Posted 10:14 pm Sunday, January 20, 2013
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Mother Frances recognized for fifth consecutive year
Mother Frances Hospital officials announced Friday that the hospital received the Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2013 for the fifth consecutive year.
The distinction ranks the hospital among the top 5 percent of more than 4,500 hospitals nationwide for its clinical performance as measured by Healthgrades, a provider of comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals.
Mother Frances Hospital is one of only 10 hospitals in Texas to receive the Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence Award in 2013.
From 2009 through 2011, 262 hospitals showed superior performance in caring for patients in the Medicare population, as measured by objective clinical outcomes (risk-adjusted mortality and in-hospital complications) across at least 19 of 27 of the most common conditions and procedures.
Nationally, if all hospitals performed at this level from 2009 through 2011 164,414 lives could have potentially been saved, Mother Frances officials said.
“Mother Frances Hospital has focused on quality care since we opened in 1937,” said Laura Owen, chief executive officer at Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler.
“Our quality journey has led us to five straight years of care that ranks us as having some of the best health care in the nation. The recognition from Healthgrades is an honor and it reflects the dedication to everyone who works here and our commitment to our patients.”
For more information about Healthgrades, to download a full copy of the report or to get information about hospital and physician quality, visit www.healthgrades.com.
The distinction ranks the hospital among the top 5 percent of more than 4,500 hospitals nationwide for its clinical performance as measured by Healthgrades, a provider of comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals.
Mother Frances Hospital is one of only 10 hospitals in Texas to receive the Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence Award in 2013.
From 2009 through 2011, 262 hospitals showed superior performance in caring for patients in the Medicare population, as measured by objective clinical outcomes (risk-adjusted mortality and in-hospital complications) across at least 19 of 27 of the most common conditions and procedures.
Nationally, if all hospitals performed at this level from 2009 through 2011 164,414 lives could have potentially been saved, Mother Frances officials said.
“Mother Frances Hospital has focused on quality care since we opened in 1937,” said Laura Owen, chief executive officer at Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler.
“Our quality journey has led us to five straight years of care that ranks us as having some of the best health care in the nation. The recognition from Healthgrades is an honor and it reflects the dedication to everyone who works here and our commitment to our patients.”
For more information about Healthgrades, to download a full copy of the report or to get information about hospital and physician quality, visit www.healthgrades.com.
Mother Frances offers free heart seminars
The public can attend a free seminar to learn more about the latest breakthroughs in heart care and how to take better care of the heart.
To register for the nearest event, call Trinity Mother Frances at 1-888- 440-2344.
Feb. 7, 5:30 p.m.: Get Smart about Your Heart with Dr. Ramon Kumar, Trinity Clinic cardiologist, at Trinity Mother Frances Lindale Fitness Center.
Feb. 12, noon: Get Smart about Your Heart with Dr. Kenneth B. Kummerfeld, Trinity Clinic cardiologist, at Trinity Mother Frances Jacksonville Fitness Center.
Feb. 12, 5:30 p.m.: Get Smart about Your Heart with Dr. Gary Idelchik, Trinity Clinic cardiologist, at Trinity Mother Frances Canton Fitness Center.
Feb. 19, noon: Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke Risk, Dr. John B. Sims, Trinity Clinic electrophysiologist, at Louis & Peaches Owen Heart Hospital, Bradley Conference Room.
Feb. 26, noon: Heart Valve Repair/Replacement, with Dr. Neelan S. Doolabh, Trinity Clinic cardiothoracic surgeon, at Louis & Peaches Owen Heart Hospital Bradley Conference Room.
Feb. 28, 5:30 p.m.: Get Smart about Your Heart, Dr. Peter Pitonak, Trinity Clinic cardiologist, at Trinity Mother Frances Lake Palestine Fitness Center.
To register for the nearest event, call Trinity Mother Frances at 1-888- 440-2344.
Feb. 7, 5:30 p.m.: Get Smart about Your Heart with Dr. Ramon Kumar, Trinity Clinic cardiologist, at Trinity Mother Frances Lindale Fitness Center.
Feb. 12, noon: Get Smart about Your Heart with Dr. Kenneth B. Kummerfeld, Trinity Clinic cardiologist, at Trinity Mother Frances Jacksonville Fitness Center.
Feb. 12, 5:30 p.m.: Get Smart about Your Heart with Dr. Gary Idelchik, Trinity Clinic cardiologist, at Trinity Mother Frances Canton Fitness Center.
Feb. 19, noon: Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke Risk, Dr. John B. Sims, Trinity Clinic electrophysiologist, at Louis & Peaches Owen Heart Hospital, Bradley Conference Room.
Feb. 26, noon: Heart Valve Repair/Replacement, with Dr. Neelan S. Doolabh, Trinity Clinic cardiothoracic surgeon, at Louis & Peaches Owen Heart Hospital Bradley Conference Room.
Feb. 28, 5:30 p.m.: Get Smart about Your Heart, Dr. Peter Pitonak, Trinity Clinic cardiologist, at Trinity Mother Frances Lake Palestine Fitness Center.
Andrews Center to hold Mental Health First Aid in February
Andrews Center is taking a proactive stance in light of recent tragedies such as the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.
The center will hold a Mental Health First Aid class, open to the general public at no cost thanks to a donation from the National Council for Community Behavioral Health.
Classes will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 27 and 28 at Andrews Center, 2323 W. Front St. Participants are asked to register by Feb. 10.
Continuing education may be available for licensed professional counselors and social workers.
To obtain credit for the course, a person must attend all sessions on both days. For more information, contact Valerie K. Holcomb, director of forensic services, at 903-597-1351.
The center will hold a Mental Health First Aid class, open to the general public at no cost thanks to a donation from the National Council for Community Behavioral Health.
Classes will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 27 and 28 at Andrews Center, 2323 W. Front St. Participants are asked to register by Feb. 10.
Continuing education may be available for licensed professional counselors and social workers.
To obtain credit for the course, a person must attend all sessions on both days. For more information, contact Valerie K. Holcomb, director of forensic services, at 903-597-1351.
Komen accepting project applications through Feb. 1
The Tyler affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is accepting grant applications for 2013. The request for application is available for projects targeting services not otherwise available to medically underserved populations of Smith County.
Applications must be received by 2 p.m. on or before Feb. 1. Late submissions will not be accepted. The Request for Application and subsequent instructions may be found at www.komentyler.org or by calling the Komen Tyler Affiliate at 903- 561-6992.
Grant funding is made possible through the proceeds from the 2012 Komen Tyler Race for the Cure, Ride for the Cure and contributions to Komen Tyler. Applications for breast cancer and breast health programs from nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, and educational institutions in Smith County are eligible for funding.
The promise of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures. Affiliates of Komen represent one of the nation’s largest private funding sources for breast health and breast cancer screening, education, and treatment support programs.
The Komen Tyler Affiliate’s local fundraising efforts have enabled it to fund projects such as the Breast Health and Screening Initiative a grant project to pay for breast diagnostic services for women who can’t afford them through the Northeast Texas Public Health District.
To ensure the funds are making the greatest impact, the Tyler affiliate works with local medical experts and community leaders to conduct a comprehensive community needs assessments every two years. The assessment identifies specific, unmet breast health needs within Smith County and then directs the funding of the organization.
Up to 75 percent of a Komen Affiliate’s net income stays in the local community to fund breast cancer screening and education programs. The remaining net income, a minimum of 25 percent, supports the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Award and Research Grants Program, which funds groundbreaking breast cancer research, meritorious awards and educational and scientific programs around the world.
For more information, contact Jennifer Watkins, executive director at 903-561-6992 or visit www.komentyler.org.
Applications must be received by 2 p.m. on or before Feb. 1. Late submissions will not be accepted. The Request for Application and subsequent instructions may be found at www.komentyler.org or by calling the Komen Tyler Affiliate at 903- 561-6992.
Grant funding is made possible through the proceeds from the 2012 Komen Tyler Race for the Cure, Ride for the Cure and contributions to Komen Tyler. Applications for breast cancer and breast health programs from nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, and educational institutions in Smith County are eligible for funding.
The promise of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures. Affiliates of Komen represent one of the nation’s largest private funding sources for breast health and breast cancer screening, education, and treatment support programs.
The Komen Tyler Affiliate’s local fundraising efforts have enabled it to fund projects such as the Breast Health and Screening Initiative a grant project to pay for breast diagnostic services for women who can’t afford them through the Northeast Texas Public Health District.
To ensure the funds are making the greatest impact, the Tyler affiliate works with local medical experts and community leaders to conduct a comprehensive community needs assessments every two years. The assessment identifies specific, unmet breast health needs within Smith County and then directs the funding of the organization.
Up to 75 percent of a Komen Affiliate’s net income stays in the local community to fund breast cancer screening and education programs. The remaining net income, a minimum of 25 percent, supports the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Award and Research Grants Program, which funds groundbreaking breast cancer research, meritorious awards and educational and scientific programs around the world.
For more information, contact Jennifer Watkins, executive director at 903-561-6992 or visit www.komentyler.org.
New STD services in Cherokee County
Cherokee County Public Health now offers low- to no-cost sexually transmitted disease testing appointments for those who qualify.
Adolescents and young adults are vulnerable to STDS, health officials said. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people between the ages of 15 and 24 account for nearly half of all STD cases in the U.S.
STD infections, if left untreated, can lead to more serious health conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease which can lead to infertility. STDs also can be associated with cervical and other genital cancers.
Public health officials say the best way to prevent STDs is to practice abstinence by avoiding sexual contact with others. STD infections can also be greatly reduced by correct condom use and mutually monogamous relationships.
For more information call 903-586-6191. The Cherokee County Public Health Clinic is open from 7 a.m. until noon and from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Adolescents and young adults are vulnerable to STDS, health officials said. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people between the ages of 15 and 24 account for nearly half of all STD cases in the U.S.
STD infections, if left untreated, can lead to more serious health conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease which can lead to infertility. STDs also can be associated with cervical and other genital cancers.
Public health officials say the best way to prevent STDs is to practice abstinence by avoiding sexual contact with others. STD infections can also be greatly reduced by correct condom use and mutually monogamous relationships.
For more information call 903-586-6191. The Cherokee County Public Health Clinic is open from 7 a.m. until noon and from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
