HENDRICKS REGIONAL HEALTH CHRONICLES | VOL. 3 - ISSUE 19 | HENDRICKS.ORG

THE BEST KEPT SECRET AT HRH

In June 2015, Katrina (Trina) Stultz set out on a personal journey to lose weight. Her plan included eating healthier and exercising more. By the end of 2015, Stultz’s coworkers in the Childbirth Center (CBC) applauded her success and expressed interest in joining her journey. The department started a weight loss initiative and almost immediately encountered a challenge.

“We were discussing calorie counts and how most tools give you a one-size-fi ts-all number,” said Stultz. “I sent an email to the Wellness Department and asked if the hospital would be willing to get something to test metabolism so that people could know what their calorie level really is. I was surprised to learn HRH already had one, a BodyGem, that associates and the community can use.”

Our Wellness experts who Stultz worked with suggested Wellness Coaching to support the CBC’s weight loss initiative. The two

departments scheduled eight coaching sessions that Stultz says covered more than weight loss. “In addition, the sessions covered nutrition and healthy eating; increasing movement and types of exercise; stress management; being grateful; and benefi ts of a consistent sleep routine. A physical therapist spoke on proper shoes for diff erent types of exercise. We loved that they came to us for these sessions and picked times most convenient for us.”

Stultz says she also took advantage of other resources available to HRH associates looking to improve their health. She works out in the fi tness center and loves the fi tness classes. She utilizes the calorie counts the Copper Grill provides to maintain her healthy eating. She also found more tools in the Wellness Department to keep her motivated. “The Wellness Department has a scale you can use that gives you your Body Mass Index, your body fat percentage, and your belly fat so you can see change is still occurring even when your total weight isn’t changing. I also participated in the Health Risk Assessments this past fall and learned my good cholesterol was up which is hard to accomplish. There is so much here, but I don’t think associates take advantage of it enough. I like to call the Wellness Department the best kept secret at HRH.”

Stultz has successfully maintained her lower weight for close to a year. She says she also feels healthier emotionally. “I didn’t feel good about myself. Now I’m more content, I have more energy, I’m nicer to my family.”

Improving health and wellness among associates is a top priority for HRH. “We know that making positive changes can be hard,” says Jenny Bates, Wellness Director. “But if we have the right support systems in place, we can give associates the tools they need to be successful in their health and wellness goals.”

HRH off ers a wide variety of free and low-cost health and wellness programs to help associates and their loved ones live healthier lives.

Wellness Coaching: Wellness coaches work with associates and their family members to help take care of the Big Three: moving more, making wise choices and stressing less.

Group Health and Wellness Coaching: HRH wellness coaches meet with participants for an hour once per week for 12 weeks and discuss topics including eating healthier, moving more

and managing chronic medical conditions.

Health Risk Assessments & Screenings: All HRH associates and their spouses are encouraged to complete a quick free health risk assessment, which includes an online component and lab draw. The Wellness team follows up on any abnormal results.

Nutrition Resources: The dietitians at HRH (in Wellness and Nutrition & Dietetics) are available to assist employees with questions about nutrition and healthy lifestyles.

Fitness Center: All associates and their families are eligible to participate in the HRH Fitness Center. The center is accessible 24/7 and off ers a wide range of low-cost classes.

HRH YMCA Memberships: Associates can take advantage of a membership discount at the HRH YMCA in Avon.

Lifesteps®: Lifesteps is for those ready to change behaviors that prevent weight loss, and who want to learn how to successfully deal with setbacks.

Stress Management Classes: HRH off ers free stress management classes to all associates. Topics range from behavioral information, yoga, meditation, exercise and more.

Support for Tobacco-Free Living: Wellness coaches will work with associates in conjunction with the 1-800-Quit-Now Program to develop a personalized plan for success.

Diabetes Resources: The Center for Diabetes Excellence off ers individualized and group classes to help manage diabetes. Additionally, the HRH YMCA off ers a pre-diabetes course.

2017 RESOLUTION: ENGAGE IN WELLNESS

VOL. 3 - ISSUE 19

Eleven students graduated from HRH’s 16-month paramedic class on December 15, 2016. The students put in more than 400 hours of clinical work and completed more than 600 hours of ambulance clinicals.

HRH recognized Dr. Narsing Damera for his dedication and service.

Perianesthesia, PREP and Cardiac Cath Lab departments donated toys and books to military families as part of an ongoing giving project to celebrate the holidays.

OR staff donated holiday gifts to a local mother and her three children.

Gifts for the family of the first baby born at HRH in 2017.

COLLABORATION & EMPATHY IMPERATIVE TO SUCCESSFUL CHANGE

“Healthcare is a field where you can actually make an impact on lives. Healthcare is where I can best serve, create positive change and be part of something bigger than myself.”

Jessica Cornelius has been HRH’s Director of Information Systems (IS) only two and a half years, but in that time she has worked on numerous strategic projects positively impacting the organization. At her direction, the IS team has completely redesigned HRH’s

networks, is transitioning all data hosting to the cloud and is enhancing security on an ongoing basis.

Cornelius says communication is vital when introducing change. She says members of the IS team are often asked why associates can’t view social media on campus. “Associates absolutely can look at social media, just not on our network because those are areas where you see a high rate of malicious emails and malware. It’s important for people to understand why.”

Cornelius says successfully implementing change requires collaboration and empathy. To achieve the team’s strategic goals, IS team members worked alongside every operational and clinical area of the organization. “More than ever before, technology touches every part of the business of healthcare. We are engaged in initiatives from the start, and help build bridges between operations. Our team empathizes with our clinicians and other staff so that we can design systems that will work for them. It’s not about fixing things; It’s about finding solutions, knowing that solutions themselves are always changing.”

Cornelius’ passions outside HRH include her daughter, Abigail, and mentoring, which sometimes mix. Cornelius says she has been

blessed to work with a variety of mentors who helped her to grow professionally and personally. She is involved with several professional organizations that provide her the opportunity to mentor other women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). “I am so proud that my daughter is pursuing her dream to study neuroscience at UC San Diego. I hope that I have been able to show her that women can and do succeed in STEM careers.” Cornelius believes communicating STEM opportunities early in life will help advance more women to careers in the field.

As a single mother, Cornelius understands the value of work-life balance, though she admits it can be a challenge at times. That’s why her leadership style is centered on supporting her team and offering flexibility when she can. For example, when a critical project recently required non-traditional hours, she encouraged associates to invite their families to join the team for dinner.

Cornelius says while the past two and a half years have been a challenge, she has enjoyed watching the IS team and HRH change. “All of the things we are doing here at HRH from a technology standpoint are helping differentiate us in the market. We are preparing the organization for success in the future.”

Living The HENDRICKS Way

HRH will “Go Red” in celebration of National Heart Month. All associates are encouraged to wear red on Go Red Day, Friday, February 3.