Volume 1, Issue 7 - December 15, 2008
inCommon - Saint Joseph Health System's Electronic Employee Newsletter

Growth

Saint Joseph - Jessamine Open House

The Saint Joseph - Jessamine RJ Corman Ambulatory Care Center will open to the public on January 2, 2009. You're invited to a sneak peek during an open house this Thurs., December 18 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for tours, refreshments and to learn more about Jessamine County's first and only full service, 24/7 emergency room. Saint Joseph - Jessamine is located at 1250 Keene Road in Nicholasville, at the corner of US 27 and Route 169 on the Nicholasville bypass.

The center will not only provide superior 24-hour emergency services, but diagnostic imaging, laboratory services and offices for physicians and staff. Additionally, it will provide community space for health education and events. Jessamine County’s Chris Bowe is the site administrator for Saint Joseph - Jessamine; Stacie Back is the operations manager; and Dan Andrews is the unit manager of the emergency department.

Top Stories

Recognition

Heart of Saint Joseph Award Winner Delilah Blair

Congratulations to Delilah Blair, quality management, for being named a recent Heart of Saint Joseph Award winner at Saint Joseph - Berea. Delilah is pictured with her husband, two brothers, son, daughter and Greg Gerard (far right), president of Saint Joseph - Berea.

Comments on her nomination form include:

"Delilah has been with this hospital for over 30 years and has had many different roles in that time. She exemplifies the idea that the goal is more important than the role every day. She frequently helps visitors with directions, acts as a resource for many other departments and steps in for case management coverage when needed. She is the ultimate team player."

"Delilah is committed to the vision and mission of the organization and demonstrates this by her humility and willingness to assume various roles to meet our goals."

"Delilah serves on the Berea TLC team and demonstrates compassion to visitors, patients and co-workers every day."

"Delilah consistently performs accurate and quality work and completes all requested work in a very timely manner. She has maintained a 98 to 99% score on our validation done by CMS (checking accuracy of our data abstraction)."

The Heart of Saint Joseph Award is currently in place at Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph East and Saint Joseph - Berea. Nominate a deserving co-worker at www.SaintJosephHealthSystem.org (look for "Recognition & Awards" under "For Saint Joseph Employees").

Core Value Awards at Flaget

Flaget Memorial Hospital handed out its Core Value Awards at the annual Christmas party on December 5. Congratulations to the winners listed below.

Reverence: Rose Cruey, FICC (far right; pictured with Bruce Klockars, president and Deborah Cowles, VP of HR)

       

Integrity: Gail Hardin, Admitting (right; pictured with Deborah Cowles, VP of HR)

Compassion: Karen Robeck, Cardiac Rehab (center; pictured with Robin Jones, left, and Rhonda Wathen)

Excellence: Evelyn Watkins, Medical Staff Coordinator (far right; pictured with Bruce Klockars and Deborah Cowles)

Holidays

Christmas Services in Lexington

The annual Christmas Service will be held this week at Saint Joseph Hospital and Saint Joseph East. Scriptures will be read along with the singing of hymns and a special performance by the Children’s Center.

SJH: Wed., December 17, 11:00 a.m., Blakely Auditorium
SJE: Thurs., December 18, 11:00 a.m., MOB (rooms A & B)

Christmas Open House in Lexington

Employees are invited to a Christmas Open House in the executive offices this week at Saint Joseph Hospital and Saint Joseph East.

SJH: Wed., December 17, 7:00-8:30 a.m. and 2:00-4:00 p.m., 1st floor next to the gift shop
SJE: Fri., December 19, 7:00-8:30 a.m. and 2:00-4:00 p.m., 1st floor next to the Chapel

Daycare Christmas Party with Santa in Lexington

The annual Christmas Party with Santa will be held at the Saint Joseph Children's Center on the Saint Joseph Hospital campus this Fri., December 19. The Volunteer Guild hosts this annual party for the currently enrolled children and highlights include pictures with Santa, Christmas cookies and a small gift for each child.

Christmas Meal in London

The free Employee Christmas Meal will be Tues., December 16 at Saint Joseph - London. Serving hours are 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and again from 10:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

Christmas Meal in Martin

The Christmas Dinner at Saint Joseph - Martin will be on Mon., December 22. Children are invited to visit with special guests, Mr. & Mrs. Claus.

Decorating Contest in Lexington, Berea, Mt. Sterling, London and Martin

Departments/units within Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph East, Saint Joseph - Berea, Saint Joseph - Mount Sterling, Saint Joseph - London and Saint Joseph - Martin are invited to decorate their areas in a holiday theme for some friendly, festive competition. Judging will take place this Thurs., December 18 at 2 p.m. Deadline to enter the contest is this Wednesday. The maximum amount each department/unit is allowed to spend is $30 (give all receipts to your manager for reimbursement). First place wins $50, second place wins $25, and third place wins $15. A first, second and third place winner will be named at each facility.

If you’d like to enter the contest, please send your department/unit name, a contact name and phone number to the following (indicate you are entering the "Decorating Contest"):

Saint Joseph Hospital/Saint Joseph East: Public Relations Office
Saint Joseph - Berea: Katie Heckman (Community Relations)
Saint Joseph - London: Sharon Hershberger (Public Affairs)
Saint Joseph - Martin: Neva Francis (Community Outreach)
Saint Joseph - Mount Sterling: Jennifer NeSmith (Physician Relations & Marketing)

Give the Perfect Gift through "Project Outreach"

You can avoid the holiday rush and still give a special and memorable gift to every person on your holiday list! Make a donation to the Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation in honor of someone on your gift list through “Project Outreach.”

Make a donation to the Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation, and it will mail each recipient a special holiday card. This card will read, "In celebration of the Holiday Season, a gift in your honor has been made to the Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation benefiting Project Outreach by (your name here)." You may designate your gift to one of the following Foundation programs: Appalachian Outreach Program, Free Clinic, Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship Fund and Patient and Family Assistance Fund.

Please consider a tax-deductible donation to Project Outreach. To obtain a donation form, please contact the Foundation at 859.313.1705 or e-mail Patricia A. Campbell. Or you can download a donation form from www.SaintJosephHealthSystem.org (click on “Give to Saint Joseph” in the left-hand column of the homepage and then on the link “Project Outreach”). Please submit Project Outreach donations by Fri., December 19 to allow for processing and mail delivery.

The Gift of Health

The Saint Joseph Healthy Living Center would like to wish everyone a Happy Holiday season. Please remember that a massage gift certificate would be a great gift for those hard to buy for individuals on your list, and they make great stocking stuffers. Just drop by the Beaumont YMCA in Lexington to purchase one for yourself or others. Gift certificates for wellness classes also are available. Call 859.219.0530 for more information.

A Christmas with Heart

As you know, Christmas comes this time every year,
But this year, in particular, many are filled with fear.

The world is full of problems, hunger, national disasters, the economy and more,

Our armed forces are still fighting an ongoing war.

Many families are faced with a life that is uncertain,
They can’t make ends meet and they really are hurting.


Many have lost their homes and some their only means of income,

And it is hard to be positive when things around you seem so glum.

Those of us fortunate enough to have good health, a job, a home and food on the table,

Need to be willing and desiring to help those who are unable.


Each day is a gift, be thankful in it,
In the tough times we grow, it’s no time to quit.


Use your energy not to worry but to believe and to serve,
And you will set the stage to enjoy the good life you deserve.

We need to help heal and be giving as Jesus would do,

Be thankful for what you have and help those less fortunate to make it through.

So this season more than ever let us carry out our duties with heart,

And through Saint Joseph Health System’s compassion help those in need get a new start.


Lynn Lockridge

Saint Joseph - Mount Sterling

Announcements

Provide Consent Now to Access Your 2008 W-2s Online

Beginning late January 2009, CHI and Saint Joseph Health System are excited to announce 2008 and all future W-2s will be available from the My Pay tab of HR/Payroll Connection.

Provide Consent Now: Look for the “W-2 Tax Statement” link available from the My Pay tab of HR/Payroll Connection. From the sidebar titled “W-2 Tax Statements,” on the right side of the My Pay screen, click on the link “view or request electronic delivery of your W-2.” You will be taken to a screen that provides information on how to provide consent to receive your W-2s online. Once you provide consent, your W-2s will only be available online for viewing and printing; W-2s will not be mailed to your home. It is only necessary to provide consent once.

If you do not provide consent before January 19, 2009, your W-2 will be available online in late January 2009; however, you will also receive a copy of your W-2 mailed to your mailing address, identified on the Personal Information tab of HR/Payroll Connection.

For Questions: More information about accessing your W-2s will be available in January 2009. If you have any questions in the interim, contact the HR/Payroll Connection Support Center at 888.450.9450.

New Online Variance Reporting System to Begin Jan. 19, 2009

Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph East and Saint Joseph - Berea will begin a new online variance reporting system called IRIS on January 19, 2009. Saint Joseph - Mount Sterling will transition to the new system in February. The variance reporting system will be used for patient, visitor and security incidents only. The current injury illness report will continue to be used for employee injuries. The kick-off for managers and directors will be held on December 18. Training for all employees will be held in early January. The new system is similar to our current online system and is easy to use. More information to come.

Upcoming Blood Drive in Lexington

Giving blood is one of the most important, rewarding and compassionate things a person can do. One pint of blood can help save the lives of up to three patients. Whole blood can be broken down into blood products such as red cells, platelets and plasma, each of which can help improve or save the life of a patient.

Saint Joseph East: Tues., December 16, 7:30-11:30 a.m., Education Center (Room B). All donors receive a free gift. Bring your photo ID.

Donate Your Old Computer in Lexington

Volunteer Services at Saint Joseph Hospital and Saint Joseph East needs computer donations. They would like to have two desktop computers and two monitors. The only requirement is that the computer is able to access the Internet. If you have an old computer you would like to donate, please contact the Volunteer Office at 859.313.1290.

Advent

An Advent Reflection
by Sister Barbara Jean Franklin, ASC

Colored lights reflected in water and on windows, spilling onto freshly-fallen snow, repeating themselves on cherished tree ornaments and foil-wrapped gifts under the tree. Sometimes the reflections themselves draw our attention as much as the lights. Not only the lights but all of our Christmas decorations are intended to reflect the joy of the season. However, it is easy to get caught up in the decorations and forget the reason for the displays.

John the Baptist is not about showy displays but about true conversion. His baptismal ministry serves as a reminder to all of us to appropriately prepare the way of the Lord. In John’s Gospel, the Baptist is introduced as one who comes as a witness to introduce the Light—Jesus. John the Baptist is very clear that he is a reflection of the Light. When asked if he is the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet each time he denies it. In response he quotes Isaiah: “I am the voice crying out in the wilderness—make straight the way of the Lord.”

Sometimes we have to be voices in the wilderness, too. It is easy to be caught in the busy-ness of Christmas and let Advent pass us by. To be a voice in the wilderness is to be conscious of why we are so busy about preparing for Christmas. Like John the Baptist, we are reflections of the Light. How we approach each activity of our day determines the kind of reflection we are for each other.

So, let’s decorate our lives with the true Light. As we hang Christmas decorations, shop for gifts and wrap packages, as well as attend to the routines of daily life, let’s be mindful of the reason we do all these things. As Paul reminds the Thessalonians and us: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks to God at each moment.”

A Look Back

Christmas Breakfast in Berea


Saint Joseph Berea's new social worker, Brian Thacker, joined Delilah Blair and Debra Hamilton for his first Christmas Breakfast.

Saint Joseph - Berea managers Sheila Roberts and Patty Sturt served up country ham and biscuits at the annual Christmas Breakfast.

Volunteer Sara Moores enjoyed a Christmas greeting from Saint Joseph - Berea President Greg Gerard at the Christmas Breakfast.

Saint Joseph - Berea VP for Patient Care/CNO Pat Patton multitasked as food server and executive at the Christmas Breakfast.

Breakfast with Santa in London

Saint Joseph - London's Tyson Baker, PACS coordinator in radiology, arrived at the hospital atop a London Fire Department fire engine to play Santa Claus during the annual Breakfast with Santa event for employees' children and grandchildren.

Kathy Butler, administrative assistant, played Mrs. Claus during Breakfast with Santa at Saint Joseph - London. She's pictured with Tyson Baker (Santa) and Ginna Dempsey, hospital president and reindeer.


Local high school students dressed up as elves to accompany Mr. & Mrs. Claus to the Breakfast with Santa event at Saint Joseph - London. Ginna Dempsey, hospital president, acted as one of Santa's reindeer.

Mrs. & Mr. Claus— Kathy Butler, administrative assistant, and Tyson Baker, PACS coordinator in radiology, posed for pictures with the children during Saint Joseph - London's Breakfast with Santa event.

Door Decorating Contest in Bardstown


Flaget's Door Decorating Contest


Flaget Memorial Hospital held a door decorating contest on December 4. The winners in each category are listed below!

Religious
1. Peace on Earth: Nursing Administration, Quality & Risk, Education, Medical Staff & Infection Control
2. Snow Globe: Business Office/Accounting
3. Spirituality of the World-Christmas Traditions: Social Services

Seasonal
1. Winter Wonderland: Birth Center
2. Gingerbread House: Dietary
3. Nutcracker: ICU/TCU

Cartoon
1. Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer: Surgery
2. Merry Christmas from the Therapy Deers: Inpatient Rehab
3. Good Tidings of Joy from The Peanuts Gang: Health Information

Overall Winner: Peace on Earth- Nursing Administration, Quality & Risk, Education, Medical Staff & Infection Control




Holiday Meal at Saint Joseph Hospital

Clinical dietitians Mary Tinker, Kate Riley and Keri Long served eggnog and holiday punch to Saint Joseph Hospital employees as they waited in line for the annual holiday feast.

Linda Tackett, a cashier in the Saint Joseph Hospital cafeteria, brought tray after tray of pumpkin pie out of the kitchen to serve to the employees at the holiday meal.

Amanda Goldman, director of nutritional services, and Ken Haynes, president of Saint Joseph Hospital, greeted employees as they entered the cafeteria to enjoy the holiday meal.

Allen Clark, director of security, and Tim Livesay, director of environmental services, served employees their holiday favorites at Saint Joseph Hospital.

Ken Haynes, president of Saint Joseph Hospital, chatted with employees as they stood in line awaiting their turn to select their holiday cuisine.

 

Above, left: Betty Martin, patient services manager in nutritional services, donned a Santa's cap as she welcomed employees into the cafeteria at Saint Joseph Hospital.

Above, right: Tricia Powers, unit manager of ICU, volunteered to help serve the holiday meal to employees at Saint Joseph Hospital.

Michael Coats, director of clinical engineering, was a gracious server during the holiday meal at Saint Joseph Hospital.

Todd Kruger, lead cafeteria worker, was happy to have the directors and managers pitching in, but still jumped in to serve employees during the annual holiday meal at Saint Joseph Hospital.