Publication

Morton Hospital

• Implemented the patient-centered family care model, which included purchasing comfort furniture for visiting family members.
• G. Parker Peresko, DPM, received the Excellence in Healthcare Award for quality patient care.
• Received the Foundation for Health Care Quality's Trailblazer Award for exemplary work in adherence to best practices.
• Purchased new waiting room furniture for the Emergency Department and quiet room.
• Began a multiyear patient room upgrade project.

Recruitments, Promotions and Team Development

• Shelly Cheney was promoted to Clinic Manager for the Randle and Packwood clinics.
• Laura Glass, RN, was promoted to Director of Patient Care Services.
• Janice Cramer was promoted to Patient Access and HIM Manager.
• Tiffiny Young was promoted to Billing Supervisor.
• Jessica Niedert was promoted to Business Office Manager.
• Katelin Forrest was promoted to Human Resources Manager.

Surveys and Inspections

• Successful DNV survey and reaccreditation of Morton Hospital.
• Successful Washington State Department of Health (DOH) medical laboratory inspection.
• Successful DOH survey in Mammography.
• Successful DOH survey in CT.

Facilities and Engineering

• Hired outside landscaper for hospital and clinic grounds project.
• Completed a soft remodel of three Emergency Department treatment rooms.
• Converted office space into expanded physical therapy treatment area.
• Added several automatic door buttons to assist patients and staff with mobility issues.
• Installed ceiling-mounted patient lifts in two patient rooms.
• Removed trees in front of Mossyrock Clinic to improve visibility.

Hospital Equipment Purchased

• New Respiratory Therapy Department treadmill.
• Operating room lights.
• Surgery Department instrument sterilization equipment.
• New airway system with video and bronchoscopy capability.

Additional Physician and Advanced Practice Providers

• John Hines, DO (who grew up in Morton), was hired for Morton Clinic and Morton Hospital.
• Vincent Ball, MD, was hired as Emergency Department Director.
• Emily Dames, PA-C, was hired for the Randle Clinic and Rapid Care Clinic.
• Cora Krause, PA-C, was hired part-time in the Rapid Care Clinic.
• Cardiologists through the Olympia Multi-Specialty Clinic:
  • Matthew S. Berger, DO.
  • Roger Chan, MD.
  • Adam K. Dunn, MD.
  • Randall Harada, MD.
  • Daryl Sudasena, MD.

Primary Care Clinics

• Held drive-thru flu vaccine events; held safe summer event for kids at Morton Elementary; and partnered with the Arbor Health Foundation to provide sports physicals at White Pass, Morton and Mossyrock high schools.
• Participated in the Washington State Medical Assistant Apprentice Program to provide hands-on clinic training.
• Launched Chronic Care Management program.

Rehabilitation Services

• Multiple staff earned additional certifications, including advanced manual therapy, medical massage, advanced orthopedic credentials, ImPACT concussion-trained therapist and aquatic therapy certifications.
• Hired a full-time speech-language pathologist and neurologic physical therapist.
• Added new treatment space to respond to significant growth.

Medical Laboratory

• Filled three long-vacant medical laboratory positions through a partnership with Conexus MedStaff, enabling the recruitment of foreign-trained Medical Laboratory Scientists.

Diagnostic Imaging

• Purchased a new, 128-slice GE CT scanner capable of both cardiac and neuro scanning.
• Purchased two new ultrasound units—one general ultrasound and one echo cardio ultrasound—to improve patient access.
• Entered a partnership with Tacoma Community College for a clinical internship program for x-ray students.
• Added additional MRI coverage for improved patient access.

Arbor Health Foundation

• Provided $24,426 in employee scholarships, ranging from medical assistants to advanced certifications for physical therapy.
• Contributed $35,000 toward new ultrasound unit purchase.
• Provided $21,304 for hospital patient-visitor furniture.
• Provided $2,838 for youth health education efforts.

Categories: Noteworthy