C E L E B R AT I N G L I V E S O F P U R P O S E
WINTER ISSUE 2021
BORN TO BE ALIVE
Woman Dies and Comes Back to Life on Her Birthday
COVID-19 ONE YEAR LATER:
Reflecting on the Tragedies and Triumphs that Revealed the Best of Us
MENTAL WELLNESS
5 Tips for Coping with Stress
2 | Methodist Magazine
CONTENTS 4
From the Editor
5
Staff Shout Outs
6 8
Guest Columnist: The COVID Experience as Told by a Charge Nurse COVID-19 One Year Later: Reflecting on the Tragedies and Triumphs that Revealed the Best of Us
10
Healthy Recipes and Food-Prepping Tips
12
Patient Stories
14
Mental Wellness: 5 Tips for Coping with Stress
16
A Word From Our Chaplain: Your Light
17
Patient Testimonial
18
Growth and Development
19
Allergic Reactions to COVID-19 Vaccines are Rare
20
Leadership and Development Opportunities
DEAR METHODIST HEALTHCARE FAMILY, I am pleased to introduce the inaugural edition of Methodist Magazine, an internal communication designed to celebrate the truly remarkable people of Methodist Healthcare and to share the numerous accomplishments achieved across the organization. From hospital accreditations and facility expansions, to medical advancements and patient stories that have captured hearts and minds across the globe, it is important to keep you informed. We are quite blessed to have so much worldclass expertise across of variety of service lines and departments within our system. Our community benefits greatly from the capabilities, skill and knowledge of our physicians and staff, but that insight should also be shared with all colleagues to improve the lives of our healthcare heroes. In Methodist Magazine, we will share healthy recipes from our registered dieticians, inspirational words of encouragement from our chaplains, health education from physicians and medical staff to encourage optimal lifestyle choices, and tips from behavioral health specialists to keep us all mindful of the critical importance of tending to our mental well-being.
Staff at Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak have found innovative ways to celebrate our patients’ birthdays. Speaking of mental well-being, to express that the events over the last year have taken a tremendous toll on our community and staff would be an understatement. You have overcome obstacles we couldn’t have dreamt of a year ago. Extended shifts and overtime that brought physical and mental exhaustion, constant uncertainties dealt by a deadly pandemic, and the unique trials encountered as staff became surrogate mothers and fathers or husbands and wives to comfort ailing patients that were losing their battle amidst strict COVID-19 visitation - these were all mountains to climb. And climb you did, never looking back. While our work is challenging, it a blessing to be called upon to fulfill our mission of Serving Humanity to Honor God, and I am grateful for the choice you make each day to uphold that mission. This magazine was inspired by each of you for the courage you have shown over the course of the last year and long, long before. This is a place to celebrate you and what you stand for. That is why, in every issue, you will see an employee on the cover. Out of everything curated inside these pages, you and your stories will always be center stage. Thank you for all you have given of yourself, especially over the course of this pandemic and for choosing to be a part of the Methodist Healthcare family. I hope you enjoy this publication and I look forward to reading all about you. Blessings on you and your work,
Allen Harrison President and CEO Methodist Healthcare Winter Issue 2021 | 3
4 | Methodist Magazine
FROM THE EDITOR Welcome to the first edition of Methodist Magazine. It is an internal communication, so yes—we will do a lot of communicating, but more importantly, we will listen. As the Director of Corporate Communications, I have had the privilege of retelling several poignant patient stories over the years, trying to do justice by the employees behind the scenes making each precious moment possible. But I could never portray the inspiring events that unfold in our hospitals the way that you could. That is why I invite you to share your experiences with us and with your peers. Every day, you find ways to make the ugliness beautiful. Your experiences and that of the people you care for move us and make us reflect on our own lives, particularly our blessings. Sometimes those stories are triumphant, highlighting a day won against disease and we want to celebrate alongside you. Other times those stories are stirring, reflecting how difficult the business of caring for other humans can be, and we want to support you. If you have a story to share, we’d love to hear it. Every issue will feature a “Guest Columnist” so staff can share their experiences in their own words. Not comfortable writing? That’s ok. We’d be happy to interview you and write a story on your behalf. Either way, please reach out to us at MethodistCommunications@ MHShealth.com. Thank you so much for everything that you do for this community. We look forward to hearing from you! Cheri Love-Moceri Director of Corporate Communications
“
As we continue our journey through the COVID era, I seldom have a day without learning or seeing the extraordinary work of our team at Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan. When compliments are offered by nurses to nurses, I find them even more powerful. Early in January,
FATIMA EL MAANAOUI, RN, BSN
was asked to float to a COVID floor, assigned to take care of several patients, one of whom was declining. During Fatima’s long 12 hour shift, she became close to her patient and learned how much this particular patient was worried about dying alone. At the end of the shift, the unfortunate decline turned into a “Code” situation, during which Fatima’s altruistic actions led her to stay beyond her shift, holding this patient’s hand after a long code. Fatima calmly helped all team members on this nursing unit. After all, Fatima was working outside her home nursing unit but her magnanimous nature overrode her defined shift hours and led her to stay on the unit for a total of 16 hours, helping everyone while keeping a self-promise not to leave this patient to die alone. Fatima learned the patient’s wishes first-hand and was vehemently supportive during our patient’s journey into the after-life. I am deeply proud to be leading a team where nurses like Fatima come to work every day with compassion and utmost love.” —Chadi Awad, MBA, RN, MSN, NEA-BC Chief Nursing Officer | Patient Safety Officer Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan
“
ASHLEY CORMIER
is one of our social workers who has taken on not only our littlest patients (NICU), but is learning what to do for adults who are part of our oldest patients. She takes this all in stride and does an amazing job covering our 2nd floor.” —Marilyn Daniels, MSN, RN Admin Director of Case Management Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak
STAFF SHOUT OUTS
“
TAYLOR HIDALGO
was a bedside ICU nurse at the beginning of this pandemic and was one of the first nurses who stepped up and volunteered to take COVID positive patients. She set aside her fears and because of nurses like her, soon our staff became more and more comfortable stepping out of their comfort zone. As the second wave of COVID began to surge, Taylor stepped up and became a Charge Nurse, helping manage the COVID ICU’s. She worked with every department to ensure that each patient received the highest quality of care. Taylor knew each patient by name and ensured that staff communicated with family to keep them updated on their progress. Taylor has become a trusted leader in our ICU and COVID ICU because she leads her team with strength, compassion and grace. I know our nurses and patients feel safer because of exceptional nurses like Taylor Hidalgo.” —Brianna Holmes-Swenson Manager of Intensive Care Methodist Hospital | Northeast
“
GEORGIA BUDJENSKA, RN
is a true example of our ICARE values. She took some time on her day off to say hello to one of our pediatric patients, who has had some challenging days. She did this in a unique way by walking with her dog along the path on the UT campus and waving to the patient, while the patient was at the window. What a great way to cheer up and encourage one of our patients. Thank you Georgia for your excellent, compassionate care, and for going above and beyond!” —Rebecca Baca Director of Pediatric Surgical Unit Methodist Children’s Hospital
PEER PRAISE Want to recognize a peer? Please email us at MethodistCommunications@MHSHealth.com and tell us about your coworker!
“
I would like to recognize
LUIS GOMEZ, ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AIDE
for his admirable commitment to service at Methodist Hospital | South. His devotion to his craft has proven to be a great asset to our hospital as he provides a clean and safe environment for our patients to heal and is always seeking to enhance their stay with us. Luis truly goes above and beyond daily; he prays with our patients, provides them with crossword puzzles, and so much more. His compassion, care, and commitment to the well-being of our patients, their families, and our staff is a true inspiration.” —Osvaldo Rosado Director of Environmental Services Methodist Hospital | South
Winter Issue 2021 | 5
GUEST COLUMNIST KIRSTEN TRACY
Registered Nurse Methodist Healthcare
“When COVID first hit, I was a Surgical Progressive Care RN who knew nothing about telemetry, various oxygen sources, or charging. My first assignment was in Long Island, NY, followed by various units here at Methodist, and recently going to El Paso when it started to spike there in October. I am now back home working as a newly trained telemetry nurse on 6 South as one of their designated charge nurses, realizing what a year of growth this has been. In my time caring for patients with COVID, I have
had some incredible highs as well as some heartbreaking lows. My fondest memory is the celebration of a patient going home after four long months in the hospital during which he got critical myopathy, unable to move so much as a finger, and had a tracheostomy. His discharge was particularly special though because he not only had his trach removed prior to discharge, but was also able to take a couple steps again. Working on COVID units has also left me with some of my hardest shifts ever, both physically and emotionally in my three years as a nurse. Each patient is special, but one challenge in particular has stuck out the most: holding the hand of my patient, a new widow, as she watched her husband’s funeral via FaceTime.
Shortly after arriving to shift when I was charging on 8 South, I took a phone call from a family member worried about her grandmother. She informed me that her grandfather, my patient’s husband, had just passed away the prior week from COVID and his funeral was that day. They wanted to know if she could leave the hospital for the funeral and return after, but unfortunately, that was not an option. I told them I had an iPhone, and we could FaceTime during the funeral so she could say her goodbyes. My director overheard and was able to track down a tablet for a larger screen – this was before all the COVID units had tablets on them for Face Timing families. I struggled with deciding how to proceed though. Do I set up the FaceTime and then give her privacy, ultimately leaving her to attend her husband’s funeral alone? Or do I stay by her side, giving her the hand of a stranger to hold? Neither option seemed adequate. I left the decision up to her and we ended up attending the funeral together while my director watched the unit. I sat there silently, holding her hand during the procession. When it came time to walk up to the casket to say goodbye, she began crying and said she wasn’t ready. I told her family to stay seated. After a couple of minutes, she looked at me and whispered she was 6 | Methodist Magazine
Winter Issue 2021 | 7
ready, so I directed her family to go ahead and approach the casket so she could say her final goodbye. Together, we prayed over him, cried over him, and I sat next to her as she told him how much she loved him. When it was over, I left the tablet in her room so she could continue Face Timing her daughters so she would not be alone as I went back out on the unit. I’ve comforted nurses who found out their own coworker lost the battle to COVID, taking shifts for them so they could have time off to heal. I have fought back tears as I participated in a code on a patient who I not only cared for days prior, but also got to know the names of their spouse and kids, and what they looked forward to most when they went home. Before having time to process the loss, you get called into
yet another room where yet another patient is decompensating fast and you are right back in another rapid, doing everything you can to keep them alive. There is no doubt that there is a lot to process and cope with when working on the COVID units that learning good self-care methods has become vital. The key for me to decompress has really been spending 30 minutes after each shift with calm and silent time to process the events of the day in a bath. This is followed by mediation-led sleep apps to help turn my mind off to the events of the day. My days off are spent snuggling my animals more and really focus on doing things I enjoy such as going on hikes with my husband or getting massages.
As difficult as some days can be on COVID units, I go back willing and ready each day because the difference each person makes is crucial in a patient’s recovery. Everyone makes a difference and everyone has something to add to improve overall care. Each facility and unit I work on, we grow and adapt, implementing things learned from prior assignments in order to make each one safer than the last. Each day is a new day and the collaboration of new ideas to care for these patients is key! All ideas are welcome to help keep this care safe and to see more people win the battle and go home.
My advice to anyone joining the front lines and helping on a COVID unit is to come ready to adapt and speak up with any concerns or ideas on how to continue to improve care for these patients. During this unprecedented time, new eyes and new ideas are vital in continuing to improve their care. When you feel like you aren’t making a difference, remember that
the smallest thing you do can make the world of a difference for these patients and their families. The FaceTime you help them make may be the last time they see their loved ones, the time spent just talking to them may be the compassion they need to continue fighting, and the hand you give them to hold may be the crucial reminder to know they are not alone.“ —Kirsten Tracy
COVID-19 ONE YEAR LATER: REFLECTING ON THE TRAGEDIES AND TRIUMPHS THAT REVEALED THE BEST OF US February 11. For most, this date marks the birthday of George Washington. Others associate it with “National Friend Day” and for some- it just means From left to right: we’re three short days away from Valentine’s Day and Juan Flores still have no clue what to get our significant other. (EVS Associate), But for Methodist Healthcare, February 11, 2020, Dr. Bravein symbolizes the day that would re-chart our course Amalakuhan, forever, the day we received the first documented Stephen Gudowski COVID-19 positive patient in all of Texas. Who could (RN) have ever imagined what the next 364 days would hold? Perhaps not since the Ebola outbreak in 2014 had we been confronted by a mystery illness that not only caused public panic, but bewildered an entire globe of physicians, scientists, and infection prevention specialists. Now imagine making a decision to walk into a room hosting that unknown illness, a disease that would go on to kill 3.4 million people worldwide. Imagine making that choice, knowing so little about this malady that amidst the 8 | Methodist Magazine
discomfort of unanswered questions, lay an abyss of far more questions we didn’t even know should be asked. For Dr. Bravein Amalakuhan, the first physician to care for the first documented patient, had many questions. ”Treatments were unproven and I wondered how I could help these patients survive this illness and get them back to their families. I had so many thoughts such as, “Could I possibly get infected also? And if I did, will I survive? Should I go home or rent an apartment/hotel room to quarantine and protect my family? Do I have enough life insurance?” Dr. Amalakuhan ultimately harnessed what he called a “nervous excitement” to do what needed to be done. “Nervousness because it was unknown how infectious the virus was at that time and how deadly it could possibly be. The excitement came from understanding that we were receiving the first documented COVID positive in Texas and one of
only a handful of known positives in the country. This was before COVID-19 even was a term. There was so just much to learn.” It took a team of several talented, brave individuals to mastermind the care plan for our first patient. From the careful orchestration of safe transport from Lackland Air Force Base and the countless protective measures put in place, to the scrutiny of PPE practices and the integrity used to ensure they were effective, staff from across the system worked around the clock to face this crisis head-on. Stephen Gudowski, RN, a charge nurse in the ER that day, did just that. “I truly do believe as health care personnel and providers, that we sign up for this,” he said. “We aren’t allowed to close our doors for anything.” As the first nurse to care for the State’s first positive patient, Gudowski didn’t think twice about accepting the risk to himself to care for his patient. “As nurses, our first instinct is to go and help, and to impact as many people as we possibly can in a positive manner.” He did however, understand the risk he was assuming and was grateful for the infection prevention specialist by his side, looking out for his safety. “She was there with us and helping me to make sure I was following the correct protocols to protect myself so I can adequately take care of my patient safely,” he said. Strictly following PPE protocols were an obvious key to minimizing the risk of spread, but just as important was the disinfection of the rooms and equipment. Environmental Services has always played a vital role in the care of patients, but has largely been an unsung hero in the healthcare arena. Juan Flores, EVS Associate at Texsan, knew it would take more that doctors and nurses to address this pandemic and he was honored to do his part. “I was a little nervous at first, but I trusted my leaders and the PPE I was provided. I knew I’d be okay.” Flores said he was confident in his training having been required to wear that level of PPE previously and knew the impact he was making. “My role is important and I am really proud to be a part of history.” When asked what he’s learned from this unique experience, Flores commented “That when we all work together, we can do great things.” Indeed. Case in point: Almost a year since the roller coaster of emotion began, hope finally arrived in December by way of a small glass vile. Just as our incredible physicians, nurses, therapists, EVS associates, and more have dedicated their lives to caring for our community affected by this pandemic, others with support roles in the system have done their part to care for them. To date, 62% of our employee population has received the long-anticipated COVID-19 vaccine. This has been no easy feat, requiring around-the-clock efforts to stand
up two vaccine clinics, ready to administer thousands of doses. This milestone took the ingenuity and elbow grease of several people operating within the “Command Center”, a group of individuals that each possess a special expertise that serves in times of emergency, but we’ll save all those details for next time. For now, we should recognize several key individual who masterminded the operations of our vaccine clinics. Rosa Lozano, AVP of Infection Prevention, Janelle Lopez, ACOO at Methodist Hospital, Piotr Gorecki, Assistant Administrator at Methodist Hospital, Lynne Vandewalle, Director of Occupational Health for Employee Health, Chris Dunbar, COO at Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak, Minerva Gorjon, VP of HR Field Ops, Natalie Vasquez Smith, AVP Project Management, and Adrianna Hatch, RN, Employee Health/Case Manager at Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak, all played instrumental roles in the success of our COVID-19 vaccine clinics. “It took a small army to operationalize our clinics, but with the leadership of this team, we were able to stand up two clinics to seamlessly vaccinate over 6,700 employees in record time,” said Barry Burns, Regional VP of Human Resources. “Their ability to work with an interdisciplinary group of leaders throughout the system was extremely valuable.” Referring to the impactful work being performed in these clinics as “a historical experience,” Hatch said, “We are making a change in society. We are saving lives through a different aspect. We may not be at the bedside, but we are keeping people from being hospitalized.” For many, receiving the COVID-19 vaccines is an emotional experience. Hatch describes the excitement seen in the faces of everyone from 20 to 90 years-old. “You are sitting here watching these giant gaps in generations who all come in and want to work together,” she says. “We are all pitching in trying to help each other out and keep each other safe.” And on this anniversary, let us not forget the moving support from our community. “I’ve had more patients and their family members when they check in recognize us and ask us how we are doing and our families are doing even with us being on the front lines, it’s kind of reassuring that even during these chaotic times, people still care about other people,” Gudowski said. A simple, universal truth is that no matter what comes our way or how difficult the challenge at hand may be, we are better together. As long as we lead with our humanity to care for one another, there is nothing to keep us from reaching the other side. You have all played a role in the response to COVID-19 and we wouldn’t’ have sent over 10,000 patients home to reunite with their loved ones without you. Thank you. Winter Issue 2021 | 9
HEALTHY RECIPES AND FOOD-PREPPING TIPS WITH ANALICIA MIRELES
Dietitian at Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan
BENEFITS OF MEAL-PREPPING • Eating more meals at home allows you to control of what is in your food (ex: less fat, less sugar). • It is cost-effective due to not eating out as much. • You’ll be less tempted to grab an unhealthy meal if you already have food ready to eat. • You can feel a sense of stress relief and accomplishment for practicing healthier living.
TIPS FOR MEAL-PREPPING • Make a plan – planning for the week helps you decide on which foods to buy at the grocery store. • Keep staple items in the house that you use frequently in your meals. • Schedule time to plan and prepare your meals. • Use appliances you have to cook multiple items at once to save time (Ex: Instant Pot, slow cooker, rice cooker, air fryer). • Portion foods out using food scales and measuring cups or spoons. • Batch cook recipes – double the recipe so you can eat one after cooking it and freeze the rest. • Use convenient products when you can like pre-cut vegetables, or frozen fruits and vegetables. • Prepare the part of the recipe that takes the most time on your meal prep day, and then on the day you plan on serving the meal, finish up the recipe. For example, you could make a homemade marinara sauce on your meal prep day, and then on the day you plan on eating the marinara sauce, boil up the whole wheat noodles. Meal prepping does not always mean cooking the food entirely; you can cook part of the recipe to titer down your overall cooking time. • Collect recipes that you like and keep them together, so you have ideas for future meals.
10 | Methodist Magazine
Winter Issue 2021 | 11
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT • Mason jars with reusable lids • Glass containers with air-tight lids that have sections or compartments to separate foods • Freezer Ziploc bags • Tape and a permanent marker for labeling your prepared meals and the date you prepared them “The baked apple overnight oats and class turkey chili recipes are two recipes that can be easily prepped for the week! Fun fact, the chia seeds in the baked apple overnight oats recipe provide dietary fiber, heart-healthy fats, and plant-based protein.” Analicia Mireles, Dietician, Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan
INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup rolled oats 1 tablespoon chia seeds 1 tablespoon almond butter (optional) ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt ½ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk or oat milk Optional 1-2 tsp maple syrup ¼ – ½ cup diced baked apples
INSTRUCTIONS Place oats, chia seeds, almond butter, yogurt, and milk in a mason jar and stir well (I like using a butter knife for stirring). If using maple syrup, stir into oats mixture. Option to layer, stir-in, or just top oats with baked apples. Place in fridge for at least 4 hours, but ideally overnight. Enjoy in the morning!
PATIENT STORIES BORN TO BE ALIVE: WOMAN DIES AND COMES BACK TO LIFE ON HER BIRTHDAY Irma Ybarra, a mother and grandmother, from El Paso, Texas, sings “Born to be Alive,” a song she requested be played as she went into surgery. It was the last thing she remembers before her life-saving liver transplant that happened to be scheduled on her birthday. But her birthday took a dramatic turn when she coded in her hospital room the morning of her scheduled surgery. Irma started feeling sick during the summer of 2020. She was vomiting, nauseated, her normally soft skin was rough, scaly and itchy, and her enzyme levels were severely elevated. The whites of her eyes had turned yellow. At one point, she was trembling, drooling and on the verge of passing out. After several trips to the ER and doctor visits, her doctor in El Paso realized her liver was failing. In September, they told her she needed to get to Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant in San Antonio as soon as possible because she may not have long to live. “They told me ‘If you drive there, you won’t make it. Dr. Foster and his team are expecting you,’” said Irma Ybarra. Irma’s mother and husband booked airline tickets immediately. They checked into the ER at Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant on September 21. The following day, the team ordered a stress test, lab work, EKG, and other
12 | Methodist Magazine
evaluations to determine Irma’s MELD score, which is the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease that determines the severity of a patient’s liver disease. Her scores put her at the top of the liver transplant waiting list. “We were able to complete her evaluation quickly because she was fairly young and didn’t have any prior medical problems,” said Dr. Preston Foster, medical director of the liver transplant program at Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant. “She was a high priority patient because of her high MELD Score.” The following day, they found a match for a liver donation. She was scheduled for surgery on September 24, Irma’s birthday. That morning, Irma went into cardiopulmonary arrest in her hospital room. “I was holding her, and she said ‘I feel weak.’ That’s when her eyes rolled back in her head. The nurses ran in and started chest compressions.” Irma’s mother was distraught. “I thought ‘Oh my God! My baby girl is dying in front of my eyes.’ Then the nurses asked me to step out of the room. I prayed and prayed. They brought her back. On her birthday.” It took about 30 minutes for the team to resuscitate her. Later that day, doctors determined she was still fit to receive the
Have a great story to share? We’d love to hear it! Please email us at MethodistCommunications@MHSHealth.com and you may be featured in our next issue!
scheduled transplant. The staff brought Irma balloons and sang happy birthday to her before they wheeled her off to surgery. Irma asked that they play “Born to be Alive” as she went into the OR. Irma’s liver transplant surgery was a success. “It’s a miracle really. I died and came back to life on my birthday. Dr. Foster gave me the best birthday present ever,” said Irma.
A few days after surgery, her natural skin color was returning. She was laughing and joking with her mom. Irma spent several months living in an apartment in San Antonio, to make her twice-weekly appointments to the liver clinic. She is now back at home with her family and extremely grateful to the team that saved her life.
Winter Issue 2021 | 13
MENTAL WELLNESS 5 TIPS FOR COPING WITH STRESS THERESA KLOEWER
Assistant Chief Nursing Officer Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant Now more than ever, it is so important that we pay attention to our mental health. It is okay to feel out of sorts, stressed or upset because of what we are dealing with in our environment. It is important to acknowledge our feelings and find ways to deal with these uncomfortable emotions in a healthy way. Some of the things that I like to do for my own mental health is making sure that I’m practicing good self-care. What that means for me is making sure that I get in some activity every day. Running is my favorite because it helps clear my mind. Some other activities that I enjoy are yoga or taking my dog for a walk. Please don’t put off self-care activities, taking care of ourselves allows us to continue to care for others. Remember to Be Kind to Yourself.
14 | Methodist Magazine
MENTAL WELLNESS RESOURCES: Methodist Healthcare is committed to your mental health and wellness. We urge you to seek support through the programs and services available to you. • Nurse Care (800) 480-1234. The Nurse Care program is open to all Methodist Healthcare hospital-based nurses. It’s free, confidential and available 24/7. Through this program, nurses have remote access to licensed psychologists, social workers, alcohol and drug counselors and marriage and family therapists. • Beacon Health Wellbeing Program (800) 434-5100, or visit HCA.MyBeaconWellbeing.com. Employees can schedule confidential phone or video call sessions with a licensed counselor. Colleagues receive five no-cost sessions per issue for each qualifying family member.
Winter Issue 2021 | 15
FUN FACTS ABOUT….
THE PRINT CENTER
• The Print Center processed almost 16,000 tickets last year, using paper purchased from sustainable forests. • The Print Center printed more than 13 million impressions in 2020 alone. If you laid the paper out end to end, it would go from Los Angeles all the way to New York! • The Print Center team delivered HEB meals to MHS front-line workers several times during the pandemic.
HERE ARE FIVE TIPS TO HELP YOU WHEN THINGS GET TOUGH:
1
Surround yourself with supportive people; this can be through phone calls, FaceTime, zoom or being outside with social distancing and a mask. You are not alone we are all going through this together.
2
Get lots of rest.
3
Experiment with meditation and deep breathing exercises, it helps interrupt stressful thoughts.
4
Listen to music.
5
If your self-care activities are not helping, please ask for help. It is not a sign of weakness, there are professionals that can help you get to a better place mentally and emotionally to provide relief.
If you need help, reach out to your leader or HR team for more resources that are available to you.
DID YOU KNOW…. The United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) released a its annual report for 2020. Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant continues to top the list as the largest living donor kidney transplant program. • Most living donor kidney transplants in the nation (208) • #1 overall in number of adult kidney transplants in Texas (359) • #2 overall in kidney transplants for Hispanic patients in the nation (220)
A WORD FROM OUR CHAPLAIN: YOUR LIGHT
AUSTIN FREDERICK
Pastoral Care Services
I was in conversation with two chaplains and enjoying my Pepper Burger at Red Robin on 1604 when “Light” walked by our table. I blinked twice and wiped my mouth as I saw Morgan and her parents, Gordon and Maggie Hartman. The Hartman Family are the inspiration and founders of Morgan’s Wonderland, a recreational facility designed for mentally and physically challenged children and adults. They sat at a table just outside of six feet from us enjoying each other. We finished our business and meal as they received theirs. I asked our server to pay for both meals. I walked over to their table without introductions and shared the words of the song Morgan sings at the end of the Morgan’s Wonderland promotional advertisement, “This Little Light of Mine, I’m Going to Let it Shine”. A few things about life and light beyond star struck: • Light conquers all darkness of space and time. • Light touches others in service of care. • The light of God is something to sing about.
“THE LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS AND THE DARKNESS HAS NOT OVERCOME IT. ” JOHN 1:5
16 | Methodist Magazine
PATIENT TESTIMONIAL: DEPUTY RECOVERS FROM MULTIPLE TRAUMATIC INJURIES AFTER A HARROWING CAR ACCIDENT WHILE ON DUTY
Mike Cardenas, 48, was on duty when a car unexpectedly collided with his. Cardenas is a Patrol Deputy for Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office, and he was responding to a call when another car failed to stop at an intersection. Help quickly arrived, including the sheriff and many of his fellow deputies. He tried to exit the vehicle, but quickly realized he could not move the right side of his body. He also did not know there was damage to his left leg. “They told me to stand up and I stepped onto my left foot, but it gave out because it was broken,” Cardenas recited. The first responders realized the injuries were extreme, so they took him to the local hospital. “Reality started setting in and adrenaline started dropping,” said Cardenas. After a few hours at the local hospital, they realized the magnitude of his injuries and decided to airlift Cardenas to Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak, where he received immediate care. “From the time the helicopter landed and the time it took to reduce his hip was 15 to 20 minutes,” said Dr. Richard Barber, orthopedic trauma surgeon. “Even after working at other places, that was impressive for everyone to be there and for us to get that taken care of in that amount of time.” The longer the blood supply is cut off to the hip, the more at risk the bone tissue is of dying – also known as avascular necrosis (AVN). That is why their timeliness was so crucial. Cardenas had other injuries as well, including broken left ribs, upper spinal injuries, a detached retina and an acetabular fracture dislocation. The acetabulum is the socket side of the hip joint. His socket was broken and his hip was dislocated. The following day, he went into reconstructive surgery. Four days after that, Cardenas graduated to therapy. “I thought about doing it back home, but I thought staying and doing rehab here was the best thing for me,” he said. “The care that I was given was like having your own private doctors, your own private rooms, your own private RNs,” Cardenas shared.
“They actually took care of me. I felt like a celebrity having my own things and felt very comfortable. I just wanted the therapy here.” He went through occupational and physical therapy. He relearned how to do daily activities such as showering and brushing his teeth. “It’s very hard as a guy, a cop and a former marine to have someone retrain you on these things,” Cardenas admitted. “I was only 48 years old. I understand if I was older, but being 48 and independent, that was very hard to swallow.” Understandably, this was an emotional journey. Cardenas shared how his therapists always took their time and would comfort him. “For the next hour or two, I’m with you. Whatever pain you’re going through, I’m here to go through it with you. They weren’t distracted,” he said. “They actually helped me get my life back. I almost didn’t even want to leave.” “Everybody from the OR [operating room] coming in on the weekends to the trauma team to the rehab team worked hard to get him back on his feet,” said Dr. Barber. “Trauma is a team sport. It takes a team to get patients like Cardenas back to his state.” On December 11, Cardenas returned to work as a Patrol Deputy for the first time in a year and a half. “It felt great to put my uniform back on and get inside a unit,” he said. “Although I still have some weak areas, I am so motivated and so thankful that I have gotten the care I was given at your hospital.” Winter Issue 2021 | 17
18 | Methodist Magazine
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT Methodist Healthcare is proud to continue to grow along with the needs of the community. Throughout the pandemic, we have not lost focus on providing access and quality care to our neighbors. That is why we have recently opened three new freestanding emergency rooms (FSERs) across Bexar County with two additional locations opening soon, offering comprehensive and immediate care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. CareNow, HCA Healthcare’s Urgent Care service line, will also open a new clinic location in Alamo Heights, helping us serve more patients by filling the gap between primary care physicians and hospital emergency rooms. The clinic will provide high-quality, convenient care for non-emergent medical problems that can develop unexpectedly and require immediate attention. Stay tuned for more exciting developments as we open the new Methodist Surgery Center | Landmark and break ground on a new hospital and Medical Office Building in Westovher Hills.
• Methodist ER | Legacy Trails Opened December 2020
• Methodist ER | Kitty Hawk Opening in Q2 2021
• Methodist ER | De Zavala Road Opened December 2020
• Methodist ER | Helotes Opening in Q2 2021
• Methodist ER | Nacogdoches Opened January 2021
• Methodist Surgery Center | Landmark Opening May 2021
• Care Now | Alamo Heights Opening March 2021
• Methodist Hospital | Westover Hills Construction will begin in May 2021. The construction of the Medical Office Building will begin in December 2021.
Winter Issue 2021 | 19
ALLERGIC REACTIONS TO COVID-19 VACCINES ARE RARE For most people, the worst part about getting a COVID-19 vaccine is likely to be a sore arm. But a few people who got a vaccine have had severe allergic reactions. To understand what’s going on, it’s important to keep the big picture in mind. So far millions of people have received their first COVID-19 shot. Of these, only a small number have had a severe reaction, known as anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis can include: • A swollen throat
• Diarrhea
• Shortness of breath
• Passing out
• Upset stomach
• Itching and swelling
Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening condition. That’s why providers may ask you to wait around for 15 to 30 minutes after you get your shot. You’ll be monitored during this time to make sure you don’t have any reactions. If you do, vaccine clinics have medicines on hand to quickly treat an allergic reaction. Anyone who has symptoms like these after leaving the vaccine clinic should call 911.
Stephen Gudowski, RN, receives the first COVID-19 vaccine from Chillon Montgomery, RN, Division Director of Trauma/Emergency Management/EMS
FUN FACT: Did you know we have administered over 15,000 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine since late December? Who may be at risk?
What about other allergies?
Experts are still investigating. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising health care providers to take special precautions with people who have had a reaction to any other vaccines or injected medicines in the past.
Many people have common allergies to things like food, medicines, latex, dust or pollens.
If you fall into that group, it does not necessarily mean you should not get a COVID-19 vaccine. You should talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits in your case. Your doctor can help you decide what’s best.
Remember: Severe vaccine reactions are rare. Getting your COVID-19 shots will help protect you from the disease. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about whether a vaccine is right for you.
CDC says you may also be at risk for a reaction if you: • Have had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in a COVID-19 vaccine. In that case, you should avoid that specific vaccine. • Have had a severe allergic reaction to the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. In that case, talk to your doctor for advice.
But this does not put them at risk for a COVID-19 vaccine reaction, the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology reports.
Follow up on your smartphone. After you get your vaccine, you can sign up for CDC’s v-safe program. It will send personalized text messages to your smartphone to check in on any side affects you may have had. And it will remind you when it’s time to get your second dose, if needed. You can sign up at vsafe.cdc.gov.
LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES Our Learning & Organizational Development team is committed to engaging and supporting talent at every level! Our team is available to support you with Leadership Development, Professional Development, Talent Management, and Organizational Development needs. See our SharePoint site for additional info: Leadership & Organizational Development Sharepoint. Our L&OD team is committed to our mission, serving Humanity. That “Serving Humanity” includes our leaders and the staff we are privileged to serve. That includes YOUR life and making sure YOU have access to the resources you need to be successful in your role. We’d like to take an opportunity to share new programs, classes, and resources available as part of this newsletter. Please take a moment and review our Navigating the New World of Work – curated content to help colleagues navigate the new world of work. This toolkit contains 7 core categories under Leading Self and Collaborating and Working with Others, 19 topic areas, and is designed to provide just in time/on-demand learning. Toolkit link: https://connect.medcity.net/web/li/the-path-forward For a full list of COVID-19 Resources and Tools for Leaders, please visit: https://connect.medcity.net/web/li/covid-19
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS We will begin recruiting for our new cohorts this year. Please talk to your Supervisor if you would like to be part of our leadership programs. • Leadership Institute Academy: Targeted for Directors and above. One-Year Program focused on Emotional Intelligence, Crucial Conversations, Driving Operational Excellence. • Leadership Essentials: Targeted for Supervisors and Managers. nine-month Program virtual program includes Harvard Spark Pathways, and case studies. “Self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others.” —Christopher Germer Want to learn more? Contact us or join us on Facebook for updates: @MHSLOD Aundreia.Evans@mhshealth.com Norma.Reyna@hcahealthcare.com
