The employed physicians in our area have agreed to join NewGroup. I am pleased to announce that Jan Hahn will serve as the regional director of operations (RDO) for the NewGroup’s Waterloo region.  Jan has served as director of operations in the Waterloo region for Iowa Health Physicians since 2007, and prior to that served as administrator of John Deere Medical Group of Waterloo, P.C. An open recruitment process is underway to identify the regional physician leader (RPL) for New Group’s Waterloo region who will work in partnership with Jan.  Dr. Kaplan serves as CEO for New Group system- wide. Through an unwavering commitment to patient centered care, NewGroup will serve as a national model for innovative health care delivery in partnership with Iowa Health System senior affiliates.  

Other News

The Iowa Department of Public Health just sent me their written findings from the trauma survey they conducted August 31.  They were complimentary of our program but did provide us with some required improvements, which we can and will do. Positive recognition was given by the surveyors to Dr. Christopher Hill, Dr. Paul Burgett, and Dr. Karl Terwilliger for their involvement with the trauma program and Cathy McFarland for her dedication to the trauma program.



Flu season is approaching.  Read next week's Friday Edition on requirements and scheduling for flu shots.




Click here for CEU information.

e-pals needed!  

Carver Academy students are looking for adults to email them weekly throughout the school year. 

This is an excellent way to become involved with your partner school without a big time commitment.  Students and adults typically email each other just one time a week, but the relationship skills and writing practice is a huge benefit to our kids!

Please contact Trela Rottinghaus (rottinghaust@waterloo.k12.ia.us) at Carver if you are interested in being assigned an e-pal for the 2011-2012 school year.

Patient Safety Survey Provides Valuable Information

Allen had great participation during our recent systemwide patient safety survey, and we thank everyone who shared their ideas through the online questionnaire. 

This was the second year IHS affiliates participated in the confidential survey which is based on the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s (AHRQ) Patient Safety Climate Survey, used by more than 600 hospitals nationwide. We appreciate your honest feedback about factors affecting patient safety including communication, staffing and teamwork. 

Several questions highlighted areas of strength throughout IHS, including:

• When a lot of work needs to be done quickly, we work together as a team to get the work done.
• People support one another in this unit.
• Hospital management provides a work climate that promotes patient safety.
• We are actively doing things to improve patient safety.

The survey also helped identify ways we can work together to improve patient care, including focusing on patient handoffs and our internal responses to errors. These areas of improvement compare to those identified in the national AHRQ database.

Our patient safety team will use the survey results to identify new opportunities for Allen to provide the best experience for patients and families. For more information, please contact Annette Burke, Risk Manager, at burkeam@ihs.org or (319) 235-3710.

Changes in Iowa Health System Section 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

J.P. Morgan will be hosting an educational opportuntity on September 22 to learn about changes to our 401(k) plan and additional help to plan for your future effectively.

Click here for times, locations and agenda for meetings. 

Credit Union Annual Meeting Tuesday, September 27 Five Sullivan Brothers 5:30pm – Social 6:00pm – Dinner If anyone is interested in running for the board please stop in the Credit Union Office and talk with the staff.

Please Join Us!   Allen College Alumni & Friends at My Fair Lady

Saturday, October 29
Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Centre, Cedar Falls
2:00pm matinee
Tickets $40.80 (face value)
Reception in Davis Hall immediately following the performance (courtesy of Allen College).

Early bird reservations for Allen College Alumni Association due paying members until September 30. Open to Friends of the College beginning October 1.

Allen College Alumni who would like to pay their $20 dues may purchase immediately or you may have your name placed on a waiting list, first-come first-served starting in October.

Contact Dina in Student Services for tickets at 319-226-2000. Payment required to hold reservation.

Register for Allen Open Forums
Click here to register to attend an Allen Open Forum. Reminder, your attendance at Forums is part of requirement for yearly bonuses.

September 19  8:00 am  South Dining Room
September 19  2:00 pm  Allen College/Medical Staff Classroom

Survey For Completion After Attendance
After attending a Forum, please take a few minutes to complete a brief survey – we appreciate your input. Either go to the Info Spot on the AllenNet or click here to go to the survey directly. The Info Spot also has summaries and Q&A lists for previous Forums from 4th quarter 2010 to current. 

UPCOMING EVENTS
September 26 and 27 - Books are Fun
October 27 and 28 - Scrubs Sale
November 22 - Masquerade Jewelry Sale
December 12 and 13 - South Bend Chocolate Sale

5K Run Walk Roll Benefiting Pathways
Benefit for Pathways Behavioral Services aiding in their work to prevent and treat substance abuse.  Click here to go to the web site.

October 29, 2011 at 9:00 am
Click here for full details and registration form.



Waterloo Citywide Clean-Up "Buck Day"

September 17th - CITYWIDE CLEAN-UP “BUCK DAY”

This clean-up event will be held Saturday, September 17, 2011, from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm at the Waste Management Services site at 3505 Easton Avenue in Waterloo. It is open to all City of Waterloo residents. An I.D. may be requested.

To help defray the cost for this event, each vehicle entering the site will be charged $1.00. An additional charge of $1.00 will be collected per tire or household appliance, with a limit of 4 tires and 4 appliances per household. Residents are asked to have the exact change for their load to assist in expediting their visit.

WHAT YOU CAN BRING:

1. Appliances: limit 4 per household; air conditioner, dehumidifier, freezer, refrigerator, clothes dryer, clothes washer, dishwasher, kitchen range, oven/stove, microwave oven, furnace, thermostat, water heater, etc.
2. Tires: limit 4 per household; automobile and pick-up truck tires (rim or no rim).
3. General bulk items “trash”: furniture, televisions, lawn furniture, worn out clothing, bedding, scrap lumber and building remodeling and repair scrap materials, carpet, house wares, toys, bicycles, etc.
4. All gasoline powered equipment: lawnmowers, weed eaters, tillers, snow blowers, etc. Power equipment must be drained of gas and oil prior to dumping.

WHAT YOU CANNOT BRING:

1. No garbage (please use your weekly garbage service)
2. No hazardous materials
3. No paint
4. No liquids: fuels, oils, pharmaceuticals, etc.
5. No batteries
6. No yard waste or tree debris
7. No propane gas tanks
8. No tractor or semi tires

BE SAFE!

When transporting items to the Easton Avenue facility, loads must be properly secured for safety and sanitation purposes. Please help eliminate items from falling onto roadways and/or into traffic by properly enclosing waste materials. Using a tarp or other cover greatly reduces falling debris.

The yard waste portion of Waste Management Services will be open September 17th as well.

We ask the citizens’ cooperation by following the guidelines established for this event. Any questions or concerns can be directed to the Waste Management Services offices at 319-291-4553.



Cedar Falls Fall Clean-Up of Hazardous Materials & Electronics
Saturday, September 24
9:00am - 2:00pm
Cedar Falls Public Works
1500 Bluff St., Cedar Falls
Click here for more information.

St. Paul's Beef 'n Noodle Dinner
Join us for delicious homemade beef 'n noodles, cole slaw, boiled potatoes, dessert – and bake sale. Adults: $8, children under 12: $4
Saturday, September 24
4:00pm – 7:00pm
St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 207 W. Louise St., Waterloo 

Parent Partners Fun Day!

Free Fun Day at Lutheran Services Of Iowa in Waterloo
September 28 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Food, Games, Mr. Nick the Balloon Guy and More!

Come join us for free food and entertainment and learn about the Parent Partner Program that is offered through Lutheran Services in Iowa at 925 East 4th St., Waterloo.  For more information call Dalonie at 319-233-3579 or e-mail her at Dalonie.Waddell@lsiowa.org. 

Sponsored by: Lutheran Services of Iowa, Cedar Valley Promise, Community Partnerships for Protecting Children, Fareway, Hy-Vee, Department of Human Services, Di’s Corner, Chuckys Tollgate Bar & Grill, Long John Silvers & A&W, McDonalds, Carlos O’Kelly’s, Olive Garden, Godfathers Pizza, Applebee’s, KFC, Advanced Auto

Saturday, September 17: 4:30-7:00 p.m. Wine & Scarecrows Dinner & Fundraiser (reservation required) Sunday, September 18: 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. 13th Annual Fall Harvest Festival 1927 East Orange Road, Waterloo (parking at Hawkeye Community College with free suttle service or a short walk to the Arboretum grounds) Bring a car load! Admission is $5.00 per car or show your Arboretum membership card for free admission.