Colleagues - Sacred Heart Hospital
Colleagues - Sacred Heart Hospital Colleagues - Sacred Heart Hospital
Colleagues Hospital Announces Father Klimek Healing Presence Award Recipient & Physician of the Year Father Klimek Healing Presence Award Winner and Physician of the Year Announced John Lamoureux, MD Michaelene “Mike” Nye, RN
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- Page 6 and 7: Going the Extra Mile Advanced Certi
- Page 8: Retirement Announcement Guiding Our
<strong>Colleagues</strong><br />
<strong>Hospital</strong> Announces Father Klimek Healing<br />
Presence Award Recipient & Physician of the Year<br />
Father Klimek Healing Presence Award<br />
Winner and Physician of the Year Announced<br />
John Lamoureux, MD<br />
Michaelene<br />
“Mike” Nye, RN
Honoring <strong>Colleagues</strong><br />
<strong>Hospital</strong> Announces Father Klimek Healing Presence Award Recipient & Physician of the Year<br />
On May 6 at <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong>’s Colleague Service Awards banquet in Eau Claire, Julie Manas, President & CEO<br />
of <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong>, announced that Michaelene “Mike” Nye, registered nurse and certified sexual assault nurse<br />
examiner, has been named the 2013 recipient of the Father Klimek Healing Presence Award. Manas also announced that<br />
John Lamoureux, MD, medical director of the rehabilitation department at <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong>, has been named the<br />
hospital’s Physician of the Year for 2013.<br />
“Through her ability, sensitivity and compassion, Mike has consistently demonstrated a way of caring that embraces the<br />
sacredness of every human being,” said Father Edmund Klimek, senior priest chaplain at <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong>.<br />
Mike has worked at <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong> as a registered nurse in the emergency department for 31 years, and is a certified<br />
sexual assault nurse examiner. She also was the recipient of <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong>’s “Nurse Exemplar” award in 2010. (The peernominated<br />
award recognizes an extraordinary nurse who exhibits excellence in caring for patients and families, provides<br />
personalized patient care, and has a superior level of knowledge and skill.)<br />
“For more than three decades, Mike has generously given of herself through her work at our hospital and for our<br />
community,” added Julie.<br />
The Father Klimek Healing Presence Award is the highest honor that a hospital<br />
colleague can receive, and recognizes a long-term colleague who has dedicated his<br />
or her life to being a humble servant of the sick. These recipients emulate the spirit<br />
of Father Klimek, who has served patients at <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> for 45 years.<br />
Dr. Lamoureux, the hospital’s Physician of the Year for 2013, has practiced at<br />
<strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong> for 31 years. The Physician of the Year award honors Dr.<br />
Lamoureux for his life-long commitment to quality care.<br />
“Dr. Lamoureux is a dedicated, talented physician who devotes his life to providing<br />
outstanding care to our rehabilitation patients and their families,” said Julie.<br />
<strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong>’s annual Colleague Service Awards banquet was held May<br />
6 and 7 at the Eau Claire Country Club. Nearly 200 colleagues – with a combined<br />
total of 2,575 years of service – were honored at this year’s event.<br />
On May 16, Father Edmund Klimek will celebrate his 60th anniversary of ordination to the<br />
priesthood. To congratulate Father Klimek on this momentous occasion, join him for an<br />
Anniversary Tea in Bishop/Treacy Hall from 11 am – 1 pm.<br />
In addition, on June 9, <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong> will host a community-wide celebration of Father<br />
Klimek’s anniversary and to commemorate his receiving the Catholic Health Association’s<br />
Lifetime Achievement Award. Father Klimek will celebrate a special Mass at 1 pm, followed by a<br />
reception and open house from 2 – 4 pm in the hospital’s Community Auditorium.<br />
A Lifetime of Compassion<br />
Monsignor Klimek Celebrates<br />
60th Anniversary of Ordination<br />
During this celebration, a very special book in honor of Father Klimek’s 60th anniversary<br />
will be unveiled — which will be available for purchase. The book will feature special stories,<br />
memories, and anecdotes about Father Klimek that were submitted by friends and community<br />
members. After June 9, the book will be available in the hospital’s Gift Shop.<br />
Thursday, May 16<br />
7 am Mass<br />
Anniversary Tea from 11 am – 1 pm<br />
Bishop/Treacy Hall<br />
Sunday, June 9<br />
1 pm Mass<br />
Reception/Open House from 2 – 4 pm<br />
Community Auditorium
“I am very humbled<br />
and honored ...”<br />
<strong>Hospital</strong> Announces<br />
Brain & Spine Institute<br />
Educational Endowment<br />
ON APRIL 29, AT THE ANNUAL CARITAS GUILD RECOGNITION DINNER, THE<br />
FRIENDS OF SACRED HEART HOSPITAL ANNOUNCED THAT TARI KENNEDY,<br />
RN, APNP, BC, CCRN, CNRN, HAS RECEIVED THE THIRD ANNUAL BRAIN &<br />
SPINE INSTITUTE EDUCATIONAL ENDOWMENT AWARD. TARI HAS BEEN A<br />
COLLEAGUE AT SACRED HEART FOR THE PAST 38 YEARS AND SERVES AS<br />
CRITICAL CARE CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST AND NURSE EDUCATOR IN<br />
THE HOSPITAL’S ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING DEPARTMENT.<br />
Championed by Phillip Porter, MD, FRCS(C), OakLeaf Medical Network, Neurosurgeon<br />
and Interventional Neuroradiologist at <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong>’s Brain & Spine Institute,<br />
and supported by numerous others, the award is designated to provide $2,500 to<br />
fund participation in an educational conference that will enhance the hospital’s<br />
neurosciences program. In accordance, Tari will attend the National Teaching<br />
Institute & Critical Care Exposition (NTI) being held May 17 - 22, 2014, in Denver.<br />
“I am very humbled and honored to have received this award and appreciate Dr.<br />
Porter for making it possible,” said Tari. “I strongly believe that ongoing education is<br />
essential in order to keep up with the ongoing changes we see in health care. I also<br />
believe that knowledge is to be shared and I look forward to the opportunity to share<br />
what I learn about Neuroscience Nursing with colleagues throughout the hospital in<br />
order to provide the best care possible for our patients.”<br />
Advocating for Western Wisconsin<br />
Division <strong>Colleagues</strong> Attend Advocacy Day<br />
in Madison<br />
On April 23, 65 <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> and St. Joseph’s <strong>Hospital</strong><br />
colleagues and interested community members once again<br />
traveled to Madison for the Wisconsin <strong>Hospital</strong> Association<br />
(WHA) Advocacy Day. During their trip, the group met with<br />
local and state representatives to educate them on how<br />
current and proposed legislation affects health care.<br />
In fact, two days after Advocacy Day, the judiciary<br />
committee voted to advance Assembly Bill 139, which<br />
addresses a 2012 Wisconsin Supreme Court decision<br />
(Jandre v. Wisconsin Injured Patients and Families<br />
Compensation Fund) that resulted in an unclear standard<br />
for physicians to meet when providing informed consent<br />
to their patients. On May 8, the Wisconsin State Assembly<br />
passed the bill by a vote of 65-31 that would clarify points<br />
of Jandre.<br />
For more information<br />
on this initiative,<br />
please visit https://<br />
docs.legis.wisconsin.<br />
gov/2013/proposals/<br />
ab139 or view our<br />
next issue of Spirit.<br />
St. Joseph’s <strong>Hospital</strong> Center for Wound Care<br />
and Hyperbaric Medicine<br />
Opens Clinic in Eau Claire<br />
More than eight million people in the U.S. suffer from chronic<br />
wounds of which healing has been impeded. The opening of St.<br />
Joseph’s <strong>Hospital</strong> Center for Wound Care – Eau Claire Clinic (2125<br />
Heights Dr.) brings state-of-the-art treatment close for Eau Claire<br />
residents.<br />
The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm.<br />
Brian Pauley, MD, will lead the clinic’s team as medical director of<br />
the facility.<br />
Likely candidates for treatment at the new clinic are those suffering<br />
from diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections, radiation injuries<br />
to soft tissue and bone, compromised skin grafts and flaps, and<br />
wounds that haven’t healed within 30 days.<br />
To schedule an appointment call 715-717-7657, or 715-717-4395.<br />
St. Joseph’s <strong>Hospital</strong> Hosts<br />
Annual Charity Ball<br />
The Partners of St. Joseph’s <strong>Hospital</strong> would like to cordially invite<br />
Chippewa Valley residents to attend their 42nd Annual Partners of<br />
St. Joseph’s <strong>Hospital</strong> Charity Ball— titled “Cinderella Ball, Elegant<br />
Enchantment.” Each year the Partners host the dinner to give thanks<br />
to current donors and it also is used as a fundraiser for St. Joseph’s<br />
<strong>Hospital</strong>.<br />
The elegant event will begin at 5:30 pm Saturday, May 18, at<br />
Avalon Hotel and Conference Center (1009 W. Park Ave.). The cost<br />
is $125 per person, which includes dinner, music by Modd Squad,<br />
games, caricatures by local artist Jason Anhorn and camaraderie.<br />
Advanced registration is preferred.<br />
Raffle tickets are available for $25 each or five for $100. For<br />
reservations and raffle ticket purchase, call 715-717-7439 or<br />
email bsikora@sjcf.hshs.org. For information, visit:<br />
www.stjoeschipfalls.com/news_and_events/charity_ball.phtml.
St. Francis of Assisi’s message of<br />
peace has flourished throughout<br />
the centuries and it is carried<br />
forth as you bring to life the<br />
<strong>Hospital</strong> Week motto “A Guiding<br />
Light for Changing Times.”<br />
With our prayerful support, we<br />
give thanks to God for your role<br />
in our health care ministry.<br />
<strong>Hospital</strong> Sisters of St. Francis<br />
www.hospitalsisters.org<br />
National <strong>Hospital</strong> Week<br />
Recognizing the Dedicated, Compassionate Care of Our <strong>Colleagues</strong><br />
AS WE CELEBRATE NATIONAL HOSPITAL WEEK, MAY 12-18, SACRED HEART HOSPITAL WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE<br />
HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK HARD EVERY DAY TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY, COMPASSIONATE CARE FOR<br />
OUR PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.<br />
The nation’s largest health care event, National <strong>Hospital</strong> Week dates<br />
back to 1921 when it was suggested by a magazine editor who hoped a<br />
community wide celebration would alleviate public fears about hospitals.<br />
The celebration, launched in Chicago, succeeded in promoting trust<br />
and goodwill among members of the public and eventually spread to<br />
facilities across the country.<br />
National <strong>Hospital</strong> Week is an opportunity to recognize all of our<br />
dedicated health professionals.<br />
We are extremely proud of our team of colleagues and we recognize<br />
the important role they play in providing excellent care to our patients<br />
and our communities.<br />
During National <strong>Hospital</strong> Week celebration, we ask each of you to<br />
join us in thanking these dedicated health professionals whose skills,<br />
care, and commitment to excellence makes a big difference in all of<br />
our lives.<br />
National Nurses’ Week<br />
<strong>Hospital</strong> Celebrates Quality Care and Compassion<br />
SACRED HEART HOSPITAL RECENTLY COMPLETED THE CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL NURSES’ WEEK, FROM MAY 6-12, IN<br />
WHICH THE HOSPITAL RECOGNIZED ALL OF OUR NURSES WHO SERVE OUR PATIENTS EACH DAY WITH RESPECT, CARE,<br />
COMPETENCE, AND JOY.<br />
Among the celebrations was a Tail Gate themed open house in the hospital’s community auditorium that featured fun games, food, and informational<br />
booths. Then on May 10 a Nurses’ Tea was held to honor our retired nurses and present the 2013 Nurse Exemplar Award. In addition, Father Klimek,<br />
Senior Priest Chaplain, <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong>, performed a Blessing of the Hands for many of our dedicated caregivers and colleagues at an event in the<br />
hospital’s Healing Gardens.<br />
Nursing professionals are a valuable and instrumental part of our hospital. They often work long hours under stressful conditions to save lives, help<br />
the sick heal and assist the health care team in providing care. They are the backbone that holds the hospital together and they are the men and women<br />
who take an active role in the well-being of all our patients.<br />
National Nurses’ Week was developed to raise public awareness of the value of nursing as a profession and to help educate the community about the<br />
vital role nurses play in meeting the health care needs of the community.
It’s Available and It’s Waiting for You!<br />
<strong>Hospital</strong> Offers ADN-BSN Professional Development Grants<br />
<strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong>’s Nursing Administration Department is proud to announce that five <strong>Sacred</strong><br />
<strong>Heart</strong> ADN-BSN Professional Development Grants worth $3,000 each are now available to apply<br />
for. These grants are available to RNs who meet eligibility criteria and are currently pursuing their<br />
BSN through an accredited nursing program.<br />
“We are excited to be able to offer these grant dollars to support our ADN prepared nurses in<br />
enhancing their professional practice by pursuing their BSN degree,” said Kim Johnson,<br />
Clinical Director of Patient Services at <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong>.<br />
Grant materials have been distributed to all department directors and are available upon<br />
request. Completed applications should be turned in to the Clinical Education Department<br />
no later than June 1, 2013. For more information, please speak with your department<br />
director.<br />
Rejuvenating the<br />
Mind, Body, & Spirit<br />
<strong>Hospital</strong> Hosts Annual Caring for the Caregiver Event<br />
Earlier this month, <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong> hosted its annual Caring for the Caregiver<br />
celebration attended by nearly 170 caregivers. The event was designed to inform and<br />
inspire both individual family and professional caregivers; and offer a time to relax and<br />
rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit. Attendees could join motivational speaker, humorist<br />
and author Janie Jasin for two special keynote presentations:<br />
• The Surprises of Life - Caregiving Challenges: Finding your<br />
sense of humor, purpose and well-being on the journey.<br />
• Spirit Lifters, Body Movers & Pain Relievers: How to let love,<br />
breathing, fun and music renew your body, mind and spirit.
Going the<br />
Extra Mile<br />
Advanced Certifications Validate Commitment to Patient Care<br />
SACRED HEART HOSPITAL IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT SEVERAL NURSES<br />
FROM SURGICAL SERVICES RECENTLY RECEIVED THEIR CNOR ACCREDITATION:<br />
(FROM LEFT) ROBERTA HELLAND, RN, TWYLA SCHMIDT, RN, JOHN HILSON, RN, AND<br />
SHIRLEY CERVANTES, RN.<br />
The CNOR certification test is a timed 4 hour exam with 200 questions. CNOR-certified Nurses<br />
are recognized internationally for providing the highest quality of care to patients in the<br />
perioperative setting. These Nurses who attained their certification demonstrate their dedication<br />
to providing excellence in perioperative care.<br />
“I’m really proud of the group that we’ve put<br />
together here over the years,” commented<br />
Loren Lortscher, RN, BSN, Director, Surgical<br />
Services. “The CNOR certification is for nurses<br />
who are constantly improving and validating<br />
their knowledge to provide the highest quality<br />
of care to our patients and to the community.”<br />
In addition, Loren recently attended a<br />
national Association of Perioperative<br />
Registered Nurses (AORN) conference where<br />
he completed his Surgical Services Management Certificate. This comprehensive two-day<br />
program covered an array of subjects that ultimately designated Loren a master of surgical<br />
services management.<br />
Congratulations!<br />
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle<br />
<strong>Hospital</strong> Earns Sixth Consecutive Environmental Leadership Circle Award<br />
On April 25, <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong> was awarded the Environmental Leadership Circle Award at CleanMed, an international conference on environmentally<br />
sustainable health care, held this year in Boston. The award was given to the hospital by Practice Greenhealth for demonstrating the highest degree of<br />
commitment to environmental sustainability. This year marks the sixth consecutive year that <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong> has earned this prestigious award.<br />
“Only the best of the best receive this high honor,” said Practice Greenhealth Executive Director Laura Wenger, RN. “The members of the Environmental<br />
Leadership Circle represent the future of sustainability in health care, and <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong> is no exception.”<br />
The Environmental Leadership Circle recognizes health care facilities that exemplify environmental excellence and are setting the highest standards<br />
for environmental practices in health care. Award winners are chosen by the Practice Greenhealth Award review team from the top Partner for Change<br />
applicants. To be considered, facilities must meet the criteria for the mercury-free award, recycle at least 25 percent of their total waste stream while holding<br />
regulated medical waste to eight percent or less, have implemented numerous other innovative pollution prevention programs, and be leaders in their<br />
community.<br />
“All of us at <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong> work as a team to set our environmental goals and strive to not just meet but exceed them,” said Julie Manas, President<br />
& CEO, <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong>. “We are honored to be recognized for our efforts in helping to create an environmentally sustainable health care institution.”
Free Metabolic Syndrome<br />
SPEAKER SERIES<br />
Last Session Focuses on Making Permanent<br />
Lifestyle Changes<br />
<strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> and St. Joseph’s <strong>Hospital</strong>s are encouraging the community and<br />
colleagues to join us for the final session of a unique lifestyle and healthy<br />
living speaker series. Beginning this past January, these events have averaged<br />
more than 150 attendees for each session. For additional information about<br />
this series, please contact the hospital’s Center for Healthy Living at 715-717-<br />
1600, or visit www.sacredhearteauclaire.org/metabolic-syndrome-series.<br />
Go Ahead… Jam the Gym<br />
Join Jeff Rogers of Rogcity Fitness, who will talk about how to maintain your<br />
enthusiasm to make permanent lifestyle changes, as well as demonstrate a<br />
series of useful and fun exercises! Come in workout clothing and get ready for<br />
an evening of movement!<br />
Thursday, May 30<br />
5:30 – 7 pm<br />
Sleep Inn & Suites/29 Pines Conference Center<br />
Welcoming Our New<br />
Cardiology Director<br />
<strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong> is pleased to welcome<br />
Jill Barth, RN, BSN, as the hospital’s new<br />
cardiology director. Most recently, Jill served<br />
as ambulatory surgery administrative<br />
director for Marshfield Clinic in Marshfield,<br />
WI. Prior to that, she served as director of<br />
pulmonary services for Park Nicollet in St. Louis Park, MN. Jill also has<br />
served as a critical care and bone marrow-hematology RN.<br />
Dialysis Earns<br />
“Five Diamond” Status<br />
Program Helps Create a Culture of Patient Safety<br />
<strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong>’s Renal Dialysis Center has been named a<br />
“5-Diamond Patient Safety Facility” by Renal Network 11. As the<br />
quality control arm for Medicare, Renal Network 11 (serving MI,<br />
MN, ND, SD, and WI) is one of 18 Networks in the U.S. and was<br />
established by the federal government to improve the quality of<br />
dialysis and kidney transplant services for people with end-stage<br />
renal disease.<br />
Diamonds are earned by completing educational modules<br />
designed to build a culture of patient safety within the dialysis<br />
unit, promote patient safety values, create an awareness of<br />
patient safety issues, and help the dialysis unit learn more<br />
about specific areas of patient safety.<br />
The 5-Diamond Patient Safety Program is endorsed by the<br />
American Nephrology Nurses’ Association, the Renal Physicians<br />
Association and the National Renal<br />
Administrators<br />
Association.<br />
Jill earned her BSN degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire<br />
and will be pursuing her MSN degree at the University of St. Thomas<br />
in Minneapolis, starting this fall.<br />
Creating a Cleaner, Safer Environment<br />
Car Seat Recycling Day Event a Huge Success<br />
On April 20, Safe Kids Chippewa Valley (led by <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong>), Eau Claire Ford Lincoln<br />
and Quick Lane, AAA® , Advanced Disposal, and Safe Kids Wisconsin partnered in a statewide<br />
“Car Seat Recycle Day” to offer Chippewa Valley parents, grandparents and caretakers a safe,<br />
environmentally-friendly alternative to disposing old, broken or outgrown car seats – free of<br />
charge.<br />
The event was a huge success — collecting 217 car seats! The seats were then dismantled,<br />
recycled, and disposed of properly.<br />
As leaders of innovative methods of environmental stewardship, <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong> is proud<br />
to offer this annual event to our community. Through a conscientious effort to reduce, reuse, and<br />
recycle, each of us can help create a cleaner and safer environment for our future.
Retirement<br />
Announcement<br />
Guiding Our Hands and <strong>Heart</strong>s<br />
Overhead Prayers Offer a Brief Period for Reflection<br />
Each morning and evening, a member of the Pastoral Care<br />
Department invites all those in the hospital to pause for<br />
a moment of prayer. This brief reflection offers us the<br />
opportunity to quiet ourselves for a moment, as God is called l upon to heal the sick, comfort the sorrowful, and guide the<br />
hands and hearts of all those who will be ministering to our<br />
patients and families. We ask that you please pause and be<br />
respectful during this time of prayer.<br />
Mary Overman-Garborg is<br />
retiring from <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong><br />
<strong>Hospital</strong> after providing 36 years<br />
of dedicated and loyal service<br />
to the mission of the <strong>Hospital</strong><br />
Sisters. Her primary role has<br />
been as Telemetry Technician in<br />
Cardiology. Mary truly believes<br />
in the mission of <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong><br />
and strives to bring great quality<br />
care to those she serves. She<br />
is looking forward to extended<br />
time at the lake now that she is<br />
beginning this next chapter in<br />
her life. With great appreciation<br />
and gratitude, we wish Mary a<br />
very happy retirement!<br />
Congratulations!<br />
Please join Mary at her<br />
Retirement Celebration<br />
on Monday, May 20,<br />
from 1:30 to 3:30 pm in<br />
Bishop/Treacy Hall!<br />
HAVE A<br />
SAFETY<br />
CONCERN?<br />
Tell your<br />
manager so it<br />
can be included<br />
in the daily<br />
safety call.<br />
BENEFIT UPDATE<br />
HSHS Colleague Pension Plan<br />
St. Francis Apartments Hosts:<br />
Free Successfully Aging Seminar Series<br />
Held at 2:00 pm on the 3rd Thursday of each month through October, this<br />
Successfully Aging Seminar Series will be held at St. Francis Apartments<br />
(851 University Drive). Space is limited, so please RSVP to Cathy Werner at<br />
715-834-1338. Refreshments and door prizes will be provided.<br />
Thursday, May 16<br />
De-Cluttering After Winter<br />
Presented by Teri Nemann with<br />
Lite House Living, LLC<br />
<strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong> and <strong>Hospital</strong> Sisters Health System (HSHS) provide<br />
colleagues who retire between the ages of 55 and 65 with a very competitive and<br />
comprehensive pension program. The objective of the HSHS pension plan is to<br />
provide our colleagues with a monthly retirement benefit that is competitive with<br />
other health care organizations.<br />
Our pension plan, social security, and your personal retirement savings are the three<br />
elements that will provide economic security as you begin to think about retirement.<br />
Our pension plan is a “defined benefit” plan which means benefits at retirement are<br />
defined by the plan’s benefit formula. Under this type of plan, the hospital assumes<br />
the risk of investment performance. The pension formula is based on credited<br />
years of service, final average pay, and age at retirement. The method of payment<br />
selected determines the monthly benefit.<br />
Our pension plan has five-year vesting which means you are 100% vested after<br />
5 years of working a minimum of 1,000 hours per year. After becoming vested,<br />
you are guaranteed a pension benefit. Funding of the pension plan is completely<br />
paid by the hospital and there are no costs to colleagues. By not contributing to<br />
your pension plan, you have the opportunity to begin making personal investment<br />
choices in tax-sheltered annuities or other investments.<br />
Spirit is a <strong>Sacred</strong> <strong>Heart</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong> newsletter that appears on the second and fourth Monday of every<br />
month and is available internally on the hospital’s Pillar Boards & Intranet. It is also distributed by<br />
email and mail, and posted under the Media Center link at www.sacredhearteauclaire.org. Please<br />
direct comments, suggestions or requests for email newsletter (e-Spirit) subscriptions by phone<br />
at (715) 717-6589; or by email to DPaulson@shec.hshs.org; or by writing the Communications<br />
Department, 900 West Clairemont Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701.