Lexington Clinic Wins Community Impact and Innovation Award
LEXINGTON Lexington Clinic has been recognized by Intalere as a Healthcare Achievement Award winner for Community Impact and Innovation. The award was received for Lexington Clinic’s work with the Direct-To-Employer program. Lexington Clinic’s Direct-To-Employer program offers customized, premier partnership options for progressive employers in the Commonwealth, and addresses both preventive care and chronic health conditions of employee populations to improve both employee health and the bottom line.
“We are honored to be recognized by Intalere for the work we have done to improve healthcare delivery at our facility,” says Eric Riley, Lexington Clinic Chief Administrative Officer. “We are dedicated to making improvements to benefit our patients, staff and the community, and appreciate the national recognition of our efforts.”
Through this annual awards program, Intalere recognizes successful initiatives its members implement to enhance quality and operations, improve patient satisfaction and increase community awareness and education.
“In this era of disruptive change within the healthcare industry, it is more important than ever to not only recognize the successful initiatives that providers are implementing to enhance their services, patient outcomes and bottom line, but to also share these best practices with others in order that they too may be successful in their efforts as well,” says Julius Heil, Intalere president and CEO. “Our awards program does just that. And we feel strongly that in working together we can all make a powerful impact in this ever-changing industry.”
Lexington Clinic was founded in 1920 and is Central Kentucky’s oldest and largest group practice. Lexington Clinic has nearly 200 providers and serves more than 600,000 patients every year. Lexington Clinic has providers in 30 different specialties and has more than 25 locations throughout Central Kentucky.
Saint Joseph Hospital Recertified as Advanced Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission
LEXINGTON Saint Joseph Hospital, part of KentuckyOne Health, again earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers. The Gold Seal of Approval and the Heart-Check mark are symbols of quality from their respective organizations.
“We are Lexington’s heart hospital, and this certification further demonstrates our commitment to providing exceptional stroke care,” said Bruce Tassin, market CEO for KentuckyOne Health and president of Saint Joseph Hospital. “I congratulate our nurses, physicians, and entire stroke team on the achievement. They have established Saint Joseph Hospital as a regional leader when it comes to stroke.”
Saint Joseph Hospital underwent a rigorous onsite review earlier this month. Joint Commission experts evaluated compliance with stroke-related standards and requirements, including program management, the delivery of clinical care, and performance improvement.
“Saint Joseph Hospital has thoroughly demonstrated the greatest level of commitment to the care of stroke patients through its Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers,” said Patrick Phelan, executive director, Hospital Business Development, The Joint Commission. “We commend Saint Joseph Hospital for remaining a leader in stroke care, potentially providing a higher standard of service for stroke patients in its community.”
“We congratulate Saint Joseph Hospital for again achieving this designation,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. “By adhering to this very specific set of treatment guidelines, Saint Joseph Hospital has clearly made it a priority to deliver high quality care to all patients affected by stroke.”
Established in 2003, Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers is awarded for a two-year period to Joint Commission-accredited acute care hospitals. The certification was derived from the Brain Attack Coalition’s “Recommendations for the Establishment of Primary Stroke Centers” (JAMA, 2000) and the “Revised and Updated Recommendations for the Establishment of Primary Stroke Centers” (Stroke, 2011).
Yes, Mamm! Program Receives $20,000 Grant to Provide Additional Breast Cancer Screenings in Kentucky
Grant will provide breast health care and support for underserved populations
LEXINGTON The Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation, part of KentuckyOne Health, has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ Breast Cancer Research and Education Trust Fund, to continue the Yes, Mamm! program at the Saint Joseph East Breast Center. This program provides mammography screenings and diagnostic services to individuals in need from Central and Eastern Kentucky.
“This generous grant will help us continue providing potentially lifesaving breast cancer screenings to low-income, uninsured, or underinsured men and women in our community,” said Leslie Smart, president, Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation. “The funding will be used to provide 90 mammograms and, if needed, further diagnostic screenings at no cost to patients. We are thankful for this gift in support of our mission to bring wellness, healing and hope to all.”
Approximately one in eight women, and 1% of men, will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. However, with early detection, the five-year survival rate is more than 80%. Mammograms are an important tool in early detection, but too often, cost prevents people from getting a screening. The Yes, Mamm! program helps make breast cancer screenings accessible for more people who currently fall through the cracks of available services.
The Yes, Mamm! program was created in 2012 and collaborates with local health departments to identify individuals in need and provide services. Yes, Mamm! has helped hundreds of people across the Commonwealth, with 100% of its program funding spent on patient care.
The Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation supports KentuckyOne Health’s drive for excellence by inspiring donors to make a tangible difference through their philanthropic investment in outstanding patient care facilities and services, the education of caregivers, advanced clinical research, and improved access to quality medical care.
KentuckyOne Health Announces Affiliation Agreement with Taylor Regional Hospital
New agreement provides greater access, efficiencies, and support to the Campbellsville community through a relationship with Saint Joseph Hospital
LEXINGTON KentuckyOne Health announced a new affiliation agreement with Taylor Regional Hospital in Campbellsville. This new agreement will bring alignment and support with Saint Joseph Hospital and the Lexington-based KentuckyOne Health.
The affiliation agreement provides a range of support and increased efficiencies for Taylor Regional Hospital through Saint Joseph Hospital’s tertiary services and expertise. With this partnership, Saint Joseph Hospital will be able to provide access to subspecialty services not currently available in Taylor County. Work has already begun to provide spine surgery at Taylor Regional. Collaboration will also be available in areas such as payer contracting, supply chain, and purchasing.
“In shaping the future of KentuckyOne Health, it is important that we engage partners in communities across Kentucky to help share resources and increase access to the exceptional specialty care found at Saint Joseph Hospital,” said Bruce Tassin, market CEO for KentuckyOne Health and president of Saint Joseph Hospital. “We have a long history of caring for many patients from Taylor County and surrounding areas. By establishing this new affiliation agreement, we will strengthen that bond and engage in a new partnership to support health and wellness in the local Campbellsville community.”
Physician and administrative leaders at both organizations plan to identify ongoing opportunities to support the local community.
“As a county-owned facility, we are proud to be a part of this community serving Taylor County and many of the surrounding counties for more than fifty years,” said Jane Wheatley, CEO, Taylor Regional Hospital. “Our goal is to treat each patient like they are a part of our own family. This affiliation with Saint Joseph Hospital and KentuckyOne Health will allow us to share resources and offer more services locally to increase our ability to support patients, all for the benefit of our community.”
Support for Taylor Regional Hospital via the affiliation agreement will begin immediately.
Located in Campbellsville, Kentucky, Taylor Regional Hospital dates back to 1968 when the Taylor County Hospital District purchased Rosary Hospital from the Dominican Order of St. Catharine. Soon after in 1972, construction began on Taylor County Hospital. Over the years, numerous additions and renovations resulted in significant growth, and on July 11, 2003, Taylor County Hospital became Taylor Regional Hospital. The 90-bed facility is the county’s second-largest employer with 762 employees and over 200 credentialed providers on staff who provide services to the populations served. Jane Wheatley, FACHE, serves as chief executive officer.
Peter Aliu, MD, Joins Baptist Health Medical Group Hospital Medicine
LEXINGTON Peter Aliu, MD, has joined Baptist Health Medical Group Hospital Medicine at Baptist Health Lexington.
Aliu earned a medical degree in Nigeria before completing a residency in internal medicine at Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. He is board-certified in internal medicine and is a member of the Society of Hospital Medicine and the American College of Physicians.
Ronak Jani, MD, Joins Baptist Health Medical Group Neurology
LEXINGTON Ronak Jani, MD, has joined Baptist Health Medical Group Neurology at 2101 Nicholasville Road, Suite 204, in Lexington.
Dr. Jani is board-certified in neurology and neuroimaging and is a member of the American Academy of Neurology, the American Society of Neuroimaging, and the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine.
Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy 2018 Spring Conference
LEXINGTON The Kentucky Center for Smoke-Free Policy (KCSP) celebrated 12 years of smoke-free stories across the Commonwealth during its annual conference, “Sharing the Smoke-free Story” on Wednesday, April 11, at the Lexington Convention Center. KCSP’s annual conference unites health advocates, researchers, and policymakers in discussions, presentations, and strategy sessions centered on promoting smoke-free environments, reducing the burden of tobacco use and making Kentucky a better place to breathe. Robert McMillen, PhD, professor at Mississippi State University, shared the successes and lessons learned advocating for smoke-free laws in rural communities.
Each year, KCSP recognizes the remarkable work of local leaders and organizations making progress in creating healthier, smoke-free communities. This year’s honors included:
The cities of Clarkson and Salyersville each received the Smoke-Free Indoor Air Excellence Award for their exceptional leadership and collaborative efforts in promoting the health of its citizens by enacting comprehensive smoke-free workplace ordinances.
The Casey Youth Coalition earned the Smoke-Free Youth Advocate Award for excellence in promoting secondhand smoke education and smoke-free policy.
Owen County Schools received the Tobacco-Free Campus Award For their exceptional leadership and collaborative efforts in promoting a healthy campus environment by implementing a 100% tobacco-free campus policy.
The city of Louisville received the Smoke-Free Excellence in E-Cigarette Policy Award for their leadership and collaborative efforts in promoting the health of their citizens by strengthening their comprehensive smoke-free ordinance to include e-cigarettes.
The city of Henderson received the Smoke-Free Endeavor in E-Cigarette Policy Award for their leadership and collaborative efforts in promoting the health of their citizens by adding e-cigarettes to their partial smoke-free ordinance.
Emily Steer, health educator for the Mercer County Health Department, received the Lee T. Todd Jr. Smoke-Free Hero Award for her courage, leadership, perseverance, and continuous commitment to smoke- and tobacco-free environments in the face of adversity.
Bobbye Gray, tobacco cessation administrator for the Kentucky Department for Public Health, earned the Lifetime Achievement in Tobacco Control Award for her exceptional career devoted to leadership in tobacco control.
Kyle Hoylman, director, Kentucky Association of Radon Professionals, received the Timothy W. Mullett, MD, Lung Cancer Prevention Award for his leadership, devotion, and passion toward preventing lung cancer through education, advocacy, or policy change in tobacco or radon control, lung cancer screening or other lung cancer prevention activities.
Nominated for the David B. Stevens, MD, Smoke-free Advocate of the Year for excellence in promoting secondhand smoke education and smoke-free policy were: Cynthia Brown (Bullitt County Health Department), Melody Pike (Mercer County Health Department), Sarah Paige Tuttle (Owen County Schools) and Patrick Withrow, MD, (Baptist Health, Paducah). Cynthia Brown received the award.
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Opioid Conference Adresses Public Health Crisis
LEXINGTON The 13th Annual Spring Conference of the UK Center for Clinical and Translational Science, held on April 13, 2018 was titled “Opioids: Addressing the Public Health Crisis through Translational Science” at the Lexington Convention Center. Conference sessions with experts and their topics of discussion included:
Philip A. Kern, MD, director, UK Center for Clinical and Translational Science, with an overview of conference and importance of research in addressing the opioid crisis.
Conference Chair Sharon Walsh, PhD, director, UK Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, and professor of behavioral science, UK College of Medicine, presented “Tackling the Escalating Opioid Crisis with Science.”
Kristen Ashford, PhD, WHNP-BC, FAAN, director of Perinatal Research and Wellness, UK College of Nursing, presented “Do the Next Right Thing: A Family-Centered & Multidisciplinary Approach to the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders among Perinatal Women,” featuring the PATHways program to support pregnant women and newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome.
“Vulnerable Populations and Opioid Use included Strategies for Recruitment, Data Collection, and HIV Testing in Rural Opioid Research,” presented by April Young, PhD, assistant professor of epidemiology, UK College of Public Health.
“The Emergence of Hepatitis C as a Public Health Issue Among Rural Appalachian Drug Users,” presented by Jennifer Havens, PhD, professor of behavioral science, UK College of Medicine.
“Opioid Abuse among Rural Appalachian Women Recruited from Jails,” was presented by Michele Staton, PhD, MSW, associate professor of behavioral science, UK College of Medicine.
“Mask off: Examining Opioid Use Among Criminal Justice Involved African American Men,” was presented by Carlos Mahaffey, PharmD, MPH, post-doctoral research fellow, Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology, UK College of Education.
The keynote speaker was David A. Fiellin, MD, professor of medicine and director of the Yale Program in Addiction Medicine. His topic was “Should We Use NIH Science and Implementation Science to Address the Opioid Crisis?”