Good Day Ascension - Spring 2021

Good Day Ascension For Associates of Our One Integrated Ministry

SPRING 2021

A shot of hope VACCINES SHOW PROMISE IN HELPING OVERCOME THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

INSIDE:

ABIDE framework takes shape / Ascension Studio meets challenges / New heart for Gerardo / Pet therapy supports care delivery

WELCOME

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fter a busy winter, I am incredibly grateful for the spring and the new beginnings that come with it. Spring is a time of growth and renewal — something we may appreciate more this year than in years past.

As we look back over the past 13 months, our world certainly was changed by COVID-19. Our dedicated and passionate caregivers rose to meet the challenge, and the rapid development and implementation of vaccines has given us more reasons than ever for hope. In fact, we are more alive in our Mission than ever before as a result of all we have experienced together.

The pandemic prompted us to look at the ways we deliver care through a new lens, responding with several initiatives that have since become part of who we are as a healing ministry.

In this issue you can read about developments with the ABIDE framework and its implications inside and outside of Ascension — especially as it relates to our commitment to improving inclusion and health equity within our ministry and with those we serve. The ABIDE framework was also formed to help Ascension create a safe and sacred work environment where individuals feel welcome to be their true and authentic selves and share their unique gifts and perspectives.

In addition, you will learn about developments in the Ascension Complete program and the Associate Travel Program that launched late last year that have helped some nurses return “home” to work at Ascension.

“The pandemic prompted us to look at the ways we deliver care through a new lens, responding with several initiatives that have since become part of who we are as a healing ministry.”

We also share information about some new ways to find out what’s happening around Ascension and connect with each other through the Good Day Ascension Intranet platform.

As you read these stories and perhaps share them with your loved ones, please accept my prayer that we all experience the promise of renewal and hope this spring.

Joseph R. Impicciche, JD, MHA PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ASCENSION

Good Day Ascension / Spring 2021 - Issue 15

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

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, providers 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.

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, 4600 Edmundson Road, St. Louis, MO 63134.

All content copyright 2021 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.

Our Mission: Rooted in the loving ministry of Jesus as healer, we commit ourselves to serving all persons with special attention 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 communities. We are advocates for a compassionate and just society through our actions and our words.

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CONTENTS

DEPARTMENTS Associates share photos and “I Am” statements on the Ascension ABIDE Kudoboard.

FEATURES 16 Shot of hope

Caregivers and consumers across Ascension receive COVID-19 vaccinations, bringing a “shot of hope” to associates and communities.

4 Mailbox

Patients and families share letters of thanks to caregivers.

5 Inspiration

Sarah Martinez, Program Manager in Organizational Learning and Development and an ABIDE Core Team member, shares her ABIDE story.

6 Up front

Appreciation, Belongingness, Inclusivity, Diversity and Equity are at the heart of Ascension’s new framework.

The “How are you feeling today” word-of-mouth campaign begins. … Associate Travel Program nurses serve in various locations while growing and flourishing personally and professionally. … Ascension Wysa is a well-being app designed to enhance mind, body and spirit. … Ascension’s foundations support local programs for healthy moms and babies. … A unified Good Day Ascension Intranet will help associates find essential information all in one place. … Video Safety Monitors provide remote, around-the-clock care to ICU patients with COVID-19.

26 The gift of life

14 Getting to know you

The first heart transplant at Dell Children’s Medical Center, part of Ascension Texas, gives life to a new program and a young patient.

Meet Allison Bollinger, MD, Vice President, Emergency Services.

28 Four-legged friends

15 Wellness now

19 Creating transformative digital healthcare experiences

To help meet the changing needs in healthcare, the Ascension Studio is tackling the challenges with new technologies and more.

22 A call to ABIDE

Pet therapy programs support care delivery as well as reduce staff stress.

On the cover: Kristen Garrett, RN, left, critical care nurse on the COVID-19 Medical Intensive Care Unit at Ascension Via Christi in Wichita, Kansas, was the first Ascension recipient of the COVID-19 vaccine; and Maggie Hagan, MD, Ascension Via Christi Medical Director of Infection Prevention, was the first Ascension physician.

Learn quick tips to help get your steps in this spring. SmartHealth members can join a two-week step challenge.

30 News from across Ascension

What’s happening around the ministry.

Back cover

Reimagining services while focusing on social determinants of health is the chief role of Nicole Commodore, JD, Chief Advocacy Officer, Providence Health System, Washington, D.C.

SPRING 2021

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M AI LBOX

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.

Messages from those we serve If it were not for the help of the providers and nurses at the center, I am not sure what would have happened to me. They helped tremendously, and without them I would not have received my medicine or [gotten] back on the transplant list.

Patient at Cardiometabolic and Lipid Center, Ascension St. Vincent, Indianapolis

I am writing to you regarding Shahzaad Bamasi and the Lourdes Tai Chi Program. … My mobility was limited and my balance was precarious. … After six months … I literally learned how to walk again.

Patient at Lourdes Hospital, Binghamton, New York

I had total ankle replacement surgery.

One of the best hospital stays of my life.

Professional staff, from housekeeping to doctors. Liked the prayer over the hospital speaker in the morning and the baby music announcing the birth of a baby.

Food was more than excellent, like eating a meal prepared by a first-class chef.

Everyone was great, which helped with the healthy mindset I went home with.

Patient at Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside, Jacksonville, Florida

The nurses that cared for me were sent from heaven. My care was just the best. I am so grateful and blessed and wanted all of you to know it. If you give out awards, the nurses caring for COVID patients deserve them. Thank you and God bless all!

Patient at Ascension Genesys, Grand Blanc Township, Michigan

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I have never seen, heard of or experienced the kindness, thoughtfulness, caring and level of care that my wife had at [Ascension] Seton. My wife has been discharged and is on the mend with little to no pain after having spinal surgery, and I have the entire staff to thank for giving me back my wife in better shape than when she went in.

Spouse of patient at Ascension Seton Medical Center, Austin, Texas

I will tell you when I was [taken by wheelchair] out into the hallway to go home …

I teared up with joy of the love I received from all of you. … You’re the real heroes on this battlefront. The “Rocky” song belongs to each and every one of you, not me. You guys earned it.

Patient at AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center, Joliet, Illinois

As a recent patient, I had a great experience at Ascension Genesys Hospital and must rave about all you did for me. I received outstanding care and compassion from nursing and rehabilitation staff. … I especially want to give thanks and appreciation to these awesome people: Deanna Troszak, PT; Stacey Womack, OTRL; Molly Veen, PT; Renee Kirby, CCCSLP; Dawn Skaggs, OTRL; Chris Bianchi, OTRL; Christina Perez, NA; Chad Skiera, NA; Tanya Lalko, RN; Rob Battani, RN; and Kevin Miller, RN. Patient at Ascension Genesys, Grand Blanc Township, Michigan

Your staff was amazing when you cared for [my mother]. Your kindness, skilled care and flexibility in letting us be with

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her during those difficult days was so appreciated. ... It made me proud and pleased that our small community facility is top notch in its care.

Family member of patient, Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital, Saginaw, Michigan

Every day I received the most knowledgeable and diligent care. ... Any time I was in discomfort, had questions or simply needed to be around someone — they were there. The staff makes this hospital, 100%. ... Proud of my hometown hospital.

I am forever grateful for them.

Patient at Ascension Via Christi Hospital, Manhattan, Kansas

My father was a recent patient in the COVID unit. … I want to recognize his nurses, Crystal Hall-Boyd, Eric Woolley, Rebekah Garno, Cynthia Miller and the rest of the nursing staff. Also, Renee Dittmar, Ashlee Knoll, Jill Loftus and Cindy Braley — the nursing supervisors who were so helpful when he had to be moved to CCU. ... I appreciate all you do to support your staff and enhance their efforts for wonderful care and excellent customer service.

Family of patient, Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital, Saginaw, Michigan

My family and I would like to thank the ER team, Dr. [Angela] Cheers, nurses Josh Rosebrugh and Sarah Waldie, and respiratory therapist Danny Smith for being there when we needed you. You are more than heroes in our hearts.

Your ability to make prompt and precise patient care decisions saved my life.

Patient at Ascension Standish Hospital, Standish, Michigan

I N S P I R AT I O N

What’s your ABIDE story?

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scension’s ABIDE framework was established to broaden and expand our diversity and inclusion efforts. ABIDE stands for Appreciation - Belongingness - Inclusivity - Diversity - Equity. This work includes an ongoing commitment to Listen - Pray - Learn - Act on matters of racial justice and to foster a more inclusive and welcoming environment.

Here’s what motivates Sarah Martinez, Program Manager in Organizational Learning and Development and an ABIDE Core Team member, to work toward greater inclusion for all: “My experience was, being a Martinez, at about fourth grade, some of the kids realized that I was definitely different than everybody else in my school. And I hadn’t thought of it that much myself because my home life was very diverse. My family is Latino and Polish, so we have these different sides. My dad’s friends — African American, Puerto Rican, Latino, white — that was who was over for cookouts and parties, so I didn’t consider myself ‘weird.’ But I was pointed out as being other, and teased, and called names, and having a brother with a cognitive disability as well, who was just a year younger, and him getting teased, and having to defend him and myself. … Thankfully, nobody could make me feel bad about who I was, so I actually developed a presentation about my family, about the Mexican side of my family, and shared it with my fourth-grade class. Thankfully, Mrs. Greer, she was very [open] — I went up to her and was like, ‘Kids are teasing me, they don’t like me, and they need to learn about my family, because I think they must just be uninformed.’ I was very proud of my family.

And so I did this presentation in fourth grade about my grandparents and their immigration from Mexico, and my father and his brothers and sisters. … After that the teasing stopped, and … from that day forward, I have

Sarah Martinez, Program Manager in Organizational Learning and Development.

always an ear out for when there is somebody being cast away as an ‘other,’ or somebody is being misperceived, or when there are conversations about like, ‘Oh, those people.’ I’ve been a ‘those people.’ So I feel like it’s my obligation to do something.”

We describe the Ascension Value of Creativity as “courageous innovation.” Sarah’s courageous innovation — in the fourth grade! — was to build a bridge to the classmates who teased her by sharing her family’s story.

Sharing and holding stories brings people together.

What’s your ABIDE story? Who will you share it with today?

SPRING 2021

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UP FRONT

Learning, listening and caring for others ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS REASSURE AND REMIND NOT TO DELAY CARE

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istening to understand isn’t just a phrase Ascension uses to describe our brand promise. It’s an active, ongoing and critical piece of work that informs the way we engage with our patients in the community and through our marketing.

Throughout the pandemic, Ascension has continued listening to our patients and others to understand their worries, concerns and apprehensions about receiving care safely in hospital facilities. What the ministry has learned, through online research and ongoing trend analysis of online behavior, is that people need reassurance that their care providers are taking every precaution to keep them safe.

Despite these reassurances, people continue to delay getting the care they need, even during emergencies.

HOW ARE YOU FE E LING TODAY ?

Research by Ascension’s marketing team last September showed that 70% of people surveyed skipped getting the care they needed or knew someone who postponed care during the pandemic. And 76% of people said they often talk about their health and doctor appointments with friends and family.

Based on that research, a new word-of-mouth campaign — the first of its kind for Ascension — was launched with a reminder to check in on co-workers, friends, family and neighbors by asking a simple question: How are you feeling today?

Designed around this simple but important question, the campaign reminded people that someone they knew could be delaying important emergency care, chronic care or emotional care, and with this reminder, people could make a big difference.

Across Ascension, associates were encouraged to ask each other, “How are you feeling today?” and provide support if needed.

The fully integrated campaign featured trusted voices from leaders on television, print advertisements, outdoor billboards, online paid and social media, encouraging social sharing, as well as new community outreach components including yard signs and door hangers. Additionally, a full associate

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engagement plan delivered window clings, stickers, flyers and other assets that encouraged everyone to check in with their loved ones, reconnect with their doctor — either in person or virtually — and remind others to do the same.

“As clinicians, we know that word of mouth is a powerful way to connect with patients and consumers and engage them in ongoing conversations about their health,” said Richard Fogel, MD, FACC, FHRS, Chief Clinical Officer, Clinical & Network Services, Ascension. “That’s why this campaign is so important in helping us meet unmet needs of those we’re privileged to serve.”

This grassroots initiative will run through spring 2021 as Ascension continues to remind its communities not to delay care — and to reach out to others who might need encouragement or connection to care. Shareable materials are available through Ascension Marketing and Communications leads.

UP FRONT

MUSICIAN KELLY LANG’S HEALTH JOURNEY LED HER TO SUPPORT ASCENSION CAREGIVERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY Music has always been Kelly Lang’s lifeline. Born into a country musician’s family, Kelly has played prominent venues such as the Grand Ole Opry and partnered with musical legends across many genres.

Sixteen years ago, the Nashville, Tennessee-based singersongwriter was a single mother of two little girls when she was

Your care is our calling.

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a lot of music for herself and for other recording artists, including one tune for the caregiver of a legendary country musician who

At Ascension, you’ll find a different kind of relationship between you and your care team. It starts with getting to know you, so we can deliver a personalized care plan that’s right for you. Whether your need is simple or complex, we connect the dots for your care — from a conversation with your doctor to the right specialist who provides you with leading-edge treatment every step of the way. And we have strict precautions in place for your safety while in our care. Because when it comes to the health of you and your family, your care is our calling.

Don’t delay, get care you need today — or when and where you need it.

diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. Around that time, she wrote

was dying.

“The song that ended up being ‘I’m Not Going Anywhere’ actuGetAscensionWisconsinCare.com

ally started as an instrumental piece,” said Kelly. “The music came from a place of compassion — for a friend taking care of a friend.”

Ascension Wisconsin © Ascension 2020. All rights reserved.

Your Care Is Our Calling.

Learning and listening played an important role in the creation and launch of a second national

Kelly found that her soulful music provided comfort to others and reflected her resolve to make a difference in the world. “Some people may consider a cancer diagnosis like a death sentence,” she said. “But I consider it my ‘life’ sentence. I began to look at

advertising campaign last fall.

everything in my life with more appreciation and I began to live

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chemotherapy and radiation treatments, all while giving thanks for

ased on consumer insights that pointed to listening as an important differentiator for people seeking

a healthcare provider, Ascension created an emotional and vocational campaign to honor all who are called to serve the national health ministry. It extends the spirit of gratitude in communities during the ongoing COVID-19 response and reminds all of the Ascension Mission to serve others.

“The Your Care Is Our Calling campaign honors the role of caregivers and their special bond with those we are privileged to serve, especially during the pandemic,” said Nick Ragone, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Ascension. “It’s so powerful because it combines emotional vignettes of caring and connection with an inspirational message, delivered through an original song by a former Ascension Saint Thomas patient.”

Launched in November, this campaign was well received by associates and patients alike and perfectly captured the spirit of caregiving across Ascension during this difficult time.

more boldly.”

Through prayer and music, Kelly rallied through 37 rounds of the many caregivers who touched her life and walked alongside her in her recovery, including those at Ascension Saint Thomas in Nashville. With the addition of lyrics to the original instrumental piece, “I’m Not Going Anywhere” now pays tribute to caregivers across the country as the cornerstone of Ascension’s “Your Care Is Our Calling” national marketing campaign.

“Thanks to Kelly’s song, this campaign has touched our associates and communities in a truly inspirational way,” said Nick Ragone, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Ascension. “It provides the perfect soundtrack for us to highlight the empathy and compassion of our extraordinary caregivers.”

After nearly two decades, so much has changed for Kelly.

She recovered and remains cancer-free. She is happily married to longtime partner and legendary musical collaborator T.G. Sheppard. Music is still a lifeline for them and for all the others her music continues to inspire.

“I’m so honored and grateful to have new opportunities to share my music, especially with the caregivers at Ascension and everywhere,” she said. “Life is such a tremendous gift, and if I can give back to others through my music, it’s all worth any challenges in the journey.”

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UP FRONT

Associate Travel Program drives recruitment efforts

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he COVID-19 pandemic created a unique opportunity for caregivers at Ascension to support each other in new ways through the Associate Travel Program.

In the early days of the pandemic, Ascension designed and launched its Critical Staffing Travel Program so associates could travel to surge markets and lend support during the height of the crisis. It was one of many ways the System demonstrated the value of being a truly integrated health ministry and its ongoing commitment to patient care and quality.

“We drew on the strengths and success of the Critical Staffing Travel Program when we designed and launched the Associate Travel Program,” said Pam Heckman, MBA, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Senior Director of Clinical Operations, Ascension. “Last fall, our vision evolved from a temporary pandemic response to truly becoming part of who we are as a ministry — a team of caregivers who are willing to compassionately serve when and where they are needed the most.”

Now Ascension associates can enjoy the flexibility of serving in various locations while growing and flourishing personally and professionally.

“This program formalizes into an ongoing program what our national Nursing Center of Excellence quickly put in place in March 2020 to allow nurses and other front-line caregivers to go help their Ascension teammates where they were needed most,” said Carla Yost, Chief Nursing Officer, Ascension Via Christi in Kansas. “It’s an example of how they are listening to the needs of our front-line caregivers and responding with solutions and support.”

As of publication, 27 associates had joined Ascension as a result of the program and 32 existing associates transitioned to the Associate Travel Program, including David West, RN.

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Registered nurse David West’s first assignment took him to the neuro ICU at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola in Florida.

“Although I enjoyed my time at Ascension St. Vincent’s and met some amazing nurses, I was looking to make a change but still wanted to be part of Ascension,” David said. “The Associate Travel Program gave me a chance to earn more to provide for my family, maintain the same level of benefits, and experience new things. It’s like the best of both worlds.”

Through this program, not only are associates able to provide compassionate, personalized care to those Ascension serves, they also are able to ease the burden for fellow nurses.

UP FRONT

WELL-BEING AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Many Ascension associates have gotten to know a friendly little penguin as a result of downloading Ascension Wysa, a well-being app designed to enhance mind, body and spirit. Ascension Wysa is an app Myesha Moss, RN, currently works at Ascension Providence in Waco, Texas, after transferring from Ascension Seton in Austin.

experience through which users engage with a friendly chatbot to enhance well-being — anytime, anywhere.

Imagine a mood-boosting companion, sleep support, mindfulness coach and anxiety helper all rolled into one.

Cindy Daniel, BSN, RN, is the Manager of the Associate Travel Program. Her favorite part of the program, she said, goes back to the goal she had when she decided to become a nurse.

“This program promotes our Mission, culture and identity by making Ascension associates available to support changing staffing needs across markets,” Cindy said. “It provides an opportunity for our nurses to grow, learn and develop skills through 13-week assignments as they travel across our national network of hospitals and experience diverse practice environments.”

“I would encourage people who are interested in trying something new to take advantage of resources like myCareer and the Associate Travel Program,” David said. “It’s better than trying to find a new job on your own. … You have a partner who can work with you to find what’s right.”

Associates who want to learn more about this professional development opportunity can update their myCareer profile by selecting “yes” to the question around travel opportunities and “highly” as their level of interest in a new job opportunity, and a myCareer Talent Advisor will get in touch.

If you haven’t yet, consider downloading the app. It’s free, anonymous and available 24/7.

Accessible to associates and their immediate family, Ascension Wysa also links to customized care, such as myCare; the Ascension Employee Assistance Program; and virtual spiritual care, urgent care, psychiatry and therapy via Ascension Online Care.

Two ways to download Ascension Wysa today: 1. Using a QR scanner app or your phone’s camera, scan the QR code on the left.

2. Go to your Apple or Google Play store, search “Ascension Wysa” and enter the code “mycare” when prompted.

Remember, other Ascension resources to address physical, mental, emotional, relational, occupational or spiritual well-being are available in one place at sites.google.com/ascension.org/mycare.

SPRING 2021

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UP FRONT

Furthering the fight against infant mortality ASCENSION’S FOUNDATIONS SUPPORT LOCAL PROGRAMS FOR HEALTHY MOMS AND BABIES

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nfant mortality is an ongoing health crisis that impacts the communities we serve. Happily, from Milwaukee to Jacksonville, Florida, Ascension’s philanthropic efforts are making a profound impact at the local level, furthering the fight against infant mortality.

A SCE NSION WISCONSIN FOU NDATION IN MILWAU KE E BL ANKET OF LOVE

MaryAnn was living in an inpatient treatment facility for substance abuse. She was also expecting her ninth child.

Women like MaryAnn are at risk for delivering premature babies who may not survive the first year of life. Ascension Wisconsin responds by wrapping these individuals in Blankets of Love — promoting healthy births and healthy families. The Blanket of Love Sanctuary program, with Ascension Wisconsin Foundation support, enlists churches and hospitals as safe havens for pregnant women and mothers.

In the 17 years of Blanket of Love initiatives, women have given birth to 450 babies — all of whom celebrated their first birthdays, a key indicator of infant health.

Thanks to Ascension Wisconsin Foundation’s philanthropic support for Blanket of Love, MaryAnn got back on her feet and is now a working mother in recovery. She remains in the Blanket of Love program to keep her family on track.

A SCE NSION ST. VINCE NT’S IN JACK SONVILLE , FLORIDA BRIG HTE R BEGINNINGS

Ascension St. Vincent’s Brighter Beginnings program is yet another example of Ascension’s philanthropic efforts in combating infant mortality.

Willie Roberts, MHS, BSN, Nurse Manager of the Brighter Beginnings program, has been working tirelessly for nearly eight years with the goal of lowering Jacksonville’s infant mortality rate — the highest in the state of Florida. Through her work, Willie has helped the program thrive.

Brighter Beginnings services range from providing education to advocating for healthy pregnancies. The program also works

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with affiliate organizations in Jacksonville to help women overcome employment and educational challenges.

Not only does Willie build confidence, she also builds community. Every day, she witnesses the power of empathy at work. She encourages mothers to partner up in class and develop relationships outside of class. Many women enter the program with common struggles, so the opportunity for them to spend time with those who are truly understanding often empowers them to push toward a brighter future.

What drives Willie to push forward? The significant successes she witnesses on a daily basis.

“Moms come in wanting and needing, but they leave wanting to give back because of what our program does,” she said.

“Hearing the mothers tell us how much they appreciate what we do gives us the energy to push even harder.”

These are just two of many instances of the impact of Ascension’s foundations. The programs have even found innovative ways to continue operating in modified capacities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Philanthropic support by Ascension’s foundations is helping every community that Ascension touches move forward — and the foundations want more people to join them. Gifts at any level help improve lives in communities across the nation.

UP FRONT

Georgeanne Shirling, Captive Agent, Ascension Complete, met with patients at Ascension Saint Thomas Heart West, Nashville, Tennessee.

Ascension Complete staff visited many facilities during the Medicare annual Open Enrollment period to meet with patients and front-office staff.

At Ascension St. Vincent Carmel in Carmel, Indiana, from left, Sheila Fish; LaTasha Rabon; Toni Brinkers, Captive Agent, Ascension Complete; and Nikki Hill.

Seniors across 7 states now have access to Ascension Complete

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scension Complete, Ascension’s physician-led Medicare Advantage (MA) product, kicked off its second year and is now available in seven states: Michigan, Alabama, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, Florida and Kansas.

Nearing 5,000 members, Ascension Complete continues to provide a patient-centered experience for seniors.

Ascension Complete was created with input from Ascension leaders and providers and continues to evolve with their guidance in order to better serve the needs of physicians and members. Ascension Complete also supports Ascension’s strategy of finding new ways to increase patient engagement and provide better care coordination among Ascension clinicians and staff across the continuum.

“With Ascension Complete, seniors benefit from a personalized and less complicated experience with affordable and predictable costs,” said Tim Moorhead, Senior Vice President, Ascension Insurance. “Our plans are designed with our members’ health in mind — physically, mentally and spiritually.

For example, this year we’ve added some unique benefits

including spiritual care, which allows seniors to connect virtually with a trained chaplain. By taking a holistic approach to care, we hope to improve the lives of those we serve.”

Ascension Complete differs from other MA plans in that: • There are no added monthly premiums, beyond what seniors pay for basic Medicare, and no copays for visits to primary care doctors, including sick visits.

• Seniors don’t need referrals to see doctors or specialists within the Ascension network, allowing members to receive the care they need with ease.

“Not only do Ascension Complete members receive benefits, but our providers do too,” Tim said. “Ascension Complete will provide better benefits and more security for their patients. It includes local health plan resources dedicated to enhancing the provider experience and offers providers the option to share input on plan design and processes to better serve their patients.”

Visit ascensioncomplete.com to find out more.

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UP FRONT

Communication hub ASCENSION LAUNCHES A NEW, UNIFIED INTRANET

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s part of our continued One Ascension journey, the goal of unifying our culture and finding more efficient and effective ways to communicate with and engage all associates — regardless of their location or role — remains a priority.

In 2020, Ascension announced plans to further advance our digital transformation and collaboration efforts through a new, unified intranet. The Good Day Ascension Intranet, a fully integrated social and collaborative tool, will transform our multiple, disconnected intranets into a single platform. This will help associates across Ascension more easily find the essential information they need, when they need it, all in one place.

“Bringing more resources to associates, allowing all of us opportunities to more easily engage with one another, is now more important than ever,” said Nick Ragone, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Ascension. “Moving away from localized, disparate intranets to a unified intranet will better connect us to each other and our Mission, ensuring our focus remains on our continued ability to serve our communities and patients.”

This effort, which is being implemented in phases in Ascension markets throughout 2021, will bring more resources to associates’ fingertips. This includes easy access to daily news, human resources and technology resources, collaboration communities, and more.

Enhanced search functionality will provide quick access to FAQs and information on frequently used resources.

As market-specific intranet sites are transitioned to the unified Good Day Ascension Intranet platform, associates will be able to access local and national Ascension-related news, events, and links to the tools and resources they need the most to support their daily work. Associates also will be able to follow communities of interest, allowing them to decide which content is most important to them.

For more information on the Good Day Ascension Intranet, email GDAIntranet@ascension.org.

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“ Bringing more resources to associates, allowing all of us opportunities to more easily engage with one another, is now more important than ever. Moving away from localized, disparate intranets to a unified intranet will better connect us to each other and our Mission.” ­

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— NICK RAGONE, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER, ASCENSION

UP FRONT

Remote angels VIDEO SAFETY MONITORS DRIVE COMPASSIONATE CARE Shortly after Paul arrived at Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital – St. Joseph Campus in Milwaukee with severe COVID-19 symptoms, he got worse and was transferred to the intensive care unit. Like other COVID patients, he was placed in isolation with no family or friends present to help him battle the virus.

But he wasn’t alone. Thanks to Ascension Connect’s Remote Patient Safety Monitoring solution, Paul received constant communication from and monitoring by associates known as Video Safety Monitors (VSMs). Paul confessed to his safety monitors, who were essentially only voices coming from the ceiling, that he was afraid of dying alone. They continued to talk with Paul day and night throughout his entire stay on the unit and in the ICU. With Ascension’s Remote Patient Safety Monitoring solution, at-risk patients are continuously monitored via video by a team of 185 Ascension Connect associates. Originally intended to help monitor patients at risk for falls, the benefits of leveraging the solution to additionally monitor COVID patients in the ICU quickly became apparent.

“Monitoring COVID-19 patients with VSM has significantly reduced nurse and staff exposure to the virus as well as reduced the amount of personal protective equipment used. The VSM team exhibits an extraordinary level of care and dedication, and their compassion and empathy for both patients and families exemplifies our Ascension values,” said Ryan Calteux, BSN, RN, Nurse Manager and member of the Wisconsin Clinical Surveillance Unit.

Patient Monitor Debra Simon keeps a close eye on patients.

“I feel comforted knowing that someone is always with them when we can’t be. Even though it’s by camera, I know someone is keeping a watch over them.”

— PATIENT FAMILY MEMBER The solution starts with a video camera placed in a patient’s room. Live video feeds are then monitored around the clock, giving clinicians flexibility during rounds and general patient care.

One VSM associate can monitor up to 12 patients at one time, primarily watching for general patient safety and fall prevention. They can also hear and speak with patients, providing a virtual bedside presence that ranges from conversations about how the patient feels to requests for items such as food, water or blankets.

These regular interactions can be a relief for family members not able to physically be with their loved ones.

“I have seen so many nurses provide above-and-beyond care no matter what,” said Debra Simon, Patient Monitor. “I have

such a respect for nurses and I am proud of my job even if it is a small role in keeping staff and patients safer during this crisis.”

Remote Patient Safety Monitoring was co-created by Ascension Connect and caregivers in the field, beginning at Ascension Michigan in 2018. It has expanded into Wisconsin, Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama and Maryland, with plans for additional markets.

The Remote Patient Safety Monitoring program has monitored more than 11,000 patients at risk for falling and has had over 500,000 patient interactions.

Happily, Paul was discharged from Ascension St. Joseph. At his request, several members of the monitoring team were present at his discharge so Paul could meet the “angels” who gave him strength through his ordeal.

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PERSONAL PROFILE

Getting to know you ALLISON BOLLINGER, MD, VICE PRESIDENT, EMERGENCY SERVICES and President of Ascension St. Mary’s in Michigan]! I think it’s important to remain grounded and to constantly be reminded of what it’s like to serve our patients and be part of a team of caregivers.

Q: What have you learned throughout COVID as it relates to patients and their needs?

A: Because of COVID, many patients are too scared to seek care right now. This has led to a tremendous surge in out-of-hospital deaths. Many of these deaths could have been prevented if patients felt more comfortable seeking care in our emergency departments. The truth is that our emergency departments are taking every safety precaution to protect patients and staff from contracting COVID in our facilities.

I want patients to know that, if they feel like they are experiencing a medical emergency, they should not delay care — we are ready to care for them with the highest safety standards.

Q: When did you join Ascension and when did you move into your latest role?

A: I joined Ascension as an Emergency Department physician in 2011. I moved into my current role as Vice President of Emergency Services in January 2020.

Q: How would you describe your leadership style?

A: Passionate. I believe passion and enthusiasm for your work is the foundation for any meaningful change. I love what I do and have worked hard to build a team of leaders on our National Emergency Services team who are equally passionate and dedicated to elevating the care we provide across Ascension.

Q: Do you still practice and, if so, how do you balance administrative duties and working in the ED? A: Yes. Thanks to some excellent advice from one of my mentors [Dr. Stephanie Duggan, a former ED physician

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Q: What are your near-term priorities for emergency medicine throughout Ascension?

A: I want to reduce the silos that exist between many of our emergency departments and enhance/improve collaboration. With almost 150 emergency departments across Ascension, we have a tremendous amount of people, resources and energy to determine and align on best practices. We have already learned so much from markets all across Ascension who are doing unique and amazing things to improve patient care in their emergency departments — there are a lot of smart, innovative and energetic people working in our ERs! Q: What would you like ED staff to know?

A: Ascension cares about providing you with the tools, education, support and collaboration that are necessary for you to be successful at caring for your patients. Your engagement and satisfaction in your role are directly correlated with how you make your patients feel, how well you maintain their safety, and how efficient your ER runs. All our improvement efforts start with supporting and aligning with you to create a positive and engaged culture.

WELLNESS NOW

Just move it GET YOUR STEPS IN WITH A FUN FITNESS CHALLENGE

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hysical fitness is important, and one of the best ways to stay healthy is to keep moving. The Rhythms that Move You Challenge can help you get there.

Exercise gets the blood flowing in your body and helps your vital organs work more efficiently. This can lead to a decrease in heart disease, diabetes and more. According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths is caused by heart disease.

Something as simple as getting your steps in for the day can lead to a much healthier lifestyle and extend your life span. Want to know how you can get started? Here are some quick tips to help get you moving this spring: • Skip the elevator and take the stairs.

• Take frequent short walk breaks during the workday.

• Try to take walks at least 2-3 times per week.

• Enjoy nature hikes and visits to your local park.

• Start a garden or plant flowers at your house.

• Invite friends and family members to join you.

• Have a dance party.

RHY TH MS THAT MOVE YOU CHALLE NG E

Ready to get moving? The SmartHealth Well-being Program two-week step challenge is a great way to start incorporating more steps into your daily routine while also enjoying your favorite music.

It’s available to SmartHealth members and starts the first full week in May and runs for two weeks.

Nothing can get you moving like music does!

From country music to K-pop, it doesn’t matter what genre of music you like as long as it gets you moving! Don’t forget to pack your dancing or walking shoes and get ready to complete this awesome fitness challenge. All you have to do to participate is go to “Challenges” on the Virgin Pulse mobile app or visit member.virginpulse.com.

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Dr. Estrelitta Redmon, Chief Medical Officer at Ascension Medical Group at Ascension Florida and Gulf Coast, is vaccinated against COVID-19.

Gabrielle Guard, BSN, RN, at Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown, Nashville, Tennessee, shows off her vaccine card.

Shot of hope Across Ascension, vaccines show promise in fight against COVID-19

Samar El-Shorafa, RN, Ascension Macomb Hospital, Warren, Michigan, shares why receiving the vaccine is important to her.

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aregivers across Ascension received the first COVID-19 vaccinations in late 2020, bringing a “shot of hope” to associates and communities.

The first COVID-19 vaccination in Ascension happened at 11:12 a.m. on Dec. 14, 2020, at Ascension Via Christi, in Wichita, Kansas. The recipient was Kristen Garrett, RN, a critical care nurse on the COVID-19 Medical Intensive Care Unit.

“I’m humbled to be the first caregiver at Ascension Via Christi and across Ascension to receive the COVID-19 vaccine,” Kristen said.

“I’m encouraging my colleagues to get the vaccination, and, once it’s available, the public as well. I’m thankful for my fellow caregivers and their selflessness in the dedicated patient care they deliver every day.”

Maggie Hagan, MD, an infectious disease specialist at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis, was the first Ascension physician to be vaccinated. “I feel like I didn’t just get a vaccine, I got a shot of hope,” she told the New York Times. “It’s hope that this is the beginning of the end of this terrible pandemic that we’ve all been experiencing — but us on the front line have really seen the suffering and the tragedy associated with it.”

Since those first shots were administered, Ascension has provided more than 217,000 vaccine doses to associates and affiliated providers, and more than 130,000 doses to patients.

James Gruenewald, RN, Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital - Franklin Campus, receives a COVID-19 vaccine from Stephanie Fidlin, RN.

MOM, DAUGHTER SHARE UNEXPECTED COVID-19 VACCINE MOMENT

“We are thankful for all who have made this vaccine possible and for the continued dedication of our selfless caregivers.”

K

— JOSEPH CACCHIONE, MD, FACC, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CLINICAL & NETWORK SERVICES, ASCENSION

from this eligible pool of floaters because she is

atie Reeves, RN, was a floor nurse at Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin, part of

Ascension Texas, when COVID-19 spread across the community. As many of her fellow pediatric nurses answered the call to help out at COVID-19 units at other Ascension Texas sites, Katie had to withdraw severely immunocompromised. “I felt guilty that my co-workers were so altruistic to volunteer themselves to these units in need while I sat back,” she said.

THOUGHTFUL PL ANNING When the first vaccines received emergency use authorization, Ascension implemented a coordinated plan for equitable internal and external allocation. Vaccine recipients have been prioritized based on recommendations guided by Ascension’s Mission, Vision and Values; Catholic Health Association guidance “Vaccine Equity and Catholic Principles for the Common Good”; guidance from state and federal entities; and available Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance and evidence-based data on disease risk and burden.

From the outset, Ascension has encouraged all associates to receive a COVID-19 vaccine when it is made available to them.

“In our view, this is the right thing to do to protect our associates and those we are privileged to serve,” said Joseph R. Impicciche, JD, MHA, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ascension.

“We strongly encourage all our associates to receive a COVID-19 vaccine when they can,” said Joseph Cacchione, MD, FACC, Executive Vice President, Clinical & Network Services, Ascension. “We are thankful for all who have made this vaccine possible and for the continued dedication of our selfless caregivers.”

Now an infusion nurse at Dell Children’s Medical Group Rheumatology clinic, she jumped at the chance to administer the COVID-19 vaccine, answering the call to serve along with more than 700 other associates who signed up to help.

“I felt empowered to help in some way, because it was safe for me to do so,” she said. “The vaccine represents hope. There was pure joy on so many staff member faces as they were getting vaccinated, so I think it means that to a lot of people.”

Before finishing her vaccine shift at Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas, she got a message from her mother, Regina Reeves, RN, a preadmission testing nurse at Ascension Seton Williamson. Regina was on her way to receive her first-dose vaccine, so Katie waited so she could administer the vaccine to her mother.

Receiving the vaccine from her daughter made it a moment Regina will never forget.

“As a mother, I’ve spent her whole life protecting her, and it means so much to me that she’s the one to give me the protection with this vaccine,“ Regina said.

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ENGAGING ALL POPUL ATIONS

Top: Pharmacy and Chaplain Services gather for a blessing of the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines at Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas: from left, kneeling, Jade Nguyen, Kris Klein-Bradham and Kirsten Mason; crouching, Kim Schultz; standing, Ryan Ashworth, Lee Legault, Jade Evans, Dahlia Flores, Andrew Mullins, Carl Brotherman, Caroline Weaver, Tim Sullivan, Thomas Williams, the Rev. Athanasius Okeiyi, Amy Papst and Chad Dietrichs; and, to right of cart, Dipti Patel and Jeannette Chavez. Bottom: Tamarah Duperval-Brownlee, MD, MPH, MBA, Senior Vice President and Chief Community Impact Officer, Ascension, receives a COVID-19 vaccine.

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As vaccine supplies increased, Ascension sites of care followed state and local guidance on extending vaccinations to members of the public. A major focus was developing outreach to members of all communities, particularly minorities and marginalized communities.

“Working with our clinical and operational leaders, we developed comprehensive plans to leverage our position as a trusted community resource to share information about the vaccines, leading by example and educating the communities we serve,” said Nick Ragone, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Ascension.

Specific outreach activities and messaging were developed to help reach members of the African American and Latino/Latina communities; various religious and nonreligious populations; LGBTQ individuals; people living in rural communities; senior citizens; and people who are developmentally disabled, homeless, or suffering from substance abuse or mental and behavioral health issues.

Tactics have included engaging thought leaders and influencers within specific communities; holding virtual community, town hall and prayer events; coordinating with community organizations and other health systems; using traditional marketing methods such as advertising; and more.

“Our goal has been to facilitate open, honest and comprehensive communication that doesn’t dismiss concerns or fears about the vaccine while providing honest and transparent answers to key questions,” Dr. Cacchione said. “We’ve been sharing information about the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine in order to build confidence in its safety and efficacy, highlighting how vaccination can save lives and strengthen communities.”

Aaron Ferber, Vice President of Design, left, works with Kramer Schmidt, Senior Director of Product, at the Ascension Studio before social distancing measures were required.

Creating transformative digital healthcare experiences The Ascension Studio’s pioneering physical and digital products are building the future of human-centered healthcare encounters

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scension’s commitment to serving individuals and communities means adapting to rapid changes occurring not only in healthcare but also in the broader consumer environment — and in particular, the increasingly digital world.

“As technology, consumer needs and healthcare all rapidly change, we must continually innovate to accomplish our Mission and provide compassionate, personalized care while improving the health of our communities,” said Eduardo Conrado, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Ascension.

To help meet these changing needs, the Ascension Studio was created in 2019.

This internal innovation team is tackling the challenges of healthcare technologies and more head-on. At its core, the Ascension Studio’s charge is to create change in the delivery of healthcare through transformative thinking and groundbreaking, human-centered experiences.

“Ascension’s digital strategy is built around a people-first approach to create end-to-end experiences for both patients and providers,” Eduardo said.

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The Ascension Studio comprises a diverse array of specialists who are experts in their fields, dedicated to understanding and translating consumer needs into transformative solutions and restoring the joy of caregiving. With expertise in research, design, user experience, engineering, and portfolio and product management, the Ascension Studio brings these specialties together to create better experiences across the healthcare continuum.

“While most healthcare technologies usually are built in silos or products are purchased off the shelf and retrofitted to meet the need, the Ascension Studio weaves the end-to-end product development process together and builds solutions from the ground up alongside Ascension’s end users — our caregivers and associates,” said John Pirolo, MD, Senior Vice President, Clinical Products Lead, Ascension.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Ascension Studio quickly responded, putting its innovative approach and agile methodology to the test. What would have previously taken months or years to implement was accomplished with remarkable speed, as the Ascension Studio conducted user research, developed prototypes, and iteratively tested and implemented several products from scratch, including an Associate Screening Tool, Screen & Go, as well as the SymplCheck symptom checker and Video Chat, Ascension’s own secure web-based virtual visit platform.

U N DE R STANDING THROUG H RESE ARCH

Every new product begins with a unique idea or need that current products or solutions simply do not meet. The Ascension Studio’s Experience Research team uses a robust set of research

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methodologies to uncover pain points and user needs, including field studies and interviews, focus groups and surveys, journey mapping, design sessions with real users, concept mapping, and usability testing.

By working hand in hand with people in the real world, the Ascension Studio’s research team is able to understand people’s experience with current technology, including why and how they use that technology, and uncover the right problems to solve.

“The Ascension Studio weaves the end-to-end product development process together and builds solutions from the ground up alongside Ascension’s end users — our caregivers and associates.”

DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE, BY PEOPLE

— JOHN PIROLO, MD, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CLINICAL PRODUCTS LEAD, ASCENSION

The Design team at the Ascension Studio brings together three design principles that converge and complement each other during the design process: UX Design, Communication Design and Service Design. These teams leverage

TAKE A LOOK AT RECENT PRODUCTS CREATED BY THE STUDIO

Video Chat is a lightweight, web-based

Associates use the Screen & Go

video service that enables Ascension

web-based app to answer a series

clinicians to quickly connect with

of questions about their health that

patients virtually for both routine visits

generates a healthy “fast pass” to

and ahead of surgery — with no app

show their employers when they

download required.

report to work.

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

Aniela Chertavian Atchison, Senior Service Designer, left, and Michael Chapman, Senior Director of Product Design, at the Ascension Studio before the COVID-19 pandemic began.

the insights gained from Experience Research to inform how they approach the design of each specific product.

While the Design team ensures each product and service maintains a consistent look and feel — to reflect Ascension’s unified branding — the designers also take into consideration a variety of qualitative and quantitative measures about each product’s unique users. Social determinants, health literacy, how users typically interact with similar products, and when and where users may use the product (such as on a smartphone or a desktop computer, or booking a clinical visit versus researching general health information) all influence each element of a product or service’s design.

BU ILT FOR YOU : VIDEO CHAT

One example of this approach is the development of Ascension Video Chat.

Like all Ascension Studio products, Ascension Video Chat started as an idea. Caregivers and patients wanted a more seamless way to schedule and attend clinical consultations that was easy to use, worked in a browser without needing to download an app, and contained security features compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

The Ascension Studio’s Research team conducted extensive in-context observations of how patients and caregivers were using current remote consultation services, conducted interviews with people across the entire spectrum of potential users, mapped new behaviors and expectations seen as a result of the pandemic, and developed end-to-end consumer journey maps, among several other research initiatives.

The Design team applied this information to design, build and test Video Chat, with real patients and caregivers participating every step of the way.

Incorporated into the product’s design were clinical staff and patient workflows, training guides, and technical requirements, with the Design team involving real end users throughout the process to ensure the product met the needs of each type of user. The result is a simple, modern, lightweight and secure Video Chat platform built by Ascension for Ascension clinicians and patients.

“The Ascension Studio has only just begun to achieve its potential to improve the experience of caregivers, affiliated providers and, most importantly, those we are privileged to serve,” Eduardo said.

WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ASCENSION STUDIO’S WORK? HERE’S HOW • Be a research participant. The Ascension Studio is always looking for people to share their personal and professional experiences and insights. This can include responding to a survey, making a video of your experience or allowing a researcher to shadow the work you do every day.

• Be an Alpha or Beta tester. All Ascension Studio products go through a rigorous amount of user testing before launch. You can help find a new product’s flaws and provide user feedback.

• Stay informed. Read up on the Ascension Studio’s work or sign up for regular updates on the increasing number of ways to partner with the team.

Go to sites.google.com/ascension. org/studio for more information.

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A call to ABIDE Appreciation, Belongingness, Inclusivity, Diversity and Equity are at the heart of Ascension’s new framework

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n 2020, Ascension and the nation engaged in an overdue conversation about injustice in America’s institutions and society. As our country responded to COVID-19 and the harsh realities of racism and systemic injustice affecting African Americans and communities of color across the U.S., the vision of Ascension’s ABIDE framework began to take shape throughout our ministry.

As a Catholic health ministry, we embraced our responsibility in the national discourse. “We have a unique obligation and calling — reflected in our very Mission statement — to advocate for a more just and compassionate society in words and actions,” said Joseph R. Impicciche, JD, MHA, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ascension. That obligation was a call to establish the framework of ABIDE — Appreciation, Belongingness, Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity — a commitment to fostering a more inclusive growth mindset and to creating a safe and sacred work environment where individuals feel welcome to be their true and authentic selves and share their unique gifts and perspectives.

THE FOUNDATION OF ABIDE Throughout its more than 20-year history, Ascension has always used an introspective lens to ensure it remains true to its Mission, Vision and Values. In late 2019, those efforts crystallized when a dedicated team of associates came together to assess the associate experience; review various diversity and inclusion initiatives from around the ministry; and develop a unified, lasting national strategy to bring it all together.

Just as that work was gaining momentum, the COVID-19 pandemic emerged. Although it seemed the public health crisis and resulting challenges would delay the enhancement of Ascension’s diversity and inclusion efforts, in some ways the new collaborative environment served to accelerate the work.

With the pandemic came social distancing precautions and a widespread increase of remote working arrangements, even

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Associates were invited to share a photo and an “I Am” statement of who they are on the Ascension ABIDE Kudoboard so they can appreciate each other for both their similarities and their uniqueness. Several of those photos are used to illustrate this story.

across Ascension. Associates across the U.S. transitioned to new modes of working and communicating, bringing people together, and understanding one another in ways never experienced before. The ministry’s compassionate and inclusive commitment to support and provide pay continuation for all associates during one of the most challenging times in recent history also aligned with the budding hallmarks of ABIDE. The outrage, social unrest and calls for justice that intensified following the tragic death of George Floyd catalyzed the formal launch of ABIDE within Ascension. “We have a

shared responsibility and accountability, as individuals and as a ministry, to lead and model the changes we wish to see in our communities of valuing inclusion, justice and equity for all,” said Joe. “This will not be an easy journey, but it is one we must take together. We must all ensure that individuals are treated justly and respectfully with equal access to opportunities and resources. We must also provide an inclusive culture where our associates feel valued, appreciated and welcome to contribute fully to Ascension’s success and mission as they become agents for positive change in their communities.”

ABIDE was created to invite ongoing dialogue and thoughtful action to help uncover those things Ascension needs to leverage, review and reconsider in our policies, practices and ways of working to help eliminate what contributes to or perpetuates disparities and inequities so that we can create a more inclusive and diverse culture and workplace and realize our Model Community aspirations.

COMMITMENT TO LISTENING: A WAY OF SHOWING APPRECIATION Ascension is committed to listening, praying, learning and acting to better understand the opportunities that this work of inclusion presents to us and the communities we serve. Listening to understand and acting thoughtfully in response to what we hear are powerful ways to show appreciation for each other. Our associates feel valued and respected when we acknowledge their stories and experiences and thank them for sharing.

SPECIFICALLY, ABIDE STANDS FOR: APPRECIATION Appreciation occurs when individuals feel valued, recognized and understood.

BELONGINGNESS Belongingness is experienced when people feel welcome and

accepted as part of something through connections with people, groups or communities, without judgment.

INCLUSIVITY Inclusivity is about acknowledging and inviting varying perspectives and identities and understanding how others’ experiences contribute to decision-making, collaboration and growth.

DIVERSITY Diversity is expressed in the intersection of not only our observable characteristics, but also in the essence of who we are on the inside, as unique individuals with distinct thoughts, beliefs, values, personalities, ideas, experiences, perspectives, dispositions and abilities.

EQUITY Equity is experienced when all individuals are treated fairly and barriers are eliminated so they can fully participate in a group or community.

OPER ATIONALIZING ABIDE A cross-functional core team of over two dozen Ascension associates and partners from across the ministry were tasked with bringing the ABIDE framework to life. The team represented various Ministry Markets and functions within Ascension and was organized around several key cornerstones: LISTENING AND DIALOGUE

Listening is a foundation of the ABIDE framework. The listening sessions group assessed the ministry’s current state through facilitated conversations. The team conducted more than 400 virtual listening sessions with nearly 7,700 associates.

Findings from the sessions indicated an opportunity for the national health ministry to continue training and expanding the number of diverse leaders, develop and implement unconscious bias and sensitivity training, create an inverted approach to decision-making, and ensure accountability at the leadership and associate levels for living out the ABIDE framework.

Based on learnings from the listening sessions, the ABIDE team set up Dialogue Sessions to understand Ascension’s current state at a deeper level in order to recommend informed action planning.

The team also evaluated nontraditional channels for the distribution and exchange of information. The group established the ABIDE Talkline, a place for associates to call in and share comments and questions. They worked to provide a veil of anonymity for feedback submitted through a dedicated Google website.

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At the same time, a team documented diversity and inclusion work from across the ministry, highlighting best practices and identifying market-based needs for education and training.

ACTION PLANNING

The ABIDE team conducted action planning around approaches for systemic change by establishing a project and implementation plan based on themes that emerged from the listening sessions. This work will also be informed by Dialogue Sessions that extend into 2021.

The team also identified markers of success, including completing a baseline pulsing survey to inform a measurement strategy. This work was also supported by the communication and education subteam that established an ABIDE microsite and executed a Global Diversity Awareness Month campaign. The campaign included a variety of educational resources, stories and opportunities about the ABIDE framework that were shared on a weekly basis to drive engagement and awareness of ABIDE. INTEGRATION OF ABIDE ACROSS ASCENSION

Associates from across Ascension have embraced the hallmarks of ABIDE and demonstrate them in their day-to-day interactions and work.

Personal reflections and stories are being shared during meetings as colleagues become more trusting and vulnerable with each other. Leaders are starting to understand that real inclusion comes about when everyone on the team can articulate the ‘’why” of a decision or action.

Patient-related policies are being adjusted to account for social determinants of health or the less obvious needs of people with limited means who access healthcare. Diversity is under-

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stood as being more than a person’s physical aesthetic; it’s about their thoughts, values, beliefs — things that are uniquely them.

Associates affirm each other’s experiences, triumphs and challenges during meetings. Ascension is uniting around and demonstrating — as it always has — its core belief that every human being is created in the image of God. “ABIDE can thrive only with the involvement and engagement of all. It’s important that we all feel valued and appreciated, believe that we belong here, and know that each of our voices can be heard and understood,” said Herb Vallier, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Ascension.

SUSTAINABILITY

To incorporate the ABIDE hallmarks into every aspect of Ascension’s environment, the initial ABIDE implementation

structure established during summer 2020 has transitioned to a governance and operational infrastructure.

This infrastructure provides the leadership and focused capabilities required to create and sustain an inclusive culture and diverse workforce. It also provides increased opportunities for all associates to participate in ABIDE-related activities across the ministry and serve in ABIDE-related leadership roles.

The ABIDE leadership infrastructure includes: The Ascension Board of Directors Inclusion and Diversity Committee — to engage the Board and provide oversight and assistance to management in creating and sustaining an inclusive culture and diverse workforce.

Ascension President and CEO Joseph R. Impicciche serves as Ascension’s Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer, charged with establishing the direction of ABIDE with goals that foster a culture of inclusion. With this added responsibility for the CEO, Ascension is prioritizing ABIDE and its System-wide work of sustainable transformation by making it one of the chief executive’s top priorities and responsibilities.

The Ascension Leadership Team (ALT) enables the vision for ABIDE and provides oversight for incorporating inclusion and diversity priorities into operating and strategic priorities.

The ABIDE Executive Advisory Council (consisting of six members of ALT) champions and sets the vision for ABIDE, is involved in decision-making, participates in programming, provides resources, and shares accountability for achieving goals related to diversity, inclusion and equity.

The National ABIDE Council, previously known as the ABIDE Leadership and Core Teams, which guide and collaborate with Ministry Market, Ministry-wide Function and subsidiary ABIDE Councils, is supported by and reports to the ABIDE Executive Advisory Council.

WHAT’S NEXT? The future of ABIDE is built upon a renewed focus on its hallmarks. The National ABIDE Council will continue work in the areas of communications, ongoing listening and dialogue, advocacy, community engagement, alternative listening

platforms, review of best practices, action planning, training and education, and sustainability. The local ABIDE Councils, with the support of executive leadership and the National ABIDE Council, will help to support and sustain this work while fostering allyship among associates and allowing them an opportunity to better understand and get to know each other — a collective effort that is key in moving the ministry forward.

While the councils will provide the official structure, the core of the framework lives in the hearts and minds of associates.

“This transformative work is never-ending and begins with leadership commitment through words and actions — not solely through major initiatives, but also, and most importantly, in our day-to-day interactions with each other as we seek to live and practice the interconnected hallmarks of our ABIDE framework,” said Timm Glover, Executive Vice President and Chief Mission Integration Officer.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED There are many ways to get involved with ABIDE. Talk to your manager about the ABIDE Councils and eligibility criteria. Share your story or provide feedback using the following channels: ABIDE LISTENING FORM: Use the Live Google Form located on the ABIDE microsite to share an experience or story anonymously.

ABIDE TALKLINE: Call a toll-free number (833-979-2949), available 24/7, and record your story anonymously.

ABIDE CONTACT FORM: Located on the ABIDE microsite, use the contact form to ask a question or share a comment about ABIDE. ABIDE EMAIL INBOX: Email your comment, question, experience or story to ABIDE@ascension.org.

ABIDE MICROSITE: Review the resources and have conversations with your peers and team members at sites.google.com/ascension.org/abide/home.

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Gift of life Transplant program brings expertise close to home for children in Texas Cardiothoracic surgeons Dr. Ziv Beckerman, left, and Dr. Sara Mendoza Crespo enter Dell Children’s Medical Center with a donor heart.

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hanks to the team at the Dell Children’s Medical Center, part of Ascension Texas, the first heart transplant at the pediatric hospital gave life to a new program and a young patient. On Oct. 3, 2020, all the work of the previous two years to build a transplant program came to realization when 18-year-old Gerardo Ramirez Jr. received the gift of life.

In 2017, the teenager collapsed on a soccer field. Doctors discovered hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and approximately one year later, Gerardo entered the end stages of heart failure and needed a transplant.

MEDICAL MILESTONE The Heart Failure, VAD and Transplant Program at Dell Children’s is the only program in Central Texas providing complete multidisciplinary care for children with complex and progressive heart failure or who need a heart transplant. The Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease at Dell Children’s was created in 2018, and in just two short years, it performed its first heart transplant.

“This lifesaving surgery would not be possible without the courageous gift of a family who chose to donate life,” said Christopher Born, President, Dell Children’s. “This milestone is a testament to the dedicated transplant team that includes surgeons,

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“We are excited to launch a program which will allow children and their families to remain right here in Austin for pediatric heart transplants and receive the best care at Dell Children’s.”

— CHESNEY CASTLEBERRY, MD

anesthesiologists, transplant coordinators, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, therapists and psychologists — all leaders in this field.”

CARE CLOSE TO HOME Chesney Castleberry, MD, received the call about a potential donor heart for her patient at 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 2, and the entire transplant team was quickly mobilized and ready for its first transplant.

According to Dr. Castleberry, there are approximately five to 10 pediatric heart failure patients each year in the area, and in the past, children and their families would have to relocate to Dallas or Houston for at least six to 12 months to have access to a heart transplant.

Transplant team members, from left, Drs. Ziv Beckerman, Charles Fraser, Sara Mendoza Crespo, Carlos Mery and Lok Sinha.

The Heart Transplant Program at Dell Children’s means patients and their families will no longer have to travel out of town for this lifesaving, complex surgery. The Heart Failure, VAD and Transplant Program, within the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease, is led by Dr. Castleberry, who is medical director for the Heart Transplant Program, and Carlos Mery, MD, surgical director of the Heart Transplant Program.

“We are excited to launch a program which will allow children and their families to remain right here in Austin for pediatric heart transplants and receive the best care at Dell Children’s,” Dr. Castleberry said. “Heart transplants are a critical component of the cardiology and cardiac surgery program at Dell Children’s.”

an organ or tissue is such a transformational gift, and this lifesaving surgery would not have been possible without the generous and courageous family who chose to donate life.”

Driven by patient need, Ascension Texas and its partnership with the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas provided support to grow the clinical assets needed to recruit leaders for this program. With the right leaders in place and infrastructure to support them, Dell Children’s is able to develop cutting-edge programs and engage in complex surgeries, research and education.

A NEW ER A “This is a new era at Dell Children’s. Heart transplant is the first of many solid-organ transplant procedures Dell Children’s will offer in the future as we continue to build a world-class program that expands the breadth and depth of our expertise to meet the needs of all pediatric patients in Central Texas and beyond,” said Charles Fraser, MD, Chief of Pediatric and Congenital Surgery for UT Health Austin’s Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease at Dell Children’s. “Giving the gift of

After spending 144 days in the hospital, Gerardo receives a discharge celebration surprise that included superheroes and a staff and car parade.

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Four-legged friends THERAPY DOGS SUPPORT CARE DELIVERY, BOOST RESILIENCY AMONG STAFF

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ike any other member of the Ascension team, Mrs. Sprout maintains her necessary certifications and follows infection control and other protocols as she provides care for her patients and interacts with her co-workers. She is, however, allowed to nap during her weekly 36-hour shift. And she drinks from a bowl.

Sprout, a facility dog, is on staff at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital Pensacola, part of Ascension Florida and Gulf Coast. A golden retriever, Sprout is one of four high-achieving, certified service dogs in the hospital’s animal-assisted therapy program.

Sprout is accompanied by her four-legged teammates Sherlock, Klio and Tully.

Sacred Paws is known as a facility dog program, meaning the dogs are based within a facility rather than being provided by an outside organization. Each dog has a primary and secondary handler who are also certified, and each dog lives with its primary handler.

“Our program has been a game changer as far as reaching certain patients and improving staff resiliency,” said Julia Humphries, CCLS, Manager, Sacred Paws Facility Dog Program, Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart. “Patients generally think that people with dogs are friendlier and more approachable. This helps break down barriers between caregivers and patients and is particularly useful with children and teenagers who are facing unfamiliar people, environments and treatments.”

Each dog works alongside its handling team in specific hospital roles, providing

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Julia Humphries, CCLS, Manager, Sacred Paws Facility Dog Program, Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital Pensacola, and Sprout.

Sophie Green

comfort, distraction and encouragement for patients during medical procedures and goal-oriented therapies.

The dogs provide the children a reason to play and smile, even when they’re sick or injured.

“Our dogs are continually providing beneficial services to our patients,” Julia said, “whether through laying beside a patient offering support during an ultrasound, through distraction and comfort during the placement of an IV, or as a motivator for a patient to get out of their hospital bed and take a walk around the hallway. The impact our facility dogs make in regard to the patient care experience is truly remarkable.”

In addition to proven benefits in helping patients cope with their situation, national research has indicated that staff stress can be reduced by animal-assisted therapy.

“Sprout also provides comfort, joy and lowers stress among our associates and residents,” Julia said. Sprout visits pediatric teams monthly through a staff resiliency program called Sproutbucks, where coffee and puppy love provide a moment of respite for associates.

Unlike the facility program at Ascension Sacred Heart, the pet-assisted therapy program at Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin, part of Ascension Texas, is a partnership between the hospital’s Child Life/Expressive Therapies team and a volunteer program.

Dogs and handlers must maintain applicable certifications and are held to immunization and infection control standards. Dogs are bathed and groomed before entering clinical areas and follow other safety and hygiene protocols about things such as how their collars are cleaned, use of special disinfectants and use of physical barriers, such as towels.

While COVID-19 limited pet therapy, teams are finding creative ways to engage with associates and patients.

“We’re using closed-circuit televisions and online video meetings for interactions. We have found the dogs love being on camera and can be quite entertaining,” said Lauren Powell, Director of Volunteer Services, Dell Children’s. “We’ve also created cardboard cutouts of each of the dogs and placed them around the hospital.

It’s been a big hit.”

At Ascension St. Vincent Evansville, part of Ascension Indiana, dogs and handlers are on-boarded as volunteers, but that team mainly focuses on adult patients in rehabilitation. To reduce the possible spread of infection, the team offers virtual visits through the hospital’s closed-circuit television platform.

“Rehabilitation patients can be here for a longer stay,” said Kalah Georgette-Vowels, Manager of Volunteer and Auxiliary Services. “These patients look forward to the visits.”

Kalah considers the pet therapy program the most impactful program she has experienced in her 15 years at Ascension St. Vincent Evansville.

“We’ve had patients who were unreachable or uncommunicative prior to pet therapy,” she said. “I’ll never forget one patient who was unable to speak after suffering from a stroke. After several weeks visiting with our therapy dog Chester, the patient’s first word was ‘Chester.’”

Gunner

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ALABAMA

Consumer loyalty award Ascension St. Vincent’s Birmingham was named Best in Class by NRC Health in its Top 100 Consumer Loyalty list. This list is the first and only loyalty-based hospital ranking that recognizes top U.S. healthcare organizations for earning exceptional loyalty ratings from their patients.

health leaders and local officials to announce a new collaboration that will strengthen and expand crisis response across four jurisdictions in central Maryland. The initiative aims to expand community-based services that meet the needs of persons or families in crisis without them calling 911, visiting an emergency room or interacting with police.

Organ donation campaign Ascension St. Vincent’s Birmingham and Ascension St. Vincent’s East received the Platinum Recognition Award from the National Hospital Organ Donation Campaign. This award recognized activities to increase enrollment in the Alabama registry of organ, eye and tissue donors.

BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK

Residency grads improve care Four new graduates in the RN residency program at Ascension St. Vincent’s St. Clair — Ashley Wilson, Dana Baker, Grace Crocker and Erin Beason — participated in a project that resulted in improved communication between nurses and COVID-19 patients who were having difficulty hearing through masks. Handheld whiteboards are now available for patients and are easily cleaned after use.

FLORIDA AND GULF COAST

Rejuvenation room for associates A blessing ceremony was held for the Associate Rejuvenation Room at Ascension St. Vincent’s Birmingham.

The room serves as a quiet zone for 15 minutes of uninterrupted rest.

Grant funds dental van Lourdes received a grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation in New York to buy a mobile dental van to provide care to underserved areas of the southern tier of New York.

Hospital construction begins Ascension St. Vincent’s broke ground in December on a new hospital in St. Johns County, Florida. The $115 million hospital should be completed in 2022 and will create approximately 600 jobs.

Freestanding ER opens Ascension Sacred Heart has opened a freestanding emergency center in northeast Pensacola, Florida. Open 24 hours a day, the ER is staffed with emergency medicine physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists. It includes a dedicated waiting room for children, as well as pediatric triage and exam rooms.

BALTIMORE

Breast center opens Ascension Saint Agnes introduced a new level of patient-centric, integrated care for breast health at the Ascension Saint Agnes Breast Center.

Collaboration strengthens crisis response Ascension Saint Agnes joined other Baltimore-area hospitals, behavioral

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Hospitals meet C-section goal Ascension St. Vincent‘s Southside in Jacksonville, Ascension St. Vincent‘s Clay County near Jacksonville and Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast in Miramar Beach have been recognized for meeting the federal Healthy People 2020 goal for reducing unnecessary Caesarean section deliveries. They achieved the goal for firsttime mothers with low-risk pregnancies of at or below 23.9% in 2019. The Agency for Health Care Administration and the Florida Department of Health recognized the hospitals for their evidence-based maternal and infant healthcare practices, efforts to promote healthy outcomes, and support of the state‘s goal to prevent pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality.

ILLINOIS

Hybrid cath lab opens AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center Joliet celebrated the opening of its hybrid cardiac cath lab, a key component of the medical center’s developing Heart Hospital within a Hospital, which will enable the medical center’s nationally recognized team of heart and vascular specialists to launch Will County’s first structural heart program. The hybrid cath lab combines the traditional diagnostic functions of a traditional cath lab with the surgical functions of an operating room.

From left, Pete Jennings, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Ascension Sacred Heart; Will Condon, President, Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart; Susan Cornejo, Chief Operating Officer, Ascension Florida and Gulf Coast; Dawn Rudolph, President, Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola; Vishal Gulati, MD, Medical Director, Freestanding Emergency Department, Nine Mile Road; Tina Caraway, Director, Clinical Service Line; and Catherine Polera, MD, Senior Vice President, Envision Physician Services, Southeast.

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Hospitals recognized for stroke care Several AMITA Health hospitals received American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Quality Achievement Awards for 2020. The award recognizes a hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients get the most appropriate treatment according to research-based guidelines. AMITA Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center Elk Grove Village; AMITA Health St. Alexius Medical Center Hoffman Estates; AMITA Health Saint Francis Hospital Evanston; AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital Chicago; and AMITA Health Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center Chicago received the distinction.

INDIANA

Surprise reunion for nurse and patient “TODAY with Hoda & Jenna” featured a heartwarming reunion between a former cancer patient at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital and pediatric nurse Shelly Hudock, RN, with whom she developed a special relationship during her treatment and recovery. The patient had been told she would need to receive treatment that could impact her fertility.

The hospital’s Pediatric Hematology and Oncology team enrolled her in a study that decreased the amount of medication she needed by half. Eleven years later, the patient was surprised with a virtual visit by her nurse, and the nurse was surprised to meet the patient’s young son.

Maternal and infant health honor All eight delivering Ascension St. Vincent hospitals received INspire Hospital of Distinction recognition from the Indiana Hospital Association for their commitment to reduce maternal and infant mortality.

Associates and providers earned this recognition based on the implementation of evidence-based best practices in infant

safe sleep; breastfeeding; tobacco prevention and cessation; perinatal substance use; and obstetric hemorrhage.

Sonography program accredited The Ascension St. Vincent College of Health Professions Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program was granted a five-year accreditation in the general and vascular concentrations from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. The program faculty received a perfect virtual site visit with zero citations. The DMS program is the only accredited sonography program in Indianapolis and one of four accredited sonography programs in the state.

Hospital represented on cancer study committee Bassem Razzouk, MD, FAAP, Medical Director, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent, was appointed to the study committee of the largest acute myeloid leukemia pediatric protocol worldwide. The AAML 1831 study is led by the Children’s Oncology Group. Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital was the only representative from Indiana in the study.

Doctor joins Hall of Heroes Nicole Sbircea, DO, Joshua Max Simon Primary Care Center at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital, was recognized in the American College of Chest Physicians Hall of Heroes. She was nominated by her peers for her phenomenal care of ICU patients and calming presence in the face of uncertainty. Dr. Sbircea volunteered to hold video calls with families so they could see their loved ones one last time.

KANSAS

On-site employee clinic opens Ascension Medical Group Via Christi opened a primary care clinic on the Spirit AeroSystems campus, replacing a tempo-

rary site. It’s the first employer-based clinic of its kind for the Kansas market. Services are available for Spirit AeroSystems employees and their dependents and retirees enrolled in the company medical plan. The clinic provides enhanced access to patient-centered, team-based care, which has led to a noticeable reduction in emergency department visits among Spirit employees and their dependents.

MICHIGAN

Hospital participates in vaccine trial Ascension St. John Hospital received institutional review board approval to participate in an INOVIO phase 2 trial of an investigational coronavirus vaccine.

The study is being led by Louis Saravolatz, MD, MACP, FIDSA, Chief, Internal Medicine, and will evaluate the appropriate age-related dose, safety and effectiveness of the INOVIO INO-4800 vaccine.

Surgical care services update Ascension Borgess Hospital opened state-of-the-art surgical care services, which include 38,000 square feet of space with 10 technologically advanced operating rooms, 18 post-anesthesia care stations and a new sterile processing department. The hospital also expanded its labor and delivery surgical services on the obstetrics floor with the addition of two operating rooms and four antepartum rooms. This addition gives providers the ability to perform Caesarean sections directly in the unit, rather than traveling to the hospital’s main operating unit.

Cardiologist achieves milestone Amir Kaki, MD, Interventional Cardiologist and Director of Mechanical Circulatory Support at Ascension St. John Hospital, was the first in the world to treat a patient with the world’s smallest heart pump.

The heart pump measures 3 millimeters in diameter upon insertion and removal.

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While in the heart, it expands while supporting the heart’s pumping function.

Advanced MRI technology unveiled MRI Imaging services at Ascension Genesys Hospital installed advanced MRI technology when a magnet weighing over 7,200 pounds was lifted into the hospital.

The sophisticated technology will benefit patients with advanced imaging capabilities and patient-friendly features. This technology will allow Ascension Genesys Hospital to offer cardiac imaging, prostate imaging, whole body oncology imaging, pediatric imaging and sedation services to calm claustrophobia patients.

Joint Commission accreditation Ascension St. Joseph Hospital earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for the hospital and sleep lab by demonstrating continuous compliance with performance standards.

Emergency center renovation takes shape Ascension St. Mary’s expanded Emergency Care Center is making great progress, including a new airport-style drop-off entrance and ambulances bays with improved access for patient transport. The next phases of the renovation will create new, larger exam rooms as well as trauma suites. The renovation is expected to be completed in fall 2021.

Hospital patient experience recognized Ascension Standish Hospital received a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for patient experience. Only 266 hospitals nationwide received this rating. “This rating reflects that we are consistently providing patients with the right care at the right time,” said Rose Goick-Saddler, Ascension Standish Hospital Administrator. “We are very proud to receive this recognition from CMS. It reflects the team efforts from our entire staff — medical providers, nursing staff and

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support personnel — all working together daily to ensure each patient receives quality, person-centered care in a compassionate healing environment.”

OKLAHOMA

TAVR program certification The Ascension Medical Group Heart and Vascular Center at Ascension Oklahoma was named a certified transcatheter valve center by the American College of Cardiology. The center is the first transcatheter aortic valve replacement program certified in the state and one of only 22 such centers in the U.S. TENNESSEE

Employer clinics offer free services Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford and Ascension Medical Group partnered with Rutherford County government on the health system’s first on-site/nearsite employer care facilities. Rutherford County’s three MedPoint Health Centers are now managed and operated by Ascension Medical Group. These clinics provide medical services at no cost to any county employee enrolled in the Rutherford County Health Plan.

Partnership improves care Ascension Saint Thomas announced plans to partner with Results Physiotherapy, a leader in physical therapy, to expand access to those in need of rehabilitation services. The outpatient rehabilitation partnership will include physical, speech and occupational therapies with 55 locations in the Tennessee region.

TEXAS

Magnet designation awarded Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin received Magnet designation, a high recognition signifying that an organization demonstrates excellence in nursing.

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Magnet organizations empower nurses to drive decisions in the way they deliver patient care, which produces superior patient outcomes. The hospital also received recognition of three exemplars: • Its moai mentorship program in Perinatal Services and NICU was recognized as a top program that should be emulated at organizations across the nation.

• Its fall with injury rates outperformed the national median (50th percentile) for similar hospitals for two years straight.

• Its rates for catheter-associated urinary tract infections outperformed the national median (50th percentile) for similar hospitals for two years straight.

Infectious Disease team receive a DAISY The Ascension Texas Infectious Disease Response Unit received a Team DAISY award. Formed in 2018 by Toby Hatton, MA-EDM, BSN, RN, CHSP; April Burge, MSN, RN, CEN; and Anna Steinhauser, BSN, RN, PCCN, the team consists of nurses from multiple sites who receive specialty training in the care of patients who have a high-consequence infectious disease, such as Ebola or SARS. Deployed to San Antonio to care for patients returning from a cruise, the team was among the first clinicians in the U.S. called to care for COVID-19 patients. There, the team set up a wing for an infectious disease unit, admitted patients with COVID-19 and cared for them — all in less than 24 hours.

Surgery first in shoulder repair A 5-year-old boy got a first-of-its-kind surgery at Dell Children’s Medical Center to correct a rare condition called Sprengel’s deformity. Pediatric orthopedic surgeons Hilton Gottschalk, MD, and Brian Kaufman, MD, repaired the kindergartener’s shoulder blade that was too high on one side and abnormally connected to his spine, restricting movement of the shoulder.

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WISCONSIN

Foundation microsites support markets Ten Wisconsin Foundation stand-alone microsites were established and quickly expanded to engage external and internal stakeholders in sharing messages of compassion to caregivers within Ascension Wisconsin hospitals. As visitors, associates, board members, donors and community members look for ways to support caregivers, they are able to find their voices via pages on the Wisconsin Foundation microsites. A statewide site — ascension.org/giveWI — has a directory with links to giving pages and COVID-19 messaging for all of Ascension Wisconsin.

This effort was the result of collaboration between the Ascension Digital Studios/ Ascension Technologies and Ascension Wisconsin Philanthropy.

Urgent care partnership To expand its urgent care footprint, Ascension Wisconsin has partnered with Physicians Immediate Care (PIC), an urgent care and occupational health company. Its first urgent care centers with PIC are locations in Brookfield, South Milwaukee and Mount Pleasant.

Oak Creek COVID-19 care A new medical clinic in Oak Creek opened late last year specializing in treating patients who previously tested positive for COVID-19 and continue to experience lingering effects. Post-acute COVID Care at Ascension Medical Group – Oak Creek addresses neurological and cognitive changes, sleep issues, heart or behavioral problems, neurologic issues, rehabilitation, and primary care.

New OB ED in Milwaukee Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital – St. Joseph opened a four-bed obstetrics emergency department at its campus on Milwaukee’s north side. It’s the first hospital in Milwaukee to offer a 24-hour ED

dedicated to pregnant women. One of the goals is to reduce wait times at Ascension St. Joseph’s regular emergency department, which is among the busiest in the state, seeing about 70,000 visits annually.

ASCENSION GLOBAL MISSION

Virtual fundraiser supports efforts The Global Solidarity Fund (GSF) hosted a virtual fundraising event to help support its work with women religious, the Vatican COVID-19 Commission and job creation for migrants in Ethiopia.

Ascension Global Mission is one of four founding members of GSF. GSF Board Chair Anthony R. Tersigni delivered inspirational remarks and welcomed speakers including three Vatican cardinals; GSF member organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, GHR Foundation, Helmsley Charitable Trust, Porticus, Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities, Unilever, the Executive Secretary of the International Union of Superiors General; and new partner organizations including RSE Ventures and Grounded.

ASCENSION INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Impact investment program continues Ascension Investment Management (AIM) is advancing its impact investment program and will commit an additional $75 million to investments globally that are intended to further a Catholic social responsibility mission by generating a beneficial social or environmental impact.

AIM has already committed $110 million to these types of investments and collects data to measure the impact generated.

ASCENSION LIVING

Centers make Best Nursing Homes list Eighteen Ascension Living facilities were

among the 21% of U.S. skilled nursing facilities recognized as a Best Nursing Home for 2020-21 by U.S. News & World Report. The Ascension Living skilled nursing facilities earned Best Nursing Home status by achieving a rating of “High Performing,” the highest possible rating, for short-stay rehabilitation, long-term care or both.

ASCENSION TECHNOLOGIES

Service Desk available via Google Chat Ascension Technologies made its Service Desk available through Google Chat.

Search for “Tech Service Desk” for 24/7 tech support with no need to pause tasks, enter an employee ID or spell names.

ASCENSION VENTURES

Three investments closed Ascension Ventures closed three new investments. Owl Insights is a platform for clinical decision support in behavioral health used for early triage and appropriate referral that is working closely with AMITA Health. Rejoni is developing a barrier gel and delivery system to prevent intrauterine adhesions. NextSense is developing a device for continuous electroencephalogram monitoring in an earbud form factor. Ascension Ventures also closed follow-on investments in several portfolio companies, including Bind Benefits, Cofactor Genomics, Cedar Gate Technologies and OliveAI. Since Ascension Ventures began investing in 2001, Ascension has adopted nearly 400 solutions referred by the subsidiary.

CLINICAL & NETWORK SERVICES

App increases behavioral health services access Ascension Online Care is now offering direct-to-consumer virtual psychiatric and therapeutic services through its app in all

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50 states. Psychiatrists are available for support and may prescribe and monitor medication to help control symptoms, while therapists — including psychologists and counselors — are ready to listen and help with life’s challenges. Services are available for both adults and children with appointment availability seven days a week. Visit ascensiononlinecare.org or download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS

Team recognized for service The Texas Pregnancy Care Network awarded Ascension DePaul Services – San Antonio’s RAYS Parenting program its “Zeal for Growth” award for the astonishing growth of its service program to pregnant families in San Antonio.

The RAYS program supports mothers and fathers who are pregnant or raising infants and young children of any faith or background. Services include free parenting classes, baby clothes, baby food and diaper kits. These comprehensive services empower families to foster positive parenting, healthy habits and life skills to help create an enriched and loving home environment.

MEDXCEL

Teams fight infection and costs Looking for new solutions with lean resources, Medxcel leaders looked to their associates to devise an innovative, quality alternative to purchasing or renting solid-wall anterooms. The challenge was to create a solution designed to keep infection away from patients and clinicians while staying well below conventional market pricing, typically exceeding $15,000 per anteroom. Nine teams comprising a total of 28 Medxcel associates serving in locations across

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Ascension took on the challenge. A Medxcel team from Ascension St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, presented the winning design, with savings exceeding 90% when applied to more than 2,400 annual construction projects System-wide. Congratulations to the Tulsa Medxcel team: Joe Stewart, Darrin Haulcomb and Doug Sharp.

THE RESOURCE GROUP

Kindness and Hospitality Program The Resource Group is foundationally rooted in the ideals of hospitality, and

success is measured by the satisfaction of the customer. As The Resource Group enters its 12th year, it is expanding on this foundation through the development of a Kindness and Hospitality Program focused on its supplier base.

The goal of the program is to better equip The Resource Group associates to prioritize kindness and hospitality in supplier interactions and relationships in an intentional manner. Elements of this program include supplier surveys, after-action reviews and continuous associate education/training.

RAYS Parenting Program team members include, from left, Adele Dufilho, Genevieve Mercado, Janie Yanez, Norma Ramirez and Eduardo Ramirez.

Stay connected with Ascension @ HOME, @ WORK, @ YOUR FINGERTIPS Twitter: @ascensionorg Keep up with Ascension tweets. Follow Ascension.

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Learn more about Ascension at ascension.org.

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

How are you feeling today?

Check in with your co-workers, friends, family and neighbors.

Ask them, “How are you feeling today?” Someone you know may be delaying important emergency care, chronic care or emotional care. Remind them to get the care they need.

Remind them to reconnect with their doctor about ongoing care needs, and that delaying care could impact their health in a negative way. Remind them to ask about emotional health needs and health concerns that might be weighing on them.

At Ascension, appointments are available, with strict precautions in place for your safety in our care. Doctors are offering virtual visits. And when your friends and family need care more urgently, our emergency rooms and urgent care clinics are open and ready.

Share this message. And find the care you need at ascension.org

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WE ARE ASCENSION

Nicole Commodore, JD

Chief Advocacy Officer, Providence Health System, Washington, D.C. Director of Community Impact and Advocacy, Ascension

Nicole Commodore, Chief Advocacy Officer, Providence Health System, had been advocating on behalf of Ascension as part of the national Washington, D.C., Advocacy Office for several years when she was chosen for a special assignment for Providence, a longtime part of Ascension.

“To move from serving all of Ascension at the federal level, to serving one health system, has been a nice change,” Nicole said.

“Being in the community and connecting with patients and seeing the impact we make in the community has been rewarding.”

When Providence Hospital transitioned out of acute care after serving the community in that way since 1861, many residents had questions about access to care and changes to the cherished asset.

“Providence is a fixture in this community. It’s located on almost 40 picturesque acres, the Sisters were beloved figures, and it had been a social hub. So the community members were concerned,” said Nicole, who was in the first cohort of ASPIRE, an Ascension Leader Institute program for emerging leaders from

diverse backgrounds with a focus on holistic development.

Her role with Providence includes connecting with community members and stakeholders ranging from patients to city leaders, members of academia and the business community as Providence reimagines its role in the community.

Today, the campus provides urgent care, primary care, specialty care and hospice care. It includes the country’s only occupational health clinic for first responders jointly operated with the city, as well as a skilled nursing facility, with more services planned.

“Community members see Providence as a warm place with God’s presence. Working to reimagine the campus services, while focusing on social determinants of health and trying to get it to where it needs to be, is rewarding. We’ve done a lot of work in the past year, but we still have a lot to do,” she said.

Her passion for service extends beyond Providence as she also dedicates time to Catholic Charities, various community service projects and her local church.