an employee & physician centered publication of medical west
vol 7 issue 16
2016
A LETTER FROM KEITH PENNINGTON
Medical West is committed to providing quality health care to every patient and each one of us plays a vital
role in meeting that commitment. For us to be successful, we must work together and dedicate ourselves to
continuous improvement. Everyone at Medical West can provide information and ideas about improvement
opportunities within our organization. If we combine ideas and efforts, we can improve our organizational
climate and be in a stronger position to render the highest quality of service for our patients.
To ensure that every employee has the opportunity to be heard, we are pleased to announce that we will
be conducting an employee satisfaction survey. The survey will be administered by Press Ganey and will be
held in the coming weeks. Please be on the lookout for more information! Your participation in the survey is
strongly encouraged and will be greatly appreciated. Help us make a difference for you, our patients and our
visitors.
Thank you for all you do,
Keith Pennington, CEO and President
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INSIDE THIS WEEK’S ISS
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FAMILY
• Meet
Emily Graham
BESSEMER HEALTH
CENTER
NEWS
• Red Cross Blood
Drive
• August Events
Calendar
HEALTH
6 Tips to Prevent Back Pain
HOSPITAL
• Medical West
Wellness Center
• Mary & Susan Retire
• Pat on the Back
• Congratulations to
our 1 and 5 Year
Employees
• Welcome New
Employees
• August Birthdays
YOUR
emp
NEWS
NEWS
loyee news • eve
nt
s ca
lend
Red Cross Blood Drive
ar •
spe
c
ial
anno
uncements
There will be a Red Cross Blood Drive on Tuesday, August 30th in the Civic Room from 7:30 am until
12:30 pm. To schedule an appointment, call ext. 8502 or visit www.redcrossblood.org. Walk-ins
welcome! Don’t forget - if you are able to donate, your name gets added into the 1-1-1 drawing! Can’t
dontate? No problem - as many people as you want can donate in your name. See details below!
BLOOD DRIVE
AUGUST 30
1 1 1
one employee.
one donation.
one chance at $1,000!
It's Simple!
Each time an employee is able to donate blood at a Medical West
sponsored blood drive, your name will be entered into a drawing. At the
end of the year, 3 names will be drawn!
First Place - $1,000
Second Place - $500
Third Place - PTO Day
Can't donate? No problem. A friend or family member can donate in your name.
Just fill out the appropriate form at the drive.
To schedule an appointment for our next drive on August 30th, please email
caroline.dahlen@uabmw.org or visit www.redcrossblood.org.
American Red Cross
BLOOD DRIVE
Sponsored by
Beams of Heaven Bakery
“A little taste of heaven in every bite!”
Wednesday, August 3
10am-3pm
Located outside of the cafeteria
*cash, credit, and debit will be accepted
August
EVENTS CALENDAR
Beams of Heaven Bakery
Wednesday, August 3rd @ 10am -3pm
(Outside the Cafeteria)
Taste a little bit of heaven at the Beams of Heaven
Bakery bake sale on Wednesday, August 3rd from
10am to 3pm outside the cafeteria. Stop by and
purchase some delicious goodies!
Senior Care Luncheon
Friday, August 5th @ 11am
(Bessemer Civic Center)
Seniors ages 50+ are invited to join us for a Senior
Care Wellness Luncheon on Friday, August 5th at
the Bessemer Civic Center. The cost is $3 at the
door and the luncheon start at 11:00am. Medical
West Plastic Surgeon Dr. Brad Denney will speak
about skin cancer. To RSVP, call (205)996-WEST.
Celebrating Business Office Week
Monday, August 8th - Friday, August 12th
Thank you to the Business Office team for your
hard work and dedication to Medical West. We
appreciate you!
Sam’s Club Membership Accounts
Friday, August 12th from 11am - 2pm
(Back of Cafeteria)
A member of the Sam’s Club team will be set up
in the back of the cafeteria on Friday, August 12th
from 11am - 2pm to sell Sam’s Club memberships.
Join or renew at this event and get an exclusive
offer!
Celebrating Health Care Facilities Week
Monday, August 15 - Friday, August 19th
Thank you to the Health Care Facilities team
members for your hard work and dedication to
Medical West. We appreciate you!
August Birthday Breakfast
Thursday, August 25th @ 8am
(Civic Room)
All employees with an August birthday are invited
to join us as we celebrate your special day! Join us
for breakfast and enter for a chance to win some
great door prizes! Call ext. 8500 to RSVP.
Red Cross Blood Drive
Tuesday, August 30th from 7:30am 12:30pm (Civic Room)
Join us for a Red Cross Blood Drive on Tuesday
August 30th from 7:30am to 12:30pm in the Civic
Room. To schedule an appointment, visit www.
redcrossblood.org or call ext. 8502. Walk-ins
welcome!
YOUR
HEALTH
HEALTH
e f o r a h e a l t h y YO U b r o u
a guid
ght to
you b
y the
Med
ical W
est H
ealth R
ewards Program
6 Tips to Prevent Back Pain
Back pain can be the result of trauma,
such as a fall or a car accident. But
most often back pain is the result of
an everyday activity done incorrectly
— activities as common as twisting
to reach or lift an object, sitting at a
computer in the same position for
hours, bending over to vacuum, and
carrying shopping bags. The good
news is that back pain prevention
isn’t all that difficult, often requiring
just a few adjustments that will soon
become second nature.
Here are six simple but effective back
pain prevention tips.
Exercise. One of the most important
things you can do for back pain
prevention is to get up and get
moving. Why does exercise prevent
back pain? Muscles are meant
to move, says Robin Lustig, DC, a
chiropractor at New Jersey Total
Health Center in Lodi and Pompton
Plains, N.J. If you aren’t in good
shape, you’re more likely to hurt
your back and feel pain when you
do even simple movements, such
as lifting your child from his crib.
“Also, exercise helps keep your joints
fluid,” Dr. Lustig says. Another reason
exercise prevents back pain is that
exercise helps you keep your weight
down — being overweight,
especially around your
stomach, can put added
strain on your back.
Eat right. “If you
maintain good
eating habits,
you not only will
maintain a healthy
weight, but you also
will not put unnecessary stress on
your body,” Lustig says. A steady diet
of excessively spicy or fast food can
strain your nervous system, which
is going to create back problems,
she adds. Conversely, a healthy diet
of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean
meats, dairy products, and whole
grains will keep your digestive tract
on track. “If your intestines are
working and functioning properly,
that will maintain your spine because
your inside and your outside relate
to one another,” Lustig says. “I have
found that many people who come
in complaining of low back pain also
have irritated bowels.”
Sleep sideways. You don’t want to
sleep flat on your back. The best
position for sleeping is on your
side. If you must sleep on your
stomach, put a pillow under your
lower abdomen to help take stress
off your back. Having a supportive
mattress and pillow for your head are
vital as well. “Getting enough, restful
sleep is always an important part of
maintaining good health,” Lustig says.
Also, if you exercise during the day,
you sleep better at night.
Maintain proper posture. “People
sitting at their computer for seven
or eight hours a day is keeping me
in business,” says Lustig. “People
slouch over their computers and their
telephones when they’re texting,
and they don’t realize the damage
they’re doing to their backs and the
pain they could be causing.” Be sure
to work at an ergonomically correct
workstation, both at the office and at
home, and break up long periods in
front of the computer with stretching
exercises. If you practice good
posture, you will maintain the natural
curves of your back and help keep it
strong.
Reduce stress. You probably don’t
realize how much stress can impact
your back health. Stress causes
you to tense your muscles, and
constant tension of this kind can
cause back pain. Any activity that
helps you reduce stress will help
prevent back pain, Lustig says. Stress
reduction activities can include
yoga, meditation, biofeedback,
deep breathing, tai chi, and guided
imagery.
Quit smoking. It’s
well known that
smoking raises
your risk for
heart disease and
cancer, including
lung and colon
cancers, but most
people don’t realize
that smoking also can be a cause of
persistent back pain. Research also
shows smoking can make existing
back pain worse. It’s not entirely
clear how smoking affects back
health, but one possibility is that it
narrows blood vessels. Narrowed
blood vessels result in less oxygen
and nutrients reaching the spine and,
in turn, it becomes more susceptible
to injury and slower to heal.
source: http://everydayhealth.com
HOSPITAL
YOUR
renov
HOSPITAL
BESSEMER HEALTH CENTER
ations • our patien
ts
• hos
pi
tal s
ervi
ces
• co
mmu
nity involvement
Medical West Wellness Center
We’re taking wellness to the next level! For just $10 a month, Medical West employees
can become a member of our new wellness center and take advantage of all that the gym
has to offer. The new wellness center is equipped with four treadmills, two ellipticals, two
stationary bicycles and strength training equipment. Hours of operations will be Monday
through Thursday, 7am - 6pm and Friday, 7am - 5pm. To schedule a tour, call 481-7143!
YOUR
meet
FAMILY
FAMILY
your co-worker • emp
loy
ee of
the m
onth
• bir
thda
Meet Your Co-Worker
ys • p
at on the backs
Emily Graham, Marketing
Emily Graham is a Marketing and Senior Care Coordinator and has worked for
Medical West for over a year. Emily is from Helena, AL and graduated from the
University of Montevallo in 2015. Prior to working at Medical West, Emily worked
at CVS as a cashier and Pharmacy Technician and interned in the Marketing
Department at Medical West.
Fun Facts Emily Graham:
1. My mom works in the lab here at Medical West.
2. I was a Chi Omega at Troy University.
3. I got married on May 23, 2015- we were one of the first couples to
get married at Church of the Highlands wedding chapel.
4. I am currently looking to adopt a dog.
5. I would prefer not to wear shoes EVER.
6. My absolute favorite time of the year is Christmas.
7. I graduated high school with 32 people in my class.
8. I have a fear of drowning.
9. Cooking/Baking is a huge stress reliever for me, but I cannot stand
mushrooms or olives.
10.My favorite movie is “Sweet Home Alabama”.
11.I collect coffee mugs, and coffee is my favorite thing to drink- EVER!
YOUR
meet
FAMILY
FAMILY
your co-worker • emp
loy
ee of
the m
onth
• bir
thda
ys • p
at on the backs
Mary & Susan Retire
Mary Riley, Patient Access Rep, has retired after 18 years
of dedicated and loyal service to Medical West. Susan
Watts, Patient Access Operator, has retired after 13 years
of dedicated and loyal service to Medical West. Thank you
Mary and Susan, you both will greatly be missed.
A Pat on the Back
Mandi Manning, Registered Nurse, and Crystal Duke Registered Nurse recently received a positive
comment from a coworker.
“We had two patients brought from the floor Sunday at the same time, both crashing. When an ICU bed
was made, Mandi and another nurse came and took the patient to ICU themselves.
Also I had Crystal come down and help me dress a decubitus on another patient, we didn’t carry the
supplies. She was nice enough to bring them down and help me. ”
Thank you Mandi and Crystal for making a difference. We appreciate you!
Congratulations to our 1 & 5 Year Employees!
Congratulations to the following employees for reaching milestones of dedication and service to
Medical West. We appreciate you!
1 Year Employees
Charlene Burroughs
James Everitt
Laquita Ruffin
Allison Clement
Kawanna Bryant
Andrea Davison
Georgia Holt
Antoinette Taylor
Isabella Bell
Shantteria Lane
Nathan Harris
Eugenia Phillips
Bethany Edgeworth
Shawn Brown
Raven Kidd
Bryauna Woody
Lori Morrison
Chris Weathers
Ashanta Hall
Rodney Stafford
Robin Acre
Pamela Pouncy
Rachel Lee
Stephanie Burrough
Stacy Phillips
Chad Hutchens
Christopher Riddle
Lacoria Crawford
5 Year Employees
Karen Cwine
Maggie Wright
Taylor Tressillian
Brantley Eldridge
Danterrius Woods
Cathy Eddings
Linda Jackson
Janice Brown
Lindsey Hill
Jennifer Taylor
Azlia Kirksey
Charles Everhart
Alana Smith
Simone Durand
Robin Burt
Jamelle McGhee
Carol Kopke
Medical West
Welcomes the
Newest Members
of Our Family!
Iris Brown, ICT
Iris was born and raised in Bessemer, AL,
and attended JLHS. She will be joining
us as an RN on ICT. She has two teenage
daughters, Iriana and Ivan. In her spare
time, she enjoys spending time with her
family.
Kimberly Bruce, 6E
Kimberly is from Bessemer, AL, and will be
joining 6E as a PCT. She has two teenage
boys and a fur baby named Kallie. In her
spare time, she enjoys spending time with
her friends and family.
Valentina Castro, OR
Valentina will be joining the OR as a Scrub
Technician. She is from Montgomery, AL,
and has three children ages 26, 23, and
21.
Ann Crawford, E/S
Ann is from Bessemer, AL, and will be
joining us as an E/S Assistant. In her spare
time, she enjoys dancing.
Koty Creel, Imaging
Koty is from Center Point, AL, and will be
joining us as an Ultrasound Technician in
Imaging. He loves watching Netflix and
listening to music in her free time.
Brennesha Evans, ER
Brennesha is from Birmingham, AL, and
will be joining the ER as an RN. She is
married with four children, and enjoys
reading and spending time with her
family.
Brandon Foster, ER
Brandon will be joining the ER as an RN.
He is from West Blocton, AL, and enjoys
playing pool, hiking and eating in his spare
time.
Shandrika Freeman, E/S
Shandrika is from Sumter County and
will be joining us as an E/S Assistant. She
enjoys helping others in her spare time.
Resheedah Hasberry, 6E
Resheedah is from Bessemer, AL and
will be joining 6E as a PCT. She enjoys
traveling and listening to music in her free
time.
Mark McCay, FED
Mark is from Remlap, AL, and will be
joining the FED as an RN. In his spare
time, he enjoys fishing and being
outdoors.
Marius Jordan, FED
Marius is from Birmingham, AL, and will
be joining the FED as a PCT. He is married,
and enjoys anything having to do with
music including, singing and playing piano
and drums in his spare time.
Kerrie Miller, 6E
Kerrie is from Blountsville, AL, and will be
joining 6E as an RN. She has two children
and one grandson who is the “love of
her life.” In her spare time, she enjoys
watching Alabama football.
Cyprin Kanneh, 6B
Cyprin is from Liberia, Monrovia and will
be joining us as an RN on 6B. In his spare
time, he enjoys reading.
Ebony Murry, E/S
Ebony is from Fairfield, AL, and will be
joining us as an E/S Assistant. She has
three kids, and enjoys spending time with
her family.
Sharon Kelley, Rehab
Sharon is from Pleasant Grove, AL, and
will be joining Rehab as an RN Case
Manager. She is married with two children
and one granddaughter. In her spare time,
she enjoys reading and studying new
subjects.
Kendralia Kretzschmar, 6E
Kendralia is from Birmingham, AL, and
will be joining 6E as an RN. She has three
kids, and enjoys shopping and watching
Lifetime in her spare time.
Payten Lowrey, ER
Payten is from West Blocton, AL, and
will be joining the ER as a PCT. In his
spare time, he enjoys playing guitar and
astrophotography.
Denisha Martin, Hoover Health Center
Denisha is from Birmingham, AL, and will
be joining the Hoover Health Center as a
Medical Assistant. In her spare time, she
enjoys spending time with her friends and
family.
Shayla Nichols, Clinics
Shayla is from Chicago, IL, and will be
joining us as a Certified Medical Assistant.
In her spare time, she enjoys riding bikes
with her four kids.
DeUndra Parnell, 6B
DeUndra is from Birmingham, AL, and will
be joining 6B as an MHT. She is married
with one son and one fur baby. In her
spare time, she enjoys reading, fishing
and spending time with family.
Tiffany Riddick, OB/GYN
Tiffany is from Chilton County and will
be joining OB/GYN as a Medical Office
Assistant. She is married and has two kids,
Breana and Joshua. In her spare time, she
enjoys listening to music and enjoying
family time.
Marquetta Sanders, 4N
Marquetta is from Birmimgham, AL, and
will be joining 4N as a PCT. In her spare
time, she loves shopping and hanging out
with her friends.
(continued on next page)
(continued from previous page)
Tiffaney Shepherd, 6E
Tiffany will be joining 6E as a PCT. She is
from Uniontown, AL and currently lives in
Bessemer, AL. She has one son and a cat
and enjoys spending time with her family
in her free time.
Wesley Short, 6E
Wesley is from McCalla, AL, and will be
joining 6E as a PCT. In his free time, he
enjoys being a professional clown.
Ashley Thomas, 4N
Ashley is from Dallas, TX and she will be
joining us as a PCT on 4N. In her spare
time, she enjoys cooking and spending
time with her husband and three children.
Teresa Worden, GI Lab
Teresa is from Fultondale, AL, and will be
joining the G.I. Lab as an RN. She enjoys
the beach, being outdoors, watching
movies and crafts in her spare time.
Danielle Weekley, 6B
Danielle is from Midfield, AL, and will be
joining 6B as an RN. She has been married
to her husband Steven for ten years and
they have a three-year-old named Kylen,
one dog and one bunny. In her spare time,
she enjoys playing softball.
It's Your Birthday
August 1: Fannie Cameron, Tammy Elliott, Michael Richards; August 2: Tamika Harris,
Annalee Walker; August 3: Simone Durand, Pearlie Hill, Shari Norsworthy, Kelly
Rogers; August 4: Tawanna Foster, Tammy Raymond, Brandon Slocum; August 5:
Patrick Coleman, Megan Heimbach, Allison Montgomery; August 6: Sharon Jernigan,
Jacquelyn Johnson, Meredith Lutz, Eula Smith, Kendal Thompson; August 7: Brandi
Jacks, Neva Mitchell, Kalah Regis, Lorene Thomas; August 8: David Carter, Bonny
Harris, Traci Michael, Christina Peoples; August 9: Gregory Bradley; August 10: Heidi
Alexander, Elizabeth Blanchard, Deborah Brasher, Dannye Cunningham, Gloria Harris,
Teresa Huggins, Alisha Miskelley, Bre Murphy, Samantha Preston, Geraldine Turner,
Darla White; August 11: John Metro, Benita Moore; August 12: Gretchen Hudson,
Sheniqua Smith; August 13: Vanessa Jones, Naveen Massey, Jamelle McGhee; August
14: Sharon Childress, Elizabeth Eades, Gina Rich; August 15: Jacqueline Griffin, Barbara
Rancher, Lynell Rogers, Faye Todd; August 16: Bethany Edgeworth, Sarah Joy Maxwell,
Jameka White, Margaret Whittle, Danterrius Woods; August 17: Kimberly Moreland;
August 18: Cheryl Gardner, Dana Hamaker, Donald James, Deborah Lambert, Linda
Smith, Gerald Smith; August 19: Sarah Merrick, Annie Velotas, Kristen Williams; August
20: Deanne Allred, Pamela Gyce, Caroline Kirkpatrick, Kathryn Sheppard, Tara Stapp,
Whitney Walden, Heather White; August 21: Myisha Buffett, Candace Chaney, Teresa
Clark, Sarah Gardiner, Quintina Marable, Quarneeka Murry, Sheila Smitherman August
22: Jessica Amison, LaCynthia George, Joanna Herring, Windy Johnson, Erica Tolbert;
August 23: Margaret Alexander, Eileen Giddens, Jermaine Livingston, Wiley Livingston,
MD, Holly McDonald, Alisha Odom; August 24: Stephanie Burrough, Carolyn Coleman,
Kim Headrick, Emily McCoy, James Nash, June Pate, Loretta Phillips, Jennifer Sherman,
Jessica Shinn; August 25: Sandi Blocker, Deloris Frison, Jessica Harris; August 26: Meosha
Bloodworth, Nancy Keller; August 27: Sharon Giardina, Tonya Needham, Margaret
Strickland; August 28: Emaleigh Brewer, Stephen Diplacido, Sonia Hawkins, Veronica
Smith; August 29: Lisa Buchanon, Carliejoy Mansfield, Trisha Reinhold; August 30:
Isabella Bell, Doris Bowron, Dean Sutherland; August 31: James Everitt, Ashley Salter,
Kathy Watts, Cassandra Williams
Thanks for reading this week’s issue!
If you have a Pat on the Back or a special feature you would like to see
in our next issue, please email it to caroline.dahlen@uabmw.org.