The gift of life

Gift of life

Transplant program brings expertise close to home for children in Texas

Thanks 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,

Cardiothoracic surgeons Dr. Ziv Beckerman, left, and Dr. Sara Mendoza Crespo enter Dell Children’s Medical Center with a donor heart.

“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.”

A NEW ERA

“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 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.

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

Four-legged friends

THERAPY DOGS SUPPORT CARE DELIVERY, BOOST RESILIENCY AMONG STAFF

Like 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

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.’”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK

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.

FLORIDA AND GULF COAST

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. 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.

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 temporary 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.

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 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. 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.

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

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 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.

Learn more about Ascension at ascension.org.

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

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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.