 Geoffrey Hartzler, M.D., 1946 - 2012
 | | Geoffrey Hartzler, M.D., at an event in October 2011 |
Geoffrey Hartzler, M.D, a pioneer in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and former director of Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, passed away on March 10 at the age of 65. Hartzler performed the first coronary angioplasty at the Mayo Clinic in 1979 and was doing successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) just two years after Dr. Andreas Gruentzig performed the first procedure on a patient in Switzerland. Hartzler joined Saint Luke's in 1980, where he started the angioplasty program and worked here until he retired in 1995 at 49 years of age due to chronic back pain. He created the first implantable defibrillator to reach the market and be used effectively. He was also instrumental in developing the first steerable guidewire catheters and went on to help design a family of "Hartzler" balloon catheters used in angioplasty. Hartzler began the first U.S. interventional cardiology teaching course, training a generation of cardiologists. In 1986, he developed the Advanced Angioplasty Fellowship training program, which has been emulated worldwide. His contributions to the advancement of angioplasty and cardiology are recognized annually through the Geoffrey O. Hartzler Master Clinical Operator Award given by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. Hartzler was born Nov. 6, 1946, in Goshen, Ind. He had two brothers, one deceased as a teenager. His father, Robert, was a Mennonite minister who helped establish the first outpatient community mental health center in the United States. His mother, Emma, contracted polio when Geoffrey was 4 years old, and she lived in an iron long for nearly four decades. Hartzler's Mennonite upbringing deeply informed his perspective on life. A quotation he particularly liked is by Benjamin Whicote, "Our fallibility and the shortness of our knowledge should make us peaceable and gentle." Hartzler is survived by Dorothy, his wife of 27 years; brother, Gregory; daughters, Abby, Christine, Amanda, and Angela; and grandsons, Jonah and Oliver. Online condolences may be made here. |
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The grass is greener: Employee Engagement Team update
Communication is key to the success of Saint Luke's Hospital. A consistent goal of your Employee Engagement Team is to give your feedback to the operations team and leadership group. From your feedback, these things were accomplished last year:
- Educated employees on the strategic plan, how it is designed, and how employees support the strategic plan
- Created solution finders to improve department engagement
- Increased Town Hall attendance
- Encouraged all departments to assign a communication liaison for their department to assist with increased communication
You can again impact how things are done at Saint Luke's by taking the 2012 employee satisfaction survey before March 28.
Una versión en español de la Encuesta de Opinión para el Empleado está actualmente disponible en línea en "Employee eLink."
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Big turnout for Once Upon a Time
The 15th annual Once Upon a Time celebration was a huge success! A sold-out crowd enjoyed child-inspired and family-friendly fun to benefit The Children's SPOT. Proceeds from the event will purchase iPads for therapy, new equipment, and supplies, and provide financial support for uninsured and underinsured patients. To see photos from the enchanted evening, click here. |
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Saint Luke's pharmacist speaks at academic conference
Amber Lucas, Pharm.D., B.C.P.S., F.A.S.H.P., a clinical pharmacy specialist at Saint Luke's Hospital, was one of several invited speakers Feb. 4 at a special conference at the KU School of Pharmacy in Lawrence.
The American Pharmacists Association/Academy of Student Pharmacists Pharmacy Professionalism and Advocacy Conference brought together speakers from a wide variety of practice sites to discuss how students can become engaged in professional advocacy through participation in professional organizations.
In addition, participating students had the opportunity to hear from current practitioners about career opportunities in different segments of practice. Dr. Lucas was one of two presenters who talked with students about the practice of pharmacy in hospitals/health systems as well as pharmacy residency training. More than 120 pharmacy and pre-pharmacy students participated in the conference.
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Noteworthy
April Town Halls
- Tuesday, April 3, 2 - 3 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 4, 7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Wagstaff Board Room
Overflow TBA
Schwartz Center Rounds
"When a Patient Says Something Sexual"
Thursday, April 5
Noon
Presenter/panelists:
- Patrick Caffrey, Ph.D.
- Opal Yockey, R.N.
- Paige Moore, R.N.
Facilitator: Tarris Rosell, Ph.D., D.Min.
Location: BMW Conference Room
Free pizza
March Madness at CFHE
March Madness is officially hitting the Center for Health Enhancement on Wednesday, March 28. Join us for fun and fitness. Be a part of our team when we launch our newest BodyPump and BodyVive routines! Sign up for a membership any time on Wednesday, March 28, and pay no enrollment fee! Click here for more information.
Breast cancer survivor celebration
Breast Cancer Awareness month is celebrated in October. The Breast Cancer Awareness planning group is coordinating a celebration for breast cancer survivors who work within SLHS. We are seeking any breast cancer survivors who would like to attend the celebration. Please contact Marcia Hamm at
Further plans will be communicated as we approach October. |
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