The program offers unlimited access to meetings and drop-in times, as well as mobile apps and web tools.  Meetings will be held each Monday starting on May 21, with weigh-ins at 5:30 and the meeting at 6 pm. To enroll, drop by before a meeting (between 5 and 5:30 pm).

The cost is $13 per week or $42.95 per month.

For more information: (316) 804-6159.

Nurse’s Litany

To care for the sick, the injured and those in need — This is why I became a nurse

To see the expression of love on the face of new parents the first time they hold their new baby — This is why I became a nurse

To hold the hand of someone’s grandmother who has no family with her — This is why I became a nurse

To see the smile on the teenager’s face after successfully giving his first insulin shot to himself — That is why I became a nurse

To hug the daughter of my patient, her mother, who has just passed away — That is why I became a nurse

To wash the face of a frightened little girl and see her smile at me — That is why I became a nurse

To clean the wounds of the young man that was just hit while riding his motorcycle — That is why I became a nurse

To help my patient walk on his new hip without pain for the first time — That is why I became a nurse

To listen to my patient express their anger of their new diagnosis of cancer — That is why I became a nurse

To see the delight on the face of my patient of four weeks, who gets to go home after a long difficult illness — That is why I became a nurse

To carry the vision of caring and healing to the next generation — That is why I became a nurse.

A Nurse’s Prayer

Let me dedicate my life
today to the care of those
who come my way. Let me touch
each one with a healing hand
and the gentle care for which I stand.
And then tonight when the day is done let me rest in peace
if I’ve helped just one.

The 127 Kansas community hospitals provide vital health care services to our communities.  Annually they staff nearly 10,000 beds; they see more than 318,000 inpatient visits (140,000 Medicare and 47,000 Medicaid); they assist in more than 40,000 births; they provide care during nearly 7 million outpatient visits; and see more than 1 million visits to Kansas emergency departments.

Not only do our hospitals serve thousands of individuals, keeping our communities healthy, strong and vibrant, hospitals also benefit the financial health of our state. In Kansas, hospitals employ 73,890 people or 3.4 percent of all job holders and generate $4.2 billion in direct total income. In these challenging economic times, our hospitals support the creation of an additional 57,330 jobs in other business and industry and have a total employment impact of more than 131,000 jobs. For every one dollar of income generated in the hospital sector, another 48 cents is generated in other businesses and industries in the state’s economy; thus, having an estimated total impact on income throughout all business and industry of more than $6.3 billion.

National Hospital Week is our nation’s largest health care event. This year’s theme, Making Miracles Happen, reminds our communities of the important work performed inside hospitals. More information regarding National Hospital Week can be found online at http://www.nationalhospitalweek.com/hospitalweek/.

Better Breathers Club of Wichita is an American Lung Association educational program that meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month, providing opportunities to learn better ways to cope with respiratory disease. Better Breathers Club is intended for patients with respiratory disease and their friends, family, and caregivers. Respiratory professionals are invited to attend as well.

Speech, language and swallowing disorders can take many forms and can limit an individual’s ability to achieve, adjust and advance in society. An individual may be born with a speech or language disorder, or the disorder may be caused by accidental injury or illness.

“Fortunately, most people with speech, language and swallowing problems can be helped,” said Morgan Simmons, a speech therapist at NMC. “Even if the problem cannot be eliminated, we can teach people with these problems strategies to help them cope. People may not fully regain their capacity to speak and understand or to even swallow, but a speech-language pathologist can help them live more independently.”

Speech-language pathologists are the professionals who treat all types of speech, language, swallowing and other related disorders. They hold at least a master’s degree and are certified by ASHA; in Kansas, they also are licensed by the state. Speech-language pathologists work in schools, private practices, hospitals, clinics and other health and education settings.

ASHA is the national professional, scientific and credentialing association for more than 145,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists and speech, language and hearing scientists.

At NMC, speech-language therapy has recently taken a technological leap. Pathologists are now using the popular computer tablet iPad in their work with patients. The iPad has more than 45 applications that can be used in therapy, including such areas as:

• Articulation
• Swallowing
• Memory/Cognition
• Alternative/Augmentative communication boards
• Language builders

Currently, three children and one adult are using the iPad in outpatient therapy, The therapists are also using it in the Inpatient Rehab Unit.

“It allows us to create a more engaging therapy setup,’” said Simmons, who also noted that it is more environmentally friendly. “However, the iPad doesn’t replace traditional therapy techniques. It just enhances the experience for a ‘tech generation.’”

It brings me to think about those of us who provide the care that the patients are seeking when coming to NMC and this question:

“If you don’t wake up in the morning excited to pick up where you left your work yesterday, you haven’t found your calling yet.”

I came across this article, ”5 Lessons from Mike Wallace’s Life for All of Us,” about a late, great hero to journalists everywhere. It seems to apply to the rest of us as well.

So I ask all of us out there in healthcare this question: are you living your passion? What’s “exciting” about going into work? About being a member of your patient care team or department? If you lack enthusiasm, what would it take to get it back (if you ever had it in the first place)?

Some of the other lessons from Mr. Wallace call us to challenge the status quo; to try new things, be a “tough cookie” when situations demand, to embrace a fearlessness that leaves an indelible mark or impression. This may involve new exam techniques or technology, streamlined protocols for the treatment of patients (or employees), or going above and beyond to simply “make things better.”

In my opinion, it makes no difference what role we’re in professionally. We’re all guilty of going through the motions, getting wrapped up in complacency or even negativity at times. What’s standing in the way of the passion–for you personally, or for the healthcare field as a whole?

If your answer is “nothing,” you’re one of the lucky ones, like Mike Wallace.

Author: Tom Wells

He fills the position vacated by Douglas Horbelt, MD, when he retired in March after 37 years of service.

In addition to his interim position, the KU School of Medicine graduate is an OBGYN assistant professor and treats patients at Associates in Women’s Health, PA, in Newton. Prior, he was the Health Policy Advisor for the United States Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources.

Dr. Bradley serves on the board of directors of Newton Medical Center, is an oral board examiner for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and medical director of robotic surgery at Newton Medical Center.

The KU School of Medicine–Wichita educates doctors for Kansas while improving the health of Kansans through research and innovation.

VolunTeens are teenagers, 14 through 18 years of age, who volunteer their time and services to Newton Medical Center. VolunTeens are a vital part of the health care team, lending a helping hand in many areas of the medical center.

Registration forms are available at high school offices or from the medical center front information desk. Participation in the summer program is limited to 15 applicants. Completed registration is due in the nursing service office no later than May 28. An orientation for participants is scheduled the evening of June 4 in the Prairie Room.

Please contact Jeff Barton, vice president of patient services, at 316-804-6004, or Tina Vicars, nursing secretary, at 316-804-6005 (local call in Newton) for further information.

Newton Medical Center is a comprehensive 103-bed hospital in Newton, Kan., offering full-service medical care in Harvey County and surrounding areas. For more information about Newton Medical Center, please call 316-283-2700 or visit www.newtonmedicalcenter.com.

Specifically, on April 16, at 1:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m., NMC’s Ethics Committee is welcoming the public to attend a free seminar in the Prairie Room at the hospital, with information about advance care planning and advance directive forms.

“As a result of National Healthcare Decisions Day, many more people in our community can be expected to have thoughtful conversations about their health care decisions and complete reliable advance directives to make their wishes known,” said Dr. Karolyn Cook, NMC Ethics Committee Chairperson. “Fewer families and health care providers will have to struggle with making difficult healthcare decisions in the absence of guidance from the patient, and health care providers and facilities will be better equipped to address advance healthcare planning issues before a crisis and be better able to honor patient wishes when the time comes to do so.”

For more information about National Healthcare Decisions Day, please visit www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org.

However, colorectal cancer is one of the most treatable cancers when it is caught in the early stages. The physicians of Newton Medical Center have asked for a community call-to-action to raise awareness for colorectal cancer and encouraging screening – the key to saving lives.

Colorectal cancer occurs when cells in the colon or rectum, part of the body’s digestive track, become abnormal and divide without control, forming tumors. Physicians can screen for the disease using a number of techniques, but the standard colonoscopy remains the “medical gold standard” for detecting colon cancer.

According to hospital records, the number of Newton-area patients receiving a colonoscopy over the past three years has declined, even though the number of physicians who offer screening services has increased and the number of persons who turn 50 years of age or older has also increased.

“This is an ominous sign because it means that someone who shouldn’t get colon cancer is now at higher risk of being diagnosed with later-stage disease when the cancer is finally discovered,” said Val Gleason, vice president of physician services at NMC. “This is the tragedy of colorectal cancer:  A simple colonoscopy saves lives, but only half of the people who are eligible actually get the test done when they should. “

Risk factors for developing colorectal cancer include:

• Age – People who are 50 years or older are at higher risk.
• Having polyps, abnormal growths that are benign.
• A previous history of cancer, especially colorectal cancer, but also ovarian, uterine or breast cancer.
• A family history of colorectal cancer.
• Ulcerative colitis or Crohn colitis.
• High consumption of red and processed meat and low consumption of whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
• A sedentary lifestyle.
• Smoking.

“Colorectal cancer is not only treatable when caught early, but may also be preventable by making lifestyle changes,” Gleason said. “We invite the community to make the decision today to lower your risk through preventative measures and regular screening.”

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Newton Medical Center Medical Staff Resolution

The NMC Medical Staff has signed a resolution that asserts:

•     Since colorectal cancer is preventable and detectable in its earliest stages, and

•     Since only about half the people who should be the correct colorectal cancer screening actually do so,

•     The doctors have asked for a Community Call to Action to make local citizens aware of the need for colorectal cancer screening.  They have asked other physicians and the Medical Center to promote awareness of this dreadful disease among their own employees and their families.  NMC doctors would like to eradicate colorectal cancer in the Greater Newton Area.

Newton Medical Center is a comprehensive 103-bed hospital in Newton, Kan., offering full-service medical care in Harvey, Butler and northern Sedgwick counties. For more information about Newton Medical Center, please call 316-283-2700 or visit www.newtonmedicalcenter.com.