St. Luke’s counselor offers support
to WTC victims after attacks

Like everyone else on Sept. 11, Nancy Egar sat motionless as she watched the planes crash, the buildings fall, and the people run. Overcome with a desire to help, Egar, who is an outpatient therapist at St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Center in Phoenix, Ariz., decided she had to go to New York to volunteer crisis counseling to victims of the World Trade Center attacks.

photos by Bill Egar

Because she had completed a critical incident training course in April, Egar knew she could help provide comfort to those in need. She contacted the Crisis Care Network, the group that offered the counseling course, and was assigned as a counselor to employees of a company that had offices in the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Because all flights were grounded in the days following the tragedy, Egar and her husband, Bill, jumped in their RV and drove to New York.
They arrived the evening of Sept. 15, and Egar went to work immediately the next morning. Studies show that crisis counseling 3-to-4 days after a traumatic event can reduce the debilitating, long-term symptoms victims experience, so Egar knew time was critical.
“I was a little nervous about it,” Egar says. “I asked to be placed on a team, so three of us worked together. The other team members had not had the crisis training, and I had my training manuals along with me, so I taught them the structure of the session as best as I could.”
For the next four mornings, Egar and two other counselors worked with employees who were fortunate enough to make it out alive. Many of the employees had escaped from the building, and others were on their way to work and saw the buildings fall. Fortunately, everyone in the company survived, but employees felt part of themselves had crumbled with the World Trade Center.
The employees Egar counseled suffered from “shell-shock.” Barely escaping death, they knew they were the lucky ones, but the pain and fear that remained were hard to bear. They needed to hear that it would take time for things to truly get back to normal.
The sessions were difficult for Egar as well. “You get traumatized by hearing people talk about the experience. It helped that my husband was there. We could talk to each other. I’m not sure I would’ve been able to do it without him.” Egar says she sought counseling for herself when she returned home.

Being in the city during that trauma was difficult for both Egar and her husband. “Each day that we took the ferry over in the morning and came back at night, we saw the smoke rising from the site,” Egar says. “It was silhouetted either by the sun rising or the moon and lights at night. We saw military vehicles on the street, the heavy police presence – it was like a war zone. Not what you expect to see in an American city.”
Egar felt she had done her part, so she and Bill left the following week for their long drive back to Arizona. The trip marked a powerful ending to Egar’s 17 years with St. Luke’s – she retired Dec. 4. “This is a good time for me to say good-bye,” she says. During her tenure with St. Luke’s, she has counseled patients suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, mostly in group therapy.
Egar is especially thankful for her co-workers at St. Luke’s, who made it possible for her to go to New York. “My secretary made arrangements quickly, and several people helped to fill in while I was gone,” she says. “Frank Saverino, director of outpatient services; Judy Rosenthal, administrative assistant; John Prosser, PRN therapist; Sheila Prosser, adolescent therapist; and Barbara Pennington, evening therapist, deserve as much recognition as I do.”
“As a supervisor, I didn’t hesitate to make sure she could go,” says Saverino, who has worked with Egar for nine years. “It was nice to have a representative of our team there. We were really proud of her and not surprised that she went. She’s very dedicated. I can’t even imagine how many people she’s actually affected over the years – it would be well into the thousands.”
“It was a real privilege and honor to be involved,” Egar says. “I was most impressed by the courage people displayed. Most of the people I talked to were primarily concerned about helping other people. We drove through more than 20 states, and everywhere we went, we saw demonstrations of patriotism and unity. It gave me a sense that we really belong to a free, strong, united country.”

IASIS Employees Give Generously to Disaster Relief Efforts In response to the tragic events of Sept. 11, IASIS established a disaster relief fund that will directly benefit the American Red Cross and its efforts to help victims and their families. The company will match every dollar donated to the fund, up to $1,000 per facility. In addition to collecting cash donations for the fund, many hospitals held fundraisers and blood drives. Employees at Mesa General Hospital in Mesa, Ariz., who donated $1,080 to the IASIS fund, also coordinated a used book and bake sale, which raised more than $515, and held a blood drive. Lab employees made flag pins, which sold for $3 each and raised an additional $1,500 for relief efforts. Meanwhile, employees at Town & Country Hospital in Tampa, Fla., raised $1,000 in donations, which was matched by the hospital’s medical staff for a grand total of $2,300. In addition to contributing to the IASIS Disaster Relief Fund, employees also coordinated a bake sale, which raised more than $1,000, and was split between the Twin Towers Fund and the Survivors’ Fund. In total, IASIS employees at 10 hospitals and the corporate office donated nearly $9,000 to the fund. IASIS added more than $6,200 in matching funds for a grand total of $15,245.

IASIS Employees Serve Our Country Since Sept. 11, it is estimated that nine IASIS employees have been called up to active military duty. In support of their service to our country, the company will pay the difference between their military salary and their regular IASIS compensation.

A message from David White,
IASIS chairman and chief executive officer

We have had some very positive feedback regarding our newsletter through focus groups at some of our hospitals. I appreciate the constructive comments about my articles. As you requested, I will try to be more specific about the critical issues we face and progress that we are making as the year goes on.
Our company is now two years young, and while I have only been in my position since December of 2000, the last year has been a blur marked by both challenge and change. Through it all, our company has had good overall growth in revenue despite a marked decline in Arizona. Fortunately our problems have not been associated with volume growth (the number of patients we care for).
Unfortunately, due to many variables, all of which are fixable, our resource management has been very poor, and we have stood in place while every other major hospital management company has filed past us with quarter after quarter of eye-popping performances. As I said, our problems are fixable, and we have made great strides during the past 90 days. All of our information systems have been converted, our cash collections continue to improve thanks to the hard work in our business offices and medical records departments, and we are well on our way to attaining our national contract compliance goals for supplies and equipment.
A major challenge during this year will be to use the right amount of resources to provide quality care, yet control our costs. Even though we are starting to see results from our work to improve what we are paid from managed care companies, we will continue living with payment rates that leave absolutely no room for waste.
Once again, as I look around I see all the other (older) healthcare organizations performing very well under the same circumstances. I am excited about joining in their success, because I seriously believe we have the people, the facilities and other assets to successfully compete head-to-head with anyone.
Yes, this will be a year in which we will define ourselves in a position of leadership throughout our company and our industry. Concepts of stewardship and accountability will come alive as success feeds upon itself.
I have often wondered what the real equivalent of a year in the life of a corporation is, compared to a year in human life – sort of like dog years. Whatever it is, by any measure, at two years we are still in our infancy as a company. We may be pedaling through a land of giants today, but it’s time to put away the training wheels and see what this baby will do.
For those of you who did enjoy the stories, I’ve got a great one for next time. I think I will call it “The Perfect Job.”

	OUR HOSPITALS IASIS in Arizona 1. Mesa General Hospital Mesa, AZ - 143 beds 2. St. Luke’s Behavioral Center Phoenix, AZ - 70 beds 3. St. Luke’s Medical Center Phoenix, AZ - 280 beds 4. Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital Tempe, AZ - 109 beds IASIS in Florida 1. Memorial Hospital of Tampa Tampa, FL - 174 beds 2. Palms of Pasadena Hospital St. Petersburg, FL - 307 beds 3. Town & Country Hospital Tampa, FL - 201 beds IASIS in Texas 1. Mid-Jefferson Hospital Nederland, TX - 138 beds 2. Odessa Regional Medical Center Odessa, TX - 121 beds 3. Park Place Medical Center Port Arthur, TX - 244 beds 4. Southwest General Hospital San Antonio, TX - 286 beds IASIS in Utah 1. Davis Hospital and Medical Center Layton, UT - 126 beds 2. Jordan Valley Medical Center West Jordan, UT - 50 beds 3. Pioneer Valley Hospital West Valley City, UT - 139 beds 4. Salt Lake Regional Medical Center Salt Lake City, UT - 200 beds

Dear Town & Country:
My neighbor, Leonard Freeland, and I were involved in a severe accident (head-on collision with a drunk driver who crossed the median) at 5:45 on Sunday morning, Aug. 5. Both Mr. Freeland and I were most impressed with the treatment we received from your emergency room staff that morning. Dr. Helen Hunter was the head of a great team, and we would be most grateful if you could pass on our heartfelt thanks to them.
One hopes that this kind of accident will be once in a lifetime, but if we’re ever involved in one again, we trust that we’ll receive the same high-quality care we had at Town & Country.

Yours sincerely,
T.S. Syme
L. Freeland

Dear Town & Country:
I was a patient at Town & Country Hospital from March 22 to April 6, 2001. I have been a patient in other hospitals over the years, but I wanted you and your staff to know that I received the very best “tender loving care.” Each nurse was wonderful, and other members of the staff were equally kind and caring. The menu was fabulous, and to be able to order individually makes one feel right at home. I was also impressed with the cleanliness of the hospital. I sincerely thank you for making my stay absolutely as comfortable as possible.

Very truly yours,
Dorothy M. Wetzel

IASIS Presents First Annual Chairman’s Awards Seated (L-R) are Chairman’s Award winners: Charlene Edmunds, Beth Counseller, Susan Price-Smith, Joan Sheehan, Willie Mae Elmore and IASIS CEO David White. Back row (L-R): Todd Freisch, Pam Crowder, Kathy Lange, Deb Stone, Juan Hernandez, Phil Nieri, Kayla Moseler, Beth Hicks, Steve Glickman, Joyce Polk and Georgeann Burch. The first annual IASIS Healthcare Chairman's Awards were presented during the company’s Circle of Leadership conference in Nashville, Tenn., in October. The highest honor an IASIS employee can receive, the Chairman’s Award recognizes employees who demonstrate commitment to community service in addition to excellence on the job. “These individuals are not only exceptional employees, but exceptional people,” says David White, IASIS chairman and chief executive officer. “They give generously of their time and energy to help community organizations, and they are resourceful and compassionate when working with patients.” Sixteen employees – one from each IASIS facility – received an expense-paid trip to Nashville. IASIS will also make a $1,000 contribution to the charity of each winner’s choice on their behalf. Here are their stories: Susan Price-Smith Davis Hospital and Medical Center Balancing work and family is a full-time job for most people. Susan Price-Smith takes the concept to new heights. A mother to six children and eight step-children, Smith works as a medical transcriptionist and still finds time to volunteer for the American Cancer Society. Phil Nieri Health Choice Volunteering started as a social outlet for Phil Nieri, manager of compliance for this IASIS health plan. Today he considers it his civic duty, donating time to Make a Difference, which strives to improve the quality of life in downtown Phoenix, and serving on the board of the Native American Community Health Center. Charlene Edmunds Jordan Valley Medical Center Charlene Edmunds prefers to give quietly, saying she does her best work behind the scenes. Yet, her position as director of community relations puts her generosity front and center. In addition to serving on the board of the Jordan Education Foundation, which provides scholarships and supplies to area students, Edmunds formed a partnership with a local elementary school. The hospital provides screenings, coats, shoes and holiday gifts to the children. Steve Glickman Memorial Hospital of Tampa When he isn’t working as manager of physical therapy, Steve Glickman can be found on the sidelines of a high school football game, backstage at a ballet recital or in the locker room of a professional soccer game, where he volunteers his services as a physical therapist. Each fall, he organizes a group of physicians and nurses to provide physicals to local high school athletes with all proceeds going to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa. Juan Hernandez Mesa General Hospital Juan Hernandez says he received the gift of a lifetime, a college education, thanks to the generosity of others. Today, Hernandez, director of community relations, is happy to return the favor by serving on the board of the Arizona State University Hispanic Business Alumni. The group provides scholarships and mentoring for Hispanic students. Joan Sheehan Mid-Jefferson Hospital Despite the fact that she donates more than 250 hours each year helping various community organizations, Joan Sheehan says she receives more than she gives. As director of social services, Sheehan enthusiastically organizes food, clothing and toy drives for various organizations. She also serves as chairman of the local child welfare board and is involved with Garth House, an organization that cares for children who have been physically or sexually abused. Kayla Moseler Odessa Regional Medical Center As director of cardiology, Kayla Moseler works with young cancer patients to determine if the disease has affected their hearts. So when she was asked to join the board of the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, she didn’t think twice. For the past two years, Moseler has served as chairman of KidSkate, an overnight skating event that benefits children with cancer. Georgeann Burch Palms of Pasadena Hospital Georgeann Burch knows that helping others adopt a healthy lifestyle has many rewards. In addition to serving as director of the hospital’s outpatient diagnostic center, she chairs the American Heart Association’s annual walk-a-thon and tirelessly recruits hospital staff and community partners to participate. Burch also serves on the organization’s board of directors, donating anywhere from 50 to 100 hours of her time each year. Willie Mae Elmore, R.N. Park Place Medical Center Helping others is a lesson that Willie Mae Elmore learned early in life. As a girl, Elmore watched her mother struggle to support 13 children, while still finding time to help elderly neighbors. Today, Elmore, vice president of community services, serves on the state board of directors for the American Heart Association and is co-founder of a community outreach program that educates local congregations on health topics. Elmore also teaches classes for a non-profit group that trains certified nursing assistants. Deb Stone, RN Pioneer Valley Hospital Listening to Deb Stone explain the training she provides to her coworkers, it’s easy to see why she became a nursing educator. Stone is also a national faculty member for the American Heart Association’s courses on pediatric, basic and advanced cardio life support – a role in which she often gives up her nights and weekends to teach caregivers and civilians how to save lives. Todd Freisch Salt Lake Regional Medical Center Todd Freisch has never been one to shy away from a challenge. It’s this determination that helped him raise nearly $2,000 for the American Heart Association’s annual walk-a-thon. Freisch, who works in the maintenance and PBX departments and also holds a second job in maintenance at South Towne Surgery Center, says he couldn’t say no when asked to help. Joyce Polk Southwest General Hospital Joyce Polk is often a last resort for people in need. Coworkers say that it’s not uncommon for Polk, a licensed social worker, to answer calls from strangers who need help securing a special piece of medical equipment or advice on Medicare. In addition to her work at the hospital, Polk is an after-hours caseworker for her local chapter of the American Red Cross. Pam Crowder St. Luke’s Medical Center Most holidays, Pam Crowder can be found organizing an Easter egg hunt, preparing a Thanksgiving feast or helping Santa into his suit. Crowder does all of this for the families in the neighborhood housing developments that surround the hospital, where she is director of nutrition services. She says building relationships with the low-income families and elderly who live around the hospital has helped build a sense of community. Beth Counseller, RN St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Center Finding help for those in need is a cause Beth Counseller embraces – both in her own community and across the world. For the past seven years, she has donated her time to the Foundation for International Professional Exchange (FIPE), a group that provides schools, churches and hospitals in Russia and Ukraine with needed resources. Counseller recently wrote a book on her work with FIPE and will donate all proceeds to the organization. Kathy Lange, RN Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital Kathy Lange is passionate about helping people with diabetes. After noticing an increase in the number of diabetic patients being admitted seven years ago, Lange single-handedly gathered the resources to educate patients and set up a program in which she and a nutritionist counsel patients on diet, exercise and medications. Lange donates her time, often spending anywhere from 2-to-10 hours a month with patients. Beth Hicks Town & Country Hospital One need only ask Beth Hicks about her “family” in the Philippines to hear the enthusiasm rush into her voice. Hicks, who is director of materials management, has been making annual mission trips to the Happy House Orphanage in the Philippines for the past six years. She collects donations throughout the year so that she can take each of the more than 80 residents of the orphanage one new outfit and one new pair of shoes every visit.

 

A quick look at what’s happening
at IASIS hospitals around the country

Exciting changes afoot at Davis
Davis Hospital and Medical Center – Layton, Utah

Davis Hospital recently celebrated its 25-year anniversary with a gala dinner celebration and week of events and activities for the staff and community. In addition, Michael Jensen has joined the hospital as chief executive officer. Jensen came from Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, a 204-bed, acute-care facility in Palm Beach, Fla., where he was chief operating officer.
Also, the initial stages of the hospital’s $23.5 million renovation project are under way. This project includes a new 8,000 square-foot, 24-bed emergency room; expanded women’s services, lab, central sterile, and dining and classroom space as well as renovation of 10,000 square-feet of existing space.

Jordan Valley extends help to community
Jordan Valley – West Jordan, Utah

In October, Jordan Valley Medical Center co-sponsored the Goblin 5K Run and provided a display for the Scarecrow Festival, a yearly fundraiser that benefits the Utah Boys Ranch. The hospital’s efforts raised $2,000. Employees and physicians also donated food and money to the Utah Food Bank, which was experiencing a critical food shortage, and provided a complete Thanksgiving dinner to six local families.

New leadership at Memorial
Memorial Hospital – Tampa, Fla.

John Mainieri is the new chief executive officer of Memorial Hospital. A long-time resident of Tampa, Mainieri had been Memorial’s chief financial officer since October of 1992. Memorial also welcomes William Masterton as its new chief financial officer. Prior to joining the hospital, Masterton worked for University Community Hospital where he was assistant vice president of finance.

Mesa General gives back
Mesa General Hospital – Mesa, Ariz.

Mesa General Hospital conducted “Drive-by Flu Shots” in November and administered 500 free flu shots to residents and neighbors of the community. The hospital also has partnered with the city of Mesa’s Gang Intervention Project in two programs to reduce gang violence. Mesa General recently offered a tattoo removal program, in which physicians donated their time, and the hospital donated the site and equipment. In a second program, participants will paint a series of murals in rooms in the pediatric unit, beginning in January of 2002.
In response to the national nursing shortage, Mesa General is doing its part by participating in a variety of outreach programs to educate students about the many opportunities in healthcare. Employees are visiting local high schools, vocational schools, and building partnerships with community colleges.

Annual children’s health fair
Mid-Jefferson Hospital – Nederland, Texas
Park Place Medical Center – Port Arthur, Texas

Mid-Jefferson Hospital and Park Place Medical Center recently sponsored the 18th annual children’s health fair, KINDERVENTURE 2001, at a local mall. The event is designed to provide parents and children with entertainment and education. Booths and exhibits featured information on area health and social services. Additional features included a fire truck for children to explore, clowns, face painting and a performance by the June Badin School of Dance and Gymnastics and Mid-County Taekwondo Academy.

Baby number 15 born to West Valley family
Pioneer Valley Hospital – West Valley City, Utah

Employees and physicians at Pioneer Valley Hospital recently found themselves in the spotlight when they helped a West Valley City couple welcome their fifteenth child – a six-pound, 14-ounce boy. Pamela and Steve Muir, who are already parents to 14 other children (with 10 still living at home), were delighted to welcome their son and spoke with local media on the challenges and joys of raising a large family. Five of their 15 children were born at Pioneer Valley.

’Tis the season to serve others
Salt Lake Regional Medical Center – Salt Lake City, Utah

The American Heart Association hosted a follow-up luncheon for all teams involved in this year’s walk-a-thon. Salt Lake Regional earned second place in the community, raising $8,647. This holiday season, the hospital will be collecting donations for the Utah Food Bank, the homeless shelter and the Good Samaritan Program, a local outreach program that serves the needs of the poor, hungry and homeless.

Hospital offers new and improved services
Southwest General Hospital – San Antonio, Texas

Construction is on schedule for the expansion of The BirthPlace, which will double its size to 35,000 square feet. With the $5.3 million expansion to be completed in early fall of 2002, The Birthplace will boast 11 labor delivery recovery (LDR) rooms, 20 postpartum rooms, a Level II nursery and two C-Section rooms. Southwest General Home Health recently opened and will provide homebound patients with a variety of services, including skilled nursing care, therapy services, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and instruction in self-care.
On Dec. 14, the hospital hosted the children from St. Peter’s-St. Joseph’s Children’s Home for a holiday dinner. The directors and their department staff received a “wish list” from the children and purchased gifts for all of them.

Team member and director of the quarter honored
Town & Country Hospital – Tampa, Fla.