May 2008 eNews
May 2008
In this issue: Upcoming Events      The New Home of Sanford Research/USD The Sioux Falls landscape is about to dramatically change. Sanford Health will soon break ground on a new Research Park which will easily spur more economic growth in this region. “The Sanford Research Park is a 185 acre planned development located at the southern entrance to Sioux Falls, South Dakota,” says Sanford Health Executive Vice President Dave Link. “It is nestled into the intersection of Interstate 29 and the Interstate 229 business loop that cuts through Sioux Falls.” As part of the Sanford Initiatives brought about by the generous gift given to Sanford Health by Denny Sanford, the park will be home to all of Sanford Research/USD. Watch the Sanford Initiatives video to learn more. “This includes the expansion in basic, translational and clinical programs, and a singular research project addressing a pressing issue affecting the health and well being of the people in this region and people around the globe,” adds Link. In addition to the office and research component, local developers have plans for retail, convention and other lifestyle amenities immediately to the south of the park. Additional residential developments are also planned because of the area’s expected growth. The site has plans for over one million square feet of office, research and light manufacturing buildings as well as walking/biking trails, water features to be developed in an aesthetic and eco-friendly manner. “Research companies are interested in the area because of Sanford’s presence as a world-class provider of healthcare services,” adds Link. With access to over 1.1 million outpatient contacts, 500 bed tertiary care facility, and 130 clinics covering 80,000 square miles, Sanford Health has the clinical data to these support research projects. Sanford’s dedication to world class research along with this high quality, innovative and flexible development will lead to discoveries that will Improve the Human Condition for decades to come. Sanford Research Park
Sanford’s Research Centers
Saved in South Dakota
A heartfelt letter from the Jacobsen's of Geneva, Nebraska  (Sioux Falls, SD) Living in Geneva, Nebraska, Lynda and Roger Jacobsen never expected to be coming to Sioux Falls for surgery. After a cancer diagnosis, the couple discovered Sanford Health and Maria Bell, MD with Sanford Clinic Women’s Health. To show their appreciation, Roger detailed their experience in a heartfelt letter. "In early December last year, my wife Lynda was diagnosed with endometrial cancer and was scheduled for robotic surgery. We live in southeast Nebraska and Omaha appeared to be the logical choice for the surgery. The surgery was re-scheduled to the end of the month due to a fluke laboratory error showing thin blood. We knew we didn’t want to wait weeks for the surgery, so we did an internet search of physicians doing robotic oncology and emailed five or six with a plea for help. A few short hours later, we get a call from Dr. Bell, who not only took the time to read our email, but called us herself to get more information. We were overjoyed with her response time and her willingness to make an appointment with her the very next day. After our appointment, Dr. Bell scheduled surgery. Keep in mind this all happened within four days! At the hospital, everyone was wonderful, as we were treated with so much care and love. High quality care was provided to us throughout our stay. Also, on our last day, the cleaning woman was emptying our trash cans, and we were casually talking to her and asked her how many beds there were in the hospital. She said she didn't know, and we thought no more about it. Then, later in the morning, she came back and told us there were over 400 beds. Amazing... not the number of beds, but the fact that this lady actually took time to find out and get back to us. So you see, from the first person (Dr. Bell) to the very last contact by the cleaning lady, patient care was exceptional. We are all Sanford people now!" Roger Jacobsen, Geneva, NE  Family:
Wife: Kathy; Children: Ryan, 27; Nicholas, 25; Blake, 21
Education:
Medical School: University of Nebraska Medical Center; Residency: Sioux Falls Family Practice Residency
Hometown:
Sterling, NE
Sanford birthday:
May 1983
Favorite color M&M:
Red
Favorite hunting & fishing spot:
Chamberlain
Favorite football team:
Nebraska Cornhuskers – It’s been a long two three years to see them have trouble.
Favorite movies::
I always liked Doctor Zhivago. I like the Russian setting and the trials he went through. Then there’s Ghostbusters – who would’ve thought of that story line.
Favorite music:
Moody Blues, Classic & Modern Country Western Physician Spotlight
In your 25 years at Sanford, emergency medicine made a lot of advances since you started in 1983.Emergency medicine just began then, not only in South Dakota, but in the United States. It evolved in the 1980s and 1990s into its own specialty. We used to just manage patients through a heart attack and now we are to the point where transport systems get people here early, not only to Sioux Falls, but other areas. Trauma care developed and outside the hospital EMS systems progressed with their knowledge and ability to safely transport patients. Another thing, the ER became the center for interventions for strokes or babies with sepsis (blood poisoning). What do you think patients do not realize about emergency care?Some times they perceive waiting as downtime, but their nurse is busy sorting their case or the radiologist is interpreting a scan. There’s always something going on with their care. One of the big issues for an ER physician is the nature of 24-hour work. When we started we did two out of three weekends. Now, as a minimum we work every other weekend, and some times you might be sleeping in the morning to catch up from an evening shift. A typical day, if you’re working, you work. If you’re at home, you do home activities. So what do you do on those days at home, when not catching up on sleep?I do outdoor activities and living on an acreage, I do a little part-time farming. We’ve been very involved with our kids in school activities and parts of booster clubs. Plus, I just finished with serving 15 years on the Dell Rapids School Board. What do you like best about working in Trauma 5?You’re involved in people’s urgent complaints and it’s a branch of medicine all its own. Most people tell you they don’t’ want to see you, but they’re glad you’re there. For more information on Dr. Harms call (605) 333-7188. Sanford Employees Shave Heads for Co-Worker
 (Sioux Falls, SD)Over two dozen employees from Sanford Health shaved their heads to help a co-worker fighting brain cancer. Gordy Gunderson is an Adult Critical Care Supervisor for Respiratory Therapy at Sanford USD Medical Center. He’s been with the department for more than 25 years. Five months ago, Gunderson was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He has had surgery to remove a portion of the tumor as well as radiation and chemotherapy. The head shaving event was held to show support to gunderson and his family and to raise funds to help defray medical and other expenses. 
Sanford Health Announces Sanford Adrian Care Center
(Adrian, MN) Arnold Memorial Healthcare Center in Adrian, Minnesota has changed its name to Sanford Adrian Care Center. The name change for the long-term care further enhances the relationship between Sanford Adrian Care Center and Sanford Health. “There is a lot of strength in the Sanford organization and name. We’ve had a formal relationship since 1998, but this new facility name connects us even more to this progressive healthcare system,” said Gayle Funk, CEO for Sanford Adrian Care Center. To honor Elmer Arnold, MD, a rose garden near the long-term care center will be planted in his honor. Dr. Arnold served as a general practitioner in the Adrian community for over 40 years. “In addition to medicine, Dr. Arnold loved gardening, especially roses,” added Funk. ”We hope this garden will bring joy to our residents and to the people of Adrian as well as honor his legacy.”   (Sioux Falls, SD) Sanford USD Medical Center is helping to develop the healthcare workforce with a donation to Southeast Technical Institute in Sioux Falls. While upgrading equipment in the catheterization lab to keep up with the latest technology, hospital leaders discovered an opportunity to donate the old equipment to the technical school. The donation of a Bi-Plane Cath Lab will support the continuing education of those students who could potentially become Sanford employees. “This is a great investment in students so they can simulate training on real and functioning equipment, and it continues to support our strong relationship with Southeast Technical Institute for our future workforce development,” said Charles “Pat” O’Brien, MD, President of Sanford USD Medical Center. The Bi-Plane Cath Lab donation includes over a dozen pieces of equipment and is valued at $300,000. Sanford Chairman's Grant Awards $200,000 for Rural Healthcare
 Sanford Health congratulates the recipients of the 2008 Chairman’s Grant as they dedicate themselves to improving and enhancing the healthcare services provided to their patients. Community Memorial Hospital - $50, 000 Niobrara Valley Hospital - $40,000 Sanford Sheldon Medical Center - $30,000 Sanford Webster Medical Center - $50,000 Sanford Westbrook Medical Center - $20,000 Windom Area Hospital - $10,000 Sanford Women Honored for their Leadership
(Sioux Falls, SD) Women of Excellence - Sanford Clinic Executive Vice President Jacquie Kluck was given the Women Mentoring Women award during the annual Sales and Marketing Executives, Inc. Women in Business Event in May. Other Women of Excellence nominees from Sanford Health were: Angela McCarvel, Mary Ryan, Karen Tobin and Marcine Forrette. YWCA Tribute to Women - During the annual YWCA Tribute to Women event in March, two Sanford women were honored. Maria Bell, MD with Sanford Clinic Women’s Health was honored with a YWCA Tribute to Women Award in the Healthcare and Human Services category. Keila Smith, an administrative assistant at Sanford USD Medical Center, was awarded a YWCA Tribute to Women Award in the Administrative Professional category. Other YWCA Tribute to Women nominees from Sanford Health were: Adela Casas-Melley, MD, Jan Burnette, Arlene Kampshoff, Mary Nelson, Maxine Herr, Sharon Hunt, Jacquie Kluck and Kris Denevan. Sanford Canby Employees Honored for their Work with Seniors
 Shirley Wernisch and Karen Bindert (Canby, MN) Sanford Canby employees Shirley Wernisch and Karen Bindert recently received awards from Minnesota’s largest organization of older adult services professionals for their service to Senior Haven. Senior Haven is a long term care facility in Canby, Minnesota and is part of Sanford Canby Medical Center. The Minnesota Health and Housing Alliance (MHHA) honored Wernish as the District E Volunteer of the Year. Wernisch worked as a nursing assistant for Senior Haven from 1978 until her retirement in 2001. Then, she traded a paycheck for a volunteer badge. Karen Bindert, a 28-year veteran nursing assistant, was honored by MHHA as the District E Caregiver of the Year. Bindert is a lead certified nursing assistant at Senior Haven.
Windom Area Hospital & Sanford Jackson Receive Grants to Enhance Patient Care
 (Windom, MNH) Windom Area Hospital has been awarded a $125,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Health’s Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant Program. The funds will be used to purchase a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) for the Imaging/Radiology department. A PACS system will be installed by early fall and will allow Windom Area Hospital to become a filmless service provider. Sanford Jackson will soon be getting a new radiology machine thanks to a Capital Improvement Grant from the Minnesota Department of Health. Sanford Jackson Medical Center administers over 2000 diagnostic x-rays per year for hospital patients and patients from their attached clinic. |
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