Marc Giedinghagen appointed director of Pastoral Education

The following message is from Marshall Scott, director of Spiritual Wellness:

Marc Giedinghagen, director of Pastoral Education

I am saddened to announce the retirement at the end of August of Stephen Overall, D.Min., A.C.P.E., from the position of director of Pastoral Education at SLH. Chaplain Overall has been with the health system for 13 years. He has overseen the extension of the Clinical Pastoral Education program (CPE) beyond SLH and into other metropolitan hospitals. He will be sorely missed.

At the same time, I am very pleased to announce Marc Giedinghagen will assume the director of Pastoral Education role. Chaplain Giedinghagen has his master's of divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary and his doctorate of ministry from Boston University. He is a certified supervisor in the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education Inc. and is ordained in the Presbyterian Church. He has been with the hospital for ten years, and in addition to his work as an educator has served as chaplain to the Palliative Care Program. He will assume his role as director on July 1. Please welcome and congratulate Chaplain Giedinghagen in his new position.

Lenona Day retires from SLH

Lenona Day is retiring after 16 years at SLH. Day began her SLH career as the office manager for the outpatient Day Treatment Program. When the program closed, she transferred to administration where she worked as an executive administrative assistant, first for Mary Ellen Doyle, CNO, then Debbie White, CNO. Presently Day works in SLNI administration for Kevin Thorpe, V.P. of Neuroscience.

White acknowledges that, "Lenona's love of nursing has been her passion. Nurses involved with Shared Governance councils/committees saw her as the person who always took care of things." Thorpe describes Lenona as, "Having an uncanny ability to work through almost any question or concern brought to her." Thorpe expressed his appreciation for her commitment to SLH and the difference she has made every day to patients, families, staff, and co-workers.

Please plan to celebrate Lenona's retirement on Wednesday, July 10, from 3 - 5 p.m. in the atrium on B-level of the Neuroscience Institute.

Hospice House open for tours

Mark your calendar for a special employee open house at the new Saint Luke's Hospice House on Friday, July 19, from 2 - 5 p.m.

Located at 3516 Summit St. in Kansas City, Mo., the beautiful new $10 million facility includes 12 individual patient suites, a full-service kitchen, a family dining room, guest showers, indoor and outdoor chapels, community education room, children's space, pharmacy, and family living rooms. 

Employees are also welcome to attend the community open house on Saturday, July 20, from 9 a.m. - noon.

Watch for more information about Saint Luke's Hospice House in Making Rounds.

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

Join the Saint Luke's team!

The 20th annual Susan G. Komen Kansas City Race for the Cure is Sunday, Aug. 11, at Union Station.

Once again, Saint Luke's will be the early detection sponsor for the race and will have a booth at the event.

Registration is $25. On July 1 registration is $30 and then $35 beginning Aug. 5. Special activities and rates for children and babies are also available. Online registration is now open. You can form your own team or join the Saint Luke's Health System team.

Click here to register. To join the SLHS team, click "Join an Existing Team." Select "Saint Luke's Health System" from the company dropdown menu. If you would like to form your own Saint Luke's team, click on the "Start a Team" button, enter your team's name, and select "Saint Luke's Health System" as your company.

Discount through Aug. 11

When registering, enter promotional code KKCG2013 to receive a $5 discount off any adult or adult timed race registration through Aug. 11.

Thank you for showing your support by participating in this event and helping to fight against breast cancer!

Same smiling faces, brand new look

The Environmental Services team recently updated their look with a new tailored and professional uniform.

Letters to soldiers

By Julie Laird, Volunteer Services

The Fourth of July is a perfect time to remember and support military servicemen and servicewomen stationed overseas. One of our new SLH volunteers, Janet Duncan, has an inspiring story to share.

Fact 1: Duncan's father served in the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. Crescent City in WWII. She has attended Navy reunions with him and has taken him to Washington, DC to see the WWII Memorial. She has a genuine place in her heart for those who serve in the military.

Fact 2: Duncan loves to write letters.

Add these two facts together and behold a wonderful volunteer opportunity! Duncan participates in supporting our military by writing weekly letters to those who may receive little or no mail through a volunteer organization called Soldiers' Angels.

Every Tuesday and Friday, Janet receives the names of two soldiers from her letter writing team leader. She writes them each a letter introducing herself, telling them how much she appreciates what they do, sharing lighthearted comments about TV shows or sports teams she enjoys, or mentioning her favorite hobbies of biking, hiking, and reading. Sometimes she sends photos or postcards.

Duncan has written more than one hundred letters to date. Some of the soldiers write back and become pen pals. Some don't, which is to be expected. But all of them are extremely grateful to hear from someone back home who cares and takes the time to write. "Mail call" is the highlight of each day for many soldiers. For those who don't receive mail, it can be very disheartening. The letters volunteers write are an important contribution.

Duncan says it is easy and rewarding to participate in this program - and she can choose to receive as many or few names as she wants. All it takes is a little time and a small amount of postage to make a huge difference to a soldier overseas. Information is available on the website soldiersangels.org.

Janet, we are happy to welcome you to our volunteer family!