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A service organization such as ours should reflect the diversity of the population it serves. It occurs to me that I have not shared with you our efforts and plans to enhance diversity within Allen Health System. Dr. Durham, chancellor of Allen College, has made this a priority with concerted efforts to attract more males to the nursing field, and his staff is actively recruiting international students. Allen College’s Office of Diversity Services has implemented activities that have increased minority student enrollment from 1.9% in 2006 to 6.3% in the spring 2011 semester. Exposure to different cultures and viewpoints stimulates thought and promotes better global understanding.
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Steve Sesterhenn, executive director of Human Resources, has been part of a Waterloo inclusion initiative, so named for its intent to make sure all segments of society are represented and cared for in our community, regardless of race, sex, age, religious belief, sexual orientation or disability. Everyone has value. Everyone has a contribution they can make.
We are actively working to include diversity within our various boards of directors – Allen Health System, Allen Hospital, Allen College and our Foundation. As various members reach their term limit, we are routinely assessing how our overall composition can better reflect the community we serve, and we then select new members accordingly. As a health care provider, we serve all kinds of people. To do that effectively, we have to understand and embrace diversity. As we develop new initiatives related to this goal, I will relate them to you.
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Last Saturday, the moon crescent garden was planted and bullet edging bricks from Shell Rock Quarry surround some of the plots, We will finish putting in the bullets and then the mulch will be placed around the plants.
Here are pictures of the ground, first with the turf out, then with Thomas Williams, a nurse here at Allen, and Caroline Tharp, master garden volunteer, digging and planting a variety of grasses and flowers in the moon crescents.
We are not quite finished! If anyone would like to volunteer, we need help placing the rest of the bullets around the beds, then will put a 7" wooden arbor in the center of the plots. This needs to be weather-proofed after it is up.
If anyone has time Saturday am to help with the bricks, let me know via e-mail: pederspe@ihs.org.
Patient Safety Survey Reminder
There’s still time to participate in this year’s patient safety culture survey. All employees are encouraged to spend 10 minutes completing this anonymous questionnaire that provides the opportunity to share your ideas about improving care at Allen.
This year, all Iowa Health System senior affiliate hospitals are continuing their participation in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Patient Safety Culture Survey, which is used by more than 600 hospitals nationwide.
By completing this survey, you’ll play an important role in providing an accurate picture of patient safety at Allen. At the same time, your feedback will allow us to compare results with last year’s survey and evaluate our progress addressing any areas of concern.
The survey is also available on our intranet through June 6. For more information, please contact Annette Burke, Risk Manager, at burkeam@ihs.org or (319) 235-3710.
Resident of the Year - Make Your Vote Today!
Our current class of Northeast Iowa Family Practice residents will be leaving us at the end of June after three years of training. Many of you have had the opportunity to work with them, and this is your chance to vote for your favorite Family Practice Resident of the Year. It takes just seconds. Click on the link, record your vote, and you’re done. We have photos and names on the ballot to refresh your memory. Voting closes 0700 on June 6, 2011.
| Gyobanna Driver, MD |
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Undecided but wants to remain in the Cedar Valley to practice family medicine. |
| Michael Nguyen, MD |
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Will work in the ER in Waverly. |
| Maira Obnamia, MD |
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Returning to Canada, which is home to her; plans to practice family medicine. |
| Adam Roise, MD |
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Staying with NEIFP as a faculty physician (family medicine). |
| Brian Sankey, DO |
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Joining Covenant Clinic and will work at Covenant (family medicine). |
| Michael Sargent, DO |
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Working in Perry, IA (family medicine). |
Click this link to vote: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C7RYYQ6
Super Start Heart Walkers!
The American Heart Association recognizes Heart Walkers who raise $500 or more. Congratulations to these associates – together they raised almost $9,000 toward heart disease and stroke research!
(L to r) Kari Beschorner, Barb Jacobs, Linda Wentz, Mona Rahlf, Jan Fuelling, Kathy Berning. Not pictured: Angie Fuller
Patient Satisfaction Departments for April
Congratulations to these Allen departments that reached their stretch goal for patient satisfaction scores for April. Each department is studying their patient satisfaction surveys and identifying ways to give patients and their families the very best care. Panel 1 and Panel 2.
JP Morgan Presents Steps for Financial Success
Click here for information on two sessions in June.
Retire Well Seminar for June
The Retire Well presentation for June is The Impact of Taxes on Your Estate Plan, No Matter the Size of Your Estate. Click here for more information.
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Inspirational Pause
by Chaplain Butch Lewellin
I have been thinking about circles of trust lately. In the Spiritual Care Department, we intend to be diligent about rounding. We are not referring to the clinical rounds we attend on the various units—as important as they are—instead, we are talking of being intentional about rounding with each other (one to one) once a month. This is like Parker J. Palmer’s “Circles of Trust” (A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward An Undivided Life. 2004). Palmer writes, “[Circles of Trust] …do not depend on a critical mass of people the way a traditional community does; two people who know how to ‘protect and border and salute’ each other’s solitude can form a circle of trust…a couple, or a small group, who create safe space for the soul, can support each other on the journey toward an undivided life.” (Page 73).
What would your life be like, if on at least a monthly basis, you could be a part of a “circle of trust?” Think about it—and live good!
Allen Gift Shop News
June 28
Masquerade $5.00 Jewelry Sale
June Forums Are Taking Place NOW!
Click here for Q2 Open Forums June 1-15 schedule. Review the schedule and work with your supervisor to attend in June.
Necklace found at Barrett, Allen College. Call 233-0522, Jan Blake, to identify.
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Click here for information on "Picnic in the Gardens" |
