Rockford Health System won a Silver Clio Healthcare Award with the highest score in the Television/Cinema category at the annual awards event, held Friday night in New York City. The Clios are considered the most prestigious awards in the advertising industry and recognize work from all over the world.

RHS was honored for its 30-second da Vinci “Origami” television ad. The ad was produced in Fall 2009 by the Marketing & Public Relations Department, along with the creative team from Pittsburgh-based ad agency Brunner; Urologist Michael Fumo, M.D., OR staff members; and staff from Intuitive Surgical, the makers of the da Vinci robot.

Evonne Woloshyn, Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations and Wester Wuori, Director of Marketing & Public Relations, attended the awards ceremony along with members of the Brunner staff. You can learn more about the Clio Awards by following this link.

Joseph Goral, Executive Chef at Rockford Memorial Hospital, has been named the September Rockford Health System Employee of the Month. He is a 16-year employee of RHS Food & Nutrition Services.

Joe’s nomination cites his commitment to excellence, willingness to pitch in wherever needed and strong sense of pride in his work. Joe takes a leadership role in the department, is respected and trusted by his peers and is always looking for ways to contribute and exceed the department’s and hospital’s needs.

Diabetes education is a collaborative process through which people with or at risk for diabetes gain the knowledge and skills needed to modify behavior and successfully self-manage the disease and its related conditions. It is provided by diabetes educators.

“The accreditation means that we have met the requirements for a quality program based on the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Programs and that is therefore recognized as a provider of quality diabetes education by Medicare and most private insurance companies,” said Nancy Todora, Certified Diabetes Educator and coordinator of Diabetes and Nutrition Services. 

Diabetes and Nutrition Services will be offering diabetes education classes at Rockford Health Physicians, 2300 N. Rockton Avenue and at 3401 N. Perryville Road on Tuesday mornings, Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. To make an appointment, call (815) 971-2550.  To facilitate insurance reimbursement, a physician order/referral is required.

Kathy Urbanowitz, Visiting Nurses Association Home Care Coordinator, was named the Rockford Health System (RHS) Employee of the Month.  She has worked for RHS for 24 years.

Kathy’s nomination cites her strong sense of responsibility and commitment, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and consistent demonstration of respect and care with her patients, families, peers and physicians.   Kathy displays a genuine sensitivity to the needs and concerns of others and settles for nothing but the best in quality and care for our patients.   

“The best part about working at Visiting Nurses Association is the variety of people that I meet and get to work with,” Kathy says.  “It’s very satisfying when everything comes together for the patient, so they can be at home.”

Nicolai Mejevoi, M.D., Ph.D., Interventional Cardiology, recently joined the Heart and Vascular Center at Rockford Health System, where he brings 20 years experience.

Dr. Mejevoi completed his interventional cardiology fellowship and his cardiology fellowship at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, N.J, and served his residency and internship at Good Samaritan Hospital of Baltimore. He earned his medical degree at State Medical and Pharmaceutical University “Nicolae Testemitanu”in the Republic of Moldova.

Dennie Rogers-Morris, M.D., Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist, recently joined the medical staff of Rockford Health System. She will care for high-risk, pregnant women and their unborn children at Rockford Memorial Hospital.

High-risk patients are defined as those with medical or surgical problems, previous pregnancy complications and other conditions that increase the need for close monitoring and assessment throughout their pregnancy.

Dr. Rogers-Morris completed her maternal-fetal medicine fellowship and OB/GYN residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center. She earned her medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago.

For more information on Dr. Rogers-Morris, please call (815) 971-DrDr (3737) or visit www.rockfordhealthsystem.org.

Rana Khalek, M.D., Obstetrics/Gynecology, recently joined Rockford Health Physicians – Perryville, 3401 N. Perryville Road. Her special interests include pediatric and adolescent gynecology, minimally invasive surgery, infertility and family planning. Call (815) 971-DrDr (3737) for Dr. Khalek’s office hours, insurance coverage and other key information.

Dr. Khalek served her residency at St. Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, N.J., and earned her medical degree at St. George’s University in Grenada.

She is affiliated with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, and the MADRE International Women Society.

Donna Creek, R.N., Adult Critical Care at Rockford Memorial Hospital, was named the July 2010 Rockford Health System Employee of the Month. She has worked at Rockford Health System for 40 years.

Donna’s nomination recognizes her strong passion for her profession, her great pride in her work, spending extra time with patients and their families during difficult times, and ensuring her patients receive the kind of care she would expect.

Kathy Hoeksema, Data Analyst, was named the June 2010 Rockford Health System Employee of the Month.  She has worked at Rockford Health System for seven years.

Kathy’s nomination recognizes her as an invaluable asset to her department, a conscientious and meticulous employee who takes great pride in her work but also keeps a sense of humor.  She is cited as a team player who responds to change in a positive professional manner and holds herself to highest level of integrity.

As a Data Analyst, Kathy spends her day researching data and working with quality teams, process improvement teams, physicians and nursing staff to provide data that will identify area for efficiencies, opportunities and accomplishments. “What I like best is that quality is embedded in every role across the organization,” Kathy says. “Rockford Health System has collaboration across all entities and service lines.  I am honored to say that I am an employee of RHS!”

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