by admin on Thursday, November 17, 2011
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Cheryl Livingston has been an emergency medical technician with Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon for the past 10 years. From serving as the local Waukon Chamber of Commerce president to helping high school students experience what life will be like through a reality finance program, she has made a difference in the Waukon community and started all of this at a very young age.
As impressive as those actions are, they pale in comparison to her work with families impacted by Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The death of her three-month-old son, Ethan, four years ago fueled a desire to form an infant loss support group for families impacted by the death of any child during pregnancy or shortly following. This support group is now offering an annual memory walk each fall and is currently constructing a memory wall in Waukon’s city park.
Cheryl and her entire family fund and implement a new product or service for pediatric patients at the hospital each year in Ethan’s memory. Thanks to their donations, all of the babies born at Veterans are kept safe in a trademarked SleepSack; the hospital has a new pediatric emergency room; both ambulances have DVD players; and clay molds are now given to families of their deceased infant’s hands and feet.
Beyond all of her generosity, what is most outstanding about Cheryl is her ability to instruct emergency medical service departments and high school health classes all across the state on how to respond to SIDS and other pediatric emergencies, and how to comfort those families. Cheryl also serves on the board of directors of the Iowa SIDS Foundation.
Each day, Cheryl exceeds expectations for Veterans’ emergency patients. Her integrity is unbelievable. She has taken something that could have been very negative in her life and turned it into such a positive thing for so many people. And each year she continues to do even more – setting an example for her coworkers, the community and her adorable two-year-old twin daughters!
by Chris English on Friday, November 4, 2011
Jennifer Rouse, Physical Therapist at Lucas County Health Center in Chariton takes a few minutes to say what inspired her to pursue her career as well as what it takes to be a physical therapist.
For more information on health care careers in Iowa, click here.
(Watch this video on YouTube: http://youtu.be/iOkJd9L7M0Q)
Lori Pietig
Radiologic Technologist
St. Anthony Regional Hospital, Carroll
Why did you choose this career? Radiology gave me the opportunity to combine two types of studies that I loved, science and art. A career in radiology allowed me to explore different avenues in the healthcare world combining anatomy, patient care and technology. This career allows me to work independently and still be part of a team, allowing room for advancement and endless learning opportunities.
What are the challenges and rewards you experience in your work? As a radiologic technologist it is my job to provide the best care possible in a professional manner. Working in the same community where I grew up can be challenging. This places me in situations to care for my family and friends if they become sick or injured. I am directly associated with their care which can be difficult to handle both professionally and emotionally. This same situation can also be very rewarding. A benefit as reported by some of those individuals is that by having me present the overall situation was more pleasant because of the personal comfort I was able to provide. I attempt to approach those situations as a friend who is knowledgeable about my chosen healthcare field. Assuring them that I am here to answer their questions and provide the best care possible.
What are your plans for the future? I look forward to working on my management skills and hope to someday find a position in management or administration within my facility.
How has your hospital supported your career? St. Anthony has been very supportive by offering educational opportunities and helping employees to advance in their chosen field of health care. The hospital has provided study materials and tuition assistance for my education. I have been lucky to be surrounded by management and administration that were willing to take their time to help me complete and excel in my masters program. Their leadership and guidance allowed me to understand different concepts of administration and complete my thesis project successfully.
More about Lori Pietig:
Education: Master’s degree in health care administration from Bellevue University, bachelor of science degree in medical imaging/radiologic technology from Clarkson College
Years with hospital: 6
by admin on Wednesday, October 26, 2011
(Over the next several weeks, the blog will feature IHA’s 2011 Iowa Hospital Heroes. These outstanding hospital employees come from across the state and work at hospitals of every size. They exemplify the courage, caring and community focus that are at the center of the hospital mission in Iowa.)
Sherri A. Clewell, D.O., joined the medical staff at Mary Greeley Medical Center as medical director for the Emergency Department and ambulance service in 2005. She quickly became a leader in providing and developing emergency medicine in the hospital and around Ames.
Chris Perrin, paramedic supervisor at Mary Greeley Medical Center, nominated Dr. Clewell for the Iowa Hospital Hero Award. Chris credited Dr. Clewell with the following: “In a relatively short time after arriving, Dr. Clewell extended her responsibilities to as many as 12 first responder services at one time and served as the medical director of the new emergency medical dispatch trained Ames Police Communications Center. She has meticulously read ambulance run reports, provided constructive feedback, personally participated in countless meetings and coached emergency medical services providers in improving care and their documentation of care. She got involved in the research, organization and medical direction of a brand new ambulance service in Huxley. She has overseen innovative updates of out-of-hospital protocols and built state-of-the art support systems in the hospital (most recently a post-cardiac arrest hypothermia protocol). She also helped update in-hospital cardiac arrest protocols.”
Chris goes on to say, “Dr. Clewell helped recruit and currently manages a talented group of physicians who staff the Mary Greeley Medical Center Emergency Department full time and she championed an electronic medical documentation system that has included physicians, nurses and allied care providers. She participates in several committees that are productive and multi-disciplinary. The Emergency Department was recently awarded a very prestigious Studer Award for patient satisfaction improvement scores.”
“Dr. Clewell has also been involved in the medical planning and operations (including medical oversight) of countless special events in Ames, including RAGBRAI, Republican straw poll, Iowa Games, Iowa State University home football stadium and grounds coverage as well as unanticipated events like the floods of 2010. She has provided a professional, vibrant, progressive and heroic commitment to emergency medicine and to emergency health care patients and providers.”
(Over the next several weeks, the blog will feature IHA’s 2011 Iowa Hospital Heroes. These outstanding hospital employees come from across the state and work at hospitals of every size. They exemplify the courage, caring and community focus that are at the center of the hospital mission in Iowa.)
Barb Anderson is a health care champion in the laboratory at Knoxville Hospital & Clinics (KHC) who routinely steps beyond her role to treat the many patients who come through the hospital doors on a daily basis. Many people who have been patients at KHC may remember the woman who not only drew their blood sample, but also took the time to explain what she was doing and to lend support and comfort. Barb is known for her efficiency and cheerful manner; her courteous and tactful demeanor while dealing with patients; not to mention the skill she has of being able to draw blood from a turnip.
Beginning her career at KHC in 1971, being the laboratory manager represents far more than just a job or paycheck for Barb. Instead, she is fulfilling her commitment of helping save lives every day. She is proud and committed to the work she does to ensure that our local hospital continues to serve as the community’s place of spirit, passion, integrity, reliability, innovation and teamwork.
Barb’s professionalism makes her an exceptional teacher and role model. She has developed skills in her staff group beyond competency to get accurate results. Through her leadership, the staff has willingly taken on additional responsibilities covering every aspect of running a hospital laboratory. In addition, Barb is an active board mem
ber with the KHC Foundation where she has taken on a real commitment and investment to raise the funds needed to continually offer the advantages of new technology and services.
“Barb’s dedication reaches out and touches employees, doctors, patients and citizens. She is a tireless champion who has touched thousands of lives through her devotion, integrity, and honesty,” said Mel Suhr, Knoxville Hospital & Clinics Board Chairman. “Her acts of courage and purpose is all for the betterment of this hospital and this small part of Iowa. When it comes to this, Barb Anderson is in a league of her own. Simply put, Barb Anderson is our Hero!”
