I m pleased to present our 2015 Tenet Heroes and their extraordinary stories.

Transcription

1 1 Dear Tenet Colleagues, I m pleased to present our 2015 Tenet Heroes and their extraordinary stories. Each year, we ask our leadership teams from across the organization to identify outstanding individuals or teams who go above and beyond their daily responsibilities, serving as strong advocates for our patients, communities and each other. Tenet Heroes are humble, hardworking and compassionate. They embody the true spirit of our organization, and best represent our core values Quality, Integrity, Service, Innovation and Transparency. This year s remarkable group includes a nurse who volunteered to care for Ebola patients in Liberia, a patient care technician who developed a meaningful relationship with a quadriplegic patient, and a physician whose steadfast commitment to community service is an inspiration to his colleagues. This is just a sampling of the meaningful stories you will read about in this book. From the 135 Tenet Heroes honored this year, seven individuals will be inducted into the Tenet Heroes Hall of Fame our highest honor for colleagues. We recognized these Hall of Fame inductees at an awards dinner in April. This year, we also presented a special leadership award to Liz Johnson, Tenet s Chief Applied Clinical Informatics Officer. Liz has made many significant contributions to Tenet during her 13-year tenure. Today, she provides the strategic vision for IMPACT, our electronic health records initiative. Liz and her team passed a major milestone in 2014, successfully completing the original scope of the program. I m incredibly grateful for her dedication to our company. Please join me in congratulating all of our Tenet Heroes. I hope you will enjoy reading about them in the stories that follow. Sincerely, Trevor Fetter President & CEO

2 2 CONTENTS Leadership Recognition Hall of Fame Inductees Arizona Heart Hospital Arrowhead Hospital Atlanta Medical Center Baptist Health System Baptist Medical Center Brookwood Medical Center Centennial Medical Center Central Carolina Hospital Children s Hospital of Michigan Coastal Carolina Hospital Coral Gables Hospital Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Delray Medical Center Des Peres Hospital Desert Regional Medical Center Detroit Receiving Hospital DMC Heart Hospital DMC Surgery Hospital DMC University Laboratories Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake Doctors Hospital of Manteca Doctors Medical Center - Modesto East Cooper Medical Center Emanuel Medical Center Florida Medical Center Fountain Valley Regional Medical Center Frye Regional Medical Center Good Samaritan Medical Center Hahnemann University Hospital Harper-Hutzel Hospital Hialeah Hospital Hilton Head Hospital Houston Northwest Medical Center Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital JFK Memorial Hospital Lake Pointe Medical Center Lakewood Regional Medical Center Los Alamitos Medical Center MacNeal Hospital MacNeal Hospital - Vanguard Home Care Maryvale Hospital MetroWest Medical Center - HomeCare & Hospice MetroWest Medical Center Mission Trail Baptist Hospital Nacogdoches Medical Center North Central Baptist Hospital North Fulton Hospital North Shore Medical Center Northeast Baptist Hospital Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center Palmetto General Hospital Paradise Valley Hospital Park Plaza Hospital Phoenix Baptist Hospital Piedmont Medical Center Placentia-Linda Hospital Providence Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan Resolute Health Saint Francis Hospital - Bartlett Saint Francis Hospital - Memphis Saint Louis University Hospital Saint Vincent Hospital San Ramon Regional Medical Center Sierra Medical Center Sierra Providence East Medical Center Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center Sinai-Grace Hospital Spalding Regional Hospital St. Christopher s Hospital for Children St. Luke s Baptist Hospital St. Mary s Medical Center and Palm Beach Children s Hospital Sylvan Grove Hospital Tenet Home Office Tenet Physician Resources, St. Christopher s Pediatric Associates Texas Regional Medical Center Twin Cities Community Hospital Valley Baptist Medical Center - Brownsville Valley Baptist Medical Center - Harlingen Weiss Memorial Hospital West Boca Medical Center West Suburban Medical Center West Valley Hospital Westlake Hospital

3 3 LEADERSHIP RECOGNITION Elizabeth Liz Johnson Chief Applied Clinical Informatics Officer Rarely does an individual have the opportunity to fundamentally change an organization. Liz Johnson is one of the select few. As Chief Applied Clinical Informatics Officer, Liz oversees IMPACT, Tenet s electronic health records (EHR) initiative. Leading the transition to digital Rarely does an individual have the opportunity to fundamentally change an organization. Liz Johnson is one of the select few. Leading the transition to digital healthcare delivery, she tirelessly looks for ways to use technology to improve the quality of patient care not just at Tenet, but across the nation. healthcare delivery, she tirelessly looks for ways to use technology to improve the quality of patient care not just at Tenet, but across the nation. Liz has provided not only long-standing service to Tenet, but she is also a tenacious patient advocate on a daily basis, setting an example of what can be accomplished through sheer determination and fortitude, said Paul Browne, Tenet s Chief Information Officer. Her legacy extends beyond developing electronic health records here at Tenet. She s also given us the tools to teach new generations of Clinical Informaticists to use the technology to improve patient care and safety. IMPACT is the largest, multi-year project that Tenet has ever sponsored, and in 2014, Liz and her team completed the original scope of the program on time and under budget. A nurse by training, Liz sees IMPACT as much more than an IT initiative. In her view, Tenet s EHR implementation is an integrated clinical and operational project with the potential to transform patient care. Described as indefatigable and passionate, Liz is already hard at work on IMPACT s next phase, using the data from our digital records to improve quality and safety across all of Tenet s care settings. Liz is also committed to driving change beyond Tenet. She facilitates Tenet s annual Clinical Informaticists Academy, and invited other health systems to join this year. The event drew more than 200 participants from 15 health systems, some of whom asked Liz for guidance on how to start similar programs at their organizations. She s also making a difference on a national level, serving on committees that advise the federal government about how best to implement health information technology legislation. At Tenet and across the nation, Liz has truly changed healthcare, and she embodies the best of who we are and what we do.

4 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES About Tenet Heroes and the Hall of Fame Every year, we recognize colleagues who best embody Tenet s core values: Quality Integrity Service Innovation Transparency These people demonstrate a remarkable commitment to care for our patients and service to our customers and communities. These Heroes represent the best of who we are and what we stand for. And, from this illustrious list a few are selected for induction into Tenet s Hall of Fame. They represent the best of the best. Our Tenet Hero Hall of Fame Each year, a selection committee has the arduous task of reviewing each Tenet Hero nomination to identify the stories that best exemplify the spirit of the recognition. It s one of the best parts of my job seeing people at their very best. Cathy Fraser, SVP, Human Resources Over the past eight years, we have: Celebrated 1,045 Heroes Inducted 65 into Tenet s Hall of Fame From this year s 135 Heroes, seven were chosen to be inducted into the 2015 Tenet Heroes Hall of Fame. Beth Davenport, RN Manager, Community Health Screening Baptist Health System San Antonio, TX Beth was instrumental in launching a community health screening team to improve the health of underserved people in San Antonio. From their mobile health unit, Beth and her team screen for risk factors of heart disease, stroke and diabetes, and provide critical education about disease prevention and managing existing conditions. The program s scope has expanded to include a corporate wellness service and has developed a reputation for providing accessible care throughout the community. Learn more about Beth Davenport on page 13.

5 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES Jenny Murray, RN Nursing Supervisor Centennial Medical Center Frisco, TX Jeff Brown, RN Clinical Nurse III Doctors Medical Center - Modesto Modesto, CA As a nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit, Jenny mourns with those whose babies have passed away. She provides comfort and helps alleviate grief by creating plaster hand casts of their babies. The hand molds are placed in a bereavement box, along with locks of the infants hair and other mementos for families to take home. Jenny also contributes her time, talents and resources to Centennial s NICU reunion, which allows nurses, staff, families and friends to celebrate the lives of the babies who have beaten the odds. After moving into a management position, Jeff shifted his career so he could spend more time with patients. A tireless advocate for disadvantaged children, Jeff became the guardian of an infant with significant health issues. He and his wife Kim revised their work schedules so that one was always at home to ensure that the baby s complex medical needs were met. Jeff is motivated to make a difference in the lives of others. He is often the first to step forward and courageously take responsibility. Learn more about Jenny Murray on page 18. Read more about Jeff Brown on page 40.

6 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES Delores Minnix Payroll Coordinator East Cooper Medical Center Mt. Pleasant, SC Kirsten Roberts, RN Staff Nurse Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital Detroit, MI Delores outstanding organizational skills and heart of gold are a perfect combination of qualities as she takes charge of many of the hospital s community projects. Spearheading a recycling program, she helped secure an industrial-size collection container on the hospital grounds and recycling bins for employees. She also led the hospital s collection of winter coats and school uniforms for the needy, pet supplies for local pet shelters, and cell phones for soldiers. In an effort to reduce re-hospitalizations, Kirsten conducted a study to measure the impact of supervised exercise among discharged heart failure patients. Her exercise program helped decrease depression, improve quality of life and increase mobility among participants. Because she values research, Kirsten also helps educate staff on the importance of outcomes-driven care. Read more about Delores Minnix on page 42. Read about Kirsten Roberts on page 63.

7 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES Moses Makor, RN Registered Nurse Saint Vincent Hospital Worcester, MA Moses works tirelessly to raise awareness about the Ebola epidemic in Liberia. He organized educational panel discussions for Saint Vincent Hospital staff and the community to provide facts and reduce anxiety. Moses also sponsored fundraising events to secure donations for critical medical supplies and to help build treatment centers. In 2015, he plans to travel to Liberia as part of the University of Massachusetts Medical Services Liberian project team to personally provide care to Ebola patients and set up treatment centers. Read more about Moses Makor on page 103. Jane Miller Manager, Child Life Program St. Mary s Medical Center and Palm Beach Children s Hospital West Palm Beach, FL Jane has developed many innovative programs that help young patients and their families through hospital treatment. One program, designed to change the perception of chemotherapy and other IV medication, features a super hero comic book and cape, and a super hero logo to cover their IV medication bag. Jane also develops creative ways for the community to engage with and support patients like donating sports tickets to patients and their families and letting them meet their favorite players. Learn more about Jane Miller on page 119.

8 8 ARIZONA HEART HOSPITAL Phoenix, AZ Ibrahim Abe Farah Director, Hyperbaric Safety and Advanced Wound Care and Respiratory 2011 Abe Farah actively engages staff and physicians at Arizona Heart Hospital, making daily rounds to visit patients and families. He also engages personally with the patients, giving them his phone number and telling them to call him any time they have an emergency. Physicians contact him even when he is out of state to consult in the care of patients. Abe mentors staff members who wish to advance their careers and guides them to educational programs that will help them achieve their goals. He worked collaboratively with the Radiology Director, who is a nationally recognized interventional radiologist, to implement a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) clinic within the hospital. As a United States Air Force Technical Sergeant reservist, Abe worked with the military s Employer Support of the support of their military colleagues. Abe is also a Surveyor for the Undersea Hyperbaric Medical Society, a member of the U.S. Air Force Sergeant Association and a participant in the Wounded Warrior Project. According to hospital president Steve Harris, Abe is in his true element when assisting patients and his motto is whatever it takes to get it done. This was demonstrated on a jeep trip into the Arizona desert when Abe and Steve came across an abandoned Abe is in his true element when assisting patients and his motto is whatever it takes to get it done. all-terrain vehicle (ATV). Abe stopped to investigate and found the driver lying 20 feet away. He found the man had a broken femur and possibly a broken hip. Abe stabilized the man, warmed him with a blanket and kept him hydrated and alert. Before long, another trail-riding party came by and Abe gave them his GPS coordinates and asked them to call for help when they could get cell phone service further up the trail. Abe stayed with the patient Guard and Reserve program to gain recognition for and a medic helicopter soon arrived. The medics Arizona Heart and Phoenix Baptist Hospitals for their applied a C-collar and spine board and Abe inserted an IV into the patient to start fluids. They loaded the patient into the helicopter for transport to a hospital, where the patient went through a successful surgery the following day. Abe also received a Meritorious Achievement Award from the U.S. Air Force for providing aid while on duty in Colorado to a motorist involved in an accident in which the vehicle overturned and caught fire. Abe genuinely cares and truly does whatever it takes to get it done he is an exemplary Tenet Hero.

9 9 Glendale, AZ ARROWHEAD HOSPITAL Holly May, RN Case Manager 2009 Service is the Tenet value that best describes Holly May. Her service as Arrowhead Hospital s Case Management Initial Reviewer has made her an essential employee and her colleagues consider themselves fortunate to have the benefit of her extraordinary attention to detail, impressive organizational skills and strong clinical knowledge. Holly s devotion to service extends way beyond the grounds of her hospital. When Holly saw a motorcycle crash into an SUV and go flying through the air on her drive home from work, she immediately put her nurse s training and experience in the ER to work. With the badly injured motorcyclist pooling blood underneath his helmet, Holly and two other witnesses worked to stem the bleeding and restart the cyclist s words like: strong clinical knowledge, attention to detail, caring and compassionate to describe her and she enjoys their universal respect. When asked to share a story about her single most memorable experience on the job, Holly tells of the time she took care of a young man in his 30s who d had a stroke. She cared for him for three 12-hour shifts in a row. During that time, she worked with him to heart. After two minutes of chest compressions, the 18-year-old victim had a pulse and by the time the emergency medical workers arrived at the scene, he was responsive. Without Holly s willingness to take action and provide life-saving care at the scene of the accident, this Without Holly s willingness to take action and provide life-saving care at the scene of the accident, this young man might not have survived. learn to hold a spoon so that he could feed himself. She recalls telling him she knew he could do it and those words would help him get stronger. The last evening under her care, Holly went to tell him she was going home and, for the first time, he squeezed her hand while young man might not have survived. Recognized as a local Nursing Healthcare Hero by the Phoenix Business Journal in their annual awards, Holly is known for always being cheerful, responsive a tear ran down his cheek. At that moment Holly knew that she had made a difference for this patient. For that and other instances like it, Holly definitely deserves to be a Tenet Hero. and willing to go above and beyond. Her peers use

10 10 ARROWHEAD HOSPITAL Glendale, AZ Alvaro Pina, RN Clinical Coordinator, Medical/Surgical 1998 Al Pina is a Tenet Hero because he is friendly, responds immediately and goes out of his way to accommodate any needs you have, whether it is in his job description or not. Al is a Medical/Surgical Clinical Coordinator at Arrowhead Hospital and a rock for his nursing unit, always there for his colleagues, physicians and patients, always first to volunteer to present at the Gemba board and always the one who spearheads LEAN initiatives on his unit. He even hosted the unit s annual Christmas party, and one co-worker called him the kindest man I know. Al recently demonstrated his kindness when he went out of his way to literally save the life of a colleague. Despite the hospital and unit being extremely busy, Al had noticed that one of his colleagues was in distress and insisted that he go to the emergency department. It turned out that the employee had a 100 percent blockage on the left side of his heart and needed an emergency cardiac catheter procedure. Al s immediate action saved the man s life. A few months ago, a travel nurse came to Arrowhead to help with the Cerner go-live. She, her husband and two children had moved to the valley from out of the area and had no family close by. After being there for only a few weeks, she called in one night stating that her husband had collapsed and she was at the hospital With his caring spirit, willingness to always go above and beyond and ability to look out for his co-workers, Al truly is a Tenet Hero. with him. She also disclosed that he had coded and died. She was only in her 30s as was her husband. One of the nurses on duty called Al at home to tell him what had happened, and he and his wife drove to the family s home. He took them dinner and stayed to comfort and support them. Al knew that the woman did not have family in the area and he wanted to make sure that she and her children were OK. His actions set a high standard for compassion and patient care. He is a role model who has the respect of all his peers. With his caring spirit, willingness to always go above and beyond and ability to look out for his coworkers, Al truly is a Tenet Hero.

11 11 Atlanta, GA ATLANTA MEDICAL CENTER Erin Blevins Manager, Diagnostic Imaging 2004 When Atlanta Medical Center (AMC) was planning for its new Cerner electronic medical records, Erin Blevins volunteered to lead clinical informatics (CI) through the integration and installation of a new radiology information system (RADNET) and then on through the entire upgrade process. She was accepted within the CI community as a leader for all three campuses and contributed significantly to the success of many projects. She also worked to reduce revenue losses and prevent submission errors by ensuring that Informatics, IT and Financial Department staff were educated and proficient. It s clear that continuous improvement is a way of life for Erin. She works with the Tenet Home Office staff to ensure that charges and codes are accurate and compliant with current guidelines. She is a mentor for an HR program that facilitates the acclimation of new leadership staff. She volunteered to help upgrade the Powerscribe/Nuance Voice Recognition to PS360, attending required training and returning with a plan to educate users, improve the learning process and prevent errors. When there were questions about lost charges and billing errors from Imaging Services at all three AMC sites, Erin tactfully and diplomatically worked with staff across departments and campuses to ensure the correction of potential errors/losses. When a single-parent staff member became ill and used up all her paid time off, Erin organized volunteers For Erin, continuous improvement is a way of life. to contribute paid time off and enough funds to see the family through the Christmas holidays, complete with gifts for her child. For another family in financial distress, Erin led her department s participation in a drive to collect funds, shop for gifts and organize a wrapping party. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, demand for screenings was higher than the department could accommodate, so Erin solicited a credentialed primary care physician to spend afternoons in the mammography suite, meeting patients and writing orders. When a cognitively challenged woman complained about her mammography experience, Erin stayed with the woman and her mother until the examination was complete. Erin is frequently asked to accept responsibility in areas within her role as Manager of Imaging Services, and for activities within the community such as the American Heart Association s annual drive. She is also an active member in several professional associations and is studying for new certifications in her area of expertise. Whether it s for the hospital, a co-worker or the community, Erin is a Tenet Hero.

12 12 ATLANTA MEDICAL CENTER Atlanta, GA Edward Ferguson, RN Clinical Informaticist 2007 Edward and a colleague were at work in the clinical informatics department when they heard a strange noise down the hall. They found a fellow employee in extreme medical distress, slumped over his desk, in full cardiac and respiratory arrest. Edward laid the employee on the floor and began mouthto-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions. A rapid response call was sent out, and employees from the ED and ICU soon arrived. The employee was resuscitated and then taken to a procedural area, then to the ICU. Today, the team member is back at work at AMC. Without Edward s life-saving breaths, said a colleague, this employee may not have made it. Edward shines in so many ways in his role. When his colleagues explained that rounding was not enough to identify patients who may be at risk of declining, Edward created a report in the electronic health records (EHR) to identify patients who may be at risk, before their symptoms worsen, allowing staff to intervene well before a rapid response is required. Recently, as a result of this report, a nurse was able Edward Ferguson saved many lives while working as a nurse in the ICU at Atlanta Medical Center (AMC). After transferring to a job in the clinical informatics department, little did he know he d save a life there, too. Edward truly embodies dedication and exemplifies our hospital s mission to heal, support and comfort all whom we serve. to identify two patients that were in need of greater care and had them transferred to the ICU. Colleagues credit Edward s tireless efforts in helping AMC switch to EHR. He educated staff and provided troubleshooting, many times working late and staying overnight during system upgrade downtimes. Long after the hospital went live with EHR, Edward continued to help staff solve problems. Edward is an innovator in building reports out of Cerner that help the lab, pharmacy, nursing and others be efficient and compliant on charting, charging and documentation accuracy. As he builds reports for end users, it improves accountability in all of their actions. If staff members are having issues with Cerner, Edward comes in on weekends, nights and holidays, said a colleague. He also keeps an extra pair of scrubs and sneakers in his office in case he is needed to help on a clinical unit. He truly embodies dedication and exemplifies our hospital s mission to heal, support and comfort all whom we serve. For all these examples and more, Edward is deserving of being a Tenet Hero.

13 13 San Antonio, TX BAPTIST HEALTH SYSTEM Beth Davenport, RN Manager, Community Health Screening 2010 Beth Davenport and her community health screening team screened their 40,000th patient in The program, which Beth was instrumental in launching just a few months after her hire, has thrived under her leadership. The program s scope has expanded to include a corporate wellness service and has developed a reputation for providing accessible care throughout the community. Beth s team has even opened an onsite clinic for a corporate wellness client. Colleagues attribute the success of the program to Beth s passion for helping underserved people. Her hope is to empower people to improve their own health through education and better access to care. She and her team conduct community health screenings in their mobile health unit or onsite. The team screens for risk factors of heart disease, stroke and diabetes, and provides critical education about disease prevention and managing existing conditions. For many community members, the mobile service may be the only access to healthcare they have. The team also works with the Baptist Healthy Solutions program, which provides health screenings to employers in the San Antonio area. One corporate client sought out the president of Baptist Health System (BHS) to personally praise Beth s work, saying, The team doesn t just prick your finger and log a number. They care about the health To Beth, long hours are a welcome opportunity to improve access to care for all. of their clients. Beth makes herself available at all hours to accommodate as many people as possible. If she is working with a corporate client whose employees work in shifts, she will offer earlymorning and late-night screenings to ensure everyone has an opportunity to be screened. She works many Saturdays during the year to provide care to those who don t have time during the week. To Beth, these long hours are a welcome opportunity to improve access to care for all. Beth also serves as a liaison between BHS and the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association and the Mayor s Fitness Council San Antonio Business Group on Health. She has received the Community Support Award from the Bexar County Health Collaborative, where she has represented BHS as a board member for three years. For all that she does, Beth is a Tenet Hero.

14 14 BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER San Antonio, TX Dennis McCubbin Director, Environmental Services 2009 Dennis McCubbin is a tireless leader devoted to serving others. As Director of Environmental Services, he s the one who makes sure the cleanliness of Baptist Medical Center is up to standards. He s also the one who makes sure patient rooms are cleaned on such a timely basis that nurses are continually delighted by his performance. Directors are expected to do their jobs tirelessly, including on evenings and weekends, but Dennis goes above and beyond by unselfishly supporting employee events. If there is an employee celebration event, Dennis is always present. If there is a community benefit event, Dennis will always be contributing his services. He is a legendary leader who goes the extra mile to always support his team, serve others with relentless perseverance and leave nothing but smiles in his wake. When Dennis is not at work, he is either home with his family or on the golf course. As an avid golfer, Dennis is the volunteer leader of the Baptist Health System (BHS) Golf Tournament. All proceeds of this golf tournament go to the Matt Karns Employee Crisis Fund and Dennis has a heart for staff members who are in crisis, especially those who are among the lowest paid. That s what led Dennis to become very involved in the BHS Golf Tournament. Having begun as a fun way to raise funds for the Employee Crisis Fund (approximately $12,000 Dennis is a legendary leader who goes the extra mile to support his team, serve others with relentless perseverance and leave nothing but smiles in his wake. the first year), the BHS Golf Tournament under Dennis leadership now raises approximately $24,000 per year. It s no surprise that he was recognized as the leader of the BHS Golf Tournament for the second year in a row. Dennis spends months planning this golf tournament. When asked why he takes on this additional responsibility, he answers with ease. My people give so much to this hospital. They have so little. I feel like they are often the greatest users of the Employee Crisis Fund. If they need this, then I need to do this to support my team. They are my family. It is no wonder that his peers use the words fair, supportive, caring and diligent to describe Dennis. He inspires everyone around him to be better at what they do, to give more generously and care more deeply. He personifies the virtues of servant leadership like few others. He is our Tenet Hero because of the way he does what he does and why he does it.

15 15 Birmingham, AL BROOKWOOD MEDICAL CENTER Christy Bryant, RPh Manager, Medical Plus Pharmacy 2012 Christy Bryant leads by example, striving to provide a customer experience that delivers the best value available. Personal consultations are the norm at Brookwood Medical Center, because Christy and her pharmacy team recognize that supporting each patient transforms the care they receive and the quality of care her team provides consistently exceeds expectations. The team members not only fill prescriptions, they educate patients about their medications and take the time to answer questions and review the medication treatment plans. One of Christy s recent focuses for the team was on employee communication, to ensure that all Brookwood staff understood the value and convenience offered by the onsite pharmacy. Christy and her team attended employee orientations, visited physician offices and developed newsletter messages. When a customer s employee insurance coverage changes, Christy and her team proactively set up new accounts and offer personal guidance to assure that prescriptions are covered without any lapses. Another example of the team s dedication: Birmingham, Alabama experienced a snowstorm that paralyzed the entire metro area. Visitors, patients and employees were trapped in the hospital. Ice on the surrounding roadways made travel virtually impossible. Christy rallied her team members, who not only provided medication to the people stuck at the hospital, they also supported the community. Most retail stores were closed, but the team kept its pharmacy open to meet the needs of the entire Christy and her team did everything possible to assist anyone who had prescription needs during the emergency. community. The team worked for two nights, sacrificing breaks, meals and sleeping arrangements to assist. The hospital s inpatient pharmacy also pitched in, providing back-up medications to help with the overload. Christy and her team did everything possible to assist anyone who had prescription needs during the emergency. The Medical Plus Pharmacy was also the only pharmacy available to assist United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) with medication for its patients and staff members. The city of Homewood sent their fire department to pick up the prescriptions and deliver them to the UCP. The following day, the team provided insulin for a stranded motorist. The Army National Guard picked it up and delivered it to the stranded driver. Despite many hours of non-stop service, and being separated from her own newborn child throughout the ordeal, Christy remained calm and cheerful, encouraging her team to do the same. Her selfless actions are why Christy is a Tenet Hero.

16 16 BROOKWOOD MEDICAL CENTER Birmingham, AL Tim Smith, RN Unit Preceptor and Charge Nurse 1997 Tim Smith is a paragon of service and integrity at Tenet. He started his career at Brookwood Medical Center as a Patient Care Assistant, soon earned a position as RN and continued to progress to Unit Preceptor and Charge Nurse on the GI/GU unit. Known for maintaining grace under pressure, Tim exhibits limitless patience and understanding even when he s being pulled in several directions at once. His bedside manner and patient care are exceptionally compassionate, as he has been known to call patients on his days off just to provide support and show that he cares when he knows they re down. A prime example of Tim s leadership and compassion happened last year. While caring for a patient on his her supper tray. Tim stopped what he was doing, picked up the fork and proceeded to feed the unit, Tim realized that the man was his childhood Little League baseball coach and that he d lost all the keepsakes of his baseball career in a house fire several years prior. The coach was diagnosed with cancer and transferred to the oncology unit. Tim was heartbroken after hearing his prognosis and wanted to Known for maintaining grace under pressure, Tim exhibits limitless patience and understanding even when he s being pulled in several directions at once. patient. While eating, she shared stories about her life with Tim. It turned out the patient could have fed herself but would not because she felt alone and depressed. Tim had gone the extra mile. Tim s nurturing spirit also extends outside his professional responsibilities at work. He provides transportation for a close do something special for his coach. He went home, dug out his photo album and found a picture of his Little League team with the coach. After having the photo restored and framed, Tim visited his coach on the oncology unit and presented the gift to him and his wife. His coach cried and thanked Tim for giving him that special memory to hold onto and cherish. Another time, as Tim started to leave for the evening, friend who is legally blind, is head of his neighborhood watch and is often seen helping neighbors with their yard work. Tim does what he does without any expectation for recognition. He does it for the patients. And patients adore him. They feel genuinely supported in his expert and compassionate hands. For doing what he does every day, Tim exemplifies the qualities of a Tenet Hero. keys in hand, he noticed a patient had not touched

17 17 Frisco, TX CENTENNIAL MEDICAL CENTER Audrey Dworkis Speech Therapist 2004 From the time she was a little girl, Audrey Dworkis, a Speech Therapist with Centennial Medical Center, had a spot in her heart for people with disabilities. Her co-workers say that her initial spark of childhood compassion is now a raging bonfire, in her job and in her community. Audrey took the lead in creating Centennial s outpatient speech clinic, and she tirelessly promotes its rehab services to new hires, staff and the community. Her infectious positive attitude energizes staff, and infuses patients with hope. A Centennial patient described it well: I was diagnosed with Parkinson s disease and I wasn t able to accept my diagnosis, which left me depressed. My neurologist recommended speech therapy. After three months, my speech has improved in clarity and volume, but my cognitive skills, memory recollect, and social skills have also improved. I am excited and grateful for the confidence I have regained. I am so thankful to Audrey for making this experience comfortable and positive. Audrey treats neurological or stroke problems by evaluating a patient s speech, language, cognitive and swallow abilities. Because she understands the central role food plays in our culture especially as a catalyst for social interaction Audrey is especially passionate about improving a patient s ability to swallow. In 2004, Audrey earned her VitalStim Therapy Audrey s initial spark of compassion is now a raging bonfire. Certification, which combines electrical stimulation with swallowing exercises to more quickly achieve patient improvement. Audrey is also active with the Parkinson s Voice Project, where she lends her expertise to the speech challenges that go handin-hand with the disease. She is active in Healthy Hometown and enjoys volunteering her time to talk to the community about hospital services. Audrey works with the American Heart Association by volunteering with the yearly race as well as with Loving Hearts Race for the Cure. She s active in helping battered women as well as alcohol and drug addiction cases. Audrey volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House and provides meals for families dealing with a child s serious illness or injury. During the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, Audrey helps to distribute food to several thousand needy people in the Dallas area. For her heart, enthusiasm and commitment to outstanding care, Centennial Medical Center recently recognized Audrey with a Star of the Month award. Now, she can add Tenet Hero to her list of accomplishments.

18 18 CENTENNIAL MEDICAL CENTER Frisco, TX Jenny Murray, RN Nursing Supervisor 2004 It takes an extraordinary capacity for empathy and compassion to be a nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and Jenny Murray fits this description to a T. She celebrates with families who have cause for joy and mourns with those whose babies have passed away. It is the families in the latter group for whom Jenny has an especially tender heart, always looking for ways to provide comfort and alleviate grief. Jenny had a strong desire to find greater ways to preserve memories of infants who had passed so she learned how to cast hand molds of the babies. She started with hand and foot impressions and then later learned to make 3D hand and foot molds which allowed parents to actually hold their precious child s memories. We had a parent who was a dentist and after making hand molds for this mother, she offered to donate material for other parents to enjoy the lifetime impression of their infant. The hand molds are placed in bereavement boxes, along with locks of the infants hair and other mementos for families to carry home in memory of the babies they have lost. Jenny has taught others how to create the plaster hand molds so that the tradition can continue when Jenny is not there. The bereavement boxes that Jenny creates are just one example of her generosity of time and spirit. She is also very involved in Centennial s NICU reunion, which allows nurses, staff, families and friends to celebrate the lives of the babies who have beaten Jenny celebrates with families who have cause for joy and mourns with those whose babies have passed away. the odds. Jenny contributes her free time, talents and resources to make this reunion one of the most popular and touching events at the hospital, and she finds other ways to make a lasting impact. It is not uncommon for her to keep in touch with the families of babies for whom she s cared. Jenny sends birthday and anniversary cards to one particular family every year. Inspired by Jenny s example, the mother of that family has gone on to become a nurse. A candy striper at the age of 12, Jenny has always known that she wanted to be a nurse. Her positive attitude has helped to enhance the culture among her department, as well, leading to an atmosphere where everyone helps each other out. I feel like I can give back because I follow His calling for me. I think that really makes a difference in how I take care of my patients, Jenny said. From the colleagues she works with, to the families she s comforted, it s obvious that Jenny is in just the right place and is an excellent example of a Tenet Hero.

19 19 Sanford, NC CENTRAL CAROLINA HOSPITAL Stacy Bell, RN Case Manager 2012 Stacy Bell is there to help, even if that means putting her personal life aside. Central Carolina Hospital recently admitted a patient who lived out of state, but was working in the area when he suffered a debilitating stroke. He had no family, lost his job due to the stroke and was about to lose his health benefits. Because he was from out of state, the patient had been living in a hotel room. After the patient s stroke, Stacy and her co-workers searched online for a place for him to live and services that could help with his treatment. Stacy often conducted these searches at night, after a long and tiring day, but she was dedicated to finding help. Stacy and her co-workers reviewed potential contacts with him every day until they found a friend who lived out of state who agreed to care for him. Her tenacity provided this patient a home and the care necessary for his recovery. In another instance, Stacy helped a patient who needed an expensive medication find a resource to provide it. This search was not easy, but speaks to the character and dedication of a very special person. When Sanford, North Carolina, received several inches of snow last year, Stacy drove to work that morning, Stacy is committed to helping people in crisis, even when it means enduring personal hardship. worked a full shift and was on her way home when she was involved in a car accident. Physically, Stacy was fine but the damage to her car was not. Still, that did not deter her from driving back to work the next morning. She knew her patients needed her and that poor weather can result in a reduction in available staff overall. Stacy was not going to let her personal challenges get in the way of good patient care. As these instances illustrate, Stacy is committed to helping people in crisis even when it means enduring personal hardship. In recognition of her dedication, she was named Central Carolina s Employee of the Month in August In the eyes of the hospital staff and now all of Tenet Stacy is a true Tenet Hero.

20 20 CENTRAL CAROLINA HOSPITAL Sanford, NC Gwyn Sandlin, RN Breast Care Navigator 1988 Gwyn Sandlin has helped more than a thousand women battle breast cancer. Gwyn is not a breast cancer survivor herself but, in many ways, she feels like one. As Central Carolina Hospital s Breast Care Navigator, Gwyn provides a safe haven for patients whose worlds have fallen apart. Even when a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient decided to see a specialist at a larger teaching hospital, Gwyn stayed in contact with her. Because of Gwyn s compassion and dedication, the patient decided to resume her care at Central Carolina. She still stays in touch with Gwyn and attends the Breast Cancer Support Group that Gwyn started, which meets monthly to broaden the level of support and interaction for survivors. Gwyn also formed a team, Central Carolina Hospital Survivors and Caregivers, that participates in the annual Susan G. Komen Triangle Race for the Cure held annually in Raleigh. Not all team members can afford the travel and registration costs so each year Gwyn applies for grants to cover these expenses. Speaking at health fairs, civic organizations and church groups as part of the hospital s Community Outreach Program, Gwyn s presence and passion spreads throughout the community, Gwyn provides a safe haven for patients whose worlds have fallen apart. educating women about breast health and the importance of early detection. One woman who had attended a Lunch and Learn sponsored by her company heard Gwyn s presentation and decided to schedule a mammogram. The mammogram discovered the cancer and, due to early detection, the patient was able to have a lumpectomy and did not need chemotherapy. In 2014, this same patient attended another of Gwyn s Lunch and Learn sessions and told the other attendees, You better listen to her. On her own time, Gwyn has assisted the Lee County Health Department in writing grants for funds to pay mammogram costs for indigent women and has volunteered many hours as a member of Lee County s Relay for Life Committee. The entire Lee County community counts itself fortunate to have such a patient advocate as caring and dedicated as Gwyn. Central Carolina Hospital also feels fortunate that Gwyn is a Tenet Hero.