OMCNews

ISSUE IN THIS

October 2011

Annual Docs vs. Jocks is Oct. 20Page 3

OMC Riverways’ new service offers specialized dementia carePage 2

Honoring OMC’s volunteersPage 4

Missouri Adoption Heart Gallery visits OMCPage 5

OMC named 2011 Missouri Employer ChampionPage 6

The Right Care, Right HereThe Right Care, Right Here

One in seven women will face a breast cancer diagnosis in her lifetime. When it comes to breast cancer, early detection is key. To fight this devastating disease and in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Ozarks Medical Center will host a free breast cancer screening

from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Shaw Medical Building. The screening is free but appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling OMC at 417-257-5984.

The screening will include education, information and a clinical breast exam, which is an examination by a health care professional who feels for lumps or other changes in the breast. The clinical breast exam screening is recommended for women age 20 and older, who have not had an exam in the past year.

“The best defense against breast cancer is early detection,” said Richard Delgado, Director of the OMC Cancer Treatment Cancer. “We encourage all women to take care of their health by taking part in the appropriate screenings for their age and risk factors.”

Continued to page 3

West Plains Mayor Joe Paul Evans recently signed a proclamation recognizing October 2011 as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pictured from left are OMC Cancer Treatment Center Nurse Practitioner Susan Kenslow, Radiation Oncologist Dr. Patricia Barrett, Hematologist/Oncologist Dr. Liana Makarian, West Plains Mayor Joe Paul Evans, OMC Cancer Treatment Center Hematologist/Oncologist and Medical Director Dr. Charles Morgan, Radiation Oncologist Dr. Morgan Barrett and Oncology Services Director Richard Delgado.

OMC to host Breast Cancer Screening Oct. 8

An OMC Rehabilitation Services Basketball Challenge

Staff Recognition

Tips from the OMC Nutrition Department

Eat RightEat Right

Ozarks Medical Center 2October 2011

Big Smith Band

new service by Riverways of Ozarks Medical Center offers specialized care for patients with dementia and cognitive impairment. A

“Dementia is a long journey for those with the disease and for their families,” said Sheryl Emery, Director of OMC Riverways. “Reflections for Living is designed to provide support every step of the way by providing compassionate, quality care for the body, mind and spirit.”

Dementia is a general term used to describe the gradual deterioration of mental functioning, such as concentration, memory and judgment, which affects a person’s ability to perform normal daily activities.

The most common types of dementia include Alzheimer’s Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, Vascular Dementia and Frontotemporal Dementia.

Emery said the goal of Reflections is to help patients and their families achieve the highest quality of life possible while effectively managing symptoms and behaviors in a safe environment. Reflections for Living offers respite care, grief counseling, education, connections with other families who share similar experiences, training for creating new connections and experiences with loved one, assistance with health care decisions, personal care, medication management, sensory simulation, spiritual support, and specialized treatment programs based on likes, interests and experiences.

“The service is uniquely tailored to meet the needs of each individual patient and their families,” she said.

Reflections for Living is available in homes, assisted living facilities and long-term care facilities. Reflections for Living is paid for, in part, by the Southwest Missouri Office on Aging. For more information, call Riverways of Ozarks Medical Center at 417-256-3133.

OMC Riverways’ new service offers specialized dementia care

Reflections for Living open house on Aug. 22.

Food, nutrition and eating skills are among the most important things you can share with children: food to fuel busy, successful lives; nutrition to nourish strong bodies and smart brains; and eating skills to enjoy the social aspect of meals with family and friends.

As with any part of raising children, no one does a perfect job with nutrition. As a parent, grandparent or adult caregiver, you can help to raise healthy eaters during these critical years by doing your best to:

ü Serve regular, balanced meals and snacks with a variety of nutrient-rich foods

ü Provide calm, pleasant meal times where adults and children can talk together

ü Allow children to use their internal signals to decide how much and what to eat

ü Explore a variety of flavors and foods from different cultures and cuisines

ü Share an appreciation for healthful food, lovingly prepared and shared with others

ü Make simple food safety, like washing hands, part of every eating occasion. Teach basic skills for making positive food choices away from home.

ü Find credible food and nutrition resources when you don't know the answer.

Make Family Meal Times a PrioritySometimes a very simple act can have important, long-lasting benefits. According to parenting and health experts, that is exactly the case with family meal times. Eating and talking together helps: Foster family unity; prevent behavior problems at home and school ; enhance academic success ; improve nutrition; and promote healthy weight for kids.

Raising Healthy Eaters

Ozarks Medical Center 3October 2011

According to the Center for Disease Control, 202,964 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, the most recent year numbers are available. Except for skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. According to the American Cancer Society, women should begin clinical breast exams and self exams at age 20 and should begin yearly screening mammograms at the age of 40.

"Prevention education and early detection of cancer can make a large difference in saving lives and fighting cancer," said Dr. Liana Makarian, OMC Medical Oncologist. "In addition to clinical exams and self-exams, women should also receive regular mammograms.”

Dr. Makarian said further information about self-breast exams and mammograms, including scheduling and resources for women in need of financial assistance will also be available at the screening event.

Screening - Continued from page 1

Get ready for an extreme sports extravaganza at the Annual Docs vs. Jocks basketball challenge on Thursday, Oct. 20 at the West Plains Civic Center. The basketball showdown between Ozarks Medical Center Rehabilitation Services staff and area physicians begins at 7 p.m. Admission is a free-will donation and all event proceeds will be used in the medical care of OMC Rehabilitation Services pediatric patients 16-year old Derek Howell and 15-month-old Clinton Hulvey.

This year’s theme is extreme sports and prior to the game, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., will be an extreme sports carnival with an extreme obstacle and carnival games like Shark Tank/Deep Sea Fishing, Snake Pit, Skateboarding Plinko, Big Game Shoot.

Clinton is the son of Brandon and Heidi Hulvey of Winona. Clinton suffers from seizures and infantile spasms. He has been a patient at OMC Rehabilitation Services since he was five months old and receives occupational and physical therapy and speech language pathology services.

The second recipient, Derek Howell, has been a patient at OMC Rehabilitation Services for the past 14 years and receives occupational and physical therapy and speech language therapy for developmental delay issues. He is the son of Fred and Brenda Howell of West Plains.

Docs vs. Jocks is hosted by OMC Rehabilitation Services and the West Plains Civic Center. For more information about Docs vs. Jocks or to make a donation, call OMC Public Relations at 417-257-6735.

Annual Docs vs. Jocks is Oct. 20

Ozarks Medical Center 4October 2011

Ozarks Medical Center honored its team of dedicated volunteers during an annual appreciation dinner on Sept. 15.

Approximately 180 volunteers and their guests attended the event. Awards were presented for service hours of more than 500 hours in 2010, and for five, 10, 20 and 25 years of volunteer service.

Hospital leaders and staff were there to present the awards and to help serve the volunteers. Entertainment was provided by the Black Diamond Band and hospital departments gave 37 creative, beautiful and bountiful baskets for door prizes at the dinner.

“Volunteers really make a difference at OMC with more than 30,000 hours of service each year, totaling to almost $565,000 in value,” said Mary Dyck, OMC Vice President of Clinical Services. “The compassion, time and service these volunteers contribute to OMC and their community is truly outstanding. We are honored that these volunteers have chosen to serve OMC and want to express our appreciation for all they do for our staff, patients and visitors.”

For more information about volunteering at OMC, contact Dianne Marianne, Volunteer Programs Coordinator, at 417-256-3133.

OMC volunteers give more than 30,000 hours of service each year

Several volunteers were honored for 10 years of service

to OMC. Pictured from left: Mildred Young, OMC

Chief Operating Officer Jeannie Looper, Mary Lou

Miller, Carolyn VonAllmen, Billie Prewitt, Wilma Hall,

Marshall Scott and Joyce Risner.

See page 5 for more photos

Missouri Adoption Heart Gallery

A portion of the Missouri Adoption Heart Gallery was on display this week at Ozarks Medical Center in the lobby of the Eighth Street entrance near the Emergency Department. The display featured photos of children in foster care in Missouri who are waiting for adoptive families. The Heart Gallery project features 173 photos of a total of 276 children. According to Circuit Manager Barbara Perry, 28 children are in the process of being adopted into permanent, loving homes as a result of the Heart Gallery project. Pictured are representatives from the Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division with the display. From left, Rebecca Lee, Licensing Worker; Ann Bockman, Children’s Service Supervisor; Barbara Perry, Circuit Manager; Jessica Campbell, Adoption Subsidy Worker; and Shawn Bentley, Children’s Service Supervisor. For more information visit www.moheartgallery.org.

October 8 - Breast Cancer Screening8 a.m. - Noon at the Cancer Treatment Center. See page 1 for more information.

October 20 - Doc’s vs. Jocks 20117 p.m. at the West Plains Civic Center. See page 2 for more information

October 26 - Trunk or Treat6 to 8 p.m. at the West Plains Civic Center. OMC and area businesses will distribute treats and goodies to area children at the annual Trunk or Treat event. Admission is a donation of one canned good per person. For more information, call 417-257-6735.

October 30 - Cancer Treatment Center Open House2 p.m. - at the Shaw Medical Building, 1111 Kentucky. OMC Cancer Treatment Center will host a Ribbon Cutting and Community Open House. For more information call, 417-257-6735.

Upcoming Events

Ozarks Medical Center 5October 2011

Big Smith Band

xperience Works, the nation’s largest organization serving older workers through the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), named Ozarks Medical Center (OMC) of EWest Plains, Missouri as the 2011 Missouri Employer Champion. OMC is recognized for their

leadership and commitment to developing strong business partnerships with Experience Works and hiring older workers.

As the largest employer in the West Plains area, the 114-bed, not-for-profit medical referral center serves an 11-county area in south central Missouri and north central Arkansas. Forty percent of its 1,200 employees are over the age of 50. OMC values older workers and has hired three Experience Works Senior Community Service Employment participants for various positions throughout the organization. OMC’s Recruitment Specialist Tammy Boak has also provided practical advice and job search tips as a guest trainer for Experience Works Job Clubs.

“Older Americans have a level of experience, knowledge and attention to detail, which benefits our hospital and our patients,” Boak said. “It is the partnership of employees of all ages and walks of life that helps us meet our goal of providing compassionate, quality care to the communities we serve.”

OMC President and CEO David Zechman said each employee and age group brings unique qualities to the organization.

“We appreciate the opportunity to work with dedicated individuals and we value the life experience of older workers,” he said. “Together, we make up a diversified, well-rounded workforce, which allows us to deliver the best health care possible.”

Experience Works Missouri State Director Diane Chambers says employers across Missouri have found that hiring older workers makes good business sense. “Older workers are versatile, have excellent skills, a strong work ethic, and are committed to helping their employers succeed.”

These highly successful partnerships thrive as a result of the Experience Works SCSEP. Through the program, out of work low-income seniors provide community services at non-profit agencies. While there, the older workers upgrade their skills so they can be competitive in today’s job market. Employers who recruit SCSEP participants for their job vacancies report high levels of satisfaction with the individuals they hire.

Experience Works recognizes organization for partnerships with older workers

2011 Missouri Employer Champion

Pictured, from left, at the Experience Works awards ceremony are OMC Board Member Logan Dale, OMC President and CEO David Zechman, Experience Works Missouri State Director Diane Chambers, OMC Director of Human Resources Greg Shannon, OMC Recruitment Specialist Tammy Boak, Experience Works Employment and Training Coordinator Anne Hutchinson, West Plains Mayor Joe Paul Evans and OMC Board Member Judy Ingalsbe.

Ozarks Medical Center 6October 2011

4th hospitalist joins OMC

medical staffSuranga Dharmaratne, MD, has joined the Ozarks Medical Center medical staff as a hospitalist and is now providing inpatient care at OMC in West Plains.

A hospitalist is a physician who focuses solely on caring for patients while they are staying in the hospital. Hospitalists assess and treat the patient’s acute medical condition, keep the patient’s primary physician informed of their progress and coordinate all aspects of the patient’s hospital care. OMC began its hospitalist program in 2009 and Dr. Dharmaratne completes the Hospitalist Team of four full-time employed physicians at OMC. Other OMC hospitalists are Dr. John Sorg, Dr. Mazhar Rahman and Dr. Rodrigo Goh.

Dr. Dharmaratne comes to OMC from the Metropolitan Hospital Center at New York Medical College.

There, he completed a residency in internal medicine. He received his medical degree from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in Sri Lanka and completed internships at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka with the University of Colombo.