March 26, 2024

Positive Patient Comments
Green Team Tip of the Week

Aspirus Ironwood Welcomes Klaus Kutschke, MD, FACS

Please join us in welcoming Klaus Kutschke, MD, FACS, to our excellent team of medical providers. He joins Dr. Enrico Braucher in bringing the highest levels of comprehensive surgical care for patients at Aspirus Ironwood.


Dr. Kutschke specializes in all aspects of general surgery, from treating critical illnesses to advising patients on outpatient surgical options. His special interests include anti reflux surgery, thyroid, endoscopies, hernia repair, breast surgery, reflux (TIF), soft tissue repair and laparoscopic procedures. He completed his General Surgery residency at Michigan State University in Grand Rapids, Mich., and completed his medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio, in Toledo, Ohio.


Prior to joining Aspirus Health, Dr. Kutschke was a general surgeon at Marshfield Medical Center - Minocqua in Minocqua, Wis.


Dr. Kutschke is very familiar with the Ironwood community. He has family who live in the area and has spent a lot of time here. His interests outside of work include spending time with family, snow sports, helping maintain a horse ranch and stables, bicycle and motorcycle riding, hiking and looking for cool rocks on the beach.

Attention Siblings: Share Your Photos

There is a special bond between brothers and sisters. National Siblings Day is April 10, and we’d like to celebrate the siblings who work throughout our Aspirus Health system. We are seeking photos of siblings who currently work at Aspirus for showcasing on our social media channels.

 

Needed:

  • A high-resolution photo of you and your sibling(s) (preferably taken at work) that meets our photography guidelines.

 

Submit to: socialmedia@aspirus.org

 

Deadline: Monday, April 8

Welcome to Aspirus

Patrece King

Surgical Technologist

Aspirus Ironwood

Eden Tusa

Licensed Practical Nurse

Aspirus Iron River

Incredible Resilience & Compassion

As Women’s Health Month continues, we’re reminded of the incredible resilience and compassion shown by the women of Aspirus Health. Join us in honoring their commitment to health care excellence.

 

Click the image to watch the second in our series of Women’s History Month videos.

Volunteer Opportunities


Aspirus Keweenaw, Iron River and Ironwood are always welcoming new volunteers. If you or someone you know is interested, please direct them to the Volunteer Liaison at each location.


Learn more here!

Emergency Preparedness Tip Of The Week

Important

Which Hospital Incident Command Officer position provides internal and external communications?

 

The Public Information Officer plays a key role in all communications both internally and externally in the Emergency Preparedness plan.

 

The Public Information Officer does the following when activated during an Incident Command Alert:

  • Determines, according to direction from the Incident Commander, any limits on information released.
  • Develops accurate, accessible, and timely information for use in press/media and employee briefings.
  • Obtains approval from Incident Command on any news releases.
  • Conducts periodic media briefings.
  • Makes information about the incident available to staff through announcing Message Alert and informing staff to read their Outlook mail.
  • Participates in Planning meetings.
  • Implements methods to monitor rumor control.
  • Works with the Joint Information Center (JIC) when there are multiple agencies or Emergency Operations centers established. 

Aspirus in the News

Aspirus Medical Monday (partnership with WJMN TV3)

Taylor Douglas, OD, Optometrist, spoke to WJMN TV3 about the importance of eye safety and protection at all workplaces during Workplace Eye Wellness Month. Click here or the image below to watch the interview.

Aspirus Insights (partnership with WZMQ19 News)

Suzanna Severson, RDN, Registered Dietitian, spoke to WZMQ19 about health advice for National Nutrition Month®. Click here or the image below to watch the interview. 

Iron Area Health Foundation awards mini grant to Aspirus Iron River (Iron County Reporter)

Help Our Team Grow

Growth

You can help our team grow by reviewing your personal and professional networks for prospective team members and refer candidates to our organization.

 

You could earn a referral bonus of $500 for any new employee that is hired. You can earn a referral bonus of $2500 for any new employee hired into one of the following positions: RN, EMT/Paramedic, Med Tech/MLT, Phlebotomist, CNA, CMA, Physical Therapist, Respiratory Therapist, Imaging, and Surg Tech.

 

See the Employee Referral Bonus Program policy in PolicyStat for full details and the referral form.

 

Visit careers.aspirus.org to view current career opportunities at Aspirus. If you know someone right for a position, let them know we'd love for them to join our team.

Nominate Your Co-Workers

Nominate a Co-Worker!
Nominate a Co-Worker!

Fitness Tip

Tips for getting your kids active

Tips

Getting your kids active with you can be a fun and rewarding experience for the whole family. Here are some fitness tips to encourage physical activity together:


Lead by Example. Children often emulate their parents' behavior. If they see you being active and enjoying it, they're more likely to follow suit.

 

Make it Fun. Choose activities that your kids enjoy. It could be playing tag, riding bikes, hiking, swimming, or even just dancing around the living room. The key is to make it enjoyable for them.

 

Set Realistic Goals. Set achievable fitness goals for your family, such as completing a certain number of laps at the pool or hiking to a particular landmark. Celebrate achievements together to keep everyone motivated.

 

Be Creative. Mix things up to keep it interesting. Create obstacle courses in the backyard, have a scavenger hunt in the park, or try out different sports together.

 

Limit Screen Time. Encourage physical activity by setting limits on screen time. Instead of spending hours in front of the TV or playing video games, encourage outdoor play or active indoor games.

 

Involve Them in Planning. Let your kids have a say in choosing activities and planning outings. When they feel involved, they'll be more enthusiastic about participating.

 

Make it a Routine. Schedule regular family fitness time just like any other activity. Consistency helps establish healthy habits.

 

Use Rewards. Offer positive reinforcement for participation and effort. It could be something as simple as praise, stickers, or a special outing as a reward for reaching certain milestones.

 

Encourage Friendly Competition. Organize friendly competitions within the family, like relay races or mini sports tournaments. Keep it lighthearted and focus on participation rather than winning.

 

Emphasize Safety. Always prioritize safety during physical activities. Make sure everyone wears appropriate gear, such as helmets for biking or pads for skating, and teach your kids about proper form and technique to prevent injuries.

 

Explore Nature Together. Take advantage of outdoor spaces like parks, beaches, or trails for family outings. Nature offers endless opportunities for physical activity and exploration.

 

Be Supportive and Patient. Every child is different, so be patient and supportive as they develop their fitness abilities. Encourage them to try new activities without pressure or judgment.

Marketing & Communications Requests

Do you need help with graphic design, website update, print, intranet, video or communication needs? There is an ONLINE FORM AVAILABLE ON THE INTRANET TO REQUEST SUPPORT FROM MARCOM. This request form should be used to request ANY marketing support.



It is crucial everyone needing Marcom support complete the marketing request form available on the Aspirus intranet. This is the most efficient way for Marcom to prioritize and manage projects and leverage the skills and experience of team members. It also helps ensure Marcom provides you the best possible service. 

 

Look for the Marketing, Communications, Graphic/Print Support link under “Service Requests” within the Work Tools & Resources menu.

Because We Love, We Lead

Every day, Aspirus staff do amazing things for our patients, visitors and each other. Here are just a few examples randomly selected from the Rewards & Recognition section on the intranet.

 

You can recognize employees who go above and beyond by visiting the Rewards & Recognition site.

Because We Love

Erin Goriesky

Phlebotomist

Aspirus Iron River



Thank you, Erin, for spending the weekend organizing our supply area. It is very much appreciated and makes doing inventory so much easier while ensuring we are good stewards of our supplies!

Gabrielle Kivi

Certified Medical Assistant

Aspirus Ironwood



Thank you for your ideas and help with setting up a sample exam room. It is a great start on getting all of the exam rooms to be the same, which will make it easier when covering for each other.

Melissa Loukus

Manager - Laboratory Services

Aspirus Keweenaw



Kudos to you for another successful lab survey. It was a long, stressful day, but you handled it all extremely well. A few minor fixes, but overall, a huge success! Thank you for all that you do! Your attention to detail, vast knowledge and hard work shined through during the survey.

Olivia Harris

Radiology Technologist

Aspirus Ontonagon



Congratulations and thank you for your hard work and dedication to patient care in the recent passing of ACR certification in Mammography at AOH. This is no easy task and you completed it successfully. Thank you for working diligently to complete all tasks; I am very impressed!

Bunny Bark

Ingredients


  • 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
  • 8 ounces white chocolate, coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup assorted Easter candies (crushed robin eggs, pastel M&Ms, pastel sprinkles, etc.)



Instructions

  1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
  2. Melt the semi-sweet chocolate. Use a double boiler or microwave. If using the microwave, stop and stir the chocolate every 20 seconds to help avoid seizing. Pour onto prepared baking sheet and spread out into a large rectangle. Set in the refrigerator to chill for 20 minutes or until no longer wet-looking.
  3. During this time, melt the white chocolate and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before pouring on top of the cold bottom layer. (The high heat on the cold bottom layer may prevent the two layers from sticking together.) Spread the white chocolate into an even layer on top, then decorate with candies.
  4. Allow the bark to set at room temperature in a cool, dry environment this usually takes around 45 minutes. If needed, you can stick it in the refrigerator to help speed things up. Once hardened, break into pieces as large or as small as you want.

Want to Include Something in the Newsletter?

Do you have an announcement, event recap, certification or important news you'd like to include in the Upper Peninsula Regional Newsletter?

 

Please send it to Regional Communications and Community Engagement Lead Jenn Jenich-Laplander (Jennifer.Jenich-Laplander@aspirus.org). Provide any items for the newsletter by end-of-day Thursday for use the following week.

Be in the Know
Events & Information

MSU Extension - New Year Healthy Lifestyle Choices Ironwood

Northstar Employee Assistance Program

Aspirus Health's employee assistance partner offers mental and emotional support services for employees and their families. Click here for information.

Chris Harff

President, MI Region

Submit newsletter contributions by noon Thursday to Jennifer.Jenich-Laplander@aspirus.org.

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