April Associate of the Month: Mishawaka Campus

Kim Erby

Kim Erby, Human Resources Assistant

Kim joined SJRMC in October 2004. She has remained an integral part of the Human Resources team since she started.

“She is recognized by her team members as the glue that holds the team together,” said Virginia Chism, Director of HR Recruitment.

 Kim has a pleasant personality, always remains calm in all situations, and is always willing to reach out and help associates who bring everything imaginable to HR’s attention. Being the point of entry into HR, Kim successfully juggles many different responsibilities, and through it all she never loses her focus or her pleasant demeanor.

One of Kim’s co-workers felt Kim should be recognized for her kindness, and described Kim as being unfailingly kind to everyone she encounters. She describes a situation where Kim’s kindness was displayed to her while her arm was in a sling, and after a heavy snowfall Kim cleaned her car from top to bottom!

“It all comes down to just treating others as you want to be treated,” said Erby. “Simple acts of kindness go a long way. I am proud to be a part of Saint Joseph and am very proud of this wonderful recognition.”

HR is proud to have a team member that embodies our Guiding Behaviors and reflects that behavior in all that she does. Thank you Kim for all that you do for SJRMC!

Congratulations to Kim Erby, the Mishawaka Campus Associate of the Month for April!

March Associate of the Month: Mishawaka Campus

Vanessa Davidson

Vanessa Davidson, Unit Secretary

Orthopedics/Neurosurgery

For 30 years, Vanessa Davidson has been an integral part of SJRMC’s Orthopedic Team. From day 1 back in 1981, Vanessa has worked the 3 to 11 shift as the Unit Secretary.

“Actually, I started here at Saint Joseph as a student intern in 1979 in the Plant Operations Office,” she said. “Two years later I was hired as Orthopedics Unit Secretary and I have been here ever since, enjoying every minute of it.”

Described as cheerful and ready to volunteer for extra assignments, Vanessa will go above and beyond to assist patients and families for the smallest things. But it was the big blizzard earlier this year where Vanessa continued to show she is always ready to give 110%.

“The last two Code Whites, Vanessa assisted the hour Supervisor with finding staff and coordinating rides to work, which was invaluable to our patients and their families,” said Christine Kaufman, Orthopedics Nursing Manager. “Vanessa is a wonderful Associate for Saint Joseph and we feel extremely lucky to have her.”

And who knows? Maybe this is just Vanessa’s first 30 years at SJRMC.

“After 30 years, I still come to work with a smile on my face,” she said. “I want to thank everyone for thinking of me for this wonderful honor and I look forward to another 30 years here!”

Congratulations to Vanessa Davidson, the Mishawaka Associate of the Month for March! 

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

February Associate of the Month: Mishawaka Campus

Beth Rems, RN

Mishawaka Campus

Beth Rems, RN, 5 Garden Surgical

After graduation from Ball State University in 1996, Beth Rems may have moved to South Bend but her faithful mini-van always seemed to be in drive.

“I was hired as a traveling Nurse, which meant I could work from hospital to hospital nationwide,” Rems said. “I went to California to Florida and just about everywhere else in between.

In all, she put over 250,000 miles on her “little van that could.” But in 2006, she decided on the local drive and accepted a position in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center’s Surgical Unit, now known as 5 Garden at the Mishawaka Campus.

“This is a great unit,” she said. “There are so many caring people here with a real team spirit and great management. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t love it so much.”

She should know, having the many opportunities 250,000 miles worth of hospitals can offer. But she decided to call SJRMC home and her many co-workers are happy for that.

“Beth gives excellent care to her patients and always goes above and beyond what her job requires,” said Lynn Urgonski, Manager of Nursing on 5 Garden Surgical. “Beth is an excellent clinician, knows her patients well, frequently reassessing throughout her shift, and always demonstrating a high level of critical thinking.”

All this in spite of giving up her weekend evenings working the 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM shift.

“No matter what time of day it is, healthcare doesn’t stop,” Beth says with a smile.

But SJRMC is very happy that she decided to put her “little van that could” in park here in Michiana.

Congratulations to Beth Rems, the Mishawaka Campus Associate of the Month for February!

January Associate of the Month: Mishawaka Campus

Carol Burgress

Mishawaka Campus

Carol Burgess, Specialty Technician, Surgical Intensive Care Unit

For Carol Burgess, working in SJRMC’s Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) is like being part of a family.

“It really is like a family up here in that we all know what we’re thinking and we know how to react and what to do in every situation,” she said. “This is a very close, nice bunch of people. We’re all one up here.”

Carol has been part of the hospital’s SICU family for 22 years. Since day one, she’s demonstrated an eagerness and energy level that helps set the tone on the 2nd Floor Unit at the Mishawaka Campus.

“Carol is in high gear all the time,” said Chris Fox, Director of Critical Care. “She multi-tasks throughout the unit answering phones, answering call lights, assisting doctors, nurses, and visitors.”

“I love our nurses,” said Carol. “I love to make sure they have everything they need to take care of their patients.”

And not just the patients in her unit. Recently, the Progressive Care Unit (PCU) was short-staffed due to the snowstorm in early January. Carol made sure he SICU was situated and the she volunteered to assist in the PCU, spending nearly five hours helping through very busy hours.

For Carol, that’s all in a day’s work. She can never do too much to help her SICU family, as well as the many families of patients who are there during very critical times.

“On this unit, we see many patients recovering from very serious procedures,” she said. “You know what the family is going through so you have to be strong for them. I am very proud to be a part of this team and this hospital.”

Congratulations to Carol Burgess, the Mishawaka Campus Associate of the Month for January!

Where the Grass Really is Greener

What was just 6 months ago a new construction site is now a peaceful escape at the new Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center.

The pond fountains are up and running, walkers are using the new paths around the campus, our historical statuary is in place outside and birds can be heard singing.

But the most noticeable difference? All the green!

Creating new landscaping across the 90 acres of your new hospital was no small feat. And not only is the new campus easy on the eyes – it’s easy on the environment.

The grasses, plants and wildflowers you see out the windows of our hospital are all part of Native Planting, a concept that uses plants that were growing naturally in an area before humans introduced species from distant areas.

In short, the campus was never supposed to look like the rolling fairways of a golf course. The goal was to recreate a prairie environment to resemble what was in place here hundreds of years ago.

While everything has not quite filled in – it takes up to two years for this landscaping to take hold – this concept will benefit our area for years to come.

Water Efficiency
Native plants have a deep root structure. As a result, they generally require little or no irrigation once established. In comparison, turf grass has a root system 2 to 3 inches deep and requires frequent, intensive irrigation.

Rain Water Management
Native plants have a high capacity for rainwater uptake and infiltration, enabling areas to effectively manage storm water flows on sight and keep the water out of the sewer system. Their root system creates a matrix of soil that readily absorbs water deep underground.

Carbon Sequestration & Climate Regulation
Native plants naturally pull carbon from the atmosphere and store it in their living biomass both above and below ground. When their roots die off, this material decomposes below the surface and enriches the soil in the process. Additionally, native ecosystems naturally cool the local climate.

Reduced Toxins
Native plantings resist pests and disease, which limits the need for chemical pesticide or herbicide treatments. The result is a healthy habitat for pollinators, butterflies, birds, amphibians and other wildlife.

Low-Cost Maintenance
Native plant systems generally do not require mowing or regular maintenance, and as a result reduce the energy, manpower and equipment needs associated with maintenance. This will generate tens of thousands of dollars in cost savings and further reduce the carbon footprint of a site.

Give Your Body a Sporting Chance Against Injury this Summer

By Dr. Stephen Simons, Sports Medicine Institute

In my line of work, it’s a common occurrence. People coming into my office with muscle pain, or worse, shortly after declaring that this is it, they’re going to get in shape this summer. Right now – this week, this month – they’re going to reverse what is sometimes months or years of relative inactivity to lose those extra pounds, improve their cardio, or simply scratch that competitive itch.

There are obviously many reasons to embark on athletic endeavors and, more than most, I’m in favor of people getting out and being active. However, as both an athlete and doctor, I advise patients that they need to gradually get into a consistent pattern of exercise. It doesn’t happen overnight ... at least not without first suffering the sensation of pain and/or injury.

If you’re looking to get into jogging or biking – maybe you want to enter that 5k race at the end of the summer – that’s great. Such time-based activities are naturally conducive to beginners because you can start slow and gradually increase your minutes over time. Just make sure to give your muscle tissue the proper time it needs to recover from the stress you apply to it. Perhaps start off by only participating in the activity every other day instead of daily. As a general rule, one shouldn’t increase exercise time by more than 10 percent each week as your body needs time to adapt to a new level of workout.

Weekend Warriors
What if your buddies need another player for a weekly pickup basketball or soccer game? You’re pretty good, need the exercise, and don’t mind getting back out there and playing. Unfortunately, it’s also been a few years.

This is where you really have to be disciplined because the decision of how long to exercise is no longer just about you ... the individual. In other words, if your group normally plays for two hours and you are just getting started with them, it takes a fair amount of discipline to say that you’ll play for 30 minutes the first week and then increase your time next week ... and so on. Peer pressure comes into play and it’s easy to succumb to that – especially if you’re feeling good at the time.

Like everything else, the older you get, the more likely you are to run into some type of problem just jumping into an activity. An 18-year old can get away with a lot more than a 48 year old.

One of the main problems that occur in these situations is DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) – when the connective tissue gets strained and produces subtle swelling in the muscle. That is manifested through muscle soreness 24 to 48 hours later. People often call it a ‘good hurt’ but there’s not much good in feeling that way. When suffering from DOMS, a little muscle movement (i.e. stretching the muscle) is advisable because it helps massage that interstitial fluid that results from a subtle vascular leak at the point of the injury.

Tendonitis and bone stress injuries are also potential risks. However, unlike DOMS, symptoms of these injuries generally occur following repeated heavy activity over time. Symptoms of such injuries involve continuing achiness in a narrowly focused area of the body – even while at rest. Finally, muscle strains become more common in 40 and 50 year-old athletes as the result of their bodies becoming stiffer with age.

Kid Concerns
What about our children? What are their risks associated with participation in summer sports and other activities? For those aged around 9 to 16 – before skeletal maturity – the issue is dealing with their open growth plates. Because they are still growing, it’s easy for kids to have heel pain, knee pain, ‘little leaguers elbow’ – all those problems that result from overuse of the growth plates.

Such injuries usually occur during a growth spurt – about the time you notice your son or daughter has already outgrown the pair of pants you bought them four months ago. That’s when they are more susceptible to the growth plate injuries.

Typically, I see heel pain at younger ages (10 to 12 years of age) and knee pain two to three years later. And in any sport where there is constant throwing, there are always potential growth plate problems in the elbow or shoulder.

The key here is that, just because they are kids – young and strong – they are not impervious to muscle and bone injury. In fact, because of the growth plate issues, at times they are more prone to injury than adults.

Therefore, kids need to make sure they are properly stretched before exertion and that they keep their muscles loose and warm during the game to keep them pliable. We’ve all seen the little league outfielder standing out there an entire game and then – all of a sudden in the seven inning – having to make a long throw to home plate. Not a good situation for the arm, shoulder or elbow.

Summer is a special time of year for most people – regardless if they are looking to get out on the court, field or diamond again, or simply trying to look a little better for the beach. Just keep in mind that you may find your way back inside on the couch quicker than you think if you try to make it all happen overnight.

More Info
Dr. Stephen M. Simons is board certified in sports medicine and family medicine. An avid runner, Dr. Simons also served as a US Olympic Team Physician in 2004. He can be reached at the Sports Medicine Institute at 611 E. Douglas in Mishawaka at (574) 335-6214.

SJRMC & Riley Hospital for Children Continue Partnership

Thanks to a long-term partnership between SJRMC and Riley Hospital for Children, the Michiana community has access to the most advanced pediatric specialty care.

Riley will coordinate with SJRMC and with physicians affiliated with both institutions to provide outpatient pediatric management, consultation, education, and telemedicine services.

This collaboration saves patients and their families the delay, inconvenience, stress and expense of travling to Indianapolis to meet with a pediatric specialist.

“We are excited about partnering with Saint Joseph’s to offer Riley outpatient pediatric specialty care in the Michiana communities,” said Dan Fink, Riley Chief Operating Officer. “Working together with multi-disciplinary teams allows us to treat a wider range of childhood diagnoses and build on improving the health of children and families in Michiana.”

Riley already contributes to SJRMC’s Pediatric Specialty Clinics, including cardiology, endocrinology and diabetology, gastroenterology, and rheumatology. Other elements of the partnership include new services to SJRMC’s Pediatric Specialty Clinics, such as neurology, with selected services potentially being offered through telemedicine technology. 

Aquatic Therapy Benefiting All Ages

Nine-year-old Marcus is a great little swimmer. But he’s not taking a dip just for fun. 

“I have a disease and swimming here helps me get stronger,” says Marcus.

Marcus has Duchenne, a form of Muscular Dystrophy that weakens the muscles. That’s why, once a week, Marcus comes to Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center’s Aquatic Therapy, located at the hospital’s Four West Medical Facility in Mishawaka.

“Aquatic Therapy is a nice medium for him as we can have him do a lot of swimming activities, a lot of ball activities and jumping to really work on those legs,” said Nancy Rupe-Cressy, an Occupational Therapist with SJRMC’s Pediatric Rehabilitation who has been working with Marcus for over two years. “It takes a lot of weight off the body and gives him a lot more freedom of movement so someone like Marcus can do a lot of things in the water for longer periods.”

SJRMC has offered Aquatic Therapy for over 15 years, and while about 15 children per week are currently enjoying this maritime treatment, it is not just for kids.

“We have a lot of adults who are taking advantage of our Aquatic Therapy for a lot of different situations,” said Rupe-Cressy. “This is ideal for arthritis patients, post operation or post stroke patients who are working on regaining their strength. The buoyancy just allows you to do a lot more without as much stress on the body.”

As for Marcus, he used the therapy to recently appear on the annual Labor Day MDA Telethon as the region’s Goodwill Ambassador.

“That was fun,” Marcus said. “Almost as much fun as the water!”

Anyone interested in SJRMC’s Aquatic Therapy should call the facility directly at (574) 252-0333. SJRMC’s Four West Medical Facility is located at 420 West Fourth Street in Mishawaka. Aquatic Therapy is in Suite 200.