Bulletin
APRIL 3, 2009
Mercy physician appointed
to Cancer Liaison program
Mercy ranked fourth in the nation for
quality of overall medical care
The American
College of Surgeons
Commission on
Cancer (CoC)
recently appointed
Richard Deming, M.D.,
to a three-year term
as Cancer Liaison
Physician for Mercy
Medical Center – Des Moines. According to the latest National
Scorecard compiled by The Delta Group’s
CareChex® Medical Quality Rating
System, Mercy Medical Center – Des
Moines ranks fourth among all general,
acute, non-federal U.S. hospitals for the
quality of overall medical care provided.
excellence in every aspect of patient care,
but it’s nice to be recognized by unbiased
third parties on a national scale, as well.
It is further proof the work we do each
day is sacred and meaningful, and deeply
impacts the patients and families we
serve.”
The report – which bases its findings on
three years of risk-adjusted mortality
and complication rates combined with a
detailed evaluation of clinical processes,
outcomes and patient experiences –
also ranks Mercy first in the nation for
cardiac care and second in the nation for
respiratory care.
The CareChex Medical Quality Rating
System is unlike other rating systems in
that it provides a comprehensive, multidimensional analysis of medical quality.
By factoring in a variety of process,
outcome, safety and patient satisfaction
measures, CareChex is able to accurately
compare hospitals against national, state
and local standards.
The CoC is a national consortium of
44 professional organizations dedicated
to improving the survival and quality
of life for cancer patients. In his new
position, Dr. Deming will spearhead
CoC initiatives within the Mercy Cancer
Center, collaborate with local agencies
and lead quality improvement initiatives.
Cancer Liaison Physicians also facilitate
participation in the Facility Information
Profile System (FIPS) – a data-sharing
activity between the CoC and the
American Cancer Society that provides
public information about resources,
services and annual cancer statistics.
Dr. Deming is a board-certified radiation
oncologist who currently serves as
the medical director of Mercy Cancer
Center – Radiation Oncology and the
CyberKnife® Radiosurgery Center of
Iowa. A member of the Mercy Family
since 1998, Dr. Deming also chairs the
Mercy Cancer Committee and is active in
a number of professional organizations.
“This latest announcement is another
testament to the quality of care our
physicians and staff provide to our
patients each day,” said President & CEO
Dave Vellinga. “We all know how hard
the entire Mercy Family works to ensure
The Delta Group plans to launch
a CareChex Web site later this year
to publicly report its findings. For
more information, please visit www.
thedeltagroup.com.
Mercy Children’s Center receives donation
of unique artwork from national foundation
When walking into Mercy’s Pediatric
Unit and Pediatric Intensive Care
Unit (PICU) on 3-South, patients and
visitors are greeted by fresh paint in
bright colors and some very special fish.
The fish aren’t real – they are painted
in bright colors on canvas squares hung
on the wall.
The art was donated by The
Foundation for Hospital Art after
Steve Chapman, chair of the Mercy
Medical Center Board of Directors
and company chair of ITAGroup Inc.,
suggested the Mercy Children’s Center
as a recipient. Mercy and Children
and Families of Iowa were the only
organizations in central Iowa chosen to
receive paintings.
Jan Myers, unit director of the Pediatric
Unit and PICU, and Bob Ravenscroft,
president of Mercy Foundation, were
invited by ITAGroup and the RitzCarlton Hotel Company to participate
in “2009 PaintFest” in Des Moines on
Feb. 6. During the event, Jan and Bob
– along with more than 30 ITAGroup
employees and representatives from
more than a dozen Ritz-Carlton
properties across the United States,
Mexico and the Caribbean – painted
canvases with pre-drawn, color-coded
fish.
The Foundation for Hospital Art
was started in Atlanta, Ga., in 1974.
Since then, the organization has
provided more than 30,000 paintings
to more than 1,500 hospitals and
nursing homes in 185 countries. The
Foundation’s mission is to give comfort
and hope to people in hospitals and
other places of healing.
“We appreciate the opportunity to
receive the artwork courtesy of the
ITAGroup and The Foundation for
Hospital Art,” said Jan. “It is a bright,
cheerful, welcoming addition to our
unit for our young patients and their
families.”
For more information about The
Foundation for Hospital Art, please
visit www.hospitalart.org.
Adventureland offers
special discounted tickets
to Mercy employees
Discounted Adventureland tickets for
Mercy employees will be sold outside the
Marketplace and Grille beginning Monday,
April 20, through Friday, April 24, from 7–8
a.m., 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 4–5 p.m.
Tickets cost $17.50 each (a savings of
$13.50 per ticket if purchased at the gate)
and may be used any time during the
2009 Adventureland season, which opens
Saturday, April 25, and runs through Sunday,
Sept. 27. Children ages three and younger
are admitted for free.
Mercy identification is required to
purchase discounted tickets, and payment
in full is required at the time of purchase.
Cash and checks payable to Mercy Medical
Center will be accepted; payroll deduction
is not available. All sales are final.
Off-campus employees should speak to
their supervisor about when tickets will
be available at their location. For more
information, please call Human Resources
at x-73100.
Bulletin
Volume 09 Issue 13 | April 3, 2009
The Bulletin is published weekly for employees and
friends of Mercy Medical Center, 1111 6th Avenue,
Des Moines, Iowa 50314-2611.
Editorial Staff
Above, Jan Myers, unit director of Mercy’s Pediatric Unit and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU),
and Bob Ravenscroft, president of Mercy Foundation, pose next to new artwork hanging in the
units’ entryway on 3-South. Jan and Bob helped create the art during “2009 PaintFest” – a special
event hosted in February by the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and the ITAGroup on behalf of T
he
Foundation for Hospital Arts. T
hanks to the suggestion of ITAGroup Chair Steve Chapman, who
also serves as the chair of Mercy’s Board of Directors, the Mercy Children’s Center was one of two
central Iowa organizations that received the unique artwork created that evening.
Erin Kennedy Kurth ..............................................................Editor
Heather Hyatt ....................................................................Designer
Lisa Jones .......................................................................Contributor
Megan Jorgensen .......................................................Contributor
Gregg Lagan ................................................................Contributor
Sarah Todd ...................................................................Contributor
Traci McBee .................................................................Contributor
Kate Westercamp ....................................................Contributor
Laura V
anden Bosch .........................................................Director
If you are interested in submitting an article or
information to be printed in the Bulletin, send it to
Erin Kurth, PR and Marketing, or call (515) 247-3050.
Honoring your many years of dedicated service at our Hospitals and Clinics
Cathy Miller
Brenda Ruby
Lenette Miller
Patricia Russell
Pamela Harter
Sarah Miller
Vanngeun Sayasane
Angie Coghlan
Shantell Harvey
Nancy Montalvo
Sheila Scavo
Dr. David Craven
Jennifer Haugen-Naylor
Kathleen Morris
Ann Schmidt
Teresa Dannen
Lilia Hickey
Dr. Martin Mortens
Donna Schrodt
Diane Daspit
Jodi Hill
David Mueggenberg
Vanessa Scott
Clarence Davis
Natalie Hite
Darrell Murphy
Benjamin Shaffer
Michelle Davis
Mildred Hobbs
Lindsey Murphy
Coby Shank
Debra Adamietz
Jane Degooyer
Laura Hollinrake
Muriel Murphy
Nevzeta Sisic
Laura Adams
Elaine Della Gala
La How
Jaime Myers
Tonya Sitzmann
Margo Adams
Nadira Dhanaswar
Carmen Huber
Sandra Nagel
Alicia Smith
Kathy Albin
Chris Dickerson
Maria Hughes
Kathy Naja
Kevin Smith
Eboney Anderson
Belynda Dingman
Patricia Hunter
Dr. Bala Napa
Victoria Smith
Sherry Anderson
Patricia Dunning
Stacey Hurst
Monica Nathaniel
Kim Stearns
Hana Avdic
Amy Dushane
Debra Ivis
Daniel Newton
Brenda Strasser
Barbara Bach
Erika Earles
Robert Jacobsen
Thinh Nguyen
Amy Strong
Phyllis Barkhaus
Kim Edgecomb
Sadonna Jewell
Nicole Nielsen
Anne Stumpf
Debbie Bartley
Lisa Erb
Melissa Jorgenson
Kelly Nydene
Mike Swaim
Kathren Beener
Betty Erickson
Mirsada Juhl
Angela Oakie
Kelly Taylor
Shirley Bird
Vicki Erickson
Pamela Juhl
Misty Oleary
Carolyn Thompson
Penny Birt
Kristen Ernsperger
Zineta Kamencic
Karen Olson
Lucy Thorson
Gerald Bouslog
Brandi Evans
Debbie Kissinger
Mary Ostrand
Dr. Michele Tingle
Kris Boylan
Lorie Fangman
Alex Lagodzinski
Sara Owen
Jan Tippett
Shalini Branson
Diane Filmer
Lew Lamb
Rosalie Padgett
Kathy Trembly
Dixie Brooks
Lisa Firestine
Jaimee Lapham
Peggy Palmer-Johnson
Hao Truong
Eloise Bruce
Heather Fountain
Tracey Larsen
Mary Papian
Juan Carlos Tud
Susan Bruns
Latisha Fountain
Dianna Leete
Jacqulyn Pelan
Amy Valadez
Dr. Phillip Bryant
Nancy Frakes
Beverly Leonard
Gina Penn
Barbara Vanahn
Dawn Burden
Sue Freerksen
Susan Leonard
Cathy Phillips
Melissa Vanleeuwen
Marylin Burns
Angela Frohwein
Bennie Lewis
Traci Pitts
Jennifer Volkenant
Judy Butler
Tammy Frye
Melvin Lewis
Tracy Platz
Timothy Voy
Doris Campbell
Michelle Fuller
Serena Linn
Tracy Pohlman
Coleen Waage
Linda Carey
Michael Fulton
Kristin Loftsgard
Janice Pokorney
Dawn Wilbur
Ramona Casner
Regina German
Karen Love
Atilio Pollard
Beth Williams
Cerima Causevic
Dr. Jeanne Giddings
Roxanne Lundquist
Nancy Pomeranz
Rochelle Williams
William Chalgren
Amy Graham
Cynthia MacDougall
Cassandra Porter
James Wilson
Dr. Illa Chandani
Barbara Granzow
Abbey Maxwell
Phyliss Reed
Marla Wilson-Batterson
Kent Chapman
Angel Grimm
Jennifer Mayo
Theresa Reed
Heidi Wright
Denise Chappelear
Kevin Gripp
Marvita McCown
Destry Riley
Kimberly Wright
Jennifer Childs
Maria Guzman
Tracy McMains
Patricia Rix
Dana Wylie
Kim Christian
Michelle Hamilton
Anthony McQuerry-Mitchell
Norma Rodgers
Gregory Young
Chantha Chu
Danette Hanson
Karen Metzler
Stephanie Routh
Joseph Zeglen
Linda Clements
Gwendolyn Harpster
Deborah Meyer
Randy Rubin
Sabira Zenkovic
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YEARS
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Darcy Darrah
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Laurence Deskin
Amy Seiler
Greg Paris
Sharon Dhabalt
Diane Siglin
Dr. Thomas Peacock
Carole Duffy
Mary Smith
Jane Pepel
Debra Elseman
Debra Soloman
Dr. Ronald Pick
Dawn Fisher
Melody Steilen
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Regina Gedler
Pattie Thomas
Joan Beard
Deane Baldwin
Carnelia Richardson
Sharon Gengler
Patricia Trapp
Nancy Bellville
Kristi Baldwin
Tamara Risen Trinder
Norma Gillum
Mary Jane Treska
Sandra Bloem
Glenda Biddle
Dr. William Salow
Sharon Gillund
Bonnie Van Zante
Barbara Bostwick
Dr. Jeffrey Brady
Trevi Sandin
Mary Guigli
Janice Waggoner
Christina Buettner
Robert Bryant
Dr. Sara Schutte-Schenck
Lora Harper
Karen Waldorf
Lois Bullinga
Linda Buckner
Tatjana Sehic
Mary Hart
Melody Wallace
Jill Cooley
Angela Christenson
Lisa Shaw
Brenda Hedgecock
Marilyn Waters
Diane Cummings
Dr. Robert Conner
Amy Slezak
Sharon Heidt
Robert West
Sabrina Davis
Patricia Coyle
Dr. John Tapp
Elizabeth Hess
Marjorie Whiting
Jill Duden
Linda Cunningham
Brian Tingleff
Suzanne Hess
Janice Wilkinson
Roxanne Ehlers
Dr. Ruby Cureg
Earlene Walton
Ann Hirth
Margaret Wilkinson
Mary Fox-Toriello
Laura Dankof
Patricia West
Helen Johnson
Lisa Williams
Vicki Hallman
Beverly Derby
Todd Willert
Dawn Kaduce
Deanna Ziino
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Marsha Duke
Jennifer Winn
Steve Kearney
Patricia Heithoff
Mary Dunham
Sara Zylstra
Jill King
Mary Jane Ihnen
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Teresa Mazak
Pamela Davis
John Luskoski
Dr. JoEllen Heims
Linda Adams
Susan McConville
Theresa Dvorak
Connie Mann
Cheryl Hochstein
Susan Baldwin
Lisa McGrath
Lori Dyer
Elizabeth May
Dr. Dennis Hopkins
Glenda Belcher
Shari McMain
Sika Fongkhamdeng
Ramona Milledge
Dr. William Howard
Rita Bergis
Laurel Meyer
Diane Hill
Sara Molayal
Hoa Huynh
Roswitha Best
Mary Miethke
Tammy Johnson
Teresa Mowrer
Claudia Jackson
Cindy Bombela
Mary Miller
Robert Karpan
Corinne Nelson
Linda Jefferson
Betty Brant
Susan Miranda
Karla Kerr
Marilyn Newton
Denise Johnson
Stacie Bridges
Doris Montgomery
Joseph LeValley
Thanh Nguyen
Jill Kesterson
Janet Brown
Angela Mortoza
Paula Love
Kathleen Olmstead
Lynne Kinseth
Kathryn Brown
Rick Mortoza
Patricia Peters
Karen Olson
Dr. Carol Kuhle
Ragena Brown
Michelle Neyens
Diane Petterson
Paulette Pennings
Sharmin Lathrop
Lisa Budde
Roxanne Oliver
Viengsavanh Phabmixay
Elizabeth Pittarelli
Dr. Jerry Lehr
Rebecca Burdess
Sheila Paterno
Lisa Smith
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Kellie Long
Christine Burroughs
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The Mission of Catholic
Health Initiatives and
Mercy Medical Center –
Des Moines is to nurture
the healing ministry of the
Church by bringing it new
life, energy and viability in
the 21st century. Fidelity
to the Gospel urges us to
emphasize human dignity
and social justice as we
move toward the creation of
healthier communities.
REVERENCE
INTEGRITY
COMPASSION
EXCELLENCE
Employees listed in this publication reached a milestone employment
anniversary between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2009, or celebrated
more than 30 years of employment with Mercy during that period.
Every effort has been made to ensure that names listed are complete
and accurate. If you have any questions, please contact Human
Resources at x-73100.
On behalf of the Sisters of Mercy and the entire Leadership Team, I want
to sincerely thank you for your many years of service to Mercy and the
people and communities we serve. Your dedication and hard work have
made it possible for Mercy to fulfill its Mission. By living Mercy Values
through your work, you are an integral part of our healing ministry.
Thank you for all you have done.