The Blizzard of '14 Doesn't Stop Medical Foundation Employees

While students and adults watched TV in anticipation of their workplace or school closing, employees at The Medical Foundation didn’t even need to watch the closings as they scrolled across the bottom of the screen.

Instead, they knew that they would be expected to come to work. The Medical Foundation is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. In fact, an employee may even hear the voice of Cliff Claven from an episode of Cheers saying the familiar postal service creed, “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” Apparently life as a Medical Foundation is similar to that of a United States Postal Carrier!

Although many managers may have had numerous pages during the early hours from employees who were unable to make it or needed a courier to pick them up, all departments were functioning well during the morning of January 6th.

The fleet of courier vehicles was parked in a single file line in the parking lot so plows could get around them. Many of the vehicles had been brushed off, but many still had several inches of snow stacked on top. Although several local physician offices and surgi-centers were closed for the day, specimens from hospitals and other offices still needed to be gathered and brought back to the laboratory for testing. And while the specimens are usually the most precious cargo transported by the couriers, today there were employees in tow and even a few blood donors.

Each day, blood donors make their way into our Mishawaka, South Bend, Marion and Elkhart Blood Donor Centers. However, with some roads impassable and donors encouraged to stay off the road, the number of units collected have decreased tremendously.

 

Our staff at our South Bend Donor Center was ready and waiting for donors this morning at 8am and many employees who were heading to donate. Outside of our Central Lab Patient Services Center, a lone patient waited for the doors to open at 7:30am.

Although it wasn’t the case, our staff was ready to handle the masses if necessary! Employees around the building exchanged travel stories as more and more employees scanned through the employee entrance. One employee mentioned how her car had been running in the driveway for an hour and when she was ready to leave the ice was still several inches thick.

Another employee mentioned how she starts her day at 2am and her battle from Grape Road to our Lafayette office was an interesting one! She thought that as she got closer to the hospital the roads would be a little better, but that just wasn’t the case. Employees in our Manual Lab were more concerned with the possibility of our President, Dr. Tomec, buying donuts for the crew, than how they might get home or whether the temperatures were warming or turning colder.

But perhaps the Histology Department had the best attitude as they started a scorecard as to which employees would make it in. A little light humor to keep everyone going and a little incentive for employees not to make the list! One employee took a few minutes out to donate blood and was especially happy about the Blondie’s Cookies. Thanks, Steph!

Many employees remembered the Blizzard of ’78 when they trekked into work and thought of stories of how employees helped in other departments and worked extra shifts making sure laboratory testing was able to be completed.

It’s been a long time since then, and I’m sure the employees who were able to make it in today will remember their stories for years to come. The focus of providing good patient care to those in the communities we serve remains our main priority. And for the patients who braved the roads to come in and donate blood, thank you for helping us to add to our decreasing blood product supply. We are still in need of O- and A- donors please pass along the word to everyone you know!

Did you make an resolution to lose weight?

If you’ve ever struggled with your weight, you probably know better than anyone else that losing weight is one of the hardest things to do. You’ve probably tried every over-the-counter pill there is, been on the cabbage diet, the grapefruit diet, and every other fad diet that has ever been invented, right? Well, you aren’t alone.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), of the adults age 18+ in Indiana, 65.9% are overweight and 29.6% are obese. That means that the overweight adults have a Body Index Mass (BMI) of over 25 and the obese adults have a BMI of over 30. If you want to figure out your BMI, click here, and enter your weight and height.

Why is this important? It’s important because January is National Healthy Weight Awareness Month. Being overweight has proven to not only cause physical harm such as increased pressure on joints, higher cholesterol and blood pressure leading to stroke or heart disease and diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, but it can also cause harm mentally, as well. Those who are overweight often struggle with a lack of self-confidence, and often feelings of despair and lack of self-discipline.

So… you know you’re overweight or obese, but you’ve tried everything and you just don’t know what to do about it, right? Well, here are some tips from various weight loss experts.

1. Make small changes. You didn’t gain 50 pounds overnight and you probably aren’t gonna lose 50 pounds overnight! Be patient and make small changes such as exchanging a bag of chips for a small 100 calorie tube of Pringles. Make a small change for the week and stick to it. You’ll feel empowered and over time, small changes will make a huge impact.

2. As with making small changes, you should make small goals. Instead of saying you need to lose 80 pounds, set a goal of losing 10 pounds. Once you have achieved losing 10 pounds, make another 10 or 15 pound goal. Celebrate by buying yourself a new shirt or another item of clothing.

3. Drink water! Water helps naturally flush out your system and really adds to weight loss. Most experts suggest drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day, but again, don’t be overwhelmed by this suggestion. If you aren’t drinking any water now or are drinking a lot of sugary soda, replace one or two glasses of pop with two glasses of water.

4. Take small steps to add some physical activity into your daily routine. Again, you don’t have to start out with a five mile jog! Instead, make a goal to do 10 sit-ups and 10 push-ups each day or walk around the block. If you aren’t exercising at all now, anything you add to your day is a step in the right direction.

The State of Indiana has also taken steps to help residents take a healthier approach to life. At their website, they offer a Community Tool Box with online courses about health and nutrition, motivational videos and interesting facts about weight issues.

If losing weight is one of your New Year’s Resolutions or you have decided to be more aware about becoming or maintaining a healthy weight, good luck! You can do it, make small goals, small changes, drink water and turn the radio up and dance around the living room like you’ve never danced before!

The Medical Foundation, Your Laboratory Expert!

Maybe you have seen The Medical Foundation logo throughout the past 100 years we’ve been in existence. Perhaps you have had some lab work completed or donated blood. But do you really understand the scope of The Medical Foundation?

Do you realize that the Foundation helps guide the care of patients in the community? Approximately 70% of medical decisions made by physicians are based on the results of lab tests. And to think, you have a regional laboratory right here in Indiana!

Although there have been some blogs under this heading, "Your Lab Matters," it is the Foundation’s hope that you will continue to follow us on social media and our blog to learn more about health matters, view information on our various departments, learn more about pathologists and use us as a resource to make knowledgeable decisions about your health. The Medical Foundation is truly, your laboratory expert!

The Foundation services physicians and hospitals in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Michigan. Our transportation department has couriers who drive almost 2.5 million miles a year to the facilities we serve. They carefully transport your specimens to our Central Laboratory in South Bend, where they are routed to various departments for testing.

Our pathologists are responsible for studying tissues obtained from biopsies, surgeries and other means. Unlike many other laboratories, The Medical Foundation has 22 pathologists on staff with various areas of specialties. If a pathologist wants another opinion on a case, all he or she has to do is walk down the hall to another pathologist’s office to discuss the case or share the case via the multi-head microscope. This is just one of the ways the Foundation takes pride in guiding the care of patients we serve.

While the Foundation began in 1912, our blood donor center didn’t begin our collection process until 1951. Since that time, we’ve grown from one facility to five collection sites in South Bend, Mishawaka, Elkhart, Indianapolis and Marion. And over the last two years, our blood donor recruitment department has increased its employees to a team of eight and introduced our third bloodmobile to the community in October.

As you can see, this is a very broad overview of the Foundation. But it would take pages and pages for you to learn more about all the great things we do, which is exactly why there are lots of blogs to come!

In memory of Jessica...

People don’t often think about the need for blood unless they have a close family member or friend who is need. Sometimes the need is even personal.

National statistics state that approximately 38% of the population is able to donate, yet only about 5% actually do.  These are amazing statistics considering at some point in life 75% will need blood.

Shannon Stuart and Sarah Collins know the importance of having units of blood and platelets available first-hand because Sarah’s sister, Jessica Ernsberger, needed several transfusions as she battled breast cancer. Now, Stuart and Collins are looking to give back.

“We are hosting several blood drives throughout the year that are going to be centered around someone in the community.  We believe this is a wonderful way to honor someone, and each time the drives will bring in a whole new crowd,” said Collins.

A South Bend Medical Foundation Blood Drive will be held to honor the memory of Jessica Ernsberger on Wednesday, August 8^th from 1pm until 6pm at the North Liberty Church, 65225 State Road 23.  To make an appointment to donate call Shannon at 574.298.5656 or email peteshannon2001@aol.com.

Jessica was diagnosed with stage 4 Inflammatory Breast Cancer in June of 2009. She aggressively fought the disease by having her breast removed, a complete hysterectomy and several rounds of chemotherapy.

She not only was concerned for her own life, but tried to maintain a happy home for her husband, TJ, and their five children under the age of 13: Gavin, Gabe, Skyler, Emma and Chevy.

She responded to the treatment and things were going well until May of 2011 when Jessica was rushed to the Emergency Room after having a seizure. This time, the cancer was back and it had spread to her brain. 

Again, Jessica endured chemotherapy and radiation during the summer, but found herself back in the hospital in August with pneumonia. She returned home for a week and lost her battle with cancer on August 15, 2011.

“My sister was just 31 when she passed and she used a lot of platelets during her chemotherapy.  She knew everyone in the community and she always cared about her family and friends.  She fought hard and never let anyone feel sorry for her and even in her last days she was determined to get better,” said Collins.

Jessica was from Walkerton but lived in North Liberty with her family, who still resides there.

Collins and Stuart hope the community shows their support for Jessica and her family during the South Bend Medical Foundation Blood Drive in Jessica’s honor on August 8^th.

“I think a lot of people don’t realize how important donating is, until someone they know has to have blood,” said Collins.

Support the blood drive in memory of Jessica Ernsberger on Wednesday, August 8^th from 1pm until 6pm at the North Liberty Church, 65225 State Road 23.  Make an appointment to donate by calling Shannon at 574.298.5656 or email peteshannon2001@aol.com.

Passion for assisting others leads Jamie McGraw to South Bend Medical Foundation

I know several people who love their jobs, but I also know several people who would rather be anywhere than at work.

I also know one person who would work around the clock if he was allowed and I’m not sure it would matter to him whether he was getting paid $3 an hour or $8 an hour. He eats, breathes and dreams South Bend Medical Foundation.

Jamie McGraw, 25, has worked for the Foundation for the last three years as the Blood Donor Attendant at West Edison. South Bend Medical Foundation in conjunction with Logan Center has established a partnership to create opportunities for work placement. Jamie has Down Syndrome, a condition in which extra genetic material causes delays in the way a child develops, both physically and mentally.

Each morning, he boards the bus and travels to work for his 7:30am start. Clad in his white South Bend Medical Foundation polo shirt, Jamie is proud to welcome donors into the blood donor center. His goal is to assist donors so that they have a good experience and want to return.

With a smile on his face and an eagerness to please, Jamie offers each donor an assortment of juice and snacks. He knows the importance of his position.  But this isn’t his only duty. He puts medical supplies away, makes sure the snack totes are refilled for the remote blood drive team, makes cold cloths for donors who suffer from reactions, and makes the coffee and hot tea. It’s all in a day’s work for Jamie.

But it isn’t the work that motivates him to do his best every day, it’s his co-workers.

“My favorite thing is that I love my colleagues.  They’re nice and friendly and they dress appropriately,” said Jamie.

His enthusiasm for his work and even for life is contagious.  He’s even a little bit of a marketing guru. If you call his personal cell phone and are transferred to voice mail, you’ll get a message urging you to donate blood at South Bend Medical Foundation.

It’s a message that comes from the heart and one he knows is important.

“I have donated blood five times. I started because my dad had cancer so I wanted to donate blood in his memory,” said Jamie.

Two years ago, Jamie contacted the marketing crew at the Foundation and told them he thought that every donor should get a turkey when they donate during November. It was amazing how many donors flooded the centers wanting to donate blood so they could receive the Thanksgiving turkey.

And although Jamie has a great amount of passion for his current position, he admits that he wanted to work in the donor area so he could get experience working with people and serving them beverages and making them comfortable because his goal is to work for the airlines as a flight attendant.

He’s active in Logan Center and recently served as the chairman of the Logan’s Run.  He also is an usher at St. Joe Parish. One thing is for sure, Jamie is a motivated employee at the Foundation and he clearly loves his job.

Come meet Jamie at our Edison location Monday – Friday between 7:30 and 3:30. He’ll take great care of you!

Never Forget

If you ask just about anyone who is old enough to remember where they were when news that JFK was shot, they can probably tell you.

If you ask anyone where they were on September 11, 2001, you’ll probably get an answer as though it was yesterday.

I had moved that weekend from LaPorte to my apartment in South Bend. I had taken that Monday and Tuesday off to get settled and had talked to a friend at work when she told me that a plane had flown into one of the towers at the World Trade Center.

In a matter of seconds, I hooked my TV up and started watching the coverage.  There was mass chaos as people were unsure of where their loved ones were.  So many people were on their cell phones that many people were unable to complete their calls. Many were trapped in the city, unable to get home because the subway was shut down. Soon, all planes would be grounded and millions of people were stuck in airports across the United States.

At the South Bend Medical Foundation, people lined up around the building to donate blood. They waited for hours because they wanted to do something to help those injured in New York. So many people wanted to help that we had almost too much blood. For days, people showed their support by flying the American Flag, wearing red, white and blue pins and donating money to those affected by the terrorist attacks. We vowed we would never forget.

Unfortunately, 10 years ago we had lines wrapped around the building, while two years ago we were alerting the news media because donations were so low that we had fallen to a one day supply of O negative blood. Last year, donors beds remained nearly empty again and our supplies fell drastically.

This year, South Bend Medical Foundation will mark the 10 year anniversary of the tragic events in New York by hosting a blood drive in honor of Katie McCloskey and Kathy Hawk Nicosia. Both were natives of South Bend and both graduated from Adams High School. 

Katie’s friends and family have established a scholarship fund in memory of Katie at Adams High School. South Bend Medical Foundation will donate $5 per unit collected to the fund.

If you would like to show your support for our local fire and police agencies and honor Katie and Kathy by donating blood, sign up for an appointment to donate blood at the South Bend Fire House, 1222 South Michigan Street on Sunday, September 11 between 10am and 3pm. Appointments can be made by calling 574.234.1157 or by signing up online at http://bit.ly/911HERO. 

Many donors are still eligible to donate even if they are taking medications. If you have questions about your eligibility please contact 574.234.1157 or donors@sbmf.org.  Volunteers will be on hand to provide activities for children if you need to bring them while you donate.

Donate blood for a chance to win a 2012 Ford Focus, B-100 Birthday Bash tickets and special B-100 tailgating wristbands!

On June 8^th, the doors of Jordan Automotive Group flooded open as 83 people were ready to donate blood. Not only were donors given an entry for the new 2012 Ford Focus, but they were also given food and refreshments, along with several drawings for special prizes and extra chances to win the car.

On August 3^rd, South Bend Medical Foundation and Jordan Automotive Group will join efforts to host another blood drive at Jordan, 609 East Jefferson Blvd in Mishawaka from 2pm until 7pm. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments will be honored first. To make an appointment call 574.234.1157 or sign up online using the link http://bit.ly/JordanAuto.

First time and repeat donors are all welcome to attend the festivities and donor eligibility requirements can be found at our website, www.GiveBloodNow.com.

A few thousand donors have given blood since the kick-off of the promotion, which began on June 1^st. All donors will be entered to win the 2012 Ford Focus each time he or she donates blood. The promotion will end at the close of business on August 26^th and 50 donors will be selected as finalists.  All finalists will be required to attend the raffle on August 31^st from 6pm until 8pm.

Complete rules for the promotion can be found at www.GiveBloodNow.com.