We would like to recognize our Non-Nursing Lifelong Learner Award Nominees and Winner. This award is to honor exceptional employees who demonstrate professional excellence and contribute to their specific area of practice. Our nominee was Lance from Central Supply. Our award winner was Erin, CST, CSFA, from Surgery.
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CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs held a "Bridging Ceremony" in late July for 12 of their new RN hires who were either student nurse techs or who had done a preceptorship/internship at Mercy. We wanted to recognize them in some way for choosing Mercy as their family to start their new profession as a RN as well as honor them since they were not able to have an official in person graduation ceremony.. We congratulate Madyson, RN, from Medcial-Surgical Department, for being part of our team.
#CHIHealthMercyCBrocks
CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs presented its first "Spirit of Service" award to Dan from the Food & Nutrition department. This recognition is awarded to a staff member for their dedication to living out the qualities and behaviors that embody the Spirit of Service. We honor Dan and appreciate your outstanding efforts to ensure the successful advancement of our mission.
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We would like to recognize our Non-Nursing Rookie of the Year Award Nominees and Winner. This award is to honor exceptional employees who have been in their role less than 2 years and demonstrate professional excellence and contribute to their specific area of practice and have exhibited substantial growth and development during this time. Our nominees were Melissa, MSW, and Katie, MSW from Care Management and Paige, PT, DPT.
Our award winner was Ella from McDermott.
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Let's get moving and take some steps in creating a healthier hometown! We are teaming up with The 712 Initiative for Iowa's Healthiest State Walk on October 7, 2020.
Team Mercy, we will meet outside the hospital's main entrance at noon and walk around the surrounding neighborhoods for 30 minutes. Join us over your lunch break! If you can't make this time work, we encourage you to walk for 30 minutes on October 7, snap a picture, and send it to Abby.Jares@alegent.org.
IOWAHEALTHIESTSTATE.COM
Walk Details - Iowa Healthiest State Initiative
We would like to recognize our Nursing Rookie of the Year Award Nominees and Winner. This award is to honor exceptional employees who have been in their role less than 2 years and demonstrate professional excellence and contribute to their specific area of practice and have exhibited substantial growth and development during this time. Our nominees were Elizabeth, RN, from Resource Pool; Shannon, BSN, RN, from Maternity Center; and Becky West, BSN, RN, from Surgery Department.
Our award winner was Kayla, RN, CIC, from McDermott.
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Meet Kristin Wolford, PT, DPT, CMTPT, ACCI, Director of Rehab Services, at CHI Health Mercy., is a member of the Patient Family Advisory Council (PFAC). "I joined PFAC for the community interaction as it is a great way to learn and grow both personally and professionally. I love being on the council because the feedback from our community members is so valuable because it really helps us to see things from angles of people who aren't immersed in healthcare every day. The biggest impact our council has done is the wayfinding and wording in patient materials. The council helps us provide our patients with the best patient experience."
Have you met Harold, one of our front-desk volunteers? Dennis Shea, chaplain at CHI Health Mercy, describes Harold as "good with patients and handy with equipment. He always has a good attitude and portrays pleasantness to visitors and patients."
Thank you for everything you do Harold! We love having you as a part of the hospital team.
Do you want to say "Thank You" to your nurse? The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that honors and celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide every day. if you want to say thank you by sharing your story of how a CHI Health Mercy nurse made a difference in your care, you can click on the following link to nominate a nurse. http://bit.ly/2S39oFn
Congratulations to Linnette, MCC, PLMHP, MHCTL, NCC, PLADC, from McDermott, on passing the National Counselor Examination. We are so proud to have you as part of our CHI Health Mercy team.
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Congratulations to Mikala, BSN, RN, from the Maternity Center, on obtaining her Certification in Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM). Benefits of our nurses obtaining this certification include:
Competence validation
An integral part of patient safety initiatives
Communication among team members is consistent & all are held to the same standards
Personal & public recognition
Thanks for being part of our CHI Health Mercy family!
Get a step ahead with Student Nurse Tech (SNT) positions at CHI Health.
Addie, RN, from Emergency Department, was one of our SNTs at Mercy. She said "the SNT position greatly prepared me for my role as a nurse. I was able to observe many procedures and help during procedures that I otherwise would have not seen. I cannot imagine transitioning into the RN role without first having been a SNT. I would give current nursing students the advice to apply for a SNT position. Jump in, help where ever they will let you. Learn what you can and get your hands in before it's your responsibility to do so. Just do it!"
Find more information at https://spr.ly/6188GN0Zi or contact us at jobs@alegent.org
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women (only lung cancer kills more women each year). 1 out of every 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
In Iowa, an estimated 18,460 new cases will be diagnosed & about 6,440 deaths (these statistics include women & men).
CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs participated in breast cancer awareness month by having a Pink Out Day for staff. Amy, Magnet Coordinator, put a CHALLENGE out there that if she could raise $1,000 during the month of October she would color her hair pink in honor & in memory of all breast cancer patients. Thanks to everyone who donated, she raised $1,148. Also, a thanks to the following medical oncologist who between the 4 of them matched her $1,000: Dr. Bernie Su; Dr. Kristin Leu; Dr. Margaret Block and Dr. Samer Renno.
The Mercy Volunteers will hold a used book sale today in the lobby. Masks are required and please remember to practice social or physical distancing while shopping. All proceeds of the sale go towards projects at CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs. ***This photo is from the 2019 used book sale and taken before COVID-19. This year, all COVID-19 safety measures will be in place.***
CHANGES TO VISITOR POLICY AT CHI HEALTH.
Starting Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, CHI Health will implement changes to our visitor policy. Visit https://spr.ly/6188H6cAI for details. This change was made to help keep our patients, staff, & community safe.
Congratulations to Claudia who is our November Volunteer of the Month at CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs. Claudia enjoys donating her time to give back to the community as a volunteer. She joined our volunteer program just over a year ago and is in the Gift Shop on Wednesday mornings. Before volunteering at Mercy, she taught preschool and special education with Omaha Public Schools for 35 years.
“I just love the hospital staff,” she said. “Everyone’s so friendly and I enjoy being able to get to know them.” During her time volunteering at CHI Health Mercy, Claudia has also joined the Mercy Hospital Guild, which raises money to put back into the hospital for things like patient experiences and special projects. The gift shop is gearing up for its annual holiday gift sale, which will raise money for future Mercy Hospital Guild projects.
Outside of her volunteer time, Claudia works part-time for the Mid-America Center catering crew. She also loves spending time with her family, and visiting with her grandchildren. Thank you Claudia for all you do at Mercy!
CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs held a “Bridging Ceremony” for their new RN hires who were either student nurse techs or who had done a preceptorship/internship at Mercy. We wanted to recognize them in some way for choosing Mercy as their family to start their new profession as a RN as well as honor them since they were not able to have an official in person graduation ceremony. Stacy, BSN, RN, from PCU, was recognized.
Our "Bridging Ceremony" consisted of the explaining the significance of the nursing cap that years prior nurses had worn, Certificate of Recognition and RN pin from VP of Patient Care Services, In addition, the Magnet Coordinator and her nurse's cap from when she attended nursing school passing it to the new RN.
We would like to recognize our staff who have celebrated their 35 year milestone anniversary of being with CHI Health: Susy, BSN, RN-BC from PCU; Kim from EVS; Lance from Central Service; and Jeff, Supervisor from EVS. Thanks for your service and we are happy to have you as part of our Mercy family.
Spirit of Service is a standardized monthly recognition program to honor staff throughout CHI Health. The
guiding principles of the program are our Core Values, staff competencies and demonstration of service to our
mission, patients and each other.
The program builds on our existing engagement essentials, recognition practices and builds a culture where
employees are valued.
If you would like to recognize an extraordinary employee or volunteer, click on the following link to fill out a nomination form. https://spr.ly/6183HPXmF
Congratulations to Misty, BSN, RN, C-EFM, from the Maternity Center, for obtaining her Inpatient Obstetric Nursing Certification (RNC-OB). This is Misty's second certification. This accomplishment takes a great deal of time and dedication to complete.
We would like to recognize our staff who have celebrated their 45 year milestone anniversary of being with CHI Health: Mary, Dietitian; Mary, BSN, RN, CNOR, from Surgery; and Fritzie, Surgical Services Anesthesia Tech. Thanks for your service and we are happy to have you as part of our Mercy family.
CHI Health is offering a variety of Virtual Childbirth Education classes this season. If you are preparing for a new arrival, check out the available options to get prepared: https://spr.ly/6183HVmUJ
CHIHEALTHEVENTS.COM
Babies and Parenting
Thank you to Edwards Auto Group for its amazing donation of employee meals that touches every hospital employee – nurses, doctors, technicians, phlebotomists, pharmacists, housekeepers and patient care support personnel who are selflessly caring for community members and putting themselves in the path of COVID-19.
https://spr.ly/6189Hp4I3
Congratulations to Xochitl, MOT, OTR/L, from Rehab Department, was recognized as the ROSE Winner in February 2021. Thanks for everything you do!
Welcome baby boy Matias Soria-Hernandez! He was born at CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs on Feb. 8th. Babies born at Mercy receive handmade hats donated by some of our volunteers. We thank our volunteer, Terry Shippy, for making this adorable baby blue crocheted hat made with tender loving care.
Congratulations to our DAISY Award Winners for February 2021:
Lisa, BSN, RN, from Medical-Surgical/Orthopedic Unit
Danielle, BSN, RN, from ICU
Jill, RN, from Medical-Surgical/Orthopedic Unit
Kim, BSN, RN, ONC, from Medical-Surgical/Orthopedic Unit
Thanks for everything you do!
Congratulations to Danielle, BSN, RN, from ICU, on bring recognized with the Green Cape Award from Live On Nebraska. This award is presented to individuals for transcending the scope of normal duties during a donor case and being a champion for the ultimate act of generosity--organ and tissue donation.
Spirit of Service is a standardized monthly recognition program to honor staff throughout CHI Health. The
guiding principles of the program are our Core Values, staff competencies and demonstration of service to our
mission, patients and each other.
The program builds on our existing engagement essentials, recognition practices and builds a culture where
employees are valued.
If you would like to recognize an extraordinary employee or volunteer, click on the following link to fill out a nomination form. https://spr.ly/6187HPXUL
Availa Bank is very excited to assist Mercy with the therapy garden project. Mercy Hospital has a strong tradition in Southwest Iowa and has provided high quality care to all of our residents,” says Matt Gronstal, president of Availa Bank.
“We are grateful that Mercy is a part of our community, and we are happy to assist the hospital in achieving its mission.”
