System Hospital News: September 2020

Atrium Medical Center

For more than 20 years, Fenwick High School and Premier Health have partnered to promote the health and well-being of students in the community. In August, the school dedicated Atrium Medical Center Plaza, a space on the campus made possible by a gift from Premier Health. The plaza will serve as a gathering area for academics, sports, music, events, and more. It is an extension of Premier Health’s commitment to the students, faculty, staff, and families of Fenwick High School.

Five new parking spaces for military veterans and Purple Heart recipients have been dedicated at Atrium. Middletown VFW Post 3809 and local Purple Heart recipients were invited to a ribbon cutting marking the new spaces. “Today we honor combat-wounded veterans by placing signs that display our respect and show that we care as a community,” said Keith Bricking, MD, president of Atrium Medical Center, during the dedication. “These signs also help bridge the gap between military and civilians, in allowing many of us to better understand the sacrifice that has been made for our freedom.”

Roberto Colón, MD, system vice president of quality and safety, joined Dr. Bricking for a community update on the hospital’s response to COVID-19. The virtual presentation was attended by local government officials, business leaders, and community partners. The program also featured information from Paula Thompson, Fidelity Health Care president and CEO, about COVID-19 resources for businesses and schools.

More than 200 Atrium employees participated in the 2020 African American Wellness Walk, exceeding the hospital’s participation goal. Atrium executives led two weeks’ worth of walks during the lunch hour along the hospital’s Turner Trail as part of the 2020 event that was held virtually.

Miami Valley Hospital Campuses

Miami Valley Hospital and U.S. Senator Rob Portman hosted a press conference to highlight CARES Act funding. Premier Health received nearly $25 million from the Provider Relief Fund in the CARES Act, which Senator Portman supported. Speakers at the press conference also included: Premier Health President and CEO Mary Boosalis, Miami Valley Hospital President Mike Uhl, Miami Valley Hospital Associate Chief Medical Officer Roberto Colón, MD, and Miami Valley Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Christie Gray, MS, APRN, CNS, NEA-BC.

The Miami Valley Hospital South environmental services team was recognized for hitting a two-year milestone of zero safety events.

Good Samaritan Foundation-Dayton wrapped up its employee giving campaign with more than $76,000 raised, a 17 percent increase from last year. Many of these donations went to fund the employee garden and walking trail at the Miami Valley Hospital North campus. Efforts to raise funds for both projects are going well, with more than 50 percent of the walking trail funded.

The Good Samaritan Foundation is actively seeking funding for a new da Vinci Xi System at Miami Valley Hospital North. In late August, we submitted proposals to the Dr. Jose G. Duarte Foundation and the Maxon Foundation, U.S. Bank, and N.A. Trustee for a combined total of $400,000. Both foundations have been supporting Good Samaritan Foundation for several years and have a special interest in providing technologically advanced equipment that increases access to care and provides safer outcomes for patients.

As schools resumed in August, many districts reached out to have an expert on COVID-19 speak to the staff during district meetings. Joseph Allen, MD, of Premier Physician Network, served as the primary expert and presented to Vandalia City Schools, Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School, Beavercreek City Schools, and Franklin City Schools. Jeff Rayborn, MD, of Premier Sports Medicine, presented to Piqua City Schools and Brenda Chewning, APRN, presented to Greeneview Local Schools. Presentations were both virtual and in-person. The district presentations were covered by several media outlets. Informational flyers on returning to school safely during the pandemic were sent to the school districts for use throughout school buildings, social media, and on district websites.

Upper Valley Medical Center

The Upper Valley Medical Center Patient Flow Project continues at the hospital with the opening of the retail pharmacy in an easy-to-access location just inside the main entrance off the main lobby in August. The gift shop has moved to a temporary location on the lower level and ultimately will be relocated just inside the hospital main entrance next year. Areas previously occupied by the gift shop, cardiac rehab, and imaging waiting area are under renovation to become the new site of CompuNet Clinical Laboratories. The lobby main staircase is closed for a facelift renovation to be completed in late September. The Patient Flow Project is aimed at enhancing the patient experience with improved wayfinding, privacy, and access to frequently utilized services.

Upper Valley Medical Center welcomed Kevin Harlan as its new president on September 7. Kevin comes to Premier Health with an associate degree in Radiology from Sinclair College, a bachelor’s degree in Business and Natural Sciences from Wright State University, and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University. He is a member of numerous professional health care and community organizations including the Ohio Hospital Association and the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association.

With the opening of a competitor’s freestanding Emergency Department facility in Piqua in August, an in-home mailer featuring the strengths of the UVMC ED and advanced cardiac care services was distributed throughout the northern market and a social media campaign using similar elements was launched internally.

Upper Valley Medical Center advance practice nurses helped staff UVMC’s health and wellness booth at the Piqua Farmers Market, which is being hosted each Thursday throughout the summer. In other community outreach, UVMC was a presenting sponsor of the Rock Piqua Drive-In Concert held Aug. 15 on the grounds of the Miami Valley Centre Mall in Piqua. The event hosted by the Piqua Arts Council was well-attended by concert-goers who followed COVID-19 mask/social distancing protocols and remained in their cars during musical performances.

Back to the September 2020 issue of Premier Pulse