Click the image below to see some photos (enlarged) from across the UP Region and be sure to check out Aspirus social media to see pictures from across the Aspirus System. | |
Last Day to Complete Influenza Safety Program | | |
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You must receive your influenza vaccination or submit your declination form by 5 pm today (Oct. 31).
Non-compliant employees will be removed from their work schedule until complete and may be subject to disciplinary action, up to, and including voluntary resignation.
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Aspirus Keweenaw Joins Over 40 Local Organizations at Human Services Expo | |
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Aspirus Keweenaw joined more than 40 local human service organizations at the Copper Country Human Services Coordinating Body Lunch & Learn Expo last week at the Bonfire in Houghton. The annual expo is a networking event for organizations to share information about services they provide, develop partnerships and work together to help residents of all ages live better.
Many thanks to our Aspirus representatives: Darcy Donnelly, Director of Nursing; Dr. Jaime Oswald; Laura Brogan, Manager - Clinics; and Emily Taylor, Social Worker.
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Learn about 2024 Aspirus Benefits
On-site/virtual meetings & virtual benefit fairs
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Plan to attend an Open Enrollment meeting, in person or virtually, to learn more about Aspirus benefits. Virtual benefit fairs are also being offered by our vendors so you can learn more about specific benefits and ask the experts questions. Questions can be submitted in advance and will be answered during the meeting. Click the links below to find out more!
Open Enrollment runs November 6-19 and is the time for you to enroll in benefits for 2024.
Your action is required! Employees must complete benefit elections during Open Enrollment to select benefits for 2024. All coverage ends December 31, 2023, and employees who do not re-enroll will have no coverage for 2024.
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Visit aspirus.org/totalrewards or scan the QR code to view a variety of resources available to support you in your benefit decisions for 2024. This information is available on the internet so you can access it from anywhere with an internet connection and review with others within your household who may be assisting with benefit decisions.
- Login ID: Your Aspirus email address
- Password: Your Aspirus network password
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Emergency Preparedness Question of the Week | |
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What is the Incident Commander's responsibility when in Incident Command?
ANSWER: In addition to Command, the Incident Commander would set the objectives, devise strategies and priorities, and maintain overall responsibility for managing the incident. In addition, the IC can decide to appoint members of the management team to cover the functions of operations, planning, logistics, and finance/administration.
The Incident Commander may be able to accomplish all five management functions alone on a small-scale incident, but on larger incidents effective management may require that the Incident Commander establish one or more of the four other functions and appoint Section Chiefs.
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Text Messaging Now Available in MyAspirus | |
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Patients can now opt-in to receive text notifications to conveniently manage their visits and receive helpful reminders related to billing, appointments, and their account. Text messages will be automated through MyAspirus to offer patients the ability to interact with Aspirus independently of staff intervention for several common scenarios.
Enrollment in text messaging is not required. To sign up, patients can text JOIN to 67097. This latest expansion of MyAspirus features supports our commitment to delivering a positive patient experience across all our care settings.
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National Stress Awareness Day
November 1
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There's no denying staying on the job these days can be stressful. You may have a lot on your mind when you head to work. And that anxiety can lead to things like anger, fatigue, sadness and trouble sleeping or concentrating. If you're feeling pressure, it's important to make your mental health a priority.
Here are some tips that may help you cope:
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Talk to your team. Talk with your supervisor and co-workers about your stress and how your work is going. These are challenging times. It's important to acknowledge what you're feeling.
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Speak up about safety concerns. Are you getting the protective equipment you need? Do you have an idea that could help make work less stressful and safer? If so, share it with your manager. Working toward solutions can help you feel less anxious.
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Find a healthy outlet. Try not to consume too much news on your time off – or turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with stress. Instead, make room for activities that bring you joy and relaxation, like reading, working at a hobby or spending time in nature.
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Call on your support system. Reach out to family members or friends when you feel like talking. Chances are, they're more than willing to provide a shoulder to lean on.
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Keep up healthy habits. It's easy to let these slide in stressful times, but do your best to get plenty of exercise, healthy food and rest. Keep washing your hands and following other safety measures. Focusing on things you can change, like your wellness routine, may give you a greater sense of control.
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Press pause on panic. When you feel anxiety building, try this: Close your eyes and take some slow, deep breaths. Breathe in through your nose and out your mouth. This may help you relax and reset.
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National Med-Surg Nurse Week
November 1-7
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It's National Med-Surg Nurse Week. During this week, we recognize that Med-Surg nurses work relentlessly to provide their patients with quality care, comfort, and compassion and draw attention to the important role Med-Surg nurses play in the provision of patient care. | |
National Home Health Care & Hospice Month | |
Every day, more and more families seek out care services provided in the comfort of home or at a hospice facility. For the aging and homebound, in-home and hospice care offers security, dignity, and the ability to maintain as much independence as possible. That's why it's important to recognize, motivate, and appreciate your dedicated, caregiving staff for brightening the lives of the people they serve every day. | |
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Fitness Tip
Core Stability Exercises
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Developing core strength is essential for everyday health and well-being, as a strong core protects the spine, reduces back pain, enhances movement patterns, and improves balance, stability and posture.
There are many methods for developing core strength, as well as various pieces of equipment that assist in that development. However, there are plenty of exercises that require only body weight or basic equipment. The most important thing to remember when training the core is to avoid using momentum and instead perform each exercise with awareness so that the core muscles are engaged.
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BOSU Bird Dog
Set your left knee on the center of the dome and place both hands on the floor underneath the shoulders. Extend the right leg behind you to hip height, keeping the foot flexed. Raise the left arm to shoulder height with your thumb facing the ceiling. Hold for 20 seconds and switch sides.
Alternate: Perform the exercise on the floor.
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Supine Heel Taps
Lie on your back and place your arms by your sides. Engage the abdominals and draw the navel toward your spine. Lift the knees to 90 degrees. With control, lower your right foot to touch the floor with your heel before returning it back to 90 degrees. Perform the same movement with your left leg and continue to alternate tapping the right and then the left heel onto the floor. Perform 10 repetitions with each leg. Each repetition should take about four seconds to complete, two seconds to lower the leg and two seconds to raise the leg back to 90 degrees.
Alternate: Keep your feet on the floor, and slide your heel on the mat, alternating legs.
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Marching Glute Bridge
Lie on your back and place your hands by your sides. Lift the hips and hold a glute bridge. Lift the right foot off the floor to 90 degrees at the hip and knee. Return the foot to the floor and then lift the left foot to 90 degrees; return to center. Keep the hips lifted and maintain a neutral pelvis as you alternate leg lifts for 20 repetitions.
Alternate: Hold a static glute bridge, keeping both feet on the floor for 30 or more seconds.
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Stability Ball Dead Bug
Lie on your back and lift your knees to 90 degrees. Place a stability ball at the knees and press your hands and legs into the stability ball. Engage the core muscles and draw the navel toward the spine. Extend the left arm and right leg while continuing to hold the ball with your left leg and right hand. The straighter the limbs, the more challenging the exercise. Make sure the knees stay at 90 degrees when returning back to center (the calves touching the hamstrings makes the exercise easier). Complete 10 repetitions on each side, alternating which arm and leg are extended with each repetition.
Alternate: Perform the exercise without a stability ball and keep your knees at 90 degrees as you lower. It’s similar to the Supine Heel Taps exercise described above, but with the addition of the arms.
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Forearm Plank with Toe Taps
Position the body into a forearm plank with the arms resting on the dome side of a BOSU balance trainer. Begin alternating lateral toe taps, where the right foot pushes away from the body, touches the floor and then returns to center. Repeat with the left leg. Complete a set of 10 repetitions on each leg.
Alternate: Perform a static forearm plank with feet hip-distance apart and the forearms on the floor.
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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.
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Don't Forget: Fill Out a Marketing/Communications Request | |
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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.
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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.
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Angela Steinbrecher
Manager - Quality
Aspirus Iron River
Thank you for your efforts with the successful Joint Commission survey at AKH. We sincerely appreciate your expertise and assistance.
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Dana Leannah
Occupational Therapist
Aspirus Ironwood
Thank you, Dana, for helping provide last minute therapy weekend coverage for the hospital. We really appreciate the teamwork!
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Alexis Bailey
Laboratory Assistant ll
Aspirus Keweenaw
I just wanted to let you know that you have done a great job with your training so far. You are catching onto everything quickly from performing draws to the Epic system. Thank you for jumping right in. Everyone is so glad that you chose to join our team!
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Sue Turin
PT Aide
Aspirus Ontonagon
Thank you so very much for always helping with authorizations and any questions. We appreciate you.
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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
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups raw whole pumpkin seeds
- 2 teaspoons butter, melted
- 1 pinch salt
Directions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) and gather ingredients.
- Toss seeds in a bowl with the melted butter and salt. Spread the seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes or until golden brown; stir occasionally.
- Enjoy!
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Want to Include Something in the Newsletter? | |
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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.
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- AIW Masquerade Ball | November 4, 2023
- Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital Auxiliary Nut Sale | November 17
- Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital Auxiliary 1 Day Basket Raffle | October 31
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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. | |
Chris Harff
President, UP Region
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or you risk being removed as a recipient of other internal newsletters and communications.
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