Connecting the Dots

By Margaret Sabin
PSF President & CEO

Over the last several weeks, I have had the privilege of meeting with many key stakeholders to listen, observe and learn and gain a better understanding of the Penrose-St. Francis organization. I want to thank each of you for the warm welcome, your candor and for the work you do each and every day to extend our healing ministry.

If you’ve had the opportunity to follow along during my immersion process and read my blog on My Virtual Workplace, you are aware of the process, my thoughts and some of my conclusions as I begin to connect the dots on my learning. 

My 60-day plan of total immersion is helping me to master this amazing organization we call Penrose-St. Francis.  I've oriented myself with service line directors and managers, observed numerous department meetings, blogged and received feedback and my most current and valuable challenge, gathering input from associates, physician partners and community leaders.

As I approach my first 60 days and begin to connect the dots, it is clear we are an organization that is surviving and thriving.  It's been a tough year, and the new year will likely be just as challenging.  We have tremendous opportunities and here are just a few of those that you've confirmed for me during my brief but aggressive orientation:

Empowerment:  We need to own problems until they become solutions, unless an appropriate hand-off presents itself in a manner so as to augment the solution.

Accountability:  We will do the right thing consistently, day in and day out, to fulfill our mission.  We will say what we do and do what we say.

Trust:  We need to trust each other to support us, to be each other’s "wing man” and to expedite the implementation of steps to improve patient care.

Commitment:  We have the courage to be personally responsible, to be accountable and to follow through.  We share in a common vision and a genuine plan to share risks and rewards.

Celebration:  We need to celebrate each other, ourselves, our community and our organization.

Ownership: We need to behave as owners of this not-for-profit organization. It belongs to the community, and through our Board of Trustees, holds us accountable for managing it in a responsible, pragmatic manner so that resources are conserved for those who have not. This is our ultimate mission, our highest calling and it is our moral imperative.

Imagination:  We need to imagine a better PSF every day.  This will be the path to clinical and operational excellence and to being a world-class healthcare organization.

Partnership:  We exist in partnership with our physicians, our community, our board and each other, and need to be thoughtful and thorough in all that we do.

We have an absolutely fantastic workforce comprised of talented leaders, dedicated associates and volunteers and world-class physicians who are professional, passionate and committed.  

We have developed a number of programs and services that provide leading-edge healthcare to the communities we serve and most importantly, have hardwired our mission and values, and truly believe in extending the healing ministry of Christ. 

By mid-January, after my 60-day orientation is over and I’ve had a couple of weeks to collect my thoughts, I will be able to connect many more of the dots. I will then begin to share some of the actions we need to take together to be most effective.

Thank you for your patience, your willingness to share your thoughts with me, and for believing in our mission. I know that we will be even more successful in carrying out our mission in the days to come.

News Briefs

SERVICE RECOGNITION DINNER
A celebration to honor Penrose-St. Francis Health Services associates who have been with the system for at least five years is Friday, Feb. 6, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.  For questions or more information, please contact Janet Reedy in Human Resources at 776-5688.

KEEP THE EARTH CLEAN: PICK UP BUTTS
Tuesday, Jan. 6
The first Tuesday of every month, from 11:30 a.m. to noon, meet outside of PH/Outside Valet area.  Receive HIIP fitness credit by attending. Help us make the community a cleaner place.

WEBB LIBRARY INFORMATION
Visit the medical library and look at the new books:
• ECG Interpretation
• Essentials of Nursing Research Clinical Cardiology Made Ridiculously Simple
• Critical Care Nursing Made Easy
• Unplugged, Reclaiming Our Right to Die in America
• Cardiovascular Care Made Incredibly Visual
• Hemodynamic Monitoring Made Incredibly Visual
• Medical-Surgical Nursing Made Incredibly Easy
• Post Mortem, Solving History’s Great Medical Mysteries
These are located on the New Books shelf located at the front of the library. As a reminder, associates can access the Webb Library online catalog from My Virtual Workplace under the Reference tab.  Books circulate for three weeks.  For questions on new books or the library in general, call Casey at 776-5288.  *Webb Library will be closed January 1- 2. 

THE SFMC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT PRESENTS…
Dr. Michael Roshon and the Flight For Life Team will present on “Difficult Airways”.
Date:   Jan. 23
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: SFMC CR#  1 & 2
This will be a Lecture and “hands on opportunity.”  A light luncheon will be served.
*Please RSVP:  Lisa Dembiczak @ 719-571-1485 or LisaDembiczak@centura.org
**Seating is limited
 

SET Needs Help:
Are you a medical professional looking to make an even bigger difference?
Set is looking for doctors, physician assistants & nurse practitioners.

SET clinics provide low or no cost basic healthcare for acute minor illnesses to the uninsured, underinsured & low income people in the community without discrimination and helps reduce the unnecessary use of the emergency rooms.

SET FAMILY MEDICAL CLINIC
825 E. Pikes Peak Ave., Bldg. 29
Clinic Hours:
Monday-Wednesday, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

HOMELESS CLINIC
424 W. Kiowa Unit B
Clinic Hours:
Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m. t0 1 p.m.
To arrange a tour or for more information, please contact Cindy Christensen at 776-8850 x 1007 or cindychristensen@centura.org   Visit SET Family Medical Clinics anytime on the web at www.setofcs.org

Halos for Heroes

The following people were recognized through the Penrose-St. Francis Health Foundation’s Halos for Heroes program in November.  Halos for Heroes recognizes associates, nurses and physicians who have touched the lives of patients in a special way.

November Heroes
Dr. Jeffrey Kulp
Inpatient Psychiatric Services (3 East) SFHC
Dr. Christian Simpfendorfer
Dr. Anju Peddada

Haloes for Heroes is a program that has evolved out of Centura Health’s desire to highlight the relationship between patients and providers. It allows patients, family, and friends to recognize and honor a specific Centura staff member who provided them with outstanding service.Halos for Heroes endorses Centura’s ideals in the areas of quality, service, cost, people, growth, and community in its quest to build an outstanding organization that better serves the needs of patients. Donations from Halos for Heroes benefit patients through better programs, services, and technology.

Visit the website at WWW.HALOSFORHEROES.ORG for more information.

The staff of Inpatient Psychiatric Services, located at 3 East at St. Francis Health Center, shows off their certificate during their staff meeting Nov. 1.   Their anonymous donor said, “thanks for saving my life!” (Photo by Sharon Meyers)

CHI Awarded Grant

Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, part of Denver-based Catholic Health Initiatives, will participate in a national pilot study to help develop new ways to detect, treat and prevent cancer.

Catholic Health Initiatives has been awarded a $1.1 million contract on behalf of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as part of The Cancer Genome Atlas project. The four-year sub-contract, issued by SAIC-Frederick, Inc., which operates the laboratories of the NCI at Frederick, will enable CHI hospitals across the country to collect and contribute biospecimens from specific tumor types to The Cancer Genome Atlas. Penrose is one of two CHI facilities that will lead the early stages of the national initiative.

The NCI contractor, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., awarded the four-year subcontract under which CHI hospitals across the country will collect and contribute biospecimens from specific tumor types to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

The goal is to generate genomic information that the research community can use to develop new and improved strategies for detecting, treating and, ultimately, preventing cancer.   The specific tumors being studied in the project include brain cancer (glioblastoma), ovarian cancer and lung cancer (squamous cell), which together account for more than 200,000 cases of cancer in the United States each year.

CHI will collect the tissue samples and manage the processes required for participation via the Center for Translational Research, a new facility now under construction on the campus of St. Joseph Medical Center, Towson, MD.   The Center for Translational Research is one element of CHI’s Research and Development initiative, which seeks opportunities for MBOs to provide their patients with innovative care solutions, access to clinical trials, and the opportunity to participate in national research. 

“We want our patients to benefit from access to the best research and treatment options, regardless of where they live,” said Alan Armer, Vice President of Research and Development.   “By participating in this important study, we will help improve the treatment protocols for some of the most deadly cancers.  A secondary benefit is that our participation will help us set up the proper protocols for tissue collection.  We will use these protocols in future clinical trials and studies involving --and in some cases led by -- CHI hospitals. 

Initially, two CHI hospitals will participate in the tissue collection: St. Joseph Medical Center, Towson, Md. (St. Joseph Cancer Institute) and Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Penrose Cancer Center).   Collection will begin in the spring of 2009, following the opening of the Center for Translational Research and the implementation of needed collection protocols.  Other CHI hospitals may also participate in tissue collection later in the four year grant cycle.  

 “Thanks to the Human Genome Project completed in 2003, genetic treatments have emerged for certain cancers that can target specific genetic defects,” said Mark Krasna, MD, who is the medical director for CHI’s oncology service network.  “The TCGA project was developed to further our knowledge of tumor-specific genetic changes.”

Over the past few years, some cancer patients have been treated with personalized medicine -- targeted therapies for certain forms of leukemia, breast cancer and lung cancer.  By neutralizing the one distinctive genetic defect that triggers a cancer’s growth, these new treatments have been highly effective against certain tumor types, and are also far less toxic than traditional chemotherapy. 

Because hundreds of cancers and tumor types have not yet benefited from genetic research, the TCGA project was developed to identify and catalogue tumor-specific genetic changes for some of the most deadly cancers. This knowledge should lead to new treatment options, new diagnostic and detection tools, and new personalized tests to help determine treatment and prevention options. 

"The TCGA requires high-quality, untreated tumor specimens from patients with the three targeted cancer types,” said Dr. Krasna, the principle investigator for the project with the NIH Office of Biospecimens. “Because CHI made innovation a priority by developing the R&D initiative, we now have the systems in place to collect and submit tissue specimens that can meet TCGA’s strict scientific, technical and ethical requirements, and ultimately support critical discoveries about these cancer types. This furthers our goal of developing and implementing individualized targeted therapy for our patients.”  

TCGA has already reported the first results of its study, which focused on the most common form of brain cancer, glioblastoma.  In the September 2008 edition of the journal Nature, the TCGA team described the discovery of new genetic mutations and other DNA alterations that have potential implications for the diagnosis and treatment of glioblastoma tumors.

For Your Spirit

By Larry Seidl
Vice President, Mission Integration

It is that time of year .... an optimist's fantasy world.  All around us, positivism abounds.  If we can't vote something out, then we will bail it out. 

Either way, this New Year the magic-wand theory appears to be back in full force.  In this perspective, change is easy.  Change the environment and you have changed yourself.  It is usually about others. 

We revel in others’ predictions to lose 25 pounds, to write my 100 closest friends every month, and to change that behavior which just isn't very becoming.  What the heck, I don't mind saying, my resolution for 2009 is to keep the guest bedroom from looking like a post-Christmas return section at Target.
 
This time of year always sounds like a time for a New Year’s revolution rather than New Year’s resolutions.  This time of year invites us into becoming someone new, and for many of us, that is a revolution. 

Webster's dictionary tells us that a revolution is a total or radical change.  Revolution is a verb.  A resolution, on the other hand, is something more passive, less a responsibility or conviction than a requirement for change.  It is a noun and does not require any action.  So if we want to change something about ourselves, let's revolt.
 
As the mission leader for a dynamic, 21st century organization, I ask, "What do we want to revolt against?"    Do we start with changing someone else or do we start with ourselves?  Do we start with the world or with our own back yard?  
 
As a part of a team, which is one of the 50 best hospitals in the country, are we asking how might we be a top 50 hospital in addition to the clinical expertise which drives that selection?  In other words, where else can we be a top 50 hospital?
        
What will it take to be a top 50 hospital in expressing our faith based tradition? 

What would it take to be a top 50 hospital in serving the poor and underinsured?

What would it take to be a top 50 hospital for improving the health of the community?

What would it take to be a top 50 hospital is redesigning healthcare for tomorrow?
 
Each of these ideas builds upon a vision.  Each of these builds upon a commitment from each associate.  Each of these builds upon our ability to hold ourselves and our peers accountable to a larger-than-real-life effort.  We are a remarkable set of hospitals, with a remarkable legacy, and a remarkable set of patient outcomes.  Second place is not on our agenda for the future.  Being remarkable isn't easy work; being remarkable calls for a revolution.
 
I encourage everyone to first make sure your resolution is a revolution.  Explore how a current behavior is self defeating and how it takes energy out of you rather than empower you.

Next, imagine a world in which your resolution made a difference.  Believe it into existence.

Next, pick a friend who will hold you accountable.  Perhaps use a peer as a coach for the next 12 months. 

Lastly, celebrate the small wins even if you have a battle scar or two to show for your efforts.  Nothing has to be the way that it is.  Be a change agent.  Establish a vision and hook onto it.

Blood Bank in Parade

The Penrose-St. Francis Health Services Blood Bank participated in the Annual Colorado Springs Festival of Lights Parade Dec. 6.

(Photos courtesy of Clear Channel Radio, K-Lite Morning Show.)

Department Spotlight

First impressions last a lifetime.

The Rewards and Recognition Team is proud of the fabulous, friendly Registration Department at Penrose Hospital, and recognized them as the January Department in the Spotlight.

We would like to recognize the valuable staff of 32 employees who work around the clock in the emergency room, and 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the first floor East Tower, behind the information desk.

These insurance experts not only register patients, but also obtain authorization for all patient care. Their role is vital to determine patients receive proper benefits from their insurance companies.

The Registration Department also ensures the insurance companies' many rules and regulations are followed to the "T," so the hospital is properly reimbursed for all the hard work.

Furthermore, our registration staff helps appropriate patients secure financial assistance through the state funded Colorado Indigent Care Program.

We want to again recognize and thank the great staff in Registration who makes a superior first impression for our patients.

Congratulations!

Victoria Cameron, Penrose Hospital Registration Patient Access Representative II, answered questions on the phone Dec. 30, 2009.  The Registration Department at Penrose Hospital is the January Department in the Spotlight. (Photo by Stacey Knott)

SFMC Campaign Makes Denver 50

The “H” marketing campaign to herald the August opening of the new St. Francis Medical Center earned a spot on the New Denver Ad Club’s annual list of “50 Deadliest Ideas in Denver.”

The awards program celebrates fresh, relevant ideas that connect brands and people.  More than 30 Colorado agencies submitted entries, which were evaluated by five judges representing prominent New York and Los Angeles-based global agencies.  The winning campaigns will be featured in a book designed to showcase the Denver market.

“Our ‘H’ campaign strategy centered on taking ownership of the widely-recognized symbol for hospital to position us as northern El Paso County’s only full-service hospital,” said Wendi Dammann, Penrose-St. Francis Regional Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications.  “And it worked!  Our patient census counts have been above projections since we opened.”

The campaign integrated several non-traditional media tactics, such as sidewalk chalks and decals in unexpected places.  The campaign also employed television, radio and non-traditional print placements to engage the southern Colorado audience.

Club HIIP

Fit Friendly Award & Boot Camp Challenge- Celebrate with us!
Tuesday, Jan. 27, Noon-12:25 p.m. and 12:30-12:55 p.m.
Join Club HIIP as they are presented the American Heart Association, Fit Friendly Award, Platinum level!
PSF is the first company in Southern Colorado to receive the Platinum status and was recognized in Forbes magazine.
Margaret Sabin, CEO and President of PSF, will offer a free introduction to her new boot camp class.
This 45 minute cardiovascular and strength workout will give your day the perfect start!  Prepare to laugh, sweat, maybe sing, but above all, feel great when you focus on your body.
Bootcamp is a non-choreographed work-out that incorporates gym exercises with core strengthening and stretching moves. Core exercises target the abdominal region, the back and all muscles of the torso.   This free class on Tuesday, Jan. 27 will be offered at lunch time.

Boot Camp Class
Starts, Monday, Feb. 2, from 6:15-7 a.m. in the PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room for 6 week session
*$35/Associate, $40/Volunteers, $45/Community Members/Family/Friends
From 6:15 to 6:45 a.m. will be cardio and from 6:45 to 7 a.m. will be glutes, abs and stretch (aka Butts-n-Guts). Don't miss this opportunity to take your work-out and your results to a new level!

JANUARY 2009 LUNCH ‘N’ LEARN
“Leading by Example: How Important Wellness is for You”
Join our new President and CEO of Penrose-St. Francis, Margaret Sabin, in learning about how important wellness and balance is in her life and should be important in YOUR life.  Margaret has one of the busiest schedules at the hospital, but she recognizes the importance of incorporating exercise, eating right, drinking water, and getting rest in order to be at her best each day to lead!  She will also teach you how to incorporate fitness into your own busy daily routine with some tips and tricks to fit in a quick workout during your mornings, afternoons or lunch breaks.  Learn about her upcoming Boot Camp class to be offered in the Penrose Main Aerobics Room.

 Thursday, Jan.15, 12:05-12:35 p.m., SFMC/Conf Rooms 4-5                 
 Wednesday, Jan. 21, 12:05-12:35 p.m., PH/E-Tower Gala Room  

2009 CLUB HIIP HEALTH SCREENING
Cruise on over to the Club HIIP 2009 “Around the World in 6 Days” Health Screening! 
The health screenings will include: Blood pressures, BMI, neck/back massages, carpal tunnel evaluations, osteoporosis heel scan, pulmonary function, cholesterol/ HDL/glucose lab work, hearing, vision and more.  Info will be available on smoking cessation, and cancer prevention. There will be food, contests, and prizes.
 
Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2-5 p.m., SFMC/Conf Rooms 1-3
Thursday, Feb. 19, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., SFMC/Conf Rooms 1-2
Friday, Feb. 20, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., SFHC/5th Floor Conf Rms
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2-6 p.m., PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 9 a.m.-noon, PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room
Thursday, Feb. 26, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room
*Sign up at www.healthcalc.net/penrose for a time slot.

The time is now at the ASC Wellness Center!
Check out the upgraded fitness center at ASC and tackle that New Year's resolution early. Exercise on quality cardio and strength equipment, get a great workout in the convenience of your workplace, and start the New Year feeling great. For more information contact Erin Heberlein at 776-7394.

WELCOME TO HIIP
Please help us welcome our two new interns, Josh May from BYU-Idaho and Kristina Sercel from the University of Northern Colorado.

FY09 HIIP EDUCATION CLASSES
Transition to SFMC part 2: Tuesday, Jan. 13, 5-5:45 p.m., SFMC/Conf Rooms 1-2 (Garden Level)
Can Someone Please Push the Pause Button: Thursday, Jan 29, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at PH/Gala Room

PSF EXTENDED FITNESS CLASSES
**Pick up a flyer and registration form at any of the HIIP wall pockets at all sites!

Body Toning: Session 4a/b: Starts, Monday, Jan. 12, 11:45 a.m.-12:50 p.m., PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room for 6 week session

Belly Dancing: Session 2: Starts, Monday, Jan. 12, 5-6 p.m., PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room for 6 week session

Nia: Session 4: Starts, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 4-5 p.m., PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room for 6 week session

Pilates: Session 6: Starts, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 5-6 p.m., PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room for 5 week session

Yoga: Session 3: Starts, Thursday, Jan. 15, 5:15-6:30 p.m., PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room for 6 week session

WELLNESS CENTER ORIENTATIONS
It’s the season for New Years resolutions; make yours a healthy choice to start using the wellness center!
Please register for the orientations below via HealthCalc on My Virtual Workplace or call 776-5839, ext 2.

SFMC Wellness Center- Tuesday, Jan. 6, 11 a.m.
PH Wellness Center- Thursday, Jan. 8, 8 a.m.
SFMC Wellness Center- Thursday, Jan. 15, 5 p.m.
SFHC Wellness Center- Friday, Jan. 16, 12 p.m.
PH Wellness Center- Tuesday, Jan. 20, 4 p.m.

Anyone over 40 years old must have a physician’s form signed giving permission to use Wellness Centers.
*SFMC Wellness Center Orientations: Please note that if you used to have access to the PCH Wellness Center, you must attend an orientation at SFMC in order to gain access to that facility.

SELF CARE CLASS
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 7:30-8:15 a.m., SFMC/Conference Room 2-3 (Garden Level)

WALKING CLUBS
PH Walking Club: Every Wednesday, 7:15-7:50 a.m., outside of valet. Contact Michelle Somers x5034 *Starting Jan. 8, PH Walking club will move to Thursdays, 7:15-7:50 a.m.

SFHC Walking Club:  Every Monday, 12:30 p.m., outside of the Foundation building. Contact Tracy x7085

SFMC Walking Club:  Every Tuesday, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., meet outside 1st floor/valet entrance. Winter season - the group will walk the stairs indoors. Contact Rox x11064

HIKING CLUB
Saturday, Jan. 10, 9 a.m., Homestead Ranch Regional Park (Falcon area)
This is an El Paso County Park and an original homestead site settled in 1874. Homestead Ranch Regional Park features diverse topography ranging from rolling, open meadows to tree-covered bluffs running the length of the park. Trail is 4 miles. 

DIRECTIONS: Woodmen Road East to HWY 24 (just past Safeway Shopping Center).  Left on HWY 24 approx 3 miles to Elbert Road. Left on Elbert Rd 5 miles to Sweet Road. Right on Sweet Road 2.5 miles to Golihar. Left on Golihar (dirt road) to the park entrance on the left. If you want to car pool, meet at Woodmen & I-25 Park & Ride at 8:30 a.m.

Congratulations to over 135 individuals who have received their $20 REI gift cards for completing their HIIP Award minus the Doctor’s Physical by Dec. 19:
Nancy Bader, Denise Barringer, Patricia Bennett, Kelly Briarton, Rhona Brown, Michael Campos, Inna Givens, Sue Graham, Erin Heberlein, Alicia McCall, Liz McCarrick-West, Janice Moschetti, Nancy Palacios, Betty Person, Emily Quintana, Linda Reedy, Shelly Riester, Rondi Shafer, Erin Tatum, Elizabeth Berardi, Barbara Tharp, Gina Wamble, George West, Mary Wolf, Jeanne Wyatt, Kimberly Ashish, Gloria Banda, Kristine Barrett, Holly Beaty, Jean Brackett, Tina Carroll, Susanne Cochran, Mary Lou Cunha, Denise Davidson, Maureen Donnelly, Patricia Dwyer, Dana Franko, Candace Garko, Denise Lemuel, Linda Lewis, Mary Lynn Matthews, Leia Morgan, Dorothy Owsley, Sarah Reitz-Tremmel, Katie Stone, Kerri Tremaroli, Christina Truocchio, Melanie Wanless, Tommie Wannamaker, Diane Weimar, Lisa Ballard, Krista Bohlen, Kristi Ecklund, Jennifer Graham, Betty Kwist, Judy Lawson, Sharon Meyers, Lynette Olson, Dawn Rush, Eileen Zay, Dana Belva, Dara Bernhardt, Julia Brohman, Karen Butler, Carin Byckowski-Staudte, Terri Cassidy, Lorrie Coffman, Julie Cox, Anne Dennis, Edith Donelson, Patricia Faughnan, Lola Fuhrmann, Barbara Ginter, Theresa Gregoire, Gretchen Harder, Tami Hartzler, Barbara Heath, Eileen Hurd, Victoria Jack, Esther Keeports, Suzanne Kowalchuk, Patricia Lambert, Charlene Lancaster, Vicki Lieber, Rose Loewe, Margaret Loucks, Donna Mark, Donna McGee, Maureen McKasy-Donlin, Catherine Miller, Betsy Mooney, Yesim Mullin, Rox Norris, Debra Nussdorfer, Kathy Parham, Ruth Picton, Vlastimil Pokorny, Johnny Rea, Ida Ridgeway, Belinda Russell, Michelle Somers, Michelle Trombly, Janet Tuesch, Susan Wedel, Casey Welch, Terri Wilson, Frankie Wilson, Yvette Wise, Rebecca Wollin, Peter Yerger, Gina Biondi, Jennifer Brill, Michelle Bull, Blanca Camano, Lisa Carter, Dolores Castillo-Devane, Dawn Everling, Vanessa Frymire, Sharon Jacob, Lisa Lemmon, Nancy Marts, Geneva Metzler, Celestine Moseley, Kim Myers, Leigh Obluda, Terri Owensby, Karol Powell, Catherine Rivera, Frances Sakanai, Lisa Schaffer, Nicole Spielmann, Cheryl Torresvalle, Karlene Vernier, Pam Williams, Kathy Wilson, Sandra Weatherly, and Gail Gillen.

Craft Fair

The 11th annual Craft Fair was held at St. Francis Medical Center Dec. 12.  The fair earned $1,472.75 and all proceeds were donated to the Starlight Foundation. 

Various items were collected over several weeks from associates throughout the hospital.  Jane Glimco's Nutrition Services team also made banana and pumpkin bread and assorted holiday candies and spiced nuts.

This year, for the first time in the history of the craft fair, a silent auction was held with items donated by the staff in Medical Records, Bob Husband, Camille Goodnight and Robbi Keith.

Throughout the day, associates signed up to help "man the store." Special thanks to Gail Gillen, Pam Assid, Kelly Stack, Teri Schofield, Frank Thornburg, Candace Garko, Lori Hamacher, Beckie Ausmus, Lisa Dykes, Pat Tetterton and Kathleen Woodard. 
  
The Starlight Children’s Foundation helps seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. For more information, visit their website at www.starlight-colorado.org.

(Photos by Julie Cox)

Cardiac surgeon retires

Dr. John R. Randono retired from cardiac surgery in October.  The Penrose-St. Francis Operating Room heart team honored his contributions to the Penrose Heart Program with a reception Dec. 7, at the Briarhurst Manor in Colorado Springs.  The heart team framed and presented Dr. Randono sternal retractors that were specific to his practice.  Congratulations Dr. Randono!

(Courtesy photo)

Santa donates blood

Santa Claus donated blood at the Penrose Hospital Blood Bank Dec. 22. 

Hodge Hartley, AKA Santa, is a long time donor with Penrose-St. Francis Health Services. 

Mr. Hartley first donated blood in 1944 right after D-Day, when he was just 16 years old, which was an acceptable age for blood donation at the time.  He has donated ever since. He began donating blood at Penrose-St. Francis in 1987, and has donated 272 times and given 53 gallons of his blood.  

Mr. Hartley said he donates because it is needed.  He is healthy and active at 80 years old, and says he isn't bothered by needles.  

(Photo by Johnny Rea)

Breakfast with Santa

'Beary' nice gesture

The Lynmar Racquetball Club (above) held its 22nd Annual Teddy Bear Run Dec. 7, at Monument Valley Park.  About 40 runners participated in the fun run, which ended with refreshments at the Penrose Hospital Cafeteria.  Runners donated nearly 100 new teddy bears to Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, which were distributed Dec. 10 to the SFMC Pediatric Department, Emergency Room and Spiritual Care for young visitors. (Photo by Julie Cox)

Children from the Falcon Trail Youth Center (above) at the Air Force Academy pose with the 421 teddy bears donated to the SFMC Pediatrics Department by Child Care Connections, Inc. Dec. 22.  The donation was part of the non-profit's "Teddy Bears for Kids" program, and is the sixth year in a row Penrose-St. Francis has participated.  The bears are given to patients in Peds throughout the year. (Photo by Johnny Rea)

Two separate groups in Colorado Springs donated over 500 teddy bears in December to the Saint Francis Pediatrics Department.

Obituary: Sister Antonita Klein

DELHI TOWNSHIP, OHIO – Dec. 12, 2008 - Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Antonita Klein died Dec. 9, 2008, at the age of 93 in Mother Margaret Hall at the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati Motherhouse, Mount St. Joseph, Ohio.  Sister Klein worked previously at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs and St. Mary Corwin Hospital in Pueblo.

She was born Mary Emily Klein June 24, 1915 in Xenia, Ohio. She attended St. Brigid elementary and high school in Xenia. S. Antonita earned the Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the College of Mount St. Joseph, Cincinnati, Ohio in 1948.
 
A Sister of Charity for 74 years, S. Antonita served in health care for more than five decades.

Sister began her health care ministry as a student nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, Ohio in 1936. Upon earning her nursing degree in 1938, she served as the head nurse at the hospital until 1939, when S. Antonita moved to Mount Clemens, Mich., to work in the same capacity at St. Joseph Hospital. In 1942, she transitioned to St. Vincent Hospital, Santa Fe, N.M. assuming nursing supervisory duties. She continued serving as nursing supervisor at the following hospitals: Penrose Hospital, Colorado Springs, Colo., (1945-’53 and 1961-’67); Good Samaritan Hospital, Dayton, Ohio (1953-’60); and St. Mary Corwin Hospital, Pueblo, Colo., (1960-’61).

S. Antonita returned to the Motherhouse in 1967 to serve as head nurse of Mother Margaret Hall nursing facility until November, 1972. At that time, Sister served as the director of the Motherhouse clinic until 1993 when she retired to the Ministry of Prayer. As part of her volunteer retirement ministry during the 1980’s, Sister taught CCD in Bethel, Ohio and each week visited the Riverside Nursing Home in Delhi Township (Ohio) as well as the Stanley Rowe Apartments, a high-rise complex for the elderly in downtown Cincinnati. She carried the Blessed Sacrament to the residents, assisted them with health issues, and provided clothing needs and counseling. In her own words, “sometimes listening is the most important thing, the greatest charity.” (Catholic Telegraph, March 1982).

S.Marilyn Therese Beauvais remembered S. Antonita: “I had the privilege of meeting Sister at Good Samaritan in Dayton where I took my nurses training. I found her to be a devoted Sister of Charity and nurse. She always put patient care first. She was compassionate, caring, and worked many long hours to see that the patients had what they needed. She was a great example and I will always cherish that.”

Her brother Bernard Klein and her sister Anna Klein preceded S. Antonita in death. Many nieces and nephews survive her.

Visitation for S. Antonita Klein is Monday, Dec. 15, from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. in the Heritage Room at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity, 5900 Delhi Road, Mount St. Joseph, Ohio. The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 3 p.m. in the Immaculate Conception Chapel at the Motherhouse. Burial will be in the Sisters of Charity cemetery.
 
Memorials may be made in S. Antonita Klein’s name to the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati Retirement Fund, 5900 Delhi Rd., Mount St. Joseph, Ohio 45051.
 
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The Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, whose Motherhouse is located in Delhi Township, a western suburb of Cincinnati, is an apostolic Catholic women’s religious community that exists to carry out the Gospel of Jesus Christ through service and prayer in the world. Sisters, using their professional talents as ministers of education, health care, pastoral and social services, currently live and minister in 17 U.S. states and in Guatemala and Mexico. They also sponsor institutions to address education, health care and social service needs, with particular concern for direct service to the poor. Four hundred and fifty six Sisters are joined in their mission by 172 Associates.
Visit the Sisters of Charity Web site at www.srcharitycinti.org.