October 2, 2023

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• Associate & Provider Engagement Survey
• Incentive Point Opportunity: Chesapeake Housing Mission Volunteers
• Incentive Point Opportunity: Tacos, Tiaras and Sombreros FUNdraiser Volunteers
• Congratulations, DAISY and Honeybee Awards Winners
• Welcome, New Associates!
• Have You Met Finn, Atlantic General's Therapy Dog?
• Get Ready for Our Annual Pumpkin Contest!
• Mark Your Calendars: Oktoberfeast Associate Celebration
• LifeBalance 2023 Fall Contest
• Happy National Health Care Supply Chain Week!
• Hilton Oceanfront Staycation Raffle
• Ravens Roost Raffle to Benefit the 30th Annual Penguin Swim
• Purchase Your Custom Penguin Swim Keychains!
• The Atlantic General Hospital Fall Apparel Sale is Here!
• Join Us for Our 3rd Annual Puppy Penguin Swim & Yappy Hour!
• Wellness Update
• Infection Prevention: Weekly Quiz
• October Cultural Corner
• Weekly Reflection

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!

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 Atlantic General Hospital Junior Auxiliary Group (JAG) is currently in need of 9 volunteers for their upcoming Tacos, Tiaras and Sombreros FUNdraiser event, to be held at Ocean Downs Casino on November 15. Volunteers will receive incentive points.

The volunteer roles are as follows:

• 2 volunteers for registration
• 2 volunteers to assist with the raffle
• 3 volunteers to assist with games
• 2 volunteers to take photos

Please click the button below to sign up:

Congratulations to our recent DAISY and Honeybee award winners: Emma Konopik, CNA, and Judy Petralia, RN! Every day, you make such a positive difference in the lives of your colleagues, patients and their families, and we are so fortunate to have you as part of the Atlantic General team. Thank you for all that you do!

Emma Konopik, CNA

Nomination #1: "I would like to nominate Emma Konopik for the next Honeybee award. Although she has only been a CNA for a short time, you would never know it. Almost every day I work, I hear kind, thoughtful words about her. These comments not only come from her patients, but her colleagues as well. She takes an understanding of each of her patients and gives them the individualized care they need. When her patients are all taken care of, she offers help. ALL THE TIME. I know she is planning on becoming a nurse, and if she continues with this kind of care she gives, she will be exceptional. Her dedication to AGH, as well as her patients, is obvious."

Nomination #2: "Emma was here for me. She does what she says she will do, "no waiting." Emma was my cheerleader for my recovery. She is a pearl."



Judy Petralia, RN

Nomination: "Judy Petralia has been a dedicated PAT at Atlantic General Hospital since September of 2015. In this nursing role, Judy does not get much face-to-face time with patients as she completes her work with our surgical patients over the phone. Hearing many of these calls from my office, I am often amazed at the rapport Judy can create with patients in such a short amount of time. Recently, Judy connected with a patient over the phone in such a way that the patient confided in her that she was living in an unsafe environment. The domestic violence from which the patient was suffering was putting not only herself but her family at risk. Because Judy was able to create a trusting relationship in such a short time with this patient, an opportunity was identified to provide the patient with some much-needed resources while she was here for outpatient surgery. On the day of the surgery, resources were offered to the patient allowing her to be in a safe home by the end of the day. Because of Judy's consistent care and concern for all our surgical patients, I feel she should be recognized for her outstanding service to our patients, our organization, and our community."

HUGGS in Action Welcomes New Associates!

Back row: Adrian Febus, Julia Noel, Lori Matthews, Tracey Steinbrecher

Seated: Timmathy Bodnar, Jessica Jersey, Crystal Potts

Have you met Finn?

Finn visits the Burbage Regional Cancer Care Center every Friday at 11:00 a.m., and can be found at the hospital from ~11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. If you're ever having a stressful day, Finn can surely bring you some peace and comfort!

National Health Care Supply Chain Week (SC Week), October 1-7, 2023, is an opportunity to recognize the importance of the health care supply chain professionals and honor them for their exceptional contributions to patient care and the innovative ways in which they support their health care organizations and communities.

Thank you to all the Atlantic General supply chain professionals who ensure the continued delivery of high-quality care to each patient we serve!

Following the AGH/AGHS Mandatory Flu Vaccination policy, ALL associates, medical staff, and volunteers are required to be immunized or have an exemption on file by 12/1/2023.

Those who have an approved medical /religious exemption are required to wear a surgical mask in all inpatient and outpatient areas during the designated flu season.

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

*Associate flu vaccines will be delivered to AGHS the first week of October.

Look for our rolling flu cart on the following days:

Tuesday, October 3 | 7am – 12pm

Wednesday, October 4 | 7am – 12pm

Thursday, October 5 | 12pm - 4pm

Monday, October 9 | 7am – 12pm

Tuesday, October 10 | 12pm - 4pm

Wednesday, October 11 | 7am – 12pm

Thursday, October 12 | 12pm - 4pm

More days to follow……..

Flu Prevention Tips

• Clean your hands often with soap and water.
• Use sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
• Don't touch your face with unwashed hands.
• Smiling boosts your immunity.
• Eat healthy, balanced meals to strengthen your immune system.
• Exercise boosts immunity and speeds recovery from illness.
• Stay home for a full 24 hours after your fever is gone.
• Get vaccinated for protection against the flu.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

This Week's Question

The following are symptoms of COVID-19: True or False



• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Please send your answers to kespey@atlanticgeneral.org and ehoward@atlanticgeneral.org.

The first person with the correct answer wins a prize.

Last 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

Answer: e / All of the above.

Winner: Julie Nibblett, Case Management

Prize: Pink breast cancer cup and pen. 

Supportive Care & Pastoral Care Services

October 2023

October is National Health Literacy Month: According to studies, more than 40 percent of Americans have difficulty obtaining, processing, and understanding basic healthcare information which is necessary for making informed decisions. Author Helen Osborne, who established the month in 1999, wanted to increase access to healthcare information.

October is also National Domestic Violence Awareness month. It’s a time to come together to raise awareness and end domestic violence. This recognition started in 1981 with the goal of raising awareness for victims and survivors of domestic violence. With education and support from friends, family, and organizations, we can make a real difference in ending domestic violence.

Oct. 1^st:  Global Diversity Awareness: This month is dedicated to celebrating the beauty of diversity and recognizing the importance of inclusion in our world. It was first created in 1999, as a way to bring attention to the diverse cultures and lifestyles that exist around the globe. During this month, we can all come together to learn more about each other and bridge any divides that might exist between us.

Oct. 5^th: World Teachers Day Get ready to show your appreciation for teachers around the world on World Teachers' Day on October 5! This special day was first established in 1994 by UNESCO, and since then it has grown into an international event celebrating the role of educators everywhere. It's a great opportunity to thank all those who have helped us become successful individuals throughout our lives.

Oct. 5th: Spread some kindness and joy on National Do Something Nice Day! This special day has been around since 1998 when it was first declared by its founder, the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. Since then, people all over the world join together to show appreciation for each other through small acts of kindness. Whether you choose to do something nice for a stranger or someone close to you, this is one day that will surely bring smiles to everyone!

Oct. 9^th: Curious Events Day is October 9 and it’s the day to wonder about everything we’ve ever wondered about. How do they get those clipper ships inside the bottles? Who figured out how to tie shoelaces? What’s the most recent sighting of Bigfoot in North America? Be inquisitive today!

Oct. 21^st National Apple Day is a day dedicated entirely to celebrating all things apple: apple pie, apple sauce, apple crisp… The list goes on and on. This day reminds us to appreciate the apple in its myriad forms. Pick out your favorite variety, try a new kind of apple (like the super crispy, bright yellow, non-browning Opal® apples,) and celebrate with apple lovers across the world. Studies have shown that the earliest known wild apple trees cropped up in regions of central Asia anywhere between 10 and 20 million years ago. Though initially their flavor was sour, apple trees would evolve to produce sweeter fruits. This development would make them a more attractive food for wild animals and thereby assist with their diffusion throughout the continent. The apple would eventually spread to Europe as early as the 17th century BC; some historians believe it was during this time that the Romans developed the apple into the larger, sweeter, more edible fruits that we are familiar with today.

Oct. 31: Halloween: Halloween is right around the corner and it's time to get ready for a spooktacular celebration! This holiday has been around since ancient times, when people would dress up in costumes to ward off evil spirits. Today, Halloween is celebrated all over the world with parties, trick-or-treating, costume contests and more. 

Supportive & Pastoral Care Services:gmansell@atlanticgeneral.org  410-641-9725

Stay Strong and Power On!

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:



gmansell@atlanticgeneral.org, wmindte@atlanticgeneral.org, 

bpurpura@atlanticgeneral.org, eolson@atlanticgeneral.org



Stay Strong & Power On!