In Memory of Dr. Roland Chamblee

Dr. Roland Chamblee

November 23, 1923 – September 23, 2010

The community lost one of its pioneers in medicine and civil rights, a very dear friend, and a good and giving man with the passing of Dr. Roland Chamblee.

Born in Atlanta, Dr. Chamblee served the United States in World War II reaching the rank of First Lieutenant with the Army Corps of Engineers. He received a Purple Heart for injuries he suffered during the Normandy Invasion. Following the war, Dr. Chamblee earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee State University and a PhD from Meharry Medical College in Nashville. That’s where he met his wife Dorothy and the couple went on to have six children. Dorothy passed away in 1995.

Dr. Chamblee arrived in South Bend in 1953, serving an internship at what is now Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center. He went into private practice a year later.

Dr. Chamblee worked just as tirelessly to promote racial justice as he did as a physician. He became deeply involved in efforts to end discrimination in South Bend, accepting patients of all races and assembling an integrated staff.

A longtime advocate of public health, Dr. Chamblee helped establish the Sister Maura Brannick, CSC, Health Center on Chapin Street and Western Avenue in South Bend, serving as its medical director while volunteering much of his time to provide healthcare for the poor and underserved. He also volunteered at many free health screenings.

“He loved this community,” said Carla Bice, manager of the Health Center. “He loved the clinic and he loved serving all of our patients.”

Always looking for ways to improve the delivery of healthcare throughout the entire community, Dr. Chamblee served as the Director of the St. Joseph County Board of Health.

“Dr. Chamblee was motivated by all the right values,” said Dr. Steven Gable, SJRMC’s Vice President of Medical Quality Improvement. “Love of his patients, the good and ethical practice of medicine, generosity of his time and his talents, and a strong belief in the Mission of Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center.”

May he rest in peace.

Ann Rathburn-Lacopo Named Chief Development Officer

We are excited to announce Ann Rathburn-Lacopo as the Chief Development Officer for the Foundation of Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center!

Ann Rathburn-Lacopo

Ann has nearly 20 years of fundraising experience in our community, most recently serving as the Chief Development Officer for the Indiana University School of Medicine/South Bend on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. Prior to that, she held several positions at Notre Dame, including Assistant Director of Corporate Relations, Development Officer and Director of Foundation Relations, and Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations. Some of her responsibilities included managing multi-million dollar gift portfolios, cultivation and oversight of undergraduate and graduate student scholarship programs, marketing and communications, and directing alumni volunteer programs and community outreach.

"We are excited and pleased to have Ann join Saint Joseph as our Chief Development Officer," said Al Gutierrez, SJRMC President & CEO. "Right now, the need for our Foundation services is greater than ever and Ann's blend of experience and expertise in fund raising here in Michiana is pivotal in Saint Joseph advancing our Mission throughout the many communities we serve."

The Foundation of SJRMC serves as the philanthropic arm of the hospital system, securing and stewarding financial gifts to ensure the viability of essential services and programs.  These gifts and grants support hospital-based services such as cardiology, pediatrics, oncology and nursing education and outreach programs such as our health clinics, the Mobile Medical Unit, tobacco cessation programs, our Pediatric Specialty Clinics, the Women’s Task Force and many more.

“In the tradition of the Catholic Church, SJRMC is a leader in the community regarding service to the poor, uninsured, and underinsured through its outreach health centers and many other health and education initiatives,” said Ann. “This is a new era for Saint Joseph with a beautiful new hospital and I am delighted to be a part of this wonderful team.”

Ann will begin at SJRMC on February 14, 2011. Please join us as we welcome her to the Saint Joseph team!

To learn more about The Foundation, go to http://www.sjmed.com/mission/foundation.

Spotlight on Plymouth: Diane Meister, Medical Lab Technician

Diane Meister, Lab Tech

As a Medical Lab Technician at SJRMC - Plymouth for the past 15 years, Diane Meister truly believes she has the best of both worlds.

Every day she has the chance to talk with patients, ease their fears and help put them on the road to recovery.

“My job is to turn your negative event into a positive one. Nobody wants to be in a hospital,” she said. “And after that? I get to use all types of really cool technology and equipment.”

It’s not a surprising comment coming from someone who built lawn and garden tractors for 12 years before getting the itch to go to nursing school. But Diane was never meant to be a nurse.

“I jumped into the lab tech program, and I’m so glad I did,” she said. “There is so much diversity in my job. I get to work with every department and move between a lot of different areas.”

At the Plymouth Cancer Institute, Diane is proud to be able to provide her patients point of care testing. The ability to do draws and run tests in one location provides patients with even more convenience.

Every month when rounding with Lab Associates, Diane is the number one person recognized by the staff for going above and beyond.

“Diane staffs the Oncology Laboratory, where her compassion for our sickest and most complicated patients is truly a gift,” said Barb Holcomb, Lab Manager. “Patients and her co-workers often request her abilities and assistance – and she is always there with a smile on her face.”

In addition, Diane is the Lead Tech for Coagulation, where her responsibilities include maintaining The Joint Commission standards. She also serves as a lead person for Chemistry and assists with reporting proficiency testing to the College of American Pathologists.

Diane is proud to work for an organization that works to improve the health of the community.

“I feel like I have a vested interested. Every patient who comes in could be my neighbor, or my mechanic or someone I will end up seeing at the grocery store. I don’t want them to remember me at the one who stuck them,” she laughed. “I want them to remember having a good experience.”

Spotlight on Plymouth: Diane Soike, Environment of Care Coordinator

Diana Soike, Environment of Care Coordinator

The go-to girl. The paperwork junkie. The person to call to get things fixed. What kind of title do you give to someone with that kind of job description?

That would be the Environment of Care Coordinator, and at the SJRMC- Plymouth Campus, Diana Soike is known for all of the above.

With previous experience as a legal secretary, Diana joined the Saint Joe Team working at the front desk of the Cancer Institute in 1999. In 2003, she applied for and was hired into her current position. And 7 years later, Diana swears she still learns something new every day.

"I never thought I'd know so much about healthcare,"she laughed. "I always thought Saint Joseph was a wonderful hospital and would be a great place to work – and I was right."

Diana works to help the hospital maintain its credentialing, regularly working closely with a wide variety of hospital staff and The Joint Commission. Recently, she helped to coordinate the community-wide disaster drill. If there is any type of renovation going on across the campus,you can bet she knows every detail.

"There are new challenges every day," she said. "I'm always working with new people and committees, and our staff is always so kind. When I have to learn new things about the individual departments, they are so patient and willing to help."

Diana maintains a close relationship with allof the ancillary departments – specifically maintenance, environmental, dietary and materials management.

"Those Associates really keep our hospital running," she said. "All of our Associates are so wonderful and [President] Lori Price is just a terrific leader. And I love my boss. I really do."

From the adjoining office her manager Safa Saddawi lets out a laugh. "I didn't even pay her to say that!"

After overhearing part of the conversation, Saddawi has something to add.

"Diana is an asset to this hospital," he said. "She's too good. People have confidence in her because she gets things done. It's not always easy to have that reputation. Sometimes you never get a break."

A Plymouth native who remembers the former hospital location across from Centennial Park, Diana is proud to work for an organization that provides for her family, friends and neighbors.

"People in Plymouth are fortunate to have this," she said. "We have excellent physicians and staff and I've heard on more than one occasion it's nice to receive the care you need close to home.Our hospital is like a little family and I love it."