Career ladder will recognize caring staff at health center

By MEGAN COOPER

Mt. Pleasant News

Henry County Health Center (HCHC) is full of care providers who take their jobs seriously. These providers love what they do and it shows, HCHC CEO Robb Gardner noted during Thursday?s meeting of the facility?s trustees.

Gardner recognized those providers through a program called Career Ladder. This program is a ?way to say thank you,? he said. They do the right work and deserve a small incentive. Recognizing what those providers do for HCHC and the community helps the organization move forward. The Career Ladder program has four levels ? 1, 2, 3 and 4. As the care provider gains years and does more for the center and community, the more incentive they gain.

?The following recipients are truly our shining stars and we appreciate the work you do. Keep up the good work,? Gardner said to the recipients, which are, as follows: Angie Ackles, Carolee Benz, Connie Borschell, Gary Brose, Lorie Coakley, Jill Daniel, Maureen Ewinger, Gloria Fear, Marica Jamison, Travis Johnson, Elise Klopfenstein, Kelly Klossing, Prudy Mallams, Sara McClure, Andrea Moeller, Mary Murphy, Brandy Parker, Devan Rhum, Gwen Richardson, Ava Siebert, Brian Sinclair, Stacy Speidel, Deb Steenblock, Todd Steenblock, John Vallandingham, Rebecca VanDeuren-Sample, Linda Veldbloom, Dan Walderbach, Laura Williams and Dawn Zaiser.

?Congratulations to those recipients and thank you,? finished Gardner.

?Construction of the facility is nearing its end. Everything is proceeding on schedule. The board hopes to have everything up and running by Sept. 11,? said Mark Hall, one of many working on the project.

Gardner praised Hall?s commitment to the project, ?Mark is committed to this project. He works his tail off, just as everyone is, we couldn?t be happier.?

The facility is changing drastically and ?it looks just beautiful,? mentioned Gardner. ?If you have time, you have to check it out,? he told the board.

HCHC is planning an open house for Sept. 8; this is, of course, pending completion of construction. There will be a tour of the new facility and refreshments to follow. A special time will be set aside for trustees, tenants, medical staff and associates to tour before the public. It will mainly take place, as the tour will, in the patient care area. A more definite schedule will follow once construction is completed.

The new surgical unit has many modern upgrades. A sterile hallway, with cabinets that open into the surgery rooms so that no one enters the room, have been installed. The patient post-operation care rooms are brand new ? they have glass sliding doors that will have curtains to block them from view. Each room has a patient TV, two chairs for visitors and an electronic nurse?s station for the patient record. There is even a new family waiting room being designed and an exit door that will be right up front, with easy access to loading. These modern updates will help with patient care.

Dr. Mark Tansey, the new orthopedic surgeon at HCHC, was approved to purchase new, updated equipment for his practice. There hasn?t been an orthopedic office in four and a half years. The equipment is imperative to the practice and Tansey feels that a ?basic upgrade will help patient comfort and will be valuable beyond the dollar amount. It is needed to take better care of the community.? The board agreed, as did the medical staff present, to purchase this equipment.

HCHC also hired a new director of anesthesia, Dr. Todd Rawles, who will begin around the last week of September or first week of October depending on how everything goes with the hiring process.

Trustees meet again Sept. 17.