November 7, 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.

Beth Kitowski, Physical Therapist, Therapy, Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Beth ~ Thank you for working in an extra occupational health therapy appointment this week without hesitation. The patient drove a far distance and was so thankful she didn't have to come back on a different day. Thank you for your kindness and compassion.

Benjamin Grosse, Paramedic-Critical Care, MedEvac, Aspirus Divine Savior 

Ben came over to check on the ED during a busy day and offered to take out laundry and garbage to help ED staff! Thank you, Ben, for your willingness to help the ED during busy times without having to be asked!

Megan Munro, Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit, Aspirus Riverview

Megan recognized that I was very busy with two patients, an admit, and a student, and jumped in to help without being asked. Megan is always helpful and supportive and exemplifies the value of collaboration. We are so lucky to have her on our team.

Tessa Sanders, Registered Nurse, Emergency, Aspirus Plover Hospital

Thank you so much for noticing that the walk-in was busy and helping out for a big chunk of the day. I know the medic appreciated having a buddy and felt a little less alone over there! Thank you.

Andrew Larson, Physical Therapist, Therapy, Aspirus Divine Savior Wellness Center

From a patient: "I wanted to share the great experience I had in the physical therapy department. Every staff member I worked with was top notch. Andrew was my primary one. His ability to inspire me to work hard on my rotator surgery rehab got me to my goal in just 14 weeks.

What Our Patients are Saying

Excerpts from recent NRC patient satisfaction surveys

Dr. Joseph Mueller, Orthopedics & X-ray, Aspirus Divine Savior

Rylie, the x-ray tech, was very good at her job. She explained everything she was taking an x-ray of. Very pleasant. Dr. Mueller was very polite and easy to talk to. Explained things that I could understand. Gave me some options for the pain in my knee. Very knowledgeable about his profession.

Dr. Sean Cashin, General Surgery, Aspirus Doctors Clinic

It was great. Friendly and helpful staff, all of them. General surgeon, Dr. Cashin was awesome, friendly, caring. Also, Wisconsin Rapids Aspirus Walk-In was awesome. My wound couldn't wait for a wound doctor, so Dr. Cashin got me in to see him that day. He's arranged to get a wound vac and fix me up in a timely manner. I am going to change my primary doctor to Rapids clinic, if possible.

Kay Czerwinski, APNP, Internal Medicine, Aspirus Stevens Point Clinic-Illinois Avenue

Kay continues to listen to everything I have to say and everything I have questions about. She continues to give me confidence in my health, as well as my family's health. She never makes me feel dumb. She gives me her full attention, listening then formulating a plan together with me.

Dr. Jill Pogorelec & Team, Family Medicine, Aspirus Divine Savior

Dr. Jill and her team are amazing. She does a really good job of explaining everything and coming up with a plan to keep me in top health. I can't say enough good things about her. Great people!

Dr. Cheston Price, Family Medicine, Aspirus Nekoosa Clinic

I have been given a lot of recommendations for Dr. Price. I've waited a while to see him, and all I can say is he was thorough, kind, he listened well, he explained completely, and he's already helped me on my first visit. So, I would totally recommend him; and I very much appreciate him and look forward to our relationship developing. Everyone in the office made me feel comfortable and welcome.

Emergency Team, Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

They are always great with my child. She is epileptic, and they are very caring and understanding of her, us, and the situation as a whole when we come in due to her seizures. The doctors, nurses, and staff are amazing.

Patient Safety Tip

Treatment, Payment or Healthcare Operations (TPO)

Why: Protecting patient information is a responsibility we all share. Even a scenario that seem harmless can be considered a privacy breach that requires further evaluation.

The Aspirus Compliance Team actively reviews activity within our electronic medical record (EMR) to safeguard our patients’ personal information and identify opportunities for educating our team members.

What to Know

Question: Is it ok to access patient lists in another area or department (i.e., ED TrackerBoard)? I occasionally work in other areas and want to see how busy they are right now. Is this appropriate?

Answer: Although some may feel this is “work-related” (anticipating services, anticipating that the patient “might” be transferred to your area), it is not appropriate to be accessing, viewing, or clicking through a patient list if you are not able to substantiate a work-related reason. A work-related reason is circumstances in which covered entities are allowed to disclose or access a patient’s protected health information without obtaining a patient authorization. If you are not able to support a treatment, payment or healthcare operations (TPO) reason, this is not a work-related reason and would be subject to review for a possible HIPAA law violation.

Questions?

If you are observing any possible violation of protected health information, please report it to your Compliance Department via SafetyZone, the Compliance Helpline at 800-450-2339, or contact Compliance directly at compliance@aspirus.org or at extension 72166.

Aspirus Athletic Trainers Provide Medical Coverage at

State Cross Country Meet

Great job to our Aspirus athletic trainers, who – along with UW-Stevens Point athletic training students – provided medical coverage at the state cross country meet in Wisconsin Rapids on October 28.

Pictured (from left): Brenden Canterbury UWSP; Colin Barker, Aspirus Divine Savior; Connor McKee, UWSP; Megan Stankowski, Aspirus Wausau; Aaron Bestul, Aspirus Stevens Point; Caitlin Kravick, UWSP; Nicole Slovensky, Aspirus Riverview; and Alissa Pikka, Aspirus Stevens Point.

Meet Our New South Division Team Members

* Denotes Contract Staff

Amy Bartels*

Mammographer Technologist

Breast Health Center

Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital

Denise Sweeting*

Resident Assistant

Aspirus Divine Savior

Tivoli Assisted Living

Jacqueline Benson*

Registered Nurse

Birthing Center

Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital

Jaime Vareka

Manager-Clinic

Aspirus Divine Savior

Clinic Administration

Nadiya Kirchmeier

Registered Nurse

Emergency

Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital

Dillon Via, PA-C, Earns Accountability Award

The Aspirus Office of Medical Education (OME) recognizes collaboration and contributions made by Aspirus physicians and advanced practice clinicians (APCs) as clinical teachers for medical students and advance practice clinician students.

This is the fifth year that OME has recognized these efforts throughout the Aspirus system.

This year’s Accountability Award goes to Dillon Via, Physician Assistant with our Aspirus Divine Savior emergency department.

As a clinical teacher, Dillon demonstrates the ability to make a difference in others’ lives, is a strong advocate for his students, commits to delivering feedback, and ensures knowledge transfer.

Below are submissions by students of Dillon.

“Dillon is an excellent and encouraging preceptor.” ~ PA Student

“Dillon was a wonderful preceptor and teacher. He has a vast knowledge of common concerns seen in the emergency department and helped me to develop a process by which to evaluate these patients." ~ PA Student

Congratulations, Dillon!

So Cute It's Scary!

Best Halloween treat ever: This adorable photo of our Aspirus Divine Savior Child Care gang.

The children enjoyed their costume parade and trick or treating in many of our departments. Thank you to everyone who helped make their day special!

Tricky Treats

Our creative Aspirus Divine Savior dietary team went all out for Halloween with these and more amazing spooky treats. Thank you for the JOY you brought us!

Shrunken Head Punch

Mummy Dogs

Spooky Spaghetti

Helping Our Neighbors by Supporting United Way

We are excited to be able to support our local Portage Area United Way through the Aspirus Divine Savior fundraising campaign. Our donations help United Way fund vital local charities, including:

• River Haven Homeless Shelter
• Habitat for Humanity
• Aging and Disability Resource Center
• Hope House for victims of domestic violence
• Harbor Recovery Center
• Portage Library Foundation
• Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County
• Many others! 

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

Fresh-Baked Cookie Sale

• Monday, November 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the hospital front entrance
• 1 cookie = $1; 6 cookies = $5; 1 dozen cookies = $10
• Flavors: chocolate chip, carnival, double chocolate
• Cash or check

“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

You may have heard the saying, “Many hands make light work.” 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. I am asking for your help in fulfilling our mission to heal people, promote health and strengthen communities through your support of this year’s United Way campaign. Thank you for caring so much.

With much gratitude,

Brian Kief, President, Southwest & South WI Divisions

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.

Meet Our New Southeast Division Team Members

Aziyah Venable

Environmental Services Aide

Environmental Services

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Tina Eastling

Nutrition & Food Services Assistant

Nutritional Services

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Garding Against Cancer Donates to Help Our Cancer Patients

Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Coach Greg Gard's foundation, Garding Against Cancer, donated $20,000 to Aspirus Health Foundation to help our local cancer patients. The donation was presented at half court during the Badgers' game against UW-Stevens Point in Madison on November 1.

Garding Against Cancer was founded by Coach Gard and his wife, Michelle, in honor of Coach Gard's father, who passed away in 2015 from brain cancer. Garding Against Cancer also donated $20,000 each to Marshfield Clinic Health System Foundation and Family Health La Clinica.

Accepting the Garding Against Cancer donation on behalf of Aspirus are (from left): Lauri Kluck, Beth Junemann, Beth Sekerka, Nancy Roth-Mallek, Michelle Gard (Coach Gard's wife), Rebecca Schmid, Nicole Christian, Tracy Haupt, Carrie Penovich and Jessica Fox.

Aspirus Dietitian Shares Tips for Healthier Holiday Meals

Ashley Chrisinger, Registered Dietitian with Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital, recently shared some tips with WAOW TV on how to create healthy, yet festive holiday meals.

Ashley noted, "The holidays are definitely a time to celebrate with food and to enjoy eating. Be the one to bring the vegetable dish. Be the one to make sure our green veggies are covered. Compliment people on things they can control, such as their stylish sweater or lovely hairstyle, rather than making remarks about their weight. The holidays are a time to celebrate and enjoy food, and indulgence is perfectly acceptable. However, there's no need to feel pressured into overindulging.”

Wear Jeans to Support United Way

Our Remaining Jeans Days:

Thursdays: November 9, 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

Meet Our New Southwest Division Team Members

Anna Mathias

Linen Specialist

Laundry

Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Lindsay Robel

Registered Nurse

Operating Room

Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Michelle Jenner

Registered Nurse

Med Surg

Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Mary Cismoski Recognized for Great Catch

Congratulations to Mary Cismoski, RN, Aspirus Cancer Care-Wisconsin Rapids, and winner of our Aspirus Riverview Good Catch Award.

Mary was reviewing a patient's chemotherapy plan prior to administration. She noted that the plan entered into Epic was different than the guideline that was referenced and what the physician had documented. She was able to review it with the provider to get the plan updated so the patient received the correct treatment. 

Mary's catch is a great example of using the STAR tool (Stop, Think, Act, Review). Awesome job, Mary!

Presenting the Good Catch Award to Mary is Janel Sabatke, Supervisor-Clinic Nurses, Aspirus Cancer Care-Wisconsin Rapids.

"Dr. Decay" Made Visiting the Dentist Fun

Aspirus Riverview Dental Clinic patients were treated last week to Halloween games, pumpkin decorating, "touch if you dare" boxes, treats, and prizes.

Thank you to Austin Capelle for creating this special experience for our dental clinic patients. Austin is a psychology student at UW-Stevens Point and the son of Rhonda Bravick, Dental Hygienist (shown here).

"Dr. Decay" and all the fun activities Austin organized were part of a semester-long class project to do something that benefits the community.

Adams Clinic Team Treats Area Kids

Members of our Aspirus Adams Clinic team shared treats and provider business cards with the 500-600 families who attended "Trunk or Treat" at the Adams County Fairgrounds on October 27.

Shown here are (from left) Maura Warrington, Kristie Melvin, Sabrina Baumgart and Nikki Cavanaugh. They were joined by our little fox, Koji. Thank you for being great ambassadors of Aspirus and your clinic!

Aspirus Riverview Gift Shop to Reopen November 13

Sharing Our Bounty with Our Neighbors in Need

Last Chance to Attend a Town Hall Meeting

Can't Get to a Town Hall Meeting?

No worries, you can watch the recording of our November 1 Town Hall.

Donor Block Recognizes Post Ops Team

A donor block was added to Aspirus Riverview Foundation's donor wall on November 3.

The block recognizes a gift in memory of Amy VanWyhe, who passed away just a day earlier. It reads, "Dedicated to the compassionate Post Ops Staff."

In a note, Amy's mother, Judith Jensen, wrote that Amy "wanted you guys to see this when you have had a tough day, so you would remember the loving difference you have made in others' lives."

Gathered recently to place Amy's donor block on Aspirus Riverview Foundation's donor wall were (from left): Carrie Smith, Mikayla Schwerzel, Felicia Kaufman, Lisa Lindstrom, Judith Jensen (Amy's mother), Katie Inhof and Jenna Bord.

Gratitude Shared on Facebook

The following complimentary message was posted on the Positively Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin Facebook page, a group with nearly 5,000 followers. Great job to everyone involved with this patient's care and experience!

Wear Jeans & Positive Shirts to Support United Way

Our Remaining Jeans Days:

Thursdays: November 9, 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

Bob Smith

President, Southeast WI Division

Brian Kief

President, South & Southwest WI Divisions