Journeys | Fall 2015

Baby loveat BryanFamily Birthplace

FALL 2015

JOURNEYS“Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice …” – William Jennings Bryan

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01 FROM OUR PRESIDENT

02 PATIENT EXPERIENCE Stories from the Bryan Family Birthplace

06 BRYAN LIFEPOINTE Gestational Diabetes Program reduces risks for mothers and babies

08 CRETE AREA MEDICAL CENTER Births at CAMC are family traditions

11 BRYAN FOUNDATION Family’s scholarship gift honors nurses and baby daughter

12 TELEMEDICINE The doctor will see you now ... even if you’re miles away

16 MEDICAL STAFF SPOTLIGHT Ask the doctor: Where is help available for younger mental health patients?

18 MEDICAL STAFF UPDATE 21 PATIENT EXPERIENCE Fulmers celebrate survival, new life 22 BRYAN HEART Co-workers’ quick actions save Kyle during heart attack

25 NEW AT BRYAN Athletic trainers are valuable teammates

26 IN SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY Having fun at Run to Overcome

28 BRYAN COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES

31 BRYAN VOLUNTEERS & CUSTOMER CARE

32 BRYAN STERLING CONNECTION

33 COMMUNITY CALENDAR

FALL 2015

ALL ABOUT JOURNEYSStatesman William Jennings Bryan, one of the original benefactors of Bryan Health, said:

“Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”

Journeys tells our story of how Bryan chooses to achieve. This free publication is mailed quarterly to our employees, physicians, volunteers and the communities we serve.

ON THE COVERCheney Beisner was born at Bryan a year ago.See his story on Page 3.

STAY IN TOUCHWe welcome your comments. For more information about Journeys, contact the Advancement team by calling 402-481-8674. To learn more about Bryan programs and services, visit us online at bryanhealth.org.

OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORTYour contributions help us care for those who come to Bryan at every stage of life. To find out how you can participate, call 402-481-8605, or write to us at: Bryan Foundation, 1600 S. 48th St., Lincoln, NE 68506.

You also can learn how you can help and make a gift online at bryanhealth.org/bryan-foundation.

Kimberly RusselPresident & CEO, Bryan Health

John Woodrich President & COO, Bryan Medical Center

Gary “Gus” Hustad, MD Chief of Staff, Bryan Medical Staff

Bob RavenscroftVice President of Advancement & CDO

Edgar BumanisDirector of Public Relations

Paul HadleyEditor

JOURNEYS

The Kim FoundationUnion Bank & TrustAonBison, Inc.Bryan Heartland PsychiatryCapitol City ElectricCassling

Crib NotesDavis DesignEdwards LifesciencesHologic, Inc.Inpatient Physician AssociatesKLKN-TVLatsch’s

Linet AmericasMadonna Rehabilitation HospitalMapes Industries, Inc.Nelnet, Inc.Pen-Link, LTDPremier ConnectionsRound the Bend Steakhouse

Runza NationalSampson ConstructionShanahan Mechanical & Electrical, Inc.Southeast Nebraska Cancer CenterTabitha Health Care ServicesXenex Disinfection Services, LLC

T H A N K YO U, B RYA N F O U N D AT I O N E V E N T PA R T N E R S

NICU Campaignenters 2nd phase

Thanks to your gifts, we’re ready to begin construction of our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit rooftop healing garden. The garden will be located

above Bryan Medical Plaza on Bryan East Campus, with access from the Women’s and Children’s Tower’s third floor NICU. To see the plans, turn to the back cover photo, which shows the Loxtercamp triplets, Bryan NICU graduates, holding a rendering.

The garden is just the first phase of the Bryan Foundation’s commitment to this healing environment. Phase two is the establishment of a $2 million endowment dedicated to the NICU’s highly specialized training and equipment needs.

You can help make a difference.

To speak with someone about a gift toward the NICU’s patient care endowment dedicated to caring for Bryan’s tiniest patients or other b2020 opportunities where you can choose your impact on the future health of our community, please contact the Bryan Foundation at 402-481-8605, or go to bryanhealth.org/b2020. n

Read Channing Baacke’s story on Page 4.

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F R O M O U R P R E S I D E N T

“There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings.” — Hodding Carter Jr.

and learn from experts at Bryan.Crete Area Medical Center’s story on Page 8 showcases the

importance of experienced obstetric care in rural communities.The Bryan experience includes relationships we form with

moms and dads who choose the Bryan Family Birthplace, and it’s a part of our intense focus on earning a reputation for high-quality, leading-edge care. That’s significant today and will remain a critical element in our plans for next year, when we celebrate our 90th anniversary, and as we move toward being the system of health our community needs in the year 2020 and beyond.

From the proven and most trusted, to new partnerships for delivery and access to care, we’re here to meet your family’s health care needs.

Bryan Health. Forward. Together.

Kimberly A. RusselPresident and Chief Executive Officer, Bryan Health

Bryan Journeys 1

At the Bryan Family Birthplace, we get to witness the beginnings of such bequests. From the miracle of hearing a baby’s heartbeat for the first time to the exhilarating moment of that child’s first breath, each

year our staff has the incredible honor of helping bring more than 3,000 babies into this world.

Our co-workers are inspired by gifted physicians who expertly balance the elements of the birth experience — bridging a state-of-the-art environment with the personal wishes each mom brings with her on delivery day.

More parents are choosing to share this day with us, and the Bryan team takes this vote of confidence very seriously — we have, ever since 1926, when we established our roots — and we will strive to earn the same trust from coming generations.

The Bryan Family Birthplace also serves an important need for families needing health care in rural Nebraska. Resident physicians from the Lincoln Medical Education Partnership (LMEP) all receive experience in obstetrics at the Bryan Family Birthplace. This is an important educational foundation for physicians who will practice in rural communities after graduation. Many nurses from rural Nebraska hospitals also visit the Bryan Family Birthplace to broaden their OB nursing skills

Safety firstAt Bryan Health, we take very seriously our

commitment to improving the health and safety of every family member in the community we serve.

For example, Events and Marketing Specialist Becky Loewe of Bryan Advancement (right) also is a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician with the Safe Kids Coalition.

Once a year, Bryan Health partners with the Coalition to host a car seat check-up event that is free to the community. The event teaches parents and other child care providers how to correctly install and use car seats.

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2 Fall 2015

Amy Beisner’s 2014 delivery of baby Cheney was uncomplicated, but it was touch-and-go whether his pilot father, Nick, could fly back in time for the birth.

P A T I E N T E X P E R I E N C E

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Bryan Journeys 3

Each birth in the Bryan Family Birthplace is a unique experience, and arrivals of Cheney, Channing and twins Ashtyn and Autumn have brought joy to the Beisner, Draper and Baacke families. Although all four are healthy and happy today, their journeys have been very different — from Cheney’s uncomplicated birth to Ashtyn, Autumn and Channing’s stays in Bryan’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Nine-in-ten families who experience the birth of a new baby are blessed with uncomplicated deliveries. For the others, like the Drapers and Baackes, Bryan’s highly specialized team of professionals and state-of-the-art technology make the difference in their babies’ survival and ability to thrive.

BEISNERS ENTHUSIASTICABOUT BIRTHPLACE

Amy and Nick Beisner both grew up in Grand Island and returned to Nebraska

from Oklahoma to be near their families when they decided to start their own. After having a healthy pregnancy, Amy’s due date was still three weeks off when Nick, a corporate pilot, flew to Dallas on his last planned trip before his child’s birth.

Even seemingly normal births can include the unexpected, as

Cheney decided to enter the world while his dad was in Texas.

Amy’s water broke while she was out shopping, so she called the nurse at the Bryan Family Birthplace, who told her to come right in. By the time she and her mother-in-law, Donna, arrived, Amy was already six centimeters dilated and her husband was still four hours away on a return flight. Although an epidural wasn’t in her birth plan and she wasn’t having pain, her obstetrician, Todd Martin, MD, of Bryan Women’s Care Physicians suggested an epidural to slow down the contractions so Nick could be there for the birth of their son.

“Everyone was so accommo-dating — they wanted to help us be together for Cheney’s birth,” Amy says. “One of the nurses whose shift was ending stayed later just to be there when Cheney was born, because she had been with us throughout the day.”

“After he was born, Cheney was with us all the time, and my husband was so comfortable there. The concern for my family’s comfort — including the room, the snack area and the overall kindness of everyone, was such an important part of the overall experience.”

“I am so glad we chose Bryan. We were new in town and everyone told me how awesome Bryan and the birthing center

was. We went on the tour and were impressed not only with all the rooms and amenities, but also were comforted with the availability of the high level neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) should we need it. Overall, the Family Birthplace was even better in person than how people had described it.”

IDEAL NICU EXPERIENCEFOR DRAPER TWINS

Ann Draper’s pregnancy about two years ago was considered high risk. She was

expecting twins, and everything was going according to plan. But while attending a birthday party, her water broke — and she was only 27 weeks along.

Stephen Swanson, MD, of the Women’s Clinic of Lincoln, admitted Ann to the labor and delivery area, to be monitored for a few days to delay the delivery. As she was preparing to go home, her placenta abrupted — separated from the uterine wall — so James Maly, MD, of Women’s Clinic of Lincoln performed an emergency C-section on Nov. 14, twelve weeks before they were due.

The tiny little girls, Ashtyn and Autumn, were in the Bryan NICU for 58 days. Though there for a long two months, they were “textbook” babies, progressing according to schedule without

unexpected problems or setbacks. “We were so fortunate to have

had an ideal NICU experience,” Ann remarks. Being a critical care RN herself, Ann was impressed with how receptive the nurses were to her.

“We had fantastic nurses,” she says. “I asked a ton of questions and also advocated things that mattered to me such as using my fresh pumped rather than frozen breast milk which was protocol at the time.”

Neonatologists Mark Brisso, MD, and Albert Owusu-Ansah, MD, of Heartland Neonatology Associates cared for the twins in the NICU. But since they progressed so well, the Drapers’ primary contacts were the nurses and therapists in the NICU.

“We formed really strong relationships with the nurses because we spent so much time with them every day, for two months, learning how to take care of premature twins.” Ann says. “I’m still in contact with some of them on Facebook and bring the girls by the hospital during check ups.”

With then-two-year-old daughter Cameron (Cami) at home, Ann and Tyson juggled spending time with her and being with the babies.

“Tyson was really involved; he would go up every night after work. I would do the day shift with them and he would go to the NICU in the evening,” Ann

Stories from the Bryan Family Birthplace

3 happy beginnings

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4 Fall 2015

recalls. “The nurses were great and were flexible in working with our schedules. We were able to Facetime to stay connected as a family.”

Ann talks about important milestones NICU parents experi-ence that other new parents may take for granted.

“We weren’t allowed to hold the babies until 3-to-4 days after they were born. Instead, we were in the room with them with the

lights off with blankets over the warmers. We couldn’t touch them or talk to them as it needed to be quiet to simulate in utero,” Ann says. A special day, Ann’s birthday during the first week of December, marked the first time she was allowed to hold both of her girls at the same time.

Since the twins were born in mid-November, they spent Thanksgiving and Christmas in the hospital.

“We received special permis-sion to bring Cami to Bryan, to see her baby sisters for the first time on Christmas Day,” Ann says. “We were able to take our first family picture a month and a half after the twins were born. Santa even came up and held Ashtyn and Autumn.”

Upon discharge, Bryan Infant Apnea Center director Akhtar Niazi, MD, of Complete Children’s Health sent the twins home on apnea monitors, which they no longer needed after three months. Ashtyn and Autumn also have been seen in the NICU Developmental Clinic, where specialists use standardized cognitive, language and motor assessments to ensure they are meeting their milestones.

As the Drapers watch their girls playing in the park two years later, they feel very fortunate.

“We didn’t even know if we would make it this far when we were sitting in labor and delivery talking about delivering 28-week twins,” Ann remarks. “We were supplied with all the right tools and resources to have a successful pathway out of the NICU. We are forever grateful to nurse manager Laurie Ketterl and her team.”

GRATEFUL BAACKE FAMILY LOOKS AHEAD

Channing Baacke is a spitfire — she loves to swim and is grateful for Shrek, Dora and

Fiona, and her special blanket she named JoJo. Born weighing only 1 pound, 8 ounces, this tiny baby relied on a village of sophisticated expertise and technology coupled with unending support from the community to survive and grow.

Speech language pathologist Julie McDaniel supervises a follow-up assessment with Autumn (left) and Ashtyn and their mother, Ann, in the NICU Developmental Clinic.

Tyson and Ann Draper have three daughters: Cami (left) and twins Autumn (held by Tyson) and Ashtyn (held by Ann).

C

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Bryan Journeys 5

Arriving 3 ½ months early, at just under 25 weeks, micro preemie Channing developed in the NICU for 105 days before going home to a very sheltered first year of life.

Micro preemies, babies born weighing less than 1 pound, 12 ounces or before 26 weeks gestation, face long stays in the NICU and very serious health problems; but, like Channing, they eventually can show no long-term effects of prematurity.

“Channing is healthy anddeveloping according to schedule,” her mother Angie says. “She is absolutely perfect.”

However, the family’s journey hasn’t been easy.

After struggling with infertility for seven years, Angie and Sam had just gotten a photo taken with their dogs, and were starting the adoption process when Angie became pregnant with their first child, Berklee. And on Berklee’s first birthday, Angie learned she was pregnant with Channing.

Being an older mother, Angie was seen by Bryan’s maternal-fetal specialist when she was at 20 weeks and was shocked to find she would be delivering the baby within a few weeks. Deanna Hutchins, MD, performed a cervical cerclage to prevent miscarriage and admitted Angie to the Bryan Family Birthplace where Sarah Cada, MD, monitored her for

a month, with each day’s passing allowing Channing a greater chance of survival.

When Nicolle Mahoney, MD, (who’s associated with Dr. Hutchins and Dr. Cada at Gynecology and Fertility PC), delivered Channing, the baby’s eyes were still fused shut, and Channing didn’t even cry. Dr. Owusu-Ansah then evaluated and took over management of Channing’s care.

“He is such a brilliant and caring doctor,” Angie says. “He even attended Channing’s Celebration of Baptism.”

She says, “Having a micro preemie is not a race, it is a marathon — and it goes way

beyond the NICU.” For three months, Angie and

Sam juggled being at the hospital, at work and taking care of Berklee. “During the time in the NICU I had an outpouring of faith, hope and love,” Angie says. “We received so many blessings, I just can’t even express our gratitude.”

Christ Lutheran Church provided a month of free daycare, meals were delivered, thousands of people were praying for them, and Angie’s Region V Services co-workers donated two months of their personal time so she could still receive a paycheck while being in the NICU with Channing.

After almost four months, Berklee, holding her doll named Channing, met her little sister the day Angie and Sam brought their infant home from the NICU.

Berklee was her sister’s constant companion during Channing’s first year, as the new baby’s only trips outside of home were for doctor appointments.

Now experiencing a healthy three-year-old who’s enjoying preschool and friends, the Baackes reflect on Channing’s wonderful outcome, and they’re grateful for the experience they had at Bryan.

“I always knew it was a great hospital,” Angie says, “but I was still amazed by the NICU — the wonderful doctors and nurses, along with the facilities, the privacy, the security — it just all came together like it was designed to do.” n

To find out how your gift can support Bryan Health, please call 402-481-8605.

It’s a happy reunion of caregivers and the Baacke family at Bryan, when nurse manager Laurie Ketterl (standing at left), Alison Dunlap, RN, and neonatologist Albert Owusu-Ansah, MD, meet with NICU graduate Channing Baacke (on her father’s lap at right), sister Berklee, and parents Angie and Sam.

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Women without previous diabetes who develop high blood sugar levels while pregnant are said to have “gestational diabetes mellitus” (GDM). This complication can cause problems, such

as excessive weight gain in the unborn baby, which can lead to a difficult birth, higher risk for C-section, and birth-related trauma to the mother and baby.

“These risks are very concerning. An important thing to

Protecting pregnancies

Gestational Diabetes Program reduces

know is that GDM can happen even to women who have had healthy prior pregnancies, which is why we screen every pregnant woman for GDM, though only about 6 percent develop it,” says obstetrics and gynecology specialist Corwin Friesen, MD, of Bryan Women‘s Care Physicians.

“When GDM does happen,” he explains, “health of the mother is extremely important for a good pregnancy outcome. Treatment involves a healthy diet, appropriate exercise and

B R Y A N L I F E P O I N T E

6 Fall 2015

Lisa and Chris Jones pose with their children, baby Kyla and big brother Peyton.

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risks for mothers and babiesmedications when necessary.”

“If the mother’s blood sugar levels are successfully managed, risks to mother and baby are greatly reduced, and a successful pregnancy can be expected,” adds Benjamin Byers, DO, of the Center for Maternal and Fetal Care.

Bryan LifePointe’s Gestational Diabetes Management Program focuses on safeguarding mothers and babies

precisely by reducing those risks. Dr. Friesen says, “Bryan’s program matters tremendously

in the care of our patients with GDM. A key advantage the program offers is in-depth education about diet and appropriate daily exercise, plus helping patients become comfortable with monitoring their blood sugar levels at home.”

Molly Petrik, certified diabetes educator at LifePointe, points out, “We work with mothers to see that they are comfortable with their GDM care plans and to include as many of their preferred foods in meal planning as possible. Also, a diagnosis of GDM can be frightening for patients and families, so we really work to inform them and put them at ease.” Fathers, partners and other family members are always welcome to attend mothers’ appointments, Molly adds.

Lisa Jones shares her experience with GDM before she gave birth to her healthy newborn daughter Kyla, as well as during her earlier pregnancy with Peyton, her 3 ½-year-old son. Lisa, who was cared for by Dr. Friesen, is a registered nurse with Bryan’s Wound Care Team.

“I met with diabetes educators at LifePointe to talk about exercise, dietary control of my blood sugar — mostly by increasing protein intake and limiting carbohydrates — and measuring my blood sugar levels,” she recalls.

“I didn’t have to increase my exercise a lot — I just maintained my normal routine, which included walking two-to-three miles each weekend with my mom.” Lisa followed her diet so well that she stayed at a healthy weight all during her pregnancy, although she did require medication to keep her blood sugar levels within the safe range.

“As a patient, you can do your best to stay healthy during pregnancy but might still get GDM. It’s not that you are doing anything wrong, and it’s important to not feel guilty — it’s absolutely fine to be on medications for GDM if that’s what’s needed to maintain safe blood sugar levels,” Lisa adds. “The most important thing is to keep the mother’s blood sugar normal to help the baby and mom stay healthy and safe throughout the pregnancy and delivery.” n

To find out how your gift can support Bryan Health, please call 402-481-8605.

Bryan Journeys 7

B R Y A N L I F E P O I N T E

Benjamin Byers, DO, and Corwin Friesen, MD, appreciate how patients benefit from the Bryan Gestational Diabetes Management Program. To learn more about the program, go to bryanhealth.org/gestational-diabetes.

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C R E T E A R E A M E D I C A L C E N T E R

Doris Koll stood on the terrace outside the former Crete Hospital facility in 1957, her dad and older sister at her side. She looked up and waved to her mother, who held Doris’ newborn brother up to the glass. Doris was 4 and

young children weren’t allowed to visit.By 1988, when Doris delivered her twins in the same hospital, her

husband, Kenneth, brought their older children into the hospital room to meet siblings No. 4 and 5.

That same year, Deanna Sand chose steak a few days after delivering her son, Justin, in the Crete Hospital. At that time, the hospital offered shrimp or steak dinners during the mother’s stay. “The nurses watched over Justin so my husband and I could have a nice evening conversation and one last meal uninterrupted,” she remembers.

Today, babies often room with their moms, and hospital stays are too short to offer a heavy meal to a new mother.

For all that has changed over the decades, the reasons parents of about 100 babies choose to deliver at Crete Area Medical Center each year are all about what doesn’t vary:

CAMC offers a personal, individual setting and a comfort level

where expectant mothers will commonly see their doctor from prenatal visits to delivery to family health care for years to come; where laboring mothers often feel like they have a nurse assigned just to them; where the staff in the delivery room may share a tear of happiness with the newest of new parents because joy never gets old.

Those same parents often visit the nurses’ station when they return for other medical visits, to show them their baby or the child that was a baby yesterday.

“They want us to see them and that makes us happy,” says Anita Lampila, a nurse who’s now in her 43rd year with the community hospital. “That’s a great part of a small town hospital.”

Crete is big enough to offer wonderful facilities and skilled doctors, while offering a few rural health care perks, she adds.

Like flexibility.Troy Miller, DO, of Crete Area Medical Center, gave expectant

mother Sandra Koll a window of dates to induce labor when she was measuring too large with her twins at 38 weeks of pregnancy. She picked a Saturday — 1.24.15 —because both 2 plus 4 and 1 plus 5 add up to six, the same way the twins would make them a family of six.

“It’s an accountant thing,” explains Sandra, an accounting assistant at Doane College.

Meet the Kolls and two other families, the Sands and the Wohls, who have chosen Crete hospital facilities for three generations.

Strength in numbers for the KollsThe Kolls are high-volume in baby terms. Doris’ husband, Kenneth,

born in 1953, was one of seven siblings delivered in Crete. He and Doris made their life on a farm by Swanton, and brought their own five children into the world in the Crete Hospital delivery room. Their twins came during Czech Days, drawing a special announcement at the Wilber celebration. The hospital bills that the couple paid were much different than those of today. Her son Jeffrey’s bills totaled about $1,300 in 1983; the twins’ bills in 1988 came to about $4,000. Today, the average bill runs around $9,700 for a normal delivery and about $12,500 for a routine Cesarean delivery, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. (Costs vary depending upon insurance and location.)

Jeffrey and Sandra Koll of rural Wilber delivered their twins in Crete both for convenience and to repeat the good experiences of their older children: Matilda, who came out fast for a 9 pound, 7 ounce baby, and 8 pound, 5.5 ounce Henry, who took 12 hours

8 Fall 2015

Births at CAMC are family traditions

Jeffrey and Sandra Koll show off their twins, Franklin and Charles, who were born in 2015 at the Crete hospital.

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Bryan Journeys 9

to meet the world. The couple liked Dr. Miller’s nature, and the consistency of having their family doctor take care of their baby from pregnancy on — or as it turned out — babies.

That’s something Sandra ribs him about. “I’m pretty much all natural; I don’t want extra ultrasounds, or C-sections or anything,” she points out. Sandra’s a twin and Jeffrey’s family has twins, so when she felt bigger than her first two pregnancies, she had her suspicions. Dr. Miller wasn’t so sure, she says, but, when he checked the heartbeat at 18 weeks, quickly wheeled an ultrasound machine over and then scheduled her for another ultrasound, it wasn’t difficult to figure out what was going on. “So, are you going to say it?” Sandra asked him

after the second ultrasound.They felt comfortable having twins in Crete, particularly on the day

of delivery, when a nurse with extensive neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) experience was assigned to them throughout their 12 hours of labor. “That makes you feel pretty special.” The nurse anesthetist also stayed for much of the labor, which eventually filled two operating rooms and included two doctors and several nurses. In the end, the main health concerns presented were a cord wrapped around one baby’s neck (which thankfully did not cause problems) and the second baby swallowing fluid, which doctors suctioned.

The twins arrived nine minutes apart, Franklin weighing in at 6 pounds,11 ounces; Charles at 7 pounds, 11 ounces, the numbers completing a matching pattern of birth weights and the hour born, making their accountant mother even more content.

Sands celebrate generations born in CreteThe day before Rich Sand was born in March of 1959, his parents

called county roads officials to mention that his mother, Irma Sand, was extremely pregnant and the miles separating their farm from the Crete Hospital were packed with snow.

The county opened the road, making snow piles about 12 feet high on either side. Irma delivered her youngest, Rich, who weighed in at just over 9 pounds and evened the family to three girls and three boys.

In 1988, Rich was back in the delivery room with wife, Deanna, for the birth of their son, Justin. Deanna can still hear the sound of the wind that gusty Palm Sunday. “I was waking up from the anesthetic and you could hear the windows blow in and out,” she says.

Deanna, an LPN and Bryan Health employee since 1979, also remembers the skill of the staff. “They were top notch,” says Deanna, “The cord was wrapped around Justin’s neck, and they figured that out just by watching the monitor, his heart rate and so forth.” She delivered a healthy 7 pounds, 10 ounce Justin by Cesarean delivery.

The next six days in the hospital were restful and educational. “It was very much a one-to-one atmosphere, which I really appreciated.” She delivered each of her four children at the old hospital and worked for a time at CAMC.

Jump forward to 2013. Justin is in a delivery room at CAMC, where wife, Tiffany, is delivering their firstborn, Jaxson, by C-section. The Dorchester couple had picked Crete’s hospital to be close to home and to stay with their doctor, Jason Hesser, MD, of Crete Area Medical Center.

Tiffany had extreme morning sickness much of the first seven months of the pregnancy. Each appointment and question was taken care of in Crete.

“Dr. Hesser informs you on everything. If you just listen to him for a few minutes, you’ll have a good picture of what’s happening,” Justin

Three generations: Jaxson, Justin and Rich Sand all were delivered in Crete.

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10 Fall 2015

says.They saw Dr. Hesser when they arrived in the

delivery room just before midnight on Oct. 22, the next morning before he left for the Wilber Medical Clinic, and when he returned that afternoon. “The experience at Crete was awesome. The individualized care they are able to give is great,” Tiffany adds.

After 17 hours of labor without normal progress, Jaxson arrived via C-section Oct. 23, weighing 6 pounds, 6 ounces. When his oxygen levels caused some concern, he was transferred to Bryan Medical Center for further evaluation.

Having Jaxson as the third generation born in Crete didn’t really register until it came up in family conversation. “We thought it would be cool. I don’t have family traditions like this,” says Tiffany, who was born in Miami.

Wohls appreciate caring staffJosh and Rachael Wohl arrived at CAMC

on a Tuesday evening, expecting to have their baby by early morning, but daughter, Kira, made her entrance Aug. 28, 2013, at 5:34 p.m. “By that time, I didn’t even know what day it was,” Rachael recalls. But one thing stands out vividly: “I remember when she was put on my chest, I started crying and the nurses said ‘Stop crying. That makes us cry.’ And they were already crying. It meant a lot to have them in the moment and care like that.” Labor took long enough that it ended with the same nurses who were working on Tuesday when labor began. “I loved my experience there,” she says.

It was a happy, emotional end to a pregnancy that included preeclampsia and bed rest. The days in the hospital with baby Kira were relaxing, peppered with visits from family, as well as friends and neighbors who work at CAMC.

Kira, 7 pounds, 10.5 ounces, made Generation 3 born in Crete. Josh was Generation 2, born Sept. 20, 1989 (three weeks late, 9 pounds, not budging, delivered by C-section, summarizes his mother, Dawn Williams). His father, Dale Wohl, is Generation 1.

Making memories, developing relationshipsAnita Lampila is one of the nurses who has taken care of

generations of families. Parents sometimes come up to her when they see her downtown to thank her or tell her they will be back in Labor and Delivery in a few months. One of her nursing co-workers received

a thank-you note and a dinner invitation from a special family who delivered their baby in Crete. They developed a friendship and still remain in contact.

Anita lists a few of the things parents appreciate, including an OB nurse scheduled on every shift possible, seeing the same familiar nurses and doctors in the clinic setting as the delivery setting; their efforts to accommodate the traditions of diverse cultures; and the partnerships with the NICU unit on the Bryan East Campus. Additionally, nurses working in Acute Care and the Emergency Department are certified in the Neonatal Resuscitation Program.

Much has changed since she began helping with babies, but some things stay true through the years. Including the first descriptions that follow the first glimpses of newborns, like Kira and Jaxson:

“ … She was perfect. Just perfect.”“ … Tons of brown hair.”“ … He was golden.”“ … Cuter than a button.” n

Kira Wohl shares a giggle with her father, Josh, and grandfather, Dale, as they display photos of the three generations as infants.

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If there is one thing Nicole Wainwright has always wanted, it is to have a child. Getting pregnant has been difficult; she’s had miscarriages, and ultimately she and her husband Brandon decided to do fertility treatments. So when the Lincoln couple learned they were pregnant with twins, it was

a happy time. For a while, things went great, but early in the pregnancy, at

eight or nine weeks, one of the twins passed away. The remaining twin, a girl named Kennedy, seemed to be developing fine, but about 35 weeks in, something went horribly wrong. Nicole felt something odd and learned that the umbilical cord was prolapsed and cutting off oxygen to the little one.

At the direction of their obstetrician, Stephen Swanson, MD, of Women’s Clinic of Lincoln, they were taken by ambulance to Bryan Medical Center, where Kennedy was born prematurely in March 2015. She lived for four days.

During those days, the couple says, the nurses, doctors and other care providers worked tirelessly and with care and passion to save Kennedy and to care for their family.

“Both of the doctors (neonatologists Albert Owusu-Ansah, MD, and Mark Brisso, MD) were really great,” Brandon recalls. “They were really involved. They never kept us waiting and wondering, and were 100 percent honest with us — not brash, but just honest. It was like ‘We’re in this together.’”

The nurses, too, went above and beyond, both Nicole and Brandon say. Jody Waldo, RN, and Stephanie Johnson, RN, spent a lot of time caring for the Wainwrights. The

couple’s situation touched them both deeply.“I wouldn’t recommend any other hospital — maybe in the

whole country — for childbirth,” Brandon says. “It doesn’t seem like a job with these women. It’s a passion, and you can tell they really care about their patients and these children. When we were going through all of this they were all in the nurses’ station crying along with us,” Brandon says.

“The level of caring we received here was amazing. Everyone was genuinely invested in our situation. The interactions we had with all the nurses were top notch.”

That’s why the couple and their family have created a nursing scholarship. They want to memorialize their daughter and help students who want to work in neonatal care pay for their education. The idea came from Nicole’s grandmother, Karen Ibach.

“My grandma’s birthday was in June,” Nicole says. “She decided for her birthday she wanted us to set up a scholarship in Kennedy’s name so that something positive could come from it.”

Her grandma made the major donation but told everyone else that for her birthday, she wanted contributions toward Kennedy’s scholarship.

The couple still hopes to have a baby, and they say Dr. Swanson is right there with them. “Dr. Swanson and his nurses and staff have been so supportive, too,” Nicole says.

“She deserves so much to be a mother and have that connection,” Brandon adds, with tears in his eyes. “We will not give up on this.” n

To learn how you can support the work of Bryan Health, please contact the Bryan Foundation by calling 402-481-8605.

Family’s scholarship gifthonors nurses and baby daughter

Bryan Journeys 11

B R Y A N F O U N D A T I O N

Brandon and Nicole Wainwright (seated at center) and her parents, Sheila and Gary Ibach (standing at left), and grandma Karen Ibach (standing at right) created a scholarship in honor of nurses, like Jody Waldo (far left) and Stephanie Johnson (far right), and the staff at Bryan Health.

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Bryan Telemedicine director Andrew Whitney (left) and Jim Harvey, telemedicine coordinator, use the online system to talk with Shane Fleming, chief operating officer of Bryan Telemedicine, while he’s in the northeastern Nebraska community of Neligh.

12 Fall 2015

Telemedicine and eVisit enhance Nebraskans’ access to care

The doctor will see you now… even if you’re miles away

T E L E M E D I C I N E

Access to medical services has been a major issue in rural communities throughout the United States for many years. Bryan Telemedicine and

the innovative online Bryan Health eVisit program have helped solve this problem in Nebraska.

Addressing rural physician shortage“The goal of Bryan Telemedicine is

to help provide relief to the physician shortage in Nebraska’s rural areas,” says Brian Bossard, MD, president of Bryan Telemedicine.

“We work to support doctors in smaller communities who are staffing hospital emergency departments at night while providing care at their office practices during the day. This both promotes doctors’ work-life balance, and enhances recruitment of physicians to hospitals in our rural areas.”

Bryan Telemedicine provides emergency, trauma, hospitalist and mental health telemedicine consultations to help on-site clinicians identify the best course of care and to assess whether patients can be cared for locally or should be transferred to another hospital.

Telemedicine is now a widely accepted way of providing many types of medical services and is approved and reimbursed by nearly all medical insurance providers.

How telemedicine worksDr. Bossard describes telemedicine

this way: “Let’s take trauma telemedicine, for example. When an injured patient arrives at a rural hospital, he or she is assessed carefully by an on-site emergency physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner. That clinician then uses the secure Bryan Telemedicine system to send the patient’s information to the trauma telemedicine physician at Bryan.”

“With current telemedicine technology,” he continues, “we can listen remotely to a patient’s heart and lungs, and perform a full physical examination in collaboration with the care provider working on-site.”

Working together, the trauma telemedicine physician and the on-site clinician identify and provide treatment immediately needed by the patient, and determine whether he or she should be admitted to the community hospital or

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Bryan Journeys 13


perhaps transferred to a larger hospital. For patients requiring hands-on

physician evaluation, an on-call doctor is always available within the community. Having a Bryan Telemedicine physician as the first-line consultant, however, reduces the number of after-hours calls community physicians receive and the time they must spend in the hospital at night. Telemedicine therefore provides the double bonus of helping doctors in small communities remain in their careers longer, while allowing patients to stay where they are close to their homes and families.

Hometown advantageStaying close to home was something

Christine and Ray Morrison of Neligh greatly appreciated when their 10-year-old daughter Brookelyn suffered a severe hip dislocation due to a fall. “Our daughter was in excruciating pain every time we touched her hip or moved her,” says Christine.

The Morrisons first made the three-hour trip to see an orthopedist in Omaha, but two days later Brookelyn had to see a doctor again because her pain remained severe. “We decided to use Telemedicine at the hospital in Neligh to talk with Dr. Asha Schweitzer at Bryan,” she says. “Using Bryan Telemedicine let my daughter get her care sooner, and it saved hours of travel and waiting time that would have left her even more stressed, frustrated and tired.”

Dr. Schweitzer adds, “Keeping Brookelyn near home let the Morrisions stay close to friends, family and their hometown physician. I was also able to consult by phone with her orthopedist in Omaha to talk about care decisions and keep them informed.”

Introducing Bryan Health eVisitConvenient, trusted care, online 24/7 You have a minor illness — a cold, an infection or other condition — and you don’t have a doctor, or the office isn’t open. What do you do? Now you have another care option for common, minor illnesses. It’s Bryan Health eVisit. With Bryan Health eVisit you can receive a diagnosis and treatment recommendations, even a prescription if needed, all from the convenience of your home — or anywhere you have access to a computer, tablet or smartphone. Best of all, Bryan Health eVisit is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and it’s only $35 per visit.

How does it work? Bryan Health eVisit is available to anyone in Nebraska, offering convenient, trusted care. Here’s how it works:

• Go to bryanhealthevisit.com on your computer, tablet or smartphone.• Answer a few questions about your symptoms and health history. • Receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from a board certified Nebraska doctor within an hour.• If a prescription is needed, it’s sent electronically to the pharmacy of your choice.

Conditions that can be diagnosed and treated through Bryan Health eVisit are limited to common, minor illnesses, such as sore throat, cold, flu, fever, yeast infections, urinary tract infections, sinus infections, and pink eye. Those who don’t meet the criteria for an online diagnosis and treatment receive information on where to get the care they need with a doctor or other treatment facility. A list of doctors and treatment facilities is provided, allowing families to schedule an appointment or receive care at an urgent care facility. If an online diagnosis is not provided, there is no charge for the eVisit.

Learn more Visit bryanhealth.org/evisit to learn more and see a video about

this convenient, new service now available to you. nVIDEO

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14 Fall 2015


Expanding telemedicine servicesIn addition to providing services to

Antelope Memorial Hospital in Neligh, Bryan Telemedicine is collaborating with the Heartland Health Alliance (a consortium of 48 Midwest hospitals) to expand to 13 more hospitals over the next two years.

And services available in Neligh are increasing.

“Several more specialty physicians in Lincoln will soon provide telemedicine services to the Neligh community through Antelope Memorial Hospital,” says Andrew Whitney, director of Bryan Telemedicine. “Telepharmacy is another area of great demand because there’s a shortage of pharmacists in rural communities, so I expect we’ll see

more of that type of care. The role of telepharmacists is to remotely oversee medication delivery in smaller hospitals when a pharmacist isn’t available on-site.”

“Our mission at Bryan Telemedicine,” adds Dr. Bossard, “is to promote access to medical care throughout Nebraska. We’ll go anywhere our services are needed to support local doctors and increase patients’ access to excellent care.”

Bryan Health eVisit: Online carefor minor health problems

“In addition to the Bryan Telemedicine Acute Care Program, we also are very pleased to offer Bryan Health eVisit (see Page 13). This easy-to-use online system provides care by Bryan Telemedicine’s board-certified Nebraska doctors for

minor health conditions, like sinus infections, cough, cold and flu, for an affordable fee of $35 per visit,” says Dr. Bossard.

“If a patient has a more complicated condition or can’t be treated by telemedicine, we direct them to the next, appropriate level of care — such as a local care provider, Bryan Urgent Care or an emergency department.”

He concludes, “Bryan Health eVisit is a cautious approach to treating patients virtually, while providing affordable medical care 24 hours a day for any patient in Nebraska who has Internet access.“ n

To find out how your gift can support Bryan Health, please call 402-481-8605, or go to bryanhealth.org/b2020.

Emergency tech Christa Whitney demonstrates how a rural Emergency Department might confer with a telemedicine specialist, such as Brandon Essink, MD, in another community. She performs ear checks, uses a stethoscope so the physician can hear heart beats and respira-tion, and can send images of an EKG or close-up views of areas of concern. At right, the patient talks directly with Dr. Essink in real time.

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Bryan Journeys 15


Bryan has long been a leader in mental health care in Nebraska and throughout the Midwest.

“We were one of the first community hospitals in the United States to offer inpatient psychiatric care for adults,” explains Dave Miers, PhD, program manager for Bryan Mental Health Services. “That was in 1939, an era when most mentally ill patients who needed hospitalization were placed in state mental hospitals.”

Dr. Miers notes, “We’ve recently added mental health telemedicine to our roster of services — these include inpatient and outpatient care, partial hospitalization, and community mental health wellness programs. Our inspiration in creating Mental Health Telemedicine was that many of Nebraska’s smaller communities have no specialty mental health care providers, so patients living in those areas must often travel quite a distance to receive psychiatric care at Bryan or other facilities.

“The goal of our mental health emergency telemedicine program is to

collaborate with patients’ hometown physicians to help patients stay in their own communities whenever possible,” he says.

To do that, a licensed mental health clinician interviews the patient through the secure Bryan Telemedicine system, then his or her assessment and treatment recommendation is sent to the patient’s hometown physician, who decides the plan of treatment. The physician works with the patient to connect them to the needed treatment resources.”

Mental health emergency telemedicine services are provided for patients of all ages by clinicians at Bryan’s Mental Health Emergency Department. In addition, outpatient mental health counseling is offered for adults via telemedicine through the Bryan Counseling Center. Hospitals interested in developing these services can contact Bryan Health. n

To learn about the services of Bryan’s Mental Health Telemedicine program, contact Linda Kimminau at 402-481-5588.

TelemedicineA new lifeline for mental health patients

MEET THE TELEMEDICINE TEAMTelemedicine physiciansBrian Bossard, MDJaime Dodge, MDAnthony Dresbach, MDNicole Ericksen, MDBrandon Essink, MDScott Heasty, MDMark Howerter, MDJohn Mazour, MDCynthia Reed, MDMichael Sayers, MDAsha Schweitzer, DOTim Sullivan, MD

Trauma surgeons from Nebraska Trauma & Acute Care SurgeryReginald Burton, MDStanley Okosun, MDJulie Walcutt, MD

Mental health professionalsMegan Dunnigan, LCSWSteph Hickey, LICSWLuke Schultz, LICSWBecky Stevens, LICSW

“As part of Bryan’s dedication to bringing the best in mental health care to Lincoln and our region,” says Mental Health Services program manager Dave Miers, PhD, “twenty-two years ago, we created an Emergency Department specifically for patients experiencing mental health emergencies.

“Our Mental Health Emergency Department program expanded over time, so now we provide services to more than 550 patients every month. We are located on the Bryan West Campus and available 24 hours a day for patients of all ages — from young

children through seniors.”This is one of the few services of its

kind, and Dr. Miers notes that in many areas of the country, patients with mental health emergencies must go to general emergency departments, where they may wait for extended periods of time before being seen.

“At Bryan, patients with mental health emergencies meet with a psychiatric registered nurse or social worker, who completes an assessment and confers with the Emergency Services physician on duty and the on-call psychiatrist,” he explains. “The

psychiatrist determines the level of service based on the patient’s medical necessity for treatment, then works through the registered nurse or social worker with the patient and family to connect the patient with services.

“While in the Mental Health Emergency Department, patients may also see a mental health peer specialist, who offers emotional support and information about the emergency room process.” n

To learn more about Bryan’s full range of mental health services, go to bryanhealth.org/mental-health.

Bryan provides around-the-clock mental health emergency care

Emergency tech Christa Whitney demonstrates how a rural Emergency Department might confer with a telemedicine specialist, such as Brandon Essink, MD, in another community. She performs ear checks, uses a stethoscope so the physician can hear heart beats and respira-tion, and can send images of an EKG or close-up views of areas of concern. At right, the patient talks directly with Dr. Essink in real time.

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16 Fall 2015

Ask thedoctor:

M E D I C A L S T A F F S P O T L I G H T

Dr. Amy Barker is associated with Bryan Heartland Psychiatry.

Every day is a new adventure for Dr. Amy Barker. As a child and adolescent psychiatric hospitalist with Bryan Heartland Psychiatry, Dr. Barker helps children and youth manage conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia and

other mental illness. She is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Q: What interested you in this particular field of medicine?I always thought I would pursue family medicine. However, when I was a medical student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, I had an amazing psychiatry rotation. That experience changed my mind and got me interested in psychiatry. I went on to complete my general psychiatry residency and child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at the combined UNMC/Creighton program.

Q: What is your role in treating patients at Bryan Health?I’m a child and adolescent psychiatric hospitalist. As a hospitalist, I see other doctors’ patients in the hospital setting. Patients come into my care by first being evaluated in the emergency department. I see patients who have psychiatric emergencies that require hospitalization. My patients require around-the-clock nursing and cannot be safely treated outside of a secure hospital unit.

Q: What do you do as a psychiatrist?As with all medical disorders, there are some that are specific

Where is help available for younger mental health patients?

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Bryan Journeys 17

M E D I C A L S T A F F S P O T L I G H T

to certain ages and developmental levels. Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia typically emerge after the late teen years or early adulthood. ADHD is usually first diagnosed in early childhood. Depression and anxiety are associated with all ages, even though the primary warning signs for depression differ between children, youth and adults.

Q: What conditions do you diagnose or treat?My focus is in treating children and adolescents specifically. As a result, I see many kids who have transient issues, including teens who experience a loss, or have a very difficult family or school stressor. Sometimes it’s all of the above. These individuals may be emotionally fragile or predisposed to depression or anxiety, and then become overwhelmed by a stressor, experiencing intense feelings of suicide. I also see young children who have aggression and other behavioral problems.

Q: Are you also a psychologist?No. Many people confuse psychiatry with psychology. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental illness. Psychologists have a doctorate of philosophy and do not have medical training or an MD.

Q: How has the treatment of mental illness evolved over the years? In the remote past, all severely mentally ill patients were housed and treated, sometimes for years, in mental health institutions. When anti-psychotics were introduced in the 1960s, severe psychotic mental illness was successfully treated for the first time. The medical community gained confidence, and the mentally ill were taken out of institutions and given medications to manage their conditions in their home environment. Although we still have a long way to go, we’ve seen medications play a significant role in the management and treatment of mental illness. Unfortunately, in some cases, insurance limits what time and resources a patient can receive. This limits our ability to incorporate additional therapies and treatments that may help the patient achieve a better state of health.

Q: Are there other child and adolescent psychiatrists in Lincoln? In addition to myself, there are only a couple of Board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrists

in the city. However, there are many excellent psychiatric nurse practitioners and physician assistants in Lincoln.

Q: During your career in psychiatry, what trends have you noticed?We have seen increases in the diagnosis of bipolar disorder and autism. But I’m quick to question the certainty of these trends, as numbers can be misleading. As a psychiatrist, I believe all health care practitioners need to look at all of the information about a patient to ensure they’re achieving an accurate diagnosis, rather than selecting symptoms to fit a particular condition.

Q: What do you like most about your job? I love how holistic psychiatry can be! I am incredibly fortunate to work with a group of expert therapists, social workers, nurses and nursing techs who are absolutely vital to the team approach that we provide. The greatest success is never seeing a kid on the unit again because they don’t need us anymore! We have some wonderful stories of very sick kids with psychotic disorders, severe bipolar disorder or eating disorders who have done amazingly well. As a team, we can deliver excellent care.

Q: What is the best part about practicing medicine in Nebraska?I grew up by the ocean in Southern California. While it sounds heavenly, I kindly explain to Nebraskans that I will never move back to California! In cities like Lincoln and Omaha, you can enjoy a lot of the best of what big cities offer without some of the more negative aspects, such as road congestion! I also love the changing of the seasons. I’m even OK with winter, keeping a pair of cross-country skis on hand in case we get enough snow to take them out.

Q: What keeps you busy when you’re not at the hospital?I’m a big motorcycle enthusiast. I have a Ducati Hypermotard. It’s a dual purpose bike — half dirt bike, half road bike. The first Wednesday of every month from May to October, you can find me at the European Motorcycle Night in the Haymarket. I also like to cheer on the Huskers. I grew up in California, but my mom is from Kearney — as a result, I was raised to be a Husker fan!

If you have questions about youth mental health services, call 402-481-5991. Consult your physician regarding referrals.

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BryanBenjamin Bixenmann, MD, neurosurgery, has joined the Nebraska Neurosurgery Group, 402-904-4729.

Dr. Bixenmann received a bachelor’s degree at Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Michigan, and graduated in 2009 from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine, Omaha, and completed a neuroscience residency at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio.

He has co-authored several medical research papers.

Sarah Castillo, MD, family medicine, has joined Peoples Health Center, 402-476-1455.

Dr. Castillo attended Chadron State College, Chadron, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Union College, Lincoln. Before enrolling in medical school, she was a home health aid in Chadron and a certified nurses aide in Hay Springs, Nebraska.

Dr. Castillo graduated from the Loma Linda School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, in 2012 and completed the Lincoln Family Medicine Residency Program

through the Lincoln Medical Education Partnership. She is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Tana Gegen, MD, hospitalist, is associated with Inpatient Physician Associates, 402-481-8566.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology at Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, and in 2012 graduated from the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Dr. Gegen then completed an internal medicine residency at Maine Medical Center, Portland.

During her residency, she was the prin-cipal investigator of a quality improvement study regarding homeless inpatients and barriers to discharge.

New faces at

Welcome these 13 colleagues to the Bryan medical community

18 Fall 2015

M E D I C A L S T A F F U P D A T E

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Bryan Journeys 19

Abhilash Kolli, MD, hospitalist, is associated with Inpatient Physician Associates, 402-481-8566.

Before moving to Lincoln, Dr. Kolli was associated with Inpatient Physician Associates Columbus.

He graduated from Guntur Medical College of Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India in 2004 and completed a residency in internal medicine at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, which is associated with Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.

Nathan Larson, DPM, podiatry, has joined the Lincoln Foot Clinic, 402-466-6677.

Dr. Larson earned a Bachelor of Science at Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, and graduated in 2012 from the Midwestern University School of Podiatric Medicine, Glendale, Arizona.

He completed his clinical and surgical residency education at Covenant Medical Center of Waterloo, Iowa.

Dr. Larson has made presentations at several conferences and is the co-author of

a medical journal case report. This Eagle Scout also was a Special Olympics volunteer and served a mission in Las Vegas for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He lives in Lincoln with his wife and their three children.

Nathan McIntire, MD, anesthesiology, has joined Associated Anesthesiologists, 402-489-4186.

This Omaha native earned a Bachelor of Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Dr. McIntire graduated in 2010 from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine, Omaha. He

also completed an internship, residency and anesthesiology fellowship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Robert Percell, MD, FACC, electrophysiology, is associated with Bryan Heart, 402-483-3333.

Dr. Percell was born in Columbia, South Carolina, and received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Morehouse College, Atlanta. He graduated from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, in 1996.

He fulfilled internal medicine internship and residency requirements at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Percell completed the University of South Florida College of Medicine cardiology fellowship program at Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida, and an electrophysiology fellowship at Boston Medical Center.

Christopher Rife, MD, gastroenterology, has joined Gastroenterology Specialties, 402-465-4545.

Dr. Rife grew up in Lincoln and received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa.

In 2008, he graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine, Omaha.

He completed an internal medicine residency and research fellowship at the Medical University of South

Carolina, Charleston. He served as a part-time hospitalist at Charleston area hospitals and in 2015 finished a fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Dr. Rife has contributed to several medical journal articles and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.


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20 Fall 2015

Edmundo Rivera, MD, general surgery, is associated with Lincoln Surgical Group, 402-483-7825.

Dr. Rivera is from Anaheim, California, and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the

University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

He graduated in 2008 from the Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, where he also completed a general surgery residency.

Dr. Rivera completed a University of Washington burn fellowship at the Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, and a

University of Illinois trauma/surgical critical care fellowship at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Chicago.

He is a Fellow of the American Burn Association.

Julie Steinhauser, MD, family medicine, is associated with Richard J. Thompson, MD, 402-474-7445.

Dr. Steinhauser grew up in Lincoln, attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology from Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln.

She graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine, Omaha, in 2012 and completed the Lincoln Family Medicine Residency Program through the Lincoln Medical Education Partnership.

John Steuter, MD, invasive cardiology, is associated with Bryan Heart, 402-483-3333.

Dr. Steuter received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

He graduated in 2008 from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine, Omaha, where he completed an internal medicine residency and a cardiology fellowship.

Dr. Steuter is Board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular medicine.

He has special interests in cardiac MRI, advanced heart failure, LVAD therapies and cardio-oncology. He has co-authored several articles for medical journals.

Jenna Van Pelt, MD, obstetrics & gynecology, is associated with the Women’s Clinic of Lincoln, 402-434-3370.

Dr. Van Pelt earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Creighton University, Omaha, and graduated in 2011 from the University of Nebraska Medical Center School of Medicine, Omaha.

She completed the Ohio State University/Mt. Carmel Health Obstetrics & Gynecology residency program.

Dr. Van Pelt’s interests include high-risk obstetrics, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and in-office procedures.

Jason Weber, MD, orthopedic surgery, has joined the Lincoln Orthopaedic Center, 402-436-2000.

Dr. Weber received a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and in 2009 graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine, Omaha.

He completed the orthopaedic surgery residency program at Georgetown University Hospital and a foot and ankle fellowship at the Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Center of Washington, D.C.

Dr. Weber participated in two research projects, and his articles have appeared in several medical journals.

Looking for a doctor?Visit bryanhealth.org/find-a-doctor.

Our new website makes finding a doctor easy. Look for specialists in family medicine, obstetrics &

gynecology, heart care, digestive issues, orthopedics and much more. See doctor videos and request appointments online. Best of all, you can view information and request appointments 24/7.

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Bryan Journeys 21

Fulmers celebrate survival, new life


For Micah and Summer Fulmer, the last seven years have been a lesson in faith, determination and

second chances. From a traumatic accident to the birth of a new son, the team at Bryan Health has played a special part in the journey of the Fulmer family.

On May 3, 2008, Micah’s life changed forever. While helping friends tow a vehicle out of a ditch, Micah was struck by a car. The force caused him to hit the windshield and then the roof, sending him nearly 100 feet through the air.

At the Bryan Trauma Center, physicians discovered Micah had several life-threatening injuries, including an epidural and subdural hematoma. He was also suffering from a torn carotid artery and multiple skull fractures. After coding several times in the ICU, Micah finally woke two weeks later. He endured 25 head surgeries and another 22 surgeries on his legs and shoulder during his several-month stay at Bryan.

While Micah required more than 12 months of extensive inpatient and outpatient therapy, he soon discovered he had a second chance at life.

About three years after the accident, Micah met and began dating a woman named Summer, who soon became his fiancé. He asked her to marry him in the middle of a Saint Patrick’s Day parade. Micah looked forward to fulfilling his dreams of becoming a husband and father.

After their wedding in February 2014, the couple looked to fertility treatment to start a family. After two rounds of artificial insemination, the Fulmers discovered they were expecting a baby. Summer was due in June 2015.

“It was so special,” says Summer. “After everything Micah had been through, and considering our fertility challenges, it was a miracle that we were able to bring a new life into this world.”

Summer was referred by her fertility specialist to Donald Gibbens, MD, of Bryan Women’s Care Physicians at 14 weeks. The preparation for the baby involved a series of prenatal check-ups, as well as many hours of shopping for baby gear, clothes and nursery

decorations. Summer and Micah also familiarized themselves with the experience awaiting them at the Bryan Family Birthplace.

“We’d had a number of friends deliver their babies at Bryan Health,” Summer explains. “We were looking forward to it.”

Summer was induced at 38 weeks due to gestational diabetes. Her induction began at 5 a.m., but a challenge with her blood pressure led to the need for an emergency C-section.

“Even though it was a quick turn of events, the staff at Bryan Health stayed calm. They walked us through the entire procedure,” says Summer. “Very quickly after we got to the operating room, our son was born.”

As a proud mother of a healthy baby boy, Morgan James, Summer is quick to tell others of her fantastic experience at Bryan.

“I was able to relax and enjoy my time at the Bryan Family Birthplace. The nurses were there to help. They really do go above and beyond to take care of you and your baby,” she says.

Micah admits that it’s somewhat surreal to be both a new dad and a trauma survivor.

“It’s almost like I’ve had two lives,” he says. “I remember my life very well until May 3, 2008. And now I’m on the other side — married with a family.”

In addition to becoming a father, Micah also completed the 2015 Lincoln half marathon. The race happened to fall on the seventh anniversary of his accident. He finished the race in just over four hours, motivated by the cheers of his wife, family and friends.

“I hope I can be a role model for my son,” says Micah. “To show him that with the right help, you can overcome significant challenges and achieve your dreams.”

The Fulmers frequently pop into the Bryan Trauma Center to chat with the team and reminisce about Micah’s experience and journey back to health.

And their visits now involve showing off their newest joy — baby Morgan James. n

Summer and Micah Fulmer snuggle baby Morgan James.

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Co-workers’ quick actionssave Kyle during heart attackAccording to the American Heart Association, 200,000 to 400,000 individuals suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year in the United States. As Bryan Heart patient Kyle Rice can attest, bystanders can play a significant role in their survival rate.

While getting ready to begin his shift as an assembly fabricator in the Rail Car Division of Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp., Kyle Rice had a heart attack. That was Feb. 21, 2015.

“We were starting our 6 a.m. shift,” he recalls. “We were only five minutes into our morning stretches, and I went down.”

Kyle had been experiencing chest pains prior to that morning and was in the process of seeing his primary doctor and following up with other providers. However, his cardiac event happened before his scheduled tests.

Kyle’s supervisor, Jeff Brester, was quick to react to Kyle’s heart attack.

“He fell face down, five feet in front of me,” says Jeff. “I have had CPR training all of my years at work, but until that day had never had to put it into practice.”

After checking Kyle for a pulse, Jeff and other co-workers started CPR while another person called the internal safety line to alert the Kawasaki Emergency Medical Response Team.

“We have a specific protocol for emergencies, and as a result, our EMTs arrived quickly while we waited for the ambulance,” says Jeff. “They utilized an AED device (a defibrillator) to shock his heart, and then continued CPR for approximately 19 minutes until emergency personnel arrived.”

The Lincoln Fire & Rescue ambulance took Kyle from the plant in the northwest part of the city to Bryan Medical Center, where the medical team found one of Kyle’s arteries was 100 percent occluded. Cardiologist Ryan Whitney, MD, of Bryan Heart placed a stent in the artery to keep it open — then put Kyle in a medically induced coma for 3-4 days to cool his body and prevent additional organ damage.

“I don’t remember much from those first few days, but I’m thankful for the quick actions of my co-workers and the Bryan Heart doctors,” says Kyle. “Without them, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Kyle has regular appointments scheduled with Dr. Whitney, as well as his primary care physician. He recently returned to work after a 13-week recovery period.

“I’m definitely staying on top of my health,” says Kyle. “I have some permanent damage from the heart attack, but am slowly regaining my strength and recently celebrated my 54th birthday.”

In April 2015, Kyle’s co-workers — Jeff Brester, Jason Rethwisch, Steve Addleman, Todd Sehnert, Mike Meyer and Del Stauffer — received the Life Saver Award from the Nebraska Safety Council. This award recognized the group saving the life of their co-worker. The company also was commended for having an emergency action plan in place and having the right equipment and people with the right training at the scene. The six co-workers also earned a HERO Award from the American Heart Association, and EMTs Del, Todd and Steve received a Code Save Award from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Recognition Program.

“I wish I could do something to show how thankful I am,” says Kyle. “I had jobs in the past where the outcome probably wouldn’t have been the same because the people around me didn’t know CPR.”

As a bystander, Jeff said he did what anyone could, and should do.

“In a situation like that, the training comes back to you as you put your knowledge into practice,” he says. “We should never have to watch someone die in front of us because we didn’t know what to do to help.” n

Bryan offers CPR for Family and Friends, and Heartsaver AED. To enroll in these courses, call 402-481-5646.

To learn how you can support the work of Bryan Heart through the b2020 campaign, please call 402-481-8605, or go to bryanhealth.org/b2020.

B R Y A N H E A R T

22 Fall 2015

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Bryan Journeys 23

B R Y A N H E A R T

When it comes to emergency responses, Kyle Rice is thankful his co-workers at Kawasaki are behind him. Fellow employees Del Stauffer (left), Todd Sehnert, Steve Addleman, Jason Rethwisch, Jeff Brester (Kyle’s supervisor) and Mike Meyer (holding the AED) jumped into action when Kyle suffered a heart attack at work.

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N E W A T B R Y A N

24 Fall 2015

Brandon and Maddy Schrader are thankful athletic trainer Rachel Hall (right) was at the softball tourna-ment where Maddy was injured.

Learn more about this program at bryanhealth.org/athletic-training-youth-program.

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N E W A T B R Y A N

Athletic trainers are valuable teammates

Bryan Journeys 25This story is underwritten by The Kim Foundation.

Fifteen-year-old Madison “Maddy” Schrader was at a softball tournament in Lincoln early this summer when she took a hard hit

while fielding a ball in the outfield. At first, the Omaha youth seemed mildly shaken up, but generally OK.

Her dad, the team’s assistant coach Brandon Schrader tells the story this way: “I think it was the third inning; there was a runner on third, one out, and a fly ball went to right field. Maddy caught the ball, but she hit the ground pretty hard. She popped back up, threw the ball into home plate and then played through the rest of the inning. I asked if she was OK, and she said yes, so I went back to the field.”

Recognizing unusual symptomsLater in the dugout, there were signs

that the notoriously goofy Maddy was more shaken up than anyone could readily see. She couldn’t find her batting helmet, when in reality she was wearing it. “It was already on my head and I didn’t know it,” Maddy says.

And there were other signs that something wasn’t right. Maddy went up to bat and fouled off a ball but didn’t comprehend it. When coaches talked to her, they discovered it was because her vision was impaired.

As she walked back to the dugout and took off her helmet, some of the adults noticed she was crying. Brandon recalls, “I asked her why she was crying and she said she didn’t know. She wasn’t wobbly or anything like that, but I could see that she was ‘off.’ Her eyes were kind of glazed over.”

It was at this point that Brandon sent his daughter to see the athletic trainers stationed at the game as part of the Bryan sports medicine/athletic training outreach program, a collaborative effort between Bryan Medical Center and Lincoln Orthopaedic Center (LOC).

The program was established in 2011 and has grown from two certified athletic trainers serving three schools to a team serving schools in Lincoln, David City, Wahoo, Crete, York, Waverly and Seward. The program is headed by Bryan rehabilitation services manager Ed Meelhuysen and LOC sports medicine director Corey Courtney.

“We provide professional athletic training coverage in communities throughout eastern Nebraska, through partnerships with local high schools, youth sports organizations and local community hospitals,” Ed says.

During the summer, the athletic trainers are able to provide sports medicine coverage at numerous community sporting events, such as the one Maddy participated in.

“Our athletic trainers partner with their local schools and communities to provide hometown care,” Corey says. “This program not only focuses on the proper diagnosis and treatment of sports injuries for our young athletes but also on proper education, identification and treatment of concussions and other mild head injuries. As sports have become so much more prevalent and injury awareness has grown, we are really proud to offer this service to our region’s youth.”

When Maddy went to the ground, hitting her chest and head, it was a good thing the athletic trainers were on hand, as things went downhill from there.

Emergency action planAthletic trainer Rachel Hall, ATC, picks

up the story: “Maddy came to the aid tent where we evaluated her. We could tell right away that something was wrong. She was very lethargic, had trouble staying awake and demonstrated other neurologic symptoms. It was determined that she needed immediate transport to the hospital. Certified trainer Terry Adair activated what we call our emergency action plan.” Rachel says, “We

kept Maddy comfortable and stable until the ambulance arrived.”

Maddy was taken to the Bryan Trauma Center, where she was in a coma for 36 hours. Eventually, she was transferred to Children’s Hospital in Omaha and continues her therapy there.

“I was surprised by her injuries, because she’s even played with broken bones and usually rebounds pretty quickly after getting hurt. I’m usually the one who freaks out,” Brandon says with a laugh. “This time things weren’t clicking, so it was a different thing. It was very difficult for us, waiting in the hospital to find out what was going on.”

Made all the differenceThe family credits having the athletic

trainers on hand for taking quick action and knowing exactly what to do for Maddy.

“It made a difference to have the trainers there. The team on Maddy’s case was amazing,” Brandon says. “What it boils down to is that we don’t always have this level of care at every tournament. If Rachel and Terry hadn’t been here, the outcome could have been very different. So I think this program made a world of difference — I’m not happy it happened, but I am happy that the athletic trainers were there.”

Says Rachel, “We hope that this story will help families involved in youth sporting events to understand that concussions and other injuries can be more serious than they realize — especially if they are not reported and the child continues to play, running the risk of secondary impact syndrome. We want parents to know that these things can happen anytime. It’s not just a ‘boy’ thing or ‘football’ thing. Serious injuries can happen in any sport.” n

To learn how your gift can support Bryan Health, please call 402-481-8605.

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I N S U P P O R T O F O U R C O M M U N I T Y

Having fun at Run to Overcome

26 Fall 2015

VIDEO

More than 1,000 completed 5K or 10K courses Sept. 19 at the

Bryan Health Run to Overcome. The Kim Foundation, Pen-Link, Bryan Heartland Psychiatry and Mapes Industries were partners for this year’s event.

Noah Galloway (right), military veteran and Dancing With the Stars contestant, made special appearances the day before at Southpointe Pavilions and Bryan Medical Center.

Jason Pearson (below) and Allison Nielsen were first in the 5K, and Michael Daugherty and Kayte Partch were first in the 10K.

Participants followed a course through the neighborhood surrounding the Bryan Pine Lake Campus. To see a video, go to bryanhealth.org/run-to-overcome.

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Bryan Journeys 27

E.D. project adds features, doubles size

N E W A T B R Y A N

When the Emergency Department construction project on the Bryan East Campus is completed this fall, it will feature more than twice as much space and the latest equip-ment to ensure improved patient flow and the best possible tools for our emergency team. This nursing station, seen from the point of view of the physician charting area, opened this summer and is used for minor emergencies during high census periods.

Crews are installing an elevator and en-closed walkway from the expanded surface parking lot to the new E.D. entrance.

Seven new exam rooms will give the E.D. a total of 23. The floor plan promotes patient convenience and privacy.

Here’s an artist’s rendering of what the new emergency entrance will look like.

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28 Fall 2015

B R Y A N C O L L E G E O F H E A L T H S C I E N C E S

Internships prep students for real world

If a career in medicine, physical therapy, pharma-cology or other health area is your dream,

the Bryan College of Health Sciences Biomedical Sciences program is for you.

“Students in this major are intelligent, motivated and have high aspirations,” notes Kay Crabtree, PhD. “They understand that admissions into professional programs such as medical schools and physician assistant programs are extremely competitive. But maintaining high academic performances and scoring well on entrance exams are only part of what makes them strong candidates — internships and research experiences are essential to helping them achieve their goals.”

Dr. Crabtree says exposure to clinical care and research gives students earning the Bio-medical Sciences degree a competitive edge.

“They see knowledge gained in the classroom applied in real world settings, and the experience helps confirm their interest in long-term goals,” she continues. “Faculty are involved with them every step of the way, encouraging and supporting outside internships, as well as facilitating experiences here at Bryan Medical Center.”

Current students enthusiastically support that assessment.

Laurel Ahlman, Nicholas Schuller and Nicole Weedman completed internships this summer, and all three hope to someday become physicians.

“I want to work in the field of neuro-science, as a surgeon, researcher or both,” says Laurel. “The possibility of doing an internship was one of the reasons I chose Bryan. I’m completing an internship as a

bioanalytical research and development employee at Celerion here in Lincoln. What started as an internship to work on publishing research related to work done over the summer has turned into long-term employment.”

Nicholas says, “This program is for students who crave learning and have an intense passion to discover the science behind the human body. It’s a rigorous program, but the preparation is invaluable to patient care.

“I’m very interested in the dynamics of cardiothoracic surgery. My internship was at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where I took classes and was able to shadow an oncologist and scrub in on a surgery. We covered topics ranging from periodontitis and the effects on the heart and immune system to epigenetic principles and analyzing genetic codes.

“The experience affected me personally as I will be able to provide better care to my future patients because of principles I learned during my internship.”

He adds, “Medicine is all about practice and having the motivation to accomplish your

goals, so internships help students gain a hands-on perspective of academics, research and clinical applications.”

According to Nicholas, “You’re more than a number at Bryan — the professors take time to really get to know you. For instance, Dr. Crabtree brought this internship to my attention. Being involved in specialized research in the area I want to go into definitely made a huge impact on my decision to enroll at Bryan. There just isn’t anything like it at competing colleges.”

Laurel adds, “I’ve been blessed and humbled to know the lengths Bryan will go to help me fulfill my

dream of becoming a doctor. They gave me access to all the tools I will need to succeed.”

Nicole completed a 10-week internship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

“My plan is to go into obstetrics and gynecology and specialize in maternal-fetal medicine, which deals with high-risk pregnancies,” she says. “My mentor and I were researching to see if there is a genetic predisposition for cancer patients to develop cardiomyopathy after receiving chemotherapy.”

She points out, “Bryan is great if you are looking for a small school with a caring culture. I can tell that my professors want me to succeed and will go the extra mile to help. I did miss out on most of my summer break while doing the internship, but I had an amazing experience that will stay with me throughout my career!” n

For more information about the Biomedical Sciences program, call 402-481-3801, or go to bryanhealthcollege.edu.

To learn how you can support Bryan College of Health Sciences, call 402-481-8605.

Students Laurel Ahlman, Nicholas Schuller and Nicole Weedman say the Biomedical Science program is helping them realize their dreams.

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B R Y A N C O L L E G E O F H E A L T H S C I E N C E S

Bryan Journeys 29

Welcome five faculty membersNew doctorateemphasizes nursing education

Beginning this spring, Bryan College of Health Sciences offers a program of studies leading to an Education Doctorate (EdD) with an emphasis in Nursing Education.

This is one of only eight such programs in the United States, and Bryan’s is the first of its kind in the Midwest. It is a 54-credit curricu-lum that can be completed in four years and is designed for working professionals who hold the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). The format includes face-to-face, class-room and online interaction, with nearly 75 percent of the course-work being completed online.

“We are pleased to be able to support the increasing need for nursing educators, who in turn will help meet the critical need for more nurses throughout our country,” says Bryan College of Health Sciences President Marilyn Moore, EdD.

“As many nursing faculty members approach retirement and accreditation standards require an increasing number of doctoral prepared educators, this program will meet the need for highly edu-cated faculty members in colleges throughout the Midwest.”

To learn more about the Educa-tion Doctorate with an emphasis in Nursing Education, contact Dean of Graduate Nursing Marcia Kube, EdD, at 402-481-8845, or email [email protected]. n

Amanda Fox, RN, BSN, MSN, is from Bassett. She received an Associate Degree in Nursing from Southeast Community College

in 2006, then earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln. Her career includes two years of medical/oncology experience and seven years of mother/baby/women’s health nursing.

Fox served as an adjunct nursing instructor at Union College, Lincoln.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.

Professor of Graduate Nursing Katherine Girard, EdD, RN, MSN, CNE, RNFA, completed the Licensed Practical Nurse program and As-

sociate in Nursing degree at Kirtland Community College, Roscommon, Michigan, before earning her doctorate at Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti. Dr. Girard has 19 years of nursing ex-perience, with the last 14 in education. Her career

includes operating room nursing, higher educa-tion and educational leadership. She is a certi-fied nurse educator and a registered nurse first assist. Dr. Girard received the March of Dimes Excellence Award and was a finalist for the Omaha Magazine Excellence in Nursing Award.

Assistant Prof. Mark Jones, PhD, is from Hammond, Indiana. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Purdue University- Calumet and a PhD in Human Anatomy at Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis.

Dr. Jones taught biology as an assistant professor at LeTourneau

University, Longview, Texas. He and his wife have two daughters — the

younger is a nursing student at Bryan and the older daughter earned a bachelor’s in secondary education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His hobbies include archery and the outdoors.

Irakli Loladze, PhD, is a native of Tbilisi, Georgia, who came to the United States in 1994 to enroll in graduate school at Arizona State University, Tempe, where he earned a master’s

and doctorate. He’s lived in Lincoln since 2004.

Dr. Loladze carried out research and taught at ASU, as well as at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Ohio State University, the Catholic University of Daegu, South Korea, and the

University of Maryland University College, Adelphi. He’s a mathematical biologist who enjoys applying math to determine how nature works, and he’s collaborating with the EPA on “The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assess-ment.” Dr. Loladze and his wife have two sons.

Katie Sladky, RN, MSN, of Columbus earned BSN (2009) and MSN (2014) degrees at Bryan College of Health Sciences.

As a nurse, she prac-ticed at Antelope Memo-rial Hospital and AMH Family Practice in Neligh, where she gained experi-ence in medical/surgical, emergency, obstetrics and other areas of nursing. At Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Sladky taught pharmacology to Practical Nursing students and did clinical rota-tions with Associate Degree in Nursing students in the local hospital’s acute care setting.

She and her husband have three small children. Sladky says in her spare time she enjoys exercising and reading.

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30 Fall 2015

A C H I E V E M E N T S

Jameison Cooper accepts the Leadership Award from Susan Cochrane of the ANFP.

AssociationrecognizesNDS teamwork

During the annual conference of the Association of Nutrition and Foodservice Professionals (ANFP) in Orlando, the organiza-tion presented a Partnership in Leadership Award to Bryan’s Nutrition and Dining Services team. This award was in the Excellence in Dining category.

According to NDS supervisor Jameison Cooper, the award recognizes a collaborative effort among co-workers at both Bryan Medical Center campuses to offer new products, improve efficiency and emphasize service spirit. In 2014, NDS experienced a cumulative retail sales growth of 18 percent over the previous year’s total. n

Nurse navigator Ruth Van Gerpen is Bryan’s Caring Kind Award honoree for 2015.

Tompkins and Van Gerpenare our Caring Kind Awardwinners for 2015

Maintenance worker Bill Tompkins of Crete Area Medical Center and oncology clinical nurse specialist and nurse navigator Ruth Van Gerpen of Bryan Health are Nebraska Hospital Association Caring Kind Award recipients.

Tompkins has worked in the plant operations department at CAMC for almost 15 years.

His nominator notes, “He’s always willing to go out of his way to help. He always is pleasant to work with, and no matter what is needed, he completes it with a smile.”

Van Gerpen’s nominator says, “She goes above and beyond to make sure

our oncology patients get everything they need, from medications to education to arranging things to aide in their care and recovery.

“She works harder than anyone I know and answers our questions in the middle of the night if we are stumped with a chemo problem or oncologic emergency. Ruth is one heck of a nurse and a huge asset to Bryan Health.”

Van Gerpen has worked at Bryan for 39 years.

During its annual fall convention, the Nebraska Hospital Association recognizes an outstanding employee of every hospital in the state. n

Bill Tompkins enjoys a hot dog during the annual CAMC Golf Scramble.

Leadership awards salute Campbell, Moore,Plowman

Bryan College of Health Sciences President Marilyn Moore, EdD, and Board members Donde Plowman, PhD, and Kathy Campbell were among 10 winners of the first-ever Inspire — Celebrating Women’s Leadership Awards.

Dr. Moore was honored for Excellence in Education.

State Sen. Kathy Campbell, a member of the Bryan Medical Center Board of Trustees, was saluted for Excellence in Government Service.

Dr. Plowman, dean of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business, was named Woman of the Year for her support of mentoring programs for women and her efforts to raise funds for a new College of Business Administration building. She’s on the Bryan Health Board.

The awards, sponsored in part by the Lincoln Journal Star, were presented in September. Recipients were honored for being role models in the community and excelling in their professional lives. n

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B R Y A N V O L U N T E E R S & C U S T O M E R C A R E

Bryan Journeys 31

Mildred Petersen has a degree in home economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln,

a passion for giving back, and a deep devotion to Nebraska football. These ingredients make her the perfect person to bring a little Husker spirit to newborns in the Bryan Family Birthplace.

“Many years ago, one of the OB nurses thought it would be fun to create Husker coverlets,” Mildred explains. “They wanted to cover each of the newborn babies with these specially designed coverlets on Husker game days.”

As a football season ticket holder, Mildred was excited for the opportunity to put her sewing skills to good use. With the hospital covering the cost of the fabric, Mildred works diligently to sew approximately 400 Husker coverlets each year. Other volunteers also help make coverlets in different designs for the holidays throughout the year.

“It takes me about an hour to make a coverlet,” she says. “But I do them in batches, so they go quickly. I can complete them at home, regardless of what the weather is like outside.”

Mildred has been volunteering at Bryan Health for more than 20 years, having moved to Lincoln from South Dakota in the early 1990s. In addition to the coverlets, Mildred works one day a week at the Bryan Medical Center information desk. She greets patients and their families, helping to locate room numbers and other valuable information.

In her spare time, Mildred likes to travel, cross-stitch and play bridge. She

has contributed her time to the Bryan Volunteers and Customer Care Board of Directors on two different occasions, as well as the advisory board of her senior living community.

She also enjoys spending time with her

daughters when they come to town, going to — you guessed it — Husker football games! n

To learn about volunteer opportuni-ties, call 402-481-3032, or visit bryanhealth.org/volunteer.

Coverlets cheer tiny Husker fans

Every year, Mildred Petersen sews hundreds of Husker-themed coverlets for newborns at Bryan Health.

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32 Fall 2015

B R Y A N S T E R L I N G C O N N E C T I O N

In the coming months, you will have many opportunities to connect with other Bryan Sterling Connection members.

Not a member? Join today — it’s free! Call us at 402-481-3355, or join online by logging

on to bryanhealth.org/sterlingconnection.

Sterling Connection Holiday Social Open HouseSunday, Dec. 13, 2015, 1-4 p.m.

Get in the holiday spirit with fellow Sterling Connection members. For Holiday

Social reservations, call 402-481-8355.

Adventures await in 2016!Trip brochures will be available Dec. 1,

2015, for 2016 adventures. To download brochures, visit bryanhealth.org/travel, or call 402-481-3355 or 800-742-7844, and ask for

Bryan Sterling Connection.

Multiple-day toursGrand Canyon by Rail — April 25-30

Imagine the thrill of spending quality time in the Grand Canyon. Amtrak to Williams, Arizona, in your own private sleeping room and enjoy meals in the diner, just like the old days. Take the scenic Grand Canyon Railway to the rim of the Grand Canyon and overnight in the National Park. On the last day, take an excursion to the bottom of the canyon.

Canadian Rockies — July 17-27The Canadian Rockies are spectacular.

Spending time in the mountain community of Banff, seeing gorgeous Lake Louise and rafting down the Bow River are just a few things you’ll experience on this trip.

Mississippi River Cruise & Cranberry Country — Sept. 27-30

This vacation combines the harvest of

the little red cranberry with the folklore and majesty of the mighty Mississippi River. Learn all about how cranberries are grown and harvested, plus enjoy a relaxing excursion down the Mississippi River.

One-day tripsSavor the Flavor of Europe, Including Four Ethnic Communities in Western Iowa — May 17

We’ll uncover some hidden gems for you to enjoy in communities that represent Sweden, France, Denmark and Germany. Learn about interesting culture and history, and sample delicious ethnic foods.

Farms to Marbles — June 14 This tour of York includes Wessel’s Living

History Farm, Clayton Museum of Ancient History, Lee’s Legendary Marble Museum,

and a wonderful lunch at Chances R.

Northeast Nebraska Adventure — Aug. 2Visit DeSoto Wildlife Refuge and

discover the artifacts from the sinking of the Steamboat Bertrand. Enjoy lunch at Ponca State Park.

The Answer My Friend is Blowing in the Wind: Exploring Windmills, Wind Turbines and Energy Generation — Sept. 15

This unique and interesting tour explores the generation of energy. Enjoy lunch at the Lied Lodge, time to shop at the wool outlet in Nebraska City and pick up fresh apples at Kimmel Orchard.

Nebraska Winery Tour — Oct. 8Visit three wineries and enjoy a delightful

lunch cruise on the Missouri River.

Bryan Sterling Connection is here to assist you! The team includes program assistant Lori Lee (left), program manager Kathy Wolf and program assistant Pam Bly — seen here with motivational speaker Noah Galloway during his visit to Lincoln to help promote the annual Bryan Health Run to Overcome.

Your connection to fun, friends and information

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C O M M U N I T Y C A L E N D A R

Bryan Journeys 33

Special Holiday Packages

from The Spa at Bryan LifePointe

The Gift of “Ahhh...”

from Bryan LifePointe Fitness

Get Fit Gifts

From pampering experiences to fitness to gift cards to use as you choose, our holiday

specials package the best of The Spa at Bryan LifePointe

and Bryan LifePointe Fitness!

Learn more at bryanhealth.org/holidayspecials

physical activity, with a goal of losing 5-7 percent of your body weight. You’ll feel better, be healthier, and best of all, reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 58 percent! Work with a diabetes prevention coach and other participants to learn skills for making lasting lifestyle changes. This program lasts one year, with 16 core sessions during the first six months, then monthly post-core sessions for the remainder of the year. To learn more, call Bryan LifePointe at 402-481-6300.

2016 Bryan Indoor TriathlonSaturday, Feb. 27

First wave begins at 7:30 a.m., and a new wave begins every 35 minutes. The total triathlon event will be 75 minutes, including:n 10-minute swim in the lap pool.n 10-minute transition.n 30 minutes on a spin bike.n5-minute transition. n20 minutes on a treadmill.

Placing is determined by number of laps swum, watts generated while cycling and distance run. Not comfortable doing this alone? Find two friends and compete as a team! Teams can be all male, all female or coed.

Cost: Individual is $25, or $75 for a team.Where: Bryan LifePointe Campus, 7501 S. 27th. To learn more, go to bryanhealth.org/triathlon, or call 402-481-8855.

Bryan Community Health Education and Sterling Connection present

Shine a Light on Lung CancerTuesday, Nov. 3, 6:30-8 p.m.

Bryan Health, in partnership with Bryan Heart Cardiothoracic Surgery, Lincoln Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates, Nebraska Hematology & Oncology, Nebraska Pulmonary Specialties, Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center and Radiation Oncology Consultants, invites you to join us for the Shine a Light on Lung Cancer Vigil. It’s the largest internationally coordinated awareness event for lung cancer. The vigil provides hope, support and compassion for all affected by this disease. This event empowers millions to join this historic movement as we unite in one call to action: to triple survivorship by the end of this decade. Hear pulmonologist Kevin Reichmuth, MD, and medical oncologist Eric Avery, MD, describe why this event is important, and listen to a survivor’s story.

Cost: Free, and no registration is required.Where: Bryan East Campus, Plaza Conference Center, 1500 S. 48th. For more information, go to bryanhealth.org/calendar, or call 402-481-5400.

Diabetes Prevention ProgramClasses begin Thursday, Jan. 7

The National Diabetes Prevention Program, taught by Bryan Diabetes Center educators, can help you prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. You’ll learn ways to improve food choices and increase

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LINCOLN NEPERMIT NO. 1299

1600 S. 48th St., Lincoln, NE 68506

Address service requested

NICU Rooftop Healing Garden

Coming Soon

Coming Spring 2016

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