Our Lady of Peace is one of the largest private psychiatric hospitals in the country and has a . . . → Read More: Vote today, it’s for the kids!]]> Toyota has launched a campaign “100 Cars for Good” that it is promoting across the country this summer.  Our organization has been chosen as one of 500 finalists to win a new vehicle from Toyota, and today is our day to go head-to-head with four other non-profit organizations in a public vote.  This is a great program that will benefit communities and charities across the country, and we are hoping that everyone will go to facebook today and vote for our cause.

Our Lady of Peace is one of the largest private psychiatric hospitals in the country and has a very special and unique  mission of helping to care for the mental and behavioral health needs of children.  Each year, thousands of children facing emotional, behavioral, mental, and physical addiction disorders are cared for by the wonderful team at Our Lady of Peace.  The chance to win a new van from Toyota will go miles towards helping our staff safely transport these very special kids around the community as we help them recover and heal from the mental health issues that they face.

I would like to encourage everyone who reads this to goto www.facebook.com/toyota and vote for the JHSMH Foundation in today’s contest.  It’s for the kids – Thank you!

With all of . . . → Read More: It’s Official – Statewide Partnership Announced Today!]]> After months of planning and negotiations since I last wrote about the subject, I am happy to announce that the partnership between Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s Healthcare, the University of Louisville Hospital/James Graham Brown Cancer Center, and Saint Joseph Health System has come to fruition as each of the respective Boards and parent organizations have reached an agreement to merge (press release copied below).  While regulatory approvals are still pending, this partnership will make great strides in the coming years to create a healthier Kentucky through the expansion of access, teaching, technology and research across the Commonwealth!

With all of the talk and politics surrounding healthcare reform of late, I believe that this partnership will make significant progress in demonstrating not only with words, but in outcomes, how healthcare can be transformed for the betterment of our communities while achieving significant savings along the way.  Much work and planning lies ahead to make this a reality, but I am proud of our Board leaders for having the vision and boldness to see this process through to completion!

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on how this partnership will help us in creating a healthier Kentucky!

Partners Reach Agreement, Commit to Bold Statewide Mission

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 14, 2011) – Officials of three major Kentucky health care organizations announced today that their boards have formally approved plans to form a health care delivery system to meet the needs of all of the people of Kentucky and beyond.

The new system will include the University of Louisville Hospital/James Graham Brown Cancer Center; Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare based in Louisville, and Saint Joseph Health System based in Lexington.

The partnership agreement still must receive regulatory and Church approvals before becoming effective, which could take 12 months.

Following a joint news conference in Frankfort, leaders representing each of the partner organizations hit the road to share the news at joint events in Bardstown, Lexington and Louisville.

“There is so much more we can accomplish together. Most important, we will be increasing access to basic and advanced health services. That will lead to improving the health not only of individual patients, but of entire communities,” said Bob Hewett, who will be the first chair of the system’s community board of trustees. Hewett is a long-time board member of the Saint Joseph Health System, including his time as chair of its predecessor board (Saint Joseph HealthCare). “At the same time, we will work to lower costs as we advocate for the poor and underserved in our communities,” he said.

The system will combine the faith-based and academic heritages of the partners, integrating medical research, education, technology and health care services wherever patients receive care. The network will collaborate with all health care providers, enhancing existing relationships and developing new partnerships.

One benefit of integration is the opportunity to efficiently move research from bench to bedside, improving health care outcomes, according to the partners. Plans call for expanding the academic medical center in Louisville to include the University of Louisville Hospital, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, Jewish Hospital and Frazier Rehab Institute, and extending the research and teaching programs of the University of Louisville statewide through an academic affiliation agreement with the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

The new system will bring together academic and community physicians, creating a medical staff of more than 3,000 physicians across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The use of technology – especially telemedicine – will enable network physicians to expand access to specialty care that many communities have not had available before. For example, Saint Joseph hospitals and the University of Louisville Hospital currently use telemedicine robots to provide stroke, neurology and other specialty consultations in partnership with other facilities.

The sponsors of the health system are Jewish Hospital HealthCare Services, University of Louisville and Catholic Health Initiatives, a national nonprofit health organization based in Denver, Colo. Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare was formed in 2005 through a joint venture between Jewish Hospital HealthCare Services and Catholic Health Initiatives. Saint Joseph Health System is also part of Catholic Health Initiatives.

Plans call for Catholic Health Initiatives to make an incremental capital infusion of $320 million in support of the system’s mission and health care services statewide. In addition, the new system will invest $200 million in capital to expand the academic medical center in Louisville and $100 million in statewide health care services.

“We see a healthier future for the Commonwealth,” said Hewett, “by combining our efforts to address the serious health challenges faced by the people of Kentucky.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Heart Association, Kentucky ranks among the 10 states with the worst health indicators in the nation for cancer, obesity and death due to heart disease and stroke. More than half of the state is designated as medically underserved and there is a growing scarcity of physicians across Kentucky.

The network will include hospitals, clinics, specialty institutions, home health agencies, satellite primary care centers and physician groups with 91 locations combined.

Until they have received regulatory approvals, the partners will continue to operate as separate organizations.

More information, photography, video, and b-roll on the partnering organizations and updates on the system can be found at www.partnershipprogress.org.

 

Each year as we celebrate National Healthcare Week I am reminded of how fortunate I am to work with such a dedicated and talented group of people.  Day in and day out, you give your best to those who need it most – our patients.  Your compassion, caring, and generosity help touch and . . . → Read More: Celebrating our Team for National Healthcare Week!]]> I am very lucky to work with an outstanding group of people at Jewish Hospital.  Below is a note of thanks I shared with our team members…I would love to hear your praises of them as well as we recognize everyone for National Healthcare Week!

Each year as we celebrate National Healthcare Week I am reminded of how fortunate I am to work with such a dedicated and talented group of people.  Day in and day out, you give your best to those who need it most – our patients.  Your compassion, caring, and generosity help touch and heal countless numbers of people that entrust their lives and well-being with our hospital.  I am grateful for your efforts and thankful for each and every member of our team.

Our hospital has been fortunate to be recognized for many “firsts” over the years, but the one constant that has endured over time is our outstanding group of team members – in other words, YOU!   Without your care and compassion we would not be the organization that we are today.  Thank you all for your efforts – have a great week!

For the past three years, I have come to look forward to and enjoy an event that for one day puts our city on the collective consciousness of our entire nation and then some – the Kentucky Derby.  Beyond the history, pageantry, sport, and of course the hats, are the people.  The Derby brings everyone together (this year all 164,000 of us) and turns a two-minute horse race into a two-week long celebration of something that is uniquely Kentucky.  Each year I have met many interesting people at the Derby and some who have since become my friends from . . . → Read More: Remembering Derby 137]]>

For the past three years, I have come to look forward to and enjoy an event that for one day puts our city on the collective consciousness of our entire nation and then some – the Kentucky Derby.  Beyond the history, pageantry, sport, and of course the hats, are the people.  The Derby brings everyone together (this year all 164,000 of us) and turns a two-minute horse race into a two-week long celebration of something that is uniquely Kentucky.  Each year I have met many interesting people at the Derby and some who have since become my friends from all walks of life.

This year being no exception, I met a gentleman whom I’m sure I will stay in contact with and who gave me permission to reprint a letter that he writes every year for your reading enjoyment.  If you look carefully, you’ll notice how he carefully captured every Derby horse’s name in the letter.  I thought it was very clever and wanted to share as we all remember the fond memories from this year’s Derby!

Dear Colleagues,

It’s Derby Weekend once again!

Just yesterday someone said they hoped they would soon WATCH ME GO home to prepare my annual Derby letter.  You see for many years since I have taken some time each Derby Week to reflect on meaning of this season and determine the DECISIVE MOMENT to share with you some important messages about the weekend ahead.

After careful thought it occurred to me that perhaps Derby has TWICE THE APPEAL this year after an April full of rain.  Everyone seems extra ready for a MIDNIGHT INTERLUDE or a weekend of fun events and celebrations.  I do hope this is an opportunity for you to relax and spend some time with friends and family and maybe even party with your Aunt Mary and UNCLE MO.

Some of course will spend some time under the TWINSPIRED at Churchill Downs.  If you go, beware of the ANIMAL KINGDOM known as the infield.  Some who have gone there in the past have ended up with their PANTS ON FIRE or starring in a u-tube video acting like MUCHO MACHO MAN.

Perhaps you will get dressed up this weekend for a special party or dinner.  If so remember that while a few of us can probably wear their old leisure suits or NEHRO jackets, trust me there are better outfits and great hats SOLDAT many stores all over the city.

For those of you who like to bet on the ponies remember that past experience has taught us it is important to not only choose a horse based on BRILLIANT SPEED but look out for the DERBY KITTEN who might be likely to crawl up the inside rail and COMMA TO THE TOP of the field by the finish line.  As you celebrate at home, at a party or at the track, please be responsible and be careful as it is far better that you STAY THIRSTY than end up SHAKLEFORD in the county jail.

Finally, it is always good to remember to keep prayer a part of every day.  If you DIALED IN St. Anthony he can help you if you get lost in the crowd.  St. Jude will help if your bets are hopeless causes.   St. Patrick will bring you luck.  And SANTIVA will guide you to a trifecta every time.

With the approval of the MASTER OF HOUNDS and horses, I am glad to let you know that in order to get the festivities started all ARCHARCHARCHdiocesan agencies able to do so will close at 12:30 on Friday, Oaks Day 2011.  Enjoy this celebration of sports and spring and fun in Kentucky.

Happy Derby to all.

Brain Reynolds

Chancellor

Archdiocese of Louisville

* Photo Credit – Dan Dry

As we celebrate Doctor’s Day this year as we have in the past, I am reminded that a picture says a thousand words.  With that in mind I will be brief and ask that you please enjoy the video (click above or here) we prepared this year to let our doctor’s know how we feel about them!  To all of our doctor’s I offer my sincerest thanks for your compassion and dedication to the patients we serve everyday.  Thank YOU!

The first step is making people aware of the problem. Speak up and make a difference! Today you can show your support for the fight against heart disease in women by wearing red. It’s an easy, powerful way to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

The second step is taking action on what we learn about ourselves . . . → Read More: To-Do: Wear Red and Know Your Numbers!]]> All across America, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts – everyday women are dying at the rate of almost one per minute due to cardiovascular disease and stroke. The numbers are startling, but together we can change the trajectory of this disease.

The first step is making people aware of the problem. Speak up and make a difference! Today you can show your support for the fight against heart disease in women by wearing red. It’s an easy, powerful way to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

The second step is taking action on what we learn about ourselves and our lifestyle behaviors. One of the simplest ways to do this is to “know your numbers.” Across our system, we are offering free blood pressure and baseline health checks today and all month long to help our team members establish a baseline of their health. The American Heart Association also has a website to help everyone learn their numbers to improve their health (Life’s Simple 7). It only takes a few minutes to learn, but it can add years to your life and lead you to a path of better health!

Cardiovascular diseases continues to be our nation’s No. 1 killer, let’s work together to educate people to this fact and take action to change it for our future!

Personally speaking, I know the only resolution . . . → Read More: New Year – New Resolutions]]> Every year, people around the globe look for a fresh way to start off the new year and make all sorts of resolutions of how they hope to better themselves and the world.  Many people have success with this tradition, while others fail all too quickly.  In listening to a church sermon last week, the pastor spoke to this phenomenon quoting Ephesians 4:22-24 and making the point that unless we are willing to completely rid ourselves of our old self, we will never be able to become the new self that we desire.

Personally speaking, I know the only resolution I have been good at keeping is the one I made several years back, which was never to make another new years resolution!  This year, I am not attempting to make any lofty personal resolutions, but rather hope to better live the words of Ephesians 4:22-24 both personally and professionally.

With that in mind as it relates to work and this blog, I hope that will result in spreading the good news of our organization far and wide and to make communication and recognition a bigger priority of my weekly routine.  I also hope to hear more from you about the things on your mind that you want to share and discuss.   I will close this post recognizing one such story of compassion and excellence sent to me by one of our ICU nurses.

I wanted to take a moment to praise the dedication of one of our team members here at ICU South, Vivian, RN.  We have had a patient with us off and on for almost five months now after receiving a transplant.  Vivian took care of this patient on numerous shifts, both dayshift and nightshift and the family had nothing but great things to say about her.  I assumed care for this patient last night.  During the dayshift, the family was faced with the difficult decision of making the patient a DNR.  He was no longer responsive, was being maintained on three pressors, ventilated, and I was running CRRT on him as well. Knowing that he was not going to get better, and having had the day to come to terms with this and fellowship with family, the family approached me with their wishes to withdraw life support.  (This was at around 8:45 pm.) After calling the physician to inform them and get the appropriate orders, the patient’s family meets me at the nurses station and says, “We have an unusual request….but could you call Vivian and let her know whats going on with dad?”  I called Vivian, who was eating dinner with her family at the time, told her of the request, and she tells me that she will be in the hospital by 10 pm.  During this time the family also requested that a priest be called in as well.  Vivian showed up as promised, stayed with the family while all the IV meds were stopped and ventilator removed, and was in the room supporting the family as the patient passed away.  As the family left the hospital that night at 12:30 AM, each family member came up to Vivian and hugged her, thanked her, and let her know what a blessing she had been to them.

You should know that Vivian is currently on a scheduled Vacation from work.  That her parents are in town visiting from out of the country.  That she was out with her parents and family eating dinner when she got the call.  Yet despite all this, she came to the hospital to support a patient and family in their time of need.  What an honor it is that a family would think so highly of a staff member, that they would ask for her by name, before even calling in their priest.

I believe that Vivians actions go above and beyond our saying of “Excellance Above All.”  I am proud to say that I work with employees with such heart and dedication, like Vivian.

Thanks to Vivian and all of our team member’s out there like her who go above and beyond each day to make our hospital special.  Thanks to Travis for sharing this story as well!  [Story edited to protect the identity of the patient].