My Boone Health Spring 2013

VOL: 3 ISSUE: 2

Stormin’ Against Cancer Norm And Virginia Stewart Join Boone Hospital To Build New Cancer Center pLAY BALL! ASHLAND ATHLETE IS BACK ON THE MOUND WITH SURGICALLY REPAIRED LEG

table Of contents Page 10

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Boone Hospital Center’s mission is to improve the health of the people and communities we serve.

Randy Morrow Interim President

Angy Littrell Director

Ben Cornelius Communications

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and Marketing Manager

Jacob Luecke Media Relations Manager

Shannon Whitney Communications Coordinator Photos By:

Dave Hoffmaster L.G. Patterson Al Maglio

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A Note From Boone Hospital Interim President Randy Morrow

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myBoone Health Stories

8 ................................................................................................................ Hospital Headlines Follow us on Facebook, Twitter

10.......................................................................................................... Stormin’ Against Cancer

Instagram and Pinterest.

12............................................................................................................... We Fought The Battle

Please submit comments

16.................................................................................................................... Sun, Skin And SPF

or feedback to bcc1170@bjc.org

18............................................................................................................. Crafting For A Cause

or call 573.815.3392

1600 East Broadway Columbia, MO 65201 573-815-8000 For a free subscription, call 573-815-3392 or visit myBooneHealth.com and click on the subscription link on the right side of the page.

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Staff Standouts

20 ................................................................................................................ From The Heartland 22 ...................................................................................................... Boone’s Renaissance Man 24 ....................................................................................................... Returning To The Mound 27.....................................................................................................................

Sharing Her Story

28 .............................................................................................................. Chameleons Of Care 30 ............................................................................................................................ Snow Angels BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Spring 2013

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A Note From Randy

Exciting Time For Cancer Care In Mid-Missouri

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Randy Morrow Interim President Boone Hospital Center

ancer is one of the most dangerous diseases. It’s currently listed as the second leading cause of death in the United States — and it’s close to being No. 1.

This terrible disease has touched many families, but just because cancer is dangerous doesn’t mean it’s unbeatable.

At Boone Hospital Center, we work harder every year to fight cancer.

In fact, a highly respected health care magazine recently named Boone Hospital among the nation’s 100 leaders for cancer care. Learn more on Page 9.

This recognition is a testament to our amazing staff and multidisciplinary medical team who lead this charge. We also have the latest technology. At Boone Hospital, we are blessed to have 3D mammography, 4D ultrasound, a 64-slice PET/CT scanner and an advanced MRI suite. If you have cancer, we can find it sooner than ever.

We also have physicians who are skilled at minimally invasive and robot-assisted surgeries.

These tools and talents help us beat cancer.

However, they’re only valuable when the people of mid-Missouri seek out our services to scan for cancer and treat the cancers they have. For decades we’ve preached the importance of regular cancer screening. But we know we haven’t reached everyone. There is still more work to do.

That brings us to Norm and Virginia Stewart.

You might have heard that the legendary Mizzou basketball coach and his wife are teaming up with Boone Hospital Center to build the Virginia and Norman Stewart Cancer Center. Read all about it, starting on Page 10.

In addition to working with us as we build a new inpatient cancer unit, the Stewarts plan to serve alongside Boone Hospital and encourage people to be screened.

When a local hero like Norm Stewart is talking about screening, we think people will listen. Not only is he a basketball legend, he’s also a cancer survivor. He and Virginia have so much to bring to the table in this effort against cancer.

This is an exciting time for Boone Hospital and mid-Missouri. With better cancer care and better education, we think this will truly lead to a healthier community for all of us.

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myBoone Health Stories Visit myBooneHealth.com To Read More — And Share Your Own Story

Healthy Kids Got Their Start At Boone’s Intensive Care Nursery By Dana Aggeler Keller, Farber, Mo.

Birthplace Staff Provided A ‘Wonderful Experience’

By David Fike

I

would like to thank the staff in the Family Birthplace for a wonderful experience. My wife and I have had four children at Boone, and this last one was the best experience.

Every one of the staff was awesome. Shauna, Liz, Roxanne, Megan, Jessica and everyone else, you all were great!

I am sure I will remember you for your care and attention for years to come. Thanks for taking great care of my babies.

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our years ago, Boone Hospital Center and Dr. Roelands helped me and my family welcome these two precious children into our lives. Our Boone experience and our NICU stay couldn’t have been any better. Baby A (Mylee Rose Keller) and Baby B (Slade Weston Keller) are healthy active kids today. Thank you.

Many Miles From Home, Visitors Discover ‘Angels’ At Boone Hospital By Gary Johnson, Ph.D., Rapid City, S.D.

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y spouse and I are from Rapid City, S.D. We are visiting our son and his family here in Columbia. My spouse suffered a leaking ascending aneurysm six days ago. Dr. Mellitt, the nursing staff and the entire Boone Hospital team have performed a miracle — including the 10hour surgery, her transfer and her intermediate care today. Our two grandchildren were born in this hospital. Our son has been treated here, and he recommended that we come here when my spouse suffered her attack. As I wrote on the board in her intensive care room: MIRACLES PRACTICED HERE, CARRIED OUT

BY ANGELS DISGUISED AS DOCTORS AND NURSES. 6

Spring 2013 BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER

Excellent Care At The Harris Breast Center

By Gina Cox

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wanted to share that today I had to undergo an extremely delicate procedure.

I was very nervous going into the day. Everyone — from the registration personnel to the ladies in the Harris Breast Center, to the nurses and anesthesia folks — was amazing.

I felt so comfortable, and everyone along the way made me feel I was a priority, cared for, and that I really mattered!

That is why Boone is not just a great place to work, but an excellent place to receive health care!

Share your story myBooneHealth.com

Hospitalization Was ‘The Experience Of A Lifetime’

By Octavia Scott, Columbia

I

was admitted to the hospital on February 1, 2013, for chest pains. I have had three myocardial infarctions in the past, and I was very afraid that this could be “The Big One.” I was transferred to the fourth floor of the South Tower and had the experience of a lifetime, if you want to put it like that.

Not only was the tower beautiful — the rooms large and private — but the most important thing was the care and attention I received. It was WONDERFUL; everyone was caring and understanding and was exceptional.

I had Suzanne for my day nurse, and Jules for the night nurse. My techs, Tabitha, Chelsea and Maria took great care of me. I am so impressed that I am telling everyone.

Even when after a heart cath and I couldn’t remember why I called for help, they all were patient and caring and even gave me a notepad to write down so I could remember.

You have a wonderful staff on the fourth floor of the South Tower. They all need a special award for the care they provide in situations such as heart issues.

I thank everyone who cared for me: Dr. Tran, Marsha Beckett, my nurse, the techs and the food service staff. My discharge was a breeze, and I will always remember this experience.

Thank you Boone Hospital; I will not go anywhere else. You are No. 1 in my book.

Two-hour Drive Was Worth It By Richard Gunnels, Elmer

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live in Elmer, Mo., about two hours north.

Last week, I shattered my ankle and decided to come to Boone Hospital because of the long painful waits at the other ERs, and the other hospitals feel like morgues.

When I arrived at the Boone Hospital Emergency Department, Dillon took me in with a wheelchair, and my wheelchair did not stop at all.

They took me to a room, cut off my boot and had me comfortable within about 10 minutes.

The medical records lady, the ER doctor and some nurses and techs who were all taking care of me did not waste any time — that was all well worth the extra time coming there.

Every single staff member was professional and just AWESOME! When I was at your hospital, I felt like I was at home. As far as my experiences, no other hospital or hospital staff can even come close to comparing to Boone.

Thank you all, and thank you, Dr. Oliver.

Snow Babies Arrive During February Storms

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e had 26 new Boone Babies arrive during two snowstorms in late February. Actually, make that 28. Boone Family Birthplace employees Cindy Bracht and Tami Held built these snow twins just outside the birthplace entrance. The “babies” were a big hit online. This photo was shared with 26,000 people. More than 1,100 people liked the photo and left 56 comments. See more snow photos on page 30.

Boone’s Emergency Care Was Exceptional By Doug Davis

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n Dec. 23, we took my mother to the ER. I wanted to let you know your staff was exceptional. Miranda was our triage nurse and she was great. She was very efficient but still took the time to ask questions, listen and be very caring.

Our nurse back in the room was Danielle.

She was my idea of the perfect nurse. I’m sure this is a normal thing, but she was ridiculously

busy and still made time to see that we had everything we needed.

The best thing — she did it all with a smile and kind words.

Dr. Parks saw my mom, and he really took the time to listen to what was going on with her. Then he explained what he was doing and why.

Please relay our thanks to all of them again.

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Hospital Headlines News From Boone Hospital Center

STEP intern Andrew Carter

Boone Hospital Honored With Inclusion Award

Dr. Jerry Kennett, Dr. Jeremy Lazarus and Dr. Brian Johnson

American Medical Association President Shares Insight At Boone Hospital

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oone Hospital Center was recently honored with a visit from Dr. Jeremy Lazarus, the president of the American Medical Association.

Dr. Lazarus was in mid-Missouri meeting with physicians and medical students about the changing health care system and what that means for doctors and health care consumers.

“We think it’s extremely important that physicians take leadership positions as we move to different kinds of payment and delivery systems, reform the health care system and move toward more team-based integrated care,” Dr. Lazarus said.

During his visit to the region, he took the time to tour Boone Hospital and met 8

Spring 2013 BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER

with physicians and caregivers on Friday, March 1.

“It’s a beautiful place. It looks like a very up-to-date, modern, sophisticated facility,” he said. “People are smiling and taking care of patients. It’s impressive.”

With the ongoing health care transformation, Dr. Lazarus said health consumers should look forward to being more active players in their personal health.

“In the long run, to decrease the cost of health care in this country, it’s going to need to be a partnership,” Dr. Lazarus said. “Patients need to be educated and aware of what they need to do to take care of themselves.

Physicians and health systems need to work with them to make sure that happens so we can have a healthier population.”

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his school year, six local high school seniors have made Boone Hospital Center their classroom.

Through the Seamless Transition through Enhanced Partnership, or STEP, program these students with special needs are learning important job skills that will help them make the transition from student to employee after graduation.

The program recently earned Boone Hospital an honorable mention from the Governor’s Council on Disability, which issues the annual Inclusion Award.

“BHC is not only actively including the students among hospital staff in various department roles, but also bolstering their potential for fully included lives as productive adults after their graduation,” said the council, in announcing the award. “BHC values its part in furthering possibilities for the student interns, and embraces the opportunity to diversify its workplace and enhance the culture of its workforce.”

The award will be presented during a conference on April 16.

The latest news boone.org

Helping Stroke Patients With Cloud Computing

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loud computing is the latest buzzword in the tech world. Now, Boone Hospital plans to use this technology to more quickly diagnose stroke patients across mid-Missouri.

Boone Hospital’s cloud will link up with other hospitals across the region — Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia has already installed the technology. It will be used when a patient who might be having a stroke arrives at one of these hospitals. The cloud allows health providers to share radiology scans with Boone Hospital’s multidisciplinary stroke team.

Boone Hospital physicians can then determine whether the patient is having a stroke and needs to be immediately transported to the Boone Hospital Stroke Center.

The technology helps stroke patients get diagnosed as quickly as possible — helping save lives and brain function.

Boone Hospital’s cloud program is being funded by a donation from Guy and Ellen Brown to the Boone Hospital Foundation. For more information about the foundation, visit www. boone.org/foundation.

Boone’s Stroke Center has been honored with the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers. Boone Hospital has also been recognized by the American Heart Association with the Get With The Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Performance Achievement Award.

Heart Fair Screens Hundreds

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ore than 450 people attended Boone Hospital Center’s annual Heart Fair on Feb. 7.

Boone Hospital Center’s WELLAWARE community outreach service hosts the fair each year as a way to educate the community about various risk factors that could lead to heart problems.

Attendees received a full cholesterol panel,

as well as blood glucose and body mass index readings and blood pressure checks — all free of charge.

If you missed the Heart Fair, WELLAWARE has a number of free health screenings planned this spring and summer through the Know Your Numbers mobile health unit. See the full schedule at www.boone.org/kyn.

Boone Hospital Recognized For Outstanding Cancer Care

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oone Hospital Center has been named among the nation’s leaders for cancer care.

In a new list compiled by Becker’s Hospital Review, Boone Hospital was one of just 100 hospitals across the nation to be named among the 100 Hospitals and Health Systems With Great Oncology Programs.

“These hospitals are on the cutting edge of cancer treatment, prevention and research, and the Becker’s Hospital Review editorial team selected them based on clinical accolades, quality care and contributions to the field of oncology,” according to Becker’s Hospital Review. “These hospitals have been recognized for excellence in this specialty by reputable health care rating resources, including U.S. News & World Report, Thomson Reuters, the National Cancer Institute, the American College of Surgeons, the American Nurses Credentialing Center and CareChex. Each organization has demonstrated a focus on patient-centered cancer care and emphasis on continual innovation in treatments and services.”

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Norm and Virginia Stewart join Boone Hospital to build new cancer center

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Spring 2013 BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER

Learn more boone.org/stewart

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or many years, Boone Hospital Center has boasted a great team of physicians and caregivers in the fight against cancer. But this year, the hospital has added two big recruits: Norm and Virginia Stewart.

Boone Hospital and the Stewarts are collaborating to build the Virginia and Norman Stewart Cancer Center, opening in 2014.

“I was in tears when they asked us to join forces; it was just a huge honor,” Virginia said.

Best known for a legendary career on Missouri’s sidelines, Norm was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1989. Since then, the Stewarts have been leaders in the fight against cancer.

Norm helped found the Coaches vs.

Cancer program, which has brought in close to $100 million for the American Cancer Society.

“Now, we are looking forward to improving cancer care for the citizens of mid-Missouri,” Norm said.

The first project to bear the Stewart Cancer Center name is a new $7.2 million inpatient treatment unit. The cancer unit will include 32 state-of-the-art private rooms and will be located on the sixth floor of Boone Hospital’s south tower.

The new cancer rooms will be beautiful and spacious, with an area for a family member to stay overnight with their loved one. It will be a substantial upgrade from the hospital’s existing 25-bed inpatient cancer unit.

“Having a new floor for our cancer patients will do so much for them,” said Dr. Joe Muscato, a medical oncologist and hematologist. “It will help reduce their anxiety and enable families to play a more active role in the care we provide.”

The Stewart Cancer Center name extends well beyond the new unit. All of the hospital’s cancer-related services, from community outreach, to screening,

Home Court Advantage

}

Patients from across the region make Boone Hospital Center their home for cancer care.

The blue dots show the hometowns of our cancer patients in 2010.

to surgery and everything in between, will share the new moniker.

Having one name across many disciplines reflects the teamwork at Boone Hospital between a diverse group of physicians and caregivers.

“As a surgeon, that teamwork is critical to our success and the success of our patients,” said surgeon Dr. Walt Peters.

“That’s why it’s so appropriate to have one name, one strong identity that we all share: the Virginia and Norman Stewart Cancer Center.”

The name also covers the hospital’s impressive array of cancer-related technology, including 3D mammography, 4D ultrasound, da Vinci robotic surgery, 64-slice PET/CT and an advanced MRI suite.

The Stewarts have a long relationship with Boone Hospital and the hospital’s physicians and caregivers.

“For many years, Virginia and I have benefited from the services and care provided at Boone Hospital,” Norm said.

“Having had the opportunity to travel, be in so many different areas and be

under the care of a number of different physicians, we’re quite fortunate to have Boone Hospital Center. To me, it’s top flight.”

In addition to lending their names to the cancer center, the Stewarts will work with Boone Hospital to help spread awareness. In particular, they plan to advocate for regular screenings, which can catch cancer early, when it’s treatable.

“Screening doesn’t really take that long, and there’s such comfort in knowing that if you do have a polyp or if you do have a lump, if it’s diagnosed early, you can take care of it and go on with your life,” Virginia said.

Today, Norm and Virginia can find a silver lining in Norm’s cancer battle.

It’s helped them find an important new mission where they can make a difference in the health of their community.

“It’s a moving experience, and we’re just happy to be part of it,” Norm said. “If having our names on the cancer center encourages people to be screened and do the procedure they should be doing, then all of this will be worth it.”

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Photos provided by Norm Stewart Collection (CA5854), The State Historical Society of Missouri

we fought the

Battle How Norm and Virginia Stewart beat cancer and discovered a new calling

by Jacob Luecke

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he Tigers were simply off the mark. The packed Hearnes Center crowd was getting nervous. Norm Stewart’s team was ranked fifth in the nation, riding a 10-game winning streak.

But here they were, struggling to score against the unranked Kansas State Wildcats. It was Feb. 4, 1989.

At the half, the Tigers walked off the court tied with the Wildcats. They had scored only 28 points. A major upset was brewing. Coach Stewart had to regroup.

In the locker room, his players suggested getting the ball to center Gary Leonard and Mizzou’s big men, who had a major size advantage over Kansas State’s relatively small frontline.

The strategy worked. Leonard was nearly unstoppable, scoring 12 of the Tigers next 22 points.

Mizzou built a nine-point lead. “Leonard pretty much did anything he wanted to,” Kansas State Coach Lon

Kruger told reporters after the game. But the Wildcats fought back, twice cutting Mizzou’s lead to one point.

In the game’s final minute, Kansas State, trailing 69-66, took possession.

As the Wildcats worked the court, looking for an open three-point shot, one of Stewart’s Tigers jabbed at the ball, knocking it off a Wildcat and out of bounds.

Kansas State was forced to foul. Mizzou hit its free throws and escaped with a 73-68 win.

“It was a good win, especially for the situation,” Norm told reporters after the game.

It was one of those classic Norm Stewart basketball triumphs. Even when things weren’t going as planned, Mizzou forged together and found a way to survive.

These are the difficult games that pay dividends down the road.

It is the kind of battle that makes a team stronger.

Bigger challenges were ahead.

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change of PLanS After the Kansas State victory, the Tigers were on top of the world.

They were the country’s first team to reach 20 wins. They were leading in the Big Eight and ranked third in the national poll — their highest position in seven years.

It was an electrifying time for the team and Mizzou fans across the state.

But while excitement built around his team, Coach Stewart had new concerns at home.

In days, his wife, Virginia, was scheduled to have a complete hysterectomy. Doctors had discovered a growth. They feared it might be cancer, but wouldn’t know for sure until after the operation.

Virginia was Norm’s college sweetheart, the love of his life, his biggest fan and supporter. They met at Mizzou.

She followed him during his short career in professional sports and was by his side as he found success as a coach.

Now, she might have cancer.

As Virginia was prepping for surgery

at the hospital, Norm and the Tigers were on a plane bound for Oklahoma.

The close victory over Kansas State was a character-builder. But taking on the University of Oklahoma Sooners would be far more difficult. The Sooners had narrowly lost the national championship the previous season.

They looked even better this year. The whole college basketball world would be watching this one.

But Norm never made it to the game.

He became dizzy on the airplane and collapsed mid-flight.

Doctors in Oklahoma City thought he might have a bleeding ulcer and sent him back to Columbia.

Although she was heavily medicated, Virginia remembers a basketball assistant coming into her hospital room and telling her Norm was coming back unexpectedly.

“I thought that was strange,” she said.

Back in Columbia, doctors examining Norm discovered a large mass on his colon. Like his wife, he would need surgery to remove the tumor.

After their surgeries, doctors found

Virginia and Norm Stewart first met as students at the University of Missouri.

Photos provided by Norm Stewart Collection (CA5854), The State Historical Society of Missouri

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that Virginia’s tumor was benign, but Norm’s was cancer. Even worse, it had already spread to one of his lymph nodes.

It was great news and awful news all at once. It seemed like one of the most bizarre and dark twists imaginable.

But, like the best Tiger teams, the Stewarts rallied against adversity. They’d find victory yet. tIMe out While experiencing some of the greatest success of his career, Norm was suddenly faced with an illness that threatened his life.

As he underwent chemotherapy, Norm was forced to take a personal time out — he stepped aside from basketball. The Kansas State game was the last time he coached that season. His assistant took over and guided the team to the Sweet 16.

After their oddly synchronized surgeries, Norm and Virginia recuperated together. It was a strange and painful time — but also a blessing.

With his travel calendar erased, Norm and Virginia suddenly had more time to spend with each other than they’d had in years. They made the most of it.

Between Norm’s chemo sessions, they traveled together and spent time at the beach. Although they were still weak, they’d spend hours walking slowly across the sand.

Other times, when Norm’s famous nonstop energy was simply zapped, they cherished the opportunity just to sit together.

“He had always been like a whirlwind, but chemo changed him,” Virginia said.

“It was almost like a different person. For once he wasn’t always running around. All he wanted to do was sit and get better.”

During their time healing, Norm and Virginia also rediscovered what brought them together in the first place.

“The recovery was almost like a rebirth for our marriage and our love for each other,” Virginia said.

Away from the game, Norm also had a chance to reevaluate his life.

“Cancer was my first look at mortality,” he said. “Yet, I’ve had so many good things

come from it, I’ve often wondered why I didn’t have it earlier.”

During chemotherapy, Norm learned about the value of having a broad support system. He saw the many resources and organizations that help families struggling with cancer.

He also learned about the research aimed at helping patients and curing this disease.

He began to realize he might have a calling beyond the hardcourt.

Beyond the arc A couple years after Norm defeated cancer and returned to basketball, Jerry Quick of the American Cancer Society approached him with an idea: Why not start a program where businesses donate for every three-pointer made by the Tigers?

In 1992, they decided to give it a shot. It was soon clear they were on to something.

“It was an immediate success. We later took it to the National Association of Basketball Coaches, and they adopted

“It’s about being able to teach people that it’s so much easier to be screened than to have to go through that horrible disease.”

— Virginia Stewart it,” Norm said. “We continued to grow on that over the years. Today almost every major coach in the United States is a part of our Coaches vs. Cancer program.”

This year, Coaches vs. Cancer will celebrate its 20th anniversary. It’s closing in on raising $100 million to fight cancer.

The coaches program has spurred other cancer fundraisers as well, such as the Norm Stewart Classic basketball tournament and CEOs Against Cancer.

Fighting cancer became a new passion for Norm and Virginia. It’s something they’ve continued to focus on long after Norm’s retirement in 1999.

Now, in partnering with Boone Hospital Center, he and Virginia hope to take their work to another level.

Through the Virginia and Norman Stewart Cancer Center, the couple hopes to help improve cancer care in mid-Missouri and encourage local residents to be screened.

“It’s about being able to teach people that it’s so much easier to be screened than to have to go through that horrible disease,” Virginia said.

Their names will also serve as an inspiration to people fighting cancer.

After all, it’s the kind of diagnosis that can knock any patient off their game.

But with a solid plan and a fighting spirit — like Norm’s best Tiger squads — adversity can bind a team together and unlock a new path toward victory.

“I hope they see our names and identify with what Virginia and I have been through and the challenges we faced,” Norm said. “I think they’ll see two people who fought the battle and came out stronger on the other side.”

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Sun, Skin & SpF Prevention And

Education To Help Fight Skin Cancer

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Spring 2013 BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER

Upcoming health screenings boone.org/kyn

Pam Jones, RN, BSN

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ore than a million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. As you head out into the sunlight this spring and summer, remember that although the sun’s rays might feel good on your skin, it is important to wear sunscreen to protect your skin from potential damage. As with any disease, prevention and early detection provide the best outcomes. To help detect skin cancer as early as possible, WELLAWARE is excited to announce our community skin cancer program, coming to mid-Missouri later this spring. Visit boone.org/kyn for upcoming screening events and keep reading for tips to stay safe this spring and summer.

FYI On SPF

A common question people have is: What is the best sun protector factor, commonly called SPF, to look for in a sunscreen?

Generally speaking, there are three types of ultraviolet light rays from the sun: UVA, UVB and UVC. l

UVA rays penetrate the skin deeper and are largely responsible for signs of aging such as facial wrinkles.

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UVB rays are not as prevalent on the earth’s surface as UVA rays, but are responsible for sunburns.

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UVC rays are generally not a concern as the ozone layer absorbs these rays.

Ultraviolet radiation damages the DNA of skin cells, and this damage affects the DNA of genes that control skin cell growth.

The SPF in the sunscreen tells you how much of the UVB light is being blocked from penetrating your skin. Currently there is no uniform measure of UVA absorption, but using a broad-spectrum sunscreen is thought to protect against UVA and UVB rays.

The higher the SPF, the more UVB rays are blocked. When using an SPF 30, you will get the equivalent of one minute of UV light for every 30 minutes you spend in the sun. For example, one hour in the sun wearing SPF 30 is the same as spending two minutes in the sun without sunscreen.

Risk Factors For Melanoma (American Academy of Dermatology) l

l l

l l

Two or more sunburns before age 18 or five or more sunburns at any age More than 50 moles on your body

Light-skinned individuals who burn easily. People with skin of color do get melanoma, which generally appears on the palms, soles, under the nails, in the mouth or on the genitals.

Personal or family history of melanoma

People with weakened immune systems

Melanoma Warning Signs (American Academy of Dermatology) l l

l l l

l

Asymmetry (uneven shape) in a mole or freckle

Irregular, scalloped, or poor border along the edge of a mole or freckle

A mole or freckle changes color from one area to another A change in the size of a mole or freckle

A mole or freckle that is changing or looks different in size, shape or color when compared to other skin markings

A mole or freckle that itches, is painful, is bleeding or newly developed on the skin

Skin Cancer Awareness

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ne in five Americans will get skin cancer in his or her lifetime. Basal cell carcinoma is the most prevalent form, followed by squamous cell carcinoma.

Melanoma accounts for less than 5 percent of skin cancer cases, but

is responsible for a vast majority of skin cancer deaths, especially between the ages of 15 and 29.

About one in 50 men and women will have melanoma in their lifetime and it is more prevalent in Caucasian persons but can affect all

races. With early detection and proper treatment, skin cancer — even melanoma — is a treatable condition.

Beating skin cancer begins with a visual exam of your skin. People should check the markings on their skin every month or two and have

a professional skin check yearly.

Seek assistance from a friend or family member to visually check your back.

Any change in the way your moles or freckles look or feel warrants a visit to your health care provider.

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crafting For A cause Fifth Graders Raise More Than $1,100 For Intensive Care Nursery

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group of fifth grade students at Columbia’s Shepard Elementary School have raised $1,137 for Boone Hospital Center’s Intensive Care Nursery.

The students spent dozens of hours making crafts and selling them to their peers before school during one week in February. The handmade items ranged in price from $1 bookmarks to $4 extra-large hair bows.

Emma Goodlet and Megan Pilant came up with the idea and were joined by 10 other girls in their grade. Emma, who made duct tape accessories, hair bows, wallets and bracelets, said the response from their classmates was overwhelming.

“I sold out on the first day, and I had to go home and make more,” she said.

The girls said it felt good to work to benefit others.

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“I like doing this kind of stuff. And it’s fun, too,” said Megan, who made bows, headbands, wallets and pot holders.

Friday, Feb. 8, was the last day of their sale. The girls had a table set up just inside the main entrance with their merchandise.

Many students arrived at school with cash in hand and swarmed the table.

Barb Danuser, executive director of the Boone Hospital Foundation, watched as the students purchased the fashion accessories and other homemade items.

“This is wonderful; I’m so impressed at what they’ve done,” Danuser said.

The generous donation will help the Boone Hospital Foundation purchase communication boards for the hospital’s Intensive Care Nursery. Parents and caregivers will use the boards to take notes and leave messages. Parents can also

personalize the boards with photos and decorations.

At Shepard Elementary, parents said they were proud of what their girls had accomplished.

Chris Marks said his daughter Madison spent much of her free time recently making earrings for the sale.

“I couldn’t even tell you how many hours,” he said. “Every minute she has free, she is making them.”

Katie Goodlet, mother of Emma, said she was proud as well.

“I think it’s great. She has a big heart,” she said. “She said it’s her first stop toward being president.” By Jacob Luecke

Watch their videos youtube.com/boonehospital

Staff Standouts

Employees Honored During Annual Service Awards Banquet

Leader of the Year: Beth Alpers

Employee of the Year: Amando Camposano Amando Camposano hardly ever sees patients face to face, but the role he plays at Boone Hospital Center is extraordinary. Each night, Amando thoroughly cleans each operating room.

His meticulous attention to detail and incredible work ethic have not gone unnoticed in his year of working at Boone. He has even created some cleaning contraptions of his own to get better results.

“The harder the assignment, the better for me,” he said, drawing a parallel to his more than 31 years of service in the Philippines military before coming to the United States.

His passion for his work and for our hospital make us proud to name Amando Employee of the Year 2012!

Pictured: Elizabeth and Amando Camposano

Beth Alpers’ smooth leadership style and dry sense of humor leave a lasting impression on all the people she encounters.

Her nursing background lends itself perfectly to her work with people all over the hospital. All these qualities together earned her the title of Leader of the Year 2012.

This year especially, Beth has shown incredible leadership with the Goal Deployment Process and LEAN events. She works with interdisciplinary teams to make changes that impact patient care.

“I feel very privileged to be a leader at Boone Hospital Center.

To be given the responsibility and ability to contribute to the success of the best community hospital in the state, and possibly the country, is an honor,” Beth said. “It is also a reward every day to work with a great leadership team and a team of colleagues within my areas of responsibilities who understand it takes work to maintain our culture of excellence and come prepared to make a difference every day.”

Pictured: Beth Alpers

40-Year Employee: Sue Cook For the past four decades, Sue Cook has been making a difference in patients’ lives. She started in the housekeeping department, then moved to dietary, and eventually landed a position as a rehab aid. She loves working with patients and physical therapists each day.

She is known in her department for always giving a little extra, whether that means sewing adaptive equipment for patients, bringing a dish to a party or volunteering with student orientation.

“It’s really rewarding to see someone come to the rehab unit who can’t do anything for themselves and when they go out of here, they can leave with just a cane or a walker,” Sue said. By Shannon Whitney Pictured: Dr. Mary Beck, Randy Morrow, Sue Cook and Michelle Zvanut BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Spring 2013

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From the Heartland Quadruple Bypass Frees Farmer From Years Of Pain

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hen you’re running a farm, you can’t let a little pain get in the way of a day’s work. That’s what Lowell Woods thought five years ago as he was moving cattle from one pasture to another on the 1,300-acre farm he operates with his wife and son in Baring, Mo. On this day, a few of his cows were being ornery, and Lowell had to hustle to get them to stay moving. As he ran, he felt a sharp pain at the center of his chest.

“That was the first time I noticed it,” Lowell said. “I had to stop and rest a minute, but then the pain went away.”

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Days later, he was moving hay bales in his barn when the chest pain suddenly came back. Again, he rested and the pain subsided.

And so went the next five years of his life. Every couple days, while doing strenuous work or walking up hills, Lowell would feel the sharp pains. He’d rest and then continue onward.

The thought would creep into his mind that something was probably wrong. But on some days, he felt nothing.

“The reason I put up with this is because I might go a couple days, doing the same kind of work, and not feel any pain in my chest,” he said. “I’d think, ‘this is great, I might be over this.’”

It’s not uncommon for people to ignore pain and other cardiovascular warning signs, said cardiothoracic surgeon Eric Thompson, MD. But that’s a very dangerous behavior.

“With a situation like this, it’s not just that a heart attack could happen. You can die suddenly,” Dr. Thompson said.

He said there are several heart warning signs that should elicit a prompt visit to a family doctor or cardiologist: shortness of breath during exertion, chest pain or discomfort, strange pains in the arms, and pain in neck or back.

When Lowell’s pain kept returning and increasing in intensity, he finally listened

Top 15 percent for heart surgery boone.org/cardiology

“I’ve got the sweetest wife any man could ever have. I thought, I’ve got to do it for her.”

— Lowell Woods

to his wife and agreed to come to Boone Hospital Center and get tested.

At Boone, he badly failed a stress test.

He came back for a cardiac catheterization, where his cardiologist could look for blockage in his heart.

What they found was shocking — all three of his major coronary arteries were 90-95 percent blocked. He would need quadruple bypass surgery.

The discovery was unwelcome news for Lowell. At 75 years old, he’d already had far more than his share of illness and hospitalization — at just 5 years old he was nearly killed when a horse stepped on his head, cracking his skull in two places.

Another major operation seemed too much to bear.

“I was scared to death; I said I couldn’t go through it,” Lowell said. “But I thought about my wife, Darlene. I’ve got the sweetest wife any man could ever have. I thought, I’ve got to do it for her.”

Lowell was immediately admitted to the hospital where he awaited his operation the next day.

At 10 a.m., Lowell was taken into the operating room where his operation, performed by Dr. Thompson, lasted three hours.

The quadruple bypass was a success.

To save a heart patient like Lowell, Dr.

Thompson said it takes a team effort that extends well beyond the doctors and nurses.

The team includes dozens of other hospital employees.

It’s a team that was recently honored by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons with the three star composite quality rating. That’s the society’s highest rating, given to only 15 percent of hospitals nationwide.

“To care for a patient after heart surgery, there are probably 50 different people involved, all working together,” Dr. Thompson said. “You need all of them; they each play an essential role.”

He predicts the combined effort will make a profound impact for Lowell.

“His outlook, with his disease as it was, was very poor,” said Dr. Thompson. “Now, after the surgery, his life expectancy should be the same as the average, healthy 75-yearold.”

After his surgery, Lowell spent a day in the intensive care unit and then four days on the cardiac surgery unit. During this time, Darlene stayed by his side. They loved that Lowell’s hospital rooms included space for family members, including a pull-out couch where Darlene could sleep.

“It was wonderful to be able to be right there,” Darlene said. “I never had to leave.”

Lowell agreed. “I couldn’t imagine going through that without her there with me,” he said. “It is the nicest place you could ever come for health care. It was absolutely perfect. I had the best care that any person could ever have.”

Today, back on their farm in Baring, the surroundings are the same as always.

Lowell and Darlene have been tending to this land for more than 50 years now.

They know it by heart. They know the small streams, the rolling pasture and the level crop fields.

But for Lowell, the experience of walking next to his wife and working the land is entirely different.

“Oh, it’s beautiful. I can walk, I have no pain whatsoever,” he said. “I owe it all to the people at Boone Hospital — the doctors, the nurses and everyone that saved me.”

By Jacob Luecke

BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Spring 2013

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Boone’s Renaissance Man Badge, Brush And Spatula — Manager Has Wielded Them All

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ob Loseman wears many hats at Boone Hospital. He is the manager of security, telecommunications and emergency management. Although he can be spotted all over campus, his office is on the first floor of the historic Nifong building.

If you drop in, you might notice a big painting on the wall. The cloudy color fields allude to an abstract landscape. Some people are surprised to learn Rob painted the masterpiece himself.

In 1997, Rob graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Truman State University (called Northeast Missouri State when he started there). Later that year, he moved to Columbia with his girlfriend, whom he later married. After working at 3M for a while, he took her advice and began to look for an opening at Boone Hospital, where she worked as an RN. Rob applied for a chef job, was accepted and started his Boone career on Dec. 3, 1997.

He was drawn to the kitchen job because he had worked as a cook at Ponderosa Steakhouse in college. After changing majors from art education to studio art, he officially embraced the title of “starving artist.”

“I’ve always cooked,” Rob said. “Everyone in the art program worked at some restaurant, because then you’d at least get one meal while you were working.”

He liked working in the kitchen; he didn’t realize he had so much to learn.

“Cooking for a restaurant is different than cooking for health care,” Rob said. “I had to learn about low-sodium diets and glutenfree and all of the dietetic type of stuff that comes with it on the prep side.”

Becoming A Leader

A year and a half later, a leadership position in the kitchen opened up, and Rob transitioned seamlessly.

Once his oldest son turned 3, Rob decided he wanted to look for a day position so he could spend more time with his family.

That’s when he applied for the position of environmental services supervisor.

Slowly, over the next couple of years, people above him retired or moved on and he found himself managing environmental services, security, telecommunications and last year, he added emergency management to his plate.

He has since traded in environmental services for a role outside the hospital as co-chair of the Region F Emergency Health Care Coalition.

He laughs when he talks about how far his art degree, with an emphasis in painting and a minor in sculpture, has gotten him. He has discovered that his true skills lie in working with people.

“When they start talking technical, I have to say ‘Wait, wait, wait! You’re talking to a guy with an art degree. I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ But [I] make sure things happen and stuff works,” he says with a laugh.

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Rob’s had 11 different offices in his 15-year career.

Still Growing

He’s proud of his accomplishments and loves being able to see his impact at Boone.

“One time after it was done, I was coming down Bass Street and saw the south tower,” he said. “I thought, that’s going to be there forever. I had a little teeny part in it.”

In his 15-year career — including 13 years in leadership positions — Rob’s had 11 different offices.

His leadership position doesn’t end when he leaves Boone for the day. He is the head coach of a Little League Baseball team and Cubmaster for a local Cub Scout pack.

“If you’re in a leadership position, you’re always in a leadership position,” Rob said with a smile.

His last art show was in 2000 at Teller’s restaurant in downtown Columbia. Since then, he’s done more woodworking and less painting. He did paint giant murals in two bedrooms shared by his three sons, ages 10, 6 and 4.

Rob says it best: “Honestly, I’m 39 years old, and I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.” By Shannon Whitney

An Ashland athlete is back in the game with surgically repaired leg.

By Shannon Whitney

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Spring 2013 BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER

hen he hit the pitch, he thought it might be a homerun. The score was 2-1 — his Southern Boone County Eagles were trailing Osage High School. There were two runners on base, and Gus Goodnight watched the ball soar into the outfield.

The ball hit the ground and bounced over the fence. Gus knew he’d hit a ground rule double. He would get to take second base and earn two RBIs. But Gus never made it to second.

As he rounded first base, he was watching the ball. He stepped on the base awkwardly, and snap! Gus fell with a harrowing pain in his left leg.

Right away he knew something was wrong.

“My first reactions were: ‘I think I broke my leg; when am I going to be back? Did those runs score?’” recalls Gus, now a senior.

Within seconds of the injury, the thenhigh school junior, who’d been playing baseball since he was 5, was nervous about spending time away from the game.

The coaches hustled over and someone called an ambulance. As Gus was carried

off the field, both the Eagles and their opponents lined up to watch him go before saying a prayer.

The ambulance took him to a nearby hospital, but right away that hospital’s staff knew he needed more help than they could offer. The Goodnights drove their son to Boone Hospital Center. They had heard about Todd Oliver, MD; they wanted him to take care of Gus.

Visiting Team

After he was admitted and settled in, Gus and his family started getting calls and texts from his teammates and their parents.

Everyone wanted to come visit Gus. The nurses on the floor said that would be fine.

The baseball team poured in at 11 p.m.

“When he was here as a patient, it really made a big difference,” said Tima Goodnight, Gus’ mom and former Boone nurse. “They didn’t have to let those kids up there at 11 p.m. at night, but they did.

It was good for the kids and Gus. Even though it inconvenienced the staff, they put their patients first. We went home talking about that.”

Gus Goodnight is excited for his senior season.

“All of us moms thought, ‘OK, guys, it’s just a broken leg. There are kids out there who are really sick,” she remembered. “But to those boys, it could have happened to any of them. It made it real.”

For the rest of the weekend, Gus followed his team through a website with regular score and stat updates. It was hard not to be on the field with his buddies.

“It made me realize a lot of things. I always thought of myself highly, but then I saw they could do it without me,” said Gus. The day after the accident, Dr. Oliver came to see Gus. He gently felt his leg and explained how Gus would need surgery and that would mean the end of this baseball season.

“It’s never easy telling a young athlete that they have a bad injury and they’re going to miss a lot of playing time,” Dr. Oliver said. “I reassured him that he is going to get through it, and if he does things right, he’ll heal faster and get back on the field.”

Dr. Oliver put a rod in Gus’s tibia and a plate on his fibula. Gus wore a boot for the rest of the school year.

“I always tell my patients, I get the easy part. I have to put them back together. They have the hard part; they have all the work,” Dr. Oliver said.

When Gus left the hospital five days after the accident, his work was just beginning.

was accustomed to being in the middle of the action.

“We know when he becomes an adult and looks back on it, this will only be a tiny part of his life,” Tima said. “But when you’re 16, that’s a big deal to miss your purpose in life.”

With his leg in a boot, he made some big changes.

“It was hard every day getting up,” Gus said. “I couldn’t sleep the way I used to.

I had to sleep with my boot, and I couldn’t roll around. We have a batting cage in our basement, so I had to get out of bed and see that batting cage. That was rough.”

He still attended practices and games to support his team.

Adjusting To The Sidelines

Dr. Oliver cleared Gus to play football on Senior Night, the final game of the season. His coach put him in as an outside

At his high school in Ashland, Gus played varsity baseball and football. He 26

Spring 2013 BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER

linebacker, even though he played on the defensive line before the injury.

He played four plays the entire season, all in that final game.

It was easier getting back into baseball because it was a less physical game.

Early this fall, Gus returned to the mound during a fall league game. He and his mom clearly remember the first batter.

“We were in the stands crying because he’s pitching again and we never thought we’d see the day. Then, this kid hits a homerun,” Tima says with a laugh.

“I was furious,” a scowling Gus said.

He also eased back into batting, at first with the help of a pinch runner,

“It’s different to see a team from [the sidelines], rather than playing. You see why the coaches do stuff.”

“It’s different to see a team from that point of view, rather than playing. You see why the coaches do stuff,” Gus said with a laugh. “Whenever they make you run, you think, ‘This is so dumb, we shouldn’t be doing this.’ Whenever you are on the sideline watching and helping, you see they are out of shape and need to be running more.”

Back In The Game

all the while sending photos back to Dr. Oliver.

Gus goes to the Columbia Speed Academy a couple times each week to prepare for baseball season this spring.

This March, his team traveled to Florida to squeeze in some spring training games before the season started.

When asked about his senior season, he replied, “I’m really excited. I’m ready to get back into it.”

Gus hopes to continue his baseball career into college. In the meantime, he’s just happy to be back on the mound.

Jules @MissJules

Sharing her story: Breast cancer patient uses social media to encourage and #inspire

J

ulie Riley, known to her followers as @MissJules, has more than 180 followers on Twitter. She tweets, sometimes with photos, about concerts she attends, radio station DJs, going out for dinner and other everyday things. She also tweets about having her wig washed, spending time in the hospital recovering from surgery and chemo treatments.

Julie has cancer, but she is not afraid to share her journey, including the struggles and victories. Her friends offer her support and encouragement along the way.

Jamie Mac @JamieMac993

@MissJules glad to here your news earlier. I had no idea. “If he puts you through it, he’ll pull you through it.” You’re in my thoughts!

Finding Cancer

Last August, Julie found an unusual lump during her breast self-exam. She went in for her first mammogram at the age of 39.

Right away the tech told her she needed an ultrasound. Julie was nervous.

Dr. Laura Sievert, MD, said it could be a malignancy, and they needed a biopsy right away. It was Friday and Julie was told she’d get a call on Monday to learn if it was cancer.

In the meantime, Julie, a music lover, was heading to St. Louis for the Def Leppard and Poison concert.

“I decided to still go on to St. Louis for the concert. It was a good distraction. Saturday night I had a great time and sure enough on Monday, she called me and told me it was invasive, ductal, carcinoma,” Julie recalls.

A week later Julie met with a surgeon, Dr. Kimberly Suppes, MD. A week after that, Julie had a lumpectomy, a sentinel lymph node biopsy and auxiliary lymph node dissection. Only the sentinel node tested positive for cancer.

“It was done that fast. Boone was amazing with how fast they moved with it. Normally you would have to wait a couple of weeks for the biopsy,” Julie said.

A Family Affair

Although Julie is from Moberly, she is not new to Boone Hospital’s cancer care. Her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 42. She’s 20 years out now and supporting her daughter’s battle.

“She’s been my cheerleader every step of the way,” said Julie of her mom. “She knows what it feels like.”

Her father had myelodysplastic syndrome and was treated at Boone, too. Julie’s oncologist is the same oncologist who treated her father and her mother: Dr. Mark Vellek.

“I’m used to being in hospitals.” Julie said. “It’s sad to say, but when you have a family with as much cancer as mine has had, you get used to it.”

Sharing Her Struggle This winter, Julie’s followers may have seen tweets like this:

Jules @MissJules

Chemo treatment #12. That’s what’s up. (@Missouri Cancer Associates)

She’s not afraid to tweet about her wig, which is mistaken for real hair all the time. A few times last fall she tweeted compliments to the Boone Hospital staff.

Jules @MissJules

@BooneHospital I want to compliment your staff on the 5th floor for the excellent care they provided me during my stay earlier this month.

Julie explained that she uses Facebook to keep up with all of her close friends. Since Twitter has a larger audience, she uses it a little bit differently.

“With Twitter, obviously a lot of people can see what you’re putting out there, not just your friends. I just think it’s nice to let people know if they’re doing a good job.”

All through her own cancer battle, she encourages prevention through screenings.

“What I felt was not the cancer,” Julie said. “Good thing I felt something because the actual cancer was the size of a pea. It was not what I felt. It pays to do your exams. I’m glad I felt something because it could have progressed further.” By Shannon Whitney BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Spring 2013

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Back row, left to right: Leigh Hutchings, Cate Johnston and Kim Oliver; Front row, left to right: Mary Beth Schillinger, Althea Harris

Chameleons Of Care

Emergency Department Social Workers Enjoy Ever-Changing Duties

T

he social workers in the Boone Hospital Center Emergency Department are like chameleons. During an average day, they quickly shift responsibilities, supporting their coworkers in any way possible. Sometimes their days are packed with comforting family members of a sick loved one.

Other times the social workers work with physicians to create a care plan and provide resources for someone in need.

On really busy days, the social workers might even help transport a patient or turn a room around for the next person.

No matter how a day is colored, they change to fit right into their surroundings.

Mary Beth Schillinger and Kim Oliver are two of the social workers who staff the ED every day. Their team of five offers 28

Spring 2013 BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER

irreplaceable support for patients and families.

“I love the diversity of the day,” Kim said. “It’s as real as life gets. It’s life on life’s terms every day. We might work with a family to arrange a nursing home placement and then turn around and sit with a woman who just found out she’s pregnant.”

It takes a special kind of person to work under pressure and be ready for anything.

“I like to solve problems and be part of a team. I like to help people. It’s the perfect combination,” Mary Beth said.

Beth Eidson, the emergency department manager, is glad to have the social workers as a resource to patients in need.

“I strongly believe the opportunity to have ED dedicated social workers is a unique staffing opportunity for our

hospital,” Beth said. “We are able to offer immediate support and access to resources to those most in need, and isn’t this a primary reason people seek out emergency departments?”

Teamwork

One of their biggest roles is to team up with the physician to provide holistic care.

Having a working relationship with the medical staff is crucial to patientcentered care.

“One thing that I’m really proud of is collaboration with the doctors on cases that involve mental health concerns like anxiety and depression,” Kim said. “I go in with the doctor, and we take a team approach in talking about the mind and body, the mental and physical. That way we address a problem in two ways: medically and behaviorally.”

Learn more boone.org/ed The physicians can provide medical care, and the social workers step in to work through some of the psychosocial issues and connect each patient with the appropriate community resources.

Together, they make sure Boone patients receive the complete package.

Dr. Randall Mueller, MD, works with the social workers every day.

“We rely heavily on our ED social workers’ compassionate, professional and collaborative approach to augment our effort to deliver high-quality emergency medical services to our community,” he said.

“I will talk about therapy, counseling or psychiatry. I will explain those in detail,” said Kim about her work with patients.

“I can talk them through the situation, reduce the stigma, answer any questions they have and get them more comfortable with that kind of approach to what they thought was an anxiety attack, a shortness of breath, or pain.”

Kim Oliver talks with a coworker.

Community Ties

Members of the social work team are active in networking and building relationships on behalf of Boone Hospital and the patients they serve.

“We work well within the hospital with the other units. We coordinate a lot of health care for people, so we’re on the phone with the nurses and the administrative staff of the different clinic practices,” Mary Beth said with a smile.

In addition to working smoothly with other Boone staff and physicians, the social workers have forged bonds with other resources in the community. On a regular basis, the social workers are in contact with other health care providers and nonprofits in the area.

“We’ve fostered relationships because we have common goals,” Kim said. “We often know each other by first name when I call. We appreciate each other’s side of the coin.”

Above and beyond

Mary Beth and Kim, as well as their coworkers, have helped Boone patients in their darkest times.

Mary Beth remembers working with one young woman who needed help finding a detox facility. Years later, the women returned to the ED for a different

issue and she recognized Mary Beth. She was excited to thank her social worker and share that she hadn’t had a drink since that night.

“It gave me chills,” Mary Beth said.

“She’s a young girl; she has her whole life.

She has years of recovery behind her now.

That’s hard, hard work. I felt really good about that. I thought Boone Hospital saved a life by supporting us, by having me here.”

Both women say stories like those and everyday victories make them grateful for

their social work career. Although it often involves long hours and new challenges, the team is up for the job.

Mary Beth explains it best: “You have to be adaptable. Our role is pretty broad, and if we need to get a patient to an x-ray, sometimes we just have to do it.

We are part of the team. No one ever asks us to do anything beyond what we’ve been trained to do, so anybody at Boone would do the same thing. We step up and do what we can.” By Shannon Whitney BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Spring 2013

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Snow Angels Boone Hospital Staff Shines During Back-To-Back Storms

M

uch of mid-Missouri was snowed in after two snowstorms dumped a combined 19 inches of snow on Columbia in late February. But Boone Hospital Center employees rallied together to serve the large number of patients who were at the hospital during the storms.

To make sure enough caregivers were on hand, more than 450 staff members spent the night at the hospital during the two storms. In addition, the hospital’s snow transportation team braved the roads in their four-wheel drive vehicles to pick up nearly 100 staff members who were stranded at home. Thank you to our amazing staff members who are always eager to serve — no matter the weather.

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