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Press Release
Contact:
Joan Kalasinsky (SMH Volunteer)
307-672-8982
or
Cecile Pattison, Community Relations Coordinator
307-672-1017
cecilepattison@sheridanhospital.org
For Immediate Release
November 10, 2008
Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Trees of Love
(Sheridan, Wyo.) The annual tree lighting ceremony for Sheridan Memorial Hospital's Christmas Trees of Love will be Sunday, December 7 at 4:30 p.m. in the front lobby of the hospital. A short poem will be read during the tree lighting and music of the season will follow. Refreshments will be served.
Sponsored by the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, the trees provide residents the opportunity to dedicate a light in honor or memory of a friend or family member. White lights memorialize a deceased loved one; green lights honor a relative or friend; and red lights honor a child or a pet.
"Lights can be dedicated to a loved one with a donation of $5.00 or more any time throughout November and December, " according to Joan Kalasinsky, Auxiliary spokesperson for the Trees of Love project.
While many people purchase lights for someone who is no longer living, the lights also make an excellent holiday gift for a friend, neighbor or loved one. With a $5.00 donation, the Auxiliary sends a card to the honoree or the family informing them of the dedication. Donations should be sent in prior to the Tree Lighting on December 7 in order to be acknowledged with a card. Donations after that date will be acknowledged through January 2009.
The honoree's name is also inscribed in the Book of Love, which will be on display in the hospital lobby during the holidays.
"Since the first Lighting of the Tree of Love on the front lawn of Memorial Hospital in December of 1988, it has become an annual December event that many of us look forward to," Kalasinsky said.
Each year proceeds from the Trees of Love project go to fund a needed project or piece of equipment for the hospital.
Application forms are available on the hospital website www.sheridanhospital.org, at the hospital's reception desk or in businesses and offices throughout the community. For more information call Joan Kalasinsky at 672-8982.
 [MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TREES OF LOVE, CLICK HERE!]
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Press Release
Contact:
Mike McCafferty, CEO
307-672-1044
mikemccafferty@sheridanhospital.org
or
LaNora Dixon, Program Development Manager
307-675-2610
lanoradixon@sheridanhospital.org
For Immediate Release
9/10/08
Medical Oncology at Welch Cancer Center now offered through Sheridan Memorial Hospital
(Sheridan, Wyo.) Sheridan Memorial Hospital announced it will assume operations of medical oncology services (chemotherapy) at the Welch Cancer Center effective September 15, 2008. Hematology-Oncology Centers of the Northern Rockies (HOCNR) has been providing medical oncology services for patients in Sheridan for six years.
A spokesperson for HOCNR cited financial difficulties as the reason for the transition.
Dr. Patrick Cobb, managing partner for HOCNR said, "As a result of changes in reimbursement structure for cancer care, operation in multiple facilities is no longer feasible for our organization."
Patients battling cancer in Sheridan will continue to receive their care at the Welch Cancer Center under the direction of Dr. Tracy Coe with Sheridan Memorial Hospital supporting operations.
"Continuity of care for patients and families is our top priority. Patient care will remain consistent during this transition," said Dr. Coe.
"We remain dedicated to providing the best cancer care for our patients and we feel we can grow our cancer services in the future. With the addition of Dr. Coe in April, and the established leadership in radiation oncology with Dr. John Stamato, the Welch Cancer Center is poised for growth," said Mike McCafferty, Chief Executive Officer at Memorial Hospital. "It is a privilege to work with this committed group of individuals to continue to support and expand existing services as we embrace the opportunities for continued development of cancer care services in Sheridan. We truly appreciate the commitment HOCNR has made to patients in our area."
"This was the last thing we wanted to see happen in Sheridan," Dr. Cobb said. "We’ve had a long-term relationship with hundreds of patients there and it makes us very sad to leave. We feel confident that the hospital has stepped up to take care of our patients and we’re pleased that Dr. Coe will continue to be there in the clinic."
The Welch Cancer Center will continue to provide comprehensive cancer treatment to patients in the Sheridan area and surrounding communities. |
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Press Release
Contact:
Danae Brandjord, Marketing Manager
307-672-1198
danaebirch@sheridanhospital.org
or
Cecile Pattison, Community Relations Coordinator
307-672-1017
cecilepattison@sheridanhospital.org
For Immediate Release
7/16/08
Phone Lines Open for Sheridan Health Fair Blood Draws
The phone lines are now open and volunteers are making appointments for wellness screenings offered to the public during the 2008 Annual community blood draws offered by Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Appointments can be made by calling the Health Fair appointment line at (307) 672-1196 on weekdays from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The blood draws will be held Aug 11-22 in the lobby at Sheridan Memorial Hospital from 6 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. There will not be a Saturday blood draw this year.
AThe Health Fair is a community event and the blood draw is our kick-off," says Cecile Pattison, community relations director. "We know we reach new people each year. Every year we hear testimonials of how someone was alerted to a health issue by having a blood screening.@
The blood screening provides information used by healthcare providers to measure a person=s overall health. There are 29 different tests which screen liver and kidney functions, muscle and bone functions, electrolytes, blood, thyroid, heart (including cholesterol and triglycerides), pancreas and gout. If a person=s iron values in the wellness screening are abnormal, a Ferritin test will automatically be run. AWe include this test at no additional cost, @ says Pattison.
According to Pattison, AThe fee for the wellness screen is $35 and the Complete Blood Count (CBC) is being offered for an additional $15. The CBC tests for anemia, hematocrit and hemoglobin, as well as providing white and red blood cell counts."
Men also have the option of a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood screening for an additional $28. This blood test measures a specific protein that is produced by the male prostate gland. The recommended age for this screening varies from 45-50, depending on an individual=s risk factors. Participants should talk with their doctor about prostate screening.
The Hemoglobin A1c, which was added to the screening selection several years ago, is recommended twice a year for diabetics and measures blood sugar control for the previous 3 months. Participants who are unsure if they need this test should check with their physician.
A 12-hour fast is required for the wellness screening, which requires not eating or drinking anything except water for 12 hours preceding the blood draw. AWe do encourage people to drink lots of water during the 12-hour fast. The fluid assists with the draw and hydrates the veins,@ Pattison added. People on prescribed medications should continue taking them as directed and people with diabetes should not fast.
Since appointment times fill up fast, interested individuals are encouraged to call (307) 672-1196 now to schedule their appointments. Anyone receiving a reminder card in the mail is encouraged to bring the card to their blood draw appointment to facilitate registration.
Last year more than 4,000 people took advantage of the blood screening. AScreening and early detection of risk factors for future health problems are the best way to assist individuals in making positive lifestyle changes which can help them lead healthier lives," Pattison says. Sheridan Memorial Hospital recommends that individuals share results with their personal physicians for maximum benefit.
This year, blood draw results will be mailed directly to the person by the first week of September. Participants can still bring results to the Health Fair for interpretation and wellness information by healthcare professionals. The Health Fair will take place Sat., Sept. 13 at the Sheridan College Bruce Hoffman Dome from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
For more information or to make an appointment, call (307) 672-1196. |
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Press Release
Contact:
Danae Brandjord, Marketing Manager
307-672-1198
danaebirch@sheridanhospital.org
or
Cecile Pattison, Community Relations Coordinator
307-672-1017
cecilepattison@sheridanhospital.org
For Immediate Release
7/8/08
Primary care needs will be met in Sheridan community
(Sheridan, Wyo.) Sheridan Memorial Hospital and the medical staff announced that Dr. Thomas Niethammer and Dr. Susan Snyder have stated their plans to pursue other endeavors in medicine. Dr. Niethammer will be taking a job at the VA medical center in Sheridan and Dr. Snyder has accepted a position with Iowa Health in Des Moines, Iowa.
CEO Mike McCafferty said that based on these announcements the hospital is working with primary care physicians in the community to assure that medical care will be available to community members. He said they are examining many possibilities and local medical professionals are working together to provide for patients and families needing primary care.
"People in our community should have confidence that they can readily access medical care in Sheridan," McCafferty said. With this in mind, Sheridan Memorial Hospital will be assisting Drs. Ian Hunter and Michael Strahan in the growth of their group practice. The hospital will assist by providing the practice with income guarantees for two physicians for a period of one year. Specifically, Dr. Irving Robinson and Dr. Susan Roberts will be joining Drs. Hunter and Strahan. Patients can call now for appointments.
The hospital will also be working with other community physicians to communicate their availability to see patients. McCafferty stated, "We are committed to making certain that a total system of primary care continues to be available for all members of our community." Furthermore, the hospital has engaged a national recruiting firm to identify potential candidates in the area of Internal Medicine for the Sheridan community. |
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News Release
Contact:
Cecile Pattison, Community Relations Coordinator
307-672-1017
cecilepattison@sheridanhospital.org
or
Jenny Clemens, RTT
307-672-1169
For Immediate Release
6/18/08
Asthma Camp for Kids
 Sheridan Asthma Camp is a unique program designed to provide a medically supervised summer camp experience for children with asthma. The project is sponsored by Sheridan Memorial Hospital in Sheridan, Wyo. Youth ages 7-13 are eligible to attend the camp which is held at Camp Story in Story, Wyo.
The camp will be held Aug. 10-13, 2008 and includes a variety of fun activities and special programs. The Camp Story experience will give many of these campers a chance to participate in something they have never before dared to try. Medical supervision is provided at all times with a physician, nurse and respiratory therapist available to ensure the safety of each child.
Campers requiring medication receive careful attention to their medical routines. All prescribed medicines are dispensed under the watchful eye of a respiratory therapist. Educational films and discussions are part of the program schedule.
Parents will be responsible for transportation to and from camp in Story. Campers will spend the night Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. The registration fee is $95 per child. A list of necessary clothing and supplies will be provided at registration. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. Rules for acceptance and participation in the camp are the same for everyone, regardless of race, creed, sex or national origin.
To register or to help support the Camp, contact Jenny Clemens, Respiratory Therapist, at Sheridan Memorial Hospital, (307) 672-1169 in Sheridan, Wyo. |
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Press Release
Contact:
Danae Brandjord, Marketing Manager
307-672-1198
danaebirch@sheridanhospital.org
or
Cecile Pattison, Community Relations Coordinator
307-672-1017
cecilepattison@sheridanhospital.org
For Immediate Release
6/4/08
Sheridan Memorial Hospital emergency department receives national award:
most improved loyalty and endorsement 2007
(Sheridan, Wyo.) Sheridan Memorial Hospital has been named a National Award winner in healthcare service quality for Exemplary Service Most Improved Loyalty and Endorsement 2007 by Avatar International Inc., a leader in healthcare research and consulting.
 In making the announcement, Dr. Michael Everett, Avatar Founder and CEO said, "Sheridan Memorial Hospital is obviously taking very seriously the two key service outcomes of patient visits for Emergencies; (1) would patients recommend your medical center to friends and neighbors, and (2) would they return themselves if care is needed in the future. Your improvement efforts have resulted in patients significantly increasing their rating of Sheridan Memorial Hospital on these key outcomes, reflecting patients' increased confidence in your staff and services. Congratulations for this significant accomplishment."
Iris Hehn, emergency department and ICU manager at Sheridan Memorial Hospital is grateful for all of the support.
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for their continued confidence and support," she said upon hearing about the award.
Sheridan Memorial Hospital CEO Mike McCafferty explained the emergency department staff must provide a healing environment for patients during a stressful time.
"During times that can be both traumatic and adverse for patients, Sheridan Memorial's people strive to create an environment full of warmth and encouragement," he said. "When we don't meet our patients' expectations, it is our goal to turn these situations into opportunities to learn, and build the loyalty of our patients by showing them that we will make it right with them," he added.
This award is based on significant improvement on hospitals' 2007 Emergency surveys for loyalty and endorsement compared to 2006. Hospitals achieving at least a one standard deviation increase in score from the previous year receive this award. Multiple awards are given based upon bed size and patient Emergencies. Parallel to HCAHPS for Inpatients, Avatar is presenting Most Improved in Loyalty and Endorsement as a new award.
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Press Release
Contact:
Danae Brandjord, Marketing Manager
307-672-1198
danaebirch@sheridanhospital.org
or
Cecile Pattison, Community Relations Coordinator
307-672-1017
cecilepattison@sheridanhospital.org
For Immediate Release
5/14/08
Latest diagnostic imaging technology comes to Sheridan Memorial Hospital
(Sheridan, Wyo.) Sheridan Memorial Hospital now has the latest, most advanced whole-body imaging technology with positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), which significantly enhances the hospital's diagnostic services offered. PET/CT is an invaluable clinical test for cancer, heart disease and neurological disorders.
PET/CT allows radiologists to look at minute chemical and physiological changes related to metabolism. The reason this technology is more advanced is that other imaging methods provide mainly structural information and PET/CT shows how the body is functioning.
PET/CT is a molecular imaging procedure that generates pictures of the precise location and extent of the disease. By imaging the molecular, biological and functional basis for disease, PET enables a physician to detect abnormal cell growth and activity. This information aids in the early detection and improved treatment of many diseases, allowing enhanced capabilities in pre-surgical staging, elimination of invasive procedures, enhanced therapy monitoring capabilities, and a reduction in the number of diagnostic tests performed.
Sheridan Memorial Hospital radiologist, Daniel Alzheimer, M.D., said this is a great addition to the technology available. This mobile PET/CT is at Sheridan Memorial Hospital on Thursdays.
"We offer state-of-the-art PET/CT services every week. It is a ‘true' PET/CT where the CT images and PET images are obtained concurrently and allow your doctor to precisely locate any abnormalities," he said. "This technology allows our local doctors to accurately treat or manage cancer, neurologic abnormalities, and other complex problems," he added.
Radiation oncologist John Stamato, M.D. said this is an extremely valuable tool when investigating new or possible recurrent disease. According to Stamato, the PET scan can give more information because it is a metabolic study, whereas CT alone is an anatomic study.
"The two together provide greater accuracy in the detection of new or recurrent cancer. As a radiation oncologist, it will also provide valuable information during the planning phase for treatment delivery of many malignancies," Stamato said.
Alzheimer explained that that this is also an excellent compliment to the equipment currently in use at Sheridan Memorial Hospital.
"This technology combined with our new breast MRI especially helps to further evaluate breast cancer, giving the patient the best chances for a cure," Alzheimer said. |
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Press Release
Contact:
Danae Brandjord, Marketing Manager
307-672-1198
danaebirch@sheridanhospital.org
or
Cecile Pattison, Community Relations Coordinator
307-672-1017
cecilepattison@sheridanhospital.org
For Immediate Release
4/24/08
Community perception survey on local healthcare underway
(Sheridan, Wyo.) Sheridan Memorial Hospital has outsourced with Sigma Group out of Lincoln, Neb. to conduct a community perception survey in Sheridan County. The telephone survey began on April 18 and they usually take about two weeks to complete.
Danae Brandjord, SMH marketing manager said the purpose of the survey is to find out what people's opinions and experiences are regarding healthcare in the Sheridan area. It will help healthcare professionals and others in the community understand what people think about the services offered here, and then utilize that information to expand or improve current services and explore new process opportunities to meet the needs of the community.
"It is important for us to know what community members think of our services so that we can identify specific areas we need to work on," Brandjord said. "We strive to put our patients first and we know that there is always room to improve," she added.
She explained this can help in other ways by giving us important information regarding what people know about the hospital and where there are opportunities to educate them about services.
"We provide such a broad range of services here, but sometimes people aren't aware of that. They think they have to drive elsewhere to have things done," Brandjord explained. She said if those kinds of things are revealed in the survey, it will help them to know specific areas to target when communicating with people in this area.
LaNora Dixon, program development manager at SMH explained this is another step toward fulfilling the hospital's mission, which is ‘to lead in providing and supporting quality healthcare.'
"This survey is a part of many efforts that Sheridan Memorial Hospital is making to connect with the people in our community. Quality healthcare represents both clinical and service excellence - this leads to patient and family member experiences that build confidence," she said. Dixon also emphasized the hospital's vision, which reaches far beyond the hospital itself. The vision states, ‘when people think of excellent healthcare, they think of Sheridan.'
She said an important part of reaching this vision will be growth.
"As our community grows, we too must grow to meet the ever-increasing demand for healthcare and
this has to be a collaborative effort, engaging our community, physicians and the people we serve," she said.
The sampling technique for the survey is a "random digit dial" conducted over the telephone to residents in Sheridan County. The survey takes approximately 12 minutes to complete and Brandjord encourages everyone to participate if they receive a phone call.
"It is very helpful to help us improve our services and it only takes a few minutes. If you are busy when they call, they are happy to arrange a more convenient time to call you back," Brandjord said. |
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