LATE SPRING 2024 DEVOTED TO HEALTHFUL LIVING 4 Why CMH caregivers love what they do 6 Meet our Patient Experience coordinator Inside Our growing Behavioral Health team
2 HEALTH COMPASS LATE SPRING 2024 The best place to work on the coast By Nicole Williams, COO Every day, our caregivers’ actions help improve our community and help our patients live their healthiest lives. Without our team, Columbia Memorial Hospital could not continue that important work. Over the past several years, we’ve made significant efforts to improve the caregiver experience at CMH. In fact, one of our goals to focus on over the next five years is to “remain the best place to work.” I am proud and honored to be a CMH caregiver. We wholeheartedly believe CMH is the best place to work in our region, and we want our caregivers to love what they do here. Studies have found that when people engage in work they love, they experience less stress and have a lower resting heart rate. When people love what they do, their entire outlook on work can change. They work harder and aim higher, seeking opportunities to learn and improve on a daily basis. This can bring fulfillment personally and professionally, making a positive impact on the workplace. In the past year, we asked our caregivers to tell us why they love what they do. The answers were nothing short of inspiring, and we’d like to share many of their “whys” with you. Read on in this issue of Health Compass to hear more about why we love what we do! And if you’re looking for change, think about applying today and joining our team at the best place to work on the coast. CMH wins highest National Rural Health Association Award CMH was selected as the National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA) Outstanding Rural Health Organization for 2024. This national award recognizes an organization that has improved access to health services and information for rural people through broad and innovative approaches. Factors considered include outreach, preventive health and education, quality and efficiency of care, and strong community support and involvement. This is the NRHA’s most competitive award and highest honor. “There are so many things that set us apart as a rural health care organization. I want to emphasize that without our team of caregivers at CMH, we could not achieve this recognition,” says Erik Thorsen, CEO. “As we think back on our growth and success over the past several years, these choices, along with our team, have led the way: increasing access to care following the Board of Trustees’ lead in 2010; bringing in new services, such as cancer care, interventional radiology and robotic surgery; becoming Planetree gold-certified and changing our philosophy of care; and positioning ourselves as a strategic partner of OHSU.” CMH is already working on its next chapter and a new era of health care in the Columbia coast region with the BuildCMH Expansion Project, a $250 million-plus investment to expand its Astoria campus, growing hospital service lines, attracting new health care providers and providing the latest technology to address community health needs. “This award demonstrates that we are on the right path to becoming a national leader in rural health care, providing the highest-quality care to our community,” Thorsen says.
COLUMBIAMEMORIAL.ORG LATE SPRING 2024 3 Behavioral health care services keep growing! Program will continue to grow in expanded hospital Over the past five years, CMH’s Behavioral Health and Care Management Department has grown more than three times its original size. When Allison Whisenhunt, LCSW, the department director, started working at CMH in 2019, the department only had five social workers. “When I started, most of the areas of the hospital were uncovered,” Whisenhunt says. The department has since grown to 14 full-time and two additional, intermittent social workers, plus Whisenhunt and Rebecca Larson, LCSW, department manager. CMH also employs Robert Sperry, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, who serves in the Astoria and Seaside Primary Care Clinics. “I chose to come to this organization because CMH wanted me to help grow a Behavioral Health program,” Whisenhunt says. “CMH leadership and the Board have been incredibly receptive to proposals to add social workers in different areas and supported adding a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.” Departments covered include specialties such as primary care, pediatrics, women’s health, labor and delivery, emergency, cancer care, orthopedics, podiatry, urology, pulmonology, and hospice. “CMH has done a great job in how they have allowed us to structure this department,” Whisenhunt says. “Even though they are deployed to different departments, keeping social workers in a Behavioral Health department has been a huge retention tool for us.” The team serves both patients and CMH caregivers through one-on-one counseling appointments, a monthly grief support group, crisis intervention, navigating resources and more. Social workers help patients with issues ranging from anxiety to opioid substance use disorder treatment. Looking ahead to the future In CMH’s expansion hospital, the new facility will be equipped with what we are calling “Safer Rooms,” which will be used to accommodate a broader spectrum of patient types and acuity levels. “This will make it much easier for us to convert a room into a place where patients can’t hurt themselves,” Whisenhunt says. “They will be set up so those patients who need to be monitored 24/7 [can experience that] in a less invasive way, which will be safer for our caregivers as well.” The expansion will also include a space for social work to be fully integrated with the team in the Emergency Department, which was one of the first in which Whisenhunt and her team worked to add social workers. This improvement will also mean that the social worker can intervene immediately to offer assistance, rather than wait for a consult, and spend more time with patients. “It will make it so we can help at times when they might not even think to ask us for help, which is especially important in the Emergency Department, because things are so fast-paced and can change in a millisecond,” Whisenhunt says. WE’RE HERE FOR YOU! You can learn more about our Behavioral Health services on our website at columbiamemorial.org/behavioral-health. If you’re in crisis, go to your nearest Emergency Department or call 988.
4 HEALTH COMPASS LATE SPRING 2024 In their own wordsWhy CMH caregivers L VE their jobs! At CMH, our caregivers love what they do. But don’t take it from us — here are a few reasons why they love working here, from the caregivers themselves. “I love what I do here at CMH! I have worked at CMH for six years. I absolutely love what I do and the team I work with. I have learned so much and have gained so much confidence since taking this position. Though challenging at times, working in health care is rewarding, as well, knowing that at the end of the day, I have helped the people of our community to the best of my ability.” — Shannon Mathews, Imaging support staff “I love designing the print materials that we use here at the hospital.” — Austin Miller, graphic designer and videographer “Though this job, like all jobs, has its ups and downs, curveballs and all, I have had mostly positive experiences, thanks to the most amazing group of people I work with and around. I have loved every minute of working at CMH.” — Kendra George, customer care representative “I love my job because of the people that I work with and the people that I work for, which are our patients.” — Misty Ingram, Medical Group director “I love my job because I love to assist the patients who come in.” — Peter Grauff, customer care representative
“We like to take care of our caregivers so they can care for others.” — Human Resources “One of my favorite things about my job is being able to help everybody in all the different clinical situations and being able to go all over the hospital.” — Andrew Braxton, desktop support technician “I truly enjoy working here. Every day is different, and I get to work with great people who share the desire to help others, as well.” — Mike Wahl, Facilities engineer “I love my job because I get to bring so much joy and work alongside so many great people. I love making people feel better, being there for them and just listening to them.” — Mariana Kirkendall, Patient Experience representative “Being in the health care field has its challenges and can be so rewarding. I absolutely love being a nurse. I can brighten a day or help someone going through some of the most difficult things they will ever overcome. Even a simple smile and letting them know that you care can be such a blessing. The best thing about nursing is that our field is everchanging and evolving, and there are so many different career paths for one to choose from.” — Jammie Eastham, nurse “I schedule patients for orthopedic surgeries, including total joint replacements. I enjoy interacting with patients and helping them navigate all the steps to surgery. I love being a member of the total joint team. I have had two knee replacements with Dr. Douglas Abbott at CMH. I love being an advocate and ambassador for the CMH Orthopedic team.” — Char McBride, clinic surgery scheduler
6 HEALTH COMPASS LATE SPRING 2024 & Improving the patient caregiver experience Meet Alliah Wilson, Patient Experience coordinator CMH’s Patient Experience team strives to create a comfortable and enjoyable environment for patients and caregivers, alike. One team member, Alliah Wilson, plays a big role in achieving this goal. Wilson is the Patient Experience coordinator at CMH. She has been in this role since 2022 and was inspired to join the department because she wanted to help others. “Making a difference in the organization was something about the job that really stood out to me,” Wilson says. “This role allows me to make a positive difference in the whole organization, whether that be with patients or caregivers.” Wilson has worked at CMH since 2017. Before starting in Patient Experience, she held roles at CMH such as barista, customer care representative, financial counselor and administrative assistant. “I’ve done quite a bit, floated around, met lots of people and learned new things,” she says. “I feel like it has helped me get to know everyone in the organization. Walking down the hall, I’ll know someone and say, ‘hi’ and their name.” What does she do? Wilson’s job includes a lot of responsibilities. She helps coordinate and run CMH events, such as CMH’s Christmas Food Baskets program or caregiver celebrations; runs CMH’s Health Literacy Task Force, which reviews patient-facing documents and edits them to be at a standard reading level; and completes tasks that focus on improving patient satisfaction throughout the hospital. Another focus is using patients’ demographic data to see what can be improved at CMH. “If I see some demographics that stand out, like something that is scoring lower than usual, then I focus on that,” Wilson explains. Data comes directly from patient surveys. “I look at different demographics, like different ages, for example, to narrow down ways that we can improve our patient experience, whether that be for a certain department or demographic.” Wilson used the demographic data to improve wait times for a clinic where they were a little longer than usual. To decrease the wait times, she contacted the clinic manager, then completed a focus group with patients who use the clinic. “They were able to share feedback on why their wait times were impacting their experience,” Wilson says. From there, she shared the findings with CMH leadership and was able to help drive some additional support to the clinic to reduce patients’ wait times. This example, and plenty more, are what drives Wilson to create the best patient experience possible at CMH. “Something I love about my job is making the experience great for not only my coworkers, but our patients as well.” — Alliah Wilson
COLUMBIAMEMORIAL.ORG LATE SPRING 2024 7 CMH reaches halfway point in BuildCMH Capital Campaign $2 million CareOregon grant to pay for Safer Rooms in expansion Imagine you are in the Emergency Department (ED) with your child, who has a broken arm. You hear someone screaming about horrific abuse they have suffered and that the staff are not to be trusted. Your child is now even more scared to be there. How can we make a situation like that better for everyone? Beginning in 2024, CMH will make a $250 million-plus investment in the community by constructing a significant hospital expansion. Some of the strategic goals of this project include improving access, augmenting the patient experience and increasing staff members’ safety while treating a broader spectrum of patient types and acuity levels. That real-life example above illustrates the overall impact of mental health crises on patient and caregiver experiences in the current facility. The construction of two Safer Rooms in the ED, along with two additional Safer Rooms on the third floor, will improve safety and care for patients and caregivers. These Safer Rooms will also include better monitoring technology and Safer Bathrooms to help prevent opportunities for self-harm. Caring for patients and caregivers Allison Whisenhunt, director of Behavioral Health and Care Management, can attest to the need for upgrades to care better for a patient in crisis. “Health care professionals face significant frustration, caring for behavioral health patients in a setting that is designed for medical care, and concern for the safety of oneself, colleagues and patients can further contribute to the situation,” Whisenhunt explains. “The hectic nature of the ED can increase verbal and physical behaviors for those in psychiatric crises, often leading to a scary experience for other patients in the ED. Our community needs rooms in our ED that can be rapidly and effectively converted to being safer, calmer spaces for patients in psychiatric crises.” CareOregon is helping fill the need with a $2 million grant supporting the construction of Safer Rooms in the expansion. CareOregon made the grant on behalf of its subsidiary, Columbia Pacific CCO. “We’re really excited about the opportunity to contribute to the construction of these Safer Rooms,” says Mimi Haley, executive director of Columbia Pacific CCO. “It fit perfectly with the priority of behavioral health for both CareOregon and Columbia Pacific. This project will benefit the whole community.” With the grant, CMH has officially reached the halfway point in its $10 million capital campaign for the expansion, having raised $5 million already. BE PART OF THE CAMPAIGN Want to learn more about the BuildCMH campaign and how you can be a part of it? Visit columbiamemorial.org/ buildcmh-campaign to find out!
COLUMBIA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 2111 Exchange St. Astoria, OR 97103 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Salem, OR Permit No. 86 Find us on social media! @cmhcommunity @cmhcommunity linkedin.com/company/ columbia-memorial-hospital @cmhcommunity Cover photo features the CMH Behavioral Health team. CMH HEALTH COMPASS is published as a community service by COLUMBIA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, a Planetree Gold-Certified Person-Centered Care Facility. 2111 Exchange St., Astoria, OR 97103, telephone 503-325-4321, website: columbiamemorial.org For information about CMH HEALTH COMPASS: Sarah Bello, MBA, Marketing Manager Robert Holland, MD, PhD President, Board of Trustees Erik Thorsen, MBA, CPA, FACHE Chief Executive Officer Nicole Williams, MPA, FACHE Chief Operating Officer Christopher Strear, MD, FACEP Chief Medical Officer Information in CMH HEALTH COMPASS comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2024 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Jarrod Karnofski, DPT, ATC, MSHCA Vice President, Ancillary and Support Services Judy Geiger, RN, MBA Vice President, Patient Care Services Christopher Laman, PharmD, MBA Vice President, Strategy Brandon Parker, MBA, CPA Vice President, Finance Nicole Perez, BSHA, MSITM Vice President, Health Information Services Why work at CMH? At CMH, we know that in order to care for our patients and the community, we must care for our caregivers. As part of that care, we offer a competitive benefits package for full-time and part-time caregivers. Paid health care CMH offers 100% employer-paid health care benefits with very affordable dependent premiums, including: • Vision insurance • Prescription coverage • Dental and orthodontics insurance More caregiver benefits Some of the other great benefits of being a CMH caregiver include: • 70% discount on hospital services for caregiver and insured dependents (you pay only 30% after insurance) • Up to 28 days paid time off for full-time caregivers to cover vacation, sick time and holidays • Retirement savings plans, including generous matching and profit share contributions • Shift differentials for evenings, weekends and nights • Tuition reimbursement • Complimentary access to our hospital gym • Employer-paid life insurance and optional life insurance for dependents • Pharmacy, central supply, gift shop, coffee stand and cafe discounts • Employee Assistance (EAP) counseling on a variety of topics • Paid compassionate leave (bereavement leave) • Paid jury duty service • AFLAC options • Optional pet, home and auto insurance • Discounts with local business community partners • Childcare subsidies for those who qualify • Employer-paid Long-Term Disability (LTD) • Celebrations, including ice cream socials, free lunches and more LOVE WHAT YOU DO AT CMH If you’re ready to be part of our amazing team of caregivers who love what they do, visit columbiamemorial.org/apply.
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