Sesame Street Characters Visit NMMC Rehab Center - North ...

October 12, 2012
CHECKUP
A PUBLICATION FOR NORTH MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER EMPLOYEES
Volume 20
Number 20
Wellness Center
Benefit ..................2
Bariatric ................3
Fitness
Challenge ..............4
Dr. Clark Retires....5
Sanders EOQ ........6
CPM Fever ............6
ER Visit..................6
Breast Cancer
Awareness ............7
Employee
Recognition ..........7
inside
Sesame Street Characters
Visit NMMC Rehab Center
Sesame Street Live friends Elmo and Cookie Monster dropped by
North Mississippi Medical Center’s Outpatient Rehabilitation Center
to visit with pediatric patients and staff before their performances of
“Elmo Makes Music” at the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo. For more
information about NMMC’s pediatric rehabilitation program, call (662)
377-7215 or 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-843-3375) or visit
www.nmhs.net/rehab_pediatric.php

NMMC Wellness Center Benefit
Does a Body Good
Full-time NMMC employees are eligible for a
significant membership discount and partial
reimbursement of Wellness Center dues. For
more information about this benefit, call your local
Wellness Center. Here’s what some employees have to
say about their Wellness Center membership.
Melissia McCoy, RN, BSN
School Nurse, Okolona School District
Melissia McCoy usually does evening
aerobics classes – among her favorites
are Boot Camp, Step Mania and
Zumba. She also plays basketball, uses
the track or lifts weights. “My favorite
part right now is that they continually add different
options to help with being healthier, like Mighty
Muscles for kids so they have their own time to work
out,” she said. “I definitely work out for health reasons
and yes, it makes a difference!”
Jerry Blalock
NMMC-Tupelo Paramedic/Assistant
Supervisor
Jerry Blalock has been a member since
the Wellness Center opened in Tupelo.
He varies his workouts between weight
lifting and circuit training. Blalock
enjoys having a variety of things to do and says he has
seen overall better health since joining all those years
ago.
Lisa Townsend
Transcriptionist, NMMC-Pontotoc
Since joining Pontotoc Wellness Center
four months ago, Lisa Townsend enjoys
45-60 minutes of cardio and 15-20
minutes on weights three to four days
each week.
During that time she has lowered her cholesterol and
strengthened her muscles. “Not only am I getting fit,
but I have more energy and feel better about myself,”
Townsend said. “I also like the fact that it is a stress
reliever!”
Twana Miller
Office Manager, Child Care Center
Twana Miller joined the NMMC-Tupelo
Wellness Center 10 years ago. Three
days a week she does circuit training
and runs. In addition to Wellness
Center classes twice a week, she also
runs at least three to four times a week on the cross
country course at Saltillo High School.
“The Wellness Center is close enough to my job that
I am able to go on my lunch break and work out. Plus
they offer a lot of classes I take part in, like Zumba,
R.I.P. and Weight Watchers,” she said. “I also enjoy
the Day Spa services. I think the Wellness Center is a
wonderful benefit for employees.”
Since joining the Wellness Center, Miller has lost 30
pounds. “When I started going to the Wellness Center I
could not run one lap around the track without being
out of breath” she said. “I am now running 5K races
and enjoying being able to run with my children. It is
amazing how much better I feel.”
Amy Clements
Ultrasound Technologist, NMMC-Iuka
Amy Clements joined the NMMC-Iuka
Wellness Center in January 2005 and
really appreciates the convenience. “I
do my best to go at least three times a
week and usually work out at least an
hour” she said.
Within five months of joining the Wellness Center,
Clements lost 60 pounds and has maintained that
weight loss for seven years.
Cheryl Stephens
Secretary, Health Care Foundation of
North Mississippi
Cheryl Stephens has been a Wellness
Center member in Tupelo for 13 years.
She enjoys walking, Boot Camp and
Muscle Cut classes, and lifting weights.
“I appreciate the friendliness of the staff and their
willingness to help,” Stephens said.
Continued on next page
October 12, 2012 Page 2

Denise Heard
Business Services Director, NMMC-
Pontotoc
Denise Heard rejoined Pontotoc
Wellness Center in 2011. Monday
through Saturday her fitness regimen
includes walking on the track and
Bariatric Center
Celebrates 5 th
Anniversary
Several North Mississippi Medical Center
employees were among those celebrating the
fifth anniversary of NMMC’s Bariatric Center
in September.
Since the center opened in 2007, hundreds of area
residents have lost a combined total of 32,000 pounds
and gained a second chance at life.
For more information about the NMMC Bariatric
Center, call (662) 377-SLIM (7546) or 1-866-908-
9465.
Linda Bramlett of Accounting, Debrah Pender of
Business Services and Dorie Crouch of Accounting
all had laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy.
Bramlett, Pender and Crouch have lost a combined
total of 260 pounds so far.
treadmill, riding the stationary bicycle, stairclimbing,
exercising on the Precor and then lifting weights. She
enjoys being a team member in competitions like
Lighten Up, and she particularly enjoys foot massage!
Not only has Heard lost 25 pounds (and counting),
but she has also lowered her blood pressure since she
started exercising regularly.
Tiffany Byars, RN,
of the Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit,
has lost 70 pounds
and dropped from
a size 20 jeans to
a size 12 since
having laparoscopic
adjustable gastric
band surgery in
July 2009.
Susan McComic (center), RN, a Community Health
nurse with West Point Schools, enjoyed visiting with
Bariatric Center staff members Cherri Cox, RN, and
registered dietitian Laura Mills. McComic has lost 127
pounds since having weight loss surgery in June 2011.
Page 3 October 12, 2012

Wellness Center
Holds Fitness
Challenge
North Mississippi Medical Center employees
finished strong in the NMMC Wellness Center
Fitness Challenge on Sept. 29. Twenty-two
men and 14 women competed for best finish times in
events including tire flip, rowing, tire pull, tire run,
chin ups, jump rope, sit ups, dumb-bell haul and trail
run. For information about upcoming fitness events,
contact your local Wellness Center or call 1-800-THE
DESK (1-800-843-3375).
Anita Monroe, an MIS analyst, won
the women’s division of the Fitness
Challenge with a time of 17:25.
Hank Boerner urges Outpatient Rehab’s
speech therapist Dana Hobby on in the tire
pull event.
Clinical pharmacist
Lori Eschete of
Surgery competes
at the push up
station.
George Stone, a fitness instructor at the Wellness
Center, won second place in the men’s division with
a finish time of 18:22.
October 12, 2012 Page 4

Dr. Clark Retires After 35-Year Career
Dr. Doug Clark has spent the majority
of his 35-year career at North
Mississippi Medical Center in dark
rooms interpreting X-rays and complex
radiology studies. But after retiring Sept. 28,
he hopes to spend more time at a local fishing
hole or with family.
A West Point native, Dr. Clark attended
the University of Mississippi in Oxford
before graduating from the University of
Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson
in 1971. He completed an internship at
Baylor Medical Center in Dallas, Texas,
followed by residency training at the
University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. He
then served two years in the U.S. Army at Redstone
Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala.
A friend from his residency program, Dr. Jim Trapp,
was practicing in Tupelo and offered Dr. Clark the
opportunity to join him, Dr. John Blakey and Dr. Dan
Brasfield. When he joined NMMC’s medical staff in July
1977, he was one of 11 new physicians added that
year, bringing the total physicians to 75. Several of his
cohorts from UMMC – including Drs. John Sanders,
Ben Buchanan and Roger Lowery – were also on staff
here.
“There was no CT scan, and a primitive ultrasound
machine,” Dr. Clark said. “At that time radiation therapy
was done with cobalt in the Radiology Department.”
Back then X-rays were all done on film, which sometimes
caused delays, required ample storage space and
were prone to being misplaced. Shortly after he came,
NMMC acquired its first CT scanner. “The turnaround
time for a CT scan in the Emergency Room has dramatically
improved,” he said. “Scanners have gotten faster
and faster, thanks to computer innovation. It used to
take about two minutes to get one image. Now we can
do the whole chest and abdomen in one breathhold,
and we get the image very quickly.”
Dr. Clark witnessed numerous changes during his
tenure and says computers are mostly responsible –
not only because of processing power and storage
capability, but also because they made the Picture
Archiving and Communication System (PACS) possible.
Dr. Clark first saw PACS technology demonstrated at
a national meeting in Chicago when the military
launched it using satellites. “I had a vision to tie our
Dr. Doug Clark (center) celebrated his retirement with Radiology
Department staff members, including (from left) Gordon Hollingsworth,
Linda Michael, Kathy Watson, Carolyn Whitfield, Rhea Warren and
Dianne Worthey.
hospitals all together and be able to view images from
anywhere at any time,” he said.
Dr. Clark also played a key role in developing
NMMC’s Breast Care Center, which opened at Women’s
Hospital before relocating to its current home. “A
mammogram used to be a long process with a huge
‘anxiety interval,’” he said. Now time between
screening mammogram, follow-up mammogram,
breast biopsy and appointment with the surgeon is
only a matter of days. Digital mammograms are
another innovation, as is the computer-assisted
diagnosis program that helps radiologists look for
calcifications on mammograms.
Dr. Clark served on NMMC’s board of directors from
1996-2006, including a stint as vice chairman from
2001-2005. His tenure includes service on multiple
board committees and terms as chairman of the external
development committee, planning and marketing
committee, and property and construction oversight
committee. He also served as chairman of the medical
staff in 1992.
Now that he’s retired, he hopes to fish and work on
his cabin at Pickwick Lake. He plans to volunteer for a
local food pantry and share his expertise with residents
at NMMC’s Family Medicine Residency Center. He
may also be drafted as “handyman” for wife Grace’s
new business venture, Borrowed Thyme, which offers
catering and carry-out meals and specialty items.
The Clarks hope to travel and spend more time
with family, which includes twins Chris and Sally,
daughter Kelly and their families. They also have
seven grandsons and one granddaughter, plus another
granddaughter on the way.
Page 5 October 12, 2012

Sanders Named NMMC-West Point EOQ
Laquante Sanders, RN, has
been selected as North
Mississippi Medical Center-
West Point’s most recent Employee
of the Quarter.
A graduate of West Point High
School, she completed her bachelor’s
degree in nursing in 2004 and
earned a master’s degree in health
education in 2010. Additionally, she
is a Certified Health Education Specialist.
Sanders joined the hospital staff in 2004 and
works in Same-Day Surgery. Co-workers say she
is conscientious, demonstrates excellent customer
service, shows compassion and models a high
Noel Geno (seated, center) returned to NMMC’s
Emergency Department on Sept. 27 to thank individuals
like Paul Bailey, RN; paramedic Dusty Curry,
Emily Fowler, RN, and paramedic John Goldman,
who helped save her life after a motorcycle accident
July 1. The 18-year-old from Tupelo showed them
a scrapbook compiled by her grandmother that
chronicles the accident and her subsequent treatment.
Geno suffered multiple fractures throughout
her body, including every bone in her face, after
being thrown off the motorcycle onto boulders in a
nearby ditch. After being stabilized in NMMC’s
Emergency Department, she was flown by medical
helicopter to the University of Mississippi Medical
Center in Jackson. Between July 1-28, Geno
underwent 16 surgeries for injuries sustained in the
accident. The staff was amazed at her progress
and thankful for the opportunity to see her doing
so well only a few months after the accident.
level of integrity. “She takes time to listen and address
all concerns of the patient and family members,”
her nomination reads. “She follows up with patients
to make sure their needs are met. She is dedicated
to her job and demonstrates impeccable work
ethics.”
“The best part of my job is spending time with
my patients and getting to know each of them on a
personal level,” Sanders said. I also have a special
bond with my co-workers that allows us to work
together as a family.”
She is married to Marlon Pruitt and has a son,
Cameron Farmer, and a daughter, Braxtynn Pruitt.
She is a member of Mt. Herman M.B. Church in
West Point and Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
Catch the CPM Fever! The clinical nurse educators
and support staff have been providing an educational
workshop on the Clinical Practice Module
(CPM). This software is embedded into Sunrise
Clinical Manager (SCM) with evidence-based content
to help guide patient care and documentation.
Trainers include (front row, from left) Alicia
Gardner, RN; Barbara Pulse, RN; Natalie Dickerson,
RN; Mindy Forsman, RN; Cera Bates, RN; Edee
Dull, data analyst; Shana Cummings, RN; (second
row, from left) Megan Bray, RN; Pam Robbins, RN;
Ashley Henson, RN; Amanda Sullivan, RN; Karen
George, RN, director of Nursing Practice; Candyce
Little, RN; and Amanda Braddock, administrative
assistant.
October 12, 2012 Page 6

Nurse Mentorship Academy Students Sought
North Mississippi Medical Center is seeking area
high school seniors for its Nurse Mentorship
Academy, Jan. 29-March 29.
Phase I of NMMC’s Nurse Mentorship Academy will
meet from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays for
eight weeks. Tuesdays will be nursing education and
mentoring. Thursdays will feature guest speakers, life
skills and job shadowing. Participants will be provided
a uniform (scrubs and lab jacket) and T-shirt.
Interested students should apply before Nov. 2
and must be 18 before June 30, 2013. Applications
are available in high school guidance offices and the
NMMC Employment Services Department, or by
visiting www.nmhs.net/youth_programs.php. Twenty
students will be selected to participate in the program.
Applicants must submit an application, 250-word
essay, two letters of recommendation, high school transcript
and ACT score (if applicable).
Participants who successfully complete Phase I
of NMMC’s Nurse Mentorship Academy advance
to Phase II, which is
Certified Nursing
Assistant (CNA)
training during the
summer. Upon
completion of the
course, students are
eligible to take the
Certified Nursing
Assistant examination.
The program ends
with a pinning ceremony and
celebration at NMMC. Students
who become certified are then employable in the field
of nursing and are at a great advantage to succeed in an
LPN or RN program of their choice.
The NMMC Nurse Mentorship Academy is made
possible by a grant from the Bower Foundation.
For more information, call (662) 377-3245 or
(662) 377- 4179.
Employee Recognition
October 15-21 is National Credit Union Week
October 15-21 is National Pharmacy Week
October 15-21 is Healthcare Quality Week
October 22-28 is Healthcare Facilities & Engineering Week
October 22-28 is Pastoral Care Week
October 22-28 is Respiratory Care Week
Three-year breast cancer survivor Donise
Smith (center) of North Mississippi
Medical Clinics’ Central Billing Office put
together breast health materials for
coworkers, including (from left) Katina
O’Neal, Beth Riley, Shelia Logan, Danielle
Hill and Tracy Tallant. Smith wants to
make sure everyone knows the risks and
warning signs for breast cancer.
Page 7 October 12, 2012