Pharmacist Named RHS Employee of the Month

Pharmacist Brent Yeager at Rockford Memorial Hospital has been named the May, 2010 Rockford Health System Employee of the Month.   He has worked at Rockford Health System for three years.

The Pediatric and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit staff members nominated Brent for the award.   They recognized him as a knowledgeable, efficient and professional team player who is always helpful.  Brent was also cited for his patience, upbeat attitude and his compassion.

Wester Wuori–Director of Marketing & Public Relations

Free Hearing Seminar Set for May 19

Millions of Americans suffer from hearing loss. They frequently miss out on conversation which oftentimes leads to confusion and, in its more serious form, depression.

Join Aami Molloy, Au.D., and Kristen Young, Au.D., Rockford Health Physicians, for an informative talk on hearing loss and treatment options on May 19 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Rockford Health Physicians – Perryville, 3401 N. Perryville Road. 

• Learn about advancements in hearing aid technology, including receiver in the ear technology and remote microphone technology
• There are new options for treatment of tinnitus, or ringing in the ears
• BAHA-Bone anchored hearing aids can help for single sided deafness and middle ear hearing losses
• Assistive listening devices are available for those who may not be ready for hearing aids
• Demonstrations of new technology and assistive listening devices

The event is free of charge and light refreshments will be served. Seating is limited. For reservations, call (815) 971-2808.

Michael Wiltse–Marketing & Public Relations Specialist

RHS Names April Employee of the Month

Stacy Steede, Pediatric Coordinator/Patient Service Representative at Rockford Health Physicians, was named the April 2010 Rockford Health System Employee of the Month.  She has been with Rockford Health System for seven years.

Stacy’s nomination states patients appreciate her expertise and helpfulness. Her coworkers describe her as a team player who is always looking for ways to improve office efficiency and customer service.

Michael Wiltse–Marketing & Public Relations Specialist

RMH NICU Parent Group Starts Facebook Page

Have you had a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Rockford Memorial Hospital?  Do you want to talk to other parents who have been through the same experience? Become a Fan of “Little Miracles at RMH” on Facebook.

Laura Maher–Marketing & Public Relations Specialist

RHS Names March Employee of the Month

Rockford Health System recently named Grace Scheider, Quality Regulatory Nurse and Coding & Utilization Review Specialist for Visiting Nurses Association, the March 2010 Rockford Health System Employee of the Month.  She has worked at VNA for 20 years. 

Grace’s nomination cited her as a teacher and mentor for her department who models integrity, responsibility and excellence.  She is also acknowledged as an employee who always gives her job 110 percent and has a “let’s make it work” approach to new processes or changes.

Michael Wiltse–Marketing & Public Relations Specialist

RHS First to Offer Catheterization Procedure

Physicians at the Heart and Vascular Center at Rockford Health System are the first in the area to perform catheterization procedures that significantly reduces recovery time and improves patient outcomes using a new method – Transradial Cardiac Catheterization. 

“Transradial Cardiac Catheterization uses the wrist, not the groin, for catheter insertion,” says Erbert Caceres, M.D., Interventional Cardiologist. “Cardiac catheterization is a test to check the heart and coronary arteries and helps doctors assess heart muscle functioning and detect heart disease.”

 Traditionally, cardiac catheterization uses the femoral artery in the right groin as the point of insertion for the catheter. This entry point is often difficult to access and may be hard to compress after the procedure to stop the bleeding. The recovery time for the femoral approach includes bed rest. 

“Transradial Cardiac Catherization is safer, offers no scarring, a decreased risk of bleeding, lowered risk of all complications, less risk of trauma to adjacent nerves and blood vessels, reduced hospital and health care costs and a shorter recovery period,” Dr. Caceres says. “The recovery time for the transradial approach is much shorter and does not include bed rest.”

Michael Wiltse–Marketing & Public Relations Specialist

RHS Earns Honors for Advertising

Rockford Health System won 5 Addy Awards at the March 4 Addy Awards Presentation sponsored by the American Advertising Federation of Northern Illinois. The awards recognize excellence in advertising and are judged by marketing and public relations professionals from outside the Rockford region.   The awards reflect the hard work of staff from both the Marketing and Public Relations Department and the Rockford Memorial Development Foundation teams.

A Gold Addy recognized the daVinci Robotic Surgical System television commercials currently airing for Rockford Health System.  The same commercials also received a “Judge’s Choice” award.   With the Gold Addy, the commercials are now automatically entered into competition for a larger AAF region, which includes Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. You can view the TV commercials on the Rockford Health System YouTube channel.

Rockford Health System also won a bronze Addy for its 2008 annual report, and two additional Addys for two projects for the Rockford Memorial Development Foundation; the Freddie Griffen Society Magic Cube premium item won a Silver Addy and the 2009 Wishbook won a Bronze Addy.    

Wester Wuori–Director of Marketing & Public Relations

RHS Names February Employee of the Month

Rockford Health System recently named Eveline Lawrence, Surgery Records and Registration Coordinator at Rockford Memorial Hospital, our February Employee of the Month.  She has been employed by Rockford Health System for more than 40 years. 

Eveline was recognized for her ability to connect with patients and positively impact her department’s customer service scores.  She was also cited for her ability to remain calm under pressure and adapt to change.

Michael Wiltse–Marketing & Public Relations Specialist

Cytogenetics Lab Gets Reaccreditation

Rockford Memorial Hospital’s Cytogenetics Laboratory recently passed a Biannual College of American Pathologist’s Inspection with no violations. The laboratory is now fully accredited for two years. RMH’s Cytogenetics Laboratory is the only such facility in a 90-mile radius from Rockford.

Using a variety of techniques, the lab evaluates prenatal, pediatric, fertility, hematological and solid tumor samples to evaluate qualitative and quantitative changes in DNA structure and distribution that have either diagnostic or prognostic value. The lab helps diagnose a variety of clinical conditions. gene/region loss or gain. Both types of studies are used to diagnose malignancies.  The lab now performs more than 2,300 tests per year for multiple hospitals in the United States.

Wester Wuori–Director of Marketing & Public Relations

RHS and VNA Support Haiti Relief Efforts

On Tuesday, February 16,  Rockford Health System presented a check for $7,500 to the Rock River Valley chapter of the American Red Cross. Employees, physicians and volunteers donated $5,000 for the relief effort in Haiti, and Rockford Health System donated an additional $2,500. In addition, our Visiting Nurses Association raised $1,000 in just 48 hours for the Red Cross.

Laura Maher–Marketing & Public Relations Specialist