Karen Taeger Named Aspirus Ontonagon DAISY Award Winner | |
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Congratulations to Karen Taeger, RN, who was chosen as the most recent winner of the Aspirus Ontonagon DAISY Award. The DAISY (Diseases Attacking Immune System) Award is an international recognition program that honors and celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide daily. As a reminder, patients and their families submit nominations for this award.
Karen was nominated by a patient who stated Karen is "always two steps ahead of me knowing what I need. She always makes time. You might think she has other things she needs to do or finish, but she doesn't look at it that way. She makes you feel just as important."
The AOH DAISY Award recognizes the super-human efforts nurses perform every day. These nurses, like Karen, exceed the needs and expectations of patients and families by displaying our core values: Compassion, Accountability, Collaboration, Foresight and Joy.
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Mike Loukus Promoted to Manager - Nutrition & Food Service | |
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Mike Loukus accepted the dual role of Manager - Nutrition & Food Service and Supervisor - Environmental Services effective June 12, 2022.
Mike joined Aspirus September 27, 2021, initially serving as the Supervisor - Environmental Services. Most recently he provided interim leadership support to the AKH Dietary Department since February 21, 2022.
Mike brings over 20 years of managerial experience to Aspirus, and managed food service areas at Houghton Wal-Mart from 2012-2021.
Mike will have direct management and be responsible for oversight of daily operations of the food service department and continue direct supervision of our environmental services team.
Mike holds a ServSafe Manager Certification from the National Registry of Food Safety Professionals. This certificate verifies Mike successfully passed an exam and is certified in food safety knowledge and protocol.
Mike will report to Matt Krause, Chief Administrative Officer, with a matrix report to Bob Bennetts, Manager - Facilities.
When you see Mike, please congratulate him on his new role.
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Great Aspirus Turnout for Bridgefest Return | |
More than 100 Aspirus employees and their families turned out for the 2022 Bridgefest Parade on Friday, June 17. The weekend-long celebration was previously on hiatus due to COVID -19, but Aspirus did not disappoint with another great turnout now that the celebration is back. Special thanks to the Copper Country Clown Band for providing musical entertainment and everyone for showing how proud you are to represent Aspirus! | |
Aspirus Honored as Presenting Sponsor of the Thatcher Markham Memorial Run | |
Aspirus Health is the proud presenting sponsor of the Thatcher Markham 5k run/walk. Thatcher's family and our community tragically lost Thatcher at 12 years old as a victim of the 2018 Father's Day flood in northern Houghton County. Over 200 individuals participated this year, running through downtown Hancock and Houghton and over the Portage Lake Life Bridge. On Friday, prior to the race start, Aspirus Health was honored with a token of appreciation from Thatcher's family and Ryan Towles, race director. | |
National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month | |
Aspirus' Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program continues | |
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Fruits and vegetables provide a variety of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and fiber – while remaining naturally low in calories, fat and sodium. In addition, they lower your risk of developing certain chronic diseases and help you maintain a healthy weight. Whether you fancy a market or just grow the fruits and veggies at home, enjoy any combination of these delectable delights to kick off your summer right.
Weekly farmer’s markets throughout the Upper Peninsula are starting to open. Here are a few of the markets located throughout the region:
- Houghton | Tuesday | 4 - 7 p.m.
- Hancock | Thursday | 3 - 6 p.m.
- Calumet | Saturday | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Chassell | Wednesday | 4 - 7 p.m.
- Lake Linden | Friday | 4 - 7 p.m.
- Gogebic County | Friday | 4 - 6:30 p.m.
- Gogebic County | Tuesday | 4 - 6:30 p.m.
- Iron County, Wis. | Wednesday | 3 - 6 p.m.
- Iron County, Wis. | Saturday | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
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Lake Trout Classic a Great Success | |
Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital & Clinics is proud to be the major sponsor of the Ontonagon Lake Trout Classic Fishing Tournament & Fish Fry held May 20-22, 2022. On Tuesday, June 14, a donation in the amount of $9,375.44 raised from the events was made to the Ontonagon County Cancer Association. | |
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Picture from left: J.R. Richardson, Aspirus Regional Board of Directors; Ontonagon Trustee
Larry Greig, Ontonagon Lake Trout Classic Coordinator; Kelsie Preiss, Ontonagon County Cancer Association Representative; and Pam Karttunen, Aspirus Ontonagon Executive Assistant.
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Lisa Kipina
Registered Nurse
Aspirus Keweenaw
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Lisa Faulds
Medical Laboratory Technician
Aspirus Keweenaw
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Melissa Hiltunen
Medical Receptionist
Aspirus Keweenaw
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Kelsey Fink
Registered Nurse
Aspirus Keweenaw
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Kristina Kamrad
Registered Nurse
Aspirus Keweenaw
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Kaisa Chrestensen
Registered Nurse
Aspirus Keweenaw
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Angel Marie
Breed/Type: Calico
Age: 16.5 years
Human: Nancy Ponozzo, Director of Nursing, Aspirus Iron River & Aspirus Ontonagon
Perfect Day: Angel Marie starts her day off with “num num,” which is moist cat food (has to have gravy). She sleeps most of the day, expects treats when Nancy gets home from work, and totally loves cuddling with her humans. She actually talks to her humans and uses different sounds depending on what her wishes are. “Num num” cry is the loudest.
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Patient Experience Spotlight | |
Remember the power of empathy in your encounters with co-workers, patients and their family members! | |
Don’t just take time to imagine that other person’s perspective; show them that you hear them and you see them, and that you genuinely care about who they are. | |
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.
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Jenna Simbob
Licensed Practical Nurse
Aspirus Iron River
Thank you for working with Kristen and Heather to manage the colonoscopy patients who are being scheduled for surgery with Dr. Fanous.
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Myles Rowe
Exercise Physiologist
Aspirus Ironwood
Myles canceled his PTO day in order to see Device Clinic patients who would've otherwise had to be re-scheduled (until who knows when). This is unfortunate that it came to that. Myles should be recognized for going well above and beyond to make sure patients are seen in a timely manner and safe.
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Ryan Greenley
Manager - Regional Pharmacy
Aspirus Keweenaw
Ryan is always willing to offer our pharmacy staff support in so many ways! Specifically, in July, Ryan is going above and beyond by helping us cover quite a few staffing shifts, which will help out our pharmacists immeasurably. Thank you, Ryan, for being a team player!
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Derek Beaudry
Radiology Technologist
Aspirus Ontonagon
Thank you for taking on the workload of the entire department today (6/9/22). I appreciate all your hard work & think you're doing an amazing job.
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Emerging Leaders is Back! | |
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The Aspirus Emerging Leaders program returns after a hiatus due to COVID-19. Interested employees can apply for the program between June 15-30.
Aspirus Emerging Leaders is a leadership development program designed to provide additional learning opportunities for employees who have a desire and the potential to become formal or informal leaders within Aspirus.
While completing Aspirus Emerging Leaders is not a guarantee of a promotion now or in the future, participants can gain valuable experience and skills that can help you in your career.
Additional details are available on the Aspirus intranet. Look for the homepage banner or the program link under the “Life & Career” menu. The online application is accessible from this page.
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Aspirus Medical Monday (partnership with WJMN TV3) | |
Aspirus Registered Dietitian Rachelle McPherson spoke to WJMN TV3 about National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month and why it's important to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet each day. Click here or on the image below to watch the interview. | |
Northstar Employee Assistance Program | |
Aspirus Health's employee assistance partner offers mental and emotional support services for employees and their families. Click here for information.
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Chris Harff
President, UP Region
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