21 minute read
Changes come to SmartHealth benefits plan
New changes come to Ascension SmartHealth benefits plan
ASCENSION RX HOME DELIVERY HELPS LOWER COSTS, IMPROVE OUTCOMES AND INCREASE CONVENIENCE
For the leaders of Ascension Rx, our comprehensive pharmacy services, the strategic objective has been clear from the start: create a high-touch experience that ensures that all patients have access to the right medications at the right time.
“Patients, many of whom are our own associates, often face high drug costs and a complex process to obtain the prescriptions they need,” said Lynn Eschenbacher, PharmD, MBA, FASHP, Vice President, Medication Management, and Chief Pharmacy Officer, Ascension. “We knew that Ascension Rx would have to innovate to solve those challenges. We’ve worked ministry-wide to bring together a multidisciplinary pharmacy team and clinicians to help improve affordability — while simplifying and personalizing the patient experience and delivering the best health outcomes.”
Ascension established the Ascension Rx brand in fall 2020 to expand its vision for pharmacy services that will enable a high-touch clinical model centered on the patient-clinician relationship, and supported by an engaged pharmacy team. Ascension’s strategic approach to engaging consumers in the launch of the Ascension Rx brand mirrors this high-touch model of care delivery and offers a complete, coordinated approach to medication management.
“Our marketing approach defines and positions Ascension Rx as a brand of choice for medication services,” said Nick Ragone, JD, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Ascension. “We’ll feature the many benefits Ascension Rx can provide: enhanced service offerings; a compassionate, connected patient experience; and even financial assistance for those in need. We’ll strive to influence consumer behavior and differentiate Ascension Rx from its competitors with messaging informed by consumer research about access, convenience, and connecting the dots between all Ascension services and sites of care.”
Keisha Boles, Lead Pharmacy Technician, Home Delivery, Ascension Rx, processes a prescription.
— BALIGH YEHIA, MD, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, ASCENSION, AND PRESIDENT, ASCENSION MEDICAL GROUP
Ascension Rx has introduced convenient home delivery services in all Ministry Markets, with a focus on helping SmartHealth members become the early beneficiaries of this personalized pharmacy model.
In addition to convenience, other benefits of using Ascension Rx include having the support of an Ascension pharmacist who can help answer medication questions and better connect care.
“Our pharmacy is different because our clinicians and pharmacists are embedded in care teams that are closest to the patient when the script is written,” said Baligh Yehia, MD, MPP, FACP, Senior Vice President, Ascension, and President, Ascension Medical Group. “That puts us in a unique position to manage complex medications and keep patients in excellent health.”
Numerous Ascension Rx retail pharmacy sites are open to the public and provide both prescription and nonprescription drugs, such as over-the-counter medications and vaccinations. Many of these sites also offer convenient, contactless service options including curbside pickup. Ascension Rx also offers an opportunity for patients to fill their prescriptions at an Ascension pharmacy at the time of their discharge from our hospitals — ensuring patients have access to medication at the right place, at the right time.
Ascension Rx accepts most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Working with clinicians, the Ascension Rx pharmacy team can also help with complicated insurance issues including coordination of benefits as well as medication assistance.
Signing up for home delivery service is as easy as calling 833-Meds-ARx (833-633-7279). SmartHealth members can waive their first co-pay on one of their maintenance medications when changing it to Ascension Rx through the end of 2022.
Ascension Rx is an example of how the Ascension Strategic Plan is focusing on enhancing the System’s overall footprint — by filling gaps in Ministry Markets and adding convenience, higher quality of care and lowering costs for patients.
One example is the recent launch of the new Ascension Rx mobile app. The app can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play and provides patients with an easier way to manage medications anytime, anywhere.
Patients can use the Ascension Rx app to: • Refill medications by quickly scanning the label on the medication bottle. • View a list of medications, including prescription numbers, dosages, number of refills left and expiration dates. • Get notifications as soon as the prescription is ready. • Set reminders to take medications. • View prescribing doctors and sites of care. • Transfer prescriptions to Ascension Rx from other pharmacies. • Search for Ascension Rx outpatient pharmacies locations and set preferences based on ZIP code.
Effective Jan. 1, 2022, Ascension Rx is the preferred plan option for SmartHealth members to order specialty medications and other maintenance medications (greater than a 30-day supply) and have them conveniently delivered directly to home. To learn more about Ascension Rx services, visit ascension.org/ AscensionRX.
ALABAMA
Quality award received Ascension St. Vincent’s Birmingham earned a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The overall star rating is based on how well a hospital performs across different areas of quality, such as treating heart attacks and safety of care.
Magazine recognizes birth suites Ascension St. Vincent’s Birmingham was chosen again as the Favorite Birthing Suites in Birmingham Parent Magazine’s 2021 Family Favorite awards.
Bariatric program accredited The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery program at Ascension St. Vincent’s East received accreditation from the American College of Surgeons through 2023. The program demonstrated that the surgical weight loss program meets the needs of patients by providing multidisciplinary, high-quality, patient-centered care.
BALTIMORE
Ascension branding complete Ascension Saint Agnes completed its transition to the unified Ascension brand. The hospital and clinics display new signage in the community.
Living Tribute space opens Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital dedicated a Living Tribute on its hospital campus, part of a memorial garden and meditation space featuring benches and a COVID-19 time capsule.
FLORIDA AND GULF COAST
Cancer clinic opens Ascension Sacred Heart Cancer Center opened a clinic in Lynn Haven, Florida, to provide community access to outpatient chemotherapy and medical oncology services. For the first time since Hurricane Michael affected Bay County in 2018, residents now have access to advanced cancer care.
Grant funds vaccine van Ascension Sacred Heart Gulf in Port St. Joe, Florida, received a grant for $84,314 through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program. The funds were used to buy a mobile health unit to help in vaccination and education of people living in rural communities as part of COVID-19 relief efforts.
ILLINOIS
New AMITA Health leaders Eric Rhodes was named President of AMITA Health Saint Francis Hospital Evanston. Susan Okuno-Jones was named Chief Nursing Officer for AMITA Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center, Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Kalisha Hill, MD, was promoted to Regional Chief Medical Officer for AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center Joliet and AMITA Health St. Mary’s Hospital Kankakee. Pulmonary services added AMITA Health St. Mary’s Hospital Kankakee began offering inpatient and outpatient pulmonology care, including treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia; screening for lung cancer and lung nodule management; asthma management; evaluation of shortness of breath, cough and chronic bronchitis; and treatment of pleural effusion, or excess fluid between the lungs.
Hospital receives top rating AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital Chicago received a five-star quality rating by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The federal agency recently updated its hospital quality ratings for 2021, which assess more than 4,500 U.S. hospitals on measures such as safety, mortality and effectiveness of care.
INDIANA
Heart Center receives highest ranking Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center was awarded a five-star rating in all five of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services CMS Stars measure groups, including quality of care, patient safety and the patient’s experience in the hospital.
Team members at Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center in Indiana.
First-in-world research procedure David Heimansohn, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center, was the first in the world to successfully perform a research procedure testing a new type of mitral valve. As part of a U.S. early feasibility research study, Dr. Heimansohn surgically replaced a diseased mitral valve with an innovative biopolymer heart valve. It is hoped that this artificial valve will prove effective through this research study in restoring quality of life without the lifelong use of anticoagulants for patients with mitral valve disease.
Father-son doctors in the news Constantine Mavroudis, MD, Medical Director of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent, and his son, Constantine Mavroudis, MD, MSc, MTR, share a bond that only a handful of fathers and sons around the world have — they are both pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons. A story featuring both father and son aired on the “Today” show.
Hospital receives high survey marks Ascension St. Vincent Evansville received impressive results during its triennial survey by The Joint Commission by achieving 97% compliance. Surveyors gave special recognition to the ministry’s dedication to learning and correction of risks identified during the survey. Associates create COVID-19 memorials Associates created memorials at Ascension St. Vincent sites of care to honor those lost to COVID-19. The Spiritual Care and Healing Arts departments at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis assembled a display of 1,000 origami cranes to represent hope and healing.
KANSAS
Physician receives international award Samuel “Todd” Stephens, MD, a clinical associate professor with the Ascension Via Christi Family Medicine Residency program, received the 2021 Gabriel Smilkstein Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Growth and Development of Family Medicine Education Throughout the World. This prestigious award is given annually to an individual whose career work exemplifies the work of Gabriel Smilkstein, one of the earliest family physicians.
MICHIGAN
Nurse creates artwork Donna Dzialo, CRNA, Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital, showcased her pandemic-inspired artwork during Art Prize, an international art competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Donna’s artwork featured various drug caps that illustrate how COVID-19 enters and infects a cell, reproducing itself multiple times over to launch its attack.
Time capsule placed inside center Following the 2021 National Day of Prayer, associates gathered at Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital in Saginaw’s new Emergency Care Center for a blessing and placement of a time capsule in a vault inside the entrance. The Mission team gathered items to place inside the capsule, which will be reopened in 50 years.
Golf events raise money The Ascension hospital foundations in mid- and northern Michigan raised more than $240,000 from summer golf events. The Ascension Genesys Charity Golf Classic raised more than $127,000. Ascension St. Mary’s Foundation raised over $72,000, while an Ascension St. Joseph Foundation golf event produced more than $30,000. Over $12,000 was generated from the Ascension Standish Development Fund golf tournament. All event proceeds support the purchase of advanced equipment for each hospital.
Novel TAVR approach presented Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is the gold standard for managing aortic valve stenosis. The structural heart team at Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital in Saginaw developed a new approach to implanting the valve and presented information at an American College of Cardiology meeting.
Halfway house under construction Ascension Michigan broke ground on the Ascension Brighton Center for Recovery Halfway House, a sober living residential facility for men and women to continue their path to lifelong recovery. Scheduled to open in summer 2022, the home will be managed by clinical addiction professionals and supervised by Ascension associates 24/7.
School-based health center opens Ascension Southeast Michigan Community Health opened its newest school-based health center at Eastwood Elementary School in Sturgis. The center will provide a wide range of clinical services including general health exams, sports physicals, laboratory and diagnostic testing, dental care and immunizations, along with behavioral health intervention and counseling.
First BSN grads Ascension Michigan nursing leadership celebrated the first graduating class of nurses from Lawrence Technological University, with several leaders participating in a pinning ceremony. Of the 26-member graduating class, 25 started careers with Ascension.
Antimicrobial stewardship designation Ascension St. John Hospital earned the Antimicrobial Stewardship Center of Excellence designation from the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Ascension St. John joined an elite group of designated institutions that define excellence in the practice and implementation of the appropriate use of antimicrobials, including antibiotics.
BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK
Diabetes Honor Roll The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association recognized Lourdes Hospital nationally for the Gold Plus with Target: Diabetes Honor Roll Get With The Guidelines award. Hospitals receiving this award have reached a goal of treating patients with 85% or higher compliance to core standard levels of care as outlined by these organizations for two consecutive calendar years.
Bishop leads prayer, reflection A pandemic crucifix was presented to the greater Binghamton community at Lourdes Hospital in a ceremony led by Bishop Douglas Lucia of the Diocese of Syracuse, New York, to offer prayer and reflection on hope and healing. The crucifix was on display at Lourdes Hospital before traveling to other Lourdes sites of care.
OKLAHOMA
Tulsa Race Massacre remembrance Ascension St. John Medical Center participated in Lighting Up Green in remembrance of the 100th anniversary of the Greenwood District of Tulsa Race Massacre. Ascension St. John associates participated in a Century Walk, which retraced the steps of Black Tulsans who fled the massacre and fire in Greenwood.
Bariatric center accredited Ascension St. John Medical Center’s bariatric surgery center was accredited as a comprehensive center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program, a joint quality program of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Top cardiology award Ascension St. John Medical Center was one of 60 hospitals nationwide to receive the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain — MI Registry Gold Performance Achievement Award for 2021.
TENNESSEE
New Dispensary of Hope site An opening ceremony was held for the Dispensary of Hope, a community pharmacy operating in collaboration with Ascension Saint Thomas River Park Hospital, in McMinnville, Tennessee. With a goal to make vital medications more affordable and accessible to those in need, the pharmacy serves low-income and uninsured residents with no-cost, or lowcost, prescription drugs. Dispensary of Hope got its start in Murfreesboro around 15 years ago and has grown to over 300 pharmacies in 40 states. This is the fifth location where Ascension Saint Thomas has partnered with Dispensary of Hope.
Surgery center unveiled New Salem Surgery Center, a joint venture of Ascension Saint Thomas, United Surgical Partners International, and physicians, opened in Murfreesboro.
Bishop Douglas Lucia and Lourdes Hospital President Kathy Connerton at the prayer ceremony.
Retired Lt. Gen. Dr. Richard Teff now serves at Ascension Medical Group Providence in Waco, Texas.
In addition to ambulatory surgery services, the center houses an Ascension Medical Group specialty clinic for urogynecology and gastroenterology.
TEXAS
Specialized delivery unit Dell Children’s Medical Center opened a specialized labor and delivery unit designed for mothers who are patients of the hospital’s Comprehensive Fetal Care Center. The unit is designed for moms who are considered low risk and whose babies have been diagnosed with a complex fetal or congenital condition; they will be able to deliver and recover in the same hospital where their newborn will receive specialized treatment and care.
Military hero provides care Richard Teff, MD, joined the Ascension Medical Group Providence Neurosurgical Clinic in Waco after serving 22 years in the military. A retired lieutenant general, Dr. Teff is the longest-deployed neurosurgeon in the U.S. medical corps, serving over two years as a neurosurgeon in a combat zone. He earned the Bronze Star for service and made national headlines with lifesaving surgeries.
Life jacket program honored Dell Children’s Medical Center’s life jacket loaner program was recognized by the Travis County Commissioners Court. Last summer marked 15 years of service for the program, which continues to enhance water safety in the community.
Sleep center opens Ascension Seton Williamson is collaborating with Texas State University Round Rock Campus on a sleep center to offer comprehensive sleep diagnostics and therapeutics to patients 12 and older in the Williamson County area with problems sleeping or staying awake or troublesome behavior during sleep.
Hospital completes benchmark program Ascension Providence in Waco was the first hospital in Texas recognized through the Edwards Benchmark program for the treatment of patients with aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement, a minimally invasive option for patients at intermediate or high risk of complications from open-heart surgery.
Clinic celebrates 500 procedures The Ascension Seton Heart Valve Clinic team completed its 500th transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure. “Our heart valve program now is the fastest growing CV [cardiovascular] subspecialty program in the network, nearly doubling our volume over the past two years,” said Mark Pirwitz, MD, Interventional Cardiology, President, Ascension Texas Heart & Vascular Institute.
WASHINGTON, DC
Celebrating 160 years Providence Health System celebrated its 160th anniversary with a special Mass with Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, and a community celebration on the Providence campus.
Imaging center opens Providence Health System expanded to meet the community need for advanced diagnostic services with the opening of Providence Diagnostic Imaging Center.
WISCONSIN
Bernie Sherry honored The Harvard Business School Club of Wisconsin honored Bernie Sherry, Senior Vice President, Ascension, and Ministry Market Executive, Ascension Wisconsin, as the Wisconsin Business Leader of the Year for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Physician serves at Olympics Armando Sanchez, MD, a family physician with Ascension Gateway Clinic, served as a boxing ringside physician during the Tokyo Olympics. He competed growing up but didn’t aspire to be a boxer. As a ringside physician, Dr. Sanchez ensured that the athletes were physically prepared to compete.
Mobile market on campus Ascension St. Joseph in Milwaukee welcomed the Hunger Task Force Mobile Market to its campus for two weeks, providing an opportunity for neighbors, patients and associates to buy healthy, affordable foods.
ASCENSION GLOBAL MISSION
Programs transition, advance After seven years, Ascension Global Mission’s initiative in Guatemala
permanently transitioned to the communities with which it worked, as planned. The Method for Collaborative Governance, an approach co-created by Ascension Global Mission, a council representing three Catholic organizations in Guatemala, and local Guatemalan communities, has been implemented in 35 communities, representing over 26,000 people. It is poised for adoption and implementation in other communities in Guatemala.
The Global Solidarity Fund (GSF), a not-for-profit organization founded by Ascension through Ascension Global Mission and seven international foundations, participated in several high-profile events including an internationally televised event, “Global Citizen’s VAX LIVE: The Concert to Reunite the World.” GSF facilitated Pope Francis’ recorded message for this event.
GSF also launched the Innovation Lab on Job Creation for Migrants and Refugees, leveraging lessons learned from work in Ethiopia. GSF continues efforts to bring together different sectors, reinforcing collaboration with leaders of international organizations in the field such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; the World Health Organization; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; and the International Labour Organization to address the needs of migrants and refugees and help them to access labor markets.
ASCENSION INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
Workshop on environment Ascension Investment Management participated on a panel at the Resource Center for Religious Institutes national conference highlighting approaches to incorporate environmental considerations into investment portfolios, informed by Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment.
ASCENSION LEADER INSTITUTE
New offerings support leaders A new Ascension Leader Institute offering, the Manager Development Series, was piloted in the spring and formally launched in the summer. This three-part series is designed to build foundational leadership capabilities for recently promoted or newly hired leaders and builds upon learnings from New Leader Orientation. Participants learn about forming cohesive teams, effectively interacting with direct reports and fostering accountability for results. Scheduling may vary due to changing staffing needs. To learn more or to schedule a cohort of 30 to 50 leaders from the same market or division, go to Ascn.io/leaderinstitute, go to the Manager Development Series page and select “Contact Us.”
ASCENSION LIVING
Repositioning for the future Ascension Living initiated significant repositioning construction projects at three communities to better utilize existing space to meet the needs of area seniors. Ascension Living Sherbrooke Village in St. Louis relocated all of its short-term rehabilitation and long-term care units to create 30 private short-stay rehabilitation rooms. The vacated space was transformed into a dedicated memory support cottage capable of serving 18 and will allow for 40 assisted living apartments and the creation of 24 independent living apartments that will offer seniors a new tiered pricing and service model.
Ascension Living Providence Village in Waco, Texas, is converting the first floor of the skilled nursing unit into four separate memory support cottages specially designed to help 40 residents maintain their independence, thrive and enjoy activities for as long as possible.
Ascension Living Bethlehem Woods Village in LaGrange Park, Illinois, is converting a portion of its assisted living community into a 20-unit memory support cottage and renovating its independent living dining room.
ASCENSION TECHNOLOGIES
Easy-to-access resources Ascension Technologies launched several self-service tools to help associates quickly resolve tech issues and questions. Associates can find general answers with the “Lucy” virtual support agent, reset passwords with Password Reset Station, search basic
Global Solidarity Fund (GSF) leaders attend a private audience with Pope Francis during meetings in Rome, including Anthony Tersigni, Board Chair of Ascension Capital, LLC, and Chair of the GSF Board; Sr. Kathy Brazda, CSJ, GSF Advisory Board member and Chair of Ascension Global Mission Board; and Susan Huber, President, Ascension Global Mission and GSF Board Treasurer.
computer fixes using the Optibot Healing Station desktop app or connect with a Service Desk agent using Google Chat. Information about these tools and more is on the Technology page of the Good Day Ascension Intranet, under Resources.
ASCENSION VENTURES
New investments Ascension Ventures announced several new investments, including Community Psychiatry, a multisite provider of in-network, outpatient mental health services; Vori Health, which offers a comprehensive care management solution for patients suffering from musculoskeletal conditions; and an early-stage gene therapy company. Several other portfolio companies raised capital recently, including Syapse, Imperative Care and Olive AI.
CLINICAL & NETWORK SERVICES
Metrics provide quality, safety focus In alignment with Ascension’s Strategic Plan, Clinical & Network Services and Ascension’s National Quality Team have prioritized Total Quality Care (TQC) metrics. By honing in on these key metrics, the National Quality Team will be able to provide more targeted assessments and develop education per Ministry Markets electronic health records’ needs and clinician workflows to assist with documentation. In addition, a newly enhanced TQC dashboard will incorporate filters for various populations, including payer and social determinants of health such as age and race, allowing clinicians to better personalize care for patients.
COMMUNITY HEALTH MINISTRIES
Children receive school supplies Seton Center in Kansas City, Missouri, held its annual Back to School program for needy neighborhood children. With the help of volunteers and donors from St. Thomas More Parish, each child selected a new backpack and received grade-appropriate school supplies. Children also received new underclothes and socks to start the new school year.
MEDXCEL
Virtual celebration for efforts Using teamwork and ingenuity, Medxcel worked alongside its partners across Ascension to provide associates with safe and healthy environments throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. To recognize those efforts, many Medxcel associates joined in a virtual celebration to reflect on Medxcel’s achievements, service commitments and efforts.
THE RESOURCE GROUP
Customer experience program begins For The Resource Group, it’s important to deliver financial and operational results in support of Ascension’s Mission through a foundational yet simple focus on kindness, hospitality and the customer experience. The Resource Group began a Kindness & Hospitality Program to equip its associates with a practical framework to approach every interaction with awareness, empathy, compassion and understanding, and continually improve the customer experience.
Learn more about Ascension at ascension.org.
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WE ARE ASCENSION
Joseph Ruiz,
Maintenance Mechanic III Medxcel
For many associates across Ascension, furthering their education has had a positive impact and helped them advance their careers. A good example is Joseph Ruiz, who recently completed his bachelor’s degree in business management. Joseph is a Maintenance Mechanic III who has served at AMITA Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, Illinois, for three years. Joseph ensures the safe operation of critical facilities equipment including boilers, chillers and medical air systems.
“Earning my degree was something I’ve wanted to accomplish for a long time,” he said. “As many people would say, ‘life happens,’ and years fly by. Not only did it further my own education but it also served as an empowerment for my daughter and to show the importance of education.
“The knowledge I learned in pursuing my degree is invaluable. The methods I use that implement strong inclusion and teamwork have helped our team tremendously. My hope is that in my career with Medxcel I can continue to grow and learn all that I can, not only to support my fellow co-workers but also to better serve our facilities and people.”
Joseph shared advice for those considering training and growth opportunities: “Do not let the fears of finances or time hold you back! Embrace that fear and turn it into strength to push forward and achieve your successes.”
