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W I N T E R 2 0 0 7

O F S T. F R A N C I S

We care for life…By Providing Nursing Supplies to Future Nurses

(L) St. Francis provided 110 bags filled with nursing supplies

to Columbus State University first-year nursing students to use

in their lab. The students who received them in August were

most appreciative! St. Francis also donated 90 bags to first-year

nursing students at Columbus Technical College.

…By Walking for a Cause

St. Francis associates helped raise funds for the local chapter

of the Alzheimer’s Association by walking in the group’s walk

on October 20 at Brookstone School. (L) Team members wear

event t-shirts handpainted by clients of the Oasis adult respite

program at The Bradley Center.

…By Helping High School Students Explore

Health Care Careers

High school students explore health care careers at St. Francis

Hospital one evening a month through the Medical Explorers

program of the Boy Scouts of America-Chattahoochee Valley

chapter. (L) Kevin Ellis, RN, describes careers in surgery to a

group in October.

Vision Becomes Reality: Elena Diaz-Verson Amos Center

for Breast Health

O F S T. F R A N C I S

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2

Spirit of St. Francis is

published as a community service

for the friends and patrons of

St. Francis Hospital, Inc., and

the St. Francis Foundation.

St. Francis Hospital Foundation, Inc.

2300 Manchester Expressway, Suite F3

Columbus, Georgia 31904

(706) 653-9375

www.wecareforlife.com

Robert P. Granger

President and

Chief Executive Officer

St. Francis Hospital, Inc.

McDonald Plummer Jr.

Vice President

St. Francis Foundation

Amy G. Adams

Director of Communications

Karen L. Johnson

Editor

Sara R. Hutchinson

Writer

Image by Design

Graphic Design

Member of American Hospital

Association, Georgia Hospital

Association, Catholic Health Association,

Premier, Inc.

Accredited by Joint Commission

on Accreditation of

Healthcare Organizations

Copyright© 2007

Spirit of St. Francis |1

W I N T E R 2 0 0 7

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CONTENTS

Dr. Chuck Scarborough and Dr. Wade Wallace’s vision has become a reality at the Elena Diaz-Verson

Amos Center for Breast Health.

Vision to Reality |2

Holiday Gifts

That Give Back

TThe holiday season is approaching, and what better

gift to give your friends, family and customers

than honoring them through your support of

the patients at St. Francis Hospital.

Instead of shopping for gifts and mailing cards,

many of our friends and supporters sponsor a

poinsettia in honor of their family or associates.

The Foundation sends a personal card to the person

you designate and, just before Christmas,

your poinsettia is delivered to a patient at St. Francis.

For more information about dedicating a poinsettia or

making a holiday gift tribute, visit www.wecareforlife.com

or call the St. Francis Foundation at 706-653-9375.

It’s What’s On the Inside That Counts!Quick fixes don’t always work when it comes to digestive problems.

Mission to AfricaDr. Leland McCluskey puts his heart for Africa into action.

HO²PE for Non-Healing WoundsA highly-skilled team of physicians and certified wound

nurses use the latest in hyperbarics oxygen therapyto help patients heal more quickly.

Aging EnergeticallyMore than 2,100 Primetime Seniors are reaping the benefits

of St. Francis’ new program for adults age 55 and older.

Leaders in Their FieldsFloyd Jarrell, MD, founded West Georgia Eye Care, and

Harold Jarrell, MD, founded OB/GYN Associates.The two brothers will be honored at the Fourth Annual

Butler Service and Leadership Award dinner.

On the cover:

Dr. Chuck Scarborough and Dr. Wade Wallace

Photo: Mike Culpepper

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E l e n a D i a z - V e r s o n A m o s C e n t e r f o r B r e a s t H e a l t h

The Center for Breast Health, formerly The Women’sCenter of St. Francis, announced its vision to the communitywith a dedication ceremony on October 1. The Center wasrenamed in memory of Elena Diaz-Verson Amos to honorthe Amos family’s generosity. The estate of John and ElenaAmos pledged $1 million to St. Francis to ensure that ourcommunity will benefit from world class breast health services and the latest technology in future years all underone roof at the center.

“We waited to make this announcement so we coulddetermine our future plans for the facility,” explained Robert Granger, president and CEO of St. Francis. “When St. Francis formed a partnership with Columbus SurgicalAssociates to become the St. Francis Center for Surgical Care,we were fortunate to gain the expertise of breast surgeon Dr. Charles Scarborough. Dr. Scarborough and radiologistDr. Wade Wallace had a vision for a comprehensive breastcenter, and today their vision has become a reality.”

St. Francis has a comprehensive center that addresses all of a woman’s breast health needs. That is what the new Elena

Diaz-Verson Amos Center for Breast Health is all about. The new center delivers the highest levels of technology, skill and compassion to the women of our community. With services like digital mammography, diagnostic breastultrasound and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)(coming in 2008), women in our area can benefit from proper screening and early detection.

Dr. Charles Scarborough, the medical director of the new center, and Dr. Wade Wallace, the director of Radiology,are natives of Columbus, and our community is fortunate to have two local experts serving in their hometown. Dr. Scarborough, a breast specialist and board-certified general surgeon specializing in breast care, and Dr. Wallace, a board-certified radiologist, have dedicated their careers tobreast health and mammography services to benefit all thewomen in our community.

“The Elena Diaz-Verson Amos Center for Breast Healthwill provide education, diagnostic services and results toreferring physicians expeditiously for their review and recommendations to their patients,” says Dr. Scarborough.

Radiologist Wade Wallace, MD, and breast specialist Charles Scarborough, MD, discuss a patient’s

digital mammogram.

Nationally, fewer and fewer women are getting mammograms. This may

be the result of a six percent drop in the number of mammography centers

in the United States between 2001 and 2004, according to the National

Cancer Institute. A government report shows that 1,000 of the nation’s

facilities have shut down because of rising overhead costs and a decline

in the number of doctors willing to read mammograms. The women of

Columbus and surrounding areas are fortunate to have a world class

facility like the Center for Breast Health and its dedicated staff of physicians

and personnel who share the same goals and vision.

2| Spirit of St. Francis Spirit of St. Francis |3

(L-R) Wanda and Shelby Amos, Sita Amos Frith, Elena Land Delevie, Salvadore Diaz-Verson Jr., Louly Diaz-Verson Jones, John and Tracey Amos and Lesley Amos are pictured with the portrait of Elena Diaz-Verson Amos. The Center is named in her honor.

“This will be accomplished in an environ-ment that is comfortable, convenient and, bestof all, using the latest technology available.”

The Center for Breast Health is enhanced by having community support. Two digitalmammography units have been donated, one by the St. Francis Auxiliary and the second by a generous local family.

“Our services are available, and we encourage women to gettheir regular screening mammogram,” says Lynn Thompson,administrative director of the center. “Women are actually theirown best breast experts. When a woman checks her breast atthe same time each month, she is the first to know when achange has occurred, and she should immediately contact herphysician for an examination.”

When a woman gets her screening exam at the Center forBreast Health and an irregularity is detected by the center’sonsite radiologist, she can have confidence that a diagnosticmammogram will be performed quickly, on the same day, if possible, or certainly by the next day.

“Having a dedicated radiologist on site to read, advise andconsult if requested by the referring physician can eliminatethe fear of the unknown and cut the waiting time to 24 hours.At the Center for Breast Health, we believe that a womanshould not have to wait and worry for weeks that somethingis wrong,” Thompson explains.

In 2008, MRI of the breast will also be available. BreastMRI, an exciting and evolving technology, should not,

however, replace the standard screening anddiagnostic tools used first. The AmericanCancer Society recommends that a woman with an unusually high risk of developing breast cancer get an annual MRI as well as amammogram. Specific criteria must be met inorder to do so.

The Elena Diaz-Verson Amos Center forBreast Health is dedicated to providing world class breastcare to the women of this community.

– Amy Adams

Services at the Elena Diaz-Verson Center for Breast Health:

• Two full-field digital mammography units, one of which is

designed to take images of full-figured women

• Diagnostic breast ultrasound

• Minimally invasive breast biopsy

• DEXA scan for diagnosing osteoporosis

• PET scans

• MRI

• All other physician-requested ultrasound procedures

• Eat a balanced and varied diet that contains

fruits and vegetables, bran and other whole

grain breads and cereals, beans, dried plums

and nuts.

• Limit fats and avoid concentrated sweets,

emphasizing complex carbohydrates.

• Get enough fluids via beverages or foods.

Include a beverage with every meal or snack.

Low-calorie or non-caffeinated selections could

include water and herbal teas and fruit juices,

such as prune juice.

• How you eat is just as important as what

you eat. Eat slowly, stop eating when you feel

full, and don't eat just before bedtime. Make

time for proper nutrition.

• Exercise. Try aerobic or strength-building

activities. Or try stretching exercises like yoga

or pilates.

• Manage your stress. Relaxing should be a

part of your daily to-do list, just the same as

work, social and family obligations.

“This group venture will allow us, as physicians, to concentrate on what

we do best and that is take care of patients,” explains Dr. Robbins.

Gastroenterologists perform colonoscopies to screen for, and hopefully

prevent, the development of colon cancer by removing pre-malignant

polyps. The physicians at the St. Francis Center for Digestive Disorders

treat many other conditions, too, such as diverticulosis, esophageal reflux,

inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers.

Gastroenterologists also treat and manage patients with abdominal pain,

liver disease, rectal bleeding, diarrhea and gallstones.

The new St. Francis Center for Digestive Disorders will offer a new, state-

of-the-art Endoscopy Unit. The new unit will improve patient flow by

adding 10 new pre- and post-op areas, for a total of 17, and an additional

procedure room. One form of new technology being added is streaming

video. This will allow the patient to remain in the Endoscopy Unit instead of

being transported to the Radiology department for the procedure. By using

video, the radiologist will collaborate with the physician over the phone

instead of having to be in the actual procedure room.

Opening the new center will expand technology and services at St. Francis.

Recently, St. Francis employed two nurse anesthetists to provide propofol

anesthesia during endoscopy. Propofol provides loss of awareness for short

diagnostic tests and a surgical procedure. The term "endoscopy" refers to a

special technique for looking inside a part of the body. This method of

sedation offers completely pain-free endoscopy with rapid recovery and

almost no post-anesthesia side effects.

“We also plan to add video capsule endoscopy. This is a small pill camera

that is swallowed and allows us to look at video images of the small bowel,”

Dr. Fortson says.

“Gastroenterology, like many other fields of medicine, is rapidly

changing, and new technologies are always being developed. Hopefully,

by joining forces it will also make it easier to continue to bring new

technologies to Columbus,” Dr. Sisk explains.

Dr. Sisk hopes that as the center is utilized and expanded, consideration

will be given to adding specialized clinics, such as hepatology, nutrition

or more advanced gastroenterological procedures, such as endoscopic

ultrasound, that are sometimes only available in a university setting or

teaching center. He explains that these types of services keep patients from

having to go out of town.

“I appreciate St. Francis giving us the opportunity to expand and

combine our gastroenterology services. This center will seek to establish

St. Francis as not only the local choice for gastroenterology consultation,

but also the referral center for the region,” Dr. Sisk concludes.

– Amy Adams

For more information, call 706-320-2766.

It’s What’s On The Inside That CountsAnnouncing the St. Francis Center for Digestive Disorders

Steps to Good Intestinal Health

HHeartburn, indigestion and even nausea can sometimes send you to the pharmacy for quick

relief. Complaints related to the digestive tract are some of the most common reasons many people

take over-the-counter medications. But a quick fix doesn’t always work and might not be the

best solution to what ails you.

Gastroenterologists, or "GIs," are

medical specialists with extensive

training in diseases of the digestive tract.

“Buying over-the-counter items like

Pepcid and Prilosec are okay for tempo-

rary relief, but I see patients that go to

health food stores and buy all kinds of

medication. Some of these drugs have

no scientific basis and can actually

be harmful to your body,” explains

gastroenterologist Dr. Benjamin Pike.

Dr. Pike, who will retire later this year,

is one of the four gastroenterologists

who make up the newly announced

St. Francis Center for Digestive

Disorders. The center combines the

experience of Dr. Mark Fortson,

Dr. Richard Robbins and Dr. Chad Sisk.

Dr. Robbins has been practicing

in Columbus for nearly 30 years,

and Dr. Fortson has been in practice

since 1994. Dr. Sisk comes to

St. Francis Hospital from Martin

Army Hospital, where he was the

chief of Gastroenterology.

“I think it is a great advantage anytime you can combine resources and make access to medical

care easier for patients and family members. Combining several gastroenterologists with differ-

ing experience levels gives both patients and referring physicians an added option when contem-

plating gastroenterology consultation,” Dr. Sisk says.

Dr. Robbins discusses the results of a colonoscopy.


Mark Fortson, MDDr. Mark Fortson graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia, where he did his

undergraduate work. He graduated cum laude from Emory University School of Medicine in 1980.

Dr. Fortson did his residency in internal medicine at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa

City, Iowa, and his fellowship in gastroenterology at The Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. He

is board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and

Alpha Omega Alpha. Dr. Fortson is nationally published and belongs to a number of professional

organizations, including the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American College

of Gastroenterology and the Medical Association of Georgia.

Richard Robbins, MD Dr. Richard Robbins is a Columbus native. He did his undergraduate work at Cornell University in

Ithaca, NY. Dr. Robbins went on to Yale Medical School in New Haven, Conn., where he earned

his medical degree and graduated cum laude in 1972. He did his residency at Yale-New Haven

Hospital and a gastroenterology fellowship at the University of California in San Francisco.

Dr. Robbins is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha. He is also a member of

several professional societies, including the Georgia Gastroenterologic Society, Georgia Society

for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Dr. Robbins is board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology.

Chad Sisk, DO, FACGDr. Chad Sisk comes to the St. Francis Center for Digestive Disorders from Martin Army Community

Hospital at Ft. Benning, Ga. Dr. Sisk graduated from North Georgia College in Dahlonega and went

on to earn his degree at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. He did his internship

and residency at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas. Dr. Sisk did his

fellowship in gastroenterology at Brooke Army Medical Center at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. He is

board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. Dr. Sisk has been published regionally

and nationally in several medical journals. He is a diplomat for the American Board of Internal

Medicine, a fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology, a member of the American Society

of Gastrointestinal Endoscopists and the national osteopathic fraternity, Sigma Sigma.

Benjamin Pike, MD, FACPDr. Benjamin Pike graduated from the University of Georgia and went on to earn his medical degree

at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. Dr. Pike did his internship and gastroenterology fellow-

ship in San Antonio, Texas, at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center and his residency at USAF Medical

Center Kessler in Mississippi. He has been in private practice in Columbus since 1976. He is board-

certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. Dr. Pike is past president of the Georgia Society

for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, a member of the American Gastroenterological Association and the

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and a fellow of the American College of Physicians

and American College of Gastroenterology.


Thirty-year veteran nursing leader Bonnie Franco, RN, of The Bradley Center and orthopaedic surgeon Leland McCluskey, MD, of the St. Francis Orthopaedic Institute were honored as 2007 Georgia Hospital Hero Award winners by the Georgia Hospital Association (GHA)

in December. Franco received GHA’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, the only one awarded in the State of Georgia, for her numerous achievements and outstanding leadership during three decades of service at St. Francis. Dr. McCluskey received a Georgia Hospital Hero Award,

one of 10 presented statewide, for his philanthropic work as a short-term medical missionary in Kenya and for volunteering his expertise locally in support of Voices of the Children Ministries.

WWinning the Georgia Hospital Association’s (GHA) LifetimeAchievement Award came as a surprise to Bonnie Franco. It did not,however, surprise Debbie Saylor, RN, MSN, senior vice president ofPatient Services.

“Bonnie is a legacy leader for nursing,” says Saylor. “She is a rolemodel and mentor for nurses throughout St. Francis. She has been at St. Francis for almost 31 years when the average tenure of a nurse is less than five years. While her tenure alone is significant, her accomplishments and contributions are most worthy of recognition.”

Franco, who first began working as a unit secretary at St. Franciswhile in high school, became a registered nurse in 1977. She thenworked as a staff nurse in St. Francis’ Medical-Surgical unit until 1984.Within a year, she was promoted to charge nurse. Since then, she hasheld several positions in nursing leadership in almost every departmentat St. Francis Hospital, including Outpatient Services, Endoscopy,Emergency Services and in Medical-Surgical units. During those years,she completed Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) team leadertraining and served as team leader for St. Francis’ first CQI team. Shewas involved in planning the hospital’s new Emergency Department,and also led the team that designed the Rosemont Health Center.

In 2003, Bonnie became the administrative director of nursing at St. Francis. As a member of the Continuous Survey Readiness Team,she helped lead the hospital through four successful Joint Commissionsurveys with a score of 93 or better.

Since becoming The Bradley Center’s administrative director in2005, she has led the facility to high levels of quality and customer satisfaction while also helping orchestrate a partnership with ColumbusRegional Healthcare System. Last year, she helped open a new militaryunit and a child and adolescent unit, too.

“Bonnie deserves this award for her impact on both St. Francis andthe community. This community is better off for the service she hasprovided,” says Robert Granger, president and CEO of St. Francis.

DDr. Leland McCluskey has made a habit of volunteering his servicesboth locally and abroad.

“Very few people know how much time he gives to public service,”says Robert Granger, president and CEO of St. Francis, “It’s a veryselfless thing to do. He’s a tremendous example to all of us and truly a hospital hero.”

During the past four years, Dr. McCluskey has served as a medicalmissionary for month-long stints in Kenya, working three of four sum-mers at the Kijabe Hospital in Kijabe, Kenya. Last July, he performed52 surgeries and helped train local surgeons in orthopaedic techniques.His goal and that of fellow medical missionaries at the Kijabe Hospital,is to establish an orthopaedic teaching program, which would becomethe nation’s first.

Back in Columbus, Dr. McCluskey volunteers to treat poor, handicapped and abused youth from southeastern Nigeria throughVoice of the Children Ministries.

Sister Patrici Ogbonna, who works with the ministry, admires Dr. McCluskey for his compassion and bedside manner.

“Dr. McCluskey doesn’t see his work as a job but as a way to reachout to people,” she explains. “He is professional and most of all verycompassionate. When you see him smile, you are comfortable…hemakes you laugh. He not only takes care of the children medically, heinvites us for dinner with his family and makes these kids feel at home.Dr. McCluskey does his job with dedication…and deserves the awardbecause of his compassion toward his patients.”

—Karen Johnson

Read more about Dr. McCluskey’s volunteer service on pages 8-9.

Bonnie Franco, RNGHA Lifetime

Achievement Award

Dr. Leland McCluskeyGeorgia Hospital Hero Award

It’s What’s On The Inside That Counts continued


“I’ve learned that if you have

a nudge to do something, do it.”

– Dr. Leland McCluskey

8| Spirit of St. Francis

using a plate. The procedure will enablethe woman to walk again.

In addition to injuries resulting fromtrauma, Dr. McCluskey treats casesinvolving tuberculosis (TB) andAcquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome(AIDS). TB can destroy the bone arounda person’s spine. Dr. McCluskey mustdrain the area and fuse the back. In 10-15percent of the cases he performs, thepatient is HIV positive.

Dr. McCluskey has found his work in Kenya meaningful on many levels.

“You get a lot out of it,” he says. “You get really close to people in a shorttime…not all the superficial conversationyou have in other places. I wouldn’ttrade it for anything.”

The Kijabe Hospital provides afford-able care for people outside larger cities.Nairobi, an hour and a half from Kijabe,has two very expensive private hospitals.Most physicians at the Kijabe Hospital,which is run by the African InlandChurch, are volunteers. A hospital stayruns around $10 per day.

“My hat goes off to the long-termpeople there,” says Dr. McCluskey.“They are real examples of servanthood.”

This year’s trip was particularly special for Dr. McCluskey. His wife,Suzanne, and four sons accompaniedhim. The family lived for a month in acement block house. All six got involvedin the community. Suzanne andyoungest son Miles read daily with children at a local primary school whereolder sons Leland, Palmer and Freemanalso taught math. At times, the boysaccompanied Dr. McCluskey to the hospital. Leland and Freeman assisted at the HIV outreach clinic, too, packingmedications and such.

Playing with HIV orphans at the

Little Lambs orphanage was also part ofthe family’s experience. Dr. McCluskeysays his most fun day was joiningSuzanne and his boys at the orphanageon their last day in Kenya.

“Watching my wife and boys with thechildren was one of my favorite things,”he says. “One of the youngest children,Baby Faith, wouldn’t let any of the volunteers touch her when we got there,but Freeman buddied up with her. Thatlast day, she smiled…and seemed to beenjoying the attention.”

The agency the McCluskeys servedwith—World Medical Mission, a min-istry of Samaritan’s Purse—specializes in short term placement of physicians.Dr. and Mrs. McCluskey first learned of it while attending “Prescription forRenewal,” a retreat for physicians andtheir spouses at the Billy GrahamTraining Center at The Cove nearAsheville, NC.

“There are other organizations that dowhat they do, but without the spiritualcomponent,” explains Dr. McCluskey.“The spiritual aspect of this group adds aspecial meaning to the whole experiencefor me. You get an opportunity to share that you might not have otherwise.Without words, you have an opportuni-ty to witness to people. With everypatient, we prayed with them rightbefore they went to sleep. It is part ofthe routine and the culture. In front ofthe hospital, there was a garden with asign, ‘We treat. God heals’.”

Dr. McCluskey says he felt a nudge togo to Kenya and explains, “I’ve learnedthat if you have a nudge to do some-thing, do it. In his book, “Jesus, MD,”David Stevens, MD, suggests, ‘Even Godcan’t steer a parked car’.”

—Karen Johnson

Dr. Leland McCluskey holds Baby Faith, an orphan at the Little Lambs Orphanage for

children affected by AIDS, on his and hisfamily’s last day in Kenya.

TThirty-five million people live inKenya. Yet, the country has only 17orthopaedic surgeons—fewer thanColumbus, Ga. Dr. Leland McCluskeyof the St. Francis Orthopaedic Instituteand fellow volunteer orthopaedist aretrying to change that fact.

Dr. McCluskey has worked in one oftwo Kenyan hospitals for the past foursummers. This past July, he served for amonth at the 200-bed Kijabe Hospital inKijabe, Kenya, where he also worked in2004 and 2005. He performed 52 surger-ies while there and spent time teachingKenyan physicians interested inorthopaedics. His goal, and that of fellow volunteers, is to establish anorthopaedic teaching program, whichwould become Kenya’s first.

“Lots of general surgeons doorthopaedic work in Kenya,” says Dr. McCluskey. “It’s not the same level of care as here for sure.”

Many of the procedures Dr. McCluskey performs are corrective,where the bone has healed crooked ornot at all. He s ees patients with untreat -ed fractures, too.

“People come in with injuries thatwould be easy to treat acutely, butbecause they were left untreated, they’re more difficult to fix,” Dr. McCluskey explains.

He also treats infections resultingfrom poor nutrition, which involvesremoving dead bone and prescribingantibiotics. In one case, an infection in a woman’s femur had stopped bonegrowth. Dr. McCluskey had to break the bone, reset it and lengthen the leg,

(2nd from L) Joseph Theurin, MD, and theorthopaedic team at Kijabe Hospital, where Dr. Leland McCluskey and fellow volunteer

orthopaedists are working to establish Kenya’sfirst orthopaedic teaching program.

Many of the cases Dr. McCluskey sees are one, such as this, where

infections like osteomyelitis, have stunted growth in the femur bone.

One of the highlights of the McCluskeys’ month in Kenya was

volunteering at the Little Lambs orphanage. Above, Miles McCluskey

buddies up with his new friend, Daniel.To learn more about World Medical Mission, visit www.samaritanspurse.org

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New andNoteworthyNew andNoteworthyNew andNoteworthy


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New Outpatient Pharmacy Offers Convenience

St. Francis’ new

Outpatient Pharmacy

in the hospital’s

Medical Office

Building offers added con-

venience for patients visiting their

physicians on the St. Francis Hospital

campus. The pharmacy is open from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on

Monday-Friday and can be found just inside the main

entrance of the building.

The pharmacy’s phone number is 706-320-3078; refills may

be ordered by phone or via e-mail at [email protected].

Rapid Response Team ReceivesNational Recognition

St. Francis’ Rapid Response Team (RRT) approach has

been recognized by the National Association for Healthcare

Quality (NAHQ) with a first place award for its three-year

track record of life-saving results. The award was given at the

organization’s annual conference in September in Boston.

Since the RRT approach was implemented at St. Francis,

the hospital has helped save the lives of patients showing one

or more signs of deterioration, such as an acute change in

heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic BP, oxygen saturation

or mental status.Any caregiver at St. Francis who becomes

concerned about a patient’s overall condition may activate the

team by calling the RRT hotline. Team members, including a

critical care physician, hospitalist, critical care nurse, a respira-

tory therapist and a critical nurse educator, respond within

three minutes.

Fifth Hospitalist JoinsSt. Francis Hospital

Jessica Ramos Codjoe, MD, joined St. Francis’ expanding

team of hospitalists on August 1, bringing the total number

of hospitalists to five. She and fellow hospitalists consult with

patients’ primary physicians and surgeons on care and

progress and are responsible for ensuring the quality of

clinical care of all hospitalized patients.

Dr. Codjoe comes

to St. Francis via

the University of

Pennsylvania,

Department of Family

Medicine, where she

was a resident the past

three years. Having

graduated cum laude

with a bachelor of arts

in biology from Seton

Hall University in

South Orange. NJ.

Dr. Codjoe earned her

medical degree from the

Robert Wood Johnson Medical School of the University of

Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Camden. She

was a Women in Medicine scholar from 1995-1999 and won

the Achievement in Sisterhood Award from Chi Upsilon

Sigma. She is a member of the American Academy of

Family Physicians and the American Medical Society.

Jessica Ramos Codjoe, MD


St. Francis Orthopaedic InstituteWelcomes Thomas Walsh, MD

TThe St. Francis Orthopaedic Institute continues to grow with

the addition of spine surgeon Dr. Thomas Walsh. Walsh joined

the institute in September with the goal of developing spine

services at St. Francis.

“I have a long term loyalty to St. Francis. This is my home

hospital and has been since I started in 1993. I want to supple-

ment the St. Francis Orthopaedic Institute with spine services

and establish the St. Francis Spine Institute,” explains Dr. Walsh.

Dr. Walsh has 19 years of orthopaedic experience, having

practiced in Columbus since 1988. He specializes in neck and

back surgery related to ruptured disks, spinal stenosis, pinched

nerves, arthritis, spinal fusion, treating work place injuries and

non-surgical back and neck pain management. Having him as

part of the orthopaedic team will benefit patients in many ways,

one of those being the coordination between Dr. Walsh and

interventional pain management specialist Dr. Bobbi Farber.

The St. Francis Orthopaedic Institute is the only hospital in this

area with collaboration between a surgeon and the only board-

certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in pain management.

“Being in the same institute as Dr. Farber will allow better

patient care coordination. We are able to more easily discuss

surgical and non-surgical options with the patient, sometimes

in one patient visit,” Dr. Walsh explains.

As the Orthopaedic Institute continues to grow,

Dr. Walsh hopes to increase the department by adding another

spine surgeon.

Dr. Walsh is now seeing patients at the St. Francis

Orthopaedic Institute in Columbus and at the Institute’s

satellite office in Valdosta.

—Amy Adams

For more information

or an appointment,

call the St. Francis

Orthopaedic Institute

at 706-322-6646.

Luther H. Wolff Jr., MD

Dr. Luther Wolff Jr., the Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center’s medical

director, has practiced general surgery in Columbus for 32 years and has

extensive experience in providing complex wound care management.

He was previously the medical director of the St. Francis Wound

Management Program. Dr. Wolff is board-certified in general surgery

and is a member of the American College of Surgeons, Georgia Surgical

Society, Georgia Society of General Surgeons and Medical Association

of Georgia.

Troy D. Espiritu, DPM

Dr. Troy Espiritu, a podiatrist, has practiced podiatry at Columbus Foot

and Ankle since 2002. He has been affiliated with the St. Francis Wound

Management Program for seven years. Dr. Espiritu specializes in lower

extremity wounds, foot and ankle surgery and podiatric sports medicine.

He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, a Fellow of

the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, a member of the

American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, American Podiatric

Medical Association and the Georgia Podiatric Medical Association.

Alap P. Shah, DPM, CWS

Dr. Alap Shah, a podiatrist, has practiced medicine at Foot and Ankle of

West Georgia since 2002 and has been affiliated with the St. Francis

Wound Care Program since 2003. He is a board-certified wound care

specialist, specializing in wounds of the lower extremity. Dr. Shah is a

member of the American Academy of Diabetic Educators, Academy

of Wound Management and Georgia Podiatric Medical Association.

Thomas W. Lawhorne Jr., MD

Dr. Thomas Lawhorne, a vascular surgeon, has practiced vascular

surgery in the Columbus community for 27 years. He is board-certified

in vascular surgery and specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and

management of vascular diseases. Dr. Lawhorne is a member of the

Society for Vascular Surgery, Southern Association for Vascular Surgery

and Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery.

T


The new St. Francis Wound Care

and Hyperbaric Center offers patients

with non-healing wounds the latest,

state-of-the-art hyperbaric oxygen

therapy (HBOT) and a highly-skilled

team of experienced physicians and

certified wound nurses for the

best results.

“We wanted to make our wound

care program the best in this commu-

nity,” says Scott Vinsant, program

coordinator at the center. “That’s why

we’ve added hyperbaric oxygen thera-

py. It will offer our team of experts

another tool for further enhancing the

treatment of chronic wounds.”

HBOT, a treatment in which

patients breathe 100 percent oxygen

inside a pressurized chamber, quickly

delivers high concentrations of oxygen

to the bloodstream and assists in the

wound healing process. It also effec-

tively fights certain types of infections,

improves circulation and simulates

the growth of new blood vessels. The

center’s HBOT chambers incorporate

the latest technology available, ensuring

comfort and safety for the patient.

Most often, HBOT will be used to

treat difficult-to-heal diabetic foot and

lower leg wounds. The treatment has

been shown to:

• Accelerate wound healing

• Reduce amputation rates

• Help patients stay out of the hospital

Additionally, HBOT may be used

to treat crush injuries, osteomyelitis,

failed skin grafts and flaps and brown

recluse spider bites.

The number of problem

wounds is on the rise,

due largely to an aging

population and an increase

in diabetes. Approximately

18.5 million Americans

have diabetes; of that

population, about 1.8

million will suffer from

a problem wound.

For more information, call 706-257-7680 or visit www.wecareforlife.com.

Combining 79 Years of Experience.

The center offers advanced

diagnostic services, too, including

non-invasive evaluation of circulation

and skin perfusion pressures, for a

more accurate diagnosis and specific

plan of treatment. Its staff of highly

trained physicians will be available

five days per week to treat all types

of complex wounds.

Long-time local surgeon Luther

“Butch” Wolff Jr., MD, is the center’s

medical director. Other physicians

on the center’s wound care team

include Troy Espiritu, DPM;

Alap Shah, DPM; and Thomas

Lawhorne, MD.

The center provides the only

wound care service in Columbus

staffed by certified wound care

specialists. Scott Hiatt, RN, and

Christine Johnson, RN, are certified

in wound care and have a combined

25 years of successful experience in

treating difficult-to-heal wounds.

The center’s hospital-based,

outpatient program operates by

appointment. Patients are referred

by their primary care physician or

physician specialist.

—Karen Johnson

Meet the Wound Care Team

H O2 P Efor Non-Healing Wounds

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy accelerates wound healing.


Seniors receive free screenings asmembers of Primetime Seniors.

Coordinator Stacy Scherr serves refreshments at the Primetime Seniors kick-off on October 11.

B E N E F I T S

Free Seminars

• Creative Living series (physician lectures)

• Health Matters series

(health education lectures)

• Coffee Talk Club (wellness lectures)

Pharmacy Discounts

• Discount pharmacy card

• Mail order pharmacy program

• Retail discounts at the St. Francis

Outpatient Pharmacy

Wellness Benefits

• Discount on St. Francis’ Forever Young

Fitness Club membership

• Free screenings provided by St. Francis

health professionals

Health Screenings

• Blood pressure

• Know Your Number

(complete lab screening)

And many more!

Call 706-596-4030 to join Primetime

Seniors today!

S

Primetime Seniors membersenjoy a group exercise class.

The number of Americans age 65 and older will more than double to 71 million by 2030, comprising roughly 20 percent of the U.S. population. According to the last census report,

more than 53,000 adults, age 55 and older, live in the Columbus Metro area, including Muscogee, Harris, Chattahoochee and Russell counties. That number will continue

to grow. And while aging is inevitable, it doesn’t have to slow you down.

St. Francis Hospital wants to make aging in our community

a little more fun. The hospital launched its new senior

program, Primetime Seniors, in September. The free program

is for adults age 55 and over.

“We talked to several groups of seniors in our community

and found they all wanted a program that was fun, educational

and gave them an opportunity to be more involved in the

activities at St. Francis,” Senior Services Coordinator Stacy

Scherr explains.

Primetime Seniors is a mixture of all those things. Members

can attend physician lectures in the Creative Living series,

learn about senior wellness topics at the Coffee Talk Club and

enjoy discounts on lab screenings and on prescription drugs,

among numerous other benefits.

New Fitness Program Keeps Seniors Forever Young

Another component of Primetime Seniors is exercise.

Members can join the “Forever Young” fitness program at

the Fitness and Wellness Center on St. Francis’ Park Campus

at a discounted monthly rate. This professionally developed,

medically-sound exercise program was designed especially

for Primetime Seniors by nationally-known fitness expert

Bill Rieger, the program’s director.

“The objective is to improve the function of activities of

daily living and increase strength, endurance and mobility,”

explains Rieger. “A primary goal for seniors is to maintain

their independence. That’s what we help them do.”

Group exercise classes led by Rieger, who is certified by the

American College of Sports Medicine, are held twice daily five

days a week. Plus, Rieger provides individual consultation after

each class.

Since the program was launched in September, membership

has more than quadrupled. Read more about Forever Young

and how members are benefiting on page 16.

—Amy Adams

Joining Primetime Seniors is easy! Just call 706-596-4030 or visit www.wecareforlife.com

S

A


Shirley Traugh (R) makes a delivery to the St. Francis Hospital Laboratory staff.

Shirley Traugh likes to stay busy. That’s why after retiring from Martin ArmyHospital, she began volunteering at St. Francis Hospital. That was 31 years ago. Sincethen, Shirley has volunteered more than 3,425 hours, many of them in the AuxiliaryGift Shop, waiting on customers, stocking shelves and wrapping gifts—anything thatneeded to be done. She has also served as Gift Shop chairwoman as well as on theAuxiliary board. Currently, she serves as chairwoman of Patient Services.

Three years ago, Shirley decided it was time for a change. So, she began volunteeringfor the Transport department, which keeps her on the move every Wednesday morning. Shirley is a vital part of the department’s team, picking up and delivering lab specimens and blood samples from various floors of the hospital to the St. FrancisLaboratory. One of the benefits is all the exercise she gets walking during her shift.

What does Shirley like best about volunteering? “I love the interaction with the people,” she explains. “I love this hospital. The

people have always been so nice to me.”Volunteer Services Director Kathy Riley says Shirley is the kind of volunteer who

can always be counted on. “She is a good and faithful volunteer who never seeks the limelight,” says Kathy.St. Francis isn’t the only place Shirley volunteers. She also helps out at St. Thomas

Episcopal Church, where she and husband Dick are charter members. The two havedone a bit of everything over their years there. Recently, their congregation helped thecouple celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary with cake and champagne after theearly service.

—Karen Johnson

3131 Yearsand Counting!

V O L U N T E E R O F T H E Y E A R

Members say:

“I had lost some height in recentyears. By strengthening my trunk muscles, I am now able to standstraighter and have regainedheight.”—Virginia Connelly

“I can’t say enough about howimpressed I am with the program…the instructors helped me walk with my cane better and to walkstraighter…”—Patsy Myrick

“This is a great program! The exercises, which emphasize musclestrength, are appropriate for alllevels.”—Marge Hatcher

“My family and friends notice that I am stronger…”—Anne Baker

“I’ve never been in a class thisgood.”—Sandy Steele

“I’ve lost a few inches in mywaist…” Jenny Hurbert

Forever Young Fitness Classes

Monday through Friday – 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 3-4 p.m.

Fitness and Wellness Center (Bradley Center campus)

Call 706-320-3763 to join or learn more.

(L) Bill Rieger gives advice after a class.

Ann Baker feels safer around her home now. After breaking her hip and having a stroke, she was falling

down a lot, but now her balance is better.

Patsy Myrick also had balance problems after breaking her foot, but walks more easily now.

And Frank Johnson, age 89, feels the difference in his trunk and especially his back.

“The last time I trimmed the hedges, I injured my back and could barely move for a week,” explains

Johnson. “I trimmed the hedges again without injuring my back.”

All three attribute their improved physical well-being to the Forever Young fitness classes they attend

at St. Francis’ Fitness and Wellness Center.

Program Director Bill Rieger, a certified fitness professional who previously developed health and fitness

programs for the military, applies the same approach to teaching seniors. The idea is to help individuals

better perform necessary activities with more energy.

Forever Young classes focus on posture and proper body mechanics. Participants use towels, books,

weights and other tools to enhance exercise. The class moves along quickly, with Rieger explaining each

movement and its importance. Education is integrated into every session, and participants maintain

three-ring binders of daily handouts.

“Every movement, every exercise we do has a purpose,” emphasizes Rieger. “We provide members

with a professional exercise prescription that promotes health and performance and is consistent with

the quality of care St. Francis offers.”

As far as Rieger knows, no one else in the area has developed a program like Forever Young that

specifically supports seniors, treating them with dignity and respect.

One member, Carolyn Asbell, describes the overall program as informative, fun and encouraging.

Speaking for herself and on behalf of other members, she says, “We just think this program is wonderful.”

—Karen Johnson


G u e s t S p e a k e r

Hugh Downs, winner of six Emmy

Awards, is one of American television’s most

familiar figures and was anchor of ABC

News’ 20/20 from 1978 to 1999. He will

recount a few of his numerous adventure

stories and travels around the globe to inspire

and entertain guests at this year’s Butler

Service and Leadership Award dinner.

Much of Downs’ 66 years of reporting

have focused on issues of medicine, science,

family, adventure, aging, space and the arts.

Special anniversary editions of his 20/20 stories aired in 1988, 1993 and

1998. Among others, segments featured glider aerobatics; the Great White

Shark (from a cage); and taking the same astronaut training as John Glenn

to cover Sen. Glenn’s return to space in 1998.

In 1985, Downs hosted a three-hour ABC News Close up documentary,

“Growing Old in America,” which examined the problems and harsh

realities facing millions of America’s aged and their families.

ARA Living Services presented Downs with their 1991 National Media

Award for “excellence in long-term health care reporting” for his 20/20

segment on the problems families face when attempting to place loved ones

in nursing homes.

Downs was host of NBC’s TODAY Show from 1962 to 1971, interview-

ing statesmen and leaders from around the world. He has hosted and

narrated a number of NBC news documentaries and specials, including

“The Everglades,” for which he won an Emmy. He hosted PBS’s Live

from Lincoln Center for a decade.

Mr. Downs holds a post master’s in social gerontology from Hunter

College, NY. He has served as a member of the Board of Overseers of the

Brookdale Center on Aging of Hunter College since 1982. He has been an

advisor to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

and currently chairs the Board of Governors of the National Space

Society in Washington, DC. Among the 12 books Downs has authored,

“My America: What My Country Means to Me” looks at America through

the eyes of 150 people of high visibility shortly after the 9-11 terrorist

attacks in 2001. The “Best Years Book” and “Forever to Fifty” are about

planning for later years. His latest book, “Letter to a Great Grandson,”

was inspired by his great grandson.

Downs and his wife, Ruth, co-authored “Pure Gold,” a book on

marital longevity. The couple have been married 63 years and live in

Paradise Valley, Ariz.

B u t l e r S e r v i c e a n d L e a d e r s h i p A w a r d D i n n e r

BBrothers Floyd Jarrell, MD, and Harold Jarrell, MD, each a

pioneer in his field of medicine, will be recognized and honored

with the Dr. Clarence C. Butler Service and Leadership Award at

the Fourth Annual Butler Service and Leadership Award Dinner

on January 22. Dr. Floyd Jarrell founded West Georgia Eye Care

in 1951, and Dr. Harold Jarrell founded OB/GYN Associates in

1955. Both have had a profound impact on the quality of health

care in this area.

Dr. Floyd C. Jarrell Jr. served Columbus area residents for

42 years until retiring in 1993. He came to Columbus at a time

when specialists in the area were rare, bringing with him innova-

tive techniques for treating eye diseases, such as cataract surgery.

He gained these new techniques while serving with the U.S.

Army Medical Corp at Letterman General Hospital in San

Francisco and with the 172nd Hospital in Sendia, Japan. That

was after graduating from the Medical College of Georgia

(MCG), Augusta, Ga., in 1946.

In addition to his complete dedication and unselfish devotion

to his patients, Dr. Jarrell was highly involved with his commu-

nity, church and numerous medical associations throughout the

local area and state. In years past, he served as president of the

Muscogee County Medical Society, the MCG Alumni

Association and the MCG Foundation.

During his 42 years of faithful practice, Dr. Harold Jarrell

estimates he has delivered nearly 15,000 babies in Columbus and

Ft. Benning until he retired in 1994. Like his brother, Floyd,

Dr. Jarrell also brought innovative techniques to Columbus. He

was, for example, the first OB physician to use “twilight sleep”

for his patients as an alternative to anesthesia since there were no

anesthesiologists in Columbus then. Dr. Jarrell, who also earned

his medical degree from the MCG, was the first resident of a

partnership between Macon General Hospital and MCG that

became the OB/GYN Department of Mercer University Medical

College. Later, as chief resident of the program, Dr. Jarrell was

asked to go to Columbus to develop the OB/GYN residency

program connected to MCG.

After practicing alone for seven years, Dr. Jarrell recruited

“the finest doctors he could find” to come and join his practice.

Together, the group became recognized as being leaders in their

field of medical knowledge and practice. —Karen Johnson

�The Fourth Annual Butler Service and

Leadership Award DinnerJanuary 22 · 6 p.m.

Columbus Convention and Trade Center

Reservations may be made online

at www.wecareforlife.com

or by calling the

St. Francis Foundation

at 706-653-9375.

The Butler Service and Leadership Award

was created to honor the memory of

Dr. Clarence C. Butler, who left a legacy

of excellence in caring for his patients

and this community when he died in 2003.

Recipients of the award bearing his

name are physician-leaders, who, like

Dr. Butler, have contributed significantly to

the practice of medicine in our area.

Past winners are:

Dr. Philip Brewer (2007)

Dr. Williams Hayes (2006)

Dr. Harry Brill (2005)

Hugh DownsA Tribute ToDr. Floyd Jarrell and Dr. Harold Jarrell

(L-R) Dr. Floyd Jarrell and Dr. Harold Jarrell

A Grateful Community Says...“The entire staff of the orthopaedic branch were caring, cheerful, simply wonderful people, who obviously take their jobs seriously…I found Dr. George Zimmerman to be a gentle, comforting, qualified surgeon, who also had a personal interest in his patients.”

-St. Francis Orthopaedic Institute patient

“The nurses and techs on the 2nd floor were so

wonderful to me. They catered to my every need and

more…the staff seemed to care and went the extra mile

the entire time I was in the hospital. They took care

of me as if I were one of their family members!”

-Patient on 2 South

“Your staff worked to take wonderful care

of me and my stay was most enjoyable…I used

to be a nurse and know what really good caring

people do.”

-St. Francis Orthopaedic Institute patient

“My therapist, Jo “JB” Barker, PT, was verypleasant and professional…the treatment planshe implemented for me facilitated a rapidrecovery from surgery…My new knee hasgreat ROM!” -St. Francis Rehab patient

“Our family would like you to know how much we

appreciated the things you did for my husband and

the encouragement you gave to our family...you were

outstanding.”–Wife of St. Francis patient


CongratulationsFellows Graduates!

The St. Francis Fellows Class of 2007 includes

(front, l-r) Angie Hart, Katie Turner, Terrell Adams

(middle, l-r) Joan Redmond, Audrey Hollingsworth,

Sally Hatcher, (back, l-r) Ernie Smallman, Chris Jones, David

Halmrast, Ben Holden, Larry Taylor and Fray McCormick.

Not pictured: Martha Bickerstaff.

GGraduates of the 2007 St. Francis Fellows class will now join

the Fellows Society and become amabassadors for health care in

Columbus after investing a half day per month for six months to

learn what goes on behind the scenes at St. Francis. The group

toured the hospital’s Patrick Heart Institute, Emergency department,

Surgical Suite, Orthopaedic Institute, Radiology department

and the Rosemont Health Center to gain insight into the services

and treatment.

Now that they’ve completed the program, they will share

their knowledge with others in our community and help advance

St. Francis’ mission of providing the best health care in the region.

SSt. Francis Hospital has been named a

Consumer Choice Award winner for

the third consecutive year by National

Research Corporation (NRC).

The award recognizes hospitals

nationwide that health care consumers

have chosen as having the best quality, best

physicians, best nurses and best reputation

in their Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) as defined by the

U.S. Census Bureau. St. Francis’s MSA includes Muscogee,

Russell, Chattahoochee, Marion and Harris Counties.

“We are very pleased that residents in our area have again

chosen St. Francis to receive this prestigious

award,” says Robert Granger, president and

CEO of St. Francis. “It truly reflects our

staff’s commitment to quality and dedication

to serving our customers.”

More than 200,000 households

representing more than 400,000 consumers

in the contiguous 48 states and the District

of Columbia were surveyed for the 2007/2008 Healthcare

Market Guide, making it the nation’s largest and most

comprehensive study of its kind. Nationally, the study has a

margin of error of only +/– 0.2 percent.

St. Francis ReceivesThird Consumer Choice Award

For more information about the Fellows program, contact the St. Francis Foundation at 706-653-9375.

S

Dear Members of the St. Francis Family,

As we draw near to the end of 2007, I’m reminded of the saying that the only constant in life ischange. That is certainly true at St. Francis. Never has there been a better time to be part of thisorganization. The changes that are coming are really going to be positive for the region we serve.The atmosphere of cooperation and joint endeavors bode well for the future.

The leadership on the St Francis Hospital and Foundation Boards has been extraordinary. Theyhave made some very deliberate decisions, based on input from a variety of sources, all with the bestinterest of the community in mind. From collaborative efforts at The Bradley Center to thepartnerships undertaken with physician groups, the outlook is refreshing. There is more to come.

As we enter these new ventures, we will do our best to communicate to all of you how you can playa part in our future. Our community has a rich history of supporting those causes which are seento be in the best interest of all citizens, and that is exactly what we will endeavor to do. The bannerhanging in our board room reads “Doing What Is Best For Health Care In Our Community.” Itstays on the wall as a constant reminder that we serve you. Please let us know how we can do abetter job, either directly or through contact with members of our boards.

Thank you for all you do for St. Francis and best wishes to you and your families for a WonderfulHoliday Season and a prosperous 2008.

Sincerely,

Mac Plummer Jr.Vice President, St. Francis Foundation


St. Francis Hospital has implemented a new meal service thatis guaranteed to suit any palate. With At Your Request dining,patients and guests can now order from a broad menu and haveit delivered within 45 minutes of placing their order.

The new hotel-style room service programenables patients to select the food they want,

when they want it. Patients and guestscan order meals, such as grilled

chicken with portabella mushroomtops, seared salmon, chef saladsand made-to-order omelets.

With the help of a computer, St. Francis is able to track what

hospital patients are eating and makesure they’re getting enough to eat, but

not too much, either.

If a patient orders anitem containing too many calories, too much sodium or too many carbohydrates, the operator will suggestan alternative. If apatient skips a meal,they’ll get a call froman operator asking if itwas an oversight. If they miss more than one meal, a standardmeal will be sent to their room.

Breakfast, lunch or dinner are available from 6:30 a.m.-6:30p.m. daily. A light meal or snack is offered until 8 p.m. Visitorsmay also order from the At Your Request menu.

Caters to Patient Preferences

NEWLY-RENOVATED

3 SOUTH UNIT OPENS

Comfortable leather chairs in this sitting area givepatients a place to relax apart from their rooms.

Hospital beds feature Tempur-Pedic® mattresses and offeradded safety features to prevent falls and pressure ulcers.

PPrivate rooms and suites, in-room flat screen TVs and refrigerators, plus

Tempur-Pedic® mattresses and beautiful hardwood floors are just some of the

amenities of St. Francis’ recently renovated Medical-Surgical unit on the

hospital’s 3 South floor. The unit also offers two negative pressure units for

patients in isolation, one palliative care room with a family room, beds with

safety features to prevent falls and pressure ulcers, and a waiting area for families

and a sitting area for patients, both with big leather chairs. There is a classroom

for patient and family education, too. The unit was open for patients in October.

‘At Your Request’


SallyWaldenAA veteran volunteer at St. Francis,

Sally Walden has tremendous respect for the people who work diligently each day to offer the very highest level of care to people in our community.

"Employee participation in the CHEERS giving campaign is phenomenal. It speaks volumes that these people genuinely care about others," explains Walden.

Walden has volunteered for the hospital's Auxiliary since 1994, pushing the Cheer Cart, working atthe front desk and taking care of junior volunteers. This year, she is the chair of special projects.

After serving as secretary and president of the Auxiliary, she wasinvited to join the St. FrancisFoundation Board of Trustees in2001. Now in her sixth year as atrustee, she serves as secretary of the Board and chair of the stewardship committee.

Walden says, "Serving on the boardhas been most gratifying. The revenueraised by the Foundation is used in so many significant and viable ways. It's rewarding to be part of an organization focused on making ourcommunity safer, healthier and, there-fore, a better place in which to live."

A graduate of the Fellows program, Walden feels the programengenders confidence and trust in the hospital to serve our community.

One of Walden's favorite events since becoming involved with St. Francis was the opening of The Women's Center (now the Elena Diaz-Verson Amos Center for Breast Health).

"The Women's Center providessomething for women that our community did not have,” she says.“It is a place where women can gobefore or after work to receive care in a setting with many of the comfortsand amenities of home. CokieRoberts spoke at the opening and to a full house at the Springer in the evening.”

Walden has been actively involvedin our community for many years.She has served as president of theboards of Girls Inc., Open DoorCommunity House, Second HarvestFood Bank, Junior League ofColumbus and the Museum Guild.She currently serves on the board ofdirectors of Global Health Action, St. Luke School and the BRIDGE. She is a graduate of LeadershipColumbus and an active member of Trinity Episcopal Church.

Walden is married to John, and they have two children, SaSa Bickerstaff and John III.

St. Francis employees show their support for CHEERS.

sSt. Francis employees did it again! They exceeded all

expectations by pledging $131,831 to this year’s “A Million and

One Reasons to Support CHEERS” campaign, a new record.

“The willingness of our people to give just amazes me,”

says Campaign Chairman Wayne Lensch of the hospital’s Guest

Services department. “I’ve just never seen anything like it

anywhere else. It makes me proud to work here and to be a

part of this effort. It’s our people who make it a success.”

Seventy-four percent of St. Francis’ staff made pledges during

this year’s campaign. Their gifts will help others by providing:

• Medication, transportation and other necessities for

patients who cannot afford them

• Financial assistance for individuals and families in crisis

• Scholarships for health care students

• Support to numerous local community organizations

through United Way

St. Francis employees have pledged almost $1.2 million to

CHEERS since the annual effort began in 1994. An estimated

10,000 people have benefited from their generosity.

Co-chairs of this year’s campaign were Tina Etheridge and

Kathy Reeves.

CHEERS is operated by the CHEERS board, composed of

St. Francis employees. Funds are also distributed by a council

of employees and hospital caseworkers who work with

patients needing assistance.

“It's rewarding to be part of an

organization focused on making our

community safer,healthier and,

therefore, a better place in which

to live."

C A R I N G F O R O U R C O M M U N I T Y

CHEERS Tops $131,831!

CARING HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES ENVISION REAL SUCCESS

MMore than 300 women played Bunco for Breast Care on October 2 at PeachtreeMall, raising $41,000 for breast health education and outreach and diagnostic servicesat the Elena Diaz-Verson Amos Center for Breast Health at St. Francis.

Several participants were breast cancer survivors. Others played to honor thememory of friends and loved ones who have lost their battles with the disease. One such group, wearing Bunco for Betty sashes, played in memory of Betty Cason, a grandmother who put up a brave fight, living to see hernew granddaughter turn five years old. Cason had planned to playin the tournament, but the cancer had recently returned. Shedied in late September.

Cason had no history of breast cancer in her family prior to her diagnosis. That’s why expertslike Dr. Chuck Scarborough, medical director of the Center for Breast Health, emphasizethat women, age 40 and over, should haveannual mammograms and performmonthly self exams.

“Early diagnosis is the key to beating this disease. New technolo-gy like digital mammography andbreast MRI can help detect cancer at its earliest stages,”says Dr. Scarborough.

Bunco for Breast Caretournament winner SheliaKiggins took home a $500Peachtree Mall gift card.The event was sponsoredby Synovus/CB&T/TSYSand Rob Doll Auto. Jenn Agnew served as this year’s chairwoman. The St. Francis Foundation coordinated the event.


CA

RIN

G C

ON

TRIB

UTO

RS

2007 BUNCO FOR

BREAST CARE

Grand Champion

Rob Doll Auto

Synovus/CB&T/TSYS

Big Bunco

A & J Screenprinters

Aflac

Hatcher, Stubbs, Land, Hollis

and Rothchild, LLP

Knight Rawls, Inc.

McDonald’s-Pezold Management Company

Mr. and Mrs. Alan C.

Ramsay Jr.

Wade Linen Service

Little Bunco

Buffalo Rock

Chocolate Fountain City

Coffee Beanery

Humphreys Associates

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Jones

Image By Design

Omega Financial

Standard Concrete Products

Sleep Inn

Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., Inc.

TIC Federal Credit Union

Supporting Sponsors

Ann Taylor Loft

April’s

Arby's

Auntie Anne’s

Balsam Home

Best Buy

Bliss Salon

Body Shop

Burlington Shoes

Celebrity’s Bistro

Chatman Communications

Chico’s

Columbus Cooks

Country’s BBQ

Dairy Queen

Deorio's

Dillard’s

FabulousBoutiques.com

FYE

GNC

JCPenney

Little Blessings Bakery

Loco’s Grill & Pub

Lubi

Macy’s

Main Street Toy Shop

Mary Kay

MasterCuts

Mike Culpepper Studios

North Columbus Athletic Club

Party City

Peachtree Mall

Piccadilly

Pursona

River Road Pharmacy

RiverCenter for the Performing Arts

Sbarro Pizza

Serendipity

Silpada

Snapdragon

Southern Straw

Strasburg Children

The Blue Door

The Columbus Symphony

The Springer Opera House

The Steeplechase at Callaway

Things Remembered

Verizon

William's Hair Salon

Yankee Candle Company

Zales

Memorials

In memory of

Mrs. Betty Cason

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Lipham

In memory of

Mr. Carl L. Patrick

Mrs. V.F. Bergquist

Mr. and Mrs. W. Reynolds

Bickerstaff

The Dismukes Family

Mr. and Mrs. C.L. Pierson Jr.

Ted and Doris Solomon and

Family

Mr. and Mrs. William B.

Turner Jr.

Dr. and Mrs. Thomas A.

Wade Jr.

In memory of

Mrs. Barbara “Babs” Talley

Rita, David and Patricia

Borger

Mr. and Mrs. Russell Curry

Luther and Dala Durham

Mrs. Bonnie Franco

Walter and Dottie Garvin

and Family

Kendrick High School

Guidance Department

Dr. and Mrs. Michael H.

Sebastian

Dr. and Mrs. Cecil F.

Whitaker Jr.

In memory of

William Paul Wicker, RN

Georgia Adams

Dr. William Adams

Ms. Birgit Batiste

Mrs. Lauren Bush

Columbus Medical

Oncology Associates, P.C.

Marcus and Jane Disbrow

Chrissy Endres

Scot and Suzanne Hanley

Horizons Diagnostics,

L.L.C.

Mr. George Katchur

Emily Pharris

Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin

Ranieri

Mr. Linn Savage

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Savage

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Willie Wicker

Mr. and Mrs. Peter G.

Williams

In memory of

Mrs. Ellen Austin

Mrs. Cathy Bickerstaff

In memory of

Jennie Frechette

Mr. Richard D. Shapiro

In memory of

Mrs. Maxine Strupe

Standard Concrete Products

Honorariums

In honor of

Miss Bailey Lewis Andrews

Jim, Emily, Catherine and

Jeb Butler

Mr. and Mrs. Brad Turner

(L-R) Stacy Brinson, Alina Toth, Judith Hill, Peggy Lambert, Jodina King,Amy Croom and Tiffany Perrine.

�(L-R) Donna Trawick, Amy Gaylor, Beth Bridges, Jackie Knox, Resa Carter,Ellen Austin, Leslie Painter and Aleshia Newton

�

(L) First place winner Shelia Kigginstook home a $500 Peachtree Mall giftcertificate; (R) Heather Dalelio came in second.

�

Kristy Glanton and Jolene Williams score big points!

�

(L-R) Gwen Hayes and Angela McCrea

�

(L-R) Meredith Adams,Melissa Cason, Collin Cason,Ansley Cason, Dell Davis,Leigh Davis, Laurie Brinegar,Kary Connelly and KelliAlexander played Bunco forBreast Care in memory ofBetty Cason.

�

E


Every year St. Francis presents an award to an extraordinary

person or group of people in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, who

lived his life selflessly for others.

This year, the staff of the St. Francis Center for Surgical Care

became the first department to be presented with the

prestigious award. The group was chosen for exemplifying

St. Francis’ Mission, Vision and Values in extraordinary ways

that have impacted our community.

“This amazing group of women embodies the true spirit of

St. Francis,” says Lynn Thompson, director of the St. Francis

Center for Surgical Care. “Most of these 15 women have worked

together for a long time. They not only care about each other

and the work they do, but they also truly care about their

community.”

The team has participated in the American Cancer Society’s

Relay of Life for the past five years, raising $5,000 in 2007 alone.

When the hospital’s Mission Awareness Team sponsored its

annual Adopt-a-Bunny project last spring, these women donated

two or more super-sized baskets apiece to brighten the faces

of needy children at Easter. In October, the staff joined the

St. Francis Foundation’s Bunco for Breast Care tournament at

Peachtree Mall, helping to raise funds to defeat breast cancer in

our community.

“They are the best staff in town,” claims Dr. Chuck

Scarborough, a surgeon at the center.

—Sara Hutchinson

Living the Spirit of St. Francis

2007 Medical

Executive Committee

John Abernathy, MDRadiology

H. Belk Brooks, MDCardiovascular Surgery

J. Bruce Carr, MDCritical Care

Bret Crumpton, DOOphthalmology

Bhushit Dixit, MDChief of Psychiatry

Robert Edwards, DOChief of Surgery

Ferdinand Alcaide, MDNephrology

Mark Fortson, MDGastroenterology

Mark Funk, MDInternal Medicine

Michael Hagues, MD Interim Emergency Medicine

Sebastian Hubbach, MDChief of Medicine

Todd Jarrell, MDUrology

David Martin, MDPathology

Elizabeth Martin, MDFamily Practice

George McCluskey III, MDOrthopaedics

Bipin Patel, MDPulmonary

Maheshkumar Patel, MDCardiology

Angus Phelts, MDENT Chief

Gary Rogers, MDAnesthesia

William Taylor, MDGeneral Surgery

Lawrence Williams, MDChief of Staff

David White, MDNephrology

Robert P. GrangerPresident and CEO

Matt A. MooreSenior Vice President and CFO

Bobbi Farber, MDSenior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer

Deborah L. SaylorSenior Vice President, Patient Services

Kristina GrayDirector of Medical Staff Services

St. Francis Hospital, Inc.

2007 Board of Trustees

Chair – Robert M. Gilson Jr.

Chair-Elect/Secretary – Martha S. Bickerstaff

Richard Y. Bradley

H. Belk Brooks, MD

Thomas B. Buck III

Stephen T. Butler

R. Larry Cardin

Robert P. Granger

Mark G. Holladay, Treasurer

George M. McCluskey III, MD

J. Daniel Parker Jr.

R. Larry Phillips

Joan S. Redmond

Otis J. Scarborough

B. Russell Simmons, MD

Billy G. Turner

Lawrence H. Williams, MD

Terrell Adams, Ex-officio

Martha Paull, Ex-officio

St. Francis Foundation,

2007 Board of Trustees

Chair – Martha M. Paull

Chair-Elect – Catherine Z. Bickerstaff

H. Banks Carroll, MD

Thomas A. Cochran Jr., MD, Treasurer

Charles J. Cumiskey

Robert M. Gilson Jr.

Robert P. Granger, CEO

Angie Hart

William H. Hayes, MD, Emeritus

Charles E. Huff Jr.

Kent A. Illges

Patricia B. Jones

C. Dexter Jordan Jr.

Ashok Kumar, MD

Sallie Martin

Leland C. McCluskey, MD

McDonald Plummer Jr.

Roy G. Plummer

Betsy B. Ramsay

John M. Sheftall

Linda Shinkle

Nancy S. Smith

George E. Wade III

Sally K. Walden, Secretary

Lisa White

J. Barnett Woodruff, Emeritus

Terrell Adams, Ex-officio

Administration

Robert P. Granger, President and CEO

Deborah L. Saylor, Senior Vice President,

Patient Care Services

Matt A. Moore, Senior Vice President and CFO

Bobbi Farber, Senior Vice President and Chief

Medical Officer

McDonald Plummer Jr., Vice President,

St. Francis Hospital Foundation

David Steele, Vice President and

Chief Information Officer

Center for Surgical Care team members winning St. Francis’ prestigious Spirit of St. Francis Award are (L-R) Nancy Reeder, Tricia Cliatt, Tanya Clark, Vanessia Sharpe, Kathy Gilder, Donna Post, Stephanie Aaron, Melissa Derby, Mandy Holcombe, Roberta Croshaw, Brandi Brakefield

and Sheryl Cossett. Not pictured: Shana Robinson and Suzanne Mazola. Cliff Christian poses as St. Francis of Assisi in the background.

Save the Date

THE Heart TRUTH FOR WomenLUNCHEON

Thursday, February 14, 2008

11:30 am–1 pm

Columbus Convention

and Trade Center

Wear Red!

Documents

Health Care Careers - extranet.acsysweb.comextranet.acsysweb.com/.../Upload/Docs/magazine/SFSpiritWinter07.pdf · Elena Diaz-Verson Amos Center for Breast Health. ... Diaz-Verson