September 25, 2023

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• News & Notes: A Message from President & CEO Don Owrey
• Associate & Provider Engagement Survey
• Incentive Point Opportunity: Run Wild for Autism - Assateague State Park!
• Incentive Point Opportunity: Chesapeake Housing Mission Volunteers
• Incentive Point Opportunity: Worcester County Times Articles
• Help Us Spread the Word: Upcoming Community Flu Vaccine Clinics
• Join Us TOMORROW for Our DAISY & Honeybee Awards Ceremony!
• Thank You, Values Ambassadors!
• Are You or Someone You Love at Risk for Prostate Cancer?
• Welcome, New Associates!
• RCCC Spirit Week
• The Atlantic General Hospital Fall Apparel Sale is Here!
• Mark Your Calendars: Oktoberfeast Associate Celebration
• Wellness Update
• Infection Prevention: Weekly Quiz
• Weekly Reflection

A Message from President & CEO Don Owrey

Your voice matters and it needs to be heard. Earlier this month, we kicked off the 2023 Associate & Provider Engagement Survey. If you have already taken the time to complete the survey, Thank You! If you have not yet done so, I want to encourage you to take 5 minutes and let your voice be heard. 

The survey is completely anonymous and is a valuable tool that provides each of our associates and medical staff members the opportunity to share their perspective on our organization’s commitment to patient safety and quality care. The results of your feedback will be part of a comprehensive plan to address how we continue to promote accountability and pursue zero harm for our patients, create an environment that builds trust and teamwork among our care givers, and deepen the level of engagement each of us has in pursuit of these goals. 

The survey also probes into workplace resiliency and how we can better care for one another. Having a healthy work force is a necessary component to caring for our patients and our community. If you are struggling and in need of support, please do not carry that alone. There are many resources available to support our staff and I encourage you to talk with Human Resources and to lean into them if you need assistance.  

Finally, I want to say Thank You to the many associates and volunteers who assisted in last week’s 30^th Annual Fall Golf Classic. This event could not happen without the dedication and extra effort of so many of you. It is amazing to see an event like this come together knowing the effort that goes into its planning, preparation, and execution. Great job! 

As always, thank you for all that you do. Your work matters and our patients depend on it.

Onward and upward, together!

CHECK YOUR EMAIL AND TEXT MESSAGES

On behalf of Atlantic General Hospital and Health System and the entire Leadership team, you are invited and encouraged to participate in the 2023 Associate & Provider Engagement Survey.

On Monday, September 11, you should have received an email and text message inviting you to take the survey. This message provided further information and contained a unique link to the completely confidential survey.

Reminders will be sent out every Monday until the October 9, 2023, deadline.

The survey only takes a few minutes to complete and will provide valuable information on how we can improve associate engagement here at Atlantic General Hospital and Health System.

Once the survey is complete, be sure to print out your completion certificate. The certificate can be used as follows:

• 5 points towards the Associates Incentive Plan, and:

• Free breakfast sandwich in the cafeteria (hospital associates)
• $5 Dunkin Donuts gift card (AGHS/offsite associates turn certificate in to department leader)

*All departments with 100% participation will be entered into a drawing for a pizza party!

Atlantic General Hospital & Health System is participating in this year's Run Wild for Autism - Assateague State Park event. Run Wild for Autism raises money for Pathfinders for Autism, which is Maryland’s largest organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with autism and their families. Volunteers will hand out water and direct people along the walking route.

We currently need volunteers for the event as follows:

Sunday, October 1, 8am - 12pm (7 volunteers)

For more information and to sign up, please contact Alyce Marzola at [email protected]

We are continuing to lend support to Chesapeake Housing Mission and we need your help!

Chesapeake Housing Mission is a non-profit organization that provides vital home repair to families in the Chesapeake Region of Maryland. This is a wonderful way to help those most vulnerable members of our community and earn incentive points. We need approximately 15 volunteers for this project on Friday, October 6, from 8:00am until approximately 2:00pm. 

Construction skills and tools are not required. They will teach you everything you need to know and provide all equipment, resources and tools on the day of the project. 

Click on the button below to sign up!

The Worcester County Times continues to offer Atlantic General Hospital and Health

System the opportunity to submit health columns for publication. Your contributions support

the organization’s mission of improving community health through health literacy while also

highlighting the expertise of our clinical and support staff.

Marketing can assist in the writing process as much as needed. What we’re really looking for

is your expertise.

Associates will receive one point per hour (max 5 points per article.) There is no limit

on the amount of articles an associate may write.

Below is a health topic calendar for October and November. You can use any of these topics or one of your choice. Articles should be informal – no citation necessary – and no more than 650 words.

We can provide access to licensed, medically reviewed health and wellness content

that can be edited for use in an article, if requested.

For more information, please contact Jarrett Snoots at [email protected]

Health Observances Calendar:

October 2023

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Eye Injury Prevention Month

Health Literacy Month

Healthy Lung Month

Home Eye Safety Month

Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month

National ADHD Awareness Month

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

National Bullying Prevention Month

National Dental Hygiene Month

National Down Syndrome Awareness Month

National Physical Therapy Month

Prenatal-onset GBS Disease Recognition Month

Spina Bifida Awareness Month

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month

Weeks to Note:

Mental Illness Awareness Week | October 1-7

National Primary Care Week | October 1-7

National PA Week | October 6-12

Bone and Joint Health Action Week | October 12-20

International Infection Prevention Week | October 15-21

National Healthcare Quality Week | October 15-21

National Health Education Week | October 15-21

Red Ribbon Week | October 23-31

Respiratory Care Week | October 22-28

Days to Note:

World Meningitis Day | October 5

World Cerebral Palsy Day | October 6

National Depression Screening Day | October 6

World Mental Health Day | October 10

International Day of the Girl | October 11

Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day | October 13

World Sight Day | October 12

Global Handwashing Day | October 15

National Latino AIDS Awareness Day | October 15

World Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day | October 15

World Food Day | October 16

National Mammography Day | October 20

World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day | October 19

World Osteoporosis Day | October 20

National Check Your Meds Day | October 21

International Stuttering Awareness Day | October 22

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day | October 28

World Psoriasis Day | October 29

World Hypophosphatasia Day | October 30

November 2023

American Diabetes Month

Bladder Health Month

COPD Awareness Month

Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

National Epilepsy Awareness Month

National Family Caregivers Month

National Healthy Skin Month

National Home Care & Hospice Month

National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

Prematurity Awareness Month

Stomach Cancer Awareness Month

Weeks to Note:

National Diabetes Education Week | November 5-11

National Radiologic Technology Week | November 5-11

National Nurse Practitioner Week | November 12-18

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Awareness Week | November 19-25

Days to Note:

National Diabetes Heart Connection Day | November 9

World Pneumonia Day | November 12

World Diabetes Day | November 14

World Prematurity Day 2023 | November 17

Great American Smokeout | November 16

Kim Hardy and Tiyet Fosque-Jackson, Public Safety

"I have been helping in the ER all day today as it has been extremely busy. We had a patient who was very confused and wanted to leave even when the doctor wanted him to stay a little longer for monitoring. The 2 Public Safety Officers on were Kim Hardy and Tiyet Fosque-Jackson. They talked with the gentleman and got him to agree to go to his hotel via taxi to ensure he was safe. They even helped to call the hotel to ensure his car and belongings were there. We appreciate the partnership these ladies share to ensure our patients get the best, safest care. Please recognize them for going above and beyond today."

-- Andi, Laura and the ED Team working on 8/8/23

Atlantic General Hospital's FREE Prostate Cancer Screening Event

On October 19, Atlantic General will once again be hosting a FREE screening event for men at risk for prostate cancer. The event will be hosted by Radiation Oncologist Dr. Manoj Jain, Urologist Dr. Jason Smith and Nettie Widgeon, MSN, CRNP, FNE A/P. 

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosis in American men, but through screening, it can be found in its earlier stages when its typically easier to treat. Not sure if you (or someone you love) are at risk? Click here to learn about some common risk factors.

Please call 410-629-6313 to register.

HUGGS in Action Welcomes New Associates!

Front row seated (left to right): Jahlilah Johnson, C.N.A. Scholarship student; Brandy Williams, Med-Surg; Angela Cherrix, ICU; Carol Birmingham, Administrative Assistant; Andrea Catrambone, ED

Second row standing (left to right): Abigail Ford, C.N.A. Scholarship student; JoLeshia Harris, C.N.A. Scholarship student; DeZihay Jerrigan, C.N.A. Scholarship student; Caitlin O’Leary, C.N.A. Scholarship student; Whitney Reddick, C.N.A. Scholarship student; Mackenzie Hodgson, Atlantic General Pediatrics

Back row standing (left to right): Thomas Jones, Med-Surg; OJ Matthews, Housekeeping; Tyris Edwards, C.N.A. Scholarship student.

The Burbage Regional Cancer Care Center had a great time celebrating their Spirit Week as a way to encourage staff to participate in the Associate & Provider Engagement Survey!

We have already received great organization-wide participation thus far, so let's keep up the good work and get to 100% by October 9!

Please remember all AGH/AGHS associates, medical staff, and volunteers are required to be immunized or have an exemption on file by 12/1/2023.

Employee Health will be administering QUADRIVALENT flu vaccines in preparation for the for the 2023-2024 flu season.

The rolling flu cart will be coming to your department... Look for upcoming dates in the next eLert (associate flu vaccines will be delivered to AGHS the first week of October.) 

What Is a Wellness Program?

The primary objective of the Wellness Program is to enhance the quality of life of our associates.

In partnership with BHS, our Associates Getting Healthy wellness program is designed to promote health by providing associates with incentives and the necessary resources to improve their well-being and become more engaged in every aspect of their health.

Are you interested in participating in our wellness program?

If so, please contact Tracey 410 629-6442 or [email protected]

ELIGIBILITY :

All benefit eligible associates are able to participate in the wellness program.

WELLNESS CYCLE:

The wellness cycle will run from September 18, 2023 - August 31, 2024.

PROGRAM INCENTIVES:

Medical Plan Participants will receive an insurance premium discount beginning January 1, 2024 (equal to $25 per pay or $650 per year).

Non-Medical Participants will be entered into a raffle for a one-time $150 gift card. The gift card will be provided during the month of February, 2024.

Additional incentives will be provided to associates based on their wellness point totals as follows:

January 1, 2024 Associates with 50+ points will be entered into a raffle for two $50 gift cards.

April 1, 2024 Associates with 75+ points will be entered into a raffle for two $75 gift cards.

July 1, 2024 Those with 100 or more points will be entered into a raffle for two $100 gift cards.

End of cycle (points as of August 31, 2024) — Associates with 150+ points will be entered into the GRAND PRIZE raffle for a $150 gift card, awarded in October, 2024.

Program Requirements :

All program participants must register on the secure health portal in order to receive credit for completing wellness program requirements.

To earn the insurance premium discount in 2025, associates must complete the following by August 31, 2024.

1. Complete a biometric screening either on-site or through your primary care physician (PCP) or other healthcare professional.

2. Complete an online Health Risk Assessment (HRA).

3. Earn 100 wellness points.

Forms to take to your providers:

Biometric Screening Form

Annual Physical and Preventive Screening Form

Integrative Health Therapies Form

This Week's Question

Who has an increased risk of developing serious flu complications?

a. Adults 65 years and older

b. Adults with certain chronic health conditions (i.e. asthma, heart disease, kidney disease)

c. Pregnant people

d. Children younger than 2 years old

e. All of the above

Please send your answers to [email protected] and [email protected].

The first person with the correct answer wins a prize.

*There was no Infection Prevention quiz question last week

Chaplains Gail, Wendy, Bruce & Eric are available to offer you support and words of encouragement. You may call us at 410-641-9725 or 410-629-6848 or send an email:



[email protected], [email protected], 

[email protected], [email protected]



Stay Strong & Power On!