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 Greenville Regional Hospital Auxiliary members presented a record-setting donation of $276,000 Tuesday evening to Greenville Regional Hospital officials.
The contribution moved the Auxiliary past the $3 million level in total giving to Greenville Regional Hospital and Fair Oaks, the hospital’s skilled nursing center. The Greenville Regional Hospital Auxiliary is the largest charitable contributor to the two healthcare facilities.
Monies donated at the Auxiliary’s first meeting of the year will help complete the organization’s pledge to the Laboratory expansion and renovation project. Additional funds will be designated for the renovation and expansion of the Imaging Services Department and the mammography suite.
Increased patient volume has created the need for both the Laboratory and Imaging Services renovation projects. The Greenville Regional Hospital Laboratory Department experienced an increase in diagnostic procedures last year, conducting a record 91,694 procedures. Once renovation of the Laboratory is complete, the Greenville Regional Hospital Imaging Services Department will also be expanded and renovated. The Imaging Services department administered 27,080 procedures in 2007.
Auxiliary members voted in 2006 to pledge a total of $600,000 to the renovation of the hospital’s Laboratory and Imaging Services departments. The pledge extended through January of 2008. The first installment of the pledge was made in 2006. This year’s donation is the third and final installment for the Laboratory project.
$71,705 will be earmarked for completion of the new Laboratory. The larger and renovated Laboratory was occupied in 2007. The cost of the Laboratory construction was estimated to be $1.68 million.
$203,045 is designated for the expansion and renovation of the hospital’s Imaging Services Department. The price tag for the Imaging Services project is approximately $1.4 million. Construction activities associated with the Imaging Services project are currently underway.
For the sixth consecutive year, receipts from a booth at the annual Greenville Regional Hospital Auxiliary Holiday Bazaar were designated for cancer awareness and/or treatment. The “For Women Only Booth,” generated approximately $1,250, which will be donated for renovation of the mammography suite.
For many years, Greenville Regional Hospital has offered low-cost mammogram screenings, year round. A mammogram screening and interpretation by a radiologist costs only $109. Last year, 1,965 mammograms were performed.
Since its formation in 1957 the Auxiliary has donated $3,090,516 to Greenville Regional Hospital and Fair Oaks, the hospital’s adjoining 108-bed skilled nursing facility. Fundraising milestones achieved by the Auxiliary include surpassing the $1 million mark in 1999 and the $2 million mark in 2004.
It took from 1957, when the Auxiliary was formed, to 1999 for the organization to raise $1 million. Five years later, in 2004, the Auxiliary surpassed the $2 million plateau. Just four years later, the Greenville Regional Hospital Auxiliary has raised another $1 million, bringing their total giving to over $3,090,000.
Accepting the check from Auxiliary President Nancy Machmer and Auxiliary Treasurer Sharon Ahern were: Morris “Buddy” Bond, Chairman of the Greenville Regional Hospital Board of Directors; Greenville Regional Hospital President and CEO Jim Hayes; Greenville Regional Hospital Chief Financial Officer Jerry Graber; and Greenville Regional Hospital Director of Advancement and Communication Ryan Mifflin.
Tuesday’s general membership meeting was conducted at Cheri’s Garden Room on the Greenville square. Reports on the operation of the Auxiliary in 2007 were presented during the meeting and new officers were installed.
New officers for 2008-2009 include: Joyce Keillor, President; Edie Gaffner, First-Vice President; Pam Tompkins, Corresponding Secretary; and Kathy Farnsworth; Historian.
Some years ago, Joyce Keillor served as an Auxiliary officer. Pam Tompkins and Kathy Farnsworth previously served as Hospital Auxiliary officers.
Sharon Ahern was re-elected Tuesday night to the position of Auxiliary Treasurer. She has held the position for a number of years.
Officers continuing to serve are Nancy Machmer, Immediate Past-President; Wanda Cooper, Second Vice-President; and Lida Vieregge, Recording Secretary.
Auxiliary membership for 2007 included approximately 820 individuals.
The American Hospital Association (AHA), in partnership with the Illinois Hospital Association (IHA), today awarded Alan Gaffner, Director of Legislative Affairs and Volunteer Service, Greenville Regional Hospital, with the 2008 Partnership for Action Grassroots Champion Award. Gaffner is being recognized for his exceptional leadership in generating grassroots and community activity in support of a hospital’s mission.
The AHA Grassroots Champion Award recognizes one hospital leader from each state who most effectively educates elected officials on how major issues impact the hospital’s vital role in the community, who has done an exemplary job in broadening the base of community support for the hospital, and who is a tireless advocate for both the hospital and its patients.
“Your leadership and dedication to advancing the mission of America’s hospitals has made a difference for the patients and communities we serve,” said Rich Umbdenstock, AHA president and CEO. “This special recognition acknowledges the compassion and hard work you have demonstrated as an advocate for better health and better health care in America.”
“Alan Gaffner is a dedicated hospital advocate and civic leader whose efforts and diligence on critical health care issues such as Medicare and Medicaid ensure that his legislators understand how their decisions will impact his hospital and the rural community it serves,” said IHA President Ken Robbins. “Alan has created a special bond between his hospital and the elected officials in his area – speaking directly from the heart about his hospital, patients, employees and volunteers. He also serves as Greenville’s mayor. A true partner with IHA, his professionalism and sincerity reflect a grassroots advocate who is deeply committed to his community and to Greenville Regional Hospital.”
Gaffner has served on IHA’s legislative council and has been a member of the Association’s public relations and government relations groups.
Winners of the AHA Grassroots Champion Award are chosen by state associations and recognized at a special Breakfast of Grassroots Champions at the AHA Annual Membership Meeting. Gaffner was one of 51 individuals honored this year. Approximately 3,100 to 3,200 people attended Greenville Regional Hospital’s annual health fair, held Friday at the Greenville First United Methodist Church. A final number of blood tests performed in conjunction with the event is still being tallied.
Over 40 national, state, and local organizations and exhibitors participated in the twenty-ninth annual event, which many consider to be one of the finest in the St. Louis metropolitan area.
A health fair, by definition, is an event where health testing and information are made available to the community. The event is not designed to replace regular visits with your physician. It can be, however, an excellent tool for the early detection of illness or potential health problems.
Participants were offered the opportunity to have comprehensive blood tests performed at discounted prices. The blood tests include a complete blood chemistry, a cardiac risk profile, an anemia test, a complete blood count, tests for kidney and liver diseases as well as other illnesses, and a thyroid test, offered for $30. This comprehensive test normally costs $487, a savings of 94 percent.
A special price of $40 was offered for men wanting both the comprehensive blood test and the Prostate-Specific Antigen blood test. This combined test normally costs $595, a savings of 93 percent.
Many individuals who have participated in the Greenville Regional Hospital Health Fair have learned of personal health problems by taking advantage of the comprehensive blood tests. Several individuals credit the test with saving their lives by detecting illnesses and diseases that showed no symptoms.
Blood test results will be mailed to participants in four to six weeks. Those with life-threatening blood test results have already been contacted. Participants are urged to keep one copy of the blood test results for their personal records and take the carbon copy to their primary care physician for review.
Greenville Regional Hospital lab technologists, phlebotomists, and nurses; Bond County Emergency Medical Services technicians; Fair Oaks nurses; nurses from McCracken, Dawdy, Hall Family Practice Center and Greenville Medical Associates; staff from LabCorp and the Glenwood Estates; and volunteer phlebotomists performed the tests.
Many blood test recipients commented on the exceptionally short wait times for the blood tests again this year.
In addition to the low-cost blood tests, thirteen free health tests were also offered at Health Fair 2008, including screenings for cataracts, glaucoma, and scoliosis; hearing, vision, pulmonary function, and hand grip-strength testing; height, weight, body fat composition, and blood pressure screenings; video ear inspections; and oral health screening.
Bone density testing, available for $5 at the health fair, once again proved to be a popular offering. 322 individuals participated in the testing.
Another popular booth was a new offering this year: the File of Life program, provided by pharmacy students from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. “This event has gone really well,” said Jeremy Hanon, of Highland, a third year pharmacy student. “We have had a steady flow of people stopping by and everyone is eager to participate. It’s a great benefit to us, as future pharmacists, to interact with the public and see how much they know about the medications they’re taking.”
The File of Life program assures that rescue personnel can quickly retrieve important medical information for patients they are assisting. Students help community members fill out a form that is kept on their refrigerator door, in an easily accessible magnet pocket. The form provides space to list contact information for the doctor, medications including dose and frequency, immunization history, medical conditions, and describes any other special circumstances that rescue personnel should know in the care of a patient.
Students from Kaskaskia College also assisted with some of the tests provided at the health fair.
Health Fair organizers credited several groups with the success of the event. Greenville Regional Hospital Director of Legislative Affairs & Volunteer Services Alan Gaffner praised the hard work of the 275-300 volunteers involved. “This is a very large event and a great deal of planning goes into it,” said Gaffner. In addition to the volunteers involved in health fair planning and set-up, many receive special training and assist in conducting various health tests and screenings. Volunteers will assist with mailing health fair results in the coming weeks, as well.
Greenville Regional Hospital Director of Advancement & Communication Ryan Mifflin said, “We greatly appreciate all of the time and effort put into the health fair by each and every hospital staff member, volunteer, and exhibitor who participated. This is truly a community effort and many organizations play a role in its success.”
Health Fair volunteer Doug Ambuehl, of Greenville, commented, “This is about the sixth year I’ve helped with the health fair. I’m retired and I have the time and I think it’s a great cause. I enjoy working with friends and seeing people I don’t regularly get to visit with. This is an excellent event and I’m happy to be associated with it.”
Another volunteer, Brent Whittaker, of Greenville, echoed those comments, saying: “I enjoy meeting new people and seeing familiar faces every year. This is an excellent outreach tool for the hospital. This event is truly by the community and for the community.”
Lissette Ehrat, of Shobonier participated in Friday’s health fair for the first time in several years. “It’s been a few years for me,” Ehrat said. “But my husband had some blood test done recently through his doctor, which cost over $600, so I thought I should take advantage of the savings available through the health fair. This is a very well organized program and very efficient. I also appreciate all of the information and tests that are available.”
Greenville resident Irene Frank is a regular health fair attendee. “I come for my health,” said Frank. “I found out that I had colon cancer through the extensive blood test. After reviewing the results, my doctor could tell that something was wrong and further testing showed it to be colon cancer. My physician and I credit the health fair for helping me beat the disease,”
In order for medical professionals, exhibitors, and volunteers to offer continuous health testing and services, lunch was donated by area businesses. Greenville Regional Hospital Auxiliary volunteers Betty Hinton and Judy Debatin coordinated the food contributions.
Businesses providing donations included: First Bank, Alco, the Bakery Nook, Powhattan, Raceway Pizza, CVS, Dairy Queen, Midland States Bank, Capri IGA, Casey’s, Bradford National Bank, McDonalds, Lubobs, CC Food Mart, Red Apple, Steve Schmitt Motors, Inc., Subway, Watson’s, Gotta Go Wings N Things, Domino’s, National Bank, KFC, Wayne’s Produce, and Funderburk’s Grill & Deli.
The Greenville Police Department has participated in the health fair for over 20 years, distributing “Child Information Packets” to interested parents. Each packet includes fingerprints, pictures, DNA samples, and other pertinent information that could be used to locate a missing child. Greenville Police Sergeant Deb Keserauskis commented, “Not only does the health fair help us serve parents through the child safety packets, it also gives kids a chance to visit with us. Many times, children can be intimidated by police officers because of what they see on television. But by meeting us in person at events like the health fair, they can see that we are friendly and they know we’re here to help them. It’s a good rapport-building tool.”
Anna Oestreich, of the Bond County Senior Center, hosted a booth at the health fair. “We’re providing information on insurance issues, Medicare, Illinois Cares Rx, and options for prescription drug assistance,” said Oestreich. “We’ve been a part of the health fair for many years and it gives us a great chance to provide information to a large number of people. It gives us good access to caregivers, as well, which is a population that we don’t often have access to as a group. It’s nice to be able to provide information to caregivers and families who may be involved in care issues.”
Jim Coode, an income development representative for the American Cancer Society, manned a booth for that organization. “The American Cancer Society has participated in the health fair for many years, but this is my first time. I’m very impressed by this event. The turnout is amazing and there are people from such a wide area!”
Participants from Bond and surrounding counties attended Health Fair 2008. As usual, many attendees traveled from throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area to participate in the health fair.
Greenville Regional Hospital recently received “resource hospital” designation from the Illinois Department of Public Health. As a resource hospital, Greenville Regional Hospital will now be able to implement and follow its own policies and procedures in regard to treatment administered aboard Bond County Emergency Medical Services ambulances.
“In the past, Greenville Regional Hospital fell under the umbrella of St. John’s Hospitals out of Springfield,” explained Bond County EMS Manager Tom Hoffmann, B/A, EMT-P, Lead Instructor. “When we respond to an emergency scene, the paramedics aboard the ambulance receive orders from the hospital regarding treatment and administration of medication. While these orders came from a Greenville Regional Hospital Emergency Department physician, we were considered an associate hospital of St. John’s Springfield Area Mobile Intensive Care (SAMIC) system. The policies and procedures we followed had been put into place by SAMIC.”
In addition to his regular duties as manager of Bond County Emergency Medical Services, Hoffmann will also serve as the EMS System Coordinator for the Greenville Regional Hospital EMS System.
The application process was a lengthy one, which began in 2005. Hoffmann expressed his gratitude to the hospital administration and to each member of the Bond County Emergency Medical Services and Greenville Regional Hospital Emergency Department staffs for their assistance throughout the application process. The application was unanimously approved by the state’s Region IV Advisory Committee. Once regional approval was established, Greenville Regional Hospital requested approval from the Illinois Department of Public Health, which was granted.
Sen. Frank Watson (R-Greenville) assisted hospital officials in obtaining the “resource hospital” designation. “Greenville Regional Hospital continues to improve its services to our community and beyond,” Sen. Watson said. “The staff worked diligently to receive the necessary approvals which will benefit patients in the long run.”
In addition to setting its own policies and procedures, Greenville Regional Hospital will now be qualified as a “training center,” for local first responder organizations. These organizations can also enter into agreements with Greenville Regional Hospital to be placed under the facility’s umbrella of authority, similar to the hospital’s former designation under the authority of St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. Greenville Regional Hospital has welcomed three physicians to its Outpatient Specialty Clinic.
Barry Zeffren, M.D., an allergist from Glen Carbon sees patients monthly at Greenville Regional Hospital. He treats patients suffering from allergic rhinitis, which includes hay fever-like symptoms, eczema and skin allergies, food allergies, bee stings, and both allergy and non-allergy related asthma. Dr. Zeffren also conducts allergy testing.
Zeffren received his medical degree from the St. Louis University School of Medicine and is board-certified in internal medicine and allergy and immunology. Dr. Zeffren completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at Washington University in St. Louis and a fellowship in allergy and clinical immunology at the St. Louis University School of Medicine. He has been in private practice since 1984.
Urologist P.D. Nayak, M.D., of Effingham, also holds monthly office hours in the clinic.
Dr. Nayak is a diplomat of the American Board of Urology and a fellow of the American Society of Abdominal Surgeons. He graduated from medical school in India and completed an internship at Princeton Hospital in Princeton New Jersey. Dr. Nayak also completed a residency program in general surgery and a residency program in urology at Millard Fillmore Hospital in Buffalo, New York. He has been in private practice at Effingham Urology Associates in Effingham since 1977.
Effective April 17th, Greenville Regional Hospital now offers an endocrinology clinic. Endocrinologists Smita Gupta, M.D. and Suzan Gharaibeh, M.D., of Springfield, see patients monthly in the Outpatient Specialty Clinic.
As endocrinologists, Dr Gupta and Dr. Gharaibeh are specially trained to manage and treat disorders of the endocrine system, which consists of small organs and glands throughout the body. The endocrine system is used in regulating metabolism; growth and development; tissue function; and mood. Common diseases of the endocrine system include diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, and obesity.
Dr. Smita Gupta attended medical school in Rajasthan, India and completed internships at P.B.M. Hospital/Sardar Patel Medical College in India and Temple University/Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Dr. Gupta also completed a residency at Temple University. Additionally, he served as chief resident at Temple University and as a volunteer physician at Johnstown Free Medical Clinic in Pennsylvania. Gupta currently serves as assistant professor of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Molecular Medicine at the Southern Illinois School of Medicine in Springfield and hosts a clinic in Springfield.
Dr. Suzan Gharaibeh attended medical school at the Jordan University of Science and Technology; completed a residency at the Hospital of Saint Raphael, part of the Yale University School of Medicine; completed an endocrinology fellowship at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield; and now serves as an assistant professor of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Molecular Medicine at the Southern Illinois School of Medicine. Additionally, surgeon Jose Diaz, M.D., who formerly practiced at Greenville Regional Hospital as an independent contractor officially joined the hospital staff January 1, placing his practice under the hospital’s management. For a complete listing of physicians and services available at Greenville Regional Hospital, contact Director of Advancement & Communication Ryan Mifflin at 618.664.1230, x3006 or rmifflin@grhinc.org.The Greenville Regional Hospital Education Department will host its monthly Dementia Caregivers Support Group Tuesday evening, February 19th at 6 p.m. in the hospital’s Community Room. Registration is not required and there is no fee to attend. Refreshments will be served.
Midland States Bank of Greenville will present a program on identity theft called “Will the Real John Doe Please Come Forward?”. Attendees will learn what identity theft is, what information identity thieves are looking for, steps to take to protect yourself from identity theft, where to go for help, and additional facts and resources.
The Greenville Regional Hospital Dementia Caregiver’s Support Group meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the hospital’s Community Room. For more information, please call the Greenville Regional Hospital Education Department at 618.664.1230, x3551.
“Dementia is a deterioration of one’s memory, concentration, and judgment skills, generally resulting from some type of brain disorder, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s dementia, or organic brain disease,” said Greenville Regional Hospital Education Assistant Jackie Oberg, who leads the monthly group. Oberg said, “This group will be open to anyone caring for a loved one suffering from any type of dementia, whether it is in the early stages or more developed. The group will focus on educating the caregivers about various types of dementia, being aware of behavior changes in individuals with dementia, reducing caregiver stress, and other lighthearted activities.”
Individuals with loved ones residing in nursing homes who suffer from dementia are also welcome to the group. “Even though they may not be that person’s primary care provider, they still care about and are concerned about their loved one, and they are affected by what their loved one is going through. These meetings will be open to anyone who wants to learn more about dementia, how to care for a loved one suffering from dementia, and/or how to cope with the stress related to care-giving.”
In addition to the Dementia Caregiver’s Support Group, Greenville Regional Hospital also hosts a Diabetic Support Group the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Emerald Pointe and a Parkinson’s Disease Support Group, which meets the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. in the hospital’s Community Room.
For more information on the Dementia Caregivers Support Group, the Parkinson’s Disease Support Group, or the Diabetes Support Group, contact Greenville Regional Hospital Education Department at 618.664.1230, x3551. Greenville Regional Hospital announces a small, but important, name change for their inpatient mental health services for older adults. That department will now be known as the Senior Behavioral Health Unit.
"Previously, the name was Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit," states Julie Womack, Program Manager. "Our program welcomes individuals aged 55 and above. As people live longer, and have healthier, more active lives, the word "Geriatric" just doesn't apply - not only to the people in their mid-50s, but to older individuals as well."
The program is entering its fourth year of service to adults who are suffering from behavioral health problems, such as depression, memory loss, anxiety, or confused thinking. When there is a growing inability to cope with many of life's stressors, and daily living skills are declining or unsafe, evaluation and treatment in a setting devoted to these issues can be of great assistance to the patient and their family.
Patients receive a comprehensive medical and psychological evaluation, and the staf
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