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January
 Reevie Willis, nursing assistant, MAHI, was named the January employee of the month. Willis's nomination read, "There is always a person who you look up to at work and who makes you smile no matter how bad your day may be. To me and many others, Reevie is that person. She always goes above and beyond to help her co-workers. She is always available and never hesitates to help. She has one of the best bedside manners I have seen with patients. She makes them laugh and feel comfortable. She is so positive, and I thank her for that because that makes me be a better employee." Please join us in congratulating Willis on this much-deserved honor.
February
 Ebony Rhodes, patient transportation, was named February employee of the month. Rhodes's nomination read, "Ebony is a great team player. She goes beyond the call of duty. She did such a thing when I had a flat tire on the way to work. She noticed that it was me, stopped to see if she could help, assisted me in getting a tow, went to get money to pay the tow, and was even late to work on account of me. This is the type of person and employee Ebony is. She will help anyone. You can watch her do this every day she is here. She is more than words and directions - she is one to take you all the way to your destination."
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Making a difference
Employees going above and beyond
Each and every day our dedicated and passionate employees make a difference in the lives of our patients, visitors, and colleagues. We would like to highlight some of these stories. If you have a colleague you would like to recognize, please send the employee's name and how he or she made a difference to slhrounds@saint-lukes.org.
The following story was submitted by Karen Evans, clinical nurse manager, MAHI.
A patient was admitted to the CICU with respiratory distress, and it was clear that he would soon need intubation. Dianna Brown, R.N., was caring for this patient, and she quickly called the primary physician, Dr. Miller. Dr. Yagan was in the CICU performing rounds and came in to see the patient. Together Dr. Miller and Dr. Yagan had a very difficult conversation with the family, and it was decided to let him go in peace and not be intubated as the patient had terminal cancer.
In speaking with the family, Dianna Brown found out they were Native American and the family really wanted a mold of his hands and for a Shaman to be present. Dianna called the chaplain and the NICU to see if they possibly could make molds of his hands. They did not have the equipment needed, so Alan Pirnie, R.N., who was in charge, called his friends in the ED to see if they might have a solution. Maureen "MO" Murphy, R.N., took the lead and called four different places in Missouri and Kansas and left messages for a Shaman to come be with the family. Rachel Tharp, R.N., and David Jackel, R.N., spent at least 30 minutes working with the patient and family to get the best mold of his hands. They came prepared and made several molds until the family liked what they saw.
It is consistently my pleasure to see the staff of SLH go above and beyond in their endeavourers to assist patients and family members. What Dave and Rachel did for this family will never be forgotten. I cannot thank Alan enough for working diligently to accommodate the family's request.
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Mark your calendar for the Annual Employee Satisfaction Survey
 The start of Saint Luke's Health System's annual employee satisfaction survey is here!
Starting today, please take a few minutes to let your voice be heard by completing the 2012 survey online. Your responses are anonymous, but your input is very important. This is your opportunity to share your thoughts about working at Saint Luke's and help us become an even better place to work going forward.
Click here for more information.
The survey (in both English and Spanish) will be available until Wednesday, March 28.
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Saint Luke's College of Health Sciences ribbon cutting/grand opening celebration
Celebrating the new Saint Luke's College of Health Sciences with a ribbon cutting were:
Academic Dean Jim Hauschildt, Ed.D.; senior nursing student Janessa Endaya; College Board and Advisory Council member Kay Waldo Barnes; College Board Chair Ann Liners Brett; Saint Luke's Health System Board Chair Tom W. Wagstaff; Saint Luke's Hospital CEO Julie Quirin; Hospital Chairman The Right Reverend Martin Field; Mayor Sly James; and College President Dean Hubbard, Ph.D.
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Certification day reception
March 19, 4 - 6 p.m.
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Patient gets special visit from Missouri Mavericks
On March 5, patient Jake Harris, 17, was surprised with a visit from Missouri Mavericks hockey players Carlyle Lewis and Brandon Coccimiglio. A hockey fan, Harris has been hospitalized at the Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute since September and is awaiting a donor heart. His nurse, Talisha Slyter Kohlman, along with her husband, Jeremy Kohlman, arranged for the surprise. The players presented Harris with signed hockey sticks from the Mavericks and the Wichita Thunder, Harris' hometown hockey team.
 | | From top left (counterclockwise) Brandon Coccimiglio, Jeremy Kohlman, heart transplant patient Jake Harris, Carlyle Lewis, and Talisha Slyter Kohlman, R.N., 5 South. |
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| Labor and delivery/NICU nurses publish articles
Nursing Research Council wants to congratulate our Labor and Delivery and NICU nurses, whose research projects were published in peer-reviewed nursing journals recently. To request a copy of the article, send a request to SLHS library using the following citations.
- Chris Selby, R.N.C; Sherry Valencia, R.N., B.S.N.; Lindsay Garcia, R.N.; Denise Keep, R.N., B.S.N.; Jonnie Overcash, R.N.C., B.S.N., M.S.N.; and Jasmin Jackson, R.N., B.S.N. (2012). Level During a One-Hour Labor Check Evaluation: Walking Bed Rest, MCN, 37(2), 101-107.
- Wendy Milazzo, R.N., B.S.N.; Janie Fielder, M.S.N., R.N., N.N.P.-B.C.; Angela Bittel, R.N., B.S.N.; Jennifer Coil, R.N., B.S.N.; Michelle McClure, R.N.; Penny Tobin, R.N.; Val Vande Kamp, R.N. (2011). Oral Sucrose to Decrease Pain Associated With Arterial Puncture in Infants 30 to 36 Weeks' Gestation: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Advances in Neonatal Care, 11(6), 406-411.
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| SLH Research Day
May 4, 2012
 Have you implemented a change in practice based on evidence? Have you conducted a research study? Are you currently working on a research project that may result in a future practice change? If your research has been completed and never before presented, we have a place for you! If your project is still unfinished or currently underway, we would like to see that too! It doesn't matter the current stage of your research. Just send the information below to Buzz Reno, R.N., C.N.O.R., at mrenoiii@saint-lukes.org by Friday, March 30 to reserve a spot for your poster presentation.
- Poster category:
- New evidence-based practice project
- New nursing research study
- New multidisciplinary research study
- My research is currently underway
- Poster title
The Nursing Research Council asks that all posters be attended by the author or a representative able to address the questions of the judges and other inquiring minds. Projects should identify where they fall on the ACE - Star model. Posters will be on public display in the cafeteria. See flyer for more information, or email mrenoiii@saint-lukes.org.
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Noteworthy
B-level Lab access As phases of the B-level lab construction are being completed, access to the lab will be restricted. Ultimately, there will be three doors to the main portion of the lab: one on the south end near the new Blood Bank area, one on the north end near the Pharmacy, and the third on the west side near the blue elevators. The north and south doors will be restricted to lab personnel only, and all other hospital staff and visitors will need to enter through a new set of doors (currently not installed) on the west side in the vicinity of the blue elevators. On Monday, March 12, the lab will begin restricting access on the north end, and the card access on the north door will be activated and access will be restricted to lab personnel. All other hospital personnel will be required to enter through the main lab entrance. See map to show the route from the north entrance to the main lab entrance. Signage will assist staff with locating the main lab entrance. Saint Luke's Dermatology Specialists now offering aesthetic services Saint Luke's Dermatology Specialists is pleased to announce the addition of Megan Sprowell, licensed aesthetician. All of our aesthetic services are supervised by physicians Meggan Newland, M.D., and Scott Ravis, M.D.  | | Megan Sprowell |
Services available include: facials, acne treatments, microdermabrasion, laser hair removal, chemical peels, waxing, photorejuvenation therapy, light therapy for pigmented/vascular lesions. Aesthetic services are available Tuesday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 816-932-4500 to schedule an appointment and receive a complimentary skin care consultation with Megan. Breast cancer survivor celebration Breast Cancer Awareness month is celebrated in October. The Breast Cancer Awareness planning group is tentatively planning a celebration for breast cancer survivors who work within Saint Luke's Health System. We are seeking out any breast cancer survivors who would like to attend the celebration. Please contact Marcia Hamm at mhamm@saint-lukes.org or Mandy Sims at mssims@saint-lukes.org. Further plans will be communicated as we approach the month of October. Focus on fiber Bulk up with fiber! Fiber is the indigestible part of plants that your body needs for good digestive health. Two kinds of fiber are needed - soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber in foods like oatmeal dissolves in water, and insoluble fiber in foods like wheat bran doesn't dissolve in water. Consuming about 30 grams of fiber each day helps keep things moving in your digestive tract. Other benefits of fiber include keeping you full longer, diluting harmful substances in your colon, lowering blood sugar, and lowering cholesterol. The typical American diet of highly processed foods is low in fiber. To increase your fiber intake, look for the words 100 percent whole grain on packages and eat more fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts. Be sure to drink plenty of water as well to avoid slowing things down. This month, visit Broadway Dining to make smart selections with more fiber. For additional tips to help you make the best choices for a healthy colon, go to Your Health Matters - never settle webpage or contact Broadway Dining at ext. 27542. |
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Taking stock of SLH workplace integrity
Did you know that your responses to these three statements on the Annual Employee Satisfaction Survey help our leaders understand the effectiveness of Saint Luke's Ethics and Compliance Program?
- My leaders provide an environment that promotes legal/ethical behavior.
- My coworkers follow ethical and legal behavior in the workplace.
- I am comfortable reporting unethical/illegal behavior to my supervisor, the compliance office, or human resources.
These statements are meant to describe the integrity of our workplace tone and culture. How employees view these areas is important to gauge our collective intent to never settle for less than doing the right thing each and every day.
During employee performance reviews, each of us is asked to affirm that we understand and will abide by SLHS Shared Behaviors.
We acknowledge that we are expected to do the right thing and are responsible to make known any issues or concerns about workplace ethics, compliance, or privacy. Employees are protected from retaliation when submitting a report.
Be sure that your views about Saint Luke's workplace integrity are included in the Annual Employee Satisfaction Survey.
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Congratulations to 
