December 19, 2023

Ashley Koski, APRN, MSN, FNP-C, Joins Aspirus Ironwood

Please join us in welcoming Ashley Koski, APRN, MSN, FNP-C, to our excellent team of providers. She joins our Orthopedic team, including Dr. Daniel Lukes, DO; and Nurse Practitioner Meredith Caudill, NP-C, in providing the highest levels of orthopedic care for patients at Aspirus Ironwood.

Ashley is a board-certified nurse practitioner. She is originally from Ironwood. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Concordia University in Mequon, Wis., and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin in Green Bay. She is a Michigan- and Wisconsin-licensed registered nurse and family nurse practitioner.

Ashley is a familiar face at Aspirus and in the community, having worked as a nurse in the medical/surgical unit at Aspirus Ironwood and, most recently, at Marshfield Medical Center in Park Falls, Wis.

When you see Ashley, be sure to give her a warm Aspirus welcome.

Aspirus Keweenaw Expands Outpatient Therapy Services with New Occupational Therapist

We are thrilled to welcome Occupational Therapist (OT) Laura Polakowski to our excellent outpatient therapies team. As part of Aspirus’ ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive patient-centered care, Laura brings a wealth of experience and expertise to enhance outpatient therapy service. She is now seeing patients at Aspirus Outpatient Therapies in Houghton and Laurium.

An occupational therapist for eight years, Laura earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and her Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, Wis. She recently moved to the Keweenaw and is thrilled to be caring for people with the most individualized and compassionate care possible.

Aspirus Keweenaw Sunflower Award Winner: Heatther Hill

Congratulations to Heatther Hill, Certified Nursing Assistant, who was chosen as a recipient of the Aspirus Keweenaw Sunflower Award. The Sunflower Award is a recognition program at Aspirus Health specifically for support staff who demonstrate compassion, accountability, collaboration, foresight and joy in patient care. Support staff may be nominated by co-workers, patients and families.

Heatther was nominated by a co-worker who said: “Compassion, Collaboration, and Joy – Heatther is a CNA on MedSurg; she embodies compassion, collaboration and joy. I, and the rest of the MedSurg staff, are better nurses as we work alongside Heatther. Heatther goes above and beyond for her patients and fellow staff, helping, suggesting, offering assistance and collaboration to improve the stay and the outcome of our patients at AKH. Heatther does this with no regard for accolades, simply because she is devoted to AKH. Thank you, Heatther. We couldn't do it without you!"

The Sunflower Award allows a way to recognize support staff for the extraordinary care they deliver every day.

Please congratulate Heatther when you see her!

Patient's Family Thanks AKH

5 UP Team Members Complete Emerging Leaders Program

On December 6 & 7, Aspirus celebrated 34 team members from across the system who completed the Fall 2023 session of Aspirus Emerging Leaders, including the following UP team members:



• Stephanie Binz, AIW
• Shea Donnelly, AKH
• Lindsay Jeske, AIW
• Morgan Kari, AKH
• Janeen Rhyner, AIW

Aspirus Emerging Leaders is a leadership development program designed to provide additional learning opportunities for employees who are interested in becoming formal leaders throughout the organization. The program provides opportunities and challenges for those who desire advancement or want to have a better understanding of the skills needed to become an effective leader at Aspirus.

For the full list of Fall 2023 program participants, see the Dec. 19 system edition of Aspirus News Now.

Aspirus Joins OneUP Mind Trekkers Tour

Last week, Aspirus team members had the privilege to spend the day with over 800 area middle school students as part of the OneUP Mind Trekkers Tour.

Aspirus greeted students, shared information on career opportunities, and had hands-on learning with imaging and laboratory services.

A special thanks to Lindsay Jenson, Talent Delivery Partner; Melissa Loukus, Manager - Laboratory Services; and Morgan Kari, Imaging Technologist, for representing Aspirus Health and sharing your passion with the area's youth.

Emergency Preparedness Question Of The Week

What are the three factors that the Incident Commander will keep in mind when setting incident objectives?

When establishing incident objectives, the Incident Commander will keep in mind the following priorities:

• Life Safety
• Incident Stabilization
• Property Preservation

Aspirus in the News

Aspirus Medical Monday (partnership with WJMN TV3)

Kirk Klemme, MD, spoke to WJMN TV3 about fighting addiction during the holidays and how one can navigate this period and maintain recovery. Click here or the image below to watch the interview.

Aspirus Insights (partnership with WZMQ19 News)

Caitlin Bukovich, Fitness Coordinator, spoke to WZMQ19 and shared tips for staying healthy through the holidays. Click here or the image below to watch the interview.

Additional coverage:

• Finding joy amidst chaos (Wausau Pilot and Review)
• UP native joins Aspirus Ironwood (WZMQ 19)

Ironwood Community Celebrates Loved Ones at Tree Of Love Ceremony

The Ironwood community and Aspirus Ironwood staff celebrated loved ones during the Tree of Love Ceremony on December 4 at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital. The Aspirus Ironwood Hospital Auxiliary holds this heartwarming event to remember or honor a loved one. The proceeds from the event are used to support patient care at Aspirus Ironwood.

Welcome To Aspirus

Bobbi Jo Casey

Medical Lab Scientist

Aspirus Keweenaw

Cecelia Trevino

Physical Therapist Assistant

Aspirus Keweenaw

Help Our Team Grow

You can help our team grow by reviewing your personal and professional networks for prospective team members and refer candidates to our organization.

You could earn a referral bonus of $500 for any new employee that is hired. You can earn a referral bonus of $2500 for any new employee hired into one of the following positions: RNs, EMTs/Paramedics, Med Techs/MLTs, Phlebotomists, CNAs & CMAs, Respiratory Therapists and Surg Techs.

See the Employee Referral Bonus Program policy in PolicyStat for full details and the referral form. Visit aspirus.org/careers to view current career opportunities at Aspirus. If you know someone right for a position, let them know we'd love for them to join our team.

Visit careers.aspirus.org to view current career opportunities at Aspirus. If you know someone right for a position, let them know we'd love for them to join our team.

Employees Don Ugly Sweaters On National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

Holiday Fitness Tip

Stay active and energized!

The holiday season is upon us, and staying active can be a challenge. Here are quick fitness tips to keep you moving and energized during the festive season.

Short & Effective Workouts:

Busy schedules and holiday gatherings can make it tough to find time for lengthy workouts. Instead, focus on short, high-intensity workouts. Aim for 20-30 minutes of exercises that get your heart pumping and muscles working. This could include circuit training, HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training), or a quick jog.

Balance and Moderation:

Indulging in holiday treats is part of the fun, but balance is key. Enjoy your favorite festive foods in moderation and be mindful of portion sizes. Maintain a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.

Make it a Family Affair:

Involve your family and friends in your fitness routine. Plan active outings, like a winter hike, a friendly game of touch football, or a holiday dance-off. It's a great way to bond, share the holiday spirit, and stay active together.

Embrace Stress-Relieving Activities:

The holidays can be stressful, and exercise is a fantastic stress reliever. Incorporate activities like yoga or meditation into your routine to help manage stress levels. This can contribute to both your physical and mental well-being.

Stay Consistent:

Even if your routine is disrupted by holiday festivities, aim for consistency. Schedule your workouts like you would any other appointment and stick to them as much as possible. It will help you maintain your fitness momentum and feel more energized.

Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection:

Remember, the holidays are a time to celebrate, and perfection is not the goal. Focus on progress, not perfection. If you miss a workout or indulge in a treat, don't be too hard on yourself. Enjoy the holiday season and get back on track with your fitness routine when you can.

Listen to Your Body:

Pay attention to how your body feels. If you're tired, give yourself the gift of rest. Adequate rest is crucial for recovery and overall well-being. Listen to your body's cues and adjust your workout intensity accordingly.

Marketing And Communications Request

Do you need help with graphic design, website update, print, intranet, video or communication needs? There is an ONLINE FORM AVAILABLE ON THE INTRANET TO REQUEST SUPPORT FROM MARCOM. This request form should be used to request ANY marketing support.



It is crucial everyone needing Marcom support complete the marketing request form available on the Aspirus intranet. This is the most efficient way for Marcom to prioritize and manage projects and leverage the skills and experience of team members. It also helps ensure Marcom provides you the best possible service. 

Look for the Marketing, Communications, Graphic/Print Support link under “Service Requests” within the Work Tools & Resources menu.

Do You Know An Extraordinary Nurse?

The DAISY award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate care nurses provide for patients and families every day.

The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late-1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

Nurses may be nominated by patients, families and peers. The award recipient will be chosen by a committee at each business unit to receive the DAISY award. Awards will be presented throughout the year at celebrations attended by the honoree’s colleagues, administration, patients and visitors.  

Every day, Aspirus staff do amazing things for our patients, visitors and each other. Here are just a few examples randomly selected from the Rewards & Recognition section on the intranet.

You can recognize employees who go above and beyond by visiting the Rewards & Recognition site.

Upcoming Blood Drives

The Upper Peninsula Blood Center will be hosting blood drives at the following Aspirus Upper Peninsula locations:

Aspirus Keweenaw

Thursday, December 21 | 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Aspirus Ontonagon (Held at the Eagles Hall)

Wednesday, December 20 | 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Christmas Crunch

Ingredients

• 8 cups gluten-free puffcorn
• 2 cups gluten-free pretzels
• 1-1/2 cups peanuts
• 12oz bag gluten-free white chocolate chips
• 1 Tablespoon coconut or vegetable oil
• 11oz bag Holiday M&Ms
• Gluten-free holiday sprinkles

Instructions

1. Spread a couple sheets of parchment paper or wax paper on the countertop then set aside.
2. Add puffcorn, pretzels, and peanuts to a very large bowl – if you don't have an XL bowl, use two large bowls – then set aside.
3. Add chocolate chips and coconut oil to a medium-sized, microwave-safe bowl then microwave for 40 seconds and stir. Microwave for 30 seconds then stir. If chocolate chips aren't completely smooth, continue microwaving in 10 seconds increments, stirring between increments, until completely melted.
4. Drizzle chocolate over puffcorn mixture then gently fold with a spatula until everything is evenly coated. Spread mixture out onto prepared surface then sprinkle with M&Ms (may not use whole bag) and press gently so they adhere to the warm chocolate. Add sprinkles then let cool completely. Transfer to treat bags or an airtight container.

Want to Include Something in the Newsletter?

Do you have an announcement, event recap, certification or important news you'd like to include in the Upper Peninsula Regional Newsletter?

Please send it to Regional Communications and Community Engagement Lead, Jenn Jenich Laplander (Jennifer.Jenich-Laplander@aspirus.org) Please provide any items for the newsletter by end-of-day Thursday for use the following week.

• Aspirus Ironwood Auxiliary Nut Sale | December 18 & 19
• SISU Ski Fest | January 5 & 6

Aspirus Health's employee assistance partner offers mental and emotional support services for employees and their families. Click here for information.

Submit newsletter contributions by noon Thursday to Jennifer.Jenich-Laplander@aspirus.org.