November 14, 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.

Virginia Reichert, Nutrition & Food Services Assistant, Nutritional Services, Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Virginia made sure that the cold food portion of Meals on Wheels was completed by getting things packed up the day of, when we were short product on the normal production day. She gladly did what needed to be done for the recipients. Thank you for flexing your schedule to get the job done!

Jasmine Pierce, Dietary Aide, Food Services, Aspirus Riverview Hospital

I was able to witness Jasmine assist an elderly customer with the utmost patience and kindness. She was managing the outward-facing cafeteria tasks single-handedly, yet was still able to assist with respect and compassion, and made it appear stress-free. Well done!

Melissa Wolff, Medical Receptionist, Aspirus Portage Clinic

Melissa ~ Thank you for taking such great notes when our patients or staff from facilities call in. It greatly improves our turnaround time with our patients, and I know our patients appreciate experiencing this nice flow of communication from one team member to the next so we can help them best!

Sammi Mattson, Central Therapy Insurance Specialist, Therapy, Aspirus Divine Savior Wellness Center

Sammi doesn't provide direct patient care, but she's alert to patients' needs. Recently a patient with vertigo was having difficulties walking. She noticed, helped him to his car, and checked to make sure that he had a plan for getting home safely. Her quiet compassion is inspiring.

Amber Olson, Laboratory Assistant II, Laboratory, Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Thank you for staying with a patient whose ride wasn't here until after 5pm and wheeled her to the ED entrance to get picked up. This was greatly appreciated by Beth and the patient. Way to go, Amber; you are a great part of our team!!! Thank you!

Amy Gagas, Medical Assistant, Aspirus Plover Clinic-Vern Holmes Drive

Shout out to Amy for helping the ED registration staff when a patient got sick, and she helped with cleaning up. ACCOUNTABILITY!

What Our Patients are Saying

Excerpts from recent NRC patient satisfaction surveys

Aspirus Plover Clinic Walk-In

They were very, very friendly, caring, knowledgeable. It was the fastest, best service I have ever had. Great people there who really care. I would rather go there than any place else. I have never been treated so good and cared for like that anywhere else, ever. Thank you to them all.

Cody Brunet, APNP, Family Medicine, Aspirus Divine Savior

Cody was so friendly and thorough! He provided choices for my healing and reinforced to contact him or Dr. Kreckman if I needed more support. It was definitely a team who supported my visit to the clinic – from the receptionist, nurse, nurse practitioner.

Aspirus Cancer Care-Wisconsin Rapids

I am beyond grateful to have Aspirus in our community to manage my medical needs. They have really been outstanding in every way. I continue to be so grateful for the excellent care that has been provided to me since I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in July. Dr. Lattuada, Nurse Marilyn, Nurse Mary (who gave me my infusion), and all the staff who make up the treatment team are, quite simply, outstanding. I can't thank them enough for their outstanding care and kindness during this difficult time in my life.

Kaycie Berhorst, Occupational Therapy, Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Kaycie is wonderful. She is very knowledgeable and lets me know what she is doing and makes sure I am comfortable. So fortunate to have someone who is experienced in working with breast cancer patients. She is giving me hope beyond the diagnosis of cancer that I can return to my normal life pain-free.

Patient Safety Tip

Christmas Tree Decorations

Why: The NFPA reports that every year over 770 home fires are caused by holiday decorations. That is why there are so many codes for health care facilities. Let’s celebrate the holidays safely!

Content: 

• Live Christmas trees are not allowed in health care.
• Artificial Christmas trees must be labeled by the manufacturer as certified flame retardant. If you are plugging a tree into an outlet, do not have the cord become a trip hazard. (Extension cords are prohibited.)
• Potted plants are allowed. However, straw, hay, dried cornstalks, and cut greenery (evergreen wreaths, etc.) are not allowed. If using outdoors, do not place these items too close to the outside walls of the building.
• Combustible decorations are NOT allowed.

Call to Action: Only place non-flammable/fire-retardant decorations that do not create a hazard or interfere with the building's fire-suppression system.

Questions?

Alexander Jaye, Environment of Care & Emergency Management Projects Administrator

Aspirus South WI Region

Office: 715.423.6060, ext. 29933

Survey Says...We Deserve Ice Cream!

Thank you to everyone who completed our most recent employee engagement survey. Aspirus Divine Savior exceeded our participation goal of 70 percent!

In appreciation for the time you took to share your thoughts, we enjoyed ice cream sundaes/treats on November 7.

Your input will continue to help us enhance our operations, processes, care, service, and employee satisfaction.

Ali Hackbart is Our Aspirus South Division DAISY Winner

Congratulations to Ali Hackbart, Perioperative Nurse Educator with Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital's PACU. Ali is the winner of our Aspirus South Division's quarterly DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

Ali was nominated by a colleague, who wrote: Ali has gone above and beyond for a patient not once but twice. The patient has a prior brain injury and doesn't always understand information given to them or forgets things they were told about directions, times, etc. On top of that, the patient does not always get great phone service so is difficult to get ahold of. Before each of the patient's surgeries and pre-operative visits with the primary care provider, Ali has contacted me with the patient's surgery arrival time and instructions – even if it's a week ahead – and assured me that the patient's arrival time won't change so the information can be given to them at the appointment in the PCP's office. For the most recent surgery, Ali had even typed up an easy-to-read/understand instruction sheet for the patient, highlighted the most important parts, and hand-delivered it to my desk to give to the patient to ensure everything went smoothly with surgery. The patient was extremely thankful for being given the instructions and time at the appointment and was able to have all questions answered without playing phone tag. Ali has consistently gone out of her way to make contact with the PCP's office about patients with upcoming surgeries if there are any questions/concerns or messages needing to be given to the patient; but with this particular patient, she recognized the patient's difficulty with processing of information and went above and beyond! 

The DAISY Award recognizes the outstanding and extraordinary care nurses provide every day. Our DAISY Award winners and nominees exceed the needs and expectations of patients and families by displaying the Aspirus core values of Compassion, Accountability, Collaboration, Foresight and Joy.

Congratulations as well to our other quarterly Aspirus Divine Savior DAISY nominees:

Jessica Hinton ~ Corryne Sailer ~ Katrina Roeckers ~ Cassidy Winter

Mary Leathers ~ Kaylie Weaver ~ Jennifer Weismueller

Meet Our New South Division Team Members

* Denotes Contract Staff

Annette Pratt*

Registered Nurse

Birthing Center

Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital

Kera Haase*

Registered Nurse

Birthing Center

Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital

Pardeeville Students Visit to Learn about Healthcare Careers

Thank you to everyone who helped host the students from Pardeeville High School last week. They spent time in Imaging, EMS and Rehab, learning about various healthcare careers and participating in some fun, hands-on activities.

Helping Our Neighbors by Supporting United Way

Even the smallest of donations from our many hands can truly make a difference in helping those in most need in our communities. Please be assured that our Aspirus Divine Savior United Way donations will be kept local to support our local community needs.

Jeans/Favorite Sports Team Attire Days

• Thursdays through November 22 ~ Purchase stickers for $5 each at the hospital front desk

Raffle Tickets for Recognition Points

• Drawing for 8 winners of 20,000 Reward & Recognition Points! Points can be used to purchase a variety of items
• Purchase tickets at the hospital front desk for $5 each, or $20 for 5 tickets

“Round Up” to Support the United Way

• A United Way donation jar is in our cafeteria so you can “round up” by making a donation of spare change from your purchase

You may also donate directly by clicking on the following link and selecting the United Way location of your choice (Portage Area United Way, for example). Every $10 donation equals one entry into a drawing for five $25 Amazon gift cards.

https://www.secure.unitedwaymc.org/crm/Start.jsp

Login = email address

Password = employee ID

United Way Cookie Sale Raises $775

Thank you to everyone who supported our United Way cookie sale on November 13. We raised $775 for the Portage Area United Way!

Get Your Gifts & Décor at Our Gift Shop Holiday Sale

Spread the Word!

Help us spread the word about this great sale by clicking on the image and printing/posting wherever you go.

Watch the Town Hall Recording

If you weren't able to catch any of our recent Aspirus South Division town hall meetings, no worries. You can watch the recording!

"Chef Dave" is also "Coach Dave"

A big shout out to our own David Hayes (“Chef Dave”), Food Service Coordinator with Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital. He has taken the lead on a project to reduce our food purchasing costs without sacrificing quality and nutritional value.

Chef Dave has spent significant time learning how to use the data and tools available through Sysco (our primary food supplier) and Vizient (a purchasing organization) to ensure we maximize rebates and other cost-saving opportunities. He has also stepped up to share what he has learned with his peers throughout the Aspirus system and continues to coach them as needed.

Chef Dave says that by purchasing “on contract” items, our Aspirus system qualified for $113,000 in food purchasing rebates last year. He is optimistic that his peers who comprise Aspirus’ nutrition services system functional team will continue to implement the tools, tips, and tricks he has shared with them so we can qualify for the maximum rebates available.

Chef Dave’s leadership on this project is putting TEAMWORK and ACCOUNTABILITY to work to help control the cost of care for our patients.

Meet Our New Southeast Division Team Member

* Denotes Contract Staff

Gay Dominise*

Registered Nurse

Intensive Care Unit

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Todd Foltz Wins High 5 Award

Congratulations to Aspirus Plover Hospital's most recent High 5 Award winner, Todd Foltz, Greeter.

Todd was selected for the honor for being an amazing example of showing COMPASSION to each patient he serves, for always being ACCOUNTABLE for the important role he plays on campus, for COLLABORATION with the entire team to ensure patient safety is our #1 priority, for always demonstrating FORESIGHT when it comes to assisting patients, and for bringing JOY to campus each day with his positive attitude and infectious optimism.

The High 5 Award is an award for support staff, similar to the Aspirus Sunflower Award (and will eventually be transitioned to the Sunflower Award).

Who Will Win this Year's SOUP-PER Trophy?!

Survey Says...Yogurt for All!

Thank you to everyone who completed our most recent employee engagement survey. Our Aspirus Southeast Division surpassed our participation goal of 80 percent, so we are celebrating!

Your input will continue to help us enhance our operations, processes, care, service, and employee satisfaction.

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Yogurt Parfait Bar

Wednesday, November 15

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Archangel Café

Leaders will deliver to non-hospital locations.

Aspirus Plover Hospital

Yogurt Cups (Various Flavors)

Wednesday, November 15

Leaders will Deliver to Departments

Staff not working November 15 will find their yogurt cup in the refrigerator of the 2nd floor breakroom.

Wear Jeans to Support United Way

Our Remaining Jeans Days:

Thursday: November 16

Wednesday, November 22

Stickers are $5 per jeans day.

Buy your stickers from Hillary Shroda at

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital or Gail Oninski at Aspirus Plover Hospital & Clinic.

Cash or Check

Payable to United Way of Portage County

Southwest Division News

Aspirus Riverview Gift Shop is Now Open

Meet Our New Southwest Division Team Members

Jason Ballard

EVS Specialist

Environmental Services

Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Suzanne Jackson

Laboratory Assistant

Laboratory

Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Hunter Munro

Maintenance Mechanic

Plant Operations

Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Sharing Our Bounty with Our Neighbors in Need

Lights of Love are Now on Sale

Tree Lighting Ceremony is November 28

Watch the Town Hall Recording

If you weren't able to catch any of our recent Aspirus Southwest Division town hall meetings, no worries. You can watch the recording!

Wear Jeans & Positive Shirts to Support United Way

Our Remaining Jeans Days:

Thursday: November 16

Wednesday, November 22

Stickers are $5 per jeans day.

Buy your stickers at the

Aspirus Riverview Hospital main lobby desk

or from Stefanie Horn at Aspirus Doctors Clinic.

Cash or Check

Payable to United Way of South Wood & Adams Counties

Click on the image to view/print the flyer. If you have any questions about the t-shirt fundraiser, please reach out to jacqueline.kitowski@wrps.net.

Community Blood Drives November 21 & 27

Bob Smith

President, Southeast WI Division

Brian Kief

President, South & Southwest WI Divisions