2012 Medical Officers Elected - Chiefs of Service Appointed

The staff of more than 100 physicians – active, courtesy, and consulting – with privileges at Mason General Hospital recently elected its medical officers and appointed its Chiefs of Service for 2012.  The officers include:  Chief of Staff Kevin J. Roscoe, M.D., board-certified in radiology;  Assistant Chief of Staff Dean E. Gushee, M.D., board-certified in emergency medicine;  Secretary Albert Michael Keep, M.D., board-certified in family medicine;  and past Chief of Staff Timothy J. Weber, M.D., board-certified in family medicine.  The 2012 Clinical Chief of Service department heads are:  Anesthesia – Deborah A. Hartley, CRNA; Intensive Care Unit – Mark L. Schlauderaff, M.D.;  Emergency Services – Dean E. Gushee, M.D.;  Infant and Children’s Services – Maria Rowena Carreon Ramirez, M.D.;  Laboratory Services – J. Michael Odell, M.D.;  Medical/Surgical – Christopher W. Penoyar, D.O.;  Nutritional Services – Douglas F. Lindahl, D.O.;  Obstetrics – Nkemdilium Nwosa, M.D.;  Physical Therapy – Frederick J. Davis, M.D.;  Respiratory Therapy – Douglas F. Lindahl, D.O.;  Surgery – Eldie L. Cruz, M.D.;  and Radiology – Kevin  J. Roscoe, M.D.

2012 Board Officers Elected by Hospital District

Seen from left: Don Wilson, Nancy Trucksess, and Scott Hilburn

Public Hospital District No.1, the governing body of Mason General Hospital & Family of Clinics, recently announced its officers for the 2012 Board of Hospital Commissioners, as elected by their peers.  Nancy Trucksess, Shelton, was elected president of the three-person Board; Scott Hilburn, Shelton, is secretary; and Don Wilson, Potlatch, is trustee.

2011 Flame Award

Mary Anne Munson, a dedicated volunteer at MGH & FC, received the MGH Foundation’s “Flame Award” during this past year’s Annual Fantasy Forest event in November. Janis Byrd, president of the Foundation, presented the award to Mary Anne. “I am so delighted to give this award,” said Janis, during the event. “This year’s recipient is one who works endlessly for our Hospital and community.” Mary Anne volunteers at Treasures Book Store, is active on Mason General Hospital Foundation’s Board, Auxiliary, and in the Hospital’s Gift Shop. The MGHF Board selects the recipient for the Flame Award each year.

Treasures Thrift Store Donates to MGH

During the Foundation’s Annual Fantasy Forest 2011 held in November, Treasures Thrift Store, an affiliate of MGH Foundation, donated $96,000 in support of the purchase of a new Open MRI to be installed in 2013 as a part of the Campus Renewal Construction Project.  Pictured here are Treasures staff and MGH administration during the recent check presentation event at Treasures – Teresa McCord, Treasures floor supervisor; Eric Moll, MGH & FC CAO;  Kathy Howe, MGHF Board Member; Eileen Branscome, MGH & FC COO; Terry Megiveron MGH & FC CPS;  Bob Appel, MGH & FC CEO; Jennifer Capps, MGH & FC CDO; and Trina McCord, Treasures assistant manager.

MGH&FC Staff Sponsor 40 Local Foster Children for Christmas

In December, several staff members from Mason General Hospital & Family of Clinics helped to sponsor nearly 40 local foster children for Christmas. Pictured here with some of the items donated are (l-r) Donna Perryman, accounting; Annette Clevenger, DSHS with Family Services of Mason County; Meghan Lucas, Julie Lamphiear, Melissa Chappell, and Deb Whitener, business office; and Sherry Curtis, education/Learning Center. “I sent out a wish list to the MGH & FC staff with several items the children would like to receive,” said Annette Clevenger.  “Some of the staff were very generous and purchased everything on the list. All the children received really great gifts.”  This is the second year in a row MGH & FC has participated in this event. 

MGH Patient Navigation Program Needs Outreach Workers

If you are a breast cancer survivor or if you are a woman who wants to help other women in your community learn more about early breast cancer detection and how it saves lives, we want to hear from you. We are looking for women in Lilliwaup, Hoodsport, Union, Matlock, Allyn, and Grapeview to provide breast cancer education and early detection information in their communities. A stipend will be provided. For more information please contact Karry Trout, RT(R)(M), Patient Navigator at (360) 432-7706.

"All About Healthy Snacks"

Shelton and Allyn's Diabetes Suppport Group Topic for February

The next MGH & FC Diabetes Support Group meetings for Shelton and Allyn are on  “All About Healthy Snacks!” The Shelton group will meet on Thursday, February 16 from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Ellinor Room at the Hospital, and Allyn’s group will meet on Thursday, February 23 from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Port of Allyn building’s downstairs meeting room. Presenting the class will be Debbie McGinnis, R.N., diabetes nurse educator at MGH’s Diabetes Wellness Center.  Debbie will discuss healthy choices for snacks, as well as when, and how much to eat, and the potential health benefits.  There will be time for questions and answers. For more information call Sue Barwick, R.N., certified diabetes educator, at (360) 427-7332 (from Allyn (360) 275-8614, and ask for the Diabetes Wellness Center).

Living Well with Diabetes in April

If diabetes is a part of your life, plan to attend MGH’s two-day class entitled “Living Well With Diabetes.”  The two consecutive afternoons will be Tuesday and Wednesday, April 17 and 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hospital.  Due to limited space, advanced registration is required.  Diabetes education is a covered service under most insurance plans. To pre-register, call Sue Barwick, R.N., certified diabetes educator, at (360) 426-1611, ext. 3301 (from Allyn (360) 275-8614, ext. 3301).

Continuing Educational Offerings

Continuing Education classes offered for Mason General Hospital & Family of Clinics employees, medical staff, and the community for February.

• Orientation for New Employees
• Strong Perifax for Obstetrical Staff
• Mock Adult Code Blue Skills for Clinical Staff
• Train the Trainer: High Fidelity Simulation Education
• Online Hospital-Wide Yearly Safety Program
• Basic Cardiac Life Support Course for MGH&FC Staff
• Online Cognitive Competency Development and Evaluation
• New RN and Current Nurse Skills Orientation
• Annual Nurses Skills Development & Assessment
• Non-Violence Crisis Intervention Certification Course
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification Course
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification Course
• Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition and Stabilization Course (PEARS)
• Free Community CPR Course
• Mason County Emergency Medical Services Training
• Tissue and Organ Donation Continuing Education

For more information, contact Tom DiDonna, R.N., MSN, D.H.Sc., and MGH&FC director of education, at (360) 427-3609.

MGH&FC Community CPR Class in January and February

Start the new year off learning a new skill – and the ability to save a life!  MGH & FC is offering another FREE Adult, Child, and Infant Basic Life Support CPR class on either Tuesday, January 10 or Wednesday, February 8, 2012 from 6 to 9 p.m. in MGH’s Learning Center, located next to McDonald’s on Olympic Highway North.  The class is open to the entire community, and everyone is advised to wear comfortable clothing. A Spanish interpreter will also be made available on request.  Pre-registration for the class is required, as class size is limited.  Please call The Learning Center at (360) 427-3609.

This is not a First Aid class.

MGH&FC Free Community CPR Class in March and April

MGH & FC is offering two more FREE Adult, Child, and Infant Basic Life Support CPR classes, on either Thursday, March 8 or Thursday, April 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. in MGH’s Learning Center, located next to McDonald’s on Olympic Highway North.  The class is open to the entire community, and everyone is advised to wear comfortable clothing. A Spanish interpreter will also be made available on request. Class size is limited, so please pre-register by calling The Learning Center at (360) 427-3609.  

This is not a First Aid class.

Lori Alvarez

January Hospital Employee of hte Month

Lori Alvarez, human resources assistant for Mason General Hospital & Family of Clinics, began working for MGH as a certified nursing assistant 12 years ago. After three years as a CNA, she moved to Health Information Management (HIM) and worked there another three years. For the last six years she has been in Human Resources. “I love working at this hospital,” she said. “We are such a family. Everyone is so close and friendly.” As a human resources assistant, Lori is usually the first contact a job applicant has with MGH & FC. “I do everything that deals with a new hire – from advertising of the new job position and sending out applications, to checking references and background credentials. Then, once hired, Lori conducts the employee orientation. “I love everything about my job, but mostly, that I get to meet and know so many people,” she added.

It was Lori’s enthusiasm that caught her nominator’s attention, describing her as “One of the kindest, most considerate, accommodating, and hardworking staff members I have ever met. She is always available to assist anyone with any project and strives to produce the best she can. Lori extends respect and compassion to each and every individual of the community and staff.”

Lori and her husband, Shannon, and three adult children – Sasha, Daryl, and Kalei, are from Hawaii, and moved here in 1996 to follow Lori’s parents and her older sister. Since then, Lori’s twin brothers have joined the family in Shelton. “I love to cook and entertain and look forward to family gatherings especially our “Sunday Ohana Dinner”, she added. “That is when each Sunday our entire family gathers to eat, enjoy each other’s company, laugh, play music, sing, dance and keep our Hawaiian culture alive.”