November 21, 2023

9 Aspirus Hospitals Recognized for Performance Leadership

Includes Aspirus Keweenaw, Iron River, and Ontonagon

As part of National Rural Health Day, Aspirus is proud to announce that nine of our hospitals were recognized with 2023 Performance Leadership Awards for excellence in the categories of Quality, Outcomes, and Patient Perspective.

The Performance Leadership Awards are compiled by the Chartis Center for Rural Health to determine top quartile performance (i.e., 75th percentile or above) among rural hospitals. 

Patient Thanks Aspirus Keweenaw

Patient Thanks Aspirus Ontonagon

Welcome to Aspirus

Bryce Edyvean

Pharmacy Technician

Aspirus Ironwood

Terri Backus

Certified Medical Assisant

Aspirus Ironwood

Piersan Williams

Physical Therapist

Aspirus Ironwood

John Dube

Manager - Surgical Services

Aspirus Keweenaw

Nichole Lahti

Certified Nursing Assistant

Aspirus Keweenaw

Emergency Preparedness Question of the Week

What are the six steps of the planning process during an incident? 



ANSWER:

The incident planning process is another core concept of ICS and takes place regardless of the incident size or complexity. This planning involves six essential steps:

1. Understanding the hospital’s policy and direction
2. Assessing the situation
3. Establishing incident objectives
4. Determining appropriate strategies to achieve the objectives
5. Giving tactical direction and ensuring that it is followed (e.g., correct resources assigned to complete a task and their performance monitored)
6. Providing necessary backup (e.g., assigning more or fewer resources, changing tactics)

The ICS organization used for an incident reflects the principle of management by objectives. Incidents may be different, but the ICS fundamentals remain unchanged. That is, the size and structure of the Incident Command organization for an incident reflects only what is needed to meet and support the identified incident objectives. As objectives are achieved, elements that are no longer needed are reassigned or demobilized.

Aspirus in the News

Aspirus Medical Monday (partnership with WJMN TV3)

Jennifer Yurish, NP-C, spoke to WJMN TV3 about National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, what hospice care is and how it can help those who are terminally ill. Click here or the image below to watch the interview.

Aspirus hospitals recognized for performance leadership (Daily Mining Gazette)

Fitness Tip

Happy Healthy Holidays

Add these three healthy and creative recipes to your Thanksgiving Day menu!

A typical Thanksgiving meal contains more than 3,000 calories, but you don’t have to break the calorie bank to enjoy your favorite fall foods. Here are three delicious and healthy dishes you’ll want to add to this year’s Thanksgiving feast. 

Sweet Potato Brownies 

One sweet potato contains more than the daily recommended amount of vitamin A. These sweet potato brownies are packed with potassium, fiber and vitamin A, an important antioxidant vitamin that also helps maintain immunity and promote eyesight.

Ingredients 

• Cooking spray
• 1 cup whole-wheat flour
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cooked, mashed sweet potato
• ¾ cup sugar
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 egg whites 

Icing Glaze Ingredients 

• ¼ cup low-fat cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons water (optional) 

Instructions 

1. Heat oven to 350°; Spray 9” x 9” pan with cooking spray.
2. If starting with raw sweet potatoes, peel and add to boiling water. Boil for 20 minutes or until tender. Drain and mash or puree in food processor. Reserve 1 cup of mashed sweet potato for recipe.
3. In a large mixing bowl, add whole-wheat flour, ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tablespoons cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Stir to combine.
4. In a food processor, combine cooked sweet potato, ¾ cup sugar, olive oil and vanilla extract. Process until smooth. Add wet ingredients to dry flour mixture and mix until ingredients are just combined.
5. Lightly beat egg whites in a separate bowl. Add egg whites to remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
6. Pour batter into pan and bake for 25 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
7. To prepare the icing glaze, combine all ingredients. Drizzle icing glaze over slightly cooled brownies. 

Shaved Brussels Sprouts and Raisin Walnut Salad 

If the last time you ate raisins was in a mini snack box at school lunch, it’s time to revisit this nutrient-dense fruit. Raisins are an all-natural, dried-by-the-sun fruit with no added sugar, no cholesterol and zero fat. Raisins are naturally sweet and soaking them in warm water is a great way to plump your raisins before you use them in a recipe. Rediscover raisins in this simple and delectable Brussels sprouts and raisin walnut salad that comes together in minutes.

Ingredients 

• 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and shaved thinly
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ cup walnuts, chopped
• ½ cup raisins, soaked in warm water
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar salad dressing
• ¼ cup shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese 

Instructions 

1. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shaved Brussels sprouts and cook 3 to 5 minutes or until bright green in color. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Remove Brussels sprouts from pan, wipe clean with a paper towel and re-heat pan over medium-high heat. Add walnuts and toast until golden, about 5 minutes.
3. Drain raisins and combine Brussels sprouts, walnuts, raisins and balsamic dressing. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Chill before serving. 



Turkey Cranberry Salad

Cranberries are another great fall fruit that just don’t get enough positive press. Cranberries are usually sweetened because they are naturally low in sugar and high in acidity, so they require sweetening to be palatable. Even so, the total amount of sugar in cranberries is equal to that of other dried fruits, like raisins and dried cherries.

Ingredients 

• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup 100% cranberry juice
• ½ cup olive oil-based mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup fat-free poppy seed dressing
• 8 oz. shredded turkey
• 1 cup diced celery
• ¾ cup thinly sliced green onions 

Instructions 

1. Place cranberries and cranberry juice in a saucepan and heat slightly. Remove mixture from heat and cool to room temperature; cranberries will absorb liquid.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together mayonnaise and salad dressing. Stir in diced turkey, celery and scallions. Toss to coat.
3. Add reserved cranberries and mix well. Serve atop fresh greens for a salad or on whole-wheat toast for a sandwich.

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.

Don't Forget: Fill Out a Marketing/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.

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

Aspirus Iron River

Monday, November 27 | 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Aspirus Ironwood

Wednesday, December 13 | 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups turkey shredded
• 3/4 cup cranberry sauce
• 2 cups mashed potatoes
• 1 cup corn
• 1 cup turkey gravy
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 cups stuffing
• Chicken broth or melted butter to taste

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400-degrees. Combine turkey and cranberry sauce and spread evenly on the bottom of an 8×8 glass baking dish.
• Evenly press on leftover mashed potatoes and sprinkle corn over the top.
• Mix together milk and leftover gravy and spread evenly over potatoes and corn. Sprinkle on leftover stuffing and lightly drizzle chicken broth over the top (this will keep the stuffing from drying out).
• Cover with tin foil and bake at 400-degrees for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.

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.

• Jack Frost Parade | December 2 | Downtown Ironwood
• Tree of Love Lighting | December 4 | Aspirus Ironwood
• 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.