B A P T I S T H E A L T H S Y S T E M SI S S U E T H R E E • F A L L 2 0 1 5

M A G A Z I N E

A Letter from

Lee Ann Foreman

It’s hard to believe that we have closed the books on fiscal year 2015, and Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner. It’s the time of year we not only work on employee evaluations, implement department goals, and finalize Baptist’s medical benefits for the coming year, but also think of ways to maintain Baptist as the first choice for patients, physicians, and employees. In this issue, you will be introduced to the new members of Human Resources Department. They include our new Director, Greg Baldwin, who brings 20 years of healthcare experience, as well as Brandy Bowlin, who joined our team this spring as Benefits Coordinator. Speaking of benefits, be sure to read the article on Baptist’s 2016 employee medical package. Please note the due date for enrollment is November 20. More information has been mailed to you about the plan as well. As we work to take care of our patients, guests, and each other, let’s not neglect our own health. We introduced Health Works in 2012 to offer employees on our medical benefits plan an opportunity to improve their health status and positively affect premium costs. Employees on our plan should have completed their biometric screening and taken the online health risk

assessment. The next step for employees on the plan (not spouses or children) is to set a goal with HealthWorks, if any outcomes from the biometric screening are outside a normal range. Call 601-292-4600 to make your appointment. Goals are due March 25, 2016, in order to receive the annual cost savings on the plan. We hope that you will take advantage of this service to improve your health. Employee engagement remains one of our top priorities this new fiscal year. We truly appreciate all of you who participated in the annual Employee Survey. In fact, we experienced a tremendous response rate of 86%. This survey is like a performance review for our organization. Knowing where we stand with employees enables us to identify areas for improvement. It pinpoints staff priorities, showing us where we should focus our efforts. Our Board of Trustees reviews several metrics from the survey, and we are graded on this each quarter. From the latest survey results, we were pleased that Baptist scored above the national average in many categories, especially that our employees would recommend Baptist for medical care to family and friends. The survey additionally showed that our employees

1THE BAP TIST M AGA ZINE

TA B L E O F

CO N T E N T S :C A R R Y T H E M I S S I O N : 2H E L P I N G E AC H OT H E R

G E T T I N G R E A DY F O R 4 O P E N E N R O L L M E N T

B A P T I S T P I C K E D F O R 6I N N O VAT I V E S T R O K E S T U DY

E XC E L L E N C E R U N S 8I N T H E R E E DY FA M I LY

B E N N Y G R E W E K N O W S 10T H E T R A I L TO F O L LO W

H A P P I E S T W H E N S E R V I N G : 12L E S L I E S TO U F E R

PAT I E N T S S AY LY M P H E D E M A 14 T R E AT M E N T I S L I F E C H A N G I N G

N E W S A N D N OT E S 17

A B O U T T H E B A P T I S TThe Baptist magazine exists to tell stories of those within Baptist Health Systems living our mission to provide the highest quality healthcare, guided by our Christian faith.

For information contact baptistmagazine@mbhs.org or 601.968.5135

fully immerse themselves in their jobs and feel their work is important to our organization’s success. We also have several opportunities to improve, including the relationship between employees and senior leadership, as well as communication between supervisors and employees. While these scores are improving, we proactively built strategies in our 2016 plan to ensure positive outcomes in these areas. Included in these strategies is the development of a management and leadership program, action planning at both system and unit levels, and amplifying our Faith Relations programs. We will also continue to focus on ways to communicate effectively, round formally and informally, and create forums for employees to gather and celebrate achievements. This brings me to the exciting announcement of the 2016 launch of Baptist University. Baptist’s People Development Coordinator, Mary Ann Simpkins, has worked hard putting together this official, exciting, and strategic initiative that will provide leadership development for Baptist employees to grow and enhance professional skills. Baptist University will have three tracks of professional development including employee development, manager and leadership training, and an advanced leadership program. The Baptist Human Resources team is available to help our employees and our management teams effectively perform their jobs. For any questions, please call our office at 601.968.1296.

Sincerely,

Lee Ann ForemanVice PresidentHuman Resources

2 FALL | 2015

Carry the Mission Committee Members (L-R) Teresa Ellerbusch, Wendy Polk, Gail Young, Patsy Raworth, Lasonja Reed, Ken Causey, Mark Roth, Renee Hardwick, Doug Lacey, Marty Harper, Laura Jones, Beau Bowman, Vickie Gerrard

CARRY theMISSIONHELPING EACH OTHER

3THE BAP TIST M AGA ZINE

CARRY THE MISSION (CTM), Baptist Health Systems’ employee giving campaign demonstrates Baptist’s unique culture through raising funds to improve our community, our medical center, and the lives of fellow employees in need. Very few employee giving programs generate as much success and enthusiasm as CTM. Though employees can begin contributing to CTM any time, the 2015 Carry The Mission Campaign kicked off at the Baptist Clinics during the week of October 19, followed by the main campus campaign October 26 through November 6. It included opportunities to win cash prizes, and more. Around half of Baptist Health Systems’ employees participate in CTM. The campaign’s impact is increased through Baptist’s match of 50 cents for every employee-donated dollar. In 2014, employees, with the Baptist match, raised more than $370,000. Last year, CTM, through our Employee Benevolence Fund and Scholarships, assisted almost 120 employees. CTM also provided nearly $100,000 to 50 local nonprofits in 2014. However, since the campaign began, the Employee Benevolence Fund has granted over $2,000,000 of support to more than 1,100 employees in need. And Baptist Health Systems employees have given more than $500,000 dollars to hundreds of nonprofits over the past five years — directly enriching our local communities. “Our Carry The Mission dollars help hundreds of people right here where we live and work,” said Whit Hughes, Baptist Health Foundation President. “It is a great way to support our community, our patients, and our fellow employees. An enormous amount of good comes through giving to Carry The Mission.” Participating employees can choose from 5 different tax-deductible payroll withdrawals, in one of the following amounts:• ¼ Share (15 minutes of your hourly pay rate per month)• ½ Share (30 minutes of your hourly pay rate

per month)• ¾ Share (45 minutes of your hourly pay rate

per month)• Fair Share (1 hour of your hourly pay rate

per month) • Double Your Fair Share (2 hours of your

hourly pay rate per month) CTM began in 1997 and has grown into a well-structured program with a sharp focus on sound stewardship. Money raised is divided into three areas: 1. 40% toward community needs (local

nonprofits and groups that meet three

established criteria: local, Christian, and healthcare-related).

2. 40% toward Employee Benevolence to help our fellow employees in unexpected financial difficulties.

3. 20% to the Baptist Health Foundation to be used in such ways as to help pay for a nurse practitioner at Mission First and to assist with patient needs.

CTM is governed by the Oversight Committee, which meets annually to review the overall program and make recommendations to improve the effectiveness of CTM. It is comprised of employees who also serve on three additional committees: The Agencies Committee, The Employee Benevolence Committee, and The Carry the Mission Campaign Committee.

The Agencies Committee meets monthly to review requests for support by nonprofits and groups using the local, Christian, and healthcare-related criteria to determine support. The Employee Benevolence Committee meets monthly to carefully discern the requests and disbursements for employees who may need assistance. All information discussed is kept strictly confidential. The CTM Campaign Committee works extremely hard on the annual campaign held each October to ensure the strength and growth of the funds that make CTM possible. “Carry The Mission is a well conceived and well run program which reflects Baptist’s mission and values,” explains Chris Anderson, Baptist Health Systems President and CEO. “I am very proud of the participation level and the stewardship involved. Carry The Mission is another great example of what makes Baptist a special place.” For more information on CTM, contact Laura Jones in the Baptist Health Foundation at 601-968-1489.

4 FALL | 2015

Getting Ready FOR OPEN ENROLLMENT

5THE BAP TIST M AGA ZINE

As we all strive to carry out our mission of providing the highest quality healthcare and exceptional service to the numerous patients and communities we serve, Baptist also moves toward clinical integration. You may have heard of Baptist’s instrumental role in creating the Mississippi Affiliated Network, an assimilated system of hospitals and healthcare providers. This coming year, we will continue to move down this path of clinical integration, and you will notice some changes to your benefits as we transition to a platform that supports this initiative. The healthcare industry nationwide faces unprecedented challenges. Rising drug costs, government regulation, decreasing hospital reimbursements, increasing population with chronic illnesses, and uncompensated care all stretch our budget and resources — both as a healthcare provider and an employer. Baptist is committed to providing excellent benefits for you and your families, while maintaining affordability for both you and the hospital system. Every year, we analyze and evaluate our programs to ensure they stay attractive and competitive.

For 2016, the most notable difference in our benefit program is the change to Aetna as our Third Party Administrator for health, dental, and flexible spending accounts. There will be no change to the benefits offering, but you will receive new ID cards. As in the past, you can choose from options that best meet your needs. Regardless of the health plan you select, utilizing Baptist services will afford the highest level of benefits, with the least out-of-pocket expense. In addition, we

have an established wellness plan, now in its third year, which fosters a culture of personal health awareness and improvement and provides incentives to support your efforts.

Our yearly open enrollment period is fast approaching. The open enrollment window for any insurance changes will take place this year from Monday, November 2 through Friday, November 20. As always, this is the opportunity for you to make any changes to your benefits package. We encourage you to read the Open Enrollment materials that were mailed to your home in mid-October. These packets will contain useful information about the benefits and new rates for the upcoming plan year. Any changes made during open enrollment will be made through HR Online on the ADP Portal and become effective January 1, 2016.

As previously, the call center will be available to enroll in the UNUM critical illness, whole life and short-term disability policies. And Valic representatives are onsite, year round, to help you with your retirement planning. While benefits can be confusing, we are here to help. Please call Human Resources with any questions. Brandy Bowlin is available at (601) 968-1376.

We look forward to helping you. Greg BaldwinBrandy Bowlin

Newest Members of the HR Team (L-R) Director Greg Bladwin, Benefits Coordinator Brandy Bowlin, Jennifer Coulter Employee Health Coordinator, Receptionist Dorothy Deloach, People Development Coordinator Mary Ann Simpkins

6 FALL | 2015

BAPTIST PICKED FOR

(L-R) Baptist Stroke Coordinator Teresa Ellerbusch, Baptist Neuro-Hospitalist Keith Jones, M.D., Administrative Director of Baptist Oncology and Neuroscience Services Deniece Ponder, MHSA, BSN, RN, OCN

7THE BAP TIST M AGA ZINE

BAPTIST NEUROSCIENCE SERVICES are collaborating with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in the first, large standardized research study to evaluate long-term outcomes of mild strokes. This is in an effort to potentially update the immediate treatment of mild strokes for the improvement of patients’ well being afterwards.

There are two types of stroke: intracranial hemorrhage and ischemic strokes. Hemorrhages involve the rupturing of a blood vessel. Ischemic strokes occur as the result of blood vessel blockage decreasing oxygen supply to the brain. The standard emergency treatment for ischemic stroke, for patients meeting a certain criteria, is Tissue Plasminogen Activator, aka TPA.

“TPA is a clot-buster drug that can be infused in the vein,” explains Keith Jones, M.D., of Baptist Neurology Associates. It will dissolve clots anywhere in the body. It’s a systemic medication.” Because of current medical guidelines, TPA is typically administered to patients with acute, strokes with significant deficits. The forthcoming research looks to expand the opportunities to treat mild stroke patients with TPA. “This could lead to new criteria,” continues Dr. Jones, “that could possibly mean the difference between a life of dependence or independence for some patients, going forward.”

After an extensive vetting process, Baptist was selected to participate in this three-year observational study called MARISS (Mild and Rapidly Improving Stroke Study). Mild and rapidly improving stroke symptoms are common, affecting more than a third of all stroke patients who report to the emergency department, but the majority are not treated with TPA, according to a 2011 study published in the journal, Stroke. However, up to a third of these patients are unable to return directly to their homes and need immediate physical or occupational therapy to regain their independence. The MARISS study aims to determine the long-term outcomes of these patients.

Using data from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s quality improvement program, Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke, researchers will examine outcomes of up to 2,650 patients with mild or rapidly improving stroke. Each participating hospital is expected to recruit about 30 patients during the course of the study.

The research will be conducted retrospectively. “Patients will be asked to participate after they’ve been treated,” elaborates Teresa Ellerbusch, Baptist Stroke Coordinator. “And not everybody surveyed will have received TPA. Through a series of interviews at different standardized times after their stroke, we’ll chart the participants’ progress.”

“This is an important research study that addresses an important group of patients who have the best chance of recovery from a stroke,” said Jose Romano, M.D., MARISS principal investigator and professor of clinical neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. “The MARISS study addresses a critical knowledge gap in stroke research, and we commend Baptist for being part of this vital study.”

“Baptist is dedicated to helping our patients with stroke have the best possible outcomes, and through this important study, we hope to learn more about an optimal treatment that will enhance the quality of life for many whom experience a mild or rapidly-improving stroke,” said Deniece Ponder, MHSA, BSN, RN, OCN, Administrative Director of Baptist Oncology and Neuroscience Services. “Additionally, inclusion in this study, based on our track record for quality, is testament to Baptist’s staff and administration.”

8 FALL | 2015

Runs in the Reedy Family

JULY CAREGIVER OF THE MONTH

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, research lends credence to the old saying that the longer a couple is married, the more they begin to look alike. But Mary Reedy, RN, Baptist’s July 2015 Caregiver of the Month, and her husband have put a whole new twist on spousal similarities.

9THE BAP TIST M AGA ZINE

Mary, Service Excellence Director at Baptist, and her husband, Mark Reedy, share similar job responsibilities for their respective employers. Probably best known at Baptist for implementing Relationship Based Care, Mary currently works with employees to make sure patients have a great experience. Mark, who works for Newk’s as the Director of Performance Improvement, Training and Culture, essentially does the same thing. “A couple of years ago we noticed we have the same hours and more or less the same roles within our organizations,” Mary explains. Considering their combined professional expertise in service and process improvement, it’s no surprise the Reedy household gets some of the same treatment. With three daughters, Madison (13), Hanna (11), and Natalie (7), careful planning comes in handy. “We use our process improvement skills for the daily taxi service when planning the most efficient way to get our girls where they need to go,” Mary says. “And we are both pretty big with the girls using good manners and looking people in the eye.” None of her three daughters are interested in nursing, Mary reveals. Right now, they think it’s “gross.” This is completely different from Mary, who knew from childhood she wanted to pursue nursing. Growing up in Virginia Beach, Virginia, her mom served as an LPN and her dad worked for Phillips Medical after an eight-year stint in the U. S. Navy. “Hanging out with them, I was in and out of healthcare settings all the time. Plus, I really liked science and learning about the body. So, it was a natural fit for me.” After graduating from George Mason University nursing school in 1999, Mary spent one year working in a doctor’s office. In 2000, she married and began working at the bedside, first at Inova Hospital in Fairfax, Virginia, and then at Prince William Hospital in Manassas, Virginia. Over the next very busy ten years, their family grew as their daughters came along. As a young mother, Mary’s interest in the spiritual life of her family also grew. She and Mark became founding members of a new church where they were very active.

Meanwhile, visits to Mark’s brother in Mississippi began to have an impact on them. “Our decision to move to Mississippi was a family decision and a faith decision,” Mary says. “We were living in an area of the country that is very expensive. Neither of us had immediate family in Virginia, but Mark’s brother lives in the Jackson area. On visits down to see him and his family, we saw how the cost of living in Mississippi could give our family a much better quality of life. Plus it would put us nearer to family. And basically, finally God said, ‘It’s time to go.’”

However, it still wasn’t an easy decision. Leaving behind their friends, a business Mark owned at the time, and a church that was dear to their hearts would prove difficult. But they really saw God’s hand in how everything fell into place confirming that call.

God’s guidance in leading Mary to Baptist also appeared evident. “I looked at Baptist, St. D. and UMMC,” Mary confesses. “But my brother-in-law is in the Guard with J. D. Ford, who is married to Bobbi Ford [of Baptist’s Education Resource Center]. Bobbi called me and told me how long she had worked here and how much she loves working at Baptist. Honestly, after I interviewed here, it was pretty apparent this is where God wanted me.” Mary joined Baptist in August 2010, working as a staff nurse and unit educator on PCU for six months. She then moved to Education Resources for a year. In January 2012, she became the Service Excellence Champion, designated to deploy the RBC program. When her immediate supervisor resigned in 2013, Mary was promoted to Service Excellence Director, the position she holds now. The move in 2013 to her current role coincides with the beginning of an impressive upward trend in Baptist’s patient satisfaction scores. Baptist now exceeds the national benchmarks in numerous patient satisfaction categories. Mary is quick to give credit, though, to staff throughout Baptist. “It’s been a team effort,” she insists. “It’s the clinical staff who does the good work. I’m not the one in the rooms with the patients. So when the surveyors talk to the patients about their experience, the patients talk about what the clinicians have done.” At Baptist, Mary’s nursing experience creates a distinct advantage in promoting quality patient care throughout the system. “My critical care background is helpful when I talk to clinicians, because I understand their environment. My main area was trauma. In my job now, I pull from my interactions with those patients. We saw a lot of gunshot wounds and injuries that came as a result oftentimes of something the patient had done that was very bad or something someone had done to them. This resulted in very stressful environments for the families, the patient trying to recover, and me dealing with those dynamics.” “Looking back on those times,” Mary continues, “it helps for me to see both sides of healthcare. In those days, I saw some burned out nurses say nasty things about patients behind closed doors. Sometimes I got burned out and was that nurse. But that’s where the spiritual part comes in. It’s important to remember that God put us here to take care of these people. This patient is someone’s son, daughter, husband, or other loved one who needs help at that moment, and not additional judgment or stress from their healthcare team. “It’s my role to gently remind clinicians, and really everyone at Baptist, why we are here--to serve people like Christ does. I’m the messenger for that and the role model. And I think our staff believes in that Christian healing ministry.”

10 FALL | 2015

AUGUST CAREGIVER OF THE MONTH

Benny GreweKnows the Trail to Follow

11THE BAP TIST M AGA ZINE

AS AN AVID OUTDOORSMAN, BENNY GREWE, BSN, of Baptist’s Emergency Department, is well acquainted with long, winding trails over uneven surfaces and numerous obstacles. That’s the price a hunter often pays for hitting his target. Yet the long path to success is well worth it. It’s kind of like Benny’s journey to his current role as an Emergency Room (ER) nurse at Baptist. A native of Flora, MS, where he still lives with his family, Benny did not start out in nursing. “I started work right out of high school in an automotive parts store,” Benny says, “so nursing is a second career for me.” But after 10 years in car components, his brother’s poor fortune on the game field led to a new occupational interest. “My brother was injured playing football, and I went with him to his physical therapy (PT) treatments,” Benny explained. “That was the spark that got me thinking about a healthcare career.” When Holmes Community College opened their Ridgeland branch, Benny started taking courses at night. During that time, he also began working as a PT Tech here at Baptist. After 6 years, Benny completed all the prerequisites for nursing school, including 30 hours of night courses at Mississippi College. Finally, he began nursing school full time at MC, and earned his nursing degree in 1997. Benny doesn’t think his long road to nursing made him a better nurse. “I applied myself and did what I had to do,” he recollects. “I’ve always had a good work ethic.” Scores of his grateful patients submitted “Recognize a Caregiver” stories warranting Benny’s distinction as Baptist’s August 2015 Caregiver of the Month. They would agree he’s a diligent worker. As one patient said, Benny is “one in a million.” While another wrote, “He made a very scary time much easier for me and my family.” Yet another went so far as to reveal, “My mother wanted to take Benny home with her, she liked him so much.”

“My dad is elderly and can be a pistol,” begins one submission. “But Benny took good care of him. Knowing that a person like Benny would take the time to listen to my dad’s stories is a wonderful feeling. It let me know that the person taking care of him really cares about him.”

“It was just amazing to me,” writes a patient. “Because not only was he good at his job, but he was really devoted to being the best person he could be. And I realized it wasn’t just me. I’d see him in the room across from me, and the one next to that. And I heard another nurse brag on him. And instantly I knew I’d never go to another ER again.”

Benny has worked in our ER since 2000. Over the 20 years he’s been with Baptist, Benny’s also worked on Med Surg and, briefly, with Home Health. What he enjoys most about the ER is the fast pace. “I must be insane, but I really enjoy it,” he rationalizes. “Seeing 150 patients is a relaxing day now.” For Benny, who serves a deacon at First Baptist Church of Flora, faith is interwoven in his approach to care. “Quite often, in fact, maybe with every patient, I try to do something to let them know I believe. Even if it’s just saying something like ‘Watch your language,’” he says with a grin. Both faith and family are important to Benny. He and Donna, his wife of 26 years, have two children. Luke just started his senior year of high school, and Rebecca is in 10th grade. Last year, faith, family, and Baptist all came together in an unexpected way, when Donna spent 40 days at Baptist for treatment of GI concerns. Now fully recovered, she stayed on 5N during most of her stay, but was also in the ICU twice throughout her long hospitalization. Benny stayed with her during those long days. “She was treated great,” he recalls. “But it’s tough being on the other side of the fence.” On the side of the fence where he is most comfortable—taking care of patients in the ER—Benny has a winning formula for making patients feel better and confident about their care. “You know, if you bring people a pillow and a blanket in the beginning, and address those comfort measures right up front, people are happier,” he says. “My motto is treat people like you want to be treated, and also add a little extra.” No wonder Benny’s long trail to nursing ended up being the road to success, and well-deserved recognition.

12 FALL | 2015

SEPTEMBER CAREGIVER OF THE MONTH

Happiest When Serving:

Leslie Stoufer

13THE BAP TIST M AGA ZINE

YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO VERY FAR TO FIND SOMEONE HEAVILY INVOLVED in managing a dependent family member, such as an older parent. The CDC estimates up to 21% of households nationally are impacted by caregiver responsibilities. So what do you do when you are a professional caregiver by day, and then go home to family members also in need of care? That’s life as usual for Leslie Stoufer, RN, BSN, Nurse Manager of Same Day Surgery. She lends her nursing skills at home to loved ones ranging in age from toddler to elderly adult. Leslie’s family members all live on the same property in an area between Florence and Brandon, which Leslie compares to a commune. The enclave includes Leslie and her husband of 33 years, Mike. It also contains their two daughters, Carol and Laura, along with their families. Plus Leslie’s father and Mike’s mother live there as well. Not to mention, last year Carol and Laura gave birth to their first children, so now Leslie stays busy with them. Unfortunately, health issues in their extended family are not uncommon. The average person might understandably feel overwhelmed by so much need. But Leslie is not your average nurse. She relishes opportunities to help people in every area of her life. “I enjoy being the person for people at work, for my husband, my parents, kids, and church,” Leslie says. “We’re told to have a servant’s heart and I’m happiest when I’m serving somebody.” The innate joy in helping others led Leslie to earning Baptist’s 2015 September Caregiver of the Month. Her desire to ease both pain and anxiety in patients and their family members is obvious from the numerous stories they share.

“Nurse manager Leslie Stoufer was great from start to finish,” shares one patient. “Last week my mother had surgery,” a second explains. “Everyone in Same Day Surgery went out of their way to ensure she was provided excellent care. Gary and Leslie stopped by to introduce themselves and even joked around with her. It seemed to calm her nerves.” Another patient’s wife agrees, “My husband, Bob, was in a significant amount of pain from a kidney stone. Leslie came to his bay in SDS and asked if she could do anything for him. He said he had a terrible cramp in his back. She brought a warm blanket, rolled and tucked it under the spot that was hurting. He felt almost immediate relief, and still talks about how wonderful it was!” Leslie has spent all of her 15 years at Baptist in Same Day Surgery. She started as a staff nurse, and then moved to

an assistant nurse manager role. When her supervisor left, Leslie became Nurse Manager. She is now responsible for: Same Day Surgery, Pre op, Post op, Holding Room, Outpatient Clinic (which includes a urology clinic), and Preadmission. With the unit beginning operations at 5:30 a.m., Leslie’s typical day starts very early. Nonetheless many mornings, Leslie arrives an hour early just to make sure everything starts off in a positive direction. “I want the day to go well,” she says. “If it means getting here early to make sure that happens, then I do it. And I work to manage the day, to make sure patient needs, physician needs, and staff needs are all met.” Leslie prioritizes positive first impressions for patients and families, and leading by example for staff. “First thing in the morning, I like to put patients and families into rooms, orient them, welcome them, and let them know what to expect,” she explains. “I also enjoy working with the staff at the bedside. I start IVs and let staff know I am available to work beside them.” Leslie spends about the first two hours of her day performing these functions. Part of her focus revolves around calming anxious patients and family members. “I pray with people a lot, especially if they seem nervous,” she says. “You can tell if someone is nervous. I’ll say, ‘You look nervous. Is it OK if I pray with you?’ If a parent is nervous, I’ll go sit with their child in PACU and go back and tell them, ‘I saw your baby!’” Don’t think for a minute, though, that everything is just warm fuzzies with Leslie. She serves as a staunch advocate for initiatives to improve care and efficiency. “Something that’s really important to me are quality and safety,” she notes. “I do a lot of chart auditing. I also completed LEAN training this year and I really liked it. I like process improvement, standardized ways of doing things, and a reason for doing things the way you do them.” As Leslie enjoys her role of serving others, she gains strength for those demands in her faith. She teaches the “Joy” Sunday School class at Briar Hill Baptist Church in Florence, as well as their children’s church program. At Baptist, she is a member of the Comforting Words faith group, which provides her real encouragement. “It’s great we can have that support and prayer time here at work,” she says. That brings Leslie’s story full circle — back to how she came to work at Baptist in the first place. After 20 years at another area hospital, her position was eliminated with a change of ownership. Leslie sees it as God’s work in her life. “The Lord did it,” she says. “A friend who works at Baptist called me and told me to apply here. When one door closes another door opens. At the time it happened, it was awful. I had young children, and there I was. But it turned into the best thing that ever happened to me.”

14 FALL | 2015

Patients SayLymphedema

Treatment

15THE BAP TIST M AGA ZINE

PHYSICAL THERAPIST GINGER STOVER, PT, DPT, CLT-LANA, can certainly say there was at least one day when she was at the right place at the right time.

Currently the manager of Baptist Rehab Services’ Lymphedema Clinic, in 1999, she was working part time at Ridgeland Pointe, an assisted living facility Baptist operated at that time. With Baptist’s decision to sell Ridgeland Pointe, Ginger needed to transfer to a new area.

“It was a God-thing,” Ginger says. “I was here talking to [former Rehab Services director] Gary Heine. He told me, ‘We’re going to find a job for you.’ Right then, Robbin Lee [the PT who started the program in 1998] walked up and told Gary she needed someone to take over the lymphedema program.”

Lymphedema is swelling, usually in the arms or legs, which results from an abnormal collection of protein-rich fluid under the skin. This swelling stems from a compromise of the lymphatic system that leaves it unable to move lymphatic fluid through the body efficiently. Lymphedema usually occurs when lymph nodes are removed, as frequently happens during cancer treatment. However,

lymphatic compromise can also be present at birth when lymph vessels are missing or impaired.

Ginger asked for a chance to take a look into lymphedema. At first glance, she wasn’t convinced. “I thought it looked hokey,” she said. “But after attending the certification course and learning the science behind the technique, I came back to Baptist and treated my first two patients. After seeing how it helped them, I was sold.”

Now, 15 years later, the program remains the only lymphedema clinic in Mississippi affiliated with the National Lymphedema Network. Ginger works full time with lymphedema patients, along with three other therapists in the program. They include Kandy Butler, PT, Undrea Nash, OT, CLT, and Shelby Thrash, OT, CLT.

The aim of treatment is to reduce or eliminate the swelling and to prevent complications, such as skin infections, that can develop with the condition. The components of lymphedema treatment are meticulous skin care, manual lymph drainage, compression bandaging, and exercise.

Manual lymph drainage moves the lymphatic fluid away from the swollen area. Compression bandaging, wrapped

16 FALL | 2015

completely around the affected area, prevents the fluid from recollecting by providing gentle, steady pressure. And exercise stimulates better overall lymphatic function.

Patients of the program are extremely pleased with the benefits of therapy. “I hear from my patients that this treatment is life changing,” Ginger explains. “It’s a frustrating diagnosis, because there’s not a cure for it. It means wearing compression garments and performing manual lymph drainage for the rest of your life.”

For treatment, patients come to the clinic for two to four weeks, with three to five sessions per week. They learn the techniques for manual lymph drainage and bandaging so they can manage their ongoing maintenance at home.

Initially during treatment, patients leave bandages on at all times. Later, they can wear compression garments during the day, and then sleep in bandaging at night.

Treatment is intensive, but patients know it is worth the effort. “They see results in the first day, and that gives them the motivation to continue,” Ginger said. “I have patients who come from Tupelo, Natchez, Brookhaven, Hattiesburg – really all over.”

In fact, patients have been so enthusiastic they formed their own lymphedema support group: LEAP –

Lymphedema Education And Prevention. The group meets quarterly at the Hederman Cancer Center under Ginger’s leadership. “We provide lunch and the place to meet,” Ginger says. “They encourage each other to keep going. I give them the latest news from lymphedema treatment. Their big goal is to get the word out about lymphedema prevention. They are really an energetic group.”

Ginger estimates around 75% of their patients are people who had lymph nodes removed due to cancer. As a member of the Cancer Committee and the Breast Cancer Physician Advisory Committee, Ginger also attends the weekly tumor board meetings at the Hederman Cancer Center. So, it’s not surprising that Baptist’s oncologists are very supportive of the program. But other specialists also see the benefits. Infectious disease physicians and wound care physicians also refer to the clinic.

Ginger’s enthusiasm for the therapy is evident in the way she advocates and educates. She teaches a required lymphedema class in the physical therapy school at University of Mississippi Medical Center. “I learn a lot from my patients,” she explains. “They are good at finding less expensive materials that help with bandaging.”

Now every day Ginger feels like she’s in the right place at the right time. “I get up every morning and think, ‘Wow, this is something I get to do.’ It’s not a job to me.”

is filled with information about everything from treatments and side effects to practical ideas for what really helps.

HELP FOR THE GIRLS OVERCOMING BREAST CANCER

Download Your FREE copy at www.mbhs.org/powerofpink

17THE BAP TIST M AGA ZINE

N E W S A N D N O T E S :

At their annual meeting on July 31 and August 1, the Mississippi Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists recognized several of Baptist’s pharmacists. CINDY VANCE earned Pharmacy Technician of the Year. ANDREW MAYS took home Outstanding Young Health System Pharmacist of the Year. And BAPTIST’S ANTICOAGULATION SERVICE walked away with the Innovative Pharmacy Practice Award.

- - -

The Lean in Healthcare initiative is a joint venture between Baptist and Mississippi State University to encourage workplace efficiency. Sixteen employees from the second wave of the program earned certificates on August 31 for quantifiably streamlining office procedures. They include PHIL AYERS (Pharmacy), BRIDGET DEDEAUX (Human Resources), TRIPP DIXON (Pharmacy), JOAN ELLIOT (Clinic Administration), JOSH FARLEY (PT Byram), KATHY FRIDMANSKI (Brandon Clinic), MARTHA HOOEY (formerly Healthplex-Jackson), STEPHANIE LADNER (Blood Bank), AMANDA MCGRUDER (Respiratory Therapy), PAM PITTS (Dogwood Clinic), JERRY SMITH (Pharmacy), JOSE SOSA (Surgery), LESLIE STOUFER (Same Day Surgery), AMY SWALES (Labor & Delivery), DENISE THARPE (Internal Medicine), TROY WALTERS (PT Jackson).

- - -

On August 20th, members of BAPTIST’S PHYSICAL THERAPY TEAM not only helped serve lunch at Stewpot Community Services, but also presented a donation check from Carry the Mission. And September 18 marked Baptist’s 16th collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area. As always, we savor the opportunity to support our neighbors. “And he answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’” — Luke 10:27

- - -

For 12 weeks, 93 individuals representing 24 different departments, participated in the employee Winning at Losing weight loss challenge. The Endoscopy Lab won the top department prize with a collective 8.71% total weight loss. The top 3 individual winners are DEARTEN OWENS (Information Technology) Third Place, GLORIA SMITH (Restorative Care Hospital) Second Place, and JANICE SMITH (Endoscopy Lab) First Place.

- - -

The Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency (MORA) hosted the inaugural Spero Awards presented by Donate Life Mississippi on July 16. They recognized BAPTIST’S ORGAN DONOR TASK FORCE with the Silver Hospitals for Hope Award, for encouraging staff and community members to enroll as organ, eye, and tissue donors.

- - -

The American Heart Association has awarded BAPTIST the 2015 Get with the Gudelines Heart Failure SILVER PLUS recognition for compliance, quality of patient care, and outcomes.

- - -

On July 31, the Mississippi Business Journal named Baptist as one of the Healthiest Work Places in Mississippi. The distinction was earned based on employee health and wellness programs, opportunities, and incentives. Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer BOBBIE WARE, Baptist Health Foundation President WHIT HUGHES, and Vice President of Human Resources LEE ANN FOREMAN were on hand to accept the award.

- - -

The quarterly Patient Choice Awards recognizes departments system wide based on satisfaction scores from post treatment surveys. The latest recipients include 3NORTH for Highest Score in Pain Management, 5C for Most Improved Inpatient Unit, SURGICAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT for Best Inpatient Unit *and* Highest Score in Responsiveness, BRANDON CLINIC for Best Clinic, NORTHTOWN CLINIC for Most Improved Clinic, and PHYSICAL THERAPY NORTHTOWN for Most Improved Outpatient Facility.

B A P T I S T H E A L T H S Y S T E M SOur mission is to provide the highest quality

healthcare, guided by our Christian faith.

Our vision is to be our community’s trusted healthcare system of choice,

recognized nationally for outstanding employees and physicians, delivering high quality and exceptional service.

P.O. Box 23668Jackson, MS 39202

Patient Safety& Experience™

2015

BAPTIST

IN THE NATIONTOP 2%