Salem Hospital: News and Events: Press Release Archive: Welcome

The Shuttle stop that is currently in the turnaround at the front of the Winter Street hospital will move to the back of the building, where patient discharges occur.

This permanent change will begin on Tuesday, September 2.

Valet service for patients and visitors will continue to operate in the turnaround at the front of the Winter Street hospital, as well as in front of the Center for Outpatient Medicine.

This change is needed to begin work on a permanent crosswalk under the skybridge on Winter Street SE, to protect pedestrians from the weather.

Salem Hospital Foundation grants scholarships

August 28, 2008

The Salem Hospital Foundation announces that 86 students in medical or medically related fields will be receiving scholarships for the 2008–2009 school year.

A total of $143,400 in scholarships was awarded to students pursuing degrees in nursing, pharmacy, imaging, and a variety of other medically related programs.

Several special scholarships were awarded in memory of various community members, including the John Alsever, M.D. physician scholarship; the Cass Bailey, M.D. physician scholarship; the Nita Jo Carter nursing scholarship; the Kathy deMarrais nursing scholarship; the Carl and Olive Emmons nursing scholarship; the Rollin Haag nursing scholarship; the Haap Jackson imaging scholarship; the Hattie Kremen nursing scholarship; the Elmera "Tiny" Richardson nursing scholarship; the Sewell Family scholarship and the Sigg nursing scholarship.

Awardees for the 2008-2009 school year are

Aumsville: Tiffanie Kuntz, Aaron Miller, Matthew Mongenel, Julie Naatz

Dallas: Anna Dentel, James Hoffman, Joseph King, Melissa Martin, Athena Samerotte, Benjamin Yost

Detroit: Jocelyn Hurley

Garibaldi: Tia Aho

Jefferson: Betsy Alford

Keizer: Katie Coburn, Paul Costales, Josiah Faville, Debbie Goodwin, Nathan Howell, Nicole Mullins, Charlla Puig, Josie Silverman, Andrew Valov, Natalie Vuylsteke

McMinnville: Kelsey Johnson

Mt Angel: Amanda Beyer

Newberg: Carol Christiansen

Portland: Jacob Bumstead

Salem: Jannaeah Baty, Chris Bell, Lisa Bennett, Sarah Bos, Danette Butterfield, Jenna Callaway, Dawn Capwell, Stephanie Casey, Pamela Cortez, Angela Davis, Julie Douglas, Jennifer DonGilli, Kristin Faber, Daniel Fisher, Jia-Jan Fu, Dmitriy Gerasimenko, Kathryn Grim, Rebecca Hibner, Andrea Hughes, Kristy LeGault, Kelsey Lemons, Robert Martin, Maureen McNabb, Anne Meeks, Flynne Miner, Meghan Newstone, Danielle Noble, Veronica Nunez, Athena Pannas, Matthew Riggins, Doreen Rodecap, Jessica Slaughter, Stephanie Stupfel, Tammera Taylor, Sarah Terpin, Eric Timmons, Kathy Tran, Jessica Uken-Fowler, Zachary VandeGriend, Ross Wagner, Mark Wilhite

Scio: Casey Lulay, Ruth Silbernagel

Silverton: Shannon Becerra, Elizabeth Garrard, Leah Kaufman, Shanna Lesire, Samantha Pelletier

Stayton: Rebecca Kelly, Kristin McCready, Katie Peterman , Jessica Schumacher, Chloe Selway, Brandy Toby

Sublimity: Linda James, Wendy Lindley, Susan Rodda

Tualatin: Nathan Trenholme

Woodburn: Daniel Lima

Pedestrian path shortens from parking structure to hospital

August 15, 2008

On Monday, August 18, the walking path from the parking structure to the hospital shortens. A new, shorter walking path from the parking structure will take you along the east side of the new tower and connect you with Oak Street SE, near the Center for Outpatient Medicine and the Family Birth Center.

The shuttle service continues to be available to pick up pedestrians on the new tower path and take them to the Winter Street hospital.

The previous, longer path is closing in order to complete the new ambulance service drive behind the patient-care tower.

State's busiest ER offers heat-safety tips

August 15, 2008

The staff and physicians of the hospital’s emergency department want area residents to stay healthy and safe during this record-breaking heat wave. They offer these tips to help you, your children, and even your parents, stay safe, and what to do if you have problems in the heat.

Stay well hydrated

Aim for two to three quarts of fluid per day (non-caffeinated).
Water is good, but don't limit your intake to just water. You also need electrolytes, which you can get from a variety of sports drinks.
If you're thirsty, you've waited too long.
One way to tell if you're getting enough fluid is to look at your urine. In general, it should be clear. Yellow urine means you need to drink more water, unless it is affected by food, vitamin, medication or caffeine intake.
Limit alcohol intake during hot weather. It doesn’t count toward your water consumption and it can impair your judgment.
Be smart about your outdoor activities
Unless your job requires you to be outdoors, stay inside.
If you have to be outdoors, avoid strenuous activities between the hottest times of the day, typically 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
If you need to be outdoors, prime the pump before you go. In other words, start your fluid intake before you take your first step outside.
Wear sun block and a hat.
Use a water spritzer to cool off. Battery-operated, hand-held fans may also be helpful.

Some people need extra precautions

“Before the day is over, call your mom and check on her,” says Sherri Wood, R.N., emergency department director. High heat can cause people to be confused. So be sure to check on your elderly relatives or neighbors to see how they’re doing.
The very young and the elderly are most susceptible to thermal-regulation problems. Their bodies simply have a harder time regulating heat. They especially should avoid the outdoors and manage their fluid intake. This is also true for people with chronic illnesses, like those on dialysis.
Children can become dehydrated much more quickly than adults. Be sure they get enough fluid and follow all heat and sun-safety procedures.
Don’t overdress your newborn. If you’re wearing a tank top and shorts, then a similar outfit for your baby is appropriate, whether it be a shorts outfit or simply a t-shirt and diaper. Stay in the shade. Use a lukewarm washcloth to cool baby. And carry a blanket to protect the baby when you enter air-conditioned extremes.
Some medications can cause problems during heat spells, particularly some psychiatric medications and diuretics. Talk with your pharmacist if you have concerns.

Be safe in the water

When it gets hot, you may be tempted to jump in the river to cool off. Be careful. Remember, Oregon rivers are cold, even on hot days. Do no dive into rivers or ponds. They may be shallow.
Wear a life jacket on the boat and in the river.
Do not consume alcohol.
Children need close parental supervision in the water, as do some people who have mental or physical disabilities.
If you have a home pool, make sure it has a fence around it.
Warning signs and what to do if you experience them
Heat illness progresses through three stages: heat cramps, then exhaustion, then heat stroke. If you experience heat cramps, you'll have muscle cramps and feel dizzy. You need to get in the shade and use a cold compress and take fluids.
In heat exhaustion, you'll sweat profusely, and be pale. You need to get in the shade, and use a cold compress and fluids. IV fluids may be needed.
“If you are having a heat stroke, you will be very pale and have a fever. You won't be able to sweat and you will be mentally confused. Your body core temperature has gotten too high. Call 9-1-1!,” says Kyran Colbry, M.D., an emergency physician with Salem Hospital.

Heat related illness can cause serious problems. You can reduce your chance of feeling tired or becoming seriously ill with a few simple steps.

Salem Hospital Auxiliary Awards Scholarships for 2008-2009 school year

August 8, 2008

Salem Hospital Auxiliary is a charitable organization with 300 members who volunteer time to raise funds for scholarships and other projects at the hospital.

The Auxiliary is pleased to assist students pursuing healthcare studies by awarding scholarships, thereby looking at future needs for healthcare in our community.

Note to editors: Scholarships have been awarded to students in Aumsville, Dallas, Falls City, Jefferson, Keizer, Salem, Silverton and Stayton.

The Salem Hospital Auxiliary has awarded scholarships totaling $32,500 to 29 local area students.

All recipients are enrolled in medically related fields of study for the 2008–2009 school year.

The Ethel McKeon Healthcare Scholarship was awarded to Stephanie Houdeshell, Salem; the Laura Prince Scholarship to Melissa Hale, Salem; and the Lynda Fitzsimons Scholarship to Holli Tuss, Salem.

Other scholarships were awarded to:

Aumsville: Aaron Miller.
Dallas: Benjamin Yost.
Falls City: Mandy Graham.
Jefferson: Betsy Alford.
Keizer: Penny Edwards, Josiah Faville, and Nathan Howell.
Rickreall: Breanne Rohde.
Salem: Emily Barfknecht, Danette Butterfield, Stephanie Casey, Pamela Cortez, Kristin Faber, Daniel Fisher, Melissa Hale, Stephanie Houdeshell, Kristy LeGault, Kelsey Lemons, Benjamin Long, Anne Meeks, Flynne Miner, Charles Nguyen, Gerri Pratt, Matthew Riggins, Jessica Slaughter, Stephanie Stupfel, and Holli Tuss.
Silverton: Leah Kaufman.
Stayton: Kristin McCready.

OAHHS Presents Highest Honor To Oregon Community Advocate

July 25, 2008

Lake Oswego, Ore. (July 25, 2008) --- On Thursday, July 18, 2008 the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (OAHHS) honored its second recipient of the Ellen C. Lowe Community Advocate Award.

This is the association’s highest honor for a community member. This year’s recipient is Judie Foreman from Salem, Oregon. She has been a community volunteer and breast cancer advocate within the Salem Health System since 1990.

She was nominated by the executive team at Salem Hospital. The award was presented by Ellen C. Lowe the inaugural recipient of the award.

Foreman’s life changed in the summer of 1990 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

From that moment, with her husband Bob by her side, she has been an outspoken community advocate surrounding breast cancer awareness and the need for continued research and education; together, they are true survivors.

“Judie is definitely a leader and driver to make things happen. She has the ability to work with a variety of people and contributing ideas to help promote our overall message of awareness and the importance of early detection,” according to the nomination form submitted by Sherryll Johnson Hoar, manager marketing and communications for Salem Health.

Most recently, Foreman has volunteered to be the patient educator assisting primary health care providers learn how to do a thorough clinical breast exam.

She has also spoken to large groups through the American Cancer Society and other health care-related events on the topic.

“I am committed to beating this disease. With the support and resources of my family and community I will continue my advocacy. I am honored to be recognized by the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems for a cause that has been so natural to me. I am humbled by the experience,” commented Judie Foreman on receiving the award.

“Judie possesses all the qualities that embody this award,” stated Kevin Earls, vice president of policy and advocacy for OAHHS. “She possesses a certain grace and style that fosters easy and comfortable communications and rapport with the people she comes in contact. We are proud to honor her as a role model of success."

About the Award
The Ellen C. Lowe Community Advocate Award honors a community member for his or her unique, unusual or continuous support of a hospital mission and/or the health of its community.

The recipient possesses compassion, understanding, wisdom and a clear vision to see to the core of community issues. This is an award for a community member and not a hospital employee.

About OAHHS
Founded in 1934, OAHHS is a statewide, nonprofit trade association that works closely with local and national government leaders, business and citizen coalitions, and other professional health care organizations to enhance and promote community health and to continue improving Oregon’s innovative health care delivery system.

OAHHS’ current membership includes 57 acute care hospitals, 10 health systems and related health plans, 16 affiliated allied organizations and 32 associate members representing health care consulting and other professional service companies.

Early Detection Can Save Your Life. Salem Cancer Institute offers free and confidential prostate cancer screening.

July 22, 2008

Salem Cancer Institute, in partnership with the National Prostate Cancer Coalition, is hosting a free and confidential prostate screening for men age 40 and over.

The screening will be offered on Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27, from 8 a.m.–4 p.m., at the Great Oregon Steam Up event, held annually at the Antique Powerland Museum in Brooks.

To get there, take I-5 to exit 263, then head west on Brooklake Road for 1/4 mile. The Steam Up is a tractor and steam engine show with activities for the whole family.

The mobile screening RV will be located outside the front entrance of the event. It boasts a flat-screen television with satellite programming and a "locker room" atmosphere.

There are two private exam rooms. The free testing takes about 10 minutes and doesn't require an appointment, a primary care physician or insurance.

Who should be tested? All men age 50 and over should be tested every year. Since early detection can save your life, this screening is offered to men age 40 and over.

For testing guidelines, visit the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.

For more information, call Salem Cancer Institute at 503-562-4321 or visit www.salemcancercare.org.

Hospital program improves the health of pregnant women with Diabetes

June 24, 2008

A successful Salem Hospital program to help pregnant Hispanic women who have diabetes will continue for another year, thanks to a $21,000 grant from the Greater Oregon Chapter of the March of Dimes.

In its first year, also funded by the March of Dimes, the program provided Hispanic women with one-on-one assistance to manage diabetes throughout their pregnancy.

Since uncontrolled diabetes can lead to a number of complications for mother and child, early identification and management of the disease are vital.

"The first year of the grant was very successful, not only in helping pregnant women but also in getting the word out to the community that this resource exists," says Salem Hospital OB-GYN Program Manager Becky Fisher. "Our next step under the extension of the grant is to make these services even more widely available through group education."

The current specialist working under the grant, Fara Oporta, Ph.D., will continue in her role of working with pregnant Hispanic women who have diabetes.

She will also develop a curriculum for classes aimed at diabetic women who are pregnant or might become pregnant. The Salem Hospital Foundation will finance the printing of the class materials.

Fisher points to a number of results from the first year of the program, including fewer large-birth-weight babies among women who were able to manage their diabetes.

She also reports that 97 percent of the women in the program instituted family planning measures after giving birth.

This is important, Fisher explains, so the women can be sure they are in good health and have their diabetes under control before becoming pregnant again, which helps ensure better outcomes for babies and their mothers.

Salem Hospital Offers Specialized Treatment to Restore Balance Disorders

April 30, 2008

Balance problems can be assessed and improved with vestibular therapy

For most of us, balance is something we take for granted. But for those who suffer from balance problems, stepping onto escalators, changing positions or walking when there isn't much light can cause dizziness and unsteadiness. W

hen this happens specialized treatment is necessary and Salem Hospital Regional Rehabilitation Center offers a unique combination of skilled staff and equipment to help patients eliminate and cope with the nauseating dizziness.

"Specific types of balance issues and/or dizziness arise from problems in the vestibular system, and they require specialized training to be treated effectively," says Cathy Kosboth, physical therapist and certified vestibular rehabilitation therapist with Salem Hospital. "Vestibular therapy is a very specialized type of therapy that deals with disorders of the vestibular labyrinth in the inner ear or the areas of the brain that process information from the labyrinth. This system has five different structures that detect and process movement of the head and body and the body's position relative to gravity."

With two physical therapists, both nationally certified in vestibular rehabilitation, and the SMART EquiTest system for evaluation, vestibular disorders can be identified and treated non-invasively at Salem Hospital Regional Rehabilitation Center.

In addition to other clinical measures, the center uses a computerized vestibular diagnostic evaluation and training system to assess disorders and determine a treatment plan.

"I developed balance issues and disorientation following my service in Afghanistan," says Salem Hospital Regional Rehabilitation Center patient, Major Cathie Raaf, R.N. "At first I didn't know up from down, but since beginning treatment I've been very pleased with the results and my progress."

Treatment for vestibular disorders varies depending on the actual cause and can last anywhere from just two visits to weeks of therapy. For most patients balance disorders can be completely eliminated and for others it can be greatly improved. In addition to treating the problem, center therapists teach life skills for how to compensate for the dizziness.

"For many people balance problems are a fact of life. Fortunately these problems can be treated and improved," says Kosboth. "The specialized assessment and treatment offered at Salem Hospital Regional Rehabilitation Center is very effective in improving function for those with dizziness and balance disorders."

Premier Healthcare Alliance, Adventist Health and Salem Hospital recognize Rep. Darlene Hooley for her efforts to improve patient care while safely reducing costs

April 10, 2008

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The Premier healthcare alliance and two of its Oregon hospital members today honored U.S. Representative Darlene Hooley (D-OR) for her leadership in advancing legislation to include unique device identification (UDI) language in last year’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) bill.

Congresswoman Hooley was presented with the “Healthcare Transformation Award” on Capitol Hill by Premier and Adventist Health. The award recognizes members of Congress for their efforts to improve healthcare quality while safely reducing costs.

“We salute Congresswoman Hooley for her efforts on this important patient safety issue,” said Norman Gruber, president and CEO, Salem Hospital. “The value of a national UDI system in reducing medical errors and facilitating device recalls is critically important to today’s healthcare system and our efforts to improve quality and patient safety.”

Congresswoman Hooley played a significant role in enacting legislative language that required the FDA to create a UDI system for medical devices.

Her efforts led to the “Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007” (H.R. 3580), which contained this important language and was approved in the House and the Senate and ultimately signed by the President.

“We are proud to honor Congresswoman Hooley with this award for her efforts around an issue that has great potential to positively impact our nation’s healthcare system,” said Larry Mitchel, director, Government Relations, Adventist Health, which owns Tillamook County General Hospital located in Tillamook, Oregon. “A national UDI standard will help us track medical devices like we can track any other product. This is the first important step towards broad use of common identifiers, which will lead to a more reliable, safe and efficient healthcare system.”

“The UDI standard has great implications for our entire healthcare system to improve patient safety and reliably track outcomes in patients who have implanted devices,” said Congresswoman Hooley. “I am honored to receive this award from the Premier healthcare alliance, Adventist Health and Salem Hospital.”

President Bush signed into law on September 27, 2007, legislation that includes a provision requiring the FDA to put into place a UDI system to expedite and increase the reliability of medical device recalls and reduce healthcare costs.

On March 26, the Advancing Patient Safety Coalition, comprised of prominent hospital, physician, nursing, research, quality and patient advocacy organizations, sent a letter to the FDA, urging them to develop a mandatory UDI system for medial devices and requesting a timeline from the FDA on its plans to publish a proposed rule.

The coalition believes a UDI system is a critical factor to improving patient safety, reducing medical errors, facilitating device recalls, improving adverse event reporting and improving post-market surveillance efforts.

“Congresswoman Hooley has been a true leader in making this happen,” said Blair Childs, Premier’s senior vice president of Public Affairs. “We have the ability to track spinach that has E. coli back to the field where it was grown, but we can’t track a recalled medical device because there is no unique numbering system. We owe it to all healthcare consumers to tackle this important issue.”

About Adventist Health
Adventist Health is a not-for-profit, faith-based health system operating in California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington.

Founded on the Seventh-day Adventist heritage of Christian health care, Adventist Health is comprised of 18 hospitals with more than 2,800 beds, nearly 18,000 employees, numerous clinics and outpatient facilities, the largest system of rural health clinics in California, 15 home care agencies and three joint-venture retirement centers with a fourth on the way. For more information, visit www.adventisthealth.org.

About Salem Hospital
Salem Hospital Regional Health Services is one of the largest of Oregon's 57 acute care hospitals and operates the busiest emergency department in Oregon.

It is a not-for-profit hospital, licensed for 454 acute-care beds, and is guided by a 15-member volunteer Board of Trustees. The hospital is the city's largest private employer, with approximately 3,500 full- and part-time employees.

There are 465 physicians on the active medical staff, representing 46 different specialties, who admit patients to the hospital. More than 275 volunteers provide non-medical support for the hospital.

About Premier Inc., 2006 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient
Serving 1,700 U.S. hospitals and more than 49,000 other healthcare sites, the Premier healthcare alliance and its members are transforming healthcare together.

Owned by not-for-profit hospitals, Premier operates one of the leading healthcare purchasing networks and the nation's most comprehensive repository of hospital clinical and financial information. A subsidiary operates one of the nation's largest policy-holder owned, hospital professional liability risk-retention groups.

A world leader in helping healthcare providers deliver dramatic improvements in care, Premier is working with the United Kingdom's National Health Service North West and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to improve hospital performance.

Premier’s Safety Institute provides publicly available safety resources and tools to promote a safe healthcare delivery environment for patients, workers, and their communities.

Headquartered in San Diego, Premier has offices in Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia, and Washington.

For more information, visit www.premierinc.com. Established to improve the health of communities, Premier and its members are transforming healthcare together.

College healthcare scholarship program open for application

March 20, 2008

Salem Hospital Foundation scholarship applications for half-time or full-time students in medically related fields of study are now available.

Students must be residents of Marion, Polk or Yamhill Counties and have applied to a college in their field of healthcare study before applying for this scholarship.

Last year the Salem Hospital Foundation awarded $127,500 to 91 students from Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties, and has granted more than $1 million since the scholarship program was established in 1968.

Special scholarships are presented in the memories of Dr. John Alsever, Dr. Cass Bailey, Nita Carter, R.N., Kathy deMarrais, R.N., Dr. Carl and Olive Emmons, Rollin Haag, Mrs. Happ Jackson, Hattie Bratzel Kremen and Elmera (Tiny) Richardson, R.N.

To receive a scholarship application packet, log on to www.salemhospital.org, click on the link "Support Salem Hospital" then "Foundation Scholarships" or contact Greta Mauze at 503-561-5576 or e-mail: greta.mauze@salemhospital.org.

Applications must be postmarked by May 15 to be considered. Final selections will be announced by June 20, 2008.

(Some undergraduate or prerequisite study may not qualify for the scholarship. Please contact the Foundation office at 503-561-5576 if you have questions.)

American Idle: Childhood Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

March 10, 2008

Learn how to improve the health and well-being of your child at Salem Hospital's health forum, Thursday, March 13, 6:30–8 p.m., at the Salem Hospital Wedel Conference Center. The event and parking are free. Call 503-561-5138 to register.

Childhood obesity has increased dramatically in the United States over the last few decades. Unfortunately, children affected by obesity have numerous health complications and have a relatively poor quality of life.

Daniel Marks, M.D., Ph.D., will be discussing the genetic and environmental factors that are leading to an increase in childhood obesity and diabetes—with an emphasis on practical lifestyle changes that can be made to improve the health and well-being of our children.

Daniel Marks practices at Doernbecher Children's Hospital and his special interests include weight regulation in children and adolescent endocrinology. His clinical areas of interest are all aspects of pediatric endocrinology, pediatric obesity and failure to thrive.

Thanks to the Gehlhar family and the Salem Hospital Foundation for sponsoring this event.

Grant will help hospital battle infections

March 5, 2008

Salem Hospital has received $90,000 through the CareOregon Care Support and System Innovation (CSSI) Program to support a project aimed at preventing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

This hospital initiative is one of several of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's "5 Million Lives from Harm" national campaign focused on improving patient safety.

The project includes focused attention on the early identification and management of patients who are at high risk for developing and/or transmitting MRSA infection, increased attention to hand hygiene practices, and proper cleaning of equipment and the patient environment.

The CareOregon grant will allow the hospital to hire a performance-improvement specialist to assist with implementing the necessary changes, as well as fund patient and family education and a public awareness campaign.

"Getting the grant is a big boost to the project," says Kristen Myers, R.N., with the hospital's performance improvement department. "Having an expert dedicated to being the change agent and helping overcome barriers will help the project be successful."

"This project is a great example of the hospital's increased focus on patient safety and improving patient outcomes and efforts to provide quality care second to none," says Myers.

Salem Hospital received its first CSSI project funding in 2005 when $104,535 was granted by CareOregon in support of the Family Birth Center Clinic which provides prenatal care to high-risk, underserved pregnant women in this region.

The continuation of this project was approved in 2006 with an additional $66,005. In 2007, the CSSI program provided $100,000 to fund a project to reduce post-surgical complications.

About CareOregon
CareOregon is a health plan that serves Oregonians who are eligible for the Oregon Health Plan (OHP).

Each year, CareOregon through the Care Support and System Innovation program provides funds to healthcare organizations of all sizes for projects to make healthcare more safe, effective, timely, efficient, patient-centered and equitable.

About Salem Hospital
Salem Hospital Regional Health Services is one of the largest of Oregon's 57 acute care hospitals and operates the busiest emergency department in Oregon.

It is a not-for-profit hospital, licensed for 454 acute-care beds, and is guided by a 15-member volunteer Board of Trustees. There are 465 physicians on the active medical staff, representing 46 different specialties, who admit patients to the hospital.

More than 275 volunteers provide non-medical support for the hospital. The hospital is the city's largest private employer, with approximately 3,500 full- and part-time employees.

Regional call for art entries

February 22, 2008

Salem Hospital announces a call for fine-art media from artists of all ages who live in Oregon, preferably in the Willamette Valley.

The hospital will select art for a new patient-care tower scheduled for opening late spring 2009.

All entries must be electronic format and received no later than April 30, 2008. The artwork will be selected by June 1, 2008.

Two-dimensional entries must be fine-quality prints or original oil, watercolor, egg tempera, pastel, acrylic, mixed media or graphics by the artist.

Three-dimensional work is limited to wall application and cannot exceed 25 pounds. Video is excluded from this call.

The selected art will be used throughout the new building. Some pieces will be used to make limited edition reproductions for placement in patient rooms and other locations.

Entries must be for sale and the selling price must be noted. Works submitted should be appropriate for installation in the new Salem Hospital patient-care tower.

There is no cost for item submission nor limit of submissions per artist. Final selections will be chosen by a juried panel of community members based on the work’s artistic excellence in reflection of the theme "Nature."

Provide high quality digital images to: martin.morris@salemhospital.org or by mail to Martin Morris, Salem Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 14001, Salem, Oregon 97309.

Questions? Please contact Karen Allen at kallen@hksinc.com.

New day and time for blood pressure checks

February 22, 2008

West Valley Hospital will offer free blood pressure checks on a new day and time, beginning in March.

Blood pressure checks are available on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, from 2 to 3 p.m., in the surgery department of West Valley Hospital, 525 Washington Street, Dallas.

The hospital had offered the blood pressure checks weekly.

"We hope that having this blood pressure check once a month won't cause an inconvenience to our community," says Eric Buckland, West Valley Hospital administrator. "We needed to make this change because the community's use of the hospital has increased. The hospital has become busier in large part due to the additional physicians that the hospital and Salem Health have brought to the Polk County area in an effort to make healthcare more readily available close to home."

To learn more about the hospital's blood pressure check clinic, call 503-623-8301.

This Valentine's Day Do Something Good for your Heart

February 7, 2008

West Valley Hospital is marking the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign with a free heart-healthy event for women.

The event is Thursday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the West Valley Hospital conference room, 525 SE Washington Street, Dallas.

This event offers information about women and heart disease.

Those who attend will learn the signs and symptoms of heart attack from a West Valley Hospital emergency room nurse, get their blood pressure checked and pick up heart-healthy recipes.

Good information. Good food. Good for your heart!

February 3, 2008

Salem Hospital's annual Heart Fair and Forum will be held on Thursday, Feb. 7, 4:30–8 p.m., at the Salem Conference Center. The event and parking are free. Registration is required. Call 503-561-5138 to register.

The experts involved with Salem Hospital's award-winning cardiac services will highlight the programs available in the community, with a focus on how people can take steps to improve their heart health.

Since heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., it's important that people understand their risk factors and take care of their heart before a problem arises.

4:30–7 p.m., exhibits will feature practical strategies for living a heart-healthy lifestyle and provide knowledge to help decrease the risk of heart disease. Featured exhibitor Chef Owen May will demonstrate easy-to-prepare snacks and provide samples to attendees.

6–6:45 p.m., Heart-health updates by local cadiologists and cardiac surgeons:

Raghu Kamineni, M.D., Heart attack–why the urgency
William Shely, M.D., Cardiac surgery program
Fran Munkenbeck, M.D., Women and heart disease

7–8 p.m., guest speaker Michelle May, M.D., presents "Savor Your Health: Practical Strategies for a Heart-Healthy Lifestyle." Dr. May shares strategies for making long-term lifestyle changes in your everyday life. She and her husband, chef Owen May, share a passion for gourmet and healthful cooking, recipe development, wine tasting and traveling.

Over the last several years, Salem Hospital has made great strides in expanding cardiac services and improving care for the community. As a result, the hospital has been recognized as having 5-Star ratings by HealthGrades® in 2007 for treatment of heart attack and coronary interventional procedures, and in 2007 and 2008 for coronary bypass surgery.

Local cardiologist, Raghu Kamineni, M.D., medical director for the Salem Hospital cardiovascular lab says, "If you are having a heart attack, Salem Hospital is the place to be. In fact, we beat the national average of getting patients to the cardiac lab to reopen the blocked artery and stop the heart attack."

An estate gifts opens up a new future for Salem

January 17, 2008

Fred and Eleanor Lamport probably never imagined that they would be responsible for bringing robotic surgery to Salem when they established their estate plan for the Salem Hospital Foundation in 1973.

The new robotic surgery system, the da Vinci® System, allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with greater precision through tiny incisions. Surgeons have better control of surgical instruments via robotic arms with a greater range of motion than human wrists, and have a 3-dimensional view of the patient's anatomy due to a fiber optic camera.

"Operating with the da Vinci® System offers our patients the latest in minimally invasive surgery, with proven benefits of less pain and speedier recovery," says David Elkins, M.D., of Willamette Urology.

The first da Vinci® surgery, a prostatectomy, took place at Salem Hospital in mid December, 2007.

The $2 million purchase of the robotic surgery system was made possible by a gift from the Salem Hospital Foundation, using the Lamport Fund.

"The Lamports were well ahead of their time in understanding the significance that estate gifts can have on charities and future generations," says Bob d'Entremont, development director at the Salem Hospital Foundation. The Lamport's initial $500,000 fund grew in value over the years, and has been used for other equipment purchases, upgrading the intensive care unit and more.

"As people consider how they can make a difference, or look how best to put their assets to work in the future, we hope they will consider an estate gift," says d'Entremont. "Estate gifts can assist charities, improve the community, help you leave a legacy and encourage others to give." Another benefit of an estate gift is that it can grow in value over time. "That enables your gift to continue to help the organization and the community to which it is donated."

Fred Lamport, and his wife Eleanor, were both very civic minded. They were volunteers and philanthropists.

Fred Lamport was born and raised in Salem. He was a graduate of Willamette University School of Law. Lamport for many years was a vice president of the old U.S. National Bank of Salem. He also practiced law in Salem for many years, was a member of the Salem Hospital Foundation Board of Directors and was a state senator.

While they have both since passed away, Eleanor in 1975 and Fred in 1981, their extraordinary gift to the health of our community will touch lives for years to come.

Information about estate planning is available from the Salem Hospital Foundation's Web site at www.salemhospitalfoundation.org or by calling (503) 561-5576.

Certified nurse midwives join Salem Hospital

January 7, 2008

On January 7, four certified nurse midwives became employees of Salem Hospital. The certified nurse midwives are Margaret Egeland, Patricia "Happy" Barnes, Kathryn "Kitty" Nielsen and Elenie Smith.

The midwives will provide comprehensive obstetrical care to low-risk pregnant women as Willamette Valley Midwives, a part of Salem Health. Their phone number will be (503) 562-4040.

"During the past 11 months, we have worked closely with the Salem Hospital OB hospitalists to make sure that women who desire midwifery deliveries have that service," says Happy Barnes, CNM. "That partnership has worked well for our patients and for us as practitioners. We are pleased that our work together laid a solid foundation for this evolution in our practice"

"The nurse midwives and Salem Hospital are committed to ensuring that adequate prenatal and obstetrical care is available in the community, and believe that midwifery care is an important element in that delivery of care," says Mittie Hinz, the new senior director of Women's and Children's Services for Salem Hospital. "One of the things I noticed when I came here was the administration's positive attitude and desire to build services to meet the needs of women in the community; one of those services is midwifery care, which provides women with more maternity-care options."

Certified nurse midwives provide comprehensive maternity care, including prenatal care, delivery and post-partum care. Midwives provide holistic care for the entire family. Their workload is structured so it allows more time with patients.

Salem Hospital's OB hospitalists (a group of obstetricians who are at the birth center around the clock) will continue their collaboration with the midwives as their supporting physician. This collaboration provides a spectrum of care from low to high risk and allows for a seamless transition as higher levels of care become necessary.

The midwives and hospitalists have developed a strong working relationship during the past year. When Salem Women's Clinic terminated the midwives' employment the midwives decided to continue their collaboration with the OB hospitalists.

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For more information, contact
Community Relations at (503) 561-5269 or cr@salemhospital.org.