REGISTER

• A state-of-the-art, interactive mannequin (or manikin as they are known in the healthcare industry) which has the capability of recreating realistic clinical scenarios.  This expenditure will aid in continuing education efforts and further prepare staff to respond to pediatric emergencies.
• Interactive gaming stations for the pediatric “vertical lobby” in the ER, an area designated to ease stress during an emergency situation.
• Ten pressure-relieving cushions and two heated massage chairs — and ultimately greater comfort for patients receiving dialysis.
• Two vision vein viewers, innovative technology that will help caregivers find difficult-to-locate veins, such as those of infants within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

 The final grant was awarded to cover capital need costs related to LRMC’s Women’s Health Services expansion (this is the second year of a five year commitment).

 During the luncheon, nearly 70 “Leadership Givers” were asked to stand and be recognized for their incredible $1,000 contribution over the course of two years.  One such individual was Jennifer Kincart Jonsson, human resources director of ACT Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc.

 “I got involved with the Foundation’s Women in Philanthropy because I wanted to give back to the Lakeland Community,” said Jonsson.  She later added that she could think of no more deserving cause than one that affects the lives of the women and children treated at Lakeland Regional. 

This year, the Women in Philanthropy luncheon featured Tracey Conway, Emmy-winning actress and comedian who presented “Drop Dead Gorgeous,” her own personal journey as a heart disease survivor. Conway shared details from the day she was taping a television comedy show when she literally dropped dead from sudden cardiac arrest. Twenty minutes later, paramedics shocked her heart into beating again. Overcoming 20-to-1 odds, she survived and turned her miraculous recovery into a poignant, yet laugh-out-loud, presentation that has wowed celebrities like Oprah Winfrey.

During the past five years, Women in Philanthropy has granted a total of $259,461.50 to support women’s and children’s services at either Lakeland Regional Medical Center or Lakeland Regional Cancer Center. The funds raised by Women in Philanthropy are designated to improve the quality and scope of healthcare that women and children receive.  The purpose of Women in Philanthropy is to inspire and empower women to fulfill their philanthropic potential by improving the quality of health care for women of all ages in our community.  Members of Women in Philanthropy not only enhance their own awareness of health, but also that of family and friends, while setting the example of the art of philanthropy for the next generation of women.

“Of course by law, we knew that we were required to provide breaks and a private, non-bathroom space for our breastfeeding moms to pump,” said Theresa Horne, associate vice president, clinical operations, at Lakeland Regional.  “But we knew we could do better than that.  We wanted to send a clear message to our employees that we, too, wanted what was best for their families.”

This incredible new space was made possible because of a grant gifted by the Foundation’s Women  in Philanthropy society.  Women in Philanthropy is a giving society to benefit women and children’s health care at Lakeland Regional. The purpose of Women in Philanthropy is to inspire and empower women to fulfill their philanthropic potential by improving the quality of health care for women of all ages in the community.  In just two years, WIP has granted more than $183,000 in funding to improve healthcare for women and children in Lakeland and Polk County.

 Publix Super Markets Charities recently presented their second $25,000 installment of a $125,000 commitment to the pediatric emergency department at LRMC. A Publix representative says this donation is personal. “Lakeland Regional means a lot to so many of our associates. A hospital visit is never something you look forward to or plan for, but knowing this type of care is here when you need it brings security to our organization and our community,” said Shannon Patten, manager of Media & Community Relations for Publix.

Among the recent changes to the pediatric emergency department at LRMC include: a new waiting area with interactive toys and games for children of all ages, a large-screen television featuring family-friendly movies 24 hours a day and comfortable child-sized chairs. In addition, there are two “electronic” ocean aquariums – where children are entertained by life under the sea (on flat-screen televisions).
 

The LRMC Child Life Program recently received a $10,000 donation from GEICO. Christie Schwichtenberg, BS, certified child life specialist at LRMC, says without Geico’s donations over the past eight years, the program would not exist. “This money has given us the opportunity to acquire the necessary tools to make this program effective for our patients. We are extremely appreciative of Geico’s generosity.”

Geico check Presentation

During the check presentation, George W. Rogers, Geico’s regional vice president, said this donation means a great deal to his organization as well. “This hospital, especially the pediatric department, has touched the lives of many employees at Geico. Some of our employees were born here and others have brought their children here when they were sick,” said Rogers. “We always try to give back to the community, and by giving toward this program, we know our money will be used in a meaningful way.”

The Foundation and Lakeland Regional Cancer Center recently unveiled a special gift from Mark Hollis, an accomplished businessperson and local community leader. Mr. Hollis donated his sculpture “Survivor” to Lakeland Regional, and it sits in the lobby of LRCC to serve as inspiration for all who enter the doors. He finished “Survivor,” a portrayal of a female breast cancer survivor, in October, 2010 after working on it five hours a day for six months.

“The toughness of the stone speaks to the strength the soldier (cancer patient) has to have to be a survivor … They are fighting a battle, the battle of cancer,” Hollis stated. “The hardness of the backbone represents inner strength; but the most important message of all for breast cancer survivors is that a woman’s beauty is not in her breasts… The unfinished natural stone of the breasts is a constant reminder that real beauty comes from deep within.”

"Survivor" Sculpture Dedication

“The Lakeland Regional community is grateful that Mr. Hollis and his family decided that LRMC should be the home of such a meaningful piece of art,” said Ken Menefee, FAHP, CFRE, executive director of the Foundation. “We are honored to display ‘Survivor’ at one of our facilities.”

 The Good Life RV Resort in Bartow recently held a Cancer Walk event and made a donation of $2,000 to support cancer clinical trials at Lakeland Regional Cancer Center.

Doctor’s Day was first observed more than 75 years ago. Later, the day earned national recognition, and March 30 was formally proclaimed National Doctor’s Day in 1990. Each year on this special day, LRMC honors our talented team of doctors. The list below represents the outpouring of support to honor these doctors and here are just a few excerpts of letters we received:

“Thank you for many, many years of thoughtful personal care. Any nurse or patient who knows you agrees you are among the best- caring, personable, available, and knowledgeable…”

“You are the best Kind. Patient. Thoughtful. I had all the faith in you, no doubts.”

Women in Philanthropy is an all-female giving society to benefit women’s and children’s healthcare at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

For more information on Women in Philanthropy or to become a member please click here.

The proud winner of the $250 door-prize to Heritage House!

Kiley Strickland

“She started to itch a little bit and she said she didn’t feel well,” recalled Bevin.  “I put her in the shower to see if that would relieve the itching.”

But soon after, Bevin noticed that Kiley’s eye and the side of her mouth began to swell and there were welts all over her body. Bevin remembers comparing it to the scene of the movie Hitch, when Will Smith’s character had such a severe allergic reaction that he looked unrecognizable.  “When I made that comparison, I realized Kiley was having an allergic reaction,” said Bevin.

Bevin and her husband, Mike, stayed calm and quickly made the decision to take Kiley to the nearest walk-in emergency clinic where she was seen immediately.  However, once the physicians and nurses at the clinic saw Kiley’s condition, they referred them directly to Lakeland Regional’s ER for specialized pediatric emergency care.

“When they directed us to go straight to the hospital, that’s when I got really nervous because I realized just how serious it was,” said Bevin.

Bevin was thankful to learn that children who come to LRMC’s ER are immediately taken to a secure, child-friendly pediatric area.  In Polk County, only LRMC’s ER is staffed with emergency-trained pediatricians and pediatric nurses, including a pediatric triage nurse who sees younger patients upon arrival and can quickly assess the seriousness of the situation.

“There is a vast difference between adult emergencies and those of young children,” said Pam Bryan, RN, who specializes in pediatric care.  Pam had the opportunity to treat Kiley when she arrived and said her specialized training and experience helped put Kiley’s parents at ease.  “We’re all about pediatrics.  It’s our team and the way we’re trained to communicate with children and their parents that makes the difference,” said Pam.

“When we walked through the doors and the nurses saw Kiley, they took us back immediately,” said Bevin.  “She was seen rather quickly and given an antihistamine, Epipen® and steroid.”

Kiley’s body reacted well to the treatment and all her symptoms – that just the hour before had made her unrecognizable – were beginning to disappear. The pediatrician kept the family there for a while longer to monitor Kiley’s condition; and soon after they were on their way home.

“We were there for a total of two hours, beginning to end.  And that was it,” said Bevin. “And the care we received at Lakeland Regional was exceptional from the time we arrived until we were discharged.”

When Bevin thought back to the day’s events, she says that she did not drive to Lakeland Regional first because it was further away and she expected it to be inconvenient and crowded.

“In the future, I will not think twice about bringing either of my children to Lakeland Regional when we are faced with an emergency situation.  I know that we will be treated immediately in a child-friendly environment, with specialized pediatric care,” said Bevin.

Today, Kiley is a happy-go-lucky pre-schooler thanks, in part, to the Pediatric ER at Lakeland Regional.  Fortunately her allergic reaction was not life threatening, and she was able to get home before bedtime.  But had it been more serious, her family will sleep better knowing that highly-advanced pediatric care is always close by.

Ashley Link

Ashley and her husband Jonathan returned home at 9:30 p.m. after a 10-hour drive from Birmingham, where they had spent the weekend celebrating a friend’s wedding.  In fact, it was their first weekend away from their two-year-old son, so they were excited to get home to see him.

“It was way past his bedtime, but we hadn’t seen him in a couple of days, so my husband and I kept him up to enjoy him for a bit,” Ashley recalled.  “At 10:30, I put him to bed, and started to get ready for bed myself.”

Ashley acknowledged that on any other weeknight, she would have been asleep at 10:30, but she’s thankful that on this night, she was still awake.  After brushing her teeth, while still standing in her bathroom, she felt light-headed.  Then, her right arm began “involuntarily moving,” as she described it.  She held her right arm down with her left arm, but when she let go, her right arm continued moving on its own.

That’s when she yelled her husband’s name twice.

Jonathan immediately knew something was wrong because Ashley was calling for him loudly while their toddler was just down the hall sleeping.

“When I walked into our bedroom, I could see the fear and confusion on Ashley’s face,” said Jonathan.  “She’s very articulate, and when she tried to talk, her speech was impaired and made no sense.  I asked her if she needed me to call 9-1-1, and she nodded yes.”

Jonathan instructed his wife to sit on the bedroom floor.  As Ashley sat, she tried to pray aloud.  But since she found difficulty forming sentences, she remembers only being able to repeatedly plead, “Please God, please God.”

While still on the phone with the 9-1-1 dispatcher, Jonathan followed her directions by unlocking the front door for the paramedics and securing all pets.  By that time, the paramedics had arrived.  The pair of men assessed Ashley’s condition, loaded her onto the ambulance and called in a “stroke alert” to Lakeland Regional.

By the time she arrived at the ER, Ashley had regained her language and was able to communicate.  And since she was a stroke victim, there was no wait.

Lakeland Regional’s ER is home to the area’s most advanced Primary Stroke Center.  LRMC follows national standards and guidelines proven to improve outcomes for stroke patients.  More importantly, patients who are experiencing stroke symptoms are seen immediately in a dedicated area that is uniquely equipped to treat stroke beyond the first three hours of onset, when permanent brain damage is most likely to occur.

LRMC’s dedicated stroke team is available 24/7 to administer life-saving treatment at a moment’s notice, whether it’s with traditional clot-busting medications, carotid stenting, or the innovative Merci Retrieval System® that allows physicians to delicately remove a clot. According to stroke center coordinator Dorothy Adair, ARNP, “We have an amazingly collaborative team of doctors and nurses who really go the distance to ensure that recovery from stroke is maximized. To be a part of this team, you have to be dedicated. You have to be committed to providing the highest level of care.”

Upon her arrival at the ER, Ashley was immediately given a CT Scan, which was clear, but she was still admitted overnight for observation.

The next morning Ashley was visited by her primary care physician, Dr. Michael Brown, and neurologist Dr. Daniel Traviesa.  Exploring all possibilities and because of Ashley’s age and health, Dr. Traviesa initially considered the prospect that a complex migraine might have caused stroke-like symptoms, but he still wanted to run all tests.  So, Dr. Traviesa ordered an EKG, which came back clean; an EEG, which came back clean; and an MRI, which reflected the stroke.  However, the cause was still unknown. After having a spinal tap, a Transesophageal Enchocardiogram (TEE) was performed. A small scope was sent down Ashley’s esophagus to take pictures of her heart. It revealed a patent foramen ovale (PFO), an opening between the upper chambers, which had allowed a blood clot to travel to her brain.

The following morning, cardiologist Dr. Douglas Ebersole was called in to make the repair. Within three hours Ashley was in surgery. Thirty minutes later, using a minimally-invasive technique, Dr. Ebersole had implanted a closure device, and Ashley was in recovery.

“While in the cath lab during prep for my procedure, Dr. Ebersole’s team tried to calm my nerves.  They didn’t stop talking to me; they were warm, kind and genuine,” said Ashley.  “When I told them that I was going to close my eyes to pray, they offered to pray with me.  And when they learned I graduated from Alabama, one of the team-members, who happened to be a huge Alabama fan too, sang the fight song with me.”

When reflecting on all she had been through, Ashley feels blessed that Lakeland Regional is her hometown hospital.  She imagines what could have happened had she and her husband still been driving on the interstate; or if she were sleeping, like on any other weeknight, and not realized what had happened; or if her parents didn’t live only a few blocks away and weren’t able to keep her son while she and her husband went to the ER.

“If I could say one thing to the medical staff, it would be that ‘your focus is on patient and family care.  And having experienced it firsthand, it was evident,” Ashley stated.  “It was evident in the way you treated me.  And it was evident in the way you treated my family.”

Today, you would never know Ashley had a stroke.  She runs, keeps up with her busy three-year-old and enjoys spending time with her husband.

She credits Lakeland Regional for her full recovery.