Category Archives: Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital

Ready, Set, Fore: Lee Memorial Foundation To Hold Eighth-Annual Golf Outing July 13

0
Posted by Lew Tysman on May 18, 2012 – 11:32 am
Filed under Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital
Karen Judd at Spruce Ridge Golf Club in Dowagiac.

DOWAGIAC, MI – The Lee Memorial Foundation invites and encourages the community to tee off at its eighth-annual golf outing on Friday, July 13.

The 2012 scramble event will again be held at Spruce Ridge Golf Club in Dowagiac. Registration begins at 9 a.m., with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. Entry is $50 per person, which includes 18 holes of golf with cart, lunch, bottled water, and the opportunity to win cash prizes for the longest drive (male and female), closest to the pin (male and female) and $10,000 in the Hole-In-One Contest (sponsored by Preferred Printing, Inc.).

“It’s the perfect excuse to enjoy the summer weather, along with the company of your coworkers and friends,” said Karen Judd, chair, Lee Memorial Foundation Board of Trustees. “Plus, those joining us will support a very worthy cause: Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital.” Proceeds from the golf outing will benefit the hospital by funding the purchase of a ventilator, Hoyer Lift (patient lift), specialized machinery for surgery and other equipment as needed.

Don’t miss your chance to win some green on the green! This year’s entry deadline is July 2 and participation is limited to the first 36 foursomes. To register your team, or learn more about corporate sponsorships, call (269) 783.3026 or e-mail bethcripe@borgess.com.

Bob Schuur Retires From Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital After 55 Years Of Service

0
Posted by Lew Tysman on May 8, 2012 – 7:00 pm
Filed under Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital
After 55 years of dedicated service to Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital, Bob Schuur has retired.

DOWAGIAC, MI – After 55 years of dedicated service to Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital, Bob Schuur has retired.

“Few people today can say they’ve worked at the same place for over five decades,” said Joy Strand, administrator and chief operating officer, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital. “Bob will be greatly missed. He always went the extra mile, whether it was delivering a precise image to aid a radiologist in making an important diagnosis for a patient, or simply offering someone a much-needed smile or laugh. It has been a true honor knowing and working with him, and we wish him much happiness in his retirement.”

Schuur served as a radiology technologist (RT) at Borgess-Lee, taking routine x-rays and computerized tomography (CT) scans. He also supervised RT students at the hospital during his tenure. Besides passing his boards and achieving his registry, Schuur’s most-memorable moment at Borgess-Lee was celebrating his fiftieth anniversary at a special ceremony with his mother at his side.

In retirement, he plans to travel and finish up his “man cave,” which will house his extensive M&M’s collection.

“It’s been a privilege working at Borgess-Lee with so many wonderful, caring people,” Schuur said. “I consider you all my second family. It has been a blast, and the 55 years have gone by so quickly.”

Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital Honors Nurses During National Nurses Week, May 6-12

0
Posted by Lew Tysman on May 8, 2012 – 3:06 pm
Filed under Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital
Photo Caption: (left to right) Jean Brosnan, SCU/Medical Surgical Unit Coordinator, Pam Grosvenor, Perioperative Unit Coordinator, Kari Adam, Director of Clinical Services, Katie Brick, Chief Nursing Officer, and Alisha Brandau, Clinical Nurse Leader.

DOWAGIAC, MI – Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital will celebrate and honor its nurses during National Nurses Week, May 6-12.

“Florence [Nightingale] understood the value of nursing, from compassion and caring to the science and critical-thinking components,” said Katie Brick, chief nursing officer, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital. “Nurses at Borgess-Lee give high-quality patient care through both compassion and exceptional outcomes. On behalf of our organization, I wish to thank our nurses for their dedication and talents.”

Every year, National Nurses Week focuses attention on the diverse ways America’s 3.1 million registered nurses work to save lives and improve the health of countless individuals. National Nurses Week begins on May 6, marked as National Nurses Day, and ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of nursing as a modern profession. The American Nurses Association, through its 54 constituent member associations, advances the profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting economic and general welfare, advocating for a positive and realistic view of nursing, and lobbying Congress and the regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital pays tribute to its dedicated nursing staff, which includes the following individuals:

  • Linda Baker-Bynum, Special Care Unit
  • Julia Bement, Medical/Surgical Unit
  • Bernice Berg, Medical/Surgical Unit
  • Jeanine Berry, Medical/Surgical Unit
  • Lauren Blue, Special Care Unit
  • Alisha Brandau, Nursing Administration
  • Katie Brick, Nursing Administration
  • Latrice Brooks, Medical Group Shared Expense
  • Ariel Nicole Brooks-Ashcraft, Emergency Room
  • Jean Brosnan, Special Care and Medical/Surgical Units
  • Danyell Burrus, Medical/Surgical Unit
  • Joni Campbell, Special Care Unit
  • Audrey Carlson, Surgery
  • Julie Cline, Surgery
  • Gail Collard, Medical/Surgical Unit
  • Megan Covyeou, Special Care Unit
  • Estelle Daniel, Medical/Surgical Unit
  • Deborah Davis, Infection Control
  • Nancy Dunn, Surgery
  • Shelaigh Elrod, Emergency Room
  • Lisa Faunce, Borgess Lee Medical Group-Cass
  • Michael Fellner, Emergency Room
  • Gwendolyn Finney, Case Management
  • Marcus Gardiner, Surgery
  • Kim Gizzi, Nursing Administration
  • Ruth Goodsite, Recovery Room
  • Pamela Grosvenor, Surgery
  • Tracy Groth, Emergency Room
  • Ryan Hagley, Special Care Unit
  • Kimberly Huff, Medical/Surgical Unit
  • Dwight Huslin, Medical/Surgical Unit
  • Elizabeth Johnson, Medical/Surgical Unit
  • Ashleigh Dawn Karn, Medical/Surgical Unit
  • Mary Ann Kidman, Quality Improvement
  • Shelley Klug, Surgery
  • Caroline Kusa, Emergency Room
  • Lonzo Lamb, Special Care Unit
  • Susan Lorts, House Supervisor
  • Amy Jo Lubbert, Surgery
  • Angela Grace Marazita-Yado, Emergency Room
  • Season Marinich, Emergency Room
  • Joseph Mashni, Borgess Lee Medical Group-Dowagiac
  • Holly McDonald, Medical/Surgical Unit
  • Candice Miller, Medical/Surgical Unit
  • Elizabeth Minikel, Surgery
  • Heather Moore, Emergency Room
  • Carolyn Mosier, House Supervisor
  • Bonita O’Reilly, Borgess Lee Medical Group-Cass
  • Dawn Orpurt, Emergency Room
  • Bob Peacock, Surgery
  • Konni Plue, House Supervisor
  • Donna Proshwitz, Special Care Unit
  • Johna Radford, House Supervisor
  • Rebecca Raschke, Medical/Surgical Unit
  • Patricia Reist, House Supervisor
  • Katrina Rosenthal, Emergency Room
  • Judith Saltzman, Medical/Surgical Unit
  • Julie Scott, Emergency Room
  • Eileen Shields, Surgery
  • Angela Soder, Special Care Unit
  • Suzanne Suseland. Medical/Surgical Unit
  • Andrew Tipton, Emergency Room
  • Kim Torres, Borgess Lee Medical Group-Dowagiac
  • Mary Tumbleson, Medical/Surgical Unit
  • Alisa Vohs, Emergency Room
  • Mandi Vollmer, Surgery
  • Kirsten Weckwerth, Special Care Unit
  • Della Wooden, Special Care Unit
  • Margaret Woollet, Special Care Unit
  • Gary Worley, Emergency Room

Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital Honors Volunteers at Appreciation Luncheon

0
Posted by Lew Tysman on May 2, 2012 – 10:31 am
Filed under Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital

DOWAGIAC, MI – Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital recently held a volunteer luncheon to recognize all those who donate their time and talents.

Harriet Abshagen, Pat Ganger and Mary Ownby received special recognition for reaching the milestone of 500 hours of volunteer service. Their names now appear on a special plaque in the hospital’s main hallway. Jeanette Coy, Pam Karasek, Mary Karasek and Natalie Springsteen were also acknowledged for accumulating 100 to 249 hours of service.

“We thank our volunteers for their remarkable gifts of time, talent and energy,” said Joy Strand, administrator and chief operating officer, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital. “In 2011, our volunteers donated 4,635 hours of service to the hospital. Each and every day, they touch lives and lift spirits, and for their continued generosity, we are sincerely grateful.” Read More »

Lee Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Healthcare Education Scholarship Awarded To Shelley Klug And Pamela Grosvenor

0
Posted by Lew Tysman on April 26, 2012 – 5:24 pm
Filed under Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital

DOWAGIAC, MI – Shelley Klug, registered nurse (RN), and Pamela Grosvenor, RN, have received this year’s Lee Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Healthcare Education Scholarship in the amount of $500.

Klug works in Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital’s surgery department. She recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ferris State University and will continue her nursing education there by pursuing her master’s degree. “I strive to give our patients the very best,” she said. “I’m proud to work at a place that promotes furthering education to provide excellent, up-to-date nursing care.” Read More »

Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital Bids Farewell to Mary Ketchum After 18 Years of Service

0
Posted by Lew Tysman on April 24, 2012 – 4:45 pm
Filed under Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital

DOWAGIAC, MI – Mary Ketchum will retire this month after 18 years of service at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital.

“Mary has always been a strong advocate for our patients,” said Joy Strand, administrator and chief operating officer, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital. “From delivering antibiotics to providing pain management to giving a simple prayer or hug, her dedication to those we serve will be greatly missed.”

Ketchum started nursing school at age 40, while raising five children as a single parent. She has served as a floor nurse at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital since January of 1994. During her career, she has also worked in hospice and assisted a midwife, caring for those facing the beginning and end of their lives. “I felt like I had come full circle, from birth to death,” she said. “Both are very rewarding, spiritual experiences.” Read More »

Spring Forward And Support Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital’s Book Fair

0
Posted by Lew Tysman on April 18, 2012 – 9:00 am
Filed under Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital

DOWAGIAC, MI – Spring forward with the gift of good health by joining Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital for its semiannual book fair on Friday, April 27, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sponsored by the Lee Memorial Foundation, the event’s proceeds will again benefit the hospital. Held on the first floor, the book fair will feature adult and children’s hardback and paperback books of various genres, such as novels, history books, bestsellers, cookbooks and autobiographies.

In addition to books, CDs, children’s reading activities and toys, as well as stationery and other writing products, will be available. Items will be sold for up to 70-percent off retail prices. Acceptable payment forms will include cash, check, major credit cards, and for hospital employees, payroll deduction. For more information, call (269) 783.3083.

Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital Hosts Free Women’s Health Fair May 4

0
Posted by Lew Tysman on April 13, 2012 – 2:00 pm
Filed under Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital

DOWAGIAC, MI—To give women the TLC they deserve, but often don’t find the time to receive, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital will host its annual Women’s Health Fair on Friday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the multi-specialty clinic on the first floor. 

This year’s event will give women the opportunity to shop, enjoy food samples and even relax with a free massage. Local restaurants and other vendors will sell food, flowers, jewelry, and more in a tented area located in Farr Park. Women can also take advantage of a wide variety of free health information and screenings, from blood pressure and blood sugar testing to back health and dental education to beauty tips.  

“The fair offers a little something for everyone,” said Alisha Brandau, clinical nurse leader, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital. “Combined with shopping, eating and screenings, throughout the day, we’re offering four 15-minute health presentations.” Read More »

Dr. James Wierman’s regional and international efforts are recognized with Borgess Lamplighter Award

0
Posted by Lew Tysman on April 4, 2012 – 4:32 pm
Filed under Borgess Foundation, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital

KALAMAZOO MI–He teaches and is on the board of the Episcopal University of Haiti, a four-year baccalaureate School of Nursing, and repeatedly visits Haiti to serve the poor and vulnerable. He has been a champion of nurses at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital for the past four decades. He started the Cass County Free Health Clinic to help the area’s 6,000 uninsured residents. After “retiring” in 2011, he now serves as hospitalist, as well as Chief of Staff and Chief of Medicine at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital.

James L. Wierman, DO, FACP, will be recognized with the 2012 Borgess Lamplighter Award at the Sixth-Annual Friends of Borgess Nursing Endowment Fund Awards Dinner, May 9 at Western Michigan University’s Fetzer Center.

Living the Borgess reputation locally and internationally.

“Dr. Wierman extends his professional light to nursing, the community and around the globe,” said Joy Strand, Administrator and Chief Operating Officer, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital. “He lives the Borgess reputation and the world is a better place because of his devotion.”

Dr. Wierman has partnered with our nursing staff to improve patient care, according to Katie Brick, Chief Nursing Officer, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital.

“Partnerships resulted in the development of nursing-driven protocols and evidence-based practice policies and procedures,” said Brick. “He is a patient, respectful, supportive teacher to nurses. He takes time to explain concepts.

“For instance, Dr. Wierman shows nurses how to look-up evidenced-based practice information,” Brick said. “He views all communication as an educational opportunity, volunteering to provide in-services to nurses on many concepts and topics. This passion for teaching and working with nurses takes place at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital, as well as at his adopted school of nursing in Haiti, where he teaches and served on their board.”

On his honeymoon, Dr. Wierman went to Haiti for the first time, according to Sue McCormick, Director, Administrative Services, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital & Foundation. “They ended up living there for a year helping those in need.”

When the earthquake hit Haiti in 2010, Dr. Wierman and a team of medical providers immediately mobilized to offer medical assistance, according to McCormick.

“He even helped nine young Haitians receive advanced care in America as ‘humanitarian parolees.’”

“Dr. Wierman’s caring, thoughtful assistance to others is a wonderful example of our mission and values,” said Paul Spaude, President and Chief Executive Officer, Borgess Health. “We are honored to recognize his many, many contributions.”

About The Sixth-Annual Friends of Borgess Nursing Celebration

The Sixth-Annual Friends of Borgess Nursing (FOBN) celebration will again recognize and honor outstanding Borgess nurses and continue to enhance their healing mission through a special endowment fund.

Silent Auction, April 25 and Awards Dinner, May 9

The FOBN celebration actually consists of two major events. The first event is a silent auction held from 8 am to 5 pm, Wednesday, April 25, 2012 in the Borgess Medical Center cafeteria and at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital. At this auction, bidding will take place on more than 20 gift baskets containing several valuable gifts and gift certificates from area businesses.

The second and main event is the awards dinner to be held Wednesday, May 9, at the Fetzer Center, Western Michigan University. The awards dinner begins at 5 pm with refreshments, followed by dinner at 6 pm. Beginning at 7 pm, the awards ceremony will pay tribute to Dr. James Wierman with the Lamplighter Award. Tickets for the awards dinner, which includes entertainment, are $75 per person.

Funds raised through both of these events will go to the FOBN Endowment Fund. The funds will be used to continue to recognize nursing excellence at Borgess and to support future nursing education and scholarship. It is a wonderful way to help Borgess Healers continue to provide outstanding care.

“The Friends of Borgess Nursing Endowment Fund was established in 2006 to support nursing education, research and certification,” said Tony McDonnell, Chief Development Officer, Borgess Foundation. “Every year, our nurses enhance and redefine their critical role within the medical profession. We salute this year’s recipients, and wish them continued success in all of their professional and personal endeavors.”

Along with awards, the fund also distributes grants to assist with specialty nursing certification or certification renewal.

Proceeds from last year’s sponsorships, silent auction and dinner reservations exceeded $41,000. So far, $157,000 has been raised toward the overall endowment goal of $250,000.

For reservations, call (269) 226.8100 or go to foundation.borgess.com.

About Borgess Health

Borgess Health is a health system that offers high quality care in such areas as cardiovascular, neurosciences, orthopedics, vascular surgery, women’s health, primary care, emergency medicine, bariatrics, imaging, and long-term acute care. Borgess Health includes Borgess Medical Center, Borgess-Pipp Hospital, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital, Borgess at Woodbridge Hills, Borgess VNA Home Care and Borgess Hospice, the Borgess Health & Fitness Center, Borgess Gardens and many additional owned or affiliated services. The 122-year-old health ministry serves residents of 10 counties. It is one of the area’s largest health care providers and is also one of the largest employers. Borgess Health is a member of Ascension Health, the largest nonprofit health system in America. For more information, visit www.borgess.com.

Borgess Lee Medical Group To Offer Free Prostate Screenings February 10

0
Posted by Lew Tysman on January 11, 2012 – 3:34 pm
Filed under Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital

DOWAGIAC, MI – To help combat the second-leading cause of cancer death in men, Borgess Lee Medical Group will offer free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and digital rectal exams (DREs) Friday, February 10, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital, second floor (420 West High Street, Dowagiac).

“The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 34,000 American men will lose their lives to prostate cancer this year,” said Anthony R. Gauthier, MD, board-certified urologist with Borgess Lee Medical Group. “The good news is that more than 2 million men in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer are still alive today. If prostate cancer is detected early through simple and painless testing, it can often be successfully treated.”

What is a PSA Test?

A PSA test is a painless screening that measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen, a substance released into a man’s blood by the prostate gland. Low amounts of PSA may be found in a healthy man’s blood; however, this substance typically increases as the prostate enlarges with age. PSA may also increase due to inflammation of the prostate gland or prostate cancer.

Dr. Gauthier and Joe Mashni, family nurse practitioner (FNP), Borgess Lee Medical Group, will provide the free prostate cancer screenings. Testing is recommended for men 50 and older. Test results will be confidentially mailed to participants, and if requested, their physicians. To learn more or register for this free screening event, call (269) 783.3053.