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SLNI welcomes new neurosurgeons
Experienced surgeons bring exceptional capabilities to the team
Saint Luke's Neuroscience Institute recently welcomed two new
neurosurgeons to its team - Brian D. Milligan, M.D., and Stephen E. Griffith, M.D. - and announced a third new neurosurgeon - Bradley A. Hiser, M.D. - has joined the group this month.
 | | Brian Milligan, M.D. |
Dr. Milligan received his neurosurgery training at Mayo Clinic and then completed a subspecialty fellowship in skull base tumor and neurovascular neurosurgery at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. These techniques are frequently less invasive and greatly enhance patient safety by providing Dr. Milligan with greater visibility and more direct access to tumors and vascular abnormalities that are deeply seeded under the brain.
His specialties and clinical interests include:
- Acoustic neuromas, pituitary tumors, meningiomas, and other brain tumors (including awake brain surgery)
- Aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and other vascular lesions of the brain and spinal cord
 | | Stephen Griffith, M.D. |
Dr. Griffith received his neurosurgery training at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, and completed a subspecialty fellowship in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery at Oregon Health and Science University.
Dr. Griffith utilizes the latest advances to deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery for patients with Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. While most surgeons perform DBS surgery with the patient remaining fully awake in a stereotactic headframe during the multiple operations, Dr. Griffith is one of only three neurosurgeons in the United States who performs this DBS surgery with the patient fully asleep under general anesthesia, using a frameless technique and "real-time" intra-operative image-guided neuronavigation. This results in a more comfortable and efficient operative experience for the patient.
His specialties and clinical interests include:
- Comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, supra-orbital neuralgia, occipital neuralgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia, and all facial pain
- Surgical treatment of epilepsy, including selective amygdalohippocampectomy, and vagal nerve stimulation
- Spinal cord stimulator (SCS) neuromodulation therapy for neuropathic pain syndromes and post-laminectomy pain syndrome
- Trauma neurosurgery/general neurosurgery
Dr. Hiser's specialties and clinical interests include minimally invasive spinal surgery, brain tumors, and general neurosurgery. Watch for more information about Dr. Hiser in a future eRounds.
These three physicians join the other surgeons on SLNI's neurosurgery team: Darren Lovick, M.D., surgical director of the Saint Luke's Neurosurgery Department, and H. Dennis Mollman, M.D., Ph.D., medical director of Saint Luke's Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Program.
Dr. Lovick is an accomplished, well-respected neurosurgeon who recently rejoined SLNI after a 17-month hiatus at the University of Kansas Hospital.
Dr. Mollman, who joined SLNI last year, is one of the pioneer users of the O-arm for minimally invasive spinal surgery. He has performed more than 600 procedures using the technology. This approach leads to faster recovery, less pain, and fewer complications for patients.
"Providing care to patients with neurologic illnesses is a team sport, and Saint Luke's has a comprehensive team approach with an exceptional group of nurses, therapists, and physician specialists," said Dr. Lovick. "You do your best work when surrounded by other specialists who define exceptional patient care and educate each other in their field of care. The team at Saint Luke's is phenomenal."
For patient referrals or additional information, please call 816-932-2700.
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White chosen for highly competitive National Nurse Fellowship
 | | Debbie White |
Debra White, R.N., M.S.N., M.S.A., A.C.N.S.-B.C., N.E.A.-B.C., vice president and chief nursing officer at Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City, has been named one of only 20 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Executive Nurse Fellows from across the country for 2012. White joins a select group of nurse leaders chosen to participate in this three-year, world-class leadership development program that is enhancing nurse leaders' effectiveness in improving the nation's health care system.
Begun by RWJF in 1998, the RWJF Executive Nurse Fellows (ENF) program strengthens the leadership capacity of nurses who aspire to shape health care locally and nationally. The program will provide White and her colleagues with coaching, education, and other support to strengthen their abilities to lead teams and organizations in improving health and health care.
"This is a huge honor, and I am so appreciative of the opportunity to work with my peers across the country who are improving the health of our nation," White said. "I think nurse leaders have a huge contribution to make to our health care system and in molding what it will look like in the future, and I hope through this program to gain the skills to be active in that process and help make an impact."
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Saint Luke's Concierge offers five-star service to patients, families, and visitors
You expect exceptional concierge service at five-star hotels. So why not receive the same service from a five-star health system? 
In March, SLHS launched its new Saint Luke's concierge telephone service. The service was briefly known as Saint Luke's 411, but the official name is now Saint Luke's Concierge.
As many as 150 people call Saint Luke's Concierge each day to:
- Navigate Saint Luke's services and specialties
- Find a doctor or specialist
- Register for a community education class
- Get directions to a Saint Luke's facility or find a hotel or restaurant nearby
"We wanted to create a more personal concierge service that would enhance people's experience with Saint Luke's," said Teesha Miller, Saint Luke's Concierge manager. "Our team of customer relations specialists is available Monday - Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. They're dedicated to providing exceptional customer service to meet our callers' needs."
Miller is a familiar name and face to many SLHS employees. She joined SLHS 10 years ago, most recently working in the Spiritual Wellness Department at Saint Luke's Hospital. In her new role, she is using her connections across SLHS to help guide the concierge team as they answer questions about the health system's vast services.
If a caller inquires about your department, you may receive a call or email from Saint Luke's Concierge asking for additional information or requesting that you provide information directly to a caller. "Saint Luke's Concierge is dedicated to being certain we provide our callers with the information they need, and we are extremely grateful for the help of dozens of employees across SLHS who help us by providing information and resources for the patients and families we serve," Miller said.
To reach Saint Luke's Concierge, call 816-932-5100. Outside of Kansas City, call 855-932-5100.
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Saint Luke's Dermatology Specialists offering aesthetic services
 | | Jennifer Ambrosio |
Saint Luke's Dermatology Specialists is pleased to announce the addition of Jennifer Ambrosio, licensed aesthetician. All aesthetic services are lead/supervised by Meggan Newland, M.D., and Scott Ravis, M.D.
Services available include: facials, acne treatments, microdermabrasion, laser hair removal, chemical peels, waxing, photorejuvenation therapy, and light therapy for pigmented/vascular lesions.
Aesthetic services are available Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 816-932-4500 to schedule an appointment and receive a complimentary skincare consultation with Ambrosio.
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Rev up your immune system
Cold and flu season will be here soon. No one likes to get sick. Even a minor cold can cause fatigue and keep us from enjoying everyday activities.
Katie Krejci, R.D., L.D., from Saint Luke's Hospital says, "Eating nutritious foods can increase the body's immune function, improve its ability to detect viruses, and provide adequate nutrients to prevent deficiencies when ill." Regular exercise, adequate rest and sleep, along with healthy eating can keep our immune system functioning at its best.
It's also very important to stay up-to-date on our immunizations to minimize our chances of contracting an infectious disease. Check for any immunizations you or your family may need to prevent infectious diseases - especially before school starts. Look for the adult immunization schedule on Your Health Matters - never settle webpage. Then make your plate colorful next time you visit SLH Broadway Dining and you'll provide your body with the necessary antioxidants to stay well through the fall and winter.
For more information go to Your Health Matters - never settle webpage located on the Employee eLink or contact Gayle O'Connell at ext. 23807.
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Rice named manager of Blood Bank and Transfusion Safety
The Clinical Laboratory at Saint Luke's Hospital is pleased to
 | | Sharon Rice |
announce Sharon Rice is the manager of Blood Bank and Transfusion Safety. Rice graduated from the Saint Luke's Hospital Program in Clinical Laboratory Science and holds a Bachelor of Science degree; she joined Saint Luke's Hospital in 1995. Rice has worked in various capacities in the laboratory, including serving as the clinical leader for the McKesson Horizon Blood Bank implementation in 2010 and serving many years as lab liaison to the Mother/Baby nursing units. Please join us in congratulating Sharon!
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Noteworthy
August Town Halls
Wednesday, Aug. 15
7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 21
2 - 3 p.m.
Wagstaff Board Room
Overflow TBA
Saint Luke's in the news
Meet and greet for new chaplain
The heart transplant support group will hold a meet and greet with the new chaplain Thursday, Aug. 9, at 4 p.m. in the third floor conference room of the Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute. This will be a chance to meet our new chaplain Christyn Koschman and ask any spiritual or coping-related questions. Please email Stephanie Day if you have any questions.
Free screenings for hepatitis C
Aug. 6 - 31
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of liver cancer. Millions of Americans have HCV, yet up to 75 percent don't know it. As part of World Hepatitis Day and in partnership with the American Liver Foundation, the Saint Luke's Liver Disease Management Center will be offering free hepatitis C virus screenings at each of our metro facilities, beginning Aug. 6. Call 816-932-LIVER (5483) or click here for more information.
Coffee with SLHS Diversified reps
Diversified representatives will be onsite in the various SLHS entity cafés. To see their schedule and learn how to set up an appointment, click here. If these times do not work for you, the reps can also meet with you on another day/time at your convenience.
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 mhamm@saint-lukes.org or Mandy Sims at mssims@saint-lukes.org. Further plans will be communicated as we approach October.
Saint Luke's Courtyard Marketplace
Wednesdays
June 20 - Aug. 29
7:30 a.m. - noon
Rain or shine
Women's Center Courtyard
Stop by each week to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and other heart-healthy items. Pick up the featured recipe of the week and learn how you can keep your heart healthy through nutrition. It is easy to "think prevention" and promote a healthier you! Products may be purchased by cash or payroll deduction. The Courtyard Marketplace is brought to you by Saint Luke's Muriel I. Kauffman Women's Heart Center and Nutritional Services.
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