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 As we've always said here in the kindness community, Americans are a charitable bunch. And now there is hard data to back that up.
According to the annual Volunteering in America study released by the Corporation for National and Community Service, Americans volunteered in large numbers in 2010, with 62.8 million adults serving almost 8.1 billion hours through organizations. Not only were the numbers high, their efforts had impact with services being valued at nearly $173 billion.
I can attest to this because here at Mercy we again have outdone ourselves in our efforts at volunteering! Six hundred and forty-five different people volunteered this past year giving over 77,800 hours of service. In addition, as you will read in this newsletter, our volunteer organization was recognized with two awards at the recent Partners of WHA convention in Eau Claire.
I came back from the convention all fired up and ready to see what we can come up with for excitement in 2012. Thank you for being a part of our volunteer program, not as a statistic, but as a wonderful giving volunteer who cares about our patients, their families, our staff and our customers. You are an important ambassador of Mercy Medical Center. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Mercy Medical Center Volunteer Services.
Amy Brownson
Volunteer Services Manager
abrownso@affinityhealth.org |
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Bill Calhoun Receives the Best of the Best Award
Bill Calhoun, president of Mercy Medical Center, is the 2011 winner of the "Best of the Best Administrative Award" from the Partners of the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA). The award, which was presented at the Partners state convention October 5, 2011 in Eau Claire, recognizes an on-site executive officer of a Wisconsin hospital who demonstrates a cooperative, supportive, enthusiastic and well-defined relationship with his or her volunteer organization.
While presenting the award, Pat Freeders, Chair of the Best of the Best Committee, noted that Bill has included the volunteers in Peer-to-Peer recognition and in the Assisting Clinical Excellence awards. Bill's commitment to understanding the duties of various volunteer jobs even included a stint with the projects group learning to do needlepoint!
While addressing the group, Bill acknowledged his volunteers and the valuable contributions they make to the hospital. He projected that if the $1.5 million impact of the Mercy Medical Center Volunteers is representative of volunteers in the 5,000 hospitals in the nation, volunteers nationwide provide at least $5 billion of services and donations to benefit their hospitals. He thanked all of the attendees for their dedication to excellent health care in Wisconsin.
Pat Freeders, Partners of WHA
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| Merry Christmas from the Gift Shop and a Fond Farewell
 The Elves have been busy in the Gift Shop decorating the tree and spreading many stocking stuffers and gifts about.
As you may know, this will be my final Christmas to share with you. I will retire at the end of December. I purposely stayed through the busy time so I could be here for the hoopla of this happy and holy time.
I could never put down all the things that are in my heart. So I will tell you it has been an honor to work for you and with you these past 21 years. You have taught me many things that I will carry with me always. Good luck to each of you and "Thank You" for everything.
Sue Sawitski, Gift Shop Coordinator
ssawitsk@affinityhealth.org
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Volunteer Spotlight - Lynne Ciske
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Left to right: Charlie Nickerson, Tania Nigl, Bill Calhoun, Debbie Reichenberger, Marjorie Wilson, and Lynne Ciske |
Lynne Ciske has been volunteering at Mercy since 2003. In August of 2011 Lynne was awarded an Assisting Clinical Excellence Award (ACE) at the Mercy Medical Center management meeting. The ACE award identifies one individual from an ancillary department who has assisted a clinical department in achieving the top 10% in a monthly patient satisfaction survey.
Lynne was nominated by the Outpatient Rehabilitation department. Statements made by the staff include, "Lynne happily takes on large projects for the Pain Program with zeal and persists until the job is done. She helps with filing and does it with wonderful accuracy and efficiency. She has an innate ability to catch errors and see that they are corrected. She is well organized and completes tasks efficiently. Lynne can be counted on every week, and she even drives through snow storms to help us!"
Lynne also volunteers at St. Elizabeth Hospital. When she is not volunteering, Lynne enjoys reading and researching information on the computer. She enjoys staying physically active by walking and hiking. Her service is greatly appreciated. No matter what she is called upon to do, Lynne persists until the job is done.
Emily Armitage, Student Intern
Volunteer Services
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Mercy Volunteers Win WAVE Award
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Left to right: Peg Larson, Karry VandenHeuvel, Patti Calhoun, Amy Brownson, Bill Calhoun, Margaret Perrie |
On Tuesday October 4, 2011 Mercy Medical Center Volunteer organization was presented with a Wisconsin Award for Volunteer Excellence (WAVE). The WAVE award program was established by Partners of the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) to recognize outstanding contributions of organized hospital volunteer programs. The Mercy volunteer program was recognized for its children's vision screening program in the category of community outreach and/or collaboration.
A group of 28 Mercy Medical Center volunteers participate in the Children's Screening Services (CSS) program which operates in conjunction with Wisconsin Prevent Blindness to provide vision screening in Oshkosh area preschools, day cares, parochial and public schools. They also screen at the Oshkosh Back to School Fair. Last year they screened 1,333 students for general vision, depth perception, and color blindness. In addition, proper hand washing is demonstrated to teach children the importance of preventing the spread of infection.
CSS Officers for the 2011 - 2012 school year:
President - Connie Merkel
Vice President - Anne Gassere
Secretary - Mim McCann
Treasurer - Fran Weber
Emily Armitage
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Greetings From the MMCV Chair
 I wish to congratulate all of the volunteers for the wonderful job you do. When asked to do extra duties, you do it willingly and with a smile.
Your energy is contagious. When you smile, people smile back, and may have a better day because of something you did or said. A gentle touch goes a long way.
Thank you to the new volunteers and a special "God bless" to the rest of you for the many hours you have given. A BIG HUG to all of you.
Karry VandenHeuvel
MMCV Chair
knjvanden@yahoo.com
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Mercy Medical Center Volunteers Advisory Board 2011-2012
Chairman: Karry VandenHeuvel
Vice-Chairman: Paul Ansfield
Treasurer: Bev Fretchel
Assistant Treasurer: Sandra Koch
Secretary: Brenda Ellis
Committee Chairmen
Bylaws: Paul Ansfield
Community Health Education: Peg Larson & Sharon Thompson
Craft Projects: Marion Emerson
Fundraising: Pam Anderson, Ken Cook, Bev Fretchel, Peg Larson,
Helen Mathe, Mary Sperling & Karry VandenHeuvel
Gift Shop: Karen Chapin & Bev Fretchel
Hospitality: Pam Anderson
Nominating: Karen Chapin
Public Relations: Matt Holtz
Scholarship: Bev Fretchel
Members at Large: Sue Boerschinger & Pat Schulz |
2012 MMCV Meeting Schedule
The Volunteer Advisory Board Meetings will be held in the volunteer multi-purpose room at 9:30 a.m. General Meetings and Luncheons will be held in Conference Rooms A and B at noon. All volunteers are welcome to attend.
January 16th - Board Meeting
March 19th - Board Meeting
April 16th - Board Meeting
May 14th - General Meeting and Luncheon
August 20th - Board Meeting
September 17th - Board Meeting
October 8th - General Meeting and Luncheon
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Pumpkin Carving Fun
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Drs. Angell, Baughman and Sensor exercise their
surgical skills carving pumpkins. |
Thank you to all who made the Mercy Pumpkin Carving event such fun! Special thanks go to our surgeons who carved pumpkins - Drs. Angell, Baughman, Foley, McDonald, Sensor, Tsai and Weber for their skill and artistic renditions. Thank you to surgical services who supplied the instruments and d�cor. The Mercy Medical Center Volunteers raised over $300 for the Mercy Health Foundation's Surgical Services support fund through the generosity of those who bid in the silent auction and "voted" with their cash. A good time was had by all. Congratulations go to Dr. Tsai, whose pumpkin raised the most money. The Surgical Services staff and physicians demonstrated the camaraderie which has generated Patient Satisfaction scores over 90% for the last 12 months. Thanks to all who participated in the event.
Peg Larson, Volunteer Chairperson
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Radiology Student Scholarship Winners
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Left to right: Molly Mc Cosky, Alyssa Sukow, Maggie Dickmann |
Mercy Medical Center Volunteers is pleased to award three $1000 scholarships to students in Mercy's School of Radiology for the 2011-2012 academic year. The scholarships are applied to tuition and expenses. The students were honored at the Fall General Meeting and Luncheon where the awards were presented. Awardees included: Left to Right: Molly McCosky, Alyssa Sukow, and Maggie Dickmann.
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Winter Safety Tips
 Notice that sudden chill in the air? It's going to get colder, and wetter, and "whiter", all of which adds up to slipping and sliding! Your Safety Team wants you to be safe, not only while you're volunteering, but while you're on your way to and from volunteering as well.
THINK SLOW IN SNOW! Don't drive faster than you're able to safely stop. Keep a longer interval between you and the car in front of you.
WATCH YOUR STEP! Be sure you wear appropriate footwear to get safely from your vehicle to your work site across potentially slippery parking lots. Our maintenance staff does a good job of keeping parking lots and sidewalks clear, but falling temperatures combined with snow fall can make for hazardous conditions.
Cell phones can help us in an emergency, they're great and they're handy. They make us feel safer when traveling. Be sure your cell phone is well charged and within reach. Know your department phone number to call if you'll be late.
Four Wheel Drive could be Four Wheel Stuck! Yes, your 4WD can be a real life saver, but many of us think we can go through anything and at any speed just because we have 4WD.
Tom Laabs, CHFM
Manager of Facilities Services, Safety and Security
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Public Policy Update
Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with Representative Hintz in Madison. We talked briefly about some of the key issues facing health care today. With both federal and state fiscal challenges looming overhead, one of the most talked about issues is spending on Medicare and Medicaid. It seems today that the question is not whether or not we should cut health care spending, but rather, it is how and by how much we will cut health care spending.
Before the 2011-2013 Wisconsin State Budget was passed, hospitals were only reimbursed about 50% and 77% for Medicaid and Medicare respectively. I asked Representative Hintz how he felt about reimbursement rates to hospitals today, and he agrees that reimbursement rates should be much higher. These low reimbursement rates are facilitating the rather frightening trend of some hospitals limiting or even denying access to Medicare and Medicaid patients. Hopefully this issue can be brought forward to politicians as the deadline for the Congressional 'super' committee approaches.
I also asked Representative Hintz about the physician shortage that will certainly elicit attention as the Affordable Care Act continues to be implemented. At the WHA's Advocacy Day back in March, some state legislators were asked about this issue, but with the legislators each giving the same brief solution to the problem, it seems to me that the shortage of physicians was a problem that should be swept under the rug. Rep. Hintz said that there should be increased incentives for physicians who practice in under served areas and for physicians to go into specialties rather than more general roles. These are two of the things that Representative Hintz would like to change, but it won't happen soon as the budget has been passed. Hopefully we will see some progress on these issues in the future.
Matt Holtz, Chair Public Relations 
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Thank you from Webster Stanley School
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Kelli Stertz, RN shows students items used
for surgical procedures |
Dear Mercy Medical Center Volunteers and Staff,
Thank you for allowing the Webster Stanley Elementary Second Grade students to tour the hospital. The presenters and tour guides did an excellent job of relating the information to the students in a way they could really understand.
Each child came away from the field trip with some interesting facts they learned and a deeper understanding of the importance of the hospital. They were also extremely grateful for the goodies they took home to share with their families and explain more about their trip.
As a first year teacher, I found this trip to be extremely valuable. I truly appreciate the effort among the Mercy Medical Center staff to include second grade content and curriculum in the tour, correlating it with what we are doing in the classroom. I felt welcomed while on the trip, appreciating the efforts to make the tour so child-friendly. Thank you to everyone for all your efforts!
Kelsey Guenther
2nd Grade Teacher, Webster Stanley Elementary School |
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 Desk volunteers are needed at Mercy Oakwood, Reception and Information Desks. Volunteers greet and provide information and directions to visitors and patients. Duties include answering desk telephone, providing wheelchair assist when needed and keeping the lobby and waiting areas tidy. If you are caring, energetic and would enjoy helping patients and hospital staff, please consider volunteering at Mercy Medical Center.
For more information on any of these opportunities please contact Mercy Medical Center Volunteer Services at 223-0225 or apply online at affinityhealth.org/volunteer.
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2012 Volunteer Education In-Service and TB Questionnaire
The education in-service and TB questionnaire will be held on two dates in 2012 based on your birth date as follows:
Monday, February 13th: Volunteers born in January, February, March, April, May
& June
Monday, August 13th: Volunteers born in July, August, September, October,
November & December
In 2012, current volunteers will be required to have a TB test with the exception of those who have tested positive to TB in the past who will complete a TB questionnaire. Further information on the TB testing and in-service session times will be provided in the letter you will receive about a month before the date above that corresponds to your birthday month. Mercy volunteers were 100% compliant on annual requirements in 2011. Thank you for following through! We look forward to seeing you in 2012.
Laura Felsman, R.N., Employee Health
Eric Marcoe, Affinity Learning Center
Amy Brownson, Volunteer Services Manager
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Wellness Center Usage
As the colder weather is starting show itself, more people will start to bring their exercise indoors. This is a reminder that Affinity Health System has a few fitness center options right here at some of our locations. These areas are available to all employees and adult volunteers free of charge. Whether you are trying to continue your exercise routine or whether you want to bring exercise into your daily/weekly routine, your options may be closer than you think. The Oskosh location is located in the Mercy Oakwood Rehab Department. You can have access 24 hours/7 days a week with a key fob. During the hours of 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. patients do have first priority in using the equipment.
If you are interested in using this facility please stop in the volunteer office where they can help you register via an online intranet form. If you have any questions, please contact Diane Griffin at dgriffin@affinityhealth.org or 920-223-2343.
Sandy Campbell, Wellness Coordinator
scampbel@affinityhealth.org |
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In Memory...
 Arlene Steinert, 92, died on Friday, November 4th. Arlene started volunteering on January 27, 1978 and worked 19,195 hours. Alrene volunteered in Projects on Wednesday morning and was a member of the MMC Auxiliary Board. She was a lovely lady who will be missed by all who knew her. |
| New Volunteers, 8/1/11 to 11/14/11
 Volunteer - Area of Service
Aubrey Abrahamson - Weekend Reception
Emily Ahrens - Outpatient Procedures Clerical
Jodie Applebey - Caring Companion, Subacute & Rehab
Cassie Asmondy - Coffee Cart, Subacute & Rehab
Katie Belmer - Radiology
Katie Berkopec - Emergency Room
Eileen Birschbach - Medical Staff Services
Shelby Boneck - Errands
Dewi Bush - Reception Desk & Behavioral Health Unit
Dorinne Christl -Volunteer Services & Oakwood Desk
Tim Coenen - Emergency Room
Kenzie Day - Errands
Barb Dunn - Gift Shop
Jenn Esser - Emergency Room
Katelyn Fischer - Physical Therapy
Allie Franklin - Errands
Laura Gaffney - Oakwood & Reception Desk
Alli Gardner - Errands
Ashley Haller - Subacute & Rehab Units
Rachel Hanson-Phillips - Patient Care Unit 2 & Behavioral Health Unit
Cheyenne Hoffman - Outpatient Testing & Radiology
Kathy Jung - Children's Screening Services
Sandra Koch - MMCV Advisory Board
Danielle Kunde - Errands
Adrian Landreth - Emergency Room
Janelle Lang-Piette - Patient Care Unit 2
Blong Lee - Radiology
Yee Lor - Errands
John Malovrh - Emergency Room
Rene Malsin - Projects & Beanies
Michael Mann - Errands
Justine Marohn - Gift Shop
Haelee Maurer - Radiology
Breanna Noe - Behavioral Health Unit
Andi Ochs - Errands
Bradley Ogden - Outpatient Procedures Clerical
Lisa Opperman - Information Desk and Medical Staff Services
Patricia Papenfuss - Beanies, Lap Robes, & Projects
Mary Pentony - Spiritual Services
Mikala Russell - Errands & Weekend Reception
Brittany Scasny - Emergency Room
Jackie Schertz - Library
Kayla Schuh - Emergency Room
Kayla Seng - Subacute & Rehab Units
Carleen Smith - Information, Oakwood and Reception desks, Human Resources
Jo Strey - Gift Shop
Sarah Sugden - Pharmacy, Subacute & Rehab
Charity Tessen - Pharmacy
Kayli Turnmeyer - Errands
Taylor Ware - Errands
Taylor Vanden Heuvel - Errands
Justin Xie - Errands
Fanny Xiong - Outpatient Testing
Asreen Zangana - Errands
Heather Zuleger - Gift Shop
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Invite a Friend to Volunteer
 | | Verne Olson and Jim Johnson |
Do you know of any friends or family who may be interested in volunteering at Mercy? If an Affinity employee or volunteer recruits a new volunteer to Mercy, their name will go in the hat for a prize drawing in the spring of 2012. The main prize last year was a Wii Game System. Forty names are currently entered. May we add yours to the list below?
Molly Neubauer, Daniel Grunsted, Ardine Loewen, Troy Day, Vonnie Fischer, Sophie Jaffri, Caitlin King, Margaret Potratz, Carol Rymer, Bev Edwards, Maddy Haedt, Jennifer Dubie, Sharon Leinweber, Matt Holtz, Kim Berg, Kaitlyn Nett, Colleen Soda, Dr. Darin Leetun, Denise Skoog, Floyd Wouters, Katelyn Fenner, Tracy Ochs, Lois Bidwell, Tom Lynch, Chris Roe, Dr. Robert Weber, Joseph Lakatos, Carole Holtmeier, Connie Campbell, Emily VanderZanden, Linda Hollnagel, Darlene Newhouse, Karry VandenHeuvel, Mim McCann, Nikki Schneider, Xai Lor, Kayla Seng, Sandy Koch, Jenna Aman and Desiree Lloyd.
If you have someone you would like to recommend, call 223-0225, stop in the Mercy volunteer office, or e-mail abrownso@affinityhealth.org. New volunteers can apply on-line at affinityhealth.org/volunteer.
Mary Duellman, Secretary
Volunteer Services
mduellma@affinityhealth.org
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Volunteers are making a difference
Mercy Medical Center Volunteers do so much good work, both volunteering in the hospital and in raising and donating to the Mercy Health Foundation to better the community. The Mercy volunteer organization's generous annual support of the Living Healthy Community Clinic (LHCC) through Mercy Health Foundation is vitally important for low income, uninsured Winnebago County residents who have nowhere else to turn for primary health care.
For Sue O., the LHCC was a lifesaver. Although Sue works, she does not have insurance and her income is low. Sue puts off medical care as much as possible. Last summer she almost waited too long. What started out as a bug bite turned into a hard lump and then redness began to spread over her abdomen and down her legs. Her temperature shot up. When Sue arrived at the Living Healthy Community Clinic, the staff realized right away that she was dangerously ill.
Sue said, "They sat me down and said, 'Sue do you know how bad this is?' to which Sue replied "And I didn't, I had no idea." They persuaded her to go to the Emergency Room at Mercy immediately. At Mercy, she was diagnosed with a severe infection that is resistant to most antibiotics. The physician told Sue that if she had waited another 24 to 48 hours she may not have survived. "I can't stress enough how compassionate everyone was to me" both at Mercy and the LHCC, Sue said.
This is what it means to live out the healing ministry of Christ and "make a difference." Mercy Health Foundation and Mercy Medical Center Volunteers are a great team. Together we are Saving Lives, Giving Hope, and Building Healthier Communities.
Linda Werner
Mercy Health Foundation
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OCM Cards Available in Gift Shop
A limited number of Oshkosh Community Media (OCM) cards are available for sale in the Mercy Medical Center Gift Shop. These cards, priced at $10.00 each, are good through December 31, 2012. They offer customers 10% or more discount on a large selection of restaurants, bars and other businesses, such as the House of Flowers, Family Values Hair Salon, Durango's, Hardees and Cousins. This is a Mercy Medical Center Volunteer fundraiser that also supports community media TV channels 10 and 2 and radio station 101.9. For more information see www.friendsofocm.org.
Amy Brownson
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Calendar of Upcoming Events
December 2 Volunteer & Employee Bake Sale
December 10 Santa Visits Mercy
December 13 PRN Uniform Sale
December 15-16 Books are Fun Sale
January 12-13 PTK Jewelry Sale
January 16 PRN Uniform Sale
February 2-3 Nutman Company Sale
February 13 Education In-Service/TB testing
February 24 PRN Uniform Sale
March 6-7 Books are Fun Sale
March 26 PRN Uniform Sale
April 19 Volunteer Recognition Dinner
April 19-20 Dimples Jewelry Sale
April 23 PRN Uniform Sale
May 15 Spring District Meeting hosted by Ripon Medical Center Assoc. |
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Vicki Moen, Coordinator