very cultural experience,” said Kim. “The epidural
people who have been here all these years have
is not every woman’s choice. Some may prefer
grown in their careers together. That makes it
Citizens Grows to Meet Area’s Increasing Diversity
a Jacuzzi, birthing balls or to walk during labor.
special. And Baptist Health System has always
We have the opportunity to open the door to the
emphasized the ethical part of medicine. I’ve
Visit the labor and delivery department
and well-baby nursery as a definite plus. “Our
cultural needs of this evolving community. Already,
been blessed to be here.”
at Citizens Baptist Medical Center and you’ll
nurses have a great deal of experience and work
almost daily, we care for Spanish-speaking pa-
see lots of new faces. Yes, many are newborns
well as a team; they’re also tremendously caring.”
just making their entrance into the world at the
Another new face is recently recruited OB/
Dr. Bailey has especially enjoyed teaching
tients in L&D, and that requires additional tools —
young physicians and medical students who have
bilingual materials and translation services.”
passed through Princeton Baptist over the years.
Talladega hospital, but some are new members
Gyn Jamaican-born Dr. Keddie Marsh-Dinham,
of the hospital team.
who joined the hospital in October. From her
joined the Citizens Baptist staff just three years
hospitals all these years has been important to
first visit to Citizens, she was attracted to its
ago. Today, many of her patients are among
me. It’s certainly made it more enjoyable,” Dr.
faith-based health ministry.
the growing number of Hispanics in the area’s
Bailey said. “There are physicians on staff now
80,000+ residents.
who were my medical students years ago. It’s
Kim Ball, nurse manager of the department, has been at Citizens Baptist only a few months, but has many years’ experience in the obstetric
Serving the Needs of the Community
Such a center could also address the area’s
The personal practice philosophy of this
field. As a former nurse manager of labor and
SUNY-Brooklyn College of Medicine graduate
delivery at Montclair BMC in Birmingham, Kim
reflects Citizens Baptist’s family-focused values.
Fluent in Spanish, OB/Gyn Dr. Rosa Flores
“Some live nearby; others come from
very rewarding to see people practicing medi-
Gadsden, Wedowee, Pell City and as far as two
cine and know you had something to do with
is familiar with Alabama health care. But during
“I try to treat everyone as if they’re family,”
her career, she’s gained valuable experience as
she said. “You’re somebody’s sister, mother —
such as Citizens where people know each other,
a travel nurse and has also seen the best and
somebody’s ‘someone.’ Each is special and, if
the patients and their families.”
worst of childbirth care in hospitals from Florida
you think that way, you take good care of your
to Alaska and Connecticut to California.
patients.”
“I’ve worked in small hospitals with just three
It’s a concept that led her to expand her
“The fact that Baptist has had teaching
hours away,” she said. “Patients like a hospital
Dr. Martin Bailey was the 2009 Princeton
Citizens’ childbirth classes are also pop-
Gala honoree.
ular — with 75 to 80 percent of her patients attending, Dr. Flores said. Like Kim, she applauds
their training.” Dr. Bailey describes himself as “semiretired,” which gives him more time to spend with his family: wife Peggy, children Brad and Alison and three grandchildren, with a fourth on the way.
patient rooms and others as large as 700 beds…
office hours to offer Saturday morning appoint-
the efforts the hospital and staff have made to
in rural hospitals that delivered three babies a
ments. Like Kim, Dr. Marsh-Dinham agrees that
benefit mothers and newborns, but would wel-
his golf game. Dr. Bailey has been a member
month and others attached to major universities
“childbirth should be a personalized experience
come renovation on the unit. “We want child-
at Shoal Creek since 1985 and has been the
that delivered 1,000 babies a month,” she said.
for each patient, along with a hospital support
birth to be as comfortable as possible…to give
club’s president for the past four years.
system in place.”
our patients options. We want it to be a special
The common factor: “Childbirth is so special. From the moment you find out you’re pregnant,
Just as with newborns, hospital facilities always need to grow. The small unit that handles
these everyday miracles a celebration and to
about 600 births annually would benefit from
hospitals of Baptist Health System continue to
provide a joyful and personalized experience for
expansion and renovation, said Kim. “We would
improve their excellence and compassion in
each woman who delivers at Citizens Baptist.
like to offer the women of this area a local women’s
welcoming new lives into the world. Contact
center that includes the diverse health care
the Baptist Health Foundation to learn how; call
services that women might need.”
1-877-474-4243.
She counts the nursing staff for the department’s five LDR (labor/delivery/recovery) rooms
right: Citizens OB/GYN Dr. Rosa Flores (left) and Labor & Delivery Nurse Manager Kim Ball (right)
He also has more opportunity to work on
friends of Princeton
experience for each and every one of them.”
you start planning.” Kim’s working to make
You can help Citizens and the other
“Revving up” the 6th Annual Princeton Gala
Spanish has proven a great advantage to the Talladega area’s increasing Hispanic population.
up in Augusta, you didn’t have a choice but to love the game of golf! It’s been a passion for me, and my son shares that passion. I wouldn’t take anything for the thousands of rounds we’ve played together.” And likewise, the people at Princeton Baptist would not take anything for the 32 years they have been able to spend with Dr. Bailey. “Dr. Bailey is beloved for his ability to care for his patients, his ability to teach young
Another spectacular Princeton Gala
Alice Cox, Princeton BMC director of develop-
hospital,” Alice said. “To see such character day
was planned by the Friends of Princeton to
ment. “There was a sumptuous seated dinner
in and day out is an inspiration. And, although
honor an outstanding Princeton Baptist Medical
overlooking the race track and entertainment by
this tribute hardly did him justice, we were
Center physician and raise funds to help sup-
the Pat Patrick Show Band.”
thrilled to have the opportunity to express our
port the hospital. The proceeds of this year’s
But, as at previous Galas, the focus of the
appreciation.”
Gala will be used in support of Princeton Bap-
event remained on honoring a person who has
tist’s Heart and Vascular Care program.
made an enormous impact on Princeton Baptist.
and supported the annual Princeton Gala, which
This year’s honoree was Princeton cardiologist
has proven hugely successful over the past five
Dr. Martin T. Bailey.
years. The Friends of Princeton continue this
This sixth annual Princeton Gala was held February 7, 2009 at the world-renowned Barber Motorsports Museum. In homage to this year’s
Dr. Bailey has been a loyal friend and
venue, the theme for the black-tie event was
staunch supporter of Princeton Baptist for 32
“Rev It Up.”
years.
“Guests were invited to tour the spacious five-floor Museum during a reception hour,” said
2 Stewardship
An avid golfer, Dr. Bailey said, “Growing
physicians and for his consistent support of this
work together to make childbirth a good experience for the families they serve. below: Dr. Flores’ fluent
princeton BMC
special deliveries
increasingly diverse population. “Labor can be a
“Princeton Baptist has always been home. It’s like a family,” Dr. Bailey explained. “The
Dr. and Mrs. Alton Baker founded, guided
legacy that so generously supports Princeton Baptist Medical Center. For information on Princeton’s Annual Gala, please contact Alice Cox at 205-7837225 or email alice.cox@bhsala.com.
Spring 2009 3
Serving the Needs of the Community
citizens BMC
hospitalsspotlight