September 26, 2023

Because we love, we lead.

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.

Dawn Slattery, Nursing, Aspirus Doctors Clinic

A patient became ill while on vacation, so was scheduled for testing out of town. Dawn spent a lot of time trying to work the patient in here with special imaging, possible pathology, etc., in an earlier timeframe. Dawn went above and beyond to help this patient and their family. Thank you!

Carrie Butt, Emergency, Aspirus Plover Hospital

Carrie ~ Thank you again for taking over the EMT schedule. I know it's more responsibility; but I just knew you would do a fantastic job. You are really a top-notch EMT and employee. Our team is lucky to have you!

Annabelle Hoffman, Med/Surg, Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Annabelle recognized that a patient needed immediate assistance due to shortness of breath and called the nurse in immediately. Because of her foresight, the patient's flash pulmonary edema was recognized and treated. Thank you for your excellent judgement! You will do well in your career!

Jessica Schaefer, Aspirus Behavioral Health-Stevens Point-Wilshire Blvd.

Jessica ~ Thank you for the excellent collaboration you have had with the different staff who work referrals. I have heard multiple compliments on how flexible and easy you are to work with from the team of individuals who work referrals. We are so glad you joined Aspirus!

Amber Olson, Laboratory, Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Thank you for staying late to draw a patient so he didn't have to return for labs! Great work!!

Ellie Borchardt, Laboratory, Aspirus Plover Clinic-Vern Holmes Drive

Ellie was so helpful and pleasant when I came to her with a possible lab machine error that impacted a patient I was seeing. I am appreciative of her quick action and closed-loop communication.

What Our Patients are Saying

Excerpts from recent NRC patient satisfaction surveys

Dr. Elizabeth Mellott, OB/GYN, Aspirus Doctors Clinic, Aspirus Plover Clinic-Vern Holmes Drive & Aspirus Riverview Clinic-WI Rapids

Dr. Mellott was super nice and very comforting. She made me feel very comfortable asking questions. She explained everything really well. Going to a GYN is already awkward as it is. She made it a lot less awkward.

Dr. Chirasakdi Ratanawong, Urology, Aspirus Stevens Point Clinic-Illinois Avenue

Dr. Ratanawong is a very compassionate doctor. He always takes time to explain my diagnosis and wants to make sure I understand what he is telling me. I rarely see this with other providers.

Dr. Jared Scherr, Podiatry, Aspirus Plover Clinic-Vern Holmes Drive

Dr. Scherr is very friendly and very thorough. I look forward to following up with him, as my problem with my heel has improved already. Will definitely recommend him to others.

Dr. Michael Thielman, Otolaryngology, Aspirus Stevens Point Clinic-Illinois Avenue

Staff/physician went above and beyond, squeezing me into the schedule even though I had shown up at the wrong location. Thank you! Physician addressed my reason for the visit with compassion and clarity. Excellent 'bedside' manner.

Patient Safety Tip

Biomedical Equipment

What: Biomedical equipment is required to be inspected, tested and maintained.

Why: We are required to promote a safe, functional and supportive environment within the hospital and clinics so that quality and safety are preserved.

Call to Action:

1. Ensure all biomedical equipment has an Aspirus biomed inventory tag before using. This indicates the equipment has been inspected and approved for use.
2. Do not use biomedical equipment if the PM tag indicates the equipment is overdue for preventative maintenance.
3. Call 715-847-2858 to place a biomed service request for any discrepancies with these stickers.

Questions?

Brian Heroux, Supervisor - Biomed, South Region bheroux@renovo1.com

Aspirus Supports Wonderful Water Run

Aspirus is proud to support the 2023 Wonderful Water Run in Stevens Point on October 8.

The event raises awareness and support for the protection of Central Wisconsin's groundwater and encourages healthy activity.

Meet Our New Southeast Division Team Members

Amber Pierce

Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Therapy

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Austin Stankowski

Registration Coordinator

Patient Access-Registration

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Emily Nemitz

Certified Nursing Assistant

Med/Surg

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Justin Harper

Pathologist Assistant

Surgical Pathology

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Madeline Kaehn

Registration Coordinator

Patient Access-Registration

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital Hosts WHA & Senator Testin

On September 18, Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital hosted the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) member meeting with Wisconsin State Senator Pat Testin (R-Stevens Point).

The WHA members shared their insight with Senator Testin on a variety of topics, including the many challenges currently facing hospitals and health systems, as well as price transparency regulations.

In the state senate, Senator Testin represents Portage County and portions of Adams, Jackson, Waushara and Wood counties.

Aspirus Southeast Division Kicks Off United Way Campaign

A Message from Bob Smith, President, Aspirus Southeast WI Division

I suspect we have all heard the phrase, “The greatest reward in life is when we give a gift to someone else.”

A way for each of us to experience that feeling is when we give annually to United Way. That giving can be monetary or giving of your talents and time to help support a local project or group. What is so special about United Way is that nearly all the funds stay local and impact the very people we live with, work alongside, and/or care for each day.

United Way of Portage County is one of the most efficiently run United Way organizations in the country. Greater than 95% of the funds given are put back into the community. As a member of the United Way of Portage County's board, I get to see all of the fabulous things we all do for people in our community!

Take a moment to look at our United Way website and check out some of the fliers posted in our hospitals and clinics... see all of the people we touch when we give. At a time when our community needs us more than ever, please consider the opportunity of feeling the greatest reward one can receive… giving a gift to another!

Note: The activities below are our Southeast Division campaign activities. Many of our Aspirus business units have United Way campaigns. Each that does have a campaign has its own committee and activities to support its local United Way(s).

Birth Center to Host Pregnancy Expo September 27

Cookie Sale Supports Local Mental Health Services

Thank you to Brian Michelkamp and family for organizing the first "Cookies for a Cause" event in Portage County.

The $6,000 raised was donated to the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin to support mental health and suicide awareness at Aspirus' Portage County hospitals.

Southwest Division News

Matt Malooly Wins Good Catch Award

Hats off to Matt Malooly, Pharmacist and winner of our most recent Aspirus Riverview Good Catch Award.

Matt retrospectively reviewed multiple medications that were restarted overnight from an inaccurate home med list and recognized several errors. Diligence on his part corrected them with the hospitalist before any were administered to the patient.

The Good Catch Award is based upon a commitment to High Reliability Principles for Safety to bring awareness to situations when an employee's or physician's actions prevented harm to those we care for.

Meet Our New Southwest Division Team Member

Bianca Grover

EVS Specialist

Environmental Services

Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Infant Loss Memorial Service is October 7

Adult Diabetes Support Group to Meet October 10

Congrats on Your Retirement, Ron!

Best wishes to Ron Reese, Maintenance Mechanic II with Aspirus Riverview's Plant Operations Department. After 17 years with us, Ron will be retiring on October 2.

Everyone is invited to stop by and wish Ron a happy retirement at a gathering on October 2, from 1 to 2 p.m., in Conference Room C on the hospital's lower level.

We all wish you a long, happy and healthy retirement, Ron!

Aspirus Southwest Division Kicks Off United Way Campaign

A Message from Brian Kief, President, Aspirus South & Southwest WI Divisions

I am so excited about this year’s United Way Campaign. I have personally supported the United Way for more than 25 years and was first introduced to it when my mom was the United Way campaign chair in my hometown when I was in high school.

The Aspirus Riverview team also has a long tradition of helping our neighbors in need by giving to the United Way. Last year, we raised $21,137. Let's see if we can surpass that total this year!

I encourage you to join in, have some fun, and make a difference along the way.

Note: The activities below are our Southwest Division campaign activities. Many of our Aspirus business units have United Way campaigns. Each that does has its own committee and activities to support its local United Way(s).

Wear Denim to Support Our Local United Way

Aspirus Riverview Hospital & Clinics is participating in United Way of South Wood & Adams Counties' community-wide denim day on Friday, October 6.

For $5, you may purchase a sticker to wear denim on October 6. Stickers are available at the hospital's main lobby reception desk and with Ronda Alft at Aspirus Doctors Clinic. You can pay with cash or a check payable to United Way of South Wood & Adams Counties.

Thank you for helping our neighbors in need!

Show Off Your Photography Skills

Photographers: Aspirus Riverview's surgery team invites you to beautify its department by entering its photo contest. Here are the details:

• Seeking scenic photos of our community
• Deadline is October 31, 2023
• Submit your high-resolution photo files via email to Tami.Barber@aspirus.org

The surgery department team hopes to select approximately 15 photos to print and frame for display in its patient, consult, procedure and waiting rooms, courtesy of an Aspirus Riverview Foundation grant.

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.