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Three Carondelet Hospitals Become
Southern Arizona’s First Accredited Chest Pain Centers
Tucson, Arizona – August 28, 2008 – Carondelet Health Network
is proud to announce that Carondelet St. Mary’s, Carondelet St.
Joseph’s and Tucson Heart Hospitals have received national
accreditation as Chest Pain Centers. These three hospitals are
the first in Southern Arizona to receive accreditation from the
Society of Chest Pain Centers.
The Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC) is an international
non-profit that works to improve care for patients with acute
coronary syndromes and acute heart failure. To qualify for
accreditation, hospitals must meet or exceed stringent standards
for the rapid diagnosis and treatment of heart attacks.
According to a national study led by an Emory University
researcher, hospitals accredited by the Society of Chest Pain
Centers have been shown to perform better in the heart attack
core measures established by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (CMS) than non-accredited hospitals.
“Carondelet Health Network’s commitment to this community has
always been to provide the highest quality care for our
patients,” said Wes Colvin, Chief Operating Officer, Carondelet
Health Network. “Accreditation by the Society of Chest Pain
Centers for our three Tucson hospitals means our mission is
being realized and recognized, locally and nationally. We are
very proud of our physicians, clinicians and associates who
dedicate themselves to these goals each and every day.”1
“When a heart attack strikes, every moment matters in the
effort to save and protect heart muscle from permanent damage,”
says Douglas Spegman, MD, Senior Vice President, Clinical
Excellence/Chief Medical Officer, Carondelet Health Network.
“This accreditation from the SCPC recognizes that our hospitals’
clinical teams are providing rapid assessment, diagnosis and
treatment for the highest quality of care and the best possible
patient outcomes.”
The Chest Pain Centers at Carondelet St. Mary’s, Carondelet
St. Joseph’s and Tucson Heart Hospitals focus on reducing the
time it takes for a patient experiencing symptoms of a possible
heart attack to see a physician, thus reducing the time for
treatment during the critical early stages, when treatments are
most effective. These centers also provide specialized
observation in which physicians are better able to monitor
patients when it is not clear whether they are having a coronary
event. Such observation helps ensure that patients are not sent
home too early or required to stay longer than necessary.
These three Carondelet hospitals are now listed on the
Society of Chest Pain Centers’ web site as accredited Arizona
chest pain centers. Visit
www.scpcp.org
for more details.
1 Science Daily, July 9, 2008.
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Carondelet Neurological Institute’s
Balance Center Announces Community Education Event
“When Your World Gets Out Of Balance”
Diagnosis and Treatment for Vertigo, Dizziness and Falls
Saturday, September 20, 2008
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital Auditorium
Tucson, Arizona – August 27, 2008 – Most of us never give a
second thought to how vitally important it is for our bodies to
be able to balance themselves. If you have a lack of balance,
however, almost everything you take for granted - getting up
from a chair, walking, bending over, driving, even reaching for
a glass in the cupboard – can become nearly impossible to
navigate.
Carondelet Neurological Institute wants to invite anyone
concerned about balance, or at risk for vestibular problems, to
attend a free educational seminar on the subject on Saturday,
September 20, 2008 at Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Balance hinges on your sense of touch and sight working in
conjunction with information your inner ear (vestibular system)
sends to your brain. The results of a balance disorder include
immobility and the risk of devastating falls and subsequent
injury.
Tens of millions of Americans suffer from a balance disorder
every year, experiencing symptoms like dizziness, unsteadiness,
migraines and/or vertigo regularly.
Carondelet Neurological Institute’s (CNI) Balance Center is
changing that outcome for Southern Arizonans.
Offering the area’s only center of its kind, CNI’s Balance
Center provides a multidisciplinary approach to care. Bringing
together audiologists and physical therapists to identify a
patient’s balance and mobility problems and set up a course of
treatment to overcome them.
The initial examination includes the use of some extremely
unique and valuable assessment equipment, including the
Computerized Dynamic Posturography. This equipment was
originally developed with the support of NASA to evaluate the
effects of space flight on astronauts’ balance and mobility upon
returning from a mission. Here in Southern Arizona, it is only
available for use in the assessment process at CNI’s Balance
Center.
Until now, comprehensive assessment, diagnosis and treatment
of balance disorders for Southern Arizonans were only available
if one traveled to existing balance centers in the Phoenix area.
Now, Carondelet Neurological Institute is bringing this
much-needed program to Southern Arizonans right here in Tucson.
If you have experienced a recent fall, feel unsteady on your
feet, have spells of dizziness, or other reasons to believe you
might have a balance problem, you should talk to your
doctor. Your primary care physician can refer you to a qualified
medical professional who is equipped to do a complete balance
assessment. For more information on balance and mobility
disorders, check out
www.carondelet.org/CNI.
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Announcement Regarding Carondelet
St. Mary’s Hospital Burn and Wound Care Program
Tucson, Arizona – August 22, 2008 – Effective September 1, 2008,
the Burn and Wound Care Program at St. Mary’s Hospital will no
longer be offering specialized burn care services. St. Mary’s
will continue to care for existing and new patients who present
with complex wounds.
Over the last two years, St. Mary’s has sustained a part-time
burn care program and has been working diligently to establish a
full-service local burn program for the residents of Pima and
Santa Cruz counties. Currently, the burn program’s census
accounts for less than two inpatients at any given time. This
low census, combined with difficulty recruiting a full-time
medical director and the operational and clinical requirements
to develop and sustain a full-time program led to the decision
to discontinue this program. St. Mary’s Wound Care Program will
continue to serve the community. Wound care accounts for 80
percent of the Burn and Wound Care Program’s patients. “This has
been a difficult decision. We’ve been on a journey to recruit a
Medical Director for this program for quite some time,” stated
Odette Bolano, Chief Executive Officer of Carondelet St. Mary’s
Hospital. “Without a full-time Medical Director, a program of
this magnitude cannot exist.”
According to Carondelet Health Network spokesperson, Letty
Ramirez, “A burn triage process and transfer relationship
already exists with the Arizona Burn Center in Maricopa County.
As has been the case for the last few years, burn patients will
be evaluated to determine if their continued care requires them
to be transferred to the Arizona Burn Center.”
Additionally, Ramirez states, “Nationally, the trend is for
one verified Burn Center to exist in a given multi-state region.
The reason for this is that burn centers require a significant
infusion of capital for highly specialized equipment and
materials. At St. Mary’s Hospital, we have been able to provide
services that treat complex wounds. However, complex burn
conditions require very specialized care and thus need to be
transferred to a burn center.”
Any patient with a burn should seek emergency medical care.
Patients may call 9-1-1 and
emergency medical service personnel will evaluate the patient’s
condition and bring the
patient to the nearest emergency room.
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Carondelet Health Network
Celebrates Groundbreaking For New St. Mary’s Medical Plaza II
Tucson, Arizona – August 5,
2008 – Carondelet Health Network and the Graham Group, of Des
Moines, Iowa, held a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, July
29th for a new three-story, 75,000 square foot medical office
building. St. Mary’s Medical Plaza II is being constructed on
the campus of St. Mary’s Hospital with planned occupancy in
2009.
George Milligan, President
of The Graham Group, owners, leasing agents and building
managers for St. Mary’s Medical Plaza II, said “We are honored
to be working together with Carondelet on this project. From the
beginning we could sense the potential for having a new medical
office building on the campus of St. Mary’s Hospital and the
special place Carondelet and St. Mary’s hold in the history and
traditions of Tucson.” The Graham Group will be working on the
project with building architects, Swaim Associates and
Diversified Construction, both Tucson-based companies.
After a brief ceremony and
blessing for the building, led by Odette Bolano, Chief Executive
Officer of Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital, all participants were
invited to don hard hats and ceremonial gold shovels to
celebrate the project kick-off. “The Sisters of St. Joseph of
Carondelet established our hospital 128 years ago to meet the
needs of a growing community of eight thousand,” stated Ms.
Bolano. “Today, in a city of one million people, we remain
committed to Tucson and Southern Arizona. St. Mary’s continues
to provide the latest technologies and an expanding list of
services that are convenient for our patients and their
families. The addition of St. Mary’s Medical Plaza II is another
demonstration of our plan to better serve our community.”
The new St. Mary’s Medical
Plaza II will be located on the southeast corner of the St.
Mary’s campus. Upon its completion next year, the new building
will house the St. Mary’s Imaging Center, a number of
multi-specialty physician offices and Carondelet Medical Group.
Groundbreaking Photo:
Left to Right: Letty Ramirez, Carondelet Health Network Chief
Marketing and Planning Officer; Jim Fay, Diversified Design and
Construction, Inc.; Guy Shoaf, Project Manager, Carondelet
Health Network; Ed Lieber, Diversified Design and Construction,
Inc.; Tetine Price, Swaim Associates Ltd.; Ed Marley, Swaim
Associates Ltd.; Odette Bolano, Chief Executive Officer,
Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital; Douglas Spegman, M.D., Senior
Vice President, Clinical Excellence/Chief Medical Officer,
Carondelet Health Network; Wes Colvin, Chief Operating Officer,
Carondelet Health Network; Diana McBroom, Chief Nursing Officer,
Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital; Walter B. Davis, Chief Executive
Officer, Carondelet Medical Group; Andy Cosentino,
Administrator, Ambulatory Services, Carondelet Health Network;
Larry Lang, Diversified Design and Construction, Inc.; Derrick
Jones, Associate Administrator, Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital;
Hal Ashton, Owner, Diversified Design and Construction, Inc.
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Arkansas Nursing Executive Joins Carondelet
Health Network As Senior Vice President, Clinical Excellence and
Chief Nursing Executive
 Tucson,
Arizona – July 29, 2008 – Judith A. Tatman, RN, MS has been
appointed Senior Vice President, Clinical Excellence and Chief
Nursing Executive (CNE) for Carondelet Health Network.
As Senior Vice President,
Clinical Excellence/CNE, Judy Tatman will work very closely with
Dr. Douglas Spegman, recently appointed as the Senior Vice
President, Clinical Excellence/Chief Medical Officer at
Carondelet Health Network. In conjunction with Dr. Spegman, Ms.
Tatman will oversee clinical practice for nursing and related
clinical services in support of Carondelet’s mission and healing
ministry.
Ms. Tatman brings over 20
years of healthcare leadership experience to Carondelet - - 18
years of which have been in Catholic, faith-based health care
environments. Prior to joining Carondelet Health Network, Ms.
Tatman served as Vice President, Patient Care Services/ Chief
Nursing Executive for four-hospital system St. Vincent Health
System in Little Rock, Arkansas, a member of Catholic Health
Initiatives. She also served for 10 years as a Chief Nurse
Executive for PeaceHealth Oregon Region/Sacred Heart Medical
Center, a Catholic-sponsored integrated delivery system in
Eugene, Oregon. Ms. Tatman has a proven track record of solid
work experience addressing quality and patient experience,
program development, hospital operations, and evidence-based
clinical practice.
Ms. Tatman received her
Master of Science Degree in Healthcare Administration from
Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas and a Bachelor of
Science degree from the University of Illinois, College of
Nursing in Chicago. She has served as Past President, Northwest
Organization of Nurse Executives and past president, Oregon
Nursing Leadership Council and Board member of Oregon Hospital
and Health Systems Association. She has also served in
leadership roles on several other boards and professional
associations.
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Carondelet Health Network
Announces Appointment of New Vice President of Mission
Integration
 Tucson,
Arizona – July 29, 2008 – Carondelet Health Network is proud to
announce the appointment of Jude Magers as Vice President,
Mission Integration, effective June 30, 2008.
As Vice President, Mission
Integration, Jude Magers will provide strategic leadership in
the areas of mission and values integration, workplace
spirituality, ethics, leadership formation and spiritual care
throughout Carondelet Health Network. Ms. Magers will also be
responsible for developing collaborative partnerships with
persons in ministry to integrate the mission, vision and values
of Carondelet’s parent corporation, Ascension Health. That
mission is based on three guiding principles: providing
Healthcare That Is Safe, Healthcare That Works and Healthcare
That Leaves No One Behind. She will supervise Carondelet’s
Spiritual Care departments, as well as develop and execute
mission leadership formation programs for leadership, associates
and medical staff.
Prior to joining Carondelet,
Ms. Magers served as Executive Director, Mission Integration,
for St. Vincent’s Hospitals and Health Services in Indianapolis,
Indiana. She brings a blend of both clinical and mission
education and work experience to her position. She has a strong
background developing nursing practice programs in Oncology and
led the successful opening of the Oncology Program at St. John’s
Medical Center in Anderson, Indiana.
In addition to her clinical
background, Ms. Magers has worked as a Manager of St. Vincent
Hospice, Director of Organizational Development and as a
Director of Mission Services. Ms. Magers received a Masters
Degree in Pastoral Theology from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College
in Terre Haute, Indiana in 2006. She holds Bachelor and Master
of Science degrees in Nursing from Indiana University. An active
community leader, she has served as a board member of the St.
Vincent Mercy Hospital Board and St. Vincent Health Madison
County Board. She has served on numerous neighborhood advisory
boards and as past president of various professional
organizations.
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Carondelet Health Network’s St.
Mary’s and St. Joseph’s Hospitals Recognized for Implementing
Quality Cardiac and Stroke Care
Tucson, AZ – July 21, 2008 -
The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association are
recognizing Carondelet St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s Hospitals for
their performance in treating cardiac and stroke patients using
the association’s Get With The GuidelinesSM (GWTG) program. St.
Mary’s and St. Joseph’s join 518 other hospitals being featured
in an advertisement in the July 21st “America’s Best Hospitals”
issue of US News & World Report.
Get with the Guidelines is a
hospital based, quality-improvement program designed to ensure
that hospitals consistently care for cardiac and stroke patients
following the most up-to-date guidelines and recommendations.
The program provides three modules that address coronary artery
disease, heart failure and stroke. Currently more than 1,450
hospitals use one or more GWTG modules.
Upon meeting each module’s
criteria, hospitals are recognized if at least 85 percent of
their cardiac or stroke patients are treated and discharged
according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke
Association’s recommendations.
The American Heart
Association/American Stroke Association’s advertisement
recognizes St. Mary’s Hospital’s commitment and success in
performance achievement for coronary artery disease, heart
failure and stroke. Additionally, St. Joseph’s Hospital has been
recognized for its achievements in coronary artery disease care.
“
The American Heart
Association is pleased to recognize its top Get With The
Guidelines participants,” said Gregg C Fonarow, M.D., National
Chairman, Get With The Guidelines Steering Committee and
Director, Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center. “The program
makes it easier for hospitals like St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s
to provide appropriate evidence-based care and ultimately
improve the quality of life and help reduce the number of deaths
in these heart and stroke patients.”
“We are proud that the
American Heart Association and American Stroke Association have
chosen the ‘America’s Best Hospitals’ issue of US News & World
Report to recognize the Carondelet Health Network hospitals, St.
Mary’s and St. Joseph’s, for achievements in their Get With The
Guidelines program,” said Dr. Douglas Spegman, Carondelet’s
Senior Vice President for Clinical Excellence and Chief Medical
Officer. “These awards are wonderful examples of the dedication
and hard work of our clinical and associate staff who through
these efforts exemplify our mission of providing exceptional
care to our patients.”
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Carondelet Neurological
Institute’s In-Patient Care Unit Getting Rave Reviews from
Doctors, Staff and Patients
Tucson, Arizona – July 11,
2008 – The state-of-the-art inpatient care unit at Carondelet
Neurological Institute is open and receiving significant
accolades from local neurologists, neurosurgeons, clinical
staff, patients and families. Construction was completed in
early May and the unit began accepting patients shortly
afterwards. Since that time, the facility has become
increasingly busy with patients requiring the highest quality of
care for a variety of neurological illnesses and injuries.
Carondelet Neurological
Institute’s in-patient unit is the area’s largest facility
dedicated to the care of acute neurological illness and injury.
“From inception, the mission of the Institute has been to
advance the level of neurological care in our community by
introducing world-class technologies, a multidisciplinary team
approach, and the highest clinical standards available – all in
one caring environment,” stated Carondelet Neurological
Institute Medical Director Eric Sipos, M.D. “Its exhilarating to
hear from colleagues, clinicians and patients that all the
planning, preparation and investment is delivering on our
promise.”
The Carondelet Neurological
Institute inpatient unit includes:
- 42 private patient
rooms
- Dedicated Neurological
Critical Care Unit
- Family sleeping
quarters
- Private physician
consultation rooms
Other current Institute
offerings:
- 24/7 access to
neurological care
- Aphasia program
- Comprehensive Stroke
Care on the campuses of both St. Joseph’s and St. Mary’s
hospitals
- Balance Center with
Vestibular Clinic
- Brain Injury and Stroke
Support Groups
- Community Education
Programs
And…Coming Soon to
Carondelet Neurological Institute:
- Three (3) dedicated
neurological OR suites featuring BrainLAB’s world-class
BrainSUITE iCT
- Brain and Spine Tumor
Center with Stereotactic Radiosurgery
- Interventional Neuro-radiology
which allows for minimally invasive treatment of aneurysms,
vascular malformations, and tumors of the brain, neck and
spine
- Seizure Disorder and
Movement Disorder Programs
- Spine Center
“As the rest of our programs
and services come online throughout 2008, Tucsonans will have
access to a level of life-saving neurological care never before
available in one setting in our community,” stated Greg Angle,
Chief Executive Officer of Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital.
“From the very beginning, Carondelet has been guided by one
important principle – identify the greatest needs of our
community and address them to the best of our ability. We
certainly feel the inpatient care unit is a tremendous example
of this effort.”
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Carondelet St. Mary’s Burn
Specialists Encourage Tucsonans to Let the Pros Handle the
Fireworks
Tucson, Arizona – June 30, 2008 – Most Americans believe its
just not the 4th of July without fireworks. In the wrong hands,
however, fireworks can be dangerous, even deadly.
Carondelet St. Mary’s Burn
Unit specialists are encouraging Tucsonans to view professional
displays this Independence Day rather than attempting the use of
any form of residential fireworks, and to avoid using these
incendiary devices in the weeks leading up to or following the
holiday as well. Sixty percent of injuries from fireworks occur
during the two weeks before and the two weeks following
Independence Day (Green & Joholske 2006).
According to Kathleen Jones,
Outreach Coordinator for Burn Prevention at St. Mary’s Hospital,
“While many states, including Arizona, have banned most
fireworks from residential use, even small firecrackers and
sparklers can, and do, cause significant injuries.” In fact,
according to the American Burn Association, sparklers can burn
at temperatures up to one thousand degrees. “Parents think
nothing of giving their little ones, 5 years and under, a
sparkler to play with during the July 4th holiday, when they
certainly wouldn't dream of giving them a lighter, which is
actually not as hot,” states Jones. “Giving a child a sparkler
is like giving them a piece of hot, molten metal to hold in
their hand and twirl in the air, usually near other excited
children running around in the dark holding onto sparklers. It
is a very dangerous thing to do.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control:
- 70% of
fireworks-related injuries in any given year occur during
the month between June 19 and July 19.
- 75% of those injuries
during that time period will be suffered by males, and
- 45% of those injuries
will involve children, age 14 or younger.
And in 2007, the National Fire Protection Association
published these additional facts:
- 30% of fireworks
injuries are to hands and fingers (Children are especially
vulnerable to permanent loss since their fingers and hands
are so small.)
- 24% of fireworks
injuries are to eyes
- 20% of fireworks
injuries are to the face or head
“All to often, Carondelet
St. Mary’s clinicians see patients who must endure the
long-lasting pain and scarring of these preventable burns,”
states Jones. “The safest way to avoid fireworks related
injuries is to leave the displays to the trained professionals.”
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Carondelet Health Network Names New Vice President of
Clinical Excellence and Two New Hospital-Based Chief Medical
Officers
Tucson, Arizona – June 13, 2008 – Carondelet Health Network
(CHN) is proud to announce the appointment of a new Senior Vice
President of Clinical Excellence/Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for
its network of hospitals in Southern Arizona. Dr. Douglas
Spegman has been appointed Senior Vice President, Clinical
Excellence/CMO, Carondelet Health Network, effective June 30,
2008. Dr. Jose Santiago, who accepted a new position with
Carondelet’s parent ministry, Ascension Health, formerly held
this role.
 As Senior Vice President for Clinical Excellence/CMO, Dr.
Spegman will serve as the senior physician leader for the
Carondelet Network and, working in conjunction with CHN’s Chief
Nurse Executive, will develop and implement an operating plan
for the delivery of an exceptional patient experience throughout
Carondelet Health Network. “These are exciting times for
Carondelet,” stated Ruth W. Brinkley, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Carondelet Health Network. “We recognize
that what drives us in this work is our commitment to advance
the healing ministry of Christ for the benefit of our
community.”
Dr. Douglas Spegman served for 10 years at El Rio Community
Health Center as Associate Medical Director and Division Chief
prior to joining Carondelet. His leadership at Carondelet spans
several years in a variety of roles as Chief of Staff, St.
Mary’s Hospital; Chair, Department of Medicine, St. Mary’s;
Chair, Quality Committee and member, Strategic Planning
Committee of the Carondelet Board of Directors. Dr. Spegman
received his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University and a
Masters in Public Health from the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill School of Public Health.
 Carondelet has also named Dr. Amy Bieter as Chief Medical
Officer of St. Mary’s Hospital and Dr. Patrick Smith as Chief
Medical Officer of St. Joseph’s Hospital. Dr. Amy Beiter assumed
the newly created role of CMO for St. Mary’s Hospital effective
May 12, 2008. Dr. Beiter, board-certified in Internal Medicine
and Pediatrics, formerly served as Medical Director of
Utilization Management at St. Mary’s Hospital. She is a Fellow
of the American College of Physicians and received her medical
degree from Indiana University and her Bachelor’s degree from
Purdue University. Dr. Beiter has been an active member of the
medical staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for 16 years. During that
time, she has held numerous leadership positions at St. Mary’s,
El Rio Community Health Center and IPC Hospitalist Group.
 Dr. Patrick Smith assumed the role of CMO of St. Joseph’s
Hospital effective May 12, 2008. Dr. Smith received his medical
degree from Creighton University School of Medicine and is a
Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Smith recently
served as Medical Director of Utilization Management at St.
Joseph’s Hospital and has served as a member of St. Joseph’s
Hospital Medical Executive Committee and the Carondelet Board of
Directors. He is a current member of the Strategic Planning
Committee of the Carondelet Board of Directors, a past Chief of
Staff and Chief of Surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital and has held
numerous leadership roles with the Joint Credentials Committee,
Audit Committee and Corporate Responsibility Committee at
St.Joseph’s Hospital.
As Chief Medical Officers for St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s
Hospitals, Dr. Amy Beiter and Dr. Patrick Smith will be
responsible for the medical leadership and direction of quality,
patient experience, service excellence, utilization management
and medical staff functions for their respective hospitals.
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879 Families Contact
KidsCare-a-thon hosted by KOLD News 13, Carondelet Health
Network and the Covering Kids Coalition
Tucson, Arizona – April 24, 2008 – On Tuesday,
April 22, 2008, Carondelet Health Network, the Covering Kids
Coalition and KOLD News 13 joined forces to help Southern
Arizona families in need of children’s health coverage. More
than 100,000 uninsured children live in Tucson and Southern
Arizona.
During a 15-hour phone-a-thon held at KOLD
News 13’s studios, 879 families called to learn more about
KidsCare - a low-cost, state health coverage program that
provides medical, dental and vision coverage to eligible
children 18 years old and younger. The plan offers comprehensive
coverage, including emergency care, doctor’s office visits,
prescription drug coverage, behavioral health services and
immunizations for currently uninsured children.
In the coming weeks, those families will be
taken through the eligibility and application process in
follow-up appointments with a variety of local organizations,
which specialize in helping with KidsCare enrollment. On
Tuesday, 76 volunteers from 31 local community groups manned the
KidsCare-a-thon phone bank.
“Southern Arizona children should not suffer
physically and developmentally because healthcare coverage is
out of reach financially for their parents,” stated Bill Pike,
Director of Public Policy at Carondelet Health Network. “At
Carondelet, our mission is Healthcare That Leaves No One Behind.
Raising awareness and enrollment in KidsCare is a commitment for
our organization and many others that want to do what is right
for these kids. Carondelet and our parent health ministry,
Ascension Health, are committed to national healthcare reform
that leads our country to 100% access to healthcare and 100%
coverage for all.”
During the 2007 KidsCare-a-thon event, 815
families called for information. In the weeks and months that
followed, more than 1800 children and adults were enrolled in
government-assisted healthcare programs.
Families still in need of information about or
help enrolling in KidsCare can contact Renee Perez, Carondelet
Health Network’s KidsCare Coordinator, at 520-873-5042.
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KOLD News 13 Partners
with Covering Kids Coalition and Carondelet Health Network To
Host Second Annual KidsCare Phone-a-thon
Tucson, Arizona – April 17, 2008 – On Tuesday,
April 22, 2008, KOLD Television, Carondelet Health Network and
the Covering Kids Coalition join forces to raise awareness about
the growing problem of uninsured children in our state.
250,000 Arizona children do not have health insurance. 100,000
of those live in Southern Arizona.
One simple solution for covering these kids is
KidsCare - a low-cost, state health insurance program that
provides medical, dental and vision coverage to eligible
children 18 years old and younger. The plan offers comprehensive
coverage, including emergency care, doctor’s office visits,
prescription drug coverage, behavioral health services and
immunizations to children of working families who make too much
to qualify for AHCCCS but not enough to afford private
insurance.
On Tuesday, April 22nd, a KidsCare
phone-a-thon will take place at KOLD studios. This phone-a-thon
is organized by Carondelet Health Network and the Children’s
Action Alliance and will be manned by volunteers from the many
organizations involved with the Covering Kids Coalition.
Throughout its broadcast day, from 5:00 a.m.
to 7:00 p.m., KOLD will be reporting live from the phone bank
and promoting a telephone number, which viewers can call to get
instant information about the program. Anyone interested in
applying for KidsCare can leave their contact information with
the volunteers. Interested families will be taken through the
eligibility and enrollment process in follow-up appointments
during the weeks following the phone-a-thon.
This is the phone-a-thon’s second year. During
the 2007 event, 815 families called for information. In the
weeks and months that followed, more than 1800 children and
adults were enrolled in government-assisted healthcare programs.
“Health coverage is a necessity for children,”
stated Penelope Jacks, Executive Director, Southern Arizona
Office of Children’s Action Alliance. “We know that children who
lack health insurance coverage do not perform as well in school,
often have reduced cognitive development, and develop illnesses
which progress farther than necessary before they receive
treatment.”
“Carondelet Health Network and its parent
ministry, Ascension Health, have a mission of Healthcare That
Leaves No One Behind. Our faith-based healthcare ministries
believe strongly that every person should have the peace of mind
to know they can receive medical care when needed,” stated Bill
Pike, Director of Public Policy for Carondelet Health Network.
“Carondelet and Ascension are committed to doing all we can this
year to raise awareness about the need for our nation’s
healthcare delivery system to become accessible, affordable, and
safe through a reformed national health policy – one which leads
to 100% access and 100% coverage.”
KidsCare
Phone-a-thon
KOLD Studios
7831 North Business Park Drive, Tucson, AZ, 85743
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
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Public Captivated By
New Medical Pavilion On St. Joseph’s Medical Center Campus
Tucson, Arizona – April 10, 2008 – Approximately 700 Tucsonans
passed through the doors at Carondelet Health Network’s new
medical pavilion on Saturday, April 5, 2008. They came for a
first hand look at the 164,000 square foot, 48 million dollar
facility on the St. Joseph’s Medical Center campus.
The public open house followed a ribbon
cutting, blessing, and VIP reception with community leaders on
Friday, April 4th.
The 5-story bed tower adds 167 new hospital
beds in the city of Tucson, and will house Women’s Care – a
comprehensive program of services for women in all the stages of
their lives. The Carondelet Neurological In-Patient Care Unit
(opening this summer) will also be housed on the fifth floor of
this new building.
Expectant couples, scheduled to deliver their
babies in the new medical pavilion, came anxious to learn more
about the physical layout of the building. Nervous “dads-to-be”
were eager to learn about everything from patient drop-off to
sign-in, triage, delivery and recovery. Families, couples,
medical professionals were also among the hundreds of guests
touring the halls. Many commented at length about the impressive
layout, color scheme, furnishings and technology available for
young mothers and women of all ages whose health concerns and
needs will be serviced through Women’s Care on the first and
third floors of the facility.
Here is just a sampling of the specialty
services, programs, and new surroundings available:
-
21 new private birthing suites with
Jacuzzis available for laboring mothers
-
32 beautiful new mother/baby couplet
care rooms
-
30 private Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
(NICU) rooms for at-risk newborns
-
42 new Urology & Gynecology beds
-
Women’s Wellness Center offering
specialty services, support, referrals and education in
areas including: osteoporosis, heart and vascular,
fibromyalgia, post-partum depression, high-risk pregnancy
assessment, lower back pain, pelvic pain, bladder health,
urinary incontinence, and many more.
Over the next several weeks, the rest of the
technology, equipment, supplies and furnishings will be moved
into place. Patients will begin to be moved into the medical
pavilion the last week of April.
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Carondelet Health Network Opens
New Medical Pavilion On St. Joseph’s Medical Center Campus
Tucson, Arizona – March 31, 2008 – April marks a milestone
for healthcare in Tucson and Southern Arizona. Carondelet Health
Network will open its new Medical Pavilion on the campus of St.
Joseph’s Medical Center.
The 5-story, 164,000 square foot Medical Pavilion will add
167 new hospital beds in the city of Tucson, and will house
Women’s Care – a comprehensive program of services for women in
all the stages of their lives. The Carondelet Neurological
In-Patient Care Unit (opening later this Spring) will also be
housed on the fifth floor of this new building.
“The opening of the Medical Pavilion will mark a 50 percent
increase in capacity to serve patients at St. Joseph’s,” stated
Greg Angle, Chief Executive Officer of Carondelet St. Joseph’s
Medical Center. “We have been looking forward to this day since
we first broke ground in January 2005.”
“Carondelet Health Network is stepping forward to meet
growing community needs in healthcare,” stated Ruth W. Brinkley,
President and CEO of Carondelet Health Network. “As responsible
corporate citizens and a faith-based healthcare system, we
believe it is our mission to invest and expand, providing
much-needed care to keep this community healthy and strong.”
Two floors in the Medical Pavilion will be dedicated to the
health and wellness of women of all ages. Here is just a
sampling of the specialty services, programs, and new
surroundings available:
- 21 new private birthing suites with Jacuzzis
available for laboring mothers
- 32 beautiful new mother/baby couplet care rooms
- 30 private Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
rooms for at-risk newborns
- 42 new Urology & Gynecology beds
- Women’s Wellness Center offering specialty
services, support, referrals and education in areas
including: osteoporosis, heart and vascular, fibromyalgia,
post-partum depression, high-risk pregnancy assessment,
lower back pain, pelvic pain, bladder health, urinary
incontinence, and many more
The public has been invited to tour the building on Saturday,
April 5, 2008 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Hundreds are expected to
visit during the daylong open house.
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Carondelet St. Joseph's Hospital
Medical Pavilion Open House
You’re cordially invited to attend the Grand Opening of the
new Medical Pavilion, home to Women’s Care – on Carondelet St.
Joseph’s campus. We’re celebrating a milestone in Southern
Arizona healthcare. For patients young and old, a new era of
care is dawning. Please join us in the festivities on April 5th,
2008, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM as we take our mission of
providing exceptional medicine and exceptional care a giant step
further – just for you.
MORE
INFORMATION
CAMPUS
MAP
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Carondelet Medical Group Responds to
Flu Season with Extended Hours
Tucson, Arizona – February 22, 2008 – Carondelet Medical
Group, a group of more than 80 board certified practitioners
specializing in primary care, is providing extended evening and
weekend hours of service February 22 through March 1 to help
treat the large number of Southern Arizonans who have contracted
the flu. Additional hours of service, as well as more openings
for same-day appointments, will be offered at most of the
organization’s 16 offices.
Local emergency rooms have experienced an increase in patient
volume over the past few weeks due to an increase in flu cases.
This has caused an increase in wait time at all local hospitals.
Many of those patients who have the flu and require medical
attention would receive faster service in a primary care medical
office or urgent care facility. Young children and older adults
in particular should receive prompt attention from their primary
care physician to ensure that their flu symptoms do not reach a
level of severity that requires emergency treatment or
hospitalization.
Carondelet Medical Group, which is affiliated with Carondelet
Health Network, provides primary care in 16 offices throughout
Southern Arizona, including Tucson, Green Valley, and Nogales.
Additional information about extended hours is available at
www.carondelet.org/cmg or 520.872.7324.
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Love Your Kids: A Valentine’s Gift of
Health to Arizona’s Children
Tucson, Arizona – February 7, 2008 - On Valentine’s Day, thousands of Arizona children will
receive a much-needed gift—access to
healthcare services—thanks to Love Your Kids - a
statewide, community project sponsored by
businesses, community health clinics, hospitals, faith-based
organizations, schools and other
organizations all across out state - to provide families of
uninsured children KidsCare enrollment
assistance.
“The community organizations involved in Love Your Kids
believe that Feb. 14, 2008, will be a
turning point in the lives of many Arizona families,” said
Reverend Jan Olav Flaaten, executive director, Arizona
Ecumenical Council and Love Your Kids
spokesperson. “That’s when many will learn their children can go
to the doctor when they are sick, receive regular dental check
ups and even get glasses if needed. This will be accomplished
because of the more than 100 community organizations that have
come together to support Love Your Kids.”
KidsCare is a state-sponsored healthcare program that
provides medical, dental and vision
coverage to eligible Arizona children ages 18 and younger.
Families of children who participate in
KidsCare pay a minimum monthly fee to help share the cost of the
program. Currently, there are more than 250,000 uninsured
children in Arizona. Approximately 130,000 of these uninsured
children are eligible for KidsCare, but are not enrolled in the
program. The goal of Love Your Kids is to reach
the families of these children to deliver KidsCare eligibility
information and begin the enrollment process.
On Valentine’s Day, specially trained volunteers at Love
Your Kids events statewide will step
families through the KidsCare enrollment process. Events are
scheduled in 75 locations in 23
communities.
In Southern Arizona, enrollment events will be held at the
following locations:
- Community Food Bank (Tot Shots), 1 pm – 4 pm, 3003 S.
Country Club Rd. #221, Tucson
- Carondelet Holy Cross Hospital (Lobby), 10 am - 2 pm,
1171 W. Target Range Road, Nogales
- Carondelet Foundation (KidsCare Office), 9 am – 4 pm,
120 N. Tucson Blvd., Tucson
- Kool Smiles and Health Choice, 12 pm – 2 pm, 2990 S. 6th
Ave, Tucson
- Pima Health System, 9 am – 4 pm, Herbert K Abrams Public
Health Building, 3950 S. Country
Club Way, Tucson, AZ 85714
- St. Elizabeth Health Center, 3 pm – 6 pm, at two
locations:
Ellie Townes Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 West
Ruthrauff Road
Santa Rosa Neighborhood Center, 1080 S. 10th Avenue
Any media entity interested in promoting these events or
covering an event on the day of the
enrollment fairs should contact Lisa Contreras at 520-444-6600
or Tara Sklar at 873-5024 to learn moreabout interview
opportunities, on site media contacts and confidentiality issues
on site.
Arizona ranks near the bottom nationally for children’s
health coverage. According to the U.S.
Census Bureau, in 2005, 25 percent of Arizona’s uninsured were
school age children, ages 18 and
younger. Lack of access to healthcare coverage is twofold:
influencing both the health and educational achievement of
children. Children without health coverage are less likely to
receive regular check ups and early, cost-effective care. Many
of these children end up in hospital emergency departments
(EDs). A report issued by the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare
Association showed that children comprise 26 percent of ED
visits in the state.
“It’s mind-boggling to consider that the University of
Phoenix Cardinals Stadium, which seats
63,400 people, would not hold all of the Arizona children who
are eligible for KidsCare, but not enrolled in the program,”
said Rev. Flaaten. “We believe Feb. 14 will change this
situation and give many more Arizona children a healthy chance.”
For more information about all Love Your Kids events, visit
www.loveyourkidsaz.org
or call Carondelet KidsCare Outreach Coordinator, Renee Perez at
520-873-5042, or KidsCare Statewide Hotline 1-800-352-3792.
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Carondelet Neurological Institute and
Catholic Diocese of Tucson Partner To Present Alzheimer’s
Educational Symposia
Tucson, Arizona – February 4, 2008 - The statistics say it
all! Alzheimer’s is increasing at an alarming rate across our
state and our country. Many families facing the harsh reality
that a loved one has Alzheimer’s know little about the causes,
effects, treatment and prognosis of this debilitating disease.
On March 8, 2008, Carondelet Neurological Institute (CNI) and
the Diocese of Tucson will partner to present the first of a new
community education series, “Living, Loving and Caring for
Families Touched by Alzheimer’s”. Focused on meeting the needs
of family members, caregivers and people coping with
Alzheimer’s, the teams of CNI and the Diocese are bringing
together area professionals who are knowledgeable about
Alzheimer’s and committed to helping all those touched by this
disease.
Attendees will learn about many aspects of Alzheimer’s,
including:
- The Neurology of Alzheimer’s with William Lujan,
MD Neurologist
- Coping Strategies for Caregivers with Kevin
Flanagan, PhD Rehab Psychologist
- Caregiver Strategies for Relaxation and Stress
Reduction with Jack Kriendler, MS Speech Language
Pathologist
- Legal Planning & Elder Law with Tom Curti,
Attorney with Fleming & Curti, P.L.C.
Alzheimer’s is the seventh-leading cause of death in the
United States. You owe it to yourself to become educated. Learn
more about Alzheimer’s and how you can care for your loved ones
and yourself at this educational event. Please join us:
SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2008
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
TUCSON CONVENTION CENTER
260 SOUTH CHURCH
To reserve your seat, please
call 800-278-3245
Admission is $10.00 per person
Resource Exhibitors will be on site
About Carondelet Neurological Institute
With the opening of the Carondelet Neurological Institute (CNI),
Inpatient Center, in spring of 2008, the people of our community
and beyond will have access to lifesaving neuro-services for
stroke, head and spine injury, brain tumors and other
neurological illnesses and conditions. In the coming months,
additional programs of the CNI will open to advance the level of
neurological care with world-class technologies never before
offered in this region.
Statistics, Facts and Figures in this release are
courtesy: National Alzheimer’s Association,
www.alz.org
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Sixty Carondelet Health Network
Nursing Graduates To Be Honored At Pinning Ceremony
Tucson, Arizona – January 17, 2008 – Carondelet Health
Network proudly invites the media to attend a Graduation and
Pinning Ceremony to celebrate the tremendous educational
accomplishments of sixty (60) Carondelet Health Network nursing
graduates.
Graduation and Pinning Ceremony
Saturday, January 19, 2008
10:00 am – 1:00pm
Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital Auditorium
(Basement of St. Joseph’s Hospital)
350 N. Wilmot Road
Tucson, Arizona 85711
These graduates have each earned an Associate, Baccalaureate
or Master of Science
degree from Grand Canyon University, Pima College, or Rio Salado
College.
For several years, Carondelet Health Network has been partnering
with these prestigious
local nursing programs to provide associates the opportunity to
forward his/her nursing
careers. Through this program, Carondelet pays each student’s
tuition as well as
providing hospital-based classroom environments for coursework
and opportunities for
on-site clinical training.
“Nationwide, hospitals are facing a dire nursing shortage,” said
Linda Werbylo, Vice
President of Human Resources for Carondelet Health Network. “We
see these programs
as a recruitment strategy to help CHN attract qualified RNs who
have a desire to advance
in the nursing field, and as a valuable asset in retaining
associates who wish to earn
higher degrees. It shows our nurses we are firmly committed to
their professional
advancement.”
Representatives of Carondelet Health Network, partnering
collegiate nursing programs,
and graduates will all be available for interviews at the event.
Any media entity interested
in attending should contact Lisa Contreras at 520-444-6600 prior
to the ceremony.
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 Carondelet Health Network Names New
CEO of Carondelet Foundation
Tucson, Arizona – January 10, 2008 - Carondelet Health
Network is proud to announce
that Ms. Pamela Doherty, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of
Carondelet Foundation, has
been named the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Former CEO, Jannie Cox, announced her plans to retire more
than a year ago. “Pamela
will bring us new energy and fresh ideas,” stated Cox. “Changes
in leadership are healthy
for any organization, and it’s a good time for the Foundation.”
In 2006, Doherty left her position as Executive Director of
the Center for Planned Giving
at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona to serve as
Chief Operating Officer
for Carondelet Foundation with plans to transition into the CEO
role in January 2008. It
was a coming home of sorts for Doherty, who previously served at
Carondelet
Foundation in a variety of roles from 1993 to 2002.
“I’m thrilled to be here now to step into the role of CEO,”
Doherty said. “One of the
wonderful things about my history at Carondelet Foundation is
that I’ve been involved in
every aspect of fundraising. I love our mission and am grateful
to be working with people
who are so dedicated to fulfilling the promise of that mission
on a daily basis.”
The Board of Trustees of Carondelet conducted a rigorous
national search for Cox’s
replacement. “We are proud to have found such a tremendous
administrator right here at
home in Tucson,” commented Board Chair Dennis Reidy. She is
talented,
knowledgeable about our community and certainly has a
demonstrated commitment to
Carondelet.” According to Sally E. Jeffcoat, Executive Vice
President/Chief Operating
Officer of Healthcare Operations for Ascension Health and former
CEO of Carondelet
Health Network in Tucson, “Doherty is supremely qualified to
step into this role. She has
a deep commitment and a dedication of purpose to Carondelet
Health Network and its
mission of Healthcare That Is Safe, Healthcare That Works, and
Healthcare That Leaves
No One Behind.”
Doherty holds a Masters Degree in Public Health from
University of Arizona, and is a
Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE).
Doherty’s primary focus as CEO will be to focus on strategic
planning, governance issues
and the $35 million capital campaign, “Fulfilling the Promise”,
to ensure the continuity
of Carondelet’s mission. She will also oversee staffs of the
Foundation, Centurions and
Volunteer Services.
Cox will remain with Carondelet Foundation on a part-time
basis with a focus on major
gift fundraising and the title of CEO Emeritus.
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