National Healthcare Facilities and Engineering Week

October 23 through October 29 is National Healthcare Facilities and Engineering Week.  At Allen, facilities and engineering is taken care of by both Biomedical Services and Plant Services.  Both departments are required to take care of more than 850,000 square feet worth of equipment and property.  Biomedical Services has 4 certified professionals to work on a variety of patient care equipment.  Plant Services has 22 employees, including management and secretarial support.  The department has licensed professionals in plumbing, HVAC and electrical.  They also have journeyman painters, carpenters and multi-skilled maintenance technicians.  Plant Services also manages environmental safety and emergency management and assists with property management and construction management.  Please take time this week to thank our Plant Services and Bio Medical Services staff for their ongoing work to make Allen a better place.

Celebrate International Orthopedic Nurses Day

Senator Levin said: “Musculoskeletal disease is a major health problem that affects all ages. Conditions such as congenital diseases of infants, trauma resulting from vehicular accidents and degenerative diseases of the aged, strike 23 million Americans. Orthopedic nurses play a vital role in providing professional, competent care to patients with musculoskeletal diseases. They offer the specialty of orthopedic nursing in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, private homes, and physician offices."

100 Great Iowa Nurses Nominations Open

Nominations are open for the 8th annual Great Iowa Nurses recognition. The program honors nurses whose courage, competence and commitment to patients and the nursing profession stand out above all others.

Allen has had 27 nurses honored in the first seven years of the program. The key to producing winners is submitting compelling nominations. You can nominate online now at www.greatnurses.org. Click Nominate a Nurse on the home page. If you prefer, you can download and print a hard copy nomination form. You can also check the site to see prior winners.

Nominations must be e-mailed or postmarked by December 30, 2011. Winners will be announced March 1, 2012.

Campaign Update

Angie Fuller, Denise Hanson and Matt Rolinger take a quick break from serving pumpkin bars and cider during the Associate Campaign Kickoff Monday.

The Foundation has already received a number of returned pledge cards – THANK YOU to those associates! If you haven’t received your pledge card from your manager yet, please call the Foundation at ext. 3960.

ALLEN HOSPICE OFFERS
“SEASONS OF GRIEF” SUPPORT GROUP

Allen Hospice is offering “Seasons of Grief”, a special monthly grief support group for individuals experiencing the loss of a loved one. Allen Hospice provides physical, emotional and spiritual care for end-of-life patients and their families in their place of residence, including their homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes and hospitals.

“Mourning is a crucial part of the grieving process,” explains Shannon Roder, volunteer coordinator, at Allen Hospice. “Our program encourages participants to talk about their loss and grief, so they can begin to make sense of their emotions.”

Sessions are free and open to the public. They are limited to 12 people each to encourage small group discussion and the opportunity to deal constructively with feelings and practical problems resulting from loss. Presentations on a variety of grief issues will also be offered.
 
“Seasons of Grief” will take place on the first Thursday of every month, beginning November 3 and continuing on December 1, January 5, February 2, March 1, April 5, May 3 and June 7. Two groups are available: in the afternoon from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. in Meeting Room 2 and in the evening from 5:30 – 7 p.m. in Meeting Room 4.

Please contact Shannon Roder at 319-235-5027 to register.

Carl Kulczyk Memorial Award  2011 Winner