College Volunteer Prepares for Future in Medicine at SJRMC

Rich McLaughlin

During the month of April, we recognize and celebrate our wonderful SJRMC Volunteers! Rich McLaughlin is a senior at the University of Notre Dame who has been volunteering in our ER for 4 semesters. We are sad to see Rich go this year, but excited for his graduation and future in Medical School. Thank you Rich!

When Rich McLaughlin volunteers alongside physicians and nurses in the Emergency Department at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, he’s not just generously donating his time – he’s preparing for his future.

Now a senior on the pre-med track at the University of Notre Dame, Rich has volunteered in our ER for the past four semesters. With graduation looming in just a few weeks, he’s busy cramming for finals while completing second round interviews with potential medical schools.

“I really wanted to make sure a career in medicine was right for me, and this has given me a good foundation,” he said. “I’ve learned to appreciate that medicine is not just diagnosing an illness, but really treating the patient and making them feel cared for.”

During his shift, Rich interacts with patients in the ER, bringing them blankets, water or fulfilling other requests. The experience has given him the ability to observe first-hand both bedside patient care and the clinical side.

“The staff is fantastic,” he said. “If there’s something interesting diagnostically, they will point it out to me. They are really appreciative of my help in the ER and allow me to shadow them and learn from them.”

Rich is not sure what kind of medicine he plans to study, but due to this exposure says emergency medicine is a possibility. He advises other college students considering a career in medicine to make volunteering a priority.

“Volunteering is looked at very favorably by medical schools,” he said. “It’s been really intense a few times, what comes through those doors. I’ve seen cardiac arrest and a lot of trauma. It’s just a great opportunity to see what it’s really like.”

On behalf of everyone at SJRMC, thank you Rich for all you’ve done to assist our patients and staff.   Congratulations on your graduation and best of luck in Medical School!

Plymouth Campus Receives $50,000 from Ounce of Prevention

John Oliver III of Oliver Ford and Ounce of Prevention; Mickey Hoffer, Mammogram Tech; Joan Hunt, RN; Timothy Smith, Jen Houin of Ounce of Prevention; and Jessica Oliver of Ounce of Prevention

Breast cancer treatment at our Plymouth Campus was enhanced even more with a $50,000 donation from Marshall County’s Ounce of Prevention Foundation.

Ounce of Prevention has provided funds to the Plymouth Cancer Institute to help in the treatment of the disease as well as raising awareness of breast cancer and its effects in the community.

“We’ve been able to get some professional training we wouldn’t have had a chance to get otherwise,” said Mickey Hoffer, Mammography Tech. “All of us have been doing this for a long time but it really helps to get new ideas and information on how to position everything and get better mammograms. So much of it has to do with positioning.”

With donations like this, the Cancer Institute has been able to purchase a special use mammography chair that enables radiographers to position patients better and more comfortably. The Institute has also purchased supplies and educational tools that would not otherwise be available.

“We are very grateful for the Ounce of Prevention Foundation and their constant support of our cancer treatment initiatives,” said Lori Price, President of SJRMC Plymouth. “This is another great example of two local institutions working together for the good of our communities.”

Certified Nurses Honored

On Friday, March 18, our Certified Nurses attended a ceremony to honor and bless them. They were recognized for their professionalism, leadership, and commitment to excellence in patient care. The ceremony was held on the Mishawaka Campus in the Chapel, with Marsha King and Sister Laureen Painter leading the ceremony.

At the Plymouth Campus, Elaine Flemming and Chaplain Les Johnson led the ceremony in their Chapel.  Certified nurses were given a small gift in appreciation for going the extra  mile in attaining their National Nursing Specialty Certifications. Watch for our certified nurses to be wearing their new blue Certified RN badges!

According to the Certified Nurses Day Coalition, Certified Nurses Day is an annual day of recognition for and by healthcare leaders dedicated to nursing professionalism, excellence, recognition, and service.  Every year, on March 19th, Certified Nurses are recognized in healthcare organizations across the country.

Maggie Erickson, RNC; Susan Goble, RNC; Linda Gleitz, CRNFA; and Linda Hissong, CNOR

Athletic Trainers Keep Area Athletes Healthy

Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center is helping to keep athletes on the playing field as eight of its Associates are Certified Athletic Trainers by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA). Founded in 1950, NATA has grown to more than 30,000 members worldwide today.

Throughout Northern Indiana, SJRMC Certified Athletic Trainers support Plymouth, John Glenn, Culver, Penn, Mishawaka Marian, and South Bend St. Joseph High Schools, as well as Ancilla College.

“I think our presence on the bench is just as critical as any member of the coaching staff,” said Ryan Carroll, a Certified Athletic Trainer at our Plymouth Campus. “I would encourage parents to find out who is taking care of their young athlete so they will know they are in good hands in the event of an injury.”

The situation has been played out thousands of times before.  Many young athletes are injured during an athletic event.  Except this time it is your child lying on the court or field in pain.  Are you comfortable and knowledgeable with what happens next? And exactly who is taking care of your child immediately after the injury? 

Certified Athletic Trainers are educated and trained for this exact scenario.  Through a 4-year college degree they are taught to handle any type of athletic injury.  Certified Athletic Trainers are not only taught to handle the immediate care of an injury, they are able to continue throughout the whole process up to deciding when the athlete can return to play.  This includes the prevention, evaluation, first aid, referral, treatment and rehabilitation of any athletic injury.

Like many other health professions in Indiana there is a license that needs to be issued to practice athletic training.  The profession is governed by the Indiana Athletic Trainers Board.  There is also a national certification that requires students to pass a 3-part examination to become a Certified Athletic Trainer.  Professionals in this setting need to complete mandatory education hours each year (25 per year) to continue as an Indiana licensed and nationally certified athletic trainer.  Certified athletic trainers also need to renew CPR/AED certifications every year to keep certification.

“It’s work but it’s fun work knowing that we are a valuable part of whatever team we’re working with,” Carroll said. “And, with last month being National Athletic Trainers Month, it is nice to receive recognition for what we do and the time we have put in to keep our young athletes healthy and in the game.”

Mishawaka Certified Athletic Trainers: Carl Landis, Gayle Thomas, Trish Irvin, Ann Micinski and Dr. Stephen Simons 

Plymouth Certified Athletic Trainers: Ryan Carroll, Tom Bolze, Adam Rippy and Kim Richey