Denton RegionalEmployee Magazine

Winter 2012

Name the Robot Contest

Winner Announced

(page 21)

Caprice Thomas poses with her winning entry for the Denton Regional Name the Robot contest.

A NOTEFROM OUR CEO

Inside Cover

PATIENT LOYALTY

page 1

FINANCIALGROWTH

page 8

QUALITY AND SAFETY

page 9

EMPLOYEEPRIDE

page 10

COMMUNITYBENEFIT

page 16

SERVICE LINESPOTLIGHT

page 20

NEWS/ANNIVERSARIES

page 25

A Note from Caleb O’Rear, CEO

As one year ends and the next year begins, I am excited to see what the new year brings for our team, our hospital, and our community. Last year brought with it many successes that would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of every member of our team. We introduced a new customer service program focused around creating a culture where the patient’s experience in our hospital is at the center of everything we do. We created new processes for how physicians admit their patients to the hospital and with your help saw exponential growth in key service lines including Orthopedic & Sports Medicine and Women’s Services.

As we embark on a new year, I am excited to build on the successes of 2011 and share with you our plans for 2012. Customer service will continue to be a top priority at Denton Regional, as we seek to improve each patient’s experience at our hospital. Always striving for excellence in customer service is not only the right thing to do for our patients, it also makes good business sense. Patients that are “very satisfied” with their care are more likely to return to our facility if care is needed in the future, as well as recommend Denton Regional to friends and family. Insurance reimbursement will likely be tied to patient satisfaction scores in the future as well. For these reasons, we will continue to hold our employees accountable to the standards set forth in our customer service plan, while also providing you with the information, resources and support that you need to be successful.

We have made significant investments in technologies at Denton Regional, including the new da Vinci Si Robotic Surgery System, that will allow our physicians to perform less invasive procedures that lead to better outcomes, quicker recoveries, and shorter hospital stays for our patients. It is our goal to provide the latest surgical

technology to our community and partner with the most highly skilled physicians in the area to offer state-of-the-art surgical procedures. In the first few months of 2012, we will also be installing an additional CT scanner in the hospital so that we can continue to provide timely turnaround for diagnostic procedures.

The growth of our Women’s Center will also be a top priority in 2012. We continue to expand the level of care provided in our nursery by providing neonatology coverage, as well as building our business through the recruitment of additional Ob/Gyn specialists. Our investment in surgical technologies is a key strategy in increasing gynecological surgeries, as well as a targeted marketing campaign planned for 2012.

So as we embark on a new year, join me as we celebrate the successes of old and plan for the challenges and work to come.

Sincerely,

Caleb O’RearChief Executive Officer

1

Back to Basics PATIENT LOYALTY

We all know that expressing gratitude is important. The social virtues of a simple “thank you” were drummed into most of us at an early age and once we caught on, we needed only an occasional prompting from Mom or Dad.

Unfortunately, we in the healthcare industry seem to have forgotten this life lesson. Many of us fail to recognize the fact that our patients are actually customers and that they do have a choice in where they go for care. However, consumer research shows that saying “thank you” still has a profound effect on customers. This age old courtesy may even help businesses gain a competitive advantage by making them stand out from competitors. Although some may see it as an antiquated custom, extending a simple two-word phrase can mean the difference between losing or gaining a customer for life.

In an attempt to take this concept a step further, we at Denton Regional have recently introduced the practice of sending handwritten thank you notes to our patients. In October of this year the Customer Service Team, in conjunction with direct care staff, began preparing and sending thank you notes to all inpatients discharged from the hospital. The process is really very simple: A thank you note, branded with the Denton Regional logo and the Striving for Excellence Always tagline, is placed on the patient’s chart at the beginning of their stay. Nurses, personal care techs, therapists, and anyone else involved in the patient’s care is invited to sign the note. A few days after discharge, the patient receives a personalized note thanking them for choosing our hospital and inviting them to contact us with any questions or concerns. Although it does involve some extra time and effort, expressing our gratitude in writing is proving to be a powerful strategy for forging a personal connection with our patients. Over the past three months the Customer Service Managers report that the notes have generated positive feedback from patients and even sparked questions related to follow up care.

There really are no limitations to the number of times or ways we can express gratitude to our customers. Look for opportunities in your own department… you can thank a patient for their patience, you can thank them for choosing our hospital or allowing you to be a part of their care, you can even thank family members for entrusting us with the care of their loved ones. Of course, customers can differentiate true gratitude from a canned script, so it is important that you inject your “thank you” with a dose of warmth, personality and sincerity. A “thank you”, coupled with addressing the patient by name, also creates a lasting impression. This simple strategy, although a seemingly small gesture, lets our patients know that we value the opportunity to care for them. If you’re looking for a great way to connect with your patients don’t be afraid to go back to basics; a simple “thank you” is a great way to start!

2

PATIENT LOYALTY

Our Journey: Striving for Excellence Always

Over the past year, each of us was charged with the task of doing everything possible to help create the best experience for our patients. Our goal has been to elevate the patient experience to the same level of excellence as the clinical care we provide. As we embarked upon this cultural transformation in the spring of 2011, we were introduced to the Standards of Excellence. These eleven standards, established to define our cultural values and set behavioral expectations, now serve as a roadmap for us and set the tone for our interactions with our customers as well as our co-workers. We also adopted the practice of Daily Line-Up…a house-wide initiative that brings us together as a team and reinforces the Standards on a daily basis.

As we continue on our journey, we will be introducing six evidence–based tactics shown to improve patient outcomes. You may already be practicing some of these initiatives on your unit; others may be new to you or have yet to be implemented. Either way, it’s important that each of us is aware of the plan of action for improving the patient experience. As these practices are rolled out, you’ll learn more about the specifics and how they apply to you. The following is a brief overview of these six fundamentals of care:

Individualized Patient Care (IPC): Simply put, Individualized Patient Care or IPC refers to customizing and individualizing patient care by truly focusing on the individual. This means getting to know the patient as a person

and learning about his/her specific needs and priorities. It means taking time to find out exactly what “excellent care” means to the patient. IPC should begin upon admission and be reviewed frequently throughout the patient’s stay in order to keep staff abreast of shifting needs and concerns.

Key Words at Key Times / AIDET:If you’ve attended Daily Line-Up, you’ve likely already heard of Key Words at Key Times and the communication framework known as AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, and Thank). Key Words refers to carefully chosen words that can be used to “help connect the dots” for patients, their family members and visitors. They can go a long way in building relationships and helping customers to understand not only what we are doing, but why. In addition, key words can help reduce anxiety and build trust. The AIDET framework can serve as an excellent tool for applying key words and ensuring that patients receive a consistent message throughout their stay.

Hourly Rounding: This initiative, implemented earlier in the year, established a protocol for hourly visits by nursing staff. Hourly Rounding is more than just “checking in”. To maximize effectiveness, there are 8 specific behaviors that should be practiced during each visit. Done properly, Hourly Rounding targets numerous HCAHPS measures and is shown to dramatically improve a patient’s perception of their care.

Bedside Shift Reporting: This initiative, also introduced earlier this year, refers to the process of handing off care delivery from one caregiver to another. This practice can be implemented in an inpatient, outpatient or emergency room setting and can be adapted to any handoff or transition of care. Ideally, the Bedside Shift Report should include the patient when appropriate.

Nurse Leader / Director Rounding: This proactive approach for connecting with patients and their family members was implemented this fall. The leadership team visits patients on a daily basis and uses targeted questions to gather information about opportunities for service recovery, process improvement, and employee coaching and recognition.

Post-Visit Patient Phone Calls: This plan for connecting with patients involves making a phone call to patients within 24- 48 hours after discharge. A post-visit call provides an opportunity to reconfirm discharge instructions, answer questions, or address any complaints or concerns. It also reinforces the patient perception that excellent care has been provided.

3

PATIENT LOYALTY

J “So far our stay has been great. Andrew in ICU has been amazing. He’s sensitive, caring and has gone above and beyond. He even printed information about my husband’s condition for me to read. He has been so supportive.”

L “I waited more than three hours for an update on my friend following her surgery. Finally I was contacted in the surgery waiting room and told my friend had been moved upstairs. Once I got there, I waited in the ICU waiting room another hour before I finally went room to room looking for my friend.”

J “Kara in ER was on duty when my husband was brought in via ambulance. We are from Florida and Kara located me in Florida and walked me through all I needed to do to get a flight and get to my husband. I regret I wasn’t able to meet her. She is a special person and I am indebted to her for her kindness.”

L “Conversations between staff about their personal dating life are totally inappropriate while tending to a patient, whether they are awake or in a coma. These conversations need to be held in private outside of work or on lunch/dinner breaks.”

J “Lisa T., the nurse in ICU, is a special employee. We are from out of state and she helped me find a hotel, gave me directions to where my husband’s semi-truck was parked, suggested where to get a bargain on my meals, listened to our stories, and was very compassionate. Denton Regional is lucky to have her.”

L “I felt like there was a real lack of communication from your staff. My mother was transferred to a rehab facility and we were not notified. It wasn’t until I came up here to visit that I found out that she was gone.”

J “I want to say thank you to Bryan (4th Floor) for treating me with respect and making me feel comfortable. He was awesome. Bryan took time to answer all my questions and made me feel at ease.”

L “I feel like there could and should have been better communication last night from my nurse. I had to wait approximately two hours for my pain medication because she had difficulty reaching the physician. This delay combined with a complete lack of communication from my nurse, made me feel like my request had been forgotten.”

J “Travis, Tracie & Lisa – 3rd floor ICU – Our sincere thanks and appreciation for the excellent care and compassion shown to our family and our precious wife, mom, sister, aunt, grandmother during her difficult last hours. You made this difficult time easier for us to handle and understand.”

L “I was concerned to find syringe caps and gauze pads in the floor of my wife’s room. It seems to me that all staff should help with keeping things neat and clean.”

4

PATIENT LOYALTY

Q4 2010Average Top Box 69.4 70 68.7 67.9

Communication with Nurses 75 74 76 75

Communication with Physicians 80 81 79 79

Responsiveness of Hospital Staff 63 62 63 62

Pain Management 68 76 68 69

Communication about Medicines 59 61 56 57

Discharge Information 84 84 82 83

Cleanliness of Hospital Environment 65 69 64 58

Quietness of Hospital Environment 62 56 61 60

Overall Rating of this Hospital 66 66 68 66

Willingness to Recommend this Hospital 72 72 70 71

Average Top Box Goals• 80% by January 2012• 85% by January 2013• 90% by January 2014

Q1 2011

Q2 2011

Patient Loyalty Report Card

Impro

vem

ent

Q3 2011

Q4 2011

4

We are ...........................

............................

.............., and

this is a celebration of Our Story.Denton R

egional Medical C

enter

First-Class Mail

U.S. Postage

Paid

HCA

Save-the-DateMay 8 – May 14, 2011

National Hospital Week

During National Hospital Week, we

are celebrating the story of Denton

Regional Medical Center and the

amazing employees that contribute

to the health of our community.

Every member of our team has a

story to tell. WHAT’S YOUR STORY?

Pat

ien

t Ex

per

ien

ce

5

PATIENT LOYALTY

The “My Story” campaign acknowledges that the story of Denton Regional Medical Center is one represented by a timeless symbol of extraordinary human commitment. It is a well that we draw from to meet the needs of our patients and community every day. What you bring to Denton Regional is a part of Your Story.

This campaign is a celebration of our team and the individuals that exhibit unwavering customer service and dedication to the care we provide at Denton Regional. We will be celebrating the stories of these team members in various ways, including wall displays throughout the hospital.

We would also love to hear your story! If you did not get a chance to fill out the questionnaire that was mailed to your home, please return the questionnaire below to any Striving for Excellence, Always comment box located throughout Denton Regional Medical Center.

Everybody has a story to tell. WHAT’S YOUR STORY?

My name: ___________________________________________________

Joined the Denton Regional team in: _____________________________

My expertise is: ______________________________________________

A perfect day includes: ________________________________________

My proudest accomplishment is: _________________________________

I went into healthcare because: __________________________________

The favorite part of my job is: ___________________________________

I knew this was my hospital when: _______________________________

My hospital is: _______________________________________________

And I’m Striving for Excellence, Always.

We are ...........................

............................

.............., and

this is a celebration of Our Story.Denton R

egional Medical C

enter

First-Class Mail

U.S. Postage

Paid

HCA

Save-the-DateMay 8 – May 14, 2011

National Hospital Week

During National Hospital Week, we

are celebrating the story of Denton

Regional Medical Center and the

amazing employees that contribute

to the health of our community.

Every member of our team has a

story to tell. WHAT’S YOUR STORY?

Celebrating Our Story

6

Joined the Denton Regional team in .............................................................................................................

My Expertise is .................................................................................................................................................

A Perfect Day includes ....................................................................................................................................

My Proudest Accomplishment is....................................................................................................................

I went into healthcare because........................................................................................................................

� e favorite part of my job is..........................................................................................................................

I knew this was my hospital when.................................................................................................................

My Hospital is ..................................................................................................................................................

And I’m Striving for Excellence, Always!

My Name is ............................................................................... , and this is My Story.René Rios

Denton Regional Medical Center

1986

Certified Surgical Technician and Surgical First Assistant

Spending time with my family at home and at church; singing with my Mariachi band.

Learning English at the age of 12; Finishing school and being able to work at Denton Regional for over 25 years.

I wanted to assist in surgery.

Getting to work early and preparing my cases for the day.

I first came for my job interview.

0428_GG_DRC HR campaign_horiz_René Rios.indd 1 12/5/11 1:22 PM

7

Joined the Denton Regional team in .............................................................................................................

My Expertise is .................................................................................................................................................

A Perfect Day includes ....................................................................................................................................

My Proudest Accomplishment is....................................................................................................................

I went into healthcare because........................................................................................................................

� e favorite part of my job is..........................................................................................................................

I knew this was my hospital when.................................................................................................................

My Hospital is ..................................................................................................................................................

And I’m Striving for Excellence, Always!

My Name is ............................................................................... , and this is My Story.René Rios

Denton Regional Medical Center

1986

Certified Surgical Technician and Surgical First Assistant

Spending time with my family at home and at church; singing with my Mariachi band.

Learning English at the age of 12; Finishing school and being able to work at Denton Regional for over 25 years.

I wanted to assist in surgery.

Getting to work early and preparing my cases for the day.

I first came for my job interview.

0428_GG_DRC HR campaign_horiz_René Rios.indd 1 12/5/11 1:22 PM

PATIENT LOYALTY

8

Stateof theHospitalSummaryof 2011 2011

Patient Days 47,667

IP Admissions 10,677

IP Surgeries 3,878

OP Surgeries 8,578

Babies Born 984

Open Heart Procedures 257

Catheterization Procedures 7,185

ER Visits 43,579

Charity Care $7,742,853

Taxes Paid $2,185,063

Total Employees 894

Total Physicians 336

New Physicians 38

Volunteers 62

FINANCIAL GROWTH

9

QUALITY AND SAFETY

DentonRegionalhas goneGreen!

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Denton Regional team, we were 100% compliant with core measures during the 4th quarter and our patients are 100% better because of you! Our AMI, Heart Failure, Surgical Care, and Pneumonia patients received the best care 100% of the time during their stay at Denton Regional!

PATIENT SAFETYREPORTINGAt Denton Regional, we are committed to providing the safest care possible to our patients. As a reminder, any patient safety concerns can be reported via MOX to DRMC SAFETY or by sending an email in Outlook to DRMC.Safety@hcahealthcare.com. These concerns are monitored 24/7 by the Patient SafetyOfficer.

10

EMPLOYEE PRIDE

QuarterlyService ExcellenceAward Winners

• ServiceExcellence:Nurses Clinical professionals in RN or LVN roles.

• ServiceExcellence:Allies Clinical professionals in PT, OT, ST, Imaging, Pharmacy,

Lab, Dietetics, Social Work, Cardiopulmonary, Professional Techs, and any additional clinical employees.

• ServiceExcellence:Champions Non-clinical professionals in Human Resources, PAS,

EVS, FANS, Engineering, IT, Business Development, Guest Relations, Medical Staff Services, Professional Development, Secretaries/HUC, Non-Professional Techs, and any additional non-clinical employees.

Nominees are selected by the governing committee and recognized as someone who:

• ParticipatesintheadvancementofDentonRegionalMedicalCenter’s mission, vision, values, and goals.

• Exhibitsandactivelypromotesour“StandardsofExcellence”.• Upholdsapositiveattitudeasdemonstratedbyavailability,

cooperation, courtesy, friendliness, helpfulness, and presence on the job.

• Demonstratesexemplaryservice.• Demonstrateshighqualityofworkperformanceincluding

creativity and initiative.• Participatesbeyondthescopeofregularduties. In addition to public recognition, as a reward for their selection, the quarterly winner in each category receives $200. They will also be considered for the Annual Service Excellence Award in their category, to be awarded eachyear inMay.

As a result of feedback received from so many of you through the Nursing Forum

and a number of other avenues (the Employee Advisory Group, previous Employee

Engagement Surveys, etc.), Denton Regional Medical Center has established a

quarterly Service Excellence Award program that kicked off in June 2011. This

award was developed to recognize employees in three different categories for

their commitment to hard work and customer service.

Those categories are:

11

The winners this period were:

Nurses category – Diane Newton, RN, SDS/CVRDiane was nominated by Sue Ruffner as someone who has a “we can do it” attitude, who is calm under pressure, and who is consistently caring and compassionate towards her patients. While Diane is a caregiver for family members outside of work, she is routinely flexible in her scheduling, accommodating her co-workers as needed. Sue went on to say that Diane goes above and beyond to help anesthesiology and surgeons with whatever needs they may have.

Allies category – Patricia “Coco” Hall, CNA,Progressive Care Unit Coco was nominated by Pam Pedron and her team as someone who goes above and beyond on a daily basis for her patients, families and nurses. Comment cards read, “I felt so much better with Coco as my tech, she makes me laugh. All care givers should strive to be as caring and compas-sionate as her.” Pam went on to state that Coco is able to get patients to do things that no one else can manage to accomplish, whether it is walking, eating, bathing, or assisting the nurse to get them to take their medications. Pam stated that Coco is flexible with her schedule and works extra shifts when needed. When she is caught up with her duties, she will assist her fel-low techs to accomplish their duties. Pam states, “Coco is the poster child for teamwork!”

Champions category – Kendall Blevins, Engineering Techin the Engineering DepartmentKendall was nominated by James Gorman as someone who “always has a smile on his face and a tool of some kind in his hands.” Kendall is known for stopping to fix anything that needs fixing, or assisting anytime there is a need. He’s been seen helping nurses transport patients, taking lost visitors to their destination and helping housekeeping outside of his normal duties. James went on to say that Kendall shows great customer service “to enhance the patient experience without worrying about his own time.”

Everyone is encouraged to nominate their peers and colleagues for the next quarterly awards. You can submit nominations any time by filling out the nomination form & dropping it off in Human Resources or in any one of the comment boxes located throughout the hospital. If you miss the next quarterly deadline, your nomination will be kept and reviewed for the following quarter’s awards.

Nomination forms can be picked up from your department leader or in Human Resources. If you have questions, please contact the Human Resources department at ext. 3030 for more details.

12

EMPLOYEE PRIDE

Substance Use in the Workplace Policy

A safe and productive workplace free of inappropriate alcohol or drug use is achieved through cooperation and shared responsibility. Denton Regional Medical Center is committed to providing such a workplace through partnership with our employees and adherence to our “Substance Use in the Workplace” policy (CSG.MM.002), as adopted/revised in April 2011.

Everyone should be aware that it is the responsibility of each employee to:

• Adheretothispolicy.• Notifyhisorhersupervisoratthefacilityofanyarrestorconvictioninvolving drugs or alcohol prior to his or her next scheduled shift or clinical duty.• Cooperatefullywithanyinvestigationrelatedtoallegedviolationsofthispolicy.• Investigate,report,and/orinterveneintheeventofreasonablesuspicionof violations of this policy.• Safeguardcontrolledsubstancesfromunauthorizedaccess.

This important policy lists a number of prohibited behaviors, as well as a duty to report certain incidents or observed behaviors. Per the policy, the following activities are strictly prohibited and may lead to discipline, up to and including immediate termination:

• Thesales,manufacture,distribution,purchase,use,orpossessionofalcohol,alcoholicbeverages,illegalsubstances,non-prescribed controlled substances, or drug paraphernalia by an employee on facility premises or during his or her working hours.

• Reportingtowork,orbeingatwork,whileundertheinfluenceoforwhileimpairedbyalcohol,alcoholicbeverages,and illegal substances, prescribed or non-prescribed controlled substances. (An employee must notify his or her supervisor whenever he or she is taking a prescribed or over-the-counter drug that the employee has been advised will, or based upon the drug profile is likely to, impair job performance - e.g., drowsiness or diminished ability to focus.)

• Reportingtoworkorbeingatworkwiththesmellofalcoholonone’sbreathorperson,orameasurablequantityofnon-prescribedcontrolledsubstanceinone’sbloodorurine.

• Aconvictionforsaleorpossessionwithintenttodistributeanydrugs,includingprescriptiondrugs.• Theftordiversionoffacilitymedications.• Refusalforanyreasontosubmitorconsenttoadrug/alcoholscreenrequestedbyanymanagementpersonnelatthe

facility.• Participationinanyactthatwouldcreateorallowfalsedocumentationofsecurityand/orsafetypractices.• Tamperingwithorotherwisealteringdrugtestingsamplesorsecurityequipmentorsystems.

Each employee is responsible for adherence to this and all other Human Resources and Ethics and Compliance policies of Denton Regional Medical Center. For more details on this and other HR-related policies, employees can access the “Online Policies” section of the Denton Regional intranet site in the “Human Resources” catalog. For questions about how to access these policies, see your Director or Supervisor, or contact Human Resources at ext. 3030.

If you feel you or a loved one might suffer from substance abuse or addiction, or if you are experiencing a personal loss or crisis, you may reach out to our Employee Assistance Program at 1-888-600-4327.

13

EMPLOYEE PRIDE

Do you know when your license/registration/certification expires?As healthcare professionals, many of us have licenses, registrations or certifications that are required for our roles. Whether it’s an RN license for all RN positions, or specialty certifications required in specific departments, if it’s listed in your job description as a requirement, it has to be maintained in order for you to continue in your role. This is not only an expectation of licensed/registered/certified employees, but it’s also a requirement for the hospital to remain compliant with Joint Commission and other regulatory standards.

As a reminder to all employees, our hospital policy states, “Employees whose positions require license, registration and/or certification will be responsible for keeping their documents current and will not be able to work if their required licensure, registration and/or certification lapses. The Hospital will be under no obligation to continue employment of individuals who fail to maintain a license, registration and/or certification when required.”

Our policy goes on to state, “Lapse of required licensure, registration, or certification is in conflict with policy and will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.”

So what does this mean for you? While Human Resources and your Department Director or Supervisor may routinely review reports of upcoming license/registration/certification expirations, and while reminders may be provided to you, it is ultimately your professional responsibility to keep track of these expiration dates and ensure they do not lapse. In healthcare, we’re all charged with a big responsibility – the care and safety of our patients – and we each individually bear the responsibility of maintaining the appropriate professional credentials to provide that care.

We each individually bear the responsibility of maintaining the appropriate professional credentials to provide that care.

14

EMPLOYEE PRIDE

Children and grandchildren of Denton Regional employees, volunteers, physicians, and their office staff were invited to celebrate the holidays at the annual Children’s Holiday Party. The kiddos decorated their own holiday cookies, participated in special holiday crafts, and even got to take pictures with Santa!

Children’s HolidayParty

2011

15

EMPLOYEE PRIDE

Meet Our New Directors

Catherine (Cathe) Wooley,RN, MSN, RNC-NICDirector of Women’s Services-Nursery/NICU

Cathe has an extensive background in Neonatal Intensive Care and comes to Denton Regional from Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth. Cathe has worked at Cook’s for the past 12 years, where she served as a NICU nurse manager and was responsible for overseeing a 106 bed inpatient Level III-C NICU. Cathe served on various facility committees and was on the planning team for the new Cook Children’s NICU that recently opened. Prior to her position as a nurse manager, Cathe served as a NICU staff nurse, and holds a specialty certification as a NICU Case Manager.

Cathe looks forward to her new role at Denton Regional as the Nursery/NICU Director and is excited to assist us with our new growth plans for our future NICU. Please join us in welcoming her to the Denton Regional team!

Chebon Bravo,BSTM, MSMDirector ofInformation Services

Chebon joined HCA North Texas in 1999 at Las Colinas Medical Center as a Technical Analyst. He later served as a Senior Technician and eventually System Administrator. In 2005, he accepted the position of IT Director at Green Oaks Hospital.

During his time at Las Colinas, Chebon received two degrees: an Associate of Applied Science in Electronics and Computer Technology, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Technical Management from DeVry University in Irving, TX. During his time as Director at Green Oaks, he continued his education and received a Master of Science degree in Managerial Science from Amberton University this past May.

Chebon and wife Stacy (also an HCA employee) and their two boys Clayton (8) and Brendan (7) love to spend their weekends riding and racing dirt bikes. When the family is not riding dirt bikes, they are on the soccer field, where Chebon is either playing in his Tuesday night league or coaching his sons’ teams. Please welcome Chebon to the Denton Regional team!

16

Denton Regional Medical Center worked hard in 2011 to get involved and give back to our community. Community development plays an important role in being a leader in our community and through the hard work of our employees, we were able to make significant contributions to the health and well-being of the communities we serve. These contributions are made through offering support to community organizations, participating in activities important to the leadership of our community, and sharing our knowledge and expertise through health fairs, screenings, and speaking events.

Community SupportDenton Regional supports various not-for-profit organizations throughout the communities we serve. These organizations provide vital services to our stakeholders, including the improvement of the health and well-being of our community. Below is a list of organizations that received support from Denton Regional in 2011:

•AmericanHeartAssociation:MyHeart.MyLife.DentonSponsor

•UNTAthleticsFoundingPartner

•UNTFootball&BasketballGameDaySponsors

•UnitedWayofDentonCounty

•AmericanCancerSociety

•SusanG.KomenfortheCure

•Children’sAdvocacyCenterofDentonCounty(CACDC)

•CourtAppointedSpecialAdvocatesforChildrenofDentonCounty(CASA)

•DentonISD

•DentonFireDepartment

•SpeedwayChildren’sCharities

•DentonBenefitLeague

•TexasWoman’sUniversity

•InterfaithMinistries

•KiwanisClub

•RotaryClub

•BoyScoutsofAmerica

•GreaterDentonSportsCommission

•GreaterDentonArtsCouncil

COMMUNITY BENEFIT

Community Benefit Report

Judy Jeanes, RN, was asked to cut the ribbon for the first annual American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5k Walk held at the Ranger’s Ballpark in Arlington. Judy is a 27-year ACS volunteer and a 21-year breast cancer survivor.

Making Strides

Against Breast

Cancer

17

Giving Back to Our CommunityEmployees at Denton Regional give freely of their time and talents in our community, from providing leadership in community initiatives and support of community events to sharing their healthcare expertise through presentations, screenings, and health fairs.

•CommunityOutreachEvents(Screenings/HealthFairs/Presentations):31 Events

- Event Participation: 6,500+

•CommunitySupportEvents(not-for-profitorganizations): 45 Events

•CommunityInvolvement(ChamberofCommerce,etc.):77 Events

Get Involved, Volunteer, and Give Back in 2012Denton Regional Medical Center participates in many events throughout the year. Often volunteers are needed to help perform screenings (i.e. blood pressure checks, grip strength) or to just interact with the public, distributing important health and wellness information and information about our services. We already have a few events on the calendar, but there will be many more to come. If you would like to volunteer please contact Courtney Kennedy, Community Development Manager, at ext. 3211 or at Courtney.Kennedy@hcahealthcare.com.

Upcoming Events and Volunteer Opportunities: Date Event Time Location _______________________________________________________________________________________

18-Feb DISDHealthFair 10am-2pm DISDAdvancedTechnologyComplex

14-April RuntotheHouse5K 7am-11am ToBeAnnounced

COMMUNITY BENEFIT

18

COMMUNITY BENEFIT

Denton Regional employees, patients, and

survivors came out to raise awareness about

Heart Disease during the American Heart

Association Heart Walk. Denton Regional is

the AHA My Heart. My Life. Denton Sponsor.

Sandra Gray, HR, provides information

about Sun Safety during the Josten’s

Employee Health Fair.

Stuart Hilliard, MD, Hand Surgery,

answers questions about hand health

at the Robson Ranch Health Fair.

19

Denton Regional display at the new UNT Apogee Football Stadium. Denton Regional is a Founding Partner of UNT Athletics.

Jeff Felderhoff, Outpatient Therapies, performs a grip strength test at a UNT Football home game.

Over 200 runners came out to the annual Run to the House 5k, sponsored by Denton Regional.

Charles Phelps, Engineering, wife

Meredith and son Conner enjoy the

UNT vs. LSU basketball game.

UNT Basketball tips off against the

LSU Tigers. Denton Regional was the

game day sponsor for the LSU game,

broadcast on TXA-21.

20

SERVICE LINE SPOTLIGHT

Institutefor Advanced Surgery &Technology

TheInstituteforAdvancedSurgery

&Technologywascreatedto

demonstrate Denton Regional

MedicalCenter’scontinuing

commitment to providing the latest

surgical technology and techniques

to our patients, as well as partnering

with the most highly skilled

physiciansinthearea.Byutilizing

state-of-the-art technology, including

the da Vinci Si Robotic Surgery

System, our physicians are able to

perform less invasive procedures

that lead to better outcomes, smaller

incisions, less pain and scarring,

shorter hospital stays, and quicker

recoveries for our patients.

TheInstituteforAdvancedSurgery

&Technologyiscomposedofthe

followingspecialtycenters:

•HeartCenter

•Women’sCenter

•CenterforVascularSurgery

•CenterforOrthopedic&SportsMedicine

•CenterforGeneralSurgery

•OutpatientSurgeryCenter

20

21

Introducing Leo,the da Vinci Si Surgical Robot!

Congratulations to Caprice Thomas, winner of the Denton Regional Name the Robot Contest! The winning name was LEO! Caprice and her family had the opportunity to meet “Leo”, the da Vinci® robot, and experience how this technology makes surgery easier for patients. The Thomas family will also receive a free family membership to the Dallas Museum of Nature & Science!

Denton Regional received entries from children throughout Denton County and the DFW area. The da Vinci robot even traveled to a UNT home football game where Mean Green Fans were able to submit entries for the contest, as well as participate in a simulation that allowed them see what the physicians at Denton Regional experience during surgery.

“We had many entries and appreciated all the kids submitting their great ideas and art work. We were so impressed by their creativity and truly appreciated the support we received from the community,” said Caleb O’Rear, CEO, Denton Regional Medical Center.

About the da Vinci Si Surgical Robot

Denton Regional Medical Center is the first hospital in Denton County to introduce the da Vinci® Si™ Surgical System to our operating room and to our community. This is a significant arrival because of the value it offers our surgical staff and those in the region we serve.

The da Vinci® Si™ has several unique features designed to provide additional clinical benefits and efficiency in the operating room, many of which translate to benefits for the patient as well. Here are a few features of the da Vinci® Si™:

• Enhanced3D,high-definitionvisionofoperativefieldwithupto10xmagnification

• Newoptionaldualconsoleallowssecondsurgeontoprovideassistance

• Superiorvisualclarityoftissueandanatomy

• Surgicaldexterityandprecisionfargreaterthanthehumanhand

• UpdatedandsimplifieduserinterfacetoenhanceORefficiency

• Newergonomicsettingsforgreatersurgeoncomfort

Together these technological advancements provide our surgeons with unparalleled precision, dexterity and control that enable a minimally invasive approach for many complex surgical procedures. Commenting on the introduction of the da Vinci Si System, Chief Executive Officer Caleb O’Rear said, “We believe that the new features of the da Vinci Si System will help us provide the best possible outcomes and is proof of our commitment to provide access to the latest advancements in minimally invasive surgery to our community.”

The da Vinci’s advanced level of technology takes surgery beyond the limits of the human hand. This acquisition complements our goal of extending minimally invasive surgery to the broadest possible base of patients. It can be used for a multitude of procedures, including, but not limited to: prostatectomy, hysterectomy, myomectomy, coronary artery bypass, mitral valve repair and colorectal surgery.

21

22

SERVICE LINE SPOTLIGHT

Follow us on

INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED SURGERY & TECHNOLOGY

>>>>>

To learn more, visit dentonregional.com

At the INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED SURGERY & TECHNOLOGY, you

can count on the latest surgical technology and techniques, as well

as the most highly skilled physicians in the area. By utilizing state-

of-the-art technology, including the da Vinci Si Robotic Surgery

System, our physicians are able to provide less invasive procedures

that lead to better outcomes, smaller incisions, less pain and

scarring, shorter hospital stays, and a quicker recovery. That’s

why we’re more than a hospital. WE’RE CARE YOU CAN TRUST.

LESS Pain, FEWER Stitches, FASTER Recovery

3535 S. I-35E Denton, TX 76210940.384.3535www.dentonregional.com

377

35E

<<<<< Institute for ADVANCED SURGERY & TECHNOLOGY

INSTITUTE for ADVANCED SURGERY& TECHNOLOGY

Marketing material for the Institute for

Advanced Surgery & Technology

Patient Brochure

Billboard

Print Ad

For many women, endometriosis can be a life changing disease that causes pain, irregular bleeding, and even infertility. Impacting 5% of women of childbearing age, endometriosis occurs when the tissue that lines the uterus also grows abnormally outside this area. This tissue, called an implant or lesion, typically grows in the pelvic area and is not shed monthly during the menstrual cycle like normal endometrial tissue.

Recent advances in surgical technology and techniques have allowed gynecologists to treat this condition more effectively. Utilizing the new da Vinci Si Surgical System, gynecologists on staff at Denton Regional Medical Center are now able to perform robot-assisted endometriosis resection surgery through 4 tiny incisions. The enhanced 3-D visualization provided by the da Vinci, as well as the dexterity and control that it provides the physician during surgery, results in less blood loss for the patient, a lower conversion rate to open surgery, fewer complications, a shorter hospital stay, and less scarring compared to open or laparoscopic methods.

John Dulemba, MD, an expert in endometriosis resection surgery and a gynecologist on staff at Denton Regional Medical Center, provided instruction to his peers from around the world on this advanced procedure during the 40th Global Congress on Minimally Invasive Gynecology, sponsored by the American Association of Gynecologic Laproscopists (AAGL). The live surgery, utilizing the new da Vinci Si Surgical System, was digitally streamed from the Institute for Advanced Surgery & Technology at Denton Regional Medical Center to the conference in Hollywood, Florida on November 8th, 2011.

Robot-Assisted Surgery StreamedLiveasTeachingToolforPhysiciansWorld-Wide

23

Women’s CenterWomen want care they can trust. We deliver.

The entire second floor of Denton Regional is dedicated to Women’s Services, including 9 elegant labor and delivery suites, 17 post-partum beds, a state-of-the-art special care nursery, and a sophisticated infant security system. Every member of our labor and delivery staff is credentialed in fetal monitoring by the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). In addition, we have 24/7 neonatology coverage for babies born at Denton Regional.

New Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Procedures Offered

For many complex hysterectomies and other gynecologic procedures, robot-assisted surgery with the da Vinci Si Surgical System may be the most effective, least invasive treatment option. Through tiny, 1-2 cm incisions, surgeons can operate with greater precision and control, minimizing the pain and risk associated with large incisions while increasing the likelihood of a fast recovery and excellent clinical outcomes.

Women’s Services

Women’s Services

Women’s Services

Women’s Services

Women’s Services

Women’s Center

Women’s Center

Women’s Center

Women’s Center

Women’s Center

Center for Women

Center for Women

Center for Women

Center for Women

Center for Women

Coming Soon for Women’s Services-Women’s Center Marketing Campaign

TheWomen’sCenterwillbefeaturedinanupcomingmarketing

campaignthatwillbelaunchedinearlyspring.Lookfornew

printadvertizingaswellasbillboardsfeaturingtheexceptional

services Denton Regional has to offer!

24

Meet the New Physicians on Denton Regional’s Gynecological Surgery Team

SERVICE LINE SPOTLIGHT

Antonio Asis, MD Obstetrics & GynecologyRobotic Gynecologic Surgery

Antonio, Asis MD, is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Raised in Connecticut, he graduated from Brown University, The University of Rochester Medical School, and completed his residency training at Yale University.

Dr. Asis is a proctor for Intuitive Surgical, teaching other physicians robotic surgical techniques for gynecologic procedures. As a bilingual OB/Gyn, he takes pride in providing compassionate, comprehensive care to pregnant mothers and gynecologic patients. And as a robotic surgeon, he offers patients significant expertise in minimally invasive robotic surgery and pelvic floor surgery.

LaTasha Jarrett, MD Obstetrics & Gynecology

LaTasha Jarrett, MD, is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology. She was raised in Atlanta, Georgia and graduated from Brown University, the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, and completed her residency training at the University of Texas Houston.

Dr. Jarrett has a special interest in offering holistic care to her patients and takes pride in providing compassionate and state-of-the-art care to both her pregnant and gynecologic patients. Dr. Jarrett is also very passionate about preventative care and its role in the continued health of her patients.

25

NEWS/ANNIVERSARIES

Employee Department Years of ServiceOCTOBERFritz Desir Food & Nutrition Services 25Cindi Morris Emergency Room 10 MonnaIreland Medical/Oncology 10KellyCox Communications/PBX 5Sandra Gray Human Resources 5Robert Mosher Respiratory Therapy 5Diana Sudduth Case Management 5Chanda Tinstman Emergency Room 5

NOVEMBER Vonnie George Intensive Care 25Melissa Rush Occupational Therapy 25Kristi Hidalgo Food & Nutrition Services 20Marty Cope Pharmacy 10

DECEMBER Linda Turner Day Surgery 30Tracy Manning Pharmacy 15Kristine Bell Laboratory 10Mary Forseth Laboratory 5Kristopher Jackson Cardiovascular Therapy 5Tabetha Richardson Laboratory 5

JANUARY Emily Taylor Food & Nutrition Services 25Diane Splawn Medical 20Carolyn Williams Occupational Therapy 20Crystal Folse Laboratory 15Kathryn Childs Progressive Care 10PennyCooper Finance/Accounting 10Missina Minter Respiratory Therapy 10Mary Chambers Risk Management 5Janet Galaway Medical Staff 5Anthony Galindo Cardiac Catherization Lab 5Jo Jones Respiratory Therapy 5Deeba Korous Progressive Care 5Russell Mariott Business Development 5Derek Peters Intensive Care 5Norma Salazar Progressive Care 5Sudha Varghese Recovery Room 5

FEBRUARY Paula Byler Post Partum 25Timothy Henderson Laboratory 15Jonathan France Operating Room 10Katherine Lauderdale-Mulf Emergency Room 10

Sandy Flores, Finance, recently completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Phoenix.

Frankie Martin, HUC, ER, has been accepted to participate in HCA North Texas’ Grow Your Own program, where she will be able to earn her Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing.

Marquita Nixon, ICU, and Jeremy Sparkman, Radiology, were wed this past November.

Mechelle Porterfield, RN, and Lisa Schilling, RN, have earned designation as Certified Emergency Nurses.

Cindy Nalley, RN, Medical Floor, recently received her specialty certification in Geriatric Nursing.

Denton Regional Emergency Department nurses were instrumental in starting Denton County’s first ever chapter of the Emergency Nurse Association. Melissa Alvarado, RN (Emergency Department Educator), has been elected the group’s President and Scott Domingue, RN (Director of Emergency Services), has been elected as Treasurer.

Judith Mandalise, RN, ER, was accepted to the Emergency Nurse Association’s Wellness Committee. Judith was the only nurse from Texas appointed to this national committee.

Kathryn Anderson, RN, ICU, was recently recognized for her outstanding contributions to the Denton City Contemporary Ballet (DCCB). Kathryn is a DCCB Production Board Member and has danced with the company since its founding in 1992.

Denton Regional’s Emergency Department was one of 100 departments in the U.S. selected to participate in the reliability and validity testing of the ED Basic Knowledge Assessment Test (ED-BKAT) version 2. The BKAT is an orientation tool that measures an RN’s ability to provide safe nursing care in an Emergency Department setting.

The Women’s Center at Denton Regional Medical Center was recently recognized by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). We received recognition for our participation in the 2010 ACNM Benchmarking Project. Denton Regional was identified as a “best practice” among medium-sized practices in 3 categories and as “runner-up best practice” among medium-sized practices in 4 categories. Thanks to the entire Women’s Center team for your hard work and high standards!

In 2012 our Emergency Department is participating in a research project with our fellow HCA North Texas Emergency Departments. The research project will focus on the use of protocols to manage acute pain. It will also measure the effect of education on the attitudes and beliefs about pain management among clinicians.

Employee & Department News Anniversaries

0655_GG_DRC Right Team Billboards.indd 1 8/29/11 11:59 AM

This magazine is a publication of the Business Development office for the employees of Denton Regional Medical Center. For more information, please call 940.384.3252.

3535 S. I-35EDenton, TX 76210

Example of one of the many billboards around the area promoting Denton Regional Medical Center

PARTINGSHOT