December 19, 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.

Gina Sullivan, Medical Receptionist, Radiology Administration, Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Gina is a great resource and patient advocate in outpatient scheduling. She always goes above and beyond to see that patients are scheduled appropriately and within a timely manner. Often, these patients are in pain and anxious. Her gentle demeaner is calming and reassuring.

Chantelle Farnham, Sterile Processing Technician, Sterile Processing, Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Chantelle does a fantastic job with patient care. The time she takes and the love and compassion she shows with each patient warms my heart. Aspirus is lucky to have such a kind and loving employee! Thanks for choosing Riverview!

John Bergman, Facilities Landscaper & Groundskeeper, Maintenance, Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital

John has done a terrific job maintaining the ADS grounds this past year and creating beautiful arrangements in the planters across our campus. It has been a wonderful upgrade and has brought joy to the staff and patients we serve. Thanks for truly caring. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed.

Hong Zhou, Clinical Medical Physicist, Radiation Therapy, Aspirus Cancer Care-Stevens Point

Hong helped to finalize a patient's treatment plan so the patient could complete treatment in time to spend Christmas with their children. Your willingness to help out is very appreciated; and the patient was SO grateful. Thank you!

Peter Cravillion, Respiratory Care Practitioner, Respiratory Therapy, Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital 

Peter demonstrated the value of collaboration with a patient we shared. Peter took the time to educate the patient on the nebulizers they were discharged with and the importance of wearing bipap and O2 to help prevent future hospitalizations, thereby improving health in our community.

Amy Meyer, Radiology Technologist-Clinic, Aspirus Doctors Clinic

Amy went above and beyond, helping a patient become more comfortable during their visit to our walk-in clinic. She is always looking for a way to help accommodate patients and make their time here a positive experience.

What Our Patients are Saying

Excerpts from recent NRC patient satisfaction surveys

Because We Love

Jillian Ashbeck, APNP, Aspirus Doctors Clinic

Jill is an amazing NP. She is kind, thorough, and makes sure you understand what she just explained. She always listens to and addresses my concerns. I feel comfortable discussing any problem with her and do not feel judged. She makes sure orders are in and prescriptions are sent as she discusses them, so you aren't left waiting for them to get in. I am very happy with my experience each time I see her. Highly recommend.


Outpatient Surgery Team, Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Jen was absolutely WONDERFUL getting me ready and explaining things before surgery. Dr. Gaccetta came in and talked and was just as FABULOUS!!! I wanted to take them both home with me! LOL


Dr. Rebecca England, OB/GYN, Aspirus Portage Clinic

I traveled 2 hours and 40 minutes to see Dr. Rebecca England, and I'm so glad I did. Dr. England is amazing, knowledgeable, and compassionate. She took the time to explain my condition and gave me options. She answered all my questions in great detail. I had anxiety having surgery because I don't handle pain meds well. She explained how she could help me and is willing to do research in helping me with my concerns. She went above and beyond to ease my anxiety. I left knowing I could trust her because she showed she genuinely cares. I would definitely make the trip again to see her. She is the best! The doctor and everyone in the office was extremely kind, helpful, and professional.


Maria (Noel) Ehmann, APNP, Aspirus Stevens Point Clinic-Hoover Road

I really like APNP Noel Ehmann. She is kind and listens and encourages instead of lectures. She takes seriously what I tell her and reassures me when it might be something small, but always lets me know that if I want to find out more about an issue, she'll help me. I like that. I also like how you keep track of procedures and appointments I may need and accommodate scheduling. Also, the reminders are incredibly helpful. My husband and I also like the Aspirus portal app thingy (MyAspirus). It's good, once you get onto it. 


Julie Kessler, AuD, Audiology, Aspirus Wisconsin Rapids Clinic

Julie Kessler was an absolutely wonderful provider, the best we have ever had through the Aspirus network. She was very knowledgeable, extremely patient, very compassionate, and I just can't say enough good things about her. I'm speaking for my dad, and he also said it was such a pleasure. He's actually willing to get hearing aids, when he was quite reticent to even come in. You need to hire more people like her. She and her staff, including, I believe, Ashley, were absolutely fabulous. Prompt, able to get an appointment, able to get an early appointment due to a certain circumstance we had, which meant we needed to get in sooner, very accommodating, very thorough. Please, please, please. They deserve more than a 10. They deserve a 50.

Patient Safety Tip

Sticker or tape residue on walls or equipment; paper signs hanging in departments

Tips

Why: During Environment of Care Rounds and Joint Commission Tracers, many areas have paper signs that are soiled and peeling, or sticker residue. 

 

Content: Sticker residue on surfaces and peeling tape can harbor bacteria. Paper signs that become soiled from environmental factors can also harbor bacteria. These bacteria can cause an environmental risk of infection to our patients and staff. 


Reference: EC.02.06.1 EP1 & IC.02.01.01 EP1


Call to Action: Any signs hanging in work areas should be wipeable. They should be laminated or in a plastic shield that can be cleaned. Any surface that contains sticker residue should be cleaned to remove the residue. Any peeling stickers, tape, or signs should be replaced (so they are not peeling) or removed, leaving a clean surface. Only use double-sided tape or command strips to hang signs. Do not use medical tape.


Questions?  

ARH - Alex Jaye, Environment of Care & Emergency Management Projects Administrator

ASP - Amanda Walloch, Director Quality Improvement

ADS - Annie Allen, Director Quality Improvement

ARH - Vicki Peshek, Director Quality Improvement

South Division News

Holiday Meal at Aspirus Divine Savior December 14

Ali Hackbart Recognized for Good Catch

Congrats to Ali Hackbart, Peri-operative Nurse Educator with Aspirus Divine Savior's PACU. Ali was recently presented with the Good Catch Award.


A patient was scheduled for a laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. While reviewing the patient's chart, Ali realized they had only one kidney, and that it was lower than the typical location. Ali notified the physician, and the surgery was changed from a laparoscopic procedure to an open inguinal hernia repair to prevent damage to the patient's kidney.


Great job taking care of our patients, Ali!

Meet Our New South Division Team Members

* Denotes Contract Staff

Molly Thill

Laboratory Assistant

Laboratory

Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital

Sherry Schnelle

Environmental Services Aide

Housekeeping

Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital

Jesse Carroll*

Certified Nursing Assistant

Aspirus Tivoli Community

Southeast Division News

Sharing the Holiday Spirit

Holiday Meal at Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital December 15

Holiday Meal at Aspirus Plover Hospital December 12

Meet Our New Southeast Division Team Members

Anthony Anderson

Nutrition & Food

Services Assistant

Nutritional Services

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Ashlynn Kawlewski

Registered Nurse

PACU

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Welcome

Azelin Arnone-Clark

Medical Receptionist

Therapy

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Brianna Fredrickson

Surgical Tech Intern

Operating Room

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Community Blood Drive December 29

Southwest Division News

Enjoying the Holidays Together

Holiday Meal at Aspirus Riverview Hospital December 13

Holiday Meal at Aspirus Doctors Clinic December 14

Meet Our New Southwest Division Team Members

Abigail Herzberg

Certified Nursing Assistant

Med Surg

Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Brittany Wandsnider

Laboratory Assistant

Laboratory

Aspirus Doctors Clinic

Caitlin Casey

Nurse Technician I

Birthplace

Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Celina Stillman

Nurse Technician I

Birthplace

Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Jasmine King

EVS Specialist

Environmental Services

Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Kaylah Hudson

Laboratory Assistant

Laboratory

Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Lily Mickoleski

Dietary Assistant

Food Services

Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Savanna Newbury

Radiologic

Technologist Assistant

Radiology

Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Welcome

Perfect Stocking Stuffer

Parents of babies born at Aspirus Riverview Hospital are taking home some very special stocking stuffers this holiday season.

 

For the 34th year, babies born in the hospital’s birthplace during the holiday season are going home in newborn-sized homemade stockings.


The Gamma Phi Sorority sisters are proud to continue their longstanding tradition of designing and creating the stockings. This year's design features Santa Claus.


Photo: Nestled comfortably in her stocking is Kennedy Jean Parrish-Heckendorf. Kennedy was born at Aspirus Riverview Family Birthplace on December 15. She is the daughter of Dustin Parrish and Courtney Heckendorf of Watertown.

Jodi Kuhlka Honored for Great Catch

Kudos to Jodi Kuhlka, Registered Nurse with Aspirus Riverview Hospital's Recovery Room. Jodi is our most recent winner of the Good Catch Award.


Jodi noticed an order for Vancomycin 1gm (intrarticular) preop. This is not a normal order, as this patient didn't have any allergies to any antibiotics and also had Ancef ordered. 


While admitting this patient, Jodi recognized the strange order and collaborated with her co-workers. They did not administer the Vanco (which was ordered erroneously and was supposed to be given in the OR). The surgeon's assistant was made aware of the issue to help prevent it from happening again.


Great catch, Jodi!

Gift Bags for Cancer Patients

Patients of Aspirus Cancer Care-Wisconsin Rapids are being treated to some holiday pampering, courtesy of three area Mary Kay consultants.


Michele Antinoja, Stephanie Vela and Janine Malcolm (pictured left to right) recently delivered nearly 200 gift bags. The bags are filled with Mary Kay skincare products and were sponsored by area individuals and businesses.


Accepting the gift bags on behalf of our cancer center patients are (right to left) Rebecca Brown, Megan Koch and Janel Sabatke.

Grateful Mom Shares Kudos on Facebook

Chuck Lamb

Greeter

Aspirus Doctors Clinic

Growth

Volunteer Opportunities


Our hospitals are always welcoming new volunteers.


If you know anyone with a big heart and a little time, please send them our way! Click here to learn more.

Value of the Week - Accountability

We commit to our work, recognize our power to make a difference,

and embrace the responsibility to advocate for each person we serve.


Behavior of the Week

We care intensely about Aspirus' success, because our communities need us.

Bob Smith

President, Southeast WI Division


Brian Kief

President, South & Southwest WI Divisions

Click here to submit a story and/or photo to the South WI Region Aspirus News Now. Submissions received by Friday will be considered for the following Tuesday's edition.
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