St. Luke's Health System

The newly established St. Luke's Veterans Employee Resource Group, or VERG, marked its official launch by participating in several local Magic Valley events, raising awareness for veteran suicide and honoring those lost in the 9/11 attacks. On Sept. 10, National Suicide Awareness Day, several VERG members volunteered at a special event to bring attention to the staggering statistic that 22 veterans die by suicide each day. Many participants proudly donned their old service uniforms, representing their respective military branches, as part of a solemn ceremony aimed at raising awareness for this critical issue. In addition, VERG members participated in the Magic Valley 9/11 memorial by serving as flag bearers for the American flag that was then proudly hoisted across the Snake River Canyon for the following week in remembrance of the lives lost on Sept. 11. The group also set up an informational booth at the event, sharing details about the VERG and its mission while connecting with other veteran service organizations.

CEO Chris Roth helps celebrate St. Luke's Magic Valley EVS earning 5-star rating, placing among top 5% St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center has been named one of the top 350 cleanest hospitals in the United States, placing the hospital in the top 5% of the nation. Hospitals on the list received a five-star cleanliness rating based on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems surveys. This is a national, standardized survey of hospital patients about their experiences during a recent inpatient hospital stay. The Environmental Services team in Twin Falls was congratulated by St. Luke’s President and CEO Chris Roth and celebrated with a cake featuring a “Top 5%” message. Robin McDaniel-Lemmons, manager of environmental services at St. Luke’s Magic Valley, has worked at the hospital almost 38 years. “During my time at St. Luke’s the current housekeeping team is the most patient engaged ever,” she said. “The team gives 100%, and I am very thankful.”

St. Luke's Magic Valley team takes top spot at puzzle competition! Quick with their minds and hands, several St. Luke’s Magic Valley teammates took top honors in a recent puzzle competition. Hosted by the Twin Falls Lions Club, teams of one to four people were allowed to compete with each team given the same 750-piece puzzle. St. Luke’s staff members Cat Mueller Leonhard, Ashlee Hawkins, Paul Reeve and Maggie Gaynor named their team “The Quality Pieces,” and took the competition seriously, holding a strategy meeting prior to the competition to plan their approach. The competition started at 1 p.m. with a brief intermission at 2:15 p.m. By 2:45 p.m. “The Quality Pieces” had all their pieces in place, taking the first-place prize!

St. Luke's Nampa team welcomes fall with Jersey Day! Around St. Luke's Nampa last week, team members wore different uniforms of sorts and donned some of their favorite jerseys. Among the team in the photos are Marquesa Wilson (Distribution), Losa Manuokafoa (Administration), Charmaine Rausch (Women's Services), Terri Garnder (Surgical Services), and Rich Shelvock (FNS).

For most of the diners on a recent Sunday at a restaurant in Nampa it was a routine afternoon meal. For Sharon Sullivan, it was much more than that. “This is one of the most incredible days of my life,” Sullivan said. “To meet the person who saved my life, what an honor.”

RN Katie McDevitt was recently presented the DAISY award at the Milano Drive St. Luke’s Family Health Clinic with the team and leaders present. McDevitt used her resources and connections within the St. Luke's Centralized Clinical Resource team to connect a patient with the help she needed to ensure her safety and well-being. “It may seem like a small encounter or scenario, but it is a great reminder that nurses have the ability to make a huge positive impact in even the smallest interactions," the patient shared.

St. Luke’s IHT partners with Idaho Army National Guard at recent exercise to enhance cybersecurity defenses. Earlier this month, St. Luke’s partnered with the Idaho Army National Guard to test the security of St. Luke’s digital environments. Known as a penetration test, Idaho Army National Guard members worked side by side with St. Luke’s team members from multiple IHT departments, attempting to hack parts of our environment as a shared learning exercise. “It was such a great experience for everyone involved and both sides walked away having learned a lot,” said Shawna Hofer, St. Luke’s chief information security officer. “This was the beginning of a stronger partnership with the Idaho Army National Guard.” For the exercise, 20 participants split into two teams and a command center. The two teams were located at St. Luke’s Plaza in Boise and at the Anderson Center at the Boise Medical Center campus. This first-of-its-kind, weeklong educational exercise between the two entities served as a starting point and discovery phase to benefit both organizations and strengthen the cybersecurity community. The exercise highlighted St. Luke’s strong protections against potential cyber-attackers while also showcasing areas of opportunity to augment defenses. “The collaboration between and among both the Idaho Army National Guard and St. Luke’s team members was outstanding in building rapport and sharing knowledge and skills,” Hofer said.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in case you missed it, St. Luke's is excited to offer three new supplemental breast cancer screening options to be in place by year's end at locations throughout the health system. They will help with a new FDA amendment to identify patients with potential risk factors to catch cancers earlier and therefore lead to better outcomes. https://lnkd.in/g7kBbvtj

RN Dorcus Nanyonga of Boise 7 East was presented the DAISY award with her team present. She was nominated for her caring and persistence. “We have always received excellent care at St. Luke's … . Dorcas was the night nurse. By the time she finished giving my daughter her night meds and did the initial evaluation, she had her laughing out loud and actively participating in conversation: almost a miracle! She gave us excellent care all night long. "The second night was even more amazing! We were delighted to have Dorcas back. My daughter's pain was intense, she had tachycardia, B/P and temp slightly elevated. Dorcas worked with us and the doctor determined, readily and patiently until pain was controlled and vitals were stable. … She personally went all over two floors, checking every single empty room, until she found a comfortable chair/futon for me (I've had multiple back/pelvis surgeries). "It was like sleeping on a cloud! My back and pelvis relaxed, I slept! Thank you, God, and thank you Dorcas! She very obviously loves her job and learning new things, tells us how she studies to understand each patient, is very positive and proactive, said ONLY good things about her co-workers and workplace. A superb nurse, person and part of the St. Luke's team!”

Earlier this month, seven of St. Luke’s 11 security dogs attended a training session at St. Luke's Magic Valley. Human and K9 team members from Twin Falls, Jerome, Elmore, Boise and Meridian gathered to train on explosives detection. They meet every month at different locations throughout the health system. Two officers from the Twin Falls Police Department also assisted in this training exercise.