and
recovering with the Blessing Break Free program.
Another way to reduce the
risk for hip fracture is to engage
in regular, weight-bearing
exercise, such as walking,
jogging, or hiking. Exercise
programs such as Tai Chi also
can help promote strength and
balance.
Other preventive measures
may include:
• Taking medications as
prescribed by your doctor to
prevent bone loss
• Eating a calcium-rich diet
including milk, cottage
cheese, yogurt, sardines, and
broccoli
• Stopping smoking
• Avoiding excessive alcohol
use
• Keeping objects off the
stairs and floors, such as
electrical cords, to prevent
falls
• Using slip-resistant rugs
next to the bathtub and
installing grab bars in the
tub
• Using rug pads or nonskid
backing to keep rugs in
place around the home
• Positioning night lights
from the bedroom to the
bathroom
• Not using unsteady
furniture or step ladders to
stand on
• Have a vision test annually
and vision loss treated
Personal BLESSING
11
{cardiac care
BLESSING HOSPITAL EARNS ACCREDITATION FOR HEART TEST
Blessing Hospital’s Non-Invasive Cardiology Department has earned a threeyear accreditation in Adult Transthoracic Echocardiography from the Intersocietal
Accreditation Commission (IAC).
Accreditation by the IAC means that Blessing Hospital’s Non-Invasive Cardiology
Department underwent a thorough review of its Adult Transthoracic Echocardiography
testing program by a panel of experts. IAC grants accreditation only to those programs
found to be providing quality patient care in compliance with national standards.
Transthoracic Echocardiography is a non-invasive procedure that produces images of
the heart taken through the chest wall. Using the images, doctors can evaluate all four
chambers of the heart, the strength of the heart, the condition of the heart valves, the
lining of the heart and the aorta. It can be used to detect a heart attack and enlargement
of the heart.
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death in the United States. On
average, one American dies every 39 seconds of a cardiovascular disease. The American
Heart Association estimates that the direct and indirect cost for cardiovascular diseases
in the United States exceeds $500 billion a year.
12
Personal BLESSING
BLESSING SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
HEART SURGERY PROGRAM
Blessing Hospital has signed an association
agreement with the Division of Cardiothoracic
Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine
in St. Louis. The association draws upon the expertise
of Washington University physicians and staff to
enhance the level and quality of care for Blessing
patients. Blessing will continue to own and operate
the program.
“This arrangement gives our cardiothoracic
caregivers at Blessing special access to the best
practices, care innovations, research, and continuing
education of one of the best programs in the nation,”
said Maureen Kahn, RN, MHA, MSN, president/chief
executive officer, Blessing Health System.
Kahn added that Washington University will
also help Blessing recruit one or two cardiothoracic
surgeons.
Washington University’s Division of
Cardiothoracic Surgery is an international leader in
cardiothoracic surgery. Its physicians and researchers
are internationally recognized in each of its four
subspecialties: adult cardiac surgery, adult general
thoracic surgery, pediatric cardiothoracic surgery and
cardiothoracic critical care.
“We look forward to working with Blessing
Hospital and the physicians. They have a strong
history of providing quality care to the surrounding
communities. It’s our goal to partner with them to
advance the cardiothoracic surgical services in the
region,” said Marc Moon, MD, who serves as Chief
of the Section of Cardiac Surgery at Washington
University School of Medicine.
Cardiothoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in surgical treatment of diseases affecting
organs inside the chest; generally treatment of
conditions of the heart and lungs.
right here - right now}
An irregular pulse can make strokes more likely.
What is your pulse?
Your pulse is your heart rate, or the number of times your heart beats in one minute. Pulse rates vary
from person to person. Your pulse is lower when you are at rest and increases when you exercise. Knowing
how to take your pulse can help you.
How to take your pulse
Step 1
Bend your arm at the elbow and
lift it with palm facing up.
Step 2
Press the middle and index fingers
lightly on your wrist area below
your thumb until you feel your
pulse. This area is where the radial
artery is located. Move your
fingers, if necessary, to find the
pulse.
Step 3
• Count the number of pulse
beats for one minute. Use a
stopwatch or the second hand
of a watch or clock to time
yourself.
OR
• Count the beats you feel for
15 seconds, then multiply that
number by 4 to get your heart
rate (pulse) per minute:
Count your pulse: _____ beats
in 15 seconds x 4 = _____ beats/
minute.
What is a normal pulse?
Normal Heart Rate at Rest:
For adults (age 18 and over) it is
60 – 100 beats per minute, but can
vary due to medications or medical
conditions.
If your pulse is out of the normal range, talk to your healthcare provider.
Personal BLESSING
13
Blessed Beginnings:
Working with
moms to do the
best for babies
Blessed Beginnings: The Birth Center of
Blessing Hospital has been recognized by The
Leapfrog Group for fully meeting national
standards for reduction of Early Elective
Deliveries (EED).
EEDs are inductions or C-Sections performed
before 39 completed weeks gestation without
medical necessity.
EEDs without medical necessity might be
considered to avoid scheduling conflicts for a
physician, hospital or expectant family.
However, evidence now shows that EEDs
can cause complications for newborns because
important development takes place to the brain
and lungs during the last few weeks of pregnancy.
“Babies born earlier than 39 weeks can
experience complications with the function
of their heart and lungs, maintaining body
temperature, and they don’t eat well,” said Sara
Sullens, nurse educator, Blessed Beginnings. “The
rate of complications drops significantly at 39
weeks.”
EEDs also may increase the risk for C-Section
in some situations.
In response, The Leapfrog Group, a national
organization dedicated to helping improve the
quality and affordability of healthcare, set a
14
Personal BLESSING
national EED goal of five percent. The national
average is currently 4.6 percent. Blessing’s EED
rate is 2.1 percent.
Blessing addressed EED rates on two fronts.
First, it increased the education available to
mothers about the risks of EED.
“Mothers can be very anxious for their
delivery,” said Regenia Stull, director,
Blessed Beginnings. “Their cooperation and
understanding regarding their health, and that of
their baby, was paramount to the success of this
initiative.”
Secondly, the obstetricians/gynecologist
on the Blessing Medical Staff began using a
documentation form designed to more clearly
identify if consideration of an EED is with or
without medical necessity.
“Completing the form can lead you to
reconsider if induction is in the best interest
of the mother and baby,” said Elena Oatey,
MD, chairman, OB/GYN Department, Blessing
Hospital. “When you are writing down all the
facts it provides another opportunity to think
about the decision, which is good. Sometimes you
look at it and say, ‘Maybe we can give this a little
bit longer.’”
Dr. Oatey says the form also provides her with
an educational tool to use with mothers.
“When I’m talking to patients I can say, ‘You
can see by this data that at this time an induction
can significantly increase your risk for C-section.
I would like to hold off on an induction because of
that,’” she stated.
To see the Leapfrog Group EED data, go to
leapfroggroup.org/tooearlydeliveries.
Blessing C-Section rate below
average
Blessed Beginning’s medical and nursing
staffs have also worked to keep the Hospital’s
C-Section rates below national averages.
The federal Centers for Disease Control
reports the national Primary C-Section Rate (first
time C-Sections) is 20.8 percent. Blessing’s rate is
2.7 percent below the national rate. The Total
C-Section rate (including repeat C-Sections) in the
country is 32.8 percent. Blessing’s current rate is
one percent below the national figure for Total
C-Sections.
Dr. Oatey says teamwork helps Blessing keep
its rate below the national average.
“One of the main reasons a C-section is done
is concern for the baby’s well-being. If you feel
you have a great care team in place, you are more
willing to let labor continue longer because you
are more comfortable about the baby’s well-being.
We have a great care team of doctors and nurses
working together at Blessed Beginnings.”
“Also, women know they are much more likely
to have a repeat C-Section if their first birth is by
C-Section. Because of that, a majority of women
do not want a C-Section,” she concluded.
Blessing does not perform Vaginal Births
After Cesarean (VBACs) because the standards
of the American Congress of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists (ACOG), a nonprofit organization
of women’s health care physicians advocating
the highest standards of practice, state that an
anesthesiologist and obstetrician/gynecologist
must be “immediately available” for a VBAC.
“During a VBAC there is a risk of uterine
rupture,” explained Dr. Oatey about the reasoning
behind the ACOG standards. “It’s a low risk, but
the baby could suffer serious disability due to lack
of oxygen or could die as a result.”
Since staffing at Blessing does not allow for
around–the-clock coverage by an anesthesiologist
and obstetrician/gynecologist 365 days a year,
VBACs are not performed at the Hospital for the
safety of mother and baby.
Home vs. hospital births
A recent international news story concerned
Dr. Oatey. She felt it was a bit misleading.
The source of the story was the National
Health Service of the United Kingdom,
recommending that healthy women deliver their
babies at home rather than a hospital, because
healthy women have a low risk for complications
during birth.
“You never know when there is going to be a
complication,” said the doctor who has delivered
babies for 20 years.
“A mom can put herself and her baby in a
situation at home where they are not necessarily
safe,” she continued. “If everything goes fine,
that’s great. But if a complication develops,
options for help are more limited. That’s putting
your most precious possession - your baby - in an
unsafe environment.”
Dr. Oatey says she understands the attraction
of delivering at home; mom can better control
her environment. But mom has a say in her
experience at the hospital, too, observed the
doctor.
“If you don’t want certain interventions, talk
with your doctor during your pregnancy. We try
to accommodate women’s requests for their birth
experience,” Dr. Oatey concluded. “Why not
experience the best of both worlds?”
During Fiscal Year 2014, Blessed Beginnings:
The Birth Center of Blessing Hospital helped area
mothers deliver more than 1,100 babies.
Personal BLESSING
15
Newsmakers
Proudly recognizing the accomplishments of these staff members
Beckie Bean,
administrative
coordinator,
Strategy &
Organizational
Development,
Blessing Health
System, has been appointed by the
Illinois Performance Excellence
(ILPEx) Board of Trustees to serve
as the Chief Judge of the ILPEx
Panel of Judges.
Bean has worked with
the ILPEx program, formerly
the Lincoln Foundation for
Performance Excellence, since
1998. She participated on or led
examiner teams until 2010, when
she joined the ILPEx Panel of
Judges.
ILPEx nurtures, develops
and highlights organizational
excellence through its annual
Awards for Excellence program.
The ILPEx Awards for Excellence
program is modeled after the
national Malcolm Baldrige
National Quality Award.
The ILPEx Panel of Judges
oversees the processes for award
nominee examiner training,
application review and assessment,
and award determination for
organizations that apply.
Bean has also served on the
Board of Examiners for the
Malcolm Baldrige National Quality
Award since 2007, and is currently
a Baldrige Alumni Examiner.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Health Care Management
from Ottawa University in Kansas
City, Kansas. At Blessing Bean
facilitates short and long term
16
Personal BLESSING
strategic planning for each of the
entities within the System; serves
as internal consultant and educator
related to the Baldrige Criteria
for Performance Excellence; and
is a trained process improvement
facilitator.
Callie Binosi, RN,
Blessed Beginnings:
The Birth Center
of Blessing
Hospital, has
earned the status of
International Board
Certified Lactation Consultant
(IBCLC).
Requirements for certification
from the International Board of
Lactation Consultant Examiners
includs 90 hours of education in
human lactation and breastfeeding,
1,000 hours of clinical practice in
lactation and breastfeeding care
and passing a written examination.
Binosi is a seven year member of
the staff of Blessed Beginnings: The
Birth Center of Blessing Hospital.
She is a graduate of BlessingRieman College of Nursing and
a member of the Association of
Women’s Health, Obstetrics and
Neonatal Nurses.
Blessing-Rieman
College of Nursing
faculty members
Margie Williams,
PhD, RN, CNE,
ANEF, professor;
and Linda Burke,
MSN,
RN, CNE,
Williams
assistant professor,
authored the article, “Doing,
Learning, Knowing,
Speaking: How
Beginning Nursing
Students Develop
Their Identity as
Nurses.” It was
recently published
Burke
in the Research
Briefs section of
Nursing Education Perspectives, a
publication of the National League
for Nursing.
Ann O’Sullivan,
MSN, RN, CNE,
NE-BC, ANEF,
assistant dean for
Support Services
and associate
professor, BlessingRieman College of Nursing, has
been appointed to the Advisory
Committee of the American Nurses
Association (ANA) Professional
Issues Panel on Workplace
Violence and Incivility.
The goal of the panel is to
develop a position statement on
workplace violence and incivility
and detailed recommendations for
registered nurses and employers.
Reggie Suhling,
radiology special
procedures
technologist,
Cardiac
Catheterization
Lab, has earned
Registered Cardiovascular Invasive
Specialist (RICS) certification
from Cardiovascular Credentialing
International.
Certification requirements
included being a Registered
Radiologic Technologist
with one year experience in a
catheterization lab, completion
of least 600 procedures, a letter
of recommendation from a
cardiologist and passage of a
written examination.
A native of Pike County,
IL, Suhling is a graduate of the
Blessing Hospital School of
Radiologic Technology.
Blessing Breastfeeding Support group meets in
new location
The Blessing Hospital Breastfeeding Support group now meets in
the Maternity Classroom on the 4th floor of Blessing Hospital at 11th
Street.
The Maternity Classroom is in the hallway to the right when
exiting the elevators on the 4th floor.
The group meets every Tuesday from 4:30-6:30 pm and every
Thursday from 10 a.m.-Noon. A Lactation Consultant is available at
the meetings.
Welcome,
Doctors
Mark Gold,
MD, FACS, has
joined the Quincy
Medical Group’s
Neurosurgery
Department.
Dr. Gold received
his medical degree
from the University of Arizona
in Tucson and completed his
Neurosurgery Residency at
West Virginia University in
Morgantown.
He is board certified by the
American Board of Neurological
Surgery.
Dr. Gold is a Fellow of The
American College of Surgeons,
a member of the the Congress
of Neurological Surgeons,
the American Association of
Neurological Surgeons, and the
North American Spine Society.
Pam Phillips Friye,
DO, has joined the
Obstetrics and
Gynecology (OB/
GYN) department of
Blessing Physician
Services.
A Quincy
native, Phillips Friye graduated
salutatorian from Quincy Notre
Dame High School and received
her medical degree from Kirksville
College of Osteopathic Medicine.
She completed her residency in
family medicine at SIU Quincy
Family Medicine Center, where
she was chief resident in her final
year.
Dr. Phillips Friye is board
certified in family medicine and
held a large family medicine
practice in the Quincy area prior
to her departure from the area for
further education. She returns to
Quincy after completing residency
in Obstetrics and Gynecology at St.
Francis Medical Center/University
of Illinois-Peoria.
Ochuele Odumosu,
MD, has joined
the Blessing
Physician Services
Family Medicine
Department.
She is certified by
the American Board
of Family Medicine.
Dr. Odumosu earned her
medical degree from Ogun State
University School of Medicine
in Nigeria, Africa. She completed
an internship at a Nigerian Army
hospital and then served as a
Medical Officer.
Dr. Odumosu provided patient
care in Great Britain before coming
to the United States to complete a
Family Medicine residency at St.
Luke’s University Hospital/Temple
University, Bethlehem, PA.
Personal BLESSING
17
more
patients
turning to
The Blessing
Foundation
for
18
18
Having high quality healthcare available in the region
to all in need, regardless of ability to pay, requires people
to be able to physically get to the care they need.
Over the years, donors to The Blessing Foundation
have helped purchase sophisticated medical equipment
and construct buildings that house life-saving services.
However, increasingly, donor support is needed to simply
get people to and from their healthcare appointments.
Last year The Blessing Foundation provided more
than $26,000 in gas/transportation assistance to 322
people. That is an increase of more than $6,300 over
two years. The majority of the assistance - $12,320 - was
needed by 147 patients receiving cancer care.
“Three factors influence this aspect of the need,”
said Ann Awerkamp Dickson, administrative director,
The Blessing Foundation, “Firstly; chemo and radiation
treatments usually take place daily for weeks in a row.
That can be a lot of travel, depending where a patient
lives. Secondly, the Blessing Cancer Center draws
patients from across the region. Thirdly, the economy is
strained. Those three elements make the transportation
needs of cancer patients particularly great.”
Of the remainder of transportation assistance needed
by patients:
► $7,245 was provided through the Merrick Family
Medical Crisis Fund to the parents/guardians of children
17 years and under being transferred to healthcare
facilities for higher levels of pediatric care
not available locally.
► $935 was provided through the
Foundation’s Patient Family Fund for the
transportation needs of patients receiving
various types of care.
► The Breast Services fund provided
$6,310 to assist 72 Breast Cancer patients with various
transportation issues.
The Blessing Foundation verifies the need for each
assistance request received.
“We invest donor dollars carefully,” Dickson
continued. “When The Blessing Foundation provides
assistance, it is because the patient has checked into all
other alternatives and found no help available, or it’s a
crisis situation and immediate help is needed.”
“The Blessing Foundation can assist patients of the
Blessing Health System who display medical necessity
and financial need and when all other community
resources are exhausted,” she concluded.
For more information on the work of The Blessing
Foundation, go to blessinghealthsystem.org/donate, or
call 217-223-8400, ext. 4800.
HELP
Personal BLESSING
Is it possible to understand healthcare prices?
Yes. It is possible to understand healthcare prices.
Most consumers just need a little help. Blessing
Hospital has put help on its website.
Go to blessinghospital.org, place your cursor over
“Patients & Visitors” on the menu selections above
the photo, and then click on “Billing & Insurance”
from the drop down menu. In the middle of the page
you will find the
following text. Click
on it:
“Wanting to better
understand, plan and
manage your outof- pocket healthcare
costs? Click here to
read more information
about understanding
healthcare prices
from the Healthcare
Financial Management
Association.”
Clicking the text link brings you to a publication
called “Understanding Healthcare Prices: A Consumer
Guide,” created by the Healthcare Financial
Management Association (HFMA).
With more than 40,000 members, HFMA is
the nation’s premier membership organization for
healthcare finance leaders.
Inside the guide you will find topics including:
• For Consumers with Health Insurance
• What to Know About Emergency Care
• In-Network and Out-of-Network Care
• For Medicare Beneficiaries
• For Consumers Who Don’t Have Health Insurance
This guide can help you if:
1. You want to know where to get answers to your
questions about healthcare prices.
2. You want to better understand, plan, and manage
your out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
3. You are covered by a high-deductible health plan.
CONNECT WITH BLESSING
CAREER FAIR
MATCH YOUR TALENT WITH OUR OPPORTUNITIES
The healthcare industry provides a variety of
rewarding, well-paying careers for people with or
without healthcare experience.
If you’re looking for a job that is in demand in the
healthcare industry join us at the Blessing Career Fair.
• Learn about career opportunities and the benefits of
working for the Blessing Health System
Thursday, April 30
2:00-6:00 pm
Blessing Hospital Auditorium
Main Entrance, 11th & Broadway
• Talk face-to-face with hiring leaders
• Apply on-site and schedule interviews
You can see what jobs are available and apply
anytime at www.blessinghealthsystem.org
Personal BLESSING
19
19
Giving Society
Programs, services and new technology
featured in this issue of Personal Blessing
are made possible in part by donations
to Blessing Hospital and The Blessing
Foundation. The Giving Society is
an honor roll of those showing love
through charitable giving of $100 and
above. Gifts below were received for the
following services: Blessed Beginnings,
Blessing Hospice & Palliative Care,
Blessing Hospice of Greene County,
Blessing Hospice of Hancock County,
Blessing Hospice of Pike County, Blessing
Hospital, Blessing-Rieman College of
Nursing, Blessing-Rieman College of
Nursing General Endowment, BlessingRieman College of Nursing Simulation
Center, Blessing Nurses Alumni
Association Scholarship Fund, Breast
Services, Cancer Center & Radiation
Services, Emergency Center, Employee
Crisis Fund, Heart & Vascular Center,
Lauretta M. Eno Early Learning Center,
Merrick Family Medical Crisis Fund,
Nurse Education Fund, Patient Care
Addition Fund, Psychiatric Services,
Quincy Hospitality House, and The
Blessing Foundation – Unrestricted.
Donor Recognition Levels
October 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015
Humanitarians ($50,000 - $99,999)
ADM Alliance Nutrition, Inc.
Associates ($10,000 - $49,999)
Tracy Family Foundation
Partners ($1,000 - $9,999)
June and Francis Armstrong
Terry and Pat Arnold
Tim and Debbie Beard
Brad and Bonnie Billings
Mr. Gary L. Blickhan, CPA, P.C.
Michael and Jean Buckley
Linda and Roger Finnamore
Mr. and Mrs. Harold W. Knapheide III
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen C. Koester
Richard and Peggy Liebig
Dr. Robert and Kay Merrick
Mr. Richard E. Munson
Mrs. Joyce Murray
Mr. Duane Phillips and Dr. Debra M. Phillips
Alan D. Richardson, M.D.
Tony and Judy Rodriguez
Mrs. Romaine Stroot
Eunice Woelfel
20
Personal BLESSING
Amish Church Funds N.E.
Blessing Hospital
Blessing Hospital Medical/Dental Staff
Blessing Volunteers in Partnership
Brown County High School Girls Volleyball
Central High School Girls Volleyball
Charter Media
Estate of Marscine C. Cronin*
Great River Chapter of ABATE - Illinois
International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers LU 34
Liberty High School Girls Volleyball
Manchester Tank & Equipment Co.
Quincy Fire Department
Quincy Junior High Girls Basketball
Quincy Notre Dame Girls Volleyball
Quincy University Lady Hawks Volleyball
Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center
Refreshment Services Pepsi
Reliable Pest Solutions
Shoemate Foundation
Southeastern High School Girls Volleyball
Tri-Township Fire Protection District
Unity/Payson Boys Football Team
Virtuox
Western (Barry) High School Girls Volleyball
Word of Life Ministries
Friends ($100 - $999)
Friends and Family
Dennis and Sharon Adams
Grover and Joyce Anderson
Tim and Terry Anderson
Dr. Kaz and Nayer Attai
Hugh and Suzann Bailey
Lia and Gary Balke
Dr. Catherine and Mr. Steven Barteau
Dr. Loretta A. Baustian
Laurena S. Beckett
Kim Berkenbile
Dr. Timothi and Tanya Beth
Jim and Patricia Bissel
Robert and Dorothy Bizer
Doris Black
Jeffrey Black
Sharen Borrowman
Kent and Lavonne Brenner
Ned and Reaugh Broemmel
Mrs. Priscilla M. Bunch
Bruce and Robin Callender
David and Kimberly Campbell
Florence and Ronald Cantrell
Marilyn D. Carlson
David and Joyce Carlson
Mr. Robert G. Carter
Linda Cheshier
Bert and Loraine Clark
Debbie Coleman
Chelsea Coleman-Scott
Jeri A. Conboy
Roger and Catherine Cooke
James and Katherine Cramsey
Norma E. Crossland
Ashley Daggett
Gregory and Susan Danker
Darlene Daum
Richard and Claudia Davis
William D’Camp
Monte and Karen Dickhut
Jay and Karen Dieckhoff
Shirley Dieringer
Mark and Laura Dodd
Paul and Mary Ann Duesterhaus
Les and Linda Eads
Phil and Marsha Eatherton
Allan and Marie Egbert
Paul Eling
Ms. Mary A. Espey
Anna Mae Fehr
Steve and Nancy Felde
Mark and Michelle Field
D.D. and Janie Fischer
Bob and Sandy Fluent
John and Alana Flynn
Glenn and Nancy Forsey
Betty Frazier
Gary and Jane Frieden
Mr. Gerald F. Gengenbacher
Pat and Sue Ann Gerveler
Lowell and Vickie Glas
Amy Glascock
Kent Goessling
Dennis and Barb Gorman
Doug and Karen Greenwell
Brenda S. Grimsley
Joan Groh
Dr. Max and Cheri Hammer
Mike and Lynda Happel
Pat Heinecke
Gary and Barbara Hickerson
Lisa Hining
Kathy Hoemmen
Joe and Cathy Hollensteiner
Roy and Pat Hummelsheim
Ms. Elisabeth R. Iftner & Rebecca S. Winner
Dale and Vivian Jackson
Dr. and Mrs. Lee Roy W. Johnson
Lee and Joan Kammerlohr
Dave and Ginny Kater
Kristine Keller
Bill and Lynda Keller
Mr. Earl L. Kempe
Mr. and Mrs. John N. Keys
Christian Khoury
Alan and Susan Kill
John and Linda Kirgan
Dale and Jacque Kirlin
David Eric Kiser
Randall and Janet Klocke
Carl and Gladys Koehser
Rebecca Koetters
Nicholas and Donna Krizmanic
Suzette and Kevin Krummel
George and Joan Lewis
Meggan Lux & Amy Mangold
Sam and Lesa Markert
Irm and Mike Martin
The McClean Family
Mr. William M. McCleery, Jr.
Auris and Mary Beth McGee
Harold and Laura Meneley
Mary Lois Meyer
Jack and Gail Millan
Coletta M. Miller, D.D.S.
Vanessa F. Miller
Anna Mae Miller
Robin and Peter Milnes
Kenneth Mondon and YiLing Lai
Kay Montana
Robert and Sandra Moore
Dr. Robert and Shirley Murphy
Larry and Betty Nelson
Sherry L. Newcombe
Roger and Mary Nicloy
Dave and Mary Oakley
Patrick and Susan O’Brien
D.J. and Barb Oitker
Robert and Joan Olach
Tom, Jacquie, and Katie O’Rourke
Helen M. Pagel
Dr. Charlie Palmer, Jr.
Ms. Patty Parn
William and Pattie Paxton
The Very Rev. Lewis and Margaret Payne
Bill and Dorothy Pendergast
Matt and Lisa Penn
Steve Porter
Christina N. Powell
Mr. Marvin W. Pruitt
Rebecca A. Radley
Isabelle Raleigh
Victor and Carrie Raleigh
Lindsey Reed
Paula Reel
Norma Reid
Ms. Joan P. Reilly
Drs. Adam and Stephanie Reyburn
Mr. Roy E. Riddle
Ron and Sue Rush
Michael and Vivian Schwartz
Ralph Schwartz
Marion and Mary Scranton
Charlotte Scranton
Mr. Mark W. Shade
Steve and Edith Shiraki
Charles and Nancy Shoemate
Todd and Jill Shoot
Jack and Carolyn Sill
Melvin and Florita Sims
Bryan and Donna Smith
Don and Lisa Smith
Carolyn Stevenson
John Stevenson
Alan and Mary Ellen Stiegemeier
Larry and Marcia Swearingen
Ruth E. Sweezer
Mike and Carol Terstriep
Mrs. Dorothy A. Tracy
Chet and Barb Vahle
Ronald and Colae Vecchie
Dale and Marty Venvertloh
Harold and Ronda Wand
Steven and Lori Ward
Bob and Jan Webb
Betsy Wert
Kim Whelan
Dr. Betty Jo White
Kay M. Wilkinson
Mrs. Katherine H. Williams
James and Judy Wilper
Mary Oakley Winters
Mr. Thomas E. Yingst
Greg and Mary Beth Young
Harold and Cynthia Zarn
A.H. Kemner & Sons, Inc.
ADM Archer Daniels Midland Company
Blessing Hospital Performance Excellence
Christian Women’s Fellowship
Dot Foods - Customer Service
Ellington School - Mrs. Drew’s Class
ETC Computerland
Expressions By Christine
First State Bank of Illinois
Gentle Shepherd Fellowship
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors, Inc.
Heneghan and Associates, P.C.
Jimbeana’s Inc.
JK Creative Printers
McDonald’s #5269
Melrose International, LLC
Michelmann Foundation
Mr. K’s Fabric Shop
Niebur Funeral Home
Payson Seymour High School Girls Volleyball
Prince Agri Products, Inc.
Q Dance Inc.
Quincy Family YMCA
Quincy Newspapers, Inc.
Quincy Notre Dame Girls Tennis
Quincy Storage & Transfer
Raycin Farm
Rokusek Design Inc.
Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu & Mitchell LLP
ServPro of Quincy
Sharkey Transportation, Inc.
Stroot Heating & Air Conditioning Co.
TNT Kartways
United Systems, Inc.
Unity High School Girls Volleyball
West Central Pathology Specialists
West Hancock Girls Volleyball
*designates deceased
For a complete listing of donors visit
blessinghealthsystem.org/givingsociety or
contact The Blessing Foundation office at
(217) 223-8400, ext. 4807 to request a listing
to be mailed.
Opening Soon
JUNE 2015
HOURS: Seven days a week, 6:00 am - 10:00 pm
11th & Broadway, near ER entrance. Look for blue awning
Personal BLESSING
21
NONPROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID
QUINCY IL
PERMIT NO. 134
PO Box 7005
Quincy, IL 62305-7005
R E S I D E N T
B l e s s i n g H e a l t h S y s t e m . o r g
You are invited
to tour the
Blessing Hospital
Moorman Pavilion
SUNDAY, APRIL 12
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
with Ribbon Cutting
Ceremony at 1:00 pm
Moorman Pavilion North
Entrance, 11th & Oak St.
SUNDAY, APRIL 12
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Tour the new single-bed patient
rooms, view the historical wall
and see how healthcare in the
tri-states is changing.