December 12, 2023

Passion for excellence. Compassion for people.

Every day, we show compassion for our patients, their loved ones, and one another. Below are a few recent examples from our intranet's Recognition Wall. To recognize a co-worker or view more staff recognitions, click here.

Eva Hintz, Certified Nursing Assistant, Med Surg, Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Thank you for spending almost an hour with me, detangling our patient's hair who had been here for awhile. I couldn't have done it without you! I know he looked and felt much better afterwards! Your compassion definitely shows when I work with you! ❤

Ronnie Bebber, EVS Specialist, Housekeeping, Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital

Ronnie is a great addition to our team. He gets right to work and is willing to be flexible with where he needs to be daily. Your willingness to move all over helps us tremendously!

Kris Janicki, Maintenance Mechanic III, Plant Operations, Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Thank you, Kris, for your hard work in our department – working on our steamer and garbage disposal, installing our new ice/water machine, and many other things! We appreciate you and your accountability. I also appreciate how you communicate with me what is going on. You're awesome!

Julie Barge, Advance Care Planning Coordinator, Advanced Care Planning, Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Even though we work at different locations, Julie has been a great help to me as a new member of the team. She's always available by phone or email, but also willing to use Webex to show me how to do something. She made me feel welcome before I started, and I'm glad to have her as a fellow team member.

Dawn Schwebach, Medical Receptionist, Aspirus Riverview Clinic-Wisconsin Rapids

Thank you for always noticing if a patient can benefit from having labs drawn at a location closer to home, avoiding driving further two days in a row. Patients are always so happy to be given this option.

Tracy Drengberg, Environmental Services Aide, Environmental Services, Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital 

Thank you, Tracy, for making our department shine!!! We know we aren't the cleanest people in the hospital, but we all appreciate you going above and beyond to clean our department!! Not only do you clean up blood, vomit, and urine, but you also clean up our coffee spills and donut crumbs!! THANK YOU!

What Our Patients are Saying

Excerpts from recent NRC patient satisfaction surveys

Dr. Andrew Weiss, OB/GYN & Team, Aspirus Stevens Point Clinic-Illinois Avenue

I can't say enough positive things about my experience with Dr. Weiss and the entire staff. From the moment I walked in, they made me feel welcome and cared for. Dr. Weiss' expertise and the staff's dedication to my comfort and well-being truly made a difference in my overall experience. Thank you all for the exceptional care!

Carrie Diehn, FNP-BC, APNP, Aspirus Riverview Clinic-Wisconsin Rapids

Carrie Diehn is the best I have ever been to. She spends time with you, explains everything thoroughly, and tries to find a solution to whatever problem you might have. I definitely would recommend her to any of my family and do not really want to go to anyone else but her. She's awesome. I found everyone there very accommodating and helpful and just there for you. At a time that I really needed someone to talk to, they were all there for me and very encouraging and helpful. I definitely look forward to seeing them again.

Dr. Daniel Gutmann & Emergency Department Team, Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital

The care I received at the Aspirus emergency room was quick and thorough. Everything was explained to me along the process (check-in, initial exam, treatment, x-rays, and doctor's final instructions). I was very pleased with my care.

Dr. Amy Falk, Pediatrics, Aspirus Doctors Clinic

Dr. Falk is a tremendous blessing to the children (and families) in our community. She cares for my daughter with a level of clinical skill and intellect that surpasses expectations, and with kindness and compassion that is genuine. I have implicit trust and confidence in Dr. Falk as my daughter's pediatrician, and that comfort means the world to any parent.

Dr. Lisa Mironovich, Family Medicine, Aspirus Portage Clinic

Dr. Mironovich is a rare gem. She is easy to talk to and listens to my concerns. She explains everything clearly and concisely. I've always been treated well as Aspirus Divine Savior's clinic and hospital. Very caring people work there.

Dr. Ryan Beighton & Outpatient Surgery Team, Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

This is my first procedure at Aspirus Hospital. I can't say enough good about the entire staff. My husband had a procedure earlier this year and felt the same way. Kudos to everyone!

Patient Safety Tip

Commingling of Patient Care Supplies

Why: Commingling of employee supplies and patient supplies is an infection control risk.

Content: A common finding during Environment of Care rounds is commingling of employee and patient supplies. When space is limited in exam rooms, patient rooms, etc., a common solution is to store our own employee supplies (such as snacks, water bottles, clip boards, and references) in the same cabinet or drawer as patient care supplies (such as gauze, IVs, syringes, tape, etc.). Because we do not ensure disinfection of our employee supplies, they cannot be commingled with patient supplies, as it could lead to contamination of the product, leading to an infection.

Call to Action: Ensure separation of employee supplies and patient supplies.

Questions?

Vicki Peshek, Director – Quality Improvement Vicki.Peshek@aspirus.org

Annie Allen, Director – Quality Improvement Annie.Allen@aspirus.org

Amanda Walloch, Director – Quality Improvement Amanda.Walloch@aspirus.org

Meet Our New South Division Team Members

*Denotes Contract Staff

Brigitte Plata Pacheco

Child Care Teacher

Daycare

Aspirus Divine Savior

Wellness Center

Gail Benz

Medical Receptionist

Aspirus Portage Clinic

Shaquita Beal*

Registered Nurse

Birthing Center

Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital

“Cookie Scholars” Sale is December 14

Our December flavors are chocolate chip, carnival M&M, macadamia nut, salted caramel chocolate chunk, oatmeal cranberry, and double chocolate brownie.

Pre-orders are available up to one day prior to the sale. Order forms are available at the hospital’s main reception desk or by clicking the button below. Pre-orders may be paid for and picked up at the Divine Boutique gift shop.

Shop This Week's Divine Boutique "Red Sale"

Meet Our New Southeast Division Team Members

*Denotes Contract Staff

Kimberly Schield-Conradt

Registered Nurse-Clinic

Aspirus Stevens Point Clinic-Illinois Avenue

Todd Cisewski

Courier

Supply Chain

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Travis Mroz

Maintenance Mechanic

Maintenance

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Kailei Mlodik

Surgical Tech Intern

Operating Room

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Lindsey Toldness

Director - Clinics

Clinic Administration

Aspirus Stevens Point

Hospital & Clinics

Stacey Nelson*

CT Scan Technologist

Aspirus Plover Clinic-

Vern Holmes Drive

Southeast Team Makes Wishes Come True

Our Aspirus Southeast Division team hosted "A Christmas Wish" for the Portage County Foster Care Program on December 9. This awesome group (plus a multitude of support elves) made wishes come true for 39 foster children and their foster families.

The guests were treated to games, snacks and gifts; decorated cookies and ornaments; read Christmas stories; and met Santa and Mrs. Claus. In addition, raffles of donated items/experiences raised $767, which the Portage County Foster Care Program can spend on items that foster children need when settling in with their foster families.

Thank you to all the elves who made this special day a reality by generously giving their time and donations. A special thank you to Krystal Lane-Meshak and Malinda Krutza for coordinating the event.

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital Hosts WHA Leader

Our Southeast team recently hosted Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) Senior Vice President of Workforce and Clinical Practice Ann Zenk.

On December 11, Ann toured the hospital and talked with our representatives about our strategies for addressing rural health challenges; our student recruitment efforts, including our nurse tech program; our patient recruitment challenges and efforts; how we are using technology, including our virtual patient care monitoring; how we are striving to create patient-centric processes from appointment scheduling through payment; WHA's work to reduce licensing delays; their efforts to discourage lawmakers from approving proposed, redundant transparency legislation; and WHA's new healthcare career recruitment ad campaign titled wihealthcarecareers.com.

WHA advocates for its members, including Aspirus Health, to influence health policy that supports high quality, affordable, and accessible care for Wisconsin communities. Thank you to everyone who participated in hosting Ann's visit.

Southwest Division News

Meet Our New Southwest Division Team Members

Marissa Buck

Radiologic

Technologist Assistant

Radiology

Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Jalynn Piller

Nurse Technician II

Med Surg

Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Johanna Martinez

Surgical Tech Intern

Operating Room

Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Stevie Stacy

Certified Nursing Assistant

Med Surg

Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Two Construction Projects Begin

The gastroenterology (GI) and pharmacy construction projects are underway at Aspirus Riverview Hospital. Both projects began December 11, and both are scheduled for completion in June 2024.

GI: We are building nine new prep/recovery rooms and three new GI procedure rooms in our former emergency department. The rendering above illustrates the future GI nurse station.

Pharmacy: We are relocating our inpatient pharmacy to our former critical care unit on the second floor of the main medical building. This project will provide more space for our pharmacy team and includes many features to enhance efficiency.

Community Blood Drives December 18 & 19

There's Still Time to Order Your Kindness Shirt

All orders due by January 5

Toy Drive Continues thru January 1

Bob Smith

President, Southeast WI Division

Brian Kief

President, South & Southwest WI Divisions