GRMC Auxiliary Makes Significant Pledge to Grinnell Regional Medical Center Chemotherapy

The GRMC Auxiliary has pledged $150,000 toward the Grinnell Regional Medical Center Moving at the Speed of Life comprehensive campaign directed for the new chemotherapy and infusion department. This department is now officially known as the GRMC Auxiliary Chemotherapy and Infusion Suite and is a tribute to the countless volunteer hours of service that the auxiliary has provided for decades and continues today.

“Our mission is solely to support GRMC through volunteer service and philanthropy, supporting a positive patient experience and providing scholarships to those seeking education in a health-related field,” says Shannon Reding, president of the GRMC Auxiliary.

“We wanted to honor the auxiliary for all they have done for GRMC, and ultimately for the entire community,” says Dan Agnew, co-chair of the Moving at the Speed of Life campaign for GRMC. “Their role, past, present, and future, is truly vital to the success of GRMC.”

The GRMC Auxiliary has more than 300 members and volunteers who serve within the medical center. They raise funds through special events such as the annual wreath raffle; the angel tree; jewelry, book, and medical scrub uniform sales; and Tag Day.

The Glass Gift Box located in the GRMC lobby is also a funding source for the GRMC Auxiliary.

“Many don’t realize that their purchases at The Glass Gift Box go toward our auxiliary projects,” Reding says. “It is one of our strongest fundraisers year-round.”

Overall, the comprehensive campaign, Moving at the Speed of Life, has a goal to raise $7.5 million over the next three to five years. To date, GRMC has $1.8 million toward these projects, including $450,000 from the last capital campaign.

Funds are being raised to modernize the GRMC emergency department and create an urgent care clinic, purchase the daVinci^® surgical robotic system and a new CT scanner, renovate Postels Community Health Park to accommodate a new fitness center, and establish an endowment for Grinnell Regional Mental Health Center, in addition to the GRMC Auxiliary Chemotherapy and Infusion Suite.

For more information on becoming a GRMC Auxiliary member, stop by The Glass Gift Box or call Kerri Olson, volunteer coordinator, 641-236-2588.

To learn more about the Moving at the Speed of Life campaign, call Denise Lamphier, 641-236-2589.

GRMC’s 2012 Annual Report Available

Grinnell Regional Medical Center released its annual report, “Composing a Better World,” that summarizes the hospital’s activities and finances during 2012. The annual report can be found online at www.grmc.us.

This year’s report focuses on the importance of a well orchestrated organization that embraces life-advancing technology, new providers, and quality of care.  In 2012, GRMC welcomed eight new medical staff members: Jacob Boyer, PA-C, Grinnell Regional Family Care; Jessie Collun, ARNP, Deer Creek Family Care; Corrine Fogle, PA-C, Lynnville Medical Clinic; Jill Jensen, PA-C, Occupational Health and Wound Care Clinic; Clifford Novak, MD, Grinnell Regional Orthopedics; Joel Rand, PA-C, Grinnell Regional Orthopedics; Pascuala Reyes, DO, GRMC Emergency Department; and Mathew Severidt, DO, general surgeon with Surgical Associates. New clinics included the Grinnell Regional Orthopedic Clinic, and the GRMC Ostomy and Wound Clinic. 

The past year allowed GRMC to add key technology to improve patient outcomes and capabilities for staff and medical providers. In 2012 GRMC had the opportunity to upgrade its digital mammography unit to include breast tomosynthesis, also called 3D mammography. For the benefit of patients and staff, GRMC purchased 22 new patient beds, thanks to the annual fund drive donations.

GRMC ended the year with the unique opportunity to lease a daVinci^® robotic surgical unit. The hope is to raise funds in 2013 to purchase the unit.

“Area residents want and deserve modern diagnostic and treatment equipment to feel confident that they receive the best care. GRMC chose to invest in these technologies for the benefit of area residents,” says Bill Menner, GRMC Board of Director chair. “The bed investment speaks for itself as every inpatient wants a good night’s sleep.”

Menner added, “We finally saw a short-lived improvement in Medicare reimbursement in 2012. We decided to invest in technology for the future.”

GRMC also invested in needed services for the areas when it launched Grinnell Regional Orthopedics and Grinnell Regional Ostomy and Wound Clinic. Both of these specialty clinics provided a specialized service that residents have traveled to other facilities to receive.

Financial Report of 2012

GRMC was proud to report an overall gain of $1,949,927 for 2012, when including non-operating sources of revenue (contributions and gain on investments). GRMC administration, staff, and advocates worked hard for years to secure better Medicare payment for the medical center. In 2012, the medical center finally saw improvement through the Medicare Rural Demonstration Program.

“GRMC was one of twenty hospitals nationally and one of four Iowa hospitals approved for the program that pays for Medicare inpatient services on a cost basis. While this was not the same level of payment received by Critical Access Hospitals, it represented about $1.3 million in additional payment,” says Todd C. Linden, GRMC president and CEO.

The medical center also received large one-time payments of $1.8 million for reaching a government incentive program for meaningful use of electronic health records and a sizable grant to upgrade digital mammography that helped GRMC end the year with a positive operating margin.

GRMC admitted 1,608 inpatients and 48,399 outpatients, including laboratory procedures, radiology procedures, chemotherapy procedures, sleep studies, and surgical procedures. This compares to 1,695 inpatients and 50,707 outpatients in 2011.

Total operating revenue from all sources totaled more than $80 million – this includes patient charges, grants, and other revenue. However, the medical center is not able to collect all the patient charges, primarily due to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement policy and commercial insurance deductions. Because of the size and location of the medical center, GRMC is severely disadvantaged compared to other rural hospitals in Medicare payments. In 2012, GRMC had total deductions of $37.7 million, which allowed GRMC to end the year with a net revenue of $42.8 million. Total expenses were $41.9 million, leaving a total operating gain of $951,740.

 “Unfortunately, the sequestration and the fiscal cliff removed about $1.3 million from our estimated payments for 2013,” Linden says. “We had to make difficult decisions recently to compensate for the dramatic and unexpected reduction in Medicare reimbursement to GRMC. We believe the restructuring in July will allow GRMC to be set for the future. We are very proud of high quality, safe, and efficient care provided at GRMC and look forward to the reforms coming where these things will be rewarded.”

For the complete financial report, the lists of donors, and all the successes in 2012, go to www.grmc.us. Click on the “About Us” link, then the “Annual Reports” link.

For a printed copy of our donors or more information, please contact Jan Veach, GRMC office of communications and development, at jveach@grmc.us or 641-236-2946.

Open House for New Infusion and Chemotherapy Suite

Grinnell Regional Medical Center welcomes the public to view the new chemotherapy and infusion suite, which opened at the end of June. GRMC will host the open house on Tuesday, July 30, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

Guests may tour the GRMC Auxiliary Chemotherapy and Infusion Suite, located on the first floor of GRMC near the lab. The new space houses six chemotherapy stations, which doubles the number of patients who may receive treatment, compared to the old chemotherapy room.

“The suite is more inviting for patients and allows for more room for staff and patients,” says Todd C. Linden, GRMC president and CEO. “The space includes a refreshment station, lounge for family members who accompany patients, and a much improved nurses station for better observation and care of patients. A highlight is the way the room incorporates botanical, natural light and décor to create a welcoming environment.”

In the design phase, GRMC choose to have local Iowa artist, Lee Emma Running, incorporate art into the original design. The art blends natural colors and botanicals into the physical space through etching in the glass windows, three-dimensional art on the walls, and even the use of color for the floors and walls.  

During the open house, Todd Linden, GRMC president and CEO, will recognize staff, donors, and key dignitaries involved in the creation of this space, at 5:30 p.m. Guest will have the opportunity to listen to a special program on the art installation by Running, Grinnell College associate professor of art, who created the soothing environment. 

GRMC will also offer demonstrations of the daVinic^® robotic surgical unit in the surgery waiting area. Guests may sit at the counsel and experience a hands-on demonstration of this advanced technology.

Named after the major donor, the GRMC Auxiliary Chemotherapy and Infusion Suite provides state-of-the-art setting with special chairs, creature comforts, and technology to care for patients needing treatments. The infusion therapies offered include nearly all chemotherapies, and common other infusions like Reclast, Remicade, antibiotics, hydration fluids, iron, blood product administration, and injections.

The GRMC Auxiliary Chemotherapy and Infusion Suite is located on the first floor of the medical center, on the north side. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information or to speak with a chemotherapy nurse, call 641-236-2395.

Golf Tournament Raises $16,000 for Hospital and Chamber

Golfers from around the area gathered at Grinnell Golf and Country Club on Friday, June 28, for the 2013 Grinnell Regional Medical Center and Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce Games Golf Tournament. Both the morning and afternoon sessions were full with 72 golfers playing 18 holes in each session. 

Taking home the $1,000 prize was the team of Dr. Nick Kuiper, Shane Hart, Dr. Jeff Millet, and Devin Wells. The team placed first with a score of 57. Second place went to the team of Jeff and Wes Finch and John and Hugh German sponsored by Wes Finch Auto Plaza. Taking third place was the team sponsored by Brown’s Medical Imaging, Tom Mellon, Tom Mellon, Jr., Chad Brown, and Jason Chance.

Second flight winners were from Ramsey-Weeks with Jim and Samantha Ramsey, Kevin Kolbe, and Amanda Hintz. Second place, second flight went to the team of Casey Hansen, Gary Larson, Joe Rains, and Chad Nath sponsored by Graham Construction. Third place, second flight went to Team Pagliai’s of Wade Stoakes, John Lacasse, Ryan Plate, and Wade Mawe.

Third flight winners were Gene Gessner, Becky Froias, Cory Mortensen, and Rob Gibson. Second place, third flight went to the GRMC team of Jack Fritts, Stuart Jordan, Dan Van Voorst, and Mitch Thompson. Third place, third flight went to Tim and Alex Dill, Chris Johnson, and Brandon VerMeer, sponsored by KGRN.

This year’s eagle sponsors were ACS, Bernie Lowe & Associates, Inc., Brown’s Medical Imaging, Graham Construction Company, Grinnell State Bank, and Jeld-Wen.

The GRMC golf outing is a best shot, four-person team format planned by a committee of community members. They are Jeanette Budding, Dr. Scott Collings, Mary Duke, Becky Froias, Scott Gilbert, Dr. Nick Kuiper, Denise Lamphier, Darcy Swick, Jan Veach, and Jen Hawkins.

“We are excited to be working with the Grinnell Chamber on this golf tournament,” says Todd Linden, GRMC president and CEO. “It really is a great partnership for the entire community.”

“It’s an important collaboration,” says Angela Harrington, executive director, Grinnell Chamber of Commerce. “A strong healthcare sector is very important for businesses or residents looking to relocate to our community.”

The golf tournament included contests at each hole. On the first hole, golfers tried to see who could land closest to the pin in one shot. The winners were Donna Zylstra and team Wes Finch.

On hole 2, golfers tried for a hole-in- one; none were able to do so. Jennie Jackson and Devin Wells each won the competition for hole 3 of hitting the longest drive. On hole 4, Marna Supple and Ken Cline tied for sinking the longest putt.  At hole 5, Terri Wayman and Rod Swagger claimed the contest landing their ball closest to the bedpan. Marna Supple and Doug Mesick won at hole 6 for getting closest to the pin in one shot. The winners of the straightest drive on hole 7 were Becky Petig and Jeff Millet. Melissa Beastrom and Dan Hirsch each got closest to the tiger on hole 8.

On the 9^th hole, golfers paid $5 to bet on themselves or a teammate to land on the green in one shot. All golfers who landed on the green in one and paid for a ticket were entered in a drawing for a $100 Taylor-Made gift card with the winner drawn from these golfers. This year’s winner was Dr. Jeff Millet.

Sponsors and donors who made this event possible included: Ahrens Park Foundation, Alliant Energy, Arnold Motor Supply, ASI Signage Innovations, Axmear Far, LLC, Ballyhoo In Ink, Brown’s Shoe Fit, Casey’s General Store, Cirks Financial, Community 1^st Credit Union, Cory Hall Photography, Dan Becker, Danish Maid Bakery, Edward Jones Investments-Kolpin/Kolpin, Electronic Engineering, Family Dentistry, The Glass Gift Box, Great Western Bank, Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce, Grinnell Firestone, Grinnell Golf and Country Club, Grinnell Hy-Vee, Grinnell Mutual, Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Hardee’s, Jensen Optometrists, PLLC, Julin Printing, Kevin White Design, KJWW Engineering, Laura Ferguson, MD, PC, Lincoln Savings Bank, Manatt’s Inc., Michael’s Italian Restaurant, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Nicholas Kuiper, DO, PC, general surgery, Todd Linden, Oakland Acres Golf Club, Pagliai’s, Pigott, Prairie Knolls Country Club, Ramsey-Weeks, Inc., Rees Vinyl Signs, Schoon Construction, Inc., Seim Johnson, Spacelabs Anesthesia, Sports Page, Steve Link Ford, The Straub Corporation/PAW Marketing, T.L. Baker & Co., LLP, Todd Linden, University of Iowa Community Credit Union, Wes Finch Auto Plaza.

Physical Therapist Joins GRMC

 Grinnell Regional Medical Center’s Physical Therapy department welcomed Dan Van Voorst in June to the department to join four other physical therapists and two physical therapy assistants.

Van Voorst moved to Grinnell from Phoenix, Ariz., where he evaluated and treated orthopedics patients with spine and extremity pain. He completed the doctorate of physical therapy degree from A.T. Still University, Mesa, Ariz. Van Voorst grew up in northwest Iowa, in Lyon County, and earned his BS degree from South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D. He is currently completing a fellowship in manual physical therapy through Regis University, Denver, Colo., and has completed post-graduate courses in spinal manipulation and functional dry needling, Kinetacore.

VanVoorst’s philosophy of care focuses on the patient and their expectations. His treatment plans begin with the patient telling him about the condition and their story.

“I listen to the patient tell me about why they are seeing a physical therapist,” VanVoorst says. “Then we discuss options. I like to guide them in their therapy back to functionality. We talk about the best treatment options and how the patient can achieve the results he or she wants.”

“The patient should feel better when they leave a therapy session with me. I can assist all physical therapy needs; however I have advanced training in spines,” Van Voorst says.

Tom Gallo, director of GRMC’s physical therapy department, welcomes the therapist and his diverse skills.

“Dan brings excellent skills to our physical therapy services. He does an excellent job with rehabilitation for feet and ankles,” Gallo says. “Plus, he has spent most of his work experience in the outpatient and retail setting. He works with sports medicine and youth. We’ve very pleased he choose GRMC.”

Van Voorst and his wife moved to Grinnell and the end of May. He plans to get involved in the community.

For more information on GRMC’s physical therapy department and services, call 641-236-2364.

Patient Perspective: Staying Active With a Little Help

Patient Perspective: Staying Active with a Little Help

At 74, Warren Reinecke is more active than many his age. Logging a thousand miles each year, he has walked three miles most days for the last decade. When he’s not walking, Warren can be found playing table tennis several times a week, a pastime he adopted after joining the Mayflower Community and taking advantage of their sports facilities. He keeps active during his winters in Arizona, walking a route from his home there and keeping his table tennis skills sharp by participating in weekly club practices. All that hard work has allowed Warren to claim two gold medals in the Iowa Senior Olympic Games and two bronze medals in the Arizona Senior Olympic Games over the last six years. In his younger years, Warren kept active by bicycling. In 1990 he completed a cross-country trip beginning in Seattle and later rode RAGBRAI seven times.

Two years ago, Warren was forced to take a break from his active lifestyle after he ruptured a bicep and tore a tendon in his shoulder while playing table tennis. After speaking with GRMC’s orthopedic specialists, Warren decided to do physical therapy in order to maintain use of his shoulder without surgery. Two times a week for several months, he met with GRMC’s Tony Gallo, physical therapist. Warren found Tony’s explanations of the purposes of each exercise and the importance of their repetition to be most helpful and the routine beneficial.

After many physical therapy appointments, Warren began practicing table tennis again. Six months post-therapy, he was able to compete yet again in the Iowa Senior Olympic Games and managed to claim the gold medal. Today, he still uses the exercises Tony taught him when his shoulder begins acting up. A lifetime of hefty activity means Warren will likely need surgery; however, he plans to continue physical therapy when the time comes as he is convinced his work with Tony permitted him to continue playing competitively.

Below is a note Warren sent Tony after winning his latest competition. He says he believes good work should always be expected and that personal notes should be saved for truly exceptional work.

Hi, Tony

Several months ago you helped me with exercises to help rebuild a ruptured bicep and torn tendon in my shoulder.  One of the hoped for outcomes would be to continue playing table tennis at a competitive level.  I thought you would enjoy hearing that as a competitor in the 70-74 age group at this summer's Iowa Senior Olympic Games in Des Moines, I again won the Gold Medal.  I would not have thought it possible several months ago, but it would seem that I have a few more matches left in me – thanks in large part to your therapy and wise counsel. Thanks again. 

Warren Reinecke

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#4867 – Warren Reinecke in table tennis action.

#4889– Tony Gallo, GRMC physical therapist, and Warren Reinecki, in the Mayflower Community Activity room.

#4894 – Reinecke plays table tennis three times a week, on average, at the at Mayflower Community  Table Tennis Center, which was made possible by a donation from Irene and Vic Engelmann. They are gold medalist champions and they introduced Warren to the sport.

Pictured from the left: Irene Engelmann; Tony Gallo, GRMC physical therapist; and Warren Reinecke, table tennis gold medalist.