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Allen Health System’s Great Place to Work Survey for 2012
Steve Sesterhenn, VP, Human Resources
Over the next few weeks, you will be asked to do something very simple but very important to Allen Health System. It is the Great Place to Work Survey, and it will help Allen to evaluate and improve our work environment.
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Spring General Increase
Once again it is time for the spring general increase adjustment and we in HR want to communicate to you the scope and timing of this salary change. The general increase for 2012 is 1.5 percent. This took affect with the pay period starting April 15 through the 28. You will see the change on your May 5 paycheck. This increase is for most employees with the exception of management, college faculty, tutors and work study along with providers and contracted workers.
I also want to mention a few other items regarding compensation at Allen. Each year, Allen Health Systems does a comprehensive review of its salary programs against the information supplied by the Iowa Hospital Association. Earlier this year that comparative was done and any needed adjustments had been made. Right now we are working with an outside consultant to look at a full review of the company’ salary practices and policies. This review will culminate in a complete revamping of our salary programs for implementation in January of 2013. As we get closer to those changes you will be receiving communication from your manager about how you fit into the new system that will be rolled out. We anticipate that no one will be negatively impacted by this change and that this will allow us to possibly offer more opportunities to employees at all levels.
If you have any questions regarding either of these items please feel free to contact us in HR. Thank you.
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Dianne Schultz, RN, executive director of Allen Home Care
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Dianne Schultz Named Executive Director of Allen Home Care
Dianne Schultz, RN, has been named executive director of Allen Home Care by Allen Health System and Iowa Health Home Care. Her appointment is effective May 15. Schultz will continue to serve as executive director of Allen Medical Services and Care Coordination, adding oversight of home health services to her current responsibilities. She has worked in several Allen nursing departments since 1982.
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Gift Shop Events
May 7 & 8: Associate Appreciation Days. Click here to learn about your FREE $7.00 coupon.
May 22: Membership Luncheon at the Elks Club
May 24: Bus Trip to Amana Colonies
May 31 & June 1: Scrubs Sale
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| The Allen Cafe is going through a "mini construction" project of its own. You may have noticed that the Allen Cafe is moving some of the equipment around again. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause as we prepare for arrival of two new pieces of equipment and the removal of a counter top. We appreciate your patience with us. Look for some new and exciting options coming to the cafe soon! |
| Heart Walk Cookie Contest
Cookie contest judges Chef Matt and Dr. Horrigan prepare to taste the top cookies. It was a close call but ICU’s pecan tassie (baked by Teresa Gavin) won best cookie!
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Cookie contest organizers Jennifer Olson, Wendy Bienemann and Kelli Dix (Heidi DuCharme not pictured).
The event brought in over $1,300 for the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk – thanks for supporting this fundraiser!
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NEI AHEC Preceptor of the Year
The Northeast Iowa Area Health Education Center’s placement in Waterloo over 4 years ago has led to an increase in student activity in our area. As the program coordinates student clinical training experiences for DOs, MDs, NPs, PAs, therapists, social workers, and several other allied health professions, we could not begin to meet this demand without the welcome and willingness of area providers and healthcare facilities. It’s important to thank all of those who help us contribute to the training of future healthcare professionals.
This year’s NEI AHEC Preceptor of the Year award goes to Dr. Neil McMahon of the Covenant surgery department. Dr. McMahon’s involvement as a preceptor started with a casual conversation with the program’s coordinator in downtown Cedar Falls. He has since consistently welcomed the third-year students and has had students interested in returning for fourth-year rotations as well. The students have consistently commented on his clinical expertise, demeanor with patients and staff, and his willingness to teach and engage them during their rotations.
Particular points that have set him apart in students’ eyes include his attention to the human element of medicine and coaching them through difficult decisions and discussions as well as his inviting nature to introduce them to his own family and community. The AHEC Preceptor of the Year Award was presented to Dr. McMahon on May 1, 2012.
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Thanks To Community Members
The Allen College Center for Engagement, Learning and Leadership (CELL) recognized Allen College community partners during an event on April 23 at Allen College. |
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Allen College students award recognition to The Salvation Army of Waterloo, an Allen College community partner.
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At the event, Dr. Jerry Durham, Allen College Chancellor, welcomed and thanked community partners who supported service-learning projects that were developed and carried out by Allen nursing and health science students in the past academic year. Durham’s remarks were followed by a presentation on each of the service-learning projects with recognition of each community partner.
The Allen College CELL is focused on service-learning and service experiences, and with emphasis on the importance of life-long community engagement. The center’s development was a collaborative effort among Allen College faculty, staff, and local representatives from Junior Achievement – Waterloo Schools, Salvation Army, Volunteer Center of the Cedar Valley, Waterloo Schools-Reading Buddy Program, Friendship Village, Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging, Waverly Health Center, Sartori Hospital, Ravenwood Nursing and Rehab Center, Denver Sunset Nursing Home, ACE-SAP Free Clinic, Jesup Community Schools, Buchanan County Public Health Dept., Allen Hospital Heart Aware, Karsyn’s Krusaders, Tripoli Girls Making A Difference (TGMAD), House of Hope, Alternatives Pregnancy Center, George Washington Carver Academy, UNICUE-Talent Search. |
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It's A Carnival!
Thursday, May 17
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Allen Cafe
Food, fun and games!
Click here to see more details. |
| Allen College Nurse Preceptors Open House: Click here for more details. |
| Tornado Drill a Success! |
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| On May 1, 2012 Allen Hospital participated in a full scale exercise in a scenario in which part of the hospital was hit with a tornado. We have seen in the last year with events at Joplin, Harrisburg, and recently Creston that tornados are a risk to hospitals. We can mitigate this risk by planning and holding a drill for the unlikely event such an incident would occur. The staff at Allen performed admirably during this exercise. Like all drills and exercises there are items in which we need to address to improve our response as an organization. This is why we perform drills and exercises; we identify the items we need to improve and the areas we do well. As part of our role within the community we had involvement by outside agencies. I would like to thank Black Hawk County EMA, members from the Hospital Preparedness Program, Waterloo Fire, Waterloo Police, and the volunteers who assisted with the exercise. I would also like to thank everyone who participated and helped plan the exercise. |
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My Waterloo Days this year is revolving around family fun! Spread the word by clicking here to see all the activities scheduled. |
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