Stories from the Heart | April-May 2021

STORIES from the

HEART INSPIRING STORIES OF PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE The life-changing care Ascension Sacred Heart provides has touched the hearts of many who strive to ensure that this incredible mission of care continues for future generations. Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation is proud to be a partner in this endeavor. Please enjoy these ”Stories from the Heart.”

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STORIES

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HEART

Introducing Ascension Sacred Heart Bay’s

Regional Clinical Education Center For over 70 years, Ascension Sacred Heart Bay (ASH Bay) has been a pillar of the Panama City community and its environs.

It was nearly destroyed when Hurricane Michael ravaged the Florida Panhandle in October 2018, but despite personal challenges, its heroic staff evacuated patients and provided emergency care throughout the storm and its aftermath.

Hurricane Michael devastated this awardwinning facility. The only Level II Trauma Center between Pensacola and Tallahassee, it is a designated Primary Stroke Center of Excellence, and its cardiac catheterization laboratory received the American Heart Association’s Gold Award. It has been recognized as a “Best Hospital for Safety and Quality” among hospitals with fewer than 150 beds.

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With ASH Bay’s prestigious background and historic commitment to the community, the restoration process began quickly as dedicated clinicians and caregivers continued to provide critical emergency services. The structure literally was rebuilt around them.

Ascension Sacred Heart was committed to bringing Bay back better than ever by adding new clinical services and enhancing existing ones. The rebuilding incorporated the technological infrastructure required to support the upgrades and additions that leadership envisioned.

As a result of this future-thinking planning, ASH Bay has embarked on a project that will impact the quality of nursing care for generations: the creation of a Regional Clinical Education Center (RCEC)

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that provides a comprehensive training experience for every nurse joining the Ascension Sacred Heart team in that region. It combines lectures, skills modeling and real-life simulations using computerdriven manikins.

In short, the next level of nursing care and clinical education has come to life on Bay’s campus this year.

At 5,515 square feet, the RCEC encompasses half of the newly refurbished and upgraded Medical Office Building’s second floor. It is an all-inclusive educational setting unlike any between Pensacola and Jacksonville. Its capabilities allow all nurses to have identical experiences and preparation, whether they have been in the profession for 20 years or just received their degrees. It is designed to teach and train,

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providing real-time, hands-on clinical and teamwork experiences.

Traditionally, new staff at any business or organization receive a one- or two-day orientation, then go to work. The RCEC employs a holistic methodology of “onboarding,” taking into account the importance of each nurse and clinical staff member as a person.

It is at least a yearlong process, including classroom and handson involvement guided by nurse educators while also featuring the latest instructional technologies.

Mentoring is a critical part of the process.

The RCEC’s program promotes shared, identical experiences and training through simulations, small group discussions, hands-on skills practice and Electronic Health Record (EHR) documentation training.

Simulations have a wide range, including falls, depression, diabetic emergencies, heart failure, strokes and end of life situations. EHRs, essential to patient care from beginning to end, ensure seamless transitions if patients need to be transferred to another Ascension facility.

A centerpiece of the RCEC are highfidelity manikins — extraordinary pieces of equipment, programmable for dozens of real-life situations and emergencies. The manikins can simulate breathing and respond to physical interventions such as CPR or the application of a defibrillator. They can also react to the administration of drugs and medications.

Completing the RCEC are two skills rooms for hands-on training, a lecture hall, computer lab, offices and break rooms for students and staff. The computer lab is designed so that it can be divided into two rooms, both with full video observation capabilities.

The RCEC has nine faculty members drawn from the educational staffs at

ASH Bay, Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast and Ascension Sacred Heart Gulf. Classes also are taught virtually to take full advantage of the talents and experience of some of the best nurses on the Gulf Coast.

Technicians dedicated to the Center oversee the computer lab and all technology. Once the RCEC is fully operational, recently graduated nurses participate in a Residency Program, and those planning to specialize can apply for the Fellowship Program. Both curricula will be implemented this year.

In addition to onboarding new nurses, the Center offers continuing education for all nurses and clinical staff.

The cost for this special training facility was substantial, approximately $750,000. We are blessed to be part of Ascension, which provided $250,000 toward the technological infrastructure and construction costs.

The remaining $500,000 must be raised through philanthropy. As has been the case many times over the past 70 years, we will again ask the community to partner with us to create the RCEC. The result will impact patients and staff alike.

This impact is best described by Terrie Fontenot, MSN, RN, CENP, System Chief Nursing Officer, Ascension Florida: “Across the entire healthcare continuum, no groups have a greater impact than our nurses and clinical support staff. The care they provide every day is second to none. Our new RCEC will provide them with the skills and tools to bring an even higher level of care to our patients. New nurses will be better prepared, have less anxiety and have an established professional support network when they assume their duties. Quality and safety will be improved, turnover reduced, and the joy of our profession will rise to the fore. Therefore, every Ascension Sacred Heart patient, regardless of location, will receive the same level of superior care.”

A MESSAGE FROM CAROL CARLAN St. Francis of Assisi said, “Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”

The personalized, compassionate care provided by our nurses is one of the most valued aspects of Ascension Sacred Heart’s health ministry. The future of quality nursing in our communities is here with the construction of a Regional Clinical Education Center (RCEC) at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay. The RCEC offers a new, in-depth form of training, including residencies and fellowships, for many nurses new to Ascension Florida, laying the groundwork for an even higher level of patient care. Substantial philanthropic support is needed to help meet the significant costs associated with the project. Our Stories from the Heart features all the details of this exciting endeavor.

Emergency pediatric services at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast have recently been expanded, as another of our Stories explains.

This means more sick and injured children will be treated close to home; and when necessary, they have ready access to the specialized care provided by Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart.

Aaron Ball’s Story from the Heart tells of his personal experience with Ascension Sacred Heart, where his beloved grandmother received care that “really was a ministry.” Aaron is a valued member of our Foundation Board and the entrepreneurial co-founder of MediaTech Direct.

I extend my gratitude to those who made possible this year’s Virtual Mall Ball. It was a challenging feat and a rousing success. Many thanks to the presenting sponsor, Sandy Sansing Dealerships, and to the additional generous sponsors that made the event possible. We look forward to an in-person celebration in 2022.

In keeping with the words of St. Francis — and again thanks to our committed donors — we are making possible what seemed impossible for those we serve.

Carol Carlan President, Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation

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STORIES

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Preserving the past for a brighter future Aaron Ball recalls sitting on the sunlit back porch of his great grandmother’s farmhouse as a young boy in Andalusia, Alabama, listening intently as the old family camcorder recorded her. His father asked the good-natured matriarch questions about her life lessons from difficult times, about her fondest memories, and about the most meaningful family heirlooms. “Back porch interviews,” as Aaron calls them, are a primary technique he now uses to capture authentic and compelling stories as an archivist and communications consultant. He explains, “The term is personal archiving. It’s about capturing details that are meaningful to individuals and companies, organizing them, and preserving the best of your culture to inspire the next generation.”

Aaron is the co-founder of MediaTech Direct, Inc., a business that accomplishes this goal of archiving through consulting and publishing, using innovative technology that combines print and video. Aaron’s company, co-founded with his business partner in Melbourne, Australia, offers photo books and brochures that feature an ultra-thin video screen built inside.

Aaron has served as a member of the Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation board for two years, an involvement he considers an honor, particularly in light of his recent personal experience.

He saw firsthand the quality and depth of personalized treatment provided by Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital when his beloved, 90-year-old grandmother was admitted. “Every member of her care team looked after my grandmother with genuine concern and compassion,” says Aaron. “Her care really was a ministry, and that’s what sets Ascension Sacred Heart apart.”

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Aaron is a vocal advocate for Ascension Sacred Heart. He feels it’s important to frequently remind people that 100% of every dollar donated goes directly to help people in need, which is very rare: “Donors never pay for administrative costs to run the Foundation.” Aaron has published a number of personal videos online highlighting donor dollars at work — including the opening of the Studer Family Children’s Hospital. He describes his volunteer experiences with the Foundation as an invaluable opportunity to learn first-hand from the “gold standard” of area philanthropic organizations. Looking to the future, Aaron hopes the Foundation will “lean in” to even greater collaboration with causes throughout the community, saying, “We grow by helping others grow. There is no other group that has the contacts, resources and generous donor base that our Foundation has.”

When not building business, Aaron lives as closely as possible to the farming lifestyle of his heritage. He and his young family reside on a 15-acre pecan orchard and animal sanctuary in Molino, Florida, which also serves as an outdoor gathering space for weddings and private events. “Family Orchard Farms is becoming a restorative destination that welcomes people from all walks of life,” he says, “especially during difficult times like these.”

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Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast expands pediatric emergency care Families in Walton County and Destin in need of emergency care for their children now can find it closer to home.

As of Dec. 14, 2020, Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast (ASH Emerald Coast) began offering expanded pediatric services within the emergency department, closely supported by Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart. This new partnership allows for more direct connections between the expanded pediatric services in Miramar Beach and the specialists at Children’s Hospital, the region’s only state-of- theart facility dedicated to the care of infants and children.

“Each year, our Miramar Beach campus cares for more than 4,900 children in the emergency room,” said Henry Stovall, regional president of Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast. “We want to ensure those children have a smooth and positive experience, plus ready access to highquality, specialized care at our Children’s Hospital in Pensacola. This expansion of children’s services in our community will

help us to grow the care we are able to provide locally.”

Because children’s medical needs are vastly different from those of adults, the expansion features advanced equipment specially designed for diagnosing and treating medical emergencies in kids. Four treatment rooms and three Ascension observation rooms are staffed by boardcertified, emergency care physicians available 24/7 to deliver child-centric, life-saving services.

The ASH Emerald Coast team, which has received additional training from pediatric critical care specialists, also has been instructed in how to make the caregiving experience as child-friendly as possible.

When necessary, medical transportation services are available through the Children’s Hospital to bring the critically ill or injured to its location in Pensacola, where specialized areas of pediatrics, such as surgery, are accessible.

Ultimately, the expanded services for children at ASH Emerald Coast mean

that emergency care is available right in the community where children live, learn and play. The convenience of this improved access can make a difference in the outcome of their recovery. In addition, parents no longer face the stressful drive of an hour or more when their kids need immediate medical intervention.

Will Condon, president of Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart, says, “As we continue to grow our children’s hospital services, we’re working hard to bring specialized healthcare closer to the communities we serve. With expanded pediatric services in Miramar Beach, fewer children and babies will need to be transferred to the Children’s Hospital in Pensacola for observation. They can be kept home in their community. This means greater convenience, improved access to healthcare and ultimately better outcomes for families of sick and injured kids.”

This expansion of pediatric services within the ED follows the opening of a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Emerald Coast in the spring of 2020.

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A HUGE THANK YOU SPONSORS! You made our Cordova Virtual Mall Ball Event possible & successful.

PRESENTING

PLATINUM

PURPLE

SILVER

SWAG BAG

SILENT AUCTION

IN-KIND SPONSORS PLATINUM

SILVER

GREEN Florida Blue Mickelson Construction Services Pete Moore Automotive Team Synovus Bank Studer Foundation

GREEN AT

Evergreen Printing and Mailing Fast Signs

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PANDA EXPRESS 2020 TOTAL

ACE HARDWARE HOLIDAY ROUND UP Through the holidays, Ace Hardware participated in a holiday round up campaign to raise money for the kids at Studer Family Children’s Hospital. Through their monthlong efforts, Ace Hardware locations along the Gulf Coast raised over $6,484 to help children and families in our community. Thank you, Ace Hardware, for your ongoing dedication to Studer Family Children’s Hospital!

Although 2020 has been a challenging year for many, our friends at Panda Express stepped up in a big way to help sick and injured children in our community. Panda Express is a partner of Children’s Miracle Network and fundraises year-round for Studer Family Children’s Hospital.

Donations are collected at Panda Express locations along the Gulf Coast through round up, cash donations and an associate giving campaign. In 2020, Panda Express raised over $86,000 for the kids. We are so thankful to partner with Panda Express, and we can’t wait to see how they help change lives in the years to come.

ABOUT THE ASCENSION SACRED HEART FOUNDATION Since 1915, Ascension Sacred Heart has been at the heart of healing for Northwest Florida and South Alabama. Like our founders, the Daughters of Charity, Ascension Sacred Heart is dedicated to providing quality, compassionate healthcare to the citizens of our regions, regardless of their ability to pay. This steadfast commitment to our community could not have been achieved without the support and generosity of the thousands of individuals, businesses and organizations that have donated to Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation. Through this charitable giving, Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation has been able to provide millions of dollars of free and low-cost healthcare to the poor, uninsured, under-insured and low-income families. With the help of generous donors, we are proud to partner in Ascension Sacred Heart’s mission of care along the Gulf Coast.

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STORIES

SPONSORED REPORT

from the

Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation Board of Directors HEART

2020-2021

JUSTIN A. BECK CHAIR

STEVE CLARK VICE CHAIR

MICHAEL BAGGETT SECRETARY

JAMES HOSMAN TREASURER

MICHAEL JOHNSON PAST CHAIR

CEO Beck Partners

CEO New School Selling

Senior Financial Advisor Senior V.P. Wealth Mgmt, Mazenko / Baggett Group

Market President Centennial Bank

Owner State Farm Insurance

FOUNDATION STAFF HOPE BRADFORD DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR hope.bradford@ascension.org H. WESLEY “WES” REEDER PAST CHAIR

Managing Partner Emmanuel, Sheppard & Condon

AARON BALL MEMBER

AUTUMN BLACKLEDGE MEMBER

NINA HESS CAMPBELL MEMBER

President Ballpoint Communications Group

Owner Autumn Beck Blackledge, Pllc

Design Associate Aqua Décor & Design

CAROL CARLAN PRESIDENT carol.carlan@ascension.org EMILY IOAKIM CMN COORDINATOR emily.ioakim@ascension.org JANET PIEPUL DIRECTOR, MAJOR GIFTS / PLANNED GIVING janet.piepul@ascension.org

PAMELA S. HEINOLD MEMBER

JUSTIN T. HOLMAN, ESQ MEMBER

SISTER ELLEN KRON, DC MEMBER

JANE LAUTER MEMBER

Broker Associate Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate

The Holman Law Firm

Daughters of Charity

President The Kugelman Family Foundation

CORTLANDT ROCES DEVELOPMENT ANALYST cortlandt.roces@ascension.org JENNIFER SABA ANNUAL GIVING COORDINATOR jennifer.saba@ascension.org TARRA TALBERT FINANCE SPECIALIST tarra.talbert@ascension.org GILLIAN WARD EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT gillian.ward@ascension.org

RIC NICKELSEN MEMBER

Vice President, Commercial Lending Smartbank

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WES PAYNE MEMBER

KERRY ANNE SCHULTZ, ESQ. MEMBER

Partner Schultz Law Group

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MALLORY STUDER MEMBER

Marketing & Branding Manager Bodacious Shops

LISA WAINWRIGHT DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR lisa.wainwright@ascension.org