Wilson Health care extends beyond hospital’s walls

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SIDNEY — Since 1930, Wilson Health has played a vital role in improving the health of the community. From a small, independent hospital to a health network of more than 800 dedicated physicians, nurse practitioners, clinical and administrative staff, Wilson Health’s care extends beyond the walls of the hospital.

“Our independence affords us a unique connection with our community,” said Mark Dooley, president and CEO of Wilson Health. “Our success is not measured by corporate profits, but by the health and vitality of the citizens we serve.”

In 2017, Wilson Health earned a fourth consecutive ‘A’ grade and was recognized as one of the safest hospitals in the United States by the Leapfrog Group.

“We are very proud of our ‘A’ grade distinction,” said Dooley. “Providing quality, safe patient care is central to everything we do. We are continually collecting and reporting patient safety information to measure our progress and set goals. Our continued ‘A’ grade is a direct reflection of our commitment to our patients.”

Leading the way is a 15 member Board of Trustees volunteering their time and expertise toward improving the Wilson Health organization. The trustees are: Devon Beer, Janice Benanzer, Andy Counts (vice-chair), John Deeds, Mark Dooley, Chuck Edelen (secretary), Rudy Keister (chair), Dr. Robert McDevitt, Tom Milligan, Dr. Eric Prenger, Tom Sheehan, Jason Stiver, Tonya Theiman, Bob Wheeler, and Priscilla Wilt (treasurer).

Dooley’s report continues:

Financial and service summary: Wilson Health’s financial performance continues to provide a means to add new programs, services, equipment and technology to better diagnose and treat disease as well as promote health education and prevention.

Wilson Health is the area’s preferred healthcare provider and contributes significant financial resources to the area. Sitting at the number four spot amongst top employers in Shelby County, Wilson Health employs over 800 people and provides over $100 million in direct economic benefits to the area.

In 2017, Wilson Health provided over $7.5 million in care for patients who either had no means to pay or met the qualifications for charity care.

In 2017, Wilson Health provided inpatient care for 3,200 patients. The emergency department experienced high patient volumes treating over 28,000 patients. Wilson Health also performed:

• 5,057 surgical procedures

• 16,455 occupational health patient visits

• 40,596 cardiopulmonary and sleep lab procedures

• 55,309 imaging procedures

• 329,527 laboratory tests

• 28,585 home care and hospice visits

In addition, 708 babies were born in The Copeland-Emerson Family Birth Center.

Care beyond the hospital

Wilson Health Medical Group offers convenient healthcare services with offices located in Sidney, Fort Loramie/Minster area, Jackson Center, Anna, and Botkins. With 36 healthcare providers, the hospital-owned medical group offers comprehensive healthcare services in family medicine, internal medicine, OB/GYN, endocrinology, ENT, pediatrics and now general surgery services. In the summer of 2017, Shelby County Surgical Associates, and the general surgery practice of Drs. Robert McDevitt and David McDonald, joined Wilson Health Medical Group. Dr. Stephanie Dunkle-Blatter, general surgeon, recently joined the surgical practice and is now caring for patients at Wilson Health.

In 2017, Wilson Health opened an After Hours Clinic located on the main campus. The clinic is staffed by experienced medical providers of Wilson Health Medical Group and treats patients with minor illnesses and injuries. The After Hours Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. No appointments are necessary.

Occupational Health Services works closely with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Bureau of Workers Compensation to create a healthy work environment for employees in over 400 area businesses throughout the region. Services include wellness programs, hearing testing, injury treatment, drug and alcohol testing, and pre-employment medical exams. These services improve profitability by increasing employee productivity, preventing and treating workplace injuries and illnesses, and reducing absenteeism.

Wilson Health Sports Medicine is the official sports medicine provider for 12 area high schools: Sidney, Lehman Catholic, Fort Loramie, Anna, Houston, Fairlawn, Christian Academy, Jackson Center, Botkins, New Bremen, Minster, and New Knoxville. Certified athletic trainers work with high school athletic programs to provide on-site services to student athletes. In addition, Wilson Health Sports Medicine provides services to the City of Sidney Police and Fire Departments as well as the Sidney-Shelby County YMCA.

The volunteers at Wilson Health are a wonderfully diverse group of people within the community who donate their time and talents to make a difference in the lives of patients and their families. In 2017, 109 Auxiliary members donated 13,467 hours of their time and $6,000 to the hospital. Eight student volunteers offered 225.75 hours of their time in patient care departments and assisted with several health/wellness activities and community related events. The Shelby County Ministerial Association and members of the Chaplaincy Program provided spiritual services. Thirty-nine Hospice volunteers provided over 1,634 hours of assistance to hospice patients and their families.

Community support

The people of Shelby County and surrounding communities have made it clear they value and support having an independent hospital and health network in the region.

Wilson Health is supported by the Foundation, the philanthropic arm that provides financial support to meet both ongoing and future healthcare needs in our community. “The contributions of our donors make it possible for us to support and grow programs at Wilson Health,” said Karla Young, executive director, who took over the Wilson Health Foundation reins in 2017. “With your financial support, we continue to provide vital healthcare services in our community.”

Over the past year, more than $456,425 of donations has been invested to support critical programs, medical equipment and services that change people’s lives every day in significant ways. Thanks to generous donor support, a new nurse call system was purchased to enhance patient care and safety in the hospital. Grant dollars received through the Monarch Legacy Fund and St. Jacobs endowment fund were used to purchase two additional external pacemakers to provide life-saving care to heart patients at Wilson Health. With the help of the Community Foundation of Shelby County, a new spirometry system was purchased for the Occupational Health Services department to perform pulmonary screenings for area companies and their employees.

The Wilson Health Foundation Board is comprised of business, civic, academic, medical and philanthropic leaders who volunteer their time and resources to ensure Wilson Health continues to progress forward and offer quality healthcare, close to home. Board members are: Vance Stewart, chair; Tony Arnold, chair-elect; Thomas Middleton, Jr., secretary/treasurer; John Deeds; Timothy Gleason; Barri Grandey; Mickey Hamer; Dr. Barbara Hill; Rhonda Keister; Joseph Lachey; Michael Lochard; Thomas Martin; Aaron Sargeant; Keith Schnippel; Dr. Valerie Schulte; Brandon Simon; Chad Sollomann; Michael Watkins; and Mark Dooley.

“Being thankful for the past and looking forward to the future is our focus in 2018,” Young said. “Community support has allowed us to be where we are today, and continued support will carry us into the future.”

Dooley
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2018/02/web1_Dooley-headshot-copy-2.jpgDooley

Young
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2018/02/web1_Karla-Young-copy-2.jpgYoung

For the Sidney Daily News

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