Friday, October 29, 2010

Simulation Training for Infant Emergencies

Grinnell Regional Medical Center and Blank Children’s Hospital hosted a state-of-the-art medical simulation to train staff for emergencies in the littlest patients. The mobile simulation program imitates a real-life patient care setting where participants learn and master skills essential for infant and pediatric emergencies.

The simulation uses computerized infant and child size mannequins, along with actual equipment, to reproduce a clinical environment that provides similar physical challenges and mental stressors that would occur in a real emergency.

“This is a new option for our emergency, obstetrical, ICU, and medical staff to train with each other, like a real emergency, yet with the mannequins,” explains Amy Kramer, RN, clinical educator with GRMC’s staff development.

GRMC hosts continuing education courses for clinical staff to ensure they provide excellent care to patients.

“All GRMC clinical employees attend courses to maintain their licensure requirements. We help them learn the latest information and techniques to ensure quality patient care. We’re fortunate to partner with Blank Children’s Hospital for this training,” Kramer says.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Gift to GRMC Commemorates Wendt and JELD-WEN

Jewel Kintzinger Day and Burtwin Day have given a generous $25,000 gift to Grinnell Regional Medical Center. The couple made the gift in memory of Jewel’s brother, Dick Wendt, and in honor of the 50th anniversary of JELD-WEN.

Fifty years ago, in October of 1960, Wendt was one of five founders of the now international door and window manufacturer. For many years, he served as the company’s CEO. Dick, who died in August, served as chairman of JELD-WEN’s board when his son, Rod Wendt, took over as JELD-WEN’s president and CEO. Jewel’s late husband, John Kintzinger, started a window plant in Grinnell in 1969 for JELD-WEN, which at that time was called Wenco.

“Since I have lived in Grinnell, I’ve always appreciated what GRMC has done for our family and the community,” says Kintzinger Day about the decision to support the medical center with a gift in memory of her brother.

GRMC will use the gift to upgrade the hospital’s magnetic resonance imaging unit (MRI) services. The medical center is remodeling an area inside the hospital to accommodate a new, permanent MRI and the specialized construction needed to house the sensitive equipment. With this gift, approximately $245,000 has been raised toward the estimated $300,000 project.

“We are thrilled to add Jewel and Burt to our supporters for this important diagnostic tool,” says Todd C. Linden, GRMC president and CEO. “Jewel and Burt have always been very generous to the medical center. We are deeply grateful to the Kintzinger Day family for making such an exceptional gift in support of this project. The fact that it honors Jewel’s brother and JELD-WEN makes it all the more meaningful.”

GRMC is planning to have the new MRI installed and ready for patient use by early 2011. To help meet this goal, Iowa Radiology and the Claude W. Ahrens Charitable Trust are offering a challenge to the community for this technology investment. Under the challenge, all new or additional gifts to the MRI campaign will be matched dollar for dollar.

To learn more about the MRI campaign, call Denise Lamphier in the Office of Communications and Development at 641-236-2589 or visit http://tinyurl.com/grmcmri.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Angel Tree Adorns Hospital Lobby


Honor a loved one this holiday season with a glimmering angel ornament. The Grinnell Regional Medical Center Auxiliary will sell large angel ornaments for the holidays. An “Angel Tree” will be located in the front lobby of the medical center. Angel ornaments in honor of loved ones or in memory of loved ones will cover the tree on display in the hospital until Dec. 17.

This year’s angel is a six-inch mother of pearl ornament that glimmers in the light. Each ornament will have a tag to honor or remember a loved one. These are placed on a Christmas tree in the medical center after Thanksgiving. The angels may be picked up by the person who purchased it anytime after Dec. 17 and taken home or given to the honoree. The tree will remain on display until after Dec. 25.

Funds raised will be divided between the hospital’s magnetic resonance imaging unit (MRI) upgrade and the auxiliary scholarship fund that supports individuals pursuing a healthcare degree. Each year the auxiliary provides $10,000 in scholarships to area residents entering or continuing a healthcare education.

To purchase an angel and support the scholarship program or MRI upgrade, stop by the GRMC Auxiliary’s gift shop, The Glass Gift Box. Ornaments will be sold from Nov. 1 through Dec. 17. Angels are $10. For more information, contact the GRMC volunteer coordinator at 641-236-2588.