1 May 2019 1 Auxiliary President Howard Sheorn; Volunteer Services Moving 2 Fundraising Report; Carol McCamish and Tish Barlew 3 Karen Sloan Receives Catherine Spalding Award 4 Jean’s Jazz, Jean Payne, Volunteer Services Director 5 Janelle Reilly Missioned as CHI Memorial CEO 6 Meet the New COO: Tony Houston 7 Arts Lecture Series: Arts Help Veterans; Motivate Youth 8 CHI Memorial Hospital Georgia Update; Best of the Best in Georgia 9 Allan Lewis Retiring after 27 Years in Cardiac Rehabilitation 10- 11 Trip to the Jungle Mission of Gayle Haberkam, a Former Employee 12 Charles Dicks, Self-Taught Pianist, Plays with Music@Memorial 13 Our First Scholarship Winner Still Working at CHI Memorial 14 Hixson Highlights: Administrator Patrick Johnson Accepts Impact Award from Friends of Hixson 15 Christy Sentell and 40 Random Acts of Kindness 16 May is Mental Health Month; Focus on Suicide Awareness, Prevention 17 Join the Fun at OutRun Melanoma on Mother’s Day Weekend 18 A Primary Center for Stroke; Doctor Talks; Auxiliary Bags Still Traveling 19 News Briefs: Happy Shoes Project, New Guest Internet, Lifeline 20 Announcements; Important Dates Comments from the Memorial Auxiliary President Dear Fellow Volunteers: When Joyce Dick informed me that it was time for the May issue of “Cheerio Chats,” it dawned on me that this would be my last article as your president. As I think about the past two years, I think of the many changes - changes in the hospital, changes in the Volunteer Office, new volunteers and some great volunteers we have lost. I feel extremely blessed to have served as your President. I am very optimistic about our Auxiliary and its future. We are on solid ground financially! We are over 400 in membership and growing. With capable leadership, our future is unlimited. We are blessed to have great support from our hospital administration and new CEO Janelle Reilly, and SUPER support from Jean Payne and the Volunteer Office. With the Volunteer Office moving to a larger space next to Human Resources, our potential is enhanced. In closing, I want to say that I am a better person because of each of you! It has truly been an honor to serve you. A very special thanks to Jean, Julie, and Betsey for all they have contributed. Our capable and extremely talented Vice President, Judy Hall, will follow me as President. She will be a caring and compassionate leader. I wish her the very best and pledge my support. I will continue meeting with the Auxiliary Board as Parliamentarian and Past President. Please make plans to attend our banquet on May 21 at Abba’s House. Hope to see all of you there! Peace be with you. Howard Sheorn, Auxiliary President The Volunteer Services Office Is Moving! “We are excited to be moving into a larger office space across the hall from Human Resources and near the Plaza Uniform Shop,” says Jean Payne Director of Volunteer Services. The space is being renovated to fit the needs of the staff, with offices for Jean, Guest Services Manager Betsey Runyan, and Volunteer Coordinator Julie Touché . “In addition, we will have a much needed conference/work room for volunteer orientation and meetings, and we will have better work space to complete projects we have on hand and those we provide for other departments. Plus some storage space!” Jean adds. The renovation is expected to be completed by mid-May with plans to move in by the end of May. The current office space will be utilized by The Valve Center, as their practice continues to thrive and grow. “We look forward to welcoming everyone to our new space soon!”
Transcript
1
May 2019
1 Auxiliary President Howard Sheorn;
Volunteer Services Moving
2 Fundraising Report; Carol
McCamish and Tish Barlew
3 Karen Sloan Receives
Catherine Spalding Award
4 Jean’s Jazz, Jean Payne,
Volunteer Services Director
5 Janelle Reilly Missioned as
CHI Memorial CEO
6 Meet the New COO:
Tony Houston
7 Arts Lecture Series: Arts Help
Veterans; Motivate Youth
8 CHI Memorial Hospital Georgia
Update; Best of the Best in Georgia
9 Allan Lewis Retiring after 27 Years
in Cardiac Rehabilitation
10-
11
Trip to the Jungle Mission of Gayle
Haberkam, a Former Employee
12 Charles Dicks, Self-Taught Pianist,
Plays with Music@Memorial
13
Our First Scholarship Winner Still
Working at CHI Memorial
14 Hixson Highlights: Administrator
Patrick Johnson Accepts Impact
Award from Friends of Hixson
15 Christy Sentell and 40 Random
Acts of Kindness
16 May is Mental Health Month; Focus
on Suicide Awareness, Prevention
17
Join the Fun at OutRun Melanoma
on Mother’s Day Weekend
18
A Primary Center for Stroke; Doctor
Talks; Auxiliary Bags Still Traveling
19 News Briefs: Happy Shoes Project,
New Guest Internet, Lifeline
20 Announcements; Important Dates
Comments from the Memorial Auxiliary President
Dear Fellow Volunteers:
When Joyce Dick informed me that it was time for the
May issue of “Cheerio Chats,” it dawned on me that this would
be my last article as your president. As I think about the past
two years, I think of the many changes - changes in the
hospital, changes in the Volunteer Office, new volunteers and
some great volunteers we have lost. I feel extremely blessed to
have served as your President.
I am very optimistic about our Auxiliary and its future. We
are on solid ground financially! We are over 400 in membership and growing. With
capable leadership, our future is unlimited.
We are blessed to have great support from our hospital administration and new
CEO Janelle Reilly, and SUPER support from Jean Payne and the Volunteer Office.
With the Volunteer Office moving to a larger space next to Human Resources, our
potential is enhanced.
In closing, I want to say that I am a better person because of each of you! It has
truly been an honor to serve you. A very special thanks to Jean, Julie, and Betsey for
all they have contributed. Our capable and extremely talented Vice President, Judy
Hall, will follow me as President. She will be a caring and compassionate leader. I
wish her the very best and pledge my support. I will continue meeting with the
Auxiliary Board as Parliamentarian and Past President.
Please make plans to attend our banquet on May 21 at Abba’s House. Hope to see
all of you there!
Peace be with you.
Howard Sheorn,
Auxiliary President
The Volunteer Services Office Is Moving!
“We are excited to be moving into a
larger office space across the hall from
Human Resources and near the Plaza
Uniform Shop,” says Jean Payne Director
of Volunteer Services.
The space is being renovated to fit the
needs of the staff, with offices for Jean,
Guest Services Manager Betsey Runyan,
and Volunteer Coordinator Julie Touché .
“In addition, we will have a much
needed conference/work room for
volunteer orientation and meetings, and
we will have better work space to
complete projects we have on hand and
those we provide for other departments.
Plus some storage space!” Jean adds.
The renovation is expected to be
completed by mid-May with plans to
move in by the end of May.
The current office space will be
utilized by The Valve Center, as their
practice continues to thrive and grow.
“We look forward to welcoming
everyone to our new space soon!”
2
CHI Memorial Auxiliary Board
OFFICERS SERVICE CHAIRPERSONS
President Howard Sheorn Ooltewah/Primary Health Clinics Elizabeth Phillips
Vice President Judy Hall Cancer/MEL/Cancer Resource Ctrs. Martha Adams
Corresponding Secretary Joyce Dick North Tower Info Desk/Cardiac
Services/HR/Employee Health
Charlotte Cuticchia
Recording Secretary Faye Robinson MHH Imaging/Breast Ctr/ GI Lab/
Infection Control
Vacant
Financial Officer Barbara Kramer Emergency Department/Endoscopy,
CDU/Endoscopy/Fund Raising
Tish Barlew
Parliamentarian Phyllis Parks MHH Visitor Info Desk/Registration Willie Harvey
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON Historian Vacant
Bylaws Phyllis Parks Surgery Services Info Desk Merle Cason
Fundraising Carol McCamish, Tish Barlew South Tower Info/Surgery Waiting Carol Bishop
Special Events/Scholarship Judy Hall Service Excellence Rounding, Nursing
Floors, Nutrition, Infection Control,
Pharmacy, Pet Therapy
Tom Norman
Outpatient Entrance/Cart Drivers Richard Hewitt
MHH Golf Carts/POB/Nursing Units Mary Lou Vaught
Hello to Our Fellow Volunteers,
Since we just celebrated Volunteer Appreciation Month
in April, I want to thank all of you who volunteer to work
all our sales. Tish and I appreciate your dedication to
helping the Auxiliary raise funds to support our
commitments to CHI Memorial to help improve patient
care. You are THE BEST!
We just finished one of our popular sales, Masquerate
$5 Sale on April 11 and 12 at Glenwood. This vendor holds
the sale 24 hours and allows those employees who often
aren’t able to shop a sale to have access to shopping at
work. The total sales were $12,820.49, and our bonus will
be $2,347.00
Our next sale will be Dynamic Shopping on June 5 at
Hixson and June 6 and 7 at Glenwood. This is a new
vendor that tries to bring items that will appeal to many.
They used to be Dynamic Cookware, but now in addition
to kitchen products, they sell wellness and personal care
items, bathroom and laundry products, linen, blankets, and
pillows as well as tools and auto supplies. So mark your
calendar and come pick up much needed items.
Remember we are still selling Riverbend bracelets at the
Gift Shops while supplies last. We are selling them for $75,
but if you buy online, it is $92.30 and at the gate, it will be
$115. Keith Urban, Weezer, Lionel Richie, and
Macklemore are headliners.
We look forward to seeing you.
Fondly,
Tish Barlew and Carol McCamish
Auxiliary Fund Raising Report
Dynamic Shopping June 5 at Hixson June 6-7 at Chattanooga
Jewelry Elite August 6, 7 & 8 at Hixson July 15-16 at Chattanooga
Sparkle Life Jewelry September 10 at Hixson September 11-12 at Chattanooga
Collective Goods October 14-15 at Hixson October 17-18 at Chattanooga
Masquerade $5 Sale December 5 at Hixson December 5-6 at Chattanooga
2019 Fundraising Events Scheduled
3
“Catherine Spalding was our founder, and her story touches my soul,” says Karen Sloan, Annual Fund Coordinator of Foundation and one of four Catherine Spalding Award recipients. Others are Katrina Crisp in ER at Hixson; Sharon Hopper, Dietitian; and Vanecia Spencer, Surgical Patient Care Assistant.
Associates say, “Karen is a joyful and positive person. She genuinely loves others and greets everyone with warmth and kindness.” “Karen will tackle any task; she never speaks a cross word, she energizes those around her, encourages others to excel, and represents CHI Memorial in the very best
light. She is a blessing to all of us.”
Karen came to CHI Memorial in 1988 with Sharon Scarborough, who was hired by Sister Thomas de Sales to design and build a state-of-the-art Cancer Center and recruit physicians and staff. Sharon and Karen shared a small office in the South Tower.
That was the beginning of what has become the Rees Skillern Cancer Institute with all its Centers of Excellence in Cancer Care. Karen worked in oncology for 11 years and loved it – the staff, the patients, the physicians. She made some life-long friends.
“We began the We Care Weekend Retreat the year of my first son’s birth,” Karen says. “So this year is the 28th year. I am so pleased that the retreat has continued with Auxiliary support.”
When a position in Marketing opened, Karen, whose degree from UTC is in marketing, was encouraged to apply. Again she found people she loved and a rewarding outreach into the
community, sharing CHI Memorial’s story through the media.
Twelve years later, she worked briefly in Diabetes before going to Hospice of Chattanooga in Marketing and Volunteer Services. Four years ago, she came back to CHI Memorial to the Foundation.
She enjoyed her four years with Hospice, but her heart was always with the mission of CHI Memorial and the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, and she was happy to come “home” to her present position. Her involvement as an SCN Associate had never ceased,
Karen was born in Buffalo, New York, one of eight children. They moved to the Chattanooga area when Karen was 10. She met her husband Keith Sloan, a graduate of McCallie, in her senior year at Ooltewah High. Keith is now retired from Chattanooga Gas Company. They have two sons: Ryan is 28 and Kyle, 26. Kyle and his wife Hallie are parents of her beautiful granddaughter, Sara Kate.
Karen’s Foundation work includes:
MAGIC, the employee giving program. “She is always seeking better ways to communicate and meet higher goals, for special projects and Employee Assistance.”
Employee Engagement - plans celebrations and events for employees.
Caring Spirit Program. “Karen makes this presentation personal and meaningful to the recipient, affirming the healing ministry and making a lasting impression.”
Friends of CHI Memorial - recognizes donors whose current project is early detection of lung cancer.
The Annual Report of Foundation which this year was “over-the-top amazing” with dozens of pictures, highlighting donors and staff.
Helping with events, including those for volunteers.
“To Me This is the Highest Honor”
Karen Sloan Receives Catherine Spalding Award
The Foundation Family: Jennifer McDonald, Karen Sloan, Tim Granger, Jennifer Nicely, Stacey Lee, and Christine Willingham.
Catherine Spalding
Karen’s granddaughter two-year-old Sara Kate.
The SCN Associates join with the Sisters in deepening their own spirituality and reaching out in compassionate service as the love of Christ guides them. Karen joined SCN Associates 15 years ago.
4
Jean’s Jazz
CHI
We recently honored YOU, our wonderful volunteers as
we celebrated National Volunteer Week, April 7-13. The
theme we chose is listed above. Betsey, Julie and I made
rounds daily, trying to visit as many volunteers as possible
to personally thank you and share a small gift and a big
hug. YOU all are Forever Making a Huge Difference in
such a wonderful way on all our campuses, and we just
can’t thank you enough for your gifts of time, talent and
passion you share with us and all we serve! If you didn’t
receive your gift or hug, please call us at 495-4148 or email
Touché, our current Office Volunteers and me all in one
area. When we move, our current office space will be
utilized by The Valve Center as their practice continues to
thrive and grow. We look forward to welcoming everyone
to our new office space for a blessing and open house
sometime in June. Stay tuned!
At the Society for Healthcare Volunteer Leaders
(SHVL) Annual Education Conference, we had a great
representation from our Auxiliary Board and Volunteer
Services staff and we learned so much from our peers that
we can implement on our campuses.
We also shared much about all the great things we are
doing. The conference was held in Charlotte, which is
known as “Queen City.” Our conference theme was
“Volunteers --- The Crowning Jewel of Healthcare,” and it
couldn’t be more true of volunteers and especially our
team! Thank you for all you do in all the countless ways
you assist and help those we serve. You are such an
amazing part of our CHI Memorial team!
“Volunteers -- Greatly Needed and Forever Making a Difference!”
This group enjoyed a royal learning opportunity at the annual leadership conference of the Society for Healthcare Volunteer Leaders (SHVL) in the Queen City of Charlotte, NC. Pictured are Volunteer Coordinator Julie Touche, Incoming Auxiliary President Judy Hall, Auxiliary President Howard Sheorn, Director of Volunteer Services Jean Payne, and Fundraising Co-Chair Carol McCamish.
Janelle Reilly Missioned as CEO in Sacred Ceremony
In a beautiful interactive service,
Janelle Reilly solemnly committed
herself to answer God's call and serve
as Chief Executive Officer of CHI
Memorial "with passion, authenticity,
and a deep spirit and awareness that
what we do is sacred work."
Chaplain Betsy Kammerdeiner led
in singing "We Are Called," uniting
the audience and setting a tone of
reverence. "We are called to act with
justice, to love, tenderly, to serve one
another, to walk humbly with God."
In front of the Mission Flame, the
audience asked to receive a spirit of
Reverence, Integrity, Compassion,
and Excellence, that these values
might deepen within us and guide
our daily decisions and our actions.
Gifts Guiding CHI Memorial
Sister Judy Raley reflected on
1Corinthians 16:4-7, which promises
different gifts for the common good,
the scripture on which our new name
"Common Spirit" is based. God has
given gifts to guide CHI Memorial
since the Sisters of Charity of
Nazareth brought the gift of faith-
based health care to Chattanooga in
1952. The Sisters' first leader, Mother
Catherine Spalding, demonstrated
unwavering compassion and courage.
A picture of a statue of Catherine
Spalding was presented to Janelle.
Sister Marie Victoria, brought
gifts of gentleness, excellence, and
justice. She led the hospital and
community in integration, seeing each
person as God's beloved creation.
Sister Thomas de Sales brought
different gifts, being strong, forth-
right, outspoken, and patient-focused.
Gifts of other administrators kept the
mission of CHI Memorial strong.
The Missioning Ceremony
Janelle came forward with her
husband Pat, their son Joe and
daughter Molly. Larry Schumacher
and five members of the Sisters of
Charity of Nazareth conducted the
ceremony: Sister Judy Raley and
Sister Betty Vannucci, former leaders
at CHI Memorial, Sister Dorothy
Jackson, currently on the
Board of Directors, and
Sister Susan Kilb and
Sister Clare Reasbeck,
who came from Kentucky
for this special occasion.
A Mission Candle was
presented to Janelle as a
symbol of Christ's Healing
Mission. She promised to
further nurture the flame
entrusted to her. Members
of CHI Memorial Board,
the executive team and management
staff, physicians, associates, and
volunteers stood to pledge their
availability and recommit themselves.
Janelle's Response
"Being asked to serve as CEO of
CHI Memorial is an incredible honor. I
am following the legacy of giants in
leadership. I will not forget how they
used their gifts and how they fought
for justice and to extend the hospital
boundaries. I have been blessed to
work closely with Larry Schumacher,
an inspirational role model."
Janelle expressed gratitude to her
family, to physicians, clinicians, co-
workers, and volunteers. "You are an
inspiration to me. Thank you for living
the values and making a difference
every day. We must continue to trust
and rely on each other as we serve as
Christ's hands and feet in this healing
ministry. I am truly humbled and
honored."
Father Mike Nolan and Father Mike
Creson gave a final blessing asking the
Holy Spirit to surround Janelle and all
those pledging to support her. Sisters Dorothy Jackson, Susan Kilb, Clare Reasbeck, Judy Raley, and Betty Vannucci participated in the Ceremony.
Janelle received a framed copy of CHI Memorial Mission and Values
Janelle’s family— Holly, Joe and Pat—pledged their support.
Father Mike Nolan and Father Mike Creson gave final blessing, asking the Holy Spirit to surround Janelle and those supporting her.
Dr. Boxell represented the Board; Chaplain Betsy Kammerdeiner led singing to “Offer talents and service...working with vision.”
6
The new Chief Operating Officer at CHI Memorial
brings a wealth of experience, energy, enthusiasm, and
expertise to share with our executive leadership team.
“I feel blessed to be part of this dynamic workplace
where I can fully experience and share my faith,” Tony
says. “Having been with CHI for a while, I had heard
good things about CHI Memorial, but it is even better
than advertised. I am impressed with the dedication of the
associates and volunteers and the focus on continual
quality improvement and safety.
One big project facing him is EPIC. This is the third
time Tony has been project leader for implementing this
electronic medical record program.
“It is a huge change that will impact just about
everyone in the hospital and unlock the potential to do
our job better,” he says. “That makes it an excellent
opportunity to come together, to help each other and to
bond as a team - an EPIC bond."
Where in the World Was He Born?
In Heidelberg, Germany. "My birth certificate from
the hospital is in German, English, and French. I also
have a certificate of foreign birth issued by the
Department of Defense."
When his father was discharged from the army two
years later, the family moved to Cincinnati, where Tony
grew up and attended school. He graduated from the
University of Cincinnati, and while still in school, he got
his first job as an ER orderly in a Catholic hospital.
The hospital was operated by the Sisters of Charity of
Cincinnati. They merged with another hospital and
became Tri-Health System. When the Sisters joined
Catholic Health Initiatives, CHI shared ownership of the
system. I didn't realize it then, but I began my healthcare
career with CHI," Tony says.
Tony was part of the team that implemented the
merger and was influenced by the experience to change
his career choice from dentistry to healthcare
management. That motivated getting his Master’s at
Xavier where he also met his wife Becky, a nursing
graduate.
“She is an expert
swimmer, though
she would never
tell you that. She
was captain of
the team her
senior year. We
spent 10 years in
Chicago and she
was nurse
manager of a cardiac program.”
While in Chicago, Tony spent 4+ years at the
University of Chicago Medical Center before going into
consulting. He was recruited back into hospital work at
SSM Health in Missouri. SSM was the first healthcare
system to win the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality
Award established by Congress to promote improved
quality in business.
When one of his colleagues was called to CHI St.
Vincent Infirmary in Arkansas, he recruited Tony to be
President over their Hot Springs Market, with the busiest
Level II trauma center in the state.
Tony and his wife Becky have one daughter, Avery,
who is finishing the sixth grade before moving to
Chattanooga with her mother. Avery is looking forward
to being a student at GPS. The Houston’s also claim a
niece as daughter. Madison is a sophomore at Xavier and
helped them pick out the house in Chattanooga, which
has a room for her. “She often goes with us on vacations,
and we will be meeting her in Rome in June to do some
traveling when she finishes a study program there.”
Their new home in Chattanooga will also welcome
two Goldendoodles, an important part of the family.
“Becky is a volunteer at the hospital in Hot Springs
and hopes to volunteer at CHI Memorial,” Tony says. “I
greatly appreciate the dedication of the volunteers and the
time and expertise you give to the hospital. Your
willingness to work here so much without pay reminds
me what a special place CHI Memorial is!”
Meet Tony Houston, Our New COO, and Family
(right to left) Tony Houston, wife Becky, daughter Avery, and niece Madison recently visited Chattanooga to find a house. The ladies will be joining Tony when Avery’s school is out.
Goldendoodles Sadie (in the water) and Ellie (posing) are part of the Houston family.
7
From The Foundation Jennifer Nicely, Foundation President
Steve Dean, Ballet, and East Lake Expression Engine Featured at 19th Cam Busch Endowed Arts for Health Series
The Hunter Museum provided a beautiful setting for the 19th annual Arts for Health Series, which
enhances the Arts Program at CHI Memorial. A glistening new sculpture flew over the crowd
listening to Steve Dean, Nashville singer songwriter, performing and telling about Operation Song,
which helps veterans tell their stories through the healing power of music.
“Writing these songs has been the most eye-opening experience I’ve ever had,” Steve said. “And
it’s ongoing, too. There’s no end in sight.”
Several Operation Song veterans attended to support Steve and encourage
veterans to attend weekly song-writing sessions in Chattanooga. Steve told the
emotional and heart touching stories of some of the veterans and even sang one
song of a war-time photographer, that brought the reality of war to the listeners:
“We shot the pictures; they shot the guns.”
Steve also sang some of his country music hits, including “I’ve been
watching you, Dad,”
written with Rodney
Atkins.
Also featured on
the program were the
East Lake Expression
Engine and the
Chattanooga Ballet. The Engine is inspired by the musical
ideals of a movement that sees music as an effective avenue
for developing children’s creativity and problem solving skills
and building up a strong community. The New City Fellow-
ship East partners with the YMCA to provide music classes
such as choir, bucket band, musicianship, and orchestra.
Creative, delicious hors d'oeuvres were served by Sodexo.
On their Facebook page Operation Song
wrote, “Thank you to Hunter Museum and
CHI Memorial for lifting up this program
so more veterans can be made aware this
resource is there for them!
The audience enjoying Steve Dean looked out on the Tennessee River.
Nabil Ince directed the East Lake Expression Engine Bucket Band. The Chattanooga Ballet performed.
CHI Memorial Arts Program Director Chyela Rowe, Steve Dean, and Cam Busch.
Jennifer Nicely
8
CHI Memorial Hospital Georgia was
recently named Member of the Week by the
Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce.
The hospital continues to restore services
and respond to the needs of residents in North
Georgia. Highlights include:
The Second Floor In-Patient Unit has
been renovated, giving the hospital a 36-
bed capacity, with dedicated hospitalist
coverage.
The Fast Track Unit in the Emergency
Department is open from 11am to 11pm
seven days a week.
The Operating Rooms have been
renovated. Physicians performing surgery
now include Urologists Dr. Mark Currin
and Dr. Ed Henson; General Surgeons
Dr. Christina Parkhurst and Dr. Craig
Murray; Gastroenterologist Dr. Robert
Bosshardt; and Otolaryngologist (ear,
nose, and throat) Dr. John Erdman.
Imaging now includes CT, digital
radiography, ultrasound, nuclear
medicine, echocardiography, and stress
testing
Lithotripsy Services are available.
Ambulance Service is located on site.
The new Rees Skillern Cancer Institute Radiation
Oncology Center at the Parkway has the True Beam
Linear Accelerator and dedicated radiation oncologist
Dr. Ryan Cleary
Pediatric Diagnostic Associates has opened a new
location on the Parkway
The Chattanooga Heart Institute has a North Georgia
location
A Multispecialty Clinic opened on the Parkway with
CHI Memorial Chattanooga Urology Associates, CHI
Memorial Surgical Associates, CHI Memorial Breast
Care Associates, CHI Memorial Women’s Health, and
Buz Standefer Lung Center.
Volunteer Services now has nine volunteers working at
CHI Memorial Hospital Georgia and three volunteers at
CHI Memorial Parkway. Several had
volunteered at the hospital in the past and
are happy that CHI Memorial is working to
restore needed medical care to their region.
Angie Hullander is Administrator and
Special Operations leader at CHI
Memorial Hospital
Georgia. Angie
previously worked
at the hospital for
25 years in the
cardiopulmonary
department and as
administrator of
physician services
and development.
CHI Memorial Hospital Georgia Recognized by Chamber;
Restoring Needed Health Services to the North Georgia Region
Brenda Wrape, Mary Ortwein and Martha Green were among the volunteers celebrated during National Volunteer Week.
CHI Memorial Hospital Georgia is
the 2019 Best Hospital winner in North
Georgia’s Official People’s Choice
Awards sponsored by the Chattanooga
Times Free Press. With an expansion of
nuclear medicine and surgical
capabilities among other initiatives, the
focus on growth of services in North
Georgia continues.
CHI Memorial Georgia Is Best of the Best
9
“If You Have a Dream, Don’t Give Up on It!” When Allan Lewis joined the
Cardiac Rehabilitation team of three
cardiac nurses at CHI Memorial in
1992, they had six patients and a
dream. Allan’s dream included a
fitness program for employees. Before
the year was over, the director
resigned, and Allan was promoted to
the director position.
“The Chattanooga Heart Institute
was being built, and I was handed the
blueprint and told to finish the design
of the Rehabilitation Center and order
the equipment I needed.” The plan
didn’t include anything for employees.
That first Rehabilitation Center was
beautiful and well- equipped, but
equally important to Allan was
camaraderie and the mission of
wellness. As he hired new staff to join
cardiac nurses Ben Young and Sue
Wallin, he looked for the same
dedication and warmth in well-
qualified people who would be
supportive and make exercising joyful.
They celebrated birthdays and
progress, encouraged each other and
became like family.
“Connecting to another person or
group can create a greater commitment
to an exercise program,” Allan says.
“We want our participants to continue
a healthy lifestyle.”
The program has seen much growth
and many changes. At the peak of the
wellness involvement, Cardiac Rehab
had four locations – the Chattanooga
campus, Hixson, the YMCA, and a
Corporate Health Program.
But no fitness program for
employees. Allan didn’t give up.
“With our holistic approach to healing,
we needed to provide for and
encourage fitness for each other in the
workplace,” he says.
Finally in 2016, the leadership, the
opportunity, and the funds came
together, and the Employee Fitness
Center was built. “With the new
patient tower, we captured the entire
second floor of the Heart Institute, and
built the state-of-the-art Center of my
dreams. We now have 700
members using the Employee
Fitness Center.”
Allan Retiring in November
Having recently celebrated his
70th birthday, Allan is ready to
fulfill other dreams after 27 years
at CHI Memorial. “I plan to walk
the Appalachian Trail, try bare
bones living, let my hair and beard
grow,” he laughs. “I don’t want to
rush it. I just want to enjoy the
experience while I can. My wife
and I also want to travel. We’ve
been to Greece and Italy and
Vietnam, but would like to go to
England and see more of the
United States.”
Allan met his wife Lissa
Dearing in Alexandria, Virginia, at
a gymnastic center, where she was
taking a class. They were married
in 1986, during his other career
teaching physical education and
coaching for 14 years. “One of my
girls’ gymnastic teams won the
Virginia State championship,” he
remembers proudly.
Lissa’s degree in early education
from Virginia Tech led her to work
with infants with developmental
delays, guiding parents to help the
child reach its highest potential.
Allan has three degrees:
psychology from Randolph Macon
College, health and physical education
from Virginia Commonwealth
University, and a master’s in exercise
physiology from Virginia Tech. Allan
is a certified exercise physiologist with
the American College of Sports
Medicine (ACSM) and a Certified
Cardiac Rehab Professional with the
American Association of
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary
Rehabilitation (AACVPR). “I felt
these certifications were necessary for
the certification and strength of our
program,” Allan says. He is also a
fellow of the AACVPR.
Allan and Lissa have three
children. Their son Austin works in
Chattanooga, reconstructing houses.
Their daughter Taylor is a traveling
occupational therapist, currently
working in San Diego with her
husband, a physical therapist. Son
Logan works at Whole Foods and is a
soccer referee in Chattanooga.
Volunteering at CHI May Be in
Allan and Lissa’s Future
Allan and Lissa plan to come back
and volunteer. “We want to do
cooking demonstrations in Cardiac
Rehab. We both love to cook. She is
the creative one, but I can do the grunt
work. I would be happy to work in
other areas, too.”
Often asked to speak on wellness
and exercise, Allan rarely says no.
“I’m happy to share the message of a
healing ministry that cares about
people and wants to keep them well.
The goal is for your body to wear out
naturally from use and not because of
damage caused by poor choices. You
have fewer problems if you keep using
your body. Keep moving, and keep
dreaming.”
Allan Lewis and his wife Lissa recently visited a park in San Diego, where their daughter Taylor now lives.
10
Visiting a Former Employee in Jungles of Thailand I was invited by Gayle
Haberkam, former director of
Emergency Services at
Memorial, to visit her jungle
clinic in the mountains of
Thailand - or maybe I invited
myself, being eager to see and
be part of her mission to the
Karen people. My daughter
Valerie Hunt and a friend
Joyce Salyers joined me, also
ready for adventure and
inspiration. CHI Memorial
contributed IV tubing, sutures,
and many multi-vitamins.
We left on Friday evening,
March 1 and arrived in
Bangkok on Sunday afternoon,
March 3 after a 14-hour flight
from Atlanta to Seoul, Korea,
and a six hour flight to
Bangkok. Having a 14-hour
lay-over, we took a taxi
driving at warp speed on the
left side of the road to a hotel.
Then we taxied again to
meet a guide for a fascinating
night tour of the city - by boat
and Tuk-Tuk (a three-wheeled
motorized relative of the
rickshaw) past skyscrapers,
huge shopping malls, and
several ornate Buddhist
temples to our dinner on a
street market in Chinatown.
Monday we flew NOK airline
to MaeSot to meet Gayle and
her associate BletJhaw.
Gayle and BletJhaw met
us with a 4-wheel drive Toyota
truck. After a delicious Thai
meal, stops for gas,
On a night tour of Bangkok, we saw several Buddhist Temples and nightlife.
Valerie’s flute calmed a baby. We rocked on this road on the left side.
Grateful to CHI Memorial for tubing, Gayle prepares an IV for a patient with extremely low blood pressure.
Gayle uses eye drops for an early morning patient.
Miraculously, the jungle clinic came to be after much prayer and years in a bamboo house without water or power.
Entering the village of BeYoTo, you ford a river twice and pass many bamboo houses on stilts.
11
watermelon and corn, and to meet
Bletjhaw’s wife and children, we were
on our way.
We passed a refugee camp where
40,000 Karen people, forced out of
Myanmar (Burma), live in poverty in
bamboo huts, Those in the mountains
were also refugees who escaped to
remote areas 60 years ago.
Driving into the jungle, we wound up
and up into the mountains on steep
narrow roads that drop dangerously off
on one side. The ruts in the road were
sometimes over a foot deep. Three hours
later, after dark, we forded a stream and
arrived at the village of BeYeTo and the
white concrete block clinic overlooking
the village.
A solar system provides excellent
power, water is available through
unusual plumbing from faucets that are
pulled up by a cord to come through the
glassless window and pushed out when
the shutters are closed. The kitchen is
well equipped compared to when she
began her clinic nine years ago.
Villagers built her a bamboo hut, she
cooked outside over an open fire, got
water from the river, and used candle
power. She prayed for years for a tiled
floor she could keep clean for treating
patients, and God has miraculously
answered her prayers in His time.
Patients begin coming to the clinic
early in the morning and often come late
in the evening, and Gayle and BletJhaw
are dedicated to caring for anyone who
comes. They often rush people to the
hospital three or four hours away for
advanced care. Gayle treats asthma,
bronchitis, many bad lung problems,
gastritis, urinary infections, mouth
infections, skin infections, and she
stitches up lacerations from machetes
and motorbike accidents. Many people
are dehydrated and
malnourished. They give
many multi-vitamins and are
grateful for a generous
donation from CHI Memorial
They never charge anything
for care, but some people
give rice or other items
Three days a week, they
pack up medicine and
supplies, ride their motorbike
or walk to another village,
and set up a clinic in a
villager's home. Patients line
up and others gather to
watch. While they take
care of the sick, someone prepares a
meal for them. They end with a time of
singing, worship, and prayer.
We saw pure love and devotion to
Christ: two people with a heart for the
healing ministry and for telling the Karen
people about the Savior who loved them so
much He died for them. God has surely
blessed their work.
Nine Years Ago Gayle Haberkam Started Her Clinic
Patients line up in villager’s home, and Gayle examines them and prescribes treatment. Bletjhaw (below) explains how to use the medicine. A Villager demonstrates weaving cloth for skirts, tops
and bags. Below we sat on the floor to enjoy a Thai meal with the chef who cooked on an open fire.
In other villages, Gayle sets up a clinic in a home, and patients come.
12
Charles Dicks taught himself to
read music and play the organ when he
was 20 years old.
He had joined the Army after
graduating from high school in the
little town of Washington,
Pennsylvania. "They needed someone
to play the organ in the chapel on the
base, and I volunteered," Charles says.
"Then I started working at learning two
hymns each week for the Sunday
service. Sometimes I would stay up all
night."
He took his first formal piano
lesson at the age of 68. "I took lessons
for two years, and then my teacher
retired. I decided to retire, too." But he
had already mastered the art with more
than 40 years of performance,
including for large churches in Atlanta
and Tampa.
While still in the Army, Charles
came home and married the girl he had
met at a church youth meeting when he
was 17. "Her name was Hilda, but
everyone has always called her Bae.
We celebrated 61 years of marriage on
April 26.
Charles and Bae have two children.
Their daughter Christi lives in
Ringgold, and their son Joel serves on
a Baptist mission board in Budapest,
Hungary. "I have six grandchildren and
three great grandchildren, who are
spread all over the country right now."
Charles was working for a glass
equipment manufacturer in
Pennsylvania and had risen from
payroll clerk to General Manager
when he left to come to the
Chattanooga Glass Company in 1976.
As an engineer in the annealing or
cooling process, he was responsible
for its operation in all the factories.
"When I started we had seven
factories, but with several mergers
along the way, when I left, we had 42
factories spread from coast to coast,"
Charles says. He enjoyed traveling
and working with the people in the
local plants.
Though he resisted at first, God
called him to Clearwater Christian
College in Clearwater, Florida, at a
$25,000 pay cut in 1987 He was in
charge of the physical property of the
college - the maintenance, grounds,
custodial, and construction of new
buildings. He enjoyed it and thought
he would be there for life.
When the school has financial
problems and had to let him go four
years later, he thought God had
forgotten him. Then the call came
with an offer that led to the 10 most
exciting years of his life.
Johnson Controls in Cape
Canaveral, a global company that
creates intelligent buildings for
business, was starting a new division
and needed someone to do price
estimates for maintenance proposals. “I
told them I didn’t have anyexperience
in that, and they said, ‘No one does.’”
He learned on the job traveling all
over the world. “It was exciting to get
a call on Friday evening asking if I
could be in Switzerland on Monday,
and I could take my wife with me. Or
could I be in Quala Lumpor Monday,
and I didn’t even know where Quala
Lumpor was. But I did, indeed, enjoy
traveling, and we still do.”
When Charles retired in 1999, he
moved first to Atlanta and then to
Chattanooga. In 2013, diagnosed with
cancer, he had surgery at Vanderbilt
and chemo at Memorial where he
occasionally played the new grand
piano in the Cancer Center. When his
treatments were completed, he
volunteered to play once a week. The
piano has moved now to the Cardiac
Short Stay Waiting Area, and Charles
still plays on Tuesdays.
In 2015, he learned that the cancer
had metastasized to his lungs, and he
has been fighting it ever since with
chemo in Chattanooga and radiation at
Vanderbilt. He goes back April 9 to
determine if more radiation is needed.
"So far we have been able to
control it, but in November, we found
that it is in the adrenal glands, and they
are still determining how to treat that.”
What he does know is that God has
always worked in his life, and he has
learned to “Count it all joy when you
are in the midst of trials and testing.”
Self-Taught Pianist Is Music@Memorial Volunteer
Charles plays piano in the North Tower.
Charles and Bae are great companions whether traveling or at home.
13
CHI
Three scholarships were awarded for the Fall 2019
term: To Amy Johnson, an employee in Nuclear Med and
nursing students Kersten Hicks and Grace Corry.
The very first Auxiliary scholarship was awarded
in 2001 to Candy Morris, an employee in Imaging. She
wants volunteers to know how beneficial that was.
“I’m still here!” Candy exclaims. “That scholarship
helped me get my bachelor’s degree, which I had always
wanted. I could never have done it without the
scholarship. It paid almost half my tuition at Adventist
Health University in Orlando.”
Candy was eight years old when her youngest sister
Donna was born at CHI Memorial. “That’s the first I
knew of Memorial. My dad brought me and my 4-year-
old sister Lori to see the new baby. On the way, he asked
a man herding his goats along the road, if he would trade
a baby goat for a baby girl. My sister was disappointed
when we didn’t get a goat.”
That baby sister brought Candy together with Lee
Morris, her first husband, who is now deceased. “Donna
knew everyone in the neighborhood, and when a new
family moved in, she told me, ‘They have two boys, and I
think you would really like the oldest one. I told him
about you, and he wants to take you to the movies.’”
Candy had graduated from Rossville High School, and
given the choice of getting a job or going to school, she
had enrolled in a new x-ray technology program at
Chattanooga State. “I wanted to go on to get my
bachelor’s degree, but I married the neighbor boy who
took me to the movies, got a job, had two children, and it
just never seemed to work out to go back to school.”
Candy had been in X-ray at another hospital for six
years, when the Chattanooga Outpatient Center opened,
and she started working there.
“It was a great opportunity for me because it was
small, and we had to learn every modality. I learned
ultrasound, mammography, everything they had.”
In 1999, Candy’s father died. “His last hospital stay
was at CHI Memorial, and he and my mother had a very
positive experience. It made me decide I would like to
work here, and they had an opening for me.”
That’s when she began thinking about going back to
school to get her bachelor’s degree. “My youngest child
was in middle school by then, and I thought I could do it
and keep working, but finances were a problem until I
received the Auxiliary
scholarship.”
After she earned her
degree, she was hired to
start the cardiac imaging
program at The Heart
Institute and was able to
teach some classes at
Chattanooga State. Her co-
workers encouraged her to
go online to meet someone.
“By then my son Eli
was father to twins, Cooper
(a boy) and Kendall (a girl),
and I was wrapped up with
my grandchildren. I knew it
would have to be someone
who loved children.”
She timidly sent Mickey
Edmond a message, they
met, and the rest is history.
He is an aviation mechanic
and an Iraq veteran.
Her life has changed
greatly in the 18 years since
she received that
scholarship, and she is
happier than ever. Mickey
loves her son and
grandchildren and her
daughter Sarah. They ride
motorcycles, camp in a
fully-equipped Airstream,
and celebrate life together.
Her mother, too, adds joy to
the family mix.
Candy (above)has fun in a pink wig. (left) Candy is on the right with her daughter Sarah.
Candy and husband Mickey
Daughter Sarah and Son Eli
Twins Cooper and Kendall
14
We have such a great group of volunteers at CHI
Memorial Hixson, it was fun celebrating them and saying
“Thank You” during Volunteer Week. They loved the
umbrellas that Volunteer Services brought them, and we
also gave them each a lapel pin that featured “Hands that
Share; Hearts that Care.” Our volunteers really do have
hearts that care, and we appreciate them all. We were
especially happy to welcome back Ruby Martin and Jenny
Burchfield, who have been out sick for several weeks.
Community Impact Award
CHI Memorial Hixson was honored to receive the
Community Impact Award from the Friends of Hixson for
our involvement and our efforts to improve the community.
This group of representatives from organizations and
businesses in Hixson meets regularly to discuss projects
and ideas that can enhance the livability of the Hixson area.
Physician Office Changes
University Surgical Associates has relocated from Suite
108 to 101, which is a larger suite that had been renovated
for them. The group of general surgeons on this campus
includes Robert Jean, Benjamin Kellogg, Eric
Nelson, Erica Clark, and Craig Swafford.
Outpatient Physical Therapy Moves
Outpatient Physical Therapy has moved to
the North River YMCA, which will be
convenient for many patients, who may then
be encouraged to continue in healthful
exercise programs at the YMCA. The hospital
will continue to offer inpatient physical
therapy to patients during their hospital stays.
Terry Lynch is director of Physical Therapy.
Lookout Farmers Market
On the third Tuesday of every month,
vendors with the Lookout Farmers Market set
up in the front lobby of the hospital.
Employees and volunteers look forward to
them coming, and visitors also enjoy the
vendor wares.
Patrick Johnson is Administrator at Hixson
Patrick Johnson, who has worked more than 12 years at
CHI Memorial as a registered nurse and Special Operations
Leader, has now been named administrator. Deb Moore,
Vice President of Oncology Services, has previously held
that position.
This free Community Health Event is co-sponsored by CHI Memorial
Hixson at the North River Civic Center. Each event includes a cooking
demonstration, a meal, and a special speaker focused on helping you
understand how to prevent and even reverse disease. Meetings will not be
held in June and July.
You Are Invited!
Monday, May 20, 2019—Preventing and Treating Diabetes
without Breaking the Bank
Learn about the lifestyle choices and foods that can prevent and even reverse diabetes.
ADMISSION IS FREE
RESERVATIONS ARE NOT REQUIRED
Meetings start at 6:00 pm at North River Civic Center #102
1009 Executive Drive, Hixson
Hixson Highlights CHI Memorial Hixson
Hello to Everyone!
Patrick Johnson (center), Administrator of CHI Memorial Hixson, accepted the Friends of Hixson Community Impact Award at the quarterly meeting in March.
ees. Manage staffing per staffing matrices. Serve as liaisonfor surgeons and on call
staff. Manage any grievance in a timelymanner. Ensure EMTALA is followed prior
As her milestone birthday of 40 years approached, Christy Sentell, Director of Imaging Services at CHI Memorial, reflected on how she could make it a significant point in her life, find ways to express her thanks for God’s gifts, and reach out to people.
“I’m passionate about supporting worthy causes, like the Heart Walk and other fundraisers, and I love to do things for other people when I think about it,” Christy says. “But I decided to be more intentional and plan to do 40 acts of kindness in the 31 days before my actual birthday.”
Christy knows how important a simple act, a smile, a kind word, and the offer to listen can be. “On March 14,
2003, my brother took his life, and my heart was broken. The family was devastated,” she says. One of the ways she coped was to do research on suicide and how it could be prevented. She is now helping others be more aware.
Having worked on four different campuses at CHI Memorial, Christy’s found more ways of giving back with fund raisers and the Employee Engagement Committee that gets employees together for special events to build rapport and morale. “I love the culture of kindness at Memorial and was blessed to visit Nazareth with Sister
Judy. The mission and values are important to me.”
Christy started 18 years ago as a student x-ray tech at Hixson. “When I graduated in 2002, I began working full time in a PRN position.”
In 2007, she transferred to the Atrium campus and did a little bit of everything, ordering supplies and filling in as manager.
Three years later, she helped move the imaging equipment to Ooltewah and was involved in the design of that new center.
After taking maternity leave with her first daughter in 2010, she was offered a position as Outpatient Scheduling Manager and as the department representative to go with
Marketing to visit physicians and let them know what CHI Memorial Imaging had to offer.
When she came back after maternity leave with her second daughter in 2012, she took a position on the Glenwood campus as a PACS (Picture Archive Communication System) specialist. “PACS is where all the images live,” Christy explains. “I attended tumor conferences to help load images and get the radiologists what they needed and helped with other issues.
Director Lisa Witherow chose Christy for succession planning, and she moved into the leadership position in 2016 when Lisa made a career change to promote health.
Christy met her husband Brent Sentell, a graduate of Baylor, in 1999 through his cousin she knew from Red Bank High. “He was working on a degree in aerospace engineering at North Carolina State,” Christy says. “He worked in that field in Maryland until 2006 when he moved back to Chattanooga to work with unmanned vehicles for the military. He’s been with Southeastern Tool and Design since 2013. We were married in 2008.”
They have two daughters—Isabella (Ella) is 8; and Lillian (Lily) is 6. Both are in gymnastics and Lily is in the Chattanooga Hockey League, sponsored by CHI Memorial.
“I made my list (see p. 19) of simple things I could do and then called Jean Payne, and I am happy to be a volunteer to help with the Comfort Closet, donating needed items and picking things up at Ladies of Charity.”
Being Intentional About Random Acts of Kindness
Christy and daughters Ella and Lily at the “Mommy,Doll, and Me for Tea ,“ raising funds for prevention of eating disorders.
Christy and Brent at the Hospice of Chattanooga fundraiser.
Brent, Christy, Lily, and Ella at the Out of the Darkness Walk for Awareness and Prevention of Suicide in memory of her brother, who sadly never met her husband and daughters.
An act of kindness they did together was to donate 12 inches of Lily’s hair to Children with Hair Loss.
16
Suicide Awareness Campaign at CHI Memorial You could “Be the One” to Ask the Question to help prevent a suicide.
Christy Sentell is leading a Suicide Awareness Campaign at CHI Memorial as
part of the continuing emphasis on Mental Health Awareness. She is a certified
instructor of the QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Institute Suicide Risk
Reduction Program for healthcare professions, an example of “best practices” by
the Joint Commission.
Christy’s brother Slade was 23 years old, when he took his life. “I was just 10
months older, and growing up we were inseparable. At 6’1” he became my
protector. No one dared hurt me. He was great at sports, good looking, and
charming, with a smile and laugh that warmed your heart. Everyone loved Slade.
And Slade loved everyone in his life, but never had that love for himself. He
struggled with depression and alcohol starting in his early teens. Rehab seemed to
set him on the road to recovery. But each time he fell back on alcohol.”
“We spoke regularly even though he lived in Atlanta, and I had no idea how
depressed he was. My younger brother spent his spring break with Slade and saw
no signs of what was to happen,” Christy says. The family was totally unprepared
for the shock of losing him.
One of the ways Christy coped with this tragedy was to get involved with the
Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network. “I learned that when someone makes the
decision to take their own life, they do so because they see no other way to end
their pain and suffering. They truly believe those who love them will be better off without them,” Christy explains.
“I can tell you we are not better off without Slade in our lives.When I got married, he wasn’t there. When I had my
two children, he wasn’t there. I look at my girls almost every day and think about how much they are missing out
on by not knowing him.”
Christy joined the Tennessee
Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN) to
get training and became certified as a
QPR Trainer, to learn and teach others
to “Be the One.”
“You can be the one to ask the
question “Are you thinking about
suicide?” Christy says. “It’s important
to listen carefully to the answer and
take them seriously.”
Ask “How can I help?” or “How do
you hurt?” Help them focus on reasons
for living and connect them with
professional help.
Volunteers May Be Important Link
“Several patients have been
identified with thoughts of suicide, and
alert personnel has directed them to the
Emergency Department and the Crisis
Response Team,” says Karen Frank,
Director of Patient Safety. “Volunteers
are friendly faces, and patients open up
to them. If you hear any indication of
suicide, encourage the individual to go
to the Emergency Department - or take
them there. The TSPN website has
much good information about how you
can help prevent suicide.”
Compliment a stranger.
Send paper thank you notes.
Pay for coffee for the person
behind you at Starbucks.
Volunteer in my daughters’
classrooms.
Let people merge in.
Call your parents and let them
know how much you love them;
ask them about their activities.
Give to the homeless.
Don’t nag, even if you want to.
Bring treats to work.
Send a care package to a soldier.
Tell or write your boss about how
much you appreciate their
leadership /friendship.
Be an optimist, a “Positive Patty”
– not a Negative Nancy “I’ve tried
to do this even with the stress from
EPIC. Positive benefits will be
coming soon.”
Give your housekeeper a little
extra.
Tell your partner’s parents how
much you love your mate.
Do the task no one wants to do.
Send someone flowers.
Cook someone a meal.
Spread God’s word – share what
God is doing in your life, how He
is blessing you and answering
prayers in your life. “I have a
friend who has an envious
relationship with God, and I am
striving for that.”
Spend some time on Free Rice, a
trivia game that donates rice for
each correct answer. It is a
legitimate site that in 2006 gave
rice to 87.8 million people.
Participate in fundraisers for
worthy causes. A week before her
birthday, Christy did her first 5K
raising funds for prostate cancer in
Arizona with her husband.
Volunteer for something. Christy
called Volunteers Services to get
ideas of things she could do and is
now on call to help with the
Comfort Closet when they need
things from The Ladies of Charity.
Random Acts of Kindness Taken from Christy’s List
Christy Sentell and her brother Slade more than 19 years ago.
17
Join the Fun on Mother’s Day Weekend
The volunteers are again
helping to sponsor Elizabeth’s
OutRun Melanoma 5K and Walk
at Enterprise South Nature Park,
a beautiful location for a family-
focused event to raise awareness
of the seriousness of skin cancer.
Volunteers are invited to
bring their families and enjoy a
pleasant walk to support a great
cause.
The event will be held May
11, 2019 at 9am. Registration
and warm-up begin at 8am. The
Entry Fee for the 5K is $30; for
the 1 mile Walk, the fee is $25.
Children under 12 are free.
The first 250 registrants will receive a free hat.
All registrants receive a t-shirt.
Associates and volunteers may wear race shirts to work
May 10.
How It All Began and How It Helps CHI Memorial
When Elizabeth R. Smith died from Melanoma on
Mother’s Day 2009, her family was devastated. They had
thought her melanoma was cured, but it reappeared after 19
years, and this time it was deadly. This time it had spread
throughout her body.
To honor her memory and raise awareness of
melanoma, they established the Elizabeth R. Smith
Melanoma Fund and held annual 5K races. In 2016, the
family donated the funds they had raised to CHI Memorial
be begin establishment of a new Center of Excellence to
fight melanoma. The race continues to grow, with 100
participants in 2016, over 300 in 2017, and 350 in 2018.
The goal this year is 500 participants.
CHI Memorial Earns “Melanoma Hope
Network Center of Excellence Designation”
CHI Memorial recently received the Melanoma Hope
Network Center of Excellence designation. We are the only
designated center in Tennessee. This designation
recognizes physicians and melanoma treatment centers that
offer exceptional care, knowledge, and compassion to
patients diagnosed with advanced melanoma.
“We are dedicated to providing outreach, education and
screening to prevent, treat, and cure melanoma and other
Mary Lou Vaught takes her bag with her on volunteer days at CHI Memorial Hixson. Brenda Wrape, a volunteer at Georgia, found the bag to be a convenient carry-all at the Corvette and Chevelle Show at LeCont Convention Center in Pigeon Forge. Ann Schide takes hers often to have water and glasses at hand.
CHI Memorial Certified as Primary Center for Stroke
CHI Memorial’s Primary Stroke program has
received a recertification as a Primary Center for Stroke
by the Joint Commission.
To achieve this designation, the hospital underwent
a rigorous onsite review by Joint Commission experts
and was found to be compliant with stroke-related
standards and requirements, including program
management, delivery of clinical care and performance.
“Our ED caregivers work diligently to improve their
processes and exceed national benchmarks for stroke
care, which results in better outcomes for our patients,”
says Jane Rawlston, Stroke Coordinator. Know the Signs of Stroke
Use the letters of FAST to remember some
important symptoms of stroke.
F-face drooping; A-arm weakness; S-speech
difficulty; T-time to call 911.
Additional signs include sudden numbness,
confusion, trouble seeing, or severe headache.
Choose CHI Memorial for Stroke Care
If CHI Memorial is your preferred hospital, you
may ask the ambulance bring you to CHI Memorial.
CHI Memorial’s DoctorTALK Offers Health Information
If you are looking for reliable health advise and
information, visit DoctorTALK at memorial.org/
DocTalk.
Topics Include
Preventing kidney stones
Allergy treatment
Hydration
Smoking Cessatiojn
Pneumonia
Esophageal Cancer
Strep Throat
Healthy Diet Principles
Collapsed lung and who is at risk
Lung Cancer Stages
M.D. and D.O. Difference
Common Questions about High Blood Pressure
Marathon Training
Visit memorial.org/doctalk to read these
and other articles.
19
CHI Memorial News Briefs
CHI Memorial Offers Lifeline, a Trusted Alert System Lifeline gives you fast, reliable access to a trained
response associate 24/7 at the push of a button. The
average response time is 12 seconds, so you connect
with a live person right away. The new AutoAlert
detects falls accurately and connects subscribers to
help in an instant, the most-proven fall detection
technology in the United States today.
Volunteers receive a discount on Lifeline
products and services. For more information, call
Tessa Long at 495-8774.
Only the ER Entrance Is Open for Visitors from 9pm - 4am
In an effort to continue to provide the best security to
patients, visitors, and staff, the “B” Entrance (Surgery
Services) and “A” Entrance (Guerry Heart and Vascular
Center) will be secure at 9pm. The only entrance that will
be open for visitors will be the Emergency Room Entrance.
CHI Memorial staff will still have badge access to these
doors for entry into the facility. Please make sure you
notify visitors and patients of the times these doors are
secured so they can avoid any inconvenience. Intercom is
available at the “A” and “B” entrances that security will
answer and the number to the shift supervisor is also
available.
The door schedule is as follows:
* A Entrance is secured from 9pm to 5am
* B Entrance is secured from 9pm to 4am
New Guest Wireless Network
To better serve our visitors and patients, CHI
Memorial has launched a new Guest Wireless
network . If one scans for available wireless networks
“GuestInternet” should display. Performance and
throughput on this new network is much better as the
circuit size has been expanded by a factor of six.
Please communicate this information to our guests
as appropriate.
Sandi Sammons, an Ooltewah resident, was diagnosed
with stage 4 colon cancer in 2015. One day while sitting in
her treatment chair, she noticed her red tennis shoes and
was inspired to write.
“What do you do when you are walking through the
process of healing? You keep walking! Moving forward
each day in faith, one step at a time.”
Her pink Sperrys inspired her to think about what
makes our Heavenly Father “tickled pink.” He says, “I
have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children
walking in truth.” (3John 1:4)
Her silver Sperrys caused her to ask: “What is the silver
lining in a crazy diagnosis?” Knowing she could leave it to
God and dwell in that peace was her silver lining that day.
Sandi called her blog “My Happy Shoes of the Day!”
That became the basis of the Happy Shoes Project.
Although Sandi lost her battle with cancer, her family is
keeping her memory alive by encouraging other cancer
patients to “Put on their happy shoes and walk!”
CHI Memorial Rees Skillern Cancer Institute has
partnered with the Happy Shoes Project, and cancer
patients now receive a tote filled with a pair of shoes, a
book of Sandi’s blog posts, a CD of inspirational music, a
blanket, and treats from Food City.
“We encourage people to have hope and to move
forward and keep walking,” says Keith Sammons, Sandi’s
husband and cofounder of the Happy Shoes Foundation.
“You can keep walking through any journey of adversity.”
Happy Shoes Project at Rees Skillern Cancer Institute
“Whoever I am or whatever I am doing,
some kind of excellence is within my reach.”
–John Gardner
20
CHATS produced and edited by Joyce Dick
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND IMPORTANT DATES
UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS
Dynamic Shopping June 5 - Hixson
June 6-7 - Chattanooga
Jewelry Elite August 6, 7, & 8 - Hixson
July 15 - 16 - Chattanooga
Prayer Before Meetings
One of the special elements of our workplace culture is to begin any gathering of three or more people with a brief but meaningful reflection: a prayer, story, quotation, or poem. These reflections help us center ourselves and reaffirm the purpose of our work.
Why do prayer and reflection play such an important role in the CHI Memorial workplace? It’s simple. When faced with a challenge, it’s wise to gather as many helpful resources as you can. Prayer and reflection can help us meet the challenges of our daily work. By helping us center ourselves, prayer and reflection can reduce stress and anxiety.
Prayer and reflection can also help us prepare to focus on the work at hand, whether it takes place at a patient’s side, in a conference room, or behind a desk.
