January Associate of the Month: Plymouth Campus

Maggie Erickson

Plymouth Campus

Maggie Erickson, RNC, BSN, Obstetrics

Twenty-one years ago, Maggie Erickson joined the Critical Care Unit staff at the former Saint Joseph Hospital in downtown Mishawaka. In 1995, she transferred to the Plymouth Campus and its Obstetrics (OB) Unit. No matter where she has been, Maggie has consistently been one of SJRMC’s greatest ambassadors.

“You have to be, no matter where you work in a hospital,” she said. “And on OB, what a tremendous opportunity that is to establish relationships between the hospital and the community! These patients are people who are very open to the education aspect of health care because, we all know who have children; babies do not come with a set of instructions.”

Maggie enjoys and thrives on that teaching part of health care. The OB Unit allows for one-on-one interaction that comforts and eases her patients.

“Maggie is a very skilled OB nurse,” said Michele Seese, Plymouth’s OB Nursing Manager. “Her patients love her for her knowledge and the caring, fun way that she delivers her teaching to them.”

She is instrumental in providing education to not only her unit but to the community as well. Within the last year, Maggie completed her Evidence-Based project on Shaken Baby Syndrome. Maggie was then asked to present at the Northwest Indiana Research Consortium in Merrillville.

“Everything we do, whether it is on our unit or out in the community is a reflection of our hospital,” Maggie said. “It is an honor to work here and I appreciate the fact that my co-workers and patients value my opinion. This is a wonderful place to work.”

Congratulations to Maggie Erickson, SJRMC/Plymouth’s Associate of the Month for January!

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!

Cancer Program Achieves Accreditations

Excellence in care is not the work of one physician, one nurse or one procedure. It is the end result of a multi-disciplinary team working with the right resources, towards a common goal.

The Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center Cancer Program allows for efficient communication between medical specialties in order to make the best decisions for each individual patient. Here, our patients are part of the team as we work through the treatment and care process with them.

Most recently, SJRMC achieved two accreditations that differentiate our Oncology program: 

• Commission on Cancer 3-year Accreditation Award with Commendation 
• National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC)

Both of these distinctions are from the American College of Surgeons, and we are extremely proud of our Physician and Clinical leadership who together delivered these outstanding results.

SJRMC Oncology Staff

The standards include proficiency in the areas of: center leadership, clinical management, research, community outreach, professional education, and quality improvement.  A breast center that achieves NAPBC accreditation has demonstrated a firm commitment to offer its patients every significant advantage in their battle against breast disease.

We are proud of our accomplishments, and as 2011 approaches we strive to continue to advance patient care services.

Thank you to our expert Physicians, Medical and Nursing staff, and supportive services that work so hard to deliver quality care and the best possible outcomes.

Spotlight On: Mammography & the MMU

Kudos to the staff of the Mobile Medical Unit, including Mammography Tech Denise Hammerquist,  for her excellent work not only as a technician, but also for delivering compassionate, personalized patient care.

In Fiscal Year 2009, the MMU provided 505 screening mammograms. In 2010, Denise and the MMU provided 993. What’s more, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October 2010, Denise did 203 screening mammograms – double the number of mammograms from last October!

A patient recently offered this testimonial about Denise:

“I have walked out of mammogram after mammogram in tears. This woman was so wonderful. I could hardly tell she was giving me a mammogram, and then it was over. She was so great and she needs to be acknowledged for her care.”

Thank you Denise for increasing prevention and early detection of breast cancer to so many in our community. Thank you for being a wonderful representative of SJRMC!

Learn more about the MMU at http://www.sjmed.com/medicalservices/mmu/

Plymouth Hospital to Celebrate 100-Year Anniversary

The former Parkview Hospital

In 1910, two physicians built a three-story facility at 310 North Michigan Street in downtown Plymouth, establishing a foundation for quality health care in Marshall County that would continue for the next 100 years.

While the name and location of the community hospital has changed over the years, what remain are a dedication to medical advancements, outstanding community support, an ambition to grow and a commitment to increase access to quality health care.

On Saturday, October 30, 2010, past and present employees of SJRMC and their families are invited the Marshall County Historical Museum in downtown Plymouth to view a special exhibit about the hospital.

The Celebration of 100 Years exhibit will be on display at the newly renovated museum from 11 am – 1 pm. Bring the little ones – the trains will be running!

Starting on Monday, November 1, the exhibit will continue to be on display for the general public. Special thanks to the Marshall County Historical Museum for partnering with us to celebrate this milestone.

Thanks to all of our past and present employees, physicians and patients for 100 years of continued community support.

The Museum is located at 123 North Michigan Street in Plymouth. For more information call 574.936.2306.

SJRMC Names New President & CEO

Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) today announced the appointment of Albert L. Gutierrez to President and Chief Executive Officer. He succeeds Interim President and CEO Thomas A. Reitinger. Gutierrez will take his post at the hospital on November 15, 2010.

Albert L. Gutierrez, CEO/President of SJRMC

“I am personally delighted that Al sought this position and agreed to join us at SJRMC,” said Mike Hammes, Chairman of SJRMC’s Board of Trustees. “He has done a phenomenal job leading Shore Memorial and, in him, we have an energetic and enthusiastic leader who will be able to continue the momentum built by Tom and take our hospital forward to a new level. He brings the kind of thoughtful and decisive leadership this position demands. We are fortunate to have him.”

Gutierrez has been with Shore Memorial Health System in Somers Point, New Jersey, since 1985, and has served as the President and CEO since 2002.  His administrative experience includes several other senior leadership positions, including Administrative Director of Radiology, Administrative Director of Professional Services, CQI, and Regulatory Affairs, and Vice President of Professional Affairs.

Shore Memorial Health System is the parent corporation of four related subsidiary corporations: Shore Memorial Hospital, Shore Health Services Corporation, Shore Health Enterprises, Inc., and Shore Memorial Health Foundation, Inc. Under Gutierrez’ leadership, Shore Memorial Health System enjoyed rapid growth with the building of a cancer center, cardiovascular center, and surgical expansion. Gutierrez also developed an affiliation with the University of Pennsylvania Healthcare System, which has been crucial to the future of healthcare in the Somers Point communities.

After 25 years of service to the hospital, though, Gutierrez sought a change that would put him to work in a faith-based setting. 

“The opportunity to lead at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center was attractive to me and my wife, Margaret, for its reputation and its ties to a renowned national Catholic health care system,” said Gutierrez.  “With its strong ties to the University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary's College and the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, SJRMC is the perfect place for me at this point in my career. I am delighted about getting started and about partnering with associates, leadership, and medical staff to serve patients and their families in Michiana communities.” 

Of Gutierrez, Reitinger said: “Our Board of Trustees has made an excellent decision in appointing Al as he embodies the Mission of Saint Joseph and Trinity Health. His enthusiasm and experience, combined with the energy our new hospital creates, will provide an exciting future for SJRMC and everyone we serve.”

Gutierrez holds a B.S. in Radiologic Science from Thomas A. Edison State College in Trenton, New Jersey, and an M.B.A. from St. Joseph University in Philadelphia. He is married with two adult children.

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.