November 15, 2022

This rock was recently spotted in the landscaping at Aspirus Riverview Hospital. What a nice reminder that there are people out there thinking about our patients and wishing them well!

Passion for Excellence. Compassion for People.

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

Brenda Week, Respiratory Therapy, Aspirus Plover Hospital  

Thank you for educating our Med Surg patients so well on all things respiratory. You are always an excellent patient advocate!

Zoe Peters, Med Surg, Aspirus Plover Hospital 

Thank you, Zoe, for being so quick to assist the nurses with any and all tasks. I appreciate your ability to be a team player. Thank you for showing compassion. I appreciate you!

Susan Sperl, Environmental Services, Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Susan is very efficient and goes out of her way to make sure our area is clean. She does her job very well. She even vacuumed when we asked her even though she was tight on schedule. She took all the garbage and a large mat that needed to be thrown away. True compassion! Awesome! Thank you!

Kimberly Scheunemann, Physical Therapy, Aspirus Riverview Therapies   

Thanks to Kim for all the extra work she has done for the last two weeks while I was gone for jury duty. She handled all the details of rearranging patients, squeezing them into her schedule, working through her lunch, and staying late. I appreciate all her help!

Amy Dinga, Nutritional Services, Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital 

Amy found a report in the room service program that we can print to be delivered with the patient's tray. Some patients with diabetes want the number of carbohydrate grams ordered (vs going by the carb units shown on menu) for better blood sugar control. Thank you, Amy!

Rhody Przekurat, Quality Services, Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital  

Rhody ~ I want to thank you for your incredible compassion you show our patients each and every day. It is obvious they have trust in you, especially when they want to talk to you for 1+ hours on the phone. Thank you for showing them patience, courtesy, and respect... and also sometimes just attention!

Aspirus Sponsors Yoga 4 Paws Fundraiser

Aspirus is pleased to be a sponsor of Yoga 4 Paws in Stevens Point.

100 percent of the proceeds from this fundraiser benefit the Humane Society of Portage County.

A $30 donation includes a Yoga 4 Paws t-shirt and participation in the yoga class on Sunday, December 11, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the SentryWorld Atrium.

Register online by December 4 to guarantee a

t-shirt printed in your size. 

Southeast Division News

Patient Safety Tip

Sharps Disposal Containers

Proper safety practices are vital when disposing of sharps. Improper disposal practices can create safety risks and lead to accidental needle sticks, which may cause serious infections.

• Do not place garbage cans under a sharps container, as a sharp may inadvertently be tossed into the garbage can instead of the sharps container.

• Do not fill a sharps container more than three-quarters (¾) full. The sharps container displays where to not fill above the line to ensure that no sharps splurge out of the container.

• Make sure the sharps disposal container is upright and stable for use. If located on a countertop, it should sit in a base to ensure stability.

Submitted by Amanda Walloch, Director of Quality Improvement

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital & Aspirus Plover Hospital

Southwest Division News

Welcome to Our New Southwest Division Employees

Jaden Lambert

EVS Specialist

Environmental Services

Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Shelly Anderson

Laboratory Assistant II

Laboratory

Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Lights of Love Tree Lighting is November 17

The 21st annual Lights of Love tree lighting ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 17. The Lights of Love tree is on the north side of Aspirus Riverview Hospital, directly across from the emergency entrance.

Rather than gathering in person, this year’s ceremony will take place via live radio broadcast on WFHR 1320 AM/97.5 FM, enabling everyone to listen from the comfort of their home or vehicle. WFHR will begin its broadcast at 4:30 p.m. Those who wish to gather near the tree or watch the tree lighting from their vehicle in the Aspirus Riverview Hospital parking lot (Lot 4) are welcome to do so.

A community tradition since 2001, Lights of Love celebrates our loved ones through the purchase of lights in their memory or honor. All proceeds are used by Aspirus Riverview Foundation to support initiatives focused on our community’s greatest health needs, including substance abuse, behavioral health, food systems and cancer.

For $3 each, anyone may purchase a Light of Love. There are also opportunities to donate $25 (silver level) or $100+ (gold level) in memory or honor of someone special.

Lights of Love may be purchased year-round and shine throughout the holiday season. Order forms are available at aspirus.org/aspirus-riverview-foundation-events, in the rack next to the foundation's donor wall in the hospital lobby, or by leaving a message with the Aspirus Riverview Foundation at 715.421.7488.

Thank you to everyone who is able to give a little to help a lot.

Thank you also to:

Maggie Rendmeister for her annual leadership of the food drive;

Project SEARCH for creating the flier and collecting and distributing the boxes;

and Plant Operations (in advance) for delivery of the collected food.

Bob Smith

President, Southeast WI Division

Brian Kief

President, South & Southwest WI Divisions

Submit newsletter contributions by noon on Thursdays to Stephanie.Dray@aspirus.org.