MercyOne Moments
Blankets for kids thanks to colleague
Kids who come to the MercyOne Child Advocacy Center will be more comfortable thanks to a big donation from MercyOne colleague Deb S. and her mom.
The duo created and dropped off more than 16 blankets. Deb says her mom wanted to help make a difference, no matter how small, in these kids lives.
"This is a really special cause that is close to our hearts. To be able to provide a little bit of comfort to these kids going through this situation, means a lot to us," said Deb.
Each child gets to pick out their favorite blanket to be used during their exam, along with a backpack and other necessities.
Thanks for a great experience!
"The nurses were my angels." That's what one patient had to say about our colleagues in ICU. The patient was recovering after having open heart surgery.
He says, "The staff at MercyOne did an amazing job with my surgery and my recovery and they deserve the acknowledgement."
He gave the ICU staff cookies to thank them for all they did.
Spreading Holiday Cheer
Wound Center colleagues are spreading a little holiday cheer and making sure our patients are staying warm this winter season.
They've set up a sock Christmas Tree for patients to take as needed. Director Kelly K. says, "It's so good to know we are able to help. We've already had to re-stock the tree as several patients in need have taken the socks."
A simple act of kindness means the world
"I spent the morning at my brother's bedside in ICU. It had been a particularly difficult, sad morning and as I entered the elevator to leave, Security Guard Larry B. asked how my day was going. I squeaked out an "okay," but I soon dissolved into tears. Larry was a rock and intended to walk me to my car, but a family member recognized me and also rushed to help.
Larry kept saying angels were looking after my brother. Later that day, Larry brought a prayer shawl, an angel statue and a very thoughtful card to my brother's room.
I can't fully describe the comfort Larry's actions brought - not only to me, but to the rest of our family. He went way out of his way to be kind, caring and comforting - I suspect this is not the first report of Larry's kindness, but I couldn't finish this week without letting someone know how deeply I appreciated his kindness."
Making patients feel comfortable
Our colleagues do amazing work every day at MercyOne. After a visit to Radiology, a patient said, “Wow your staff is impressive! Everyone was professional, yet fun from Jen who checked me in to Ross and Rick who conducted the tests to Dixie on my way out. Ross and Rick did a great job making sure I felt comfortable and relaxed while explaining everything.”
Thank you to our awesome colleagues!
Rainbow Food Day
It was a colorful day in home medical equipment recently as colleagues there had a little extra fun!
Each colleague drew a color out of a hat. They then wore clothes and brought food in that specific color.
Thanks for making everyone's day a little brighter!
Making a patient's day
It's often the little moments that can make a patient's day.
Jess P. decorated a little girl's doll while she was in surgery in a cap and a cast so that her doll would look like her.
Thank you for providing amazing care to all our patients Jess!
Outstanding patient care
It was a celebration in the emergency department recently for their hard work toward patient experience.
Our colleagues there had the highest patient experience score for the month of July! Nursing respect and courtesy scores were a big reason for that increase.
Consumer experience coordinator Mike O. says, "I'm really proud of my colleagues in the emergency department. Every day our staff faces challenges and how we face those is truly important."
Colleagues celebrated with a pizza party for the day and night shifts!
Handling a difficult situation
Often in our line of work, we deal with difficult situations. But, how we handle those, is what's really important. Here's what one person said about Ashley B.:
I had the opportunity to witness Ashley handling a potentially difficult situation with a very difficult family dynamic in the emergency department.
She handled the patient, family and situation with such compassion and professionalism. She treated the patient with kindness and respect. She also was able to clearly communicate difficult information to the patient and the family in a way that everyone understood and was very transparent and matter of fact with her communication.
She is a wonderful example of how each of us provides personalized care and how we own it!
Celebrating our nurses
We are so proud of Jennifer, a MercyOne Primghar colleague, for being chosen as one of the top three nurses in Northwest Iowa! The vote by the Reader’s Choice Best of N’West is done annually.
Jennifer’s daughter Shelby says “My mom was extremely honored and touched that so many people supported her. She is one of the most hardworking and dedicated people I know and and has helped touch so many people’s lives. I am so incredibly proud of her.”
Representing MercyOne
It was a busy and fun Labor Day weekend for our colleagues as they took part in the Sutherland parade.
Taylor B., Darlene F., Patrick K., Gina W., Becca W. and Abby S. all represented MercyOne Primghar Medical Center and Primghar, Sutherland and Paullina clinics!
Thank you all for going above and beyond for our communities!
Stepping up when needed
For the past few months Mindy B. and Abby S. have been familiar faces in Primghar.
The pair are stepping up to help out in Radiology to cover some maternity leave happening there.
Thank you both for Being ONE!
Incredible teamwork for better patient safety
It was a busy few weeks as Joint Commission Surveyors came to MercyOne Western Iowa for our tri-annual assessment.
Our teams showed INCREDIBLE teamwork, vigilance and focus to help us complete a successful survey with no condition-level findings. The surveyors all commented on how clean our facility was and how engaged all the staff were that they encountered.
"I could not be more proud of this organization that continues to pull itself up and strives for success despite adversity," said Western Iowa vice president of quality and integration services Diane Prieksat. "I am privileged with such an amazing group of dedicated colleagues who have worked tirelessly to achieve the outcome we did."
Thank you all for your continued dedication to patient safety!
Providing supplies to brighten a family's day
A simple idea sparked an emotional moment in one MercyOne family's life.
The women in the finance department recently decided they wanted to decorate their suite with school supplies and donate them back to a MercyOne family.
After some coordination with Mary H., director of Mission integration, Tracey R. and his daughter Makina were selected for the bundle of supplies.
Makina was extremely excited about her purple and rainbow backpack and says she cannot wait to use all of the markers and pens for her favorite class which is art.
The other supplies will be donated to a local school district. Thank you ladies for living out our Mission and serving with compassion for our colleagues and our community.
MercyOne Kids Kampus opens its doors
It's been an exciting first few days for several of our colleagues as MercyOne Kids Kampus officially opened on Monday.
MercyOne colleague Kara said she wanted her son to be a part of Kids Kampus becuase of the great hours and the price, "Finding child care that provides coverage for over 12 hours and on a rotating schedule is very difficult. MercyOne’s new child care provides that coverage at a lower rate than my husband and I found anywhere else!"
If you are interested in enrolling your child at MercyOne Kids Kampus, you can fill out the enrollment form at the link below. This benefit is open to full and part-time colleagues and we have spots still available!
Educating the Siouxland community
Johnny G., MercyOne emergency department manager, recently had the opportunity to speak at the MercyOne sponsored Sioux City Journal Health and Leisure Expo. Johnny discussing what our community should know about emergency care.
His talk focused on stop the bleed which includes emergency response to wounds, how to tie a tourniquet, hands only CPR and how to stabilize a patient until EMS arrives.
Thank you Johnny for your dedication to educate all in our community!
Keeping the community safe during RAGBRAI
It was a busy Saturday morning for a group of our MercyOne colleagues as they volunteered their time for the RAGBRAI kickoff event in Sergeant Bluff.
Dr. Liewer, Dr. Nemechek, Lea M., Barb F. and Matt R. (who took the photo) along with Fire and Rescue, all pitched in to help make sure the community was staying safe in the heat. A total of 59 cyclists were treated for first aid/minor medical needs in the MercyOne Dubuque Mobile Medical Unit. Our colleagues handed out water, sunscreen and hand sanitizer throughout the day.
The mobile unit, which features a waiting room, two exam rooms, a wheelchair lift and air conditioning will be following the RAGBRAI route throughout the week, stopping in the MercyOne North Iowa region.
Making people happy with a smile
It's a simple message but one Victor hopes will make an impact: remember to smile today.
No matter where he's stationed, you'll find Victor with his paint cart, his sign, and a smile. He says he believes spreading positivity, kindness and generosity to others creates a good atmosphere for our colleagues and patients.
"I want people to know that joy and happiness lies within all of us. I hope it makes them smile."
New life with a fresh coat of paint
Celebrating our colleagues
Personalizing care isn't just for our patients. Dr. Gary Chan, in the MercyOne Siouxland Heart and Vascular Center, recently did just that. He says he wanted to say thank you to the cardiology clinic staff for their hard work.
He brought in the hand creams and lip balms above putting them in a very fitting heart.
Dr. Chan says the Band-Aid represents our dedication to healing hearts.
Say cheese...
Our colleagues in Same Day Surgery recently had another opportunity to get some professional headshots thanks to MercyOne colleague and local photographer Johnson R.
Johnson says he's been working with leaders in the surgery department to update photos and look for more ways to feature surgery colleagues.
Johnson says his love of photography comes down to one thing: the ability to capture the moments.
Representing one lei at a time
It was all Hawaiian for two of our MercyOne colleagues as they recently took part in a local parade.
Ann R. and Lauren M. who work at MercyOne Moville Family Medicine each grabbed a lei and a Hawaiian shirt for the Moville Days Parade.
One of their colleagues shared neither had to be asked, but both Ann and Lauren wanted to make sure the clinic they call home was represented well, so they took part - great job ladies!
All you need, is a little jam
There are many ways to comfort a patient who is going through a difficult time. For Angela D., that might mean bringing in some of her homemade jam.
Recently, a patient's family member shared how helpful Angela was during their husband's recovery; getting him whatever he needed, even if it was the right jelly.
"One day she left to go to another floor. When she got back, she explained that she left so quickly so she could bring him some of her homemade jelly. You can tell she enjoys her job and really cares for all her patients."
A second life for equipment...
High school students at the Sioux City Career Academy have some new equipment for their patient simulation lab thanks to a donation by MercyOne.
Our team learned the health sciences program was looking for equipment and stepped in to offer some equipment that no longer met current patient care specifications.
Thanks to the donation, the Career Academy was able to save thousands of dollars which can now be used for other student supporting materials and program expansion.
Even though the move was a bit of work for them, they were thrilled to have the equipment. It was quite the journey and made for some fun photos.
Sharing a common experience...
On Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave veterans who served and sacrificed for our country. Sometimes, that common connection can make a world of difference in a patient's life.
Mark B. showed that first hand. A patient that was being brought into the Emergency Room, was confused and had dementia. Colleagues tried everything to get him to come out of the transport van and into a wheelchair but they couldn't coax him.
Mark found out the patient was past military. He used behaviors, lingo, and the shared experience of serving to get the patient out of the van so he could be evaluated.
Thank you Mark for delivering such exceptional patient care.
Honoring our nurses for their dedication: The Spirit of St. Francis Award
It was an exceptional honor for MercyOne nurses recently as they were awarded one of the Spirit of St. Francis award's from Briar Cliff for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The award honors individuals who exemplify the Franciscan spirit of service and concern for others through contributions to society and a value-centered professional and/or family life.
Our MercyOne nurses showed exemplary Franciscan spirit of service, sacrifice and concern. It shined through as they walked alongside many patients and their families during dark hours, while also providing hope to survivors of the pandemic.
The award included a St. Francis statue and a yellow rose for each representative.
Giving compassionate care
Simply being there for our patients can make a world of difference in their stay. One patient saw that first hand with Melissa Welty. Here's what she had to say:
"I had to have surgery and everything went smoothly. But, I wanted to take the time to send a shoutout to the nurse who took care of me: Melissa. She was very compassionate, knowledgeable, supportive and made sure I had everything I needed and was pain free. She went above an beyond for me."
Thank you Melissa for serving with compassion and integrity every day for our patients!
Growing in your career at MercyOne
For eight years Dawn Bain has continued to grow in her career at MercyOne. She started as a CNA on the Resource team and over the years went back to school to get her LPN and eventually RN.
"One of my nurses told me I should go back to nursing school. I told her I was too old (I was well into my 50s at that point). My manager "double dog dared me!" Well I couldn't let that slide so the journey began. I went back to WITCC and with the help and support of my team I got my LPN while working full time and then my RN."
Thank you for continuing to Improve Daily and being committed to MercyOne!
Making an impact no matter your role
You've most likely seen his smiling face around MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center or heard the words "You have a blessed day". Larry is a kind soul who makes a point to treat every colleague, patient, or visitor with the upmost compassion and respect. He doesn't do it to boast or show off, that's simply how he is.
A little while back one visitor wanted to share her thanks to Larry. She says he made her feel better during a very challenging and sad time: her mother passing away. She says it was Larry who brought some light to her life and his support and kindness meant the world. So she wanted to make his day a little brighter with this treat bag.
Thank you Larry for always serving everyone who comes through our doors with compassion and kindness.
Cheering patients on at "graduation"
"They care about you as an individual." Those words are proven true every day for patients in the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab center on the 4th floor of the heart center.
Aurelio H., a patient here, got to see that demonstrated once again on his last day in rehab. Colleagues played the graduation song for Aurelio and cheered him on for his final day.
When asked what was one thing he would take with him, Aurelio said, "The kindness. And of course, the workouts."
