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Awards and Recognition
HOSPITAL AWARDED RECOGNITION IN DIABETES EDUCATION
Mason
General Hospital’s Diabetes Wellness Center was recently awarded continued
Recognition from the American Diabetes Association for its self-management education
program. This prestigious award recognizes MGH for offering high-quality education
services to its patients.
This was a
voluntary process on MGH’s part, but once recognized, the award assures
that approved education programs have met the National Standards for Diabetes
Self-Management Education criteria. Programs that achieve Recognition status
have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide the most advanced
information about diabetes management for patients.
“The
criteria gives professionals a national standard by which to measure the quality
of the services they provide,” said Sue Barwick, R.N., certified diabetes
educator, and director of the Diabetes Wellness Center at MGH. “And,
of course, it helps consumers to identify these quality programs.”
Professionals
and staff who have contributed to this exclusive award are Michelle Merrin, Diabetes
Wellness Center assistant; Kris Davies, Quality Improvement assistant; Terry
Mallory, ARNP, diabetes nurse educator; Sarah Fulkerson, RD, certified diabetes
educator; Candy Mattson, RD, diabetes dietitian educator; Mark Schlauderaff,
MD, Diabetes Wellness Center director; Diane Stillman, RN, COO, Diabetes
Wellness Center advisory board member; Doug Haskins, Diabetes Wellness Center
advisory board member; Bob Appel, CEO; and Eric Moll, CFO. Additional professionals who regularly
serve as expert faculty in the outpatient Living Well With
Diabetes classes are John Rice, M. D, James Wright, M.D.
, Gretchen Rice, MSW, and Cheryl Woods, PT.
DR. ROBERT SEWELL HONORED AS TOP PEDIATRICIAN
Oakland Bay Pediatrics’ Robert D. Sewell,
M.D., board-certified in pediatrics, was recently included
in the 2007 edition of “Guide to America's Top Pediatricians,” published
by the Consumers’ Research Council of America. The
selection process is based on a point value system that awards
points for education, years in practice and affiliations with
professional associations. No fees, sponsorships, donations
or advertising were accepted from physicians, medical treatment
facilities or hospitals, to ensure an unbiased selection. He
is on staff at Mason General Hospital and Oakland Bay Pediatrics.
Dr. Sewell
came to MGH and OBP in 2006 from a very large and active practice
in California, with special interests in behavioral and forensic
pediatrics.
“Practicing
here in Mason County offers the chance to build and develop
closer relationships with the families of my patients,” said Dr. Sewell. “Sometimes
this ability is lost in the larger communities.” In addition,
Dr. Sewell enjoys being a resource or support person for the
parents, families and fellow professionals in helping them
deal with common and uncommon childhood problems. In
his spare time he loves music, reading, traveling, sports and
spending time with his family.
Dr.
Sewell received his medical degree from Loma Linda University
School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA in 1975. He completed
his residency at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey,
PA, and his internship at White Memorial Medical Center, Los
Angeles, CA.
HOSPITAL RECEIVES STATE AWARD
FOR $5,000 AS TOP PERFORMER
Washington Hospitals Self-Insured Workers' Compensation trust
plan recently presented Mason General Hospital with a check
for $5,000 for being a “2006 Top Performer” for
their performance in claims and safety management, which resulted
in an improved safety record.
“Being the Top Performer is a significant way to address using best practices
and receive acknowledgement for doing so,” said the Trust.
Bob Appel, CEO at MGH, (far right) presented the check to Trina
Gustafson, human resources, who administers the injury claims
program and Dave Pearch, safety officer at MGH. Hospital district
commissioners Scott Hilburn (far left) and Don Wilson (second
from right) helped make the presentation. The check will be
used for future enhancements in the safety program.
Congratulations Olympic
Physicians For Technology Grant
 Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire
recently announced that the Washington Health Information Collaborative
selected Olympic Physicians, PLLC, Shelton, to be one of the 49 recipients
for awards of up to $20,000 for health information technology. The awards are to be used to
implement and upgrade technology in small hospitals, community clinics and private
medical practices across Washington.
Olympic Physicians plans to use the award to purchase
electronic health records (EHR) and other computerized patient management systems
and establish an online connection to Mason General Hospital, local pharmacies
and laboratories. This will help to make current patient information immediately
available, expand their ability to extract and analyze data from patient files,
create secure systems to communicate with employees by email and share patient
records with other healthcare providers, and purchase computers for exam rooms.
“The central purpose in these technology
awards is to help make the best possible healthcare available to patients throughout
the Northwest,” said Ken Hamm, president and CEO of First Choice Health. “Until
now, this has been much too expensive for small and rural hospitals and physician
practices. Our aim is to bring many more people into the 21st century healthcare
treatment room.”
Olympic Physicians’ staff
includes local internal medicine specialist, Mark L. Schlauderaff, M.D.; Douglas
F. Lindahl, D.O.; Diana E. Velikova, M.D.; and family practice specialist, Rebecca
Hendryx, M.D.
HOSPITAL ER DIRECTOR HONORED
Cheryl
Ann Graf, ARNP, MSN, MBA, director of emergency services at
Mason General Hospital, recently received an honorable mention
for the Anna May Erickson Award. Erickson was the founder
of the Washington Emergency Nurses Association, and was an
incredible ER nurse who knew the value of ER nurses banding
together to share knowledge and help each other to be the very
best a nurse could be. This award is given annually to
recognize excellence in ER nursing in Washington State.
Cheryl Ann came to MGH in 2005 after working three years with
MultiCare Health System at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital,
Tacoma. There, she served as director of emergency services. Mary
Bridge is a level II trauma center and pediatric hospital which
serves Western Washington. Prior to Mary Bridge, Cheryl
worked thirteen years at Harrison Hospital, Bremerton, and at
the same time was a nurse practitioner at the North Mason Medical
Clinic, Belfair. While at Harrison, she oversaw the opening
of Harrison’s South Kitsap Urgent Care Center. Also
during her Harrison Hospital tenure, Cheryl developed and coordinated
the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program (SANE), as well as
working as a staff RN in the emergency department. Cheryl
continues to teach and consult in emergency sexual assault care
at Harborview Hospital, Seattle. Her Master’s degree
in nursing is from Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, and her
Master’s degree in business is from the University of Washington,
Tacoma.
MASON GENERAL HOSPITAL RECOGNIZED FOR HIGH-QUALITY CARE
IN BARIATRIC SURGERY
Mason General Hospital recently received notice that it has been
named an American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) Bariatric Surgery Center
of Excellence. The ASBS Center of Excellence designation recognizes surgical
programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes in bariatric
surgery.
 To earn
a Center of Excellence designation, MGH underwent a documentation and policy
review and site inspection during which all aspects of the program’s
surgical processes were closely examined and data on health outcomes was collected.
“Due
to the increasing prevalence of morbid obesity and the inherent risks and the
opportunities available greatly improve the health of this patient population,
we recognize the need to implement a systematic approach to improving quality,” said
Bob Appel, CEO at MGH. “At MGH we believe that the ASBS Centers
of Excellence program will serve as a catalyst, driving strong programs to
get even better. We have done our part, and we urge our peers to join the effort.”
Surgical
Review Corporation (SRC), an organization dedicated to pursuing
surgical excellence, formulates and establishes the rigorous
standards with which MGH and other Centers of Excellence
must comply, thoroughly inspects and evaluates each candidate
for designation, and upon review recommends approval of designation
for those physicians and facilities whose practices and outcomes
meet the stringent demands set forth by SRC for ASBS.
Bob Appel
Receives Prestigious Hospital Award: “Joe Hopkins Memorial
Award” Hospital Association Recognizes Outstanding
Leadership
On October 13, 2006, Bob Appel, CEO of Mason General Hospital,
was awarded the prestigious Joe Hopkins Memorial Award from the
Washington State Hospital Association.
The award is named after a former hospital association chair
and hospital administrator who lost his battle with cancer in
1987. The award was created in honor of Hopkins’ outstanding
leadership and special qualities of warmth, persistence, insight,
hardworking attitude, and humor. The award recognizes those
who exhibit similar qualities in service to hospitals in Washington
state, and honors leaders from both sides of the Cascades, from
hospitals large and small.
Appel is the CEO of Mason General Hospital in Shelton, Wash.
and was widely praised as a model of compassion, hard work, and
real solutions.
“Bob’s staff called him ‘the best boss I’ve
ever had’ and his colleagues described him as a caring,
thoughtful person who has met health care challenges with optimism
and enthusiasm,” said Leo Greenawalt, president of the
Washington State Hospital Association. “We are thrilled
to recognize Bob’s outstanding contribution to the health
of his entire community.”
Appel’s nomination came for his work in a variety of areas,
including:
- His leadership in founding MASON MATTERS, a program which
seeks to reduce the causes and effects of domestic violence
and teen pregnancy in Mason County. MASON MATTERS has increased
domestic violence resources, founded a free teen clinic, and
developed a web-based network to enhance health services for
the Latino community.
- His commitment to increased medical interpretation services
for non-Englis speakers in Mason County;
- His energetic work in the CHOICE Regional Health Network,
which improves access to health care for the uninsured and
underserved populations.
“Bob has worked hard to bring needed services to the District
over his nearly 15 years of tireless service,” said Public
Hospital District Commissioner Don Wilson in his letter of nomination. “When
he sees a way to enhance quality of life, he finds a group of
people who share that passion and rallies them to performance.
His leadership is extraordinary and it allows the people who
work with him to shine and blossom.”
The Washington State Hospital Association represents all of
Washington’s
98 community hospitals. The association takes a major leadership
role in issues that affect delivery, quality, accessibility, affordability
and continuity of health care. It works to improve the
health status of the residents of Washington State.
HOSPITAL’S TOM DIDONNA TO TEACH INTERNATIONALLY
Tom DiDonna, R.N., education coordinator at Mason
General Hospital, was recently asked to lead a delegation of
physicians and nurses to represent the American Heart Association
in a voluntary, international Advanced Resuscitation educational
endeavor in Paraguay the end of November.
Tom, two
American physicians, and physicians from Costa Rica and Panama will teach upwards
of 30 Paraguayan physicians in the skills necessary to implement the new guidelines
for Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support for the
patients in their country. Tom has also secured resources to bring life saving
defibrillators to Paraguay as they are in short supply of such equipment.
“This
is very exciting,” said Tom, after receiving the request. “To be
able to take what I teach in our community and teach it internationally, is
a great honor.” Tom is a member of the National Faculty for Advanced
Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support as well a certified
instructor. Tom teaches various American Heart Association courses throughout
the year at Mason General Hospital and actively volunteers to teach in
other regions of the state for instructor updates.
TERRY MEGIVERON APPOINTED CLINIC DIRECTOR
FOR HOSPITAL DISTRICT
Terry
Megiveron, former regional manager for MultiCare Health System
in South King County, is the new director of outpatient clinics
for Mason General Hospital. In this newly created position,
Terry will oversee the North Mason Medical Clinic in Belfair
and Oakland Bay Pediatrics in Shelton.
Terry
has worked in the healthcare field for 20 years, starting in
the medical records department of a large primary care clinic
in Portland, Oregon. He worked in both clinics and hospitals
as he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Allied Health
Sciences from the University of Portland, Oregon, in 1992. He
has held leadership positions for the past ten years for large
integrated health systems, responsible for service delivery of
primary care, specialty care, urgent care and ancillary services. He
is currently working on his Master of Science degree in Healthcare
Administration from Troy State University, Alabama.
“I
look forward to the challenging projects the Clinics have to
offer,” said Megiveron. “I am impressed with
the collaboration and caring nature displayed by the hospital
district and clinics. Healthcare facilities are an integral
part of the community and I will work to help meet the needs
of the patients we serve, and integrate the clinics into the
fabric of the community.”
Terry
grew up in Southwest Washington near Vancouver and lived and
worked there most of his life. He enjoys the outdoors of the beautiful
Pacific Northwest, traveling and boating. He spends most
of his free time exploring the waters of Puget Sound.
MASON GENERAL
HOSPITAL RE-DESIGNATED LEVEL FOUR TRAUMA FACILITY
SHELTON, Wash. - Mason General Hospital recently
completed the Washington State Department of Health's (DOH)
re-designation for a level four trauma facility.
"This was a very intense application that requires many high
standards in order to obtain designation," said Cheryl Ann
Graf, ARNP, MSN and MBA, emergency department (ED) director. "This
re-designation is very important to the citizens of Mason County
as it is another level of quality care that is offered daily
at Mason General Hospital."
Mason General Hospital employs
a Trauma Nurse Coordinator, Terri Gushee, BSN, certified emergency
services nurse, who monitors, coordinates and organizes the
trauma services. Her responsibilities also include quality
assessment and improvement, clinical, and system management
with ongoing trauma education and regulatory compliance.
Mason General Hospital's Level
Four designation allows initial resuscitation and stabilization
of trauma patients. This designation means that all emergency
department physicians are residency trained and board certified/prepared
in emergency medicine. All MGH's ED nurses are trauma
trained and have on going trauma education. Trauma trained
surgeons and trauma critical care services are also available.
The ED works closely with emergency medical service (EMS)
providers to employ physician directed protocols that provide
on-site care to injured trauma patients. The protocols
determine whether to activate the trauma system from the field
or at the hospital.
The "Trauma Team Activation" at MGH is an automatic response
from a predetermined group of clinically trained providers.
Rapid resuscitation and stabilization of trauma patients is
then completed and the patient is then transferred to an appropriate
hospitals, based on specific care needs, for the remainder
of their care.
In 1990, the Washington State Legislature passed the "Statewide
Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Care System Act." This
act mandated that the DOH develop a comprehensive emergency
medical services and trauma care system. The DOH was
given authority to designate hospitals and other healthcare
facilities to provide trauma care services for adult and pediatric
trauma patients. Every three years the DOH releases applications
for trauma service designations. A formal application process
with a site review is done by the DOH.
The designated Trauma Service Levels in Washington State range
from one to five. Level one facilities provide the highest
level of definitive and comprehensive surgical and medical
care for trauma patients with multiple and complex injuries
requiring the most specialized care. Harborview Medical Center,
Seattle, is the state's only Level One facility.
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MGH
Visiting Hours
8:00am to 8:30pm
Telephone
Shelton:
360-426-1611
Belfair:
360-275-8614
Location
901 Mtn. View Dr
Shelton WA 98584
Postal address
PO BOX 1668
Shelton WA 98584
Oakland
Bay Pediatrics
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00am to 5:00pm
Telephone
360-426-3102
North
Mason Medical Clinic
Clinic
Hours
Monday -Friday
8:30am to 5:30pm
Saturday
9:00am to 5:00pm
Physician on call 24/7
Telephone
Belfair:
360-275-4084
Shelton:
360-426-8405
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