Archive for the ‘The Medical Center’ Category

Expectant moms in Columbus, Georgia can expect even more with a new Pampered Pregnancy Program being offered for those who choose to deliver at The Medical Center and Doctors Hospital.

By signing-up for the program, members will receive numerous special amenities, including:

One free spa treatment of their choice

• A membership card for discounts at participating merchant partners
• Monthly My Baby Expectations e-newsletter
• A discount on one childbirth education class or program
• A free lactation consultation during their stay at the hospital
• A hero meal for their birth partner during their stay at the hospital
• A helpful guide for new parents
• A baby spoon from their physician and Columbus Regional

Moms can also choose from one of two gifts:

• What to Expect When You’re Expecting book
  $10 gift certificate off purchases at The Gift Shop at The Medical Center or The Gift Box at Doctors Hospital

They may also sign-up to purchase special services during their stay, including:

• Fresh flowers in their room
• Newspaper or magazine delivered to their room after delivery
• Professional photography services for both parent and child during their stay

Expectant moms can sign up for the free program through www.yourhealthourmission.com.

For more information, call (706) 660-6402.

Thomas R. Stewart, M.D., FACOG

Columbus Regional recently welcomed Thomas R. Stewart, M.D., FACOG, and his private OB/GYN practice to our family of services in Columbus, GA.

Dr. Stewart moved his practice to the 1900 building (1900 10th Avenue, Suite 200, Columbus, GA), in early July.

“Columbus Regional has had a long-standing relationship with Dr. Stewart, beginning with his internship in our family practice program at The Medical Center,” said Columbus Regional Chairman and CEO Larry Sanders. “We are delighted that his practice is now becoming part of our organization. Dr. Stewart is a dedicated professional who, since 1991, has provided the highest quality obstetric and gynecological care to women in our community.”

“We are excited to become a part of Columbus Regional’s family of services,” said Dr. Stewart. “This is a great move for our practice and will enable us to enhance the services and care we provide to our patients.”

Jefferson Jones II, M.D.

Additionally, in mid-July, Dr. Stewart was joined by Jefferson Jones II, M.D., a Columbus native and the son of Jefferson Jones, M.D., of Columbus Clinic.

Quick Facts About Dr. Thomas R. Stewart

• Received undergraduate degree from Columbus College and medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia.

• Internship was completed at The Medical Center, and residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Memorial Medical Center.

• A Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Quick Facts About Dr. Jefferson Jones II

• Received undergraduate degree from Shorter College and medical degree from Mercer University School of Medicine.

• Completed residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the Medical Center of Central Georgia.

• A member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Specialists at Columbus Regional and The Medical Center: Champions for Infants and Children

By Joseph R. Zanga, M.D. | Chief of Pediatrics | The Medical Center

Dr. Joseph R. Zanga

Continued advancements at Columbus Regional and The Medical Center allow specialists on our staff to offer the highest quality care for infants and children in this community and this region.

These advancements are encouraging the recruitment of more of those specialists (Neurology and Hematology/Oncology, to name just two) to join the full-time Cardiologists, Allergist/Immunologist, Endocrinologist, Gastroenterologist, Intermediate Care Specialist, and Physiatrist in Columbus working at, with or for The Medical Center.

Add to that the part-time Autism specialist, Developmental pediatrician, Orthopedist, Pulmonologist, Scoliosis specialist, and others soon to come, and it’s clear that pediatrics in Columbus at the Columbus Regional Women and Children’s Center will be the center for care of infants and children in Southwest Georgia and the place all families in this region will want their children’s care to take place, from birth through adolescence.

Telemedicine Care Another Advancement at The Medical Center

By Joseph R. Zanga, M.D. | Chief of Pediatrics | The Medical Center

Dr. Joseph R. Zanga

Columbus Regional is developing a Women and Children’s Center on its campus to house not only the region’s most advanced Labor and Delivery Service and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, but also the most advanced Inpatient and Pediatric Critical Care Units (PCCU) for older children and adolescents.

One example of the continuation of that advanced care is the soon-to-come online Telemedicine Care system. This state of-the-art technology will allow pediatric specialists in Augusta and Atlanta to see patients here in Columbus in real time, view vital sign monitors, ventilator settings, imaging studies, laboratory findings, skin color/lesions, the inside of the eyes and ears, and other items, in high resolution. It will allow them to talk with the patient (if appropriate), listen to heart, lung and abdominal sounds, and perhaps in the not-too-distant future, even “feel” necessary parts of the child as if they were here at The Medical Center, in order to assist us in care.

Beyond that, it will also allow specialists on our staff to offer patient consultations to physicians in distant communities. Both are major advances from the long and scary ambulance ride to an unfamiliar hospital in a far away place.

Lacy Lee, child life specialist in the Children’s Center at The Medical Center, with 12-year old Brittney Braggs, a patient who drew Lacy’s winning raffle ticket for a Mother’s Day basket at Miracle Friday.

Even in these difficult economic times, the generosity of Columbus Regional Healthcare employees toward children in the Columbus, Georgia community was at an all-time high on Miracle Friday!

A record-breaking $33,500 was contributed for the Children’s Miracle Network at The Medical Center. The special fundraising event was held the Columbus Regional Conference Center at The Medical Center.

Our sincere gratitude goes to those who filled the 37 baskets, bid on the baskets, and bought the baked goods and barbeque that contributed to raising the record-breaking amount.

Dan Cullison, M (ASCP), supervisor of Microbiology and Molecular Testing at The Medical Center’s Lab, and Chris Curlee, MT (ASCP), medical technologist, with the Ampli Prep/Taqman 48 that extracts and purifies DNA for a new level of testing.

For most people in Columbus, Georgia area, April 15 was significant because of the deadline to file their income taxes. But for the Department of Pathology at The Medical Center, it was a monumental day!

After a year and a half of planning, researching, training and testing, the first patient test was completed in our new section of the laboratory, officially known as the Molecular Diagnostic Lab.

The new lab is the first kind in our part of the state that uses Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing, a relatively new science that looks for the unique DNA or RNA of a pathogen, rather than identifying the pathogen through more conventional culture methods.

Only Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta and the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta can offer the precise genetic testing that the new lab will bring to the Columbus region.

Advantages for Patients and Regional Medical Community

The advantages of this progressive technology to evaluate diseases, disorders and abnormalities are numerous:

• Decrease in turnaround time: Currently, all PCR testing requests are sent to a lab in North Carolina, with results returned in 7–10 days. By having such tests done in real-time in Columbus, our physicians will get results back much quicker.

• Sensitivity and specificity: PCR testing is preferred over conventional culture methods due to its high degree of accuracy, which approaches 99–100 percent.

• Potential to expand testing: PCR testing at The Medical Center is currently used for detecting hepatitis C disease and HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Guided by physicians’ needs and potential for growth, additional tests will be offered in the future.

• Cost savings: The Medical Center saves money by not having to pay for testing at another location.

Ultimately, the decreased turnaround time for results translates to a decrease in length of stay for our patients and the physician’s ability to begin treatment sooner.

And because of its accuracy, the new lab will supplement and in some cases supplant some of our current testing. This creates great potential for us to become a regional referral lab for other hospitals!

Eight outstanding Columbus Regional Healthcare System nurses were recognized at the 2010 Jean Hartin Nursing Excellence Awards Ceremony at the Columbus Regional Conference Center at The Medical Center last month.

Awards went to top nurse leaders, R.N.s and L.P.N.s. Recognition was also given to nurses for their professional growth through degrees, licensures and advanced certification.

Jean Hartin, who retired as vice president of Clinical Services at Columbus Regional, was present for the ceremony.

Doctors Hospital Award Winners

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  Holly McGucken (CNO, Doctors Hospital), Terri Roland, R.N. (Outpatient Surgery, Nurse Leader of the Year), Melissa Johnson, R.N. (Labor and Delivery, R.N. of the Year), Rachel White, L.P.N. (Emergency Department, L.P.N. of the Year) and Kevin Sass SEO, Doctors Hospital).

  Terri Roland, R.N. (Outpatient Surgery, Nurse Leader of the Year): Terri has been a cornerstone to the nursing leadership at Doctors Hospital for many years. Her leadership in the hand-off communication project gave us “ticket to ride,” a tool to assist in communication between nursing and ancillary departments.

• Melissa Johnson, R.N. (Labor and Delivery, R.N. of the Year): Melissa is a very unassuming nurse who quietly makes sure that patients and families have everything they need. She is a wonderful source of information and is very well educated, with a master’s degree in nursing and certification in her field of obstetrics.

• Rachel White, L.P.N. (Emergency Department, L.P.N. of the Year): Rachel was chosen for her exemplary nursing skills and is considered to be the cornerstone of the Emergency Department. Her commitment to high-quality patient care is seen in everything she does.

Hughston Hospital Award Winners

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  James “Butch” Wheeler (SEO, Hughston Hospital), Cheryl Gosha, L.P.N. (2 North, LPN of the Year), Tami Hobson, R.N. (2 South, R.N. of the Year) and Lori Striblin, R.N. (Intensive Care Unit, Nurse Leader of the Year), Michelle Breitfelder (CNO, Hughston Hospital).

  Lori Striblin, R.N. (Intensive Care Unit, Nurse Leader of the Year): Lori is caring, compassionate and kind-hearted. She has a difficult job at Hughston Hospital, and she does it with admirable determination and grace. She is the go-to person to solve any problem and is always ready to help in any way she can.

• Tami Hobson, R.N. (2 South, R.N. of the Year): Tami shows dedication to quality patient care by taking charge of the overall care of her patients. She is kind and compassionate and always approachable, demonstrating a high degree of knowledge and getting involved to see that tasks get completed.

• Cheryl Gosha, L.P.N. (2 North, LPN of the Year): Cheryl is the nurse with a heart of gold, always demonstrating patience and great leadership skills. She will stop and assist anyone in need of help. Patient care is always first.

The Medical Center and Affiliated Facilities Award Winners

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  Lance Duke (president and CEO, The Medical Center), Josephine “Joie” Gosa, R.N. (8 Main, Nurse Leader of the Year), Jean Hartin (retired vice president of Clinical Services, Columbus Regional) and Robbyn Ceasar, R.N. (Endoscopy, R.N. of the Year), Babs McKnight (CNO, The Medical Center).

  Josephine “Joie” Gosa, R.N. (8 Main, Nurse Leader of the Year): Joie delivers real time teaching at the bedside for newer nurses, serves as a surrogate “manager and leader” on a unit in transition, is the primary practitioner of the palliative care program, and teaches formal course work, refusing to waiver on excellence.

• Robbyn Ceasar, R.N. (Endoscopy, R.N. of the Year): Robbyn is seen as the type of nurse girls and boys aspire to become; she is seen as a model nurse. She goes above and beyond—both from the patient care perspective as well as the team member perspective—and is very focused on excellence.

Larry Sanders (Columbus Regional Chairman and CEO), Susan McRae (Radiology Supervisor, Radiology, Doctors Hospital), Beth Bussey (Clinical Nutrition Specialist, Oncology Outreach, John B. Amos Cancer Center), Patricia Alexander (Registrar, Admissions/Registration, Hughston Hospital), Carolyn Chaney (Clinical Coordinator, 7 Main, The Medical Center) and Bobbie Newsome (Pharmacy Technician Senior, Outpatient Pharmacy, The Medical Center).

The announcement of five Columbus Regional Healthcare recipients of the Chairman’s Award of Excellence highlighted an event-filled Employee Appreciation Week last month.

The employees were selected from the monthly “I Make the Difference!” honorees from May 2009–April 2010 for exemplary performance and exceptional customer service.

The recognition luncheon on May 13 at the Columbus Regional Conference Center at The Medical Center was attended by the past year’s honorees along with alumni of the distinguished employee award.

Larry Sanders, chairman and CEO of Columbus Regional, presented the five honorees with a framed resolution from the Columbus Regional board of directors, a heart-shaped Frabel glass sculpture, and a check for $1,000.

A full-page ad ran in the Sunday, May 16 issue of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer that recognized the award recipients and honorees from the past year.

The guest speaker for the luncheon was comedian Kent Rader.

About the 2010 Chairman’s Award of Excellence Recipients

• Patricia Alexander (Registrar, Admissions/Registration, Hughston Hospital): Patricia’s face is one of the many stellar images of Hughston Hospital, and her style and grace epitomize all that it represents. She quickly puts patients and family members at ease and reassures them they are in a special place. Her friendliness is contagious, and she is a wonderful ambassador for the hospital.

• Beth Bussey (Clinical Nutrition Specialist, Oncology Outreach, John B. Amos Cancer Center): Beth has an incredible passion for the work that she does. She is an outstanding practitioner who is dedicated to the success and development of all employees. Her energy, creativity, commitment and desire for quality of care and life for her patients are endless.

• Carolyn Chaney (Clinical Coordinator, 7 Main, The Medical Center): Carolyn has mentored and guided multiple generations of new graduate nurses to become excellent nurses. She is sought for her clinical knowledge, expertise and guidance by physicians, co-workers and students. She makes all patients feel secure because of the confidence and competence she exudes.

• Susan McRae (Radiology Supervisor, Radiology, Doctors Hospital): Susan epitomizes commitment, service and loyalty to Doctors Hospital. She is a faithful and dedicated employee who serves the organization in any capacity possible to make it a better place. She delivers personal care, comfort and reassurance to her patients and their family members as if they were her own family.

• Bobbie Newsome (Pharmacy Technician Senior, Outpatient Pharmacy, The Medical Center): Bobbie is humble, honest and sincere and not only accomplishes what is required, but also always goes the extra mile. Her broad knowledge of all areas of the Pharmacy has made her the “right hand” to pharmacists and managers. Bobbie is that very special employee you can trust and depend upon.

Support Scott and The Miracle Riders, Children’s Champions

By Joseph R. Zanga, M.D. | Chief of Pediatrics | The Medical Center

Dr. Joseph R. Zanga

I came to Columbus 18 months ago because I wanted to be a part of that effort which had the unified support of the pediatric and lay community. Now you can be a part of that future too.

On Friday, May 28, Country’s Barbeque co-owner Scott Ressmeyer returns from riding his Harley through the lower 48 (this year with 10 other children’s champions) in support of the Children’s Miracle Network at The Medical Center. CMN raises funds to support some of the extraordinary work we do here.

Click to visit the Scott’s Ride for Miracles blog.

You all know of the long standing, regionally recognized care we provide to the smallest and often sickest of our citizens in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Whether born at The Medical Center, sometimes unexpectedly, or transported after birth—often with heroic effort by the NICU team—these tiny infants are surrounded by specialized equipment purchased with CMN funds.

So read about Scott’s Ride for Miracles on his blog and open your hearts and wallets to support what these men are doing to support Children’s Miracle Network at The Medical Center, to support children, to support our community’s future.

We’ve been receiving excellent progress reports for the new Emergency Department (ED) at The Medical Center in Columbus, Georgia!

Renovations and an addition to the ED are scheduled to be completed in Spring 2011.

When the project is complete, the new ED will feature:

• 46 beds in 44 patient treatment rooms
  • 12 rooms for rapid medical evaluation
• 28 general treatment rooms
• Four trauma rooms housing six beds
• Two digital radiology rooms
• CT room

The majority of the first phase is finished, which has included:

• A large excavation next to the ED necessary to re-route a city sewer system around the new ED from its current location next to The Medical Center.

• A large amount of groundwork also necessary to raise the grade to the level of the existing ED.

• A temporary walk-in patient entrance and ambulance court as well as a temporary helicopter landing pad and patient entrance in use until the addition is completed.

What’s Next?

The project is now shifting into the next phase, which includes work on the underslab plumbing.

As the foundation is completed, slabs will be poured, and then steel will begin to rise!