A Newslet ter for Employees of Southeastern Heal th

VOL 41, NO 1 January/February 2013

McRae takes top Southeastern Health employee award

IN TOUCH

Health Fitness Supervisor Gerard McRae (Fitness Services) was named the 2012 winner of the John D. Drake Distinguished Service Award, Southeastern Health’s highest employee honor. An employee with 16 years of service, McRae received the award at the annual service awards banquet held Jan. 29 in the hospital cafeteria.

“Gerard has been described by his co-workers as having a positive, can-do attitude and that no task is too small or too large for him to handle,” said Southeastern Health President and CEO Joann Anderson, who made the surprise presentation.

McRae is the 27th person to be named winner of the Drake Award, which was established by the SeHealth Board of Trustees in 1988 to recognize exceptional service by employees. The Drake award was named in honor of the late John D. Drake, who retired as head cook in 1984 after 38 years of service.

To qualify for the Drake award, a SeHealth employee must demonstrate high standards for personal performance on the job, loyalty and dedication to the organization, an excellent attendance record, respect by fellow workers, leadership skills, and a caring attitude to fellow employees and guests of the organization.

“Fitness center members and staff often look to Gerard for answers to questions because they value his opinion and have a huge amount of confidence in his ability,” said Montressa Smith, fitness services director.

McRae was presented a framed certificate and an engraved watch as part of the Drake award. His name will also be added to a plaque that is permanently displayed in the medical center cafeteria

McRae lives in Lumberton with his wife, Regina, and two children, Javin, 9, and Baylin, 2. He is the son of James and Sabrina McRae and grandson of Alice Vample and Annie Lois McRae, all of Lumberton.

Previous winners of the Drake award were: 1988, Julia Harris; 1989, Addie Mae Caple; 1990, Beatrice Leggett and Vashti Pittman; 1991, Thelma Jean Reeves; 1992, Paula McLean; 1993, Shirley Thompson; 1994, Sonya Oxendine; 1995, Terry Carter; 1996, Vera McDowell;

1997, Jimmy Page; 1998, James E. Jones; 1999, JoAnn Falls and Myrtle Oxendine; 2000, Patricia Davis; 2001, Sherri Hayes; 2002, Doris Madden; 2003, Mary Catherine Buie; 2004, Noel Bounds; 2005, Cynthia George; 2006, Rhonda Carter; 2007, Anne

Marie Hendren; 2008, Myrtle Wilcox; 2009, Audrey Cox; 2010, Bryan Hilbourn; and 2011, Merry Hardin.

Gerard McRae (Fitness Services) was presented with the John D. Drake Distinguished Service Award by Southeastern Health President and CEO Joann Anderson during the medical center’s annual service awards banquet held Jan. 29.

From the president

2 January/February 2013

The Southeastern Health Park Phase I project, which includes an 80,000-square-foot medical office building that features a 13,000-square-foot ambulatory surgery center

(ASC), is well underway. A lot of work is being done behind the scenes since the groundbreaking held Dec. 4. Some of this work includes pre-construction meetings with engineers, design meetings with

departments that will be located in the new building, planning for jobsite office placement, and permitting. Once the facility is completed, in addition to the ASC, the facilty is being planned to house medical offices

that could include a comprehensive orthopedic center, gastroenterology center, pre-admission testing area, anesthesia /pain management center, outpatient rehabilitation and retail space.

Benefits of this new facility include: easier access and less cost to the patient; more efficiencies for patients and physicians; and enabling the eventual renovation of the operating rooms at the medical center, bringing them to today’s standard size and allowing for equipment to be updated. Moving appropriate services to this additional campus should also improve parking at the medical center.

This project is the first endeavor by Southeastern Health with physician investors. Physician who have already signed on to invest in the project include: Drs. Shelly Brewington, Jeffrey Campbell, David Dalsimer, Michael Kidd, Constance Mulroy, Patrick Ricotta and Matthew Thompson.

This project will also give our organization greater visibility as it will be located along the I-95 corridor on Dawn Drive in Lumberton. What better “billboard” for our organization than a four-story building, visible to all who pass through Robeson County on this busy interstate.

Once this project is completed, we will be one step closer to helping our community realize our new tagline: Better health–starting with you.

Joann Anderson, MSN, FACHEPresident/CEO

Dove named VP post acute careLori Dove has been named vice president of post acute care. In this newly created role, she is responsible

for Gibson Cancer Center, Rehabilitation Services, Southeastern Home Care Services, Southeastern Hospice, and WoodHaven Nursing, Rehabilitation and Alzheimer’s Care Center.

Dove returns to Southeastern after serving as vice president for quality and resource management at Scotland Healthcare System in Laurinburg for three years. Before joining Scotland, she served as senior director of clinical care for Southeastern Regional Medical Center. Other leadership roles she held at Southeastern include director of surgical services, advanced life support liaison for Robeson County, and director of emergency services.

“I am extremely excited about this opportunity to return to Southeastern Health,” said Dove. “The focus on the health of our community and the continuum of care for our patients is my passion. I have the opportunity to work with amazing directors in post-acute services to create a new model of health care for our patients and families–a

model that will assist the patient in obtaining the highest level of health possible for that individual through the coordination of the right services to the right patient at the right time. “

Dove earned an associate degree in nursing from Robeson Community College. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2005 and dual master’s degrees in nursing and health care administration in 2007, both from the University of Phoenix. She lives in Lumberton with her husband, Willard, a nurse anesthetist at Southeastern Regional Medical Center, and their daughter, Allison, 19.

Lori Dove

Taylor named chief nursing officerRenae O. Taylor has been named chief nursing officer (CNO) for Southeastern Health. She is responsible for

all nursing departments throughout the organization, including Southeastern Regional Medical Center.Taylor previously served as director of critical care services and as unit manager of the intensive care unit. A native of Bladenboro, Taylor earned an associate degree in nursing from Robeson Community College in

1991 and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from UNC Pembroke in 2008. She earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Independence University in 2011 and is certified as a critical care registered nurse.

“I am very excited to move into the CNO role as nursing is my life’s passion,” said Taylor. “I look forward to advancing Southeastern Health’s mission of healing and delivering excellent care to our patients, families, and our community.”

Taylor lives in Lumberton with her husband, Roger. She has two grown sons, Cory and Jordan Hester.

Renae Taylor

Joann Anderson, President/CEO

3www.southeasternhealth.org

In the newsBuri named facility services directorJoseph Buri Jr. has joined Southeastern Health as director of facility

services. He is responsible for facility management, construction, clinical engineering, and environmental services.A native of Germany, Buri previously served as energy solutions manager for Advocate Health Care System in

Oakbrook, Ill. He also served as director of facility management for Adovcate’s Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, Ill.Buri completed a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Ill. and a master’s degree

in managerial leadership from National Louis University in Evanston, Ill. in 2000. He is certified as an energy manager, health care safety professional and health care facility manager as well as a licensed stationary engineer.

“My objective is to bridge the future and past at Southeastern Health so we serve in a way that builds enduring relationships by creating the best place for our patients to heal, our physicians to practice and staff to work,” said Buri.

He and wife, Diane, live in Lumberton and have two grown sons, Dan and Brian. Joseph Buri Jr.

Clark named emergency services directorJ.R. Clark has joined Southeastern Health as director of emergency services. A native of Asheboro, N.C., Clark most recently served as director of inpatient surgical services for Cone Health in

Greensboro, N.C. He has also served in other leadership roles with Cone Health including director of a level two trauma center and director of emergency services.

Clark earned an associate degree in nursing from Randolph Community College in 1995. He earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1996, master’s degree in nursing in 1999, and a master’s degree in business administration in 2003, all from UNC Greensboro.

“I look forward to collaborating with the community and looking for opportunities to make Southeastern’s emergency services department the best it can be,” said Clark.

He and his wife, Sue, plan to relocate to Lumberton in the near future and have two children, Amy and Chip, and one granddaughter, Piper Corynn.

J.R. Clark

Kailash Chandwani, M.D., an interventional pain physician, provides care at Southeastern Pain Management Clinic.

Dr. Chandwani earned his medical degree from Sindh Medical College in Pakistan in 2001. He completed a residency in anesthesiology at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas in 2009. He also completed a fellowship in interventional pain management at University

Hospitals, Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio in 2010. He is certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology.

Chandwani has expertise in the conservative management of various pain conditions affecting spine and other musculoskeletal structures, and in the utilization of image guidance (ultrasound or fluoroscope) for interventional pain management procedures.

To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 671-9298.

Marie L. Campbell, a certified family nurse practitioner, has joined Southeastern Pulmonary and Sleep Center.

A Columbus County native, Campbell earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from N.C. Central University in Durham, N.C., in 1990, and a master’s degree in nursing from East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C., in 1997. She also earned certification as a family nurse practitioner from East Carolina

University in 2001.

Campbell joins Dr. Somnath Naik at the clinic, which specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the lungs as well as sleep disorders. For more information about the clinic, which is located at 401 W. 27th Street in Lumberton, or to schedule an appointment, call 738-9414. The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Family Nurse Practitioner Heather J. Jacobs has joined Lumberton Urology Clinic, She provides general urology services with a focus on women and children.

A native of Pembroke, Jacobs completed a master’s degree in nursing education at Duke University School of Nursing in 2007. She completed family nurse practitioner training there in May 2012.

To schedule an appointment, call 738-7166.

Certified Physician Assistant Karolyn Martin has joined Southeastern Surgical Center.

A native of Nebraska, Martin completed a bachelor’s degree in health information management from College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Neb., in 2007, and a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC, in December 2012. She is certified by the National Commission for Certification of Physician Assistants.

Martin joins Drs. Lya Crichlow and Eric Velazquez at the practice, which specializes in general surgery. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 739-0022.

Marie Campbell, FNP-C

SeHealth welcomes new providers

Kailash Chandwani, MD

Heather Jacobs, FNP-C

Karolyn Martin, PA-C

2012 Service Awards

4 January/February 2013

Deborah Sealey(Surgical Services)

40 years

35 years

Front row, from left, are Elizabeth D. Anderson (Administration), Eugenia M. Colletti (Food & Nutrition Services) and Shirley M. Melvin (Physician Services). Second row, from left, are Marsha W. Lewis (Guest Services), Jerry Jones (Facility Services), and Barbara J. Chavis (Environmental Services).

30 years

Front row, from left, are Debra W. Spayd (Medical Imaging), Jeanine Lawson (Fiscal Services), Kimberly G. Register (Critical Care Services), Dale B. Hunt (Laboratory), Deborah S. Ferguson (Nursing Supervision) and Geraldine M. Schroder (6-Tower).

Second row, from left, are Deanna D. Taylor (Surgical Services), Vicky E. Hasty (C.A.P.), Wilton M. Bullock (Physician Relations), Brenda H. Smith (Surgical Services), Noel Bounds (Medical Imaging), Thelma K. Robeson (Laboratory) and Vicky Locklear (Surgical Services).

Not pictured were: Teresa E. Barnes (Administration), Brenda F. Ivey (Maternal/Child Health), Sally A. Jackson (Maternal/Child Health), Marvin C. Martin (Emergency Services), Elizabeth L. Moore (4-Tower), Robert R. Savage III (Emergency Department), Kimberly A. Shilling (Maternal/Child Health), Ramona B. Townsend (Patient Access) and Wadius L. Williams (Emergency Services).

One hundred and fourteen employees were honored on Jan. 29 at Southeastern’s annual service awards banquet. Employees celebrating a five-year anniversary milestone of 15 or more years were honored at the ceremony by receiving service pins. Former employees who retired during 2012 were also recognized.

25 years

From left, Peggy Joyce Inman (Physician Practices), Donna B. Freeman (Medical Imaging), Cynthia McArthur-Kearney (Educational Services) and Rose Marie Jacobs (Supply Chain Management).

Not pictured were Teresa M. Ammons (Care Management), Carolyn H. Brewington (Southeastern Hospice), Bobbielita Grimsley (Guest Services) and Linda P. Ivey (Care Management).

5

2012 Service Awards20 yearsFront row, from left, are, Ruby J. Jacobs (6-Tower), Renee

Davis (Surgical Services), Linda K. Locklear (4-Tower), Darlene Carter (Information Technology), Doris H. Locklear (Emergency Services), Rhonda Walters (Laboratory), Loria F. Blackburn (Laboratory).

Second row, from left, are Donna K. Lamb (Care Management), Michelle H. Lowry (Educational Services), Virginia S. Locklear (Risk Management), Charles A. Woolley (Surgical Services), Bridgit L. McPhatter (Surgical Services), Wilma L. Smith (Float Pool), Barbara L. Carpenter (7-Tower), and Donna S. Boone (Laboratory).

Not pictured were: Emily Barton (Care Management), Loria F. Blackburn (Laboratory), Bonnie G. Britt (Surgical Services), Patricia G. Bryan (Patient Financial Services), Alicia Davis (Maternal/Child Health), Cindy S. Deese (Surgical Services), Michelle Gaskins (Medical Oncology), Earl Harden Jr. (Revenue Cycle), Merry Hardin (Information Technology), Sarah J. Hawkins (3-Tower), Tony Hunt (Environmental Services), Connie H. Jones (Surgical Services), Melissa J. Lewis (Southeastern Heart Center), Linda D Locklear (Environmental Services), Joan Lowery (Emergency Services), Sherry Lowery (WoodHaven), Amy L. Roberts (Surgical Services), Patricia A. Rowland (6-Tower), Cindy W. Sanderson (4-Tower), Bobbie Todd (4-Tower), Saberina S. Tuton (C.A.P.) and Johnny L. Wright (Supply Chain Management).

15 yearsFront row, from left, are Ella M. Alford (Laboratory), Iris Cashwell (Emergency

Services), Kristine Dini-Plumadore (Rehab Services) and Pamela G. Hunt (Critical Care Services).

Second row, from left, are Edith Jones (Fiscal Services), Cynthia B. Kinlaw (Emergency Services), Alexandra Salisbury (Information Technology) and Deborah C. Hester (WoodHaven).

Not picture were Delta K. Atkinson (Southeastern Heart Center), Demetrice A. Atkisson (WoodHaven), Patrick K. Barr (Information Technology), Delane Callihan (Gibson Cancer Center), Denise Campbell (Critical Care Services), Cheryl L. Chavis (Patient Access), Mark L. Faulk (Information Technology), Joanne B. Fonvielle (Emergency Services), Bette A. Gambrell (Patient Access), Sharon Goode (Laboratory), Julia A. Holloman (Surgical Services), Danny R. Horne (Facility Services), Sylvia Huggins (Medical Imaging), George L. Johnson (Supply Chain Management), Phillip J. Knecht (Clinical Engineering), Gina B. Locklear (Surgical Services), L. Ericka Locklear (Information Technology), Beyonka G. McCall (Maternal/Child Health), Marion S. Monroe (7-Tower), Mary T. Parker (Physician

Services), Santoro J. Powell (Food & Nutrition Services), Frances W. Rehl (Rehab Services), Essie L. Richardson (WoodHaven), Lisa Richardson (WoodHaven), Marilu E. Santos (Fitness Services), Lisa A. Sealey (Foundation), Janet Smith (Fitness Services), Tina M. Smith (Southeastern Home Care Services), Margaret L. Standifer (WoodHaven), Charity A. Swick (C.A.P.), Gladys Tyndall (Surgical Services), Richard T. Wheeler (Clinical Engineering), and Randy A. Williams (Laboratory).

RetireesRetirees honored, front row, from left are Retha Fletcher, 28 years;

Doris Madden, 20 years; Carolyn Gilchrist, 24 years; Louise Cromartie, 35 years.

Second row, from left, are Judy Whritenour, 25 years, Hattie Troy, 36 years; Houston Brown, 17 years; and Susan Henderson, 33 years.

Not pictured are: Athena F. Allen, 26 years; Roy Brewington, 20 years; Pauline Davis, 31 years, Sheila French, 21 years; Dr. Dixon Gerber, 5 years; Betty Ivey, 34 years; Trudy McLaughlin, 18 years, Dale McVicker, 32 years; Joyce Orban, 14 years; Marguerite Quall, 25 years; Betty Stocks, 20 years; Sandra Talton, 43 years; and David Washington, 36 years.

www.southeasternhealth.org

In the news

6 January/February 2013

Weight loss surgery offers big rewards

Anyone who watches television these days has seen more than their fair share of commercials promoting weight loss programs. Weight seems to be on the minds of many these days, and rightly so, given the risk factors associated with obesity.

“Robeson County is one of the counties with the highest BMI [body mass index] in the state of North Carolina,” said Dr. Eric Velazquez, of Southeastern Weight Loss Center and Southeastern Surgical Center. “Aside from dealing with the daily challenges of obesity,

people find themselves affected by the co-morbidities associated with this condition. This reason makes patients and their primary care physicians seek an adequate solution to such a devastating disease.”

Cindy Masse (Revenue Cycle), 49, of Rowland, is no stranger to struggles with weight. Although she has always enjoyed exercising, she was never able to maintain a healthy weight.

“I read where some 90 percent of people that lose weight gain it back,” said Masse. “This really motivated me to find a more permanent solution to my weight issues.”

This motivation prompted Masse to attend an information seminar on surgical weight loss options. During the seminar, Dr. Velazquez, a surgeon with fellowship training in bariatric surgery, explained several different types of weight loss surgeries and the benefits and precautions that went with each procedure.

While Masse entertained having the lap band procedure for some time, she ultimately decided, along with Dr. Velazquez, that the sleeve gastrectomy procedure was best for her, taking into account her history and lifestyle. He was the first patient to undergo this type of surgery at Southeatern Regional Medical Center.

“Bariatric or weight-loss surgery has shown over the years to be the most successful treatment for morbid obesity,” said Dr. Velazquez. “Among the existent surgical options is sleeve gastrectomy, which is the reduction of the size of the stomach by 75 to 80 percent using small incisions.”

Since her surgery in September 2012, Masse has lost close to 50 pounds and is continuing to lose weight at a steady pace. She is well on her way to achieving her goal of losing a total of 80 pounds by her one-year surgery date anniversary.

“I have to remember that I can’t eat like I used to,” said Masse. “Out of a plate of food—five or six bites–and I am full. While I still crave certain foods, I just don’t feel hungry anymore.”

According to Dr. Velazquez, the sleeve gastrectomy procedure reduces the capacity the stomach can hold and, paired with lifestyle and dietary modifications, can enable patients to achieve an excess weight loss of 59 to 62 percent. Patients typically leave the hospital two days following the surgery and are able to eat any type of food as long as it is in keeping with their weight loss plan.

“Not only have I reduced the amount of food that I eat, but I also workout five to six days per week,” added Masse. “I do some type of cardio workout every time I exercise and mix and match other types of exercise such as light weights, yoga and circuit training.”

Since having the weight loss surgery, Masse has seen a number of improvements in her health.“My blood pressure and cholesterol are normal now and I no longer have sleep apnea,” said Masse.Following bariatric surgery, several of the conditions associated to obesity are either greatly improved or completely resolved. Among these

conditions are type II diabetes, acid reflux, sleep apnea, hypertension, or high cholesterol.Masse says since her surgery she often has to resist the urge to tell strangers that she encounters who may be dealing with weight issues

about the benefits of the surgery.“I know there are people who have been struggling like I have and I feel as though they don’t realize how important it is to take the step to

look into weight loss surgery and change their lives,” said Masse. “This one procedure can save your life.”To find out more about surgical weight loss options, including sleeve gastrectomy, or to sign up for an information seminar, contact the

Southeastern Weight Loss Center, an affiliate of Southeastern Health, at (910) 608-0307.

Southeastern Health Foundation newsw Reserve your spot in the 2013 Swing for Good Health Golf Tournament. The event is scheduled for Thursday, May 2 at Pinecrest Country Club. Sponsorships are available. w Honor your favorite physician on Doctors’ Day! Show your appreciation to an outstanding physician by making a donation to Southeastern Health Foundation in his or her honor. A Doctors’ Day honorarium card will be delivered to the physician of your choice on Doctors’ Day, Friday, March 29, 2013.w Do you want to leave a legacy? Then consider making a planned gift to Southeastern Health Foundation. Gifts can be made through wills or bequests, life income or an income for a term of years, retirement gift plans, life insurance gifts, charitable lead trusts or gifts with a retained life estate. For more information, contact Southeastern Health Foundation at (910) 671-5583 or foundation@srmc.org.

Cindy Masse

7www.southeasternhealth.org

Employee assistanceBless Your Heart, You’re Ugly!

by EAP Specialist Jack Crain

…and the doctor said after the examination, “You’re really ugly, bless your heart.” “Well, doctor, I’d like a second opinion. “Bless your heart, you’re weird too!” In the south, you can say just about anything to someone if you preface it or end it with, “Bless your heart.” “Blessing” the comment seems to take the sting out of criticism. It can be a fun exercise, as in playing “the dozens,” (rapidly exchanging biting insults about mommas or masculinity without losing your cool), or locally termed as “pickin’.’”

On another level, however, criticism is anything but fun and humorous. Dale Carnegie has written, “Criticism hurts people’s feelings. It puts people down. It makes people depressed. It starts a fight, and it destroys relationships.” A critical attitude may be the single most important contributing factor in divorce and is a significant factor in employees leaving organizations. Critical words can greatly impact our motivation and energy level, and in more serious situations, destroy our will to live.

Why do we criticize? In a positive light, it may be because we are interested in others and desire to correct things that we believe are wrong. A leader is automatically put into a position of offering advice, correcting things done in a nonproductive way, and modeling expected behavior. Leaders who accept their role with humor, exercise control over their critical comments, and prefer to inspire rather than demean, will produce effective results.

Viewed negatively, some people think criticism is the only way to help change others. Most critical people suffer from low self-esteem. Many are insecure and become critical in order to protect themselves against criticism.

Parents and one-ups who negatively criticize as a way of correcting undesirable behavior will probably find children and employees who do not cooperate very much with what they want him or her to do. Continual criticism (however justified you believe it to be) almost certainly results in low morale, an absence of team cooperation, and sullen, “I’ll get you back,” passive behavior. Positive correction changes people; negative criticism only makes them angry.

If criticism doesn’t work, what does? Does that mean I shouldn’t correct my child’s inappropriate behavior? Shouldn’t we guide those we supervise? Am I to accept every action around me?

Of course not. But how we respond is vitally important. Some suggestions: • Accept others as they are, not necessarily their behavior. Janice’s shyness with people may be acceptable, her tardiness is not.

When correction is necessary, emphasize your care for them, and privately explain carefully the behavior that needs to be changed. An “accepting” or non-judgmental attitude creates a climate for change; a critical attitude produces a negative and/or hostile atmosphere. Correct with the idea of “putting right” rather than “putting down.”

• Recognize positive behavior and diminish negative behavior. The operant conditioning research of noted behaviorist B. F. Skinner clearly demonstrates that ignoring a behavior you don’t want repeated and rewarding a behavior you do want continued generally result in abandonment of the unwanted behavior and a continuation of the behavior you reward. If we really want people to change, we will praise them when they improve. Constant criticism kills hope in people, and without hope they have no incentive to change.

• Model the behavior you want in others. Be caring. Smile. Admit your own mistakes – pencils have erasers for a reason. Seek the opinions of others. Avoid giving “advice.” Establish clear boundaries. Walk your talk. Be fair. Be human. Accountability extends to everyone.

• Share your sandbox. Hold hands when you cross the street. (Fulghum).• Pray for people and bless them. Animals snarl at their enemies and what they perceive to be threats. People with good hearts work

to change enemies to friends through positive attitudes, helpful correction and acceptance.Bless your heart, call EAP at 671-5067 for a personal or work-related problem, shared in a caring, safe environment.

Jack Crain

SRMC awarded 2013 Distinguished Hospital Award by HealthGrades Southeastern Regional Medical Center, affiliated with Southeastern Health, announced recently that is has

received the Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence™. The distinction makes Southeastern Regional Medical Center among the top five percent of more than 4,500 hospitals nationwide for its clinical performance as measured by Healthgrades, a leading provider of comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals.

While many hospitals are eligible, not all earn the award. In fact, Southeastern Regional Medical Center was the only hospital out of the six eligible in the Myrtle Beach region to receive this designation.

From 2009 through 2011, 262 hospitals showed superior performance in caring for patients in the Medicare population, as measured by objective clinical outcomes (risk-adjusted mortality and in-hospital complications) across at least 19 of 27 of the most common conditions and procedures. Nationally, if all hospitals performed at this level from 2009 through 2011 a total of164,414 lives could have potentially been saved.

Our people

Nursing Assistant Fannie Nicole Lowry (Float Pool) was recognized as Southeastern Health’s Bear of Excellence for the month of January. This award is presented to employees who exceed expectations.

Lowry was recognized for exemplifying “I am” what customers see and hear; maintaining empathy for customers’ individual situations; and committing to Southeastern Health’s mission statement and core values.

She was acknowledged with this award because she volunteered to come in on Thanksgiving day—when

she was scheduled to be off—to sit with a patient so that his wife could leave to join their family for Thanksgiving lunch.

“I love doing my job, helping people and caring for patients,” said Lowry. “Working at Southeastern is like being with friends and family.”

Lowry lives in Pembroke and has worked for Southeastern Health for one year.

Bear Team customer service excellence winner

Speakers BureauBeverly Duncan and Carrie Cain (IV Therapy) spoke

to nursing and radiology students at Robeson Community College on Nov. 14 on IV therapy.

Joseph Davis (Behavorial Health Services) spoke to the Southeastern Behavorial Healthcare clients on Dec. 18 30 on Suicide prevention.

Anne Ford (Physician Services) hosted a tour of Southeastern Medical Clinic Red Springs for the members of the Red Springs Rotary Club on Jan. 15.

AchievementsAshley Walker (Cardiopulmonary Rehab) has

achieved Exercise in Medicine Credential Level 3 by the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Association.

The InTouch newsletter is published bimonthly for the employees of Southeastern Health. ©2013 SeHealth

Volunteer of the monthOne volunteer will be honored each month as a SeHealth Volunteer of

the Month. This recognition is open to all volunteers, either on the SRMC campus or any outlying SeHealth facility – regardless if they are serving on a short or long-term basis. Recipients will be chosen for outstanding service, as shown in either a single activity or project over a long period of time.

CriteriaVolunteers must be nominated for this award; all volunteers are eligible regardless of length of volunteer service; volunteers are only eligible to receive this award once per calendar year; volunteers may be nominated by staff, community members and other volunteers.To nominate a volunteer, write a brief description of why you feel

this person should be recognized and email the nomination to Volunteer Supervisor Beth Ivey (Guest Services) at ivey08@srmc.org.

PromotionsMichelle Blair (Physician Services) - Medical office assistantJeanna Britt (Information Systems) - Help desk operator IINickole Chavis (ICU) - Inpatient clinical assistantSara B. Clark (Pharmacy) - Clinical pharmacistDerick Coe (Fitness Services) - Health fitness specialistAshley Creech (Behavioral Health) - ManagerJustin Emanuel (Fitness Services) - Health fitness specialistConnie Freeman (Surgical Services) - SchedulerAmanda Gause (ICU) - Inpatient clinical assistantCynthia Guevara (4-Tower) - Shift supervisorBrittany Howell (Pharmacy) - Certified pharmacy technicianAshley Inman (WoodHaven) - Nurse managerEve Leggett (Patient Accounts) - Patient accounts representativeBrandy Locklear (6-Tower) - Shift supervisorEricka Locklear (Health Information Management) – Security and privacy specialistLinda Locklear (Surgical Services) - SecretaryByron McBride (Fitness Services) - Health fitness techHeather McQueen (Laboratory) - Supervisor, phlebotomyEthel Piggott (6-Tower) - Shift supervisorMatthew Porter (Float) - Nursing assistant INoelle Pullella (Fitness Services) - CoordinatorRoger Reeder (Pharmacy) - Clinical pharmacistGlenda Revels (Physician Services) - Medical office assistantMagenta Smith (Maternal/Child Health) - ManagerBrandon Tyndall (Pharmacy) - Clinical pharmacistNancy Ward (Patient Accounts) - Revenue cycle preceptorLarissa Watson (Central Sterile Services) - Sterile processing tech II

InTouch readership surveyIn order to improve our newsletter, we need your input. Please complete the following survey and return to Public Relations via interdepartmental mail.1. How often do you receive InTouch?q always (bi-monthly) q sometimes q hardly ever2. I read InTouch:q from cover to cover q most of it q some of it q not at all3. What topics would you like to see covered in future issues? _________________________________________________________Answer all four questions, clip and return this survey to Public Relations by March 20, 2013, to be eligible for a drawing for one of two $40 Visa gift cards.

Name:__________________________Daytime phone number:___________

4. I prefer to learn about organizational news by way of:q InTouchq Emailq Facebookq Websiteq Leader/at meetings

Fannie Nicole Lowry

Ashley Creech

Magenta Smith

Ashley Inman