Spotlight On...

SemperCare Hospital

Rep: Dee Mendell &
Donna Berty

Healthcare workers often refer to a "Continuum of Care".  This simply means there are different levels of healthcare services for different needs of the patient.  The Continuum begins with a physician or clinic, moves to the emergency room and other hospital services, then to specialty hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice, home care, and outpatient services.  Ideally, the patient is sent to the level of this continuum where his needs can be met with the most efficiency, the best match of specialty care for the patient's needs, at the lowest cost.

SemperCare Hospital was opened on June 26, 2001 as an Acute Care Specialty Hospital, operating a 30-bed facility under the roof of St. Francis Healthcare Center, (formerly known as St. Francis Hospital).  The parent company, SemperCare, Inc. is located in Dallas, Texas. 

SemperCare specializes in the care of acutely ill patients who need a longer recovery period (typically 18-30 days) than is typical in a general acute care setting. Some typical health issues that could be seen at SemperCare include mechanical ventilation dependency, serious respiratory diseases, cardiac problems not under control, wounds that are difficult to heal, renal disease requiring inpatient hemodialysis, difficult recovery from a surgery, serious infections, and often, several of these problems all at once.  Patients are seen by a physician daily to monitor lab work, medications, treatments and procedures.

Patients are referred to SemperCare by their physician. This usually occurs after the patient has been treated in another acute care facility, and it has been determined that they will require a longer recovery period than usual for their diagnosis.  A specially trained nurse from the SemperCare Hospital Team will review the patient's record to determine if SemperCare is the appropriate place for the patient to receive their next level of care.  The nurse then speaks to the physician, family, and/or other care providers to get as much information as possible, so that the patient and family can make a well-informed decision about transfer to SemperCare.  Some patients are referred while they are at home, receiving home care services.  Other patients have been admitted directly from their physician's office.

When a patient is admitted to SemperCare, they receive ongoing care from a team of professionals including Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Certified Nursing Assistants, Registered Respiratory Therapists, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and a Speech Therapist.  They may also receive care from a variety of students, supervised by instructors from Pikes Peak Community College and Pueblo Community College.

 The Patient's own physician or another physician will be assigned to their care, including specialists in wound care, cardiology, pulmonary medicine, and other specialties.  They will write orders for tests, medication, treatments, and procedures, just as in the other acute care hospitals. 

A trained and experienced Case Manager assists the patient and family in finding services needed upon discharge, as well as equipment.  If the patient is unable to go home upon discharge, options for the next level of care will be presented at case/family conferences, where the plan of care is developed and reviewed periodically.  Within 24 hours of admission, the initial plan is developed with the patient's goals in mind, as well as the availability of assistance by family, friends, etc. An estimated discharge date is established and communicated to all.

Often, the rehabilitation staff makes a trial trip to the patient's home to evaluate what services and equipment will be needed at the time of discharge.  They look at safety issues and can help guide the family in the needs of the patient.

Overall, most people will not need the extended acute care delivered by SemperCare Hospital.   However, when you or a loved one require a longer recovery period, SemperCare is here to serve you.

Not a newcomer to acute care, CEO Donna Berty has 32 years of experience, the most recent 11 years in specialty hospitals. Donna is an RN with a varied career in Medical/Surgical, Oncology, EENT, and Rehabilitation care.

 Donna and her husband Jack moved to Colorado 8 years ago from Indiana.  Their blended family consists of eight children, twenty-five grandchildren, and three great-grandsons.  Besides loving her demanding job as CEO, in her spare time she enjoys camping, reading, hiking, gardening and baking.

President's Message Scholastic Golf Tournament Time! by Sally Seidlitz

 Vacations are a wonderful way to get a break from everyday activities and recharge our batteries.  I just returned from a vacation.  The interesting thing for me was that it took several days to get into the swing of sleeping in and not having every minute planned while I was there.  Now that I'm back, it's taking days to get back in the swing of e-mail, meetings, and everyday hectic activities.

I know that our hectic time is coming with the undertaking of our golf tournament.  I had several e-mail messages from the Ways & Means committee and others who are taking on the various tasks to get this huge project underway.  Soon you'll be receiving a call from one of the committee asking you to give a helping hand.  I encourage everyone of you to get involved.  What a fun way to get to know your fellow EWI members.

In Loving Memory of
Abby Bohley

Abby Bohley, known and dearly loved by many, died April 26, 2003. She was an active member of the community plus a charter member and past president of EWI.

Abby is survived by her lifelong partner, Tom, her mother, her siblings, and a great many friends she held very close to her heart.

Above all else, Abby would want you to know she cherished her journey through life. She loved her family and friends, relishing her time spent with them. She enjoyed her artistic pursuits, opened her mind and spirit to new experiences, loved to laugh, and gave generously of herself to all who know her.

Abby's wonderful smile and laughter will be missed by all of us.

Contributions to Abbey's memory may be made to TESSA, 320 South El Paso Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Have You Met These New Members?

Scholastic Classic Golf Tournament
September 15, 2003
Colorado Springs Country Club

Help support our scholarship fund with our ONE fund raiser for this year! You are "Wanted!" Click Here for details

Membership Committee
Needs Your "Two Cents"

The Membership Committee has compiled a short survey to gather information about how our chapter is serving your needs. Please take a moment to share your opinions. Thanks!

Click Here To Complete The Survey

SHARE THE NEWS!

Please send submissions for the Chapter Pulse to:

Contact: Kathy Wallace

Phone: 548-0582

E-mail: kawallace@msn.com

Next Deadline
May 14

Please email as
MSWord attachment.

Thank you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Last Month's Meeting

"Travel in Ireland"

The EWI April meeting was at another fun downtown location, Jack Quinn's Pub.  EWI had the entire second floor to ourselves as we enjoyed Tini Campbell's slide presentation on travel in Ireland accompanied by Irish stew and other goodies.  Members also received handy travel tips for women traveling alone.

Did You Know?

by Wanda Reaves

It's rare these days to find someone who was actually born in Colorado Springs.  This EWI member was born and raised here!  Her favorite part of Colorado Springs is still the west side where she grew up.  She also has the rare distinction of having the same best friend that she had when she was three years old!  How many can make that claim?  She and her best friend Sharon still see each other almost every week even though Sharon now lives in Denver.  I find that pretty amazing and I am envious!  

This Colorado Springs native hasn't spent much time living anywhere else because she loves it so here.  She attended St. Mary's of the Plains College in Dodge City, Kansas.  Her first love lured her out for a time to live on Long Island in New York where she worked at the Shenanigan Neighborhood Bar in Queens.  She couldn't be out of Colorado for very long though.  She returned in 1973 and married a rodeo cowboy who fathered her two children, Casey and Michael.  Casey is eighteen years old and Michael is twenty-three.  Michael is a U. S. Marine in training to be an aircraft mechanic.  Next to her two children her husband George is the best thing that ever happened to her, she said.  (I can believe that because I know this man.  The only thing that I can see wrong with him is that he can't play Scrabble.  Okay, I'm joking!)

They love to go camping together.  New Mexico and the Black Hills are favorite camping places for them.  Another trip was made to Germany with friends (another EWI member and husband).

If I tell you that this attractive woman has the beautiful green eyes of the Irish most of you will guess who I am writing about.  Her mother's maiden name was Hannon and her grandparents were McNultys.

Her good-looking husband hails from St. Louis and is an independent stockbroker.

When I asked her what she would do if she were queen for a day she said she would somehow make wars unnecessary. 

Her most embarrassing moment was when she graduated from St. Mary's High School.  The graduation service took place in the City Auditorium and she was wearing a long dress.  As she descended the stairs after having received her diploma she got her foot caught in her long dress and tumbled down the stairs to lie in a bundle of taffeta at the bottom.  The next graduate in line looked at her and carefully stepped over her to get back to his seat!

She has been personnel manager for fifteen years at a manufacturing plant that has had almost no turnover in twenty years.  There are 102 employees.  I can say that this company is one of the finest corporate citizens in Colorado Springs.  She manages the charities campaign for the company and is proud of the fact that the 102 employees raised $138,000 last year for United Way and other charities.

She has gained much from her membership in EWI.  She has made some of the best friendships she has ever had and she has benefited by meeting so many dynamic and professional woman.  Her membership has helped her gain more confidence in herself.

She has given much thought to what her goals will be when she becomes our next EWI president.  They will include working hard to retain members and encouraging a mutually supportive environment for all members.

I know you have guessed by now!  Click here to see if you are correct.

May
Chapter Meeting

RSVP Guests and Regrets ONLY
Jeanne Roblewsky djroblewsky@email.msn.com

RSVP by May 6!

Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2003
RSVP Guests and Regrets only by May 6

Location: Garden of the Gods Trading Post
324 Beckers Lane
Manitou Springs CO 80829

Cost: $30.00

5:30 Cash Bar, Networking and
Heavy Hors d'oeuvres Provided by the Picnic Basket
6:00 Welcome and Announcements
6:30 Program
Door Prizes
Topic: "How Much is Enough?"
Gender Equity Issues
Presented by
Vickie Pokaluk
Human Resource Management Systems

Membership Status

Member Firms - 81
Additional reps - 15
Sustaining - 6
Life - 9
Honorary - 0
Transitional - 1

Announcements

Important - In order to keep our records current and to insure that you receive the newsletter and special announcements, please notify Kathleen O'Leary (228-3024, koleary@pepsilane.com) when your email address changes!

The EWI Regional Spring Conference for 2003 will be held May 15-17, 2003 in San Antonio, Texas.

The 2003 EWI Annual Meeting will be held in Denver, CO next Sept. 24-27!  We are lucky to have this event close by so that many of our members can attend and see EWI in action at the national level.

Pikes Peak or Bust!
Colorado Springs Chapter
B/C/DP Drawing Basket

Sincere thanks to these firms for contributing to the Colorado Springs Chapter basket. The B/C/DP drawing will be at the EWI Annual Conference in Denver. Tickets will be sold through each EWI Chapter. The lucky winner will be announced at the September conference.

Two night stay in the 5-diamond
elite accommodations of The Broadmoor Hotel.
The Broadmoor Hotel

Two night stay at the
Cheyenne Mountain Resort with your own private balcony.
Cheyenne Mountain Resort

2 V-I-P Passes to area attractions
Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau

Oval amethyst and gold half-loop earrings
Zerbe Jewelers

Your own case of personalized wines from
The Connoisseur

Pamper yourself with a facial, manicure, pedicure and hairstyling
Springs Spa and Salon

Protect your eyes with designer sunglasses from Elle¬
Op-Tech Laboratory

Travel package gift certificate
Taylor Travel

A Retreat Basket - delivered to your Colorado Springs hotel
Cachet Basket

Pottery Basket - Raku bowl, French soap, and candle & candle holder
WallaceVision

Gift certificates to The Concept Restaurants
Woodford Manufacturing Company

Gift certificate for 2 to the Flying W Ranch, Chuckwagon and entertainment
Flying W Ranch

B/C/DP basket and gift wrapping
Cachet Basket

Total Value:           $2,500

To donate additional items, please contact Jane Marshall, 473-4186, jane@pioneermfg.com!  And thanks!

Minutes

No minutes of the Board Meeting have been received at time of publication.

E X E C U T I V E
W O M E N
I N T E R N A T I O N A L

Corporate Office Contact Information

515 South 700 East, Suite 2A

Salt Lake City, UT 84102-2801

Phone (801) 355-2800

Fax (801) 355-2852

Website:www.executivewomen.org

Email:ewi@executivewomen.org

P R I N C I P L E S

• To bring together key individuals from member firms of EWI to achieve world-class status as an organization through applied standards of excellence.

• Forge and cultivate mutual business and professional goals through personal association and interchange.

• Afford the opportunities and structure for leadership and professional development.

• Provide a wide scope of community, educational, and philanthropic services and contributions.

• Encourage flexibility and adaptability in a membership as diverse in its demographics as in its interest, needs, and staying power