Good Day Ascension - Spring 2017

Good Day Ascension

for a ssociates of our one integr ated ministry / sp ring 2017

Going Global ASCENSION WORKS TO MEET THE NEEDS of international populations

Inside: Innovative clinical leader community begins / National spotlight on antimicrobial efforts / Leadership Academy prepares tomorrow’s leaders

W e l come

Living our Values

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ach and every day, Ascension associates in communities across the country live our Values as part of our shared ministry of service.

One of those Ascension Values is Creativity, which inspires us to lead the transformation of healthcare with courageous innovation.

Throughout this edition of Good Day Ascension magazine, our Value of Creativity is vibrantly on display: • Consistent with our Mission, Ascension is beginning to impact healthcare around the world.

• We are increasingly leading the way on important issues including antimicrobial stewardship and mental and behavioral healthcare.

• We continue to be committed to forming and developing local leaders to ensure the future of our One Integrated Ministry.

“ Creatively, and with courageous innovation, Ascension is making an impact on the lives of so many people — providing compassionate and personalized care with a special focus on those who are most vulnerable among us.”

In these pages, you’ll see tremendous examples of the work we are accomplishing together.

Creatively, and with courageous innovation, Ascension is making an impact on the lives of so many people — providing compassionate and personalized care with a special focus, as always, on persons living in poverty and those who are most vulnerable among us.

Ascension is you and me — all of us working together, continuing the healing ministry of Jesus. Thanks for all you do in your particular Ascension role in service to our communities. As always, we welcome your feedback at GoodDay@ascension.org.

Nick Ragone, Esq. Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

Good Day Ascension / Spring 2017 - Issue 3

Our Mission: Rooted in the loving ministry of Jesus as healer,

Good Day Ascension is published by Ascension Marketing and Communications for associates and family members across our integrated national health ministry. Stories in Good Day Ascension support our One Ascension journey and reflect the commitment of associates, physicians and volunteers across the health ministry to provide compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable.

we commit ourselves to serving all persons with special atten-

Executive Editor: Nick Ragone, Esq., nick.ragone@ascension.org

nities. We are advocates for a compassionate and just society

Editor: Ted Siegel, ted.siegel@ascension.org Design and Production: dcpubs.com To share comments, ask questions or suggest articles for Good Day Ascension, please email GoodDay@ascension.org, or send a note to Editor, Good Day Ascension, Ascension Marketing and Communications, 101 S. Hanley Road, Suite 1100, St. Louis, MO 63105.

All content copyright 2017 Ascension. Republication or any other use of the contents of Good Day Ascension without the express written consent of Ascension is prohibited. Any reference to or depiction of a product or service does not constitute or imply an endorsement by Ascension. Online version available at Ascension.org/goodday.

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G ood D a y ascension / ascension . org

tion to those who are poor and vulnerable. Our Catholic health ministry is dedicated to spiritually centered, holistic care which sustains and improves the health of individuals and commuthrough our actions and our words.

Contents

Departments 4 Mailbox Feedback from associates about Good Day Ascension magazine. Plus, patients share notes of thanks.

Thanks to Ascension Global Mission, Marlie received life-changing cardiac care.

5 Inspiration

Features 14 Going Global Our Mission is being lived in a variety of ways across the world, from supporting cardiac surgery for needy children to creating new health models with international partners, and more.

22 Cultivating Leaders: The Ascension Executive Clinical Development Program A novel program prepares clinical leaders in three key competencies.

24 Ascension’s Efforts Aim to Keep Antibiotics Effective As a top priority, activities across Ascension are focused on appropriate antimicrobial use to improve care.

26 Creating Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Ascension Leadership Academy, part of Ascension Leader Institute, builds capable, virtuous servant leaders.

On the cover:

Good Day Ascension

FOR A SSOCIATES OF OUR ONE INTEGR ATED MINISTRY / SP RING 2017

Going Global ASCENSION WORKS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF INTERNATIONAL POPULATIONS

INSIDE: Innovative clinical leader community begins / National spotlight on antimicrobial efforts / Leadership Academy prepares tomorrow’s leaders

Ascension has covered the cost of surgery and postoperative care for children like Nathanaelle, bottom left (with mother Marie); Mackendy, top right (with uncle Barnabas); and Marlie, bottom right (with father Wilner), who could not otherwise afford treatment. (Surgery was not considered appropriate for Darlie, top left, with father Jean Joseph.)

Gain a deeper understanding of formation and how reflection plays a key role.

6 Up Front Meet the inspiring Mission and Values Award winners. … An Ascension-backed Assessment and Triage Center addresses behavioral health concerns. … A fond farewell to one of Ascension’s influential founding Sisters. … Associates celebrate new Ascension identity. … Calling all veterans.

12 Getting to Know You Meet Amy Wilson, MSN, RN, who left the Gulf Coast Ministry Market to join Saint Thomas Health, in the Tennessee Ministry Market, as its first Chief Nursing Officer.

13 Wellness Now Michael Kobernick, MD, Chief Medical Officer, SmartHealth, shares his own experience as a patient.

29 News from the Ministries Catch up on the latest news from across our One Integrated Ministry.

35 The Last Word See a few stories you might have missed from GoodDay.Ascension.org.

Back Cover Inspired by his patients every day, Thomas LaLonde, MD, talks about his start in medicine and the joys of teaching.

Know an interesting story about a program, an associate or a physician — or yourself? Send it to us for consideration at GoodDay@ascension.org.

Correction: The profile of Sr. Lois Bush, SSM, on the back cover of the fall 2016 edition of Good Day Ascension contained an error. Although in 1968 the North Koreans captured the USS Pueblo, the U.S. was engaged in fighting the North Vietnamese, not the North Koreans. We regret the error.

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M AIL B OX

The Good Day Ascension team would like to hear from you about what you like in this magazine and suggestions for future editions.

Send your letters to the editor to GoodDay@Ascension.org.

THANKS FOR Good Day Ascension Good Morning. I always find it very helpful to receive my copy of the Good Day Ascension magazine to understand what is happening around Ascension.

Katie Goulette, MHA Mid – Michigan Region Business Analyst – BI / HIE Ascension Information Services

and would improve. He gave me hope and inspired me to try harder. Before I left the hospital in mid-October, I told DeWayne that he was my adopted son and will forever have a special place in my life. He has made the difference in my recovery. My daughter is getting married next fall and I am determined to walk her down the aisle.

Michael

Dr. [Timothy] Martindale later told me you “moved heaven and earth” to get me scheduled immediately. … The dramatic part is this — I think Heaven knows, and I think Heaven celebrates what you do. And I hope that as you go through another “routine” day of making miracles happen, you catch a glimpse of the smile on God’s face as He watches you work.

Greg

As a legacy Wheaton associate proud to work for Ascension Wisconsin, I wanted you to know that I read Good Day Ascension from cover to cover, and anxiously await the next edition. It is a very informative and pride-inspiring publication with all the good work being done throughout the System. Thank you again for this well-done publication.

There are no words to thank the staff of 5 Tower for the outstanding care they provided for my dad. We had been told he would not live out the day.

However, with the care from the doctors and each of you, I was able to kiss (his) face and tell him I loved him today.

He is still not over his illness, but God must not have room for him yet.

Family letter to Jane Phillips Medical

Lynn Schuster

Center, part of St. John Health System,

Regional Risk Officer

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Ascension Wisconsin Dear Jessica:

letters from those we serve In late August, I came to the Cracchiolo Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit at St. John Hospital and Medical Center [Detroit, part of Ascension Michigan] after having a major stroke. I had no movement on my left side. I could not sit unassisted, and I had difficulty finding my words and swallowing. It’s because of DeWayne Cook, a very special and caring Patient Care Technician, I got through many of the tough nights I had to face since the stroke.

DeWayne made me feel like I could

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… When I was getting reports about a pancreas spot last year just as Labor Day weekend was about to begin, a miracle happened — every test I needed got scheduled anyway. Fortunately for me, those tests ended up giving my doctors a ringside seat to watch that apparent tumor melt to nearly nothing over three days’ time. We all got to watch that miracle happen, and of course it was gripping to be caught in the wonder of the healing touch that I think God graciously granted me.

But the miracle that happened first was worked at your hand, because as

G o o d Day a s c e n s i o n / a s c e n s i o n . o r g

Letter to Jessica Poston, primary care clinic nurse at Providence Healthcare Network, Waco, part of Ascension Texas

I had to visit the ER at Via Christi Hospital St. Francis [Wichita, Kansas] because of very low blood sugar. … As soon as I walked in the door, I had the attention of the desk clerk, then the nurse. I know the ER was very busy, but they brought me juice immediately, then got me to a room just as fast.

Everyone, and I mean everyone, was so attentive and caring. You really have a good thing going on!

Lisa

I could not wait until I got home to convey my sincere thanks to Saint Thomas [Health, Nashville, Tennessee] for the professional, competent, informative and compassionate care I received while hospitalized here twice this month. Every department inclusive of food service and environmental services exceeded care and concern beyond my expectations.

Lois

I N S P I R AT I O N

Formation. What Does It Mean?

Everything we experience in our lives “forms” us. This is important to keep in mind when we talk about formation, a word we hear frequently in Ascension.

The relationships we have, the work we do, the ways we spend our free time, our hopes and values and worries — all these experiences, and so many more, form us into the women and men we are.

When we talk about formation in Ascension, we are talking about choosing to participate in specific kinds of experiences that help us to grow, and help us to become a community of inspired persons who are capable, flourishing and Mission-focused.

Reflection is the primary key to formation. The practice of reflection can be part of any moment of our day. As one formation program participant recently said, “Every moment matters!” A moment becomes a formative experience when we pause to ask simple questions such as:

Our Formation Definition

• “What does this mean to me?”

and the world. Through

• “How does what I am doing express what I care deeply about or show true care to others?”

• “How is this situation an opportunity for me to be more connected with others?”

The Ascension Mission and Values provide many possibilities to reflect in new ways about what we do in our work, how we do our work and especially why we do what we do.

Such reflection can help us consider the ways that we might sense a calling to service in this ministry.

Community is another key to formation. When we ask ourselves questions of meaning and purpose, and have the chance to share those reflections with others, we discover how deeply connected we already are. Community helps us flourish by reminding us of the power of having companions to share the work, joy, suffering and learning of each day.

Taking time for reflection, making thoughtful decisions about how we express our unique selves in community with others, is vital if we are to align our individual passions in the service of our shared Mission, ministering to the health of whole persons and whole communities.

✙ Formation is a lifelong transformative process that opens us to God’s action and connects us more deeply with self, God, others self-reflection and other practices grounded in theology and spirituality, formation enables us to consider our calling, find deeper meaning in our work, realize our gifts and develop our competencies as a community in service of human dignity and the common good.

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U P F ro n t

Honoring Excellence living the mission and values awards recipients

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he announcement of the “Living the Mission and Values Awards” is highly anticipated as associates across Ascension are nominated by peers for their dedication and commitment to our unified Mission and Values. A selection team has the difficult task of selecting awardees every two years for recognition and celebration at the Ascension Leadership Convocation. While living the Mission and Values is the norm throughout Ascension, the honorees here demonstrate the highest level of excellence and day-to-day expression of the Mission and Values of Ascension.

Individual Award Recipient: Marion Teixeira, St. Vincent Anderson Regional Hospital, Anderson, Indiana Marion Teixeira leads her Associate Care Team at Anderson with dedication to her values and her care for the community. She makes a difference every day through initiatives that include: • Founding the Day School Program, for students ages 11–18 with mental health and/or learning disabilities, who travel to the Anderson Center for class time along with therapy.

• Working at The House of Hope, which provides housing and treatment for men suffering from addiction or who have trouble integrating into society. She now serves as the organization’s official secretary and board member, as she continues to schedule procedures for the men.

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• Developing a program for first responders who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or emotional trauma as a result of their jobs. In this program, Marion trains firefighters and their spouses to be mentors to other first responders.

Marion has a simple explanation for why she cares so much about the work she does helping others in her community: “If someone finds hope here, then we’re living our Mission.”

Program Award Recipient: Clergy Wellness Initiative, St. Vincent’s Health System, Birmingham, Alabama The Clergy Wellness Initiative is a 10-month health and wellness program that assists clergy with personal and congregational health and wellness goals. Statistically, clergy are at a higher risk than the general population for chronic illnesses, mental health disorders and disease complications.

They also have influence over those who attend their faith communities.

St. Vincent’s invited clergy members from across faith communities to participate in the program, allowing each to set his or her own goals. Clergy are encouraged to work out at on-campus fitness centers, including spending time with personal trainers and dietitians.

St. Vincent’s also offers monthly Lunch and Learns to provide expertise on health and wellness topics, from infection prevention to behavioral health.

G ood D a y asc e n sio n / asc e n sio n . o r g

Clergy members have reported that the program helped them individually and they even have seen results within the congregations they serve.

“We’ve been saying that God cares about our body, our soul and our spirit,” said Bill Barnett, pastor at Union Hill Baptist Church in Oneonta, Alabama.

“As a pastor, it’s given me a little bit fuller perspective on how I can help my congregation.”

Organizational Component Award Recipient: Provider/Associate Care Team (PACT), Seton Healthcare Family, Austin, Texas The Provider/Associate Care Team (PACT) offers emotional support to any Seton Healthcare Family provider or associate following a significant

Attendees at the Ascension Leadership Convocation awards program included, from left, Anthony R. Tersigni, EdD, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ascension; Sr. Mary Anne Rodgers, CSJ, Chair, Ascension Sponsor; from the Texas Ministry Market, Darryl Jordan, Seton Healthcare Family, Tim Sherman, University Medical Center Brackenridge, and Martha Johnson and Marsha Nichols, Seton Healthcare Family; Robert J. Henkel, FACHE, Executive Vice President, Ascension, and President and Chief Executive Officer, Ascension Healthcare; and Timothy Glover, Mission Integration, Ascension Healthcare.

work-related event. Support is available 24/7 from trained peer supporters — Seton associates who volunteer to serve.

Before the program, about 39 percent of associates who responded to a survey at Seton — who had experienced a significant work-­related event — said they received no support after the event happened. And 54 percent, who reported that they did receive support, called the support inadequate.

Seton developed the PACT initiative to help associates get the help and support they need, preferably before the associate goes home. Seton has trained more than 250 peer supporters, and help is available at all Seton sites.

Whenever there is a significant event, any individual can activate the PACT program by dialing zero for the

operator and asking for the PACT. Since its launch in November 2015, more than 300 PACT encounters have been documented.

“When I’m at my worst place that I can possibly be, contemplating whether I want to keep practicing medicine, if someone can actually reach out and walk alongside me until I can find my way again, that has to be supportive,” said Meredith Davenport, MD. “That leads us to wellness in a way we haven’t had before.”

“If you think about our Mission being able to treat people with dignity and respect, it has to start at home, and our efforts to take care of our people need to be as strong as they can be so they can take care of the patients we serve,” said Darryl Jordan, Vice President, Risk Management, and PACT Sponsor.

PACT Pledge and Promise The PACT program is part of Seton’s “Humancare Promise” to be person-­centered and listen carefully in order to understand and respond in a helpful way. PACT hopes to fulfill the promise by living its mission: • When you reach out for help, I will Provide a listening presence.

• When you express your painful experience, I will use all my training and skill to Assess the need.

• When concerns and questions turn into fear, I will Care as a friend, with compassion, empathy and in confidence.

• When there is need for ongoing courage, I will Turn to all available resources to restore your hope.

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U P front

ASCENSION CELEBRATEs OPENING OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TRIAGE CENTER Ascension leaders joined local officials in Kansas City, Missouri, last fall to celebrate the opening of the Kansas City Assessment and Triage Center, an innovative facility designed to address behavioral health concerns in the region.

The center offers triage, stabilization and referral services for individuals who are experiencing a psychiatric or substance abuse-induced crisis. Ascension will contribute $20 million over 10 years to the effort, continuing our more than 100-year legacy of serving the Kansas City community.

“This effort complements Ascension’s goals of developing a national behavioral health strategy focused on integrating behavioral health initiatives into population health,” said Nick Ragone, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing and Commu-

targeted, specialized services to those in need. The services include a streamlined admissions process, inpatient stabilization services with access to necessary psychiatric medicine, referral to appropriate community resources and meaningful follow-up.

“Mental illness can have devastating outcomes for families and communities and creates a burden on society,” said Patricia A. Maryland, Dr.PH, President, Healthcare Operations and Chief Operating Officer, Ascension Healthcare. “We know that behavioral health issues impact physical as well as mental well-being, and often contribute to an increased cost of care for patients receiving other medical services.”

In addition to the Kansas City center, Ascension serves the region through three long-term care locations that are part of Ascension Senior Care — Carondelet Manor, Villa St. Joseph and St. Mary’s Manor — and Seton Center, a social services agency serving area residents who are struggling the most.

nications Officer. “We consider it a privilege to continue living our Mission and our commitment to providing holistic care that treats the whole person — body, mind and spirit — through our support of improved behavioral health capabilities in the Kansas City community.”

The center, in a building owned by the Missouri Department of Mental Health, helps alleviate the disproportionate burden that a small population of individuals suffering from mental health or substance abuse issues places on local police, courts, ambulance and emergency department services by providing

Invitation to Self-identify Veteran and Disability Status

Ascension takes part in the opening ceremony for the Kansas City Assessment and Triage Center.

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G o o d D a y asc e n s i o n / asc e n s i o n . o r g

Ascension is proud to employ hundreds of associates who served in the U.S. armed forces. We are also proud to serve veterans as an official Veterans Choice provider.

To help us identify and recognize our own veterans, we invite them to self-identify by requesting a Personal Data Change through myAscension at my.ascension.org or by calling the Ministry Service Center at 855-992-4672.

The submission of this information is voluntary, and declining to provide it will not subject any associate to adverse treatment.

Thank you to all veterans serving across our integrated national health ministry.

UP FRONT

Leaders from across Ascension Michigan gather at Genesys Health System in Grand Blanc for a ‘Celebration of Unity.’

The event recognized the shared Ascension Mission and unveiled the unified identity. Part of the program included a ceremony where attendees wrote their hopes and concerns related to the new identity on dissolving paper, and symbolically washed them away. Ascension Michigan leaders participating in the ceremony included, from left, Sr. Sue McCrery, CSJ, DMin, Borgess Health, and Eric Barnaby, David Svinarich, PhD, and Jim Wild, St. John Providence.

Celebration!

Ministries Welcome Unified Mission and Name

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ur One Ascension journey took a leap forward in fall 2016.

As announced then, all ministries now share the same Mission statement language and, over time, will move to a unified name as a way to better collaborate and serve as an integrated ministry of the Church. Ascension Wisconsin and Ascension Michigan are the first Ministry Markets to transition to the Ascension name, and both held unification celebrations on announcement day.

“It’s inspiring to see associates engaged in our work and excited about our unified name and Mission,” said Nick Ragone, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. “When I was in Michigan on announcement day, I could feel the energy and enthusiasm.

By having a shared name, we’re able to better connect care for our patients. That’s really what this is all about.”

Associates in Michigan and Wisconsin received Ascension lanyards, email addresses and prayer cards to represent their unified identity; unification ceremonies demonstrated a steadfast commitment to be living signs of our Mission to those we serve.

“It made me proud to be part of Ascension,” said Thomas Elder, an Ascension Information Services associate in Milwaukee.

Michigan board member Kathy Ryan noted: “It is more than a rebranding. I look at it as a rebirth. Framing our

work with an emphasis on our spiritually based Mission instantly engaged me. I found myself feeling the same energy as I had as a novice nurse!”

Since announcement day, Mission Integration has led local activities in all ministries to celebrate our shared Mission statement and how it calls each of us to work, live and love.

“At Via Christi, we brought all of our leaders together to celebrate our commitment to our Mission statement,” said Peg Tichacek, Chief Mission Integration Officer, Via Christi Health, in the Kansas Ministry Market. “As a ministry of the Church, we are pleased to honor our heritage and are committed to our unified Mission and identity. Our Mission statement is more than words; it is the way we deliver care as advocates for a compassionate and just society.”

“As Wisconsin and Michigan bring all care sites and caregivers under the umbrella of Ascension in a visible way, our Mission-focused physicians and caregivers there will be a beacon for compassionate, personalized care for all,” Nick said. “Upon learning from the work in those reference-model markets, other ministries over time will transition to the unified name, based on the needs of their own communities. Yet all will immediately feel the benefit of our unification as the enhanced collaboration, both locally and nationally, better enables all providers and associates to deliver exceptional care to those we are privileged to serve across the country.”

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UP Front

A Fond Farewell Sr. Betty Granger, CSJ — Servant Leader, Colleague, Friend — Leaves Michigan Board

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ne of the most valued and trusted founders of the Ascension ministry in Michigan and the country — Sr. Betty Granger, CSJ — decided to leave the Ascension Michigan Board in the spring, and friends and fans will miss her oneof-a-kind presence.

Sr. Betty’s trademark humor, warmth and authenticity have left a lasting impression on thousands of associates, Sisters, community members and friends of Ascension. She was one of the original Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth who was “at the table” during discussions with the Daughters of Charity that led to the creation of Ascension in 1999. Her record of servant leadership includes service on numerous ministry boards and as Mission Integration Vice President for Ascension Michigan and, earlier, St. John Providence, Genesys Health System and the original St. Joseph Hospital in Flint.

Always a standout at any gathering, she enjoys demonstrating her schoolteacher’s ability to quiet a noisy meeting by summoning her “schoolyard” voice.

Sr. Betty was called to religious life as a young woman and celebrated her 50-year Jubilee as a Sister of St. Joseph in 2006. In addition to her Mission role, she was responsible for governance at St. John Providence and helped lay the groundwork for today’s streamlined governance structure.

“Sr. Betty’s influence has been enormous in shaping our organization and culture,” said Patricia A. Maryland, Dr.PH, President, Healthcare Operations and Chief Operating Officer, Ascension Healthcare, who was CEO of St. John Providence while Sr. Betty

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served as its Mission Integration lead.

“I credit her with near single-handedly driving the decision to rename our health system St. John Providence in 2010.

Her eloquence, her support as one of our founding sponsors and her wisdom guided that significant turning point.”

Many associates know Sr. Betty best as an advocate for spiritual and faith inclusiveness. She has always made a point of teaching associates to embrace and honor all faith traditions within our ministry.

G o o d Day a s c e n s i o n / a s c e n s i o n . o r g

“Sr. Betty has helped us understand that spirituality is a very personal experience for each individual and each patient, and is far broader than religious practice,” said Gwen MacKenzie, Senior Vice President of Ascension Healthcare and Ministry Market Executive for Ascension Michigan. “She has always encouraged us to become comfortable using our personal spirituality to do a better job of dealing with human suffering and healing, every day.”

UP FRONT

Ascension Associates Qualify for AT&T, Dell Discounts Ascension associates shopping for wireless devices, computers or accessories can take advantage of discounts offered exclusively through AT&T and Dell. Ascension has contracts with these companies for business purposes, and AT&T and Dell offer discounts for associates for personal goods and services.

AT&T is the only wireless phone provider for contracted group discounts for Ascension associates and their families.

AT&T offers Ascension associates the following benefits: • 25 percent off qualifying rate plans • Waived activation fees • Discounts on select equipment and accessories Throughout the year, AT&T offers limited-time specials on specific equipment, such as discounts on a particular mobile phone or tablet. In addition, AT&T participates with Plenti, a rewards program that lets users earn points at one retailer and use them at another. Associates can sign up for Plenti and start earning points at AT&T, as well as other retailers, by visiting att.com/plentisignup.

Ascension associates qualify for discounts on technology, service and support through the Dell Employee Purchase Program. The Dell discount includes: • Up to a 12 percent discount on Dimension and Inspiron Home and Home Office products • Discounted 3-5 business day ground shipping • Online and telephone technical support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week Like AT&T, Dell also offers occasional special discounts and promotions.

For more information about the AT&T and Dell discounts,

The fall edition of Good Day Ascension magazine included a mention of the BRCA SNAP mobile app. The idea for the Scheduling Necessary Advised Procedures (SNAP) app for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (BRCA) came to cancer genetic counselors Stephanie Cohen and Dawn Nixon at St. Vincent, in Ascension’s Indiana Ministry Market, when they realized that women with a BRCA mutation were not adhering to recommendations for surveillance, which are known to improve health outcomes.

The genetic counseling team — with input from Annie Shaynak, Director of Oncology Services at St. Vincent, and technology solution support from Ken Bonhotal, Program Manager, Ascension Information Services — developed a mobile app for the iPhone to prompt women with a BRCA mutation to schedule appointments for surveillance and track progress. They solicited feedback from women with a BRCA

click on “My Links” on myAscension.org and choose “Associate

mutation and their healthcare providers to determine the best

Discounts” under the Access Information link on the far right

approach to assist these women in following national guide-

of the page. Associates also can contact The Resource Group’s

lines, with the goal of improving adherence to surveillance and

Customer Care at 314-733-8500 or via email at

ultimately saving lives and healthcare dollars.

CustomerCare@TheResourceGroup.com. Please note that below: image courtesy of dell inc.

Cancer App Study Available Nationwide

certain restrictions may apply.

The app is being studied under an institutional review board-approved protocol to determine its effectiveness, and the study is open nationwide to any woman over the age of 18 with a BRCA mutation and at least one intact breast and/or ovary.

For more information and to see a demo of the app, visit stvincent.org/St-Vincent-Indianapolis/Healthcare-Services/ Cancer-Care/Screening-and-Diagnosis/Cancer-GeneticsRisk-Assessment.aspx.

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Q&A

Getting to Know You Amy Wilson, MSN, RN, joined Saint Thomas Health, in Ascension’s Tennessee Ministry Market, in january 2017 as its first Chief Nursing Officer. She most recently served in the dual role of Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Sacred Heart Hospital, in the Gulf Coast Ministry Market, where she held progressive leadership roles since 2012. Amy is a member of the Ascension Leadership Academy.

Q: What led you to your career?

A: Healthcare is my calling and my vocation. I knew as a young child that my calling was healthcare, specifically to be a nurse. I enjoy helping and serving others in any way I can, and healthcare allows me to do that on a daily basis.

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: I am most proud of our commitment to serve all with the safest, highest-quality healthcare and with complete transparency. We will always make mistakes because we are human, but the biggest mistake would be failing to learn and grow from our mistakes. It is truly incredible to be part of a team whose commitment is to continually strive for excellence by constantly growing, learning, inquiring and seeking.

Q: Can you share an interesting fact about your healthcare career journey?

A: In nursing school, I declared I would never leave the bedside. I wanted to be a “real nurse,” not one of those nurses who left the bedside. I came to realize that I did not always have the resources as a bedside RN to care for my patients as I wanted to. I decided to pursue a leadership role so I could make a positive impact on a larger scale to a population of patients instead of only the patients for whom I had the privilege of providing direct care.

Q: What are the most important attributes of a leader?

A: The desire to serve others. At the end of the day, leadership simply boils down to serving others and inspiring all of us to work together for the common good.

There are many other attributes that are important, but service to others, I believe, is truly the foundation.

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G o o d Da y a s c e n s i o n / a s c e n s i o n . o rg

Q: Where do you see Mission at work?

A: Sometimes it is the small things that make my heart smile the most and make me the most thankful for the privilege of our work every day — from the warm smiles and helpfulness in the hallways, to the unique planning that goes into ensuring each patient has access to needed resources, to the large-scale Mission activities that we provide. This is what makes our Mission real and how I see our Mission lived each day.

It is just who we are as Ascension — each associate taking the time to notice, each and every day, what the individuals they encounter may need and ensuring those needs are met. Sometimes it is the small things that matter the most.

Wellness Now

“ My surgery reaffirmed — in a very personal way — the importance of a patient’s trust in caregivers, and it allowed me to witness how well we serve our communities and each other every day.”

— Michael Kobernick , MD

Keeping Well With Dr. K What Surgery Taught Me About Being a Patient

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here’s an old saying: “You can’t really understand another person until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” After 30 years in the ER, I thought I had a good handle on my patients’ concerns and fears. But when I became the patient, I learned what it really feels like to walk a mile in their shoes. As I sat on the other side of the caregiver-patient equation, I gained a new perspective.

Last year, I had hip replacement surgery. It was a decision I’d put off for years — out of fear. As a caregiver, I had seen the worst-of-the-worst cases, making me all too aware of the complications and difficulty of this surgery.

Even though I’ve been practicing for years, I faced the same challenges as other patients. I felt overwhelmed and vulnerable trusting people I didn’t

know with my well-being and care. It’s a different experience to be the care receiver instead of the caregiver.

Additionally, I learned how difficult it can be to find the right physician.

Just like any patient, I talked to friends, did online research and visited two surgeons. I learned that while many physicians are qualified, it was important to choose the doctor who inspired my trust. My choice came down to who gave me the most confidence.

Finally, I learned that health issues affect more than the patient. My surgery affected my entire family. Each person had fears and, at the same time, had a role in my recovery. I’ve thought a lot about patients who don’t have support and how we can better help them.

I wanted to share this personal experience to reassure my fellow

associates that I witnessed firsthand that Ascension provides compassionate, personalized care to all, including when the patient is one of our own.

I am grateful for the excellent care and new insight I received. My surgery reaffirmed — in a very personal way — the importance of a patient’s trust in caregivers, and it allowed me to witness how well we serve our communities and each other every day.

Michael Kobernick, MD, is the Chief Medical Officer for SmartHealth.

His successful hip replacement surgery was performed at Providence-­ Providence Park Hospital, Novi, part of Ascension Michigan. Dr. Kobernick is now back to normal activities — minus the pain that plagued him for so long.

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Going Global Since its inception in 2011, Ascension Global Mission has overseen international efforts to improve the health and well-being of those who are poor and vulnerable in developing countries, extending the Ascension Mission through catalyzing, collaborating and convening with local, regional and national partners

Nathanaelle

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World View / Created in 2016, Have a Heart 365 Helps Children in Need all year long

W

hen Nathanaelle was just a year old, she was diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot, a rare condition caused by a combination of four heart defects present at birth. With tetralogy of Fallot, not enough blood is able to reach the lungs to absorb oxygen; as a result, oxygen-poor blood flows through the body, often leaving the child short of breath and with blue-tinged skin, among other conditions.

Nathanaelle underwent open-heart surgery in 2014 for a partial repair called a BT shunt, which allowed her heart to continue to grow and develop until she was ready for a full repair.

Through a partnership of several organizations, Nathanaelle was able to travel to Health City Cayman Islands (HCCI) — a joint venture of Ascension and Narayana Health of India — from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, with her mother, Marie Jose. With a population of almost 3 million, Port-au-Prince is severely overcrowded, with many buildings destroyed in a 2010 earthquake. Ongoing infrastructure problems continue to limit access to water and sanitation.

Ascension Global Mission covered the cost of Nathanaelle’s surgery and postoperative care, while other organizations took care of travel expenses and follow-up care after she returned to Haiti.

“Her surgery would not have been possible without the generosity of many local, regional and international organizations working together on behalf of these children,” said Susan Huber, Senior Vice President, Global Mission, Governance and Sponsor Relations, Ascension.

In 2016, Ascension Global Mission funded 14 of these lifesaving surgeries — averaging more than one a month.

“We at Ascension are honored and humbled to play a role in this important work through covering the cost of their surgery and postoperative care,” Susan said.

Now, through Have a Heart 365, Ascension is committed to paying for an average of one surgery a day, 365 days a year, in partnership with Have A Heart Cayman Islands.

All funds donated to Have a Heart go directly to patient care at HCCI, and travel-related expenses and preand post-care will be covered by partner organizations.

Mor e Ch i l dr e n of H aiti

Marlie is 4 years old and grew up in Mirebalais, a small city of about 10,000 people in a mountain valley in central Haiti. Most of her town’s residents work in agriculture or at the regional hospital in town. Marlie was diagnosed at 2 years old with a congenital cardiac defect called transitional atrioventricular canal defect.

Darlie is 2 years old and from Port-au-Prince. She was born with a cardiac condition called double outlet right ventricle and was diagnosed as an infant.

She traveled to HCCI for diagnostic catheterization and ultimately was not considered appropriate for surgery. Haiti Cardiac Alliance is exploring other options for her care.

Mackendy is a 2-year-old from Petionville, a neighborhood in the hills above downtown Port-au-Prince. Most residents in his hometown live in small houses on steep hillsides that are accessible only by long staircases and paths from the main road. Mackendy was born with two

“[Nathanaelle’s] surgery would not have been possible without the generosity of many local, regional and international organizations working together on behalf of these children.

We at Ascension are honored and humbled to play a role in this important work through covering the cost of their surgery and postoperative care.”

­— s u s a n h u b e r , s e n i o r v i c e p r e s i d e n t, g l oba l m i s s i o n , g ov e r n a n c e a n d s p o n s o r r e l at i o n s , a s c e n s i o n

spring 2017

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Mackendy sits in his uncle’s lap as Sumit J. Modi, MD, Consultant Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon, HCCI, checks his heart.

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G o o d Day a s c e n s i o n / a s c e n s i o n .o r g

holes in his heart, one called a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and the other called a ventricular septal defect (VSD). First, only the PDA was closed to give his heart a chance to grow and strengthen; later, the VSD may also be closed. Mackendy was diagnosed at 9 months old.

In addition to his cardiac defect, Mackendy has other developmental disabilities.

Abou t H ave a H e ar t C ay man I sl an ds

Have a Heart Cayman Islands is a charitable organization that partners with HCCI and its team of world-class clinicians to subsidize and provide lifesaving heart surgeries for children from the Caribbean and around the world based on financial need. Dr. Devi Shetty — world-renowned heart surgeon, healthcare visionary, and founder and Chair of Narayana Health in India — was the initial driving force behind HCCI and was instrumental in developing its focus on charitable services.

Among the notable results: • Since 2014, more than 130 children have received heart surgery at HCCI in collaboration with several local and international partners.

• Over the past year at HCCI, about five children each month have received charitable heart care, totaling 60 per year.

Heart surgery and follow-up care such as Nathanaelle’s cost about $12,000 U.S. at HCCI.

Ot h e r A sce n sion G lobal Mi ssion I nitiatives

In addition to Have a Heart 365, Ascension Global Mission continues to pursue several other endeavors as a way to extend our Mission.

Ascension Global Mission is evaluating an opportunity to develop a process to enable health ministries to donate surplus medical supplies to an accredited medical surplus recovery organization for distribution to underdeveloped and developing countries requesting such supplies.

In a response to a call by historical sponsors of Ascension to look beyond hospital walls and direct provision of services to reduce the root cause of suffering through greater prevention, Ascension Global Mission has been collaborating with faith-based partners in Guatemala to catalyze a community health leadership model.

The Model for Collaborative Governance in Health is currently being developed, validated and implemented among 24 communities in the municipality of San Martin Sacatepéquez in the western highlands of the country, where more than 60 percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition, and respiratory and diarrheal diseases are commonplace. It seeks to support community leaders in a discovery and decision process about what they see as barriers to improved health in their communities, and help enable them to move to action, including establishing collaboration with government and development organizations to implement much-needed strategies in the areas of water and sanitation, waste management, and health education and hygiene.

Th e Organiz ation s B e hi n d H ave a H e ar t 365

Ascension Global Mission plans to engage other organizations and individuals to help support Have a Heart 365. In addition, it partners with a number of local, regional and international organizations, including:

spring 2017

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Ascension Aims for Impact Investing Socially responsible investments make a difference worldwide

M

embers of Catholic clergy, nonprofits and private-sector organizations from around the world gathered for the first Impact Investing Conference at the Vatican in June 2014 to discuss their shared interest in “impact investing.” As part of his welcome message, Pope Francis said: “It is urgent that governments throughout the world commit themselves to developing an international framework capable of promoting a market of high impact investments and thus to combating an economy which excludes and discards. … Impact investors are those who are conscious

of the existence of serious unjust situations, instances of profound social inequality and unacceptable conditions of poverty affecting communities and entire peoples.” A second conference was held in 2016.

Echoing Ascension’s Mission, which calls us to be advocates for a compassionate and just society, Ascension Investment Management set out to identify impact investments like those spoken favorably of by Pope Francis. That same year, Ascension Investment Management developed and launched its Impact Investment strategy.

Ascension Investment Management was invited to participate in the Second Vatican Conference on Impact Investing, held in 2016. There, Dale M. Hunt, Managing Director of Private Equities, Ascension Investment Management, participated on a panel called Investing Catholic Funds for Impact, where she highlighted Ascension Investment Management’s impact investment focus.

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G o o d Da y asce n si o n / asce n si o n . o r g

This Impact Investment strategy focuses on investments designed to: Improve access to certain social goods and services that may not be available to those who are poor and vulnerable, such as: • Food and nutrition • Adequate and affordable housing • Health and healthcare • Financial services • Education • Clean water

Focus on environmental stewardship with priority to investments with a track record of: • Environmental conservation • “Green” products, services or processes, such as clean technologies • Renewable energy

“Through impact investing, we aim to improve access to goods and services that may be in short supply in poor areas, such as clean water, safe food, adequate housing, education, healthcare and financial services,” said David Erickson, Chief Investment Officer, Ascension Investment Management. “To date, we have invested $50 million for Ascension and other clients into six investments that seek to achieve at least one of these objectives.”

Ascension Investment Management has selected investments that it believes will generate beneficial social and/or environmental impact, while seeking a market-based return for investors.

“We are taking socially responsible investing to the next level by focusing on areas where we believe we can make a real, measurable impact,” David said.

Areas of Investment

I NVEST M E N T AR E A

loc ation

p otential im pac t

im pac t metrics

Emerging Markets Food Production

Mongolia

• Produce and deliver safe, affordable food in developing countries • Introduce more efficient farming techniques and agriculture business models

• Improved milk yields • Product quality as measured by animal health • Sustainably managing solid waste • Amount of energy produced from waste processed in biodigesters to heat boilers

Technology-Focused Food Production and Agribusiness

California

• Develop technological solutions to enhance crop production, food safety, animal health and nutrition, renewable energy, water usage, etc.

• Product sales • Increase in crop yields • Reduction of water usage

Latin American Low/Middle Income Housing

Brazil, Colombia and Panama

• Develop safe, affordable housing with access to basic needs • Build communities with safe spaces to live, play and pray

• Number of units sold • Average price per unit

Renewable Energy

Africa

• Develop alternative energy sources to power the electricity grid

• Amount of energy produced from renewable sources, offsetting greenhouse gases • Projects managed according to environmental, social and governance standards

Emerging Markets-Focused Financial Services

Brazil, Colombia, Panama, India and China

• Provide access to capital and other financial products to encourage small-business activity and income generation

• Number of clients • Average loan size • Annualized portfolio growth • Asset quality

Healthcare

Africa

• Provide high-quality, affordable drugs prescribed by licensed pharmacists

• Number of emerging consumers served • Customer demographics • Volume and type of drugs sold • Frequency of visits of existing/new customers

spring 2017

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A Helping Hand TriMedx Serves Clients Internationally

A

leading hospital in India owned a heart-lung machine that began to malfunction after 12 years of use.

Local technicians were unable to identify the problem and almost decided to discard the device valued at 3 million rupees (nearly $50,000 U.S.) because the outdated machine was no longer supported by the manufacturer.

Before they did, the hospital turned to TriMedx for assessment, and TriMedx technicians were able to identify the problematic piece. They bought the new part and soldered it on for just 20 rupees (about 30 U.S. pennies).

This story exemplifies how TriMedx works to restore the functionality of biomedical equipment and reduce costs — both in the United States and abroad.

TriMedx got its start at St. Vincent Health, in Ascension’s Indiana Ministry Market, after clinical engineers there took over servicing the organization’s biomedical devices. After saving almost $2 million in a year’s time, news of its success spread. In 1999, TriMedx was born, and in 2002, it became part of Ascension.

TriMedx International was founded in 2011 as a way to extend clinical technology management services to healthcare providers in other countries, such as at Narayana Health in Bangalore, India. More recently, TriMedx became an independent business jointly owned

by Ascension and TowerBrook Capital Partners, an investment management firm.

TriMedx currently serves more than 1,800 healthcare facilities, including 42 international facilities and operations in India and the Caribbean. It manages more than 1.4 million devices worth more than $13 billion. To date, TriMedx has saved clients more than $450 million.

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G o o d Day a s c e n s i o n / a s c e n s i o n . o r g

Ascension’s CEO Leads International Catholic HealthCare Group Ascension envisions a strong, vibrant Catholic health ministry in the United States. Through his role as President of the International Confederation of Catholic Health Care Institutions (CIISAC), Anthony R. Tersigni, EdD, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ascension, has extended that vision to support and promote public health around the world.

Tony is serving a four-year term as leader of the CIISAC, a committee of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers.

The group studies healthcare policy, explains Church teaching on health issues, and fosters connections that could bring the resources and knowledge of developed countries to bear on healthcare issues in the developing world. As president, he helps coordinate the activity of Catholic healthcare institutions worldwide — to include religious and lay representatives from Africa, Central America, South America, Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania.

“This opportunity affirms the Vatican’s trust and respect in Dr. Tersigni’s commitment to the international Catholic healthcare community, as well as Ascension’s fidelity to its Mission and identity as a ministry of the Church,” said Sr. Mary Anne Rodgers, Chair, Ascension Sponsor.

Above: Anthony R. Tersigni, EdD, FACHE, left, greets Pope Francis and the late Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski, President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Health Care Workers.

Tony was honored to preside over a section of the 30th International Conference of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers at Vatican City in November 2015. As he shared with the other members at the conference: ‘As the world’s largest Catholic healthcare system, Ascension feels a special responsibility to lead in providing affordable, reliable and safe care for underserved communities.

This is our Mission — it’s at the heart of all we do.’

New Effort Formalizes International Approach

Ascension Holdings International’s Leaders

Ascension Holdings International works to extend the Mission worldwide

W

hen it comes to healthcare challenges, the United States is not unique. Healthcare leaders across the globe face many of the same complex, ongoing issues as their international counterparts.

In 2016, Ascension formed Ascension Holdings International to formalize our intentions around international opportunities, in part to offer health systems around the world solutions to common problems such as budgetary constraints, rising supply and pharmaceutical costs, and safety and quality issues, all in the face of aging populations. With insights from Ascension subsidiaries The Resource Group, Ascension Care Management and Ascension Holdings, as well as Ascension’s Healthcare Division, Ascension Holdings International seeks to harness capabilities in an effort to extend the Ascension Mission.

“Ascension Holdings International is taking a strategic approach to international markets,” said John Doyle, Executive Vice President, Ascension, and President and Chief Executive Officer, Ascension Holdings, which includes Ascension Holdings International. “Our aim is to strengthen our ministry and extend our Mission by continuing to meet unmet needs, help others, transfer learning both to and from other countries, and earn a return on our investment. This work will be done to

further our Mission to provide compassionate, personalized care for all with special attention to people living in poverty and those most vulnerable.”

Ascension Holdings International’s leaders include Jim Bonnette, MD, Managing Director, International Relationship Development, and Phoebe Yang, JD, Managing Director, International Strategic Design and Implementation.

“Extending expertise past our U.S. borders enables us to make healthcare more affordable to those who are poor and vulnerable in other countries,” Dr. Bonnette said. “We also see this as a way to expand and influence Catholic healthcare on a more global scale.”

“This is an exciting time for Ascension as we take what we have learned through our work throughout Ascension and share it more broadly,” John said. “This work continues the legacy of our historic Sponsors, who brought their strengths and capabilities to new areas where they were needed.”

“Although we are forming relationships with like-minded organizations as a way to impart knowledge, we also realize we do not have all the answers,” Phoebe said. “We view it as an opportunity to learn valuable lessons from our international partners and to strengthen our own operating, financial and clinical performance as well.”

Jim Bonnette, MD Dr. Jim Bonnette’s background covers nearly every aspect of healthcare. From his start as an internist to his time as Chief Medical Officer at Genesys Health System, part of Ascension Michigan, to his more recent consulting work in supply chain, clinical IT and risk management, he has garnered a portfolio of healthcare knowledge, insight and frequent flier miles. Through his travels, Dr. Bonnette has built trusted relationships with organizations and governments in places including France, Poland, Singapore, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Phoebe Yang, JD Phoebe Yang came to Ascension Holdings International from MissionPoint Health Partners, part of Ascension Care Management. Joining MissionPoint in 2013 as Chief Strategy Officer, she built and managed its Strategic Solutions, Strategic Analytics and Market Architecture teams. Earlier in her career, Phoebe served on two White House task forces on healthcare and IT as part of her work as Senior Advisor to the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.

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Cultivating Leaders The Ascension Executive Clinical Development Program

T

he advent of Ascension’s Clinical Ministry-wide Function has been marked by a new type of leadership structure, which pairs dyads of clinical and operating executives to bring both sets of knowledge and skills to each issue or task.

Although recently formalized, dyad leadership in the clinical arena is not new. Ziad Haydar, MD, MBA, Senior Vice President, Chief Clinical Officer, Ascension Healthcare, and Ann Hendrich, PhD, RN, FAAN, Senior Vice President, Chief Quality/ Safety and Nursing Officer, Ascension Healthcare, have embodied the Chief Medical Officer/Chief Nursing Officer dyad model for Ascension Care Excellence for the past five years.

This model has enabled them to efficiently communicate specific needs and priorities, align Ascension-wide goals, and adapt to the integrated systems of care model more readily.

Now, an Executive Clinical Development Program provides a formal way for Drs. Haydar and Hendrich to impart leadership knowledge to other executive-level medical officers, nursing officers, quality officers and quality informatics officers throughout Ascension.

The Executive Clinical Development Program began in February 2016 with a community of more than 20 clinical leaders from various Ministry Markets.

Through a series of in-person and virtual sessions, the community learns

22

important skills in three primary competencies: organizational leadership, people leadership and thought leadership.

Key learning areas include law, finance, organization behavior and strategy, market development, and influence.

“Our chief medical and nursing officers and quality professionals have voiced a need for shared learning opportunities with formative experiences included within a structured Executive Clinical Leadership Development Program for years,” Dr. Hendrich said. “We found a way to make it work, with our Human Resources, Aim4 Excellence and Mission partners, and we could not be happier with the positive reception toward the program thus far.”

Sessions include in-person meetings, where leaders from various Ministry Markets collaborate in meaningful ways on pertinent topics; virtual meetings that involve discussion of the book “Exceptional Leadership: 16 Critical Competencies for Healthcare Executives”; and instances of dyad leaders meeting to develop and implement a capstone project.

The face-to-face meetings provide clinical leaders a safe environment to share successes and opportunities with fellow leaders from other ministries. It also gives them time and space to discuss breaking geopolitical news that affects Ascension. Each in-person session begins with an in-depth formation exercise.

Good D a y asce n sio n / asce n sio n . or g

“ [We are] sponsoring a community of clinical leaders with the shared purpose of advancing the Quadruple Aim of exceptional health outcomes, an exceptional experience for the people we serve and an exceptional experience for providers, at an affordable cost.”

­— Z iad H ay dar , M D , M B A , S e n ior Vice P reside n t, C hief C li n ical

O fficer , A sce n sio n H ealthcare

Leaders at the first clinical development community gathering: from left, front row, Dawn Richardson-Spears and Krystal Howard, Daughters of Charity Services of New Orleans (DCSNO); Nina Jeffords and Mary Jim Montgomery, Sacred Heart Health System; Elizabeth Steger, Seton Healthcare Family; Frank Malensek and Shannon Scaturro, St. Vincent’s Health System (Ala.); Peter Lindquist, Saint Thomas Health; Debra Hernandez, Seton Healthcare Family; Roslyn Arnaud, DCSNO; back row, Cheryl Schmidt, Pete Roloff, Tom Veeser and Rick Shimp, Ascension Wisconsin; Gary Pablo, Sacred Heart Health System; David Martin, Seton Healthcare Family; Ann Hendrich, Bob Henkel and Ziad Haydar, System Office; Mark Marsden and Geoff Smallwood, Saint Thomas Health; John Stone, Providence Health System (Ala.); Tom Caven, Seton Healthcare Family; and Chris Moore, St. Vincent’s Health System (Ala.).

Via web conference, leaders virtually explore and discuss the book “Exceptional Leadership” by Carson F. Dye, FACHE, and Andrew N. Garman, PsyD. Carson has more than 40 years of hospital and health system leadership experience and consulting and executive search experience. Andrew serves as Chief Executive Officer of the National Center for Healthcare Leadership, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to pursue improvements in population health by supporting excellence in healthcare leadership.

During the last in-person session in November 2016, leaders from the first community shared highlights of

their capstone project and ended with a “graduation.”

“Our work aims at sponsoring a community of clinical leaders with the shared purpose of advancing the Quadruple Aim of exceptional health outcomes, an exceptional experience for the people we serve and an exceptional experience for providers, at an affordable cost,” Dr. Haydar said. “This program enables us to thoroughly and effectively prepare our leaders to take these lessons back to their ministries and spread them.”

More than 30 executive clinical leaders make up the second Executive Clinical Development Program community, which began in May 2016. For its capstone project, the

entire community is collaborating on a project to reduce readmissions and improve care for patients with congestive heart failure.

“It has been amazing to watch these clinical leaders work together to determine strategies they can bring back to their local ministries,” said Sheila Stern, Senior Director, Care Excellence Clinical Leadership Development, Ascension Healthcare.

“The potential I see in these leadership communities is amazing.”

Leaders can contact Sheila at sheila.stern@ascension.org for more information about the Executive Clinical Development Program.

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Ascension’s Center of Excellence for Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention includes, from left, front row, Lisa Sturm, Michelle Flood, Lindsey Jones and Kimberly Crumble; back row, Mohamad Fakih, MD, MPH, Florijan Daragjati, PharmD, BCPS, Roy Guharoy, PharmD, MBA, Jeff Seggerman, Rebecca Battjes, MPH, and Danielle Sebastian, PharmD, BCPS. Not pictured: Angelo Bufalino, PhD, Julie Grotemeyer, Clariecia Groves and Christine Hereford.

Taking On Antimicrobial Stewardship Ascension’s Efforts Aim to Keep Antibiotics Effective

S

ir Alexander Fleming’s discovery of a bacteria-­ destroying mold in 1928 transformed 20th-­century medicine and paved the way for widespread use of antibiotics. Antibiotics have since been used to treat and prevent bacterial infections — greatly reducing illness and death. These drugs have become so accessible and overused, however, that many germs have become progressively resistant to them.

Antibiotics that were once designed to kill bacteria are less effective, which limits options to treat our most vulnerable patients.

In response, Ascension has sharpened its focus on antibiotic stewardship.

“Making antimicrobial stewardship a top priority sends a message to our providers and patients that our goals are optimizing outcomes and preventing harm,” said Mohamad Fakih, MD, MPH, Senior Medical Director of Ascension’s Center of Excellence (COE)

for Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention.

“Our collaborative engagement is a model for how we can tackle future clinical challenges together.”

Ascension began laying the groundwork in 2015 by creating a national multidisciplinary Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee dedicated to establishing expertise at every hospital location. Ascension also invested in an infection control surveillance and medication management clinical decision support system, which continues to support the management of antibiotics and prevention of infections.

In January 2016, Ascension formally took antimicrobial stewardship to a new level, establishing the COE.

DDD*/1,000 patient days

total systemic antibiotic use trend (10% reduction) 900

900 882 870

875

871

864

859

850

845

834

834 822

825

810

810

May 2016

Jun 2016

800 Jun 2015

Jul 2015

Aug 2015

Sep 2015

Oct 2015

Nov 2015

* Defined daily dose per 1,000 patient days

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856

G o o d Day a s c e n s i o n / a s c e n s i o n . o r g

Dec 2015

Jan 2016

Feb 2016

Mar 2016

Apr 2016

The antimicrobial stewardship work is led by the dyad of Dr. Fakih, who serves as the COE’s Senior Medical Director, and Roy Guharoy, PharmD, MBA, FCCP, FASHP, Vice President, Clinical Integration and Chief Pharmacy Officer, Ascension. The COE is supported by a team of pharmacists, project managers, infection preventionists, data analysts, marketing and communications team members, and representatives from The Resource Group.

N ation al an d In t e r n ation al L e ade r sh i p

Ascension is leading national and international work in antimicrobial stewardship, including: • Working as one of four health systems to lead the comprehensive National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-­Resistant Bacteria (CARB), with a goal to reduce inpatient inappropriate antibiotic use by 20 percent by 2020.

• Representing the United States at the 71st United Nations General Assembly in September 2016 to discuss the

T h e R esu lt s Ar e In

increasing global threat of antimicrobial resistance.

In its first year, the COE achieved impressive results by: Wh at ’ s N e x t ?

• Standardizing use of antimicrobial agents • Identifying optimal testing for infections • Using the surveillance system to improve antimicrobial management and infection prevention

System-wide antimicrobial stewardship efforts resulted in a 10 percent reduction in systemic antibiotic use, yielding cost savings even while pharmaceutical costs have been increasing. The improvement in antimicrobial use also was associated with a reduction in hospital onset Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection at Ascension hospitals.

“The hard work of our multidisciplinary teams made these results possible,” Dr. Guharoy said. “This extraordinary effort exemplifies our commitment to Ascension’s Quadruple Aim of delivering exceptional health outcomes, an exceptional experience for the people we serve and an exceptional experience for providers, at an affordable cost.”

As a catalyst for improvement, the COE challenged hospitals across Ascension to choose and implement two interventions during 2016 that could improve antimicrobial use. Here are two examples: • A multidisciplinary team at St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital, part of Ascension Michigan, drove a 70 percent drop in the use of the selected antibiotics while continuing to deliver high-quality patient care.

Ascension now is working to integrate evidence-based practices into providers’ daily workflow and incorporating them into the electronic health record. Establishing common order sets and pathways for testing and treatment, and adopting them across Ascension, will help reduce variation and lead to even better health outcomes for patients.

antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention center of excellence Our Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) Infrastructure

Ascension Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee (physicians and pharmacists with expertise)

Facility and local health ministry ASPs (implement initiatives and ensure accountability)

National members work on plans to standardize and optimize appropriate use of anti­microbials and testing at all Ascension facilities

Regional ASP liaisons (support facilities with expertise)

• St. Vincent’s HealthCare in Florida, in Ascension’s Jacksonville Ministry Market, achieved a rapid reduction in the use of quinolones, antibiotics that can kill the “good” bacteria in a person’s intestinal tract. By reducing use by more than 75 percent, C. diff infections also were reduced.

Local ASPs promote compliance with the national ASP recommendations, evaluate and implement other initiatives based on local needs, and partner closely with other stakeholders to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use

Regional champions support System-level recommendations, build capacity for smaller facilities by serving as experts and serve as members of national committee

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Darcy Burthay, MSN, RN, Health System President and CEO of Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C., rounds with physicians, discussing their concerns and empowering them to find solutions.

Creating Tomorrow’s Leaders Today The Leadership Academy helps Ascension’s senior executives realize their full potential

“L

eadership Academy changes how you feel about the organization,” said Stephanie Duggan, the Chief Clinical Officer for Ascension’s St. Vincent’s Health System in Birmingham, Alabama, since July 2016. “When you’re in a health ministry looking at what we think of as ‘Ascension corporate,’ it’s easy to get intimidated, to think we’re not worthy, we’re just in a little hospital. But then you spend seven weeks with leaders and see how much they care about patients; you come away with a different take.”

Stephanie was Chief Medical Officer at Sacred Heart Health System in Pensacola, in the Gulf Coast Ministry Market, when she was chosen to participate in the Ascension Leadership Academy. She went in as a physician “who had strong ideas about quality improvement, but came out as an executive with a better understanding

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of how to influence the organization instead of only one patient at a time.

“It truly was one of the most amazing work experiences I’ve ever had,” Stephanie said. “For lifelong learners, Leadership Academy is such a good gift. It changes you on personal, spiritual and friendship levels. I learned to see the forest, not the trees, and to slow down, take care of myself and focus in the moment. And now when I hear about leaders in St. Louis who I know from the Academy, such as Eric Engler or Chris Young or Rhonda Anderson [Ascension leaders in the System Office], I think of ‘friend’ first, and then ‘what can I do to help,’ because we are all One Ascension.”

Stephanie was a member of the second Leadership Academy community, which celebrated its commencement in October.

The Ascension Leadership Academy is a 2½-year program for promising

G ood D ay ascension / ascension . org

senior leaders to strengthen capabilities, test new concepts and launch innovative initiatives. Components include spiritual formation to deepen self-awareness, spirituality and personal calling to serve in Catholic healthcare; leadership development with forward-thinking curriculum delivered by renowned national and international thought leaders; and a focus on health and vitality and building “corporate athletes” to facilitate peak performance, thus optimizing personal energy as a key to resilience and productivity.

Darcy Burthay, MSN, RN, now Health System President and CEO of Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C., participated in the first Leadership Academy community, beginning in 2012.

“Being asked to be a part of the Academy felt like such a gift, an investment in me not only as a professional

but as a person,” Darcy said. “We knew right out of the gate that this was an experimental group, and we got a great understanding from the Ascension leaders that nobody knows all the answers.

They are truly looking for folks in the markets to make suggestions, back it up with data, yes, but offer ideas.

“I came away feeling that I could call anybody anywhere if I needed something. For instance, I did not know Tony Speranzo [Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Ascension], but I was working on Ascension At Home when I first started in the Academy and he and Joe Impicciche [Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Ascension] negotiated that partnership, and I would reach out and Tony would respond immediately. If we hadn’t been empowered in the Academy to talk to whomever we needed to talk to, I wouldn’t have had the comfort to reach out.

“This is something I try to develop in associates today at Providence. You can struggle for months with a problem if you try to solve it by yourself, but if you reach out, find the right person, they’ll have the solution. The Academy taught me that, that it’s OK not to have all the answers.”

In addition to learning through a

Ascension Leader Institute While the Ascension Leadership Academy offers growth opportunities for promising senior leaders, the Ascension Leader Institute is designed to develop the leader in all of us, focusing on mind, body and spirit.

This emerging infrastructure offers a variety of pathways of growth, one of which is the Leadership Academy, for associates throughout Ascension who aspire to lead as they answer their vocational calling in service. “Every associate is a leader. People lead from their own distinctive gifts,” said Sr. Maureen McGuire, DC, Executive Vice President, Mission Integration. “You lead in your role, whatever it may be, by influence, by inspiration and by the contribution you make to the ministry.”

“As the Ascension Leader Institute evolves to serve more associates across the organization, the goal is to provide offerings that integrate professional development, physical well-being and spiritual formation,” said Carol Whittington, Senior Vice President, Ascension Leader Institute, and Executive Director, Ascension Leadership Academy. “This will support the growth of Mission-focused associates who are developing as whole persons in community with one another.”

holistic curriculum, Leadership Academy members receive guidance from an integrated Sponsorship Network that includes their performance manager, a dedicated career sponsor and an executive coach. In addition, a sponsorship steward oversees network alignment and helps prepare members for future roles of greater responsibility. And, just as members are in the Academy

“ Being asked to be a part of the Academy felt like such a gift, an investment in me not only as a professional but as a person. We knew right out of the gate that this was an experimental group, and we got a great understanding from the Ascension leaders that nobody knows all the answers. They are truly looking for folks in the markets to make suggestions, back it up with data, yes, but offer ideas.”

­— Da r cy b u r thay, msn , Rn , health system p r esident and ceo of p r ovidence hospital

for life, these relationships extend beyond the two-year program itself.

Fahad Tahir, Chief Executive Officer of Saint Thomas Medical Partners at Saint Thomas Health in Nashville, in Ascension’s Tennessee Ministry Market, and a member of Ascension Medical Group (AMG), joined the third Leadership Academy community in March of last year. “I feel absolutely humbled to be a part of the Leadership Academy, and I’ve already learned the Academy is not your traditional development program,” he said.

“After spending two days in deep reflection with my career sponsor, Dr. Pat Maryland [President, Healthcare Operations and Chief Operating Officer, Ascension Healthcare], my performance manager, Carol Schmidt [Senior Vice President, System Integration, Ascension Healthcare, and Acting Chief Operating Officer, Ascension Medical Group],

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Addressing hospital leaders during a huddle, Fahad Tahir, Chief Executive Officer of Saint Thomas Medical Partners at Saint Thomas Health in Nashville, in Ascension’s Tennessee Ministry Market, joined the third Ascension Leadership Academy community in 2016.

and my coach, Carol Whittington [Senior Vice President, Ascension Leader Institute, and Executive Director, Ascension Leadership Academy], I was struck with a clear understanding of the role that I play not only in a practical standpoint, but in being part of a community of leaders across the country who must serve as an example of Ascension.

“Observing the commencement of community two in October last year was a tangible example of what it means to be a lifelong member for the next generation of Academy members,” Fahad said. “And meeting in Silicon Valley with leaders from other industries — learning what it truly means to be innovative — was an eye-opening

experience we are invited to bring back to energize our colleagues toward our creative journey to transform healthcare through Ascension.”

He is excited to bring what he learns to what he thinks of as his “dual-citizenship role” in Tennessee and AMG. “Physicians are natural partners who have stepped up in thought leadership and in formal leadership roles to help us put in place the structure and set of circumstances needed to develop networks of care,” he said. “I expect the Academy experience will offer a context for building relationships that I can bring to physicians and they can, in turn, use that in interactions through their practice.”

“ I have been fortunate that people over the years have entered my life and now I find myself with this experience. My role is to try to hang onto that and try to share what I’ve learned with those who come after me.”

­— Fa h a d Ta h i r , C h i e f E x e c u ti v e O ffic e r of S a i n t T h om a s M e d ic a l Pa r t n e r s at S a i n t T h om a s H e a lt h

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Fahad, who was named in Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2016 list of “Rising Stars,” featuring 50 healthcare leaders under 40 years old, said his thoughts are focused on helping others. “Look, so many people work so hard and not all of them get the chance for development, to be better next year than this year,” he said. “I have been fortunate that people over the years have entered my life and now I find myself with this experience. My role is to try to hang onto that and try to share what I’ve learned with those who come after me.”

“Since its inception in 2012, nearly 90 percent of the Academy members who have completed the program have taken on new roles while pursuing their vocational calling in service,” Carol Whittington said. “The infrastructure and holistic approach used for the Leadership Academy will be modeled in other programs targeting various associate populations as the Ascension Leader Institute evolves to serve more associates across our One Integrated Ministry.”

News From the Ministries

Notes from Across Our One Integrated Ministry Birmingham, Alabama

St. Vincent’s Chilton Opens St. Vincent’s Health System celebrated the opening of St. Vincent’s Chilton in October 2016. The 30-bed hospital is located in Clanton, Alabama, in Chilton County. The new facility brings much-needed healthcare and jobs to the rural community.

Bridgeport, Connecticut

Making Mammography Scheduling Easy Recognizing that early detection saves lives, St. Vincent’s Medical Center is making it even easier for women to make a mammogram appointment.

St. Vincent’s launched online scheduling through planMYcare.com, which also allows patients to schedule appointments at any of eight urgent care clinics and the emergency department.

Washington, D.C.

Providence Orthopaedics Chief Recognized for NIH Leadership Edward Rankin, MD, Chief of Orthopaedic Services at Providence Health System, was recognized with a Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for his work on the National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Advisory Council for the National Institutes of Health.

Providence Health System Leads Public Health Forum Community members and health officials gathered at Providence Hospital for a community health forum, Envisioning an Equitable Health System in DC, held in partnership with the District of Columbia Department

of Health and JSI Research and Training Institute. The purpose of the forum was to update the District Health Systems Plan, focusing on improving community programs and services.

Jacksonville, Florida

Associates Prepare Thanksgiving Meals For the 23rd consecutive year, St. Vincent’s HealthCare created more than 500 warm Thanksgiving meals for local families in need. St. Vincent’s dietary staff and volunteers created the meals, and taxi drivers volunteered to deliver them to local Meals on Wheels clients who otherwise wouldn’t have received a Thanksgiving meal.

Gulf Coast

Art Imitates Life Art imitated life when 3-D retinal surgery technology used at Providence Hospital in Mobile, Alabama, was featured in the CBS medical drama “Pure Genius.” The local CBS station spotlighted the use of the equipment at Providence, which was one of the first six U.S. hospitals to get the technology last year.

Kidney Transplant Service Begins Sacred Heart Hospital Pensacola launched a kidney transplant program in collaboration with the University of Florida. The program is expected to benefit thousands of individuals across the Southeast diagnosed with end-stage renal disease and currently awaiting transplant.

Chicago

Students Tackle Innovation Challenge Seeking to spur healthcare innovations, AMITA Health, which includes Ascension’s Alexian Brothers Health System, hosted a weekend “design

challenge” where college teams competed around the clock to develop solutions for aging well. AMITA Health may test at least one of the three winning concepts and is open to sharing to improve healthcare services for older adults.

Indiana

Doctoral Program Receives Accreditation The Doctoral Psychology Internship Program at St. Vincent Indianapolis has received a full seven-year accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation. This accreditation follows an extensive self-study of the training program, along with an on-site review by APA representatives.

Camp Explores Health Careers St. Mary’s Health in Evansville will host its annual HealthCare Academy for Middle School Pupils’ Success (HCAMPS) program in June. St. Mary’s created HCAMPS to give students an opportunity to interact with healthcare providers and learn about a variety of healthcare careers, including educational requirements.

Kansas

Kid-Friendly ER Provides Ouchless Touch The Emergency Department at Via Christi Hospital St. Teresa has gone pediatric friendly, a move that will be replicated at Via Christi’s two other acute care hospitals in Wichita. The “ouchless” environment includes a kids’ waiting area with iPads, kid-friendly murals, a method to make needle sticks pain free, “comfort hold” techniques that make procedures less traumatizing, and use of the One Voice method,

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News From the Ministries

in which one parent or staff member is designated to soothe and explain what is happening during exams and procedures.

Baltimore

Comprehensive Care Center Serves High-risk Patients Saint Agnes Healthcare has opened a Comprehensive Care Center to help high-risk patients get and stay healthy, reducing potentially avoidable hospitalizations. A dedicated team works with high-utilizer patients, connecting them with tools and hospital and community partners on a care plan to intervene early, stabilize their health and connect them with community resources to help them stay healthy.

Gibbons Commons Growing Into Vibrant Community Asset Saint Agnes HealthCare’s Gibbons Commons development continues to grow as a vibrant, mixed-use community to meet local needs, particularly those beyond the traditional definitions of healthcare. The Bon Secours Gibbons Apartments provide safe and affordable housing. Saint Agnes and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation opened Babe Ruth Field at Gibbons Commons to provide local youth with a clean, safe place to learn, play and grow. The field is at the site where Hall of Famer Babe Ruth learned baseball as a boy.

Michigan

Michigan Family Chooses Crittenton for Three Decades of Babies Kim and Tim Bogert of Lapeer, Michigan, chose Richard Duff, MD, an obstetrician/gynecologist at Crittenton Hospital Medical Center, to deliver their six biological children, and the number of related Crittenton

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deliveries has continued to climb ever since. The Bogerts adopted seven children and now have 17 grandchildren — all delivered by Dr. Duff. And one more is on the way. To date, 23 Bogerts (24 with the baby due in April) were delivered by Dr. Duff.

Nurses Honored for Gong Practice St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital’s Cardiac Cath Lab nurses Erica Brenckle and Delia Gealer took first place in a poster presentation at the Michigan American College of Cardiology Annual Meeting. The poster illustrated a Tibetan gong timeout practice used to set the intention of the procedure and obtain attention of the staff involved.

Leaders Enter Hall of Fame St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital President Terry Hamilton and Richard Klein, DDS, were inducted into the Macomb Foundation Hall of Fame for their outstanding contributions to improving the economic, family and community life of Macomb County.

Diabetes Program Features Maestro Patients and families enjoyed the latest diabetes information and cooking demos at the 2016 Borgess Diabetes Wellness Conference at Borgess Health, Kalamazoo. Maestro David Dworkin, who has led orchestras across the globe, also presented Conductorcise®, a music and motion program he created upon retirement.

Green Team Visits Genesys Ascension and Ascension Michigan Green Team representatives visited Genesys in Grand Blanc to learn about its Women in Agriculture (WIA) farm development initiative. Genesys donated three acres on its hospital campus for the program, designed to teach underserved women in the community skills to earn a living as

G ood D ay ascension / ascension . org

farmers. The WIA initiative demonstrates the triple aim of economic development, good stewardship and access to healthy food.

War Veteran Amputee Conducts Yoga Workshop Dan Nevins, a retired Army sergeant, yoga instructor and nationally known motivational speaker, provided a free workshop to more than 200 people at the Genesys Athletic Club. Dan lost both legs in an explosion while deployed in Iraq, affecting him physically and emotionally. In the midst of severe depression, Dan found yoga.

He became an instructor to encourage and inspire veterans and others who have experienced a setback.

Blood Test Detects Early Breast Cancer The Seton Cancer Institute of St. Mary’s of Michigan-Saginaw now offers Videssa Breast, a new blood test that can identify early breast cancer in women with a questionable or difficult-to-read mammography.

With a simple blood draw, the protein-based blood test can provide early and accurate detection of breast cancer. St. Mary’s Seton Cancer Institute was chosen as the only early access site in Michigan and one of only 30 sites in the country to offer the test.

Partnership Offers Unique Nursing Program St. John Providence will offer a new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in collaboration with Lawrence Technological University. While many nursing programs require two years of prerequisites, students will begin nursing coursework in the first term.

The year-round program will admit 32 students annually.

Nurse Practitioner Receives Pain Management Award Providence-Providence Park Hospital’s Linda Vanni, MSN, RN-BC, ACNS-BC, NP, received the 2016 Nurse Exemplar Award by the American Society for Pain Management Nursing. A pain management specialist for 26 years, Linda was recognized for her contributions as an author, mentor and teacher and her work as co-chair of Ascension’s Acute Pain Management Affinity Group.

Kickoff Events Celebrate Amputation Prevention Centers Providence-Providence Park Hospital and St. John Hospital and Medical Center held successful kickoff luncheons recognizing newly developed Amputation Prevention Centers.

The centers include both inpatient and outpatient treatment by a team of highly specialized affiliated physicians

and surgeons and will offer patients an alternative to amputation.

Center Hosts Successful Addiction Conference More than 200 professionals from across Michigan attended the Brighton Center for Recovery’s first symposium, Addiction Treatment: Moving the Field Forward. The two-day program featured breakout sessions and recognized keynote speakers. The center is part of St. John Providence.

Amsterdam, New York

Hospital Sponsors Cyber Safety Workshop St. Mary’s Healthcare’s Behavioral Health Implementation Committee sponsored Born 2B Viral, a cyber safety educational program to inform parents and educators in the Amsterdam

The Cardiac Cath Lab at St. John Macomb-­ Oakland Hospital was recognized for its gong timeout practice.

community about the dangers involved in teens having an online presence. A state police cyber investigator spoke about cyberbullying, sexting and child pornography and offered tips on ways to keep kids safe.

Binghamton, New York

Magnet® Redesignation Achieved Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital received Magnet® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program for the third time in a row, a testament to its continued dedication to excellence in patient care. Lourdes was first recognized as a Magnet hospital in 2007.

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Event Honors Bishop, Priests of Diocese St. John Health System leadership and the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother hosted a reception and dinner celebrating 90 years of service to the community and honored the Most Rev. David A. Konderla, Bishop of Tulsa, and the priests of the Diocese of Tulsa. More than 30 priests attended.

y oga photo : robert sturman

Tennessee

Saint Thomas Health Introduces New Dissolvable Heart Stent A device created from naturally dissolving material to treat coronary artery disease made its Middle Tennessee debut at Saint Thomas Health. Unlike a traditional metal stent to open a clogged artery, the new stent disappears in about three years, leaving the artery healthier. A week after being the first local patient to get the stent, Ernie Taylor, 77, headed to China for a two-week vacation.

War veteran and amputee Dan Nevins provided a free yoga workshop at Genesys Athletic Club, part of Ascension Michigan.

Photo tk

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Ascension Wisconsin sponsored the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s fourth annual Soles for Souls, an event in support of keeping Catholic education affordable and accessible in southeastern Wisconsin.

Texas

Dell Seton Preps for Late May Opening Medical transport helicopters have practiced landing atop it. Teams of associates are rehearsing how to move 150 patients to it. All that remains for Seton Healthcare Family to take up residence in a sleek 211-bed, state-of-the-art teaching hospital and Level I trauma center across the street from the new Dell Medical School in Austin are a battery of code drills and a series of guest tours. Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas replaces a storied county hospital operated by Seton since 1995. Move day: May 21.

Sisters at Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital, part of Ascension Wisconsin, ‘ring the bell’ one final time.

Ann Benolken Leads Ascension Texas Legal Team Austin attorney Ann Benolken has joined Ascension as Vice President, Legal, and General Counsel for Ascension Texas. Ann reports to Chris McCoy, Senior Vice President, Legal Services, and General Counsel. Ann previously was a partner with Norton Rose Fulbright, where she led the mergers and acquisitions, corporate, and securities section.

Vice President of Virtual Care and Innovation, completed the prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Executive Nurse Fellows program.

The three-year, advanced leadership initiative expands and enhances the effectiveness of nurse leaders to help them make a profound impact on the U.S. healthcare system.

Improving Care Continuity Seton Healthcare Family, Austin, has committed to calling patients during the vulnerable time of 24 to 72 hours after they’ve been discharged. Through a program called Care Transition Calls, nurses in the patient’s unit call to follow up on care instructions, find out if prescriptions have been filled, ask if the patient is in pain and see whether follow-up appointments have been scheduled.

First in Waco to Use New Stent Providence Healthcare Network cardiologists were the first in Waco to implant a new, FDA-approved dissolving stent. Different from metal stents, the naturally dissolving stent is made of material similar to dissolving stitches.

It acts as a scaffold to open clogged arteries and restore blood flow, then gradually dissolves in the body and restores the artery to its natural state.

Nursing Leaders Complete Prestigious Fellowship Seton Healthcare Family’s Yvonne VanDyke, MSN, Systems Chief Nursing Officer, and Kristi Henderson, DNP,

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Wisconsin

Bell Tolls Final Time During the Ministry Saint Joseph’s Hospital associate appreciation picnic,

G ood D ay ascension / ascension . org

Sr. Rita Adlkofer, SSM, and Sr. Barbara Hollweck, SSM, joyously and energetically rang the hospital chapel bell a final time prior to proposed changes in the structure and hospital ownership. The two Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother live in Marshfield, Wisconsin, and continue to serve the sick and the needy. The pealing of the magnificent bell began 100 years ago, reminding the townspeople that the Sisters were dwelling among them not only to bring healing but also to bring human needs to God in prayer.

Ascension Wisconsin Sponsors Its First Event Ascension Wisconsin sponsored the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s fourth annual Soles for Souls for Catholic Education at Mount Mary University on Oct. 15, drawing a crowd of nearly 10,000, including people from 100 area schools, in support of keeping Catholic education affordable and accessible in southeastern Wisconsin. Ascension

News From the Ministries

Wisconsin’s 70 participants enjoyed the two-mile walk, including Bernie Sherry, Senior Vice President, Ascension Healthcare, and Ministry Market Executive, Ascension Wisconsin.

Medical Center Receives Award Saint Elizabeth’s Medical Center, a 25-bed rural hospital and 100-bed long-term care facility in Wabasha, Minnesota, part of Ascension Wisconsin, was awarded the Carolyn Boone Lewis Living the Vision Award by the American Hospital Association for its work in improving the health of its communities through actions that go beyond traditional hospital care. Only 16 organizations have received the award and Saint Elizabeth’s was the only honoree this year.

Physician Assistant Receives Honor Physician Assistant Jeff Baranek received the Physician Assistant of the Year award from the Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistants Foundation Board of Trustees.

Ascension at home

Plans Include Improvement, Growth As Ascension At Home completes its first 30 months of providing home health and hospice care, the team is developing strategies for improving existing home health markets. “We are excited to be working with Ascension Ministry Market leaders to build on the foundation that’s been laid by a lot of dedicated people,” CEO Kirk Allen said.

“Adding hospice and palliative care to home health markets — and acquiring home health and hospice providers within Ascension markets where those services are needed — will go a long way toward meeting the goal of Ascension At Home being the provider of choice.”

Ascension Care Management

Significant Savings Reported MissionPoint Health Partners achieved significant savings in Medicare Shared Savings Programs in several Ascension markets. After federal adjustments, Accountable Care Organizations managed by MissionPoint — encompassing Ascension hospitals, physician practices and other sites of care — received shared savings payments of nearly $7.8 million for the 2015 performance year. MissionPoint is also expanding its services to associates with SmartHealth benefits in Ascension Wisconsin and St. Vincent’s Health System in Birmingham, Alabama. There are now more than 13,000 providers in the MissionPoint clinically integrated network.

Ascension Global Mission

International Council Develops Pilot Ascension Global Mission was invited as a charter member of the Global Catholic Council (GCC), an organization created to support international advocacy efforts to address issues affecting women and children. The GCC sponsored a planning meeting convened by the Vatican with participants from three continents.

A multi-country pilot project to promote maternal and child health was endorsed at the conclusion of the meeting.

Ascension Holdings

Facilities Management Completes Implementation Medxcel Facilities Management has implemented its facilities management program across Ascension’s hospitals and 1,700 managed properties. Since

December 2013, Medxcel has successfully integrated Facilities Management, Safety, Environment of Care, Emer­gency Management and Disaster Preparedness under one organization.

Ascension Information Services

Gerry Lewis Selected as Leader Gerry Lewis was named Ascension Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, and Chief Executive Officer of Ascension Information Services, which provides information technology operations, strategy, project execution and service delivery to Ascension. Gerry had filled this role on an interim basis.

Ascension Investment Management

Industry Group Honors Associates Dale Hunt, Managing Director of Private Equities, was featured on Trusted Insight’s ranked list of “Top 30 LPs Investing In Private Equity,” and Nathan Heater, Associate Director of Private Equities, was named to the “Top 30 Hospital Investment Office Rising Stars.” Ascension Investment Management manages roughly $2.4 billion in private equity commitments.

Ascension Medical Group

Carol Schmidt Serves as Acting COO To support the advancement of quality, financial and operational goals, Carol Schmidt, Senior Vice President, System Integration, Ascension Healthcare, now serves as acting Chief Operating Officer of Ascension Medical Group. Carol began her Ascension-related career in 1997 when she joined the physician division of the Daughters of Charity National Health System as Vice President,

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News From the Ministries

Partnership Services. She has led several system organizations, including St. Vincent’s HealthCare in Jacksonville and Sacred Heart Health System in Pensacola, Florida.

Retention in Person-Centered Care Environments for Older Adults: How to Create and Implement a Comprehensive Orientation Program.” The award honors the nation’s best consumer health programs and materials.

Ascension Ministry Service Center

Program Focuses on Customer Experience The Ascension Ministry Service Center celebrated Global Customer Experience Day on Oct. 5. Ministry Service Center teams focused on learning more about associates in the health ministries they serve and creating a customer-centric culture.

Ascension Ventures

Subsidiary Completes Fourth Fund Ascension Ventures announced the closing of its fourth venture capital fund, which comprises $255 million in capital commitments from 13 limited partners, including seven new to Ascension Ventures. Total capital under management now exceeds $800 million.

Ascension Senior Living

Senior Director Recognized for Book Janine M. Lange, MSN, RN-BC, Senior Director in Care Excellence-Systems, received the Merit Award from the 2016 National Health Information Awards for her book, “Enhancing Staff

Community Health Ministries

Centro San Vicente Holds Landmark Summit Centro San Vicente in El Paso, Texas, in conjunction with the Institute for Study of Hypertension in Blacks,

was selected as one of four national sites to bring community stakeholders together to develop ideas and strategies to address the social determinants of health affecting ethnic minorities. “For too long, 80 percent of the social determinants of health have been largely ignored, resulting in Hispanics having two times the [national] risk of end-stage renal disease and two times the rate of amputations related to diabetes,” said Jose Luna Jr., MD, CEO and physician with the San Vicente Family Health Center.

The Resource Group

MBA Students Attend Field Day The Resource Group is partnering with universities to build interest in healthcare and supply chain careers among students, and hosted 70 University of Missouri MBA students for a corporate “field day” experience.

Stay Connected With Ascension @ Home, @ Work, @ your fingertips

Twitter: @Ascensionorg Keep up with Ascension tweets. Follow Ascension.

Learn more about Ascension at ascension.org.

Facebook: facebook.com/ascensionorg Like our Ascension page and get the latest updates on your newsfeed.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/ascensionorg Stay up to date with organization news and connect with other associates.

YouTube: youtube.com/c/ascensionorg Watch videos about Ascension on an array of topics.

Pinterest: pinterest.com/ascensionorg Choose from various boards, such as Care Excellence, Facility News and Reflections.

G+: google.com/+ascensionorg Read posts about Ascension and its health ministries.

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last word

As Seen on the Daily Good Day Ascension To read more about these stories and other news from across our One Integrated Ministry, visit goodday.ascension.org from within the Ascension network.

Instructions on how to download the Good Day mobile app are also available. ✙ Fundraising Campaign Supports New Breast Care Center A fundraising campaign in Wisconsin will help area women with breast health issues stay closer to home to receive state-of-the-art care. The Hope Is Building Campaign’s goal is $4 million to build a new breast care center at Ministry Saint Michael’s Hospital in Stevens Point, part of Ascension Wisconsin. Approximately 30 percent of all cancers diagnosed at Ministry Saint Michael’s are breast cancers.

The dedicated space will be designed to integrate care from screening and treatment, to recovery and life beyond cancer, all in one location. (Pictured are participants in the Hope Starts Here 5K Walk on Oct. 9, 2016.)

Read more at goodday.ascension.org/archive

✙ Via Christi Wraps 4 Associate Veterans with Love In honor of Veterans Day 2016, four Via Christi Health associates who served in the military were given quilts from the Quilts of Valor organization. Via Christi Health is in the Ascension Kansas Ministry Market.

Ann Buckendahl, Director of Marketing for Via Christi, together with other members of the Greater Wichita Quilts of Valor chapter, created the four quilts; Lisa Conner, a Credentialing Specialist at Via Christi Clinic, helped organize the group of quilters.

Operating under the umbrella of the Quilts of Valor Foundation, the group’s mission is to “cover service members and veterans who have been touched by war.”

Read more at goodday.ascension.org/archive

✙ Ascension Leaders Sleep Out for Homeless people “It’s hard to fathom how homeless can exist in a country with such abundant resources,” said Brad Partridge, Vice President of Strategy, Ascension. “But they do.”

Brad knows some of the struggles of homeless youth because for nearly two years he has been involved with Covenant House Missouri, which helps homeless and troubled young adults ages 16-21. Brad, who co-chaired the Covenant House Missouri Executive Sleep Out with his wife, Laura, encouraged Ascension leaders in cities with Covenant Houses to join him. In addition to Brad and Laura, 11 Ascension leaders in Detroit, St. Louis and Washington, D.C., joined other business executives for the sleep out in mid-November.

Read more at goodday.ascension.org/archive

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Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Salt Lake City, UT Permit No. 6563

101 South Hanley Road Suite 450 St. Louis, MO 63105

We Are Ascension

Thomas LaLonde, MD Chief of the Division of Cardiology, St. John Hospital and Medical Center, Detroit, Ascension Michigan

Current Job: Running the day-to-day cardiology service at our

procedures since my fellowship. I’m still excited about what the

sites, making sure we achieve all of our quality goals and provide

future will bring in terms of advancing medicine and new technology.

great service to our community.

On teaching: Teaching 16 fellows in different stages of their Previous Job: I worked my way through school as a paper boy.

training is one of my favorite responsibilities. It keeps us young and

For 14 years, including the Sunday before I started my residency at

forces us to stay up to date. The research we mentor them on keeps

SJHMC in 1983, I sold papers every Sunday on the same corner on

us at the forefront of medical research.

the east side of Detroit. In fact, after I started my residency, I ran into an older couple who had always bought their paper from me.

Inspiration: I’m inspired by my patients. Every day my role is to

I was walking through the hospital in my white coat but the man

make someone else’s life better.

recognized me and asked if I sold papers here too.

Other interests: I am a sports nut. I used to play competitive Why medicine/cardiology: I’ve wanted to be a doctor since I was

hockey and am now an avid golfer. In addition to going to sporting

in seventh grade. I had a doctor who had the compassion and ability

events with my wife of 34 years, we also enjoy spending time with

to make me better, and I wanted to do that same thing. I like interven-

our three children; one is in Boston, one is in Chicago, and the third is

tional cardiology because you get instant gratification, because you

an emergency medicine physician in the St. John Providence system.

can get almost immediate relief of a patient’s symptoms. Plus, it’s a specialty that continues to evolve. I’ve learned at least 15 different