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T

mummer 2017

Newsletter Issue 2 Summer 2017

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Celebrating FOCUS Values One-Year

Anniversary!

A year ago, we launched our values, which

transformed our organization. As we move

forward as one team, I want you to know that

you matter. Whether sharing stories about our

motivation, impacting the lives of our patients

and families for the better or recognizing fellow

team members for living the values, your focus

truly makes a difference.

Take a moment this month to celebrate.

Thanks to you, I’m confident in our present and

future success. You are the heart and soul of

UnityPoint Health, and I’m proud to work

alongside you.

Kevin Vermeer | President & CEO UnityPoint Health

Watch this video for more reflections on our first year of living the Values.

Please note the picture behind Kevin that

shows the word “volunteer”. We are

proud to share that some of the

volunteer leaders from throughout UPH

presented this picture/frame to Kevin last

Christmas to highlight the importance of

volunteers within UPH. We were thrilled

to see it displayed for all to see.

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We are excited to announce that the UPH Gift Shops have expanded their online presence and shopping options, kicking off July 17! Iowa Lutheran Hospital is now included in the online shopping mix, joining IMMC and MWH. Additionally, all shops have expanded their online gift options including some very nice gift bags! Sales have been strong in our first few weeks and we have had very positive feedback. Take a look at this link and share with your friends and family! This is a great way to send gifts to our patients and make it easy for you. Plus proceeds benefit the patients and families we serve. https://www.unitypoint.org/desmoines/gift-shop-home.aspx Also, BIG news at IMMC-Blank! A NEW and different gift shop will be opening in the Medical Office Building Atrium in mid-August. It will be in the prior Retail Pharmacy Space. We promise it will be beautiful and a wonderful shopping addition for our volunteers, employees, families and visitors. More news to come!

UPH Des Moines Gift Shops Expand!

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I just got off the phone with Melinda her daughter N was at the Lab yesterday….she told me

From a Family Member:

Dawn was drawing blood from her daughter when her daughter got lightheaded. Dawn had her lay down and gave her ice packs really comforting her. She got her water too; showed lots of compassion.

The patient and her Mom decided to go to the Cafeteria to eat prior to leaving (Mom walks with cane due to bad knee); the transporter was not available to take her.

So Dawn took her to the Cafeteria stayed with them while their sandwiches were made, carried all the food to the tables for them, made sure they were comfortable before leaving!

We would like Dawn to know how much this meant to them!

From an Employee:

I just wanted to say thank you to Kent Stiles in

Endoscopy for accommodating a patient in need on

a Friday. We had a gentleman that was scheduled

with our facility for a colonoscopy; he had recently

changed insurance and was UnityPoint primary. His

financial liability for his procedure would have been

50% of services. The patient was from out of town

and was going to have to cancel due to cost. I called

over and explained the situation to Kent. He was

very helpful in locating a physician to do the

procedure on a Friday afternoon. The patient was beyond grateful that he did not have to

re-prep and was able to get his test completed. today. Thank You Kent!

______________________________________________________________________

National Thrift Shop Day –

August 17!

Stop by our very own and favorite thrift shop, the Not New

Shop on National Thrift Shop Day, August 17! Enjoy 25% off

all clothing when you shop! And remember all proceeds

benefit UPH – Iowa Lutheran Hospital and the patients and

families we serve!

Seize the

Opportunity to

enhance the patient

experience.

Everyone can make

a difference!

FOCUS Values in Action

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Rhonda Crane, Cooper & Champ

Lifetime Hours: 23.5 years for Rhonda!

Volunteer Area: Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT)

What do you do as an AAT volunteer?

AAT volunteers own dogs that have exhibited a good

temperament around people (and other dogs), are trained

and tested under guidelines that require basic obedience

and are dependable in public circumstances; 2) - the

volunteers are members of the Volunteer Services (having

met hospital training and health screening; 3) respond to

referrals made by hospital staff, requests for visits from

family, friends and patients.

AAT teams follow strict infection control guidelines for visits

throughout the entire campus. You may see one of the dogs

"working" in a rehabilitation unit, interacting with visitors in

waiting rooms or common areas of the hospital, in an

outpatient clinic or in approved patient rooms.

How did you get started? Many of the AAT

teams have been

involved in other dog

activities -- obedience and agility training/showing. Therapy work is a

natural extension for dogs that are comfortable traveling, riding

elevators, and interacting outside their own home

environment. Many longtime hospital personnel remember Angie

Anderson as the pioneer for AAT at Methodist. She was the backbone

of the program and fielded the earliest volunteer teams.

Figure 2 Dennis Reynolds & Mr. Cotton

Figure 1Rhonda, Champ & Cooper

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How are the dogs trained and certified?

Many of the dogs are temperament-tested prior to acquisition from reputable

breeders. Attributes demonstrated in early life of the dogs persists in their

personality. It is important for the dogs to be "people-focused" and mild

mannered. Most have early basic training in and out of their homes. They are

eligible for testing and certification at one-year of age.

They must pass a series of tests - walking on leash, basic obedience commands,

responses to loud noises, exposure to medical equipment, extensive touching,

"leave food" and supervised separation to test for possible anxiety are a few of

the principal areas evaluated. They must have annual

vaccines, heartworm preventative, and always be clean and

well groomed.

What do you enjoy most about your volunteer role?

The most rewarding part is the sheer joy that patients, families and staff have when

they interact with the dogs...especially to think that it all comes sometimes from just

seeing a dog, let alone petting them. As we tell our four-legged partners, “This is a

tough job - look nice and get petted!"

Any great volunteer stories you can share on the impact you and the pups have

had?

Our most memorable visits are during the holiday seasons. The

dogs come to the hospital decked in their finest costumes. They

help distribute treats and stickers. They pose for hundreds of

pictures and take their attire in stride....it's all in a day's work in

the life of a therapy dog. We also love it when their

personalized baseball cards are sought after by children and

adults alike.

We are especially proud that this program has been active for

over twenty years at UnityPoint.

Figure 4 Thor, Champ & Cooper

Figure 3 Cheer

Figure 5Champ, Cooper & Marco Polo

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HELP WANTED!

REFER YOUR FAMILY

AND FRIENDS!

Check us out online:

Share the link and spread the volunteer fun!

Not New Shop

Gift Shop on all campuses

Escorts

Family Health Care Library

SHIIP Counselors

Surgial Waiting Room

All of these positions have various openings but do

require an ongoing commitment to a specific

schedule. Contact us for details!

Volunteer Position

Spotlight

Escort Volunteers

Get your steps in! Do you love working

with people and want to keep busy? Why

not escort our patients, families and visitors

to their destinations?

Volunteers provide outstanding customer

service in a calm and compassionate

manner, enhancing the experience of the

guest.

We have a variety of openings (M-S) in our

gift shops on all campuses and our thrift

shop – the Not New Shop. If you are

looking for your volunteer home and a new

way to give back and feel great, consider

becoming an important part of our retail

volunteer team at UPH Des Moines!

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Volunteer Services UnityPoint Health – IMMC & Blank UnityPoint Health – ILH UnityPoint Health - MWH 1200 Pleasant Street 700 East University Ave. 1660 60th Street Des Moines, IA 50309 Des Moines, IA 50316 West Des Moines, IA 50266 515.241.6414 515.263.5227 515.343.1645

General Office Hours: M-F, 7:30am-4pm

Contact Us!

Sarah Brix Brad Fuglsang Pat Howlett Elizabeth Johnson Ginny Kerr Project Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Manager, Not New Shop Project Coordinator IMMC- Blank Hospitals Iowa Lutheran Hospital Methodist West Hospital Iowa Lutheran Hospital Iowa Lutheran Hospital

Cheryl Thomas Sara Minnis Kiley McLaughlin Sheri Vining Staci Fry Office Manager Manager, Gift Shop Office Manager Volunteer Coordinator Executive Director Iowa Lutheran Hospital Iowa Lutheran Hospital IMMC – Blank Hospitals IMMC- Blank Hospitals Volunteer Services