Catholic Chronicle

Dr. Bosse elected medical staff president

Laurie Stevens Bertke — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0000

TIFFIN—James Bosse was elected the medical staff president at Mercy Tiffin Hospital and began his term Jan. 1.

Dr. Bosse, a family medicine physician, replaces Krishnaiah C. Garlapati, who completed his term as president Dec. 31. As medical staff president, Dr. Bosse also serves as a member of the hospital’s board of trustees during his year of service.

Wade Young, who specializes in ophthalmology, is serving as president-elect during 2010. The new secretary/treasurer is Romena Moorjani, who specializes in pediatrics. The executive committee’s member at-large is John Breymer, who specializes in podiatry.

“I look forward to working with the new medical staff officers in 2010,” said Dale Thornton, president and CEO of Mercy Tiffin Hospital. “Their leadership will be extremely important as we attempt to expand services and recruit new members for the medical staff.”

He also offered thanks to the 2009 medical staff officers: Krishnaiah C. Garlapati, president; James Bosse, president-elect; Munir Ahmad, secretary/treasurer; and Christopher Sears, executive committee member at-large.

“On behalf of all the staff at Mercy Hospital of Tiffin, I would like to express sincere gratitude to the 2009 medical staff officers for their dedication and commitment,” said Mr. Thronton. “Their leadership was very important as we adjusted to the new facility. We are very appreciative of the time they spent in guiding medical staff decisions throughout the year.”

Medical staff officers are elected by their peers on the active medical staff of Mercy Hospital of Tiffin.

Mercy Tiffin Hospital presents Managerial Excellence Award

Angela Kessler — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0000

TIFFIN—The fourth annual Mercy Tiffin Hospital Managerial Excellence Award was presented to registered nurse Teri Henry during a luncheon Dec. 15.

She was nominated by Sue Sanford, manager of the Family Birthing Center, and Travis Grasley, manager of cardiopulmonary services.

Teri Henry, left, was presented the 2009 Mercy Tiffin Hospital Managerial Excellence Award. She is pictured with her nominators, Sue Sanford and Travis Grasley. (Photo courtesy of Mercy Tiffin Hospital)

Ms. Henry is the manager of the Mercy medical surgical unit, a graduate of Providence School of Nursing and has been a member of the Mercy family for more than 19 years.

“Teri has a tenacity that makes her a loyal and devoted employee,” said Ms. Sandford. “She cares dearly about her patients and tries hard to do all the things she can to keep them and their families happy. I would want her to care for me if I were a patient at Mercy Tiffin Hospital.”

The patient satisfaction scores in her department show Ms. Henry is an excellent clinician and that her staff is growing and learning with her.

“Not content with the status quo, she challenges herself and others to grow as professionals,” said Mr. Grasley. “The employees of her department, her peers and the physicians she works with all respect her for her enthusiasm and accountability.”

Ms. Henry led a mission trip to Honduras in 2008, and is planning to lead another mission trip to Honduras in 2010.

Hospital managers are nominated by their peers based on their ability to make a difference both inside Mercy Tiffin Hospital and in the community. Other criteria include accountability as a leader, growth in their profession, being a high achiever, enthusiasm and serving as a role model.

Managers nominated in 2009 include Nichol Hohman, rural division manager of physician development and medical staff relations; Bernie Steinmetz, manager of the Mercy Tiffin Foundation; Marie Balliet, manager of patient access; and Kris Fisher, manager of medical records.

Past recipients of the award include Sue Bigelow, manager of imaging services (2006); Travis Grasley, manager of cardiopulmonary services (2007); and David Recker, manager of plant operations (2008).

Mercy Tiffin Hospital to host Hearts Alive Auction

Laurie Stevens Bertke — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 05:00:00 +0000

TIFFIN—The fourth annual Hearts Alive Auction benefiting the Mercy Tiffin Hospital cardiopulmonary department and the American Heart Association is slated for Feb. 22, 2010, at 6:30 p.m. in the McMullen Conference Center at Mercy Tiffin Hospital.

Admission to the event is free. Community members are invited to submit a theme basket, and anyone who makes jewelry, crafts, woodworking, baked goods or paintings is encouraged to donate items for the auction. Those who sell Arbonne, Avon, Mary Kay, Tastefully Simple, Pampered Chef or Longaberger are invited to leave a business card with the items they donate to the auction. Donated items are needed by Feb. 15, and can be dropped off at the cardiopulmonary rehabilitation department or the pharmacy of the hospital.

Silent auctions are held Feb. 18, noon-4 p.m. and Feb. 19, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. in the McMullen Conference Center, and the fundraiser ends Feb. 22 with the live auction. Several baskets are to be raffled and numerous door prizes are also available.

For more information about the auction, contact Sandi Best at 419-455-7141.

Grant to support hospital’s Work Grant Program

Laurie Stevens Bertke — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:00:00 +0000

TIFFIN—The National Machinery Foundation has approved a grant in the amount of $16,000 to support Mercy Tiffin Hospital’s Work Grant Program.

This program provides assistance with educational costs for those choosing nursing as a profession. Nursing shortages directly impact Mercy Tiffin’s ability to employ professionally trained individuals to provide quality health care for the community.

During the next five years, 18 percent of the nurses at Mercy Tiffin will reach retirement age, creating a shortage of trained replacements. Treating an aging baby-boomer population will increase demand in the nursing health care profession.

“We sincerely appreciate the National Machinery Foundation’s generosity in helping us provide high quality and compassionate care to our community,” said Dale Thornton, president and CEO of Mercy Tiffin Hospital. “The National Machinery Foundation has not only supported this program but was a major donor to the capital campaign for our new hospital, while at the same time supporting other local organizations that have helped countless members of our community.”

The Mercy Tiffin Work Grant Program provides tuition and other related academic fees to students accepted in pre-approved, accredited clinical programs of study, including nursing programs and other identified areas, in exchange for a commitment to work for Mercy Tiffin following the recipient’s graduation and the acquisition of required licenses.

“This grant will assist us to close the gap in an overall shortage of nurses,” said Diana Olson, chief human resources officer at Mercy Tiffin Hospital.

Physicians recognized at Mercy Tiffin Hospital banquet

Laurie Stevens Bertke — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

TIFFIN—The 2009 Annual Recognition Event was held Oct. 1 to honor members of the Mercy Tiffin Hospital medical staff and board of trustees for their years and terms of service, and to announce the winner of the prestigious Physician Excellence Award.

Physicians are recognized for their service in increments of five years. Board members are recognized for service in increments of three-year terms completed. A highlight of the evening was the awarding of the Physician Excellence Award, a tradition started in 2005. The award winner is selected from nominations by members of the medical staff as well as Mercy Tiffin employees and board members.

The following members of the Mercy Tiffin medical staff were recognized for their years of service:

Five years of service: Subrahmanyam Chodisetty, MD, neurology; Nathan Hill, MD, pain management/physical medicine; William Horvath, MD, medical oncology; Jatinder Rana, MD, psychiatry.

Ten years of service: Munir Ahmad, MD, radiation oncology; Paul Clark, MD, vascular surgery; Srinivas Katragadda, MD, pulmonology; Edward Sierra, MD, emergency medicine; William Suarez, MD, pediatric cardiology.

Fifteen years of service: Abner Cordero, MD, obstetrics and gynecology.

Twenty-five years of service: Meera Agarwal, MD, anesthesiology.

Thirty years of service: Ajitkumar Desai, MD, urology; Prasad Kakarala, MD, pediatrics; Dinesh Thekdi, MD, cardiology.

The following members of the Mercy Tiffin Board of Trustees were recognized for their terms of service. One term (2006-2009): Mr. Chris English, Mercy Sister Noel Frey and Mr. Will Heddles. Three terms (2001 - 2010): Mr. Brent Howard, chairman.

The winner of the 2009 Physician Excellence Award was Steven Copeland, orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Copeland was nominated by Jean Thompson and the Mercy Tiffin surgery staff.

The prestigious Physician Excellence Award is given annually to a physician who meets the criteria set forth by the hospital’s physician satisfaction team. The team, which includes employees from both clinical and support service areas, reviewed 12 nominations and selected one winner for each category.

Dr. Copeland was honored for displaying willingness to teach and explain, receptiveness to clinical, administrative and nursing suggestions and/or concerns, and demonstrating effective use of interpersonal skills in dealing with staff, patients and families.

According to the team, Dr. Copeland promotes collaboration and enthusiastically approaches interdisciplinary initiatives; is recognized for outstanding support of medical education programs and initiatives, and serves as an educational “mentor” or “role model” for Mercy Tiffin ancillary, clinical, and support staff.

The team also chose to recognize Dr. Copeland for the way he embodies the humanitarian mission of Mercy Tiffin Hospital through personal and professional actions and attitudes. He demonstrates support for the Mercy Tiffin Foundation and furthers the vision of the founders of Mercy Tiffin Hospital by modeling the core values, consistently facilitating and fostering compassion, cooperation and courtesy in his interactions with staff, patients, visitors, volunteers and colleagues.