Bariatric Center of Excellence

Penrose Hospital Named Bariatric Center of Excellence, Again
Only Facility in Southern Colorado, Centura

Penrose Hospital, which is part of Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, has again been named a Bariatric Center of Excellence by the American Society of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery. 

Penrose Hospital passed a rigorous 10 standard inspection to be named the only center of excellence in Southern Colorado and Centura Health, PSF’s parent company. 

“This award means we provide a higher quality of care for patients,” said Dr. Scott Fisher, PSF Bariatric Medical Director. “This is excellence proven by statistics and proven evidence; they look at our outcomes and patient care. We believe we can care for people better than anyone in southern Colorado.”

Penrose Hospital has preformed over 2,000 bariatric surgeries, which includes Lap-Band and Gastric Bypass weight loss procedures.  The surgeons, who are part of the Colorado Springs Surgical Associates, have over 25 years combined experience. 
 
Penrose’s 360-degree approach to nutrition, exercise, counseling and education are critical in helping people succeed long after the surgery is finished and they begin their new life.

For more information on the PSF bariatric program, visit the website at  http://www.penrosestfrancis.org.

The Bariatric Center nurses at Penrose Hospital.  (Photo by Stacey Knott)

The dieticians who are part of the Bariatric Center team at Penrose Hospital.  (Photo by Johnny Rea)

Extra Money

Click on the flyer above for a bigger, printable version.

News Briefs

SAFETY MONITOR MEETINGS 
Wednesday from 8 to 10 a.m. at SFHC in the Summit Room
Thursday from 8 to 10 a.m. at PH in the Gala Room
Friday from 8 to 10 a.m. at SFMC in CR 4
 
Please feel free to attend any one of these meetings that is convenient for you.  We will have a guest speaker to discuss ergonomics. We will also discuss how the chemical inventory is progressing (some areas are complete!). If time allows, we will also be discussing Severe Weather Response and H1N1 preparations. Full agenda, but there is always time for questions so please bring them also!

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
In an effort to save time and paper, Education will no longer distribute hard copies of applications and guidelines for tuition reimbursement.  Associates can access these documents via My Virtual Workplace.  For more information, please contact PSF Education at 776-5186.
     How to Access:
• Log into My Virtual Workplace
• Click on the Reference Tab
• Click on Docushare
• Click on PSF General Folders
• Click on Education Resources
• Click on Tuition Assistance Forms
• Click on Tuition Application (and print) AND click on Tuition Guidelines (and print)

HR AT PENROSE HOSPITAL
The PSF Human Resources Department is delayed in moving back to Penrose Hospital. In the meantime, HR is offering onsite support hours Mondays, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., and Wednesdays, 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. HR representatives will be located in the PH Wellness Center in the E-Tower basement. For questions or more information, please contact Gary Morse at 776-4782 or Cecilia Peat at 776-4785.

ASSOCIATE REMINDERS
• HR forms and policies can be found on DocuShare through “My Virtual Workplace” web site.
• All job postings and applications are online at http://www.penrosestfrancis.org
• Associates who need a computer for compliance training purposes, may contact Education Resources at 776-5186. They have a computer located in a private area. 

New Foundation Home

Several hundred donors, staff members, volunteers and friends were treated to two open house celebrations for the grand opening of the new Penrose-St. Francis Health Foundation offices Aug. 20 and 21. 

The Foundation, which is now located on the third floor of the Margery Reed Memorial Building on the Penrose Hospital campus, exists to raise philanthropic support to advance the healing ministry of Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, and serves as a resource for people in their charitable, financial and estate planning.

The construction and maintenance of the Margery Reed Memorial Building was funded in 1940 by Mary Dean Reed in loving memory of her daughter, Margery Reed. 

The offices of the Foundation were previously located off-site and needed to be closer to the vital work supported by its philanthropic donors. 

In 2008, approval was received to use some of the funds dedicated by Mary Reed to renovate the Margery Reed Memorial Building and make it the permanent home of Penrose-St. Francis Health Foundation.

Penrose-St. Francis Health Foundation staff and guests enjoy the new offices for the Foundation. (Photo by Johnny Rea)

The Reeds had three children.  Their eldest, Margery, was only 31 when she died from a disease she contracted in Peru. To honor the memory of her daughter, in 1940 Mary funded the construction of a building on the premises of Penrose Hospital, then known as Glockner Sanatorium and Hospital.  Originally named the Margery Reed Memorial Building, the Sisters of Charity used these facilities to provide housing for nurses in training.  It then became known as the Margery Reed Memorial Nurses Home.  When Penrose Hospital discontinued the Seton School of Nursing in 1971, the building was converted and used to provide housing for the Sisters, and for administrative and physician offices.

The Foundation continues the philanthropic legacy of Mary Reed by helping others fulfill their charitable objectives and serving those who seek healing through Penrose-St. Francis Health Services.

Race for the Cure Volunteers

Click on the image above for a larger, printable version.

Blood Drives

Blood Bank hours are Monday, 10 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Friday, 7 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.  Walk-ins are welcome or call 776-5822 for an appointment.

Or visit these public donation sites throughout the community this month:

Sept. 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Centura Health Revenue Management (Inside the building), 8140 Holly Street, Denver

Sept. 2, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Navigators (Inside the Building), 3820 North 30th. Street
Colorado Springs

Sept. 8, 2. to 6 p.m., St. Francis Medical Center (The Blood Vessel), 6001 Woodmen Road, Colorado Springs

Sept. 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cheyenne Mountain Resort (The Blood Vessel), 3225 Broadmoor Valley Road, Colorado Springs

Sept. 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., New Life Church (The Blood Vessel), 11025 Highway 83, Colorado Springs

Sept. 16, 4. to 8 p.m., First Presbyterian Church (Inside the Church-Narthex), 219 E. Bijou Street, Colorado Springs

Sept. 17, 2 to 7 p.m., Our Lady of the Woods (Inside the Church-Basement), 116 West Street, Woodland Park

Sept. 20, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Inside the Church-Gymnasium), 2030 West Colorado Ave., Colorado Springs

Sept. 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Vitamin Shoppe (The Blood Vessel), 2002 Southgate Blvd., Colorado Springs

Sept. 23, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., ENT Federal Credit Union (The Blood Vessel), 805 North Murray Blvd., Colorado Springs

Sept. 24, 9 a.m. to noon, Penrose/St. Francis Administrative Support Center (The Blood Vessel), 3030 North Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs

Sept. 27, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi (Inside the Church), 2650 Parish View, Colorado Springs

Sept. 28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pikes Peak Community College Centennial Campus (Atrium),
5675 South Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs

Sept. 29, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pikes Peak Community College Rampart Campus (Atrium), 11195 Highway 83, Colorado Springs

PSF Zoo Picnic

Click on the image above for a larger, printable version.

Health Learning Center

All classes require pre-registration / cancellation a minimum of 24 hours prior. A $20 no show fee will be billed to the participant if registration not cancelled 24 hours in advance. To register or for more information, please call the Penrose Health Learning Center at 776-3600. 

T’ai Chi – A form of ancient Chinese martial arts that works to improve body awareness, strength and coordination.  Monthly, Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning the first Tuesday of each month 9 to 10 a.m. Sept. 1-24. The cost is $40 for the 4-week session.

Meditation – A body friendly meditation style using holistic movements and music to promote relaxation. The class will help you to quiet your inner dialog, reach a relaxed body and peaceful state of mind. Class is Wednesdays, Sept. 2-23, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The cost is $30.

New! Resistance Training with Bands – Resistance band training is a unique resistance training method that may easily be accomplished at home or work with very little space and just a few varied tensions of bands.  Join us for this creative class that will provide exercises and direction for your mobile training system.  Monday, Sept. 14, 5:30 to 7 p.m.  The cost is $20.

New!  Stretching – If you are like most of us, you were taught the importance of stretching back in grade school.  Science, however, has moved on.  Come learn the latest techniques on effective stretching and how it can improve your overall fitness.   Mondays, Sept. 14-28, 6:30 to 7:15 a.m. The cost is  $23 for 3-weeks. 

Aquatics Classes – The Penrose Health Learning Center in cooperation with Colorado Sports and Spine. A structured class two to three times per week, concentrating on range of motion, overall strengthening and general cardiovascular conditioning.  All Aquatics classes are located at 1625 Medical Center Point (Union and Templeton Gap).  The cost is $46 per month for 2x / week or $66 per month for 3x / week.
- Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 10:30–11:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Monday/Wednesday: 5-6 p.m.
- Monday/Friday: 12:30-1:30 p.m
- Tuesday/Thursday: 8:30-9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Financial Assistance

Associate Financial Assistance Guidelines Now Online

Have you ever wondered how the Penrose-St. Francis Health Foundation’s Associate Financial Assistance Fund works?  Do you, or someone you work with, need to know if you qualify for help?  You may now access the program guidelines on the Foundation’s website, www.psffound.org.  Click on the link on the home page and you’ll be directed to the same information sheet that appears on the back of the assistance application.

Please note that the application form itself is not available to complete online.  You must still complete the request process in person through the Foundation office located on the third floor of the Margery Reed Memorial Building, Penrose Hospital campus.

We strongly recommend that you call and schedule an appointment to complete the program paperwork.  Foundation staff wants to ensure that they’ll have plenty of time to assist you through the process and answer any questions you may have, so they need to know you’re coming!

In other Foundation news, a newly formed review committee will begin meeting quarterly this fall to review declined applications.  This committee, which includes non-Foundation associates, will further ensure equal treatment and consideration for all Penrose-St. Francis Health Services employees.

For additional information or to schedule an appointment, please call 776-7760, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Memory Walk

We’re on the MOVE to end Alzheimer’s

Sept. 19 will be the 20th Anniversary of the first Memory Walk. This is the largest event of the year to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

Since 1989, $260 million dollars has been raised, but the need for funds is greater than ever. The number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease continues to grow. By 2050 the number of individuals with Alzheimer’s could total 16 million people.

Every year Namasté Alzheimer Center, which is part of Centura Health here in Colorado Springs, participates in the Memory Walk. Their goal is to raise $7,500!  Everyone is invited to participate by doing any of the following:

• Visit the “Yard Sale” benefiting the Memory Walk at Namasté Alzheimer Center on Friday, Sept. 4 starting at 8:30 a.m.

• Join the team, which includes employees, family members and friends who are collecting pledges and walking on Sept. 19 at America the Beautiful Park starting at 9 a.m. 
It’s city wide, well organized and lots of fun!  Please call Anna Vigil @ 776-6309 for details and to receive the team t-shirt.

• Make a tax-deductible contribution of any amount made payable to Alzheimer’s Association and drop it off or mail it to 2 Penrose Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80906. Your check goes towards sponsoring the staff and residents in the Memory Walk.

• Or to make an online donation, visit:  http://memorywalk09.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=296791&lis=1&kntae296791=6D2B4C0C69854D8FA3014C6A434FC332&supId=0&team=3466945

Thank you for your support!

HIIP News

SEPTEMBER LUNCH ‘N’ LEARN: “DUATHLON THROUGH THE ROCKIES”
Come and find out about our newest Challenge! Are you ready to do a Du-Athlon?  This is an eight-week challenge Sept. 21-Nov. 15 that incorporates personal goals of biking, walking, running and physical activity over eight Colorado peaks across the Rockies. Keep in shape after Lighten Up Colorado and get fit this fall. Presented and created by Rachel Cline, Club HIIP Intern.
Invest in YOU! Only $20 to sign up for the Duathlon Challenge! If you complete your challenge, then you’ll receive a $15 Gift Card to Dick’s Sporting Goods! Come prepared to sign up at the LNL and bring cash or a check made out to “PSF Wellness.” Your registration fee includes a packet of information, exercise tips, emails, postcards across the Rockies, and more!
Sept. 9, SFMC/North Care Building, Julie Penrose Center 2nd Floor, 12:05 - 12:35 p.m.
Sept. 10, PH/E-Tower Basement Gala Room, 12:05 - 12:35 p.m.

HYPERTENTION INTERVENTION
Want to try another way to protect your heart?
Fridays Noon to 12:30 p.m.: Sept. 4, 11, 18 at SFMC/Conference Room 2
Was your blood pressure high at the health screening? Did you ever want to try relaxation, guided imagery or meditation? Each of these can help protect your heart by lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, and bringing a sense of peace and calm. Join us for the Club HIIP Education class series on lowering your blood pressure.
Incentive: If you start class with high blood pressure (above 120-125/80-89) and are able to lower it to within normal ranges (below 120-125/80-89) by week four you will receive a $20 gift card! You must attend three out of the four classes to be eligible.

FY10 HIIP EDUCATION CLASSES
Building Houses, Building Communities: Sept. 8 from 4:15-5 p.m. at SFMC/Conf Room 2
Spiritual Healing at the Reflection Ponds: Sept. 15 from 7:30-8:15 a.m. at SFMC/Reflection Pond Employee Entrance
Grocery Shopping on a Tight Budget: Sept. 16 from 5:30-6:15 p.m. at King Soopers on Fillmore and Centennial
FISH: Fatty Acids in Seafood are Healthy: Sept. 24 from 4-4:45 p.m. at SFMC/Conf Room 2
 *Please note the date changed for this class!
Progressive Relaxation: Sept. 30 from 4:30-5:15 p.m. at SFHC/5th Floor Summit Room

SELF CARE CLASS
Sept. 1 from 5-5:45 p.m. at PH/E-Tower Basement Gala Room

PSF EXTENDED FITNESS CLASSES
Pick up a schedule at HIIP Wall pockets at all sites for registration form
Penrose Hospital
Bootcamp: Session 2: Starts Sept. 1 from 6:15-7 a.m. in the PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room for 6 weeks
Pilates: Session 2: Starts Sept. 2 from 5-6 p.m. in the PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room for 5 weeks
Yoga: Session 2: Starts Sept. 3 from 5:15-6:30 p.m. in the PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room for 6 weeks
Body Toning: Session 2a/b: Starts Sept. 21 from 11:45 a.m.-12:50 p.m. in the PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room for 6 weeks
St. Francis Medical Center
Yoga: Session 1: Starts Sept. 14 from 5-6:15 p.m. in the North Care Building/2nd Floor Julie Penrose Center for 6 weeks

WELLNESS CENTER ORIENTATIONS
Please register for orientations via HealthCalc on My Virtual Workplace or call 776-5839, ext 2.
PH Wellness Center- Sept. 10 at 8 a.m.
SFMC Wellness Center- Sept. 16 at 1 p.m.
SFHC Wellness Center- Sept. 18 at noon
PH Wellness Center- Sept. 22 at 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.

WALKING CLUBS
PH Walking Club: Every Thursday at 7:15-7:50 a.m. outside of valet. Contact Michelle Somers x5034
SFHC Walking Club:  Every Monday at 11:30 a.m. outside of the Foundation building. Contact Tracy x7085
SFMC Walking Club:  Every Tuesday at 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

JEANS DAY
Friday, Sept. 11, donate $5 to wear denim.
In support and to help fundraise for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: Light the Night Walk.
Where to donate:
Penrose Hospital: HIIP Office, Wellness Center/ E Tower
St. Francis Medical Center: Jean Turk, Administration
St. Francis Health Center: Liz Benavidz, Nutrition Services
ASC:  Lisa Ballard, Upstairs

COMMUNITY EVENTS 
Pikes Peak Challenge
Sept. 12. Please contact Eileen Cannon at 776-5614 to be on Team PSF! Hike begins at 5 a.m.
The Pikes Peak Challenge is a unique fundraising event for the Brain Injury Association of Colorado (BIAC) held annually in September. It encourages registered participants to experience the excitement and success of hiking to the summit of Pikes Peak while supporting a great cause. For more information visit: www.pikespeakchallenge.com

Walk to Cure Diabetes
Sept. 12. America the Beautiful Park. Check in at 9 a.m., Walk starts at 10 a.m., walk length is a 5K. As many as 3 million Americans have type 1 diabetes, a disease most often diagnosed in childhood that strikes suddenly, lasts a lifetime, and carries the constant threat of deadly complications, including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and amputation. JDRF's mission: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Thanks to dramatic research progress, a cure is now within our reach. To join the PSF team, go to www.walk.jdrf.org or contact Erin Heberlein at 776-7394.

Light the Night
Sept. 17. Downtown Pioneers Museum. Registration and festivities, including refreshments, entertainment and family activities, open at 5 p.m. Walks will begin at 7 p.m. Light The Night is an annual Society event to raise funds for cures. It’s the nation’s night to pay tribute and bring hope to thousands of patients and their families.  Funds raised through Light the Night Walk support the work of hundreds of the world’s best and brightest researchers in their search for better therapies and cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Go to www.lightthenight.org/rm  and join “Team Penrose” or Contact Erin Heberlein at 776-7394.

Memory Walk
Sept. 19. America the Beautiful Park at 9 a.m. Since 1989, Memory Walk has raised more than $260 million to help those battling Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's Association, the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer research, care and support, is dedicated to finding prevention methods, treatments and an eventual cure for Alzheimer's and providing support for all those affected by the disease. Register at www.alz.org/co. Please contact Anna Vigil at Namaste 776-6309 for more information.

All PSF Associates are encouraged to participate in these upcoming events!  Find a cause that is close to your heart and put your MISSION IN MOTION!

Please show your PSF team spirit by wearing your teal “Mission in Motion” T-shirt to all walks.

Going Green

Going Green Tips of the Week… ENERGY SAVINGS: With the Winter approaching it’s common for electricity (energy) use to increase.  Here are simple tips that can help reduce the amount of energy we use.

- Thermostats:  Turn down the thermostat by one degree.  You will not feel much of a difference, but your heating bill will:  Lowering the temperature by one degree could save you about two percent on heating bills.  Better yet is to install a programmable thermostat that will allow you to program the temperature to be lower during the night and slightly warmer during the day

- Blinds:  Open the blinds on sunny warm days.  The sun may not feel warm to you when your outside, but letting the sunshine in captures the sun heat.  That keeps the room temperature higher, so your furnace works less.  Keep the heat in by closing the blinds and curtains as the sun sets.

- Ceiling Fans:  Never thought of your ceiling fan as a heating device?  It is in the winter!  Run it clockwise, at a slow speed, and it will push the warm air that rises toward the ceiling back down to where you are.  You will feel toasty and you will reduce energy consumption. 

The Going Green Section of the Penrose Pulse was developed to educate and inform Penrose-St. Francis associates, physicians, and volunteers on how to Reduce and Reuse valuable resources. 

Supply Chain

Supply Chain “Links,” keeping you connected to the latest supply and clinical initiatives from Supply Chain Management Operations:

Conversion Update August 2009

60-Day Contracts
Equipment Drapes / Probe Covers - Cardinal To Vital Care, Cardinal and Medical Action To Vital Care, Microtek To Vital Care, Committed to Cardinal

30-Day Contracts
Headwear and Shoe Covers - Medline to Broadline
Impervious Boot Covers - Remains Medline Cardinal to Kerma

New Contracts
Esmark Bandages - Cardinal to Trinity Sterile
Fetal Monitoring Belts - Advanced Medical, Adams, and Covidien to sole source Covidien,
OR Positioners Table Kits - Remains Covidien

End-of-Life

Click on the image above for a larger, printable version.

Cafeteria Menu

For the SFMC menu, please call the daily menu phone line 571-1001.

Penrose Hospital daily lunch menu.

NOTE:  The Penrose Hospital cafeteria hot line will be closed for construction.  A temporary hot line will be in place by the cashier stand, however hot choices will be limited. The salad bar, sandwich bar, and grab and go cooler will remain open and accessible. Construction is anticipated to last six to eight weeks.  Nutrition Services will host an outdoor BBQ every Friday during the construction.

TODAY
Breakfast: Eggs Florentine & Mornay Sauce; Lunch: Baked Potato Bar, Garlic Crumb Halibut, BBQ Baby Back Pork Ribs, Cherry Pineapple White Cake

TUESDAY
Breakfast: Sausage, Egg & Cheese McMuffin; Lunch: Beef Taco Bowl, Tri-Pepper Chicken Fajitas, Roast Turkey, Warm Blueberry Crunch

WEDNESDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Burritos; Lunch: Bourbon Glazed Salmon, Curry Chicken Breast, BBQ Beef Brisket, Homemade Apple Strudel

THURSDAY
Breakfast: Sausage Biscuits & Gravy; Lunch: Beer Battered Cod, Beef Pepper Steak over Rice, Country Fried Chicken, Triple Berry Granola Crisp

FRIDAY
Breakfast: Green Chili Cheese Omelet; Lunch: English Breaded Orange Roughy, Spaghetti & Meat Sauce, Sweet Potatoes & Broccoli, Outdoor BBQ:  Tahiti Chicken,  Hambergers & Hotdoag, Corn on the Cob, Chipotle Baked Beans, Coleslaw, Asst chips, Cookies, Lemonade & Iced Tea

SATURDAY
Breakfast: Minnesota Egg Casserole; Lunch: Red Hook Fried Shrimp, Turkey Pot Pie, Meat Lasagna & Garlic Bread, Blueberry Cherry Cobbler

SUNDAY
Breakfast: Pancakes; Lunch: Country Fried Chicken, Meatball Hoagie, Macaroni & Cheese, Apple Dumplings