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."

Could Aquatic Therapy Benefit You?

Aquatic Therapy has always offered an ideal and unique medium in which to provide therapy. Today, aquatic therapy is used for both preventative and conditioning purposes as well as for rehabilitation after injury. The unique properties of water will often afford patients the ability to perform and tolerate the progression of exercises that would not otherwise be tolerated on land. 

In the water, the unique properties of buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure can be used to the patients’ advantage. 

• Standing in water waist high decreases body weight by 50%
  
• Chest high decreases body weight 70%
  
• Neck high decreases body weight by 90%

This allows the patient to stand, walk or move with decreased pain using no external supports or braces, canes, walkers, etc. The patient is able to work on gait, transfers and balance in a safe and protective environment.

Muscular strength and endurance can be improved or maintained in the water, as water is 600-700 times more resistive than air.

• It takes more force to push the body through the water than through air
  
• The faster an object is pushed through the water more turbulence is produced, resulting in greater resistance to the movement.

This makes for an ideal environment to work with those patients who are very weak and in the early stages of strengthening.

The water in therapeutic pools s much warmer than a traditional pool, ranging from 91-99 degrees F.

• Warm environment results in a rise in superficial tissue temperature creating a palliative like effect decreasing pain.
  
• Acts to decrease pain by bombarding the nervous system with sensory information of warmth promoting relaxation and a decrease in muscle guarding.
  
• Warmth and buoyancy of the water act together to provide increased support to an injured and painful limb.

Additionally, therapy in the water has psychological and social benefits in addition to the physiological benefits. Patient morale is improved with the ability to move and return to some normal activities. As the patient moves and becomes more confident in their abilities the fear of falling or pain diminishes.

Aquatic Services at SJRMC
Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center offers Therapeutic Aquatic Services at the 4 West Facility located at the corner of 4th and West streets in Mishawaka.

Our Physical Therapists Kathy Jeter and Marilyn Ross bring over 40 years of aquatic experience and background to the program. A prescription for aquatic therapy from a physician is required to get started.

After a thorough evaluation by a Physical Therapist, patients are set up on an individualized program and each session is designed to help the patient meet his/her goals and return to the highest level of function possible.

• 18,000-gallon pool ranges in depth from 3-6 feet
  
• Very comfortable at a therapeutic temperature of 92 degrees
  
• Poolside hydraulic lift, electronic lift and handrails make the pool accessible to patients of all abilities
  
• Non-swimmers can be accommodated with various flotation devices and are treated with one-on-one assistance by the therapy staff
  
• Large variety of resistive equipment to be used by our pool patients as appropriate
  
• Aqua joggers and wet vests for deep-water running, non-weight bearing exercises and unloading programs
  

For more information or scheduling contact the Aquatic Therapy Department at (574) 252-0333.

Family Medicine Residency Program Recognized for Increasing Childhood Immunizations Rates in Underserved Areas

The American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation has announced Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center’s Family Medicine Residency Program as a winner of the 2010 AAFP Foundation Pfizer Immunization Awards. 

SJRMC’s program was one of ten in the United States recognized. These celebrated family medicine residency programs have achieved excellence in clinical practice by developing creative solutions that result in increased immunization rates in their communities. 

“This recognition shows the dedication our Family Medicine Residency Program has to all those we serve here everyday,” said Dr. Martin Wieschhaus, Program Director. "This was truly a team effort and reflected an impressive blend of organizational, clinical, and academic skills within a group of high functioning individuals.”

The awards provide monetary grants and scholarships for residents to attend the AAFP’s National Conference, a three-day event held during July in Kansas City designed for residents and medical students to share ideas with family medicine educators and leaders from across the nation. 

“Following the efforts in past years of residents Lindsey Lira, M.D. and Laura Foudy, M.D., the SJFMC PI committee began considering the next cycle of improvement in immunization rates in the winter of 2009-2010,” said Dr. Daniel Triezenberg, Associate Director of SJRMC’s Program. “In collaboration with staff from MHIN, and including efforts from Nurses Betty Swisher and MaryAnn Rompola, a plan was drafted. The plan was implemented in January and a team of nurses and residents including Marin Garcia, Richard Zentz, Laura Foudy, Betty Landesman, Heidi Scott, Betty Swisher, and MaryAnn Rompola, will soon be reviewing the progress made an recommending further improvements.”


Award Categories

The 2010 AAFP Foundation Pfizer Immunization Award winners were chosen for their ability to find and implement team-based solutions that increase immunization rates. The 2010 recipients were chosen for one of the following award categories:

• Best Practices — Effective systems in place that are achieving high immunization rates within a specified 12-month period
• Most Improved — Overcoming barriers to greatly improve immunization rates within a specified 12-month period
• System Implementation — Implementing a new system that will increase immunization rates in medically underserved children

“The AAFP Foundation applauds this year’s program winners for their dedication to protecting children from infectious diseases and to raising awareness of the importance of immunizations to a community’s health and well-being,” said Craig M. Doane, executive director of the AAFP Foundation. “We are proud to recognize programs that share our vision of achieving optimal health for everyone.” 

From left, SJRMC's Betty Landsmen, Betty Swisher, Heidi Scott, Mary Ann Rompola, Dr. Richard Zentz, Dr. Dan Triezenberg, Dr. Laura Fondy, and Dr. Marin Garcia proudly display the AAFP Foundation Pfizer Immunization Award.

Perry Pugno, Director of Medical Education for American Academy of Family Physicians presents Dr. Martin Wieschhaus, Director of SJRMC's Family Medicine Residency Program, with the AAFP Foundation Pfizer Immunization Award.

Tips for Summer Cuts, Burns, & Bites

Minor cuts and scrapes are a part of every summer and for some people the inconvenience and expense of seeking medical care may outweigh health concerns about the injury itself.

"It often isn't easy for the average person to judge the severity of a bite, minor burn or cut so people tend to wait to seek treatment,” said Scot Stepleton, Director of Plymouth’s Wound Healing Center. “Minor scrapes can be treated with supplies from a well-stocked first aid kit, but major injuries or infections need to be seen by a health care professional before they have time to develop into something more severe."

The local experts at both SJRMC’s Wound Healing center’s in Mishawaka and Plymouth, National Healing Corporation Wound Healing Centers, offer the following guidance on when to seek medical treatment.

Sunburns can be treated with over-the-counter remedies, yet can be associated with shock, heat exhaustion and dehydration which need professional attention. Symptoms indicating a serious reaction can include severe painful blisters, nausea, fever, chills, extreme thirst, rapid breathing, faintness and dizziness.

Deep puncture wounds made by nails and knives are especially susceptible to tetanus bacteria commonly found in soil. All wounds should be cleaned immediately. Adults who have not had a tetanus-diphtheria shot in 10 years or children who have not been vaccinated should seek professional attention and receive the vaccine.

People with certain medical conditions such as diabetes and vascular disease as well as the elderly and those who have had radiation therapy should closely monitor all wounds for signs of infection or failure to heal, especially those on the lower extremities.

·Seek medical treatment if a burn or wound shows signs of infection including increased pain at the wound site, redness or swelling spreading away from the wound, a foul wound odor, change in color or amount of drainage from the wound, or if you experience fever, chills, nausea or vomiting.

Bites from unknown or wild animals require immediate medical attention. Also seek treatment if the bite is deep or large, on the face, neck or hands or if there is swelling, redness, pain or infection draining from the wound. Animal bites also pose a tetanus threat to those who have not been vaccinated.

·Seek emergency assistance for insect bites if you are experiencing trouble breathing, facial swelling or turning blue, weakness or tightening of the throat. Emergency rooms and wound healing centers equipped with hyperbaric oxygen chambers are needed to treat some serious spider bites, like those of the brown recluse spider.

For more information on treating chronic or infected wounds, contact the Saint Joseph Wound Healing Centers at 574-335-6210 or 574-941-3140.

Welcome to SJRMC, Dr. Piazza!

Saint Joseph is excited to welcome Plymouth native Brian L. Piazza, MD to the Medical Staff.

Dr. Piazza specializes in general surgery as well as upper and lower Endoscopy. He has been in practice for 15 years and will be joining the staff at Marshall County Surgery Associates.

After graduating from Plymouth High School in 1982, Dr. Piazza attended Valparaiso University and then Indiana University School of Medicine. In addition, one of his professional highlights included a teaching stint at Michigan State University’s Department of Surgery, where he worked with an expert office and hospital staff and had the opportunity to touch the lives of many patients.

Dr. Piazza takes a team approach to patient care – for the physician, the patient and the patient’s loves ones.

“We are all on the same team,” he said. “The patient is the coach and the doctor serves as the quarterback, acting in the coach’s best interests.

Most patients are apprehensive when they are coming in for a surgery or procedure, no matter how invasive it may be. While many patients ask about the benefits, risks and possible outcomes, it can be a lot of remember. Dr. Piazza encourages his patients to bring a family member or trusted friend to appointment.

“I also truly believe each person is created in God’s image,” he said. “It’s my personal philosophy to treat every patient with the utmost dignity and respect.”

Dr. Piazza enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, all while trying to keep in touch with his six brothers. In his spare moments he enjoys staying active in his church, photography and downhill and cross-country skiing.

For more information on services offered by Dr. Piazza, contact:
Marshall County Surgery Associates
1919 Lake Ave Suite 102
Plymouth, IN 46563
(574) 941-2967

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.