Monsignor Edmund Klimek to Receive Catholic Health Association's ...

A GARDEN VIEW
Cancer Center Raises Funds
VOLUNTEER MONTH
Celebrating Years of Service
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
Earth Day Events & Tips
Monsignor Edmund Klimek to Receive Catholic
Health Association’s Highest Honor

Award
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Monsignor Edmund Klimek to Receive Catholic
Health Association’s Highest Honor
For a lifetime of contributions to the Catholic health care ministry,
Monsignor Edmund Klimek, senior priest chaplain at Sacred Heart
Hospital, will receive in June the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from
Catholic Health Association of the United States. The award will be
given during their National Assembly in Anaheim, California.
The prestigious award annually recognizes a person who has devoted
much of her/his life to Catholic health care and who has inspired
and mentored numerous others. The individual’s leadership extends
past the Catholic health ministry to influence and impact the local
community and beyond. This spring, Monsignor Klimek will also be
celebrating the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
“This award is conferred annually on ministry leaders with varied
backgrounds and achievements,” said Julie Manas, president and
CEO at Sacred Heart Hospital. “Fittingly, Monsignor Klimek is the
first hospital chaplain to receive this award. Being a recipient of
this top honor in Catholic health care is a testimony to Monsignor
Klimek’s selfless ministry, recognizes his lifetime of dedicated service
as an influential advocate of Catholic health care, and acknowledges
the vital role of pastoral care in our hospital. We are truly blessed to
have him.”
Monsignor Klimek, a native of Arcadia, Wisconsin, attended St.
Francis Seminary in Milwaukee. He was ordained by Bishop John
Treacy on May 16, 1953, at Holy Cross Seminary in La Crosse.
Monsignor celebrated his first Mass on May 24, 1953, in Arcadia.
His assignments before coming to Sacred Heart Hospital in June
1968 included assistant pastor at St. Lawrence Parish in Wisconsin
Rapids, religion and sociology instructor at Assumption High School,
and pastor at SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Independence. He also
has served on the Diocese’s College of Consultors, Clergy Personnel
Council, Presbyteral Council, and Dean of the Eau Claire Deanery.
He was elevated to the status of Monsignor in November of 2005,
and granted senior priest status in January 2012 by Bishop William
Callahan of the Diocese of La Crosse.
* Cover photo courtesy of Catholic Health Association of the United States
To commemorate Father Klimek’s 60th anniversary of priestly
ordination, Sacred Heart will host a celebratory Mass on Sunday,
June 9, at 1pm in the hospital’s Fr. Christopher Chapel, with a
reception to follow from 2 to 4 pm in the Community Auditorium.
All are welcome to attend!

Always learning….
always growing.
Hospital Hosts Certified Nurse Recognition Dinner
Faith Bresnan
Roberts
To provide the communities of western Wisconsin with the highest level of
trained professionals, Sacred Heart is proud to have always placed a strategic
emphasis on continuing education.
With that in mind, on March 13, the hospital hosted the second annual
Certified Nurse Recognition Dinner to honor all hospital nursing staff members
who have earned an advanced certification. The event took place at Florian
Gardens in Eau Claire and featured keynote speaker Faith Bresnan Roberts,
author, national speaker, and nurse of 37 years.
“Nurses validate their mastery of skills and abilities through certification, and an organization that embraces and supports nurse certification
will be better positioned to thrive in the highly competitive healthcare market,” commented Amy Dwyer, RN, MSN, Chief Nursing Officer,
Sacred Heart Hospital. “I am very grateful to the nurses who have chosen to become certified, and I congratulate all of them.”
Congratulations to these Sacred Heart Hospital nursing colleagues who earned advanced degrees and certifications in their area
of medical specialty. We are proud of your accomplishments and commend your dedication to quality care for our patients.
Kathy Huls-Sours, Gerontology, Behavioral Health
Rosemary Ludwig, OCN, Cancer Care Center
Georgia Smith, OCN, Director,
Oncology & Cancer Care Center
Jeanne Weggel, ACHPN, Cancer Care Center
Lori Miller, PCCN, Cardiology
Recia Prosecky, PCCN, Cardiology
Kelly Steffen, PCCN, Cardiology
Judith Pielhop, CCRN, Cath Lab
Nancy Demars, CCRN, Director, Cardiac Services,
Cath Lab/Cardiology
Ralph Edwards, CCRN, Critical Care
Noel Filla, CCRN, Critical Care
Dianna Bergquist, CCRN, CSC, Critical Care
Terese Horstman, CCRN, CNRN, Critical Care
Tori Hugo, CNRN, Critical Care
Kate Nulsen, MS, CCRN, CNRN, CNML, Director,
Critical Care Service Nursing
Kristin Peters, CNRN, Critical Care
Anne Pretasky, CCRN, CNRN, Assistant Director,
Critical Care
Peggy Schlough, CCRN, CMC, Critical Care
Kristine Terry, CNRN, Critical Care
Michelle Hanson, CNRN, Critical Care Surgical
Sarah Jochum, CNRN, Critical Care Surgical
Kelly Lehnherr, OCN, Critical Care Surgical
Patricia Nelson-Komro, CCRN, CV Clinic
Dianne Whitehouse, CSANE, EMTC
Tanya Scott, CHITC, Interim Director, Maternity
Kim Bruesewitz, RNC, Maternity
Teresa De-Moe, IBCLC, Maternity
Julie Ann Larson, CBE, Maternity
Paula Leland, RNC, Maternity
Tess Lokken, CBE, Maternity
Lynsey Olson, RNC, Maternity
Heather Pickerign, IBCLC, RNC, Maternity
Stacy Poli, RNC, Maternity
Jean Richard, RNC, Maternity
Denyse Schroeder, IBCLC, Maternity
Kathy Sell, IBCLC, Maternity
Amy Bohl, CPN, Neuro/Peds
Cynthia Bohn, CPN, Neuro/Peds
Peggy Markow, CPN, Neuro/Peds
Elizabeth Milanowski, CNRN, Neuro/Peds
Brook Steele, CNRN, Director, Neuro/Peds
Jamie Wright, CNRN, Neuro/Peds
Laura Dolezel, OCN, Oncology
Nicole Dodge, OCN, Oncology
Jessica Gugel, OCN, Oncology
James Toycen, OCN, Oncology
Tari Kennedy, MS, CCRN, CNRN,
Organizational Learning
Rorey Pritchard, MS, CNOR, RN-BC,
Organizational Learning
Christine Zimmerman, MS, CNRN,
Organizational Learning
Theresa Polzin, RN-BC, Organizational Learning
Stacey Powell, CNOR, Organizational Learning
Catherine Crawley, NEA-BC, Director,
Ortho/Surgical
Tracie Butler, CON, Ortho/Surgical
Rachel Kent, CMSRN, Ortho/Surgical
Carol Mohr, CON, Ortho/Surgical
Lindsay Wickham, CON, Ortho/Surgical
Tina Voss, PCCN, CSC, PACU
Angie Comerford, PCCN, PACU
Cynthia Witscher, ASPAN, PACU
Jean Pittenger, CNRN, Patient Services
Cathy Ruff, WOCN, Patient Services
Kim Johnson, MS, NEA-BC, Clinical Director,
Patient Services
Mark Anderson, Quality Improvement,
Quality Resources
Donna Moraska, CIC, Quality Resources
Jennifer Reetz, CRN, Radiology Admin
Barb Baumgartner, CRRN, Rehab Nursing
Nancy Mortwedt, CRRN, Rehab Nursing
Victoria Stelzig, CRRN, Rehab Nursing
Julie Thalacker, CRRN, Assistant Director,
Rehab Nursing
Rozanne Voorhies, CRRN, Rehab Nursing
Sheila Wright-Kersten, CRRN, Rehab Nursing
Cathy Aubart, CAPA, SSCU
Carol Isaksson, CNOR, Assistant Director,
Surgical Services
Amber Sweeney, CNRN, Surgical Services

We’re
Listening
February Colleague Updates
Q & A
Q: Does Sacred Heart Hospital (SHH)
offer induced hypothermia for heart
attacks/stroke to save brain cells?
A: Yes, we have two machines that
conduct intravascular hypothermia.
Our EMS system providers have bags
of ice they can use to start the process
with the patient as they are being
transported to the hospital. Control
of core body temperature can provide
the best opportunity for positive
outcomes. The American Heart
Association recommends inducing
hypothermia to minimize brain
damage after cardiac arrest or stroke.
Q: What is the progress with the
hospital in Ladysmith?
A: The due diligence period is
almost done for the Rusk County
Memorial Hospital in Ladysmith.
The county is nearing completion of
negotiations for the management
of the nursing home facility, as we
will not be associated with that
aspect of the operation. We hope to
finish in May and bring it forward at
the Hospital Sisters Health System
Board meeting this June.
TO VIEW THE FULL LISTING OF
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS,
PLEASE VISIT THE “COLLEAGUE
UPDATES” LINK ON THE
“PEOPLE SERVICES” TAB OF THE
HOSPITAL’S INTRANET.
IN THE
Executives Features in National Magazines
Sacred Heart Hospital and several members of
our executive team were recently featured in
national publications. The articles feature Julie
Manas, President & CEO, Sacred Heart Hospital,
and President & CEO, HSHS Division (Western
Wisconsin); Faye Deich, RN, MS, NEA-BC, COO,
Sacred Heart Hospital, and Senior Vice President
of Division Operations, HSHS Division (Western
Wisconsin); and Pat LuCore, RN, MHA, Assistant
Administrator, Sacred Heart Hospital. They
discuss the significance and industry trends
of physician partnerships and investing in the
development of centers of excellence.
To view the articles, please visit the below links:
H&HN – Julie Manas
www.sacredhearteauclaire.org/julie-manas-featured-in-march-2013-issue-ofhhn-magazine
HealthLeaders Media – Julie Manas
www.sacredhearteauclaire.org/the-drive-to-hire-docs---article-in-march-2013-
healthleaders
Becker’s Hospital Review – Faye Deich and Pat LuCore
www.sacredhearteauclaire.org/faye-deich-pat-lucore-featured-in-march-2013-
issue-of-hospital-review
Becker’s Hospital Review – Faye Deich and Pat LuCore
www.sacredhearteauclaire.org/faye-deich-pat-lucore-featured-in-beckershospital-review-online

Volunteers. The Heart of the Community
Celebrating Their Dedication, Compassion, and Kindness
SACRED HEART HOSPITAL IS PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE THE GENEROUS EFFORTS
OF OUR OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS AS WE CELEBRATE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER
WEEK FROM APRIL 21 - 27.
It began in 1974 when President Nixon signed an Executive Order establishing the week
as an annual celebration of volunteering. Since then, every U.S. president has signed a
proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week.
This year, the hospital’s Volunteer Services will host their annual spring luncheon on
April 16 from 12 to 2:30 pm in the hospital’s Community Auditorium. The occasion is
designed to honor and recognize the volunteers for their dedication, compassion and
kindness to patients, visitors and staff. The theme is “Honoring and Celebrating our
Heritage - 1939 - 2013...74 years of caring hearts and helpful hands.”
In addition to the recognition of volunteers with milestone years, there will be the election
and installation of board members and officers for the year 2013/14. Entertainment will
be provided by Carol O. Smart, an experienced actress and playwright, presenting “the
Honor Song”, a story of her grandmother Dr. Rosa Minoka-Hill. At Sacred Heart Hospital,
volunteers continue to provide excellent supportive services. Thank you, Volunteers, for
all you do!
April 16
12 to 2:30 pm
Community Auditorium
Your Summer Wardrobe Starts Here!
Volunteer Partners Host Annual Purse Sale April 15 and 16
Sacred Heart’s Volunteer Partners will host a Purse Sale on Monday, April 15, from 3-6
pm and Tuesday, April 16, from 7 am – 5 pm in Bishop/Treacy Hall. This is a great time to
check out the new colors for spring and get your summer wardrobe started. Or find that
great Mother’s Day gift for that special Mom.
Payments can be made by cash, credit card or payroll deduction (you must present your
badge when you make a purchase). Any profit will benefit the hospital and will be used
for on-going Volunteer Partner projects and/or equipment.
For more information, please contact Volunteer Services at 715-717-4255.
April 15 — 3 to 6 pm
April 16 — 7 am to 5 pm
Bishop/Treacy Hall
Celebrating
People in Action
Sacred Heart Hospital honors
all hospital volunteers for their
commitment to excellence in supporting
staff toward providing a superior
patient experience for all who come
through our doors.
Congratulations to the following
volunteers celebrating their anniversary
this year:
5 Years
Gerri Bainter
Jennifer Lashley
Mavis LeBarron
Kathy Mosack
Mary Ann Ogan
Mary Sanford
Jeanette Suchla
Edie Weisenbeck
Alane Wick
10 Years
Donna Hoffmann
Patricia King
Sue Larson
Bonnie Olson
15 Years
Dora Irvine
Kathy Kovell
Sally LaRose
20 Years
Sharron Green
Betty Stabenow
40 Years
Helen Ristau
VOLUNTEER
Month

Earth Day
I am the Earth
And the Earth is me.
Each blade of grass,
Each honey tree,
Each bit of mud,
And stick and stone
Is blood and muscle,
Skin and bone.
And just as I
Need every bit
Of me to make
My body fit,
So Earth needs
Grass and stone and tree
And things that grow here
Naturally.
That’s why we
Celebrate this day.
That’s why across
The world we say:
As long as life,
As dear, as free,
I am the Earth
And the Earth is me.
Jane Yolen
Hospital Offers Events and Tips on
Environmental Stewardship
SACRED HEART HOSPITAL INVITES YOU TO CELEBRATE EARTH DAY
ON APRIL 22 AND LEARN WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT THE
ENVIRONMENT, REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT AND REDUCE,
REUSE, AND RECYCLE. SACRED HEART IS SPONSORED BY THE HOSPITAL
SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS WHOSE PATRON SAINT IS ST. FRANCIS OF
ASSISI, THE PATRON SAINT OF ANIMALS AND ECOLOGY.
The hospital will be celebrating Earth Day on Friday, April 19, from 10 am – 2 pm in
Bishop Hall. Hospital staff, physicians and volunteers will be able to pick up free seed
packets (donated by Botanical Interests) and enjoy a special “dirt cake” dessert. In
addition, Ecolab will be on site to offer free water testing with a sample you bring from
home. We will also have information on our single stream recycling program available.
Earth Day is a perfect time to reflect about what you are doing to help protect the
environment. Everyone shares the responsibility to do as much as they can to preserve
the planet’s natural resources today and for future generations. Below are a few simple
ways that you can celebrate Earth Day and become environmental stewards:
• Plant trees, bushes or flowers
• Plant or renew your vegetable garden
• Reduce, reuse and recycle
• Make a bird feeder or bird house
• Ride your bike
• Visit a nearby recycling facility
• Learn more about the environment
• Get children to recycle old toys and games
• Go on a nature hike
• Clean up litter at a local park
Friday, April 19
10 am – 2 pm
Bishop Hall
Please feel free to cut out this bookmark poem and bring it to the hospital’s
Earth Day celebration for laminating.

theBOX
Thinking Outside
Reusing Clean Medical Supplies to Reduce Waste
As an organization dedicated to creating innovative methods to
reduce, reuse, and recycle for the betterment of our community
and planet, several departments throughout Sacred Heart Hospital
have developed new ways to reduce waste to our local landfills.
Included in these efforts is a unique partnership with a local
business, Eau Claire Moving and Storage, to reuse the clean
blue wraps that are on instruments and instrument pans in the
Sterile Processing Department and the Operating Room. Currently
the wrap is not recyclable and EC Moving is helping by reusing
the product to assist with packing and moving. This way the
blue wrap product will be utilized twice prior to it reaching our
landfills and will eliminate a second product that the movers
would normally use. This idea came from Sacred Heart’s
Sustainability Team and is being carried out by OR and SPD
colleagues.
Also, the hospital’s Dialysis staff has developed a creative use for
reusing medicine vial tops by decorating their ID badge holders.
These intricate designs not only keep the caps out of the landfill,
but they add a little color and brighten the day of patients,
visitors, and fellow colleagues.
Car Seat Recycling Day
Event Aims to Get Unsafe Child Safety Seats
Out of Circulation
Safe Kids Chippewa Valley (a program sponsored by Sacred Heart
Hospital), Eau Claire Ford Lincoln and Quick Lane, AAA® ,
Advanced Disposal, and Safe Kids Wisconsin are partnering in a
statewide “Car Seat Recycle Day” to offer Chippewa Valley parents,
grandparents and caretakers a safe, environmentally-friendly
alternative to disposing old, broken or outgrown car seats – free
of charge.
On Saturday, April 20, from 9 to 11 am at Eau Claire Ford Lincoln
and Quick Lane (2909 Lorch Avenue, Eau Claire), community
members can drop off car seats that are older than six years old,
or purchased at a garage sale/thrift store, or involved in a crash.
The car seats will then be dismantled, recycled and disposed of
properly. The free service is on a first-come, first-served basis. No
appointments will be taken.
Saturday, April 20
9 – 11 am
Eau Claire Ford Lincoln and Quick Lane
(2909 Lorch Avenue, Eau Claire)

Improving Our
SERVICES
Rehab Coordinator Speaks at
National Conferences
Catch the
Wisconsin
WAVE
Hospital Colleagues
Attend Partners for
Patients Event
Representatives from Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s Hospitals presented and attended the
Wisconsin Hospital Association’s (WHA) Partners for Patients event at Glacier Canyon Lodge at
The Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells on March 12 and 13.
Sacred Heart Hospital is pleased
to announce that Richard Bryans,
MBA, MA, CCC-SLP, Rehabilitation
Coordinator, was recently asked
to speak at two national Uniform
Data System (UDS) for Medical
Rehabilitation Conferences. On March
21-22, Richard gave his presentation
on “Driving Performance Improvement
Using On-Demand Reports” in
Orlando, Florida. He will also be
presenting in Las Vegas, Nevada, on
May 2-3.
Richard’s presentation focuses on
how Sacred Heart’s Rehabilitation
Services uses on-demand reports to
assist in managing facility operations.
He discusses how we engage staff
to improve performance based on
the outcomes from the reports when
compared with the region and nation.
Most importantly, by effectively using
data available from UDS, Sacred Heart
has been able to show improvement
with our programs performance —
including discharges to home or other
independent facilities, improvements
made throughout a patient’s stay,
and the financial benefits of increased
efficiencies.
Congratulations Richard!
All WHA member hospitals were invited to attend the “Catch the Wisconsin Wave” event to
celebrate the improvements made across the 10 Partnership for Patients topics, to learn from
participating hospitals and to engage in Wave two of the collaboration in 2013.
WHA’s Partners for Patients is a national initiative supported by the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services. This national effort seeks to prevent 1.8 million injuries to patients in the
hospital — saving more than 60,000 lives over three years. It also seeks to make care less costly.
Wisconsin hospitals are known for providing care that is ranked among the best in the nation.
This project will expand improvement activities and lead to even higher performance and
better care for patients.
Hospitals Sponsor Women’s Wilderness Retreat
From Tuesday, May 14 to Thursday, May 16, Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s Hospitals are
pleased to offer a unique wilderness retreat. Located in the rustic Wisconsin countryside
where there is no traffic, no city noises, yet just minutes from Eau Claire and Chippewa
Falls, the tranquil, serene environment will enable you to recharge, refocus, and
reenergize your life.
Local experts will bring items for the following:
• Women’s Health
• Meditation, Journaling and Goal Setting
• Yoga & Gentle Stretching
• Mind, Body, Spirit Connection
• Nutrition, Metabolism, and Food Preparation
• And much, much more!
Space is limited, so sign up today! For more
information or to register, call 715-717-1600.
Tuesday, May 14 to Thursday, May 16
$275 Per Person

Garden
A
Fundraiser Helps Pay Tribute to
Those Affected by Cancer
View
SACRED HEART HOSPITAL’S REGIONAL CANCER CENTER
IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE AN EXCITING NEW INITIATIVE
TO RAISE FUNDS FOR A HEALING VIEW GARDEN AND
TRIBUTE WALL TO HONOR THOSE AFFECTED BY CANCER.
For your gift of $100 or more, the name of a loved one, a cancer survivor, a caregiver
or someone special in your life will be honored with their name on the Tribute Wall overlooking
the garden. Located just outside the Radiation Patient & Family Lounge, this garden will help
provide a tranquil space for patients and families who visit the hospital’s Regional Cancer Center.
So far the Cancer Center has raised over $1,000 of its $6,000 goal. If you would like to donate
online, please visit www.sacredhearteauclaire.org and click on “Ways To Give”. If you would like to speak with someone about other
giving options, please contact the Friends of Sacred Heart Hospital at 715-717-4925 or email sacredheartfriends@hshs.org.
Positive
Dreams Only
Girl Scouts Donate Dream Catchers to Patients
On March 20, 10 Girl Scouts from a local troop came to Sacred Heart
Hospital to distribute approximately 20 dream catchers to young
patients and their famous Girl Scout cookies to nursing staff.
Working on their Bronze Award, which is the highest award a Girl
Scout Junior (4th and 5th grade) can achieve, the troop wanted to
help sick or injured children to not have bad dreams. Dream catchers
are a Native American tradition intended to protect the sleeping
individual from negative dreams, while letting positive
dreams through.
Hospital Promotes Wisconsin Donor Registry
On April 10, in collaboration with April Donate Life
Month, Sacred Heart Hospital will host a booth inside the
hospital’s cafeteria from 10:30 am to 1 pm in the effort
to educate visitors, colleagues and volunteers about the
new Wisconsin Donor Registry. Representatives from
UW-Organ Procurement Organization, American Tissue
Service Foundation and Lion’s Eye Bank will be on hand
to provide information about this incredibly valuable
program and how interested parties can sign up on the
spot or conveniently from home. Applicants will need either
a driver’s license or driver’s license number to sign up.
Anyone also can sign up for the registry online at
www.yesiwillwisconsin.org.
April 10
10:30 am to 1 pm
Hospital’s Cafeteria

Free Metabolic
Syndrome Speaker
Series
Dedicated to Improving the
Health of Our Community…
One Person at a Time
Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s Hospitals
are encouraging the community and
colleagues to join us for a unique
lifestyle and healthy living speaker
series. Beginning this past January and
running through May, these events
have averaged more than 150 attendees
for each session. For additional
information about this series, please
contact the hospital’s Center for Healthy
Living at 715-717-1600, visit www.
sacredhearteauclaire.org/metabolicsyndrome-series,
or reference future
issues of Spirit.
“Thank you for choosing me,
to be one of Sacred Heart’s family members.”
Hospital Announces Colleague Pride Contest Winner
Every year the Wisconsin Hospital Association sponsors the Employee Pride Program
to celebrate the dedication our colleagues exhibit for their career and recognize their
commitment to health care. In response, last month colleagues submitted their personal
stories to the hospital’s People Services Department that celebrated and showcased the
pride and caring all of us bring to
our work and to our community.
This year, the essay that was chosen
was written by Donna Thiess in
the Marketing/Communications
Department.
Congratulations Donna!
I’ve been a member of the Sacred Heart Hospital “family” for 21 years.
Before I began my employment here, I would pass by the hospital entrance
thinking, “I wish I worked there!” Low and behold, I began working in the
Marketing /Communications Department a few years later. I’ve seen staff
members come and go throughout the years, and have remained close
friends with many of them. Your colleagues really become like family when
you work in a tight-knit hospital setting.
Work Life Balance
Join Tom Kidd, BS, MS, ME-PD, as
he shares secrets for a healthier and
more balanced life. This session will
provide you realistic solutions to help
balance your life.....personally and
professionally.
Although I don’t work in direct patient care, I’ve always felt the mission
of the hospital deep within my heart. It seems the longer you work with
an institution that shows the care and compassion I witness every day
at Sacred Heart, the more you personally feel that care and compassion
in your own life. The hospital turns no one away due to inability to pay,
and that means so much to me as a colleague. Seeing the care offered to
everyone who comes through our doors has helped me appreciate that
all people — no matter who they are, what they believe in, or where
they come from — are God’s children. As the hymn reminds us, “All Are
Welcome Here.”
Thursday, April 18
5:30 – 7 pm
Sleep Inn & Suites/29 Pines
Conference Center (5872 33rd
Avenue, Eau Claire)
My father was hospitalized at Sacred Heart Hospital numerous times
over the past few years, and I spent many hours in different departments
— from ER to Cardiology. EVERY TIME he was admitted through the
ER doors, we were welcomed and treated with such amazing care and
concern. From Father Klimek to the Nurses to the Housekeeping Staff,
every colleague treated us like we were family. I will never forget the
compassionate care my father received in his last days.
I will forever be grateful to Sacred Heart Hospital for choosing me to
become one of their “family members.”
Donna Thiess
Marketing/Communications Department

CINC Shown as a
Best Practice Model
Hospitals Host Researchers from
Japan to Showcase Network
Collaboration
A high-speed advanced broadband network
may be one of the Chippewa Valley’s best
kept secrets. Even though its underground
fiber optic cables are unseen, nearly everyone
benefits from the network daily: it manages
traffic lights, supports mission-critical fire
and police communications, education and
libraries, and city and county services. It
also allows massive amounts of electronic
information and patient records to be shared
by health care providers and be securely
backed up offsite.
The Chippewa Valley Inter-Networking Consortium (CINC) is unusual because it is a collaboration of key community institutions. This
locally-owned advanced broadband network connects Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire hospitals, clinics, fire, police, and others at speeds not
commercially available. This network also reaches rural underserved areas to improve access to life-saving treatment for patients.
On Monday, March 25, Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s Hospitals hosted two researchers from Japan — Mr. Yasuichi Kitamura and Dr. Hiroshi
Mizushima. The international guests were visiting several innovative public-private advanced broadband fiber optic networks in the United
States to study collaborative models and learn about their impact on health care.
Yasuichi Kitamura is a researcher at the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Japan, and a member of the
Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN). Dr. Hiroshi Mizushima is a Chief Senior Researcher at the National Institute of Public Health in Japan.
There’s Still Time!
Hospitals Participate in Advocacy Day Trip to Madison
ON TUESDAY, APRIL 23, SACRED HEART AND ST. JOSEPH’S
HOSPITALS ARE ONCE AGAIN SPONSORING A BUS TO MADISON FOR
THE WISCONSIN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION (WHA) ADVOCACY DAY.
This annual legislative event is designed to motivate and educate health
care colleagues, volunteers and others on health-related issues and
grassroots advocacy opportunities on behalf of our hospitals and those we
serve.
If interested, discuss with your supervisor and sign up today by contacting
Juliet Nguyen at 715-717-6164 or jnguyen@shec.hshs.org. For hospital
colleagues, this will be paid as an eight-hour Outside Education/Seminar
day for your service area. There is no charge to you to participate in
Advocacy Day, as the hospital will sign up participants and pay associated
registration fees.
Tuesday, April 23
Participants will board the bus from the Target
parking lot in Eau Claire at 5:30 am, and will return at
approximately 7:30 pm that evening.
CPOE Continues to Improve in First Month
On March 5, Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s Hospitals
went live with Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE)
to increase accuracy of our electronic medical records and
patient charting. This initiative begins transitioning the
majority of order entry from nurses and unit secretaries
to providers. It is our goal to have 80% of orders entered
directly by providers within 6 months.
THANKS TO OUR PROVIDERS, COLLEAGUES AND
LEADERS, SACRED HEART HAS REACHED NEARLY
60% ORDERS ENTERED BY OUR PROVIDERS —
WHICH IS A HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT!

St. Francis
Apartments Hosts:
Free Successfully Aging
Seminar Series
Held at 2:00 pm on the 3rd
Thursday of each month
through October, this
Successfully Aging Seminar
Series will be held at St. Francis
Apartments (851 University
Drive). Space is limited, so
please RSVP to Cathy Werner at
715-834-1338. Refreshments
and door prizes will be
provided.
Thursday, April 18
CONTAINER GARDENING
Presented by Brent Douglas
with Brent Douglas Flowers
for Everyday
April 2013
Colleague
Updates
coming soon!
Please attend during one of
the following times, in the
Community Auditorium:
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24
7:15 am
11:00 am
5:30 pm
THURSDAY, APRIL 25
7:15 am
11:00 am
5:30 pm
FRIDAY, APRIL 26
7:15 am
11:00 am
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Exterior Renovations Reach Final Column of North Wing
In February 2012, Sacred Heart Hospital embarked on a three year, $20 million process to enhance the
patient experience. In addition to replacing the heating and cooling induction units in every patient room,
this renovation also includes replacing the original windows and supports installed when the hospital was
first built in 1964. Beginning on the North side and ending on the front of the hospital, this process will
not only completely change the look of the hospital, but most importantly, it will enhance safety and create
a more comfortable healing environment for our patients.
Update:
Crews continue construction on the North facing column of the North wing, as well as column
23 of the North side of the East wing. As rooms are completed on column 23, crews will begin
transitioning efforts to column 22 by the end of this week. In addition, over the next few weeks,
renovations should be fully completed to the entire North wing, allowing staff to regain access to
the North elevator.
In the effort to better inform our patients of the
benefits of the inevitable noises associated with
construction, all staff are encouraged to stay
updated on the progress in their area. When
asked about construction noise, colleagues should
reassure patients of the Quiet Hours (8 pm - 8
am), remind them of the project’s benefits, and
apologize for any inconveniences.
BENEFIT UPDATE
Benny Card Debit Transactions Now Available
For those Sacred Heart colleagues who have a Benny Prepaid Benefits Card
for their Flexible Spending Account, the hospital is pleased to announce a new
Personal Identification Number (PIN) option for purchasing eligible goods and
services.
In addition to the current method of providing a signature for a credit transaction,
this new option will allow colleagues and their families to select a debit
transaction using the same PIN for all active Benny Cards. If you choose not to
create a PIN you can continue to use your Benny Card as you always have by
simply selecting credit and providing a signature.
To create a PIN, please call 1-866-898-9795 and the
automated system will walk you through the menu
to create your own self-selected PIN. For more
information, please contact People Services at
715-717-4246.
Spirit is a Sacred Heart Hospital newsletter that appears on the second and fourth Monday of every
month and is available internally on the hospital’s Pillar Boards & Intranet. It is also distributed by email
and mail, and posted under the Media Center link at www.sacredhearteauclaire.org. Please direct
comments, suggestions or requests for email newsletter (e-Spirit) subscriptions by phone at (715)
717-6589; or by email to DPaulson@shec.hshs.org; or by writing the Communications Department,
900 West Clairemont Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701.