Mason Health excels with multiple awards!

OCTOBER 2023 SPECIAL INSERT

Mason Health Senior Leaders and Department Heads showcase recent District awards.

AWA R D S R E CO G N I T I O N

1

exceptional health Mason Health earns Rainier Leadership Recognition from Performance Excellence Northwest Mason Health remains committed to achieving the top tier of

performance excellence across all our service lines and programs.

This hard work will be recognized later this fall at the 27th annual Performance Excellence Northwest (PENW) Learning Symposium in October, when Mason Health will be awarded the Rainier Leadership Recognition Level.

This advanced level is bestowed on organizations for demonstrating significant progress toward implementing best practices identified in the Baldrige Excellence framework.

“It is the outstanding work of our leadership and teams across the District that have made this momentous achievement possible,” said Mason Health Chief Executive Officer Eric Moll.”

“This recent recognition would not have been possible without the guidance and leadership of PENW with Theron Post at the helm. We thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful learning journey during our site visit this year.”

Eric Moll

to feedback from patients and employees. I’m thankful that PENW recognizes the hard work we’ve put in to improving our systems.”

Organizations across the four-state region apply the PE framework within their organization to evaluate processes and make improvements.

The program provides organizational assessment tools and educates leaders in all types of organizations. PENW recognizes top-level Nicole Eddins performers in six categories: manufacturing, service, small business, health care, education and nonprofit.

“The partnership between PENW and Mason Health and this recent recognition is breathing life into our District’s Mission, Vision and Values,” said Jennifer Capps, Mason Health’s Chief Development and Communication Officer and Vice President of the PENW Board.

“In my more than 30-plus years of experience in the health care and non-profit sectors, this is a wonderful and unique moment to be remembered. And as a member of the board, I am proud of PENW’s achievements within the regions we serve. Kudos to the teams of both organizations.”

Mason Health’s partnership with PENW aligns with its mission of United Community, Empowered People, Exceptional Health and its values of Service and Relationships.

“This recent recognition comes to us at a great time, as it enhances our efforts to continue celebrating our 55th anniversary of serving our patients and community,” Moll said. “I am totally stoked and proud of our teams and all that we are accomplishing together.”

PENW is a regional nonprofit serving organizations across Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska, facilitating organizational excellence and American competitiveness by learning, sharing and connecting these organizations with the Performance Excellence framework, in partnership with the Baldridge Performance Excellence Program.

“Mason Health could not be more committed toward organizational excellence, which requires us to continually evaluate all of our systems and make improvements as necessary,” said Nicole Eddins, Mason Health’s Senior Director of Performance Excellence.

“We are dedicated to providing the best patient-centered care in the Pacific Northwest, and in order to do that, we must constantly listen On the cover: Top row, from left, Mason Health Chief Development & Communication Officer Jennifer Capps holds two Practice Greenhealth awards the District was awarded this year, including the new Greening the Operating Room award and Dr. Darren Cuevas, DO, holds his Leadership in Rural Medicine Health Care Champion Award from the Thurston County Chamber and Thurston-Mason Medical Society; bottom row, from left: Director of Acute Care Services Rob Bennington and Chief Nursing Officer Melissa Strong hold the Family Collaborative Support Award form LifeCenter Northwest, and Director of Quality/Patient Safety/ Regulatory Compliance Pam Schlauderaff, Chief Executive Officer Eric Moll and Senior Director of Performance Excellence Nicole Eddins pose with the Rainier Leadership Recognition Award from Performance Excellence Northwest.

2 AWA R D S R E CO G N I T I O N

Jennifer Capps

LifeCenter NW awards Mason Health with Collaborative Family Support Award

This past spring, LifeCenter Northwest awarded Mason Health with

its Collaborative Family Support Award for the work Mason Health has done to support families during the difficult time of an organ donation event. Chief Nursing Officer Melissa Strong and Director of Acute Care Services Rob Bennington accepted the award.

Earlier this year, Mason Health’s Chief Medical Officer Dean Gushee also received the LifeSaver Award from LifeCenter Northwest.

“Organ donation can’t happen without the collaboration and teamwork between hospital and LifeCenter Northwest staff,” said Korri Shimizu, LifeCenter Northwest Hospital Development Coordinator. “One of the most important areas for collaboration is when the time comes to assess family readiness for an introduction of or conversation regarding donation. This award honors our hospital partners that excel in the area of planning a collaborative family connection with LifeCenter Northwest.”

exceptional health Dr. Darren Cuevas recognized with Leadership in Rural Medicine Health Care Champion Award!

Known for his infectious smile and cheerful

attitude, Dr. Darren Cuevas, DO, brings joy to his patients and co-workers at Mason Clinic-Primary Care. Cuevas also serves as Chief of Staff at Mason Health, and for the past year, he has served as a provider at Skokomish Health Clinic, signaling Mason Health’s committed partnership with the Skokomish Tribe.

Darren Cuevas

Dr. Cuevas’ dedication to patient care in rural Mason County is a major reason he has received the 2023 Health Care Champion Leadership in Rural Medicine Award from the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce and the Thurston-Mason Medical Society.

Cuevas was honored at a reception with other 2023 Health Care Champions, June 27, at Olympia Country & Golf Club in Thurston County.

From left, Mason Health’s administrative team including Chief Operating Officer Mark Batty, Senior Administrative Assistant Shelly Dunnington, Chief Development & Communication Officer Jennifer Capps, Chief Medical Officer Dean Gushee, Chief Financial Officer Steve Leslie and Senior Director of Performance Excellence Nicole Eddins congratulated Dr. Darren Cuevas on his Health Care Champion award.

“One of the things as a rural clinic is sometimes the patient can’t really come to you. I go to them. Sometimes they are at nursing homes and because of medical ailments they can’t come to me, so I take the health care to them and make sure they’re doing OK.” For the past year, Dr. Cuevas has served as one of the providers at the Skokomish Health Clinic on the Skokomish Reservation. As a provider there, he’s been able to help patients easily access additional services they might need through Mason Health.

Dr. Darren Cuevas chats with Skokomish Health Clinic office assistant Adele Leverich.

“I work closely with Dr. Cuevas and rely on him a lot,” said Kelly North, Mason Clinic-Primary Care Manager, in a video praising Dr. Cuevas’ achievement.

“We work together as partnership. He’s a big kid at heart but he’s also very thoughtful in his process. He’s always thinking of others before himself.”

Dr. Cuevas grew up in Canada and joined Mason Health in September 2018. He received his Doctorate of Osteopathic training at Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona, and completed his Family Medicine residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota.

In 2022, Dr. Cuevas became certified in diving medicine by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Society and can now follow up with patients about diving concerns and complete recreational physicals for dive medicine. He is on a referral list from the Diver Alert Network to treat patient with issues related to diving.

Dr. Cuevas also makes it a point to do house calls or visits to nursing homes when his patients are not able to come into Mason Clinic for an appointment.

“Everything I do is to make sure the patient is taken care of, and everything else stems from that,” he said.

Dr. Cuevas treats Chase Burfiend, while his mom, Beth Burfiend, looks on, at the Skokomish Health Clinic.

“He’s been amazing, especially for our patients and tribal members here,” said Dr. Aliya Wilson, MD, Medical Director of the Skokomish Health Center.

“We love that he helps us integrate with Mason Health to help streamline our patients getting services there (so) we can get them the services they need.”

“He’s a person you would want to have in the clinic, he’s a person you would want your friends and family members to see.”

Dr. Cuevas lives in Hoodsport with his wife, Megan Cuevas, ARNP, a pediatric nurse practitioner in Olympia. Dr. Cuevas enjoys traveling with his wife, scuba diving and riding his motorcycle.

AWA R D S R E CO G N I T I O N

3

exceptional health Mason Health receives two Environmental Excellence Awards in one year!

In recognition for its achievement and innovation in health care

sustainability, Mason Health earned two Environmental Excellence Awards this year from Practice Greenhealth, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to environmental sustainability in health care.

For the third year in a row, the District earned the Partner for Change Award, and for the first time this year, Mason Health won the Greening the Operating Room award.

The Greenhealth Partner for Change Award recognizes superior performance in environmental sustainability, covering a range of different sustainability programs and activities. Winners have also made substantive progress on mercury elimination.

for its achievement in eliminating hazardous smoke from its surgical procedures.

Surgical smoke is the unwanted by-product of energy-generating devices that are used in 90 percent of all surgeries. Its contents include toxic chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide, viruses, bacteria, blood and cancer cells.

At Mason Health, smoke evacuation systems are in place, wherein all smoke is contained in smoke evacuation tubing that goes through filters so that the smoke is not released into the air inside or outside the hospital. The filter is changed on a schedule and removed in a biohazard bag for disposal.

“Surgical smoke was a hidden danger that even Mason Health’s Green Team includes, from left to right, bottom row: Culinary & Nutrition Services Manager Ashlee some of my staff wasn’t Johnson, Compliance Officer Laura Grubb, Chief Development & Communication Officer Jennifer Capps, Senior Director of Human Resources Kevin Keller and Pharmacy Manager Stephanie Gunter; middle row: Director of Facilities aware of,” Genson said. “Staff & Engineering Patrick O’Neil, Environmental Services Manager Trevor Madison, Program Manager: Infection safety, in addition to patient Prevention, Employee Health & Safety Melissa McClaran and Director of Surgical Services Lori Genson; top row: Physical Environment Coordinator Christine Ellwanger, Laboratory Manager Lindsay Roberts, Director of Supply safety, is so important to Chain Sean Hazlett and Culinary & Nutrition Services Supervisor Matt Cummings. me in health care. Let’s be “We want to recognize your organization for the impactful proactive instead of reactive. This award was not difficult to achieve sustainability work you pursued over the last year and are looking because we were already way ahead of the game. We had been 98 forward to shining a light on your achievements.,” said Gary Cohen, percent smoke-free for four years, and now we are at 100 percent.”

Practice Greenhealth founder.

Genson is a member of Mason Health’s Green Team, which focuses on sustainability efforts throughout the District through Mason Health’s Practice Greenhealth initiative.

“Mason Health demonstrates the kind of The Greening the Operating Room Award honors facilities that have made substantial progress in reducing the impact of the surgical environment.

leadership, innovation, and performance that can drive the entire health sector toward more environmentally responsible practices. We are grateful for your commitment to sustainability as we work together as a network to transform the health care sector.”

“I am totally in awe of our Green Team and the amazing goals we are achieving,” said Jennifer Capps, Mason Health’s Chief Development & Communication Officer.

“It is their unwavering dedication to Mason Health’s success that has made these two awards possible.”

Last year, Mason Health Director of Surgical Services Lori Genson made concerted efforts to eliminate hazardous smoke from Mason General Hospital operating rooms.

“I am also grateful to Kate Gottlieb, Practice Greenhealth’s Sustainability Strategy Manager, for her guidance and support. What a way to celebrate our 55th anniversary of serving our patients and community.”

Thanks to her efforts, Mason Health earned the Go Clear Award™ from the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN)

Learn more at www.masongeneral.com/about/sustainabilityenvironmental-stewardship.

Mason Health Chief Nursing Officer Melissa Strong (far right) and Director of Acute Care Services Rob Bennington (center) receive the 2022 Collaborative Family Support Award from LifeCenter Northwest’s Hospital Development Coordinator Korri Shimizu.

4 AWA R D S R E CO G N I T I O N