Grand Rounds November on West TN Medical News 3.0

Grand Rounds November

Bemiss Returns as Director of Lake Haven Behavioral Center

For Mental Health Awareness week, Henry County Medical Center recognized its Lake Haven Behavioral Center, a 22 bed adult psychological unit that provides mental health care to the region. They also welcomed Roger Bemiss, MS, LADC, LMFT, NCMAC, back as the director of the center.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) focuses on the underlying causes of mental illness, new medical advances and the availability of treatments.

At the heart of NAMI’s mission are our grassroots and the sharing of information with people with mental illness, their families, friends, mental health professionals, and the general public. NAMI strives to offer hope, reform and health to our American community through support, education, and advocacy efforts. Research is constantly providing us with new information about the brain and the nature of mental illnesses and, consequently, more effective treatments.

For more information about treating mental illness, please contact Lake Haven.

Methodist Associates Appointed to Board of Examiners for Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence

Several Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare associates have been appointed to the 2010 Board of Examiners by the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence (TNCPE). Paula Jacobs, director, Quality and Performance, Methodist North Hospital; Jonathan Watkins, assistant administrator, Methodist North Hospital, Laura Hess, patient care coordinator, Methodist North Hospital and Razvan Marinescu, associate director, planning, research and development, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, have been appointed.
Every year, the TNCPE award program recognizes organizations demonstrating excellence in business operations and results. Jacobs and Watkins will be returning this year as 2nd year examiners.

Established in 1993, TNCPE promotes economic development by helping companies grow more competitive in today’s global marketplace. More than 1,000 organizations have participated in the award program.

Redesigned Orthopedics Center Welcomes Patients

A cutting edge care center for orthopedic patients opened in late October on the newly renovated fourth floor of the Regional Hospital of Jackson.

The center is designed to optimize recover and minimize patients’ pain. To help accomplish this, a state of the art call system has been installed in patient rooms and a wireless system is in place for patients to use throughout the center. The renovated rooms are outfitted with new hospital beds, flat screen televisions and WiFi. Patients are kept busy with a daily activity schedule that promotes mobility and healing along with group physical therapy activities.

Family and friends are invited to spend time with their patient in the center’s two living room areas. Both rooms have a flat screen television and one has a Wii to promote patient activity in a fun and interactive way. Guests are also welcome to join patients for lunch or dinner in the center’s dining hall.

A wing of the center will be dedicated to total joint patients to decrease their chance of infections. These patients are also invited to “Joint Camp” prior to their surgery to meet with the professionals who are coordinating their care and learn what to expect during their hospital stay.

The completion of the Orthopedic and Joint marks the beginning of a series of renovations planned at the Regional Hospital of Jackson to enhance the facility without interrupting daily care during construction.

NHC HOMECARE OF THE YEAR

NHC HOMECARE-MILAN was recognized at National Healthcare Corporation’s annual conference recently held in Savannah, GA. Each year NHC has an educational conference for its Healthcare DONs, Rehab Coordinators and Homecare Administrators. On the final evening longevity and accomplishments of NHC partners and programs are recognized.

Of the 36 NHC Homecares, the MILAN team was a TOP PERFORMER in TURNOVER, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, and the WINNER in PROGRAM GROWTH. The team also received the highest level of NHC Homecare Excellence Certification – the 5 STAR AWARD and was the winner of the highest Homecare Award –NHC HOMECARE OF THE YEAR.

This award reflects the performance of the entire Homecare program. It is based on thirteen categories representative of areas in patient care, customer satisfaction, program growth, and financial performance. NHC Homecare Milan has been a finalist for this award several years and was a previous winner in 2003.

Meketi Chosen as Best Nurse by Paris Post Intelligencer Readers’ Choice Awards

Henry County Medical Center is proud of the wonderful nursing staff and is very excited to announce that one of its best recently was recognized by Paris Post-Intelligencer’s advertising staff for being named Best Nurse!

LuJan Meketi, RN, received the Best Nurse Award from Paris Post-Intelligencer’s Tom Lemonds, advertising representative, at a Noon on the Square event, where Meketi was working as president of HCHS Project Graduation parents.

Cathy Howard, BSN RN and Director of Nursing for CCU and Cardiac Rehabilitation said Meketi is dedicated to her patients to the fullest and she exemplifies the art of caring for patients.

The Readers’ Choice awards are compiled by survey and were accumulated online this year. The winners are planned to be announced in October in a special section of the paper.

UT Medical Group Welcomes New Physicians

UT Medical Group welcomes four new physicians to its private group practice. Dr. Victor Feldbaum has joined the department of obstetrics and gynecology. A graduate of Wayne State University School of Medicine, Feldbaum completed his OB/GYN residency at Emory University School of Medicine. He is board-eligible by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is assistant clerkship director and clinical instructor of obstetrics and gynecology at the UT Health Science Center.

He has a special interest in minimally invasive surgery, fibroid uterus, pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, vaginal and vulvar diseases, novel ultrasound applications, and preeclampsia.

Dr. Charmaine B. Woode and Dr. Mohammed Alesheikh-Ali have joined the department of pediatrics.
Woode is a general pediatrician with a special interest in diabetes. She is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and cares for patients at the pediatric diabetes clinic.

Alesheikh-Ali is a pediatric cardiologist who cares for patients in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and at the pediatric cardiology outpatient clinic. He is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is fellowship trained in pediatric cardiology and pediatric critical care medicine.

Also, the medical group has strengthened its vascular surgery program with the addition of Dr. Christopher Byrne.

Byrne is board certified by the American Board of Surgery. He earned his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine followed by residency at Temple University Health System in Philadelphia. He completed fellowship training in vascular surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

MUH Announces New Leaders

Catherin Murphy, RN, BSN, MBA, has been promoted to Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Services for Methodist University Hospital. Murphy joined Methodist in January 2007 as Administrative Director for Patient Care Operations. She has served as interim CNO since April 2010 while a nationwide search was being conducted.

Jana Gallemore, RHIA, has joined MUH as director for Health Information Management. Prior to joining Methodist, Gallemore served as director of Health Information Management and Privacy Officer for Nashville General Hospital at Meharry in Nashville. Gallemore received her bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She is a member of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and Tennessee Health Information Management Association (THIMA) and was the 2009-2010 recipient of THIMA Rising Star Award.

Dana Avant has been promoted to administrative director over neurology, orthopedics, and oncology. Avant rejoined Methodist in 2004 as a clinical director and she has held a number of positions during her tenure including interim director over several areas. Avant had previously worked at Methodist from 1991 to 2000 as a charge nurse and staff nurse in neuro-critical care.

Avant earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; and her Master of Science in nursing executive leadership from the University of Memphis.

William Phillips, Ph.D., has been named director of Respiratory Therapy. Phillips has worked for Methodist 24 years.

He began his career at Methodist as staff respiratory therapist and has held a number of positions with increasing responsibility.

Phillips received his doctorate in public health from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He earned his master’s degree in human resources from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Phillips holds two bachelor degrees. He received a bachelor degree in adult education from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and a bachelor degree in respiratory care from the University of Mississippi.

Dr. Mayzell Named to Lead Health Choice

George Mayzell, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.P. has been named CEO of Health Choice, LLC. Health Choice is one of the Mid-South’s leading managed healthcare organizations, serving the needs of more than 518,000 health plan members through contracts with over 100 employers, insurance companies and third-party administrators.

Dr. Mayzell most recently was senior vice president, chief patient care officer for Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and has also served as chief medical officer of Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital.

Dr. Mayzell’s background as a physician with a keen sense of business strategy is just what Health Choice needs, according to MetroCare board chairman, Carter Towne, M.D.

Dr. Megan Higgins Joins Paris Pediatrics

Henry County Medical Center and Paris Pediatrics is pleased to welcome Megan Higgins, MD, to the medical staff and back home to practice pediatrics. Dr. Higgins is the daughter of Dr. Elizabeth and Spencer Craig.

Dr. Higgins received her Bachelor of Science in Biology at Murray State University and her Doctorate of Medicine at ETSU James Quillen College of Medicine in Johnson City, TN. She finished her residency and internship at LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center in Memphis.
Higgins joins Drs. Debra Selby, John Jackson and Jeffrey Mann at Paris Pediatrics.

HCMC Announces October’s Partner of the Month and Stars of Excellence

Henry County Medical Center is pleased to announce that Jeff Wiseman, LPN at Henry County Healthcare Center, was the Partner of the Month for October in the Stars of Excellence program. Four other partners are Star Partners in our employee recognition program.
Wiseman was recognized for going above and beyond for a fellow partner.

Wiseman had just clocked out when a partner started having symptoms that concerned her. Wiseman stayed to evaluate her and suggested she go to the Emergency Room. She was diagnosed with severe vertigo and she’s thankful for Wiseman and his advice. He also called her at home that evening to see if she felt better.

The four partners recognized as Star Partners in the Stars of Excellence program are Craig Peevyhouse, Paramedic, Emergency Department; Melissa Carpenter, Staff Coordinator for Henry County Healthcare Center; Elaine Dunmire, Mammography Technician and Mary Gilley, Unit Secretary for 3 Tower.

New Milan School Health Clinic Holds Open House

The Milan Chamber of Commerce, Milan Special School District officials and West Tennessee Healthcare officials were on hand last month for a ribbon cutting and open house for the new school health clinic.

The clinic is located at Milan Elementary School and is made possible through a partnership between West Tennessee Healthcare and the Milan Special School District. The new school health clinic will provide sick visits (sore throats, ear aches, coughs, colds, urinary tract infection, minor injuries), sports physicals, school entrance physicals, well child exams, lab testing and referrals to other services.

Victor M. Santana, MD, Honored For His Contribution To Clinical Research Training

A clinical research career that began at St. Jude more than 25 years ago was honored recently when Victor M. Santana, M.D., received the President’s Award for Distinguished Service from the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA).

Santana, who is St. Jude vice president of clinical trials administration and a member of the St. Jude Solid Tumor Division, was recognized for his contribution to training the data managers, research nurses and study coordinators responsible for carrying out clinical research in academics, industry and government settings. For nearly a decade, Santana has served as volunteer faculty for the SoCRA clinical research certification course, which is held several times each year at locations throughout the U.S. Santana teaches the research ethics component.

In honoring Santana, SoCRA President John Petrich, cited Santana’s outstanding service not only to SoCRA but also in the lives of patients he has cared for during his career, and for those who are benefiting from the research he has guided and supported through his work at St. Jude.

Santana was honored in September at the opening ceremony of the society’s annual conference in Dallas.

Michael Kastan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center, praised Santana for helping to train the next generation of clinical research associates. Kastan cited Santana’s work with SoCRA as an example of the unique blend of skills and experiences Santana brings to his role overseeing the hospital’s clinical research infrastructure. Santana also serves as the cancer center’s associate director for clinical research.

Santana joined St. Jude in 1984 as a clinical fellow in the Department of Clinical Pharmacology. He built a career as a successful clinical investigator and generous colleague, chairing the hospital Institutional Review Board that oversees human subjects research and serving on a variety of committees for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, other government agencies and professional groups.

Today, Santana coordinates more than a half dozen departments and groups working to ensure the safe, efficient and optimal operation of the estimated 390 clinical trials now actively underway at St. Jude. Unlike other types of research that rely on cells or laboratory models like mice, clinical trials involve people as participants. Between 2005 and 2009, the number of St. Jude patients participating in a protocol more than doubled to about 2,200.

Santana said his goals include improved communication, greater institution-wide standardization of operating procedures and ensuring that the education and training needs of those involved in clinical research are met. Santana now holds a monthly directors meeting that brings together representatives of departments involved in clinical research to tackle concerns and discuss future efforts.
The work is being done against a backdrop of change. Along with evolving regulatory and funding issues, Santana said the rise of personalized medicine built on molecularly-targeted therapies will force investigators and regulators to revisit how clinical trials are designed and the results interpreted.

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine Recognizes Excellence with the 2010 Outstanding Alumni Awards

Graduates of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) College of Medicine have been making bold moves to take health care into greater heights for decades. Annually, four alumni who exude commitment, creativity and courage in improving the health care industry are selected by the executive committee of the UT College of Medicine alumni council to be duly recognized. This year’s Outstanding Alumni Awards were presented to: James C. Fleming, Ann McGuire Grooms, Phyllis E. Miller, and Jesse C. Woodall, Jr.
James C. Fleming, MD, FACS, Class of 1974, serves UTHSC as vice chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology and as the Philip M. Lewis Professor of Ophthalmology. Dr. Fleming directs the Orbit Center, a service at the UT Hamilton Eye Institute (HEI) to treat orbital disease and trauma, and is chair of the UT Medical Group Finance Committee.

Ann McGuire Grooms, MD, Class of 1966, specializes in pediatrics, neuromusculoskeletal medicine, sports medicine and family medicine in Gainesville, Fla. In 1978, Dr. Grooms joined the University of Florida Student Health Care Center as a staff physician and assistant professor.

Phyllis E. Miller, MD, Class of 1972, has specialized in obstetrics and gynecology in Chattanooga since the 1970s. Dr. Miller currently serves the gynecology needs of women at The Women’s Institute for Specialized Health in Chattanooga and is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She was the first female chief of staff at Chattanooga’s Erlanger Health System from 1993 to 1995.

Jesse C. Woodall, Jr., MD, FACOG, FACS, is an alumnus of the Class of 1964. After medical school, Dr. Woodall enlisted in the U.S. Army as a captain. He served as an Army flight surgeon and later returned to Memphis where he completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology.

Jackson-Madison County General Hospital Announces New 30-Year Knee Replacement Surgery

People facing knee replacement surgery now have more options at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. The new Legion knee replacement surgery uses Verilast technology that is designed to last 30 years. The stress of walking and daily living can wear out the replacement said Marty Fordham, vice president of Hospital Services for General Hospital.

Currently, if a knee replacement fails due to wear, the patient will undergo a surgery to replace components, resulting in more cost for implants, surgery and the risk of infection and bone loss for the patient said Fordham.

The Legion knee implant was made using Verilast technology, which combines Smith and Nephew’s patented Oxinium and a ceramic surface that articulates with an ultra dense polyethylene plastic.

According to Dr. Michael Cobb, an orthopedic surgeon with West Tennessee Bone and Joint who is currently using the new knee, the knee has survived taking over 45 million cycles which simulates 30 years of use. Recent research in total joint replacements has focused on improving wear resistance since this is a leading cause of failure of a total joint. For more information go online to www.wth.org/30yearknee.

THA Honors Bruce Bledsoe With Meritorious Service Award For Governance

The Tennessee Hospital Association (THA) honored Bruce E. Bledsoe posthumously at their annual meeting in Nashville on October 6. Receiving the Meritorious Service Award for Governance on his behalf was his wife, Theresia, along with several members of their family.
Bruce Bledsoe joined the West Tennessee Healthcare board of trustees in 2000. He served as vice chairman from 2004-2006 and was elected chairman in 2006, serving a two-year term. During his chairmanship, work on the new patient care tower continued and 189 resolutions were passed that affected the organization. Some of the major resolutions for Jackson-Madison County General Hospital included major renovations and expansion of the emergency room waiting area, renovation and expansion of the Neonatal unit, and creation of a wellness center for employees.

Bledsoe was remembered for his dedication, work, and ministry with Hospice and served as the board liaison for Hospice inspections by the state and CMS. The Bruce Edward Bledsoe Endowment was established with the purpose to benefit Hospice and the patients it serves.

Bobby Arnold, president and CEO of West Tennessee Healthcare said that Bledsoe took his responsibilities very seriously and attended board meetings and the Finance Committee meetings faithfully. He was a servant leader, who provided wisdom and counsel with fairness, integrity, and the best interest of the healthcare system as his goal.

Each year, THA conducts an awards recognition program to honor individuals and organizations that have contributed toward the goals of the association or one or more of its institutional members. Awards are presented in five categories, of which the meritorious service – governance is one.