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.

“Every year, vascular conditions like stroke and PAD claim thousands of lives,” said Kathy Russell, cardiovascular services manager, Borgess-Pipp Hospital. “Through this free event, our goal is to educate people about their risks and help detect the possibility of a condition before it becomes a larger health issue.”

Affecting millions of older Americans, PAD refers to the narrowing of arteries that supply blood and nutrients to the legs. Often the result of cholesterol buildup, PAD causes difficulty walking and may even lead to stroke or heart attack. Common symptoms include leg pain, cramping, tightness or fatigue, impotence, and leg wounds or ulcers that do not heal easily.

Often referred to as a “brain attack,” stroke is caused by a lack of blood supply to the brain. Stroke can be caused by a clot getting in the way of blood flow to the brain (called an ischemic stroke) or can happen when a blood vessel ruptures (called a hemorrhagic stroke). About 795,000 Americans each year suffer a new or recurrent stroke. That means, on average, a stroke occurs every 40 seconds.

Signs of stroke include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

Stroke is a medical emergency. The most important thing a person can do if he/she notices the signs of a stroke is to call 9-1-1 immediately.

The Risk Factors

Factors that increase one’s chances of developing PAD include advancing age, gender (men are at greater risk until age 70), cigarette smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, lack of exercise and uncontrolled stress. According to the American Vascular Association, despite its potential for complications like stroke, loss of limbs or death, vascular diseases like PAD tend to be under diagnosed in the U.S. However, if detected early, effective treatment options are available for many vascular conditions.

Primary risks for stroke include advancing age, family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking, diabetes, unhealthy eating habits, obesity, excessive alcohol intake and physical inactivity. Learning to manage controllable risk factors through lifestyle changes can help prevent stroke or improve quality of life after a stroke.

Fast, Painless and Free

Funded through grants from The Perrigo Company Charitable Foundation and Borgess Health, the stroke assessment/PAD screening is fast and painless. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. To register, call (269) 226.8135 or (800) 828.8135.

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.”

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

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.”

The following individuals were honored at the luncheon:

• Harriet Abshagen (Gold Award)
• Pauline Accoe
• Peggy Barkes
• Cassandra Bennett
• Ann Biek
• Shaun Chennault
• Martha Cox
• Jeanette Coy (Bronze Award)
• Helen Eby
• Virginia Edgerly
• Pat FranzPat Ganger (Gold Award)
• Mary Alice Giles
• Carolyn Graham
• Barb Jones
• Pam Karasek (Bronze Award)
• Mary Karasek (Bronze Award)
• Marge Kirsch
• Bernice Laymon
• Wanda Leets
• Bobbi Luthringer
• Patricia Mather
• Nancy McKay
• Terri Moore
• Barb Moses
• Mary Ownby (Gold Award)
• Terry Perkins
• Charlotte Rak
• Kurt Reich
• Rose Runyan
• Gladys Smith
• Josephine Spichtig
• Natalie Springsteen (Bronze Award)
• Keith Thorpe
• Onnolee Van Husan
• Edith Willis
• Mickey Wiltse

In 2003, President George W. Bush created the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation to find ways to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers make in the U.S. The Council created the Presidential Service Awards as a way to thank and honor volunteers. The awards include Bronze Level (100-249 hours), Silver Level (250-499 hours), Gold Level (500 hours or more) and Lifetime Level (4,000 hours of volunteer service). This year, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital had four Bronze Level recipients and three Gold Level recipients. Each award includes a lapel pin, personalized certificate of achievement, congratulatory letter from the President of the United States and letter from the President’s Council.

To date, the President’s Council has partnered with more than 80 leadership organizations and more than 28,000 certifying organizations to bestow over 1.5 million awards to the nation’s deserving volunteers. To learn more, visit presidentialserviceawards.gov.

For more on volunteering at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital, call (269) 783.3083.