Greene Memorial Hospital News

Greene Oaks’ 1950s party takes residents back to ‘good old days’

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0500

The Rockin’ to the ‘50s party at Greene Oaks senior community really took Anna Pence back.

Pence, of Xenia, was visiting a friend who was a patient at the facility and joined him for the big party in Greene Oaks’ courtyard on July 24. She ran into someone she’d always wanted to meet – Elvis Presley.

“You think about me at 83 getting a hug from Elvis. I couldn’t believe it,” Pence said. “I told him, ‘You’re my heartthrob.’ I felt that impulse from him, too.”

In addition to musical entertainment by an Elvis impersonator, the more than 200 attendees enjoyed meals served by employees in costumes and milkshakes served at a gazebo-turned-malt shop.

A big draw was the classic car show, which drew 17 vehicles ranging in date from 1930s to 1950s. The event’s attendees chose a winner – a 1937 Ford convertible owned by Paul Richardson of Jamestown.

“We want to thank all the drivers who graciously volunteered their evening to come give the residents a night of fun,” said Jeff Eyrich, administrator of Greene Oaks. “Our intent was to create a feeling of ‘the good old days’ for them, and the car show really helped us do that.”

Greene Oaks resident Morgan McDowell said he enjoyed eating old-fashioned food and being outside in the sunshine with his family.

“I think it’s real nice for our whole community,” McDowell said.

Rachel Beam, activities director at Greene Oaks, said events like the ‘50s party help draw residents outside and keep them socially healthy. Of course, they have fun, too.

“One of the residents said she was so proud to be living at such a great place. She was crying she was so proud,” Beam said. “They just thought it was so wonderful and can’t wait to do it again.”

Eyrich thanked UDF, Gordon Food Service, Xenia Nazarene Church and Christian School and Steak & Shake for their contributions in hosting the 1950s event. The next event is the Fall Family Gathering on Sept. 25.

For more information about Greene Oaks’ services or activities, call (937) 352-2800 or visit www.greenehealth.org.

Local Senior Olympian thanks GMH therapist for help in recovery

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0500

Shirley Mullins of Yellow Springs recently won two Olympic medals, a feat she wasn’t sure she’d be able to complete just a couple of weeks ago.

Mullins, 73, fell at her home earlier this summer, spraining her right thumb. After the injury didn’t heal on its own, she saw a doctor who recommended she see Lori Stemmer, an occupational therapist at Greene Therapy Service at Greene Memorial Hospital and Beavercreek HealthPark.

“In order for me to continue playing tennis and cello – my loves – I better not have a banged-up thumb,” Mullins said. “I thought it was going to be very serious. But it’s fun. I laugh with Lori, and I get to play with toys.”

With the help of a supportive brace and a couple of therapy sessions, Mullins was able to compete in the Ohio Senior Olympics on Aug. 4 and 5. She won bronze medals in singles and doubles tennis.

“There were only three people in my age bracket, and I don’t care if people know that,” Mullins. “The point of it is to try and stay fit when you’re older.”

And Greene Therapy Services is helping her stay in the game. She is currently working to regain strength and endurance in her thumb and hopes to try other Senior Olympic sports in the future. She said she couldn’t have done it without Lori or the GMH rehabilitation services.

“I love Greene Memorial Hospital,” Mullins said. “They’ve been very good to me and my family. I am very grateful.”

For more information about Greene Memorial Hospital’s rehabilitation services, visit www.greenehealth.org.

Lee Anne Pazynski recognized as GMH’s Cameos of Caring nurse

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0500

After more than 30 years at Greene Memorial Hospital, Lee Anne Pazynski’s mother’s last night as night shift supervisor was Lee’s first night shift in the Intensive Care Unit.

“I guess I need to convince one of my daughters to go into nursing. Then in 15 years or so they can take over,” Lee said.

It’s that commitment that has led GMH to choose Lee, a registered nurse, as its Cameos of Caring nurse for 2008. Lee has a diploma in nursing from Community Hospital in Springfield and has worked at GMH for 17 years, all in the ICU.

“I like the small atmosphere,” Lee said. “I like that I’ve known many of my fellow employees for years. It’s great to see familiar faces every day.”

Lee is recognized as a nursing leader and role model in her department and throughout the hospital. She played an instrumental role in the ICU’s implementation of the Relationship-Based Care program.

“She goes above and beyond to care for both her patients and their families,” coworker Jennifer Jacobson, RN, said. “We frequently hear families express gratitude for Lee caring for their loved one. In fact, an elderly man who had been her patient years ago still comes in every year at Christmas to bring her a box of treats.”

Lee said the connection she makes with patients is what makes her job in the ICU so meaningful to her.

“I have the privilege of only having a couple of patients at a time and spending more time with them,” she said. “The challenge is keeping the stress at work and not taking it home with me. I comfort myself by knowing I helped them through a difficult situation. On some level, I made it a little bit easier.”

Lee and her husband, Dave, live in Fairborn with their three daughters, Sally, 15, Natalie, 12, and Claire, 10. Lee enjoys travel, cooking and gardening when she isn’t busy with her daughters’ activities.

For more information about Greene Memorial Hospital, visit www.greenehealth.org.

GMH offers diabetes footwear program at support group meeting Aug. 5

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0500

Steve Friday, D.P.M., will present a discussion on diabetes and specialty footwear at the Aug. 5 Diabetes Support Group meeting, sponsored by Greene Memorial Hospital.

The presentation will run from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Staff Education Center on the ground floor of the Herman N. Menapace Center for Health Education, 1141 N. Monroe Drive, Xenia.

The Greene Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group meeting is held regularly on the first Tuesday of the month. The event is always open to the public and is offered free of charge. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information on the GMH Diabetes Support Group, call 352-2695.

Annual Fishing Derby drew large crowd for day on the pond

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0500

A warm day and steady breeze greeted the young anglers who participated in the 2008 Greene Memorial Hospital and Beavercreek Police Department Annual Fishing Derby on May 31.

A total of 125 children ages 4 to 12 from all over the area participated in the event at GMH’s Beavercreek HealthPark. Trophies were awarded to children in four age categories for the shortest fish caught, longest fish caught and most fish caught. All children participating in the event were given a certificate of participation.

The winners were as follows:

Ages 4 and 5:

Smallest - Austin Sears of Riverside

Largest - Tessa Payne of Riverside

Most - Devin Frost of New Carlisle

Ages 6 and 7:

Smallest - Luke Miller of Beavercreek

Largest - Meghan McCain of Kettering

Most - Charlie Adkins of Riverside

Ages 8, 9 and 10:

Smallest - Lucas Laukhart of Beavercreek

Largest - Bobby Hyslope of Riverside

Most - Harley Payne of Riverside

Ages 11 and 12:

Smallest - Landon Magnuson of Xenia

Largest - Dalton McAlpin of Riverside

Most - Tara Schirmer of Beavercreek

Next year’s Fishing Derby is scheduled for June 6, 2009. For more information on the event, call Linda Johnson at (937) 352-2001.

GMH Cancer Center awarded Outstanding Achievement Award

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0500

Michael Stephens, president and CEO of Greene Memorial Hospital and Greene Health Partners, from left, Terri VanZant, GMH oncology services manager, and Dr. Mark Collins, medical oncologist, pose for a photo in front of GMH’s Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy equipment. GMH’s Ruth G. McMillan Cancer Center recently won the Commission on Cancer’s Outstanding Achievement Award for its Cancer Care Program.

Cancer patient Nancy Cohen, center, said that convenience and technology contributed to her decision to receive oncology care at Greene Memorial Hospital. But it was the welcoming and empathetic staff, including RN and OCN Lois Swank, left, and RN Carol Jenkins, right, that convinced her she wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.

The American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer has awarded the Ruth G. McMillan Cancer Center the Outstanding Achievement Award and a three-year approval with commendation.

The Commission on Cancer selected the Cancer Center as a 2007 recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award, which recognizes programs that strive for excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients.

Of the 25 percent of hospitals that are accredited by the Commission on Cancer, only 15 percent receive the Outstanding Achievement Award. GMH is one of just two facilities statewide and 66 facilities nationwide to receive the award this year.

Following the approval survey process in November, the Cancer Center received a perfect score and achieved commendation in each of the areas evaluated. The Cancer Center is now Commission on Cancer approved for a three-year period.

“We are so pleased to be acknowledged for the strides we have made to ensure that Greene County residents have access to the highest quality oncology services close to home,” said Terri VanZant, registered nurse and GMH oncology services manager. “We are honored that the Commission on Cancer is recognizing a cancer care program of our size. It just goes to show that patients really can get the care they need and deserve at GMH.”

Greene Memorial Hospital’s Cancer Care Program has grown in recent years to include up-to-date technology for cancer detection and treatment.

GMH is the first hospital in the region and just the second hospital in Ohio to offer Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging. The camera can help physicians better detect early-stage cancers and differentiate between benign and malignant tumors quickly.

The Cancer Center’s Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy allows the intensity of the radiation to be altered during treatment and more radiation to be localized on cancerous cells and less on the surrounding healthy tissue and structures. This technology can improve the quality of life for a patient undergoing treatments as compared to former methods of treatment.

But many patients say the caring atmosphere of the Ruth G. McMillan Cancer Center is what makes GMH their choice for oncology care.

Nancy Cohen of Beavercreek received radiation and chemotherapy for breast cancer at GMH and said she couldn’t imagine going anywhere else.

“The convenience was great,” Cohen said of GMH’s location. “But once I came here and talked to them, there was a great combination of medical expertise and caring people. If you have to have cancer treatments, you want to have them here.”

For more information on Greene Memorial Hospital’s services and accolades, visit www.greenehealth.org. For more information on the American College of Surgeons, visit www.facs.org.

Dale Danielson named new program director of rehab services at GMH

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0500

Dale Danielson has been named the new program director of Greene Therapy Services at Greene Memorial Hospital and Beavercreek HealthPark.

Dale replaces Lori Stemmer, who recently returned to practicing occupational therapy at the outpatient facility at the HealthPark. His first day was June 9.

Dale is a graduate of the University of Iowa. Most recently, he owned and managed the private practice Contemporary Physical Therapy Care in Kettering for 15 years. He has also served as the assistant chief of physical therapy for Kettering Medical Center and Sycamore Hospital and managed the physical therapy department at Hillcrest Hospital in Simpsonville, S.C.

Dale said he enjoys the small hospital feel that will allow him to build close relationships with everyone in the organization. He looks forward to working at GMH, where there is organizational support and opportunity for program development.

“It’s set up to succeed here,” he said. “There are many things in place that will allow great expansion of our services. I want to work on developing our rehab unit and outpatient services as well as forming great relationships with the area physicians, building on our great reputation in the community.”

Dale and his wife, Carolyn, reside in Kettering with their four sons, Patrick, 11, Matthew, 10, Jacob, 8, and Garrett, 6. He enjoys watching, playing and coaching sports, fishing and camping.

For more information on Greene Memorial Hospital’s services, visit www.greenehealth.org.

GMH reverified as Level III Trauma Center

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0500

A legacy of emergency and comprehensive care continues at Greene Memorial Hospital.

The American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma recently granted Greene Memorial Hospital a three-year reverification as a Level III Trauma Center.

“Receiving this reverification is quite an honor,” said Michael Stephens, president and chief executive officer of Greene Memorial Hospital and Greene Health Partners. “To us, this distinction exemplifies the five-star service and quality care we are proud to deliver every day to the residents of Greene County.”

The Committee on Trauma first verified Greene Memorial Hospital as a Level III Trauma Center in 2001. GMH is the longest-standing Level III Trauma Center in the state of Ohio.

The Committee on Trauma’s reverification means that trauma patients at GMH are able to be stabilized, treated, admitted and rehabilitated, all at a facility that is conveniently located in Xenia. GMH’s John C. Hoctel Emergency Trauma Center serves as the gateway to the hospital for trauma patients.

More than 26,000 patients entered the doors of the Trauma Center in 2007, according to registered nurse Deb Myers, GMH’s trauma nurse coordinator. About 20 percent of those patients had trauma-related conditions and were admitted to other nursing units. Support services such as laboratory, radiology and rehabilitation units also facilitate the care of patients admitted to the hospital.

“The Emergency Trauma Center is the entry point for patients with traumatic injuries,” Myers said. “Once we have stabilized a patient’s condition, they receive quality care from many other departments in the hospital as well. Each step in the process must meet strict requirements to receive the Level III Trauma Center distinction.”

Criteria are outlined in the Committee on Trauma’s “Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient” manual. The committee reverified GMH following a thorough on-site review by a team of surgeons experienced in the field of trauma.

For more information on Greene Memorial Hospital’s services and accolades, visit www.greenehealth.org. For more information on the American College of Surgeons, visit www.facs.org.

Greene Memorial Hospital Volunteers Honored at Annual Luncheon

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:00:00 -0500

Greene Memorial Hospital’s many volunteers were recognized recently at the 35^th Annual Volunteer Appreciation and Recognition Luncheon at Faith Community United Methodist Church.

Greene Memorial Hospital volunteers are an essential part of the GMH community, providing funding for various hospital projects, guiding visitors through the facility, performing numerous tasks to assist hospital employees, comforting patients during difficult times and much more.

All together, GMH Auxiliary, American Red Cross, college students, junior volunteers, GMH Partners, GMH Ambassadors and GMH Chaplains donated 29,852 hours of their time in 2007 to benefit the hospital and the community; the equivalent of 20 full-time employees. Several volunteers were honored for donating an exceptional number of hours to the hospital.

“Each and every volunteer helps Greene Memorial Hospital run smoothly and is so much appreciated,” GMH Volunteer Coordinator Linda Richardson said. “This luncheon is one small way of showing our volunteers how grateful we are for them every day of the year.”

For more information on how to volunteer at Greene Memorial Hospital, call Volunteer Coordinator Linda Richardson at (937) 352-2193.

Auxiliary volunteers, back row from left, Jeannette Morgan, Hannah Kugel and Dot VanZant and, front row from left, Thelma Robinette, Frieda Parks and Dee Supp were recognized for donating hundreds of hours through the Greene Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Not pictured are Shirley Harper, Annelee Whitfield and Vijay Gupta of the GMH Auxiliary.

Bill and Pauline Fowler, American Red Cross volunteers at Greene Memorial Hospital, were honored for donating an exceptional number of hours to GMH in 2007. Not pictured is Dorothy Beard of the American Red Cross.

Greene County Combined Health District Announces Summer/Fall Well Child Clinic Schedule

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:00:00 -0500

The Greene County Combined Health District (GCCHD) has announced that it will hold Well Child Clinics every Monday during the months of June, July and August and on two (2) Mondays per month in September and October. Clinics are held from 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Well Child Clinics are for children ages birth – 19 years old. Physicals for sports, work, camp, Head Start and Kindergarten are offered. Also available are exams, immunizations, and screenings/tests for lead, hemoglobin, hearing and vision.

Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling the Greene County Combined Health District at (937) 374-5655 of toll-free at 1-866-858-3588.

For more information, please call Kim Caudill, RN, at (937) 374-5600, ext. 5627.